tag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:/blogs/latest-news?p=2Blog2023-07-01T16:57:07+01:00The Uplifterfalsetag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/72356032023-07-01T16:57:07+01:002023-10-16T15:49:41+01:00Riverbed Single and Music Video Launch event…<h2><span style="color:#24a9ae;">These are two very special people in my life. 3 years ago my brother Jake, my producer Rory and myself set out to create 'Rivebed'. Last night we stood together alongside hundreds of other people mid-gig to watch RIverbed being projected up onto a cinema screen. It was a really f**ing special moment... And what's more the crowd were rocking to the tune, making our hearts feel full ❤️ x</span></h2><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/196866/e05ebaeb4ccdfa33b5a3c466bd5966838faf0934/original/the-uplifter-riverbed-music-video-launch.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/69906842022-06-10T02:02:46+01:002023-01-08T04:29:59+00:00Vinyl swapping in the Swiss mountains 🇨🇭⛰️<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/13adf8020daf0467afd49b49d1d481a9262241db/original/the-uplifter-switzerland-tokiboun-in-dub-2022.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>As my recent travels through Europe unfurled in front of my bug-splattered van floating along the impeccable roads of France and Switzerland, as did many new friendships and heartfelt human connections.</p>
<p>I love the gigs, wholeheartedly, but what might be just as dear to me whilst on the road is broadening an ever expanding community, tribe, clan, whatever you might call it. </p>
<p>I received a vinyl order from Switzerland just days before embarking on my journey... I'm all about packing and sending vinyl orders... But if I can deliver merch in-person, I am there! Laurent (aka <a contents="Tokiboun In Dub" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://tokiboun.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Tokiboun In Dub</a>) and I arranged to meet meet outside a very busy train station and had no idea what each other looked like - but as soon as I arrived we spotted each other, smiled across the crowded street and drove together into the peaceful mountains, drank coffee, ate pastries, met his friends and family and stayed on a farm deep in the countryside with 6 horses, too many sheep to count and a serene quietness during the evenings. </p>
<p>And so, a vinyl exchange was made in the shadows of the Swiss mountains.</p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/68179882021-11-22T17:57:43+00:002022-02-15T12:24:34+00:00The Uplifter Blog : 2021... Shows are happening once again 🙌🏻<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/e6f2c2eb04dc89776c59699b5ed17d664168a9cb/original/the-uplifter-live-2021.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" />There's been an omnipresent collectively shared catharsis and fierce intensity between both myself and the crowd in recent shows... Coupled with the fear that I might get squashed on stage 😄 It's made me jump that bit higher, hit the drums harder, push the bass lines further… We’ve all patiently waited so long and now the thirst of dancing together is finally being quenched… and it’s led to some WILD shows 🔥 </p>
<p>To all who have joined me and shared this celebration of live music being present in our lives once again (and anyone who hasn’t), I love you ♥️ </p>
<p>(To the guy who was so close to my drum kit that one of my cymbals uppercut him in the face, I’m sorry - I was relieved to see it made you laugh rather than need surgery 🥁😄)</p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/55085102018-11-11T17:28:50+00:002022-03-16T09:26:01+00:00The Uplifter Blog : Soho Radio London Interview...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/8600d939b2d37469e9d0c3f67f7de7e6a9f0b288/original/the-uplifter-thea-stallwood-inspired-by-soho-radio-london-jpg.jpg" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Autumn is upon us and I have just returned from London after being invited by artist and filmmaker <a contents="Thea Stallwood" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://theastallwood.com" target="_blank">Thea Stallwood</a> to join her in the studio to talk on <a contents="Soho Radio London" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.sohoradiolondon.com/presenters/inspired-by/" target="_blank">Soho Radio London</a>. >><a contents="Listen here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/inspired-by-04112018/" target="_blank">Listen here</a><<</p>
<p>Rather than write about it, I'll let the <a contents="interview do the talking " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/inspired-by-04112018" target="_blank">interview do the talking</a>.</p>
<p>https://www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/inspired-by-04112018 <br>http://www.sohoradiolondon.com/presenters/inspired-by</p>
<p>http://www.theastallwood.com</p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/50268222018-01-17T11:59:46+00:002021-08-16T09:58:49+01:00The Uplifter Blog : Vinyl + Music Video Launch - Won't forget that in a hurry.<h2><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/46143f5cd1ce2ddee49c9adf8c4491e4cd42e785/large/the-uplifter-stroud-brunel-goods-shed-stroud-vinyl-music-video-launch-instagram.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></h2>
<h2>January 2018 saw my first fully-self-produced 10" <a contents="Vinyl" data-link-label="Shop" data-link-type="page" href="/shop" target="_blank">Vinyl</a> come to fruition, alongside a <a contents="Music Video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/zrt3SgKDnQM" target="_blank">Music Video</a> created by <a contents="Jake Earwaker Films" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jakeearwaker.co.uk" target="_blank">Jake Earwaker Films</a>. </h2>
<p>It's been a long journey from start to finish with this project, as well as an exciting embarkment into new territories - the learning curve in the studio has been near-vertical. For years I relied on friends to record alongside in the studio and eventually came to realise that the only way to get things done, quicker, and more creatively is to do it myself. The DIY approach is where my roots stem from - the days of being in a punk rock band in my teens, recording albums on a four track in our parents' houses. </p>
<p>It's a liberating feeling to soley produce something from start to finish. To write, perform, record everything and press it to vinyl. What took the 'Stroud' vinyl project to another level for me was creating a music video alongside my brother. He's really doing well in the filming world and I was so happy that we got time to make something together and just hang out. We visited Stroud on two occasions to shoot the music video - in parts of the Cotswolds in and around Stroud. Minchinhampton, Roborough, Nailsworth, Horsely and other areas.</p>
<p>Jake and I had a lot fun making <a contents="this video&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/zrt3SgKDnQM">this video</a>. It was new territory for both of us. I've never sung (and jumped around!) in front if a camera lens before. </p>
<p>The Vinyl + Music Video launch at The Brunel Goods Shed in Stroud was incomprehensibly successful. The place is huge and it was packed. </p>
<p>I will never forget, standing behind the merch table with my brother, watching our music video being projected onto a giant cinema screen. It was a fierce feeling, I'm not sure I've ever felt before. </p>
<p>To all you crowdfunders... What would I have done without you? You made the experience of self-publishing a record and music video an even more enjoyable experience - my greatest joy was packing each vinyl, writing individual nots to each of you and bubble-wrapping toy dinosaurs with each order. </p>
<p>Thank you, to each and every one of the people in the image below who helped make this project happen. </p>
<p>With love, </p>
<p>Tom x</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/250d1404882d635a2a9b4f08344747063e0a7a6a/large/the-uplifter-vinyl-crowdfunding-thank-you-contributors-2mb.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/46589402017-05-16T12:28:57+01:002022-05-19T08:32:48+01:00The Uplifter Blog : Up on the Roof...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/e9971a8e7a74c8bbcf1e16f19312fde957d7a8a3/large/uplifter-the-uplifter-home-flag-up-on-the-roof.jpg?1494933844" class="size_xl justify_center border_" />Some people get kicks out of walking up mountains, feel tranquil in nature, feeling the grass beneath their feet... I, on the other hand feel all of those when on the top floor of a multi-storey carpark with a skateboard, my CD Walkman and flat, smooth concrete beneath my feet. I made a video about it a while ago which I will upload in the near future. The photograph above is a screenshot from the video. <br><br>Each to their own :)<br><br>In the meanwhile, have a listen to this tune - Sums up my feelings entirely:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="b_ksNvivbEI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/b_ksNvivbEI/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b_ksNvivbEI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="800" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br> </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/46589392017-05-12T13:15:45+01:002022-04-27T11:07:49+01:00The Uplifter Blog : - Helping my brother make a short film...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/56a50c91410f43d59ada0792714faa15e78d28f0/large/uplifter-the-uplifter-bulldoze-short-film-still.jpg?1491467001" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br>For months leading up to February 2017, all my brother Jake could think about was making a film that he has written and directed for a university project. This film is called 'Bulldoze' and is about young man's battle with anxiety and depression which manifests itself through the guise of a puppet. A puppet which is part of a collection of hand crafted creations by a good friend of mine, <a contents="Jonathan Leach" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.phosphorart.com/jonathan-leach/">Jonathan Leach</a> who is a very talented illustrator, costume maker, puppeteer and all round lovely guy.<br><br>The video is in production at present and will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, you can see the trailer here - https://youtu.be/nj28bYhBLzM<br><br>You can support Jake and his team's project here - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bulldoze-a-short-film-depression<br><br>Here is everyone involved in the project:<br><br>Left to right: Sam, Jake, Bob, Jon, Bob, Connor, Angus, Vasilia and yours truly. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/8a7f10d21b168929f12f490a974a701858289f4e/large/uplifter-the-uplifter-bulldoze-film-crew.jpg?1491406290" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br>Now the filming is over, Jake seems to be relieved as well as very happy with how the production went. Now, it's up to me to write a score to the short film and attempt to capture the atmosphere of the piece - I'm well up for it!<br><br>Jake has recently just secured a job over the summer at <a contents="Pinewood Studios" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk" target="_blank">Pinewood Studios</a>, pretty much the central nucleus of Britain's film industry. I'm proud of my brother. <br><br>Here's a screenshot of the trailer with Jake's cameo appearance on the left of one of Jon's puppets (Click the image below to watch the trailer)...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/da05da81762de9dc18c51e6ca6fb89059a391035/large/uplifter-the-uplifter-bulldoze-short-film-jake-puppet.jpg?1491467242" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br><br> </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/45739242017-02-02T21:44:57+00:002020-01-21T09:00:41+00:00The Uplifter Blog : Birthdays, Blue Pasta & Brush Factories...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/67a6b01215d23285dd16ce570c0c9a62345d1192/large/the-uplifter-light-blue-pasta.jpg?1486065648" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br>Before you ask, yes... That pasta did make a mess of my snare drum! January... What can I say about January... It kicked of with a sold out Uplifter show at <a contents="SVA in Stroud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmPqXGNjAiI">SVA in Stroud</a>. I really don't know how to thank the people of Stroud for the amount they support these show - I think I'm going to write a song for them. It feels like the only way to be able to genuinely show my appreciation for how much they have backed The Uplifter and attended countless shows for nearly 10 years. <br><br>January is the month of my birthday so it tends to be strung out for as long as I can, using it as an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. 'Why is there a photo in this blog of your family and friends, what does it have to do with music?' you may be wondering. Well, it's because each and every one of the people in the photo below have supported me in some way along the lines and in-turn been part of the fabric of The Uplifter. At the end of the day, when you first start out and as the years go by who is the foundation of any artist? I believe it is<strong> family and friends...</strong><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/ee615d3f9f4bf4b8dd13ba838a27b1ca3c15d090/large/uplifter-birthday.jpg?1486068783" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br>The Uplifter, to me, is not just a job, or solely a creative output, nor a just a means of making a living. It has in many ways been the gateway and source of <em>much</em> happiness and shared moments with friends and loved ones. It's also been a source of making friends along the way. Some of the biggest -how can I say it- most influential nights in the making of me have been when performing as The Uplifter - Moments where I really felt, 'this is what I should be doing, this feels more than right'. My <em>calling</em> as it were. It took a lot of soul-searching and asking some of these people for their thoughts about what they thought I should do with my time on this earth... In the end it kind of came to be organically, and then in my mid twenties I made the decision to jump two feet first into pursuing a career in music and resisting the road of a 9-5 job.<br><br>I don't in any way condone 9-5 jobs, in fact some of the happiest people I've met have had steady 9-5s. I worked in a factory run by two of the nicest guys, Rob and Alan. I worked at their brush factory making paint brushes (<a contents="one of the longest running factories hand crafting brushes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://spitalfieldslife.com/2012/03/19/labour-wait-field-trip-1-r-russell-brush-makers/">one of the longest running factories hand crafting brushes</a> in Britain) for 7 months to save for a 6 month travelling trip. I worked alongside a woman called Joan. She had been sat at the same table, with the same tools, looking out the same window for 35 years... but the more time I spent in her company, the more I realised how happy she was - it was the consistency of all of these factors as well as the familiar faces that played a huge role in her happiness... Then it clicked. *Whatever makes you happy and makes you tick... DO IT! No matter what it is* I first looked at Joan in the first week of working there and was thinking, 'why has this woman been here for 35 years'?... She must be mad. Then, as the months went on, it really made me think twice about judging people by what they choose to do for as living or spend much of their time doing. If they are happy doing it then I support them 100%, so long as it doesn't harm anyone. For Joan, the routine and her feeling part of something and a community of workers made her happy. Anyway, I always took that with me... <br><br>Working at the brush factory helped me evaluate what I did and didn't want to pursue in life. <br><br>Here's me and the brush factory family (it was, and still is, a family run business, run by two brothers). I was so happy that I took the time to get a tripod together and get the 35mm camera out - the father of the two brothers died shortly after this photo. I gave a framed copy of the photo to each person who worked there. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/dbd7d46a0fc16face60083e7d513b4dd83f3d198/large/uplifter-brush-factory.jpg?1486071614" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br>As the years go by, January becomes more and more a month to reflect upon the year just passed and to look forward and plan the year ahead. The music and gigs rest a little and quietly coil up like a spring waiting to leap into the new year once the year starts to gather momentum. It also gives more time to potter about... One of my favourite things to do in the world!<em> Time</em> to just sit and think, gather my thoughts, catch up with listening to new music that I've not had time to properly immerse myself into and write/record music.<br><br>Here's to the year ahead - "Cheers" :) T x</p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/45491332017-01-13T19:18:42+00:002022-05-11T17:58:21+01:00The Uplifter Blog : Travelling to Ireland to celebrate life...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/3fad4e05a5128a07080d6f6728ee5dca701a4909/original/the-uplifter-cork-photo-b-w.jpg?1484335567" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><br>My Grandmother, Mary Wright was born in Ireland in 1926 and had three children, each of which were fiercely creative. And so the cycle of creativity was born and slowly began to work its was through the generations... In december this year Grandma Uplifter passed away at the age of 90 and brought all of our family together to be with her in Ireland to celebrate her life. There really isn't much to say except that it was perfect.<br><br>The little town she lived in was all lit up with Christmas lights, the local church held it's annual carol service the night before the funeral in the same church she would frequent many years and children sang carols in the streets holding candlelit lanterns... It all felt right and it was an extremely significant weekend for my family - It brought us even closer together...And we're already very close x<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/1a661d29aaf17fe8c0ae8fa72afe46805bcc6888/original/the-uplifter-family-photo-ireland.jpg?1484335622" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/44973992016-12-13T16:30:49+00:002021-12-09T17:18:10+00:00The Uplifter Blog : Travel Writing...<p><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/ad634756ebb38c30235c391238997de14dc12eda/large/the-uplifter-writing-music-travel-greece.jpg?1481546924" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br>Creating anything at home whether it be show posters, recording music, writing lyrics etc seems to almost always equate to too many distractions to make anything at all. Perhaps it's just me? The postman's just knocked at the door, the neighbours' just popped round, the cat wants food, 'Ooh, I've not listened to that vinyl yet, let's give it a listen... You know, the usual. <br><br>So I have resorted to combining creating with travelling... In order to get things done. The volume of creative output made in a two hour journey can be the equivalent to days, sometimes weeks at home in the studio. Cafe's seem to be a good place to create too... Perhaps it's the 'inspiration' brough on by coffee haha! So, once a week I go somewhere to create and at least once a month travel to my favourite part of London - the South Bank. To sit, drink coffee, create, repeat. Places like the South Bank are teeming with people creating, whether it be the skateboarders under the Royal Festival Hall or poets in the cafe, or the young dancers in the South Bank Centre concourse working out their routines.<br><br>When it comes to The Uplifter work, for example - On my way to Portugal on trains and aeroplanes, I finished a song structure and programmed it on an iPad. Whilst in Greece I wrote 4 songs in a couple of days whilst walking around with headphones on... When at home, I write 1 song per year on average, it seems!<br><br>This photo below was taken in Asvestachori, Greece during a week where I just seemed to be writing and writing and writing - both lyrics and music...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/aa3b628c698717f133e49e166b04b88c65383c3c/large/uplifter-in-greece.jpg?1481645728" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><br>I like to get abroad as much as I can, whether it be to do a show or to explore but I also like to travel up to London to be amongst it all...<br><br>So, if you're ever travelling between London and Southampton by train, you might just see me. If I'm not there I'll be at the Royal Festival Hall, with a coffee-covered laptop staring at the thames, just enjoying the view and taking the opportunity to concentrate on nothing and everything... </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/44450952016-10-31T11:39:58+00:002022-07-25T11:10:57+01:00The Uplifter Blog : Back to the Post Office<p><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/1be698aefcdd66de5ef078a9e4680ac9fa6b1569/large/fullsizerender-1.jpg?1477913251" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Since posting <a contents="this video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WaiQyaPGmk" target="_blank">this video</a> up on <a contents="The Uplifter Facebook page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.facebook.com/theuplifter" target="_blank">The Uplifter Facebook page</a> last week, orders of the last 40 copies of <a contents='The Uplifter 12"' data-link-label="Shop" data-link-type="page" href="/shop">The Uplifter 12"</a> vinyl started to pop up in my email inbox quicker that I could ever have imagined. At the rate it's going this release might just sell-out! Selling out vinyl for some artists might be a regular occurrence but for me this is a first...</p>
<p>A promotional video like this combined with it being light hearted and a lot of fun to make seemed to have done the trick with regards to shifting the last few copies... Which meant heading down the Post Office once again - Something I've always enjoyed for as long as I can remember. The process of sending someone something -particularly if I've been part of the creative process- has always been a joy to me. I also feel lucky to have people being so supportive with ordering copies as well as attending The Uplifter shows over the years. To have pressed 500 copies and have so few left really feels like a privilege and something I am <em>very grateful for. </em><br><br>People making these orders has given me an added confidence and inspirations towards producing more music and merchandise in the future - I'm genuinely excited about it. There's been some kind of rekindled full-power injection of creativity into The Uplifter for a number of reasons in recent months and having a new website which i can add to whenever and wherever I like has made a huge impact. <br><br>X4 records are going in the post this afternoon - it feels good...<br><br>if you have been, thank you for reading this. There is so much content on the internet and so much distraction that if someone makes it to the end of this I will be amazed :D<br><br>Until next time x <br><br> </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/44011852016-10-04T11:28:22+01:002017-09-29T08:06:56+01:00The Uplifter Blog : The Uplifter music now available on all formats including Cassette Tape!<p><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/freedom-chant-flag-so-high-ep/id1159324749"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/1003f408f46e1c419d5cbe70d26d3d89b2f44234/original/itunes-the-uplifter.jpeg?1485179585" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></a><br><strong>The Uplifter music is now available as a digital download...</strong><br><br>Since releasing The Uplifter 12" vinyl in 2013 I decided to finally dive into the realm of online digital downloads... It only took 3 years! The tunes are now available on <a contents="iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/freedom-chant-flag-so-high-ep/id1159324749">iTunes</a>, <a contents="Amazon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LZNGDAD">Amazon</a> as well as <a contents="The Uplifter website shop." data-link-label="Music" data-link-type="page" href="/music">The Uplifter website shop.</a> Now that the vinyl is close to having sold out it seems like a good time to get the tune up online. I'm a huge fan of physical artefacts... I love all media from tape cassettes to CDs to vinyl and VHS - In fact I was watching Jurassic Park on VHS last night! Growing up in the late 80s and 90s it was all VHS and cassettes, CDs and Gameboys... I still feel a lot of nostalgia and fondness towards putting a tape into a machine and pressing play, blowing the dust out of the cartridge and pushing it into a Sega Mega Drive, pulling a record out of it's sleeve, finding a biro to wind up the cassette when the tape gets chewed up, waiting for the tracking to sort out the picture on the VHS player... the list goes on.<br><br>Saying that, there is certainly a time and place for MP3/WAV downloads - thumbs up to all formats! To pick up my phone and have a device that can make calls as well as play a whole heap of music through my headphones is a wonderful thing when on the run. If I'm travelling though, my Sony CD player is a must. The old Sony CD players have this 'bass boost' button which makes any tune sound amazing - I don't think I've come across a better sounding format, including vinyl. I hear a lot of people saying 'vinyl is king' and there are a lot of DJs who still only play 'strictly vinyl'... I don't really get it. There are some tunes out there that you cannot get on vinyl and if it means playing a CD version of it, I'm all for it! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/61b9640e7c4eb0c71b0e5307735430f69715c642/original/formats.jpg?1475574060" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><br>My initial thoughts with music formats is go for whichever is available and in some cases, most practical. When I've done shows abroad, vinyl is very, very heavy and I've had to really cherry pick the top tunes that I really need. Some people can be quite militant about which formats to play music on... A wholly militant approach to anything is arguably unhealthy, right? Vinyl, with it's sleeve, artwork, the physicality of going through the motions of dropping the needle on the record is a beautiful thing but can we do that whilst sitting on a train? <br><br>Music is a wonderful thing and to have it available on so many different formats is truly one of best things this world has to offer... In my humble opinion.<br><br>So, here it is, The Uplifter music is now available on pretty much all formats - if anyone still listens to cassette tapes I'll happily transfer to tape and hand draw some artwork on the sleeve ;)</p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/43541812016-09-02T16:34:12+01:002019-01-22T09:51:28+00:00The Uplifter Blog : Fishing, Music & Food in Ireland<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/1a04af0fd5f0fcde536fdbd258d0949a02db34b2/original/gone-fishing-favourite-colour-treated.jpg?1472827699" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><br><span class="font_large">Fishing, Music & Food...</span><br><br>For as long as I can remember August has always meant one very important thing for all of my family and I... Our annual trip to visit my grandmother in <em>Ireland.</em></strong><br><br>Ireland has always been an extremely significant place for my family and I, particularly amongst those of us who are creative - which is pretty much everyone on my Mother's side. Musicians, painters, photographers... Most of my family are doomed/blessed with knowing only how to make a living through the creative arts. Ireland, specifically it's landscape, is undeniably inspiring along with much of it's stripped-down, somehow simplified way of living. Don't get me wrong, Ireland has changed <em>a lot </em>since I was a 7 year old running down the road to pick up a loaf of bread for 10 pence... To fill up a basket of food from the supermarket nowadays is likely to set you back the best part of €50. Euros disappear like Monopoly play money. Apart from that, Ireland (particularly in rural areas) has somehow managed to stay unspoilt, earthy and mesmerisingly beautiful...<br><br>This country's beauty, for my family and I, has been the source of many a written song, poem and one of hundreds of paintings by my hero and uncle <a contents="Michael Wright" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZguDx5_CQE">Michael Wright</a>. My cousin Steve (Michael's son) is also a musician and one of my favourite people on this planet - Music he has written has undoubtedly been affected by Ireland and time spent there throughout our lives. This song 'Birds on the Line' in particular written by Steve and performed by his band <a contents="FeelGood Culture&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MDY82Tnxnw" target="_blank">FeelGood Culture </a>is, in part, inspired by the hundreds of jackdaws that sit on the electrical wires all around the town where my grandmother lives in West Cork. <br><br>The forthcoming album will undoubtedly have references to Ireland and I have been taking sound bites over the years from various places and bands that I will be working into the album.<br><br>Fishing has long been a tradition in my family, passed down by my great grandfathers, immediate grandfathers, to my great uncle Mick, immediate uncle and my father to myself and my brother, sister and cousins. One of my favourite things -ever- is to return to my Great Uncle's house with all the family sat around the table with our catch laid out after a days' fishing.<br><br>My Uncle Mick (my grandmother's brother) passed away in 2010. He was an integral part of the family and we were all extremely close to him. In his memory <a contents="The Uplifter 2013 vinyl release " data-link-label="" data-link-type="album" href="/album/358736/flag-so-high-freedom-chant-12-vinyl" target="_blank">The Uplifter 2013 vinyl release </a>features a pencil drawing by <a contents="Victor Maristane" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.maristane.com/" target="_blank">Victor Maristane</a> of Uncle Mick fishing off the back of a boat on the bottom left of the cover artwork. <br><br>We did a show up in the <a contents="Brecon Beacons at a Didgeridoo Festival" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xey9YPDfLG4" target="_blank">Brecon Beacons at a Didgeridoo Festival</a> after returning from Ireland. It was brilliant and the crowd and organisers were a really lovely group of people. They want to book us for next years' festival - we thoroughly recommend this small, intimate, family friendly festival .</p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/43002312016-07-29T10:12:35+01:002022-02-20T12:47:04+00:00The Uplifter Blog : Cups of tea and punk rock...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/9923a959f2471e28e66e860485725748975490af/original/img-7860.jpg?1469783877" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><br>As a teenager I was really into the US and UK 90's Punk Rock/Ska scene - Bands like NOFX, No Use For A Name, Rancid, Pennywise were all firm favourites but one band that for some reason shone highly above the rest were <a contents="Snuff" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWi7oN-D3zA">Snuff</a>. My friends and I saw Snuff at countless shows at venues like the Garage in Islington, London Astoria (Tottenham Court Road), ULU (now University College London)... the list goes on. <br><br>There were two things that I connected with as a teenager listening to bands like Snuff: <br><br>1. They didn't give a f**k what people thought (he says whilst censoring a swear word ha!)<br>2. There was a sense of childlike humour and fun on stage alongside sheer professionalism<br><br>This approach to performing has most definitely manifested itself to become part of how The Uplifter (and other projects) shows have evolved. There is a sense that we take what we we do very seriously but at the same time have a ton of fun doing it. I think silliness and humour combined with putting on a really good, well thought out and professional show is so enjoyable for both us the performer and the audience. <br><br>What spurred me on to write this blog today was meeting and spending a couple of days with Duncan Redmonds, the singer of Snuff. I was best man at my best friends' wedding and Snuff were our favourite band together as teenagers and beyond. So, for his wedding I arranged for Duncan to perform a surprise set at the end of my best man speech - It completely blew my best friends' head off (as well as the guests) when Duncan walked into the room! It all happened in slow motion and like my friend said, 'it felt like we were in a movie'. It could not have gone any better and there was not a dry eye in the room by the end of his performance. It rounded off the event beautifully and we did a set together later with Duncan on guitar and me on percussion/drums.<br><br>I wanted to write about it here on The Uplifter page because of the time Duncan and I spent chatting about music and life as musicians - Although we're involved in 'different genres' it felt like we were very much in the same boat, and this goes for any musician, whichever genre you happen to be associated with. Making and performing music because we love it and partly because, 'music is what we know'. Duncan was fascinated with what motivates musicians to do what we do - 'why do we put our heads above the parapet'? We didn't really come to a conclusion but we certainly shared a common urge to make music and to have an 'effect over an audience'.<br><br>This brings me to my primary reason for having a career in music - I feel I was put on this earth to entertain people and effect people in a positive way... Making people dance is in my opinion one of the greatest gifts whether it's to reggae music, jazz or hardcore punk rock! To make people lose themselves in music and forget about what and who is around them is one of the most beautiful things I know and to have a part in making this happen is a wonderful thing. <br><br>So, Duncan spent the next day just talking, in my parents' garden drinking tea. We talked about music, relationships, friends we've lost, friends we've gained along the way and where the music industry is going in the future. It feels as though, for many, the music industry has gone full circle and reverted back to the punk rock ethic of DIY/Do it yourself approach with recording and releasing music. When I put out <a contents='The Uplifter 12" vinyl' data-link-label="Shop" data-link-type="page" href="/shop">The Uplifter 12" vinyl</a> it felt as thought I was putting out a punk rock record in some ways - producing it myself with a friend, funding it myself and selling them out of a suitcase at shows. I feel like <a contents="Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SmMizTz-YQ" target="_blank">Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses </a>sometimes ha! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/322744021ab76b56a7d6d172c67d5f184917a280/original/13620901-10157221854180501-8532964443142220628-n.jpg?1469789190" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><br> </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/41893022016-05-20T10:26:27+01:002017-09-29T08:06:24+01:00The Uplifter Blog : Cats, pasta and photo shoots...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/5035256b8eb0a61be064dbf877a73c363d7868c6/original/lady-and-the-tramp-spaghetti-photo-blog.jpg?1463732978" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Not too long ago, my buddy Rob Luckins came over and we spent the day running around Southampton on a photos shoot... No plan, just see what happens. We got some really cool shots which I'll slowly release over time. You should check out Rob's excellent <a contents="website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.welcometothedarkslide.co.uk/">website</a> and <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Rob-Luckins-Travelling-Photographic-Studio-358563108690/">Facebook</a> page, oh and he has a <a contents="Tumblr" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://zomtographer.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> blog page too! I can't exactly remember how I met Rob but we've known each other for a long time, and in that time he's taken some really nice photos with all sorts of cameras. He's got a brilliant set of gear from digital cameras to medium format and old school concertina/bellow cameras. Here are a couple of shots he took way back in 2011.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/05fb29d1affd9ae87dbc16379ad9b3ac72f40022/original/rob-luckins-tom-bike-shots-montage.jpg?1463734561" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>If you need photos taken professionally, Rob's your man. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/58e4ada4fb08dc01df2d632998bb54a230bdc67a/original/9675-b.jpg?1463732886" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>I'm hoping to get Rob along to some live shows to take some live shots. So far, we've just worked on promotional photos for posters etc.<br><br>More to come :)<br><br> </p>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/41450842016-04-20T11:31:50+01:002021-12-18T21:02:46+00:00The Uplifter Blog : A well needed dance and a skate...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/93216d057f37c7957fe47151d7137e325cad446a/original/dsc-9513.jpg?1475488346" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="text-align: right;">Photo - Rob Luckins</span><br><br>It's been perhaps 10 months or so since I've attended a proper sound system session. Friday's and Saturday's are normally booked for shows but last weekend we had a gig booking only on the Friday for a change, which can only mean one thing - Time to track down a sound system to attend as a punter rather than performer!<br><br>Who should be running a session that night... None other than a firm favourite of mine, Jah Shaka! This was a no-brainer, so off I set from Southampton to Tottenham, London to find the session. 3.5 hours later of trains, night buses and skateboarding though the city I find my good friend Johnny and we dance full-power until 6am. <br><br>I realised I'd left my ear plugs in my shirt pocket from the gig on Friday and expected the night would involve a lot of me sticking my fingers in my ears but the session was lovely. The sound wasn't too loud and my ears didn't ring at all the next day. I've attended some sound system sessions such as King Earthquake (clue is in the name), Iration Steppers, Aba Shanti etc when my ears were well and truly pummelled even after wearing good quality ear protection. I see people walking around these sessions with no ear protection and think, 'how are they doing that?!'. I'm all for hearing the music clearly but I also like my ears to work - Good quality ear plugs that filter the uber top end frequencies seem to do the trick. <br><br>Jah Shaka ran a nice session and the crowd were really respectful and on good form. The University Of Dub sessions at the Scala in Kings Cross seem to be full of wasted students drinking the Red Stripe dry at the bar along with whatever else they consume on the nights. The Jah Shaka crowd are appreciative of each tune and dance mindfully. No people bumping into you, all over the place. People <em>really</em> dance and let go but in a way that respects the music and the people around them. Shaka played a tune I'm really fond of by Jazbo/Rico Rodriguez, and it was at that point where 'I lost the plot' haha. The power of music took me off on hours of dancing that would put any session down the gym to the test ;)<br><br>The next day my good friend and Johnny hung out at his place in Brixton, played music and sat back in the sun and rested after a good night's dance.<br><br>...And I did my usual ritual of skating through Brixton weaving in and out of buses...<br><br> </div>The Upliftertag:theuplifter.co.uk,2005:Post/41159452016-04-01T10:43:13+01:002017-09-29T08:05:52+01:00The Uplifter Blog : New album in the making...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/196866/9a5cc9824e9337167e44f156dbe9768be933733a/original/tom-steve-without-wanting-to-sound-to-artsy-have-embarked-on-recording-a-new-album.jpg?0" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><br><br>The Uplifter forthcoming album is shaping up nicely... My cousin Steve Wright (from <a contents="Feelgood Culture" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/FeelGoodCultureOfficial/" target="_blank">Feelgood Culture</a>) and I have been laying down track ideas, and for the first time in a while I have picked up a pen and notepad and started writing. This album feels quite different from the previous Uplifter 12" vinyl release. It feels more of a 'back to the roots' of where The Uplifter came from... and I'm excited about it. <br><br>The previous (vinyl) release was created specifically with sound system culture in mind whereas the album has a much more open canvas with genres spanning from one drop reggae to ska as well as some experimental tunes... which to this day, I'm not entirely sure what genre they would be classed as, and in all honesty, I don't mind. They just feel right. We've recorded more live instruments too which is where our heart lies - it sounds organic and 'wooden'... in a good way. There is definitely some links to our Irish roots with Irish flutes being featured and some sound bites taken over the years of our family and friends. <br><br>This album has been a while in the making but it is happening and I'm excited about it :) <br><br>Have a listen to the link to get a rough idea of what the new album is sounding like...</p>0:28The Uplifter