The One Hundred and Fifteenth Doodle - A metal gig in The Borderline

Right, so, I don't claim to know lots about music. I just know what I like and what I don't like. That's just how it is; and I like a good ol' dose of metal-y madness. Seen as my resolution for 2014 was to do illustrated reviews of cool stuff I see and do around this bangin' town of Londinium, gigs are well and truly up there. Especially smaller gigs with ridiculously hard working bands, sloggin' away trying to carve out their own niche- I totally feel that.

So me and the fella put on our glad rags (and by glad rags, I mean I cracked out the black glittery Vans. I know right, I'm so pimp) and shimmied down to The Borderline to watch Chapters, Idiom and Rise To Remain- a cracking line-up if ever I saw one.

This was the come back gig for Chapters after getting a new drummer and guitarist; we walked in just after they started and they were shredding it - beautifully intricate, melodic, heavy and changeable songs along with epic, punch-you-in-the-face-and-call-you-a-muppet vocals. The lead singer Nally was admittedly knackered, and though you could see it in between the songs, you didn't see (smell?!) a whiff of it while they performed. The drummer literally made the whole process look effortless, how the bloody hell do you do that man?! I'd have drowned in my own sweat after two of their epic songs. Considering Chapters have two new members, they seemed pretty tight from where we were standing. I say standing. I mean head flinging. Smashing stuff.

Next up were Idiom. They are one of the most energetic bands I've seen in a very long time, their intensity was infectious and outrageous. Apart from some mixing issues that meant the vocals were often a bit drowned out by the drums and guitar (not sure who was doing the mix but it was slightly off) the songs were punchy and raw and we couldn't help but bounce around like loonies. The lead guitarist Kris was a musical menace, and genuinely filled me with a mixture of fear and awe with his craaaaazy eyes and insane finger work - he looked like he'd slice a nasty ass riff off for 10 minutes, jump off stage and headbutt an OAP. And his hair was beautiful. What a guy. Matt, the singer, was asked to show us his tits twice, to which he humbly obliged. Sexual. 

So there's always pressure on the headline act to smash it, and I don't know what you guys think but I reckon Rise To Remain smashed it pretty bloody hard! Another outrageously energetic live act, RTR had some lush vocals and another ridiculous lead guitarist (who kept going cross-eyed and pulling faces at us while he melted our faces with his playing, love a bit of tha'). Apart from a wee incident involving a swinging mic and a collision with the guitarist (slight lols there) there were all so on form, and looked like they were really bloody enjoying themselves. I know it sounds stupid, but crowds notice that stuff, it's important. And speaking of crowds, it started to get mosh-y and nuts about half way through the set, with skinny boys in low cut vests crowd-surfing their way on to the stage, and sweaty hands reaching out desperately to grab literally any part of Austin. I did hear a lovely quote on the way out - 'Oh my god man, Austin like had his hand on my shoulder for ages, it was amazing.' Having a big metal head bloke in this 30's swoon over being touched for a few moments is a fairly good sign you're getting some pretty dedicated followers!

As the gig ended we scuttled off into the night, cradling our vibrating eardrums and discussing which flavour pasta we'd have back home (so rock 'n' roll), as well as OBVIOUSLY ragin' about how much fun we'd had. I'm sure we'll see all you guys again soon. 

The One Hundred and Fourteenth Doodle - Valentines Day

'Love', a new commissioned piece about relationships, passion, sex and desire.

This latest commission I've been working on (with a love theme) was a little different to my usual work, but I really ruddy enjoyed it. And sometimes you have to shimmy out of your comfort zone right and just see what flippin' happens. And I liked what happened here.

Love ey. What the sodding hell is it all about. You think you're in it, then you find your beloved locking lips with another. And you split up. And then you realise you don't actually miss them. So why did you ever think you loved them? Or you gaze adoringly at your other half while simultaneously wishing they dressed differently and wore those shoes you picked for them and had different friends and earned more money. 

What a pickle we put ourselves in ey.

Now perhaps I don't know much about love right, but I have a thought or two on Valentines Day. The cold hard fact of the matter is that it's horrendous whether you're loved up or not. It's a competition between the lovers as to who has the most romantic partner -

Git 1: 'Jerry got me flowers and a necklace and took me to dinner.' 

 Bigger Git 2: 'Oh how splendid, Martin blind-folded me and took me to Paris as a surprise and bought me a diamond ring and a puppy and a milkshake that never ends. And a unicorn. But oh, hey, those flowers sound quite....it's the thought that counts after all isn't it...yeh..'

What bollocks. What horrible, horrible bollocks. If your true love spoils you rotten on V Day, that's nice, but perhaps don't be an obnoxious git and rub peoples faces in it. Because believe it or not, that makes you a not very nice person. And it isn't just because some people might be single, or others may feel lonely. What about those who have lost their true love to sickness or an accident? What about those who are trapped in a destructive or abusive relationship? If you feel you need to share how many gifts you got from your lover on Valentines Day with the world, then it isn't worth shit.

So what am I doing today? Well I've seen Valentines Day from all sorts of sides; as a singleton, as someone in an unhappy relationship. But right now, I confess that I am with a wonderful chap who I am very thankful for. And we're going to the pub, same as every other Friday. And we'll get pissed together and talk nonsense and...well, you know.

Do you know what Valentines Day should actually be about? Just a day that reminds you to actually tell those special people you love them. Not just your other half; your family and your mates too. And if you buy any of that useless crap from an overpriced gift shop to show the monetary value of your feelings rather than just saying 'Look, I fucking love the shit out of you and want you to stick with me for bloody ages you amazing girl/boy/cat/shrubbery', then I am judging you hard.

X

One Hundred and Thirteenth Doodle - The Parkland Walk

Don't try to draw maps in the pub when you've had a few ciders...

If you live in North London and you haven't trotted along the Parkland Walk of a Sunday afternoon...well then, you blimmin' well should! Do please refer to my most excellent and precise map of the walk above, created in a cosy Highgate pub after indulging in a drink or two. As you can see it is most accurate. If you INSIST on seeing a 'proper' version (rude) with more information, then visit parkland-walk.org

The Spriggan sculpture by Marilyn Collins

The walk, following an old railway line that ran from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, is a truly wonderful way of getting out of London for a bit, without actually leaving London. I know right, deep man.

Starting from the park itself, we pottered along the walk and really enjoyed the relative quiet, the abundance of nature and the other relaxed people we encountered along the way. Runners, dog walkers and families all populate the walk, and between us my other half and I rambled along, remarking to one another our youthful joy in not being out doing exercise, not having the responsibility of a family, and not having to pick up dog poop. Bliss. 

Quite a few of the bridges and walls are decorated with ever changing graffiti

As we are both arty geeks, we especially loved the sculpture of the Spriggan and the rad graffiti dotted along the way. The Spriggan genuinely freaked me out at first, especially as the feller said 'Watch out above you' in quite a serious tone as we walked by it, and I briefly cacked myself. But never fear; I regained my composure fairly quickly and gave said feller a withering look. While he laughed. The git. 

Moi avec la graffiti (I know right, multi lingual skillz...)

As it was a fairly chilly winters day, obviously we had to stop along the way for a bevvie or two to warm the cockles. At Crouch End we admired the old Victorian station and platforms before clambering back to the main road and ducking into the Railway Tavern. Well, you have to if you're walking along the old railway line don't you?

The Railway Tavern in Crouch End

Further along our trek (it's a trek to us ok) we reached Highgate, where the other half got very excited about the old railway tunnels that are now filled with bats. Oh joy. Thankfully they are safely fenced off, as the bats are not keen on men in their mid 20's galavanting in and ruining a good nights (well, days) sleep. Thank goodness. Here the Parkland Walk actually ends, though don't worry- it does start again further down Muswell Hill Road and carries on to Ally Pally.

The Woodman in Highgate

Alas, in the Woodman pub at Highgate is where our walk ended for the day. We had planned to find where the path begins once more and continue on to Alexandra Palace, but it was getting dark and we fancied being at home on the sofa instead of down an unlit, cold, tree shrouded walk way!

Perhaps we shall go back soon and finish the end of the walk, so do keep your beady eyes peeled.....(god, so mysterious.)

One Hundred and Twelfth Doodle - A wander in Greenwich

 

A sort of New Year's resolution I made this January was to start doing wee illustrated reviews of places and events I went to in and around London. Seen as this awesome city has so much amazing stuff going on, seems a shame not to explore it and share it right? Perhaps what I think is total balls, but meh! You guys can decide for yourself :)

So yesterday, wrapped up in my new winter coat (god bless Superdry ey) a few of us took a wander down to Greenwich. Our two aims - go and see the Greenwich tunnel and the Astonomy Photographer of the Year exhibition. And visit some pubs, o' course!

Cutty Sark just before the storm, ooer!

We wobbled through Greenwich Park and up that slope to the Observatory (oh my days I'm so out of shape) and enjoyed the view over east London - bloody lovely. I know it was a Saturday but by god it was busy, I swear I stood on at least six children and sat on a few unknowing ladies. Oh well.

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park

I had seen a post about the free Astonomy Photographer of the Year exhibition online (check it out here) and the images had blown my tiny little mind, so I was very excited. And as awesome as the photographs were, the 'exhibition' itself was a bit of a disappointing sham. A tiny, packed room with very small copies of the photos. I mean, the pictures I looked at on my computer were bigger. I was expecting amazing blown up prints my pals and I could goggle at in awe, that would make us wonder about the infinite nature of the universe and the incredible talent of these fantastic photographers; but instead we left feeling squashed, hot and frustrated. Hmm.

The Greenwich Tunnel - we saw someone cycling ahhhh! Such a rebel.

After climbing over several sets of bleating tourist families to escape the Observatory, we pottered down to the river in search of the Greenwich Tunnel. Impeccable timing actually, as we dived in just as the heavens opened and thunder started smashing it's way across London like a petulant toddler. And we did not want to get in it's way.

The tunnel itself was especially creepy and pretty awesome, though when we read about the history of it and it's refurbishment from 2010, well...they've hidden the refurbishment well. To me though, the fact that it was damp and dank made it even cooler. And the lifts had wood cladding, I felt like I was in a 70's sauna. Can you get groovier than that man?

A view over the Thames just as a mahoosive thunder storm hit

Trying to look intellectual and tha'

 

 Greenwich itself is a lovely area of London, and taking the DLR there transformed four 20-somethings in to giggling excited children who had to sit at the front (on the magical sky robot train) and attempt to chat up the driver. SUCH FUN.

 

One Hundred and Eleventh Doodle - Hello 2014!

 

Oh my days, well, wasn't 2013 a bit nutty ey?

 

Despite the fact I spend half the year recovering from a very painful back operation (total bummer, I don't recommend it) I have managed to get involved in some great art and illustration projects, get some awesome commissions and see my work up on a big screen in London. Pretty bloody good I reckon!

 

I'd have to say some of my highlights have been creating a series of illustrations for the fab guys at Old Spitalfields Market and their stores (and going along to the Tower Hamlets Xmas Ball with them, teehee!), designing and selling my own foxy t-shirt, having my extreme sports work featured by Cooler Magazine, taking part in the live art show Merging Inks and winning their subsequent t-shirt competition, working with the lovely lasses at Fashion Global, creating fashion work for Drop 'n' Roll and designing my own longboard for the rad guys at Feisty. A copy of my board turned up in December for me, bloody best Christmas present!

(Maybe I'm not meant to say, but doesn't it look sick?! Oosh!)

 

Basically, I suppose even when times are tough you have to keep on pushing away and when you look back, you realise all the awesome stuff that you've done or that has happened to you too. Not only art stuff, but my sister had a baby (so cute), I went to Paris (proper love), and also I have a fab boyfriend, mates & family.

 

Now that I'm healthier again, what more can a girl ask for? :)