HAPPY NEW YEAR

To see in 2010 we thought we'd let you have this new track Surround exclusively (for now) on Arcady Blog.

Also don't forget to come and see us at our next gig at The Hobgoblin in Staines on Sunday, January 10th!

Surround by ArcadyBliss

Give it listen, download, share it and let us know your thoughts.

Here's to a mesmerising 2010 :-)

Lots of love,

Charlie, Anil and Ben.
Arcady Bliss xxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Yamaha Podcast!

A lot of you might not be aware that Arcady were invited to Yamaha UK HQ in Milton Keynes about a month ago to record a song for the November edition of their monthly podcast as their featured artist of the month!

We had a great time and it was humbling to be recognised by such a well respected company and we basically just had a lot of fun! Bear with us on some of it, we weren't expecting to be interviewed but feel it went well and I'm sure you'll all love the many ways in which we try to compliment the extremely expensive gear they gave us to play with!

With us we had our good friends Deadlight who performed an acoustic version of 'Embrace Me' and are well worth checking out.

Click HERE to go directly to the November podcast which you can stream or download.

Anil

Yamaha Podcast!

Stephen Fry

After having seen this video I felt compelled to post it. I don't have anything particularly interesting to say around the topic, however I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Fry for the hours of mirth he has given me whilst watching Jeeves & Wooster, Q.I. and Blackadder. Furthermore I've delighted in his books such as Moab Is My Washpot and The Liar as well as his blogs AND he's clearly the best audiobook narrator ever. In short, Stephen Fry is a man I look up to (literally and metaphorically) and admire. I hope to meet him one day...perhaps we'll spend a sunny summer afternoon at Lord's watching England win the Ashes, supping Pimm's and discussing gadgets...oh tis cruel to dream of what will never be!

Thank you, Steven. Please don't stop any time soon.

The video commemorates his one millionth follower on Twitter.



Love from
Charlie
xxx

P.S. I wonder if we're distant relations...my mother's maiden name is Fry and my grandfather went to the same Prep School (he even tells the same story about the barber and the "Fredrick Fry F.R.Y." spiel).

Stephen Fry

Washed Out - Feel It All Around

One of the best videos I've seen all year by a long way. Put a ring on THAT Beyoncé.

FEEL IT ALL AROUND from Northern Lights on Vimeo.

Charlie xxx

Washed Out - Feel It All Around

IndigO2

Tuesday night saw us play at the IndigO2 within the O2 Arena complex which turned out to be so many shades of awesome. We were joined on drums by our friend Toby Couling who plays for this year's Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle as well as our buddies 8Fold who I mentioned in another post a little while back. It was an honour to play with him and as a result there's a very good possibility we'll be recording our EP in December at 8Fold's "The Fold" studio with him on sticks duties yet again...ooh I get all warm and fuzzy at the very thought of it, haha!

So yeah we had a wicked night and rinsed the free-ness at the VIP bar (that's right VIP bar, bitches!) and the catering in our dressing room (yeah, CATERING and DRESSING ROOM) for all they were worth. We played a good'un and got proper pissed basically...rock and mother-loving roll. Don't worry though readers, we haven't got ideas above our station or owt; just a nice one-off, innit? Still, makes me think of back in the day when I first played a gig back at home in Fibbers...the Article boys and I thought we'd really made it...crammed into the broom cupboard they call a dressing room and stealing warm beer from the headliner's rider 'cause we were under age. Happy, care-free days :-) I hope I'll be back there in due course but Tuesday night was some super-mega next level shit and something I think we could all-too-easily get used to given half a chance...but fuck it, it's not really REAL is it? It was just a night of living the myth.

Also, on Monday night, Ben and I caught up with Marcus from Airship in Southampton at the Editors gig. We know sooo many legendary people in music - I feel well lucky...makes it easier to tolerate the dickheads we've come across. Anyway that gig was ace. Not sure how I feel about Editors new material though.

Listening to the new JoFo album, Grace and the Bigger Picture...you know what I'm gonna say about it :-)

Until next time...
I love you...just the way you are,

Charlie xxx

IndigO2

As promised...

in my last post I thought I'd give you a wee update as to what's up.

Last week was sweet - my first review for Bearded Magazine went online with no major changes from the live editor so that was a good start. On Tuesday what was supposed to be a short night out to see Linda Harrison and Grainne O play at The Boileroom turned into a jaunt that finally put me in bed at 4am...I got up at 8am. Urrrrrgh! Still, I felt pretty proud that I'd managed to get up and get stuff done. I also made some cool new friends so all was well. Thankfully Wednesday was pretty quiet, but I managed to get some free tickets to see The Cribs from our producer, Adi so I went up to Kentish Town to see them on Thursday night. I fucking love that band - they've literally NEVER WRITTEN A BAD SONG and now they've got Johnny Marr...oh...put it this way, the whole set was like one long ridiculous orgasm for yours truly. Not only did that happen on Thursday, but on the way to the gig I found out I've got an interview and live review of The Joy Formidable and Passion Pit on the 31st - win! On Friday, as you already know, we were in the studio finishing off Surround…all good vibes so far…we’re just mixing and working on a “radio edit” and other such industry schmindustry bullcrap. THEN on Friday I went up to Edinburgh to see my little brother and my parents. Life is good!

Tonight we’re auditioning a new drummer – fingers, toes, eyes, ears and legs crossed that he fits the bill. I’m sick to death of looking for a new ‘un.

Tomorrow we’re off really, really, really early (Jake included for what will REALLY be the last time ever) to Milton Keynes to cut a live track for Yamaha which will go on their podcast which, apparently, a few people listen to. Good vibes, I guess.

This Friday I’m reviewing The Drums at Koko in Camden. Heard a few tracks of theirs on Come Pick Me Up way back in June and sort of forgot about them. Managed to get a copy of their Summertime! EP early the other week and it’s superlative. Something fishy has to be going on…it’s so rare for a band to actually live up to the hype, but they seem to be doing it. Here’s a live video of them:



Sorry if this blog has been a bit more about friends and other people I admire and not so much about Arcady, but there’s lots more to come. Besides, friends and family make the world go round. IndigO2 next week. Whoop!

Must dash.

Love you…especially you Free Peace,

Charlie. xxx

As promised...

STUDIO

Now then!

Sorry I haven't updated as regularly as I'd like, things have been a bit busy. We finished tracking today and did a bit of mixing in the studio with our super producer Adi Winman, now I've just flown up to Edinburgh and am staying with my little bro in his ridiculously huge house! Mad times. I'll update in greater depth when I've got a bit more time, but I've had a pretty amazing week - really, really happy :-) Just wanted to let you know that the new track has now gone from being called "Fear The Silence" to "Surround". I can't wait for you all to hear it! Be patient and you shall receive.

Have a cracking weekend, I'll update properly next week.

Lots of love,

Charlie.

xxx

P.S. Sorry I haven't posted up the audio from last week's radio session,
but the GU2 listen again player appears to be buggered so I couldn't rip the audio.

STUDIO

Studio THEN Radio tomorrow...

...just another day in the life of a rockstar, eh? *ironic lolllzzzzz* (or whatever the kids say online nowadays).

Wanted to let you know that we're going into the studio tomorrow to record that new track "Fear The Silence" that so many of you said you liked after our last gig. We'll post it up in a couple of weeks when it's all done.

Then after a hard day in the studio and our last with Jake (cue violins and tears) Anil and I are heading up to GU2 Radio at the Surrey Uni campus to play a few acoustic tracks and do our first ever interview. Wish us luck! We'll be on Andy Vale's show sometime between 7 and 8. You can listen live at this link right here

I'll post up the audio tomorrow night if all goes well, if not I'll rip the audio from the listen again function so you can all enjoy it forever here on the blog.

That's about it I guess...it's been a funny old week.

To end, here's my favourite new picture of myself...I'm not a narcissist I promise!

Love and that,
Charlie. xxx

P.S. Please go to the Jack Wills Unsigned website, search and vote for us. Thanks :-)

Studio THEN Radio tomorrow...

Waxwing Acoustic Session

Hey y'all,
Just a quick one to let you know that I'm going to play a special acoustic ultra-folk set tomorrow le soir at Ben's Waxwing Acoustic Sessions night in The Electric Theatre bar. It's only £3 to get in and for that you get not only to see the Arcady set but also our lovely friends 10p Short, Kif James and Chris Brown plucking their twangers. Doors at 7.30pm.

See you there!

Love n that,

Charlie xxx

Waxwing Acoustic Session

It is with heavy heart...

...that I must announce the departure of drummer, lad and general bloke extraordinaire Jake Sorbie from the Arcady fold.

Jake's leaving, for the rest of the year at least, to go to Sydney, Australia to live and work with his brother. He gave us the news last night at practice and it's fair to say that we were pretty shocked but also really happy for him to take this wonderful opportunity. Jake's been a fantastic guy and a dream to play with, and has been integral in shaping the Arcady Bliss sound so much in the space of just a few months.

Unfortunately it looks unlikely that he will play the gig at the IndigO2 with us in October, but he will be recording with us in Godalming on the 9th when we will be laying down new track, "Fear The Silence". It will be a fitting climax to his time with Arcady Bliss and Anil, Ben and I wish him the best of luck and success in the future. That said, our doors will always be open for him to return when he's back from the land down under.


Charlie.





Obviously this now means we're on the look out for someone to fill Jake's shoes, so if you or anyone you know is interested in trying out, please get in touch to chelwess@gmail.com (please bear in mine that backing vocals are a prerequisite).

It is with heavy heart...

After the freshness...

Well Well! Last night was an amazing one, full of good times and Kopparberg! The cider was my fault, but the Boileroom gig was fantastic, and quite a good turn out as well for a tuesday night! 'Fear the Silence' the newest one, was well received, finishing off the set with Charlie now attacking his Telecaster a little more often! Loud, very loud.

Thanks to all that came to see us last night, especially as we were first on it was nice to see such a big friendly crowd smiling back at us from beyond the ridiculously hot lights. The people lucky enough to sign the mailing list should be enjoying our little 3 track right about now, so if you unfortunately missed it you can sign up on our widget and we'll see the tracks are mailed to you sharpish

Have fun!

Ben

After the freshness...

FRESH

We're playing a gig tomorrow at The Boileroom (pretty much our spiritual home) for all the lovely fresh dossers...erm, sorry... I mean students (we can say that 'cause two of us are) in Guildford. Being as it is that we're the best band playing, they've thoughtfully put us on first so you can enjoy us before you get too pissed and can't remember. Yay! :-)

We're on stage at 7.45pm but be there a bit early as we're told it's gonna be really busy (no, seriously, this time it will be).

Love from,

Charlie, Anil, Ben and Jake.
xxxx

P.S. Never do this to a llama.

FRESH

Tomorrow sees

the first Arcady band practice in what seems an infeasibly long time. We're going to be working on a couple of new songs that I hope we'll play at the Freshers gig at The Boileroom, Guildford on Tuesday the 15th of September. I can reveal that the current titles for these are "A Moment In Love" and "Fear The Silence". I'm not sure about the title for the second, I think we may change it to something a little prettier :-) Anyway, I hope lots of you readers can make it down to that gig. There will definitely be a little more electricity.

Arcady aside, some of you may have noticed on Twitter and Facebook that I'm becoming increasingly obsessed with John Martyn's album, "Solid Air". Like Mary Poppins it's practically perfect in every way. So please find below a live performance of one of my favourite tracks from the album along with the beautiful, understated lyrics.





John Martyn - May You Never

And may you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold.

You're just like a great strong brother of mine
You know that I love you true
And you never talk dirty behind my back
And I know that there's those that do.

Oh please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind
Love is a lesson to learn in our time
Now please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind for me.

And may you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold.

Well you're just like a good close sister to me
You know that I love you true
And you hold no blade to stab me in the back
And I know that there's some that do.

Oh please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind
Love is a lesson to learn in our time
And please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind for me.

May you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold.

You're just like a great strong brother of mine
And you know that I love you true
And you never talk dirty behind my back
And I know that there's those that do.

Oh please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind
Love is a lesson to learn in our time
And please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind for me.

May you never lose your temper
If you get in a bar room fight
May you never lose your woman overnight
May you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold.

May you never lose your temper
If you get in a bar room fight
May you never lose your woman over night
May you never lose your woman over night
May you never lose your woman over night.



Love to you all,
Charlie.

Tomorrow sees

Note to all bands...

..educational music videos are the way forward.

Anil.

Note to all bands...

I've seen a few...

...of these re-subtitled scenes from the most excellent film, "Downfall" over the past week or two but this one made me chuckle more than most; it's all about the Oasis split.

Hope you enjoy it! Proper post coming soon.

Love and that,
Charlie.

I've seen a few...

Usually

When a man is hungry, he eats. But occasionally a man needs something more, something more than just a casual snack or “lite bite”, he needs only one thing, and that my friends, is a SUBWAY.

Subway Tip #1:

First, choose your bread. You want something fresh and tasty, none of this dry, baked-5-hours ago nonsense, for this is the platform on which your entire Sub rests, so choose wisely, and go forth.

Subway Tip #2:

Do not touch the Promotional Sub. Steer clear of the special offer short time only Subway, they will lead you astray and ruin your day. They are the untried and untested and should be avoided with caution, except the Reggae Reggae sauce Sub, that may be consumed.

Subway Tip #3:

Never underestimate the power of “Double Cheese”. Extra cheese can be the glue that holds your Sub together, not just some sort of random condiment. Think it through and be wise; if you’re going to have Swiss cheese on your Sub, then you’ll have to match the contents accordingly, go for the meatball or the tuna with Swiss to enhance the structural performance of your sandwich. Cheddar is reserved for the Chicken and Bacon ranch.

Subway Tip #4:

ALWAYS TOAST IT!

Subway Tip #5:

The Subway Melt shall be held far above any other Sub, for it has bacon in it.

Subway Tip #6:

The Veggie Delight is not edible. Period.

Subway Tip #7:

The Sauce can make a Sub. It can also ruin it completely, for instance confusing Chili Sauce with BBQ can spoil it instantly, bad times. The Sauce is the icing on the cake, the snow on the summit, the awesome-maker, and the choice can be a hard one. Southwest and Ranch are good choices, but don’t mix with the Teriyaki or the Marinara. Lite mayo is always a winner,

Subway Tip #8:

Egg and Sausage Breakfast Subs are a sinful, and to eat one is heresy.

Subway Tip #9:

Always get a cookie.

Happy Subbing,

Ben.

Usually

I wrote a few weeks back

that I was going to write a post about some things I'd gained from lectures I attended by Steve Lawson and Mike McNally. I think the reason I was so excited after hearing from and meeting them was that they summarised a lot of things I'd been thinking about for a while. Things I'd been trying to do. Steve showed me how possible it is to be really independent and just make the music that you want to without trying to conform to the musical Zeitgeist. As for Mike it was more to do with the whole Do It Together thing.

I'm not the best at articulating myself succinctly and I'm easily side-tracked (this article on music marketing has just been particularly diverting) so please bear with me if you can.

What have I learned?

• Fans come first.

Being an independent musician you're looking to make money from selling a small number of records, merch and tickets to a hardcore fanbase. You should own all your own copyrights so this is possible. If you do it right, you could break even before you even release the work. Marillion demonstrate this pretty well. Email addresses are gold. Reward loyalty. Communication with your fans is a two way street (you can comment at the end of this post, so why not let us know what you think?)

• Be accessible.

You've gotta take your web and social networking presence seriously. Make it search engine optimised. Make it easily visible for the disabled and easily viewable in all browsers. Make your website easy to navigate. Use RSS.

• Be interesting.

Well I may not be all that interesting...I don't know because you readers out there haven't told me yet...maybe you're falling asleep! Anyway, I do try my best to be interesting but I'm more about being real, honest and doing things with transparency. Hopefully by doing those things the "interesting" will come naturally.

• Be viral.

Videos, mp3's, ringtones, wallpapers. You know what I mean. Word of mouth is the best marketing ever. FACT.

• Be amazing live.

If you're shit you've got no chance. Same goes for your tunes. Having a good live show is so important because it's where fans are won and lost. It's also an opportunity to meet fans, interact and sell your wares.

• A band is a brand with a product.

I hate the whole notion of this, but all the hating in the world doesn't make it less true. Make your art, but be aware of these things. Market appropriately.

• No one needs a major label deal.

The only thing majors are good for these days is worldwide marketing. They can make you a star overnight but where's the satisfaction in that? I want to do things my way, put in the hard yards and be satisfied with what I've achieved at the end. I'll also be better off financially.

• You don't have to do everything yourself.

Build a small, dedicated team. Delegate. Reward. Incentivise. Work together. If you need someone's help, see if you can do something that benefits them too. It's not rocket science. The whole Polyphonic, Terry McBride, Nettwerk thing seems to be an ideal way forward. In fact, I think it's the dog's bollocks and I look forward to seeing how it works out. Terry, if you're reading, sign me up.


So, yeah. In a nutshell that's what I think we have to do and what we're trying to.

Sound good?

Smashing, I'm off to bed to dream up some stuff.

Love and that,
Charlie.

P.S. I rather like this video and this song. Thanks again MTV 2. Plus, I'm going to do a long long long over due Spotifriday playlist this week. Promise.



P.P.S. Go on, have a gander at The Cribs new video too. I fucking love them. I love Johnny Marr-Jarman. Can't wait to see them in December.

I wrote a few weeks back

Listen again to our 1st time on the BBC!

BBC 6 Introducing Radio Play and Comment 1 by ArcadyBliss

I'd just like to point out that although the biography he said at the end was very much centred around me, Arcady Bliss is a band of four people. It is truly the sum of its parts and more. We're a team and we couldn't do it without everyone who helps along the way, especially our fans, families and friends.

Thanks for helping us make another small step.

Charlie.

Listen again to our 1st time on the BBC!

BBC 6 MUSIC TONIGHT

Tune in to BBC 6 Music @ midnight tonight to hear "Feeling The Glow" on Tom Robinson's BBC Introducing: Fresh On The Net show.

You can listen:

• Live on the good old interweb.
• on Sky channel 0120
• on Freeview & Freesat channel 707
• on Tiscali TV channel 632
• or UPC Ireland channel 912
  
• or Virgin Media channel 909
• or DAB Radio (12B)

(Who says Wikipedia isn't informative, eh?)

Also, if you love us as much as we love you (which is lots) please email a quick note to introducing.6music@bbc.co.uk or send a text to 64046 just to let Tom know that you thought we were better than most of the drivel that's on the radio these days and he should play us again. It'll take you 2 minutes tops and would, in the parlance of x-factor, mean the world to us :-)

Oh no I can't believe I just used that phrase. I'm off to wash my mouth out with soap...

Charlie.

BBC 6 MUSIC TONIGHT

Russell Lissack

This is just a quick post to say that you should go and listen to this 15 minute radio programme from the series Joan Armatrading's Favourite Guitarists.

This episode from the series focuses on Russell Lissack from Bloc Party who I've met briefly on a couple of occasions before and after gigs. Not only is he a most charming, shy chap but he's also responsible for my modest collection of guitar pedals and my fascination with them. Bloc Party are one of my favourite bands, I've seen them live about 5 times and when I really think about it they are one of few bands that never ceases to blow me away live; spine-tingling, euphoric moments a-plenty.

Russell was a true inspiration to my friends and I when we started up our first band, and the first two Bloc Party albums, especially Silent Alarm, will always hold a special place in my heart.

Just go and listen to the show, hear a very rare interview with Russell and wonder at the magic of his guitar work.

Love and that,
Charlie.

Russell Lissack

I realise we're a band

...but there's this blog called www.shutupbands.com that's rather captured my imagination this evening. It consists of all sorts of ridiculous quotes from band biographies, press releases, riders etc. and makes you realise...well...to put it mildly there are a lot of clueless, misguided souls out there having a crack at the music and/or fame game. A great deal of the content is anonymous, but for hearty laughs I reccommend you check out the bits on Kerry Katona and La Roux. Also the bit from Florence & The Machine's PR (whom I would assume is now their ex-PR) is a quite magnificent read.

This, I suppose, is a cue for everyone to get derisive about our band blurbs etc.

Go on, I dare you ;-)

Charlie.

I realise we're a band

OK so I wouldn't...

normally be up for posting something about Bon Iver because I got soooo sick of hearing about last year's album. However, this video is fantastic and made me want to sing in a chamber choir again. NEVER underestimate the power of three harmonising voices and a guitar.



Also very pleased that England finally beat the Aussies at Lord's today for the first time in 75 years. Maybe now I'll be able to get some work done :-) Roll on Edgbaston!!

Charlie.

OK so I wouldn't...

Sweet baby Jesus...

and the orphans!



That's the coolest music video I've seen in quite some time. I particularly like the bit when Alison sparks up a fag.

That is all,
Charlie.

Sweet baby Jesus...

Do you know what?

I've been itching to write a new blog post for about a week now, but I'm totally snowed under with really shitty coursework that I'm struggling to do for the simple reasons:

1) I don't see any educational value in the assignments.
2) I'm overflowing with songs (and I bought a new guitar at the weekend that I want to play 'til my fingers bleed, wear to the bone and fall off [see above photo])
3) There's loads of interesting stuff on the internet to read, listen to or watch eg Dubber's exceptional free ebook "20 Things You Must Know About Music Online" or The Music Industry Report or just Twitter in general.

It's just a real downer and I can't allow myself to spend too long on here until I've got everything done.

Anyway, I just thought I'd say that my next post should be pretty interesting for all you people out there in bands just like us. Last week I met two fantastic people both working in the industry and gained a lot of valuable advice from them - the lectures they gave, speaking to them afterwards, reading their blogs and following them with Google Reader and following their tweets. The two chaps in question were Mike McNally and Steve Lawson who both spoke about the current state of the music industry, how to promote yourself and how to focus not just on D.I.Y. but D.I.T. - DO IT TOGETHER. I plan to write a lengthy piece all about it and my thoughts on the industry when I have the time, probably at the weekend/early next week if I get my shit together.

I know this will probably be a bit geeky/lengthy/in depth for some of you but, well, that's how I roll. However I'm also here to prove that geeks can make beautiful art, be cool, stylish and into sports too! I'll do my best.

On a lighter note, check out this video of comedian Jon Richardson who was on telly the other night. He's bloody funny.


...yeah...don't write notes, they never work :-)

Love and that,
Charlie.

P.S. Oh yeah I went to see Oasis and Kasabian at Wembley the other night with my brother...the show was great (apart from the bit where Noel decided not to sing Don't Look Back In Anger) but I've never seen so many drunk, boorish, coked-up blokes (or twats as they're more accurately known) in my life.

Do you know what?

The Watched

Afternoon all!

Charlie's done a pretty good job of updating you all with recent Arcady news so I won't venture too much in to that. What I will mention is that we've got our hands on the stems for the version of 'Feeling the Glow' that's up on the MySpace and they're available to any of you budding producers who want to have a go at a remix, we're open to anything so just get in touch and let us know if you want them.

Charlie's been getting me into a lot of new music recently, stuff I would never have listened to before. Firstly there is The Cribs new track 'We Were Aborted' which was available to download free from their website for a limited time. It's the first time I've clearly heard Johnny Marr's contribution to the band and while I'm not the biggest Cribs fan it has left me eager to hear the new album, mainly for Marr's contribution though. Then there's Bombay Bicycle Club and their new album 'I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose' which Charlie's already posted about, I'm absolutely loving 'Always Like This.' Also worth a mention are The Temper Trap, an Australian band who I'm not really sure how to describe, click the link and have a listen to 'Sweet Disposition', some really interesting guitar work going on there but it's just a damn good tune!

Also did anyone see John Mayer's version of Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature' at the memorial? If not you have to check this out! A very brave move to not sing, but I think it really shows what great feel and expression he has on the guitar.



Finally, since the most feedback I've ever got from this blog is from when I posted a video of a chimpanzee riding on a segway I thought I'd post another hilarious video but this time one that doesn't exploit animals. Thinking about it, I might make it a weekly thing to stick a funny video up to accompany my posts, not sure what the rest of the band will think of this though, Charlie however has made the fatal mistake of giving me a separate account on this so I can and will post what I want, when I want!



Anil

The Watched

The Written

While the others are off swanning around with exams and song writing, I’ve been trying to occupy my time by writing a book. It sounds a bit daunting and perhaps a bit strange, but it’s a good way to get some ideas out and get lost in a different place for once.

So far it’s going reasonably well, on the 80^th page or so, and I’m looking forward to finishing it. It's quite easy once you get into the storyline. The good thing about writing, like with music, is that you can write, and sing, about whatever subject you want; there are no rules to fiction and freedom of speech is paramount, so its whatever you want it to be.

I’ll be posting up snippets of the book, “The Written”, up here soon, and there will be another site where you can read a lot more, so I’ll let you know as it comes along!

Take it easy,

Ben

The Written

Loads and loads...

...and loads of stuff. Well, ok maybe not LOADS but I'm doing my absolute best to put off doing boring, pointless coursework for as long as possible so I'm gonna write about a few things. Here goes...

1.) Arcady Stuff

We did a couple of full band gigs last week and one solo show which was really cool, plus we met and hung out with some nice people which was even better. Neither were particularly well attended, but folks at each gig who'd never heard us before had wee natters with us about how much they dug our set so it was totally worth it. I don't care if we ever do gigs to two people in the future, so long as at least one of them leaves a bit better off for the experience then that's our job done...and if they end up coming to another gig and buying some of our future wares then so much the better!lol

So yeah, those were the last gigs for a while as we're taking some time out to finish up some new songs and make some of the old ones a little bit better...cutting off the fat as it were. I also plan to steal my telecaster back from Anil and start playing it live. This, Bliss fans, means that I plan for our sound to get a little heftier and I'll be able to fully rock out the way I want to.

Here's a picture of me playing solo at Field Recordings night at The Enterprise in Chalk Farm last Tuesday, kindly taken by Brad @ UBPICS

We're going to record our first EP in September, that's the main reason we're taking some time off. As well as this Jake is really busy with his dissertation and other commitments and Ben is keeping occupied with his other band, but more of them later. I want to concentrate on doing some other songwriting too for non-Arcady projects which I may tell you about in the future, I guess we'll just have to see how it goes ey?

If you, or anyone you know puts on gigs in London and the South please get in touch with us as we want to start booking a load for early next year when we'll be releasing the EP and also for this Autumn and Winter. Just as importantly we're also looking for a hip young artist to collaborate with us on our visuals, primarily on artwork for the EP, our MySpace and website. Sort of like a 5th member I guess...the Stanley Donwood to our Radiohead. Please get in touch with me at chelwess@gmail.com if you can help.

Thanks again to everyone who's supported us so far this year. Please keep spreading the word, keeping in touch and being as lovely as you all invariably are. We couldn't keep doing this all without you, and your continued support means more to us than we could ever put into words. You know who you are :-)

2) Other Bands I Want To Plug

Those of you who know me, know I'm a total music obsessive and I love nothing more than discovering bands old and new and shouting about them. So here are a few I'd like to share with you:

Cubrik
Shouty, frenetic God-damn-fucking-amazing live band from round our way. Tom, the lead singer/guitarist is not only ridiculously talented but also a very nice fella.

Deadlight
Ben's other band (we saw him first though!) who are rising so fast they're almost a blur. The songs are epic Rage-y, Linkin Park-y, Incubus-with-a-sprinkle-of-je-ne-sais-quoi-y goodness. They may be our mates, but I wouldn't put them up here unless I thought they really were the dogs bollocks. They are.

Los
These lot played with Deadlight last Saturday in Epsom and absolutely blew me away. Effortlessly cool indie/grunge (though don't let that put you off)/bluesy alt. rock. I can't really describe the adequately enough in words or how much I dig them. Put it this way - I'll be out and about wearing their t-shirt as soon as it arrives through my door. Oh and I got a setlist off of Chris their guitarist after they finished. Fanboy? Pffft...well, yeah, actually.

8Fold
Funky, crazily fun "Gyp-hop" straight outta London. I saw these guys live at Beach Break Live and they were just one of the tightest, most entertaining bands we've seen in a long time. Their debut album, "Poet's Cottage" is out now on iTunes and it's just great. Do yourself a lemon and get it, yeah?

Checking Pulse
Another set of my mates, but again, I wouldn't post them if they weren't worthy. They make un-ashamedly catchy, commercial electro punk-pop and once they really get out there on tour the kids are gonna freakin' love it. Ooh, I'm a sucker for disco high-hats!


Johnny Foreigner
I realise they're already fairly well known and whatnot but I have to plug them just because their music make me feel that good. Also, they've just released a free (well, for the price of an email address) EP entitled "Feels Like Summer" from their website. Go get it now and worship at the altar of JoFo. It's here that I'd also like to declare my undying lust for their bassist, Kelly...I doubt she'll ever read this so I guess it's all good :-s

Right, procrastination and vomit-inducing gushing over. I'm hitting the sack.

Love and that.
Charlie.

Loads and loads...

I had the blues...

...but I shook them loose. The new album from one of my favourite bands of the last 3 years, Bombay Bicycle Club is up to preview now on We7.com before it comes out next week. My CD will be dropping through the letterbox on Monday but I just couldn't wait! NME gave it 8/10 this week if memory serves...anyway, enough of this idle banter. Bugger off HERE and feast your lugholes on this brilliant, smile-inducing band :-)

Charlie.

I had the blues...

Radio Ga Ga...well, GU2 actually

Go to http://www.gu2.co.uk/components/com_radioschedule/scripts/listenbackplayer.php?show=Andy%20Vale%27s%20Perfumed%20Garden%20Gnome%20Show&file=2009-06-25_19-00-00_StereoLog.mp3&time=25/06/2009%2019:00 and listen to around the 35min mark for some Arcady goodness and some lovely comments from DJ Andy Vale. Well, mostly lovely...Meat Loaf?!!!lol

Charlie.

Radio Ga Ga...well, GU2 actually

ME7 Playlist

It's nice to try and win money so we can do new recordings and that. Please listen to my ME7 playlist for free on WE7 and help us win some CPM......CASH PRIZE MONIE$!

Click HERE


or HERE


maybe even
HERE
to listen and help.

Ta,
Charlie.

ME7 Playlist

Brighten your day...

...with Ladyhawke.

Basically there's this cool dude and fellow Yorkshireman who writes for the NME called James McMahon (formerly under pseudonym James Jam) and I follow his blog HearYouMe. I wonder if the name was taken from the Jimmy Eat World song?...hmmm. He also posts lots of little YouTube videos and this one lightened my mood after receiving a lot of shitty news yesterday. Enjoy!



Aaaah...it's good to know I'm still puerile as fuck even though I have turned 21.

Charlie.

Brighten your day...

I really...

really, really like this song. Thanks to my brother Henry for sending it to me the other week.



Charlie.

I really...

The Dawn Party

I will dance,
And I'll take flight
In the colours of your night.
Oh as the dawn
Stands up to sing,
I'll pretend I'm king.

I'll be watching.

As the words
Slip from my tongue,
Our eyes will meet as one.
In the field
Of revellers,
My courage will be my curse.

And I'll take flight,
And I'll take flight,
In the colours of your night.

And I'll take flight,
And I'll take flight,
In the colours of your night.

by Charlie Elwess

The Dawn Party

Damn and blast!...

I leave Anil with the task of supervising the 3rd Spotifriday playlist and, naturally, he has totally forgotten to do it. To be fair though, we were both far too busy partying on Friday to even pass the most brief of thoughts on it. Never fear however, the Arcady Bliss Spotifriday Playlist will be back with a vengence this Friday as we give you a double length edition of 24 tracks. If you want to make any suggestions/requests, just leave us a comment at the end of this post :-)

Whilst we're on the subject of Spotify, here's Part 1 of an interview from the Great Escape '09 festival (I really really really hope we can play there next year) with Daniel Ek. He's the dude that started the whole thing and I was interested to hear what he had to say. Check it out...


The Music Void - Daniel Ek on MUZU.


Charlie.

Damn and blast!...

Feeling The Glow...

...is FINALLY up as a full band studio track on our MySpace! It was recorded, mixed and mastered by the man, the myth, the legend (and our good friend) Dave Saunders in his living room. It may or may not be available to buy soon. We'll see :-)

Charlie.
xxx
:-)

Feeling The Glow...

Chimp...

...ON A SEGWAY!





Anil.

Chimp...

The Yanks

Charlie isn't the only one to be languishing in the lands of procrastination. Hanging out in the US these past few days with an American family playing Amercian drinking games hasn't been the most productive week so far, but it has showed me that the Yanks will listen to any music you show them, across the board. I was fortunate enough to meet one guy called Dooney who asked me about the music back in the UK. Thanks to good 'ole Spotify, he listened to about twenty songs back to back, and gave his full attention to everything, even if he didn’t like it. Several of his friends were the same and it just surprised me away how passionate they are about new sounds or unknown bands. All of the people I've met over here seem to be the same, jamming away to Friendly Fires, or Dizzee Rascal even though they have no idea what he's saying. Several of the people out here have even heard a little bit of Arcady Bliss too and it seems to be going down quite well. Their response to my cultural lesson was to show me a YouTube clip entitled "Bro Rape"...but never mind.

Please head down to the Songwriting competition tonight and support Charlie. Thanks again to everyone who came the other night to the Boileroom (or Boom) and supporting us.

Take it easy,

Ben x

The Yanks

Arcady Bliss Spotifriday Playlist #2

Go and find it HERE ...before it's too late!

Arcady Bliss Spotifriday Playlist #2

"OMG!"...

...as they say in the parlance of t'interweb. I can't believe that I've spent the best part of another whole Friday in front of my computer and, thus far, neglected a fair few of the jobs I intended to do today. All I wanted to do while I'm hear is inform you that I've just confirmed a solo show for Sunday in aid of the Court Meadow School for children with special needs at The Swan Mountain Range Restaurant & Bar in Forest Row. Please come and support if you can (I'll give you a lift from Gtown if you like). Tickets can be booked in advance from 01342 822318 for £5 or they are £10 on the door. All proceeds go towards the charity.

Also, don't forget to pop down to the Boileroom on Tuesday (26th May) to support me as I play "Feeling The Glow" and try to win a prize of some sort...I'm not even sure what!lol Anyway, come down if you're in Guildford, have a few bevs and listen to some cracking tunes.

Right! I'm going outside for some air...


Charlie

"OMG!"...

I just can't...

...stop smiling after last night's gig at The Boileroom :-) We played really well and had an awesome time with friends and all the other bands. Congratulations to Deadlight for getting through, and major kudos to Cubrik and Luna Park Rescue for being awesome and making it a gig to remember.

If anyone has any photos or videos of our performance, please email them to me on chelwess@gmail.com and in return I'll send you any MP3s of our tracks that you want. Sound good? Get on it!

Charlie <3

I just can't...

Last night at Bar Med...

...was fully badass and we had an amazing time! If you came, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and that you'll come and vote for us in the Battle of the Bands @ The Boileroom tomorrow night (19/5/09) . It's going to rock. Hard.

Charlie

Last night at Bar Med...

Spotifriday!

A shout out to all you Spotify users!

We've totally nicked the concept of Spotifriday from one of our favourite music websites, DrownedInSound and we'll be doing a playlist every Friday (well, as often as we remember) consisting of 3 tracks from each band member. Please find the link to the very first one below, and have a good listen 'cause we reckon it's pretty damn cool! Why not send us your own playlists in return? Get on the MySpace, Facebook or Twitter pages and send us your mixes.


Arcady Bliss Spotifriday Playlist # 1 - 15.05.2009


Happy Spotifriday!

Charlie.

Spotifriday!

Time's Moving On in May

Good evening all,

I suppose this is a bit late coming seeing as there have been many goings on in the land of Arcady recently and this post comes to you on the eve of a particularly busy few days! On the Sunday 17th we will playing at Bar Med and on the 19th we will be playing the second heat of the ACM battle of the bands at The Boileroom. Obviously your support would be much appreciated on the night as the audience votes, but I feel a bit wary about attempting to pile in as many friends as possible in order to secure the most votes. It might be just me, but I feel it takes a bit away from the music...and it will be an amazing night of live music.

Also worth the mention is the gig that me and Charlie played as a duo on Monday supporting John Bramwell of I Am Kloot. It was great to get the duo going and also nice to be asked to play on the back of our first full band gig in April.

On the recording front, we recorded six live tracks with Mike Avent of iMeetEye and a few of those are currently on the MySpace. If you haven't already heard them, check them out at www.myspace.com/arcadybliss. We also recorded 'Feeling the Glow' with Dave Saunders recently and it's in the process of being mastered so look out for that on the MySpace too.

Congratulations are in order for Charlie as 'Feeling the Glow' got through to the final of the ACM song-writing competition. There are some great tracks in the final and being included in the last 13 of 151 entries is an achievement in itself.

Finally, Arcady Bliss have their first festival appearance at Beach Break Live in Cornwall. We'll be playing on Thursday 18th of June at12:45pm on the ACM New Music Stage, so if you're at Beach Break, you know where to be!

Anil.

Time's Moving On in May

And so...

...it begins. The journey into the deepest depths of the Arcady Blog, the official journal documenting the happenings, thoughts and creativity of Arcady Bliss. This is not just a place for news and updates, but a space in which I hope we will also post much more. I think of this as a space for other creative and thoughtful outlets, whether they be photographs, short stories, videos, poetry or ramblings long or short of any kind.

Please come with us, subscribe and keep reading as we stumble headlong into an unknown future.

I think it could be exciting.

:-)

Charlie.

And so...