Before photography, I was an indie-label underachiever. From 2002 until 2019, I owned and managed the Glasgow and Warsaw indie record label, Too Many Fireworks. On January 21st 2027, Too Many Fireworks will turn 25 years old. To celebrate, I… Read More »Too Many Fireworks. An Oral History, mostly. 2mf020
Before photography, I was an indie-label underachiever. From 2002 until 2019, I owned and managed the Glasgow and Warsaw indie record label, Too Many Fireworks. On January 21st 2027, Too Many Fireworks will turn 25 years old. To celebrate, I… Read More »Too Many Fireworks. An Oral History, mostly. 2mf013
Before photography, I was an indie-label underachiever. From 2002 until 2019, I owned and managed the Glasgow and Warsaw indie record label, Too Many Fireworks. On January 21st 2027, Too Many Fireworks will turn 25 years old. To celebrate, I… Read More »Too Many Fireworks. An Oral History, mostly. 2mf029
As the time of year for Poland’s finest music festivals is upon us, it’s as good a time as any to reflect on what a miserable experience an outdoor festival can be. Knee deep in a violent blend of mud,… Read More »Middle-aged Memories of Music Festivals
My first experience of Spiderland was in late winter, early in 1998; a natural consequence of my blooming love for Glasgow’s Mogwai and Falkirk’s Arab Strap. I found the music to be astonishing, and this seminal album by Louisville band… Read More »To be retained #2 – Slint, All Tomorrow’s Parties. 2005.
It starts early, at school. Back in the dark days of the mid-eighties, when teachers were less – let’s say – enlightened than they are today. Those were the days of jumpers for goalposts, chalk on blackboards, and right to… Read More »To Be a Southpaw
I was fascinated by silence as a wee boy. That is not to say the times in which I was quiet were plentiful; even when I was a child, it was difficult to shut me up, much to the eternal… Read More »The Sound of Silence
Names. To a band so titled, or indeed to their audience, a name can mean everything, or it can mean nothing. Names can be serious, political, witty, pithy, nonsensical, knowing, ironic, or just ever so simple. After the first few… Read More »What’s In a Name?
I have many lovely memories of R.E.M. Not least, of course, my 2012 visit to Athens, Georgia and the self-led R.E.M. walking tour of the band’s home town, to such places as the 40 Watt Club, Weaver D’s and Wuxtry Records.… Read More »To Be Retained #1 R.E.M – Road Movie
Though largely forgotten now – even by members of the group themselves – my first band in Poland, the post-rock effort, the Frozen North had an exciting first year. Recording, radio, TV, wee festivals, TEDxWarsaw, and other bits and pieces.… Read More »Marain (a tribute to Penderecki)