Photography: Paris

Adventures: December in photos

It's been an awful long time since I posted properly, it's been madness over here! 

Nancy and I dressed up as Mia Wallace and went out. We drank too many blue drinks.

I got a new guitar baby. He's called Percy.

Our new band Lure had our first gig!

I went to Paris for three days! (Photos to come)

I hope you all had a very lovely festive season xxx

Music: Secret Song - Courtney Askey and the Gentlemen

Secret Song - Courtney Askey and the Gentlemen

This is the first and final music video from my band. Formerly we we were Courtney Askey and the Gentlemen, now we are Lure. We've moved on from acoustic and are now producing music hailed as 'grunge folk/noise pop'. Look forward to showing you all more soon!

Music: Shallow Bed (Acoustic) - Dry the River

Shallow Bed (Acoustic) - Dry the River

by Courtney Askey

I've been looking forward to this ever since it was announced that Shallow Bed, one of my favourite albums of 2012, would be re-released acoustically. And my word, it definitely does not disappoint. It's a whole different album- and equally as excellent.

With the same track listing of the previous album, the translation from one to the other is superb. Beginning with a haunting a capella version of Animal Skins, you're gently thrown into a Wintery world of flawless harmonies. New Ceremony, on the other hand, reminds me of Summer. It's incredibly gentle, and it's wonderfully beautiful. Will Harvey's violin accompanies the delicate (whilst at the same time powerful) voice of Peter Liddle and the backing from other band members Scott Miller, Matt Taylor and Jon Warren with grace. Shield Your Eyes is a little punchier with its percussion. My favourite from the album so far is History Book. It's been stripped down considerably from the original version. The first thirty seconds or so with vocals from Peter with the piano accompaniment really highlights the duality of the band. 'Shallow Bed' is all raging crescendos and epic 'folk rock' build ups. 'Shallow Bed (Acoustic)', on the other hand, allows us to focus on the vocal talent. The harmonies are heart-wrenchingly good. The Chambers & The Valves is slowed down and less bouncy than before, and now it seems a whole other level of sentimental. Next is another of my favourites: Demons. This song is probably my favourite from 'Shallow Bed', and from the two live performances I've seen of the boys. The original conjures emotions in me that I didn't know existed. The strings, booming drums and the crescendo of the electric version really are a thing to behold. And on this acoustic offering, this song is something a bit more intimate. It seems sadder. I like sad. Bible Belt translates beautiful acoustically. I've always loved the acoustic versions of Bible Belt that I've discovered on the internet after finding the Watch Listen Tell session. No Rest is another of my favourite from the original album. I've found myself many a time screaming along in a most unruly fashion. I must say, this acoustic version is missing something a little with the lack of drums, but that doesn't mean it's not something really rather wonderful. The power of Peter's vocals really shine through in this song. Shaker Hymns  is beautiful. It's folk at its best. Now, Weights & Measures. This song does things to me- especially this version. I remember when I first heard this song I had it on repeat for an hour in the darkness of my bedroom. It was devastating. I probably cried a bit, too. I'd like to say I've hardened after a good few hundred plays but that isn't the case. I think this is just one of those songs. Ending on previously rowdy and shouty (in the best way possible) (did you get that) Lion's Den, this is a great closing number. It leaves you wanting more. 

This is a really great album. I can't wait to listen to this more. It's a perfect soundtrack to the movie moments of life. You know, the sunsets, the long car journeys, the heartbreak... Buy it. Just buy it now. 

Available on iTunes from 17th December.

Music: Songs From My Ribcage

My band and I have just released our new EP 'Songs From My Ribcage'. You can listen to the three tracks and download here.

I'm so happy to bring this out! I've been working on this for so long. If you don't  fancy buying the EP but like what you hear, we also have a free download of Secret Song here!

http://soundcloud.com/courtneyaskeyandthegents

http://www.facebook.com/courtneyandthegents

http://courtneyaskeyandthegentlemen.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-my-ribcage

Poetry: Lover

Lover is a dirty word
it’s untrue
and I like it.
I want
until I have
then I’m done
and I’m gone.
Emotions change
with my mood;
they are weather,
they are waves,
I am waging war forever
within myself.
Lover never.
Lover ever. 

Shop: Creative Cow Company

Creative Cow Company create beautiful, personal and handcrafted pieces. Their pieces are perfect for gifts and definitely worth having a browse for Christmas shopping. I have a really lovely flower-shaped blackboard that I keep hanging on my bed with the keep it bright quote 'TRUST YOUR STRUGGLE' on.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreativeCowCompany

Spooky Halloween goodness

Personalized monogram plaque

Snazzy flower bunting

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreativeCowCompany

What I've been doing...

Hello, I'm sorry I've not been posting, I've been absolutely rushed off my feet doing everything in the world! October has been the busiest month for me. Lots of things are coming to a close and getting all exciting.

Music

The other day I travelled to Cambridge with two of my best friends to see my current favourite band, Dry the River. It was an unbelievably perfect night. The set was absolutely fantastic, there was a great atmosphere in the crowd and everybody was emotionally wailing along, and we met Scott Miller (bass), Peter Liddle (vocals and guitar) and Will Harvey (violin)! They were so lovely and nice to talk to. 

Scott

Pete

I've also been doing a lot of work on my own music. I'm doing some proper recording with my boys on Tuesday for my brand new EP 'Songs From My Ribcage'. I finished the artwork last night:

It's going to be released sometime very soon, I'll post about that when I know for certain. 

Music video also coming soon!

Film

My film is finally coming to a close! Our final shoot begins at 5pm today, how exciting. We're shooting the dramatic end sequence today, our biggest shoot yet.

I've just finished some work on a short documentary as a part of research for my EPQ project at college. It's about an exhibition by a group of artists in Leiester called 'The Collective'.

The Collective - A Short Film

Music: I Feel Better by Frightened Rabbit

I Feel Better by Frightened Rabbit

I’ll stow away my greys, in a padlocked case and in a padlocked room. 

Only to be released when I sing all the songs I wrote about you. 

This is the last one that I’ll do.

Music: Not That You'd Even Notice by Keaton Henson

Not That You'd Even Notice by Keaton Henson

and I won't see light 'til you come back to me
and I won't feel a breeze 'til I hear your house key
and I won't hear a sound 'til you fall to my knees
sayin' "please don't leave me"

Poetry: Sunday Evening Blues.

Internal organs and
skin and
weak bones are
bathed in glory and
basked in sunshine.

Dancing aches and
an insight into a heart and
you’re too far broken.

I cannot conclude.

My ribcage is too exposed
to threat and intrusion.
I do not care for it
and I don’t think
I can.

I just wish
for
touch
soon. 

Film: Three Weeks

Starring

Yanika Chauhan

Henry Brown

Eloise Clarke

Lewis Meagor

Young playwright, Lita, is in the final three weeks of producing her comic play, 'Bathos' and she's falling for mysterious actor, Tristan, to the dismay of her eccentric best friend. However, unknown to her friends and cast, Lita is facing a dangerous inner battle with mental illness.

http://www.facebook.com/threeweeksfilm

http://threeweeksfilm.tumblr.com/

I've been writing and directing this film for the best part of three years, and we've finally got to the filming stage! At 5am this morning we embarked on the filming of a post-party scene.

Music: The Snake by Al Wilson

What a great bit of Northern Soul.

The Snake by Al Wilson 

Music: Grinderman 2 RMX

Grinderman 2 RMX

Grinderman. Are they cool? Very. Are they back? Probably not, but here’s hoping.  

Their first album, the self-titled, Grinderman released in 2007 introduced us to a classic Cave poetic style of alternative rock. Three years later we saw the release of Grinderman 2, which was suitably and fantastically as weird and wonderful. 

I keep hanging around your kitchenette
And I’m gonna get a pot to cook you in
I stick my fingers in your biscuit jar
And crush all your gingerbread men

- Kitchenette, Grinderman

Now, two years after Grinderman 2, and one year after the band’s onstage announcement that they were ‘over’, Grinderman 2 RMX appears. 

I wouldn’t usually find a remix album something to be that excited about, as I usually stay as far from possible from remixes of songs that I like as possible, but this is different. The remixes by outfits such as A Place to Bury Strangers and UNKLE really are truly fantastic, bringing a new angle to the songs of Grinderman 2, but still keeping it Cave.

It’s good. Very good.

Listen to the album on Spotify here.

Grinderman/U.N.K.L.E - Hyper Worm Tamer on Youtube.

Adventures: Hatfield House

Hatfield House, Hertfordshire

Today, I visited Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. It was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl Sailsbury. The house is Jacobean, and the estate is still inhabited by members of the Cecil family. The architecture and craftsmanship inside is incredibly grand, with a whole number of gold gilded ceilings and decadent staircases. Unfortunately photography isn't permitted inside the house, so my photos are only of the exterior.

We had lunch in the tea room and I had a fantastic pea, mint and basil soup and a bottle of Bulmers. I also thought this was the perfect place to give my new tweed an outing! 

Notebook; £12.99, Matchstick pen; £1.99, Deer brooch; £2.99

 There are some really lovely shops there, too. I had a look round Stable Yard Music and fell for a real cool 1960s Mod style guitar strap which I should hopefully be ordering online very soon!
I truly fell head over heels in love with the prettiest shop ever; The Oak Room. It was filled with the kitschest and chintziest and quirkiest prints. I could have bought absolutely everything if I had the money! I got possibly the best notebook ever, a pen shaped like a matchstick and a deer shaped brooch for my jacket.

Seems as were close, we drove to Highgate in London. This is where we shall hopefully be moving when I return from Hong Kong after my six month stay between October 2013 - April 2014. This is the incredible view from the street that we've found. I'm blown away! London is my favourite.