o2 abc1

I've been so busy recently that sometimes I forget to sit down and make time for myself, which is weird in itself because I've always been someone who likes to take an hour to themselves every night and chill out, more often than not with a Doctor Who DVD. This morning however I finally remembered, part of that's down to the after effects of many cans lager consumed last night and part of it was because I just needed that short amount of time to get into a zone where I could relax and take my mind off of things for a moment. I ended up watching a movie I haven't watched in a couple of years 'Zack and Miri' or to give it it's full name 'Zack and Miri make a porno' it's a film that for me will never get old, Kevin Smith is one of my favourite writers in the comedy genre and each one of his films have a special place in my collection.

Last Sunday the UUC Showcase was held at Stereo in Glasgow. Six of the best Scottish artists took to the stage to fight it out for the chance to play on the stage at the o2 abc1 on April 27th. Every band and performer dreams about playing that stage and so when it came to finding a support act to open the show for Ayrshire's Jiezuberband and Preacher (they also become the first unsigned bands to headline the stage on the night) the idea for a Showcase was born. Around 200 acts applied and it was taken down to six. Last Sunday all six performed and Irvine's own Sonic Templars managed to get the spot. It's well deserved for the band, they work so hard and this is a great opportunity for them.

Of course it's a great opportunity for everyone involved, especially when you consider that just a couple of years ago Jiezuberband played to six people in a pub and now they're expected to sell out the 1300 capacity venue. The last year alone has been a great year for the band, releasing their debut album 'Sound of the Sun' which was met with great critical acclaim and hitting many of the great UK Festivals in 2012, then of course they made the best decision they could make and take me on as Manager (OK maybe a bit ahead of myself, I swear they're formulating a plan to bump me off) all in all it's been a fairly successful year for the band.

I've only really mentioned two bands here but the truth is that music is thriving right now possibly more than it ever has. I watched a documentary the other week (I can't remember what it was) and someone said "Music's a dying game, nobody's interested anymore" and that's just simply not true. Music is one of the fundamentals of life in my opinion.

I was on Ronnie McGhee's radio show a few weeks ago and it was great to sit with someone else as like minded. We spoke about the likes of Sean Kennedy and Scott Nicol to name a few, both very talented musicians and both destined for some great things. Sean especially, his music is inspirational at some points, and for a lad from Irvine that's something special.

I don't think music will ever "die" it just keeps evolving and growing. I'm a big fan of most music, dating right back to the Sixties, some even from the Fifties. I'm open to all genres and welcome all new styles of music that evolve. It's a passion, it's a love, it's what the world needs.

Jiezuberband, Preacher and Sonic Templars are three bands from Ayrshire who take to the stage of one of Glasgow's biggest and best venues on April 27th. A great achievement for any band but for three bands from Ayrshire to do so is outstanding. Back when I was still performing I always dreamed about taking to that stage, it was one of the only stages in Glasgow I never made it onto (The SECC and the Barrowlands are the only other two) and on April 27th the closest I'll get is carrying Amps and cables around it to set up. I'm not bitter, not in the slightest, I'm proud of what these guys are achieving and I know for a fact that it will be the show of a lifetime.