So, Happy New Year all….I ended 2019 with a final gig with The Future Shape of Sound at Hootenanny’s in Brixton. Not only was it my final gig of the year but my final gig with the band as recent changes in personnel conveniently coincided with a long-held decision to move on from the project and explore new opportunities and as no gigs planned or booked after this it felt the best time to throw my towel in the ring whilst looking for new rings to throw my hat in to!
I do have a new project already up and running, as dep drummer for great Ska band The Estimators, our first gig on February 8th 2020 in Southend and then at the end of the month at The Dublin Castle on February 29th. All gigs and details at their webpage at http://www.the-estimators-london-ska-band.co.uk/gigs.html. I haven’t played drum-kit with a band for over 6 months now so looking forward to it, not least because I’ll be using my new drum kit, the Pearl Mid-Town, a great compact and portable kit.
My day-work as a music school teacher continues with an exciting potential new development on the horizon I’ll be able to talk about soon hopefully. At my regular school I’m running 2 after-school clubs this term – choir and keyboards, exploring the new Akai bluetooth mini-keyboards I acquired via a grant I won and preparing for the Spring Concert, Variety Show and of course BLastonbury, our big event of the year.
As a punter, I’m looking forward to seeing Tame Impala locally in Victoria Park and Nick Cave in Oslo, both events in May. I’m hoping to attend a music festival too, Black Deer looking good along with Timber Festival.
I’d like to explore devising a show this year. I wrote a mini-Musical called The Pillars of Hercules a few years back and may refresh it or work on something new, with the aim to be able to swap between kit, keys, accordion, percussion, guitar and viola along with 1-2 other multi-instrumentalists and a cast of 2-3 singers/actors.
If there was one musical goal I wished for me for this year it would be to find or create a scenario where I’m performing monthly and locally, playing good music with good people making happy memories for those listening and viewing. Get in touch if this fits or interested in collaboration.
Outside of music, I’ve one last test to pass – my Mod 2 – before a qualified motorcyclist. It’s been a 4-month journey so far with my CBT, Theory Test and Mod 1 completed and this last challenge hopefully completed by the end of January. I then hope to get a Triumph Street Twin motorbike. Other goals are to get my tooth sorted as nearly 2 years since my accident, keep saving for my future security and maintain my health continuing to run 10k at least weekly.
I hope 2020 brings good things and happiness for all. Barns xx
Barney Musician 