Exciting news!

I’m not getting much playing done at the moment because I’m spending my time setting up my first independent record label…

We live over at www.boombetter.com

Introducing Boom Better Records

“Music born from soul…”

Boom Better Records is a brand new independent record label set up by Alex J Watson, with the aim to champion the best in new funk, soul, hip hop, beats and jazz music. Boom Better was born to connect creative circles and give exposure to the huge mine of talent that deserve the opportunity to reach a much larger audience. With the help of a growing team of creatives, Boom Better is preparing for it’s label launch and debut releases in 2012.

Quality music, and an energetic approach is central to Boom Better.

With a policy of “music born from soul…” we will be working with best vibrant and upcoming talent, producing the freshest sounding new releases, all beautifully packaged and actively promoted. Looking after our artists and promoting the talent we believe in will always come first.

We are building an ever-expanding entourage of people who believe in Boom Better, who are willing to share their creative talents, experience, knowledge and efforts. By forging strong relations with everyone we work with, we hope to build a company that creates opportunities for people, shares successes, and looks after every person involved in the process.

Boom.

Better.

We Are Miscellaneous Mix – By Alex J Watson by Boom Better on Mixcloud

Beat Blog #2point1 feat. Phil Meadows by alexJwatson

Since, I have moved south, to Disneyland… well, Winchester where I am living with my better half, working on new music, growing a variety of salad leaves, and trying to build my production and radio experience (interning bits in London).

All is good.

Music for Film by alexJwatson

Back on May 11th The Eternal Surge project aired to a warm reception at HEART Arts Centre in Leeds. It was a pleasure to work for Kim Macari on a performance which had been her baby for well over a year in preparation. The performance was set to a soundscape of ocean, storm, birdsong and poetry – for which I was mainly responsible for arranging and controlling live. I also played guitar alongside other live ensemble members – bassist Maxwell Sterling, singer Kari Blevik, late addition Riley Stone-Lonergan on soprano sax, and of course Macari on Trumpet. We were joined by fantastic dancer Rachel Dean. The performance went down with a very warm reception and we were astounded by such a good turnout.

In the week following The Eternal Surge performance, and in the run up to final recitals at Leeds College of Music, I played two gigs at The Wardrobe and Sela Bar in Leeds, alongside drummer Tim Steemson, pianist Louis Peakall and bassist James Hutchinson. I also spent every other free second of time completing the writing for my two composition portfolios; one a collection of contemporary jazz pieces, the other a selection of music I have composed for film clips/trailers/shorts. I hope to upload some examples of this work to the site soon for you to see.

I finished my student life on the 15th of June backed by that same band as the Wardrobe and Sela gigs, in a performance exam at The Venue (and had performed in Tim’s recital earlier that day too).

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended those concerts, and for showing support at my final performance as a student at Leeds College of Music. It has been a pleasure and privilege to work alongside so many fantastic musicians and fellow students, and to be taught by so many inspiring people over the past three years. Particular thanks go to Jez Franks my guitar tutor, Jamil Sheriff my composition teacher, and Neil Myers my film music tutor. Extended thanks go to my band for all their time, effort and dedication, and to all those who have made my time at LCM such an enjoyable experience.

I have very fond memories of Leeds and all the friends I have made.

I move onwards into real life, excited.

The Eternal Surge, is a project by Kim Macari that combines music, dance and visual art. The premiere performance of The Eternal Surge is to take place at HEART Arts centre (Headingly, Leeds) on May 11th, 2011.

“The idea grew in March 2010, whilst working in the developmental stages of Linder Sterling’s Darktown Cakewalk in Glasgow. Discussions with artist Catriona Gourlay about her focus on sentimentality, cultural heritage and Scotland in terms of artistic output led to consider ways that I could focus my own creativity in the same way.”

- Macari, The Eternal Surge Blog

Based around the eternal surge of the sea, the project focuses on ideas of isolation, perpetualism, tradition and change. Musical content mixes jazz, folk and classical idioms, in one continuous, ever-evolving piece.

Please follow The Eternal Surge Blog on Posterous

Sunday Feb 20th 1.30pm £5/4
Seven Arts Centre, Chappel Allerton, Leeds

For more info visit: www.sevenjazz.co.uk

Pursuance is a quartet featuring upcoming players all in their final year at Leeds College of Music. The group is a collaborative project between all members and features Alex Watson on guitar, Louis Peakall on piano, James Hutchinson on Bass and Tim Steemson on drums. In their debut at Seven Arts the group will be playing a mix of contemporary repertoire and standards with a modern twist. Expect music inspired by the likes of Avishai Cohen and Kenny Wheeler, set in a hornless, guitar/piano led format.

Fins Aviat by alexJwatson

When I’ve not been being a maverick globe trotter, I’ve also been moving forward with various bits of work and projects (aka things I’m actually meant to be doing!). Firstly I’ve almost completed a new piece for big band, named “Fins Aviat”. The title comes from the Catalan “see you soon” which is fitting for my travelling theme–due to lot’s of hellos, see-yas, and foreignness–but it is also a homage to it being my last year at Leeds College of Music. With five months to go it won’t be long until I’ll be waving “Fins Aviat” with a degree scroll in hand (fingers crossed). Shamefully the piece isn’t exactly Catalan in musical content but give me a break have I not justified the title enough?

Aside from my new-found use of foreign titles, I’ve also been rehearsing with Pursuance- a jazz quartet I’m playing guitar in. The band also features the amazing talents of Tim Steemson on drums, Louis Peakall on piano and James Hutchinson on bass. We’re working towards a gig at Seven Jazz, in Leeds on February 20th. Tim’s been bringing in charts of tunes in crazy time signatures to rehearse (there’s some 11 in there), but despite tricksyness it’s sounding really cool and Iooking forward to the outing.

As to other things on the go… I’m writing bits of music for film and am currently trying to get together with a producer I know to write music for a short film he’s about to start shooting (all things going to plan).

I’ve also been getting down with my old skool technology and have been making hip hop tracks with my little Korg SP-303, a pretty retro sampler (think early Madlib). Around the time I was recording things up I managed to smash my laptop screen (epic fail), so progress has been hindered. But I’ll post tracks up when I’m back in action.

Talking of hip hop, as I write this I am listening to Common’s album Like Water For Chocolate. I’ve loved it for a while (the guys I live with got me into it) but I’ve only just managed to grab a copy on vinyl. Its a great album thru and thru, but my stand-out selection is “A Song For Assata”, it’s just sublime. Considering the personnel there was no chance of it not being a good track- being produced by The Soulquarian’s, with ?uestlove on the drums and featuring Cee-Lo… Yes, as in current chart topper Cee-Lo Green, but don’t be fooled he’s been around for time and has been lurking in the writer/producer/guest backgrounds for many years (L.W.F.C. was released back in 2000). Mr Green even wrote The Pussycat Doll’s “Don’t Cha?” didn’t you know! …anyway if you’re not familiar with the album… get into it (not the Pussy Cat Doll’s… Like Water For Chocolate!)

Away from music I’ve got really into taking photos with proper film cameras. It all started by nicking my dad’s old pentax slr that he’s not used in years and years. I then spotted the www.lomography.com website and have been experimenting with strange films and different cameras. I will post some snaps up sometime soon. If you don’t know about Lomography be sure to check it out. Analogue is the way.

Also check out LKKL, my better half’s new knitting and fashion blog. She’s also the one teaching me Catalan, and the reason I’m now addicted to Cola Cao (google it, but not the turbo stuff).

Anyway thanks for reading, this is long, and it’s now quite late, so I better get sleeping and get working before it’s time to pack my suitcase again.

Keep travelling, end of rambling.
Fins Aviat,
[AJW]