WORD RAIN » general news

A New Challenger Arrives: 30/30

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 01:24:47 +0000

Have you heard of 30/30 projects? It’s when a foolhardy poet decides to produce one poem each day for every day of the month. For a reason I’m sure someone knows very well, more often than not, that month is April. This year, I have decided to try my hand at it, and so from Friday onwards I will be shamelessly displaying a brand new text for your viewing pleasure (if you accept a broad definition of pleasure, that is).

Obligatory ego-saving disclaimer: these poems will be first drafts, sketches, not finished pieces. I am very nervous about publishing them, mostly because this is very far from my normal writing habits. I am a slow, slow writer, and I tend to polish my texts endlessly before I decide they are ready to face the world. In fact, as I type this, I can’t shake the feeling that this is a very stupid decision; but as the attached picture shows, I have tried my hand at stupid before. I know stupid. I’m good at it.

Also, all the cool kids are doing it: exhibit A, exhibit B.

Header image source.

Interviewed by Ray Antrobus

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:17:14 +0000

The up and coming London-based poet Ray Antrobus runs a blog called “Shapes & Disfigurements“. It’s a good read, generally speaking, but I find one of the sections especially interesting: it’s an ever-growing collection of Q&As with spoken word poets. As an interviewer, Ray manages to keep a very light-hearted and informal tone, and I have enjoyed the series from the beginning, so when he asked me whether I’d be interested in doing one, I was more than happy to oblige. You can see the results for yourself right here.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out Ray’s poetry, as well as his spoken word/music project, Speed Camera Shy.

Apples & Snakes

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:02:43 +0000

I wrote here about my oh-so-secret mission to London.

Well, I can now disclose the truth to you, oh internet: I am the new Apples & Snakes West Midlands Programme Coordinator. If you’re not familiar with Apples & Snakes – it’s the UK’s foremost organisation for the promotion of spoken word as an art form. You can find out more about them by following this link, and really, you should go do it now. I’ll wait. There is some pretty amazing stuff up on that site. While you’re there, if you want to know exactly what I will be doing, click here; as a bonus, you will get a picture of me looking pale, apprehensive, and vaguely suspicious. As first impressions go, it doesn’t get much better than that.

So brace yourselves, all you West Midlands poetry people! Here I come.

Picture source.

London! Incoming!

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:48:42 +0000

I’ll soon be heading down to London for a few days, for reasons that shall remain undisclosed (but watch this space, big news coming soon). I don’t have any proper gigs planned in the capital, but I’m going to try my darndest to visit two events, both of which promise to be wonderful nights of spoken poetry. See for yourself:

Monday, June 7th: Hammer & Tongue London end of season party, with Steve Larkin, Yap, and open slam @ the Green Note Cafe (map); 19:30.
Tuesday, June 8th: Chill Pill, “a weekly melldow vibe night of music & spoken word”, run by Mista Gee, Ray Antrobus and Deanna Rodger @ the Scream Bar, in Bethnal Green Road (map); 19:00.

I might do some poems; I might just sit back and enjoy the shows. Either way, it would be lovely to see you there.

Kiss My Ash – Madrid Update

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:30:08 +0000

Due to the Icelandic volcano acting up, I am not sure whether the workshops in Alcala and the Smoke & Mirrors show in Madrid will happen or not. I’m currently trying to figure out whether the agency that coordinates the tour has a backup plan.

UPDATE

The ash cloud has shifted! Assuming it doesn’t erupt again in the next 24 hours, both Madrid gigs will take place as planned.