Mawken trailer

You can watch the trailer of Mawken, the new film by Steve Neberit where Graham is part of the cast:

http://vimeo.com/14095256

"I'm a vet, I can't do humans..."

Isn't cute his voice? This really made my day :)

Graham to act in a film

After a 10 day holiday break into a British tour through Scotland and North England, I'm back and just got absolutely astounded at the news. It seems Graham is going to explore his acting creative side in a new movie from the "Curio" director Steve Nesbit, called Mawken:

http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/8340018.Filmmaker_Steve_Nesbit_returns_to_film_in_North_Yorkshire

I would never really have expected him to act in a film, mainly because he's always said things like he feels crap acting into stage when performing shows and so on. My mental idea of him is one of a frightened man at being observed, though it's completely contradictory because of his job, which almost all of the time involves being the centre of attention. But here's the prove you should never think never hehe. Really shocked and happy as well, I'm eager to wacht it.

More hints on the new album

Posted by Graham on the official forum last July 22:

"well... here we are in our last two days of recording...fuckin up drums....listenin to betty harris and irma thomas....
this friggin record is a sea of influences as wide rangin as i can muster it seems...its still 22 tracks...
is there such a thing as an LP anymore??
not really huuh? so...a 22 track album would be fine, wouldnt it???

we got the doo-wop , we got the soul, we got the spittin punk and cryin room ballads...we got resentment, romance...fizzin...sonics from 50s to present day...we got dancing, dr. dark's wit, runnin from the devil...addiction and death(as usual) sorrow and regret, psycho kidnap, shards of murder, empty dark cities...packin heat...and.....

hit it!"

Now we're wondering when will it be published... And so does him.

A curiosity: Louise Wener from Sleeper on Graham

Check out what the lead singer of the band Sleeper tells about Blur members and specially on Graham:

Graham Coxon has asked me to marry him. He is drunk. He asks everyone to marry him. Graham Coxon is great company at the start of the evening, funny and gentle and sharp. But you have to tread carefully when Mr Spectacles is on the sauce; there’s a moment when he tips over to splenetic. He has a tendency to insult people to their face. Strangers. Passers-by. Couples quietly drinking in the hotel bar. He is a harsh critic. It is sometimes uncomfortable.

Read the full article:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7134905.ece

Mr. Spectacles she calls him... I like it hehe.

By the way, hot news on the recording of the new album. I'm hoping to post it tomorrow, if I find the time.

Stay tuned x

60 years of the Fender Telecaster

Graham on why he likes Fender Telecaster...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/04/fender-telecaster-andy-summers-graham-coxon

Graham Coxon, Blur

I think my first encounter with a Telecaster was when I had a go on [Blur producer] Stephen Street's, years ago. It looked like a piece of pine with a pretty scratchplate, but it made a really nice sound. I suppose it was the guitar I'd been searching for; I used to draw Teles a lot when I was at school.

It's versatile, simple and strong. You can make it sound old-fashioned and warm, like something you'd have in a doo-wop band, or totally the other way: trebly and trashy. And it's quite difficult to describe, but they have a kind of creak underneath the sound – something you only really get with a Telecaster.

The first one I got was very shiny, butterscotch job: a reissue of one from 1959. I used that throughout the whole of Blur's career. It ended up with a Mr Smiley sticker, and an Air India sticker on it, and a really bad drawing that I did on the back. That was my workhorse, and I've still got it.

It just feels really, really nice: like a BMX, as opposed to a big, heavy bike. The one I use now had been butchered by its previous owner, but the neck was so beautiful, I couldn't resist it. It looked like it had been creosoted, so I call it the Shed.

Curio and "Pink Floyd with fangs" soundtrack

Graham talks about the film soundtrack, here's a video...

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi342492185

An the plot summary...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1617072/plotsummary

Graham's 8th studio album in the oven

Exiting fresh news! Graham has new album recorded with his former band from Happiness in magazines and Love travels at illegal speeds era and it is expected to be released soon... He said preferably by the end of summer, though probably it will be delayed a little as he confirmed he doesn't have any record label right now.

He described the sound on his official forum (hold on tight!):


hi all....havent posted for ages...
hope you're all well.

...i have been up to old/new tricks.

2 weeks in the studio...15 tracks done.

i dont know what to say about the new album...its like a night out... terriffic highs... shit trawling lows ...but overall a machinated bleak apocolyptically sonically broken and fucked experience...i am very excited about it.
again a big room full of toys.... and ispirations from the mid 70s and mid 80s...roughly... i have been trying to play like a robot that has water in its wires...resisiting recording/on air red light tension and playing like a painter...notes not important...its vibe vibe vibe...bum notes accidental noise...with no housework afterwards....it really is i think the closest i have got to the noise in my head...ever.

you may sob,get shit scared and dance to this record...all is possible, all at the same time...

we intend to do a little more...around another 2 weeks then....well, thats it.

yum!

-------

well... i'm so close to finishing it now...

what helped...was the two hour burn up on the motorway everymorning on the bike...arriving boggle eyed and nervous...coffee to calm down. and straight head long and reckless into recording...i shunned the nerves...the anxiety to perfect...to plan...and...the result is rough...its easy to hear...tempos fluctuate...and sound flies in from nowhere...and buzzes thru your brain and is gone...
voices thru synths....insane arpeggios...also bombers and submarines lift the soil...fuck ups shivver on the sheets..that sort of thing....
its a worse place than london.


By his words, it seems it's gonna be such an intense album.

Looking forward for more info!
Stay tuned.

The power acoustic ensemble at Birmingham Town Hall 15/05/2010 review, pics and vids

http://counteract-magazine.com/2010/05/16/the-graham-coxon-power-acoustic-ensemble-birmingham-town-hall-150510









http://www.flickr.com/photos/doylezd

Graham Coxon headlines today English Originals Weekend in Birmingham

Last night I dreamt about this show... I was there in Birmingham, it was dark, cold and foggy hehe don't know why this Tim Burton climate atmosphere... inexplicable dream things, nevermind. I had to leave the city just before the show was about to start so I couldn't attend it but I managed to get into the Town Hall for a few minutes to have a glance before leaving the city. In my dreamland imagination it was a huge and tall ancient bulding with giant letters on its top front that said: TOWN HALL. That clear! Inside there was a big venue with a stage with all the instruments set ready, ambient background music of Graham coming out from the loudspeakers and a big screen with images of his videos, etc. And in the wall a big neon sign saying GRAHAM COXON. This dream seems to be about big and clear signs haha. Well, there was a few people there drinking in a bar, waiting for the show to start. I took some pics and got out.

He's playing today with the power acoustic ensemble at Town Hall in Birmingham. Here's a nice review and interview with him:

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2010/05/13/blur-guitarist-headlines-at-birmingham-s-english-originals-weekend-65233-26422844

Coxon says: ''I think the Birmingham show will be the last one of its kind, a chance for me to give it a go again then say goodbye to the album. It will be mainly acoustic but with some interludes of electric mayhem''.

A goodbye to a great album that becames more intense played live I have to say with little sorrow. No need to say how I'd like to be there, but I'm some miles away and into studying for my final exams.

Graham on Syd Barrett book foreword

May brings to us a new release. This is called A very irregular head, a book on Syd Barrett by Rob Chapman whose foreword has been written by Graham. So if you're looking for some reading, here you have an hint. I haven't read it myself so I can't give my opinion, however Graham recommends it on his twitter by saying "it's a proper yum read".

This writing gift has made me think about a Coxon himself autobiography. I've always thought it would be a nice reading. Alex James did so with Bit of a Blur (a book I'm still into and I hope to have finished soon), although Graham could talk not only about his Blur days, but also his days as solo artist. We know a lot of things about Blur because there's plenty of books talking about it, nevertheless that doesn't happen with Coxon solo career. If only he'd get inspired as a writer taking on this opportunity, maybe a book written by himself on his solo days would have some success.

Barbican show to be released on DVD

According to trustworthy Graham Coxon Uk forums sources, a DVD of the entire Barbican show from last november is coming out next summer, specifically on july. Apparently, it's going to be released by Transgressive records, which is the current Mr. Coxon label.

Personally, I couldn't be more happy with it, for I attended that show travelling exclusively from Spain to London with a friend. It's a lot special for me, really loved the power acoustic ensemble, that atmosphere created at the Barbican Hall with the music was a special one :) I'm awaiting to find out more details. Stay tuned!

xxx

Fool's day, new Blur song available to download for free

After having sold out completely the limited 1.000 copies edition of 7 inch vinyl, Blur's discography have made the new song available for download in good sound quality through the official band's website www.blur.co.uk. You can dowload it both in mp3 or uncompressed wav file.

Blur’s manager Chris Morrison has said it is important that the song was made available to fans legally. "To avoid fans having to illegally obtain an inferior copy of this track from pirate sites – we have made it freely available through the band’s website".

That's a praiseworthy act from EMI.
So, come on... Catch up your free and good quality digital copy ;)

City hall, Graham's new song

Probably you've already heard about it and even listened to it. Last night Graham and his band presented this new song at Evo Music Rooms tv programme on Channel 4. A freshly noise, electronic and psychedelic sound.

I'm thrilled. Could this mean a new album is coming soon? Ahhhh... We'll stay tunned :)

Blur to release new songs

Yesterday I read with puzzlement the news. Blur have been recording new material two weeks ago and the songs will be released next april 17, according to NME. I felt that familiar sweet mixture of exictement and nostalgia.

That's really good news. The bad news is that it will only be 1000 copies on sale because it's a limited edition in seven inch vinyl format and apparently will only be sold in some independent record stores in the Uk to celebrate the Record Store Day, which takes place every year to promote independent record shops.

That's their first release together since Good song in 2003. It goes backer if we take into account Graham, so probably it's the first release with the four original members of the band since 1999 (for me, Blur without Graham was never the same).

Wish good luck to those who have the chance to buy one copy ;)

Barbican show on Channel 4 next april 16th

More great great news! The Barbican show will be on telly, we don't know if the full-lenght show or a short one.
If you have the opportunity (cause I unfortunately don't), tune in to Channel 4:

http://www.rockfeedback.com/feature/1368/rockfeedback-presents-back-on-channel-4/

Art exhibition at Isle of Wight Festival

Graham Coxon's paintings will be shown over the period of the Isle of Wight pop festival 2010. The exhibition will run from Wednesday, 9th to Saturday, 19th June, 9.30am to 5pm daily including Sunday, 13th June.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to view unseen works by Graham, and a must for all Blur and Graham Coxon fans. The exhibition will feature originals and all of the limited edition prints that have been published to date. The prints are in editions of 300, each one signed and numbered by Graham with prices starting from £114.

Read more here:

http://www.islandfinearts.com/

Happy belate birthday, Graham!

Yesterday he was 41.

The power acoustic ensemble is back

Good news: Graham will be playing at Town Hall next may 15th as part of the english originals festival. A range of special guests will join him live at his performance.

Tickets on sale at
http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/the-graham-coxon-ensemble

Blur wins the best live event at NME awards

The NME awards took place last february 24 and Blur was the winner of best live event award. Here is a video recorded from the audience of the band accepting the award:

Graham Coxon with Robyn Hitchock at Southbank Centre last january 31

Here you have some pics ;)

A touching film

I think that's the right word to summarize No distance left to run, the Blur documentary film. From the beginning to the end. At least for those we love the band. I'm glad I made the effort to go to Barcelona city to watch the film at the cinema, despite of my tiredness that day.

This is a film about friendship, success, the story of a band that emerged from Colchester and reached their dream. It stired me up inside and reminded me how important were Blur for me when I was a teenager (and still are, they will irremediably always be). There were loads of laugh and tender moments throughout the film, specially funny comments from the members of the band.

I think the whole cinema hall got really touched, for when the screen went black at the end of the film, many people bursted into loud applause.

I came back home in a kind of blurry-cloud, a delicious one :) My friend also liked it, though she's not as fan as me. She asked me to put any blur CD in my car on our way home.

I'm impatient for the DVD release, need to watch it again!

Blur film today in Barcelona and Madrid

Only for today those who live in Barcelona and Madrid (Spain) will have the opportunity to watch the Blur film at Cinesa.

Last night premiere...

See more pictures here:

http://www.daylife.com/photo/079XdLhcCcc9h

and the story here:

http://www.nme.com/photos/blur-the-story-of-no-distance-left-to-run/162920/1/1

Robyn Hitchcock show with Graham as a guest artist

Next january 30th at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, more info here:

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/music/gigs-contemporary/tickets/robyn-hitchcock-presents-a-maritime-evening-with-special-guests-50241

Blur film premiere in Leicester Square

Tomorrow, january 14th, will take place the red carpet premiere at London's Leicester Square. All four members of the band are expected to attend this event.

Also good news for Spanish fans. The film will be shown in Madrid and Barcelona next january 19th.

Check the list of countries, cities and cinemas that will be showing the documentary:

http://alternative.artsalliancemedia.com/cinemas/film/16/

Graham joining The Babyshambles full time?

So we start up the new year with more Graham news.

Here is what The Sun says...
For my part not too confident, it has to be seen to be believed.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2791181/Graham-Coxon-interested-in-joining-Pete-Dohertys-band.html

I wish you a happy new year 2010 (and also new decade) full of music, Graham and Blur!

xxx