Another beautiful video, shot and edited by Chris Mannell, featuring B-side Seaside from the debut Frootful LP, and some nice sliding by Sam (from the forthcoming movie, Skimming the Surface). Playing the low notes on this track, by the way, is none other than Damon Minchella, who it is rumoured might replace Mani as Primal Scream’s [...]
A few shots of our gig at Miss Peapods while on tour last month by Maf. Thanks to everyone who came along to any of the shows – shame a couple of the dates were cancelled; especially the London show, cancelled last minute due to a power failure on the whole of New Oxford Street [...]
Out today on Freestyle Records, the new single features a reworking of Slowtime, the album track Latin Strut, plus a remix of Slowtime by Lack of Afro. Available as a 12-inch and digital download, Freestyle have a bundle offer here. There are also 45 limited edition copies, with a sleeve screenprinted by hand (pictured above), available with [...]
The Frootful Art Ensemble is now in full effect, with some exhibitions and live dates over the next couple of months. I picked up some limited edition tour posters while up in London, with designs from myself, Bobby Telegramme and Millie Marotta; all beautifully hand screenprinted by Loligo at OPEN. The prints currently feature in the [...]
Out today, This Time is the new album from Freestyle label mate, producer of the debut Frootful LP, and all round talented amigo, Adam Gibbons (aka Lack of Afro). The album is surely his finest and most diverse yet, with a wide range of guesting vocalists, including Angeline Morrison (who also features on the Frootful [...]
The flyers I did for The Vine‘s third birthday party are back from print. Looking forward to this one – a 50s themed night with bowling and music from myself and Myles. Been digging out all sorts of old R&B, doo-wop and rock n roll for the occasion. Can’t wait! More recent flyers can be [...]
Just got these photos through from our performance at Port Eliot in July, with thanks to Angeline and Maf. Love the backstage atmosphere captured here – you can check out more of Maf’s photography work by going to mafphew.com
Love this video from The Colman Brothers – the track being a tribute to the masters of the soundtrack genre. If you happen to be driving through the streets of San Francisco, Paris or Rome in a vintage ride, make sure you have this playing. Check out their self-titled album out now on Wah Wah [...]
BIG thanks go to James Parry, for organising and running the first Hip Wiggler Invitational – an event showcasing traditional longboarding on single fin logs here in the UK. Team Empire were humbled to be among the 16 participants, with a couple of invites for Alex and myself. The early rounds were held in some [...]
Got a little snappy happy with all the vintage surfboard logos basking in the sun at the surf meet the other day, so here’s a little selection. There was a great turnout, and the waves even turned on too. Thanks to Al and Sean for organising the event, and also Gavin for screenprinting the poster. [...]
Hot off the press, KooK (issue deux) from Dan and Alex is an independent surfing newspaper with almost 90 global contributors, including a few amigos from the UK. Look out for my illustration accompanying an extract from Sam Bleakley‘s book, Jimmy Bodean‘s shots from our Hebrides trip, Myles‘s quiver, and ‘Rad Nickford’ holding a fine [...]
Seem to have been doing a lot of flyers recently – here’s another one, this time for an event organised by Al. Expect possibly the largest collection of vintage surfboards amassed in one place in the UK ever..!
I shall be guesting with The Ambassadors of Sorrow this weekend for the launch of their new LP, There Is No Ending (artwork by yours truly) and playing a few sides to warm up the show. Please come along if you can make it…
Bit of a random one, but The Frootful Art Ensemble were invited to play at the Homebase Cornish Memories Garden during the celebrity packed Chelsea Flower Show press day. We didn’t make it onto any BBC coverage, but I did catch HRH The Queen saying this. Don’t say she didn’t, if you click on the [...]
I did this tee design for Ubiquity Records in California, purveyors of the finest vinyl releases and clothing their side of the pond. Rather than accept the usual fee, I opted for store credit instead, and look what the postman delivered the other day. Definitely a good way to do business..!
I was interviewed by Portugese radio show, Magia Negra recently; talking about the making of the album and future plans. Thanks to João for the call! Check out the show here, and download the mix I did for them here
Some great shots of The Alleycat gig a couple of weeks ago by Christine Indigo. There’s more on facebook here
BIG thank you to everyone who came to the album launch shows last weekend, at The Alleycat in London, and Miss Peapods in Penryn. We had a great turnout for both gigs, filling each venue to capacity. Thanks also to the band who did me proud! Pictured above outside The Alleycat (with Regent Sounds Studio [...]
So the album launch is all set for the 15th April at The Alleycat club on Denmark St (W1), with another show in the homeland at Miss Peapods on the 17th. Featuring The Frootful Art Ensemble (the live 6-piece band, with accompanying limited edition prints by selected artists) Freestyle DJs, plus albums & artwork for [...]
The debut album is out today! Produced by Adam Gibbons (Lack of Afro Productions), this is a recording project of my own material (with a few collaborations), written over the past few years. The album is entitled, Colours – taking in a soundscape of moods & grooves inspired by 60s soul, jazz, R&B, latin, & [...]
The concept behind the Frootful Five a Day is simple: good music and art is essential for your general well being, and I advise everyone to indulge themselves in one of the aforementioned at least 5 times a day. So I intend to turn you good people on to the finest in music, illustration, and [...]
The debut single is out today! Available from all good record shops, online at Kudos, Juno, or…
So this will be the live 6-piece band, touring in March and April to promote the debut Frootful LP and single. For more info hit this link, or for bookings please contact aaron@offcentreagency.com. And in other news, the single has been well received, with some nice comments from Blues and Soul magazine and ModCulture. It [...]
Came across this blog of old LP artwork thanks to a-side. Some really nice use of colour and geometric forms. Inspiring stuff. Check out the stereo stack site too…
My shaper (and now good friend) Steve Croft has come up with this 4 fin bonzer shape – combining elements from some of my favourite board designs, I want one! Steve is working on some really interesting shapes right now; it’s always encouraging when your shaper happens to be a good surfer, and believe me, [...]
I want this record. Sure, I have it on a compilation, but there’s nothing quite like the original. Trouble is, you can get yourself a pretty decent guitar or surfboard for the price you’d be expecting to pay for the original, and there’s something not quite right about that. Someday…
Happy New Year – here’s to some good times for 2011. Had our first ever white Christmas at home, with a borrowed snowboard, sledges, snowmen, then a solid week of swell and the right winds, it was a good’n alright. Here’s the niece and nephew with the first of the snowman family.
So this is what I came up with for the album and single artwork (well, the album at any rate; the single is a nod to the old Brunswick 45 labels) – a basic concept with the overlapping colours representing the mix of influences the music itself is comprised of. Sort of an analogy there [...]