'First Thursday Music Club'

Hi Everyone,

As some of you may or may not know, I love music! I honestly don't know where I would be without it. I know this is the same for many other people too and they use it as a type of therapy- I know I do. I just love the way music can transform your mood, let something out you've been holding in for a while and sometimes also teach you a lesson and make you wiser just through listening to someone's 'lyrical diary' as it were. 

I live in a small market town near Oxford. I must admit it does get slightly boring sometimes so I've been looking out for new things to get involved in, get me out of the house and take me out of 'work mode'. There are lots of pubs where I live- lots! But I can honestly say that only one of them has the 'vibe' I'm looking for... The James Figg. It is very much a 'pub pub' but everyone is so friendly, funny and relaxed which is obviously very appealing. I have always liked it but I like it even more now that they host multiple music nights- 'First Thursday Music Club' in particular.

The 'First Thursday Music Club' was set up by a lovely group of guys who just have this incredible passion for music and entertaining. They love getting as many people involved as they can, whether that be acoustic covers or original pieces- raps even! Although I don't have the guts to perform (I'm working on it), I applaud those who bravely get up on the stage and sing their little hearts out! There is so much talent, so I feel very lucky to have witnessed some of these performers and can't wait to see more. 

The music night has great variety, as I have previously touched on. There are acts of all different ages, backgrounds and music genres. Everyone is so supportive and the audience turn out seems to be growing immensely each month- probably to do with the warmer weather and university students being home at the moment! The whole atmosphere is infectious but not pressurising at all. The fact that you can dip in and out of the open mic night to go and chat to friends outside, grab a bite to eat and another drink and still feel really involved is great.

So, a couple of weeks ago, which would have been Thursday 6th August, I strolled on down to watch and listen to the line up (which I soon realised included some of my old school friends)! Each month there is a feature act, in this case it was 'The August List' (oh the irony!)- a folk band, husband and wife, who I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting to as well. The feature act usually performs at 10pm (if everything is going to plan), with the open mic acts surrounding this performance- one of which I bumped into in the ladies' toilets (as ya do!), Hannah Clapham. She was so lovely and her music and voice was amazing!

I love 'The August List'- especially their song 'Hightown Crow'. They sound so natural, raw, relaxed yet also energetic. These attributes seem to come across in a lot of the performers I've seen at the music night. It's probably because of their passion and genuine love for music and the meaning behind their lyrics. Amazing. 

The 'First Thursday Music Club' have also just started making high quality videos with the feature acts, the first one being an interview with 'The August List' which also includes a couple of their songs. -Heads up for a proud sister moment- This was filmed and edited by my brother, Olly Ross, with the assistance of a great team (bravo)!

The next 'First Thursday Music Club' is on Thursday 3rd September, so if you're interested then pop down and show your support, or even get in contact (I will leave links down below) if you would like to perform or know anyone that would!

Here are a few photos I took the other night...

THE AUGUST LIST

'The August List' will also be performing on the main stage at 'Towersey Festival' 2015 if you missed them on the 6th! Be sure to check them out if you can!

LINKS

First Thursday Music Club- https://www.facebook.com/TheFirstThursdayMusicClub

'The August List' Interview-

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw9QWvcJCrA&feature=share

Hannah Clapham- https://www.facebook.com/HannahClaphamSinger

Olly Ross (O.R. Productions)- https://www.facebook.com/orvideoproductions?fref=ts

The James Figg- 

http://thejamesfiggthame.co.uk

Speak soon

Isabel x

"When are you next doing a blog post?" UPDATE

Hey everyone!

I first of all want to apologise for my absence... once again. A lot has been going on (good and bad) so I've just been trying to adapt. I have had lots of time assess my life and what I want and not writing has really impacted me- it has made me realise how much I love it and how lost I feel without it. I've just felt like I'm not good enough and that there isn't any point in me writing anything just for the sake of it or to make other people happy. My blog is one of my creative outlets which I want to enjoy and be proud of but I just haven't been in the right mind set to succeed and put pressure on myself to write regularly. 

However, I am feeling a lot better now! (YAY!) As I have said in previous posts and at the beginning of this one- A lot has been happening in my life recently that I've found hard to handle and then when I finally started feeling better, something else happened to knock me again. I've most certainly grown up a lot and am quite proud of myself for how far I have come, and I know those around me would agree. I have had a complete lifestyle change (which I will get into in another post) and now I think it is time for me to face the world, in full force! 

So, to make it a lot easier to post more regularly I have got a new camera, the Canon Powershot G7 X to be precise! I was previously struggling taking pictures on my own as I was using my brother's digital SLR cameras with lights, reflectors etc but that just wasn't practical to carry around. I want to be able to take pictures wherever I am and of whatever I want, to a reasonably high quality and this new camera definitely allows me to do that. Despite having actually taken multiple pictures in July (I got the camera at the end on June)- I just haven't felt confident enough to write (for whatever reason). But those pictures aren't going to waste! I will be posting a few more things during the week... keep an eye out. 

Thank you for understanding, I really appreciate it. I also want to thank my friends, family and work colleagues for supporting me and making me laugh when I could have easily cried. You all mean so much to me and I hope I show that. 

If you are going through something crappy at the moment, you can get through it, you are stronger than you think you are. It can't rain forever...

Love 

Isabel x