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I played at Troy Bar in Shoreditch on Thursday night and had a mad time. Hey You is proving to be a crowd favourite which is exciting! Can’t wait to record it. Thanks so much to everyone who came out and who bought an EP. Love ya.

Next GIG is at Zenith Bar in Islington on Friday October 29th.

I moved flats last week and am loving the new place. Only me and another girl, and my room’s quite big. I’ve got a shit little TV and no internet which is kinda cool cause I get home and read or play piano. I’m still loving Sara Bareilles’ new record.

I feel like there’s so much music out at the moment that I love, but a lack of female singer songwriters with really strong voices. There’s heaps of the Julia Stone, Emilliana Torrini, Ellie Goulding, Sarah Blasko vibe, but Sara B seems like the only one around who really sings. I know I’ve probably pissed a few people of with this comment, so please tell me if I’ve not discovered some music I’ll love.

Still loving Band Of Horses.

Essy has said goodbye and there’s a massive void which cannot be filled, but life here will continue and I guess there’s always someone or something you miss.

I’ve booked my flight home for Jan 10th. AAAHHHHHH!!! I’ll be playing some shows over Jan and Feb with my band and I can’t bloody wait. It’s been amazing playing solo – developing my performance and gaining loads more confidence- but I’m itching to rock out again.

Larissa
x

The days here are getting shorter and the days much colder.. hence the bloody cold I have only just shaken ,off the back of Bestival. I still think about Bestival daily and wish I was back amongst the mud and wop wop wop with essy and Kiera but alas, I am back at work and trying to find yet another flat.

Flat #1
Arrived and they didn’t know what I was talking about ,then suggested it may be for the share room. How the f wants to share a room with a stranger? And who doesn’t say that in their ad?

Flat#2
I’d talked to, who I thought was a flamboyant man, on the phone and thought he sounded ok.  Got home and went to ride my bike but the chain was clicking and it wouldn’t peddle properly.  I flew off the handle (how unlike me) and had a winge to my flatmate about how the loiterers in our building had probably vandalised my pride and joy. Gabriel then rode it about and loosed it up. Turns out it was just the rain. Embarrassing.
I arrived at the flat in Clapton and peaked through the window. There was a purple and silver glittery banner hanging on the wall with JESUS written on it. Should’ve admitted defeat here, but knocked anyway. A lady with a toothy grin and bulgey eyes answered and I immediately felt like Gretel entering the Gingerbread House.
He/she asked me to take my shoes off and I thought – Shit! What if I have to run away and can’t find my shoes. He/she showed me round the house and the room was great. Really massive with a couch and big bed and a nice dresser but the other countless peices of JESUS paraphenalia really put me off and I got back on my bike.

Flat #3
A little far away in Hackney Wick, but really reasonably priced, awesome people – stayed out of my own will and chatted to them for nearly an hour – big living room, clean and tidy (until I get there bahahaha) but the room is pretty tight so playing my keyboard could present a challenge.

Looking at a few more, but I’m not really in the position to be choosey am I? I reckon the people matter more than the size of the room..

So Dad popped through London cause he was in Scotland for a Bentley launch and it was sooo good to see him. We went to Spitafields for a drink and some Pasta at an Italian resturant and had coffee, went to Goodge Street for lunch, looked at the markets and walked around London Fields and farted around heaps.

It  hit me how similar Dad and I are. I felt in no rush and neither did he, we both cruised about London and had a lovely time. I missed talking to Dad. He doesn’t say much a lot of the time (just let’s me yabber on about crap – bless) but he’s wise and intelligent and I really admire him.  He’s met so many amazing people and achieved so much and has never comprimised his values or what he believes in.

I read a quote in NME yesterday that has stayed with me.
“People know the cost of everything, and the value of nothing.”

So after a wee tear on the platform at Victoria, I said bye to Dad and headed back to Hackney to go out with my other fam – Luke, Essy, Alana and Whit. We headed out to Shoreditch and had an absolute cracker of a night!! Alana and I may or may not have gone straight to breakfast lol.

So it’s Essy’s last week as she is returning down under on Tuesday and it will feel like a limb has been hacked off with a chainsaw and been packed in her suitcase   😦  But I’ll see her in Jan 11 so I shouldn’t winge cause I am excited for her to start the next chapter. Love you Es and you’re gonna kill it on our airwaves.

Next gig is on Thursday Oct 7th at Troy Bar in Shoreditch. I’m real excited cause I had to cancel my last gig cause of this bloody cold. I apologise for anyone who was planning to come – I really hate bailing on gigs.

An EP is still being planned, just a matter of deciding whether to record over here in London or back in Aus. Lots of things to consider but either way I can’t wait. I have so many new songs I want to share with you all.

Still on the hunt for a band too – larissamckaymusic@gmail.com if you’re professional, a hard worker, friendly and like my tunes.

Till next time..
Larissa
x

It’s so easy to get caught up in what people think is cool, or who people think you should be. I only realise I’ve been stuck in this bubble once I’ve pulled myself out of it – usually by listening to music that makes me feel real whole again. I guess I’m very lucky to have a connection to music.. sometimes I feel like it’s what keeps me breathing, what keeps me sane. Although as I write this I think I may sound preeetttyy insane. ha.

He is a bit of a tosser, but I swear he is my favourite. This song makes me float. Aahhhhhh.

So Bestival was insaaaaaane.

Essy, Kiera and I set off to meet at Waterloo. We missed our train. If you’re surprised read previous blogs. Got the train from Waterloo to Portsmouth, or was it Plymouth? Then waited in a line to get onto the Ferry, then waited in another giant line to get a bus to the festival, then walked down an insanely muddy hill to the festival site. Chose a mad spot, unzipped our popup tent pegged it in and were ready to go. The festival was Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – the longest partying session I’ve endured.

LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Chase and Status and The Prodigy were so much fun. I Blame Coco and Ellie Goulding really impressive too.. but I have to say that Mumford & Sons blew me away.

Their set was so much fun but they were also great musicians, seemed like great guys and loved every moment of playing their music for all us festival-goers. They moved me to tears and made me feel something which I feel is the most important part about a live performance. Otherwise I’ll just crank the song in my room at home. I do it-  I’m not gonna lie. If you get the chance see this band live, do it, and for that 45 minutes you won’t want to be anywhere else.

The festival itself was so cool. We got fake tats, saw so many cool costumes and people dressed up as crazy stuff, went into an installation on the top of a hill, ate Jap in a hut with rugs, saw a massive space object shooting fire, went in a giant magic tree, witnessed a fake wedding in a blow up church, heard some terrible terrible kareoke, watched people learn the quick step (slow, quick, quick, slow – it will haunt me for the rest of eternity), did some shopping, heard Pete the beatboxer on the top of a bus (he is insane check that shit out) and got crazy to sooo much Dubstep (wop wop wop).

Also drank more than I ever have in five days, stepped through more mud than I ever thought possible without slipping, slept on a mat as thin as that fake cheese, baby wiped (showered) a hell of a lot, had a shower with a water bottle and cleanser, made friends with our neighbours on Struggle Street and have so many gay jokes/embarrassing moments with Kiera and Essy.

Mum and Dad stop reading now..      I may have woken up on Friday going oh my god.. oh my god.. where’s my handbag. Essy.. I can’t find my handbag. I left it on top of the tent. Oh my god. Oh….. my….. god.  Turns out no one took it. It was sleeping next to the tent all night (wallet, house keys, phone, camera, oyster card (lol) . I am one lucky son of a b*tch.. but this is what I do. It’s my thang. I’m bloody hopeless. But I am proud to say I didn’t lose one thing the whole trip! Kiera tried to jump a railing and stacked it (ohhh how we laughed)!!! There are so many others, but I want to keep for us cause they are special and also quite embarassing.

The trek home was not okay. 2.5 hours waiting in a line to get a bus is not good organisation skills people!! But I had THE best time ever. Saw some greeeaaaat music and had so much fun. My abs are still sore from all the laughing and all the shapes we cut.

I leave you now with a nice little song from my highlight

Love.

x

Off to Bestivaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal now

I. Am. So. Excited. For. Bestival!

Got a text from my old flatmate that he received a ‘Sorry you were out’ card. Text him a thousand questions trying to find out how to pick up my tickets. Called the phone number and they said I needed the card to figure out where they are.

So arranged to wake up early Saturday to trek down to Clapham North before going to Argos with Essy to buy a tent. Text Luca the night before to say – leave the card in the kitchen. Get to the flat and there’s no card. Call him – he’s left the card in his room. God only knows why it would be in his room. VERY angry. Head to the local post office just in case they’re there and I can pick them up. They’re not there. VERY angry.

Went to ARGOS – got a tent  🙂 £49.95 for a pop-up tent, two mats, two sleeping bags and two chair. Ohh yeah.

Es and I met Lans and Whit for lunch then we saw Amy in Pricilla. She was amazing and the show has a killer soundtrack! So much fun. Then Lukey met us after for drinks 🙂

Decided I better try again to get the * card, so treked back down to Clpaham – didn’t even care, wore my dance pants lol – and go tthe thing. Hurrah!

Got to work today and called the number. The post office has returned to sender. Terrific. Called Ticketline, the sender. They told me to call back after 10am. Called back after 10am and while I was on hold they were playing cool tunes and I got excited and then the lady told me I’m now picking them up at the venue. Sorted!

Soooooooo aaallllll ssseeetttttt!

Chase & Status, The Prodigy, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, The xx, Dizzee Rascal, Fat Freddys Drop, Hurts, The Boy Who Trapped The Sun, Mylo, Mumford & suns, La Roux & mooooooooooooooooore

Larissa

x

I can’t tell you what it really is, I can only tell you what it feels like

 And right now there’s a steel knife in my windpipe, I can’t breathe

 But I still fight while I can fight as long as the wrong feels right

It’s like I’m in flight, high on love, drunk from the hate, it’s like I’m huffing paint

And I love it the more that I suffer, I sufficate

And right before im about to drown she resuscitates me, she fucking hates me and I love it

Wait where you going? I’m leaving you , no you ain’t, come back we’re running right back

Here we go again it’s so insane cause when it’s going good, it’s going great

I’m Superman with the wind in his bag, she’s Lois Lane

but when it’s bad, it’s awful, I feel so ashamed

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? But that’s alright because I like the way it hurts..

Carnival did not look promising. I’m not gonna lie. I’d heard things like “you can’t get home”, “you can’t move”, “the tube is horrendus” etc etc.

But after brunch with Luke, Lans and Es, the girls headed to Notting Hill to meet Whit and Fran for some carnival action. Lans didn’t have an umbrella or cardigan (typical) but we forced our way up Regent Street with the wind and rain howling and us yelling – Summer!!!! REally!!!!??? Reeeallly London!!?? My suede bag took quite a beating.

The festival was more like a massive street party. Hundreds of thousands of people were scattered about the streets of Notting Hill drinking and dancing to Reggae, Dubstep, and world music. Such a good day!! My calves are absolutely killing from busting moves.

Whit lives round the corner so we all went back to her place to kick on and I chatted with Russians (who made me shot Wodka – DIE), Germans, Pommies and Aussies and I ate way too much dessert (thanks John) and drunk way too many cocktails (thanks Fran). Whit and Lans cornered me and we had a chocolate cake fight – hot. No really.. it was all in our hair and I woke up the next day smelling like cookies.

I also wrote two songs over the weekend, went to Camden Markets, Brick Lane for drinks and Broadway Market for dinner.

Not a day goes by when I don’t appreciate my London family – Luke, Amy, Lans, Whit and Es, I love you guys. I’m so lucky to have you in my life, you make my days brighter. 

x

Next GIG: Monday Sept 6th @ 93 Feet East, Brick Lane, Shoreditch. 8pm. FREE

Got a call from my manager saying he had a spare place on the door for THE LIBERTINES gig that night.

I wouldn’t call myself a fan, I had only heard their album once at a friends place. So I felt pretty bad accepting the offer. I knew they were a big deal when I asked if there was another place on the door for a friend and Keith goes, “Sorry Riss, these tix are rarer than rocking horse shit”.

So I went and I fricken LOVED it. It’s now the night after and I just bought their albums and and am listening as I write this blog. Pete Doherty, although a criminal and a dirty drugtaker, is so charismatic and talented, that I now understand why he hasn’t been put behind bars.

The band was so tight, and the songs are really well written. They are the “founders of Brit Pop” if I may quote a friend. So get amongst it.

I know I won’t understand the unbelieveable-ness of seeing them live til I’m totally obsessed in a few months, but I really enjoyed the show and I tell ya what.. I’ve never seen so many hot guys under one roof in my life 😉

http://www.thelibertines.com/

x