Just Do More, Richards

I don't mind working 7 days a week, I think, although annoying that I didn't do my show, the Barcelona break did me a lot of good. It also helps that I love teaching drums, especially at this time of year because it's all Christmas songs! The days are going quickly, alongside all of the lessons, I performed another house show - another performance of Many Cars, this time is worked well, and FH are back in rehearsals for the forthcoming shows. I've got gigs left this year with 5 different bands.  But, as always, teaching Christmas songs signals one thing: this year is tumbling to a close. Not that I should complain...it's been a good year with plenty of adventures, but my mind is very much in 2026 now. New shows are being booked for next year, with three festivals already confirmed, writing a new show for Alex and Nicole, launching ESBAD (Everyone Should Be A Drummer), band gigs filling up. Just seen a trailer for the film I was in a few months ago, that looks great ...

There had been a few issues in the run up to my Barcelona Fringe festival show. Mostly a minor disagreement about what time slot I'd have (they wanted me on later, I wanted to be on in the afternoon as it's a play, in a festival mostly filled with stand-up...they agreed with me eventually) and then pricing (as I was out of town/country, I wanted to be a 'pay what you want' show, they wanted to charge 9 euros...I backed down on this one). But the communication was good, quite a lot of promo. Wifey wanted to join me for this one, which she always does when I get the 'nicer' gigs (New York etc), thought we could tie it in with a little sight seeing.  On Thursday, just as I was about to go onstage to perform the latest house show of Many Cars (which was fine, incredible audience around Steph's place, performance was a bit rushed but it's not short of nice lines and quirky moments - it wasn't bad) I got a message saying my Barcelona Fringe show had been c...

Okay, that title was a bit misleading. More than the 'first hints' - I've been feeling festive since schools restarted in September and have been continuously told to 'reign it in a bit' by...well, students, mostly. Kids these days aren't as excited as they used to be. The teachers are, though.  Half-term last week was mostly spent shopping; IKEA, Costco, various other outlets...has to be done, I guess, but I do find it all rather stressful. The rest of the time was spent writing, all new stuff for next year, running one-off courses (to students, all of whom now want to become regulars) and then on Sunday I played my first electric gig with Stateline Sinners. Frankly, a bonkers bunch of lads, but a talented lot. The gig, at the wonderful Six Six Bar in Cambridge, was a cracker. Big, dramatic, some moments of improvisation (understatement) but a whole lot of heart. More of that soon, obviously.  We're now into the Christmas term, student concerts everywhere, ...