EONS HAVE PASSED.

I apologize for my lack of posting. Most of my recent time has been spent waiting. I had a few job interviews, made it to the shortlist, but could never seal the deal. Sadness. The website has been finished, I believe. I sort of stepped out to concentrate on finding work before the ability to remain in London expired. So Hussain has done a brilliant job of taking on the whole project. Have a look at the finished site.

So what does fate have in store for me?

I'm currently taking a month-long holiday hiatus to figure out my next move. I know the struggle I will have to endure to stay in my favourite city, and the reasons keeping me there aren't enough when weighed against what is awaiting me here in Canada. Ultimately life will be easier and more fulfilling if I return. The solitary motivating factor is that I could start my own business. There has been an idea lightning storm rocking my brain and considering the endeavor has made me blissfully happy. I have some solid support behind me, so I realize that this is what I must do.

And with that, I would like to share the logos I have been working on. I only spent a few hours throwing it together so it's not perfect, but I am quite partial to it.



I think I prefer the circular version. It really depends on the building's signage availability. I've had a browse at a few commercial spaces, and one has a very long rectangular board space, and the other has virtually no space at all (the neighbour has occupied it all!).

I will keep updating the progress, as well as any design work that perpetuates from the process. The next stage will be speaking to a financial advisor, so I'm a few steps away from any further designing! Exciting!

GOOD GIG!

Not much has been going on lately! I have just been preoccupied with pumping out CVs and going to interviews, and some shifts at work.

We've had the pleasure of a string of Charlene Soraia shows, and she was back again last week.

I finally made a couple of my own videos, though all taken from my post at the door (hence they aren't very good!).

Look out for a song called "Animal" by Miss Soraia, someone else shot her playing it last month before she finished it, so to give you an idea... have a listen!

(My not so fantastic recording)

Charlene was supporting James Apollo, who was also fun to listen to! The Cadbury Sisters were sandwiched in between the acts and treated us to lovely harmonies accompanying acoustic guitar. They didn't play this Dusty Springfield cover, but I dig it!

Here's a little James Apollo for you! I missed what I considered the best song he played, but you get the idea.

More ear treats!

Sorry for the absence once again! Life seems to whiz by me in a blur and before I realize, it has been months!

Last night we had a particularly great show at the Lamb. A miss Charlene Soraia graced the stage for the second time in the past two weeks and pretty much blew the audience (along with myself) out of the water. Not only is she an absolutely incredible guitarist and vocalist, but she's extremely kind and hilarious to boot!

Have a listen.



Another performer that I really enjoyed was Sam Airey. He's a lovely fellow with a voice reminiscent of a classic English singer.
Go listen to more.

MUSIC DOODLES!

OKAY friends. I am terrible sorry for the long pause in posting. I have accomplished a move, accumulating a part-time job (and as of Friday, two), a two-week internship, as well as a design job (website). That's my brief update. I have been working for the gig promotion company Pull Up The Roots/Electroacoustic Club, doing box office/gig rep work. I absolutely love it.

I have a method that I employ to gauge whether the artist/band is good. If I feel compelled/inspired to doodle whilst listening, then I can affirm they're awesome. I've begun collecting the doodles and now have a bit of a shrine in my new flat.

The "Friendship is free" sign I can't take credit for. It was on display with Otis Gibbs' merchandise. That man is hilarious.







And while I'm on the subject of work, here are a few samples of some of the people that I've enjoyed. I really need to start recording these...

I also love this film/music by the guy who also does box office stuff at Pull Up The Roots.



The fellow also happens to be one of the friendliest (and charming) blokes I've encountered at work.

WEB DESIGNS

Working on some site designs for a music promoter at the moment. Here are the 3 contenders... although he has pretty much already chosen one!

Work in Rough Trade!

The posters I designed for 5000, promoting upcoming shows are up in Rough Trade East! Go see them! Or alternatively, amazing Andy has posted photos of them here!

Until then, here are a few of the designs...

CHOSEN FLYER DESIGN

CHOSEN POSTER DESIGN

PRELIMINARY DESIGNS

EAR FOOD

I am quite enjoying this song at the moment.

THE DIVINE DEATH CAB (but not so courteous fans)

I fulfilled my teenage dream this past Thursday and finally saw Death Cab for Cutie at Brixton Academy here in London. I have raved to anybody who will listen about the new album Codes and Keys, but was pleased as punch that they played some old favourites, ahem Transatlanticism, fantastic closer. Those boys still have marvelous stage energy, though banter was quite minimal. The sound was a bit sketchy in the beginning and it was difficult to hear Ben Gibbard. He has a pretty soft voice. To my delight the opening band (The Head and The Heart) were quite good. They had a bit of a struggle with feedback during the performance, but they kept hammering on, grinning.

I was pretty astonished to find a sound lady, which must be rare! I couldn't help but deem her awesome.

It was a superb show. I left there with a moderate twinkling but not awe-struck (though I have had 'I Will Possess Your Heart' in my head ever since). Although this may have been more to do with the insolent audience. Perhaps with age and accumulating gig experience, my sensitivity to the environment has increased immeasurably. Regardless, there are a few things you just don't do. Emilia and I discussed writing GIG COMMANDMENTS because any sense of etiquette in this setting simply does not exist.

We had several groups of people plow through us. First two rather large screaming girls who kept thrusting their arms in peoples faces whilst making heart shapes out of their hands. Lame, and disrespectful to the bands. Next, big beefy dudes trampled on our feet and tossed us like weeds as they bouldered their way to the front. Not cool friends. Midway through the DCFC set a man elbowed me out of the way and shoved his girlfriend with a red wooly hat in front of me. I could no longer be passive and asked her firmly (but politely) to move. I think she was caught off guard and retreated to the other side of her boyfriend, who also seemed stunned. I believe most audience members accept these actions as the nature of the beast and aren't brazen enough to speak up.

I did manage to take a few snaps on the Ricoh. I have a few videos posted below as well!
Looking forward to My Morning Jacket on the 17th!

VIDEOS

I DON'T DO DELICATE (very well)

At the moment I am trying to illustrate some flourishes to adorn a poster/flyer with. The aim is to create something 'delicate' and 'elegant' and apparently it is no easy task! I believe my determination to achieve perfection is hindering the process. It's a struggle transitioning from coming up with something you are pleased with to trying to ascertain what someone else has in mind. Have a look at some of my (not so sexy) sketches...





The sketches have led me in the production of the following assortment of flourishes. I am trying to keep it connected to the nature of the poster/flyer, maintaining a musical-ish theme. I tried veering towards a sort of classical/elegant style but those ones ended up looking rather silly.


So what I have is not exactly what I was striving for (which appears impossible), but sometimes you have to make what you've got work for you. Here's hoping the client is pleased.

WORSHIP NOSTALGIA

I have been thinking about the Worship publication a lot lately. It was an absolutely phenomenal project, one I wish could carry on forever. If only we could make a living producing it. Emilia and I talked about working on volume 2, and it seems like something we both want to pursue.

For now, reflecting on the experience has reminded me of all the wonderful people we met along the way. I am lamenting about not shooting portraits of said people. I barely shared the highlights on here (in an effort to preserve the images we thought we would use). Now that the project is complete, I thought I would toss a few more photographs from the research, including some that we used in the posters.

We Are Augustines Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson. Exceptionally nice guys.

The Boxer Rebellion, "sorry, can you repeat the question... all I heard was bum hole." That probably my favourite moment. Also tremendously kind fellows.

Mimi's favourite bit at Troxy

Union Chapel

Men's loos at the Luminaire

LISTEN YO!

This blog is in desperate need of more sound delights!

I revisited My Latest Novel this morning and forgot how sweet and serene it is. I adore Scottish music.

POST SHOW!

Much to do!
My makeshift website needs ample help! I am pretty clueless when it comes to website details.. I know the basics, as anyone who has watched some youtube tutorials does. I can't for the life of me discern how to make my site scaleable without tarnishing the image quality (it's a giant jpeg... have tried a png as well). That needs sorting out. I've got our resident web monkey nearby to assist me when I get some time!

I've been quite delayed on discussing the degree show, which came to an end so abruptly I feel as though I've near to plummeting over an unexpected metaphorical cliff.

My family flew over to come along, and it was fantastic to see them! It was really wonderful being able to spend (not even close to enough) time with them. It will have to tide me over for awhile, there isn't much room (or dinero) for a Canadian visit - impending gigs and a medical appointment.

I just discovered some rather crumpled business cards in the pocket of my dress, which was a bit of a score! They all disappeared, along with the intervals of A5s I made for industry perusers to pick up. My Bracebridge postcards were swiped by a couple degree show bandits... sneaky! I can't fathom why those ones, as opposed to the ones depicting cooler places around the globe, were attractive to our klepto friends. A laptop also went missing. It's such a shame. Art appreciators and critics cannot be trusted.

The turn out was pretty stellar and I was absolutely stunned by my peers incredible work. Lots of compliments on the variety and nature of the projects. So proud of everyone!! I took some photographs on the Olympus Pen, so those should be along shortly, once I finish the film!

So yeah, it's all over. I am now battling the anxiety/fear of whether I will be able to remain in the UK. London has become my home over the past three years. I would be devastated to have to leave this city that I love. It's terrifying for life to be so uncertain and being on the cusp of many conclusions. I shall know by mid-August if I will be granted a post-study visa. Our lease ends September 1st, so my housing situation cannot be determined until then also. The job market is pretty awful apparently, so I'm uncertain whether financially I can stay. Reality is scary.

You know I had to bake cupcakes for the industry night... well they were a thank you present for my tutor Rathna and Andy Inglis who was an incredibly benevolent host to Emillia and I at the Luminaire during our music publication research. I did have quite a few leftover to give out...

A strange mash up of two images of the Nicholls & Clarke building in Shoreditch where our show was held.

Inside the Nicholls & Clarke building

Setting up photography

Setting up in the room where Emilia and I had our shared space

Our shared space

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

OK I've been in serious recovery since the chaotic final hand in of our work for our degree. The first act following the submission (and pulling an all-nighter to finish with 5 minutes to spare) was to indulge in an ice cold Kopparberg at the pub. So, it's all over. Well – not exactly.

We are currently in the process of putting together our final show. The madness persists. Getting organized for the show and the transition out of student life has been terrifying and heaps of work. I've had to throw together a website (after battling with flash for a month, giving up and then creating one in dreamweaver), conjure up some business cards and sort out/prepare what's going in the show and produce all the signage that will accompany it. I have yet to attack my CV!

So what exactly did I submit? I suppose I haven't posted some items that went in. There was a box of photos, this Coachella fanzine (to go along with the music publication),



the postcards + a framed print of one (California) on bamboo paper,

then the Text to Drum concertinas... and that'd be it!


I have been working on my site for ages. The first site that is! Flash was being a total jerkbox, and even though my script was correct, and the .swf file worked perfectly, it still refused to function once applied to the domain. I can't remember for the life of me/don't have the time to relearn dreamweaver so I've created a really basic, temporary site that is far from refined. Please go visit it at WWW.CHRISTINAMARIEJ.COM.




My business cards came today! How exciting. I did them rather hastily so there's slightly cut off... but oh well! This is one of the two designs (the other is just the heart illustration in place of the brain).

Emilia discovered our hallway wall is a similar size to our space, so we've been able to use it to aid in our set-up!

Ever since Emilia did the 'pants' layout for the publication... it seems to have found a home in my head and now has creeped into my A5 design... here I was thinking 'oh there's a triangular C!' Haha, perhaps it was intended?!

I have been subsisting on crap! It's the only thing that's getting me through this craziness. This is the sort of delicacies I've been consuming. Who says vegans are missing out?

These look so sloppy, but the attempted Banana Cream Pie cupcakes was not overly successful.