stripeyrache blog on Absolute Radio

Gigs gigs gigs

stripeyrache — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:38:00 +0000

I have decided that next year I want to go to more gigs. Call it somewhat of a new years resolution! I am aiming for at least one gig every month and can't wait!!

So far I've booked Editors on the 5th March, Newton Faulkner for the 6th March (busy week!!) and Pigeon Detectives for the 6th June.

I'm starting a little early though with The Holloways and The Pogues next Wednesday.

I'm open to any suggestions of great gigs in the London area for the whole of next year, and of course if any other VIPs wanted to join me on my quest then the more the merrier!!!

Reading Festival

stripeyrache — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:02:00 +0100

Its only two days to Reading Festival and I'm getting quite excited!! Really looking forward to seeing the Kings of Leon and Maximo Park. Just thought I'd share.

Is anyone else going? Who are you looking forward to seeing the most?

Amy MacDonald

stripeyrache — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:22:00 +0100

I've been hearing Amy MacDonald's singles on Virgin a lot over the past few months and been quite impressed. So I downloaded the album and thought it was pretty good too.

Just been to the Innocent Village Fete in Regents Park, turns out she was doing a set there. It was fantastic! She sounded as good live as on the recorded tracks and the audience really loved her. She didn't really try to engage with the audience much, but the music was so good it didn't really matter. I think she's fab!

Thank You!

stripeyrache — Sun, 13 May 2007 00:57:00 +0100

I just wanted to thank VR for making me VIP of the Day on Friday, I felt honoured! And I wanted to thank everyone who left me a shout congratulating me and stopped by to say hi. Much appreciated.

Songs that have actually changed my life

stripeyrache — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 23:54:00 +0100

I was bored and listening to music, and Tiny Dancer by Elton John comes on, and it got me thinking. Now I know this is dangerous, and generally I don’t condone thinking, but occasionally I feel it can be beneficial for the mind, soul, physical being yada yada yada. I digress. The song got me thinking…and as I’m still bored I thought I would share.

I have a lot of memories linked to that song, it brings up a lot of emotion and makes me feel stuff. I can honestly say that that song changed my life. Actually changed my life. It made me see things in a different way, I have re-evaluated myself to that song, cried to it and best of all sung along right out loud at the top of my voice. Which sounded awful, but is an excellent release.

So, as thoughts do, this thought led me onto to another thought. In this instance about other songs that have similar effects; I realised there are quite a few. Now normally I don’t believe in making lists related to music, I don’t have a favourite song, artist, album or anything; I couldn’t make a list of top ten songs, artists or albums. I might be able to negotiate a top fifty, but even this would be narrowing things far too much for my liking. I’d probably struggle with a top 100 too.

However, this said I do believe I could list the songs that have changed my life. And again I mean REALLY changed my life. There are many songs I like even love, would gladly listen to every day until the day I die, but I can’t honestly say that they changed me in any way. The life changing ones make my spine tingle (they really do!!) they have made me see things differently , they bring out raw emotion, I have not been quite the same person after hearing them. As far as I’m concerned, no record (CD, mp3 whatever) collection is worth its salt unless it has these tracks. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my definitive list of songs that have actually changed my life (in no particular order):

Tiny Dancer - Elton John

Sparks -The Who

Domino - Van Morrison

Soul Love - David Bowie

Town Called Malice - The Jam

La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh) - The Manic Street Preachers

Desolation Row - Bob Dylan

Hazey Jane I - Nick Drake

Hazey Jane II - Nick Drake

Alive - Pearl Jam

New Sensation - INXS

Footloose - Kenny Loggins

Bron-Yr-Aur - Led Zeppelin

Blues Run the Game - Simon & Garfunkel

So there it is. Fourteen life changing tracks. A eclectic mix, but unfortunately I am powerless to it. There are some amazing tracks which aren’t in there, and there are some tracks of dubious quality which are. But you can’t choose what changes you, it just does. Nature of the beast and all that.

Anyone for Pimms?