Just how shit is British pub culture for live music?

It's been around six weeks since I've planted my once-nomadic musical roots firmly down in the warm and sun soaked soils of Lisbon. Still very much a learner of the language and culture, and in spite of being weighed down by the gastronomical demands of endless plates of grilled sardines and cod fish, I have been busy making some inroads to this new musical scene.

The Portuguese have a very different attitude to live music to that which I have previously experienced in the UK; in many ways this can be attributed to the culture and the weather - which allows warm lazy evenings to unwind slowly into the early hours of the morning - something the British climate outright denies us. Here the live music events often don't even begin till eleven in the evening and run on till the early hours, but the most note-worthy difference is the attitude of the audiences, who seems to receive live music with an unbridled enthusiasm and outright lack of cynicism so often seen in the British pubs.

Here in Lisbon the venues are often filled with seated punters, who've all come to the bar specifically to see live music, and have often paid to do so with many bars employing a minimum spend-per-head policy. Their attention is often firmly focused on the performance and musicians and all songs are greeted with a sincere, heartfelt gratitude and applause (regardless of the standard sometimes) and by the end of the concert most will be on their feet dancing and singing along enthusiastically.

I can't help but feel Britain could have much to learn about the way live music events are run here, but also can't help but worry that the ingrained pub-culture and natural cynicism of home may prove to be a barrier to this kind of free, easy and sociable fun that surrounds live music here. It may take a generation at least to change some British attitudes, where often even the best local musicians are treated as a "nuisance" by the pub-goers, and in many cases the fact there is paid live music at all almost feels like a kind of "charity" from the landlords - who often see the effect that live music actually drives their regulars away and there till takes downwards.

Trying to put a finger on the reasons for this seems difficult, but is it a case that many Brits are unable to truly see the value of and embrace something unless it has been given a thorough endorsement from an entire peer group, various media outlets and slapped with an expensive price tag? For example in late 2013 I recall going to see an unknown George Ezra in Truro playing to an almost empty venue on a shared bill with local musicians for free. He was superb. It was a well promoted show locally and George was already gaining a good reputation as a star of tomorrow... It meant nothing ultimately. Fast forward two years and George returned to Truro - this time at the much larger Hall For Cornwall venue - along with an expensive ticket price; of course it was a sell-out...

There are quality musicians and live performers playing around you every night of the week. Some of them could be the stars of tomorrow and you can go see them - often doing the exact same act - entirely for free just by opening your eyes and lowering your preconceptions. As I've seen here in Lisbon these local performances are to be treasured and can do so much to raise the standard of life in the community - how can a quiet night in the pub getting drunk really offer a viable alternative? It isn't money or cost - because most live music events are free or have entry prices that are less than a cup of coffee, let alone an alcoholic drink. For Christ-sakes, go and enjoy yourselves.

An Englishman in Lisbon singing songs to celebrate American Independence...

The ball is now finally starting to roll in my quest to find some regular gigs in Lisbon. An afternoon spent exploring the town centre for likely venues and opportunities bore some slightly unpredictable fruit when I found a rather trendy little "English bar" - The George, on Rua Da Crucifix in Baixa...

Upon walking into the venue and pleasantly finding an opportunity to enjoy some genuine English beer for the first time in six weeks - London Pride on draught (get in!!), I sat down among the complimentary peanuts, union jacks, London tube signs and other homely decor to wait to speak to someone of authority in order to hassle (politely) for a gig. 

A rather important looking chappie in a tidy suit, making what seemed like a never ending phone call, looked a likely candidate, and upon noticing his concentration would only break for a fleeting second to glare menacingly at the Portuguese girls on the bar, I concluded this must be one of the managers, or perhaps even the owner. 

Indeed, after merely two half-pints of the lovely London Pride (forgive-ably chilled on such a hot day), his phone call ended and I was able to confirm that he was indeed a man of appropriate authority and I launched into my sales pitch...

...He must've had a cancellation or something, because within a minute he had opened his events diary and was booking me in - in flawless English - for next coming Saturday, which happened to be July 4th, and completely in-line with what you'd expect from an 'English' pub, I had agree to do a two hour set in celebration of Independence Day! Oh, the irony...    

To save my sanity, national pride and considerable set-list constraints, I managed to re-brand this "American" theme into a musical recreation of the War of Independence (at least giving us Brits a fair chance of a different outcome) and offered to pitch the best of theirs vs. the best of ours on the musical battlefield. And so here it is, my latest Lisbon gig, along with the accompanying promotional blurb...

"Two musical national powerhouses, who have provided the world with some of the greatest songs of all time, go head to head to re-draw the world's musical map.

To celebrate the anniversary of Independence Day, Trevor Hambidge Music will be pitching classic songs from classic artists on either side of the Atlantic against each other in a 2 hour musical battle...

Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Green Day and more will be hoping to tread on the faces of such noble, plucky British musical upstarts as The Beatles, Arctic Monkey, The Kinks, Oasis and other imperial pretenders...

Which side are you on?

The battle commences at 21:30 at The George Pub, Lisbon... be sure to be there!"

It's good what you can do with a little positive spin...

From England with Love...

Ahead of my first Portuguese gig next week at Primeiro Andar, I have just had to conduct my first Portuguese interview to promote the concert. This promised to be a fun happening as my two interviewers could understand 'the gist' of what is being said in English, whilst not being able to speak it well, and likewise I could understand 'the gist' of their questions in Portuguese, whilst not being able to answer in the local tongue. Therefore it was a bit like a Chinese Whispers interview conducted at a children's party.

After some difficulty finding the venue and avoiding an unsavory local - having to ask someone and being promptly identified as English by one of  Lisbon's keen-eared cocaine dealers, who proceeded to give me his relentless full sales pitch and wasn't keen on believing I had only three euros in my pocket - I managed to seat myself in the back room of the small but cosily decorated venue, under the watchful eye of the scissor-bespectacled gentleman pictured below, to begin deciphering the questions.

The venue had the feel of an old English antique shop, with slightly broken old arm chairs that looked like they had been borrowed (or stolen) from Grandma's house nestling among wonky legged tables and floor standing lamps and the numerous, and obligatory in Portugal, Rooster ornaments.

The venue is clearly the home of some of the more bohemian elements of Lisbon society and the mostly handwritten posters on the wall tell of many 'uber-cool' underground nights that have been hosted here alongside pro-cycling propaganda, vegan menus and quirky English slogans such as "Home Sweet Home".    

So that's exactly how I felt as I began to tell my interviewers the story of my musical career so far and what they could expect me to sound like at my concert - piano lessons at 10, I like the Beatles a lot blah blah blah, whilst hoping that the short hand notes that were being taken would tell a story at least approximating to what I was saying.

After resolving the interview, I exchanged contact information with my interviewers so they could link to my music and put an appropriate photograph in the blog, had a good look at the PA system I'd be using the following week and headed for rendez-vous with my lift home... everyone seemed happy enough and contented. It is not a very common thing in England to be interviewed as part of the promotion for such a tiny gig and I couldn't help but feel impressed once again by the efforts and attitudes toward live local music in Lisbon.

I had a little smile and a positive thought that when I returned to Primeiro Andar next week for the concert, I'd be playing to a very small, but hopefully very well attended little room of happy and contented Lisbonese bohemians - and at least would be enjoying a plate of nourishing vegetarian food :)

You can read the blog/interview here... It's in Portuguese, but if you 'right-click-translate' you should be able to recognise me from what's written. Thank you very much Ana and Manuela for the kind words and excellent translation skills.

Lisbon's first taste of me...

Am very proud, and a tiny bit smug, to announce my first gig (concerto for the locals) in Lisbon at the fantastically generous 'Primeiro Andar' venue. Am being paid for the privilege too with a hearty meal for me and my lovely lady, lashings of wine and a big hat with which to pass around the audience to collect any forth-coming financial gratitude.

Having sent out a zillion emails to bars and venues in the Lisbon area before coming to Portugal, I can confirm that this is not the most effective method of soliciting music work, but given I was still in England - trying to get ahead of the game - I was well made up that the owners - Liliana and Teresa - were the solitary venue prepared to take a chance on an "estrangeiro", based on nothing more than an optimistic email with some music links.

For any English artists wishing to come to Lisbon and play a gig - something I do fully recommend - this is a great place to start. The venue is forward thinking and prepared to take a chance on new music and the uber-relaxed surroundings make for the perfect introductory concert in Lisbon. They serve some quite excellent food - much of it vegetarian and vegan friendly, and once the live music is over (around 11pm) they continue into the early hours with a lively DJ. Whilst the venue is not huge, it is spacious, conveniently located and has a bustling regular clientele, who I am hoping will receive me as kindly as I've been told I should expect they will.

Obrigado to the guys here for giving me a first break in Lisbon, and let's hope it's the first of many ...

Adverb Ego Mirth Release

Whilst studying for my degree in Commerical Music Performance and Production, I have been regularly sneaking into the college recording studio to lay down tracks for my 'homework' and what has become my first 'proper' solo EP. After many overdubs and remixes I am finally able to release this work to the world, and here it is.

It is called Adverb Ego Mirth - a rather meaningless jumble of the letters that spell my name - and I have 'released' it in the manner of our times on my own little record label 'Less Economically Developed Music' - a far more accurately named entity reflecting my own limited resources. The EP is available to download from my own site, iTunes, Spotify and other such digital mediums. If anyone prefers an actual CD then you can buy one from my bandcamp page.

It is the product of much love and my own inimitable do-it-yourself style of music production with an emphasis on 'vibe' and other such meaningless tangibles. The four songs are from my more recent repertoire of live tracks - given a little touch up and arranged in a way that I am unable to do live without the help of some extra musicians.

Submarine - Mischief - Shadow Boxing - Home

Many thanks to those who have collaborated with me on these tracks to give it a little contrast and humanity: Amy Leggett who plays piano and keys and sings some harmonies, and also Bethany-Siobahn who provided some extra harmony vocals also...

The final icing on the cake comes by way of Cornish artist Ann Boo Whetter, who provided the striking artwork which is so important as the first bite is always with the eye. You can see more of Anne's unique work here.

I must also thank John Russell and Andy Cunningham, from Truro College, who supplied me with extra ears with which to mix and balance all the tracks into a listenable medium.

Please give the EP a listen, and if you like it do please share it amongst your friends on social media as this really does help me to reach new listeners. This music is created on starvation wages so these little gestures of love really do go a long way to claw back some finance from the grip of Apple and the others who largely consider the efforts of musicians to be a worthless commodity.

Love to all, and thanks for listening.

A heart warming seasonal story...

Many days and weeks ago, in the small Cornish coastal paradise of Porthtowan, myself and a few friends gathered together at the Unicorn public house to play some music to the demoralised local populace. Living in such a remote location as Porthtowan - where the damaging effects of the 1970's cod wars are still strongly felt - many people in the village hadn't heard live music in up to three or four days and their appetites were salacious. Hoards had gathered to welcome us to the Unicorn - itself named after a rarely seen beast - and much merriment and happiness ensued for all. It was a glorious night. Why I left the venue later that evening thinking ..."If only someone had taken a live audio recording of our musical antics tonight"...

Imagine my surprise, many days and weeks later to discover that someone had indeed taken an audio recording (warts and all) of many of the songs played that fateful night in Porthtowan. So here gathered together for the first and no doubt only time is that collection of songs. It's called Unicornicopia, and you can listen and download it entirely for free here and take a feint whiff of the magical atmosphere that was created that night...

What's one better than last year?

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, 2013 has finally wafted away like the fart in the proverbial elevator that it was, so I wish you all a hearty welcome to 2014; all shiny and new like a pair of spandex trousers, and I do hope the next twelve months will be equally as smooth and comfortable for everyone involved.

Haven't had a chance to write a blog for a while as I've been busy beavering away on my upcoming solo EP at the Truro college recording studios whilst maintaining the pretence that I'm actually just doing homework. Most of the tracks are now nearing completion and it should all be available in a few weeks.

I guess that's why I'm back really as I'll now need to try and fluff up my promotional erection so I can give each and everyone of you a poke in the eye with my spam-dagger of absolutely non-consequential music related news...

Item one of which, as you can see from the 'Monkey Island Memory-evoking' poster, is that I have a gig. For me, it's quite a good one. Sometimes I literally have to play in the rain by the bins, so it'll be quite nice to stretch out my feet in front of the open musical fires of Lusty Glaze's very first 'Woodburner Session'. I'll be doing two 45-minute sets and will be airing a few of my aforementioned new songs to the rain-soaked masses of Newquay - providing mother nature allows everyone in the vicinity to survive that long. Hopefully everyone lives, because the following week is American singer Ben Jordan who's got a far bigger promotional wanger than me, so any help giving the event a sharing will help me not end up looking as popular as a Jewish clown at a Nazi rally to the lovely people at Purple Gecko Events, who've been good enough to stick their necks out for some very talented local original songwriters - and also me.

Item two is that I'll be going on Source FM (106.9) this Saturday on Cornish Cream around 1pm to play a few songs from the new EP and have a little chat with Andrew about item one, but I'll no doubt end up talking about the best way to transport woodland creatures safely through urban areas or some other tangent...not because of me of course, but because of Andrew - who having worked as a DJ for so long is pre-conditioned to natter on in a variety of locally interesting directions, interspersed with the occasional witty and powerful insight on local issues of the day. It'll be a hoot either way I'm sure. So yes, if you're near a wireless transmitter or internet connection on Saturday morning might be worth a listen or maybe text in a question for me to answer about what it's like to eat your dinner out of a bin or something? I'll give a prize to the person who gets the funniest thing read out on air.

That's my news, god bless (save?) anyone who read all that