LIFE THROUGH A LENS.

I just wanna take 10 short minutes to write something on here which I feel is important for everyone to know.

Over the last 7 or so years in this job I have met many many people who have all been (to my good fortune) fairly lovely. In other words, a joy to work with. But every now and then you run into the people who really go that little bit further than everyone else. In this case this entry is based around 6 guys from a small town in Wales who have become what I like to coin as ‘exceptional friends’. 

The support and belief these guys have given me over the last year has been really outstanding and overwhelming. They’ve entrusted me with two of their previous visual projects and now we’re embarking on our third. Working closely with people, filming them, you really do get a sense of who they are. But it’s not until you’ve put in some time that you get down into the depths and the realities come out. The realities in this case (from what I’ve seen) are a bunch of guys who work their asses off to bring their ideas to the world. They don’t just play music…… They’ll go 30 minutes over on a 45 minute signing to try and please some more faces from the never ending queue of admirers. They will stop and talk to you if you see them out. They’ll do their upmost to involve everyone in whatever they are doing. And above all they will put on a performance that rivals anyone. 

I found myself over the slam dunk weekend, totally blown away by the dedication they show towards their fans. In a lot of bands cases, the members are looking to break away and hit the VIP bar for drinks and hangs with many familiar faces. But these people stopped and gladly talked to fans with no urgency to get to the after-party. It’s a recognition of the people who buy records, come to shows and buy merch. It’s a thank you that is actually meant. 

As if that wasn’t enough, all their crew are just as awesome. I’ve not even really felt these vibes since back in the days of touring with the ghost of a thousand, but I feel like touring with these guys is for me a new ‘team’. Everyone together is focused on doing the absolute best to bring ‘entertainment’ to you on all forms possible. Even down to the recording albums, which has been largely done by a man who is the embodiment of ‘stay young forever’. Mr Jason Perry. 

I find that you know when you’ve been hanging/working with great people, because you feel a strange sadness when it comes time to pick up your bags and leave the room you’ve congregated in for the last time. I’ve had the privilege of listening to these guys make music that they are proud of. Music that they are confident all the fans will like. And whether someone likes it or not, is completely irrelevant to the fact that these guys are professionals at their job without taking it all too seriously.

That for me is the embodiment of my goals and I hope I can continue to advance in my career while doing that; staying young. After all, when the fun’s gone, what is there left? Creativity flows when you’re happy. It’s a never ending circle. Please support The Blackout, buy the new album when it comes out, hit up a show, grab a t-shirt. 

What’s more. Chase your dreams. Never give up. Stay young. And as a great man once said, stay foolish.

Wales, you’re alright x