3 down lots to go

So. Three book gigs down with lots to go.. a few festivals and designated book gigs to get stuck into before the Dirt and I head back to Japan. (7 week trip .. tour and time out..)

So far. Local launch at donkeystone brewery and Manchester rose and monkey went brilliant. I’ve also added The Grove in Huddersfield to ace places to perform. They now have a great spoken word night called ink spill up and running so that’s worth a check out!

For me September will be a busy month. Several gigs for the book and a dirt gig at float along festival in Sheffield for strange days. Chuffed to be sharing a stage with Steve lamacq there too..

The Dirt have laid all tracks down and we return to meet the producer this week to tweak the tracks ready for release next year. We are working with a great artist for the cover and I’ll ve collaborating with Steve reilly at fluid prepress again on the digital front..

As for gigs.. here’s the batting order

We also did two great gigs with thee lucifer sams and liverpool psychedelic society in Manchester and Newcastle so buzzing of that with more gigs now booked..

04.09 switch blade poetry peerhat mcr top birthday line up..

08.09 – book gig at mash guru Macclesfield with worders and music

12.09 – fab radio session 9pm with GBR our record label and great alternative show.

24.09 the dirt and solo sets at float along festival in Sheffield.

26.08. Feature slot at verbose in Salford at the King’s Arms.

28.08 mancunia TV presents where I will be hosting poets Corner. As always a great guest.. and you music and interviews.

I have had to cancel.the 15.09 gig at retro as I’m now taking a long weekend away with the wife,best half of the Dirt and birthday lass.. I will be back for that event in the future..

As its a month away I’m also at Piccadilly cafe bar in York on 02.10. Afternoon session of word and music.. top line up again too..

Great month ahead and I’ll squeeze in a volunteer session at turning point for mental health chat with the addiction service..

I’ll also be sorting a chat with the debdale hive about using cash I’ll donate from don’t believe the hype.

This book is available through me or at lulu.com. https://www.lulu.com/shop/jack-horner-and-helen-millington-and-steve-reilly/dont-believe-the-hype-14072022/paperback/product-9296jg.html?q=Don%27t+believe+the+hype+&page=1&pageSize=4

Catch up at a gig soon..

Time to agitate

So.. again.. its been busy as……. here in the pig pen. The new book is being distributed and its online to buy.. or through me!

The first book launch night is tomorrow at the local brewery donkeystone we have great acoustic acts and poets…

I then head to northern green gathering festival to do a set on the campaigns stage before returning for launch night 2 in Manchester.

As well as several book tour nights in many northern towns i still have gigs with The Dirt to attend to.. bank Holiday weekend sees us hit aatma in Manchester (26) and Newcastle Cluny (27).

Whilst on the dirt, we have just finished studio time for a forthcoming album that will be released on vinyl too.. more info to follow….

So the book Don’t believe the hype is out… its different to book 1.. talking myself out of trouble, but keeps the graphic raw edges!!!

So September is down upon us where I have a stack of gigs to celebrate around the book.. more on that in the next natter..

Here’s some pics…

Hello everyone…The book is being shipped out thick and fast.. I have spares.. come chat..Thank you to all pre sale purchases..This offer of last year’s price of £13 stands for a while longer..The book is launched live in less than 3 weeks.. so giddy!!On Thursday 18th August at Donkeystone Brewing Co. Followed the week after by a night at The Rose And Monkey Hotel on 24th.Both have great spoken word and acoustic performance folk.. and are free.. I’ve attached posters..I then take the content around the north.. so far confirmed…Huddersfield – Macclesfield – Sheffield- Salford – York- Liverpool – Northwich -Accrington.Room for a couple more?.. let’s see..

Come order . Cheaper than Amazon.. and more cash goes to collaborators and charity . Not a space project!!

Long time no natter

It must be a month.. maybe longer but I’ve been spinning plates..

Book preparation, proof reads, edits, launch nights go to print and facilitate media is part of it as well as coordinator of a presale.. but it’s worth it “don’t believe the hype”- ,LPF2. Has landed and I’m chuffed. £13 gets you an art installation. The written word and photography. This price will stand until end of August. Same as last book price!. Available through me, soon by lulu.com

Music, The Dirt have been mad busy making demos as we go in the studio in two weeks. All new tracks ready to let out of the trap in 2023 on vinyl.. maybe live before too.. we gigged this week.. we next go live on 26 Aug at MCR Aatma. With Liverpool psychedelic society.

Leon as the local Manchester media suggests, does not stop! He gets everywhere.. I’ve featured as some great spoken word nights over the last month.. and there’s more to come.. as I drip the new material into sets it’s getting a great response.. a few highlights have been Morcambe fringe, lolls book launch.. mic at the mill, pull up and speak, Northwich rate vitamin fest.. and right to roam. As well as presenting at mancunia TV.

I have had to say no to smaller 5 min open mic set nights as I have a calender that needs breathing space. Instill Dona bi monthly talk/performance for turning point so it’s now about quality not quantity on both sides..

Lots coming up though.. it’s not about kicking back!.. although I’m now going to be off the stage for two weeks I will be hitting the ground running mid August.. so on the next blog.. next week I will spin some dates out…

Until then .. please come join the book journey.. check out socials see where I’m going to be.. I’m off to Ynot this weekend for a fest as a punter to celebrate mates 50th. Here’s some pics…

Out of the woods

Good weekend was had at Neck of the woods festival.. i got to compere and introduce some crackin bands on the main stage. Even jam with pals pagans SOH and suave martyrs. It was the fests first year and the vibe was great…

Last week I also got to Do a set in Glossop at the Globe which is an ace venue too..

Few plates to spin are ongoing and meetings had.. recording studios.. poets for projects.. Book publishing. And of course making demos and talking releases…

The pig pen is busy right now on all levels.. organisation of book launch now it’s officially announced for August.. and follow up events.. and getting creative with The Dirt.

As for the dirt we are performing on Saturday vat acid fest for Liverpool psychedelic society, our only June gig (we do have two in July). And we have now released info on an official bootleg release for 01.07.22. our live gig atbsakry dog in may. Gig for Bryan.

As for Leon.. it’s plug the book.. welcome venues who want me to natter.. I’m at Mouth in MCR tomorrow.. then Leeds at Hyde park book club on Monday for Vortex…week after its mancunia presents TV.

So here’s a few pics and stuff credits already made on socials.. but ta to David Gleave and Nidge Sanders for getting my good side .

Don’t believe the hype

* big up chufty announcement*

Today after a few pics shared it’s time to say…
Book 2 is coming out in August.

“Don’t believe the hype” is LPF2.

A collection of another 30 verse with imagery..

This time the illustration is in the form of photography by Hels Millington Photography ..

The book is a view on this topsy turvy somewhat churned up world that we currently inhabit. It will address social topics and it will highlight my social observations…

Some folk will have heard sections of the material interspersed in my words or lyrics by The Dirt recently…

Anyway the launch night is Wednesday 24th August in Manchester…
Kindly hosted by The Rose And Monkey Hotel.

Save the date.. put a couple of quid in a jar for next few months.. and get a copy..

Artists at launch.. event page.. and book purchases details to follow….

Buzzin

Something else

To start with I performed at Bearded theory festival last weekend.. Sunday.. 1pm.. a 20 min rollercoaster set to a packed tent.. loved it… I’ve been going for years and to get the opportunity to Do a set was ace!!.. ta Gail!

Also this week we did mancunia presents which will be aired soon on you tube.. this month my poets corner guest was Loll Perkin. A top spoken worder.. some other top guests pitched up.. Dave Haslam with Cressa. Trust a fox Sanders.. Steve Lynn and crackin music .

I’ve done a visit to turning point since last posting too and been in collaborative meetings for new projects.. written, verbal and musically.

New gigs coming in for me and as The Dirt who have a steady calender up until we drift off to Japan again… Come get us though.. if the gigs right we will defo come!!

This next week.. I’m at

Stockport – open door tonight.. at the nook

7th. On line meet with Home poets for veterans..

9th Glossop globe for Culain woods night..

11th – neck of the woods festival levenshulme..

So here’s a few pics of stuff happening, happened and recently announce..

After all

What a weekend… After a cracking camper van trip catching up with folk and treading in new towns I settled into a weekend of creative connectivity.

Friday – private party at the peerhat. For a great fella Neil winward with great bands.. I even did an impromptu jam with top lads pagans SOH.

Sunday – after all festival for charity. I did a set at the John Hall hippy boogie stage to open with a busy crowd. Then back to introduce pal Damian Luke with the full band sweet beasts.

Caught up with a load of familiar folk and friends and met some new ones!!.

Monday I did a talk at turning point around creativity and mental health recovery. Great feedback and I love going down every couple of months to connect with the great work going on there.

Now kicking back before I head to bearded theory festival… Reflection of great air play recently for The Dirt and me. Top reviews including louder than war. And a new project dropping this summer. Hints in the pics

Few great events on the horizon too.. noteable June events.

2- open door Stockport at snug

9- the globe Glossop

16 – thirsty scholar tonkas book launch

18 – the dirt play Liverpool Acid fest

20- Leeds word gig for vortex

29- Mancunia TV

30- mental health awareness fest chorlton.

So a steady month.. lovely to be asked to these events and great to keep The Dirt sound spreading!.

Please spread the word.. share the blog. Come and shout me up for a slot nattering. Here’s some posters and pics.

Roller coaster

I bizzare week… Anxiety attacks… Reflections on friends lost.. worries of close ones.. yet euphoria over two great sets at The Dirt with some great bands and a Leon gig at kick out stigma. And meeting up with food mates..

I’m kicking back from today.. regrouping.. doing what the wife tells me.. switching off .. brain repair time… Can’t preach and not practice…

A busy but fruitful weekend ahead.. birthday party gig with some top bands and a leon set for a pal at after all festival in Manchester..

Finding the balance is tough but it’s getting there. The thing that heals can also break…

The gigs at the weekend were ace.. The Dirt is defining the creative partnership sachiko and I share.. as well as a marital one.. some great comments and some feedback!!!.. we next go on sat 18th June in Liverpool at acid fest for Liverpool psychedelic society. Until then we are going to create a new tune or two..

Meanwhile Leon will fill the gaps, cracks and turn on taps!!.. a few great little events to announce over the next month or three too. Really buzzin.. keep on eye on insta and FB…

There’s also radio play picking up on both sides too which is nice.. hopefully it will prick up a few out of town ears so we can spread wings and make noise in far away towns!!.. if not please tell folk!.. have camper will travel!!…

Anyway here’s what’s been going on.. and books and CDs are still for sale via me!!