Today is Tuesday, 27th of February 2012, my last post was December 6th, 2011. In 2 days time it will be the 29th of February. Last Friday, the 24th of February, was erased from my person cause I was a long hall flight to Awstralia therefore 2012, the year of the Olympics, still only has 365 days to me.
I can’t quite get this round my headbut in 3 days time it’ll be St. David’s day and in five days time it’ll be my 30th birthday. Wowzers! And what do I have to show for it, well, for one, 2012 has been a pretty splendid year so far! as well as being the year of the Olympics, it has been pretty kind to all things Sweet Baboo.
In January I was inducted into the Guiness book of World Records for appearing on more albums in one month than anyone else ever had in the history of music. I was visited by Chris ‘Awooga’ Akabusi and Cheryl Baker who awarded me a medal and my very own engraved copy of the book.
It started, very excitingly, with Johnny Pictish Trail who invited me to the island of Eigg off the west coast of Scotland. The island has about 80 people, 1 shop, is governed by the islanders, and in one home I went to a neumatic circular pool table. I would advise anyone to go there. It’s pretty incredible.
I spent, nine (ish) lovely days in a cottage overlooking the harbour pressing the record button for Johnny and his new album. Even if I do say so myself, it sounds pretty cool, is chorus (the effect) heavy and features Kenny King Creosote on accordion.
Without trying to sound too much like a kiss ass but the fence collective are seriously brill and inspiring people and I am lucky to know them.
I then went straight into playing acoustic guitar on a new record for Euros Childs. I felt like Roy Ordbison or Jeff Lynne in the Travelling Willburries. We learnt and recorded about 12 or 13 songs in 4 days and although I can’t quite remember all of them, I do remember it sounded super poppy and great.
I can’t wait to hear the finished versions.
A sweeping statement I know but in my world Euros Childs is king.
Next up, the big one, well at least for me. I recording a new sweet babs album, still tentatively called ‘Ships’. We took a break in the middle ( more of that below ) but myself, Avvon Chambers, my brother, Dave and Rob Voluntary Butler Scheme ( at the helm ) spent two weeks making a brass based, upbeat, underwater sounding smashpop record. Rob is mixing it as we speak, and I hope it’s gonna sound like a cross between the dexy’s, Smokey Robinson, Belle and Sebastian, SpongeBob Squarepants and Weezer.
I’m not sure who is gonna release the album, or when, but when it’s finished, we’re gonna give the website a makeover to celebrate and pop some songs up for you to listen to.
If anyone is interested in remixing one of the songs (no cash obviously ) then please get in touch and I will be able to send stems when they’re done. I hope to be more proactive on the website in 2012, it is the year of the Olympics after all.
I’m pretty proud of the album and everyone who helped me with it, especially Avv and Dave for playing, Broombox for helping with the lyrics and, especially, Rob everything he’s done. He’s a clever cunt and an bloody nice guy.
Finally, and no less excitingly, I played bass on H.Hawkline’s third, as yet untitled, record. It’s loud, melodic, sexy and I can’t wait to hear it. He’s going into the studio at the end of March to finish it. It’s gonna be ace.
Since then, I’ve been off moonlighting for Slow Club, travelling to America, Canada and Awstralia (please see loosing a day quondry at top of post ) I’ve been super lucky and have got to, am still to, go to the following places. New York, L.A, San Fransisco, Sydney, Toronto and Melbourne to name a few. It’s been super fun, and the gigs have been super busy.
Tomorrow I have a day off and am gonna go swimming on Bondi Beach, like I said 2012 is a good year for the Olympics and a good year for me, except for the fact that I’m hitting middle age and still can’t grow more than a smattering of facial hair.
On the babs gigging front 2012 is pretty quiet at the moment. There are a couple of festival appearances booked and hopefully more gigs for when the album is released. I will update the gigs page when everything is finalised.
Finally, my best friend and landlord’s, Cate Le Bon’s album has come out in America and will be out in Britain sometime in April on Gruff Rhys’s OVNI label. You’d be a doufus not to buy it.
And that is the end of my post. Hooray for (my) life!
