2012.05.01 Tiki Black: Inspiration from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

When I was asked by Hilary Burage, from the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor foundation (sctf.org.uk) to write about how I came to know about the great Black British composer and how he impacted me both as a songwriter and as a person, I felt a bit startled. Up to then, the only way that I had expressed my feelings towards this artist has been by listening to a specific piece of his work over and over and over and over (and over...) again. I had eventually gone to the next level, buying other works by him and was so very pleasantly surprised that I actually love those to. Still it is not always as simple as loving someone's work. In this case, I had to reveal a few crooked sides of me to reveal the impact Coleridge-Taylor had had on my life. Eventually I did.

The article is now available on the foundation's website, as the front page feature at sctf.org. SCTF is "a Community Interest Company, which aims to promote the work of [the great Black British composer] Samuel Coleridge Taylor, and to encourage interest and involvement in classical music using his life and work as an example of excellence in achievement and in overcoming adversity." Check out the article and the website and if you can, make a donation. They are doing an amazing job!


http://sctf.org.uk/2012/05/01/tiki-black-inspiration-from-samuel-coleridge-taylor/

2012.04.14 Bowden and Williamson at the Kings Arms

Saturday 14th of April, I was booked to play with the Lazy Maybees at Blue Cat Cafe, Stockport and courtesy of a couple of cancellations, I ended up at the Kings Arms in Salford with the fabulous Bowden and Williamson band and the lovely music of Suzie Does It. The night had a great audience, blues and such afficionados who were so open to all the music on offer that it was a pleasure to play for them. At times, I believe Tim (of Suzie Does It) felt like me towards such unexpectedly reverent silence and listening, unsure whether it was just appreciation of the music or something else ;) But I believe the claps at the end just spoke for themselves.

Opening the show is something I have not done for a while. I like playing after 2-3 people ;) But I was filling in so I took the slot that was left. The main band of the night, Bowden and Williamson, were a great help with the setup and although things kept on failing or falling on us (lol), we eventually got something that everyone was happy about. Unfortunately, that also meant I only had a 30-minutes set but it happens. 7 songs later it was all over. I had prepared my usual set, Open your eyes, Free like smoke, Swollen, the 5th element, Out of the Black, Listen, Tenderness, Broken Wand, Powder Masks, but I had three others that I really wanted to play :( Next time hey ;) Keeping up the suspens...

Somehow I know I have seen and/or heard the name "Suzy Does It" before. Seeing their name on the list, I was quite excited, but was it that I knew their music or that someone whose opinion I respect praised them? I could not remember. All my questions found themselves discarded as the band (short of 2 members on the day) started playing. The music was putting everyone at ease, being unpretentious and easy to the ear. The harmonies were on the ball. Tim and Jo-Suzie served us a beautiful set of own songs (from their released EP) and covers and left us happier (well I definitely was) ;) All I could hear behind me were voices saying "they are really good". They bloody are.

I was introduced to the next band on Reverbnation through their song "(667,) Neighbour of the Beast". The atmosphere of that single song was enough to make me want to be part of the show. Listening to Bowden and Williamson feels like being taken a musical journey around the US east coast. There is no denying the blues-flavoured influence but I believe they have concocted their own style with lyrics to match ;) including the ingeniously titled "Jesus walks on water but I crawl on the wine". A lot of musician craft was on show: I refer you particularly to John (Williamson)'s solos. There was an opportunity to enjoy both their own material and covers such as "I heard it through the grapevine". The show would have concluded at 11pm if the crowd did not scream for more and more again. That says it all.

To add to the good news, I met the gorgeous Hannah, courtesy of Jim, the bassist in the night's main band. Hannah is from Nexus Art Café and spoke of music starting regularly again at the city centre café. I will definitely be part of this and I cannot wait. Oh, I almost forgot, she recognised me from playing at Nexus Art Café before (now that can only be a great thing since I have not been there for close to 3 years!).

By the way, thanks to Jo for uploading some photos of the show.

2010.07.16 The haunting Mello Mello crush (written in 2012)

I never told the full truth about what happened at Mello Mello that day (16th of July 2010). It is still haunting me and like the melody and lyrics of a song pushing to be birthed, it will until I get it out of the Black. I owe it to myself and to Korlan who encouraged me on the day and whose voice in my head has outlived her.

The show started later than expected which meant we started running out of time. So I decided to cut my bit shorter so the main artist of the night could play on time. I forgot about being selfish somehow. And not just for that. There was a guy there. Korlan, my beautiful musician friend who accompanied me that day, knew how I felt. I could not hide it from her. We spoke about it all night.

I don't think I have ever felt such a connection with a human being in so little time. I have this connection with my very few best friends but I learnt to know them first, appreciate them in good time. I was meeting this person for the first time after all and I had hardly spoken to him! I was struggling with myself: what if I was just grateful for playing there? What if the atmosphere of the place, everything about it made me feel so happy to be me, happy to be a performing songwriter that I was extending it to this person? The connection was so great that at some point, without any visible sign, I could tell he had a girlfriend. Korlan said to me: "So? They are not married!" and was annoyed that I did not go for it.

I kept on thinking, "Flirting at this show does not give a good first impression. I have to be professional.". So I distracted myself as best I could. Korlan entertained me the best. Although she was annoyed with my stupid life-choking principles, she was continually loving and supportive. She gave me a sip of the most horrid throat-scratcher of a whisky (I am not a fan of whisky, that's all) and I drank it. We talked about the future as usual and all the great things we would do. I enjoyed some great music from the other artists. Then I performed and lost myself in each song with the atmosphere definitely permitting.

Then I was back on my seat as the main artist we were supporting started playing some nice sounds. I started wondering some more. Is it this guy that I fell for or Mello Mello? I mean the place is a blast, I feel so in communion with myself. I feel so spiritually whole, like I am me here, I know me, I feel and I am.

It is difficult to regret because you know that you never have time to properly think when you are in the middle of a situation. In my case, it takes me days before I can really step out of myself and actually understand something that has happened. Anything that I might have said during and immediately after the situation, I would have loved to discard but they are there, imprinted in life and time. The truth is that my crush is real and his interest probably never went past the music. There are so many details that have made me think otherwise but then again it does not take much of a sign to ignite a human being's imagination.

I understand Korlan. She never got why people wasted opportunities. She knew how short life could be. I was more afraid of wasting a friendship or losing face by assuming that the feeling was mutual or by wrongly interpreting the signs. It is those fears that paralyse our lives and keep us still. It is those fears that engender regret. It is also those fears that activate our reasoning to try and bail us out of the guilt we are feeling by devising some excuses: "I can't do that to his girlfriend (even though I don't know her, she's a human being etc)", "he probably does not feel the same anyway" and of course "I am a professional performing songwriter". The latter brought me there and took me away from there.

There are more details I can give but I won't because it will definitely reveal the object of my crush and it is not fair on either of us. All that is left to do is write a song about it and hope it will exorcise the pain. Maybe that was the only possible outcome (that is beside a great time, great encounters, the opportunity to reconnect with myself and a nice review).

Sound checks at Mello Mello ;)

2012.05.13 First screening of my new Music Video for "Open your eyes"

The music video for my song Open your eyes is currently being edited having been filmed some weeks back. The fabulous Austin Brothers are promising an exceptional short movie so subscribe to http://www.youtube.com/tikiblacktunes and you will be notified as soon as it is available. The countdown begins. The video is going to be screened for the first time during the Hotchpotch Manchester in May and the brothers will answer any related questions. I will follow up with a 30 minutes performance ;) Click here to come and join us.

To whet your appetite, Kat Kynes, photographer extraordinaire, has taken some inspirational behind the scene shots. My favourite, in the words of the filmmakers, is "a cryptic behind-the-scenes still from our music video for 'Open Your Eyes' by Tiki Black." More photos can be seen in this slideshow.

Matt Austin, half of the filmmakers team, gives more salivating details in this interview filmed during the May Hotchpotch Manchester event during which the 2 first minutes of the video were being screened. Daniel Brotherton gets the filmmaker to tell it all about the whole story behind the veil before this video about at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBeKKjEmUfM

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel and/or on Vimeo profile and you will be able to view it first as soon as it is out ;) You can view more photos by Kat Kynes here..
The single for Open Your Eyes will also be digital released on iTunes and the other big 5s distribution company (Amazon...).

Open mics in and around Manchester in 2012

The first part of this year was dedicated to open mics.

Thirsty Scholar got my first choice. Tuesday Tony, the host, organises a great gathering of talents on Tuesdays. The venue really reflects its name and Tony makes the experience rewarding for his dedication. It was a great gig but and I had the opportunity to meet Edwin Miles (looovvee "I gotta say"), Alex Carrington (totally dig "Bones", Raven and The Lyon and Alex Chow (give him a guitar and sit back). I know the venue can be noisy but somehow it gave it a sense of cosiness and comfort; obviously it does help to have a great host.
Tuesday Tony Presents... The Best Live Music in Manchester (on a Tuesday) Thirsty Scholar (Yes, the best live music in Manchester)

Blue Cat Café is a lovely venue located in Stockport. That Monday night, something was brewing around my vocal chords. But still I went for it, the aim being to never have to cancel any gig (all tied with the right to be hopeful ;)). Danny, the host, clearly loves music and looks after his guests. So I got lemon in a hot drink and some cloves. Krazy Horse opened the night with energy and great music served on the bed of his experience as a long-time touring artist, living La Bohème ;). Edwin Miles was there, accompanied on the cajon by Camille, who mastered the instrument both with his foot that he dragged onto the drum skin and his hands, both rythming the whole affair. Another great performance from the "I've gotta say" Bahrain&Saudi-Arabia bred British singer-songwriter. In between these two great talents, I squeezed 4 songs (a bit of a cheat in a night that takes 3 songs per artists but I was expressely al lowed, so thanks for that, Danny ;)) The Blue Cat Café has a great audience of music lovers. Among them was Jill to whom I dedicated The fifth element, who came out of her own busy musician schedule to hear me sing that night. I sang Open your eyes, free like smoke, and introducerd Out of the Black as the title track of the forthcoming album, and really enjoyed the positive vibe.
Blue Cat Cafe, Stockport, Mondays, Artists/Bands looking for gigs at Blue Cat Cafe email danny@bluecatcafe.co.uk and send CDs/publicity material to 17 Shaw Rd, Stockport, SK4 4AG.

The B Lounge is an elegant venue on Piccadilly approach that welcome me a few days before Valentine's day dressed in red hearts on its Thursday open mic. I suppose that was the beginning of my intimidation. Then the two first bands seem to meet everyone expectations, playing folk covers and bringing quite some cheers to my and people's hearts around. How were my songs ever going to fit in this context? I started hesitating, sweating inside. The n, the audience thinned as the bulk of the expected artists had not arrived. Eventually my turn had to come and I sang. I was in too much doubt to sing my soul out as I cut 'open your eyes' before the end, karaoke'd 'free like smoke' if ever possible, left some notes out of 'powder masks'. I should never have put myself in this state... I sang 'tenderness' then ended wiI th 'out of the black'. I have never felt so out of myself before. The other musicians arrived and it was a totally different atmosphere. They came as a group and all sang their own songs cheered by their friends. I wonder why I felt so out of place that day. I have to go back there and show them what my music is made of...
Open Mic at the B Lounge, Thursday 10pm contact Joshua

I have yet to attend a Wednesday, a Friday, a Saturday or a Sunday open mic. But two Wednesfay have come to my attention: Open mic @ Escape, Chorlton and ‎Open Mic at LassO'Gowrie- Message them on Facebook. I would love to attend the Sunday Open mic at the Trof. - By the way we miss Nexus Art Cafe a wonderful monthly Acoustic music session hosted by Carl Stevens, where I played my first ever gig. Carl, where art thou??

Find an Open Mic is a place to find or advertise open mics, see their website and Facebook
http://www.findanopenmic.com/profiles/blogs/the-moorfield-open-mic-night-sale-manchester

2011.06.18 Calypso Caribbean Restaurant, Blackburn

Somehow I got slightly lost on my way to the Calypso caribbean restaurant. I stubbornly hang on to the idea that (a touring artist's) life without a sat nav is totally possible. Thankfully all the signs led to my destination: the beautiful aroma inviting you in, the memorable logo... and before I knew it, I was inside Dave's Calypso.

Fast forward. I was in Calypso for about 4 hours during which I witnessed an ever-piling number of customers. How does Dave do it? Is it his trust in his dedicated staff? Is it the atmosphere that he has managed to create, that is the atmosphere of the fun quarters of an extended family? Is it the fact that when you arrive, he makes you part of the Calypso experience whatever your difference?


Anyway, before I knew it, it was time for my first set. Dave introduced me. On a beauty of an old grand piano, I played some notes and with Oye, I opened a series of songs. I did not speak once. That is unlike me! ;) But coming after the continuous music of the previous mixed tape, I think I felt the need of just singing on, leaving no more than the 5 seconds to separate songs. I did not even stop for a 'thank you' except at the very end of my set as I realised I was entering the 45th minute.


I stayed seated in the corner behind the piano as if hiding. I like to think of it as my opportunity to observe. From there, I could see the customers enjoying themselves, the staff hard at work (not showing any opportunity of getting a break), and the stream by which the restaurant stood, the lights and other effects, the different pockets of life in this amazing space, looking almost like they were created to host the very people in it.... Simple and beautiful. Teasing aromas passed by many times, in fact there seemed to be no other way :)

The second set passed as quickly. I went through another set of songs without even really realising. I felt a bit weird singing "Listen" at some point as it seemed to be pleading with the public. I suppose I never wrote it with that purpose and I never envisage where I was going to perform it. It is just one of those songs which seem weird in a different context. Sensing the end, I felt the need to extend into the DJ's time and end with another little bit of "Tenderness", and so I did.

It is strange how drained I normally feel after a gig. But there and then, I felt I could give more. Maybe it was the atmosphere, the opportunity, the day, I am not sure. I have never done two sets before so it could be the sense it gives you of having the opportunity to give some more... The second set was so different, I felt. I spoke between songs and I mumbled some thanks to the public. There was a strangeness to it, associated to its newness, I gather.

Anyway, I came out grateful for people like Dave and his customers who give their time and their enthusiasm to music among their many interests and (clearly) capacities. I was especially grateful to those who came specially because I was playing and for their kind words; that makes it all worth it at the end of the day. I had a memorable time gigging there. I am grateful for the food that I had the opportunity to sample ;). Dave, you really got me right there!

2011.05.05 Hungry Horse Folk Club 05 May 2011

Going ahead with my "80 gigs around the UK", I stopped at the Hungry Horse Folk Club on the 5th of May 2011, arriving there at about ten to eight. John, the founder of one of the best folk club I have seen around has managed to gather talent of all ages, sub-genres (within Folk), all experience levels in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere on the first floor of the Rake Pub in Cheshire. It was the night for each and every singer/musician and storyteller who could make it. The voices, the melodies, the atmosphere, the less known songs, the popular songs all contributed to make that evening special, unique for me. As we gathered round the tables to make a virtual round table, it seemed we had vouched to enjoy ourselves and entertain each other. Two brilliant guitarists and melody makers started one after the other, setting the scene and reaffirming the general atmosphere of sharing and enjoying.

Then I had to perform. I must say I was intimidated. The format was unusual. Also, I normally have my list of songs in a certain order but after hearing those two and knowing the format, I had to quickly rework a new order as it were ;) So I sang Out of the Black. I did not introduce it as my first album's title track because that statement would not have fitted the format. It would have made it about me even about my music and this gathering invited us to music (in general), enjoyment. What a great way of reminding me of that important perspective. I sang two verses and sang them again. I did not add the bridge in order to maintain one same tune throughout, which I felt in the two previous songs made it welcoming to the rest, helping them to partake. Brilliant. The verses in Out of the Black are rich enough anyway.

At my next turn, I performed Tenderness to balance the apparent sadness of Out of the Black (especially since I had removed the bridge which contains touches of hope). Tenderness is short and sweet and that is why I liked to perform it. It is also a waltz so that makes a clear change from my previous performance. The clapping was amazing, encouraging, and although equal to everyone else after each performance, was no less honest. It was clear each time that there was something particular that made them and myself where appropriate (i.e. for everyone else but me, lol) applaude: the wit at times, the comedy, the musicality, the memory, the thought, all these were as many entertainment forms and as many reasons I personally found to applaude.

After me, was a storyteller. I have heard one before during my gigs, a lady with a harp, a voice and scottish accent that used as efficiently together contribute to take you away on the magical trip of her making. This was different. You could not escape. You had to listen and almost hold your breath because you had to know what the next bit was. You had to hear every bit of the journey he told until you burst out the breath that you held during his story for its unexpected and hilarious ending. Then, there was the man who, with his couple of string instruments joined in most songs but now was giving us his version of enjoyment.

Somewhere in the midst all these musicians where the audience. They were very much part of the experience, being encouraged (not forced) to participate if they felt like it. A couple of men did, one citing a beautiful poem of his making and the other one completing the next attempt of a poem with a joke that reminded me that we were among friends. John the organiser with his mature and agreeable voice backed by two ladies one through beautiful harmonies the other with a nice beat; An Irish lady sang Ireland (and later Scotland) acapella making feel like either of them could me my homeland so much the song called me back 'home'.

The atmosphere lightened up when the next performer took stage as it were, performing wittingly funny songs, not before having introduced them in an even funnier way; he had me laugh at the same time as I had to control the noise I made for fear I might miss any bit of his beautiful melodies. Next to him was a man who, changing the atmosphere from comedy to relative sadness could have been in danger of losiong the audience. But the depth of his singing took everyone right through to where he needed us to be and we sang with him.

John had warned me that going in circle like that would mean that I would play a couple of times. So I was surprised when towards the end he requested that I sang again, having come the furthest for this. I did not expect to sing a third time. So I thought quickly. And of all the songs I could have played, I am still amazed that I chose Free Like Smoke. This is the first time that I go to a gig and I don't play Open your eyes, not even on this last occasion. But that one I played my heart out to say thank you for their welcoming me. But when I finished I still felt like saying thank you again, so I did.

A cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" ("Don't know what you've got till it's gone") was the perfect closure to the circle and to the day. The good thing about this is that I did enjoy every bit of it while it lasted and I know where to go to get some more, and from what I understand they will be happy to have me again. I told you they were nice ;)