onewriterandhispc

Latest News and Views - 4th March 2012

2012-03-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

Latest news and views - 20th February 2012

2012-02-20T09:00:00.001-08:00

Here is my latest news in bite sized chunks:

A Means to an End:

Little quiet for a few weeks owning to work and bugs but will be meeting

later up on today for rehearsals etc in prep for next gig. (See gigs

News later).

Project with Amanda Silbernagel:

New track is uploaded on Amanda's website -
http://www.amandasilbernagel.com/?p=3803

This new track which I will admit is my favourite so far is called

'Unstatistically speaking'.

Creative Writing:

· Second draft now underway of play with Rob Goodier.

· Next batch of joint wrote poetry is underway with Kelan.

· I have wrote a few more poetry by myself and have one or two

Possibly pending for publication.

· Three love poems from the upcoming ‘Love Songs for Cathy III’

Are now uploaded on wordwizard.com

Now and then (http://www.mywordwizard.com/now-and-then.html)

If (http://www.mywordwizard.com/if1.html)

Something (http://www.mywordwizard.com/something1.html)

· A poem called 'Pinned back against the wall' has been published
on Poetry 24 and can be read here -
http://poetry-24.blogspot.com/2012/02/sunday-supplement.html

· Details to follow for Love Songs for Cathy III, my forthcoming e

Book (I have the hard copy proof and I am really pleased with it).

Gigs:

Upcoming:

· Light in the Dark – 22/02/2012 (A Means to an End gig for this night. We are down for doing a 20 minute set here and if all goes to plan – this should be around a 20 minute set)

· Write Out Loud, Stockport – 12/03/2012

· Beatifixation – 16/04/2012 (A Means to an End gig here. Plan is to do a half hour set with visuals and music)

· Open Mind – 15/05/2012 (A Means to an End gig here – plan is to do 20 minutes).

· Write Out Loud, 15/07/2012 (I will be doing a solo poetry slot with a little bit of backing froA Means to an End)

Recent Gigs:

· 22^nd January 2012 – Write Out Loud, Middleton. (I supported Jeffarama on his set with a short cameo on ‘Ever Wondered’ and performed two new poems ‘The weather ruined the rest’ and ‘Yesterday’. Quite a quiet night, not helped by the weather as it was frozen but enjoyed it)

· 25^th January 2012 – Pass on a Poem. Very quiet turn out but read three poems, one by a kids poem by a writer I’ve forgotten called embrassing parents, Gary Morris’s ‘Winters Night’ and one by my friend Amanda Silbernagel called Battery Cage. Although the night was okay, without been horrible – it was a far from essential night.

· 10^th February 2012 – Best of Bolton. Back end of last year – I was informed about a night at the octagon called Best of Bolton which wanted submissions from writers in the Bolton area. I mistakingly read it as pieces about Bolton so wrote a piece called ‘From a midnight train’ (Bolton) which was a bit of a homage to From a late night train by the Blue Nile about the coldness of a Bolton night which got accepted and was performed by a actor. The place was packed out and it was a great experience. Defo recommended.

· 11^th February 2012 – Stockport writers @ Stockport Library. I wasn’t there here but one of my poem a arostic poem about Libraries was read and I believe they got about 30 people in which is a great attendance.

· 13th February 2012 - Stockport Write Out Loud. Only a small attendance but was good fun and it gave me chance to read out both 'Prologue to a final solution' and 'Pinned back against the wall' - both of which went down very very well.

More to come as normal. (Lots more).

Prologue to a final solution (Scenes from a film unfinished)

2012-01-26T13:16:00.000-08:00

The piles of garbage were real

All over the top of the ghetto

To the nearby river

Almost as a replacement

For the fresh air

That sneaked in fromThe outskirts of Warsaw.

The piles of garbage were smudged

All over the truthIn a sea of panic

As the Police fired into the crowd

And two pregnant women

Were trampled to death.

Piles and piles were stacked up

In the backgroundAs geese were filmed

Being taken to marketWhen in reality children

Were being shot for stealing eggs.

Piles and piles and piles

Of the strong and the dying

And the lame and the sick

Huddled in alleyways

Waiting for their Messiah

To rescue them.

Piles and piles of people

Shaking hand to mouth

In the cold of winter

And the sunset of June.

They were the many

Who were chained in the shadows

And the many

Who were trappedIn a dual imagining

Of forgiveness and despair,

Trapped in a ghetto

Like Alice trapped halfway

Through the looking glass

As the world stamped

All over them,

Before then turning its back.

And the whistle in the wind

Went silent in shame

Before a train journey

To Genocide.

(Wrote for National holocaust dayand inspired by ‘A film unfinished’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z7egcyAdbk)

Latest News as of 25th January 2012.

2012-01-25T05:00:00.001-08:00

Acrostic poem on Libraries

2012-01-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

Libraries I used to think offered a very out of date
Insight into life offering nothing but dusty shelves
But as I began to grow a little older I have started to
Realise times have totally moved on and their
Approach has stepped away from the straight academia
Reflecting all the many changes in society but making
You now wish people didn't take them for granted.

The Best of Bolton (professionally performed and published)

2012-01-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

Dear all;

Some good news over my recent poem 'From a midnight train' (Bolton)
it will be performed at the Octagon Theatre by a professional actor
on Friday 10th Feb 2012 @ 7.30pm.

More details can be found here:
http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/page/3020/News-and-Blog/64

Secondly, the piece itself will be getting published shortly on:
http://ink-sweat-and-tears.blogharbor.com/

Will email this out again when it has been published but it should
be shortly.

Cheers

Andy N x

Hands in my pockets (New Poem)

2012-01-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

Don’t sit there

And look at the ground

Before telling me you love me.

Don’t close your eyes

And mutter under your breath

Until your lips start to tremble.

Don’t close your eyes

Or start picking your eyelashes.

Don’t put your hands

In your pockets

Or start fiddling with

Your damp gloves

On the radiator.

Just tell me

You love me

And stop fiddling

With your laces Until they look like a Jigsaw..

Nick Armbrister - A Nation in Flames (iUniverse) Book Review

2012-01-08T03:02:00.000-08:00

When I was younger, I used to be one of these kind of people who can read a book in a few times and be able to move onto the next book almost straight afterwards.

When I was younger, I would be able to sit in the same room as my father and younger brother (both of which still do that to different levels) and the three of us would be able to discuss them in almost a business like fashion.

Nowadays, my reading seems to have gone a lot slower and I think i have only read maybe three or four full novels last year (one by Laurel K Hamilton in her Anita Blake series which are defo a guilty pleasure but great fun and the only other one i can remember is by my favourite novelist, Paul Auster 'Sunset Park' which is great fun) so I have been flicking inbetween poetry and magazines more (which is another article in itself).

Something I have missed out somehow is the art of short stories and Nick Armbister is just one such Author whose work I have missed out on which I should have reviewed on ages back and ages back.

' A Nation in Flames' by the look of things was his third book first published in 2008 and was published when he was living in Essex prior him to moving back to Oldham (where I met him I think in 2009 or 2010) and his first book of short stories which followed on from two collections of poetry and is a prologue is a whole host of work since.

On the back of the book Nick descibes the pieces within the book like his poems but in more depth and certainly in my favourite pieces in the book like Kahila Akashaisfahan nuclear strike there is detail in this which is perhaps closer to prose than a short story with segments.

Speaking as a person who does goes to go the area where Nick now lives (Oldham), I also enjoyed ‘it doesn’t snow in November’ for it’s diary like movement in his life, although it does sort of stand out considering the book is advertised on the cover ‘with a gothic, military and a SF Favour’.

The book of course from the last paragraph does contain stories which have a gothic, military and a SF Favour and is perhaps best aimed at people who likes a mixture of stories like that or just some of them.

To quote another review I read while preparing myself for this review described his work as ‘Poetry that is not for pussies.. and he doesn’t give a shit about writing stuff that is commercial’.

Reading this book,that description is very true for his short fiction also as this is a book which even though I personally did go over the top in places for me (loss of the ice queen, lake hoklingen, Norway was the piece that totally over the top for me with it’s sacrifice scene), it is a book that is worth reading for people who like to have books that challenge them.

More details on Nick can be seen here..

http://www.writeoutloud.net/profiles/nickarmbrister

The book can be bought here..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0595478891/diadembooks07

Writing Update - 1st January 2012

2012-01-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

Dear all;

Happy New Year folks. Hope you all have had a good Christmas and New Year.

Despite the fact, I am still out of work (things are in the process of changing)
I have been keeping busy - perhaps less so over the past few days of course, but
here are some tit bits of what is going on at the moment:

1) I have started work on a play with Rob Goodier (Title T.B.A.) developed
from a idea that has been brewing for a good few years. The play is moving
along slowly but surely and we have a draft of about 18 pages completed so far.
2012 looks promising for this.

2) A few weeks back, I entered into a poetry writing project with a young
Irish poet called Kealan Coady and have started blogging them under a alias
(this way judging the reaction to the pieces) and so far, they have been going
down fairly well. We have blogged three of them, and there is two more to
follow and soon, we will meet up again to start work on some more and then
make a decision on what to do next.

3) As noted elsewhere, after a one year break, my experimental noise band DIH
(who were responsible for 9 releases between 1999 to 2009) returned with their
annual experimental Christmas albums designed for people who really don't like
Christmas or look at it with a sense of humour (The link for those who haven't
come across this can sample it here as it features a number of wonderful tracks).
Since then, after featuring returns by sleeping bands such as DIH and Distance
which has proved very popular it is likely that both acts may well up having new
releases now in 2012 and 2013.

4) My two major projects at the moment, A Means to an End and my project with
American poet Amanda Silbernagel as well as featuring on the DIH album if all
goes to plan should have EPs and albums shortly. For more details on my project
with Amanda please go here OR here. A Means to an End can be experienced here

Amanda has recently recorded a live set online and I hope to get some tracks done
using these as a basis while A Means to an End should have their demo done
in either January / February 2012 and start recording an album in Springtime.

5) for A Means to an End, lots of gigs are planned.. Next few planned are
18th January 2012 @ The Bayhorse in the Northern Quarter, Manchester,
while we are then a headline act at Light in the Dark Entaintment with
other ideas under discussion for March 2011.

Jeff (my main partner in this) is headlining Write Out Loud in Middleton on
Sunday 22th January 2012 and I shall be going down with him as support
with a plan to read a few poems myself. The week before on 15th January 2012
weather permitting, I shall be co-hosting Write Out Loud with Jeff at Bolton 's
The Wellington Pub.

6) I have almost finished off my love songs for Cathy III, my personal love ebooks
for my partner, Cathy (top secret of course). This is nearly ready and will be ready for
Cathy I hope at Valentines day in February 2012. The first two books can be seen
here and here.

7) My next full collection 'The End of Summer' is moving along nicely, I think with
around 18 or 19 poems completed for it (around 28 or 30 pages or so). If this pace
keeps up, am hopeful it'll be done in a year or so's time.

More news to follow shortly folks of course.

12 days after Christmas

2011-12-27T14:13:00.000-08:00

On the first day after Christmas

my true love and I had a

terrible, terrible argument and

she threw a variety of pots and

pans at me, so I strangled the

Partridge and burnt down the

pear tree that my true,

My true love gave to me.

Things didn’t get any better by

the end of the second day, when

she started throwing plates

at me like Boomerangs,

and so, in a vicious frenzy

I took out an axe and stabbed the

two turtledoves that my true,

my true love gave to me.

On the 3rd and 4th days

my true love graduated

to throwing grendades

so I poisoned the three French Hens

and borrowed next-door’s cat

to say hello to the four calling birds

that my true,

my true love gave to me.

Things, believe it or not got worse

over the next few days

so I pawned off the five golden rings

and stamped on the eggs

of the six geese a laying

before shooting the seven swans swimming

that my true,

My true love gave to me.

By the time we reached the 8th day

our household had become

a battlefield with trenches

dug between the TV and Sofa

and I won’t mention

what I did to the eight maids a milking

that my true,

my true love gave to me.

I bunded up the nine ladies dancing

ten lords a leaping and

eleven pipers piping

in a large package

and posted them back

returning the special delivery

that my true,

My true love gave to me.

The neighbours

only called the Police

on the 13th day

when the twelve drummers drumming

were found massacred on the frontlawn –

their drumsticks neatly arranged

on the grass, spelling out..

Well, it certainly wasn’t Happy Christmas.

(NB. This is an work of fiction and does not reflect

the love I have for my other half)

2011-12-21T13:25:00.000-08:00

Dear all;

As to be expected things have quietened down somewhat with the rush of Christmas time. All I have really done since I last wrote was go to a few writing workshops which has produced drafts of a few new poems (Some of which may well end up getting blogged around places and a few I’m going to send to magazines).

Poetrywise, after a spell this year when things were a fair bit quieter writing wise has really began with a vengenance after my illness. My next book ‘The End of Summer’ is a reflection of this as to me now I am leaving my 30’s I am leaving the Summer of my life and heading into the beginning of Autumn.

The Sequence in the book ‘The End of Summer’ is a reflection of this and reflects another change in my writing as much as my split book ‘A Means to an End’. That book which was wrote between February 2010 to July 2011 was mostly about my past and the way different places which have influenced my life. ‘The End of Summer’ is about what comes next and hopefully will be done for the end of next year (I have wrote around 16 poems for this – round about 19 or 20 pages).

As hinted before, there is going to be a Love Songs for Cathy III released towards February 2011 (top secret of course) and I will probably do a merged volume of the three possibly too later in the year.

Otherwise, I have started work on a few possible joint projects which I won’t reveal more about in case they don’t work out etc but I must admit I like working on projects with other people.. I guess because I like the buzz of seeing the way it develops in ways that you wouldn’t have normally expected.

Normal service shall be started up again in the new year with gigs pencilled in for the new year (January and February already).

Have a great Christmas all

No Matter (Poem inside Cathy's Christmas Card

2011-12-11T03:49:00.001-08:00

No matter how hard the snow
May fall this year
Or how much the lights
Sparkle in the heavens
I shall still love you.

No matter if all of your presents
Touch the ceiling
Or show a more intimate
Kind of emotion
I shall still love you.

I shall still love you
If the snow is yellow
Or we away in Space
Halfway to Venus and back.

I shall love you
Whether it is sunshine
Or sunset
Or somewhere halfway
Between a Cuckoo’s cry at dawn.

And I shall love you
At Christmas by the beach
Where we walk before
Heading to my sisters for tea
Or a letter to your heart
Delivered urgent 1st class
Hand to mouth
And heart to heart.

walk in tune (winter poem)

2011-12-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

Buses trudge through the snow
like children on sledges
while dogs dig their heels
when their owners stumble.

Newspapers blow in the wind
like the pipes of peace
and train guards look frozen
when asking people to step back.

Bins freeze up like Igloos
while Black bags are heavy as stone
and Christmas tree lights change
to Airport warning beacons.

The breeze starts as your friend
but then in seconds becomes your enemy
while Robins hide in Rabbit warrens
as Winter finally walks in tune.

Latest News and Views - Week commencing 7th December 2011

2011-12-06T13:54:00.001-08:00

Dear all;

Sorry for the quietness recently folks, but searching for a new job now my job at the Co-Operative has become a full time occuption in itself looking for a new one.

However, since I last wrote – latest news in bits and pieces:

1) ‘The night cries like a lonely wolf’

The book planned to write with Le Vampire has been delayed somewhat now until 2012.. I hope this will be out Mid 2012 now.

2) ‘Words and Paintings’

My split book with Olga Gerke has now been completed and can be ordered through lulu.com on

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/words-and-paintings/18697247?productTrackingContext=author_spotlight_38257885

The book is somewhat more pricey you may see than my usual books,

But this book contains 16 full colour paintings by Russian painter, Olga Gerke

Which are well worth seeing, believe me.

3) Brief Encounters (Performance Poems 2004 – 2009)

A Draft version of this collection has now been completed. However, this collection will know will be delayed until the middle of 2012 as I am currently out of work, I have time to write more performance based poetry (Have wrote several more

Possibles for this book already).

4) The End of Summer – Unclear whether N Press will publish this collection or whether I should go to another publisher with it but certainly at the moment, there is around 14 or 15 poems wrote for this.. Hopefully by the end of next Summer, I should have more of a idea what is going on with this.

5) Love Songs for Cathy III – this shall be done Mid February 2012. I say no more under fear of death.. lol

Other Projects:

6) A Means to an End – As noted elsewhere the first book came out last month at a book launch and has done fairly well. It is unclear at the moment whether there will be a second volume, but a number of new pieces are under development for the band. After our book launch at Chorlton Arts Festival on 15^th November 2011, we followed it with a follow up gig at Bolton Write Out Loud on 20^th November and

Light in the Dark on 22th November. Next gig will be for Light in the Dark

Again on 22th February 2012, allowing me time to rest more and write lots more material for the band.

7) Project with Amanda Silbernagel. Things are moving slowly along here as Amanda is busy with studies, but we have completed six pieces together which I am pleased with and I hope to get a 7^th piece completed before Christmas and maybe finish the album off in 2012. (Would like to do a tour with Amanda too but unclear yet how this would be possible).

8) I have also started work on a possible play with Rob Goodier and in discussions

with the young Irish writer, Kelean Coady over co-writing some stuff.

9) Writers of the third kind, my ongoing workshop with Amanda Speakman is

going great guns and the third workshop and last for this year will be next week

on 14^th December 2011 at the Sweet Green Traven in Bolton from 7pm to 9pm.

Hope to see some of you there.

More to follow of course shortly.

Latest news and views - 2nd November 2011

2011-11-02T03:26:00.001-07:00

Dear all;

Never seem to get much time for much at the moment blogwise even though I am temporary out of work.

It’s crazy as you would think I would get time for blogging almost every day, but sadly it never happens that way, so in bite sized chunks here is what I am up to:

1) I am currently mixing together a few low key little books which you will be able to buy off lulu.com fairly soon off earlier material / projects which are now complete. I won’t be stocking these myself as I want these a little low key. These projects are:

a) The heart beats like a lonely wolf – a joint book with a poet called ‘Le Vampire’. I first met Le Vampire just before she joined my band Wordmusic in 2009 and it was one of those natural meetings of mind if you know what I mean as her gothic style literature in places really seemed to click with me and over some crazy writing spells, a number of really interesting pieces of work came out.

b) Words and Paintings.. I met a Russian painter at the beginning of 2010 called Olga Gerke and we have spent the past 18 months or so with me writing lots of poems based directly on her paintings. This has proved a major challenge simply because of the stories within it were stories that I wouldn’t always write about.

c) Brief Encounters (Selected performance poems 2004 – 2009) – this is a book of more performance or lighter material from 2004 to 2009 that was partly covered in my first proper book ‘Return to Kemptown’ but looks at the lighter side of my work from that period.

Gig wise, it is the following:

1) Guitar and Verse, Salford Crescent tomorrow 3^rd November 2011 featuring Quiet Rebellion and Michael Wilson, two acts who I really like and both of which I think deserve some of your time. Doors open 7.30pm and I will be knocking round no doubt panicing over the running order.

2) The second of mine and Amanda Speakman’s new creative writing workshop ‘Writers of the third kind’ is on next Wednesday also at the Sweet Green Traven next Wednesday starting from 7pm to 9pm. Here we will be doing a series of new writing exercises etc for people to tackle etc. The first was a hoot – hopefully the second will be also.

3) The week after that I shall be at Write Out Loud, Stockport where I hope the weather will be somewhat better. Starting at 7pm at Stockport Art Gallery etc.

More to come after that too..

Gigs, news and other views - 15th October 2011

2011-10-16T01:59:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

Sorry for the quietness as always but here is what I have been up to in little bullet sized points etc:

1) First of all, helped Jeffarama (aka Jeff Dawson) with Guitar and Verse on Thursday 6th October 2011 at the Crescent, Salford. Although perhaps a little quiet (made noiser by me missing the step getting onto the stage and nearly knocking myself out - lol), the night had two good headliners Indigo from the Open Mike Collective who read a particularly diverse set I felt of material that certainly went far beyond just straight poetry in places AND as a headline act, the Vanity Project who I felt for a new band (I believe they formed only maybe six months ago) played some top notch folk pop tunes and who I felt are really are a act to watch. check out their website and listen to their tracks in particular 'We will rise' which in an world of any justice should crack the top ten alone!

2) After that, I've also been over to Write Out Loud's monthly Stockport night at Stockport Art Gallery on Monday 10th October. Considering, the weather was so poor it was sickening and there was a book launch on in Withington and another in Chorlton and another open mike night on in the centre of Manchester, the night attracted enough people to allow us all to have a good laugh and I read out two new poems, a brand new revision of a very old poem, Heather (who barely contained anything from the first version and was also read out at Guitar and Verse the previous week) and Catalogue Number (which was a dig I guess at somebody I used to know a long time ago)

3) Bury also had a night on last friday just gone also 14th October 2011 called Bury Light Night which was a lovely Autumn night out and there was tons of events with loads of people out. I performed at a special open mike night run by Gemma Lees, author of A method in my madness (which I need to review too) where I
read out 'Revenge is a dish best served cold' from my first book Return to Kemptown, 'Before the Curtains Open' from the upcoming second book 'A means to an End' and a brand new one wrote specially for the occasion 'The Best holiday I never went to'. It was a good fun night with some good poets on - Rod Tame, Charlotte Henson and Katie Haigh been the ones I know been top notch and tons of others I didn't know who were mostly really good too.

4) Little Lark Press also have a collection of poetry coming out next year on the theme of Addiction. I am pleased to announce that one of my pieces, Heather has been accepted for this.

Next up, news wise..

5) Guitar n Verse! 4 Tyldesley - Martin Ian, Gordon Zola & Bob Kettle -

Simply Tasty Too Cafe, Elliott St, Tyldesley M29 8DR on Saturday 22 October 2011 - 19.00 - 23.00.. Tickets are £3 in advance off Jeff Dawson

The End of Summer (IV)

2011-10-05T15:31:00.001-07:00

Coastlines and Arcades

turn grey

and shutters on gates

dangle in the wind

like clapping hands.

Leaves carry themselves

across the road

like they are mourners

looking for a funeral,

until the nights and days

sink into one

making it appear

that nothing will rise above

the tip of the horizon.

Nothing

Nothing but the coldness
of the air
which makes the kiss
of young lovers
in the distance
seem like
a necessarily sacrifice.

Gigs news and other bits and pieces of news - Week Commencing 03/10/2011

2011-10-04T02:54:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

Not really had tons of time recently for news update as I have been running round with interviews, keeping up with other half and writing in general.

In bullet sized points anyhow as I enjoyed doing this last time..

1) My band 'A Means to an End' did a top notch set at Didsbury Arts Festival on Monday 26th September 2011 where we did a near two hour set to a fairly packed pub of say 60 or so people, and was pretty pleased with the way it came out all in all. (Photos on previous entry on blog - thanks to Amanda and Cathy for displaying such eagle eyeness on the cameras)

2) Straight after two nights later, last minute I ended up doing a near 15 minute set for the Open Mind Collective at TV 21 in the Northern Quarter in Manchester. Although I do generally prefer doing things with my band nowadays, I like to think I did okay with this and managed to plug Guitar and Verse (will talk about this in a minute) and also about my and Jeff's forthcoming book. Lots of good acts on there including Miscach, a young poet from WOL Stockport I know and Anna Percy, a regular on the Manchester Poetry Circuit did good too. Highlight of the night however was a urban / pop duo called The Serpahims who may not have been my usual cup of tea music wise did a really good set and rightly got offered a hour long set headlining in February next year which will worth watching I bet.

3) Last night (Monday 3rd October 2011) I did a support slot for Bury Poet Gemma Lees for her first book 'Method in my madness'. I'd known Gemma for a few years or so I guess, and had always liked her and her writing but was really pleased how much her performance had come on last night - she simply was brilliant last night and I certainly look forward to reading her book (Review to follow). Other poets that stuck in my mind last night that was really good too were Charlotte Henson who was only 17 but had such a natural gift in her writing that had my Cathy saying on the way back, she was almost as good as Gemma, Katie Haigh who read a really moving poem about her hometown (which made Cathy say it really reminded her of her hometown and she lives no where near there) and Val Cook an experienced writer who I hadn't seen in ages and ages from Bolton.

4) Next up aside from rehearsals with Jeffarama tonight for 'a Means to an End' is Guitar and Verse this thursday at The Crescent in Salford, featuring headline acts 'The Vanity Project' who kept reminding me of a classic English acoustic / folk group and Indigo from Open Mind Collective as a poet. I am not sure what I will be doing there yet, but I will probably be doing a few poems from the 'A Means to an End' book.

5) After that, it's over to Write Out Loud, Stockport this Monday coming (Monday 10th October) at Stockport Art Gallery where I should have ready by then around 4 or 5 brand new poems (Wrote a lot last month) for road testing etc.

6) Gemma Lees's Write Out Loud Middleton night is decamping to Bury on Friday 14th October for a one off, so that may end up getting a visit that night (Need to double check where) too which will be fun if I can go.

More gigs are in the pipeline too, which I'll announce in due course and other news are lots of things are under discussion and in the planning stage.

Pictures from 'An Means to an End's gig at Didsbury Arts Festival, 28th September 2011

2011-10-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

A Means to an End live at Didsbury Arts Festival 2011

2011-09-23T01:39:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

after our successful gigs at Chorlton Arts Festival 2011, Brahmall Music Festival 2011, Tyldesley Music Festival 2011 and Not Part of Festival 2011, A Means to an End are proud to announce our next gig at Didsbury Arts Festival 2011 .

The gig itself is happening at the Sanctuary Bar in Didsbury and the gig itself should be starting around 9pm.

Admission is FREE.

My story about Alex Humphrey

2011-09-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

Alex Humphrey is a poet friend of mine who has sadly been missing in Panoma

Since August 2009.

On the Find Alex Humphrey page on facebook, (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126108175597) his mother has recently asked people to provide memories of Alex.

This is mine

‘I have a lot of memories of Alex, most too personal or private to really share

But the one that always sticks in my head was a reading at Manchester Muscuem

In September 2008.

The reading was quite a quiet reading all in all, which suited the softer, gentler poems

I chose to read. Alex followed me straight after reading and after started with

A soft piece then proclaimed he was now going to do a cover version of one

of his favourite bands and then launched into a totally improvised (at least I think

to this day it was improvised) version of Bros’s ‘I owe you nothing’ which involved

him running all over the stage area screaming and jumping all over the floor.

I had seen Alex done this kind of work before, but what makes this stick in

my head is the simple fact was a gentleman who wasn’t at the reading came

in from the other side of the café, saw Alex running around the place and

then froze before doing a sharp exit straight back out.

It was that unpredictability I miss the most about Alex.

Latest news - week beginning 12th September 2011

2011-09-12T03:42:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

After a reasonably quiet week last week.. This week - things are
starting to pick up again.

Tonight, first of all - I am over at Stockport Art Gallery see above
for the monthly Write Out Stockport night. I always enjoy this night
as it's a relaxed, easy going poetry reading where I always use the
opportunity to read out some brand new, unperformed poetry and
on this night - it should be a few poems from my new sequence '
The End of Summer' which is very adapt after the week-end just gone's
weather which was quite chilly I must admit.

Tuesday - I am having a meet up with my guitarist, Jeff for a lengthy
band rehearsal in the afternoon at mine where we will sort out exactly
what pieces we will be doing for Didsbury Arts Festival at the end
of September and hopefully finish off our book 'A Means to an End'
(which although is officially is out in November should be available
for the end of September).

Wednesday - I am over at my other halves, which I will try to do a bit
more writing on the End of Summer sequence which is now nearly done
and then on Thursday do some submitting to magazines etc, before
heading over there again on Friday before heading on out with some
pals on Saturday for a bite to meal, then popping over to the new
Write Out Loud event in Bolton at the Wellington Pub, on Bury
New Road on Sunday night. I don't really know where that is, but
am looking forward to it.. Start time for that is 7.30pm - should be
great fun.

Have a good week folks. Next week - I should have lots more news.

The End of Summer II (New Poem)

2011-09-09T03:09:00.000-07:00

In hindsight,
it wasn’t just the soft,
cold perfume
of the breeze.

Wasn’t just
the change in weather
nor Swallows
which had gone East
instead of South.

Autumn hadn’t
built itself up
as it normally did
but fell unexpected
from the skies
choking summer
until it fizzled away.

Autumn burst through
without reason
like a hurricane
instead of an
more intimate moment
on the other side
of an conversation,

and blew out the candles
like the 4th of July
on a dream ticket to nowhere.

Latest news - 8th September 2011

2011-09-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

the timing of these updates has been off and on for which I am sorry,
but there is a lot going in work at the moment.

Some more bullet point updates on news anyhow..

1) A Means to an End should be recording a demo now at
the beginning of October once our Didsbury Arts Festival gig
is complete.

2) I've recieved a rough draft book in the post from lulu.com
for which I am delighted with the end results. However, it will
need some slight amends and then by the end of September, we
should have the final copies done.

3) Don't forget A Means to an End are due to play Didsbury
Arts Festival on Monday 26th September - (more details here
at Sanctuary Bar in Didsbury. The event is due to
start at 9pm and will run for maybe a hour and a half.
Admission is free.

4) The week before, Jeff my partner in a Means to an End
will be running his new bi-monthly event at Write Out Loud
in Bolton a new location, The Wellington on 51, Bury New Road,
Bolton with a special slot from Anna Mcrory to do a special
guest slot. Doors open at 7pm, for the show to start an earlier time
of 7.30pm. More details here

5) After that, Guitar and Verse, the event I co-help Jeff run
is moving sticks for the next few months to Salford's legendary
pub 'The Crescent' which although I am sorry to leave
Butterflies Bar in Bolton, it'll be nice to move for a few months
at least. Next event is October 7th and will feature an excellent
band called The Vanity project headlining with a featured poet
Indigo from the Open Mind Collective doing a support slot.
I will pop down to read out a few poems here.

6) Just after that, I believe we are doing a set at Paradox,
a monthly night in Withington on 8th October 2011 (I will
confirm this shortly).

7) As can be seen here, I've also recently helped Rob Goodier,
a poet on the Bolton Circuit (UK) publish his second book 'Open
Door Closed' which is his follow up book to a collection which
I currently forget it's name from some years back. It's a good
collection and one which I will be doing a full in depth review
on shortly.

8) I've just taken onboard the publishing of another collection,
'The Hour of the Wolf' by Gary Morris. Gary was a dear friend
of mine who I first met at a writing group I used to go to '24
hour arty people' many years ago, and from which me, him
and his partner, Amanda formed 'Trio Writers' which ran until
his untimely passing in 2010. With permission of his partner,
Amanda - I am going to take onboard the publication of his
book - selected from an large archive. More details to follow
as and when etc.

2011-09-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

As some of you may know, my day job is in the process
of finishing so I have now set up a Linkedin profile for
work purposes.

The link can be found here..

http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-nicholson/3a/468/65

Add me if you wish

Andy N

Week Commencing 29th August 2011 (Latest News)

2011-08-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

As really stated – I have had an enforced break from creative
Writing projects while my health improves from a recent health
Scare.

However, things are now starting to pick up again – here is
Bullet sized points of what is happening.

1)      A Means to an End recently played with a expanded
Lineup the last Friday night Live gig at Butterflies (Gigs
Bar) where we played a twenty minute set which by all
Accounts went quite well on 26th August 2011.
2)      The band next are due to play next Didsbury Arts Festival
On 26th September 2011 (More details to follow).
In the meantime, we will beginning recording sessions
for our debut EP / album on 12th September 2011.

3)      My and Jeff Dawson (aka Jeffarama)’s debut split book
‘A Means to an End’ is now completed and I have ordered
A draft copy from the printers. This should arrive within
The next week or so, and when ordered should then be
Available to buy from ourselves as a joint book / CD
For around £5.

4)      As a bit of fun to start with, but which I think is
going to lead to an album / EP in the new year is a new ongoing
Project with an young American poet Amanda Silberangel.
Amanda contacted me recently to ask whether I was
Interested in possibly doing a few tracks together viva
The internet. So far, this has resulted in 5 tracks (with
A 6th track now underway) been completed.

The website for this is: http://amandasilbernagelandandyn.yolasite.com/

5)      I will also be discussing soon with Keith Hicc and UK Dragon
My partners in DIH, my first experimental band about the
Long awaited release of our long delayed album ‘Metropolis’
Which should have come out last year but was delayed
For a host of reasons. (There is also talk of a new M.A.N.
Recording session which may happen at the beginning of
Next year from which the third M.A.N.’s tracks will be
Finished off).

6)      More details to follow, but Guitar and Verse, the night I help
Jeff Dawson (aka Jeffarama) run will be moving venues from
October with further changes to also come in the New Year. Watch
This space for further details.

More to follow as always.

The End of Summer (I)

2011-08-26T02:29:00.001-07:00

Soon Autumn

will be here

with it's dusty

and driving breeze.



Autumn will hold your hand

when you run

to the train station

every morning

jagged with purpose

like it was

famous for 15 seconds.





Soon Autumn will be here

and on the road again

with leaves dangling

in the middle

of your garden

like a radiogram

of a old film.



Summer will be

dangling from a distance

just slightly out of reach

almost like a party

you had not been invited to

before the cold weather comes,



leaving,



leaving,



you wondering

had it gone

before it had

really started

turning back

to the small ads.

Adam Lygo - The girl with the leopard in her mouth (Slightly Off Kilter Records)

2011-08-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Adam Lygo – The girl with the leopard in her mouth

(Slightly Off Kilter Records - Poetry Series)

This review has been delayed somewhat because of health

but it’s given me plenty of time to listen to this beautiful

multi layered double CD which in some ways has made

it worth the wait.

Adam Lygo I am familiar through Brighton’s experimental

Scene who describes himself as using from his myspace page

‘layered guitar loops to explore rhythm, texture and dynamics

applied to a variety of themed albums, from the surreal philosophy

of ants to the inner workings of imagined machines, the emotional

turmoil of opium addiction to a Jungian journey into the minds

maze’.

As much as it may sound hard to believe, and I am familiar

with a few of Adam’s albums – this is totally different and a

ideal release for Slightly Off Kilter Records and for me as

a poet myself.

In this release, we encounter for the first time I am aware

Of Adam’s ability with poetry which is laced against Adam’s

Fractured tunes and it works beautifully.

Take for example, ‘Reoccuring 2’ which goes for over an incredible

16 minutes (and is not the shortest track on the album either)

and has beautiful lyrics such:

‘Moving away from the happy carnival spirit /

of a seaside town at night /

I drifted into streets with dark buildings /’

Contained within it’s ever pulisating overtones which honestly

Feels like it’s goes on forever and forever in the most blissful

Way I haven’t heard since the early post-rock dreams of
Flying Saucer Attack and Matt Elliott aka Third Eye Foundation.

This is an album which feels like a series of dreams without

even examining the lyrics (which Adam says are dreams) and

made perfect sense to me at 2am or 3am in the morning, although

I reckon will make just as perfect sense at any other time of

The day, although be prepared for once you get into it, expect

Your dreams never to be the same again.

Very recommended.

Go here for more details..

http://slightlyoffkilterlabel.blogspot.com/

Break...

2011-08-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

Sorry for the quietness between things on at the moment.

Since my last email, to put it simply my health has nosedived somewhat
and left me to put it bluntly struggling to do much creative wise.

Good news is however, I have started to improve now with the
help of meds etc. I have posted a new poem (below) and have
other pieces on the go.

All gigs have had to be cancelled for me until further notice
for this reason.

Keep an eye on this blog as I shall be back before you know.

Cheers

Andy N

My hometown (New Poem)

2011-08-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

You used to tell me

You only loved my town

When it poured it down.

You used to tell me

You used to love

Counting all the drops

That would dangle

Off my roof

Once it stopped

Like it had a mind

Of it’s own.

You used to love looking
At leafs clinging
Onto the old tree in my garden

And count their lines

Like veins on hands

Which also dripped off

The nearby bus shelter

Over people’s hats.

You loved the black clouds
That hovered by the airport

Like portals of doom

And people running

Down the tunnels from the planes

As the rain show down at them

With a vicious push.

A vicious push,
Right up until you were gone
And the rain

Carried on saluting puzzled

As I was left

To march back home

Leaving me feeling

Like I had just kissed chaos.

Cathy Bryant - Contains Strong Language and Scenes of a Sexual Nature (Review)

2011-07-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Cathy Bryant - Contains Strong Language and Scenes of a Sexual Nature

(Puppywolf)

Certainly since I went onto the Manchester Poetry Circuit back at the
beginning of 2008, I’ve met a lot of people – some of which have since
they started off have stuck around like me almost by magic.

Some of these of course were on the ever – expanding live
mike scene, others through magazines and others in the case of
Cathy Bryant through poetry groups.

When I first met Cathy, if my memory is correct (and I could be
wrong) I seem to recall she was more of a fiction writer more at a
writing group called ‘Animal Writes’ but was interested in writing
poetry somewhat and even then showed the sense of humour that
has been best described on the back of her book as a mixture
between ‘Carol Ann Duffy meets Spike Milligan’
before adding ‘Humorous, ingenious, charming, and punchy —
in equal measure — there’s never a dull moment in
Cathy’s world’

Not to labor the point about Carol Ann Duffy from another review
who some people may know I am not the biggest fan in the
world off but Spike Milligan however is somebody who I
have admired for years now with his often daft but
very, very clever material. Certainly Cathy’s material for me
at it’s best does come close if anything to Spike Milligan’s stuff.
‘This is not a poem’ for example is a fine example where the
poem begins off with:

‘My friend supports my poetry 100%.

He just does it from a distance,

Playing Xbox games at home.

But he’s here in spirit’

I really enjoyed this bit probably as it stung a bit too
close to home as a lot of good comedy needs to.

The piece gets better after a longer second stanza which she
polity takes the mick out of another friend, before concluding
with:

‘I can take it though.

I can write for ages without a line break.

Honest.

I have no need to share, create, perform.

Sure, I do the odd poem

But I’m not addicted.

I could give up any time

And I’ll never, ever, ever rhyme.

This bit is clearly designed to bring the poem back to the focus
of the narrator, but it’s obvious from looking at the size of the book
alone that there is some lies within the piece, and as for
‘I could give up any time’ is another debatable point which also
made me think I’ve said something similar, full well knowing I could
never give up ever if I wanted to it now.

What is pleasing is among the less serious poems as a counter balance
there is some serious material for example ‘After the Argument’ which is
quite haunting piece which contains the soft movement of this:

‘Very – very – very slow

Lip brushes lip

Of a tiny warm point.

Eyelash feathers cheek.

Palm rests on soft armpit.

Fingers trace scalp map.

Cautious eye catches other

still slightly shaken –‘

What I love about this section is the lack of movement but which you just
know something has happened. Something bad but which is told
slow to raise the point which is only revealed at the beginning
that the time for slowness is now over.

The writer of me 3 or 4 years ago would have probably complained
about serious, moody pieces like that and would have perhaps
highlighted ‘This is not a poem’ or pieces like
‘Women seeks / Personal Ad’ instead, but whether it’s
old age (lol) or a desire to read a constant variety of pieces
like ‘After the Argument’ or ‘BI’ add a very nice counter
balance to the less serious pieces.

Something I think really works and is suitable for most moods.

Recommended.

The book can be bought from... http://www.puppywolf.co.uk/news/?page_id=13

Charlotte Henson and Ghazal Choudhary – Straythoughts from the poetically minded (Book Review)

2011-07-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

Unlike some writers I know, I’ve managed to pretty well keep every poem I’ve ever complete since I started at 10 or 11 and like to look back at some of the pieces at that stage even though I know at that stage my work was at best limited.

I can remember cheerful pieces I wrote about ‘Death’ when I was 16 and a miserable, unhappy Goth and pieces like My Bloody Valentine which the title almost certainly came from the now legendary noise band, the piece was about a violent murder (Probably aimed at a Ex girlfriend) – my pieces were literally all over the place sometimes but had the energy which is still with me today.

Times change of course, and I’ve got a lot older (now looking over my shoulder at 40 which amazes me) and as I keep performing, often I see younger poets come to the forefront and it never ceases to amaze how much better writers they are than I was back then.

One young poet who has really impressed me firstly at a reading I did alongside her at Bury Market and then as part of the Tyldesley festival recently who I believe is only 17 is Charlotte Henson who with another young poet, Ghazal Choudhary has recently bought out a booklet through lulu.com called ‘Straythoughts from the Poetically Minded’.

Reading some of Charlotte’s work for example ‘Something or nothing’ is amazing for a poet of any age where she proclaims:

‘And then the light wents out

And the fans.

And the computers.

And our minds and crumbled back from binary –

Just a mass of noughts and ones on the floor’

This small segment has impressed me by the sudden build up of language of somebody’s life to a mass of noughts and ones on the floor and is simply breath-taking no matter what age she is.

Charlotte describes herself on the book’s website - http://straythoughts.webs.com/ as influenced by Carol Ann Duffy and Henry Normal. My disliking of Carol Ann Duffy’s work on the whole is best not dwelled, but certainly Henry Normal’s poetry surprised me as his work for like ‘Is love like Science Fiction’ has a use of language that in places in close to Charlotte’s work like this segment from The Pragmatics of ‘Living for the Moment’ (which itself is a Henry Normal kind of title)

‘I have ravaged towns with all my god-awful love

Ripped up their fences and killed

Whisked away those in Kansas who

Dreamed of emerald cities and yellow brick roads’

Godawful love was the thing that perhaps was the most Henry Normal-ish to me, but the full piece was took further both of the influences by the humble ending

‘All I wanted was to love

But

Too much’.

I don’t know Ghazal Choudhary but reading the website it says they both met in an AS English Language class, and after discovering they both loved poetry decided to collaborate on an anthology.

Ghazal she says is a big fan of romantic literature, and it shows for example on ‘A Riddle’ her second piece in the collection which is probably my personal favourite ‘

‘Wandering around in the twilight

Watching a beautiful sight,

The snow begins to fall, an icy white.

In a sudden movement the storm breaks out,

There are shrieks and there are shouts,

Children in pyjamas and women in their night-gowns, all running about.

What went wrong?’

Although in this piece, the use of the children in pyjamas line

is somewhat too long for my tastes in the context of the piece,

I like the use of the use of the language in the way it is a lot

more cleverer than you may originally think.

Another clever example with’s use of reputation which builds up

a rhythm is ‘For you’ which contains the reputation of

‘For you

For you

And only you’

Which is a nice contrast to the stanzas and gives it a almost

song like quality in places, which like Charlotte’s suggest there

are two much older writers here than what you may believe.

Recommended. (and before you ask I am not going to blog my early poetry from those days – lol)

Blog – Week Commencing 25/07/201

2011-07-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the quietness folks as last week I was off and ended up chilling really, helped my other half Cathy celebrate her birthday a little, and did a little bit of writing while looking for a new job.

In relation to a new job, for the record, the place I work at during the day, the Co-operative announced the section I work is to close unless things change probably by the end of the year, which is very upsetting to be honest, and in this climate will prove somewhat hard to get a new job.

However, of course this will mean lots more time for writing which I am currently sorting out as I speak.

Gig wise, as I advised the week before last I did two gigs, one on Monday 11^th July for W.O.L. Stockport re-titled for the night ‘Read Out Loud’ where I performed three poems ‘Ghosts of Manchester Victoria’, ‘Leaving Belfast’ and ‘Percy’. All of these should have had backing footage, but sadly we couldn’t get it to accept my files. Oh well – there will be other times but I was pleased with the gig on a whole.

Thursday of the same week – My gang ‘A Means to an End’ did a short set at the Revolution night at Cord Bar in the Northern Quarter. Although the crowd was sparse and I wasn’t wild on the venue, I did enjoy performing at the gig where we did ‘Up on the Roof’, ‘Memories of Moss Side’ and ‘Genocide’ and felt we

Delivered quite a decent set.

Gig wise, as I advised before, there won’t be anything for a while now as I am taking a break from performing to concerate on my writing. As a writer who is constantly gigging, getting chance to sit down to write proper is sometimes quite in short supply, henceforth for the break.

New Project wise, First of all, I did a surprise poetry book for my other half; Cathy called ‘Love Songs for Cathy II’ which can be downloaded for free athttp://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/love-songs-for-cathy-ii/16225254 for her birthday.

This of course is not an official book, as it is a very personal book and not something I will be stocking but if anybody wishes to download the book for free (or buy it as it is at cost price through lulu.com), they are welcome.

New projects wise, part of the reason for the break is for me and my partner in a Means to an End, Jeffarama to write our joint book ‘A Means to an End’ together. The book I can announce is very, very nearly complete and will be around 60 pages and will market at lulu.com probably for a little over £5 (excluding P & P) (and through us a little cheaper with a bonus CD).

I am now also working with the American poet, Amanda Silbernagel on a project too which is currently untitled but her stuff can be read on www.amandasilbernagel.com - her stuff is quite different to mine as it’s a lot more experimental but I’m having a lot of fun creating break-beats, little drops of noise etc to it. Brings back a lot of memories of my days in M.A.N. and B.A.N.

Also in the pipeline of possibles, which may or may not happen over the end of this year into the beginning of 2012 is doing a tribute book to a poet friend of mine, Gary Morris who sadly passed away last year. I worked with Gary for a good number of years with the writing workshops ’24 Hour Arty People’ and ‘Trio Writers’ and saw his writing grow and develop like mine in sometimes quite similar ways and I want to get sorted out a tribute book to him as I have access to a lot of material of his.

Cathy my other half is doing a charity book on her disabled charity work which will get called ‘Unique, Driven and Determined’ also from the beginning of August which I am going to help her design and publish. I forget all of the detail for this, but I will confirm shortly.

Jeff, my guitarist is also talking about doing some kind of booklet too for W.O.L. Bolton in the Autumn which will feature poetry read out at Butterflies in Bolton over a certain period, which’ll I will help him publish and organise too.

Into 2012, I am also thinking about my second full length collection ‘Detective Novel’ which I will start to get together more once my split book is completed, but that’ll be more towards the end of 2012, maybe 2013.

When I know what is going on with my job, I would like to also return to my novel ‘The End’ and give this another draft, as I think I got to another 50,000 words (160 pages or so) on the first draft and would like to see how that develops with the second draft. Again – this’ll be 2013 I reckon.

I’ve also got some children’s poetry wrote, which I would love to go back to again and do some more on, but who knows what I would do with that yet.

As you can see, plenty in progress here.

See you all soon

Week Commencing 11th July 2011

2011-07-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

After the franticness of the past few weeks, it was only natural

You would think it was only natural with it’s been the heart

Of the summertime, I would be quietening things down somewhat.

Last week wasn’t the case of course.

Tuesday first of all involved the latest in band rehearsals with Jeff.

Things are going great guns there at the moment as Jeff’s guitar playing

is really picking up at the moment I think and we are both producing

good lyrics. Touch wood on new members coming onboard

soon also too.

Wednesday, besides heading over to Cathy’s.. I also popped

into doing a gig at Manchester City Library called

‘Poetica: Bring your Knitting II’. Poetica is a well established

writing discussion group there since 2006 or 2007 or something

and the group meets there regularly and does the occasional reading.

In this case, in 2009 as part of the Not Part of Festival, they did a

reading where besides the regular poets, they openly encouraged

people to bring along their knitting to knit. Sounds crazy?

Well, the first one was a major success.

Two years later, they decided to do it again and it had quite a

good attendance if I am honest of certainly around 40 odd people.

Besides of time, I had to go on first and leave at half time, but it

was quite a enjoyable reading and I read out two poems,

One brand new called ‘Dying Slowly’ and the other one I

sometimes do with my band ‘Ghosts of Manchester Victoria’.

The following night, I was over at ‘Guitar and Verse’

@ Butterflies Bar, Bolton – the night I co-run with Jeffarama.

This attracted a similar-ish crowd I guess, but was a good deal

harder by certain acts shall we say be either stupid or arrogant

(I won’t name who) but the night went fine. I read out one very

short poem called ‘Incomplete Jigsaw’ which went down okay

I guess.

This week coming, I’m over at ‘Read Out Loud’

@ Stockport Art Gallery today from 7.15pm. Places are very

limited on this one so it’s best to book in advance on

0161 474 4453. Not sure what I am going to read yet, but it’ll

probably be ‘Ghosts of Manchester Victoria’ and ‘Leaving Belfast’

(Maybe more if I get time).

Tuesday will be band rehearsals again, where touch wood

we will be trying out a possible third member for the gang.

From Wednesday, I will on leave for a week and a half where I

intend resting as much as possible and for a last gig on

Thursday of this week before a summer break, me and

Jeff will be doing probably three pieces on ‘The Revolution’

cabaret night by Arthur Chappell This is at Cord Bar, in the

Northern Quarter in Manchester and should be good fun

Have a good week all, folks.

Lots more news to follow next week when off.

Cheers

Andy N

P.S. - The picture was close to where I was yesterday lunchtime
at Manchester Victoria where it really, really threw it down.

Week Commencing 04/07/2011

2011-07-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Week Commencing 04/07/2011

Phew – that was a hot week-end certainly… Ended up doing another gig with my band ‘A Means to an End’ last night at Kro Bar on Manchester Oxford Road, and phew it was hot – was melting in there afterwards I must admit.

However, I was really pleased with it as it was supporting a really good band called The Sentimentalists who was really good and well worth checking out. We did 8 your knitting @ Manchester City Library, Deansgate, Manchester (UK). I’m the second poet on here I believe and will be reading a few more established poems here with some at least one brand new one called ‘Dying Slowly’.

Thursday – it’s off as I stated before to Butterflies Bar in Bolton for Guitar and Verse where a good friend of mine, Avital is headlining supported by a very good poet called Steve Garside. I think my band will play ‘Leaving Belfast’ again as it’s still coming together a bit this piece, and as I hinted before – I will be reading somewhere new which I am still working on.

In other news, the book in mind also called ‘A Means to an End’ is now looking pretty good as I have got the poems in from Jeff, 19 of them I think which comes in at maybe 22 pages, while currently I have 11 completed and a 12th in mind which is a little longer which will be a little bit longer, maybe 24 pages or so. I believe we are going in the recording studio also in a few weeks time too to begin work on recording a EP or an album too, all in readiness for October where we will be doing a short tour also.

Songs or so supporting them and lasted for perhaps 30 – 35 minutes supporting them out (Did a set list off – 1) Memories of Moss Side, 2) Decades, 3) Ever Wondered?, 4) Ghosts of Manchester Victoria, 5) Leaving Belfast, 6) A Coin in the Fountain, 7) Genocide and 8) Percy).

This week is a quite a busy one again where tonight – I will be scribbling down a poem for reading out at Guitar and Verse on Thursday – no hints yet what folks yet – lol, but Tuesday – it’s band rehearsals time for me and Jeff – big news there next week too I hope, before on Wednesday I am doing a short poetry set at Poetica – bring your knitting

Brahmall Music Festival 2011

2011-06-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

Latest Views and News - Week Commencing 26th June 2011

2011-06-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

Bloody hell - it's been a hot day today and me and
Jeff and the girls complete with Jeff's mate, Des above
went to Brahmall Music Festival near Stockport and had
a really good time, but it was hot, hot, hot.

Me and Jeff did a 22 minute set which we enjoyed comprising
of six of our pieces 'A Coin in the Fountain', 'Ever Wondered?',
'Decades', 'Ghosts of Manchester Victoria', 'Leaving Belfast'
and 'Percy' and it went down fairly well I felt as we were backed
by a really good sound desk etc.

Also last week we did a shorter set at Open Mind, at an outlet
on Dale Street.. We did four pieces - 'A Coin...', 'Ever Wondered',
'Leaving Belfast' and 'Percy' which I think which wasn't perhaps
as good if I am honest because of the mike a bit, but the audience
still seemed to like us which is a plus i guess.

I've nothing planned this week coming actually which maybe a good
thing with the weather forthcoming been so hot, but we are down as
a band to support a few bands next Sunday at Kro Bar at 8pm
or something for half a hour or so which'll be nice and if we can
hold it together be serious stuff - lol.

Keep you informed nearer the time of course.

Latest News - Week Commencing 20th June 2011

2011-06-20T14:53:00.001-07:00

Hi all;

Hope you are all enjoying this bright(ish) summery (ish) day in June.

I ended up going out yesterday for a walk in a near-ish park to me,
Longford Park and even thou the weather was at best patchy but when

It was sunny, it was lovely.

Since the last time I wrote, me and Jeffarama did a date at the Cadance
Festival in Tyldesley where to quite a full house in a tiny little Café, we

Hosted a really good and fun packed afternoon of poetry where I performed

One piece by myself (a new one called ‘Leaving Belfast’), one with a trio

Of backing poets all trying to put me off (Fun, Fun, Fun) and one with my

Band (Percy) and had a great afternoon. It was one of those rare afternoons

I felt where it was perfectly balanced.

This week is another busy one again with my band playing a gig at an outlet

On Dale Street on Wednesday for Open Mind. Not quite sure what is going to

Happen yet as haven’t done this night before, so you can expect a report in

More depth next time.

Quiet-ish week apart from that until Sunday when we are playing Brahmall Music Festival, which I think should be great fun also.

I am also currently proofing covers for the split book I am working on with Jeff ‘

A Means to an End’ and another top secret book I’ll talk about towards August.

Have a good week folks!

All go for me and the guys at Half Evil as normal!

Latest News - Week Commencing 13th June 2011

2011-06-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

Not a great deal happening this week after the busyness
of the past few weeks but I did do a really nice poetry gig
last Saturday at Paradox in Withington @ Fuel Bar which
was really good fun and well recieved too I think. I read out
four pieces 'Ghosts of Manchester Victoria', 'Before the
Curtains Open', 'Dear Andy' and 'Fun, Fun, Fun' which
went on for pushing 15 minutes I guess or so and really enjoyed it.

I did have some pictures took which I'll upload later too.

This week I am over at Write Out Loud's Stockport tonight
with Cathy and half hoping to persuade her to read there for
the first time and if not just enjoy herself.

Tuesday It's band rehearsals night with Jeff.. We have some
new stuff to discuss certainly and I hope a new piece or two
will start forming shortly from it.

Nothing creative wise, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday
but Saturday me and Jeff are running the Cadance Festival
in Tyldesley Square in Tyldesley from 2pm - 5pm.. Come and
pop down if you are passing.

After that - I'll probably collapse - lol

More Soon

Week Commencing 6th June 2011

2011-06-06T09:36:00.001-07:00

Bit more of a eventful week this week than last week which was if I am honest as much a rest as possible from poetry performing and writing etc.

Tonight first of all, I am attending the ‘Pass on a Poem’ event in Manchester which I think happens quarterly. I like attending the ‘Pass on a poem’ event partly because it happens at Manchester City Library which is about 15 minutes away from where I work walk, but also because it’s a nice way sometimes of discovering

writing you previously haven’t heard off. I’m tonight going to be reading two poems from a new writer to me called Antony Owen who is a Coventry based poet who has just brought out his second collection of Poetry called ‘The Dreaded Boy’. It should be great fun.

Tuesday night, I’m meeting with Jeffarama from my band, where I guess we will be having a natter and maybe a rehearsal for a Means to an End and have a discussion about a few other projects. (More details to follow).

Nothing planned for Wednesday as it stands (although band rehearsals may get shifted to Wednesday). Which-ever way, it happens – I aim to try to do some revision on a poem or two on the free night.

Thursday night, I am aiming to pop down to another occasional night at Manchester Musceum on Oxford Road called ‘Poetic Inspirations’. This only happens occasionally there at 6.30pm, so am hoping to use it to test a few newish pieces in prep for other readings.

No idea yet about the Week-end but the week after, it’ll be W.O.L. Stockport which I will be looking forward to as always.

Last week also before I forget with Guitar and Verse was pretty good also on 2^nd July 2011 with a good crowd of maybe 30 or so to watch a excellent new poet, Laura Taylor and a singer songwriter Jeff knows called James Johnson. Looking forward to the July one featuring a pal of mine, Avital all the way from Israel (viva Berlin) again.

Have a good week all.

Antony Owen – The Dreaded Boy (Book Review)

2011-05-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

I am a frequent blogger as regular viewers to my blog will know and

also where-ever I blog poetry for read and comment if they like.

During this kind of activity, it’s frequent I guess I end up reading

other people’s poetry which is part and parcel and when I can I

like to comment on it.

Without been big headed over this kind of thing, I have made a

few friends and in most of these cases have then later on ended

up supporting them when-ever they bring out a book. (Good

books of course).

With money been tight, which it is in society nowadays,

buying poetry by none friends is a very different ball game indeed

however.

Antony Owen’s poetry is one such case.

I first encountered him on Write Out Loud, I guess what maybe

18 months ago and was that impressed by his poetry, I emailed

Him to ask where to get his book from.

He answered me, and I am shamed to admit it took a good 16

months for me to get round to buying his debut book,

My Father’s Eyes Were Blue which I will review soon and by

the time I got round to reading it, his second collection

‘The Dreaded Boy’ had just appeared.

‘The Dreaded Boy’ is a book about war poems. Not the way

Wilfred Owen would tell them but to quote the press release

“affecting and unflinching investigation into the violence and

loss inflicted by modern warfare”.

Take for example, the title piece of the collection 'the Dreaded boy',

it is filled with images like

'Where battalions fell /

Autumn poured eyes /

out of spiky cribs /

their beige pupils rolled /

like sky in a soldier's iris',

there is something in this that totally unsettled me in the first

stanza which I couldn't put my finger on which as the piece

develops turns into a holy nightmare.

No answers are offered why, no after thoughts whether the

crime went unpunished – just the event itself.

There is certainly a element of Wilfred Owen in this

in the way the horror is not played over the top,

almost like a newspaper article but the horror here

is played with almost a detachment not as a obersver

which is just as chilling.

Other pieces such as my personal favourite 'Wastelands'

offer no further answers with 'limbs of typewriters' and 'tears

became exclamations', giving a very readable but

downright haunting feel which has a feel of Billy Ramsell

in some places with tons of layers and layers hidden

within in it.

Recommended.

Go here for more details..

http://www.pighog.co.uk/titles/the-dreaded-boy.html

2011-05-31T12:50:00.001-07:00

Jude Cowan – For the Messengers (Book Review)

I first met Jude Cowan back in the summer of 2010 at Ireland’s excellent

‘Poets Express’ festival which is hosted and ran by Kylyra from Dark World

International and memorised by her singer-songwriting with a uiklee

which seemed to go into a totally different universe to a lot of the rest

of the festival.

This book is totally different to that.

I remember on the way back listening to her début CD with my friend Tony

and now ex keyboardist, Jeff and all three of had a great time listening to

the CD which did border on poetry in places, but had layers scattered

throughout it, it made me think of a novel, but a kind of novel I had

not read or explored before.

This book is totally different to that.

For the Messengers, her début collection began in early 2008

when she began to write poems almost daily in response to

the unpackaged daily news footage she was constantly archiving

for the Thomson Reuters news agency.

The book itself covers a wide range of topics such as Benazior Bhutto’s

assassination to the Mumbai terror attacks and from the first Olympic Games

and the election of Barack Obama, she had a array of material to

draw onto from literally all over the world.

The poems in this book are on the whole generally pretty brief and

on the whole I think work better for it. The press release that I

read for the book describes her as having a talent for locating

the key details which cut to the human centre of a story, which

I totally agree in pieces like ‘ Iraq: Sifting' where a full story is told

in just 4 lines or 'Mexico: Warlock' where I particularly like the

bits in italics 'Hillary Clinton will be the next US President'

and 'Central America will almost disappear' which give

the picture a different form of reality.

This is a book that is different for the amount of topics

she attempts to cover in contrast to so many books that

you read by some poets that have two or three ideas and

constantly, constantly keep returning to them. Jude’s book

is very different to that in also the way she keeps away on

the whole from writing about her own life directly and writing

lots of poems about England and her own life (which I guess

is more common ground for any new writer).

Speaking personally, I loved this book because I try to keep

in touch with the news when-ever possible, and I think the

market for this book will be people who have an interest in

world-wide history / news which may restrict it’s cross-over appeal.

However, it’s a book that is worth exploring. Just don’t expect

to be able to read it in half hour, as like the news, there is a

awful, awful lot to take in.

More information can be read at (including samples)

http://peonymoon.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/jude-cowans-for-the-messengers/

Steve Garside – A Million ways to measure the Sun (Book Review)

2011-05-31T11:07:00.001-07:00

I first met Steve Garside, I guess around the end of 2009 through
my guitarist Jeffarama’s first tour under the name off ‘Busking for Beer’
which was a marriage of poetry and music and again at the start of

2010 when he donated some paintings for the Desparately seeking
Alex charity night at the Green Room in Manchester that I co-ran.

In a lot of ways, Steve’s début book ‘A Million Ways to measure the sun’ is a

extension to those paintings with words and are littered with double layers
(or allusions in his words if you like) and require several readings.

Take for example ‘The Paper Trees‘.

Bits like 'Flattering the sound of streams

in folds of breeze; the paper trees.

Equidistant lines of fifty in a field

sunlight geo-divided by their honest bark'

This is a beautiful and deep use of language that deserves
repeated reading over and over until the language starts to show
something very different.

Another review I read when researching Steve's book said
'it’s difficult not to become immersed in the deliberate and often
precise rhythm and choice of his language or become aware
of how it sits perfectly with not just each individual poem’s
theme but the book’s overall feeling of inequality throughout

life’s various stages' which I totally agree with, but also
add the point with Steve's work, at it's best (which is
constant throughout this book almost completely)
is in it's layering – like all great painters, Steve's words
reveal themselves over time.

Another interesting example is in 'Our Teacher took photos of us'
where on first readings I took the piece to be a sad story
about death and the passing of time on for example..

'before the dark end of teenage
/slipped from bullying into heroin'

The use of memory here was slight and left tons of
gaps for you to fill in yourself... Was the poet himself there
or was it a story he heard somewhere maybe recently or
a long time ago, and is the back cover of the book linked
into this?

Steve's work at it's best for me doesn't even give you half
of the answers, let alone the questions as above and is
a really rewarding read because of that.

Recommended.

(Book can be bought direct from Amazon on
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Million-Ways-Measure-Sun/dp/144661431X)

About Me

2011-05-30T14:25:00.001-07:00

I now also have a account on about me..

http://about.me/andynpoet

This can be found as above

Latest News - Week Commencing 22 May 2011

2011-05-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

After the mad run-up to the Chorlton Arts Festival last week, it was to be expected that afterwards it would be a bit quieter.

The set at Chorlton Arts Festival, I was really pleased with and have plenty off footage to go through, but so far I have uploaded three videos from the night - these are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKaoceh5_c0

Genocide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TkKLSt4S3Q

Percy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg2Wiekm6cM

A Coin in the Fountain

Over the coming weeks, I'll be uploading other videos from the night

but the rest of last week and into the bank holiday was resting as

much as possible and in the process, I managed to do a bit of

writing - I posted a new poem as a blog on write out loud called

'Escape (

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=21141#page_comment_74878)

for you to read and have another new one just about done called

'Maine Road Massacre (1988) and a major revision about half

done of a old favourite called 'Fun, Fun, Fun' which is still the same

but has a new lick of paint on it making it I hope somewhat different.

This week, with it been a shorter week - I am going to chill on Tuesday

before on Wednesday helping Cathy with her mid week shopping

and then on Thursday going to Guitars and Verse, the night me and Jeffarama

run over in Bolton.

This month quoting Jeff off the facebook page ' Following a fine show with

Linda Jennings and John Darwin last month, this month we have singer/songwriter

Jason Johnson (pic) and poet Laura Taylor.

I met Jason recently when he did a gig at the Octagon with Dave Sharp, was

impressed with his songs and asked him to do G n V. He's coming over from Tameside

and has just released a new album which I can definitely recommend!

I know Laura from the poety and music scene in Wigan, shes on writeoutloud, and

writes well and is a great performer, well worth seeing!'.

Of course, there is a open mike section that takes at least half of the show which

is just as exciting where I will be debuting two new poems (Probably my last

two blogged on W.O.L.), so come along folks.

And then on Saturday to see Johnny Depp in Pirates 4, which I hope is better

than the terrible third one.

Have a good week all folks..

Week Commencing 23th May 2011

2011-05-23T06:19:00.001-07:00

Phew! Last week was quite a week, all in all

And I am still recovering from it now truth be told.

Monday, first of all – I popped over to see my friend,

Rick for a quick beer for his birthday and even had

Time to pop in to see another friend on the way home

Literally who had some thoughts for a rewrite on a

Old poem of mine (which I need to sit down and have

A look at).

Tuesday – It was A Means to an End rehearsals

And we did another trial run at Chorlton’s brilliant

Iguana Bar and had a great time there – got my

Band another gig in June or July when our schedule

Lightens up at Asoustic Wednesdays in Manchester, but

More details on that to follow. Also took some pictures

On the night and perhaps got a few people to come

Along and watch us on Monday 23^rd May 2011 (tonight)

Play Chorlton Arts Festival in a full length set.

Wednesdays – Was out Hospital visiting for a sick friend,

But when I got back to Cathy’s sat down and started scribbling

On a new poem which needs a lot more work about football

Hooligsm.

Thursday – Ended up going over to Freed Up Poets @ The Green Room

In Manchester for it’s last poetry open mike there. Co-hosted again

By original co-announcer Steve O’Connor, the night was a lot better

Than it has been in recent months if I am honest as a lot of people came

Back who started going a while back and it was nice to see some of

These faces again. I, myself was placed on second which was a bit

Earlier than I would have prepared if I was honest and there was

No warning of a running order (unlike previous months) which

Made it harder, but I delivered my newest poem ‘Ghosts of Manchester

Victoria’ and a older poem ‘First Holiday in Ireland’ and was happy

With what I wrote..

Friday was a total break after that, and on Saturday me and Cathy

Went to see Hanna, a new film at the cinema which was really good

With a pounding soundtrack by the Chemical Brothers which I need

To check is commercially available (I hope so). Sunday, I left early and

Went to Chorlton to perform a short set at Chorlton FM which is linked

To Chorlton Arts Festival which was great fun before then heading over

To watch Jude Cowan, a friend from London do the Manchester launch

Of her debut poetry book which was interesting (More on that later when

I review the book).

But tonight, it’s Chorlton Arts Festival.

Puppywolf wants your poetry for 'Best of Manchester Poets Volume 2'

2011-05-18T00:19:00.000-07:00

Last Year I had a poem that appeared in my first book ‘Final Appointment’

In Best of Manchester Poets Volume 1 by local Manchester Poetry Press –

Puppwolf.

Just over a year later, they are now recruiting for Volume 2.

Reading their website, they advise ‘we are now inviting submissions for the second volume, which will be published in September 2011. You can submit two poems and it’s free of charge to do so. The deadline for submissions is 30th June 2011.

The first volume contained work by established poets and those who had never been published before. We’re proud of this and intend it to continue in Volume 2.

Entries will be judged anonymously by a panel of Manchester poets.

Go here for more details - http://www.puppywolf.co.uk/news/?page_id=6

Latest News - Week Commencing 16th May 2011

2011-05-15T00:15:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

Sorry for the delay in not posting last week.

Last week all in all turned into one of those weeks where

I didn’t seem to stop.

First of all, there was two band rehearsals instead

Of one in prep for the Chorlton Arts Festival gig next

Monday 21^st May 2011.

We also managed to squeeze in a live test run of some

pieces at W.O.L. Bolton where some went down

better than others truth be told, but I debuted my

keyboard live on stage for the first time (Was dead

nervous over that).

I also did a gig for Gemma Lees called ‘Poets take

over the Market’ @ Bury Market where I did about

15 minutes and really enjoyed it, although the weather

was bloody awful.

Earlier on tonight, I also squeezed in another test rehearsal

At Iguana Bar in Chorlton Cum Hardy too which was

Fun as normal.

Over the next week or so, I’m next up to the following:

19th May 2011

'Freed Up Poets'

Green Room

Manchester

21st May 2011

'Guitars and Verse'

The Crescent

Salford

22th May 2011

'Chorlton FM'

Chorlton Precident

Chorlton Cum Hardy

Manchester

(Can be heard online between 1pm – 2pm)

23rd May 2011

'Chorlton Arts Festival'

Chorlton

Manchester

So it will be all go literally as normal.

Week Commencing - 02/05/2011

2011-05-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Not much happened last week as I got tied up with my birthday and running
around in work making sure everything got cleared before I finished this week
for leave aside from more band rehearsals and another lovely walk in Chorlton's
Longford Park (See above).

The band itself has it's first major gig I guess at Chorlton Arts Festival on
Monday 23th May 2011 at one of my favourite places, the Lloyds Hotel
where we will be performing a free maybe 45 minute or so set, which
I am really looking forward to it.

There is plenty of other gigs on the way, but over this week - shortly
I am heading over to watch my friend Helen Back perform at 'Stirred'
a women's poetry reading at Sand Bar, on Grosvenor Street, Manchester.
Not sure if I really fancy this truth be told, but it's for a friend so I'll hang
around until she's been on and then quietly disappear if needed afterwards.

Tommorrow, with Jeffarama 'A Means to an End' are doing our first
pre Chorlton Arts Festival gig at 'Iguana Bar' in Chorlton Cum Hardy.
No idea when we will be on, but I expect it'll be starting maybe 8.30pm
or so.

Wednesday, I am popping over to other halves to make sure she hasn't
forgotten me, before returning over to Bolton for 'Guitars and Verse'
again co-run by Jeffarama which'll be a laugh I hope.

No plans for week-end aside from seeing other half and hopefully enjoying
this weather a bit more and maybe doing some work on book number 2.

More soon.

Hope you are all good

Cheers

Andy N

Week Commencing 18th April 2011

2011-04-20T02:17:00.001-07:00

Another gloomy, cool Monday I see but it’s good after

It got stupidly hot in my back garden yesterday afternoon

(40 odd degrees which is mad) which probably explains

Why too I came back from Dukingfield rather warm.

Otherwise, ‘Unique, Driven and Determined’ as you may have

seen happened this Saturday just gone and was rather a busy

night which sadly trickled off towards the end of the night

but still resulted in us raising a fair bit of money with more

money to come in which should give us a nice amount of

money to spread among the three charities.

Hopefully in another few weeks, we should be able to

reveal the final figure but speaking from a personal angle,

I am pleased with what we raised.

This week is going to be a busy one I think certainly,

as tonight I have to pop over to Dukingfield with some

additional money that has come in (We are still expecting

donations for it – cheques can be addressed to unique,

driven and determined or send to paypal viva me).

Tuesday will be band rehearsals where I am hoping to

Get chance to hear a possible new keyboardist in action.

Wednesday as it stands, I should be having tea at my

friend Olga’s and then Thursday I will be chairing ‘Poetica’

a excellent writing discussion group in the centre of Manchester

City Library and then I am going to head over to Freed Up Poets @
the Green Room, Manchester.

Anybody who has heard the sad news about funding getting

withdrawn to Manchester’s ‘The Green Room’ may well

want to attend this Freed Up and the last one at the Green Room

in May, just to show that people still support ‘The Green Room’

as it’s been a hotbed of the best alternative theatre for over 25

years for me in Manchester and to get it’s funding withdrawn

totally is very, very sad news and is a big show of the times

when things like ‘Manchester International Festival’s funding

gets trebled.

Lastly, then when it is bank holiday week-end I am hoping to

finally get chance to totally chill and crack on with my second

book (I sorted out a folder last night and discovered I had tons

of incomplete poems or draft poems which are possibles

for the book). Either way, a launch for September or October

is looking very, very possible this year.

Unique driven and determined

2011-04-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

I'm also involved in a Charity fundraising night tommorrow night...

More details off another website say:

'Charity night at Aldwinians RUFC in aid of in aid of Tameside and Glossop MIND, West Villa Mental Health Centre, Dukinfield and Tameside Blind Association. It will be a variety night of drama, music, and poetry from renowned local poets and other artistes. Also: a raffle and an auction with great prizes to be won. Tickets £4 in advance, £5 on the night.

When: Sat 16 Apr 2011
Where: Aldwinians RUFC, Audenshaw Park, Droylsden Road, Audenshaw (M34 5SN)
From: 19:30
Contact Information: For further information and tickets, phone Catherine Robinson: 0161 344 1245'

Week Commencing 11/03/2011

2011-04-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

Dear all;

What a week-end last week-end with the weather.

Ended up walking on Chorlton Meadows yesterday with

my friend, Ray and what a beautiful, beautiful day it was. Perfect

for walking although I didn’t get anything done creative done (lol).

This week we are on now – I first of all went to W.O.L. Stockport

where I gave debut readings to two new pieces ‘Up on the Roof (Strangeways)

and ‘Stealing Beauity’ both of which I was quite happy with and should be making

appearances at other readings afterwards in particular ‘Up on the Roof (Strangeways).

Tuesday I was off from work and will be spending most of it at Cathy’s

sorting out last minute things for the forthcoming charity do this Saturday

coming (Unique, driven, determined for which tickets are still available

From us)

Ditto for Wednesday and Thursday night and on Friday I will be at my

Lucy's 21st bash and then Saturday will be the Charity bash Show which

I'll blog separate soon.

Other news, I am still plodding away with my second poetry book ‘Detective

Novel’. I typed up 20 possible poems for it last week which came to around

48 or 49 pages. I am going to want to have another 10 possibles at least I guess

for it before I make a final selection from it and all things been well – I hope

it’ll be ready for September or October.

From next week, will be focusing a lot more on A Means to an End too as

We have a good gig coming up in Chorlton and I want us to be really ready for

It and then other stuff to follow up (Chance of something came up last night

For something at Stockport Art Gallery).

A possible gig has also arose in Stockport Art Gallery at some point from

End of June to beginning of August too and I am toying round with putting my

Name down for Freed Up Poets next week too since I will be chairing a poetry

Discussion group too.

Jo Mayers - Wearing the Coat (Review)

2011-04-08T01:51:00.000-07:00

Jo Mayers – Wearing the Coat

(Self Published Chapbook)

Jo Mayers is from Macclesfield, a town on the outskirts of Cheshire

which I know myself from working there in 2004 and 2005

and states in her short biography ‘she started being a poet at

Marlborough School, but learned to do it properly at the

University of Warwick’.

This self published chapbook I got through from her at Manchester’s

premium poetry open mike night ‘Freed Up’ at the beginning of 2011,

although she had been going there regularly there for most of 2010

(when I didn’t go for various reasons).

This Chapbook or pamphlet contains only 5 poems which could almost

be classed as an Single or a EP rather than a full length collection but

each one contains a realism that I rarely read in poetry, let alone as

well told as it is for example ‘How bad it is’ with a first line as:

‘We talk, all the time, about annoyance.

I cannot understand yours’

This is a fascinating start to any poem where the two characters talk

and talk but don’t really talk about atall about lack of froth,

or the fad for red flip flops, or the admittedly strange dearth

of taxicabs on a quiet, rum-and coke type night’, this is poetry

which has a wonderful use of language which is playful but

still has at it’s centre, a message as the poem finishes ‘You

still care, don’t you, about our lives?’

Even more striking is the second poem ‘The Waiting’ which starts

With a striking bit of dialogue ‘I’m not waiting for you’ which is

Almost like it is leading you into a short story or a short play, before

It says ‘nevertheless time passes’ and two Beatles songs, you can

feel the disappointment with the poet in the air, which is drawn

beautifully into the cold pavement.

The only thing I didn’t like if I am honest was the fact there was

Only 5 poems which left me by the end of it making me think this

Would have been a really good introduction to a longer collection

and 5 poems simply wasn't enough.

Hopefully she’ll get to do it someday as there is skill here that

I feel that publishers would be interested in.

Jo runs a blog on Write Out Loud which can be found at

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/poetview.php?profilesid=1472

and can be emailed on jo0911@hotmail.co.uk

Week Commencing 04/04/2011

2011-04-07T08:12:00.001-07:00

Week Commencing 04/04/2011

Typed up Thursday Night 07/04/2011

After a beautiful week of weather last week, this week’s weather

so far has been back to the normal grey skies. Lovely NOT..

Otherwise this week, certainly the plan is to crack on with my

writing. I got the poems into a folder so far for my second book

and was pleasonately surprised to realise there was 20 possible

pieces there, which came up to about 50 odd pages. When I

have a few more poems ready, I should then be able to

make a proper choice from them which’ll bond well for maybe

September or October time.

This week itself on Monday and Wednesday involved a little

Work on my forthcoming play which has the working title

Of ‘Night Camp’. That itself is moving along slowly and if

All goes to plan the 1^st draft may be done by the end of

Summer.

Tuesday was the last meeting before the charity night

‘unquire, driven, determined’ on Saturday 16^th April 2011. So

far, its looking quite good as for the auction we have I think

14 prizes (including 3 autographed things from

Manchester City, 4 paintings and a host of tickets

for shows and sports things). Will keep you informed how

it goes of course.

Tickets can be bought in advance for £4 from Cathy Robinson

0161 344 1245. It will be held at Aldwinians RUFC, Droylsden

Road, Audenshaw, M34 5SN – doors open at 7.30pm.

We also had earlier the latest ‘Guitars and Verse’ event

In Bolton. I missed the March one through ill health, but

Tonight’s feature Kate Hannah and the the well liked Manchester

Poet Dominic Berry. Starts at 7.30pm at Butterflies, so hope

To see you there.

Loads more to follow next week too.

Week Commencing 28th March 2011

2011-03-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Typing this on a Sunday for once while watching

3.10 to Yuma starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe

and rather enjoying it, but certainly I am really starting

to think Spring is in the air now.

I ended up going for a beautiful walk round Longford Park

(which has been making more and more of a appearance

in my poems recently I must admit) and managed to do

a bit of writing on a few forthcoming poems (nothing

finished however).

This week coming, I don’t have any plans for reading

But will be busy in creative projects work. Monday,

I will be trying to work out my new keyboard I bought

Off ebay on Saturday somewhat more still. Did a bit

Of messing around it this evening, not going to be

Easy but it’ll be fun exploring it over the next few

Months and if it works out maybe able to use in

The live A Means to an End set.

Tuesday, IT SHOULD BE band rehearsals

Where I have a rough draft of a new piece to

Consider called ‘Up on the roof’ (Strangeways)

Which is about the Strangeways riots in Manchester

In 1990.

Wednesday, I am going to pop round to see my friend

Olga over her paintings as I think she is going to donate

A painting, maybe two for the charity do I am looking

After in part next month.

Thursday I am at a meeting for a gig in July I am doing,

And then on Friday it’s my friend Zoe’s birthday so I

Will pop out for a drink or two, then head to Cathy’s

For the week-end.

All in all a busy week, no gigs or anything but things are

Building up as always – lol.

Latest News - Week Commencing 21st March 2011

2011-03-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

Very little to report this week aside from I have been writing a few bits and pieces.

I went to all of the readings I mentioned last week, W.O.L. Stockport was helpful
as I test ran a new major poem 'The Origin of the Kid' which I think will make it
to part of the live Means to an End set in due course and had fun with two other
pieces (one of which 'Spring is Coming' is blogged).

I found the 'Pass on a Poem' night at the library to a degree ruined by the whaffle
from some of the people inbetween the pieces, but it gave me great pleasure
reading out some Derek Jarman poetry from his 'The Garden' book which is
a amazing book about his Garden and then wandering over to Freed Up Poets
at the Green Room in Manchester. If I am honest, I was a little disappointed
with Freed Up as the audience was really down for the night, but thankfully
it had filled up a little by the time I performed where I read out a love poem
'Chamber Music XII' retitled 'Victoria Park' for the night and a piece that
means a lot to me 'Percy' which I got tons of praise on afterwards.

Spent part of the week-end at Cathy's, so on Sunday I went straight
(aside from a brief visit home) to my guitarist Jeffarama's which we had
a good jam with his tutor Dave (who I think will be joining us a part time
third member) and worked out arrangements for 'The Oirgin of the Kid',
'Forgotten hero' and a slight reworking of 'Tandle Hill', before heading over
to W.O.L. Bolton where a guy called Don parry joined me and Jeff on
stage for 'Tandle Hill' and I did 'Forgotten Hero' solo.

This week however, not a lot has been happening apart from me writing
a new poem 'Up on the Roof' (Strangeways) and a draft of a forthcoming
one 'Catalogue Number'. I've also been working a little bit on a play
called 'Night Game' which is looking promising also (More on that soon).

Gigs wise, not much happening for me for a few weeks until the next
Guitars and Verse in April, and then Cathy's Charity Do, but once they
are out of the way - May is going to be silly season as is July and possibly
September (with August been a month off).

More to follow next week of course (at some point).

Week Commencing 14/03/2011

2011-03-17T01:03:00.001-07:00

Week Commencing 14/03/2011

Spring at last is in the air, and my virus is finally starting to shift.

Spring is in the air and the skies are definitely starting to get bluer and bluer,

Even though it is still slightly cold which was a good reason to pack a light

Jumper to go to Stockport Art Gallery for W.O.L. – Stockport.

Considering I have been ill most of March, to go tonight wasl be a bonus for me

With several brand new pieces. I must admit I really didn’t think I would get these

Ready on any kind of level for Monday, but to get wrote what I have completed

Is a major bonus. I don’t think they are masterpieces by any stretch of thought,

But it’s a nice plus just to complete them. (Pieces were: The Origin of
the Kid, Spring is Coming and Marple Odyssey).

There was some confusion there tonight which was very annoying as when I

Arrived in the normal meeting place, there was a few people there already

Saying they were booked in the room and after some confusion they then

Went downstairs and for whatever reason several people arrived,
some of which I knew and was led to the impression that was the group
and left almost straight-away.

Stockport’s W.O.L. is a very small group indeed (9 or 10 people normally)

And to lose people like that because of a breakdown in communication
is worrying.

Rest of the week has generally been chilling as my throat still isn’t perfect

But I shall be over at Pass on a Poem again at Manchester City Library on Deansgate.tonight and as it stands I’ll be reading a piece by
Derek Jarman on that one from his gardening book, before heading over
to Freed Up Poets @ The Green Room in Manchester to pop along to
their open mike night where I shall be reading probably ‘Chamber Music XII’ and ‘Percy’ (about my long dead Uncle).

Week-end wise won’t be much creative but I intend doing a bit more writing,

And then on Sunday night I SHOULD be at Butterflies in Bolton for W.O.L.

Bolton hindering my guitarist, Jeffarama again as normal – lol.

Must admit also I also went on a beautiful boat trip over week-end over Uppermill

Too, and it was amazing – I must admit.

Week Commencing 7th March 2011

2011-03-08T13:56:00.001-08:00

Week Commencing 07/03/2011

After a busy few weeks, the last few weeks in total contrast has been quiet because I have been ill.

Because I was ill, I ended up missing March’s ‘Guitars and Verse’ and also ‘Friday Night live’ Both at Butterflies in Bolton which are both run by Jeffarama (my buddy in Half Evil promotions) and in the case of Guitars and Verse by both of us and also had to cancel several other bits and pieces we were down for doing.

I have heard on the grapevine both nights went down pretty well and it’s likely I will be back on Sunday 20^th March 2011 to support Jeff with Write Out Loud, Bolton where I will probably be performing there (voice permitting).

This week itself will involve a meeting for a charity night on Tuesday night and prepping for next week (Week Commencing 14/03/2011) which will be a fair enough slog all in all (as I will be at W.O.L. Stockport at Stockport Art Gallery hopefully with two brand new pieces to perform), Pass on a Poem @ Manchester City Library, then straight over to Freed Up Poets @ The Green Room (also in Manchester).

There are several things also in the pipeline / maybe’s also now – namely confirmation of an appearance at Chorlton Arts Festival in May 2011 (Date and Venue to be confirmed). An opportunity has also arisen for something at Tameside Arts Festival hopefully in July (as well as another gig I’ll talk about nearer the time) and I have also been in communications with Farnsworth Arts Festival over a possible idea over the summer.

I think Jeff my guitarist and partner in Half Evil Promotions has his fingers in a few other pies at the moment gigswise too including a possible joint gig with ‘Mind’ in Manchester a regular night which is ran at Manchester Buddhist Centre and there is defo going to be a special Guitars and Verse @ Salford Crescent in May 2011.

More to follow as usual.

Latest News and Views - 21st February 2011

2011-02-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

Dear all;

Last week ended up been a bit of a damp quid for me as I went down with

A throat bug and cold that my little nephew has got, and resulted in me

Going off sick which wasn’t very pleasant at the end of the week.

This week as I am not 100% better – I don’t think there will be a lot happening

But I am certainly looking forward to band rehearsals on Tuesday with Jeff

As I am going to try out a possible Keyboard piece with him for future band

Work (Watch this space) and also carrying on work on our latest band

Piece ‘Before the Curtains Open’.

I am also chairing a writing discussion group on Wednesday night called

‘Poetica’ on Wednesday night at Manchester City Library on Deansgate

In Manchester. I’ve been going to Poetica more off than on nowadays I will

admit, but I used to go regular certainly from the Middle of 2007 to

last year, but it can prove a helpful poetry discussion group for writers

with their work.

Anyway, it starts at 6.30pm and will run onto around 8.00pm or something

So I believe.

Friday this week although I won’t be attending is ‘Friday Night Live’

With my guitarist and partner in Half Evil Promotions, Jeffarama

Over at Butterflies in Bolton fronted by the wonderful Second Hand

Wings who were last time I saw them a three piece female led group

Who really are well worth checking out.

Next Week however will be Guitars and Verse which’ll be fun

As always.

Latest News and Views - Week Commencing 14th Feb 2011

2011-02-16T02:27:00.000-08:00

Dear all;

Sorry for the lateness in this week’s posting, but I got a little busier

than I expected in the beginning of the week and never really

caught up with myself then.

But anyway to business, I have already been to two nights (Sunday

and Monday) both Write Out Loud related nights in Bolton and Stockport.

The Bolton one was ran by my good friend and guitarist in my band,

Jeffarama who even persuaded me to go and do some MCing for him

(which I had done twice before over the past few years but never

really felt comfortable doing), and had a really top time doing.

The art that Jeff is developing so, so well at W.O.L. Bolton

is the encouraging factor for all ages and all ability.

In some ways, it reminded me of the way ‘Freed Up Poets’ in

Manchester back in 2008 when I first started going as you didn’t

know what was going to happen from performer to performer.

All in all, here there were 19 performers here and I think 32

or 33 in the audience in total and for a small bar like Butterflies

in Bolton, that is good going.

I myself read ‘Memories of Moss Side (1981) with Jeffarama

which is our latest piece about my memories of the Moss Side

riots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg114E1oBN0)

and then ‘Before the Curtains Open’ complete with cuddly toy

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfsIJhWeh8Q)

Monday, I went over to W.O.L. Stockport. Stockport in total

contrast to Bolton is a lot, lot quieter and I think attracts maybe

12 people or so (It got 14 I think that night) and is read around

in a circle.

It wasn’t anywhere near as good as W.O.L. Bolton to put it

honestly as I am not convinced the standard of writing is

anywhere near as good, but I enjoyed road testing two brand

new pieces there ‘Peterloo’ which is about a massacre in the

centre of Manchester in 1819 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaPjFHLuM04)

and another new one about witnesses to a murder called ‘Witness’.

bit of early days for both of these to decide what happens

next with them, but if they go well in rehearsal next few weeks

they may appear on other nights either with my band or solo.

No plans for any more performances now until Guitars and Verse

in March, but I will be active doing other stuff next week too

(More news to come).

Week Commencing 7th February 2011

2011-02-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

Week Commencing 07 Feb 2011

God, where has the year gone already – only seems

Like a few days since Christmas and we are always

Well heading into February.

Last week itself was the usual rehearsals with Jeffarama

For ‘A Means to an End’ which tightened up our

Newest piece ‘Memories of Moss Side (1981) which

Jeff has produced a very Peter Hook Bass-line onto

It which gives it a pace like running footsteps which

I think works really well with the piece.

We performed it at the 6^th Guitars and Verse event

Last Thursday at Butterflies @ Bolton which was

Certainly the busiest of the 6 nights we have

Done yet, and without bragging too much got 18

People / acts on the open mike and a excellent

Injin Joe who was only little more than a kid

But were mega talented and an audience of

Over 45 at its peak, which pleased me a heck of

A lot.

This week as it stands, I won’t be doing much

As I am back in work after a few days off although

I do have more band rehearsals on Tuesday, where

I hope to have finished a new piece called ‘Peterloo’

(Google it if you are interested as it’s a forgotten

Piece of Manchester history) and we’ll jam around

With a few things and maybe perform at Write Out

Bolton next Sunday.

Latest Views and Chills - Week Commencing 30th January 2011

2011-01-30T15:22:00.000-08:00

Dear all;

After the lateness of last week - I thought I would type up this week coming's
news and views before I go to bed and no doubt then totally forget about it
until about Thursday again.

First of all - my band did a couple of songs at the beginning of my guitarist
Jeffarama's new band 'Acoustic night at Butterflies' Friday just gone. If I
am honest - it was a very difficult couple of songs to do, but when you
are in a new band (or newish here), everything is a experience and a noisy,
drunken crowd is just one of those things you have to put up with sometimes
and I came away with drafts of three new poems (or was it four) that looked
quite promising which I need to sit down and have another look at.

Week-end otherwise I ended up seeing Cathy and suffered watching the
Manchester City today which wasn't that clever but it's one of the perks
I have following Manchester City. This week however, I have the now
regular rehearsal night for 'A Means to an End'. We rehearsed out a
new number last week 'Memories of Moss Side' which I am looking
forward to exploring further with.

If this goes well - am hoping to have a crack at performing this at
my guitarist's Jeff night at Butterflies 'Guitars and Verse' which I think
is starting to go great guns now. According to the Half Evil Promotions
blog (which me and Jeff are part off - http://halfevilpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/01/guitar-n-verse-with-injun-joe.html), a gent called Injun Joe who I don't know personally
but have been told is a excellent young singer songwriter is headlining
so am hopeful it'll be another excellent night.

Rest of the week - I will be waiting patiently in the post when
not in work hoping for the arrival of my valentine's present I ordered
online last week. If it comes out like I think it will, I'll have a announcement
to make over the next few weeks.

And ontop of that, I am looking forward to exploring these new poems again.

Have fun

Andy N

Latest News as of 27th January 2011

2011-01-27T05:38:00.001-08:00

Dear all;

This week has gone somewhat quicker than I expected,

as I planned to type this originally on a Sunday night

and next thing I know it’s Thursday afternoon.

Anyway, first of all – Half Evil Promotions have

a gig on this Friday coming featuring the beautiful

and talented singer songwriter from Isle of Man,

Clara Barker headlining with able support from

Danny Lipbody and Kate Hannah.

It’s on this Friday 28^th January 2011 at Butterflies

bar in Bolton, starting I think at 7.30pm and

admission is a £1 (Get there early enough and

You may well see my new band ‘A Means to

an End’ play a few numbers too).

I know also there is a Guitars and Verse gig

coming up the following week with a headline

act whose name I currently forget on Thursday

which I’ll mention when I next write.

Monday Night was quiet, but Tuesday night

was the latest rehearsal for my band also. Can’t

say too much too yet, but we had the beginnings

of an excellent, excellent piece on the way too

called ‘Memories of Moss Side (1981)’ which

is about the riots in 1981.

Have also now confirmed an additional Half

Evil related event for April 16^th 2011 also

in Droylsden.. More details to follow shortly.

And I am also finding time for work on

a new piece about ‘Peterloo’ (which if you don’t

know what this is, research it as it’s interesting

history).

So all go as normal.

A Means to an End - Live Paradox January 2011 Pictures

2011-01-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

New Poem 'Before the Curtains Open'

2011-01-21T00:27:00.000-08:00

My latest poem 'Before the Curtains Open'
can now be read on Write Out Loud on:

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=18744