Back in the UK from a 5 week trip . We are already planning our next trip back. And maybe a few more impromptu Leon sets…
Things get busy straight away.. I’ve got three gigs this week in Manchester and we get stuck in to practice for a The Dirt gig next week in Leeds.
I’ve also got poets corner to present with Mancunia TV. A show case of all things creative. Art, photography, spoken word and music. Plus more. It’s recorded live and then aired a week later..
So regular blogs will resume, but until then here’s what’s happening this month..
I/we (the Dirt) are four weeks into a five week trip of Japan. Meeting family friends and finding new pals and creatives.
I’ve done a ouple of performance sessions while here. Joining Toyama experimental psych duo 13th Vinyl in an hour jam. And performing at bar run in Toyohashi with pal mitsugu and friends for a night of mixed musicians and creatives. Both different and both fun and exciting. I enjoyed sharing a stage with a few very talented musicians.
We now head to Tokyo having stayed on Osaka and Toyama for the majority of our trip.
Landing in UK in mid April we got the ground running. I have 3 gigs planned in April and the Dirt have a Leeds gig too.
20 Leon at mouth rose and monkey
21 Leon at tbc gig in MCR
24 Leon at not a swan song in MCr
30 – the dirt in Leeds at wharf chambers.
Loving it here but also looking forward to gigging.. and launching book 2 back in UK. We are already planning a return here!
So. I’ve not written in a while, it’s been busy.. on a few fronts. Mostly I’m now in Japan kicking back with wife And other half of The Dirt. All busy travelling on extended routes due to fly zones. But got here and no isolation rules anymore..
A busy week was head leading up to travelling.. I had. Few gigs Inc YANA fest and also a gig with the Dirt.
So YANA .. for Manchester Mind… what a day. I got to perform at the castle to a full crowd which amazed me.. so chuffed and to . loads of bands.. highlights were Sinclair, Springfield elementary and Het Bulldog. All top folk too. Also did N interview with artists echoes which was cool. And do an impromptu intro slot before Sinclair set!
Hip hop chip shop – I also had a headline set at a word night for mind over matter last week to which was ace. Met some great folk too..
The Dirt.. we played the peerhat for abattoir blues gig with blob Halford and death vignettes. Great night. Loved it we put out two new tracks with me on drum loops!.. the set is advancing quickly and loving every minute of it.. more gig news coming there Inc a biggy..
So here’s a few pics… And I’m off to write material and enjoy Japan..
This week’s blog comes from a chair in twisted vision tattoo studio.. I’m sat getting further decoration… I slight distraction!!..
So what a week.. busy and enjoyable.. the weekend saw a top gig with The Jade assembly in the snug Atherton. Great place.. great folk.. and a great duo acoustic set.. third gig with them in 3 months, and definitely the best. Big thanks to Foz who asked me to join in their journey..
This week I’ve been back at turning point, Smithfield project for a talk about creativity helping mental health recovery.. I’ll be back their again later in the year..
I did a podcast with rec room for their kicking back show.. a short set with two sections of interviews.. great guys and doing a very professional job over in Salford!!
Last night I was in Leeds, a performance with some great trade union folk for northern grit collective.. thanks to them for the invite.
And tonight back in Manchester.. it mancunia TV live set.. I’ve got a new host slot with the revamped show!!.. poets corner will bring you a monthly piece by me and introduction of a great spoken worder to perform… The show will be recorded for digital screening.. but tickets are available to attend..
Next week.. sees the last of my performance before I take a lengthy break from the front line. (6 weeks)… I’m off on my hols!! Earnt it!! Haha.
Tue 1st march – I’m at hip hop chip shop, ancoats for mind over matter spoken word night.
Fri 3rd march- I’m with The Dirt at The Peerhat Manchester for a set at abbatoir blues night.. we open for blob Halford then hot link sewage. Tickets available at £5.. (for 3 bands!)…
New Dirt tracks are in the making.. but I do have a new batch of the CDs to sell
Sat 4th March – back to Leon’s words at YANA festival.. you are not alone has a crackin line up and is for Manchester Mind.
So that’s it on the gig front until I start again mid April… Here’s a few pics and posters!!
The title has a reason.. and it’s a decent track.. from 30 years ago.. and longer..
It’s gigs in three different cities to round up…
Iiverpool on Saturday.. Leeds mid Feb.. Manchester last week.. and in a few weeks!!.. it’s like a mini M62 tour!
Firstly.. the dirt did a crackin gig last Friday at the snug Atherton. Top little venue.. we loved it. And support to yellowbrain..
Next to for The Dirt is 4th march in MCR at the peerhat. Abbatoir blues gig. The last one before we fly to Japan for a bit!.. back for a gig end of April!
Leon’s keeping busy.. a gig for rebel riot records last week. In Liverpool on Saturday. Then mid Feb I’m in Halifax and Leeds with stops at Atherton snug again and a slot to start my poets corner residential spot on manciunia TV..
I’ve got YANA fest early may and then Leon is the same for the break. Back breathing fire on 24 April.. info to follow.
So all is well. I’ve been doing some veteran spoken word stuff and I’ve got a day with turning point addiction services soon.. raising awareness of how creative outlet helps mental health!!
So.. here’s a few pics and gig posters of what’s happened and what’s going to happen!!
Been absent for all the right reasons is good.. the social media pages are still getting filled..
Firstly the Dirt are ploughing on.. more gigs secured and a few more to announce.. we have almost filled up our calender for 2022. When we set out we didn’t want to saturate the place with our take on psych word. One a month.. ish and to create, expand and nail it down to a T..
That gives room for Leon to spread the verse… Which appears to be happening outside Manchester and the north west a bit now… There’s a couple of West York’s dates next month and a Liverpool slot before a 6 week break .. yes yes.. we are shutting up shop from early march to mid April… Watch where the pics take us!!.
On the gig front though January has been fun.. a dirt gig with mark Radcliffes Une.. and a few decent Leon slots.. this week I joined mates proletariat at the infamous rose and monkey.. loved it .. I’ve been to accy too..
Feb is busy.. the dirt support yellow brain at the snug.. and Leon does that M62 tour previously mentioned.. haha. I also start my spoken word residency with Mancunia TV.. a music arts and word show streamed monthly.. I’ll be inviting a guest along each month to show their wares!.. keep tuned for more there…
So if anyone reads this that loves putting on psych bands drop us a line.. or if a chatty mouthy worder is your thing.. I’m here!!!..
I’m in an anthology that is still selling so I’ve attached a pic of that.. my book is still for sale and the dirt have ordered a new CD batch.. come get merch hunting.. and drip me a message…
Turning 51 and sharing the stage with mark Radcliffe on your birthday isn’t a bad thing!.. The Dirt travelled to the salty dog in Northwich and opened for Une Mr Radcliffes electronic project. Also in the bill was paddy steer. There’s even a crackin review from louder than war!!..
On The Dirt front the limited edition CDs flew out so thanks to folk who bought those.. next gig is 4th Feb with Yellow brain at The Snug Atherton. Top venue!!
Leon has been steady.. but preparing book #2.. working title LPF2. Haha.
Next leon gig is support to pals proletariat at rose and monkey next week!!.. then we are into Feb where 5 gigs are planned..
6th – dulcimer Chorlton,.. 12th – Liverpool… 19th – the snug (jade assembly)… 22- Leeds… and 24 – Halifax. Locations out of Manchester tbc. But posters are attached..
I have a couple of charity events too a zoom call with a veterans charity to tell of my journey and recovery and another talk at the Smithfield project with recovery addicts..
For future events and bookings of both Leon or the dirt please drop a message to thedirtpsychzone@gmail.com
So here’s a few pics by top tog hels manc millington and some future gig posters!!..
Happy new year… And yes in japanese too… Last year was about getting back on track and spreading Leon’s words.. not to mention the first book release. I am buzzing n how things went since we came out of lockdown.
It also unexpectedly brought about the first gig for The dirt, a music project with my wife Sachiko. And a release of a limited edition CD with Golden Believers records – psycher-Billy.
There were other music collaborations on singles with a few tracks.. and some airplay.. this year will be no different l. Already one set of vocals put down on a track.. look forward to folk hearing that.
This year I’m hoping I can keep that momentum going and spread the words wider afield!!… Last year Sheffield Liverpool London and Newcastle got a coating of verse . So let’s see where we end up!!..
Looking forward the Dirt having a few gigs in the pipeline.. the first is at the brilliant salty dog Northwich. A fave venue of mine.. opening for radio 6 DJ Mark Radcliffes Une band. A few more after to announce so eyes peeled. The set is building up to a solid 40 mins now so expect a wave of reverb, distortion, loops effects and abrasive verse!!..
So, on a sales pitch.. to have a few CD free to sell.. and a few books of the remaining batch. So if reading or listening is your things drop me a line!!..
We believe, that’s why we took the Dirt project to the next level.. music release in the hard copy form.. firstly thanks to golden believers records for approaching us about a limited edition CD release.. so psycher-billy is now live.. and selling great.. so thanks to the buyers too..
The live side kicks back into action in 2022. We have some decent events announced and a few more to add in the calendar soon.. we’ve also extended the live set with more material..
The book continues to sell at gigs so I’m able to send Emmaus some more cash before the end of the year.. I’m also venturing into Fred verse next year so that will hopefully generate more charity cash!!
Leon will continue but less on a live front. Selective gigs, dirt sets and book 2 planning will take priority..
So.. the blogs will continue but until 2022 have a good Xmas and happy new year…
This week’s blog starts with a massive thanks to Jordan at Happy Daze … He took the punt of putting on our project The Dirt… We supported Italian fuzz club legends New Candy’s at Yes.. along with corvus and the morning star, and bedroom vacation. What a night, sachiko and I loved it. Great to get our first live gig under the belt.. and the response has been brilliant. There’s more to come, socials and here will be where the gig news is..
Leon did a gig last night for “after all” but got cut short for a family need.. 1 set out of 2 not bad..
This week it picks up with three Leon gigs… Mouth on 15.12 at rose and monkey a night of alternative spoken word by good pal Loll.
17.12 it’s to the eagle Inn Salford for a support slot with the jade assembly.. then on 19.12 it’s a spoken word night for vortex radio in MCR.
I’m then taking a breather before last gig of the year.. in Bolton and again with Jade assembly on 28.12.
On another note. The balance will be different in 2022. Less Leon more Dirt. Quality over quantity.. I’ve got book 2 to collate and collaborate on..
Let’s see what happens… The Dirt EP is released on Friday 17.12 so check out golden Believers Records…Anyway here’s the weeks media!!
Leon The Pig Farmer - Website by Steve Reilly 