Commoner - Music

And just like that, i've played 100 shows!

One sunny day a little under three years ago I decided to have a go at busking. I went out because, well, I cant actually remember why (I think i was anxious about playing guitar too loud and annoying my neighbours or something.)

Turns out I enjoyed performing for people so much I decided to quit labouring and start doing music as a full time thing. In the beginning it was bluddy hard trying to get any gigs. I was too gobby and bad at guitar for folk, and too acoustic and 'quiet' for punk.

I had to scrape at putting my own shows together, playing to empty rooms (which is something that still happens, the reality of DIY music) and sometimes just rocking up to play outside other peoples gigs and playing to whoever would listen.

A few wonderful coincidences, chance meetings with cool people, (not to mention about 100 cold call emails and DM's) and before I knew it I had firmly found my people in the Folk Punk scene.

I am now super priveliged to have played over a hundred gigs, reaching my music further out to new people in different towns and, as of February, people in different countries!

Not only has it been super fun getting to jump around and play my songs for people, but I have also learned so much about myself I never would have known had it not been for the inclusive nature of the scene. If it werent for the beautiful folks who occupy the diy venues/bars/cafes in which I have visited I would have never felt safe enough to have discovered who I am as a person. Be it politics, sexuality and gender, not a day goes by I dont become more informed.

I used to be skeptical about what art can actually achieve in the real world. But the proof is in the pudding, I am a different person now than when I began my musical journey. Or perhaps it is that music has enabled me to discover more about myself that was hidden. Either way I will forever be grateful to everyone along the way for getting me this far.

But for now,

Here is to the next 100 shows!

📸 .photo

Matinee = You get to be home and in bed for a reasonable time on a school might

+ It's Free Entry

+ + What have you got to lose?!

Trying to be ethical under capitalism be like...

Bristol folks!

Come on down and show solidarity with your neighbours. Me and a bunch other rabble rousing folk punk folks will be at raising funds to protect targeted groups in your area.

What better gift for a loved one than promising them a trip to your local folk punk show sometime next month?
Who needs material possessions when you can stand hand in hand singing songs about k*ll*ing landlords and other such romantic stuff blahblahblah...

I dunno how many miles we covered but it was a lot and it was amazing and everyone was amazing and to all the in all five of the countries we got to play in you were amazing and also was amazing and they play amazing banjo and thanks to for the amazing photos and Sam for driving her amazing hearse and for amazing promotion/hospitality and even though it will be amazing to get back in my own bed it will be amazing to go back out and visit all these amazing communities again soon and thank you and good night.

CareBear?

Hardly knowearr...

Trucking on through the tour, still got

Prague 04/02
Ostrava 05/02
Vienna 06/02
Lyon 09/02
The Hague 10/02

I started out on this music thing about three years ago as a busker, in part this was because it felt like a good way to get paid whilst practicing, but largely it was because I just couldn’t seem to get anyone to book me for a show!

Over the past few years people have dropped all sorts into my bag whilst playing, sweets, pasties, chocolate etc. I’ve also built up a collection of currencies from all over the world, this includes Euros. I’ve kept a bag stashed away with the money in with the plan to one day take it with me on tour, that day has finally come and I am super grateful.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken a chance on me so far, be it by booking me to play a show, to everyone who dropped anything in my bag, to the people who listen to and resonate with the music I put out there and especially to friends and family who have motivated, supported and encouraged me.

Thank you thank you thank you.

Here is to an awesome couple weeks on the road with where we will be playing in Eindhoven, Cologne, Leipzig, Prague, Ostrava, Vienna, Lyon, The Hague
If you live in the area, come along and say hello (in your native tongue, of course!)