Here's a rarity, a post about my actual life... (Though, saying that, any activity on this blog is a rarity!)
I was feeling incredibly optimistic on Monday, I suddenly got a wave of e-mails through for job interviews, and not for awful food service or retail jobs, no, for jobs within areas I actually care about. One inparticular had me excited, I'd sent a speculative e-mail to a film production company, as their website has a section encouraging 'creative' people to send them their C.V. to a random jobs@ address.
So I did, I wrote a covering letter introducing myself and sent a C.V. that highlighted my film-making experiences.
Lo and behold, almost a month later, on Monday, I got an e-mail from them with the heading 'Interview' and an invite to meet their Head of Production.
The following day I woke up, went to the North Side of Soho, and dawdled about, my eyes brimming with the hopes and possibilities of this part of town. I stared into delicious looking cafes and cake shops, day-dreamed about where I'd go for lunch and then looked into a music shop window, imagining saving up my regular wage and maybe treating myself one day in the far flung future...
11am came and I went to the office, the receptionist called up to the Head of Production and after a short wait she came down the stairs. There was something peculiar about her attitude from the off, as if I had arrived out of my own insistence. She said she was going to make a tea as I was five minutes early, I could take a seat in the interview room. When she came in eventually she said that this would be an informal chat, prior to a proper hour long interview in the future. Which was fair enough, but her questions didn't feel informal or chatty, instead she seemed to be regarding everything I said with an air of quiet suspicion and harsh judgment. I felt like, rather than talking about my work history, I was giving an alibi to a lawyer who was just waiting for me to admit I was guilty.
It was excruciating, and this continued for ten minutes, until finally she asked;
'So, what made you apply for the role of promo producer?'
I had to stop, sometimes I perhaps would have tried to pretend things weren't awry and would've seen what would happen if I continued trying to lie my way around a baffling statement like this. But, I wasn't enjoying the interview enough to attempt that. So, I just asked out right;
'Sorry, what position?'
'Promo producer. What position did you apply for?'
I didn't want to be rude and say something along the lines of 'I didn't apply for any position, I sent you a speculative e-mail like your website suggests.' Instead I sort of chewed some words and shrugged a bit until she finally added;
'Because you're under-experienced for that role.'
'YES!' I wanted to say loudly and dryly, 'I know I am, I didn't apply for that role!'
She continued. thumbing idly through the papers she'd been scribbling notes on, she mentioned something about there being some confusion and something written down somewhere that was perhaps the apparent root of this mess. But, never did she apologise for their mistake, nor did she take the misunderstanding with even an ounce of good humour, because my first reaction was just to accept that they'd got things wrong, shake my head and smile. Her reaction was to skirt around acknowledging the mistake, seemingly attempt to make me feel like I'd made the error, before acting in a snide, belittling fashion; ultimately showing me to the door, which she opened, turning her entire body away from me, barely saying 'Goodbye' and limply letting it close quickly behind me.
What most rankled me was that this was like re-living my entire first attempt at living in London all over again, in fast-forward. The optimism decline, coupled with the awful mentality that some people in the Soho area have succumbed to, was all too familiar. I had, naively, hoped that things had changed, that I had changed, that they had changed; but it was like going to a school reunion where the bully still beats you up, the girl you fancied still wants nothing to do with you, and you still can't grow a proper moustache.
Anyway, rant over... It's been almost a week since this interview and I've only thought about it sporadically, unfortunately there is a peculiar hierarchy with certain people in the industry, and an inquisition-like way of phrasing questions that I think belies their own insecurities more than anything. I, perhaps, think that it's my self-deprecating nature that causes certain bouts of paranoia and discomfort when having to deal with these egos, and the knowledge that one day, if I make something of myself, that they'll be dancing around kissing more arse than Billy Bottomlips Champion Rump Smoocher of Arseington, New Buttock, on National Bum Snogging Day.
Ta ta. x
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Quack Spout MkII: Number Four
Back with a vengence:
QUACK SPOUT 2.4 - MP3
Playlist
Islet - Sign For Home
Don't Tread On Spiders - Like A Cloud
Bygone - The Salt Mine Mules of Wieliczka
Tiger Shadow - I Knew You'd Be Alright
Wes Finch - Oh My Days!
Destroy Nate Allen - Steady
Kissing Kalina - Ellie Rd.
Cats and Cats and Cats - Cut Your Hair
Afrirampo - Suuto Breakor 3
Houdini Dax - Struggling in the Sand
James Erswell - Shine Bright
Vienna Ditto - Long Way Down
Zygmunt Day - Edward Brown
Sparklehorse - Gold Day
QUACK SPOUT 2.4 - MP3
Playlist
Islet - Sign For Home
Don't Tread On Spiders - Like A Cloud
Bygone - The Salt Mine Mules of Wieliczka
Tiger Shadow - I Knew You'd Be Alright
Wes Finch - Oh My Days!
Destroy Nate Allen - Steady
Kissing Kalina - Ellie Rd.
Cats and Cats and Cats - Cut Your Hair
Afrirampo - Suuto Breakor 3
Houdini Dax - Struggling in the Sand
James Erswell - Shine Bright
Vienna Ditto - Long Way Down
Zygmunt Day - Edward Brown
Sparklehorse - Gold Day
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Promises, Promises...
Morninfternoovening all,
There will be a new Quack Spout, I am working on it, but I am also moving house which is making things tricksy... expect something in February!
All the best,
Owain. x
There will be a new Quack Spout, I am working on it, but I am also moving house which is making things tricksy... expect something in February!
All the best,
Owain. x
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
2009: The Things I Did
At the start of the year I rather dramatically sold about 400 DVDs, I thought this would be a tough decision, but it was surprisingly easy. In short shift thereafter I gave notice on my job as a baker and my flatshare in Cardiff so I could move to Brighton. This was an unexpectedly sudden move on my part, though I had been accepted onto a MA at Sussex University it wasn't due to start until September and I thought I'd move later in the year. However, I found a house that appealed and took a risk...
So, on the 24th January I moved to Brighton, and on my second night there got extremely drunk and fell asleep in the pub. Drunkeness would be a large part of my time in Brighton. In the first week of living there I got a job in a coffee shop, started going to the University's creative writing society, began assisting at after school writing classes for primary school children and saw a gig by the excellent Cardiff based band Threatmantics; bumped into then guitarist Ceri whilst walking back from buying some shoes and thus went straight to a pub and I had to spend the evening with a pair of shoes tied to my belt. It was a good look.
The following week it snowed a lot, and me and some housemates had a snowball fight inside and outside the house. I got very drunk as well. I went to my first poetry night (Hammer & Tongue) and saw the film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, which resulted in me having a school-boy crush on Kat Dennings. I nipped back to Cardiff to bare witness to Attack + Defend's one and only gig of the year and do some goodbyes.
On the day before Valentine's Day I had my first ever piano lesson (I only had nine in total due to financial issues), the following day I attended a very hippy-ish poetry and music night at the wonderful raw food cafe Manna. It was a nice evening but I felt quite out of place and very self-conscious when we all had to hold hands and make a group poem...
I felt a bit more shamefully self-conscious after a house party I went to the next Saturday, as I don't have a complete memory of the evening, but I have a memory from the party that I may have dreampt, and if it's true I apologise! I blame the vodka jelly. With very little hangover I went to Brighton Zinefest the next morning with some copies of my ill-fated film-zine Seat 13, we sold out at the fest and I can't remember if I collected the money, which may explain why the magazine didn't get a second issue!
March 10th, I had an interview with Jean-Paul de Claite Rosse, who offered me the role of a bartender who finds himself homeless and alone in a short film he was directing. I also met with Gary Mepsted who was directing a play celebrating the works of Alan Bennet and then on the 5th April, two days before Jean-Paul's film began shooting, I had an audition for Henry Scriven's zombie-comedy To Let and discovered that Henry was to be the A.D. on Jean-Paul's film. Later it transpired that Gary Mepsted's house was used as one of the film's locations.
In amongst attending a few gigs, rehearsals and filming days I had a short story published in an anthology and went to London to be part of the audience for Q.I. (the episode airs in March, I think?!). I then had a press pass for the Great Escape festival in May, which coincided with an auditon for Boot Camp theatre's production of A Few Good Men. Then out of the blue on June 17th I accidentally discovered I had a ticket to Glastonbury, so had to make some desperate last minute lift blagging and - squeezing in rehearsals, a day of filming on Broken, a house warming in Canterbury, the filming of To Let and an ultimately life-changing interview for a position at the Job Centre - went to the festival and got to see an incredible array of bands I dearly love live.
On the way back I was asked to come back to Cardiff and shoot a music video for Los Campesinos!'s new single, which I then edited the following day. Finally on the 8th July we did the last day of filming on Jean-Paul's Broken.
August was a quiet month until performances of A Few Good Men on the 20th, 21st and 22nd; after which I went to London for my birthday and to see my friend Kirsty for the first time in a year or so. In the middle of this birthday treat week, on my actual birthday no less, I had to dash back (thanks to my good friend Carl driving) to Brighton to find out the status of my dormant job at the Job Centre, which I had got and been CRB checked for, but had not yet received a start date. After milling around for three or four hours I was told that the Head of the Job Centre, that very morning, had decided not to take on any new staff. This suddenly put my personal financial and housing situation in to no small degree of turmoil, and meant I had to make some snap decisions. So, on the 31st August I gave notice at the house in Brighton and three days later moved to East Dulwich where I had a nice comfy sofa to squat on.
A couple of weeks into my time in London I went down to Dorset to the magnificent End of the Road festival, and in the following weeks got to see a few plays such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Title of the Drama About Ante is Written Here... and Kurt & Sid. I also had the most bizarre job interview request of my life when a franchised donut company (that shall remain nameless) based in a well known London department store in Knightsbridge asked me to provide a stool sample. Fortunately two weeks later I began work in the retail department of the Natural History Museum and didn't have to give anyone my poo poo (thought I've kept the collection kit for a potential Christmas gift).
At the start of October I met up with Joel, formerly of the band Muarena Helena, who I had begun talking to via Myspace under my 'band' guise. Whilst I was in Brighton, Joel and I had collaborated through e-mail on seven songs and he'd given me some degree of confidence in the 'music' I was making, this eventually led to me, Joel and bass player Andy even having a jam session; which is something I never imagined I'd have the guts to do at this point.
I also had a press pass to the Times BFI London Film Festival, and though work commitments stopped me from seeing as much as I would've liked, I did get to see advance screenings of Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Men Who Stare At Goats, A Single Man and The Road.
Once again Los Campesinos! drafted me in to come down, to Oxford this time, and film a live performance for them, I also provided some photo montages for their album artwork ('Romance is Boring' out in February).
In all I reviewed 139 demos and records over the year, saw 53 films at the cinema. The 10 best of each are as follows:
Best Records of 2009.
1. Monster Island - The Anchor
2. Untied States - Instant Everything, Constant Nothing
3. Animals + War - Self-Titled
4. Them Squirrels - Them Scribbles
5. Cate Le Bon - Me Oh My
6. Das Wanderlust - Horses For Courses
7. Attack + Defend - Theme
8. The Keys - Years Are Made Of Seconds
9. The Victorian English Gentlemens Club - Love On An Oil Rig
10. Colourmusic - Yes!
Best Films of 2009.
1. Up
2. Synecdoche, New York
3. District 9
4. Star Trek
5. Moon
6. Pirate For The Sea
7. Coraline
8. Fanastic Mr. Fox
9. Where The Wild Things Are
10. Knowing
To be totally honest 2009 has been an odd year, and a turbulent one in a mild, buffeting kind of way; not like a full on seastorm, but it hasn't been smooth sailing. Saying that, my year ended on a positive note, well, a positive ellipsis.
The first Quack Spout of the year will be online very soon. But until then I hope you've had a great end to 2009 and a wonderful start to 2010...
So, on the 24th January I moved to Brighton, and on my second night there got extremely drunk and fell asleep in the pub. Drunkeness would be a large part of my time in Brighton. In the first week of living there I got a job in a coffee shop, started going to the University's creative writing society, began assisting at after school writing classes for primary school children and saw a gig by the excellent Cardiff based band Threatmantics; bumped into then guitarist Ceri whilst walking back from buying some shoes and thus went straight to a pub and I had to spend the evening with a pair of shoes tied to my belt. It was a good look.
The following week it snowed a lot, and me and some housemates had a snowball fight inside and outside the house. I got very drunk as well. I went to my first poetry night (Hammer & Tongue) and saw the film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, which resulted in me having a school-boy crush on Kat Dennings. I nipped back to Cardiff to bare witness to Attack + Defend's one and only gig of the year and do some goodbyes.
On the day before Valentine's Day I had my first ever piano lesson (I only had nine in total due to financial issues), the following day I attended a very hippy-ish poetry and music night at the wonderful raw food cafe Manna. It was a nice evening but I felt quite out of place and very self-conscious when we all had to hold hands and make a group poem...
I felt a bit more shamefully self-conscious after a house party I went to the next Saturday, as I don't have a complete memory of the evening, but I have a memory from the party that I may have dreampt, and if it's true I apologise! I blame the vodka jelly. With very little hangover I went to Brighton Zinefest the next morning with some copies of my ill-fated film-zine Seat 13, we sold out at the fest and I can't remember if I collected the money, which may explain why the magazine didn't get a second issue!
March 10th, I had an interview with Jean-Paul de Claite Rosse, who offered me the role of a bartender who finds himself homeless and alone in a short film he was directing. I also met with Gary Mepsted who was directing a play celebrating the works of Alan Bennet and then on the 5th April, two days before Jean-Paul's film began shooting, I had an audition for Henry Scriven's zombie-comedy To Let and discovered that Henry was to be the A.D. on Jean-Paul's film. Later it transpired that Gary Mepsted's house was used as one of the film's locations.
In amongst attending a few gigs, rehearsals and filming days I had a short story published in an anthology and went to London to be part of the audience for Q.I. (the episode airs in March, I think?!). I then had a press pass for the Great Escape festival in May, which coincided with an auditon for Boot Camp theatre's production of A Few Good Men. Then out of the blue on June 17th I accidentally discovered I had a ticket to Glastonbury, so had to make some desperate last minute lift blagging and - squeezing in rehearsals, a day of filming on Broken, a house warming in Canterbury, the filming of To Let and an ultimately life-changing interview for a position at the Job Centre - went to the festival and got to see an incredible array of bands I dearly love live.
On the way back I was asked to come back to Cardiff and shoot a music video for Los Campesinos!'s new single, which I then edited the following day. Finally on the 8th July we did the last day of filming on Jean-Paul's Broken.
August was a quiet month until performances of A Few Good Men on the 20th, 21st and 22nd; after which I went to London for my birthday and to see my friend Kirsty for the first time in a year or so. In the middle of this birthday treat week, on my actual birthday no less, I had to dash back (thanks to my good friend Carl driving) to Brighton to find out the status of my dormant job at the Job Centre, which I had got and been CRB checked for, but had not yet received a start date. After milling around for three or four hours I was told that the Head of the Job Centre, that very morning, had decided not to take on any new staff. This suddenly put my personal financial and housing situation in to no small degree of turmoil, and meant I had to make some snap decisions. So, on the 31st August I gave notice at the house in Brighton and three days later moved to East Dulwich where I had a nice comfy sofa to squat on.
A couple of weeks into my time in London I went down to Dorset to the magnificent End of the Road festival, and in the following weeks got to see a few plays such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Title of the Drama About Ante is Written Here... and Kurt & Sid. I also had the most bizarre job interview request of my life when a franchised donut company (that shall remain nameless) based in a well known London department store in Knightsbridge asked me to provide a stool sample. Fortunately two weeks later I began work in the retail department of the Natural History Museum and didn't have to give anyone my poo poo (thought I've kept the collection kit for a potential Christmas gift).
At the start of October I met up with Joel, formerly of the band Muarena Helena, who I had begun talking to via Myspace under my 'band' guise. Whilst I was in Brighton, Joel and I had collaborated through e-mail on seven songs and he'd given me some degree of confidence in the 'music' I was making, this eventually led to me, Joel and bass player Andy even having a jam session; which is something I never imagined I'd have the guts to do at this point.
I also had a press pass to the Times BFI London Film Festival, and though work commitments stopped me from seeing as much as I would've liked, I did get to see advance screenings of Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Men Who Stare At Goats, A Single Man and The Road.
Once again Los Campesinos! drafted me in to come down, to Oxford this time, and film a live performance for them, I also provided some photo montages for their album artwork ('Romance is Boring' out in February).
In all I reviewed 139 demos and records over the year, saw 53 films at the cinema. The 10 best of each are as follows:
Best Records of 2009.
1. Monster Island - The Anchor
2. Untied States - Instant Everything, Constant Nothing
3. Animals + War - Self-Titled
4. Them Squirrels - Them Scribbles
5. Cate Le Bon - Me Oh My
6. Das Wanderlust - Horses For Courses
7. Attack + Defend - Theme
8. The Keys - Years Are Made Of Seconds
9. The Victorian English Gentlemens Club - Love On An Oil Rig
10. Colourmusic - Yes!
Best Films of 2009.
1. Up
2. Synecdoche, New York
3. District 9
4. Star Trek
5. Moon
6. Pirate For The Sea
7. Coraline
8. Fanastic Mr. Fox
9. Where The Wild Things Are
10. Knowing
To be totally honest 2009 has been an odd year, and a turbulent one in a mild, buffeting kind of way; not like a full on seastorm, but it hasn't been smooth sailing. Saying that, my year ended on a positive note, well, a positive ellipsis.
The first Quack Spout of the year will be online very soon. But until then I hope you've had a great end to 2009 and a wonderful start to 2010...
Friday, 11 December 2009
Quack Spout MkII: Number Three
Well, not quite as 'bang on' December as I thought, though this podcast has been 'in the can' for a few days... this is the last podcast of the year until the climatic 'Best Of...' one that should hit just before or just after New Year's.
QUACK SPOUT 2.3 - MP3
Playlist:
Battle For Prague - I See A Ghost
Common Deflection Problems - Reharse My Soul
Ursine Vulpine - The Man From The Sleepy Village Town
Haunted Stereo - To Be Good
Houka Monks - Strange Things
Richie Syrett - Mondays Always Come
Air To Achilles - Holy Ghost
The Carletones - Release Me
Dam Mantle (Animals + War) - Veils
Charlotte Gainsbourg (feat. Beck) - Heaven Can Wait
Napoleon IIIrd - The Strong Nuclear Force
Like Wow (feat. Thomas Truax) - Old Man Santa
Also Check Out:
Maps Christmas Calendar.
Das Wanderlust's Charity Xmas Single.
QUACK SPOUT 2.3 - MP3
Playlist:
Battle For Prague - I See A Ghost
Common Deflection Problems - Reharse My Soul
Ursine Vulpine - The Man From The Sleepy Village Town
Haunted Stereo - To Be Good
Houka Monks - Strange Things
Richie Syrett - Mondays Always Come
Air To Achilles - Holy Ghost
The Carletones - Release Me
Dam Mantle (Animals + War) - Veils
Charlotte Gainsbourg (feat. Beck) - Heaven Can Wait
Napoleon IIIrd - The Strong Nuclear Force
Like Wow (feat. Thomas Truax) - Old Man Santa
Also Check Out:
Maps Christmas Calendar.
Das Wanderlust's Charity Xmas Single.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Quack Spout MkII: Number Two
Despite my personal belief that I would finally be able to get things 'on track' and be more timely with this podcast (and my backlog of demo reviews) it's taken me half of November to finally get this month's show together. But, by way of compensation, it's a really great roster of bands this month, so it's well worth the wait!
QUACK SPOUT 2.2 - Mp3
Playlist:
The Darlingtons - Rainbows
Relation - Way Outside
Ellis James - I Found What I Lost When I Died
Django Spears - Genie In A Bottle
Video Nasties - Old Flowers
Colourmusic - Spring Song
Kick To Kill - Cut Me
The Hornblower Brothers - Middle Class Hero
Mr. Cricket - Lithorians
Motorcycle Display Team - Beneath The Flowerbeds
Nosferatu D2 - 2 People 0 Superpowers
Tearjerker - Scream
Little My - Panic At The Museum
The Echo Session - Tell Me
Untied States - Wrestling With Entropy In The Rehabbed Factory
Also check out:
Respond (Again!)
Sore Thumb Records
QUACK SPOUT 2.2 - Mp3
Playlist:
The Darlingtons - Rainbows
Relation - Way Outside
Ellis James - I Found What I Lost When I Died
Django Spears - Genie In A Bottle
Video Nasties - Old Flowers
Colourmusic - Spring Song
Kick To Kill - Cut Me
The Hornblower Brothers - Middle Class Hero
Mr. Cricket - Lithorians
Motorcycle Display Team - Beneath The Flowerbeds
Nosferatu D2 - 2 People 0 Superpowers
Tearjerker - Scream
Little My - Panic At The Museum
The Echo Session - Tell Me
Untied States - Wrestling With Entropy In The Rehabbed Factory
Also check out:
Respond (Again!)
Sore Thumb Records
Monday, 5 October 2009
Quack Spout MkII: Number One
After time off to sort many, many things out (still sorting mind) I have managed to record a brand spanking new Quack Spout. Not much else to say about it, other than it's full of great music, and it's a very eclectic line-up this month. Enjoy!
QUACK SPOUT 2.1 - MP3
Playlist:
Stylusboy - Stopclock
Mlini - Monkey Say Monkey Do
Lowstar - Waves
Gindrinker - Gorsedd
The Honey Den - Beyond That Way
Glitches - 13th Labour
Pocket Promise - Deja Vu
Los Salvadores - No Heroes
Haunted Stereo - Cross The Sea
Arabella - Overdose
The Grizzly Owls - I Am A Shootist
Los Campesinos! - The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future
The Low Anthem - To Ohio
Euros Childs - How Do You Do
Also check out:
Respond
Amnesty Brighton
Los Campesinos! Video
QUACK SPOUT 2.1 - MP3
Playlist:
Stylusboy - Stopclock
Mlini - Monkey Say Monkey Do
Lowstar - Waves
Gindrinker - Gorsedd
The Honey Den - Beyond That Way
Glitches - 13th Labour
Pocket Promise - Deja Vu
Los Salvadores - No Heroes
Haunted Stereo - Cross The Sea
Arabella - Overdose
The Grizzly Owls - I Am A Shootist
Los Campesinos! - The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future
The Low Anthem - To Ohio
Euros Childs - How Do You Do
Also check out:
Respond
Amnesty Brighton
Los Campesinos! Video
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