Vicariously, I live while the whole world dies

So it turns out that a Vultures wrap really means :You're finished until we need you again" I may sound bitter, but not at all. I wrapped up Sunday before last, dyed my hair a bright orange and began my relaxation after a very busy few months. Until Thursday when i received a text message from Sir Morton asking about my availability. Always one to lend a hand to brothers in need, i pulled my suit out of retirement and donned my hooded garb once again. It was nice to be back with them actually, the hour long shoot made me realise how much i'm going to miss shooting Vultures. So now i'm definitely wrapped on series one, the suit has been hung up once again, and my hooded cranium is now purely for off-camera purposes. Farewell Series one!

Now i'm looking for new ways to fill my days. Music is the main one. I'm turning out new songs at a fairly decent pace, but struggling to find enough motivation and energy to record them. I love recording and mixing, but setting up and testing takes way too much time... Plus i have a cold house so i'm very reluctant to leave my fireside. But the songs are coming. In many different forms and genres. I'm branchinng out from my old ways, into more experimental, ambient stuff. Still keeping with my simplistic, natural vibes though. But expanding my alternative blues roots into a more rounded, fusionesque experience. I'm gonna get some new ones out in the next few weeks, for sure. As always, i love feedback on them. So feel free to tell me what you think, good or bad. Just no bashing for the sake of it. Constructive is awesome, complaining is not:)

It's been a pleasure but the pleasure's been mine, all mine

And so the sun has set on my time in Vultures series one. I shot my last scene of the Kilkenny based web sitcom last Sunday. It's a real shame it had to come to an end because i had such an awesome time working with those guys. I've learned so much from them all, and i can only hope that i'll get to work with them again. From day one they made me feel so welcome on set, and i can never repay them for the opportunity they gave me.

I might as well go for some shameless self promotion here :). Created and written by John Morton and Paddy Dunne, Vultures has gained itself a strong following since the release of the pilot episode in December 2007 and all reviews have semed postiive. And rightly so. I love every minute of it. Being involved in something this awesome is an absolute privilege and I thank my lucky stars that the wonderful people of Mycrofilms asked me to play the role of the Hooded Man. People ask me how much i get payed all the time and i always reply in the same way; I get thank yous and hugs. And that's more than enough for me. At the end of the day i get to work on a wonderful show, with wonderful people. What more could a man ask for? For anyone who's interested in reading more about the shoots, i recommend reading Mr. Ross Costigan's director's diary at http://oss237.com.

So i'll leave my Vultures post with a huge thank you to them all. Ross, Alan, Paddy and John for putting up with all the problems that come with putting me on camera (mainly trying to fit me in the frame) And to all the wonderful actors i've worked with on the series, it's been an absolute pleasure and i look forward to next time.

Oh, and here is an awesome little video where our Vultures heroes consider getting themselves a blog. Enjoy:)



http://www.vulturespi.com

E-tuning is for pussies!

Maybe a harsh title, but I've found my new favourite tuning :) B-E-D-G-B-E. It basically changes the base key of a guitar from E to B. Its beautiful. Gives such a dark low sound. It's stolen from Adam Jones (yes, i'm still obsessed) Check out Parabol/Parabola from Lateralus to hear it in action. I've spent the last 4 days playing in this tuning exclusively. I'm always looking for new things to try out on guitar and i came across this on a forum. So i tried it. Its all about low end. Almost a bass sounding guitar. It can be tricky to get used to because it changes chord shapes, but once you get it, you'll love it. I almost guarantee it! :). It's much nicer than straight dropped-B because it just extends your range right out. Try it:)

I cant post any videos because i'm in college and this stupid web filter wont let me into any decent websites, i'm actually amazed this one is working. Blogger? Blogspot? Hmmm. Whichever. But I highly recommend Puscifier. Puscifier is Maynard James Keenan's current side project and they're wonderful. Their album V is for Vagina is awesome and well worth a listen. Listen to the song "REV 22:20" It was on the soundtrack for Underworld (the film) Thats the video i wanted to post but due to stupid web filters i cant. How is youtube dangerous?! Ugh.

No one can see you there, shrinking against the wall
Eyes closed in pain and thought, But this is your own fault,
Afraid of the unknown storm, thinking of doing harm,
Dripping in sweat and tears, it's time to keep yourself calm.

Don't you know that they're coming for you?
Open your eyes and watch it come true
Stand up tall and they might spare you
Your own saviour.

That kind of life you lead, suffer in agony,
teaching your friends to breathe, the way that you know they need,
Living and fear and doubt, turning your world about,
lies and apologies, pray for a soothing breeze.

Be your own saviour beacuse no one else will be,
You're all alone now, it's us against you,
Be afraid of the fate which awaits you
Keep on running through the forest,
The forest of your own saviour.
Yourself.

Current obsessions:
1. Hats
2. Tool
3. Pusicifier
4. Guitar Hero World Tour
5. South Park
6. Zeitgeist

Random Rantings

Its been a long time since i've written a blog post of any kind, and this whole site is completely new to me. But it seems that i just write... So what am I up to?

Not much. My time is completely taken up with college and Vultures recently. College is wearing my patience by now. Im getting sick of the whole thing. But i'm almost done! Then I'm off to Pulse! Well, depending on the interview. March 19th is the date. So all I can do is go up and present my case to the interviewers and hopefully that'll be enough. I think I've spent enogh time doing either nothing or stuff i have no interest in at this stage. Sound engineering has always been a hobby/obsession, so I think its about time i did something to learn the art. Up until now it's been trial and error. Experimenting myself and seeing what comes of it.

I'm almost wrapped on Vultures too. I can't really say much about it except i'm having the time of my life with those guys and i'm learning so much from them. How often does someone like me get to work on something as awesome as this with people as awesome as Mycrofilms. For any of you who haven't seen vultures check out www.vulturespi.com. It's really great, and I'm not just saying that because I'm in it. :) Its a huge privelige to be a part of it. But definitely check it out. Tell your friends to watch. Tell people you don't like to watch. Tell everyone!

I've just heard two of the best pieces of news i'v heard in so long.
1. Blink 182 are reuniting! Confirmed by the band themselves at the Grammy's over the weekend and again on their official website. Everyone may not like them but they're a band from my childhood that i've missed greatly since they finished up. Angels and Airwaves and +44 just weren't the same.
2. Tool are writing again! A new album, their first since 10000 Days (one of my favourite albums of all time) I am so excited about this. Tool are such a huge inspiration to me. Four of the most incredible musicians i've ever been lucky enough to hear combining to make the most beautiful, inspiring music in the world. Adam Jones confirmed that him and Justin Chancellor are both working on new material. Maynard hasn't begun his input yet but he never does until the later stages. Now all I need is for them to come to Ireland! Please?:)

Check this out!





Who are you to tell me how to live?
Who are you to tell me who to love?
Who are you to look me in the face?
Who are you to judge my ignorance?

Tempers wearing out in time, so full of it.
Stoney wonders in the eyes of tempted hypocrites.
Heaven's helpers sent to teach us, who knows its them?
Clutching to your myths and back in time again.

Keep me, help me, lead me, fool me, get the Fuck away.
How can you expect to throw that in my face?
Who are you to look at me now? Can't even see.
So familiar, forgotten cast away.

Lying, leeching, sucking glory, to prove your innocence.
But now i know that your as guilty as you ever meant.