back to band

19 11 2009

I’ve not played a gig for other a month now… I’m hoping people don’t forget me!

It’s a decision I’ve made partly cos I’m so darn busy, but also because I’ve got a new drummer, Eve and a new glock/keys player, Desi. It’s really exciting because it means I’ll be able to have more fun when I’m performing rather than having to stick by the mic stand. It’s also exciting because Eve is an incredible drummer – not just in the playing sense but in the way that she can listen to something and bring something completely new to it. She likes to look at my lyrics and play something that works with them rather than purely keeping a beat. It makes me think of a time supporting the wonderful Dan Smith when his former manager told me I ‘had it’ and discussed drums (back then it was just me and my friend Nick doing our duo thing.) He was of the opinion that drums are purely to keep time but I’m starting to do a u-turn on this. I think that from our few practices together as a new line up, precussion has become an essential part of what I do. As my own precussive skills are limited, a lot of the stuff I utilise on my poorly recorded myspace demos can sound quite samey.

Hopefully if anyone who reads this and has seen us live before, or will do in future will be pleasantly surprised! I’m hoping that the lovely Mr Hearing Aid will pop along and give his opinion on our progression. Unfortunately we’ve lost our sax, but we’re aiming to sound a lot more together before we hit the ’scene’ again. I’m also writing new material – aiming to produce more stuff along the lines of ‘Cautionary Tale’ – style rather than content.

(I have never actually watched this video before… I usually record them and shove them on Youtube…. it’s so different to how it is now!)

I’ve never been too keen on ‘Cautionary Tale’ yet a lot of people (well I say a lot… I mean most of the people who’ve heard my stuff) say it’s one of my best songs. It is always fun to play with a band though!

This is the first ever incarnation of ‘Arrangement’. I’d had the uke for a few days and was writing as I learnt new chords…

and this is the second

The new version, as of yesterday is nice and slow… until a few bars in. Then we ska it up. That’s another thing about being a collective – the influences that everyone brings. James, our guitarist is really into ska (and Abba as the chords I found in his guitar case yesterday would have me believe,) and we’re always break into a song by Spunge every now and again (usually that old classic ‘Kicking Pigeons’!)

I’ll hopefully record a practice soon so you can share in the fun!


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Categories : Uncategorized

My nearly-the-end-of-the-year resolution!

9 11 2009

Who says you can’t attempt to make ‘fresh starts’ before January?

I’ve become slightly concerned about my little grey bubble that I’ve begun blowing recently! The thing about being president of a society, and a substantially sized one at that is sometimes it’s easy to take it all too seriously! I tend to think of myself as a radio station manager rather than a student club leader which means hat maybe I invest too much of myself into it.

Take the Burnfm mousemats situation. The mats, which cost burn £700 and the Guild £300 are far bigger than the size we asked the Guild to order. Apparently this is the fault of the supplier. The biggest issue is that the Guild logo takes up over half the space on the mat meaning that although Burn’s investment was of a much higher sum, the Guild appear to have much more of a visual benefit. These mats are going to be placed in computer clusters where the Guild – or Burn – have ever been able to advertise before so I don’t accept the counter argument that ‘the Guild need the advertising less than Burn so should pay less.’ At the end of the day advertising space is advertising space! The Guild also need to raise awareness about their own site. The biggest issue is that perhaps a smaller mat would have saved Burn money (as well as meaning that the Guild logo wouldn’t stand out as much.)

So that’s the stressy bit out of the way. On a positive note we’ve got them! After around 4 months of planning (since June) the mousemats are now safely with University IT services. Hopefully the mats will last around 3 years a provide a unique way of connecting with potential audiences – after all, all they need is headphones and they can plug into the library computers.

I guess I need to think about the positive things achieved this year at Burn! It’s just frustrating when you put time, effort and most of all passion into a project and it’s not entirely perfect, it can be hard to swallow – particularly when there are over 100 people looking to you to sort things. Any mistakes ultimately fall to me – if someone says something incriminating on air, for example, I may be the one who is ultimately disciplined. When you try and work with people who have less interest in a project than you have your sense of urgency isn’t matched and priorities are different – therefore wires have crossed.

I had a really stressful day last Wednesday. There’s no need to go into details really – there’s not much point, although I’d like to say that it is unfair that the way that staff talk to guild members is not seen as important as how staff are approached by members. I usually communicate everything by email, but not being able to be at the Guild every day I sometimes cannot wait for a reply and have to have a face to face conversation. These conversations are best had in comfy chairs (or at least sitting down.) When there’s an imbalance in the room – i.e someone is seated and another is stood awkwardly by the doorway, it can escalate to something unintended all too easily – tense body language is read wrongly etc… I’d also had the stress of showing the 27 strong committee the mousemats. I’d been frightened that they would be upset with me for giving the go ahead with them but luckily they were supportive as ever.

So, anyway (onto the point!) I went home when I’d finished Burn duties and wrote on my twitter an angsty (borderline hormonal sounding) tweet about how I was ‘fed up of the guild’ and that the ‘VPSAD’ was going to have a meeting to tell me off (or something along those lines.) Actually, upon reflection I shouldn’t have brought the VPSAD into it – and as such I’ve deleted the tweet. It wasn’t a personal attack on the VPSAD herself (I didn’t name her, because it was a general moan about the structure of the guild rather than the way she does her job – I was annoyed at how the VPSAD has to carry out the potentially uncomfortable council of disciplining a student rather than the student and the offended party having that discussion themselves. Had I been asked for an apology, I most certainly would have given one – I had my deputy manager with me and had I been offensive I’m sure he would have had a quiet word with me post event and I would have immediately tried to rectify the situation. I have never set out to deliberately offend anyone.

This is why I want to publish a public apology to the Guild’s VPSAD, Emma Packham, because I understand that my public tweet may easily have been offensive. Emma has been a great support to Burn, myself and all other students involved in societies since she took to her role and has always been open to chats with me – and I’m honestly really sorry if I caused her any upset.

Tomorrow Emma and the Guild gang will be campaigning with a flashmob at the Old Joe clocktower on the University of Birmingham Edgebaston campus (12.50pm.) This campaign is to try and ‘tell David’ Eastwood, the uni’s Vice Chancellor that a rise in tuition fees to £7000 plus is unreasonable. David will be One of the six people sitting at the Governmental table making such a decision. If you are reading this and are available then please come down and support. At 1pm we’ll be heading off to Joes Bar in the Guild to find out more.

Hope you are all well!

Frankie x


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Categories : birmingham, birmingham uni, burnfm, guild of students

It’s burn a while!

9 10 2009

Hello!

It has been a while hasn’t it? I’ve graduated from Channel 4, returned to University, proceeded with my court case (still waiting for a date but have received the ‘defence’) and got a radio station back up and running.

This Freshers’ Week was the first time Burnfm broadcasted outside into Mermaid Square. We weren’t allowed to broadcast into the Societies Fair but we did get to have a small speaker in the corner of the Sq. Although small we did get some lovely comments from the people in the square and got to have fun running around trying to find guests. It also gave us the chance to open up Burn’s doors to our fellow societies and sabbatical officers (who did an awesome job throughout the week, particularly Emma Packham the VP Student Activities and Development, Fabian Neuner, Guild President and…. heck all of them! Katie Ford, VP of Sport was brilliant to interview on air – she’s a natural.)

After a successful Burn introduction meeting (which featured legal training from wonderful University lawyer James Piggot) we managed to get down to training. This year, rather than train people in large groups (and a very small studio) we devised a training rota, training smaller groups (ranging from around 1-5 people – last year it was around 20 at a time.) We decided that DJs had to have both legal and studio training before going on air – so even past DJ’s had a refresher and more in depth legal training than ever before. I’m also planning on sending out a feedback form shortly so we can develop this further.

On Monday we went on FM for the first time since Spring 2007 (before I was even a student.)

On Wednesday members of Midlands student radio stations joined Burn at the Guild for some informative Q&A’s from the West Midlands branches of  Galaxy FM and Heart. They gave loads of advice about being on and off air – and I’m hoping to get some more experience soon. Deputy Programme Controller of Heart West Midlands, John Collins also popped into the Burnfm studio with weekend breakfast presenter Matt Jarvis to give Burn DJ Rob Watts the shock of his life! Rob, being the trooper that he is successfully managed to involve Matt and John in the conversation (about 500 Days of Summer.)

In the evening we headed over to TC’s, an undervalued Selly Oak establishment to hear the nominees for this year’s Student Radio Awards. We hadn’t entered a great amount and weren’t nominated however you still have to consider that we’ve still not been long on air. Perhaps surprisingly for me I’m not at all bothered! In fact, I had a ruddy brilliant time! The ‘Social Sams’ (Sam Cowley and Sam Willet, Burn’s Head and Deputy Head of Social) organised the evening party and looked after me rather well. Willet infact described me as being ‘amazingly happy.’

It’s pretty obvious, but I’ll say it anyway, Burn wouldn’t be Burn without the committee. There have been times when people have been telling me to give it all up and maybe I would if it were not for them. Next year, once a new committee has taken our place I hope we have ex committee socials!

Our current ‘big challenge’ is to get Burnfm played in venues around the guild such as Joe’s Bar and Spar. Now we’re on FM, Spar may be possible (but I want to finish the week so I can make sure that everyone is ready.) A motion was passed in Guild Council to make sure that Joes Bar play Guild TV on its TVs and to make sure that Burn is also played. We don’t mind if this is not full time – (the saying ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ comes to mind) however if Guild Council has decreed this, surely it should happen? Students have said it’s okay, many Guild staff have also said they think it should happen – it’s the Venues team that haven’t agreed to anything.

If the Guild is for Students then why is it being run (in some places) entirely as a business? Students were lead to believe that an event featuring Calvin Harris would feature a live performance from the pop star (and they paid £10 for the privilege.) Instead Mr Harris arrived at approximately 2am and played a DJ set (his third event of the evening.)

I saw a fantastic DJ set at the Guild in my first year – it was the fabulously talented Zane Lowe and was part of the Guild Awards afterparty. (I paid £6 for both Guild Awards and aforementioned party,) so surely when one pays £10 to see someone, they expect them to do more than just plug a couple of laptops in? Why would you want to see a DJ play their own voice loops? (The word ‘tragic’ comes to mind.)

I also have a serious issue with Guild Venues as they dislike direct contact with me. I decided to pay them a visit to ask if a full building event would be occurring on Tuesday as the original act had been cancelled and I’d just heard that Simon Bird of The Inbetweeners would be doing a show. The reason Burn needs to know about events in the Guild (and I would say more than most other societies do) is because sometimes these events mean that DJs are not allowed to enter the building to do their show. Now these DJ’s pay for the privilege of broadcasting. It’s also hard for them to build up any kind of following when the schedule is disrupted. Some events mean that we can’t broadcast from the studio, and others still let us – this is what we need to know. Looking at a poster does not tell us this. The same with if a full building event is cancelled. I need to know so I can reinstate the DJs for the evening.

Right, rants over! It’s Peep Show time!

Frank x

ps

Redbrick editor Nick Petrie has helped give the Redbrick Online website a complete (and seemingly Guardian online inspired overhaul) – it’s looking rather fantastic so be sure to check it out.


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Categories : Radio, birmingham, birmingham uni, burnfm

More advice please?

18 08 2009

Hello!

I haven’t updated this for ages because most of the time I’ve been working and also because I’m avoiding blogging about insider stuff at Channel 4 because I don’t want to get into trouble! Instead of blogging work stuff here I’ve been doing some writing for 4Talent’s blog and you can read my thoughts on microblogging (i.e twitter), commissioning and bumping up CVs. There’s also a bunch of contributors regularly blogging for the site on other or similar topics.

And so to the begging you all for advice/few seconds of your time bit!

  • The deposit situation

So I’ve not had a response from my old landlords about my deposit yet so I’m not sure how to take things further. The main thing is that I can’t use the cheque they gave me because it is void but they haven’t even had the grace to contact me about that. I guess I need to write another letter but I’m so busy at the moment its rather difficult. The last one was sent in my first week at C4…. I’m in my sixth week here now so its getting ridiculous. I really need my money back as I have plans for it – plus I earnt that money from acting in the last production at the MAC centre before it shut so its something I worked hard for and therefore makes me far more determined to get as much of it back as possible.

  • The slightly embarassing video situation

I made a brief, silly video for a Big Brother competition to be the voice of Big Brother for the day (I was asked to) and here it is. I basically made it verrrry quickly (hence the lack of instruments in the video and the rubbish paper messages) because I don’t get home from work until late. Anyway please watch it as if I get lots of video views I’ll also get kudos! Whooo intern kudos!

  • The EP situation

So one of the reasons I want to get as much of my deposit back as possible is that I really want to record some of my Get Frank music (as in properly with someone rather than hastily in my bedroom.) The thing is, I’m not sure which songs I should record so I thought that if I asked people via the medium of my blog and they happen to know my music, they could give me a suggestion for tracklisting. I’m probably going to record five but I’m not quite sure yet. There’s more rough ’sketches’ of songs on my soundcloud which you are welcome to download for free (the myspace stuff should be downloadable too.)

This is a video from one of my gigs at the Hare and Hounds for Bohemian Jukebox with Ben Calvert. Its a song called ‘So Far Away’ and will most likely be one of the songs that I record. I won’t have saxophone on the recording as my sax/electric player is off to Russia and a couple of people have said that in this particular performance, the sax tends to clash with my vocals a bit too much…so perhaps I’ll stick to glock solos. I’m going to put more vids from this gig up soon – when I get them off my boyfriend!

If I have enough money after my work placement finishes (most of it goes on travel and food) I’ll possibly record more songs, it all depends on when the band is ready. Recently I’ve been offered more gigs which is lovely, but it’s also scary because I’m still dependent on my friends turning up – I need me a fanbase! So er… Get Frank street team anyone?

Get Frank songlist (some of it anyway)

  1. Vacant (untitled)
  2. So Far Away
  3. Bedspread
  4. Beat Me Down
  5. Disappointed in Me
  6. When I grow up
  7. You Don’t Like Love
  8. Stupid Beautiful
  9. Whoops
  10. Three Floors High
  11. An Arrangement
  12. By My Side
  13. Individual
  14. In My Mind
  15. Nature Boy
  16. Leaves and Crumbs
  17. Cautionary Tale
  18. Fake Joe Lean
  19. Keep in Touch
  20. It’s Not You
  21. Something More
  22. In Vain
  23. Stupid Beautiful

Thanks everyone

Frank x

(Oooh playing Artsfest on the 13th September at the Tourist info centre, 2.30pm)


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Categories : birmingham, get frank, miscellaneous, music, youtube

My new obsession

19 07 2009

I always knew that my dad had an accordion and had seen it a couple of times (always coated in a grey layer of cobwebs,) and on visiting his house this weekend I saw that it had been placed in my room….!!!

A few of the keys look rather funny and wonky and definitely need righting and it needs a lot of looking after. It belonged to my dad’s grandfather. The make is Alvari and after doing a little research online I discovered that the Italian company dissolved just after World War II.

I found this picture of a 1938 model and believe it must be of a similar age to my great grandfather’s instrument due to the decorative carving of the side panels, the branding on the instrument in the picture is also painted on rather than carved in a solid material and attached. I believe that this is a feature of later models such as this one.

Anyone who knows me well, knows I love instruments. I’ve always wanted an accordion and was tempted to buy a child’s version at Hobgoblin’s music shop (next to the custard factory) but resisted (I was also verging on buying a melodica.) Seeing as I’ve wanted to play this instrument ever since seeing it come out of my nan’s loft many years ago I was a bit nervous about picking it up and trying it out – for fear it was soundless or that I might break it.

Below is a video of me trying it out for the first time.

I have to say it was wonderful! I had to play it for a while before I got the hang of it and just experimented with suspending and resolving chords etc… but it just felt a wee bit…well magical! In fact I’ve had to leave it now but I still feel excited about it. My mic on my pc isn’t very good so won’t give you a good idea of the sound at all unfortunately, but it sometimes verges on synthlike and sometimes something ‘purer’ – words cannot describe!

The thing about accordions is that if you don’t play them, they apparently deteriorate, just as if you play them too harshly. We’re lucky that this accordion has survived despite probably being unused for over 20 years (I have no idea if my dad ever played it and I doubt that my granddad did.) The miracle with this particular instrument is that its probably verging on 80 years old, and is still able to produce what I believe is a dreamy sound.

Hopefully my dad will get it looked at, and, if he’s feeling extra nice (plllllllleeeeeeeeeease!!!) he will let me borrow it for a bit and try recording with it. In return father dear, you may have my electric guitar!!! (Sorry Deb!)

If anyone has any tips, including what key accordions are in (I wasn’t sure if it was C, like a piano – I’m guessing it is,) I’ll also get proper pics on it too.

I shall dream of it tonight. I am pining already!

Sigh!

Just read some more stuff and believe the accordion is actually a melodeon as it plays different notes for each bass key depending on whether you are pushing or pulling the bellows – like sucking/blowing on a harmonica…


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Categories : miscellaneous, music

Deposit Dilemma – Please Help!

16 07 2009

I received a letter from my previous landlords/agency (they own all of the properties that they let out) and was shocked (and quite distressed.)

My deposit was £400. I left my room in the condition I found it (except maybe a little cleaner!) and cannot believe what I am being charged for. We received a letter outlining fines and costs (i.e unclean toilet – £25) and made sure all requests made by the landlords were completed to a high standard.

So why am I now being told my deposit has had £148.20 deducted because of a so called missing key (that firstly was not for my room, and secondly, was returned,) windows of an unspecified location (mine were bloomin shiny!) as well as blatently ridiculous ‘administration fees’ and a service charge (for an inspection!?!?!?!?!)

The appalling letter from rooms4every1.com

The letter also features incredibly poor grammar and presentation. The word ‘whatsoever’ has been separated into three words, my name has a small ‘f’ and a scribbed out ‘C’ in front of it and also a lack of proper signature at the bottom of the letter. Accounts is not a person and whoever on earth they are, they clearly didn’t do very well in maths class.

My cheque, which I’m unsure if I can post has £251.20 written in the numerical amount space and the written amount is a barely legible ‘one hundred and fifty one pounds’….so they’re trying to keep an extra £100.20 (or get the cheque to bounce so that I don’t get anything.)

If anyone can help me. I’m still a student and not earning much for my current work experience position (so I need this money) please, PLEASE let me know. I’m thinking of making a trip to Birmingham on Saturday (in fact I AM) so that I can go to the office and express my feelings….

The incorrect cheque (bank details covered)

Thanks everyone.

Frankie x


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Categories : birmingham, birmingham uni, miscellaneous

Melonz Mag preview

11 07 2009

As mentioned in this post, click here for an online preview of the very first issue of Melonz Mag…it’s looking rather lovely :)


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Categories : Uncategorized

We are coming…

8 07 2009

On the brilliant blog of James Moran (chief writer of Torchwood: Children of Earth’s third episode) a post on tuesday 7th July foretold;

 ’I predict the internet will *explode* when you see a certain something through a security camera feed.’

I bet Moran himself was thrilled to find out that John Barrowman had agreed to a brief full frontal nude shot…until finding out that the writer for episode two had called it. I guess that left him just one option…subliminally tell his readers that compared to Wednesday’s episode, Tuesdays was a ‘load of old spuds’ writing;

‘potatoes play a very significant role at a crucial moment.’

…Anyone would think Torchwood was set in Ireland?!

Just kidding, James Moran is an experienced writer and sings the praises of his co workers, including Russell T. Davies (RTD.) Over on 4OD I have been having an RTD fest, devouring (if thats an appropriate term) Queer as Folk and Queer as Folk 2, which despite appearing a real product of the nineties, show RTD’s real flair for subtly outlining characters to the point where they feel like next door neighbours. I’ve reserved a book at my local library called ‘Doctor Who; The Writer’s Tale‘ by RTD which features emails from the writer to Doctor Who’s Executive Producer. Internet reviews have all been generous in their praise so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and hopefully learning a little on the way…

Are you enjoying Torchwood? Let me know (comments, @Getfrank, snail mail….)


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Categories : BBC, miscellaneous

Melonz Mag Launch

6 07 2009

I am always interested in all things ‘Created in Birmingham‘ and think I’ve found the latest project to follow…

Melonzmag is a new magazine venture developed by Birmingham City University 3rd year media students Natalie Chillington, Laura Blood and Katherine Higgs.

From reading the blog it seems that the girls are huge kitsch jewellery fans which is awesome given that I’m overly partial to sites such as Heidi Seeker and Lady Luck Rules OK! Plus the blog provides links to some cool vintage stuff. They also feature some music events from the Midlands area (surely I have a ‘Melonz shaped heart’!?!)

You can grab a copy of Melonz Mags’ first issue soon hopefully! They’ll be taking it to all good independent record stores, so I guess the best thing is to keep an eye at the Melonz Mag blog for details…

The following is taken from the ‘about page’ of the Melonz blog and I’m guessing pretty much sums up the magazine too…

Would you rather gouge your eyes out with a shoehorn than watch Hollyoaks?  Welcome one and all to the blog page of Melonz Magazine.

We are a new, small (but not underestimated), West Midlands-based women’s magazine for women who believe there is more to life than celebrities, X-Factor and diet fads. We promise to deliver a witty, honest and entertaining outlook on life for those of us who would rather live an interesting existence than talk about Paris Hilton and the price of bread.

 


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Categories : Uncategorized

The victoria sponge to my brewing leaves…

27 06 2009

Heres the new song I’ve put on my soundcloud

I recorded it yesterday/this morning with lots of precussion and boundless enthusiansm….which quickly waned as I did take after take on the keyboard (I’m a rubbish player.) A lot of the other tracks/instruments were thankfully done in one take. It’s another rough realisation but one day it would be great to get some proper recordings, particularly of tracks that sound entirely different live.
The song is called Leaves and Crumbs and is based on a cartoon that Alex has that says ‘You are the victoria sponge to my tea.’ He had a rough script that has yet to be filmed which says that ‘tea is cake’s love.’ After I put up a video about 5 mins after writing it someone on youtube said it sounds a bit like a nursery rhyme and needs more depth but to me this song is allowed to sound like a nursery rhyme. In a way its a metaphor about growing old with someone and hoping that they will love you despite the aging process – which is a simple thing. (I think anyway…)
Feel free to download and pass on if you wish.
On tuesday I’ll be playing at the Bulls Head at an event called Bazaar (part of Mosely Festival.) I’m not sure when I’m on but possibly near the end so hope to see you there.

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Categories : birmingham, get frank, music, youtube

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