It’s been a long while between posts on this blog… but all for a good reason! I’ve been busy producing a big event at work, so my days were reduced to wake / eat / work lots / eat / work lots more / eat / sleep – repeat. Not that I mind at all, it was the most exciting project I’ve worked on since I started at the BBC.

So, the context is – my team at the Beeb have a quarterly ‘knees up’ to share ideas, projects & new developments. The last one was a bit ‘death-by-powerpoint’, so this time, I suggested we shake things up a bit. The new rules? no powerpoint, a theme (this time = innovation), lots of opportunities for staff to interact &  feedback via social media and a working group of staff to pull together the content for the day. And it all worked out beautifully.

The meeting was a lot more open than usual, with staff encouraged to tweet or text their feedback while the event was taking place. We put a big plasma screen on the left of stage, and via the genius of Richard Morland and Steve Bowbrick, a hashtag for the day #amint and visible tweets, the virtual conversation kicked off and didn’t let up until well after the event. There were about 400 comments over the course of the day, and many more after the event had ended. Lots of people shared their thoughts, observations and links about innovation through our (very innovative) virtual live conversation.

Guest speakers included Vicky Williamson talking about having an #earworm (check out http://earwormery.com), Tom Taylor talking Newspaper Club, Alastair Dant on how The Guardian visualised tweets for the World Cup (waaay more entertaining to follow than the onscreen commentary methinks), and Michelle You talking all things Songkick. We also sent staff off to see how they innovate at Absolute Radio Labs, the Media Trust, and the Telegraph; and to talk about innovation with our friends from PhD, Poke and Somethin’ Else.

Thanks to all who volunteered their time & effort, especially Nigel Smith who came up with most of the suggestions and organised the guest speakers – I’m so pleased with the way things turned out. Read more about the event on the BBC Internet Blog.

Red Button masterclass with Jac P

A weekend in Melbourne or New York would feel incomplete without brunch in a cafe somewhere; so can you believe that after more than two years here, I’d never been out for a classic English breakfast? Well, now I have. And it was well worth the wait – yesterday morning I finally had one at SOS Cafe in London.

The place is owned by an Australian to be proud of – John Torode (of Masterchef fame) – the food was simple, classic stuff.  I had the number 2 – poached eggs, sausage, bacon, beans and toast. Tasty! The best bit was the atmosphere and staff -  totally warm, friendly and unpretentious. Just like the person I had breakfast with. I think I have found my No. 1 breakfast place in London!

Deadly Rhythm @ Plan B- 25th June

Present Kode 9′s K7 DJ Kicks Launch Party!

Featuring:

Room 1:
Kode 9
Hudson Mohawke
Rustie
Paul White
Deadly Rhythm Soundsystem

Room 2
Lil Silva
The Heatwave
Hard House Banton
Lego (Bricks)

http://www.plan-brixton.co.uk/

I haven’t been out dancing for aaaages. The hangovers kill me too much, and anything that resembles a night bus does as well. But I’m going to this – it looks like a great lineup. Take that Siddiq! xx

Earlier this month Ennio Morricone performed at Royal Albert Hall in London – along with a 100 piece orchestra, and 100 singers, and I was fortunate enough to be there. Words can’t even begin to describe how grand and beautiful it was… I had goosebumps throughout the entire performance.

The first song I heard was the ‘Deborah’s Theme‘ from Once Upon a Time in America, it plays when Noodles (De Niro) takes Deborah to dinner at the empty restaurant, the scene in the film ends badly but it’s probably one of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve ever heard.

I managed to record a few minutes of
‘Ecstasy of Gold’
from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly on my iPhone.. EPIC!

Gosh darn it – I might actually have to go out after dark for this one. Check out the lineup for THEM! at Corsica Studios, London. 9 April. Advanced tix only a fiver from here.

KUEDO (JAMIE VEX’D) – LONDON DEBUT
BOXCUTTER – NEW LIVE BASS GUITAR SHOW
HYETAL & SHORTSTUFF
BULLION
SLUGABED
RUDI ZYGADLO – OFFICAL EP LAUNCH & LONDON DEBUT
STAGGA
P45
SDUK & CNTRST
BOSS KITE – LIVE

Rudi Zygadlo’s debut single will be out on 29 March. It’s tops. 2010 is going to be that boys year.

More -

http://www.myspace.com/rudizygadlo
www.planet-mu.com

pretty sure I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again – Bullion is a genius! This mix is fantastic.. totally unpretentious mix of all your -rock gems (kraut, prog, folk etc) plus a sprinkle of R&B/disco – it’s just perfect for a Wednesday morning at the office!

From factmag.com -

Part of Alex Chase’s One Handed Music stable along with Paul White, Nathan ‘Bullion’ Jenkins is an Acton based hip-hop obsessive who first came to many’s attention with Pet Sounds: in the Key of Dee, a remix project that remixed pop monoliths The Beach Boys in the style of late Detroit hip-hop legend J Dilla.

A series of singles for One Handed followed, including a poignant collection of delay-soaked love songs on last year’s Young Heartache EP, and well, here we are.

Bullion has a new single out this month, ‘Say Goodbye to What’; his FACT mix should be the ideal soundtrack to you buying it online, or just illegally downloading it or whatever you kids do these days. David Crosby, Fleetwood Mac, Cabaret Voltaire and more feature.

Download: FACT mix 118 – Bullion
(Available for three weeks)

Tracklist:
Caravan – Ride
Brainticket – Places Of Light
David Crosby – Orleans
Delaney – Some Things Coming
Kraan – You’re Right
Buffy Sainte-Marie – Adam
Orchestre Veve Star – Bassala Hot
Syreeta – Move It, Do It
Hudson-Ford – Shy Girl
Cabaret Voltaire – Sensoria
Paul Hart – Strides
Fleetwood Mac – Coming Home
July – I See

From the trusty RBMA blog - my only advice would be to DO IT!

In conjunction with the Student Radio Association, the Red Bull Music Academy is offering ten pairs of trips to London for British students working in radio, to get involved with the RBMA Radio team for a unique broadcasting experience.

Working with a team of seasoned radio professionals during the Academy through February 7 to March 12, 2010, you’ll be able to take your production skills to the next level, while getting must-listen content for your own radio shows. Get all the application details here.

The RBMA Radio team is made up of an international cast of top broadcasting professionals from across the board. Producers from BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra for the likes of Gilles Peterson, Tim Westwood, Scott Mills and Mary Anne Hobbs, to Sony Gold Award-winning podcasts, and Radio 1′s Newsbeat, these people know radio like the back of their hands. Completing the team will be members from RBMA Radio’s HQ in Cologne, bringing a distinct international vibe to the station.

During the Academy event, RBMA Radio will also be syndicating shows for FM stations in over 30 countries, as well as NME Radio in London, so this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about new forms of radio and syndication networks. But not only will you get to pick the brains of broadcast and music industry professionals, you’ll also have access to musical legends of yesteryear and pioneering producers of tomorrow – in lecture sessions, exclusive one-to-one interviews, and at the concerts and parties that will complement the daytime activities at the Academy.

All you have to do to apply is:

- Download the Application Form
- Complete the Application Form – please make sure you’ve answered all the questions and include all your contact details
- Send an email to sra@redbullmusicacademy.com, complete with the duly filled-in Application Form, plus a direct link to your show online, or a download link for a sample radio show/feature you’re proud of producing/presenting via Yousendit, Megaupload, Rapidshare etc (duration: up to 60 minutes)

Get your application in by January 31st 2010!

If you have any further questions just email sra@redbullmusicacademy.com

I ended up in the basement of EastGallery this afternoon, on the promise of a slideshow of travel photos accompanied by music. Seeing as it was in a gallery on Brick Lane in east London, I figured I was safe from any kind of experience like those of my childhood – Dad with the slide projector (ours had a remote control clicker, attached by a long lead) and one of my sorry siblings bashing out a tune on the piano.

SO – this was nothing like that. It was actually quite amazing! Thanasis Lomef Zacharopoulos (aka Lomef) has travelled the world with a camera and the eye of an artist, capturing some amazing moments in some spectacular places. And as we watched a selection of snaps roll across the screen, his merry band played some great music to accompany (including, a human beatbox by way of loop pedal!). I left inspired to travel more and take photos. Now who wants to get me that Canon G10 for xmas?

You can buy his book, 11×11, by clicking the image above.

The celebration of 20 years of Warp Records in it’s home city of London – with Flying Lotus, Battles, Plaid, Broadcast & more. All happening at the Coronet Theatre on 5th December. Tickets from Bleep and includes a free Warp 2010 taster CD!

Warp20 (London)
Sat 5th December, The Coronet – view map
9pm – 5am

Live ++
Battles
Broadcast
Flying Lotus
Plaid (Live Classics Show)
Rustie
Nice Nice

DJs ++
Nightmares on Wax
Jackson
Mira Calix
Strictly Kev (DJ Food) : Blech20
Winston Hazell (Forgemasters)
Warp DJs

Did I already mention Jo Gordon on this website? Either way, I think her lovely woolen bits and pieces are worth mentioning again (I have a scarf, hat and gloves already!) and what better reason than when those bits and pieces are on sale?? and it’s before Christmas?? and when it’s finally super cold in London??

So – get excited for the…. Jo Gordon House Sale New Autumn/winter collection plus archive collections

Delicious cake all day, sparkling wine after 3.30pm

Fri 13th Nov 9.15am till 9.00pm

At: 7 Druce Road, Dulwich London, SE21 7DW

Trains:
From Victoria to Herne Hill or London Bridge to North Dulwich Buses: 37 or P4
Alternatively to go straight to the online shop click here

Contact: info@jogordon.com