This summer has been amazing, but I can’t believe how quick it’s flown! I guess there’s something to that saying that when you get older time flies faster.. Yet I don’t feel any older, and I don’t act any older. As the charming card I found in a Camden market stall; “Growing old is compulsory, growing up... is optional”. As long as you can act mature when the situation so require, I guess age is just a number ;)

Enough about that; what have I done this summer to make the time fly?

Well apart from spending time with some of the most precious of friends and family ever (my ones), loads really:

Summer started with a wonderful gig supporting Foy Vance as part of Liverpool Sound City in our favourite venue, Studio 2 Parr st. The live room that was built for music is just fantastic to perform in, especially with my band and supporting the amazing Foy Vance.

Then we played with Stephen Langstaff at the O2 Academy, another highlight with the band. Sold quite a few CDs (You got yours yet ;), and really enjoyed the atmosphere with a great audience our best gig so far.

Then I was welcomed back, this time with my band, to lovely Jarnac for the Fete de la Musique gig in the end of June. The people, the pineau, and of course the music was fantastic and although it was only possible to take Dave (vox/guit) and Chris (drums) on tour because of various circumstances (next year awaits..), we had a great time! A tour diary was filmed, but takes me a while to edit as I am a novice in the art. I’ll surely blog it in a short while!!

Then it was MIBI work galore; the songwriting competition I work with. Really love this engagement, which means it steals more time than it should, but is still both rewarding and challenging. This year the contest is bigger and it’s great to help offer opportunities to aspiring artists that I would have died for as a bedroom writer between the claustrophobic small town mountains of Narvik, however gorgeous – only performance opportunity was school related and therefore quite contagious for a weirdo like me..

Next big thing was the Oya festival where I met, once again, some fantastic people and saw some jaw dropping performances from the once again very well booked line up. Highlights include Bon Iver (who are nice), Pony the Pirate and having dinner with Band of Horses. Did enjoy the big big acts too including Arctic Monkeys and Royksopp, although have to admit that as the heavens decided to rid itself for all water possible on the Sunday, I was quite content under the tent roof of VIP and a blanket watching from afar..

Our “Under the Influence” nights have not had a summer holiday, and I’m happy to say we haven’t had a bad one yet!! Over summer we did editions inspired by Tarantino: “It’s 30 minutes away – I’ll be there in ten”, "The Morbid 27 Club", Motown; “You are soul”,  Californication “Good Vibrations” , and of course “Let it Beatles” as part of the Matthew street fringe festival. Loved each and every one. Feels like a house part down there :o)

Other festival treats was the lovely boutique Above the Beaten tracks in the gorgeous View 2 Gallery and the L1 which was not as successful cause of L’pool weather. Bad weather does not make a difference in Scotland for last weekend’s “Disconnect” festival in Inveraray and despite of enjoying the music under umbrellas and warm sweaters, the experience was marvellous – again fired up by audiences that are so supportive and appreciative. Being taken well care of by arrangers helped a lot as well, and we might have tasted one too many nice whiskeys and gourmet pub meal; bring on a healthier September..

Saying that though, September – my 10 years anniversary as an immigrant Scouser is far from empty! I hope you can celebrate with me at some of these gigs:

15 sep 2009, 20:00 – Bedford in Balham....

16 sep 2009, 20:00 - Eclectic Collective @ Leaf....

19 sep 2009, 20:00 - Under the Influence "Nordic edition"@ Studio 2....

20 sep 2009, 14:30 - Hope Street Festival....

Lastly; I will try not to make it so long in between blogs that I need to take up your valuable cleaning or working time (I assume that’s why your online reading blogs; you’ve got something your procrastinating over? No? Just me then... ;0)....

I will now go back and enjoy Valencia where I’m visiting my sister.  Tonight we’re out for a jazz jam! And the conclusion of this whole summer summary: Time may fly; and there might have been times where I didn’t think happiness was for me, but all-in-all I LOVE MY LIFE, MY FRIENDS, MY CHRIS , MY FLAT & MY JOB. Which means, as I say in ‘Balloon in a Cactus Field: I’m an amazingly lucky girl!!