Brooke Parrott

What an interesting week it’s been.  I played another gig on Tuesday for my good friends Rough Sketch, who, I have to say, are among the best promoters I’ve come across in London.  It’s been strange adjusting from the venue-run music scene in the US to the promoter-run lay of the land in London.  For many promoters, it’s really just an excuse to put on a night, cram the line-up full of local hopefuls, and make some money off of the best friends and grandparents that come out to support.  Disgraceful!  Kirsty and Alex at Rough Sketch have booked me for a few different nights, and genuinely seem to want to make playing out a good experience for the artists (how revolutionary!).  Also playing the gig was Ana Silvera, a local artist managed by my friend Allison, who was phenomenal.

The week ended with a very rainy Saturday spent over in Hackney Wick at the artsy Hackney Wicked festival, and a sunny Sunday at the Arnold Circus Bandstand nearby my flat.  The first Sunday of every month an event called Bandstand Busking is hosted at different disused bandstands around London.  My favorite (only partially for it’s proximity to my residence!) has, unfortunately, been burned to a crisp since I was last there.  The bandstand, which used to be a lovely shade of faded green, has now been painted black to partially disguise it’s charred nature.  No matter, it still is a great place to go see bands, and Sunday was no exception.  Playing an early show was David Thomas-Broughton, whose bizarre antics while playing included trying to sing with a piece of chalk between his teeth, attempting to wipe chalk off a blackboard with a cloth draped over the end of his guitar, and making squeaking noises with a straw wedged between his mouth and forearm.  Strange, indeed!  Micachu & the Shapes followed, fresh off playing Field Day Festival the day before, with a lovely, albeit slightly more normal, set.  Later in the afternoon my very talented friends, Treetop Flyers, played a few songs, then the beautiful songbirds First Aid Kit.

That’s it from me!  No gigs booked currently, but don’t forget to check my MySpace for updated information.

Brooke