Thea Newcomb Online

Sping is in the Air

Eyes Forward Not Back

Great time of year so it is. Always feel happier in the spring time. Been working on my next series of radio shows for radiosix.com – and the songs are a whole lot more cheerier than the January tracks – go figure! The first show of the new series should be airing this weekend. I’ll need to find out the time. Always “tweet it” on my personal twitter account – @newthea. Again, it’s all new music (to me anyway) this year. One or two tracks may have actually come out in 2011 but wound up in my iTunes this year so therefor qualify!

It’s been a busy time both personally and professionally. I’ve seen some cool concerts, met some pretty great new people, and got a promotion of sorts at work. I am now doing some training for NSDesign which is going well if a little disconcerting at first!

Ryan Adams was the most recent concert. Though I’d wanted to go for ages, I waited until the afternoon to actually source a ticket via Twitter. Ended up getting a ticket off a Glasgow based graphic designer who had good taste in music. Always a pleasure to spend an evening talking music with cool people (especially guys) The music was good. Just him and a guitar (and sometimes piano)…highlights for me were “Come Pick Me Up”, “The Rescue Blues” and “Lucky Now”. Bit pricy but glad I went…

Anyway – just a quick update to say the new playlist will go live on my Playlist page as soon as it’s aired on radiosix.com. Soon as I do tomorrow’s show I need to voice the script for our next animation. Our new one is going to be my own 12 stages of a break up – launching in time for our 12th birthday. Very cool indeed. Watch this space, as they say!

theanewcomb

April 30, 2012

Animation, Life, Music, Radio

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Music, radiosix.com, ryan adams

Easter Update – Retro Reconnecting

It’s been a fantastic week or so. I reconnected with a guy I used to play on the radio back in 2000. He’s a journalist for one of my fave techie magazines now. He’d posted that he had a free ticket to comedy at the Glasgow Stand Comedy club and I jumped at the freebie. We had a fantastic time catching up and laughing lots. It was such a treat.

The next day was Digital 2012 at the SECC. A full day at the conference hearing all sorts of wonderful speaker. The one I’d been the most excited to see was actually the dullest. A guy from Barnes and Nobles was there to discuss the NOOK – which could have been such an interesting and engaging talk and it was the longest advert in history. A total disappointment and boy you should see the #hashtag at that point it was flamed right up. A highlight for me was meeting, in person (we were already LinkedIn connections) the wonderful Frank from Bad Pony TV. Over lunch we discussed his new dating TV show pilot which is so exciting. He’s a cool guy that guy. Looking forward to meeting up with him in a less rushed environment to see how we might work together. Who knows?

Then, a few nights ago, I had another amazing night with an ole friend I’d not seen in even longer. Basically this one, another one I used to play on the radio back in the old days, and we hadn’t seen each other for about fifteen years or so.

Thanks to Social Media (FB in this case) I felt like I still “knew” both guys even if I hadn’t seen them for umteen years. It’s a little unreal that so much time had elapsed. It didn’t feel awkward at all. We talked music the whole night and watched the Waterboys plow through some of their greatest hits and some musical interpretations of Yeats poems which were way better than I feared. The last time I saw the Waterboys was opening for U2 at the SF Civic in 1984 so to say it was a joy to see them again would be an understatement.

In the next week or so, I am aiming to reconnect with a few other guys (rather gorgeous brothers incidentally) – who are also from my 90s radio days. So yeah, a real retro reconnection Spring time theme going on over here.

The next excitement on the horizon is the reunion of Kevin McDermott Orchestra who’s playing at the ABC this weekend. [If you're a fan please "like" the page there]. Can’t remember the last time I saw the boys. Bound to be a good one! Get your ticket here if you fancy it!

Finally – gearing up for my return to Radio Six International. Playing some tracks released in 2012. My faves so far. That should be kicking off the first week in May. Watch this space!

theanewcomb

April 5, 2012

Life

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All Time Faves

Oof. I can’t believe how crap I am at keeping a blog these days. Too busy actually living life I guess. No real time to sit and type about what’s been going on. Besides the people who want to keep up with my life – do so on Facebook anyway…

Anyhoo tonight I’ve been trying to compile a list of my all time fave songs. It’s no mean feat with nearly 30k songs in my iTunes right now (Well 26k)…Anyway as I was picking tracks I decided to look some of them up on YouTube.

Right now I’ve got an hour long concert of Heather Nova playing the background. Her song “London Rain (Nothing Heals Me Like You Do)” is on my Top 10 I think. Aretha’s “Angel” and Nick Drake’s “Northern Sky” are in there too. I suspect the Baby’s Earth Wind and Fire and the Smiths will make the cut too.

Randomonium.

Yesterday I attended my first ever soccer match here in the UK (only took me 20 years to get to one). Caught Greenock vs Dundee because we (NSDesign) sponsor Greenock Morton. Thoroughly enjoyable day (including the Chairman’s hospitality!) – even if we did lose the game!

Speaking of sports – the other team we sponsor is the Glasgow Rocks (basketball team). Well this weekend we the sponsors are playing against each other so that means me and the guys will be taking to the court ourselves. What a scary thought that is. We’re having practice tomorrow since none of us have played basket ball for a decade (or two)!! Should be quite the hoot.

The only other bit of news is that I picked up my new car today. Mother’s Day. Very good. Had a beautiful drive back down from Fife with her!

Since I last posted I’ve seen a few gigs – most notably Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Laura Marling. Up next, the Waterboys! All good, all good.

theanewcomb

March 18, 2012

fitness, Fun, gigs, Glasgow, Life

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Zach, Rocks, Homeland

: I’m Happy

What a weekend on the cards! Last night two great things happened, 1) I watched Se1Ep1 of ‘Friday Night Lights’ (by candle light no less) 2) A spontaneous purchase after that means I am off to Zach Braff’s new play at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow – ahead of its London West End launch I think. Love Zach – particularly his fantastic Garden State (written/starrred). This is his second writing project where it’s all him (according to something he said on STV’s Movie Juice last night). If it’s half as good as Garden State I’ll be pretty stoked.

Sunday is another Rocks game – televised on Sky Sports. Bringing a few friends for that, dinner after and a concert at Tuts. When I get in, if not too late I’ll be able to watch episode one of Homeland at last.

Reading an interesting book Rewire Your Brain for Love (details on Hayhouse or Amazon.com) which is interesting, thought-provoking and a little challenging to get through. Ultimately it’s about awareness of our patterns – which started back in the first two years of our lives. It’s not a new concept, certainly one I’d heard before but I guess I’d never thought about focused on what those two years were likely to be like (and not that I can remember back that far). So yes it’s been illuminating.

It’s all going in the right direction! Looking for a local Yoga class. This is the year I take it up for real. . .

theanewcomb

February 18, 2012

Fun, Life, TV

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Friday Night Lights, Glasgow Rocks, Homeland, Zach Braff

Luv Vibration

Wow so just in from seeing Josh Rouse for the 3rd time in Glasgow. The first was Barfly many a moon ago. The second, the Arches. The third, The Mitchell and this show was absolutely stunning. The sound was sublime. The sounds were stellar. It just worked. Pure magic. A guy called out “Michigan” so of course I called out “Nebraska” (as in Dressed up Like…) and he said “it sounds like you’re from Nebraska….Are you from Nebraska?” to which of course I replied rather simply “California”…paused then said “Close” (which of course anyone who knows US geography knows it’s not)…but I do have some good friends there!

Anyway the show ended with the crowd on their feet, toe-tapping to Love Vibration. Talk about leaving on a high note. Good call. Still vibrating the love, I tell ya!

Anyway, so that was my night. Now I am off to luxuriate in an amazing bubble bath because it’s been a LOONNNNG stressful day and frankly I’ve earned it. Will add Josh pics soon as I upload them to the MAC.

Did I mention it was S T U N N I N G? Next up, if I decide to go, Bonnie Prince Billy. He’s pretty awesome too…don’tchathink?

Oh and, by the way, this weekend is my final show for radiosix.com – for a few months. I’d better pick the tracks one of these days…time’s-a-flying.

theanewcomb

January 24, 2012

gigs, Glasgow, Life, Music

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gigs, Josh Rouse, Music

New Year New Leaves

So I’m back on air on radiosix.com for the month of January. Show two aired tonight. More info on the playlist page – here…

Work has been busy both for NSDesign (see our Google + page) and for So You’ve Been Dumped (see SYBD’s Google + page).

SYBD has an app in the works, a possible TV show (a reality type show), and some fun, new, possible collaborations – one with a Diamond gal and another with a lawyer. An exciting blog coming from each I hope! More on that on SYBD…

VDAY’s ON THE WAY

It’s also time to work out what the next animation should be – a story, a tutorial, perhaps something V-Day related (running out of time on that one)…I’ve no idea!

And to top it off, it’s time for some major DIY – chez moi. It’s the first time I’ve ever done a home improvement project. [I am sensing a blog about this for SYBD too...so will save this for that!]

NEW YEAR, NEW MUSIC

Some great gigs coming – Josh Rouse, Bonnie Prince Billy, Ron Sexsmith (shame it’s in Edinburgh, but since I missed Glasgow so may have to make the trek), and next month, of course, it’s my fave new singer / songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Picked up the Brit-nominee Ed Sheeran yesterday and Bonnie Prince Billy’s latest ‘Wolfroy Goes To Town’. BPB is the master of melancholy.

On SYBD last weekend I penned a blog about finding the GOOD in everything – which I tend to do now. In it, I spoke of a “Calendar of greatness”.

Each day I find things to write about that happened that were for all intents and purposes “great”. Big and small things really. Two weeks into the new year and this new leaf is sticking. I’m keeping it up. Today might just be the fact I painted a room, I’m not sure…

NO BLUES THIS JAN!

Compared to last January, I have to say, I’m feeling “beyond-good”. What a difference a year makes, eh? More work, more money, more joy, more abundance, and especially more positive!

So that’s my update for a while. I really only wanted to write a quick blog when I added my playlists. I know I am a bit ‘laxed when it comes to blogging, personally, but I do it so much elsewhere – SYBD, NS and sometimes So You Media…

Two shows in on Radio Six Intl and I’ve two more to go! Gosh I love doing radio. We have a Facebook page and a Team Radio Six Twitter stream too!

theanewcomb

January 15, 2012

Life

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New Animation – Tomorrow!

Hey on a Sunday night. Snow’s on the cards (or at least some “wintery showers”). Yay!

Meet Jen, Muvizu, Screen Shot of SYBD story # 4

Say Hi to Jen

So tomorrow morning we’ll be unveiling the newest animation video. It’s a brilliant story and Ron’s done a fabulous job animating it. The one thing that lets it down (marginally) – was my audio for the interview. Rather foolishly we tried to record it when her baby was gurgling away. Rookie mistake.

In any event I think you’ll really like this one – it’s a true gem. And of course in addition to the story you’ll see some really lovely touches by Animator Ron and great title track, “The Big Bang” by the talented Kenneth Elliot.

So what I’m hoping to do with this one is enter it in some competitions. Does anyone know any place we can enter it into? It’s an unusual genre, at the eight minute mark – it’s a “short” – but also it’s part “animation” and part “documentary”.

Anyway please check out the new story on soyouvebeendumped.com.

theanewcomb

December 4, 2011

Animation, Break-ups, Documentary Film, Life, Muvizu

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Albums of 2011

So I just found out I missed Other Lives in Glasgow. How the hell did that happen? That’s so annoying. Missing them by a week in California too. I can’t believe it. How annoying when I miss acts I’d like to see.

So I was thinking about their album Tamer Animals which I learned was out by a tweet from Zane Lowe. I immediately went on itunes and downloaded it without even previewing it. Thankfully it’s a great album, and it got me compiling the list of my albums for 2011.

At least I lucked out and saw that Alexi Murdoch is coming to town soon. ‘Course when I looked at tickets for the teeny-tiny venue in the west end, they were SOLD OUT, but as luck would have it, a second night was added. Thank Buddha I gots-me a ticket for Alexi. Last time I saw him was in a tiny venue called Brel. Was introduced to him by my friend Geoff Martyn. Was a brill night.

So as I type these words, I’m listening to tracks being chosen for my new series of Radio Six International. I’ve been systematically going through all the tracks I picked up this year, sifting through some of my choice cuts and then breaking them down into four or so playlists. No mean feat.

There have been lots of wonderful records this year from many of my faves – gals like Heather Nova, Rachael Yamagata, Lisa Hannigan, guys like Ryan Adams, Ron Sexsmith, My Morning Jacket, Matt Nathanson, Mat Kearney, the list goes on and on.

So much great music out there it’s hard to whittle down to the best 40 or 50 tracks! But that’s what I am doing now.

As for NANO word count, I am pretty far behind. Just inching up to 19k and I should be nearer to 26k by today. Oh well that’s what happens when you’re mega busy and try to commit to writing a novel on top of 2 fairly full jobs! My bad. Still, I am determined to complete it – regardless. Maybe I will make up some time next week as it’s Thanksgiving. I picked up my wee turkey crown (sorry all you true veggies out there) tonight on my way home from work. Pretty excited to have a day pottering and cooking. Now just need to invite some people over to share it.

Well I had better get back to it. Without a doubt my favorite artist for 2011 in Benjamin Francis Leftwich – but what makes that hard, is picking JUST ONE SONG from his record for my radio show! Wish me luck!

theanewcomb

November 16, 2011

Music, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, Playlist, Radio

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Albums, Music, Playlist, Radio, radio six

Half the Way There

M8, Glasgow, Guy Fawkes Night by Thea Newcomb

All Over the Place

Little nod to the band, The Three O’Clock there. Half way through NaNoWriMo but I am not halfway on my word count. I think I am only 16,000+ words in. Still going.

So it’s a Monday morning and I am sifting through tracks from this past summer trying to pick an eclectic mix for series two on Radio Six International. Something for everyone. Rock, pop, indie, ambient and maybe a funky country-tinged track from Dave Alvin too. Couldn’t place the name so had to Wiki him and of course he’s Californian (too) and from the Blasters. D’oh, ok, I knew that. Hadn’t thought about them for many-a-moon. He sings in a twangy storyline sort of way. It’s not normally my genre of music, but it’s always good to mix it up, innit?

I’ve got so much new music it’s going to be a challenge to narrow it down. Another challenge? Picking only one song of Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Maybe I’ll just throw a song of his in every one of the shows. After all he’s my love of 2011. Been a long time since I was so into an artist. It’s pure love affair with that kid’s voice. The last time I was so enthralled by an artist (where I had to track down every thing) may even be Nick Drake! Ben’s clearly keeping good company then, eh?

Excited by our new animation. I suspect it may be our best yet. It’s coming soon – hopefully by month’s end. Ron has created more than 30 minutes of animated footage for what will be a seven minute clip! He’s got quite the editing challenge on his hands!

Well back to song-picking, tea-sipping and trying to get motivated to go swim yet another mile. It’s fast becoming my Monday morning ritual…Starts off my busy weeks on the right note. This week will be especially busy given it’s time for yet-another-New-Start-Scotland event at the SECC (the last one I worked was in Ingliston). It’s long days there, but fun meeting so many budding-business-owners and so forth!

Enjoy the sunshine and autumn leaves…

PS: Though not blogging too much here, there are number on the NSDesign blog (three or so from Cannes no less) and one or two on So You Media too! Gets too hard to keep up on all these blogs…I should consider consolidating…

theanewcomb

November 14, 2011

Animation, Books, Business, Glasgow, Life, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, NSDesign, Playlist, Radio

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NaNoWriMo, New Start Scotland, radio six international, swimming