bobbie gardner

Start ‘em young?

Bobbie — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:25:04 +0000

5 Years of Age, Oozing musicality

January is Running Away

Bobbie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:04:45 +0000

I wish I had reigns to control the speedy departure of months, how is it the second week already? Back in Londonshire and it’s time to get back ‘on it’ in terms of musical projects, exciting community music projects and capoeira training.

I’ve been in talks with DJing partner in crime Sister 45 and there shall be a return of mama feel good! We have both missed promoting/DJing on a regular basis and after a much needed break we are ready to start some interesting afrocentric nights. The nights won’t be regular, but one off fun tings, so watch this space or this space.

Also more composing/dance/film projects in the pipe line which is really exciting, won’t say nuttin till they are up and running, hope I haven’t jinxed them already.

Happy New Year!

Bobbie — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:40:05 +0000

Hope the teenies are a good one for you my loyal blog readers.
2009 has been a great year, there have been trials and tribulations and euphoric moments too. I have met some amazing people, loads of creatives.

Moving to London has been good fun, I like the sense of adventure and push it really gives you. When it stops being fun I shall leave.

Highlights were composing for a chamber orchestra, directing a practitioner ensemble for Banded About (loads of esteemed classical/jazz musicians who were really complimentary), already blagging gigs in London, playing in various ensembles and leaving dodgy ones – (I experienced some interesting interactions with weird/egotistical musos, suppose us note bashers are all a lil strange), and developing my skills as a community musician.

Aims for this year are to be self-discplined and to drink more water. What are yours?

Fun Theory, Piano and Stairs

Bobbie — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:36:41 +0000

I don’t really need to say anything. Top stuff! Just watch the video!!

Props to Tone for the heads up!

MediaSnackers Dev Day

Bobbie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:46:30 +0000

In Taff’s Well for the 7th MediaSnackers Development day. Nice to hang with the gang, tete a tete contact is soo important. Learning about the evolving business models, sorting t-shirts, and using an un-conference approach to discuss important matters. I am having fun! I learnt how to dance the foxtrot!

My 2.5 Years of Freelancing

Bobbie — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:11:51 +0000

Been in this community music game for a wee while.
It’s a hustler’s life for sure, getting used to not knowing where the work is coming from, but still makes me nervous to the core.
Mum reckons I shud do a PGCE, says she scared of seeing her babies struggle, she didn’t put us through uni with this in mind. Sometimes the 9 – 5 seems real tempting but nah!
Still gonna hang in there, hopefully the universe will provide. Some workshops go amazingly, some leave me sad, but still gonna fight to be the best that I can.

Nappy Nappy Joy Joy!

Bobbie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:56:16 +0000

I did my ‘Big Chop’ almost 7 years ago. In my early twenties I started to question why I permed my hair. From the age of 13 I had chemically processed my natural tresses, swimming, having my hair touched by my boyfriends and rain were a no-no.

Going against the wishes of hairdressers and ex-boyfriends I had all my permed hair cut off. I think it was a grade/no. 2. Whilst living in Japan I was initially quite lazy with my hair, opting to have the tiny weeny afro. Like this:

I then grew it out and rocked an afro puff, my Japanese students were very complimentary.

For many years I thought having flowing, long hair was the most desirable and attractive thing! What a fool, I am madly in love with my natural coily, nappy, picky, hair, it’s mine, unaltered.
I have come across some lovely websites that have assisted and encouraged me on my hair journey, it’s important cos you can often get natural hair haters in the UK; especially from my own community. Here are some of my fave natural black hair and beauty sites:

I encourage any black woman who is interested in wearing her hair natural to do so! It’s all about nappy love!!

Music tech-ing

Bobbie — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:04:40 +0000

After a fairly quiet summer, I am back on the hustle in the community music world. I am delivering music tech workshops for All Change and Create Arts in Islington and Camden which promises to be challenging and fun.

The All Change project is called ‘Fast Forward’, working with young people living in Islington estates, as with most All Change projects, is cross-artform, and in this instance has a heavy dance slant. There shall be an end performance at Sadler’s Wells in March.

I shall be working with young carers in Islington re the Create Arts projects – using music technology and poems written with a spoken word artist to explore the theme of aspirations. Watch this space!!

Sound Cloud

Bobbie — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:20:44 +0000

Finally converted to the fluffy side of Sound Cloud. I’ve uploaded some mixes, have a listen if you have a chance.
I like how you can upload them directly into social media apps… comme ca!

Bobbalinhotslowburningmix07 by Bobbalin’ Hot

The Artist Cultivates

Bobbie — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:58:01 +0000

So, a good workshopper should be a good artist, something I have been told ample times, and am working on.
The more I perform the more I understand the nerves of my participants, the more skills I acquire as a musician.

Here are two of my fave pics of our latest gig at The Abbey on Kentish Road, taken by the lovely Faraz!

Dazzling Dreams and Nasty Nightmares Performance

Bobbie — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:51:13 +0000

Here is the audio for my final MAASER Spitz project!

Well proud of it! Well done to Osmani primary! Whoop! They sang beautifully! We had soo much packed into the project, toy music, music tech, 5 songs, 3 newbie workshoppers bricking themselves!!

Hope you like it!

xxx

Frizz Records Party @ Matsu, Mile End

Bobbie — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:34:31 +0000

If you’re about tomorrow, come down to Matsu @ Mile End where I shall be reppin’ the mamas, DJing funk 45s and playing keys for Joy Joseph. Loving the fact that in London I have been able to wear more of my musician hat! I love Djing but nothing compares to making air vibrations. Learning lots about playing in the band – and see similarities to playing in classical ensembles in terms of structuring and refinement processes which is cool!

Should be chilled vibes with lush tunes, cocktails, and scrummy Japanese food. Come celebrate the end of weekend in style, I might even get my fro out! Here is one of my fave JJ tunes in a low budget vid: