Here we are in July already when thoughts of course turn to Christmas, well it does in this crazy business at least. I am going to be pretty much working flat out over the festive period and here is my list of things to look forward to:
A Christmas Carol
I have recently recorded the abridged public reading used by Charles Dickens himself to form a musical collaboration with Mark Rolfe (of the Nottingham band Lorna). We are releasing this as an album and will be doing a handful of live performances.
Charles Dickens Christmas Storytelling
I am still taking bookings and so far have the following dates confirmed:
Malt Cross, Nottingham: Sundays December 3rd, 10th and 17th. All shows 2pm (there will be a door charge to be announced)
Beamish Museum, County Durham: Thursdays and Fridays, December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd. Shows are I think 5pm starts but details will be announced nearer the time.
Audio Books
I am going audio book crazy this December. Some are already recorded and some are not, but this Christmas my Bandcamp page will be bursting with festive goodness; Christmas Tales (a collection of classic fairy tales), Christmas Day In The Workhouse (depending on some discussions there should also be a filmed version), and The Signalman will all be available.
Kazoo!
Yes, my third album of Christmas favourites performed on kazoo will be released this year, whether you like it or not. In addition to the album I am also releasing a cover of 'Last Christmas' as a tribute to George Michael, this will be released as a stand-alone single.
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But that's not until December!
I will be getting paid for the Dickens gigs which is nice as I am no longer working for free as I don't feel as if I need to any longer so have turned down several things just lately. There comes a point where it just becomes a piss take and I am dead against the current trend for not 'being able' to pay for contributions. I was blocked on Twitter by a website called Hey! What's On Nottingham (which is a glorified blog that seems to think it can join the likes of Nottingham Live and Leftlion who have both dominated the market for years) for responding to their tweet advertising for reviewers by asking how much they pay. No conversation, just blocked. Nottingham Live don't pay but they also don't carry adverts or make money, the owner and editor are friends too so I don't mind. Also, they don't ask me to do anything these days.
It is strictly on my own terms that I put work out for free because I am proud of the things I produce and put out for little reward. The Sunday Alternative goes out once a week plus a Bank Holiday Monday episode, I listen to EVERY song I am sent myself, I record it at home in my office and upload it all by myself for no money. The only recompense I receive is by donations using the PayPal button. The Random Sessions also goes out for free and we do it for fun. I film one or two sessions a week and with my dad's help we put out an episode every Saturday.
We are now in July and although creatively I am doing pretty well but I am of course still not happy as there are things still waiting to be made which I need a budget for. The time has come to really pull our fingers out and work together so please make a donation using the button above. All the money goes into making short films, documentaries, comedy sketches and more and in return for your financial assistance I will make the finished product available for free online. I am getting sick of the same things appearing on my to-do list for the year and this has to change.
Please make a donation now, use the PayPal button above and help to entertain the whole world.
Thank you.
Other news
I fell out of love with writing a daily blog but have now started making video diaries and putting them on my YouTube channel alongside The Random Sessions. My YouTube is one of the links below.
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