Reached a peak

Where to start. This week has been busy.

Last week started with a great event at “give poetry a chance” in liverpool. Then it was on the road for 4 back to back gigs overva busy weekend.

Nottingham roughtrade for the Dirt then back to hometown mossley the next day for a Leon gig with a ukulele band at the Vale. I then did some compere slots with bands at Niaimos Manchester for a strikers benefit gig. Then yesterday Sheffield. Got to do a set for rev and the makers album launch pop up shop!!.

Not going to lie.. its been a tough few weeks.. my mental strength has been tested.. external issues chucking sticks in the spikes… but ive loved it.. what a great period in my/our life.. its time to embrace and celebrate the journey… i did say i was going to slow leons gigs down as The Dirt needs more time but it turns out i cant say no when a great opportunity lands at my feet..

Balance is key and ive got a new approach to performance happening that should help me create, thrive and retain energy as an artist.. its already started.. slowly.. and hopefully will kick in after the next japan visit (Sep).

This was always about celebrating mental health positivity and recovery.. and creating a voice and platform for the marginalised… that has to continue.. and with power.. im not going away.. im just not on every street corner or flooding every street.. quality.. not quantity of the flames

So.. positive vibes… Agitator.. The Dirts Album baby is growing niceley.. people like it live and on record.. CD and downloads are out there but we are still having issues getting the vinyl repress to market.. delays!!.. we are sorry.. the label has chased them up. We are waiting on replies..

Our Dirt gigs this month inc sheffield – washington on 18.05 and a festival in fellfoot woods cumbria on 20.05

For leon.. theres a few.. but up next is Buxton spring fair bookstock festival at high peak bookstore this thursday- 04.05. I am on before a local band. Tiks below

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/highpeakbookstoreandcafe/858277?

So heres a few pics of whats gone on in the last week..

This is planet earth

I think the Dirt have just about landed back.. on terra firma. No bumps quite a steady pro parachuting canter landing. The great photo drops, reviews and comments steadily made the decent a breeze.. then came airplay and comments from the global stations.. wow.. top PR.. ta puffer fish..

We are chuffed to have some top folk involved with us.. The Dirt are back rehearsing.. no rest.. we play rough trade this friday.. buzzin..

Leon is busy solo too. Last week was keighly Spoken worth.. tomorrow i head to liverpool for “give poetry a chance” at phase one..

Then on saturday its a biggy.. the vale mossley.. me and anarchy in the ukulele… beva belter..

I might have a surprise gig in town on subday 30th but it will be a late announcement!!!.. oooooh..

So.. the albums out. Selling well.. CD.. streams.. just waiting on the vinyl….

As for Leon.. the diary is bursting so thats cool.. theres a couple of reschedules too. Which helps breathing!!Nice position to be in.. all updates are on socials..

I have however just relieved myself of poets corner duties with mancuniatv… time to walk new places. Time was right. Met some great folk.. introduced spoken word to a new audience.. even converted a few and broke stigmas..

So.. heres a few posters and pics

Time to Agitate

This is a bonus blog!!!

In 48 hours i will be walking off stage from doing a The Dirt set for our Album launch. The launch night is at the peerhat Manchester and promoted by happy Daze. Agitator is released on 14.04.23 via GBR. Its 11 tracks of pure Alt sonic psych punk..

If you are in or near the Manchester area it would be great to see you down… ticket link is at the end of this natter. Check the following reviews.. The references to other bands is not something we aspire to have as we feel our words and music are different.. But we are honoured to be in the same park as the ones mentioned.. so chuffed with the media response…

WE REVIEW THE NEW ALBUM FROM THE DIRT – AGITATOR

The Dirt: Agigator – review – ALBUM OF THE WEEK!

https://www.anrfactory.com/the-dirt-originated-allegorical-psychedelia-in-their-debut-lp-agitator/

This journey started in July with demos… hitting the studio in August with Kevin Foy. Working with a great artist in Ayshea Aysh for the album cover. And getting the product to market with Label.Golden believers.

Last step… launch night. The reviews are dropping in.. the tickets are shifting.. lots sold.. a few left so snap one.. or two..

https://www.fatsoma.com/e/276yrrv7/the-dirt-pray-for-mojo-dim-imagery-bloodworm?utm_campaign=prom_ss&utm_medium=social&utm_source=dynamic

Heres the art work..

Its all about the Dirt

The last two weeks have been all Leon.. doing some great gigs and meeting some top folk… since the last Dirt gig in March ive gone on a spoken word spree –

Gigs have included featured slots at manchester for both emotions, bobe down in leeds, Away with words in Hull. The usual Mtv host slot. As well as a weekend to the midlands to host compere the indie reunion fest in Birmingham and do an intro slot for James Atkin (EMF) in shrewsbury.

Focus shifts to The Dirt as on friday its our album Launch. AGITATOR is released digitally and on CD. We do have a vinyl press but this is now delayed due to a pressing issue..

We are still excited as reviews so far gave been ace. The louder than war one is attached.. And we have a top line up planned for the live launch.

Check out pray for mojo, dim imagery, and bloodworm. Its via Happy Daze promotions.

Leon then returns with some great gigs. Keighly spoken worth, and liverpool give poetry a chance follow. Before the Dirt let rip again at Nortingham Rough trade (28.04)…

Im then gigging in home town mossley solo at The Vale. and on same bill as a ukele punk band.. anarchy in ukele..

That April tied up… more top shenanigans in May too. Eyes peeled!!

Few more projects bubbling.. its great being busy.. any folk need a gobby northerner poet… ive still got a bit of space jul/Aug.. haha

Anyway.. rehearsal time.. heres a few pics and posters

Getting dirty

So.. the Dirts album is launched in 2 weeks.. in Manchester on 14.04.23 at the peerhat. With happy daze promotions. Tickets still available. We are so excited to share all the music.. it has gone down great in liverpool and Todmorden since we returned from Japan.

We then take it around the UK for a few dates.. album can be pre ordered still via label.. we have had a bumpy ride with the vinyl but update on that coming soon.. delay expected!!

… in between that leon is super busy!!!.. a list of dates that before our next japan trip.. span the country..

This weekend is indie weekend compere duties.. hooking up with rowetta again after last weekends art exhibition launch of a mutual friend.. for that i was comissioned to write erotica and filth.. new subject matter to write but embrace the new. Loved it…

Haiku toutist is still dropping new verse on socials and im having great fun conducting workshops with a veterans charity- company of makers…

I am meeting some fabulous people on this continuing creative journey and im loving every minute, set, gig or event .. podcast im asked to be involved in..

So.. heres a full list of leon gigs booked so far.. bit of room in july and August but i am chatting to folk about more stuff. THE Dirt have 11 gigs in between as well.

06.04 – Hull – A way with words 

10.04 – Manchester – city – both emotions 

20.04 – Keighly – spoken worth 

25.04 – liverpool – phase one 

29.04 – the vale –  mossley 

30.04 – chester – festival appearance

04.05 – buxton – spring festival bookstock 

05.05 – nottingham – 

13.05 – birkinhead – rek41 

23.05 – Manchester -city – word central 

06.06 – Manchester – Prestwich 

08.06 – stockport – info coming

24.06 – wigan – info coming

29.06 – Bury – wax and beans-

04.07 – needle and pin nr loughborough

31.07 – bristol info coming

12.08 – book fair hull

02.09 – book fair – bradford. 

Cover pic x georgina robinson

Times a healer

It was a saturday.. just over four years ago.. the 9th March.. i woke up in a police cell…

The night before had been normal all but for a memory loss due to an episode of disassociation… the facts of which i have spoke openely about on numerous podcasts, radio interviews and at my gigs.

Anyway as my mum said “everything happens for a reason “

No one got hurt, my pride and perceived life was severly dented.. But as humans we repair and we crack on..

This was the catalyst and start of my writing journey which then lead to me performing my words.. in leon form and then as The Dirt… my mum was right!!!..

The event is not something to celebrate, but remember… the now is for celebration..

In five weeks the Dirt unleash “Agitator” our first album. Recorded with kevin Foy in his studio and released with GBR. Happy daze will be promoting the launch night on the same day as we share a stage with some cracking bands.

As Leon i continue to gig, plug my two books and travel to some amazing gigs. Continue to write for a new project and meet amazing creatives…

This year i have some amazing events and since coming back from japan i have been busy.. both leon and The Dirt have gigged liverpool. And leon has performed at the iconic boons tea party invited by clint of the inspirals.. featured at events and started veterans poetry workshops..

Over the next month or so i will be at the following…
Feature slots in Hull, Keighley, Nottingham and Mossley!!
A fest in Birmingham and a Mouth slot in Manchester!!

The Dirt also head to todmorden golden lion for a album launch warm up…

There’s a featured leeds date to announce soon for end of March too.

So.. here is a few pics and posters of what is happening over the next month..

Mad as a march Hare!

So.. a new month.. back from japan four weeks now.. three great leon gigs under my belt – long story short (mcr)- broadly speaking (Bury) – drop the mic (mcr). And a Dirt headline slot in liverpool with last stop sound at outpost. Not forgetting back hosting poets corner on MANCUNIAtv..

Big thank you to all who have faith in the Dirt delivering a sonic osych punk set. And to those embracing my spoken word!.

This month is busy so ive created a gig guide. Hope to do this start of every month or even week before.

Let me tell you about March!!

4th – @prescot_cables_fc  match performance 3-5pm
Then @eagleinn salford with @smpresents.events 7-11pm

5th  Stockport @mrsboonscakes at @thisisbask

9th – Liverpool for @outspoken_events on Bold st luttle green door.

18th – Nottingham –  @wearenonsuch message in a bottle

23rd Manchester  @m.o.u.t.h.mcr in Ardwick

25th The Dirt. We play at goldenlion todmorden with @darkmatterproms

28th leeds – @bonedownlag

29th Manchester @mancuniapresents poets corner..

So heres a few pics if Feb actions! And gig posters!

Picking up nicely

So.. having been back from japan for three weeks.. my first aim was reduce salt as blood pressure rocketed – Achieved! Second .. get Leon busy.. achieved.. gigs are coming in nicely too. Featured slots around the north and beyond. Two gigs done so far inc a feature at Bury Broadly Speaking. Next up is Drop the mic in Manchester on Sunday!!..

Theres plenty to go at through spring and im now planning summer before a japan return!!.. next aim The Dirt…

We have been working behind the scenes.. scheduling gigs, rehearsing and plotting media reveals around thevAlbum launch… all going well..

First gig is this saturday in Liverpool then we head next month to the legendary Golden Lion in Todmorden.. after that is the album release and launch night at The Peerhat in Manchester… we are so excited.. lots of tickets sold so we are hoping for a busy night with great bands!!

Haikutourist is busy.. its a new angle for me and allows a new platform and outlet of creativity… lots of insta and twitter posts around this side!!!. On the gigs here is the spring list for Leon words….

Buxton – spring festival

Keighly – spoken word

Leeds – bone down poetry

Mouth – Manchester 

Hull – A way with words

Manchester – drop the mic 

Im March and April i will be dipping my toes, ankles and calves into the wirkshop sphere.. on line with company of makers and in person in nottingham with message in a bottle…

Both books are still for sale via me or Lulu.com (i dont recommend amazon). As is my kids pocket book tedfywocky tales…

Anyone need an gig MC/compere or spoken worder.. come shout me up..

Until my next update.. get creative.. get aware.. get healthy.. x

Where to start

So.. 8 weeks away.. 7 of them in japan.. now its back to business.. leon gigs, workshops and launch of an album by The Dirt.. we kick off thursday!!!

While in japan i created haiku tourist.. its what it says on the tin.. while touring japan i created haiku on observations made with photography. Very varied and interesting to do.. ill be keeping it up while on my touring.. may even drop a book in the future!!

As for leon for great events in February.. 9th – long story short, mcr feelgood club. 16th – broad st social in Bury. 26th – drop the mic mcr bsnd on wall. And my poets corner slot at mancunia tv

For the Dirt we play outpost in liverpool on 25th February for last stop sounds.

March is looking busy to with a 3 event workshop with company of makers helping ex veterans… leon stuff to announce and a Dirt gig at The Golden lion in Todmorden

Album presale is going well.. both vinyl and CD with band extras have sold out.. general presale continues on bandcamp of golden believers records.

We are still floghing T Shirts via socials and books of lyrics/poetry by leon.

Heres some pics and posters to kick off the regular blod restart!

3 weeks silent

Firstly happy new year… akimashite omedetou gozaimasu from The Dirt band.

Very quiet as ive been in Japan for a few weeks. Experiencing a new style xmas and new year.

Gigs in 2022 were mega got to share the stage with many talented folk. Book tour was ace experience as was diving onto new stages, spreading new verse and getting The Dirt music out there.

Reflected alot this last few weeks, now prepping for a return in 4 weeks. Got some great events planned for music and spoken word. Announcements are starting to drop through on socials.

Still writing.. taking pics and enjoying life. Emailing folk.. waiting for replies.. some dont come.. but thats an artists life i guess.. its not rejection.. just a different direction.. focus on those on board the train.. not those who wait on platforms or who move in the distance.. self awareness is lesson 1 from 2022..

Enjoy the new yesr.. hope it brings happiness.. heres a few pics..