popdock

WOOO!!

2010-04-06T00:12:00.001+01:00

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/heathermckay

Yep. I'm going to give something back by running 5k for the brilliant Cancer Research UK.

Like most people, I have a personal history with cancer, having lost a particularly wonderful grandmother to it when I was a lot younger. I'm sure that won't be the only time in my life that we meet, either.

So, as I wanted to physically challenge myself this year (inspired by Eddie Izzard) - to hurl myself out of my comfort zone, shape up, feel the burn of a real challenge - I've settled on this.

My run will be on Sunday June 6th around the Bath University campus. For some people, 5k is easy - for me, well, I can hardly run for the bus.

As far as I'm concerned, a PB is a trashy handbag covered in cheap patches.

I've realised I need to buy
1) A pair of good quality running shoes
2) A decent sports bra
3) Some sort of neon lycra ensemble.... what?

I'm hoping that as I've now put the word out it's too late to go back. I just filled in the form in a mad half-hour spurt of madness and as soon as I get my first donation, I'll realise that this is actually happening.

Good! Bring it on! I'm going to be pestering my fitness-mad brother for a training regime, and after I've hoofed my one and only Easter egg, that'll be it.

Now it's just going to be about spreading the word...

Wish me luck!

x Hev

Announcement!

2010-02-22T00:07:00.001Z

Some great news for popdock, which is that I now have a weekly column over at Bristol24-7, a wicked comprehensive local site that covers everything from fireworks displays to football and all in between.

My column is under 'Bristol Life' - and that's only a tiny part of the site! It's full of anything you could want to know about this city, and wants readers to get involved too. There's plenty of opportunity to make your own voice heard through comments and message boards, and that's just as important for keeping this city the way we like it!

Sorry I've been a little quiet on the posting front, but next week is gonna be such a goodun - Hot Chip, Will Self and, hopefully, Los Campesinos! Not to mention the usual musings, and the guys from Gimme Shelter vintage...

Stay tuned!!

Goliath/The Bad Joke That Ended Well/The Scarlet

2010-02-15T23:03:00.002Z

@ Louisiana 10.02.10

Popped into the Loui' last Wednesday with a hankering for a good chunk of live new music. A mate of a mate was taking to the stage, so after a pleasant pint of Gaymer's Pear, it was upstairs to catch soulful three-piece The Scarlet (previously known as Shades of Autumn).

Two lovely ladies and a gent on acoustic guitar made a very pretty sound - all soulful harmonies and gentle love stories in most songs, including a wicked cover of Paramore's Ignorance. Lead vocalist Sara Lynn has a strong, crystal clear voice with pop and r&b influences, and coupled with nice guitar work from Olly Curtis, the songs gained an emotional fragility that stopped them from being too polished (my usual problem with slick, over-produced chart fillers, no offence Mariah.)

The set could have done with a little more dynamism, particularly as Olly and supporting vocalist Liv Baxter remained seated throughout, making the whole performance a bit static. All three are talented, but it almost felt like a vehicle for Sarah's vocal talent than a comfortable, unified band.

Next up, The Bad Joke That Ended Well. A tongue-twister of a name, but some really interesting music.

This folky foursome were quite shy, letting their banjos, accordions, harmonicas and the rest do the talking. Hiding behind beanies and beards, their sweet mix of Americana-tinged railroad noisiness was more than enough to get the soul soaring.

Looking a bit like the love-children of Devendra Banhart and Steve Zissou, this band were drawing from a whole range of influences. Most songs began simply with a low, gravelly vocal and one bass drum, and built up into all-encompassing layers of lovely, stompy sound.

What with the folk renaissance that's taking place at the moment with bands like Beirut, Noah and The Whale and Mumford and Sons, T.B.J.T.E.W should, hopefully, be set for big things over the next year. Having said that, I hope they aren't just lumped into the same category, as they're making music that's original enough to be considered in its own right.

Last up were Goliath (below), whose slow, guitar-driven atmospheric set put me in mind of The Goo Goo Dolls.

They were trying to build up deft sonic layers into a gradual crescendo, but it just left a bit of a sour taste. Each song began to drag, and the set was early-'90s-rock predictable. They could have been playing the Cold Feet soundtrack. Half the band wore 'cool' matching white shirts and black ties, and their myspace smacks of a wannabe James Bond convention.

They weren't terrible, but the lack of onstage charisma and lyrical drippy-ness really turned me off.
Goo Goo Dolls fans may appreciate, though.

More music coming soon! x

Last Chance To See...

2010-02-10T00:08:00.001Z

Hi!

Just an uber-quick post reminding everybody that the awesome Gorillaz, Tank Girl and Monkey artist Jamie Hewlett 's exhibition Under Water Colours, in aid of Oxfam, is at the Arts House Gallery in Stokes Croft until Thursday! I'm really going to try and make it up there, but wanted to spread the word in case I eventually don't. Damn work always getting in the way! I only heard about it last week, so apologies for not being on it sooner.

image courtesy of oxfam.org

Much love x

Another one? Oh, go on then..

2010-02-02T21:23:00.007Z

This gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, as if I've just eaten lots of Wensleydale and crackers...

Yes, today comes the news that Bristol-based Aardman Animations have been nominated for a fifth Oscar for the wonderful A Matter of Loaf and Death. It's great news for the team who painstakingly mold these little plasticine worlds for hours on end. Anyone who can actually do this job deserves an award in my book.

I love seeing Bristolian celluloid talent properly acknowledged, and when it's a company that keeps working with traditional techniques, (especially up against the technological might of current Hollywood blockbusters, e.g. The Blue Tree People Film) and not cutting corners, bowing to studio pressures or plastering the thing wth guns and explosions - well, that's even better. Then again, that might just be my inner Whether's-Originals-sucking, slipper-wearing technophobe escaping again...

Either way, congratulations Nick Park and team, and long may my beloved Bristol continue making quality animation and film worthy of international recognition!

snortin' and cavortin': Skins Party 29/01

2010-01-31T22:00:00.004Z

Yes, the great teenage trainwreck Skins is back on our screens for a fourth series, still 'shocking' us with lewd images of immaculately-voiced shop mannequins taking drugs and being all cool and shit. Don't get me wrong, especially considering the location-bumming nature of the last post, it's great to see programmes set in Bristol, but I've just never got Skins.

Perhaps all these ridiculously beautiful youngsters a-snortin' and cavortin' makes me feel distinctly un-rock'n'roll and a bit old into the bargain, but the dialogue is clunky and the acting is awful. The whole pretentious thing isn't a gritty exploration of a dark, misunderstood young underworld, it's Channel 4's big suits trying to prove how edgy and ker-azy they still are by broadcasting a bit of coked-up nubile tit. (Can you tell I've been reading a lot of Charlie Brooker lately?)

So, it was with two minds that I approached the transparent-PR-athon of the Skins House project at the Old Fire Station. On the one hand, it's great to see emerging talent that's a little under the radar come to Bristol - Ou est le Swimming Pool, Two Door Cinema Club, Man Like Me, Chew Lips and various DJs - have, over the last two weeks, all been under the same roof and for great value, with tickets only at a measly quid.

On the other hand, the great unquashable cynic inside me was predicting crowds of gurning little shits, Nathan Barley-esque fashion horrors and an actual altar at which to worship Effy, Cook and 'the crew' before sacrificing yourself to the god of trashy television.

Friday saw Monkey!Knife!Fight! take residence, with the likes of Turbowolf, Man Like Me, Crystal Fighters and Pulled Apart By Horses gracing the subtly branded main stage, above and below, whilst DJ sets from Shitmat and Scotch Egg kept things ticking over nicely in the upstairs room.

A line-up like this can't really be sniffed at, and, musically, there was something for everyone. The dancefloors were full with a crowd that was noisy without being rowdy. (I didn't really get the chance to take that many photos, as it was quite busy and I was quite pissed, so here's the lovely sign again, from a slightly different angle.)

Big Jeff was there somewhere, and if it's alright for Big Jeff, then it's alright for me. The venue itself is wicked (the great red building sat just before Broadmead) with a spacious but not cavernous interior, and there are different rooms on different levels to stop you getting bored. Get rid of the wanky tv tag and it'd be perfect.

Thankfully the focus was on the music - there were no meet'n'greet autograph booths or 'special appearances' - which was enough to pull in all types of post-teenagers not necessarily willing to gobble down any old E4 bullshit poured down their awaiting throats, but make up their own minds about new and interesting music and a venue with atmosphere. (There were some sartorial 'attention seekers', it must be said, particularly an outfit Rupert the Bear's dad would have really dug and a girl with a cassette tape strapped to her head. Not making it up...)

Anyway, I just hope this isn't the future of live music - that we'll need to rely on multi-million pound corporations with their own agenda to provide these events - because then there'll be too much competition for normal people to get any sort of new and innovative ball rolling.

Maybe I'm taking it too seriously. Checking out new places and dancing to music and dressing up is good, and if there's a chance you can get on some cool tv show, then even better. Or whatever.

Ooo-ooooh-arrrr...

2010-01-25T23:43:00.009Z

It's been one thing and another, which has meant I haven't been updating ye olde popdock as regularly as I should... but, here I am again and ready to post, post, post!

We've seen shed-loads of snow (where hasn't?) and are back to the now nicely comforting January drizzle. Never thought I'd be relieved to see it again, but oh, to be able to walk the Avon tarmac normally once more. Well, without extreme ice-trepidation. Normally for me.

Anyway, there's nothing better on the dark nights than to curl up with a good hot chocolate and get some supernatural telly thrills. And I'm not talking Hollywood-glam-vamp-camp-chic (or 'Pattinswoon', as one teen mag tagged him) but a vampire/werewolf/ghost story filmed on our very own doorsteps- in some cases quite literally.

Yes, the wicked Being Human is back on BBC Three for it's second series, and aside from all the flatmate jokes, Russel Tovey and the way the plot is building up a treat - which I'd love no matter where it was set, it's been extra fun spotting all the Bristol locations. It's a wierd feeling, but all of a sudden you realise that park or florists is on one of your regular routes, and it makes it strangely real. I know, it's full of each and every supernatural freak, but seeing it happening in your very familiar home city balances it out, and it's somehow quite believable.

I've been shouting things like "I walk along that bridge in the background everyday!" (sad) and I'm sure London folk get that feeling every day when they watch anything set in Britain, but it' s great to see acknowledgement of other beautiful British cities, and to have some quality programming coming out of the West country. Something not about cider or tractors.

It didn't have to be set in Brizzle. But it is. So, cheers Beebster, and let's have some more!

Right, excuse the dodgy screen shots... brownie points if you get them all!

...Well, they couldn't leave the suspension bridge out, could they?

(copyright all images BBC)

York Cafe

2009-12-21T20:58:00.003Z

I'm not going to lie to you. Bristol is a city, and therefore does have its fair share of the homogenised predictable bull, the corporate money-spinners and the tired and tested. There are the international fast food holes and cheap chain stores. They're always going to be there, they're in every city, so you just ignore them.

But when you come across a hidden gem that's actually owned and run by local people who can give you good quality produce, you remember it doesn't have to be like that, and a city like Briz is big and clever enough to keep itself interesting.

Such is breakfast's best-kept secret: York cafe. Quiet and unassuming from the outside, this award-winning haven of builders and students is a British soap opera writer's dream - red Formica tables, a huge neon clock and the best fry-ups for miles around - and a personal favourite of mine. The lovely staff have got me through many a hungover lunch break with quick service and delicious grub.

It's never going to win Heston Blumenthal's prize for innovation, and describe themselves as 'trapped in a time warp around 1960-something', but they do all the classics from morning porridge to Shepherd's pie, mostly under a fiver.

Nestled just behind Broadmead on Bond Street - just around a bit further from the McDonald's on the corner - York 's moved from a place in Clifton two years ago, establishing loyalty with the Cabot builders, and now the Cabot staff! Not to mention the halls nearby, various department stores and so on.

I was in today enjoying a veggie bap and looking out at the snow, and nearly hit myself on the forehead for not thinking to mention them on here sooner. Hooray for the greasy spoon!!

It's been snowing!!!!

2009-12-21T20:46:00.003Z

Bristol looked so lush in the snow last night! Sadly I didn't have any photo-taking capabilities a we wandered down Gloucester Road enjoying that weirdly blanket-like silence and peace that comes with the great white stuff, but much christmas-y merriment was had singing the pogues and the snowman theme tune.

In fact, at one point just by the Arches we turned and looked at a beautiful little side street undisturbed by human feet except for a couple kissing underneath a Victorian-style lamp post. SO LUSH!

x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x

White Lies

2009-12-06T22:26:00.007Z

@ Academy 02/12/09
Support: Asobi Seksu

I had to work later on Wednesday, so I could only get to a packed-out Academy half-way through the support set from the sublime and interesting Asobi Seksu.

A New York four piece fronted by Yuki Chikudate, who often sings in a combination of Japanese and English, giving their lushly textured rock an even dreamier quality.

Her naturally high range and tiny frame couldn't betray the rough'n'ready raw chords of guitarist James Hanna, and with Larry Gorman and Billy Pavone on drums, synths and bass, Asobi Seksu crafted a delicately cool slice of art-punk into the one of the biggest, crashing-est crescendos the Academy has ever seen.

After a quick, over-priced and watered-down pint from the soulless bar, we fought tooth and nail to get anywhere back near the stage for the main attraction. (Here would be a good point to apologize for the awful quality of the photos, but I was being jostled by that many tall elbows that just holding on to the camera was an achievement.)

As soon as the boys from Ealing took to the stage, all minor Academy irritations were forgotten. Launching hell for leather into Farewell To The Fairground, they proved immediate comparisons with Joy Division/Editors (dark yet strangely uplifting), though vocalist/guitarist Harry McVeigh, bassist Charles Cave and drummer Jack Lawrence-Brown had a stage presence that put them comfortably in their own league.

Harry's voice sent shivers down my spine, being technically note-perfect, sounding exactly as haunting and remote as on every track of debut album To Lose My Life.

You've probably guessed it already, but I find the Academy quite impersonal - a bit underwhelming as a venue - but White Lies suited that cold environment, took the cavernous black space and made it their own.

After a slightly pretentious double-encore, including a good cover of a Talking Heads track, the crowd were satisfied. I ended up enjoying White Lies so much I only took two photos during the whole set.
One of which didn't come out.

x

How To Do A Christmas Shop Window

2009-11-30T21:42:00.003Z

If any shop in Bristol (and Cabot no less) is going to embrace Christmas in all its camp, magical glory, it's gotta be Harvey Nics.

Normally popdock wouldn't profile a shop like HN, but these sparkling windows are so jaw-droppingly gorgeous in the flesh - especially walking through Quaker's Friars in the evening, that it was worth a mention.

As they're the first serious investment windows wee Briz has ever really had, these photos hardly do them justice, especially since they were taken in the dark (anyone remember that thing that used to live in the sky? Me neither...) on a standard digital camera, but you'll get the idea - think Disney-like golden swirls, floating life-size pixies and fairies wearing only strategically placed baubles, and other lovely delights...

Chew Lips

2009-11-30T14:31:00.017Z

@ Louisiana - 25.11.09

Support: Nova Robotics

These guys are going to be massive. You know when you can just tell? I hate to say wanky things like "yah, huge for twenty-ten, I was there at the beginning of course..." but when Chew Lips painted the town all sparkly-purple on Wednesday, bringing their catchy electro to a busy Louisiana, the excitement in the air was of the palpable sort that only comes when seeing a band on the cusp of greatness.

Starting things off was one man and his trusty laptop, Bristol's own Nova Robotics, who pushed out some choppy electro bass and big beats, and topped them with live lonely guitar chords, perfecting the shy-bedroom-mixer-type, whilst acknowledging other genre-benders like Bloc Party/Explosions In The Sky/Errors.

Keeping his hoodie firmly around his ears, Mr Robotics kept the crowd captivated with his instrumental, expressive combinations of heavy dancey synths and instinctive, yet delicate melodies over the top.

It's music to ponder something to, alone on a train going through a city early in the early morning, or walking back from work in heavy rain. (You know, that sort of built-up pace but with a melancholy edge.)

Unfortunately, his laptop died on him (we've all been there) in the middle of the set, but things quickly got back on track after a technological shuffle and a few apologies.

We spoke to him later when buying an EP (a bargainous £3) and he was such a lovely guy. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for future performances.

Kitsune's Chew Lips then took to the mircokorg-laden stage in a strange whirl of tweed and sequins, the whole room seemed to fill with energy. Comparisons with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and La Roux immediately sprang to mind, but there was something very likeable and unique about frontwoman Tigs.

All of a sudden there are some very cool girls on the music scene, doing their own thing and trying to out-crazy-outfit each other, and don't get me wrong -that's better for music than the uniform bikini dance routines of a couple of years ago... but it's all happened so quickly that it can sometimes be a little like 'Which one are you again?'

Tigs and Chew Lips, however, will have no such problem - she's gorgeous and stylish - but perhaps because fame is still relatively new, she's much easier to relate to than the usual popstar.

With a glittery arrow drawn on her face and buckets of charisma, she roared through a wicked set with bandmates James and Will at the electro-pop helm, telling us we were a wicked crowd when fans sang back to her during singles Solo and Salt Air.

The band later changed their facebook status to "Bristol was the best night of the tour, nice one peeps." Which was quite nice.

popdockx

Give us your support | England 2018 Bid site

2009-11-16T13:41:00.001Z

For all fans of the big game out there, Bristol is getting involved with England's bid to host the 2018 Football World Cup! So if you fancy seeing Peter Crouch getting his robot out on College Green then show your support and sign up below, and don't forget to click on Bristol as host city!

Give us your support England 2018 Bid site

There are games, downloads and loads of information, so check it out!

x

In Remembrance

2009-11-12T00:27:00.002Z

Yesterday, Bristol was silent to honour the brave men and women from the area who have fought and fallen for their country, with services at the MOD at Filton Abbey Wood and the Memorial Stadium.

After a fitting tribute parade through the centre on Sunday, the city again acknowledged the sacrifice of thousands at 11am with a two minute silence, marking the end of the first World War.

It's a difficult time for many with relatives serving right now in Afghanistan, but I've been proud to see so many poppies adorning chests, and see how many people really are aware, and grateful, to men like the late Harry Patch, one of the last surviving WWI veterans who died earlier this year, and was originally from Somerset.

Thankyou.

flump

2009-11-12T00:04:00.003Z

The stock-check is finally over! Woo! I can now have my life back and devote my time to popdock once again. The day job includes Cabot-Circus-based retail mundanity, and every so often I have to work even longer hours...but I'll be doing loads more posts now I have internet and time, (not just dragging my cold feet through the front door long after the sun has set, too tired to even think about making tea) so there'll hopefully be some good, varied Brizzle shizzle up here!

If there's anyone out there doing anything interesting - whether you're a band, a troupe, a collective of any sort, or a ker-azy individual with something fun or lovely to share - then get in touch! I'd like to do a few more profiles - you just have to be loosely Bristol based.

Hope the cold isn't getting everyone down too much. Go check out the Broadmead German Christmas market - which looks set to be going live soon enough- it's enough to make Ebeneezer Scrooge don a pair of reindeer antlers with gay abandon! Pics up soon - for now all I'll say is: rotating two-storey Nativity scene... oh, yes.

x

gig no.2

2009-11-03T00:04:00.007Z

Oxjam, Start The Bus
25/10/09

Yep, popdock did two gigs in one night, and we'll say it was a deliberate, well-timed effort rather than a happy accident after one too many pints of Thatcher's Gold... but no matter!

Start The Bus's juicy leg of the Oxjam celebrations culminated with a rather wicked performance from Bristol's own lil' legend Kid Carpet, and who else should have been there but the wonderful Jeff! (Blue beard explained later...)

In case anyone doesn't know, Kid is the ultimate geek-chic-bedroom-DJ: a connoisseur of children's toys - mashing plastic Fisher Price instruments with 80s casio keyboards to make his unique brand of 'shit-hop', as it was once labelled. Never afraid to take the piss, he launched into a brilliant remix of an old (crap) local radio advert for the "Bristol! Car-pet fact-ory!" mixed excellently with Starship's We Built This City.

"We built this city - Bristol! - We built this city - Bristol! - We built this city ..." music cuts.

Kid - "...on slavery."

And sadly, he's got a point.

Oxfam were at The Bus in force, using Oxjam to keep everyone aware of current global issues and what can be done to help for the future- which is why almost everyone had a bit of blue on their face... you know... climate change, cold....

A wicked little mash-up, with a good cause.

gig no.1

2009-11-02T21:34:00.004Z

Camera Obscura - Thekla
25/10/09

Again, apologies for getting behind with posts. We're all go with t'interweb now, so regular updates from hereon in, I swear!

So, last Sunday popdock enjoyed a sweet, soulful treat aboard the beloved Thekla, from the likes of Camera Obscura and support, Magic Arm (below).
Despite a good cover of LCD Soundsystem's Daft Punk Are Playing At My House - keeping a lot of the original's coolness - there was a bit of awkward tension between songs, and the audience started to feel a bit restless.

Manchester based multi-instrumentalist Marc Rigelsford could certainly work his loops and pedals, but it seemed a little too confused - acoustic guitars and trumpets clashed with with electro synths - and it was difficult to get into, but by no means unpleasant.

The boat then began to get Busy, with an influx of folkies of all ages eager to hear the lush Parisian-style tones of the Glasgow five-piece named after the latin for dark room...yep, Camera Obscura!

Fronted by the effortlessly cool Tracyanne Campbell (below) their chic pop, akin to a sixties girl group that could play their own instruments and buy their own drinks, soon got toes a-tappin'.

Think Belle and Sebastian meets Nouvelle Vague with plenty of strings and catchy tambourines and you're halfway there. There's just enough British eccentricity in the group's dynamic (Campbell had a pair of heels brought on about five minutes into the set) and the bittersweet heartbreak lyrics to bring home how refreshing this smart, unique band are.

After just a little while, the quick stage banter, beatiful melodies and pretty dresses got everyone carried away enough to take part in the handclaps, shimmies and sways, or at the very least walking home kicking the Autumn leaves like they lived in a Chanel advert... Altogether lovely!

2009-10-29T15:45:00.001Z

Just to let y'all know, I don't have an internet connection at home at the moment- but this is being sorted as we speak! Expect major, mammothian style posts on Sunday!

I swear I haven't given up/forgotten popdock.....

xxx

why don't you come on over, gallery?

2009-10-25T00:28:00.006+01:00

FriendAndCo - 23/10/09

The space that once existed as teen rock haven The Level is now, following extensive refurbishment, possibly Bristol's newest and smallest gallery. Nestled in Park Row beside barbers du-jour Mack Daddy's, the guys at FriendAndCo threw their doors open to a considerable crowd not put off by that annoying piffly October rain. The show ranged from bright block colour collages to intricate pen illustrations from the likes of up-and-comingers Eine, Mr Jago, Mudwig, Will Barras and Xenz.

Xenz

Eine

above 3, Mudwig

Mr Jago

below, the movers and shakers

A vibrant, exciting show, and from the numbers spilling onto the pavement for last night's opening (though there was free booze) it looks set to be a hit. It's on for a few weeks - I'll definitely be popping back in for a more detailed look around when it's less busy. Don't miss it!

xx p.d.

p.s. cheers go to Grant for Mudwig photos!

Quite Ignorant

2009-10-24T23:39:00.004+01:00

Ended up accidentally going to two pub quizzes in one night... First at The Bank, which we were slightly too late to join and then at The Mother's Ruin, which we were on time for (and massively lost.)

A few too many pints of cider and an argument with the quizmaster about Popstars The Rivals later, a good synapse-exercising, quiet-ish night was had by a very small quiz team who did't even bring their own stationery.

Quiz sheet
I really like The Mother's Ruin - apart from the great name and pretty Hogwartsy St. Nicks location, it's an old-fashioned rock'n'roll kinda place. The decadent dark wallpaper and rock icon photos match the heavy soundtrack, which is really refreshing in these days of corporate chain-pubs and cheap chart bars.
The guy closing up came outside to take in the blackboards, and just looked at us, taking a picture of the sign. Some people, eh?

Street Style

2009-10-19T19:03:00.007+01:00

Clocked out and about in Bristol today...

Queenie from Shrinking Violet

Bright accessories

Sweet cardigan

Just imagine the owner...
No socks.... and couldn't stop him on the phone!

Pink prints and shades in October

much in the way of sniffles

2009-10-17T19:08:00.005+01:00

Sorry! I've been pretty out of it with the stupid bug that's going around, so haven't done much worthy of blogging.

In the meantime, you can check out the Bristol Jam , the first festival in the whole of the U.K solely dedicated to improvisation - music, comedy, arts - you name it, they'll be making it up on the spot.

The new directors of the Old Vic Tom Morris and Emma Stenning came up with the idea, and enlisted a multitude of performers from beatboxer Beardyman to female clown Angela de Castro to start the party.
They said the festival is: "A tiny riot of improvised performance in some of the art forms which flourish across Bristol. There will be drama, music, dance, games, jazz, film, beatbox and other things which as yet have no name..."

Keep your eyes peeled until the 24th for some spontaneous fun around the city and at the theatre, and maybe even unleash the improviser locked deep within...

xx p.d

Mud Dock

2009-10-10T00:41:00.007+01:00

09/10/09

Following a late shift that really dragged on, (and the fact that it's payday) we decided to go for something to eat on the way home, and Mud Dock seemed like the obvious choice for a mention here on popdock. (Good old Bristolians knowing their industrial heritage so well...)

I've never dined there before, but been past countless times over the years and thought, 'I must check that place out one day...'

Needing some tasty grub after a hard day, and feeling the first nip of the season, I had high hopes, but still wasn't expecting to be so thoroughly impressed. A great selection of modern dishes with just the right combination of luxury and heartiness (and good veggie options), Mud Dock just ticked all the boxes.

Really friendly staff, gorgeous foodgasm-inducing grub, candles and soft music gave the place a chilled out vibe, and prices weren't extortionate either. Most mains were just under £10 each, and we were just too late to be part of a 2-for-£10 offer (Mon-Fri, 5pm-9pm).

As if all that wasn't enough, Mud Dock are not just a restaurant as I had ignorantly presumed... get this - on the ground floor, below the restaurant, there's also a bicycle shop! Operated side-by-side to enhance the owner's two favourite things - dining and cycling, Mud Dock emphasises the benefits of bikes- for your health and the environment, and are especially proud of Bristol's unofficial cycling city status.

Can you imagine Halford's even giving you a cup of tea? Strung from the ceiling was an incredible collection of antique, vintage and valuable bikes - from penny farthings to bmx's - according to our waitress, part of the owner's considerable private collection. During opening hours the bike shop also offers extensive service and advice for any enquiries of the spoke-wheeled type.

(I had polenta with a variety of mushrooms in a cream and garlic sauce with roast cherry tomatoes, pictured, which was gawwwwjas, but I still think the plate needed a little green garnish to perk it up visually - maybe some salad leaves or something?)

****

Really amazing, and part of that strange Bristol optimism, the just going with a good but crazy idea and seeing what happens, that makes every day in this city a new and exciting adventure!

xx p.d

Motel Pressure @ Thekla

2009-10-09T23:29:00.007+01:00

08/10/09

The fab Motel (Park Street) celebrated their 10th anniversary with a wicked evening of discounts, bargains and prizes. They followed this with a cracking 1990s themed soiree aboard the Thekla, a one off joint venture with new indie guys Pressure. The lovely, camera-shy Motel manager Jenna and DJs Girls Girls Girls fizzed on top deck along with some really eye-catching artwork...

And everyone seemed to be having a good time:

...and as it got later we descended to pull some shapes into the darkness of the ship's belly, where the new guys were cool as, throwing out a really swift mix of old and new 'indie' tunes - a bit of Modest Mouse, some Kings of Leon, even a bit of Florence! Thankfully, no tired old Killers-last-song cliches anywhere in sight, but the dancefloor was always busy.

All in all, a successful night! Cheers Motel and Pressure!

xx p.d

2009-10-05T16:15:00.003+01:00

Okay, I'm still setting things up, which has involved the purchasing of new digital equipment (!) on it's way as I type, and as soon as I get it I'll be able to pop loads more stuff up.

Today I bought a few tickets for upcoming gigs - Passion Pit and Camera Obscura, and just had a bimble around town looking for ideas and inspiration. Stayed massively away from Cabot Circus, instead taking my best friend and ex-Bristolian Amelia to cafe kino - a really lovely vegan, not-for-profit co-operative who simply want to be "open, fair and mutually supportive" of everyone involved in any aspect of their business.

We bought falafel and I had a warming, but strange, slightly spicy herbal tea. It was lovely to sit at the window listening to the jazz and looking at the autumn leaves blowing in the wind, hands around a hot cup, and look out at the first chilly pinches of winter.

It seems to have come around so quickly this time, but there's something exciting about seeing the seasons change, and everyone pile on a few more layers as we inevitably head towards Christmas!

Amelia and I then headed over the road to The Magpie - a collective of artists and self-described 'dossers' who live and work together, always adding fresh bits of graf or sculpture to the already vibrant Stokes Croft. They have a yard sale (that sounds so American, but that was exactly what it was) every so often, selling wonderful bits of treasure and tat for tiny prices - I bought an amazing long white cardi with brown, turquoise, black and red diamond pattern (pics soon, I promise) and Amelia bought a cute woolly hat for a quid! We chatted to the guys for a while, until one guy got funny about why we wanted to know so much. Bit of a shame, as we were just curious. There's always something going on there, well worth checking out as you pass by.

Then Amelia had to get her coach home, so we left our Bristol explorations for another day. Loads more to come, stay tuned!

xx pop

(P.S . Boring bit - The above photos were not taken by me, I'm not claiming to have any rights over them, merely wished to illustrate a post with images found on google. Like I say, my own cam-cam is on it's way, then copyright all the way!)

Point this.

2009-10-03T01:11:00.004+01:00

Welcome to popdock.

popdock is going to be a local blog. For local people. Er, not quite.
Most regional media has that depressingly tacky, inclusive buddy feel about it. Like it couldn't find something interesting in a box marked 'Secrets - Do Not Open Ever'.

popdock wants to shed the Points West style fuzziness that has coated Bristol's image and be a blog about enjoying what a cracking city it is, from the Colston Hall to Cosies. I'm a gal having such a freaking wicked time in this fair city of opportunity, I thought I'd better get it all down.

I'm hoping that, as I go out a lot in Briz, popdock will be quite a constructive blog- so that means less getting pointlessly smashed and more remembering to interview people and take photos. I'm definitely not a socialite, a cool kid or a name about town in any way - please don't think this is just me displaying how wonderful my life is. I felt I wanted to do something - set up a platform for putting out reviews of local gigs and performances, new Bristol band/shops/group profiles, photos of funny things on the way to work - because there's so much of it. And lo, popdock was born!

I hope popdock will keep you informed of things going on this side of the Severn, and be a celebration of what is really is to live in this thriving, unique place.

Over and out x x