Kevin Pocock

For eight years now, I’ve owned at least one guitar. For six I’ve owned two. For five I’ve owned three. But I’ve not been able to properly play any of them for eight. Absolutely appalling that is, so I’ve been hammering them a lot lately. I desperately want to stride into the decade doing more of the things I wish I could do, and to actively play – if not produce – music is one of those things. The other main thing I wan t do is to write more. It occurred to me today that the decade of 2010 – 2020 will be the decade that will, theoretically at least, see me hit my physical peak. If that happens, and my creative abilities follow suit (as I consider physical and mental states closely related), I want to be ready.

And as I want to write more, I’ve been doing a lot more reading – fuel for the fire etc. Ron Hogan, Den of Geek contributor, blogger extraordinaire, has an interesting point at his blog, Subtle Bluntness, about how the writer is dead, and that idea strikes me right between the eyes. Having wanted to be a writer since I was a very wee man, I see his fatal point, and I want to adjust for the future of my career and my creativity, wherever each may take me. Music might not ever be my bread-winner I understand,  but it can’t hurt to light another creative fuse in the battle to blow the paths open…if you get my rather convoluted meaning. Besides which, 2010 has been declared The Year Of The Poet by Poejazzi.

Now, as fantastic as it would be for me to be declared the winner of the National Poetry Competition in the year named that by some, I have to consider that it might not happen (I hope it does though), and pile my free time into showing the London poetry/spoken word scene what I have to offer in the lyrical department. Avec guitar or non, I’m sure the enthusiastic learning of it will enliven me to all kinds of rhythmic influence and inspiration. ”Big things“ has Poet, Author, Poejazzi founder and Benin City vocalist, Musa Okwonga said of 2010. Indeed, sir. I want to be a part of whatever big things will be happening in some capacity, and I also want to conjure ’big things’ of my own. So, though it’s a day before New Year’s Eve, I’m preparing for 2010 already. In fact I’ve been preparing for some days now; fail to prepare and all that.

The Sound Of Rum were formed in 2008 when the skills of the then rapper cum spoken word artist Kate Tempest serendipitously collided with those of the band’s guitarist, Archie Marsh, and its drummer, Ferry Lawrenson. I don’t know much of the story before that, but since then I’ve been fortunate enough to see The Sound of Rum live a couple of times, and one of those at the PoeJazzi event at this year’s E4 Udderbelly on the Southbank. Rest assured they can change the gear and atmosphere of a gig in a few shorts minutes, raising the shy to their feet with full-fat funk sounds and wicked lyrics. Believe me, they’re good.

Not only that, but news is coming through on this very day that the band – 100% deservedly – has signed a record deal and will be putting out work  relating to it in the not too distant future (relatively), making them a top tip to keep tabs on and to go and see at the earliest opportunity. Until then, let me introduce them here as this week’s YouTube Pick Of The Week:

Hellooo. Well I’m having issues with various updates to my site’s back-end, so this is coming via my mobile app (my Twitter feed isn’t working either)

Anyhow, if this makes it through the mess, you should seriously consider getting along to The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9HD this Sunday. Because from 1pm (1300) this Sunday, the OneTaste collective is holding an uber, mega festival all day (well, from 1pm). I’ll be there, but here are the reasons for you to come:

- great entertainment from the likes of Inua Ellams, Benin City (you remember them, right?), Kate Tempest, Ross Sutherland…

-Newton Faulkner’ll be there. I kid you not. He’ll be there and playing!

- what…you want more?

Honestly it looks set to be a cracking day, and if you’re interested head to the OneTaste site.

Right well, YouTube Pick of The Week will follow tomorrow and I’ll catch you soon!