The Consequences are in sight! – 22/01/2008 14:58
Hello all!
As we reach the final furlong of January, thought it was high time I gave you some cheering news on the progress of Crisis Consequences!
The main-line up for Consequences Live is going to be announced on 30th January, so keep your eye on the site for further exciting updates. Also, keep your eyes peeled for images of some of the key members in a somewhat consequential – and possibly compromising! - position. We’ve also created a brilliant promotional film to accompany the campaign – and excitingly, this is going to be featured in the first-ever video billboards on the underground platforms in London – so anyone commuting through Victoria or Euston station should keep a look-out!
Looking forward to seeing you all on 2nd March – if you haven’t bought your tickets yet, do it now to avoid disappointment!
Big love,
Pearl x
Hey there – 07/01/2008 12:43
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
If the festive season seems like a distant memory and you’re suffering from a classic case of January blues, then cheer yourself with the fact that Consequences Live is less than eight weeks away! We’ve secured some more acts for the line-up which will be announced very soon, truly cementing Consequence’s position as a historic event uniting the great and the good of indie talent spanning three generations. I personally cannot wait!
So if you need something to look forward to in order to get you through the tedious tradition of January diets, detox and nights in, then treat yourself to a ticket now, as we expect these to go like-hot cakes, and remember – this really is for one night only! And if being part of history isn’t enough, buying a ticket will help you feel even better by thinking of where your money is going. Crisis helped thousands of homeless people over Christmas – through buying a ticket to Consequences Live, you can help them do the same all year round.
In other news, we’re still putting the final finishes to the track. Due to the novel nature of the song (and the fact that it’s sounding sooo good!), we’ve had approaches from other great artists keen to make a contribution and affect the overall consequence of the sound. More on this to follow.
All my love,
Pearl
Happy crimbo! – 19/12/2007 16:33
This video requires flash player
Nearing the Finishing Line – 10/12/2007 12:16
This video requires flash player
Thought it was about time I gave you all an update on the Consequences
of
what we’ve been up to in the last few weeks!
It’s certainly been an
eventful time since my last blog. Following the
thrills, spills and all-night
music making sessions of recording week, we
allowed ourselves a nano-second
of a breather, before putting renewed energy
into honing and refining the
lyrics for the track. I have to admit I’m
totally in love with it as it
stands, and have been constantly playing the
rough version with Gaz Coombes
doing a guide vocal - it’s been on loop ever
since recording week! Good thing
there’s a bit of distance between us and my
neighbours out here in the
country...
The digital master then crossed the Atlantic to Portland,
where the fabulous
Beth Ditto laid down the lead vocal. We’re currently
waiting to hear what
she¹s come up with, which should be due right about
now. The sense of
anticipation is intense to say the least! The next step
will then by for
myself, New Young Pony Club’s Tahita, plus some surprise
guests to join Paul
Epworth in his studio and add the final flourish in the
form of backing
vocals.
The other exciting thing to report is that
tickets for Consequences Live are
now on sale, so why not make someone’s
Christmas or hell, just treat
yourself to a ticket for this truly unique
and historic event.
Homecoming – 11/11/2007 13:14
It’s with mixed emotions that I write my final blog from Air Studios. It’s been an amazing week, and when I listen to the track as it stands, it’s hard to believe that this amazing, huge sounding epic hadn’t even been conceived on Monday morning.
Today has seen major developments on the Consequences track. We received Paul Weller’s contribution, which featured a strong vocal hook that left plenty of scope for Paul Epworth, Danny and Gaz to expand on. The lyrics are starting to come together now, and we’ve worked with some of the homeless musicians involved in Consequences to create them, ensuring anything we say is informed by the people we’re ultimately trying to help.
Today the fabulously talented all-girl string quartet Dirty Pretty Strings arrived to add even more depth to the tune. The girls then handed the baton over to Jamie Morrison from the Noisettes who added some bells (and whistles!).
It’s looking like it’s going to be another late one this evening, as we wait for some additional parts from Weller, and continue working on the lyrics. Myself and Tahita from New Young Pony Club have still to add our backing vocals, and of course the track has to be forwarded to the brilliant Beth Ditto to bring it on home!
It’s been an incredible week, and I’m feeling so so proud of the project. There’s a long way to go before the final release and Consequences Live on 2nd March at the Roundhouse, so keep checking back for the next step in the ever evolving Consequences story. Thanks for your support so far!
- Pearl Lowe
Coming home – 08/11/2007 21:41
Today was a special day for the Crisis Consequence initiative, and one which showed the true integrity of the overall campaign. Crisis is all about empowering homeless people to change their lives, which often involves building their self-confidence through music and the arts. And today, some of Crisis’ members who have attended the music workshops (and have experienced homelessness first hand) took to air studios to make their contribution to the track.
First up was Roberto, who lent his acoustic guitar to the track, followed by Paul (fuzz guitar) and then Stephane who, with 3 days to separate them, will effectively
join Ed Harcourt in a piano duel. These people were selected for the track following a Crisis X Factor style contest that I judged a few weeks back. Seeing the guys contributing some wonderful stuff under the guidance of such an established producer as Paul Epworth was truly heart-warming, and reminds me of what a brilliant organisation that Crisis is - one I’m truly proud to represent.
In other news, Paul Weller has been adding his parts in his recording studio in Woking, which we’re eagerly waiting to hear. Danny and Paul are having a think about the final element – lyrics – to really bring the track to life. And tomorrow is the final day in Air Studios, so who knows what changes and last-minute twists are round the corner...
- Pearl Lowe
Video: Day 1 in Air Studios – 08/11/2007 10:38
This video requires flash player
Sitting it by the Fire – 07/11/2007 20:35
Dare I say it, but am starting to feel things are really taking shape! First up today was Pete Wareham, saxophonist in the brilliant Acoustic Ladyland, who contributed some heady saxophone that should be set to introduce some unexpected twists and punctuate the overall sound.
Guitar genius Graham Coxon was next to take the reins. His aim was to add plenty of “pretty parts” to the track, which he more than delivered on. Graham also indulged us with a special guitar solo – eight bars to enjoy complete and utter creative freedom. In true Coxon style, this was where he properly ripped things up, creating a rich, full throttled sound that’s sure to be a key feature of the final track. As a direct contract, he then soothed the melody towards the end, wrapping the track up and in his own words “sitting it by the fire.”
We were all a bit surprised when David Arnold made an impromptu, whistle-stop visit to Air Studios, getting a sneak preview of the sound and story so far, and providing a soundboard for the dedicated magician Paul Epworth.
Finally, Babyshambles’ Drew McConnell took over the mantle, winning the medal for quickest engagement with the concept and beats, with a highly confident, slick performance on guitar, adding his own personal stamp to the ever evolving sound.
- Pearl Lowe
Know Thy Enemy – 06/11/2007 17:39
Day two of Crisis Consequences, and Coventry’s finest, The Enemy, provided a breath of fresh air at Air Studios. There’s no messing about with these lads, and no sooner had they arrived, they were getting down to business with their very own brand of angry, attitude-laden, anthemic rock.
Today really felt like the experimental spirit had been ramped right up, with Tom and Andy free-styling on guitar, and Liam’s drum beat being miked up with a wine-bottle! Reckon Paul Epworth’s really starting to relish his role as mad scientist now! From the playback in the studio, you could really notice a marked difference from the distinct Supergrass and New Young Pony Club sounds from yesterday. Despite their crazily frantic schedule, the Enemy boys stuck around long enough to enthral, entertain and worry us all with their own Consequences drawings doodled in the control room!
I’m distracted as I write this by an increasingly fierce battle of the bass going on between New Young Pony Club’s Andy and Gaz Coombes (Supergrass!). Whoever said bassists weren’t competitive?! And tonight sees the arrival of The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke to make his contribution. Am loving the way the project is uniting talent from 80s, 90s and noughties, and really starting to get excited about what the end-product is going to sound like! - Pearl Lowe.
Drumming Up Interest – 05/11/2007 16:36
So, after weeks of planning, persuading artists to get on board, late night phone calls – not to mention countless games of Consequences doodled over the kitchen table, recording week is finally here! I’ve been an ambassador for Crisis - the national charity that looks to end homelessness - for more than two years now, and it was some months ago that we came up with the idea of helping to raise money, in addition to consciousness, by creating the musical equivalent of the child’s game.
Why Consequences? Well, for one thing, it’s an entirely creative concept that so far seems to have remained untapped musically. And secondly, it has a real link into homelessness – I know all too well how one action can affect the rest of your life, and how easy it is to slip into something where the consequences can lead to losing your way.
Having lived with a drummer for more than ten years, I’m well aware of the fact that every great tune starts with some kick-ass percussion. Paying homage to this fact, my boyfriend Danny Goffey of Supergrass, along with Sarah from New Young Pony Club have taken to Air studios to lay down the first layer of music in the audio adventure that is Crisis Consequences. With nothing more than a few simple programmed beats as a guide, the two have spent the day co-creating a dramatic drum sequence to kick start the track. I called in to observe part of the process, and left feeling genuinely inspired and positive about the entire project – not to mention a little perforated round the ear drum thanks to some very raw and impassioned drumming.
The other key thing about today is that to celebrate recording week, 250 tickets for the gig of the year – Crisis Consequences on 2nd March – will go on sale ahead of general release. So to be guaranteed a place to see Graham Coxon, New Young Pony Club plus many more, reserve your ticket by clicking on the gig tab above. - Pearl Lowe.
The Recording has Started – 05/11/2007 09:31
I can’t believe that after months of planning we’re finally going into the studio today. We’ll upload some pics and a vid later today so you can see how we got on. Am nervous but excited! - Pearl Lowe.
