MID YEAR UPDATE 04 November 2009

Dear People of Bishi World,

It’s been a very long time, people. I picked up a bit of Blog Phobia over the summer. I was stuck in a major quality vs. quantity conundrum and found it hard to get my head around it, dear people.

Alternatively I got addicted to twitter.{Follow me on www.twitter.com/bishi_music}

I don’t mean in ‘Hello I’m Stephen Fry having a fit because someone says I’m boring, way. More like “wow…I can write the quick update NOW!!’

In this Blog entry, I’m elaborating on some stuff you may or may not be aware of in bishi World!

June saw my favourite festival of the year, Glastonbury. I played on Emily Eavis’ stage, The Park Stage with a five-piece band and the DRA dance collective.

I was then whisked away in Eavis’ Jeep to be interviewed by the lovely Steve Lamacq. Apparently 6 Music kick started their Glasto marathon with some live excerpts from yours truly.

Thanks to Emily for booking me and bigging me up in the NME. It was a first that got us all very excited at Bishi Towers.

The Latitude Festival saw a repeat performance of the soundtrack to the silent film, ‘Salome,’ in their film tent. It was packed out and the audience gave me my first standing ovation. I was blown away…..More so by the force of nature that was Grace Jones, headlining the Saturday Night!

I then, retreated to the greens of Devon for some solid album work. We decided to name in ‘One Nation,’ after the lead single of the same name. It’s sounding pumping….Watch this space, its going to be great.

In October, I had the privilege of playing The Melbourne International Arts Festival. I played a solo sitar/visuals show in a beautiful 20s theatre called The Forum.

The Festival bill also included the likes of Fischerspooner, Melt Banana, Beans with some Iraqi metal and Chinese Punk for good measure.

I also got to play again, with the wonderful Cameron Carpenter in Melbourne Town Hall. It was more reminiscent of a Masonic lodge in all it’s displaced Victorian Grandeur.

It was a total sell out. Our Sitar/Church Organ version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Sister’s of Mercy,’ was a particularly special moment for me .

Thanks to all at MIAF, especially to the wonderful Hannah Fox and Naomi Velaphi.

On my return, I hosted my own show for Diesel U-Music. They’ve got some great guest DJs from the likes of Domino Records, The Quiet Us, Todd Hart etc… It was great to play some more alternative tracks from the likes of Dirty Projectors, St. Vincent & Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve, as well as highlights from an exclusive set I had done for Triple J radio in Australia.

I had previously been a guest on The Broken Hearts show with the likes of Terry De Havilland and Percy from PPQ.

We’ve finished shooting the video for ‘One Nation.’ Here are some fabulous stills from, my dear friend Paula Harrowing. I’ll let you know when I am putting the vid on youtube.

Right…Getting back to recording the B-Side for the One Nation Single. It’s a folk Standard called ‘Salisbury Plain.’ It’s gothic and erotic.

Until then,
Bishi
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