http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:00:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com The case of the vanishing blog http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=1670791 My blogging record in 2011 has been pretty horrendous. If I manage to post this one within 12 hours I will have accomplished the mighty feat of blogging twice in the past twelve months. Whoop whoop. Another good intention gone astray. i think what is largely to blame is the growing web of all things Facebook and Twitter. Such realms suck you in and devour your time, next thing you know the poor ole 'add blog post' button on your website becomes redundant. So there, that's my poor lame pathetic excuse for not having contributed more to my blog sphere. As always though I will boldly announce that I will make more regular blogging part of my preliminary design for 2012.  And here's to you 2012... And here's to you 2012...]]> Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:00:00 GMT 633B83E5101F7B6C02E2103F4B3B6787 Through the snow and into the mix http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=696233 12th January 2011.  Wednesday afternoon in a snow covered Nashville. This was my first Christmas and New Year spent outside of Ireland, so it was a very new experience but one I would not change. Always good to get a fresh perspective. I tasted the southern festivities of Oxford, Mississippi and then rang in 2011 in Nashville. Two weeks on and it all seems like a much longer period has passed. Here’s to a mighty year. During the week between Christmas and New Year, Neilson and I were back in the studio for a few days for me to record my vocals for the album. It was a very relaxed process, and these songs have felt very easy to sing, very easy to tap into their spirit. This whole recording process has been like that. We’ve worked very quickly but more intensely than previous studio experiences. The reason for this is that I have had a much clearer vision for this album and knew what I wanted more so than in the past. It has meant that Neilson and I (and the songs) have been able to arrive at a production place quicker.  It’s as if we’ve effortlessly put in a lot of effort (if that makes any sense).We have now mixed eight tracks. We recorded twelve songs in total but made the decision just before we started mixing to drop two (“Cuts Both Ways” and ‘When it Comes To Leaving.”) The plan though is to still release these a B-sides or digital downloads soon. The mix process can be a bit challenging for me, that’s why I let Neilson do all the initial dirty work and then I come in when the track is 95% there and I’m present for the few final tweaks. It’s a system that works very well for us. This of course only works when one has trust in the mixer/producer.  Our mastering date is 24th January so the end of the first stage of “Before The Birds” is close at hand. Now out back into the snow and over to the east side. 12th January 2011. 
Wednesday afternoon in a snow covered Nashville. This was my first Christmas and New Year spent outside of Ireland, so it was a very new experience but one I would not change. Always good to get a fresh perspective. I tasted the southern festivities of Oxford, Mississippi and then rang in 2011 in Nashville. Two weeks on and it all seems like a much longer period has passed. Here’s to a mighty year. During the week between Christmas and New Year, Neilson and I were back in the studio for a few days for me to record my vocals for the album. It was a very relaxed process, and these songs have felt very easy to sing, very easy to tap into their spirit. This whole recording process has been like that. We’ve worked very quickly but more intensely than previous studio experiences. The reason for this is that I have had a much clearer vision for this album and knew what I wanted more so than in the past. It has meant that Neilson and I (and the songs) have been able to arrive at a production place quicker.  It’s as if we’ve effortlessly put in a lot of effort (if that makes any sense).We have now mixed eight tracks. We recorded twelve songs in total but made the decision just before we started mixing to drop two (“Cuts Both Ways” and ‘When it Comes To Leaving.”) The plan though is to still release these a B-sides or digital downloads soon. The mix process can be a bit challenging for me, that’s why I let Neilson do all the initial dirty work and then I come in when the track is 95% there and I’m present for the few final tweaks. It’s a system that works very well for us. This of course only works when one has trust in the mixer/producer. 

Our mastering date is 24th January so the end of the first stage of “Before The Birds” is close at hand. Now out back into the snow and over to the east side.

]]> Thu, 13 Jan 2011 03:25:00 GMT F532929754C17B711AA8418A5A1E1382 Drum'n'bass all the way http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=628467 DAY 4 Drums bass. Bass and drums. Five tracks down. From the darkness of ‘At The Car Park’ to the new found joy in “Cuts Both Ways.” And in between “Sweet On,” “Trick of The Light” and “When Mexican for lunch. Songs taking turns that I didn’t see coming and being thankful for such twists. Working at a great pace but without any cabin fever burnout that can creep in. 

DAY 4

Drums bass. Bass and drums. Five tracks down. From the darkness of ‘At The Car Park’ to the new found joy in “Cuts Both Ways.” And in between “Sweet On,” “Trick of The Light” and “When Mexican for lunch. Songs taking turns that I didn’t see coming and being thankful for such twists. Working at a great pace but without any cabin fever burnout that can creep in. 


]]> Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:45:00 GMT AAA9D772F55F0C631ADB77EEB54199C9 PA RUM PA PUM PUM http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=624745  DAY 2 - PA RUM PA PUM PUM 12.43pm: Sound checking the drums may be the most challenging aspect of the recording process for me. Currently Evan (Hutchings) is pa rum pa pum pumming whilst Neilson is tweaking. Crucial noise making though. Evan is an Arkansas man and the last and only time we played together was the Music City Roots gig here in Nashville. Great player and great guy. He’s an Arkansas Razorbacks fan and so we share common ground there. I’m not sure of the reasons why, but last last year I found myself pledging allegiance and support to that particular College football (US) team.  Today we’re doing it for da Hogs. Vietnamese was on the menu for lunch today. Lemongrass chicken. Eating our way around the world this week. PM - put down the drums/bass on the first three songs of the album - Almost Home/ I am with you/You are the same as the tide.  And we’re off..  DAY 2 - PA RUM PA PUM PUM

12.43pm: Sound checking the drums may be the most challenging aspect of the recording process for me. Currently Evan (Hutchings) is pa rum pa pum pumming whilst Neilson is tweaking. Crucial noise making though. Evan is an Arkansas man and the last and only time we played together was the Music City Roots gig here in Nashville. Great player and great guy. He’s an Arkansas Razorbacks fan and so we share common ground there. I’m not sure of the reasons why, but last last year I found myself pledging allegiance and support to that particular College football (US) team.  Today we’re doing it for da Hogs.

Vietnamese was on the menu for lunch today. Lemongrass chicken. Eating our way around the world this week.

PM - put down the drums/bass on the first three songs of the album - Almost Home/ I am with you/You are the same as the tide.  And we’re off..

]]> Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:20:00 GMT B89FD69A023AE50FF48124B43C4267E9 DEC 2010 - RECORDING http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=624743  DAY 1 - IT ALL BEGINS WITH ITALIAN “what one knows, one sees.” (Goethe) Mama Mia’s Italian restaurant on Harding seemed like the most appropriate place to set off from. So Neilson (Hubbard) and I met up on the freezing first Monday in December to tuck into some pasta and toast the commencing of the new album. Neilson and I first worked together on “through the noise, through the night” and I’m very excited about the next month or so creating album number 3. Spent the afternoon in Mr. Lemons studio in East Nashville discussing and deciphering what songs are going to make this journey with us. We both instantly agreed on eight, and we were guided as to who the other family members were pretty quickly. I’ve never been so relaxed or at ease at the start of the recording process. In many ways it feels as if this album is already made, our job now is to let it in. “What one knows, one sees.”  DAY 1 - IT ALL BEGINS WITH ITALIAN

“what one knows, one sees.” (Goethe)

Mama Mia’s Italian restaurant on Harding seemed like the most appropriate place to set off from. So Neilson (Hubbard) and I met up on the freezing first Monday in December to tuck into some pasta and toast the commencing of the new album. Neilson and I first worked together on “through the noise, through the night” and I’m very excited about the next month or so creating album number 3. Spent the afternoon in Mr. Lemons studio in East Nashville discussing and deciphering what songs are going to make this journey with us. We both instantly agreed on eight, and we were guided as to who the other family members were pretty quickly. I’ve never been so relaxed or at ease at the start of the recording process. In many ways it feels as if this album is already made, our job now is to let it in. “What one knows, one sees.”


]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:20:00 GMT A8B29254B0F41A280716C9DE937F1070 Long gone is the dwarf in Bristol http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=583282  BRISTOL (15th Nov '10) Left sunny Birmingham early afternoon. Very comical car ride to Bristol resulting from our attempts to interpret a review of our Brussels gig. What made this one extra interesting was that it was written in French. Thankfully Tania is a fluent French speaker but the subtle differences between her French-Canadian and the reviewer’s French-Belgian (that term is probably completely incorrect) allowed for some minor misconstructions which were extremely funny. Great review though and thank you to Michel for sending it. The last and only time that I was in Bristol was a few years ago for my brother-in-law’s stag do. I spent the weekend dressed as one of the Seven Dwarves. Can’t exactly remember which one; I think we were all Drunky. Tonight’s gig in St. Bonaventures was a much more refined and creative experience though. Some nights when you walk into a room at soundcheck and meet the crew who are responsible for putting the gig on - the promoter, soundman etc..- you get an instant feel that it’s going to be a good gig. This was one of them. When a performance feels easy you know that it’s right and this felt right from the get go. The crowd were very receptive and it just felt as if we were all on the one side from the first note. That is not always the case as some in some gigs you feel as if you’re having to convince, having to prove your right to be on the stage. Thanks Bristol. No sign of Snow White either which was a big relief. gig review:  http://www.crackerjack.co.uk/bristol/review/gig-review-mary-gauthier-st-bonaventures/music BRISTOL (15th Nov '10)

Left sunny Birmingham early afternoon. Very comical car ride to Bristol resulting from our attempts to interpret a review of our Brussels gig. What made this one extra interesting was that it was written in French. Thankfully Tania is a fluent French speaker but the subtle differences between her French-Canadian and the reviewer’s French-Belgian (that term is probably completely incorrect) allowed for some minor misconstructions which were extremely funny. Great review though and thank you to Michel for sending it.

The last and only time that I was in Bristol was a few years ago for my brother-in-law’s stag do. I spent the weekend dressed as one of the Seven Dwarves. Can’t exactly remember which one; I think we were all Drunky. Tonight’s gig in St. Bonaventures was a much more refined and creative experience though. Some nights when you walk into a room at soundcheck and meet the crew who are responsible for putting the gig on - the promoter, soundman etc..- you get an instant feel that it’s going to be a good gig. This was one of them. When a performance feels easy you know that it’s right and this felt right from the get go. The crowd were very receptive and it just felt as if we were all on the one side from the first note. That is not always the case as some in some gigs you feel as if you’re having to convince, having to prove your right to be on the stage. Thanks Bristol. No sign of Snow White either which was a big relief.


gig review:  http://www.crackerjack.co.uk/bristol/review/gig-review-mary-gauthier-st-bonaventures/music]]> Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:34:10 GMT F6BC140A18857F7546921BB3DEAF9593 Brussels to Birmingham (Sun 14th Nov '10) http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=576746 1.19pm: Brussels: Sat here in the lounge awaiting the call to board Euro Star. Interesting start to the journey back to UK. Arrived at the train station 3 hours ago to find out that the torrential rain of the past few days in Belgium has resulted in widespread flooding. This has caused major delays. We were supposed to be pulling into St. Pancras station in London right about now, but that aint happening. Going to make for a very tight drive from London to Birmingham for the gig tonight. These things happen though and there’s no point in stressing out. We’ll get there when we get there. Last night’s gig in Ancienne Belgique in Brussels was excellent. Such a great venue. In the room below us Therapy were playing to 2000 people. The bass player, Michael, is a neighbour of mine as he’s a Carincastle/Larne man. Didn’t think that it would be too often that two Antrim Coast Road boys would be playing in the Ancienne Belgique, so I dropped by their dressing room to say hello. Before going onstage, Isobel the stage manager warned me that the room was very hot as there was a problem with the air con. And feckin hot it was. Sauna conditions. The set flowed great though and the crowd were great. Debut performance of the new song ‘Cuts both ways” and I knew after performing it that it is a real contender to be on the new album. I have a feeling that I’m going to stick with this set list for the remainder of the tour; Melodies of Midnight/where the lines are/full moon child/too late to leave her alone/atlantic eyes/i am you are/into the mystic/cuts both ways/i am with you. 2.46pm: finally on the train and heading for London. The Belgian countryside is flying past the window. There are large amounts of water lying where water shouldn’t be lying. Two things I learned about Brussels - it knows how to rain and it knows how to put on a great gig. Let’s hope we get to the Hare and Hound in Birmingham without too much delay. 12.30 am (15th Nov) The gig was made in time. I've heard a few horror stories about driving in Birmingham but tonight it was very straight forward getting to our point of destination. Nice room in the Hare and the Hounds and it was a quite a contrast to my last and only show in this city a few years ago. Then Colm and I played some open mic night in a pub that seemed more concerned with getting the dance music of their club night pumping rather than songs being sung. Mary, Tania and I were pretty exhausted tonight. It was a nine hour journey to get here and with the delays and uncertainties of the travel plans we were pretty beat. Onstage at 8.20pm, over the road for a quick Indian, and then back for the second half of Mary's set. The CD table was made very colourful tonight by the spirited and joyful Katrice. Thanks Katrice for helping us with the sales and for giving us plenty of laughs. I also made another Glenarm and Ballyliffin connection with the audience members tonight. On every single gig on this tour (including Belgium) I've had at least one person ome talk to me about someone they know from home. Small villages with wide webs. It's just past the witching hour now here in the Copthorne Hotel. I have a feeling morning is going to be here very very quickly. Quite the day.

1.19pm: Brussels: Sat here in the lounge awaiting the call to board Euro Star. Interesting start to the journey back to UK. Arrived at the train station 3 hours ago to find out that the torrential rain of the past few days in Belgium has resulted in widespread flooding. This has caused major delays. We were supposed to be pulling into St. Pancras station in London right about now, but that aint happening. Going to make for a very tight drive from London to Birmingham for the gig tonight. These things happen though and there’s no point in stressing out. We’ll get there when we get there.

Last night’s gig in Ancienne Belgique in Brussels was excellent. Such a great venue. In the room below us Therapy were playing to 2000 people. The bass player, Michael, is a neighbour of mine as he’s a Carincastle/Larne man. Didn’t think that it would be too often that two Antrim Coast Road boys would be playing in the Ancienne Belgique, so I dropped by their dressing room to say hello.

Before going onstage, Isobel the stage manager warned me that the room was very hot as there was a problem with the air con. And feckin hot it was. Sauna conditions. The set flowed great though and the crowd were great. Debut performance of the new song ‘Cuts both ways” and I knew after performing it that it is a real contender to be on the new album. I have a feeling that I’m going to stick with this set list for the remainder of the tour; Melodies of Midnight/where the lines are/full moon child/too late to leave her alone/atlantic eyes/i am you are/into the mystic/cuts both ways/i am with you.

2.46pm: finally on the train and heading for London. The Belgian countryside is flying past the window. There are large amounts of water lying where water shouldn’t be lying. Two things I learned about Brussels - it knows how to rain and it knows how to put on a great gig. Let’s hope we get to the Hare and Hound in Birmingham without too much delay.

12.30 am (15th Nov)
The gig was made in time. I've heard a few horror stories about driving in Birmingham but tonight it was very straight forward getting to our point of destination. Nice room in the Hare and the Hounds and it was a quite a contrast to my last and only show in this city a few years ago. Then Colm and I played some open mic night in a pub that seemed more concerned with getting the dance music of their club night pumping rather than songs being sung. Mary, Tania and I were pretty exhausted tonight. It was a nine hour journey to get here and with the delays and uncertainties of the travel plans we were pretty beat. Onstage at 8.20pm, over the road for a quick Indian, and then back for the second half of Mary's set. The CD table was made very colourful tonight by the spirited and joyful Katrice. Thanks Katrice for helping us with the sales and for giving us plenty of laughs. I also made another Glenarm and Ballyliffin connection with the audience members tonight. On every single gig on this tour (including Belgium) I've had at least one person ome talk to me about someone they know from home. Small villages with wide webs.
It's just past the witching hour now here in the Copthorne Hotel. I have a feeling morning is going to be here very very quickly. Quite the day.

]]> Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:35:00 GMT 2A7F93FEC09CAD23E887A6A64121735D Brussels http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=571962 Sat here in the hotel in Brussels, wishing it wasn't raining so hard out there. This is my first visit to Belgium and would like to get out their and soak it up, but in this weather the only thing soaked up would be me. Mary, Tania and trained it over on the Euro Star from London this morning. One of the conductors on the train is a big Mary Gauthier fan and the consequence of this was an upgrade for us to business class. The perks of travelling with internationally loved musicians. Night off tonight, so a chance to get caught up on emails and hopefully some sleep... 9.43am (13th Nov) - Just woke with Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" in my head. Wondering if I should play it in the set tonight. Another song that's been on constant reply upstairs is "Cuts both ways." I just wrote it two weeks ago, haven't performed it live yet, but past experience has told me that when a song keeps making itself known to you there's a fair chance it's telling you that it needs to be performed. Songs have a way of telling when it's their time, and a important part of this job is to listen. that's all, just listen.  maybe tonight I'll give it it's first run out.  Sat here in the hotel in Brussels, wishing it wasn't raining so hard out there. This is my first visit to Belgium and would like to get out their and soak it up, but in this weather the only thing soaked up would be me. Mary, Tania and trained it over on the Euro Star from London this morning. One of the conductors on the train is a big Mary Gauthier fan and the consequence of this was an upgrade for us to business class. The perks of travelling with internationally loved musicians. Night off tonight, so a chance to get caught up on emails and hopefully some sleep...
9.43am (13th Nov) - Just woke with Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" in my head. Wondering if I should play it in the set tonight. Another song that's been on constant reply upstairs is "Cuts both ways." I just wrote it two weeks ago, haven't performed it live yet, but past experience has told me that when a song keeps making itself known to you there's a fair chance it's telling you that it needs to be performed. Songs have a way of telling when it's their time, and a important part of this job is to listen. that's all, just listen.  maybe tonight I'll give it it's first run out. 

]]> Fri, 12 Nov 2010 23:35:00 GMT 934533C9ADC3E7586167E4664EDBDAEE Union Chapel, London http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=571936 DAY 2 - UK TOUR NOV '10 The November sun in Brighton from yesterday was dramatically replaced by some ferocious winds and waves this morning. Drive to north London today mean't a jaunt through the centre of the city. I'm not that used to this traffic intensity; Glenarm doesn't have a similar flow. Quick walk around Islington and in early evening over to Union Chapel, the venue for the gig. everyone who is aware of this gig had told me how great it was and walking in the doors of this church (built sometime in the 1800's) I could see what the fuss was about. Incredibly unique space for a gig. if these surroundings don't inspire a special performance then I don't know what will. Grabbed a some calamari from a Japenese restaurant from across the road - not bad and it only cost a few squid (ba boom ching). Was finding it difficult to decide on a set list for tonight and it was unsettling me. About 5 minutes before going on stage something made me play a few chords of "Melodies of Midnight". Odd, as I haven't played this song solo for a long time, but for some reason tonight it was telling me to deliver it. So I opened the set with it and immediately I found the right mood for this evening and the set flowed great. This was one of the best feeling gigs I've had in a long time and to stand on that stage in Union Chapel is very very special indeed. After the show one member of the audience came over to me and said "into the mystic." I wasn't sure what she mean't but thought she was referring to Van's song, so I replied saying 'yeah, it's a great song.' She came closer and said 'no. You. You tonight went into the mystic." That'll do for me. DAY 2 - UK TOUR NOV '10

The November sun in Brighton from yesterday was dramatically replaced by some ferocious winds and waves this morning. Drive to north London today mean't a jaunt through the centre of the city. I'm not that used to this traffic intensity; Glenarm doesn't have a similar flow. Quick walk around Islington and in early evening over to Union Chapel, the venue for the gig. everyone who is aware of this gig had told me how great it was and walking in the doors of this church (built sometime in the 1800's) I could see what the fuss was about. Incredibly unique space for a gig. if these surroundings don't inspire a special performance then I don't know what will. Grabbed a some calamari from a Japenese restaurant from across the road - not bad and it only cost a few squid (ba boom ching).

Was finding it difficult to decide on a set list for tonight and it was unsettling me. About 5 minutes before going on stage something made me play a few chords of "Melodies of Midnight". Odd, as I haven't played this song solo for a long time, but for some reason tonight it was telling me to deliver it. So I opened the set with it and immediately I found the right mood for this evening and the set flowed great. This was one of the best feeling gigs I've had in a long time and to stand on that stage in Union Chapel is very very special indeed.

After the show one member of the audience came over to me and said "into the mystic." I wasn't sure what she mean't but thought she was referring to Van's song, so I replied saying 'yeah, it's a great song.' She came closer and said 'no. You. You tonight went into the mystic." That'll do for me.

]]> Fri, 12 Nov 2010 23:30:00 GMT 9E2CFA8D2A4DAD4FC25BF3C50FC0F1C2 Bumper Cars in Brighton http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=571841  DAY 1 - BRIGHTON (10 Nov 2010) Arrived in on the South coast of England early yesterday evening. Our hotel is on the sea front but in the dark the place where the sea should be is just a big black mass. So to awake this morning with the big blue staring back at me was reassuring. This is my first trip to Brighton but I’ve always had an image of it being the quintessential English seaside resort, with the pier and its arcades and chip shops. An early morning wander in the bright winter sun confirmed all that but I have to say it’s a much more attractive town than what I had conjured up in my head. Maybe in the midst of high summer tourist chaos it mightn’t be my cup of tea but today in the heart of November the sights and feel of Brighton won me over. I took a look at the bumper cars in the arcade on the pier and considered a ride on them. However being the only person there I thought that being the sole driver would just serve as an exercise in being passive aggressive. I stopped to get a drink on the beach and the guy who served me gathered that I was from Ireland. He continued to tell me about his mother’s boyfriend in the 1960s who was a cattle dealer from somewhere in the south of Ireland. For 15 minutes I heard tales of how the boyfriend imported cows from Dublin to Aberdeen over 50 years ago, and about how much of a cowboy business man he was.  You just never know what you hear when you order a smoothie on Brighton beach.  DAY 1 - BRIGHTON (10 Nov 2010)

Arrived in on the South coast of England early yesterday evening. Our hotel is on the sea front but in the dark the place where the sea should be is just a big black mass. So to awake this morning with the big blue staring back at me was reassuring. This is my first trip to Brighton but I’ve always had an image of it being the quintessential English seaside resort, with the pier and its arcades and chip shops. An early morning wander in the bright winter sun confirmed all that but I have to say it’s a much more attractive town than what I had conjured up in my head. Maybe in the midst of high summer tourist chaos it mightn’t be my cup of tea but today in the heart of November the sights and feel of Brighton won me over. I took a look at the bumper cars in the arcade on the pier and considered a ride on them. However being the only person there I thought that being the sole driver would just serve as an exercise in being passive aggressive.

I stopped to get a drink on the beach and the guy who served me gathered that I was from Ireland. He continued to tell me about his mother’s boyfriend in the 1960s who was a cattle dealer from somewhere in the south of Ireland. For 15 minutes I heard tales of how the boyfriend imported cows from Dublin to Aberdeen over 50 years ago, and about how much of a cowboy business man he was.  You just never know what you hear when you order a smoothie on Brighton beach.

]]> Thu, 11 Nov 2010 04:05:00 GMT FF608F07A220422681CFBB7F52A70082 In Transit http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=571828 Easterly gale blowing last night in Glenarm. November is well and truly here, and so too is my two week tour with the wonderful Mary Gauthier. In my opinion Mary is one the best singer/songwriter/artists of our times. She is my definition of a real and genuine artist - one who creates art and music that is brutally beautifully honest, who is always willing to reach as deep as one can, no matter how painful or difficult that process may be. I’m very honored to opening up these upcoming shows on her UK tour. Eleven gigs in twelve days lay ahead of us and I’m excited about performing towns in England, Scotland and Belgium that I haven’t visited before. Presently I am mid-air, somewhere over the Irish sea, on Aer Lingus flight 034 from Belfast to London. I’m meeting Mary and Tania at the car rental in Heathrow, picking up our tour chariot and then hitting the road for Brighton. No gig tonight. I’m guessing though that November isn’t going to invite us to catch some rays on Brighton Beach.

Easterly gale blowing last night in Glenarm. November is well and truly here, and so too is my two week tour with the wonderful Mary Gauthier. In my opinion Mary is one the best singer/songwriter/artists of our times. She is my definition of a real and genuine artist - one who creates art and music that is brutally beautifully honest, who is always willing to reach as deep as one can, no matter how painful or difficult that process may be. I’m very honored to opening up these upcoming shows on her UK tour. Eleven gigs in twelve days lay ahead of us and I’m excited about performing towns in England, Scotland and Belgium that I haven’t visited before.

Presently I am mid-air, somewhere over the Irish sea, on Aer Lingus flight 034 from Belfast to London. I’m meeting Mary and Tania at the car rental in Heathrow, picking up our tour chariot and then hitting the road for Brighton. No gig tonight. I’m guessing though that November isn’t going to invite us to catch some rays on Brighton Beach.

]]> Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:00:00 GMT CE409D659C53D0D387CE4401E71537C0 Another trans-Atlantic jaunt http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=455764  Spending the afternoon and evening with an old friend today - Newark airport. We’ve had our run ins in the past but today we’re getting on just fine. I’m in the midst of another jaunt across the Atlantic. Eastward this time. Spent the last five weeks in Nashville. The humidity in Tennessee at this time of the year is a killer, but I realised I was becoming a local after commenting that it felt cool when the temperature fell below 90 degrees. The muse was extremely generous and I extremely grateful as I fly back home with 12 new songs written. I have a real sense that all the songs for the new album have arrived. I will begin recording album number three in early December back in Mr. Lemons in Nashville town. I suspect the humidity will be a stranger to the atmosphere come then. There were many memories made these past five weeks. I shivered in the cold water of the Nantahala River in North Carolina during my first foray into white water rafting. Entering the river I felt confident I could handle what she had to throw at me as I had tackled rapids during my time in the canoe club in Glenarm River. However as the Nantahala threw herself around me and froze me to my bones in the Carolina heat I realised that there are rapids and there are rapids. Our cabin was in the heights of the Smoky Mountains which really is a beautiful place. Thankfully there were no encounters with the bears… Other special nights included a very special gig at the Loveless Barn as part of the Music City Roots radio show; the Americana Music Awards at the Ryman which I’ll remember for the Avett Brother performance and meeting an influence of mine, Lucinda Williams. See you in the festive season Nashville.  Spending the afternoon and evening with an old friend today - Newark airport. We’ve had our run ins in the past but today we’re getting on just fine. I’m in the midst of another jaunt across the Atlantic. Eastward this time. Spent the last five weeks in Nashville. The humidity in Tennessee at this time of the year is a killer, but I realised I was becoming a local after commenting that it felt cool when the temperature fell below 90 degrees. The muse was extremely generous and I extremely grateful as I fly back home with 12 new songs written. I have a real sense that all the songs for the new album have arrived. I will begin recording album number three in early December back in Mr. Lemons in Nashville town. I suspect the humidity will be a stranger to the atmosphere come then.

There were many memories made these past five weeks. I shivered in the cold water of the Nantahala River in North Carolina during my first foray into white water rafting. Entering the river I felt confident I could handle what she had to throw at me as I had tackled rapids during my time in the canoe club in Glenarm River. However as the Nantahala threw herself around me and froze me to my bones in the Carolina heat I realised that there are rapids and there are rapids. Our cabin was in the heights of the Smoky Mountains which really is a beautiful place. Thankfully there were no encounters with the bears…

Other special nights included a very special gig at the Loveless Barn as part of the Music City Roots radio show; the Americana Music Awards at the Ryman which I’ll remember for the Avett Brother performance and meeting an influence of mine, Lucinda Williams.

See you in the festive season Nashville.


]]> Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:05:00 GMT F43AC747AAF3FF6FF8C8C85EEA6D4066 I confess... http://benglover.co.uk/blog.cfm?feature=1401168&postid=271239 I really have to hold my hands up and admit to a very poor record of blog posts since November. Apologies. So, let’s move swiftly on and start afresh, no need to dwell on the ‘what not was done.’ It seems a far away world in which I was recording the events of the album recording in Mr. Lemons. May is here already. What? How?  “Through the noise, Through the night” has taken its first baby steps in this world. My present location is back at home in Glenarm. I spent March and April in Nashville. Took a spin down to New Orleans where I fell in love with the Big Easy. Felt the rain in the Garden of St Jude, saw the x’s on Marie Laveau’s tomb, developed a penchant for beignets and made a promise to get back there as soon as I can. I’ll be on the European side of the pond until August. I’m not sure where and how to start to filling in the gaps of missing blogs since my last entry, so I won’t. We’re right here, right now.  A few minutes ago I booked my ticket for the ferry from Larne to Scotland for my trip across at the end of May. I’m firing off emails to agents and bookers as I’m putting together shows for UK and Ireland for the rest of the year. Seem to be living in front a computer screen these days with my diary opened in front of me. Dot joining.

I really have to hold my hands up and admit to a very poor record of blog posts since November. Apologies. So, let’s move swiftly on and start afresh, no need to dwell on the ‘what not was done.’ It seems a far away world in which I was recording the events of the album recording in Mr. Lemons. May is here already. What? How?  “Through the noise, Through the night” has taken its first baby steps in this world. My present location is back at home in Glenarm. I spent March and April in Nashville. Took a spin down to New Orleans where I fell in love with the Big Easy. Felt the rain in the Garden of St Jude, saw the x’s on Marie Laveau’s tomb, developed a penchant for beignets and made a promise to get back there as soon as I can.

I’ll be on the European side of the pond until August. I’m not sure where and how to start to filling in the gaps of missing blogs since my last entry, so I won’t. We’re right here, right now.  A few minutes ago I booked my ticket for the ferry from Larne to Scotland for my trip across at the end of May. I’m firing off emails to agents and bookers as I’m putting together shows for UK and Ireland for the rest of the year. Seem to be living in front a computer screen these days with my diary opened in front of me. Dot joining.


]]> Wed, 05 May 2010 19:40:00 GMT 0B84EB390B560828F02BE30F72888B2D