Creative

JOHN EDWARDS, Drummer and many other things

John Edwards is a 57-year old larger than life bloke from a rather oddly-named village just outside Maidstone in Kent. His true love has always been music and but for the fact that life got in the way, John would be living the life of a rock star drummer.

As the youngest in a family of 8, John was brought up on a diet of Coronation Street, Wrestling, Mike Yarwood, Reggie Perrin, Derek and Clive, Monty Python and fried egg sarnies.

Musically, as a kid, John was introduced to an eclectic mix of Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Curved Air, Mantovani, James Last, Frank Sinatra, Rick Wakeman, Abba and The Carpenters.

More importantly, it was in the days of glam rock that John found himself becoming obsessed with loud music and messing about on his brother’s the drum kit.

His school days in Maidstone introduced him to fellow music lovers David Bloomfield and Stuart Ellis. Both of them would go onto become lifetime friends and play in bands together.

John played drums in the covers band Mavis Cruett, the non-sensical but funny and punky Andy Pandys and then in the more serious bands The Strookas, who supported Green Day and now Tonota 80.

John is a singing drummer, not so much Phil Collins but more like Grant Hart from Minneapolis alternative US band Husker Du.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.engineerrecords.com%2Ftonota-80%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2m38cmK2K0y8zuB-0aefqExc4vOF57uu_gt6uFncx4KjN9dkqjlOIa0sw&h=AT10rSYFGYReJPXRBvOCRkXIYAM9IBMkVuem7wi4JGgbCmSpLeY5S23_SNsQ1jYSLGi3ZkgIROfcspBFEDw0_Bs9y4GSbzvoyC59dyvmM7w9wioEDH8wvPItmHrP0_5lLeg

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthestrookas.bandcamp.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2RVYmDNyzehKj0OgHxia77AExws2x3Vb9ui4qnk59syQ95rPadqFU09pM&h=AT10rSYFGYReJPXRBvOCRkXIYAM9IBMkVuem7wi4JGgbCmSpLeY5S23_SNsQ1jYSLGi3ZkgIROfcspBFEDw0_Bs9y4GSbzvoyC59dyvmM7w9wioEDH8wvPItmHrP0_5lLeg

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftonota80.bandcamp.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1aLGwCfsM1QpPCA6gaIS9J1zBCkgSs44bNwhosPeW_Ma4_iRzcz-1q7lk&h=AT10rSYFGYReJPXRBvOCRkXIYAM9IBMkVuem7wi4JGgbCmSpLeY5S23_SNsQ1jYSLGi3ZkgIROfcspBFEDw0_Bs9y4GSbzvoyC59dyvmM7w9wioEDH8wvPItmHrP0_5lLeg

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Santa Special

It’s the time of year when our thoughts turn to things festive, to the sharing of love, the sharing of joy, of light and happiness. But this doesn’t happen without a bit of effort from all of us. Not least the jolliest of the jolly.

In a world exclusive, I manage to track down and grab a few minutes of very precious time to talk with the big guy himself during a quick coffee break.

I learn a little about what it really takes to make the festive season happen, how long it’s actually been happening, and in this social-media-driven world, what hashtag Santa thinks best describes the true nature of the season.

Many thanks to Matt Ogden for putting me in contact with the Big Man himself as he lives in the frozen north so make sure to check out his stuff as well.  

www.patreon.com/thebeardedwit

https://shows.acast.com/611d11033142190013721b36

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative/id1481493729?i=1000535001649

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Pantelis Gertsos - Electric Guitarist, Teacher and runs Guitarfor in Athens

Pantelis Gertsos is a representative of the University of West London / Registry of Guitar Tutors in Greece. An active musician and teacher with appearances in various musical ensembles, while he has participated as a session musician in various recordings of well-known Greek singers.

He has worked as a scientific advisor and examiner for postgraduate scholarships of students of the State Scholarships Foundation and as Director of Contemporary Music Studies - Professor of Music in various Conservatories throughout Greece (National Conservatory, Conservatory of Sympelius, Central Conservatory, Conservatory of Music Studies, Conservatory of Music Studies, Conservatory of Music Practice, Contemporary Conservatory, Alkyonio Conservatory, Olympic Conservatory, Contemporary Conservatory of Corinth, Municipality of Haidari & Kiato, Conservatory of New Art and others.

He is in charge of Guitarfor,a fast-growing educational program which famous artists support by participating in educational seminars and concerts: Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jonathan Kreisberg, Doug Aldrich, Paul Gilbert, Greg Howe etc.

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Dr Jack Hunter anthropologist exploring the borderlands of consciousness, religion, ecology and the paranormal.

Dr. Jack Hunter is an anthropologist exploring the borderlands of consciousness, religion, ecology and the paranormal. He lives in the hills of Mid-Wales with his family. He is a tutor with the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and teaches on the MA in Ecology and Spirituality and the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. He is also a tutor with the Alef Trust on their MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology. He is also an Access to Higher Education lecturer in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Newtown College. He completed a Permaculture Design Course at Chester Cathedral in 2017 with Sector39, and worked on the One School One Planet project between 2016-19 to develop an inter-disciplinary permaculture curriculum for schools. He is also a musician and an ordained Dudeist Priest.

To find Jacks excellent books visit https://jack-hunter.webstarts.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DrJackHunter/

If you would like to help support Dr. Hunter's work, please consider becoming a patron on Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/drjackhunter

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Saffron Summerfield   International SINGER COMPOSER SOUND ARTIST & DIGITAL IMAGE MAKER.

Saffron Summerfield is a highly respected, International SINGER/COMPOSER/ SOUND ARTIST & DIGITAL IMAGE MAKER.

In this episode I talk to Saffron about Folk Music and the 60’s and 70’s in London. There are so many interesting vignettes including her friendship with Sandy Denny, watching a young folk singer called Bob Dylan and being on John Peel’s programme along with a band called Free. I toughly enjoyed this look into the British music scene and I am sure you will to.  

Saffron has recorded nine albums, written songs for two channel 4 films, BBC R4 ‘Start the Week’ and numerous BBC and indie radio shows. All Saffron’s recordings have been distributed worldwide with high sales in Japan and USA. Many of her songs have been recorded by other singers and bands. One of the few women acoustic bottle-neck blues guitarists (check out Dungeness video) Saffron learnt from black blues musicians when visiting Mississippi in 1977. She has PERFORMED ALL OVER THE UK Europe, USA, New Zealand and Hong Kong . Played at most major UK Folk festivals including Cambridge,Ely, Sidmouth, Edinburgh and Marymass. She has toured with Joan Armatrading, Fairport Convention (saffron was in TRADER HORNE – a spin-off from Fairport) and one memorable Radio One show with rock band Free!saffron summerfield running with guitar 

FOLKROOTS Magazine ‘…excellent singer – excellent lyricist… words like cool and classy spring to mind...’

THE SCOTSMAN ‘…stunningly brilliant performer’ review of Saffron’s show ‘LOVE SONGS ‘ EDINBURGH FRINGE

“PERSONAL STATEMENT  From Saffron

“TODAY MY WORK INCLUDES RECORDING NATURAL SOUNDS  – especially Bird Songs & calls, rural communities stories, – for commissioned SOUNDSCAPES  – see SOUNDSCAPES page – & creating videos around my music. I am a passionate supporter of saving and conserving our natural areas for wildlife. I believe in promoting access to natural outdoor spaces – a constant dialogue with nature. I am unreservedly, a supporter of protecting our  Wildlife for future generations”.

For further details please visit

https://www.motherearthmusic.co.uk/about-saffron-summerfield/

https://www.facebook.com/saffronsummerfield

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Steve Spall - Guitarist/Singer with vibrant Swing/Latin outfit, THE VIOLET JIVE.

This episode I am joined by Steve Spall, and we talk about the influences that led to his interest in mixing musical styles, and why you should ignore advice from your Headmaster.

Steve Spall - Musical ‘Mixologist’ and Guitarist/Singer with vibrant Swing/Latin outfit, THE VIOLET JIVE. With a taste for the exotic his playing encompasses a wide range of styles from 50’s Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll to Latin/World Rhythms and Alternative Rock riffage. New original tracks featuring an array of genre blending sounds are currently being tweaked and released under the alias of SHAKES LUANO. Next tune to beam out on 3rd Dec will be ‘Red Eyes at Dawn’  ...a dark Latin vibe with horns!

www.thevioletjive.co.uk

www.Instagram.com/thevioletjive

www.shakesluano.com

www.Instagram.com/shakesluano

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Mark Fitzpatrick – Writer and Renaissance Man – Episode 2 How much more awesomeness can you stand in one week? Here is part two ……. "Mark Fitzpatrick is a writer, teacher, and researcher specialising in the weird and wonderful. He ran away to Paris to live in a garret and write novels many years ago, but has recently run away to the woods to write poetry" Mark is ones Renaissance Man, wizard, storyteller, Irishman who is really a Frenchman and man of letters and of cards. This is fun and gets deeper as the episodes develop. The second is winging its way to you, the third will follow in a couple of weeks. Here are links to Mark’s various and prodigious output. https://thehollowbehindthehearthstone.com/ And FB is https://www.facebook.com/malachasivernus/ The Hedge School page on FB The Hedge School - Study Group | Facebook To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Mark Fitzpatrick – Writer and Renaissance Man – Episode 1

 "Mark Fitzpatrick is a writer, teacher, and researcher specialising in the weird and wonderful. He ran away to Paris to live in a garret and write novels many years ago, but has recently run away to the woods to write poetry"

Mark is ones Renaissance Man, wizard, storyteller,  Irishman who is really a Frenchman and man of letters and of cards.

This is fun and gets deeper as the episodes develop.

The second is winging  its way to you, the third will follow in a couple of weeks.

Here are links to Mark’s various and prodigious output.

https://thehollowbehindthehearthstone.com/

And FB is https://www.facebook.com/malachasivernus/

The Hedge School page on FB

The Hedge School - Study Group | Facebook

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Unlimited Creative Language

You are limited by what you are conditioned to think. Language has a unique way of trapping us, and it traps us by the words we use and the words that are used on us. In this episode I will be looking how to unlock your language from its programming with some techniques, how language is used on you by governments and media with statements that slip under the radar. How you are given choices that are not choices. And how not have preconceived ideas about creating music can be removed. I contemplate the idea, does consciousness create reality? If it does what does mean and what tools does that give us? Create limitless possibilities in your work, art and life, use the rational part to plot a course and build a map. Keep the narrative open to all its strangeness. You want the logic to track a path in this new territory. Enjoy To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Steve Hewitt

Today I am talking to Steve about his songwriting, singing and his inspirations. We get a little nerdy about guitar tunings as well.

‘The evident influences of folk, blues, country and alternative rock flowing through Steve’s creative veins, the syncretic approach to drawing from multiple sources has helped shape his own distinctive voice within the Alternative folk roots scene in the United Kingdom.

Whilst steeped in the earthy acoustic tones and allowing simplicity to carry the message of his songs, Hewitt’s music pushes and pulls between genre boundaries with each finely crafted track transmitting its own unique character and identity’- Pete Baldwin, Ambicon Music

For Details of Steve’s work visit

www.Stevehewittmusic.com

https://youtu.be/7qFsaxf1S-g

https://youtu.be/glW-bvY2D00

https://youtu.be/lA911nWH-hI

https://youtu.be/3fTy8EfNmIE

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music