 What an insane few months it has been. From the lockdown live living room gigs to the online, three day festivals, it's amazing how quickly we adapted to life in lockdown and turned to the virtual world for as much socialisation and entertainment as possible.
The announcement today from the Government that pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to open on 4th July is literally music to my ears! What a positive step in the right direction for all our incredible venues that have been laying dormant since March. I can't wait to get some more gigs in the diary and to get back out on the road playing for a live audience again as opposed to down a phone screen. If you're a venue looking for a man and a guitar of if you're getting married and need a musician to play during canapés and fizz, let me know! I'm not sure what the world will look and feel like when we all emerge but hats off to those that have been on the pitch keeping the economy rolling for those of us that have been flat out of work.
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 Since Covid-19 struck the UK and the bars, clubs and restaurants were ordered to close, I have taken to the digital streets. Bringing music to your living room from mine every Wednesday (for an acoustic session) and Saturday (for a full blown party).
At 7pm on both days, find me on Facebook  With the election now over and this decade coming to a close I am looking forward to the final few busy weeks of 2019 before kicking off next year.
As a musician, Christmas is typically pretty full on from Christmas parties to work dos, I get to celebrate with everyone! It has been a fantastic year (probably the best yet), especially now that we have the pleasure of living with a very handsome golden retriever! My favourite song I have learnt this year is probably Can't Write Left Handed by Bill Withers. Whilst in Morocco chilling out for the week I was introduced it, never heard it before, completely not on radar. I love it when I come across a piece of music that I just can't listen to enough. Over the following weeks I must have listened to it over 50 times and of course now really enjoy playing it! If you're looking for wicked live music for a wedding, party, celebration or bar for 2020, get in touch. I think I have added over 30 songs to the list over the last 12 months so my set list is looking more healthy than ever!  Across the summer I play party after party, wedding after wedding and I love it. I don't think there are many jobs where you get to spend so much time around happy people enjoying the company of friends and family.
Last weekend I was up in London playing for a 21st birthday and the vibe was excellent. My job rocks. Thank you so much to everyone who has booked me to play this year, it is such an honour! L.  The diary for 2019 is now here and I am taking bookings! It's amazing how quickly time flies by, I can't believe I am already booking gigs beyond Christmas 2018... CRAZY!
Make sure you get your dates in to avoid disappointment! Have a great bank holiday weekend folks! Well, 2017 went quickly! This year has been mad and full of more... Well, EVERYTHING than I could have anticipated! Things were not easy at the start of the year. My Mum lost her battle with cancer at the end of January. I can't really believe it has been that long. It certainly doesn't feel it! Apart from how sad it was (and is), as anyone who has had to deal with the loss of a close family member will tell you there is a lot to sort out, both emotionally and practically. Thankfully Em (my ever loving wife-to-be) was absolutely amazing in helping me in all possible ways and the support of my friends and family has been greatly appreciated. I am still sorting things out, truth be told, but I am looking forward to getting back on track and moving forward with all the plans that were put in hold during this difficult time. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for some new projects in 2018! Gigs have been great this year, and there are still a few left to do! I want to thank all the venues and people who have booked me to play this year, I can honestly say every gig this year has been a real pleasure. I've been lucky enough to see some amazing places this year. I have spent days walking around Amsterdam and I have the Taj Mahal ticked off my bucket list. It is amazing. Go see it! I've read some great books, currently enjoying Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. It blasts through human history and has some really interesting takes on how we as a species have become what we are. I can't wait to read his next one, Homo Deus. I've been using Joe Wickes' Lean In 15 books for cooking and workout inspiration and loving it, bosh, midget trees and all! I've heard some great music all year long thanks to Spotify and their brilliant personalised weekly playlist. New tracks of the year for me are James by Sam Brookes and Don't Kill My Vibe by Sigrid. Still loving my video games and Overwatch and Horizon Zero Dawn have been stand outs for me this year. Go play 'em. So, I'm looking forward to the warm, cosy count down to Christmas and going to see family in Stockholm for NYE. Have a great end to your year everyone, thanks for listening and I'll see you in 2018. Go well. LR.
 Live music all weekend - perfect. I am out this evening at The William Walker in Winchester and then I am over in Lymington for an engagement party tomorrow and in Christchurch for a last minute wedding gig on Sunday! That should keep me out of trouble this weekend.
I have been learning a few new golden oldies this week so am looking forward to rolling those out over the next few gigs, The Boys Are Back In Town and Movies - SUCH great tracks that really take me back. #tbt Also at the moment I am taking a lot of bookings, it is great when you have been around the block a few times and you find a groove. I am now working with a load of really great people and I am loving every moment of it. My gigs are all at great venues and everyone I deal with is awesome. Over the years I have come across some hilarious situations, individuals and corners of the earth, all of which will have a special mention in my soon to be book, Behind The Mic. I have been pulling the content together for the past couple of years and I have just been given a bit of a boot up the backside and told I need to get it finished and out there. I love writing, recording and producing music but writing a book is completely new to me. I do love a challenge though so bring.it.on. The new track Charlatan is also being processed at the moment and will be live soon, I promise ;-) Lots going on as always ;-) Thanks to everyone for the continued support, clapping and head bobbing. Lucas ;-) x  Finally, my latest song "Charlatan" is now ready for release. It is with the distributers ready to be fired out into the world. I have been writing this song since last year, I am not sure why it has taken so long to finish but over the last few months I have been focusing on it pretty much every day.
I would explain what the song is about but I prefer to leave it up to you, the audience, to make up your own minds! I have worked on the production myself. I really enjoy the technical side of things as well as the creative. I am always looking to improve my writing skills and learning to produce is another part of the journey! As soon as the song is ready for release I will let you know but for now I hope you like the artwork... It's eerie and bold, and a good visual representation of some of the lyrical ideas. I like it! Thank you to SoMedia for making it happen. What an incredible few months it has been! I have played all over the place for all kinds of awesome people. The weather has been fantastic too which is such a relief. When you know a great venue have spent months and months planning a huge event for everyone to enjoy, it is so disheartening when the heavens open and we all have to cram inside! Massive thanks to everyone who has been to a gig or invited me to play for them - absolutely loving the support! The busy season will continue, so please check the dates page fore more info on where I am next!  It's been a while, so let me start by saying I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year's (feels like a lifetime ago doesn't it?!). The live music scene is doing well I am being contacted by new venues and individuals for weddings, parties and evening gigs weekly which is good fun.
It's been a mad old time in my world over the last few months. I also want to thank Emma, my friends and family for being incredible during a very difficult time recently. In amongst the chaos, we've had a couple of great trips away and ticked off a bucket list box by swimming with turtles! I think it's best to try and prioritise travel as much as you can, it is a big wonderful world out there and a great trip is infinitely better to look back on than a new TV / kitchen / other expensive thing you might want. My (93 year old) Nan is about to go to America for a few months to see my auntie and I'm so happy she still feels up to the journey! What an inspiration. I'm really looking forward to this summer, to new recordings, all the events we already have in the diary and a new business venture we are currently cooking up! I was recently given a fantastic book on home studio mixing (thanks Em!) called Mixing Secrets, so I am enjoying educating myself more about good mixing practice and the physics of why things sound like they do. Anyway! Hope you are all looking forward to something good in your lives and working towards something you enjoy (perhaps a refreshing G&T?). L. X |
