Blog – Page 5 – Leon The Pig Farmer – Website by Steve Reilly

Happy new year

Hope everyone had a top xmas and new year.. now the dust has settled on the festive period and theres evidence of trees in wheely bins its time to crack on at the business end. Technically behind the scenes its not stopped!!

2024 is a year for The Dirt to breath and grow and Leon to step back. We hope!!.. less spiken word and a bit more preplanned bouncing stage affairs!

Last year closed with a leon gig at my new monthy compere residency at The Globe in Glossop. And this year kicks off with a leon gig at the Spiritual home thats the Peerhat in Manchester. A rock for Gaza benefit gig by the amazing ‘gig economy’ with some top bands too.

After that its The Dirt … the Dirt … the Dirt.. In 2 weeks we commence an 11 date EMF suppourt tour coveringb4 weekends… yep.. #unbelievable.. its been quoted in responses alot. We start with a weekend in Bristl thekla (19th) and london Islington Garage (20th)…

Many more places that are on the poster atrached… even a local.gig at Holmfirth picturedrome .. buzzin..

Behind the scenes ive been plotting a carefully curated summer of love and activities.. A few leon featured slots are to announce and a full on festival season spilling into Autumn.

Socials have the full list. But ive attached a few posters of places we can be found!.

And we have even found time to write half of the next album.. four tracks are in the pipeline.. two of which have already been aired live!.. time to go fishing.. for a label??…

So.. busy year planned and weve even squeezed in a month trip back to japan (no leon tour this time!).

Thanks to all who have supported us so far.. lets go again this year! Heres a few posters

What a year!!…

As the Dirt and Leon projects shut down for an xmas breather we reflect… on what has been a mega year.

The Dirt- An album release -Agitator.. That has shifted all its limited 100 press vinyl copies. As CDs continue to sell with downloads. Listed in the top 100 albums by Louder than war. And top 25 by Emerging Rock Radio. Gigs nationally on a pure DIY system. And now, announced 11 date tour with 90s icons EMF. Yep its unvelievable!

For a band that loves the DIY ethos and thrives in a battle of respect for the alternative, unsigned and underground this journey has been mega.

Two years live now.. learning the craft, meeting great new folk and bouncing with the old. Whats not to love. New tracks in a set that is evolving into something we call ‘an event!’…

If youve not been, come along sometime!

As for Leon.. well i dont stop.. project ideas come.. go.. get seized.. loose pace.. thrive and die.. thats Art…

Big achievements were firstly getting book 3 out there – An iridescent dream. Thanks to Kitty Aurora for the artwork.. and especially steve Reilly who has a brilliant digitals skill of making what goes on in my head a reality and a tangible product!!..

Leon also filled a massive studio at shiine on fest. Poetry at a music fest on sunday morning to a packed space.. Mega!!.. loved it.. As I did introducing EMF to several 1000 at Bearded theory. This journey is crackers. It takes me to the most crazy places.

Ive loved the close up cosey business end too, featuring at out of town poetry events, compering festivals, activism events. Also collaborations with musicians facilitating talks and workshops.

Everything i do makes me pinch myself. This year astounded me.. oh and i did a week tour of Japan with Matt McManamon of Dead 60s in september too!. Haha..

So where fo we go next?

The Dirt have a full year of gigs ahead of them. New tracks written so at some point studio beckons for a 2025 release. Lots of events, festivals and gigs to announce. LETS EMBRACE EMF FIRST!!

Leon has a few things bubbling. Featured word slots. A regular compere gig night in Glossop at the Globe. And a festival to organise.. yep.. it never stops!!.. love it.

On that note im signing off to reboot, refuel regroup and repair.. Ready for a mega year ahead.

Come say hello somewhere.. maybe buy a book.. a CD.. a T shirt.. join the pig pen party!!..

Thank you to all that have supoorted this incredible journey so far.. its mega from this side of the mic.. we hope you have a top time on the other.. lets meet in the middle and have a bounce!!.

Take care.. have a top festive period.. be nice.. and happy new year!! Heres some stuff to look at!

Last run of the year

Soon we start the last run of gigs in 2023 before The Dirt and Leon take a long well earned break into 2024 when we then kick off with an 11 date EMF support your around the UK.

I will round this amazing year up after this last 10 days of gigs but wow. What a year!!.. from album release (Dirt) to book release (Leon). And all inbetween radio, podcasts, gigs and fests!!

The Dirt kick in to this last session on the back of two great listings in albums of the year last week. So Louder than war and Emerging Rock Bands.. thank you…

So.. the last lap of 2023.. whats happening. 2 gigs for the Dirt and 3 for Leon. Lets fo it..

Thu 07.12 – LEON in Accrington at The Crafty fox. Some top poets and wordsmiths join acoustic action and me for my third night at the venue this year!. Free

Fri 08.12 – THE DIRT in Manchester at Lions Den. Headline slot joining some great bands on a top DIY line up!. Tiks https://fatso.ma/YYyp

SUN 10.12 -LEON in Mossley! Honetown book gig at The Vale centre. More acoustic action and top poet spoken worders. Free

Fri 15.12 – THE DIRT in Keighley at Studio 5 live with pals ‘beep beep aargh’ and punky reggae DJ. Be a cracker .. tiks

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/studiofivelive/t-zzkpare?fbclid=IwAR3td9LWAC3zNzs5MOwFYiHMabQLfFr8CH2CWdjHQaQcQh-xWpaE7tePLz4

Sun 17.12 – LEON in Leeds at Chemic Tavern. New book release gig with top leeds based wordsmiths story tellers with an open mic. FREE.

In summary a cracking run in to an xmas break before 2024 has an early lift off!!.. The new book ‘An iridescent dream’ is still on stock, as are the previous two. Ee have a handful of vinyl left with plenty of T shirts and CDs. Great xmas gifts may i say!!..

So heres some pics posters and promo

Lift off

Firstly.. what a week.. where do i start!

From performing at Shiine on festival where i got to meet and hang out with mates, like minded gig folk and some iconic musicians i have followed since my early 20s… no name drops today!

I reflect now, buzzin that my art is being accepted and validated in all corners of the performance world.. so thank you…

Shiine was amazing, a massive crowd for my spoken word in a huge studio area. Hundreds on a sunday morning embracing an alternative art at a predominantly music fest. Loved it.

As The Dirt… we got to announce a tour in Jan/Feb 2024 with iconic band EMF!.. i will say it… “unbelievable!” The response to this has been amazing. We cant wait to take our sound to new venues and more folk. The hardest secret i have had to kerp.. that i technically failed miserably with to family and friends!!.. haha

Our last few Dirt gigs have been great too. We seem to be finding great folk and bands in new towns we get the opportunity to play in. Stockton last friday was mega. Great punters and Skalom D were great to meet. I even got a message from kingsley (Benefits) on us in the area! Amazing!

Back to Leon and my third book collection is moving nicely. Even though its official release is at our next manchester gig on 8th Dec…

So.. all is great in the pig pen.. The Dirt fuzz and buzz.. Leon chats and rants!!..

Promotion and events is a new pond for me to toe dip.. The conjuring feftival in the lakes next Aug is catching a few eyes And my first monthly collab at the Globe glossop on saturday went great..

On that note.. i am signing off to go post merch.. thank you everyone for comments on my/our achievements. IT MEANS SO MUCH!!..

Countdown is progressing

So.. the new book is soon to be released, launched and celebrated over the weekend of 8-10 December 2023.

Test prints received and edits made. It is now looking like a belter. BRILLIANT Illustrations by kitty aurora and excellent tech work pre publishing by Steve Reilly of fluid prepress.

So excited to release this latest product and last in this style of the collection of three books.

Other ideas will take diffrrent formats.

One calender to month until this new book can land on laps, coffee tables and shelves.

Books available from me at cheap deal on presale.
Currently £11 but rises to £12 on Monday 13th Nov when early bird concludes.the bulk order for physical release will then be made.

Come save cash!!!.. grab an early copy.

Message if intrrested!!

Weekend of launch will be busy

Thu 7th Dec- crafty fox Accrington warm up pre launch gig

Fri 8th Dec – launch celebration at Lions Den Manchester. The Dirt play with musical pals. Tickets on sale

Sun 10th – matinee show in Mossley. Info coming soon!!

So… come join An iridescent dream!!!

Waiting for an iridescent dream….

So.. Test print of my new book – ordered

New batch of The Dirt CDs – arrived

New stickers and badges for The Dirt dispatched

New green colour logo T shirts – ordered

Gigs booked for the Dirt up to Oct 2014 – sorted.

Realistically im waiting mostly for the test press of “An Iridescent Dream”… so excited to see this and get it out there with its two predecessors.

It will be launched as a Dirt gig night in Manchester at The Lions Den on 08.12.23.

https://www.fatsoma.com/e/rjvjdrkn/the-dirt-spin-klass-corvus-the-morning-star?utm_campaign=prom_ss&utm_medium=social&utm_source=dynamic

So what else is going on….

Great first Dirt gig back at Karma Weekender last week. LEON COMPERED TOO!!!..

As leon ive done a couple of gigs, Bury at wax and Beans was fun. And tomorrow im in nottingham for Speech therapy at Bunkers Hill bar. Then it gets busy into November…

Leon – Rhyme time mcr (12) shiine on (19) LEMAN poetryathon Lpool (26)

Dirt – liverpool – outpost.(10) and Stockton NE volume (24).

Posters and business at the end!!..

Ive got gig and fest planning up the sleeve too.. The Conjuring a psych fest in the lakes, threes a crowd in mcr (eyes peeled).. and a new project coming in Glossop.. nowt ever stops!!..

So heres some media!!

An Iridescent Dream

* presale notice*

So.. “An Iridescent Dream” – LPF3
My third book collection, and one that completes the concept idea I had!!
The psychecelic hit!!

The book is released on 8th December..
(Jim Morrisons birthdate)
Front and rear images attached!

I am now opening up any orders for the book via paypal … bank.. or cash and card machine in person before the launch date.

And at a discounted price.. (£11 plus pp)

There will be a celebration of its launch!…
08.12.23 at Lions Den Manchester
Poster attached where bands including our The Dirt will fulfill a night of creativity!!…

Message me… email me.. secure an order

The first 20 receive a goody bag of japanese memorabilia like our album launch..

“Come through the new portal!!”

Back from japan.

Back on UK time.. considerations were made to write a blog travelling on a bullet train between marvelous destinations. But as always the scenery was too good to have a head in a phone.

The last UK gigs were the peerhat as the Dirt for Abbattoir blues and Bradfords Radical book fair for me solo in early September before we flew out.

And while out there as always times were busy. Meeting family, friends. Old an new. Seeing new places and feeling new experiences.

The 5 date tour with Matt Mcmanamon (Dead 60s) to conclude was fun. KYOYO TO TOKYO. Lots of great folk joined us along the way. And i got to collaborate with some takented musicisns from serious guitar loopers to traditional harmonica players.

So uk shenanigans..

This month leon has a couple of things bubbling

12th Oct In newcastle with lively events forva spiken word event i am festuring at.

26th Oct in Bury for an acoustic/word event at wax and Beans. Doing a full new book exclusive taster set.

On that note A new book!!!.. i am releasing LPF3 in December. “An iridescent dream”. This third book will complete this style of collaborative illustrated poetry book. They stand alone but together do tell a story of my writing journey.

As for the Dirt we first hit the road end of this month to Karma festival in nottingham. Itsca great vibe and tip folk. Check it out.

After that we have 4 more gigs this year that round of doing the “Agitator” set gigs.

10 Nov liverpool outpost

24 Nov – stockton NE Volume bar

8 Dec – Manchester lions den

15 Dec – studio 5 Keighley.

2024 then beckons. Lots planned in different ways. Keep an eye out for our #damagedgoods idea.

Heres some pics of japan stuff

Alpha ville

Main man in a small town, rather than big in japan!

Now in japan taking a well earnt breather. The last month before we flew out was busy.. Both leon and The Dirt gigs packed into a mad few weeks.

We had trips to Preston (the ferret) newcastle (old coal yard) and manchester (peerhat) as the Dirt and leon popped up at northenden fringe, radical book fairs in Hull and Bradford. The barley mow -mowfest, And some spoken word nights.

There was even a crackin improv set with musicians in Toyama japan on friday.. socials tell the story.

While away i continue to build book 3 with steve reilly. Who is priceless in this journey with his digital talents. Illustrations come from Kitty Aurora and the content will take you down the rabbit hole!!… planned release is December 2023..

Not due back in UK until early october so im documenting random observations as #haikutourist again.. insta tells that story @Leontpf71…. we also got interviewed in toyama by the press!!

As for autumn.. theres Dirt gigs line up in nottingham (karma).. liverpool… stockton.. manchester and keighley this year.. leon has a few beauts too.. newcastle kicks it all off on 12.10.

In other news.. the vinyl is spreading well as are CDs.. a new project will spin off this soon… think art, think danaged good.. ive got a gang of more than four though..

So.. keep an eye on socials.. projects are simmering!!..

And congratulations to kenny Maclean who ive worked with at company of makers poetry workshops i conduct who has won an award with Starts for his submission.. chuffed.. great work that company of makers do is shining through..

Chat soon….

Countdown is progressing

So its 10 days until i (we) land back in Japan and resurrect “Haiku Tourist”. With that in mind its been cram time for gigs and stuff.

Leon has been all over.. Radical book fairs, fringe festivals, spoken word feature slots, gig supports.. its been mega. And in between ive been building book three with pal steve Reilly who now knows his way around my head as well as his computer and software. I will say this next book is a stunner.. another progression and creative jump..

A busy time since i last blog updated.. The Dirt havent been shy either, doing gigs in Preston at The Ferret, newcastle with SDBIA airing two new tracks.. meeting top folk.. and already securing a handful of great gigs into the autumn and well into 2024..

Agitator is selling well and some great responses too.. Stockton got cancelled, but we have secured another date there in november.. buzzin..

Autumn is busy, but with more emphasis on breathing spaces… ive sustained a busy life for a long time now, so its only right i keep the noggin in check, and the captain of the ship happy!!..

The charity and CIC work will continue in between the lines and behind the scenes..

In the next week theres a few more events until we pack up shop for 5 weeks.

Fri 01.09 – The Dirt play Peerhat in Manchester

Sat 02.09 – Leon dies Bradfords 6th Annual radical book fair…

After that its mid october for Leon and end of October for The Dirt..

Heres some pics and poster of whats gone on.. and whats happening!!