Well it's been a busy couple of months. I finally get around to sorting out this MySpace page then I have no time to update it, to keep you all in the loop about what's been going on. Sorry folks. But here I am and I tell you what, I haven't been busy for nothing.

I've been out rubbing elbows with Hollywood's elite, cruising and schmoozing with the best of them and generally spreading the word about mixsherpa.com.  Most recently I was at the Samsung/Sprint Country Club Upstage Event in L.A. Becky Baeling asked if she could interview me, but I could tell it was just an excuse for her to spend a little time with yours truly, and I was happy to oblige. In case you're not up to date on what that's all about, let me tell you how it all began.

I got a phone call from a music executive at Sprint. He'd stumbled into my record shop and recognized me from Fierce Blue Ascot. We chatted for a while and it turns out he was a bit of a fan back in the day, and you know I always like to spend a moment or two with the all people who bought Fierce Blue Ascot records or came out to our gigs. Anyway, he asked me whether I'd be interested in working, collaborating, mentoring and what have you with Sprint, as a sort of musical guide, for this new set up they've been developing called the Sprint Music Store. Since I've always thought of myself as an expert, it seemed opportune and since my fans are always asking for more, I just couldn't say no.

Mixsherpa.com is an online experience like no other, I don't mind saying. You go to the site and select your own custom playlist. Through the magic they call a "logic engine" – I'm able to analyze your playlist – and maybe analyze what's going on in that head of yours too. I'll offer you everything in my arsenal with humor, wit and charm - naturally. My longtime employee DJ Supahboy5 is also online to interject with his own opinions on songs and styles. We've got information on bands and songs, and links to download everything you need to take your mobile phone to the next level. Do you know, I think it's going to be a lasting relationship, which is more than I can say about what's been going on in my personal life…which reminds me, I must give that Becky a call.

 

Check out the pics from the party:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=173430454&albumId=633176

 

Interview with Ian Westbury, founding member of Fierce Blue Ascot by Toyah McCrae, November, 2006

Toyah McCrae is the Entertainment and Lifestyle reporter for the Leicester Daily Post. With the zeal of a teenager, she probes insightfully into the how, the why and the what happened to Fierce Blue Ascot with the band's founding member, Ian Westbury.

TM: First of all, I'd just like to preface this interview with the fact that I was a huge Fierce Blue Ascot fan as a teen. My room was covered in your posters so I must say it's a bit odd to be here with you. So tell me, what was it like in 1983 when you first appeared on the scene?

IW: It was brilliant - total magic – absolutely wicked. I mean, we were just kids really and to be invited to record a 7 inch – phwoar! We pushed the record company to release a 12 inch extended remixed version but, unfortunately they just said "what's the point?" Trust the suits to take all the fun out! I mean, we were kids but we were artists too. It's a real shame because the remix was very trippy, almost trance like. I used to bring a cassette of it to the local discos and get the DJ to put it on – the place would just freeze. Everyone was just captivated – spellbound.

TM: Did you ever get stage fright?

IW: Never. I mean, I know it's a terrible malady that affects some of the biggest acts out there (I won't name names) but I simply imagine everyone in the room as an inanimate object, like a large, salted pretzel…with a bit of curry dipping sauce on the side.

TM: Who else did you go about with?

IW: Oh, loads of people. All the big names. Anyone and everyone. We were really right in the thick of it…give me a band and I'll give you a story about them. I remember one time I'd been out on a lads night with members of one of the big acts of the day – think frilled shirts, heavy eyeliner and big hair…I'll say no more. We were sitting in my front room wondering what to do. Then one of my mates – let's call him Simon – decided he wasn't happy with the gear he had on. He asked if he could borrow a shirt and maybe a belt. The next thing I knew, my entire wardrobe was prancing up and down the hallway. It was a bloody fashion show, with everyone in on the act. And you wouldn't believe who tried to squeeze into my size 27s!

TM: You've gone on record to say some pretty harsh things about —

IW: Sorry to interrupt, but if you're about to refer to a certain bleached blond, I'm not really allowed to discuss that whole episode.

TM: Oh, right. Ok, well can you at least talk about it in general terms, like where did all the animosity come from? Was there a rivalry between you two?

IW: Well I guess if I don't name names, it is a bit of a story isn't it? One of the roadies from a band we were touring with told me that his brother's flatmate's sister's boyfriend said that he overheard the promoter of, er, he who shall remain nameless, say to his manager that he thought our single was a bit twee. I mean who the hell does he think he is? That kind of slagging is out of order. It's a brotherhood, you know, we musicians, and it's just not on to say that sort of thing about someone you don't even know. Especially when word gets around. I had to take a stand so I went down to one of his shows and got backstage. I ate every single bit of food in his dressing room and washed it all down with every bottle I could find in the mini fridge so that when he finished his "performance" (makes air quotes) and came back, all thirsty and looking for a bite to eat, all he got was me, lying on the sofa covered in empty crisp packets. I mean, he called security and had me barred from that venue, but I think we both know who showed him a thing or two that day.

TM: Wow. I had no idea. I never heard that side of the story before. You read it here first folks. A Fierce Blue Ascot exclusive, brought to you by the Leicester Daily Post! Nice one!

IW: Yeah.

TM: I remember your big show at the Hippodrome. Tell me - what it was like to be on stage in front of all those screaming fans? I was one of them you know.

IW: You were there? Brilliant! (smiles and sighs). Oh man, it's like nothing else. It's what makes it all worthwhile, you know, the late nights, the months of writers block; the constant writing and rewriting of lyrics, to get them just right. You suffer – you really pour your heart into it, so it really is like your baby. And then you look and the crowd is singing along with your baby! To have that crowd singing along, looking up at you with the most adoring eyes, singing along, throwing their rubber bracelets on stage in the hopes that I pick one up and put it on, yeah, that's the stuff most people can only dream about.

TM: Your songs tend to have what's been called by critics a "basic sound coupled with basic lyrics." Would you say that's true, and if so, is it intentional?

IW: Oh yeah. It's like, I've got a message to get across and I make it accessible for the masses. If I were to write down all the words that are like, swirling around up here (points to head) people just wouldn't get it, do you know what I mean? I was a very deep child – full of wonder with the world. I'd sit and stare for hours at random things, like say, the ceramic goose in our foyer. But I have to say, I've gained a lot of linguistic sophistication since then. You can really hear it on the recent song I've been demo-ing –although they're more soundtrack-like than radio-ready, you know. But back then, those simple words were just what my fans needed to hear. You know, like an arrow to the heart, simple and straight.

TM: A lot of your songs are about love and relationships but you've been through three marriages and several relationships. Why do you continue to write about love when it seems to elude you in real life?

IW: Love doesn't elude me – if anything it's been over generous with me. Or you might say it has visited me in many guises.

TM: But you haven't really answered my question. Why are all your songs about love?

IW: *Sighs* That's a tough one. At the end of the day, everyone needs love. And in the eighties, I had hundreds of girls just gagging for it, I mean, they'd be throwing themselves at me all hours of the day. I'm only human. I've been burned by the flames of love many a time. I think I could sum it up by saying I'm an optimist but not much of a monogamist.

TM: So what happened and where have you been all this time?

IW: Well… I mean, I don't really know what happened – we were on top of the world, having a great time - and then it was like the music stopped because the love stopped. We weren't getting much love from the record label? But basically, when it all went pear shaped, I went to America and I've been in L.A. ever since, haven't I? L.A.'s fantastic by the way – top notch city.

TM: Why didn't you form another band after Fierce Blue Ascot broke up?

IW: To be honest, I was gutted when we broke up, and I didn't have the heart to write new songs at the time. And then, you know, life happens and all of a sudden, it's 15 years on and here's me on my own again, with no new bandmates. I'm still in the business, you know, what with the record shop, and I rehearse every once in a while with some of my old mates
TM: So, for the record – are you single at the moment?

IW: Well. Eh….to be honest, yes I am single at the mo. Focused on my music mainly. Been simmering in a musical broth of misery for the last week or two. I like to play songs that most accurately reflect my pain over and over until my employee, at the record shop, intervenes.