Goodness fucking gracious, my life is incredible. As my last bout of updates briefly dove into, its occasionally overwhelming being here. So much I want to accomplish and a limited amount of time to get it all done. But I've been over the moon as of late, taking care to be extra appreciative of my current predicament. I've gotten everything I hoped for, and then some! I suppose in some ways I've become so used to the way my life is, that I forget how far I've actually come. Something clicked in me yesterday. I was walking up a flight of stairs, swiftly turned, caught something out of the corner of my eye, and wham! I realised every little aspect of my life is something I didn't have before, and that I wanted so very deeply. Now here it all is... And I am beyond indebted to a few that have made it utterly possible. As I said, my life is incredible, and I'm steadily having phenomenal experiences and fostering magnificent acquaintances. I'm getting to see life from such an interesting and unique perspective. I'm surrounded by people who are far from my peers, which takes on an otherworldly quality. I'm certainly not having typical experiences. I wish I could say it seemed odd or unusual, or that I struggle to behave properly, but I really feel remarkably... comfortable. Secure, not always, but comfortable, yes. I'm just... happy. And so very content. Also knowing that every step further that I take is because of my own hard work and my own merit feels inexplicably WONDERFUL. I have one foot in the door and I am clawing my way to the other side. As I said before, sometimes I wonder how I'll do it all, but so frequently I'm overcome with this resounding sense that everything will work out. And I believe it, and I'm instantly put at ease. It will all work out because it has to and I'll relentlessly keep going until it does. And yet, in some many ways, it already has. This is what I need to remember in times of distress. I just need to remember that the harder a goal is to obtain, the greater the reward. Its a matter of not being put off by the struggles and defiantly truck through them. And I damn well will. I've already gotten so much that I aspired toward. In a way, I've gotten everything I wanted. I just want it all to last and continue forever. That's the fire beneath me at the moment.
A vital part of all of this is coming into the fold at Mojo magazine. Within days of arriving in the office, I was sent out to interview the charmingly well-trained Sir Cliff Richard, the erratic yet professional David Gest and the very soft-spoken Lamont Dozier. The unlikely trio were promoting Cliff's as yet unrecorded soul album, executive produced by David, including songs written by Lamont. I watched as the media frenzy unfolded, including David Gest placing his hand firmly upon a television host's head, and proclaiming that he was going to 'save' him, in proper religious grandeur. He then launched into a rant, with the word 'circumcision' thrown in for good measure. If nothing else, you can say that David Gest knows how to play the game. As I waited for the gang to be assembled for our interview, I sat next to the genuinely dazzling Freda Payne. (Pushing seventy and is an utter babe.) As David Gest approached, he took Freda's phone from her, as she spoke to her boyfriend. They laughingly caught up, as David made jokes regarding Freda's breasts (again, utter babe) and passed him on to Lamont, "one of the few men in this business Freda hasn't slept with." Soon after, I was sandwiched into a booth, with Cliff to my left and David's lavish fur-lined coat brushing against my right. Cliff oozed professionalism, speaking calmly and attentively answering every question. When I asked if he ever thought himself to be a rebel, he replied humbly, "I just love to sing." I said to him, "But you were too sexy for television!" He swiftly reminded me, "I still am!" As David commented on Cliff's soulfulness, Cliff quietly began singing. So yes, add 'Being serenaded by Cliff Richard' as another experience I've had. Lamont Dozier was immensely quiet, and I took care to tell him so! I must admit, of all of them, I was most in awe of Mr. Dozier. He has penned endless classics, which hold a great deal of resonance to me. I enjoyed such a generally bizarre encounter, and can assure you that whatever they whip up will be... interesting, at the very least.
Mojo 210 with the Ramones on the cover. New issue out this week. Kate Bush on the cover in the UK, Black Keys in the US. My slave work is deeply engrained in both issues and I encourage you to go pick them up!
Life at Mojo continued including me learning everything you could ever possibly want to know about the Black Keys, being exposed to new music by the minute, discovering shopping-while-on-lunch-break (a dangerous feat when you work in Covent Garden!), spontaneously buying cupcakes for the entire office (possibly prompted by free champagne on my lunch break...), and becoming endowed with New Order knowledge on a similar Black Keys level. I've swindled my way into the very fortunate position of seeing a magazine take shape each month and witnessing every tiny detail that goes into it. I've become involved in the process and there is honestly no better spot for me. In an office, littered with salt and pepper hair, teeming with knowledge, and oh I just want to soak it all up. The most sensational people have entered my life in the last four months and I just never want to leave.
Most recently, I had the great pleasure of covering an informal gathering of the FAC, that being the "Featured Artist Coalition". I was introduced to the very friendly and attentive Dave Rowntree of Blur, with whom I chatted for quite a while. Propped on a spacious balcony off Tottenham Court Rd, He eagerly answered every inquiry and we had quite the laugh, giggling about a mutual friend. Dave introduced me to Nick Mason, of Pink Floyd, of course. I must say, I was quite jazzed at the prospect of meeting Mr. Mason. He did a proper job of appeasing me, then fled off into the night! Next up was Sandie Shaw, towering in her magnificent high heels, legs bared. A bit shaky at first, even apologising to me, as she nursed a plastic cup of wine. Following the conclusion of our interview, Sandie petted my fur coat. She purred, "Is this real mink? You're so cute. I was cute once. I'm not now, but you are. Have you met Ed? You must met Ed! He's absolutely gorgeous!" Ed, of course, being Ed O'Brien of Radiohead. Sandie quickly grabbed me by the hand and we swanned inside to meet 'gorgeous' Ed. Ed was polite, chatty and utterly charming. He apologised for being 'talked out' and still fulfilled my every request. A lovely gent and a lovely night.
Also, my glorious friend Brian Wheat, the manliest looking one in the above photo, has a new song out and an album to follow! Known predominately as the bass player in Tesla, Brian also slinks around on bass with his other group, Soulmotor. Below is the video for their number, Down in Mexico. The Coasters, they are not, but sensuous no less!
