Wow, yesterday was a massive day! Mostly for a very good friend of mine who got married, but it was also a big occasion for me as I got my first chance of being Best Man. Being Best Man is something that I never thought I’d get the chance to do, you never want to assume that you’ll automatically get it just because you’ve been friends with someone for 15 1/2 years, but when I heard “I was hoping you’d make a speech”, I knew just how much my friendship meant. It was a true honour being able to share on their special day, and I look forward to offering my good friend the same opportunity if the occasion ever arises. That’s for the future to decide however.

The day started with what I assume is usual for a wedding day, stress. I just tried to chill out despite the hectic schedule between 1pm and 4pm. An hour drive to the brides house to drop the bridesmaid off, then an hour drive back (we did manage to shave some time off). Followed by getting changed, then a forty minute drive to the Registry Office. 4pm was a deadline we thankfully made with a couple minutes to spare.

Having been to few weddings I found myself feeling very, unexpected. Whilst I knew I had to look after the rings (something that everyone seemed to make a point of asking about, would I really loose something that important?) I didn’t expect to be standing up the front, placing them on a miniature pillow and then handing them to the bride and groom, but there’s not a chance I’m backing down from this!!

After putting my scrawl down as a witness, it’s photo time! Cambridge brought the Sun out for us with a lovely location for photos. There was also a questionable “monument”. I say “monument” because all it was was a mound of Earth. I can’t remember the last time a hill counted as a monument.

A quick drive to St. Ives and it’s Reception time. But first off more photos by the river. After many rumbling stomachs (mine and the bridesmaid included, a matter we discussed at length) it was finally time to fill them, however with us being a little ahead they decided to do speeches first. This was the part I had both been looking forward to and dreading at the same time. Whilst I don’t mind public speaking and doing presentations, usually it involves well rehearsed and sourced material. Not something written and not rehearsed from the night before. Never the less I decided I’d just have to take a leaf out of my fathers book whenever he’s giving a sermon: write your sermon, leave it close by and just wing it without looking at it. So I wrote my speech, left it in the car, and went on. I managed to combine some humour and sincerity and from everyone’s reaction, it went down rather well. I had people afterwards congratulating me on a lovely speech, so I’m going to take that as a positive! Thanks Dad for teaching me how to properly deliver a speech!

The night from now on was your standard wedding affair, minus us forgetting the music, but it was a lovely day with two beautiful settings. I couldn’t be happier for the happy couple and couldn’t be more proud of the achievements that my good friend has made so far with so much more to live for.

Plenty of our peers have said “we’re too young to marry at the age of 23”. But if yesterday taught me anything, it’s that there’s much respect to be found in choosing a direction you want to take your life in and finding that person you want to do it with. Everyone reaches that point at different times, but that doesn’t mean there should be an “appropriate” age for it. If you’ve found that person who makes you happier than you’ve ever been and you’re a “marriage” person, then why shouldn’t you go for it?

You’ll never look at this sign the same now.

I am immortal!

Butterfly Stone are the brain child of Mark Willott, an Emmy winning composer and producer from the UK. Generally he has been involved in the games and TV industry, yet here he is doing something a bit different. The whole idea of this concept was to fuse the sort of orchestration that you would find in films with “dirty underground” synths, accompanied by a full on rock band. It sounds interesting, and it’s backed up by the music.

Whilst there doesn’t appear to be any form of a full release, Butterfly Stone are in rehearsals and plan to take this huge sound to the big stages. The likes of arenas and, I can only presume, stadiums. If they manage this, then it’s already abundant that this is where the music that they’ve created belongs. If it’s as poignant and interesting as Weight on my Shoulders then I’ll be interested to see whether they bring out a full on orchestra for the live “arena” shows. For what could make it look any more spectacular? Let’s not forget just how good the Foo Fighters looked at the Grammy’s accompanied by a live orchestra. The problem Foo Fighters had with that performance was the lack of impact that the strings made, it felt more like a showpiece than part of the group. Here’s something that maybe this band can work on, if of course they make it to this level. Already it feels like this is a group who could give giants, Muse, a run for their money with a sound to rival the onstage performance.

The song itself (Weight on my Shoulders) brings together the whole concept behind the band really well. Whilst there have already been attempts at introducing orchestral and/or string arrangements in to popular music in general, none seem to succeed in the same way as this track has. It may not be anything totally new, but what sets this apart from the rest is the fact that it feels for first time, that this idea is working and gelling together.

Anyone who has a varied musical pallet can pick out the different styles and what could be called “influences” littering this five minute track. The overall general theme seems to be that of something that would quite easily slide in to a Nine Inch Nails set. It has a distinct industrial feel but with more darker rock and maybe, ever so slightly nu-metal/alternative roots in the way the instrumentation comes across. It is the sort of track that could transform in to a Linkin Park, Chevelle or 10 Years set. From that deep dark bass to the Rage Against the Machine felt breakdown, there’s a lot of power contained within.

Some criticism could be taken on the vocals. Whilst there’s no problem with the vocalist, the main issue lies within the mix of the track. There’s this problem that the vocals just don’t feel connected to the song. They’re too distant and almost seem to be an outsider knocking on the window, wanting to break in. Of few things, this is where I’d take the control to put the vocals more in to the mix of things, give them some more potency. Whilst it’s great that for a change, the string arrangements are much more of a focal point when they’re used, the importance of the vocals shouldn’t be so overlooked.

What makes all this enjoyable is the general understanding of simplicity that has been undertaken. They seem to have capitalised on the knowledge that whilst giant scorching guitar solos may impress, it can be more of the simple things that count, making them sound as big and entertaining as possible. Whilst you might find it hard to label the breakdown a guitar “solo” in practice. Its simple up then continually down feel is all this song needs. It doesn’t need a load of complicated sweep picking and pinched harmonics, they’ve given this track what’s best for it. It would be nice if every band co uld remember how important the simple things are sometimes and give their music that level of understanding.

What really makes this song work though is the seemingly lack of guitar power. This may seem like an odd thing to suggest but bear with it. The guitar’s don’t come across as the main focal point, and that’s important to make a band like this work for a change. Butterfly Stone say they’re a full on rock band complete with synths and film style orchestration. In not making the guitars feel like the main focal point, they make the whole concept of orchestration in a rock band work better than any who have already tried. Instead we have the orchestration as the focal point, and just how refreshing it is! It draws you more to the strings and in making them more pronounced, adds to the whole flavour of the song.

What is clear from this one song is the heaps of potential and talent that these guys have and can make full use of. It seems a pity to watch a band as powerful as this play only the small venues, they need to be playing to a crowd and venue that reflects their music! Time will tell whether or not they can break the mould and become part of that elite club of musicians who have made the glitz and glamour. We also need to be mindful that this is only one track. From a band who promises much in their own biography of what they’re setting out to achieve, it will be interesting to see how the next three or four songs come out. Will they carry the same amount of power? Will their string segments have the same amount of potency and deliverance? It’s an “only time will tell” situation and I hope the expectations will be met and delivered. There’s a long hard hill to climb, but with Mark Willotts’ experience, why shouldn’t it be achieved?

For a free download of the track in question, visit this address and “download hi-fi” http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/music/bands/16094/

For an awesome video of this song being recorded live visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_qbOtkZBow

Happy listening.

Butterfly Stone is: Phil Gwynne (Lead Vocals), Christian Garrington (Lead Vocals & Guitar), Mike Cates (Drums), Tim Birks (Guitar) and Mark Willott (Bass).

To all men everywhere. It is becoming apparently obvious that it is essential for all of us to become Super Hero’s!

He simply walks in to Mordor

If you’re an Australian on Twitter, then you’ve probably seen what the trending topics have been full of, Harry Kewell. For those who don’t know, Harry Kewell is a professional soccer player who I remember rising to fame playing first for Leeds United and then for Liverpool in the English Premier League. This was all before moving to Turkish team, Galatasaray. 

Recently he was going to complete a move back to his native Australia to, I presume, finish his career. However talks have broken down with the FFA (Football Federation Australia) over Kewell’s apparent stubbornness. This has promoted Twitter to go nuts under the following hash tag:  #kewellaleaguedemands. 

If you’re on twitter then check this out! It’s a pity that it’s not trending world wide as it’s probably the best hash tag I’ve seen on Twitter. It certainly made my morning a lot more interesting!

Here’s a collection of some of my favourites.

sibeltansel Sibel Tansel  Harry Kewell to be captain, vice captain, coach, assistant coach, manager, CEO & fashionista. #kewellaleaguedemands

Machine15 Mark Plummer    Harry Kewell to be recognised as the origin of all living species #KewellAleagueDemands

andrewurry Andrew Urry  Harry World to be opened on Gold Coast, where fans can be taken for a ride and pay through the nose for the privilege #kewellaleaguedemands

HieroHero Hero  Harry is allowed to sleep with all his team mates wives so he still feels like he’s playing in the Premier League #KewellAleagueDemands

andygeo Andy G  If there is any bubble wrap hanging around in the change rooms, Harry gets to pop it first. #KewellALeagueDemands

JarrodPotter Jarrod Potter  Like the other famous Harry, Kewell will demand to be called “The Chosen One” and will ride a broom in matches. #KewellALeagueDemands

EastStandUpper Eddie Taylor  Out of respect for Sepp Blatter, Kewell’s is the only name on the end-of-year Player of the Year awards ballot. #KewellALeagueDemands

jwilloughby26 James Willoughby  Graham Poll to referee every game Kewell plays in. He must be allowed five yellow cards before he gets a red. #KewellALeagueDemands

m_rt_ Martin Butler  All players shaking Harry’s hand at the end of match must pay 30% of their salary for the privilege #KewellALeagueDemands

alistairjhogg Alistair Hogg  Australia’s currency to be re-named the “Kewell”. Harry’s A-League deal reportedly valued at 1 million Kewells a year #KewellAleagueDemands

Machine15 Mark Plummer    Lynx are rebranding “The Lynx Effect” to “The Harry Kewell Effect” #KewellAleagueDemands

I have just had the absolute pleasure of watching this brilliant advert. There are plenty of good adverts out there, and there are plenty of bad ones. There are the ones that make you laugh and the ones that make you think. Hands down, the ones that make you laugh are always the ones worth watching in my eyes. This one is no exception. I won’t spoil it, but damn, I want the product their advertising! 

Don’t be put off by the creepy, horror style to begin with, it’s about to get real awesome!

I’ve developed a certain love for this song tonight, but always had a certain love for this band!