Popular Workshop - Artrocker New Blood Piece February 2008

One of my favourite ever interviews - and easily one of the most intoxicated (in fact it's possibly the only one - how rock and roll of me?!). Popular Workshop really let rip and there were several quotes which just couldn't be put in. Maybe a Director's Cut is in order? Anyhow, it's the passion and anger that's at work here which made their manager proclaim it to be "The best interview I've ever read". She would say that though. I think she's right regardless.
PS: One of the band was scared shitless of this running, but I'll leave it to you to figure out which one.

Danananaykroyd New Band Piece - Playmusic June 2007

A short lived new bands section that I insisted needed to happen as we were covering unsigned bands and established bands with ease, reviewing newish bands in reviews and choosing our favourite new band for Most Valuable Players; but I still felt like we were abandoning the self-releasing/independent label bands who were far off of major attention, but deserved it. You get very few I TOLD YOU SO moments in music journalism, and some of them are hollow (band's breaking up etc.) but, while there was indsustry buzz (UGH) about this Scottish six-piece, no one had really got up and said: "These guys are fucking brilliant" I wanted to be the first, and although no one read it, I'm pleased that I did. Best live band in the country, and there's a LOT of competition right now.

Coheed & Cambria Cover - Playmusic Pickup November 2007

A cover story now - possibly one of my favourites. It speaks for itself if you know the band. While they are pretty unhip and pretentious, there's a need for music like this and it's harmless fun really, while at the same time being complicated and epic. I mean a science-fiction story set across four albums (with a fifth acting as a prologue)? What were they thinking?? Well they were thinking this....

Snow Patrol - August 2006

My first band feature for Playmusic was this phone call with the guitarist of Snow Patrol about his love of Fender. There's another page with a rather dark press shot of the band, but you don't need to see that.

First Garageland - Playmusic August 2006

While we're dealing with firsts, I may aswell group them together. Here's my first unsigned Garageland section for Playmusic, in the first issue I worked on. Garageland can sometimes be the most fun - I love discovering brand new bands (to me and perhaps to others) and although there have been times where I haven't been able to fufil my criteria of having the best bands I've found that month, I really do try. THis first lot were all from a heap of demos we'd received at the office. Another first - Vividville's picture was taken by me - my first published photograph. PRIDE.

Ashdown Bass Pedals review - August 2006

My first ever feature/review for Playmusic. Having never done gear reviews before, it really seemed like a challenge - three pages on some bass pedals (I'm a guitarist rather than a bassist although obviously I have experience in playing bass too) while editing a review section, and generally trying to make an impression. It worked though.

The Organ - Playmusic October 2006

My first band feature with Playmusic. The Organ were a fantastic band that seemed destined to split - mainly because they hung around with a debut album that was five years old. A real loss.

HMN Bass Guitar review - Playmusic Pickup October 2006

Another string to my bow: gear reviews. This is a slightly odd one with a sinister looking bass. It was awfully fun to play though. I also took those fine pictures gracing the review.

Jack Daniels - Playmusic November 2006

Not the most responsible piece of journalism, but certainly indicitive of the boundaries we were willing to break for a bit of fun. Can imagine editors of Loaded/FHM etc. looking at this and thinking: "Why didn't WE think of this." All words (apart from the concluding paragraphs) and photos are mine.

mewithoutYou - Tuned November 2007

An interesting band. Extremely good, if sombre, music and very much embracing religion while not preaching. Their name itself is obviously a nod to their spiritual leanings. Despite not sharing thier views, their community spirit is something to be admired.

Dizzee Rascal - Playmusic June 2007

One of my favourite interviewees ever, young Dylan is easily the most passionate musician ABOUT music that I've ever met. He breathes the stuff.

Red Bull Music Academy - Playmusic January 2007

October 2006 - my reporting skills were essential to capturing the essence of the Red Bull Music Academy project in Melbourne, Australia. All text and photos are mine.

New Orleans Soulfest - Notion No. 30 (2007)

In June 2007, I was sent out to New Orleans for a four day visit to soak up the atmosphere of the city, courtesy of Southern Comfort who were promoting a number of New Orleans themed club nights in the UK. Although the Soulfest was meant to be the main attraction, the two other journalists and I ended up seeing and experiencing a lot more. It's a shame I only had 1800 words to squeeze the story into. There was a LOT more I could've said.