The key is to keep your brain interested; keeping your driving instincts sharp and your internal timer on fast forward. The way to do this is simple. Apart from my Tomtom (which is the worlds greatest gift to anyone who drives) the iPod / mp3 is a must have for your car. Music and podcasts keep me focused and happy for all the massive journey’s I do.

More recently I’ve taken to ordering a few audiobooks online. It started with the latest series of the Ricky Gervais Podcast (which is classed as an audiobook) and frankly if you enjoy Gervais’s style of humor, want to find out a little more about Office and Extra’s Co-writer Steve Merchant and an Orange-Headed Shaven Chimp called Carl Pilkington who is such an idiot he’s a comedy genius – this is the thing for you.

I used to listen to them in the morning on my my way to practice at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Thoroughly entertaining and brilliant to listen to again and again. But be aware, the more you listen the more you start to understand the special thoughts of Carl. You’ll understand the last 2 paragraphs if and when you’ve heard their show.

After that I found the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy on Audiobook and after listening to them on the way back from Leicester (to London) last night I was almost sad when I got home as I’d have to wait to find out what happens next. Now when you’ve driven 250+ miles in a day and it’s 2 o’clock in the morning that says something about the power of audio books.

So if you do a lot of tedious driving and can’t stand the watered down rubbish that plays on the radio there are plenty of podcasts to download including some great comedy; The best bits of radio 1 (Chris Moyles and Scott Mills), 8 out of 10 cats, The Adam and Joe Show and loads more. There are more Audiobooks that you can believe out there and enough to suit most tastes. And don’t forget to load up your mp3 with loads of great music!!!

Oh, and don’t forget that the MR Music Podcast will be released very soon!!

The Long Awaited Eurobusk 07 Series

We record the final pick up shots today. Rob and I will be recording voice overs next week and that’s it. I hope that you’ll enjoy it and see why you had to wait so long. It’s been a pain staking process going over the documentary and making it perfect.

The MR Music Podcast

My brand new podcast and brand new site. Featuring multiple professional musician bloggers and a fun and interesting look into the lives we lead and the rubbish we talk about. I’m recording the second session today. All that’s left to do before I publish the first podcast is to finish the jingles – I know – jingles. Crazy!

And in the slightly longer term (and hopefully before christmas) I’m hoping to shoot another Master Musician

I have a little bit of tweaking here and there to smooth out images etc for the new theme but I think things are looking better than ever.

This will include a team blog and of corse the podcast itself. If all goes to plan this nice new player that I’ve installed should play one of the random recordings I’ve assigned to it form my itunes library. You’ll have to try it out and see if it works.

I’m now getting back on the case of the Eurobusk Documentary as will Rob when he gets his computer back : ). I’m determined to get all parts of the documentary out before the Eurobusk 08 trip is launched this christmas.

I’ve been a fan of Enormous Since I was thirteen. When I first heard ‘My Type’ I found myself having to sit down and learnt the trumpet solo. It’s safe to say that Enormous weren’t just a hit with me but a massive hit with my mates too. I brought their CD on our Music Tours and the guys loved them. There’s something very cool about having 30 music kids singing “She’s my Type, She’s not very bright!!” whilst floating on a boat down the River Rhine : ) with German’s looking on in confusion.

These kids weren’t musical idiots either – quite a few make their living from the music industry. From working as pro musicians (like me) to teaching music and composition to my good friend who is now taking his music doctorate. In fact I know that this soon to be Dr of music still has the old crackly bootleg* tape of Enormous stuff I gave him when we were at school.

* Sorry guys. I was a kid and I’ll make sure they all buy your upcoming album to make up for it : P. We got a lot of fun out of listening to your music though – So I Regret Nothing!!!

You can now imagine how happy I was to hear that Enormous are making a return to the music scene – and I say it’s about time!!

I rediscovered the guys through a podcast I heard at Big Arena Records where Davey Lawrence aka Napoleon Fantastic (singer/songwriter for Enormous) chats and sings some pretty incredible songs from the forthcoming album; Electric Baby Grand.

I was going to put a link to the podcast itself but to be honest I’d rather you check them out for yourself at Big Arena Records. If you like what you hear you can check out Napoleon Fantastic’s Blog.

I hope you enjoy!!

(Don’t forget that my own Podcast is in production and until that’s finished there are plenty of videos and music you can listen to around my site as well as the Master Musician Animation coming to mattrobertsmusic.com within the week.)

Toodle Pip!!

It’s nice to have a change from weddings, big bands and shows now and again but I don’t think I could hack the orchestral life for the long term. It just doesn’t suit me. With a little luck it should be a good gig.

I’m down for an orchestral gig on Saturday which is all over the stave, so I hope my good form continues as it has to be classically high rather than Big Band high (which I find a but harder).

I’ve had some troubles with the company I bought my mic’s etc off so I’m currently waiting for my money back before I try again. So you’ll have to wait for recordings to be posted.

On the plus side Master musician shoots are going well and should be up in the very near future and after hearingChris Lydon’s reaction to his first viewing of the Eurobusk 07 trailer over the phone I think I’ll put up the second trailer next week.

Lots of things to look forward to…

The Second Promo Shot from Master Musician – The Animated Series

Here’s The First Promo Shot from Episide 1 of Master Musician

(Even though they weren’t a great band – one of the reason for Ash’s departure)

All in all it was a good expeience. Except for a few things…

Ash’s best mate Paul was playing sax for this soul group (he looked after me) and we decided that it would be best to say that I was 19 rather than 16 so that they wouldn’t try to mess me around with my fees etc.

It wasn’t difficult for me to get away with this because I’m a tall guy and played to a higher standard than my age would suggest. But there’s a great gap of knowledge between being 16 and being 19. Such as driving, sixth form, university, relationships, leaving home etc.

It wouldn’t have been that bad had the band not always been asking me questions (most likely because I was quiet and kept myself to myself).

Eventually the lies started… and there were a fair few.

The 2 most troublesome lies were:

1) Do you know Ashley? – No (he’s not my teacher and family friend)

As Ash left on less than good terms they weren’t especially kind. But this was quite funny to me as he was in a different league of playing to their band and they were obviously quite bitter about losing him.

2) What are you doing at the moment- er, Music.

Where? – University?

Which one? –Erm?? Nottingham!

Oh really?! My son goes there?? (… shit.)

I was with group for 6 months before Paul and I left – and to this day they never knew anything about me.

It did each me to think on my feet at least.