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  • Life of a Frontman vol.6 - Ben's journey with Ivyrise

    Life of a Frontman Day 224
    So, as promised here are the lyrics to the song "New Again." I hope they can mean something to you like they do to me.
     
    ...............
     
    New Again
     
    You make me feel new again, you make me feel new again
    Close your eyes and hold your breath until theres nothing left
    I want a new heart, I want a new start, I want you here to rescue me before I fall apart
     
    You make me feel new again, you make me feel new again
    You take away the pain so easy
    You make me feel new again
     
    Bury me beneath the waves but dont leave me to drown
    I wanna hear you, I wanna see you, I wanna breathe the air thats near you til I know youre gone
     
    You make me feel new again, you make me feel new again
    You take away the pain so easy
    You make me feel new again
     
    If theres one heart let it be your hear, your heart
    If theres one love let it be your love, your love
     
    You make me feel new again, you make me feel new again
    You take away the pain so easy
    You make me feel new again
     
    ..........................
     
    Peace
     
    Ben
     
    X
     
    Life of a Frontman Days 225 – 234 (13.09.10)
    You know that comforting feeling of a clock ticking in a quiet room. I like that. Noticed it for the first time in ages last night. I put one of my incense sticks on, accidently frazzled my stupidly long hair with a lit match and sat down to work on a few lyrics. I found it really calming, not the hair on fire bit, the ticking bit, and it reminded me of being a little kid again. I used to have a clock that ticked away in my bedroom. I cant remember what I used to think about on an evening. Silly things probably, but innocent things. Today is my birthday, and I really wish I could still have all those innocent thoughts and dreams, but lifes a little more complicated and serious these days. Growing up is shit and I dont like it. I like being a Peter Pan character and Sophie always jokes about how much of a kid I still am inside. I like it that way, and it helps me to deal with all the serious things in life a lot better.
     
    I have been completely overwhelmed by all the birthday wishes I have received from followers of the band today. Over 500 of you have emailed or messaged me so far, and I am really grateful. It seems strange that this time last year none of you really knew who I was. I feel like I have met you all along the way and the continued support is really appreciated. Its not an easy business to break into, and its all down to the people who dig it to keep us afloat! Thanks.
     
    Im not going to ramble on, because I want to have a nice glass of wine and put my feet up for once.
     
    All I can say is its great to feel so alive at the minute, and to wish every one of you who reads this the same.
     
    Ben
     
    x
     
    Life of a Frontman Days 234 – 245 (24.09.10)
    I have had the most wonderful, surreal and special 10 days. That is all I will say for now. I plan on talking about everything in a lot more detail in the future, but I'm back to work, full of inspiration and hope, faith and love.
     
    I watched a moving documentary about the French singer Edith Piaf the other day with Sophie. A moving portayal of a woman treated so badly throughout her life, yet talented beyond words and wonderfully inspirational. It made me realise how blessed I am, and yet I could connect with her wacky artistic side so well. She sang from the heart, and carried herself with such dignity, despite the fact the world she came from was so far from it. I liked watching it.
     
    I have recently resurfaced a song I wrote 7 years ago. It started out as a slow ballad, and I have always remembered people saying how special they thought it was. I pushed Dan on it whilst I was away from work and the results are excellent. I recorded all my parts 2 weeks ago, and I just love the result. Its called "Eternity" and I'd like to share the lyric:
     
    Take cover now dont make another sound, keep it hushed or we're underground
    Whats going on? You're going to get yourself lost in heaven now
    Go wild and let your feelings known, dont smile and let my secrets go
     
    If eternitys what it takes to see, and to say your eyes are like gold to me
    Then I'll fall for you from the atmosphere, would you catch me out, would you catch my fall
     
    It wont matter now you made another sound, now we're stuck and we're underground
    Its going off, I'm going to get myself lost because of you
     
    Go wild and let your feelings known, dont smile and let my secrets go
     
    If eternitys what it takes to see, and to say your eyes are like gold to me
    Then I'll fall for you from the atmosphere, would you catch me out, would you catch my fall
    Dont stumble on a minefield you'll never go back there
    Dont crumble in a heap on the floor if youre not scared
    Just give yourself a chance now and love will steer you I swear
    Cos we're already halfway there, and I'm already halfway there
     
    If eternitys what it takes to see, and to say your eyes are like gold to me
    Then I'll fall for you from the atmosphere, would you catch me out, would you catch my fall
     
    ............................
     
    Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is to open up and show your soul. To me its unnatural to want to share everything, but its growing on me and it always feels like a weight is lifted when I meet a fan who feels the same things I do. It happens a lot to be honest, but it doesnt change the insecurities as much as I would like it to. Through songs I get most of it out, but this little diary has really helped to. In the future, things will be easier, and I have love in my life. Edith Piaf said that all one needs in life is "amour, amour et amour." She is so right. When you have a reason to be, life is easy. You just forget it sometimes when you're busy living!
     
    I hope those of you who take the time to read this enjoy listening to "Eternity." It makes me feel proud of what I do, and the path I have chosen.
     
    Love to all as always. In the words of Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness".......
     
    "I call this part of my life "being crazy" "
     
    Ben
     
    x
     
    Life of a Frontman Days 246 – 251 (30.09.10)
     I havent actually read back over all the different entries in this thing over the last year, and I wonder if Id be surprised at the different things I've written. So much has changed though. It feels like such a long time ago that I was standing in the rain with Dan at the Cockpit laughing at the lengths we wanted to go to make a success of the band. And I still dont feel like we're any closer! I was watching an interview the other day with U2 and they we saying that the top of Mount Everest must be such a depressing place. I reckon its bang on. Who wants to get the point where they is nothing left to dream about, a place where all your hard work is complete and you have nothing left to achieve.
     
    But then again, I dont think the top of Mount Everest exists in my world. There will always be a new challenge, something else to care about, someone else to put my efforts into. Its the miracle of life. There is far too much for any one person to achieve, thus making our short time on earth a race to get as much of it done as possible before we look back on everything.
     
    It has been an exciting few days for the band. We are on the verge of tying down a record deal for the release of our album in 2011, and that is a huge relief. I knew when I was writing a couple of months ago that this band was never going to sink. We're not quitters, and we have that irritating character that keeps on going even when we get tripped up or hindered. Im proud of that, and if we get this album away in 2011, I will know that it is the best thing we were all capable of. No doubt.
     
    Now though we gear up for this show on 27th October and try and remember how to play our instruments. Thats no mean feat in itself!
     
    As for the next few days, I hope to put the computer down and switch off from all the emailing and work blah blah and enjoy some more joyful moments at home with my wonderful family.
     
    The songs are flowing though, and I'll be hard pressed to stay away from the mic. Melodies dont stay in my head for long before they come out of the other ear, and I dont want to miss a thing.
     
    Peace
     
    x
     
    Life of a Frontman Days 252 – 258
    The last week has been a bit of a whirlwind with a flurry of promo Qs around the UK. We have all been really busy, settling back into the routine of selling tickets, and to top it off nicely we have concluded a new recording agreement with My Major Company UK.
     
    Now that is exciting news for everyone involved in the band. The company has an excellent reputation already from its work in France, and we are glad to be part of their UK roster. It feels like a natural evolution for us, and having spent the last year working to build up our UK fanbase it feels nice to know our debut album will finally hit the shelves in 2011. We met with the label yesterday in London. It was a typically long journey on the train, but it gave me a chance to reflect on the last month and listen to a few albums I have recently bought. I'm really into the new Script record as well as Brandon Flowers' new solo album and Sigur Ros' most recent film. All in all, I don't mind the travelling. I get ichy feet quite easily as I've probably mentioned before and I like being in different places.
     
    We went for lunch with Paul-Rene, Jimmy and Simon from the label. Between them a wealth of experience at the major labels and I was really pleased to finally meet Paul-Rene Albertini, who carries such a wonderful reputation in the industry around the world. I can see why. A really suave chap, and very easy to talk to about all areas of the business. Its a breath of fresh air to finally have a team around us who believe in what we want to achieve as a band and have the substance to back up their reputations. I, and the rest of the guys are thoroughly pleased to have signed the contract and I'll keep you all posted on plans for the albums release!
     
    Next week is another busy week and as usual the Ivyrise machine pushes forward at full steam, this time in the knowledge that we have made the step up and kept the dream alive.
     
    To all of you who believed you would hear an Ivyrise album sooner rather than later, we are a little closer today than we were yesterday. Thats a good thing, and I guess therein lies the magic of rock and roll. You never know what is coming around the next bend.
     
    Peace
     
    x
     
    Life of a Frontman Day 259
    Watching X Factor last night got me thinking about all that I love about music and its mass appeal. Its true isnt it that pretty much every human being is touched and moved by listening to melody and lyrics. Music is the great leveller. What is it that makes people connect with music?
    For me I have idols because I see honesty and emotion in their soul. I connect with their stories and become a part of their world when I tune in. Thats what I want from my heros. I want to know they are struggling, I want to know they are trying their best, and I want to know that they are true to themselves. Easy right? Wrong. I watch these mass produced reality shows waiting to see someone who ticks these boxes, just like everyone else does. It just doesnt happen often, and the worst thing about it is that our prime time TV slots are full of this type of stuff. Dont get me wrong, its great to watch, and I'm just like everyone else when I sit there and judge when its not my place to do so. But you know what, I know as well as most that if you put yourself out there to be judged, then expect negative comments in equal measure as positive. Its the same in any walk of life. The most people who like you, the more people who dont.
    Last night was a really good example for me of why music is the great leveller. I enjoy watching all types of music, but when a 50 year old woman with no confidence can stand up and blow everybody else away, its tugs at your heartstrings like a real artist should. When a "Storm Lee" character stands up and lives out the dream he has dreamt for 30 years right in front of your eyes it makes you glad you tuned in to all the other rubbish that comes with it. Its why you connect with music. Honesty, truth and...well...rock and roll. Thats the ethos that Buddy Holly set out all those years ago. Keep going, even when the world keeps knocking you back.
    I guess what I'm saying is that despite all the bravado that comes with modern day music T.V its still refreshing to see that music can still connect better than most. Thats why I do it. I like knowing I can share my world without feeling embaressed or inadequate.
    Long live the real people, and its a lesson for the majority of us out there budding to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Put it this way, I'm glad I didn't have to compete with Mary Byrnes vocals last night.
    Call me old fashioned, but I still buy my records based upon how much fire I see in the belly, not how many visors or feathers you wear in your hat!
    Have a great Sunday one and all
    Ben
    x
     
    Life of a Frontman Days 260 –264 (15.10.10)
    Sitting on the "A" tourbus with Jason Perry yesterday was inspiring. When I started writing these diaries nearly a year ago, it was precisely because I hadn't ever really met any other frontmen that I thought it would be helpful for others with my aspirations to see  a real life attempt at super-stardom unfold : )
    Jason is a bit of a hero to me anyway. He fronts a band who, to me, embody what a rock band is about. Hard work, great belief, top tunes and most importantly, a sense of family amongst themselves and their fans. What is even more exciting is that he totally digs Ivyrise and understands what we're about. Most people don't, and if they do, most of them don't have the balls to admit it.
    We chatted about writing, about touring, about family, about business, and most importantly, we decided that working together on the bands first album would make complete sense. Jason gets the big arena rock thing. He doesnt want to produce bands without ambition, and he loves melody and lyrics about as much as anyone I've ever met.
    Its funny but I get an almost brotherly feeling when I sit down with other frontmen. We have a similar DNA. That inability to hide the energy that your band causes you to feel, and the innate desire to want to tell the world how good you think it is. I guess that is why the rock band formula is so attractive to so many people. It is like a bundle of electricity, all feeding through the often bizarre personality of the frontman.
    I am excited about the next couple of months. We have a chance. It's not a given that we and My Major Company will be able to raise the 100,000 investment we need to launch the album, but its a chance nonetheless. In this day and age, making a band work is harder than ever, and I'll take that chance as the green light to keep the faith.
    I'm not saying that all singer and frontmen are by default the same. Totally the opposite. Everyone is different, but I think what I am saying is that for me, its makes total sense sitting down with someone like Jason, because you feel like he understands. Like somehow its ok to be that strange frontman for a few minutes. Like its normal to want to be one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, like its normal to want to hear thousands of people singing your lyrics back to you. Like any of that is normal?
    Lets face it, theres nothing normal about any of my life anymore, so I think I'm past the point of worrying what people think.
    Stay true to yourself, and the rest is easy. Thats how I feel at the moment.
    Ben
     
    Life of a Frontman Day 265
    What a difference 24 hours makes. 
    Yesterday Dan and I headed over to Manchester Academy again in the rain to do promo at the Plan B concert. To be honest, we were a bit sceptical about whether anyone would want to speak to us. Plan B is a lot more "street" than Ivyrise and we were expecting a hard time.
    However, everyone was very pleasant and even the hardened looking Manchester men had the time to listen to Line Up The Stars. Just shows you how wrong pre-conceptions can be in life. What I didn't expect either was getting attacked on the way to the train station. Correct me if I'm wrong but the way I dress isn't that out of the ordinary. Nevertheless I always seem to get abuse for looking gay, and I'm pretty much used to it by now.
    A group of lads started following me, and within seconds I got the usual volley of abuse. I thought of legging it, and I wish I had. Before I could say "Jack Rabbit" one of them threw a bottle at me and it smashed my shoulder and the bottom of my neck. It fucking hurt, but I acted on instinct and bombed it off down the road. Didnt really have time to think to be honest. I must have looked like a lighthouse beacon with my red skinnys on. I got to the station and they hadnt bothered chasing me. Too much hard work for them. Plus, I'm fast like a cat!
    It was a horrid reminder of what people can be like. I put myself out there and I've never been scared to be stand out, but I definately don't enjoy getting glass thrown at me. I was going to write this entry last night when I got home, but I thought twice. Writing when things are raw normally provokes anger, and I don't want to end up like any of those drunken fools myself. Thats not why I'm here, and plus, I've seen my fair share of that anyway.
    Finding out Mark is on X-Factor playing for One Direction put a smile back on my face. All of us are struggling by in this band, and whatever it takes to bring in the dollar is what we all must do. I'm looking forward to seeing him on the T.V, although I'll be standing in the rain in Leeds doing promo when he is on. He's got it easy tonight.
    Same place, same road, yet 24 hours in Manchester always has the potential to shock me.
    Peace
    Ben
    x
    2:09 PM

  • Life of a Frontman vol.5 - Ben's journey with Ivyrise

    Life of a Frontman Days 160 – 163 (05.07.10)

    Those nerves never go. Its an addictive feeling. The bigger the crowd, the more adrenalin I get before I go on, and sometimes I wonder what on earth I am doing about 5 seconds before I go on.

    Standing behind the black curtain at the O2 Academy in Islington was definately one of those moments. I'm on my own, waiting. The other guys are already out there, and I know theres a minute left before I have to go out and do my job. Its a lonely place to be, and its funny thinking how far we have come in such a short space of time.

    If I was to remind those people who came to see us play to a full house in London on Saturday night that only a year ago the band was in tatters, playing to 15 disinterested people at the Water Rats in Kings Cross, you wouldnt recognise us. I felt so proud to front a band that carries itself with such a high level of professionalism. The machine is well oiled, and singing those songs to so many excited fans was as good as it has been in my career so far.

    The nerves pass quickly I find. Once I remember that I am most comfortable up on that stage, it all comes together and on Saturday we had a great time. The crowd was jumping and the sound in the venue was massive. Again, I was so pleased to see the fans singing the words to the songs back to us. It was the perfect end to a great tour.

    I remember telling the guys to forget any troubles and to head out on the road with heads held high to perform as well as we can. That is what everyone has done, and we have proven to ourselves that Ivyrise has a place in peoples hearts already, no matter how small we may still be as an act. The people that have discovered us feel like a part of our journey and it almost brings a tear to our eye when we see fans taking something very meaningful from the music we play. We can't ask for anything more personal than that.

    Its back to the real world now though for this band, and the stark reality of surviving as people for a little longer. The future is bright I know, but Chris and I need to steer the ship in the right direction over the coming months with precision, so that we can carry on living this dream and sharing it with everybody else. Its a business after all, and no band survives without a clear vision. We have ours.

    We will re-group next week, but for now I think everyone has earnt a little break.

    Thank you to all who came to see us on the tour. You made it a real pleasure for us!

    I hope you all carry on enjoying the songs

    Peace

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 163 – 172 (14.07.10)

     

    Sometimes it is really nice to take some time off from working. I find it difficult, because I get itchy feet very quickly, but I think it was important that we all spent some time apart and enjoyed relaxing. Dan went off on holiday abroad, Mark seems to have fixed his phone and Josh is as chirpy as I've seen him. All in all, it was a lovely week off, and everyones batteries seems charged.

    I spent time with Sophie and it was really great. We went back to Bath, and it was gorgeous as ever. That place holds a special place in our hearts and it reminds me of a very significant part of my journey. The weather was beautiful, and the charm of the place never ceases to amaze me. We made a point of going out and watching the musicians playing by the Abbey, in the same place that I used to. It is funny though, because we always end up talking about negative things to do with my career, how difficult it is to see success on the horizon, and how frustrating it is to be a part of a world where controlling your own destiny is a near impossiblity. Despite this, it was just brilliant to be talking. I often find myself in a solitary world of shouldering the responsiblity of everything and refusing to share, open up and be vulnerable. I know I am, but I also only feel safe when I feel in control. At the minute, I feel as in control as I ever have been, and yet completely out of control when it comes to seeing past the next six months.....it sounds stupid I know, but I reckon 90% of the people reading this will feel the same most of the time too. Thats the beauty of being a human being in my eyes. Just when you think you're losing your way, you realise everyone else is living in the same world too and is probably wearing the same pair of shoes.

    I feel very grateful that I can even sit here and wittle on about such a fairytale vision of a career, and I would never want anyone to think I am narrow minded or selfish. I have my little world, and I try my best to make it work. I think that is all a man can do in life, try his best and see what it offers in return. I believe in God, and I know he is watching my every move. That is why I believe that the next six months will offer some life changing and monumental experiences for me and the people around me. I am expectant, nervous but always excited about whats on the horizon. Life is for living.

    Yesterday, having spent a week thinking about our next steps, we all sat down and teamed together once again. We are pleased with what we have achieved as a band over the last 6 months, and if I was to read over these notes from February I am sure I would instantly see the difference in attitude and success. What I would not see a difference in though is the level of hope and faith between this group of people. We still believe more than ever that we can succeed, and our goal over the next few months is to show people we mean business.

    We have tour dates prepared for January, and we are ready to go once more. Ready for the challenges ahead. Like anything in life, you get out what you put in. Were going to put in everything we can!

    You can expect to see us all of the place in the coming months. The holidays are over for us, and its time to get the Ivyrise train steaming along in the right direction once again!

    See you all on the journey!

    Peace

    Ben

    x

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 173 – 183 (25.07.10)

     

    Its definately not that there is a lack of things to say, but I am finding myself so pre-occupied with "real life" things at the minute that my diary has taken a slight back seat. Not in terms of workload. I have a lot going on at home which I am really excited about, and it tends to cloud your vision of the job somewhat. I am having so many vivid dreams at the moment, every night seems to unveil some new and weird sequence of events, and for once I am actually remembering all of them too! Does having fingers made of Mars bars have any meaning?!

    It has been back to business as usual for the band and we are pushing ahead with the promo for the next tour. It felt weird going back to Liverpool and Manchester this week without a show to play, but it is our way of promoting and it is once again working well. I have spent a lot of time on the trains as per usual and I have a new book on the go. Robert Harris' Fatherland. Its really captivated me, and I once again find myself thinking about how great it would be to travel more widely and experience living in some new European cities. I am sure that I will get the chance, and there are 3 cities on my list for sure: Paris, Rome and Vienna.

    I have started writing again too which is a blessing. I often take time off writing new songs when I am on tour and this time was no exception. But I have so much to write about at the minute, and my vocal coach Dane made it even more excting when we spent an hour this week talking about the tremendous feeling of getting emotion across in songs, which has spurred me on even more to write some great stuff.

    I think it is strange to be such an honest songwriter. Some people write songs about made up events and emotions. And I have tried this way. But it doesnt work for me, and I find myself most attached to songs that directly hit home to me when I sing them. In fact, I always find that if I am onto a great melody and lyric it will undoubtedly bring a tear to my eye when I am writing it. You can't fake that, and its my evidence of a good song.

    This week I have a brand new song that does exactly this. I am going to work on it further and then record the demo track.

    We are actively searching for a record company in the U.S now too, and I am very excited about that prospect. It is a land I do not know, and yet I am so attracted by working there and taking my songs over the ocean. I guess it is that age old "American Dream" notion and I do not think I am any different emotionally to most people.

    Except that I am officially an "old romantic" according to Sophie. But I like that idea.

    Heres to another trouble free week in rock and roll, and some more DIY activity at home for me!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 184 – 194

     

    The last 10 days have flown by. I have got myself back into a songwriting routine, and have spent hours working on new melodies and lyrics. I often find that when I hit a rhythm I can write very quickly and its been one of those weeks. I have about 9 new songs on the go, and I am excited about them as usual. Not necessarily an indicator of their quality by the way...

    Mum and Dad first bought this upright piano when I was very young and it was in the living room, taking up lots of room against the wall. I remember coming home from primary school during a howling gale to it like it was yesterday, and I think it may have been the most important thing that they ever bought. I can remember disliking playing other peoples songs, and I was never interested in reading music. But I was so young, I'm not sure anything apart from playing with my best mate Ed in the garden interested me that much. I think subconsciously though its presence always drew me in. You do wonder sometimes why your life takes the path it does, and I always find it a little funny that mine is intrinsically linked to a lifetime behind a piano expressing my emotions through melody.

    Dan and I have quite a strange set up at the minute. As we are both based in different cities we are having to do a lot of recording in our own home studios and then firing files across the internet to each other. Its fun though, and its really nice to have someone to share the development phase of the songs with. Songwriting is quite a solitary gig, and I've never really written well when I am put with another person. So it works perfectly with Dan. A chilled out head on his shoulders works well with my completely emotional and erratic tendencies, and he can come in on the track once I have written it.

    I have decided to draft in my Dad/security guard/tour van driver/builder/home brewer/good old egg to help me build a new studio at home, and I have put my energies into that too. I will be setting up a soundproofed studio, running Pro Tools with full recording capabilities. Its the first time I will ever have had my own dedicated space for studio recording at home and I'm looking forward to becoming a decent producer as well as songwriter. Chris has been banging on at me all year that it is important I am cutting edge in my writing and I think this is a natural step in helping get the best out of me.

    We've got a photoshoot on Monday for the new press package. I think its time to have a shave. Its been two weeks now and I'm starting to look a little ragged....

    Life goes on, and its just fine

    Ben

    x

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 195 – 198

     

    I never thought seven years ago when I first started out in bands that so much attention to detail would be involved. I find myself constantly thinking about every little possible nook and cranny that could affect how well things go for us. The last couple of days I have been working closely with Dan and our producers in Paris to record a new song. It is a cover version of a very famous and successful song and its been daunting trying to cut it. It was Chris and Sandy's idea for us to record it, and time will tell if it works, but we have put everything into it as usual to try and produce the best result possible. I dont know how life will pan out and what will become of me, but I still live everyday with the same principles of putting 100% into everything whether it is what I want to do or required to do, so this is no different to any other project. You listen to your elders, its one of those things. You can challenge whenever you want, but always listen. Its taken me a lifetime to learn that, and it really does work. I hope the song comes out well, and after a few drastic changes to the current mix, we will go for a mastering session on it tomorrow, hoping for a contemporary yet rocking mix of a classic and brilliant song.

    I am back onto the train tomorrow, heading for London, for our latest press shoot. This is important for us. Very important. Bands often forget that the first thing people ever see are the faces in the band, and I have been a part of so many crummy, yet expensive photoshoots. I am determined that it will showcase the band in the best light possible, and we have been meticulous in our preparation. The right clothes, the right hair, the right make-up (yes, you heard it, make-up), all comes together to maximise our potential to look the part, as well as playing the part. We have a good photographer, a good location, only the weather can piss on our parade now. Dont let us down London.

    Sunday nights remind me of sitting with Dad in the living room when I was a kid watching Heartbeat. Well here's a funny fact. Having watched Gary Barlow's amusing performance in Heartbeat back in the late 90s Sophie and I realised we have the same china plates as Heartbeat! Except, they probably bought theirs, and we had ours very kindly donated by the local re-cycled household goods center.

    I wonder if I have the "actual" plates used in Heartbeat!?

    Peace,

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 199 – 214

    Creating something from nothing is a pleasing thing. I have had a really busy couple of weeks, and thanks to all of you for sending messages asking me to put up a new blog. I just wanted to make sure I had finished the work on the studio before I started chatting away again. Dad came up to stay with us for 10 days and it has been great to spend some proper time with him. I never knew he was capable of so many things, but he has managed to build my new studio from scratch and it looks great. I've got a top notch Pro-Tools set up and it is going to really help us over the coming months! Thanks Dad! Another string to your bow!
     
    I have already started writing new material in there, and have been listening to a lot of contemporary pop to come to terms with all the production techniques being used in the charts at the moment. Its not my natural environment to be technical but I love the idea of being able to bring the ideas in my head to life without having to rely on someone else to make it happen.
     
    We are back out into the Queues around the country now as promo for the January tour is beginning, and the new songs are coming easily at the moment. I put it down to how many exciting things are happening in my own family life, as I find it much easier to write songs about real emotions, as I have said before. Its been so nice to receive so many messages and emails from people saying they are enjoying reading my words, and its hard to believe it is coming up to a year since I first started writing. Sometimes I find it strange that any of you care, but then I suppose I look for solace in other peoples stories too, so why can't I be the one to share. I think I live a fairly interesting journey worth telling people about. Trust me, there is lots more to come : )
     
    Chris and Sandy are working like dogs here and in the U.S to secure us a new record label to work with. It is a frustrating thing being left to wait for someone at a label to decide whether the songs you write are any good, but I am used to it now, and I just get on with my job and hope that it is good enough. I am excited about the next few months for many reasons, but I have to question whether I am prepared for what is imminent. You'll all know soon enough. I don't think I will do a good job of hiding my feelings. As Dan often says, I am a man driven solely by emotions. He is probably right.
     
    My lyric for the day, helping me to remember all that is important about life and its ups and downs "One Heart, one direction, only love will lead you there." From the new Kula Shaker album, which I am enjoying listening to right now.
     
    Peace
     
    X

     

     

    Days 215 – 216 (26.08.10)

     

    Songwriting is something that exictes me as much as it ever did. I had an email from a fan a few weeks ago asking how I go about writing melody and lyrics, and my reply was quite simple. Live life, feel something, and then share it. Thats what I continue to do, and we have a brand new track to share with the world. Its going to be available from tomorrow night, and I thought I would print the lyrics to the track here first. I often like reading lyrics before I hear a melody. Elton John and Bernie Taupin always worked this way, and I like reading the lyric as a story. These are the lyrics for tomorrows brand new track:
     
    Ivyrise - Too Much
     
    Every moment that you stay, every wrong word that you say
    I'm too far gone to hear you now and carry your mistakes
    Walk the lonely streets where the souless wander free
    You're still out there looking for a reason not to leave
    If we tempt fate it might break, and thats a risk that I can't take
     
    When it all gets too much, and you're feeling so misunderstood
    You've lost everything inside, but everything's gonna be alright
    Just open your eyes, and you'll see me staring back at you
    Don't cry, don't cry because it all gets too much
     
    You tell me something I can't hope to keep inside
    I dont want to say I didnt know, I couldnt read your mind
    Headlines on a Sunday reading like a horror story meant for me
    If we tempt fate it might break, and thats a risk that I can't take
     
    When it all gets too much, and you're feeling so misunderstood
    You've lost everything inside, but everything's gonna be alright
    Just open your eyes, and you'll see me staring back at you
    Don't cry, don't cry because it all gets too much
    All gets too much, when you look at me the way you do
    It all gets too much, all gets too much, all gets too much
    It all gets too much, and you're feeling so misunderstood
    You've lost everything inside, but everything's gonna be alright
    Just open your eyes, and you'll see me staring back at you
    Don't cry, don't cry because it all gets too much
     
    ....................................................
     
     
    Thanks for reading as always
     
    Ben
     
    X
     
    Life of a Frontman  Days 217 – 224 (3.09.10)
    In December of 2003 I can remember sitting in a little cheap restaurant in the Midlands, near to where I was studying at university. Sitting around me were a mish mash of wannabe musicians that I had met. I wanted to start a band, and we had put together a 3 track CD called The Paris Demo. It was my first attempt to record a band, and it was pretty awful. We had 3 songs, one called Chameleon, one called Beirut, and one called Stuck beneath the Ice. It didnt really get any good feedback, and I can remember playing our first couple of shows in and around university where friends came down and cheered us along. The point though, is that I have stuck at it. And I'm glad that I have. I was watching the DVD of our performance at Islington and to think I am the same person to that beginner from 2003 makes me feel good. I still have a long way to go, but the band is in good shape, and the passion is stronger than ever.
     
    To say this industry is tough is an understatement. However, I think of it as just another industry. Life in work is difficult whatever you do. Its just when you care so much about what you do you tend to get impatient when things dont happen overnight. This band certainly hasnt happened overnight. But I dont think that ever helps you if it does. When it happens quickly it can end just as quickly if you are not careful.
     
    We have been busy writing and recording again this week. There is lots of new material floating around at the minute and I think we are on good form. The downtime from touring is great for songwriting but songs dont come without inspiration, and that is something you cannot force. If you do, you just end up with crap. Nobody wants us to put bad songs out there, least of all us.
     
    Tonight we're putting up another track. Check in at 6 to hear it. We think it is one of our best so far.
     
    Its easy to get lost thinking about what might be. Will you be living a completely different life this time next year? Will that big hit come along and sweep us all off our feet. In music, and any other insecure job you seem to live for that "maybe." Maybe once you get it, the flame isnt there anymore. Id like to get the chance to find out mind...
     
    Ill put the lyrics up for the new track just before 6.
     
    Ben
     
    X
     
    2:07 PM

  • Life of a Frontman vol.4 - Ben's journey with Ivyrise

    Life of a Frontman Days 111-113

     

    My flight went without any hitches this time. A smooth ride above the clouds, and one of those sun blessed moments when everything seems calm. It was nice and warm on my arrival in Paris, and I had a couple of hours to wander around the streets of Chatelet Les Halles before I needed to be in the studio.

    I love wandering around and watching people. Sophie always laughs at how obviously I stare at people in the streets, and it must be one of my more bizarre traits I think. Paris is one of those places where you can people watch all day long.

    I sat myself down outside a little cafe on the banks of the river and watched as the traffic passed by, accompanied by extremely wealthy Parisien women and down and out beggars. Cities and their stark gap between rich and poor always amaze me, and I often wonder how so many different lives can exist as one.

    I have a problem with seeing people on the streets without food or shelter, but yesterday I had a bad experience. A man, dressed in a duffle coat and a bobble hat. Of central african descent he didnt look like a stereotypical beggar, and he carried himself with the swagger of an angry man. Understandable I thought, but then he approached me rapidly with almost crazy eyes, came right up against my face and asked if I could spare some money for food in a menacing voice. I have to say I panicked, as I imagine all who cross his path do, and pretended not to speak any French, whilst reaching into my pocket to give him some spare change. I felt angry that I had succumbed to his aggressive approach, but at the same time, I immediately realised that he had obviously realised long ago that scaring people into giving him money was an effective way of surviving. Once the adrenalin of feeling under threat had passed, my beady eyes spotted him doing the same thing further down the platform of the Metro, and I just felt sad that people find themselves becoming a menace just to stay alive.

    We are recording and mixing in a studio right in the heart of Bastille, and its a really bustling part of Paris. Very inspiring, and yesterday the vocals went down very easily, despite the dodgy tum that keeps threatening to derail me. I wont let it, and I know how important this track is to my career.

    Im desperately trying to find a bar with the FA Cup final on today. My beloved Pompey are playing, and I really want to see it. The hunt begins right now.........

    Ben

     

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 114-116

     

    Who would have thought a volcano could cause so much bother!?

    I left Paris on Monday morning, and hopped on the Metro. Again, I was frustrated. This time by a rich Japanese man. He had 8 large Louis Vuitton bags in hand, and the air of a pompous fool. A woman got onto the train, and began singing the most beautiful melody. It was in Romanian I think, and her voice was in stark contrast to her matted hair and lingering odour. Most of us popped a bit of spare change in her hat after she had finished, acknowledging her wondrous voice and the fact she was obviously doing it to make a little money to buy some food for her family. But the Japanese man, to my amazement not only refused to help, but also ushered her away with his hand. I really had to bite my tongue and hold back the urge to clatter him around his smug face. I just cant believe how detached some people are from reality, and how little compassion they have.

    I arrived at Charles de Gaulle slightly smug myself actually. I was really proud to have finished the session in Bastille with a new and completed song. We are preparing to unveil it on Sunday to our fans and I cant wait to hear their reactions! Any smugness I had though was wiped off my face when I realised my flight had been cancelled due to the volcano dust....

    I only had one choice really. To wait 8 hours for a coach to take me to Calais, across the Channel, and then up to Leeds. An 18 hour journey in total!

    And wasn't it a long journey! I tried sleeping but the bumpy roads and uncomfortable seats did not bode well for any snoozing and I ended up arriving in a cafeine injected state at 6am the next morning!

    All par for the course in Falinski world though...rarely do I get a smooth ride when travelling.

    I am starting to get excited about the tour now. Only a month to go until it all starts kicking off and I am currently preparing some exciting onstage props to go with my new outfit. Very artistic I'll have you know....well I think so anyway!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 117-120 (22.05.10)

     

    The weather this week has been beautiful. It is amazing how much happier everyone seems over here when the sun shines. No wonder people who live in sunny climes carry a smile with them all the time. A little glass of cold New Zealand sauvignon blanc and I'm away!

    I have spent a lot of time on the train though this week, so have managed to avoid the majority of the sun. Dan and I have been beavering away in Liverpool doing promo for the tour date on 1st July, and the city is growing on me. We have a small group of fans that we see every time we go there, and its starting to make me feel like we are going to have a really good time in Liverpool playing shows over the course of our career. It is good to know people want to be a part of our journey, and everybody we have met is into the music!

    The mixing and mastering of the new single has been going on the last couple of days too, and typically I have lost myself in the tune, trying to make it sound as good as possible. We are preparing to unveil it tonight, and I really think it will surprise a lot of our existing fans, and spur many new fans into joining our world. Be sure to log in at 6pm and leave us a message once you have heard it! I really hope you all love it for a long time!

    For those of you who read my blog, here is a sneak preview of the lyrics as a thank you for keeping in touch throughout all of this!

    Over And Out - Ivyrise

    I see that you've lost your sense of feeling, now you're dreaming and I'm over and out

    Over and Out, we're not over and out
    I need a parachute to carry me when I'm scared
    I need somebody who can take me for who I am, over and out

    I see that you've lost your sense of feeling, now you're dreaming and I'm over and out
    I know that your heart is close to healing, cos everybody needs somebody else, say that you're not over and out

    Over and Out, we're not over and out
    I need a parachute to catch me when I fall
    I need somebody who can hear me when I call, over and out

    I see that you've lost your sense of feeling, now you're dreaming and I'm over and out
    I know that your heart is close to healing, cos everybody needs somebody else, say that you're not over and out
    Over and Out



    Ben

    x

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 121-122

     

    So who is reading this evening!?

    I am so pleased with the reaction Over and Out has had. I was a bit wary that people wouldn't recognise it as being traditional Ivyrise material, but I have had so many lovely messages in my inbox from fans saying they think it is the best one yet! What do you think? Let me know!

    Another beautiful day on the road, and had the pleasure of meeting Stephen Avary from The Rocket Summer yesterday. He was very cool, had a pair of sunglasses I wish I had, but it was a real eyeopener that he only managed 120 tickets in Liverpool. it just shows you that even the popular well known acts are struggling to pull people through the doors in the UK at the minute. it truly is a difficult time for live music.

    I really hope though that our fans pull through for us and come to fill the venues on this next tour in June. We are all looking forward to it and I know its going to be a great 2 weeks. God knows we have worked hard enough over the last 3 months promoting it, so I think we sure are going to let our hair down and enjoy it.

    I am reading Eric Claptons autobiography at the moment, and it is a realy eyeopener. I was sitting with Tanner on the kerb waiting in Liverpool yesterday and he turned to me. "I wish we were as interesting as people like Clapton. Our lives have been so boring!" I got thinking, and although I can see his thinking, I am of the opinion that no indivuidual life is boring, no life is without its daily ups and downs, nobody lives life without doing something nobody else will ever experience. What we have given ourself though is the task of appealing to peoples exotic and sometimes out of the ordinary tastes. To be something that people wish they could be. Well guess what, we are all who are we are, and we all live how we live. I find life fascinating, and I'm enjoying the ride, however bumpy it sometimes seems!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 123-125

     


    The last week has passed so quickly and it has slipped my mind to get on here and write. Not an excuse but hey....!

    I am still struggling with my stomach problems and have decided to pack in the customary glass of wine for a while. Sophie really worries that it is the main cause of the pains Im getting and the other night I was terribly ill all night which wasnt very nice. It has stopped me in my tracks but I've carried on working needless to say, which has frustrated all my family no end. I have worked really hard to make this tour a success and I want to see it through no matter what my stomach tries to say to me!

    Dan and I were in Leeds on Thursday. We sat down in the sun outside the station and got a drink. A homeless man came to sit down, which I have no problem with at all. He didn't ask for anything, looked terribly down and out and just wanted some company. But, the ugly head of our society reared itself again, and Dan and I were immediately hounded by the other people there. Almost as if to say, "How dare you speak to a tramp?" It was pathetic. Members of staff came out and started attempting to herd the poor fella out of the venue like a animal. I was glad in a way that Dan saw this in action. He has often been skeptical about my thoughts on these poor people, but this I think was the experience he needed to realise how wrong it is to sever ourselves from such a vulnerable and helpless strand of society. Pisses me off so much!

    We've had to cancel our slot at the Marylebone Summer Fayre, which I think is for the best. Dan and I really need to get the next single finishes and have the opportunity to go back to the studio in Paris to do it next weekend. Both of us are excited about the trip and we're confident its going to be an important one for us as a band.

    Only 3 weeks now until the tour kicks off. Im not sure how we'll feel when we tee up in Leeds at The Cockpit having spent so much time there outside selling tickets. It'll be a relief if it all goes well!

    I plan on eating an awful lot today! 3 days of no eating doesn't sit well with me!

    Peace

    Ben

     

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 133-136

     

    Only a few days until I head back to Paris once again to carry on recording the album. I feel like I let the band down a little bit last time, as I failed to bring back the third single in good enough condition to use. I got a little lost in the mix somewhere and it came out slightly differently to how I wanted. Mickael is being a star this week though and between myself, Dan and the producers I think we are going to repair any potential damage and make Looks Like Heaven the massive track it deserves to be.

    I keep banging on about this track, but I think its for good reason. It just has something that none of my other songs have ever had, and I am so determined to do it justice in the studio.

    A trip to France normally means eating ridiculous amounts of calories for a week. Not this time though. I got a lovely message from one of our fans, diagnosing my tummy problems as being a lot to do with my diet. So out go ALL the things I love, and in come "salads" "chicken" and "almonds"! I have to say I am feeling so much clearer and healthier, even after 4 days of no alchohol, cafeine and spice. I like feeling good, and I think I'll just keep it this way from now on.

    I feel like the next couple of months could be pivotal for us. We need to find a new record label to release our music. It is so important that our momentum carries forward into the end of the year, and I have to say I am nervous. We have achieved so much in 2010, and I want more than anything for it to continue growing.

    I feel very lucky to still be standing in this business, and I feel even luckier to still have the full backing of all the people close to me in my life. I am very blessed

    Off to Manchester today, and I am pretty sure the rains will come. They usually do!

    Bring your brolly Dan

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 137-140 (11.06.10)

     

    I was really pleased to get a phonecall from The Portsmouth Evening News today. Somebody at PRS (which is the society which administers performers royalities) tipped them off about my time busking last year. The national papers across the UK are calling for a National Busking Day to highlight the important role buskers play in the world of live music across the country, and I couldnt agree more. I enjoyed my time playing on the streets of Bath, and I am glad to be a part of the story. I'll post a link once I see the article. I hope something comes of it, and I bet there are so many musicians like me who started their lives as buskers. It was such a learning experience.

    Having travelled down to London, I had the pleasure of meeting another member of the impressive Railway Children organisation and it affirmed my belief in their charity. I was glad Chris, my manager and close friend came along as I sometimes think that my vision for this band is perhaps not always everyone elses vision. Although I have a strong beliief in what I want to achieve, I definately dont want to be the kind of person who disregards the dreams of anyone else involved. However, I feel strongly about becoming an active part of the charity, and I think the other members of Ivyrise are coming to the same conclusions without being forced. As one of the volunteers said today to me "it is an addictive thing to be a part of." I completely agree, and the more I uncover the more I feel compelled to help. I guess only time will tell how effective our involvement can be. As usual, I have my fears about failing to have any sort of positive impact.

    I am actually quite excited about watching the football tomorrow. I love the way The World Cup seems to bring a sense of euphoria to every nation involved. It seems to help people forget about their troubles, and I like things that do that. I've already noticed how vibrant and colourful the whole affair is, and it was great to hear Nelson Mandela's famous speech again at the opening ceremony.

    We cant lose to America tomorrow.......can we?!

    Off to Paris, where an important week is ahead of us.

    Peace

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 141-143

     

    Here I am again, sitting in the studio in Paris. This time I have some company and Dan has been steering the good ship Ivyrise today. The song is sounding miles better, proof if ever I needed it that I cannot do everything on my own all the time.

    We had a smooth flight over to Paris. The weather was fine, but despite the calm journey I still managed to get the usual nerves as we took off. I shall never trust a tin can flying at 500 miles an hour!

    After the air stewardess spilt boiling coffee on me as she passed, we had a little Salmon and Cream Cheese roll, courtesy of BA, and all was well for the rest of the journey. Dan asked for some orange juice to which the air stewardess in question asked 'Would you like it on your head?' We both laughed!

    I'm sure the week will fly by, and there is lots to do! I think this will be my last trip to Paris for a while, so we are going to make the most of it.

    As Chris keeps saying the next few months are 'make or break for this band' I wish he would not keep reminding me, but I guess its true. We either sink or swim in my opinion after this tour, and I hope its the latter.

    I don't plan on doing anything else with my life.

    Ben

     

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 144-148

     

    It's been a long week in Paris, but as we boarded our plane to come home Dan and I gave each other a knowing look, that we had done something great. Or maybe it was the knowledge that we both had a dozen snails swimming around our bellys somewhere! However, there is an everlasting optimism in the soul of all four of us that refuses to be worn down, and this week proved to me again that I have an amazing team around me in this band.

    The long and arduous road to getting Looks Like Heaven to its peak has, in my opinion, come to an end, and I can now sit back and listen to the track and be proud. Here are the lyrics for anyone who is interested:

    Im still awake and thinking up my fate but the clock is ticking down and it's late
    I cant decide if Im swimming with the tide, or Im wearing out the same old disguise
    She blows a little kiss, forgets about the risks, because when heaven parts we'll get over it

    Ill be there to hold you when youre scared
    To wrap my arms around you anytime or anywhere
    The calm will set you free if you believe in loving me
    You might not see it but it looks like heaven, looks like heaven to me

    Im not afraid that she's playing with my fate because I know that I could never escape
    I never looked like this before, it looks like heaven's at my door
    I wont hide these feelings anymore
    She blows a little kiss, forgets about the risks, because when heaven parts we'll get over it



    These lyrics mean the world to me. Unlike a lot of other songs I write and play, with this one I just dont seem to have any fear. Whenever I sing it, everything else seems to pass, its a funny serene thing that I find difficult to explain.

    We're also unveiling Last Of The Broken Hearts tonight too. I love this song for different reasons and Yves did such a brilliant job producing it. I shall not say any more on it until I hear what people think.

    I'm glad to be back home for a day at least. Then its time to head to rehearsals to prepare what will be our most exciting tour to date. Lots of people coming to see us, and we've got a great set planned. I just hope we live up to the hype and perform well onstage. We've all got something to prove, so I know everyone will produce their best.

    After an impromtu band meeting in a hotel in London yesterday, Chris correctly pointed out that our meetings never seem that cheery. Well, its because all of us have put our lives on the line for this band. We have all struggled along for a long time, not being able to contemplate life past next months bills. I think its taking its toll on all of us, but for a couple of weeks at least, the rule is to forget all that, and enjoy the chance to take to the stage and share the dream with those who believe in Ivyrise.

    Boys, if youre reading............ All for one!

    Next stop, rehearsals

    X

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 149-152 (23.06.10)

     

    It wouldn't be Ivyrise if every day did not throw up a calamity or two.

    Chris sends me a text on the first morning of rehearsals for this tour. The usual managers check up. "Is everything going ok etc etc" To which I dont think Ive ever been able to reply " Yes, everything is great!"

    This time we arrive at our studio to find one of our bags missing from our lock-up, and our front of house sound engineer stranded in Paris after missing his flight to England....

    Great start...........mind you, Mark was there in one piece sporting what can only be described as 1980s gym shorts! Im not sure what shocked me more, the sight of Mark on time, looking rested and on form, or those "retro" Nike shorts to keep him cool in our inferno of a studio.

    After scrambling around to get our man over to Liverpool and seeing Josh raging until someone located his bag of equipment we settled into the usual rehearsal routine, running through new songs, working on the old ones and realising once again that the feeling of comfort amongst us when we play is so special.

    I think we were a little worried, as usual, that after not touring for 3 months the spark might not be there this time, but it was a nice feeling to hear it all fit together like a puzzle. That, in my opinion is the sign of a band that works, and I know we have it. When everyone plays, it just works, and that puts everyones mind at ease going into this round of touring.

    The setlist is Marks department, and he has put a nice journey in place for people coming to the concerts. I like the way it flows and I am looking forward to the first show in Leeds!

    For those of you in the know, you will know that I know that you know to look on here just before a tour to see the setlist. Well......here it is:

    1- Electrified
    2- Disguise
    3- Last Of The Broken Hearts
    4- Line Up The Stars
    5- Stuck Beneath The Ice
    6- Outside
    7- Last Words
    8- Viva La Ivyrise
    9- Looks Like Heaven
    10- With You Til The End
    11- Over And Out
    12- 1000 Feet

    You heard it here first, and I thank all who have bought tickets to see us on this tour in advance. We're dong our very best to make sure it is a wicked night for everyone everywhere!

    Dad.....as I know you're reading this, save a bit of space in the van for your Fathers Day present.....

    And England players, if you're reading, please try and win today!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Day 153

     

    Having spent so much time in Leeds doing promo it was strange to finally be starting the tour there.

    I feel pretty jaded this morning after the show. There was a really great atmosphere at The Cockpit last night, and it felt great to be back onstage.

    But it didnt all go to plan. Soundcheck seemed to go on forever, as we struggled to get the levels we wanted. And I was having a nightmare with my onstage monitors. I couldnt hear myself at all, which for any singer makes life very difficult onstage. Eventually I resorted to pushing my earplugs in pretty far so I was singing in my head.

    All these minor stresses aside, the show went well. For me, I felt our new songs were the weakest ones. As is often the way, songs that havent been road tested take a while to bed in and become as good as the rest. This was the case last night, so there is definately work to be done ahead of Saturdays show in Portsmouth.

    All in all, it was a good start to the tour, and a simple reminder to me that I love performing my songs to people. Our fanbase in Leeds continues to develop, and I think we are vindicated in the sense that hard work does seem to pay off sometimes : )

    See you in Portsmouth!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 154-155

     

    I love coming to play in Portsmouth. Its my opportunity to come back to where it all started and remind myself why I wanted to create a band in the first place. I can remember frustrating myself beyond belief in my bedroom with my old Yamaha PSR 5700. I was 13, and I couldnt understand why I couldnt write a melody or conjure up a lyric. I was a stubborn kid though, and I wouldnt let it go. I can remember the day a song called Long River came about. I had watched Goldfinger a few times that week, and I copied the melody from the film. I was pleased with myself. I had a song to call my own, and I can remember playing it to my best friend Ed. I went on to write a load of songs that year, and I never really looked back. I used the songs as a way of expressing my emotions. My Mum had got ill and we were all struggling to cope with it. I can remember going into her room with the piano and I'd just play all these songs to her. It was my way of showing how much i cared I think. I have demo tapes scattered around the attic that Mum has kept and I dread to think how bad some of those songs were. They all mattered to me though. Envelopes with the addresses of every record label under the sun are up there too, my attempt aged 14 to get a deal! It didnt work!

    Its funny looking back on it all. The journey to get here has been a long one, has taken every ounce of enery I posess, and I still feel like Im nowhere near the goal. But I reckon all things take time, and I couldnt ask for a more exciting job to give my all to. When you step on that stage in front of a crowd who love the band, I always remember my little bedroom concerts to Mum and Dad, Ed and his parents. It all seemed like such a pipe dream at the time, but I guess its happening for real now. I think I'm ready, and even if sometimes I feel like I'm out of my depth, I have 3 guys around me to carry me. In that huddle before we go onstage any fear goes out the window, and thats why you're in a band. Well thats how I see it anyway. I wouldnt want to be on my own doing all this.

    Portsmouth tonight, and another chance to show my birthtown how far I've come since the early days!

    Ben

    x

     

    Life of a Frontman Day 156

    It was a full moon last night and as we left Manchester along I could see the moon shining through the clouds in the wing mirror of the van. Everyone was tired, and I just stared at it for about 5 minutes thinking about the show.

    You spend your whole day building up the anticipation before a show, and preparing yourself to exert such a concentrated amount of energy in a short space of time that once the show is done, everything goes so quiet and peaceful, and it feels like you're empty of energy. Last night was lots of fun, and we have great fans in Manchester. They really get going, and I was happy to see how many of the fans knew the words to the new songs too. It inspired me, and I hope I gave them a top show.

    Having got home shattered last night, I had some sleep, not envious of Josh and Chris' monster journey back down to the South and got up this morning to co-ordinate the mixing and mastering for Last Words, a song that has become a real anthem for us at shows. We have decided to unveil it tonight, and here are the lyrics:

    Last Words

    No mistaking words you meant to say, no confusing games to play
    If you're leaving when you meant to stay, so. oh
    If you're last words are tailing off or feeling lost
    If you're last words strike gold
    If you're last words are spoken like you never wanted more, oh
    Don't be friendly with your enemies, they might trample on your gave
    Piece of mind won't be your remedy, so, oh
    If you're last words are tailing off or feeling lost
    If you're last words strike gold
    If you're last words are spoken like you never wanted more, oh
    They might be your last words
    They might be your last words, they might be your last words

    ..................

    I really love playing this song, and last night was no exception. I just hope we carry on getting the chance to play it night after night once this tour is finished.

    For now though, our thoughts are on Nottingham!

    Peace

    Ben

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 157-159

    A very strong coffee should do it this morning. I feel pretty exhausted. Coming home from Liverpool's show last night, I couldn't keep my eyes open and I have to say I was glad to have my bed waiting for me.

    Sitting backstage at The Masque last night was like a sauna. It put all of us off being in there, and we ended up preparing for the show outside the venue, where one girl was having to be tended to by paramedics after having way too much to drink I think. It was like an episode of Casualty, and I felt very bad for her. Having made that mistake before when I was younger, I never like to see people make the same ones.

    The show passed me by in Liverpool. I struggled through the set, never really finding any form and trying anything I could to sound better and put on a good show. But my usual spark didnt materialise, and I felt like I had let people down a little. Possibly it was the heat, possibly it was tiredness, but I am determined to put on a better show next time we come to Liverpool. Especially for the die hard fans we have who make such an effort for in the North West. Thanks Girls!

    Nottingham the night before however was a different beast altogether. Everything was smooth, easy and a pleasant surprise considering our usual form in Nottingham. We have perennially underachieved in Nottingham, pulling in less people than we should, but this time was different. The fans were brilliant, as they have been everywhere to be honest, and it felt like we were playing there for the first time.

    Isnt it funny how much a show can change in your own eyes in the space of 24 hours. I bet its just a state of mind though, and the product of spending too much time involved in it.

    Its the long trek down to London now, and what should be our largest show of the tour. We have never played to an audience this big as a headliner, and its an exciting prospect. Technical glitches and a little fatigue aside, I feel like we are in prime form to finish the tour with a bang.

    We are a lucky bunch. To have fans who look up to us as role models is amazing, and getting recognised for writing these songs is what I have always wanted. But something inside of me is never happy. I saw a documentary on the BBC with Bon Jovi saying that no matter what they have ever acheived, they always look immediately to what they could do next to make it better. I think I share the same ambition, and this tour has reinforced that belief. I hope London is a good as it can be, and then itll be time to look for the next challenge. We might even release a record, how about that?! : )

    For now, its back to the M1 for me....

    Ben

     

    2:01 PM

  • Life of a Frontman vol.3 - Ben's journey with Ivyrise

    Life of a Frontman Days 49 to 52 (12.03.10)

    I have done quite a few studio sessions in my career so far. I started when I was 10!....

    I wrote an album full of songs in my bedroom and I asked my parents to buy me this old Yamaha PSR 5700 keyboard. I set it up in my room with old old Dolby stereo sitting on top of it. I used to sit there for hours singing into the two speakers of the stereo whilst playing the piano out of the Yamaha. The Dolby had a record button on it and so I used to try and record it as I played. In hindsight it makes me laugh because I really believed that these recordings would make me a big star! I had a song called "Mr Carew," one called "A Life Less Ordinary," one called "Into The Wilderness." I had pictures taken of me behind my keyboard by my Mum and I used to invite my best friend Ed over to my house to perform the songs to him in my room! It was the start of a dream! (I wonder if Mum still has the tapes of that album!) I can remember my Mum finding it difficult to believe that is really what I wanted to do but she and Dad have supported me all the way, no matter how way away from the mark I may have been aged 10....12.....14....16.... I hope they can see it paying off nowadays a little....just.... : )

    I have recorded in some really interesting places since. When we recorded Disguise I we went to Kentish Town where we spent a session with Paul Simm. That was a real step up from my Dolby!Although it was a pretty bizarre area. I got the bus up each day. It was always full of people who looked like they had been severely affected by drugs, alchohol and violence. It wasn't nice to see. I can remember it to this day.

    It was still the very beginning of my studio career though and I can remember feeling somewhat out of my depth trying to record the songs I had wriitten. They came out OK but I can remember at the time thinking that it could have been so much better. Disguise got on Radio 2 when it was released but I suspect if recorded now it would have so much more to give.

    The most difficult session I have had so far was when we went into Konk studios in North London. Konk was where The Kooks recorded both of their debut albums, and it is owned by the very eccentric Ray Davies of The Kinks. I can remember being really excited about that session. I absolutely love The Kinks you see. The session quickly turned sour as we realised how far from being competent we were as a band. It was the old running before we could walk syndrone. Mark had only been in the band for a couple of months, and thank God he was in the band by then, because he carried the guitar playing in that session. I struggled through and managed to get my job done, but working with top end producers like Ben and Alan Moulder proved to us that we needed to bring in musicians who could really perform. Dan really is a star, and has been such a powerful addition to this band since he came in mid 2008, soon after that session. I'm sure all of you reading this agree with me on the Tanner X Factor!

    The reason I ramble on about all the mistakes I have made in studio is that my mind is firmly in "studio mode" now. I am ready for the challenge or recording a hit record, and I believe this is the first time I am walking into a studio with a real chance. All of the band are ready for it, and our touring schedule in 2010 so far has given us the perfect gelling period so we can make the most of recording with a world famous name like Yves Jaget. I guess if I come back in 3 weeks time and it all went wrong, I shall have a lot of egg on my face, but I'm quietly confident about this one!

    Studio sessions are not meant to be easy. The atmosphere is often fraught as people struggle to achieve the heights they want. But it is such a magical environment to be in when it goes well. I hope that we have one of those weeks in Paris.

    When 1000 Feet came out, I can remember finding out from our radio plugger that we had been B-listed on Absolute Radio. I tuned in with Sophie and I can remember her making a joke about how funny it would be if the record was played, and the DJ said how rubbish he thought it was...

    Geoff Smith of Absolute Radio played it at 6 23pm that evening for the first time.....

    "Thats the first time out there for Ivyrise. The song is called 1000 Feet...that's dreadful. Maybe it'll be a grower."

    My heart sank.

    Let us hope that we get the reactions we want to this new record when it is finally done. I can't wait to have an album to give all of our loyal fans.

    Ben

     

     

     

    A week in Paris

    Paris really has a place in my heart, and I was excited when we found out we would be working there with Yves and Mikael.

    It came around quickly and before we knew it we were all travelling down to London on the train to meet before heading to Dover to catch the ferry. Dan and I rose at 6am on Sunday morning and left the North of England, headed for London. A smooth journey followed and we both arrived in Guildford to meet Josh, Mark and our manager Chris.

    Everything seemed to be going smooth until Mark made the first (and only) real buckle of the week. Having been reminded about 5 times to remember his passport, he managed to leave it at home....Havoc in the world of Nagle ensued, including a rapid walk back to Hammersmith, followed by a tube, a bus, a train, a lot of sweating, and even more apologising on his arrival in Guildford. Then he fell asleep in the car and we pick the story up as we make a last ditch, and successful attempt to catch the ferry from Dover! Away we went..........somehow!!!

    It was dark when we arrived on the shores of La France and we travelled a good 3 hours to get to a little suburb of Paris called Maison Alfort. A charming little place, filled with traditional and humble houses, oozing the Parisien feel I expected to find. The boys were all in high spirits. Despite what the slightly under-par Mc Donalds meal was trying to do to our bellies.

    The studio was just perfect. Hidden away down a little street, a completely unmarked building containing a brand new studio, bedrooms, kitchen, offices, a very well stocked wine cellar and the worlds nicest French coffee machine! We immediately felt at home.

    Everyone slept well, in the knowledge that it was a 7am start to get the ball rolling for the session.

    Bright and breezy, we all woke, made our introductions to our producer Yves Jaget, and got ourselves ready to play. Everyone was on top form, and a kitchen full of fresh croissants, pain au chocolats and warm baguettes certainly helped and I could tell straight away that Mark, Josh and Dan were happy chappys.

    For any of you wondering, recording sessions arent as straightforward as sitting in a room, plugging in, playing, and thats it. Its a little more complex and we spent the first day on pre-production, putting ourselves in a good position to have all the rhythm tracks completed by Day 3. It went well, and we had everything in place by Tuesday night.

    On Tuesday, as Mark was in studio recording his bass parts the rest of us snuck off into Paris. It was a lovely evening, perfect blue sky and fairly warm. We took the Metro (Paris' underground system) from Maison Alfort into the centre of Paris to Bir-Hakim, the nearest stop to the Eiffel Tower. It was great to see again, and we all wandered together through the gardens behind the Tower imagining how wonderful it would be to have an apartment in the surrounding areas. The lights shone out of windows and people walked their dogs through the park. It seemed so tranquil for a park situated in the middle of one of the worlds most famous cities.

    We stopped for a drink, and sat on a cobbled street outside a little cafe, watching the world go by. Joggers, dog walkers, cars, people who lived in the buildings, there was plenty going on. It was interesting to watch the world go by as we chatted about life and all its interesting twists and turns. It was one of those evenings where things felt different to normal. That is a nice feeling to have.

    We headed down to the river and ate some cheese, had a glass of red wine and marvelled at the wondrous Notre Dame cathedral. I didn't know it before, but it took hundreds of years to build, and is the feat of thousands of men working for thousands of hours. It was stunning, and was lit up by a vanilla-esque light, the river Seine shimmering next to it. We all just stood there for 10 minutes as orchestra musicians streamed out of the side gate having just played a concert inside, all of us thinking different thoughts, but all lost for words at the same time.

    We headed back home around 11pm. Homeless men were dotted over the Metro stations seats, again showing us the stark reality that beneath the wonderful Parisian streets and buildings, filled with wealthy tourists and locals there is always more than first meets the eye. Again, you hang your head and wonder how life slipped past these people and left them with no other options.

    Yves really was a star producer, and he and Mikael worked tirelessly to help shape and steer the sound of this first session all through the week. Yves is a complete comedian and was excellent at keeping up the momentum of the session. By Thursday we had all the pianos and guitars recorded and had moved onto the vocals.

    We, by this stage had moved onto our 10th different type of cheese, with Dan proclaiming at one point that he would never eat cheese again after coming home to England!

    On Thursday evening we celebrated Mickaels birthday, and after finishing my vocal parts, I took to the kitchen to cook up a storm. Chris had been out to buy all the ingredients and I set about making a homemade Spaghetti Bolognese, one of my favourite recipes. Thanks Gennaro!!!

    We all ate together (apart from Josh and Mark, who had decided to paint the town red and head into Paris for a glass of wine) It really was an interesting meal. We chatted to Yves and really uncovered what an interesting career he has had. Friendly with Bono, Sting, Pink Floyd, he has done sound at stadiums and arenas and had some fantastic stories to tell about explosions in Berlin and 80, 000 seater concerts in Paris. At one point he said to us..."the only reason I do the big venues is because I get bored otherwise. I like the nervous feeling before a concert starts, it's why I do it!" He has a point. I think that is the reason all of us do it. Or anything in life for that matter. The nervous feeling before doing something that means a lot is a great one. I get it all the time. It was just interesting to hear a crazy and eccentric French producer say the same thing.

    The session continued at pace and the songs were all recorded by Friday evening. We are really pleased with how they have been recorded and everyone did their jobs very well. It was great to feel part of such a professional unit, and it made for a brilliant time all week.

    We were looked after so well by the people who owned the studio and the atmosphere was so relaxed and enjoyable. On the final night, we were treated to some lovely champagne and apertif food. Lovely pates, sausages, fresh vegetables with bearnaise sauces, real French style evening food. It was great. Everyone chatted and we all had a great laugh with the sound engineers and producers who had worked with us all week. Afterwards we headed to a little live music venue just around the corner. It was so small and all the diners were seated around the live band who were singing away in front of the bar. The beer was great, and I chatted for a while with Antoine, the owner of the studios about all sorts of stuff. It was good to get to speak frankly about life to men who had lived very different and interesting lives in different cultures. Makes you realise that people are very similar when it comes down to the basics. Its just how we use the basics that makes the difference I think.

    The evening passed quickly and before long it was time to get some sleep before the early start the next morning for our journey back to London. We had promo to do at the You Me At Six concert in London, and I had a meeting with the CEO of the charity we have started working for The Railway Children.

    The ferry was a little bumpy this time, not fun for Josh and I, who don't really like boats at the best of times! However, an English breakfast helped us on our way and we managed to film our arrival back to Dover without falling overboard... Altough, Josh did ask me halfway across the channel "do you think I'd die if I fell into the water now." .....Yes Josh, you're not quite Christine Bleakley just yet : )

    And then it was back to business as usual. Off to the rain of London and another evening chatting to some great new fans in Brixton! Goodness me were there a lot of people there to see them play! Maybe one day we will have the same number of fans coming to see us play....we hope so anyway.

    These songs are going to come out just great, and I'm back to Paris in a couple of weeks to continue mixing them with Yves and Mikael. Fingers crossed you guys will all enjoy listening to them for years to come...

    Vive La France!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 61 - 68

    I have had a load of emails since signing up the Twitter, asking why I havent been posting more often. My Life as a Frontman doesn't seem that interesting this week does it? Well the truth is that I sometimes get to the end of a day and question whether anyone in their right mind would want to listen to some guy ramble on about boring day to day music stuff. Why would you?! : )

    And that is what it has been like this week. I have been working hard as always, trying to keep the business going well for us, but there havent been any fireworks. No exciting tales of travelling to Paris, no amazing breakthroughs on songs, nothing out of the ordinary. In fact I think out of the 6 new things I have written this week, approximately zero of them are any good.

    I guess that is good in a way too though. It is good to get a sense of normality from time to time. A sense that the job you are trying to be successful in is no different to anyone elses. Every man out there has to earn a living, and he doesnt go prancing around in a spangly jacket doing it unless he wants to do what I do : ) . He grafts like everyone else to earn his money, and I dont want to ever forget that.

    I spent the afternoon in Liverpool today. It is a fair old journey over the Pennines and I dont know the place well. But as I was saying to Dan over a cold Guinness, "it has a different feel to it" There is something a little more local about Liverpool. You look around and observe a group of people who live in their own world, work for their own reasons, and dont give a monkeys what anyone thinks about them. I respect that attitude, but I also see a slightly dark and sad nature to the place too. I noticed a deep sense of hatred and solemnity in the way that some of the fellas were walking around the little bar we went to. There was a man crying in the toilets when I went in. There was a poor bloke who was being chastised for being overweight as he left the bar. There were smokers lining the streets outside. It was raining, and something about the place seemed a million miles away from the worlds of the 500 or so Ellie Goulding fans we were shortly to meet.

    We always meet the ticket touts. They are the real low end of the business, and yet even with them trying to sell you Class A drugs, hooky and overpriced tickets, and telling you that they "respect" you for what we are doing, you feel a mixed sense of emotions towards them. On the one hand, you cant look them in the eye for what they do to make money out of people, and yet on the other hand, you know that they wouldnt be doing it if they had another option. It really is a funny one. Difficult to put into words when you are actually there, but all the time bizarre to even be a part of for a couple of hours at a concert.

    The fans we met were great though, mostly from outside of Liverpool but very excitable and very receptive to Ivyrise's music. Lets hope some of them come and see us on 1st July when we go back to Livepool for our first show there!

    After a long journey home via Manchester, Dewsbury and Leeds, its bed time now, and we're looking forward to another learning experience tomorrow at the Blues Bar, that old favourite with the wheel barrow tied to the ceiling!

    Lets hope its a good one!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 69 – 70 (1.04.10)

     

    I've seen those arches under The Cockpit in Leeds more times than I care to remember now! We have been there so many times, mainly in the freezing cold and rain, with our flyers, speaking to as many live music lovers as possible! Dan and I have got to know the wally ticket touts better than we could ever want to! I do wonder though whether those same ticket touts will be outside the venue on 24th June for Ivyrise when the next tour kicks off. That'd mark significant progress for us!

    Progress is a bizarre thing in music. Every step you take you think is progress. But we're quickly realising that progress is measured quite simply...not by how good your next song is, or by how "cool" you think you are...but rather by HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY GIVE A MONKEYS about following your career!

    I can remember at the beginning of it all, I would sit for hours mindlessly adding people on myspace because I thought that would mean we would become the biggest band in the world. How wrong I was, and what a hard way to learn. And I bet so many people out there do exactly the same, and then wonder why venues are not packed to the roof when they turn up to play....

    Each and every person who gives us the chance to do this job is important and I can already feel the buzz is growing. But it is growing only because we have realised that the fans are the only thing that matters. We live or die by the number of people who want to be a part of our journey. And believe me, each one of us knows it! We really are pleased that so many people are becoming a part of the Ivyrise family.

    We had another rehearsal show in Harrogate on Tuesday evening. It was good, and we really appreciated that lots of people came from Leeds to see us...but it was one of those strange situations where we knew we needed the money from the show, but at the same time, I know everyone had their eyes on playing the big show in leeds in june. It is quite difficult sometimes to play the small shows once you have had a taste for the bigger stage. I guess that is the difference between being a pro and not. That ability to give the same performance whatever the weather. I think I am getting better at it.

    I am flying back to Paris on Sunday evening, so Easter is a bit of a non-entity for me unfortunately. We have a lot of work mixing the first part of this album next week, and I am really hopeful that we will have some hits to show the world when I am back. Although, i have to say we are getting a lesson in French communcation in the process. Gosh.....they really are "laissez faire," to the point of using Emails merely as a suggestion rather than an actual forum for questions and answers : ) I still have the confidence though that they will come good and our producers will put together an amazing album for us....We are chasing 1 MILLION sales after all!!!

    Have a great Easter all who read this....eat plenty, and worrry about it afterwards!

    Peace

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 71 - 75

     

    As I am sitting here in our studio in Paris, I can't help but feel that I have finally written a song that is going to change everything for me and the rest of Ivyrise. I have spent years trying to prepare myself for a song that hits all the right notes. Problem is.....it is proving so difficult to put together. One of my heroes is Bruce Springsteen and I once read an article about his song "Born To Run." Apparently it took over 2 years to record the song, and caused all sorts of problems in the studio. Uh oh........

    This week has not be straightforward at all....starting at the airport on Easter Sunday!

    As some of you may know I tend to wear quite a lot of jewellery. Plenty of rings, bangles, necklaces....and my trusty braces. So, when I'm travelling through customs at airports around the world there is always potential for embarressment. Anyway, I never seem to learn my lesson. This time was even more ridiculous than usual.

    I arrive at the airport and attempt my trip through the X-ray machine, knowing it is likely to end in a loud beeping. Sure enough, even after taking off my jewellery, shoes and braces the trademark Falinski beep goes off. A rather large man steps over and starts asking me to empty my pockets. Ooops, plenty of loose change in there...better take that out. No luck, still beeping. Then he asks me to step aside and take off....my trousers!!! Excuse me....."nah, I dont think im going to take off my trousers pal!" "Well, you wont travel then sir!" Off come the trousers....So I'm standing there with my boxers and a t-shirt on, trying to convince them I'm not a terrorist.

    Then they start scanning my computer and my laptop case, obviously looking for somthing in particular! I start doubting myself, thinking I may have actually snuck a bomb in there! I'm sure I didn't....

    Then.....after asking kindly if I may put my trousers back on, old man X-ray pulls out a pair of eyebrow tweezers from one of the pockets of my laptop case. "Ah, I've been looking for them for weeks" I say. It didnt go down well, but my super-frisking was over!

    Then my flight was delayed an hour.....

    Perhaps I should have known it wasnt going to be a straightforward week when it started like that.

    Back to the music though, and into the studio where our album is coming together. It has certainly been a "Born to Run" style mission to put "Looks Like Heaven" onto record. We seem to have gone in all sorts of directions on it, none of them sounding quite right. Only today have we finally arrived at the finishing line on it, just in time for it to be mixed. I think we've been as honest to the song as possible. I guess only time will tell. Yves, our producer has promised me I haven't made any poor decisions on its production and I believe him. After all, he is used to mixing the worlds biggest stadium acts, and told me he once had to reassure Sting that his opinions on a song were sound. Convincing frontmen to stay focused on the original goal is sometimes a producers biggest challenge, he has told me. It's like trying to convince a child not to eat a whole packet of sweets and take only one if its put in front of them!

    This song is worth it though......I'm sure of that : )

    It sounds like Mark, Josh and Dan are having a great week in England too, working hard, which is exactly what all need to do. I do feel like I'm carrying the weight of all their hopes on my shoulders over here this week. And I know it is my job to do so. Sophie bought me a magazine for Easter which contains interviews with the Top 100 Frontmen of all time, and I have not stopped reading it since. It is very interesting, and one of the over-riding characteristics of all my heroes is that they were always prepared to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Its in the job description. Fine by me....

    Time to get back to work, but a big Bonjour to all reading this from the city of lights! I hope I'm doing everyone proud....

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 76 – 78

     

    It seems like the guys have had a brilliant week picking up loads of new fans all over England. I'm so pleased that things are going really well, and on top of that we finally have the first mix of Looks Like Heaven done. I think it sounds great....but I also know itll change a few times more before it is ready to go to London for mastering, the final piece in the recording puzzle. We have chosen a complete mastering hero in Mike Marsh to do the mastering, so were expecting loud and rocking final masters of the songs!

    I spent the whole of yesterday changing things left right and centre with Yves in the studio. I'm sure we started hearing strange things by the end. Mixing is such an art and Yves is one of the best in the business. It's been over 6 months in the making but we are finally getting to the end of the Looks Like Heaven road! Itll be time to move onto Line Up The Stars tomorrow, another song I am really proud of.

    Last night, I did what I always do. I took my Ipod out and listened to the first mix about 20 times. This time, I decided to take a walk. I walked for over an hour along the River Seine. It was really very cool. It had been a lovely warm day in Paris, and the sun was starting to go down as I walked. It was a great place to evaluate the recording. One of those moments I will remember I think. Hazy sun going down over the river, with the reflection of the amazing buildings shimmering on the water. The odd river boat passed by as I was listening. It was really tranquil and a great place to listen properly.

    Somehow I ended up sitting down for Sushi with the owner of the studio once I got back and had made a couple of phonecalls back home to England. The French have a lovely way of making you feel at home and we chatted for hours about everything from jazz in Marseille to cooking the perfect Breton Lobster. It was one of those moments where I was so glad I could speak the language. Otherwise I would have been lost. All those hours learning from my little French dictionary when I was younger pay off at times like these.

    Plus the amazing bottle of 2005 Bordeaux that I got to taste was a treat too!

    Back to work today, and another warm sunny day in Paris will pass me by without stopping to say hello! Well, itll be worth it once this album is out into the world! One of our engineers said to me yesterday that at the moment it is like "being in the womb" The songs are growing, hidden away. Once they are ready to be born, then we'll get the chance to show the world what we can do and theyll grow as we do out in the open! An interesting and typically French way of looking at the job. I like it!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 79 – 87 (18.04.10)

     

    It's always really great when you get a chance to meet one of your heroes.

    On Saturday in Liverpool, I met Ryan Tedder from One Republic. In my opinion he is one of the worlds best Pop songwriters and melodists at the minute, and I have followed his career since 2004.

    As a songwriter I spend hours and hours trying to write a bigger and better song for Ivyrise, and he made a quote recently that "you're only as good as your worst song." I would imagine that sums up his attitude towards writing pop songs, and I think I am starting to agree with him.

    He was very chilled out, and stopped to chat for a minute. It is nice when you meet one of your idols, and they don't turn out to be a wally. He certainly wasn't and you could see his fans liked him for it.

    One of my ambitions is to write with him. Perhaps one day I'll get the chance, you never know....

    It has been a quiet and frustrating week on the Ivyrise front. I have driven myself mad over these recordings and it has taken over my life. It is stupid really, because they are only songs and don't really have any significance in the grand scheme of things, but it is always the same with me, and I drive my family crazy when I am in recording mode.

    Line Up The Stars, which I imagine will be the first single from the album is nearly ready now. I have been back and forth to the band countless times, changing things to keep them happy, but I think we are nearly finished and ready to unveil it to our fans. I am pleased, but I am also now completely lost on the song. I no longer hear the things others do, and to be quite honest, I think it would be best if I didn't comment on it. It's always best to leave it to the listeners to decide what is good and what is not.

    Dan and I are busy this week up in the North of England. Tickets are selling well for the tour in June, yet that seems a mile away from now. We haven't even started to think about the show, let alone the songs to fill it. It seems like a little lull at the minute, with everyone trying to keep up their motivation, despite not really having much of the exciting work to do. As Chris always says to us though, you have to earn the exciting stuff to really appreciate it. He is right, the wise old owl.

    I have tried to get away from the music world a little in the last few days too. I think it will be good for me. I even mowed the lawn and went to the recycling tip yesterday....

    Ben

    X

    Life of a Frontman Days 94-96

     

    I am so pleased with the response we have had for the new song. I have received so many emails from people congratulating us on it. Line Up The Stars is a song that I only completed a week before the first recording session in Paris. It really came when I was under a lot of pressure to write something good, and it has helped my confidence to know that I managed to pull it off. There are still a few things that I would change, and I expect the actual album version to be slightly tweaked. Normal behaviour for a songwriter! Never fully happy.

    I received a lovely email this week. It was less about the music and more about the actual life of being in this band. It was nice to know people are still reading my notes, and even nicer to know that they help people in some way. It must be comforting for people to know that aside from all the nonsense of being in the music industry, eveything else is completely normal. I certainly look to other people every day to get the reassurance that the things going on in my life are the same struggles as others. I've always wanted to be different, but I never wanted to be alone in my journey. Thank you for that kind email if you are reading this.

    This week has been a strange one so far. We have all been in different corners of England, trying to promote the tour as well as possible. With differing levels of success. I stood outside the Cockpit twice this week, wondering when I was going to see another human face! It has been dead, for two acts that I thought would have sold the place out. Anyway, I plugged away and managed to do my job despite the lack of motivation. The same I guess can be said of the boys down in London, who are trying so hard to sell this massive Academy show out for us.

    We are travelling again to Liverpool today. Liverpool seems to be developing nicely into an area where Ivyrise is becoming popular. That is very nice to know, and to be honest, I am actually looking forward to playing there for the first time. It should be great! If you are going to Scouting For Girls today in Liverpool today you shall see me and Dan there so come and say hello!

    As for the rest of the songs we recorded in Paris, they are coming along nicely, and we are hoping to unveil the next one within the next month or so. It is taking time to get them right, but I stand by my songwriters instinct on not letting songs slip through the net when they are not ready to be released. I only want the very best for my little baby songs. As I can see with Line Up The Stars, it is now a little baby that has been born. How it turns out is now down to the fans! (make it a hit guys : ) )

    Peace

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 97-99

     

    I'm sitting here as I usually do on a Saturday when I am home. Sun beaming in through our garden window, Saturday kitchen on in the background and the sound of my family bustling around the house. I have my cup of coffee in hand, particularly strong this morning, and I'm reading through all my new lyrics. I've got some really good ones at the minute, but I'm working hard on a song called "Last Words," tweaking and changing a few of the existing lyrics so I can draw a line under the song before it gets recorded in Paris.

    I'm really pleased and a little bit proud of Josh this morning. Josh is a fairly understated chap, and he does not carry the natural outgoing confidence that someone like Mark does. Yesterday, I was really pleased to see him make the journey on his own all the way to Birmingham, with the sole goal of getting as many new Ivyrise fans as possible. He did brilliantly well and stood there in amongst a couple of thousand Scouting For Girls fans and spread the word. I know how hard it is to do that because back at the end of last year I had to learn myself how to become a cold music salesman! It's a tough thing to to, and I think Josh took a big step yesterday. Believe in what you're doing in life, and it becomes almost second nature to spread your excitement to the rest of the world. In an oldy-worldy old fashioned way, this is what Ivyrise do. We spread our excitement like I imagine a Tudor street vendor would : )

    Dan and I also illustrated how street vendors can also get it completely wrong this week.....

    Having travelled all the way to Liverpool on Thursday to do the same thing, it poured with rain, we waited for the fans to arrive, and then realised we were watching the wrong entrance. A quick shuffle around to the other side of the building confirmed our mistake, and it was blind panic as we tried to sell our wares to as many of the 2000 wet and rapidly moving crowd. A typical and irritating misjudgement, but one that I am sure we will learn from nonetheless! So even after months of perfecting our style....we quite clearly showed the world...we still have none : )

    At least we had a brolly!

    I'm off into the studio today. I have a very exciting song developing!

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 100-103 (04.05.10)

     

    I got a text the other day. "You should watch this new programme about being a singer in a rock n roll band!" So I did.......

    It was amusing to watch all these famous faces talk about their careers as frontmen and women.

    Having watched it all, I sat down with a drop of brandy and thought about it all. This is what I saw at the bottom of the glass:

    A frontman should be the one to carry the flag, raise it and defend it no matter who tries to take it. He should be the first to pour the celebratory glass of wine, and the last one to actually taste it. He should be the one to steady the ship when the storm arrives, the one to see through the mist when everyone else is blinded. A frontman should be your best friend, but also your most annoying hurdle to jump, the one who everybody wants to emulate, but the one nobody really wants to be. The one who everybody assumes to know, but the one who doesn't even know himself. A frontman should be the soldier who takes the first step when everybody elses feet are frozen, and the one who throws himself in the way of a stray bullet even if it is not aimed anywhere near him. A frontman should carry a vision aloft, and try at all costs to convince the world that the vision exists for a reason, he should be the craziness amongst the calm, but also the calm around the craziness. A frontman should be everything and everyone, except when there is nothing and no-one to carry him anymore.

    I'm pretty sure this applies to everyone out there who believes in something or someone.


    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 103-107

     

    The last few days seem to have gone in a complete blur. I've been up and down the country, and I reckon I've spent at least half my days sat on a train! But it's been such a good week. We've been busy spreading the Ivyrise word, and we can already see the results. All the people we have met have been awesome, topped off yesterday in London at Shepherds Bush Empire.

    It's funny. I think Aled from Kids in Glass Houses had got used to seeing me in his queues by Saturday when we bumped into him again as we were busy talking to all of the fans at Rock City in Nottingham. I am still surprised by the fact we are always the only band at any of these venues, but I think that is more testament to our determination to spread the word than anything else. Come rain or shine, or in my case this week, excruciating stomach pain, we have set out our goal for this band, and we are going to stick to it and achieve it!

    About a year ago I had some problems with some stomach pains, and was booked in for an ultrasound scan. Then I moved house to the other end of the country, and the pain went away. In typical Falinski fashion I didnt bother to chase it up, and to my chagrin, I have realised it has come back with a vengeance this week. It seems like I get this horrible pain in the right side of my tummy every time I get slightly hungry, and subsides as soon as I have eaten something....My family have told me they think I have a monster in my belly that needs feeding! A moment of humour in an otherwise quite painful few days for me so far.

    We had a photoshoot last night down on the South Bank, and I was feeling particularly bad. We were all pretty cold, and had found a great spot for a great shot. Chris found it, and it looks really good. But I was in no mood for standing there and just wanted to cramp over every couple of minutes. We got the job done though, and I bolted home to get some rest.

    Off to the hospital this week, but its certainly the first time I've ever felt something actually wrong with my body. Lets hope it is something that can be easily fixed!

    More travelling this week too, and flying to Paris on Wednesday to deliver another Ivyrise single! Looking forward to that. Not looking forward to another feel up at the airport though....

    Ben

     

     

    Life of a Frontman Days 108- 110 (12.06.10)

     

    Now you will no doubt be familiar with the age-old "train conductor" manouevre whilst travelling. It includes moving sharpish down to the other end of the train when you haven't got a ticket, finding a loo, spending forever in there, until you are sure that there is no chance the arsey conductor is going to check your invalid ticket. Well.....I kippered the arsey conductor on my train from London to Leeds the other day royally. Very proud of myself! I even followed him down the carriage in order to appear normal, whilst he completely forgot to check my Super Off Peak Day single on the 5pm rush hour train...The adrenalin pumps, "will he notice, will he catch me red-handed, will I get a FINE??!"

    I am really sad.......

    The last couple of days I have carried on getting worse on the stomach front. I got a lovely email from a lady suggesting it might be problems with my appendix. But the doc doesnt agree. I really dont like going to hospitals. I'm just like my Dad. We have a mutual distrust of going in for "check ups" and "operations." The mere words put the hairs up on the back of our necks! It must be a Falinski thing...not very manly though is it?!

    Doc thinks I have something wrong with my stomach, which isnt great news. He has given me some horrendously tasting mixture to take whenever the pain arrives, and I had to pee into some weird test tube this morning and post it through a letter box in the hospital. Didn't like that either. "Hi there, he is a tube of my wee. Can you take it for me please?!"

    I'm still eating like a horse though, a positive to this problem. It seems like I only relieve the pain when I am eating. Yesterday I ate 3 Rolo Donuts, 2 Yum Yums and a pack of Reversy Percy Pigs....as a snack...after I had eaten bangers and mash for supper! By the way, original Percy Pigs are way better.

    I am not keen on having any more of this pain, so I am hoping it goes away soon.

    But..........my Ivyrise world goes on, and I am very excited to be flying into Paris tomorrow morning to finish recording the second single. I love its melody so much and I cant wait for it to be unveiled when I am back. This one has come together so easily, and I am really pleased with my work. Wish me luck! I NEED to get this sounding epic.

    "Everybody needs somebody else..And I'm Over and Out"

    Ben

    x

    1:58 PM

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