Last weekend I had the pleasure of going on a songwriters retreat in an old manor house in  the middle of the gorgeous Kent Countryside.


It was at the invitation of Singer- song writer and BBC presenter, Tom Robinson, and the event was sponsored by Notting Hill Music,  Publishers behind hits for acts  including Beyonce, Eminem,  Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera , Prince, Usher, Madonna, and countless others.

 

It was a really inspiring trip, in a really gorgeous  setting. Basically  12 song writers from various bands were invited  to  write songs using a technique known as  the ' Immersion songwriting ' method, collaborating with each other, over a period of 30 hours.. well with time off for sleeping, probably 24 hours . And in that space of 24 hours, some great songs were written in that time, and some firm friendships made!

The other writers-artists on the trip were Singer- Songwriter Alice Gun, Producer  Al Mobbs from ambiguous Records, Singer Dan Whitehouse, Nik and Lou from duo, Hoodlums, singer Al Joshua from Indie band Orphans and vandals, Singer- songwriter Natalie Ross, and Tony and Aleysha, from paper Street Soap Company.

Right at the end of the retreat, we had to get up and perform the songs in front of two executives from Notting Hill Publishing.

So there was i, singing five new songs I hadn't rehearsed the words to, in front of all the other acts, plus the chairman and Head of A&R of the Notting Hill Group. Talk about pressure!! 

To let you into a little secret- we all knew that we had to perform in front of two executives, but Tom had played it down so well, that we only realised afterwards that we were being watched by the head of the Company, and the Head of A&R, which is just as well, as none of us felt inhibited.

Anyway, tomorrow- saturday night on BBC radio 6 music's Tom Robinson Introducing show, you can hear all of the above mentioned acts, plus Tom will be spinning a tune by Mooli. So check out the show if you can. It starts at midnight, but for all you clubbers and early birds, you can of course check out the show by logging onto the BBC website, where for 7 days, after the live broadcast,  you can listen to the show online.

 

Ben :) 

 

 

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After producing some new artists, inc a fine new female singer called katharina Wild, and overseeing some recordings of a new  female led indie band called Hibiscus, I have been getting down to the business of writing some new tunes.

On the current album ' Concubine' there were a number of tracks that I did guide vocals on initially, including ' Underneath the same sun' and ' Time' .

 

Being a backroom boy, who basically enjoys hiding away, tinking  in the studio, or standing at the back at gigs, it's not easy to raise my head above the parapet and allow myself to face the flak of letting you hear me sing  on one of the tracks I write but somehow, I have been persuaded to be brave and foolish- live a little as they say, and post up one of the new songs I have written for the next album, leaving it in it's original state.

 

So on our player is the new song ' Don't mention me'. Hope you like it. Goodness knows how it will sound by the time it's out on the next album- out sometime next year, all being well!

 

I probably won't leave it online for too long, but let me know what you think of the song.

 

Apart from that, I am talking to a  publisher about a new publishing deal, which is pretty exciting,oh  and ' Concubine' will soon be available at stores throughout the middle East, inc Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

 

There has been an offer regarding Mooli playing at a festival in Dubai in a couple of months time, but to be honest I don't think we'll be able to do it. Hopefully if the offer is still there next year, and things have settled down, we'll be able to take part. I'm sure it will be fun!

Ben :) 

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Last week, the sister paper of the London Evening Standard, London Lite published their Summer Top ten favourite tunes, and it was a pleasant surprise to say the least, seeing our song ' San Francisco ' rain featuring in this chart, alongside heavyweight acts like Madonna, and Bob Marley. I know it's been a big favourite of people who have our album, Concubine, and the reaction to the track  live, has always been wicked!  So thank you to London Lite, and indie download store Tunetribe

Also , the track ' wasted' by My Digital Enemy feat Mooli, is now officially on Promo, and it was  good to see the track at no 9 in last week's Music week Upfront top 40 club chart.

The great news is that this week, the track has climbed a massive 5 places, to no 4. Our first top 5 club record.

There has been a lot of support from some big name Dj's around the world, and a lot of videos have appeared on things like Youtube, with fans making their own videos ahead of the official vid.

One of my personal favourite vids is the official Erick Morillo  vid of him playing ' wasted'  which  has become his signature tune. This vid really captures the club atmosphere, and the crowd go nuts to the tune!

It's certainly cool seeing a track I wrote in my car, and whose vocals I recorded in my studio @ my house, giving so many people around the world such enjoyment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tA8rlpgqkA

I have filmed  a video update which you can see here :- 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0D4skwTKvE

It's been a busy few weeks, what with producing a new female artist, as well as  co writing some new songs, with some fantastic  singer- songwriters.

For the next album, there will be some great  guest performers, which I am  really looking forward to.

One of the people I have been working with has previously worked with Massive attack, and I have been approached to work with a vocalist known for her work with Morcheeba amongst others.

I have also been co writing with an award winning singer, much loved by the Guardian and Indie crowd.

For the next phase, I am pleased to say that I am being helped by some great people, including the former head of Universal records, who believes that Mooli can only go onto bigger and better things.

Once again, I am grateful to everyone who has ever supported us, and new people who are just discovering our music.

One of the best ways that people are hearing about Mooli, apart from the many compilations we're on, is Last FM. I absolutely love this site. It acts as an online radio station, and I often have it on in the background whilst I am online.

By being part of the last Fm Community, you can specify the bands and records you like, and Last Fm gives you it's recommendation. That way, you get to find out about cool music that you tend to like.

People have been getting recommendations to check Mooli out, and that has helped introduce our music to loads of new people.

If you're not already a member you can still check it out.

Our Last fm page is here:-

http://www.last.fm/label/Mooli

B :) x

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Hello Guys,

We're really sorry , but the gig we originally booked to play at Prologue @ the Scala, has had to be changed.

It will now happen a day earlier than planned. So fri April 11th!!

I hope that doesn't muck up any existing plans you've made, and of course it will be lovely to see you there, if you can make it! It promises to be a good night, with the Kosheen Dj's in full flow.

Please update your diaries, and also let us know if this date change means you will , or won't now be able to make the gig. If you're also on facebook- You can let us know by going to the facebook event for this show.

The link is here :-

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8175784130

Once again, sincere apols, but the decision to move the date forward is beyond our control.

Lots of love, and hope to see you at the gigs.

Ben & Clea :) x

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There are some very exciting things going on behind the scenes, which I can only tease you with at the moment. I can  assure you that it is onwards and upwards, and things are looking amazing!!

In the meantime, I can tell you that there are no less than three new releases featuring Mooli.

Last week saw the release of the Cafe Chillout album distributed by Pinnacle. This album features our track ' Time' which you can also find on the debut album ' Concubine'. And in the USA, we are on Erick Morillo's subliminal sessions 12 album, with our track ' Wasted'  Still no official release date for wasted coming out as a single, but as I said in a previous blog, the label have received all the remixes back now, and are getting ready to start the promo machinery.

The track has certainly enjoyed some solid support, from the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong, Judge Jules, and the aforementioned Erick Morillo.

I recently returned from the far east, spending a week in Dubai,and I have to say, if Dubai isn't the chillout capital of the world, I don't know where is. Everywhere I went , I heard Chilled out sounds. From the malls to the restaurants, the bars.. literally everywhere. 

It was a pleasant surprise seeing Mooli tracks available on several albums out there, and I managed to pick up a copy of the Cafe Buddha album, a three Cd boxed set featuring amongst others , Mooli and Bob Marley. I felt a twinge of pride seeing the ad for the album, on the front cover saying

" Features Bob Marley, Mooli" . Thought , wish my mum was alive to read that, as she was a huge Bob Marley fan, but also a bit of incredulity too if I'm honest, especially as I didn't know this album was freely available.

You should be able to pick up a copy from most good record stores, and of course via I-tunes etc.

Though we've yet to be see a royalty statement or indeed anything else, haha I can honestly say that it is a great album, and looks fantastic too, and if it introduces more people to Mooli, all well and good. We'll sort out getting our copies from the label,and our money too,soon enough I'm sure.

Yesterday, and for the past few days, I have been working with songwriter- producer Mick Lister.

He was worked with many singers including Amy Winehouse, and Holly Valance. I interviewed him as part of my youtube video blogs. Hear what he has to say about working with Amy on the day of 9/11, his thoughts on the current state of the industry, life on the road with Squueze, being signed to Police manager Miles Copeland ( he was also signed to Beyonce's dad matthew knowles) and what his thoughts are about Mooli, and our Concubine album.

Here .. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfZv6NfdpK8

Ben :) x

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There is a new track on the Mooli player . It's a song i wrote called ' You haven't changed at all'. 

Slightly more uptempo than what we normally do, and  though I shy away from doing 'demo's of our songs- this is  technically a demo at this stage. 

 Would be good to hear what you think of it.

Ben :) x

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