Back to the Bush (Hall)

The closing of a loop

Hello reader. I sinceirly hope that January has been kind to you and now that the storms have passed and pay day is on the horizon (next album potential title; Green on the Horizon? hm no) things are starting to look up and like me, you’re getting a little more comfortable with it being 2024. I’m still writing 23 whenever I have to input a date but as usual by around April my fingers will get the message and put the correct numbers in and I’ll stop arranging meetings in the past.

Where were you 10 years ago and what were you doing? Personally and as the above photo attests, I was cutting about in a floppy fedora, a French chore jacket and tight, tight jeans. I thought I was referencing an After The Gold Rush era Neil Young but I see now I looked more like what Walt Disney might have drawn had he been making a film about a hipster scare crow.

I think we have tendency to look back fondly and diminish the negative, clearly I do that anyway. When I first thought about 2014 I actually thought about how, at least it seemed to me, London was still basking in the last of the warm glow from the 2012 Olympics - peak London? But then on further reflection I remembered that we were also in the middle of a period punctuated by violent acts of terrorism, Farage was twisting his manky presence into every news piece and Scotland was about to vote on independence. Although I remember that being in the conversation a lot I don’t remember it being as toxic a conversation as the following referendum.

At that time I was taking my first tentative steps as a songwriter. when the opportunity came to play an opening slot at Bush Hall I didn’t know much about the venue but it was obviously bigger than upstairs at the Rizty in Brixton which at the time was about the only place I’d played songs in front of people. My friend Yvonne, who I’d met at one of my pal Rami’s “Laid Bare” nights in Brixton, was giving me some early advice and help having worked with an number of bands and acts including her fav UB40 at Virgin Music. Yvonne called and said her friend Jasper was promoting New Zealand artist Anika Moa’s show at Bush Hall and had offered me the opening slot. The caveat was that Anika has a very rowdy audience made up of mostly drunk ex pat Kiwis who are definitely not there to see a character from Dumbo that didn’t make the cut singing sad songs. Ok, I thought, I’ll play my up beat stuff. Then I realised I didn’t have any up beat stuff. Resigned to the likelihood I’d be background music at best and at worst I’d have to do a cover of the Haka (to which I could not find the chords anywhere) or even get mobbed by pent up The All Blacks/Maori warriors, I took the gig.

On arrival I was further warned by Jasper to just get on with it despite the inevitable chatter/heckling. He looked at what I was wearing and said it was sensible of me to not wear my best clothes, just in case. No introduction would be given, I would have to take the stage and go for it. I peaked through the curtain - it was packed and there was a loud din from chatter. I could make out the occasional mention of “fush n’ chups” “ay” and “yeah nah” - I wondered how my teesside twang would go down with these Kiwis - or maybe it wouldn’t matter and they woudln’t notice me at all?

Surprisingly, the Kiwis stopped their chatter. Most of them sat down and they all listened. The silence at first was almost more off-putting than the noise before it but I soon settled in and I had a great gig. If I can tame the baying Kiwi then maybe I should give this a go, I concluded.

I was quite an experience and an affirming one. The sound in the room was the best I’d ever experienced and still to this day after many more shows right up there. The audience were very kind. I’m sure they could see that I was new to all this but they were very generous. They didn’t mind/understand my inter-song mumbles and I sold out of my CDs.

After the show I watched Anika playing with the audience singing along throughout and thought, this is cool. I wondered when I might next play at Bush Hall… Well the answer is 10 years later, almost exactly.

Following the success of our launch gig back in November we’ve booked the 28th of September for our biggest show back at Bush Hall. In case you have not been to Bush Hall I can tell you it is a very nice room. Conveniently located in Shepherds Bush just along the Uxbridge Road from the station. it’s quite a spectacular space.

High ceilings and big chandeliers with a balcony at the back for those who like to see above the crowd and a restaurant to the side which is perfect for pre/post gig hangs and dinner. Like many venues there have been challenges and Bush Hall was recently saved from closure by a successful crowd funder. I hope it continues from many years to come.

I also really hope as many of you as possible can join us. It is a Saturday night so plenty of time to make travel plans and get a cheap deal on a hotel if you’re coming from out of town. Aside from being our biggest show yet, it feels like a personally important gig - the OMITF wagon might take its time but it always gets there in the end. Perhaps we’ll make it a 2014 themed night and we can all wear our skinny jeans?

I have made enquiries about some very special guests to play join the night and I will make sure the evening is one to remember. We have been given a small allocation of tickets for pre sale to special people (you). The first wave of tickets is £16.50 and I’m told this will rise later.

Have a great weekend,

Al