Creative

When less is more

There is an adage in the musical community that is an accurate scale of one's creativity. "Less is more".

We overcomplicate things. It seems that the most effective way, through my experience, is to question whether you need something. Can you drop something out of the equation? Does that improve things? Often, it does.

Through systems such as mathematics, drawing and stories, we can explain the world in such a way that we can manipulate and that all comes down to simplifying the world around us.

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Alexandre Tilmans Entrepreneur Baz-Art South African Street Artists

Alexandre Tilmans is the Director and Co-founder of Baz-Art, and has numerous years of business expertise running a thriving internationally active arts organisation.

Baz-Art's annual flagship event is Africa's largest public art festival - the International Public Art Festival - which has expanded Cape Town's economic and social development. Baz-Art's success is tangible with the NGO receiving the award "Business of the Year" at the Cap40 annual Business Awards, with Alexandre Tilmans subsequently also being the recipient of "Entrepreneur of the Year".

In 2019 Baz-Art received the BASA award and was also featured in the 2020 CNN street art documentary titled 'Street Arts in Africa'. The new addition to Baz-Art's offering - the Public Art Conference - launched in March 2022, will also feature on a Momint's documentary.

Baz-Art employs close to 200 people annually.

In our chat we cover lots of aspects of the interface between art and business which I am sure you will find interesting.

For further details

https://baz-art.co.za/

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Sian Sibley Teacher Pagan Witch Dragon Oak and Welsh Occult Conference

Sian is the leader of DragonOak Coven in South Wales. Sian has been practicing for around 40 years now and have experience in running a coven for around 25 years. She is currently studying for an MA in Spirituality and Ecology in University of Wales Trinity St David's; Sian has recently completed a Post Graduate course in Cultural Astrology and Astronomy which includes a great deal of study on the Graeco Roman magical Papyri and the impact of astrology and star lore on cultures around the world.

In DragonOak they teach traditional witchcraft, using toolmaking, astrology, herbalism, working with the PGM, Kabbalah, animism and working with the spirits of plants, genus loci and the dead.

Sian organises the Welsh Occult Conference In Welshpool and the South Wales Occult Conference in Cardiff.

https://www.dragonoak.org/studying-with-dragonoak

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Maria Harle Amazing Animal Encounters

Born and raised in rural Kent, Maria fell in love with wildlife and animals early on. Nature was respected and encouraged on her parent's smallholding and long before it became fashionable or mainstream to rewild, go organic or be sustainable, the gorgeous overgrown wildlife haven that was the farm they both worked on. Now a parent herself living in a shepherd's cottage on their smallholding in the Kentish Weald, Maria has been teaching her own children, and countless others, to love and respect animals and wildlife since 2005, when they started accepting unwanted animals into their home.

Amazing Animal Encounters was born to support pets in need leaving her job in youth work at the county council to concentrate on a new calling.

From Maria

I run Amazing Animal Encounters which provides uplifting, educational and therapeutic low risk animal experiences that are accessible for all and prioritise safety of the participant and the welfare of the animals. We focus on improving mental health, and providing services for SEN, the neurodivergent community and those with chronic and life limiting conditions. We work with groups and one on one, for organisations and for private individuals and families. In schools we provide educational workshops delivering animal welfare courses. Musical Menagerie the pre-school group is currently available to hire for groups. The animal encounters we run entirely fund my animal sanctuary which provides a loving family forever home for a range of animals from farm to domestic to exotic to rescue native wildlife. Our regular clients include KCC, behavioural needs schools, SEN schools and day centres, local primary and secondary schools, hospices and care homes.

www.amazinganimalencounters.co.uk

facebook.com/AmazingAnimalEncounters

Instagram is @mobilemenagerie

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Sean Drummond Filmmaker, Screenwriter Musician.

In this episode I am talking to Sean Drummond filmmaker, screenwriter and musician.

Sean talks about his work including the excellent Five Fingers for Marseilles.

Five Fingers for Marseilles is a 2017 South African Neo-Western thriller film written by Sean Drummond and directed by Michael Matthews.] It was screened in the Discovery section at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.

The films dialogue is in the African languages of Sesotho and Xhosa which still managed to get American back by sticking to their vision.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Fingers_for_Marseilles

First Teaser Trailer -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46tUAfrzgGw

Full Theatrical Trailer -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWT0hJhMZwk

Great chat .

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at BluescampUK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Bruno Migliorini Traveler Coffee Drinker Micro Finance

In this episode I'm going to be talking to Bruno Migliorini. I met Bruno when I was studying for my NLP master practitioner in London. A group of us used to hang out after the sessions in a little pub across the road from the venue and Bruno made a statement that he was going to travel the world and be photographed drinking coffee at various locations. This episode is about his amazing journeys and over 90 pictures taken that's some extraordinary exotic places.

Bruno talks a lot about NLP early on in the interview which a lot of people will find very interesting as well as it be great for me to catch up with him again after so long.

For the pictures

https://www.facebook.com/bruno.migliorini.585

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Seeing What Is Unseen

Have you ever lost your keys and spent ages looking for them and then miraculously they appear to be in a place that you've already looked? Sometimes we are surprised by the things that are right under our noses. Part of creativity is looking for opportunities, so in this episode I will be exploring ideas from being a musician and the world of NLP. Here are some techniques to help you; • The idiot check. • Looking at the world through different eyes. • Coming back from a holiday travelling of road that you've travelled many times, but because you've had two weeks away the road looks different. • Sometimes changing one aspect of what you're doing or how you look can reveal something new. • Changing what you believe. • Challenging what you believe about a person or a place. Make the Music Happen with the Rock and Roll Circus https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/make-the-music-happen-with-the-rock-and-roll-circus-tickets-463568183917 To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Dave Swift, Bass Man with the Jools Holland Big Band

In 1991 Dave Swift heard that Jools Holland, ex-Squeeze keyboardist and TV presenter, was searching for a bassist who played both double bass and bass guitar. With the renowned bassist Pino Palladino then holding the "bass chair" in Holland's band, this was a bold move on the young bassist's part. The advantage from Swift's position was that he also played double bass and was already skilled in sight-reading. Swift auditioned, was hired on the spot, and has been Holland's bassist ever since.

Thanks to his talent and growing popularity, Swift is often invited at shows and camps. Recently, Swift was invited to appear at the annual Warwick Bass Camp in Germany in 2016 as a VIP guest, along with numerous popular bass luminaries from all over the world. The 2016 Warwick Bass Camp was held in Markeneukirchen, Germany, and had a roster of outstanding bassists. Attending professors included Alphonso Johnson, Felix Pastorius, Anthony Wellington and Steve Bailey. Swift was also a guest lecturer at the March 2016 Bass Guitar Show at Earls Court Olympia that filled the room to capacity.

Dave Swift is still an in-demand session musician outside of Holland's band and has also played double bass for American soul singer Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King and on ex-Kinks frontman Ray Davies's album, Other People's Lives.

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

In 1991 Dave Swift heard that Jools Holland, ex-Squeeze keyboardist and TV presenter, was searching for a bassist who played both double bass and bass guitar. With the renowned bassist Pino Palladino then holding the "bass chair" in Holland's band, this was a bold move on the young bassist's part. The advantage from Swift's position was that he also played double bass and was already skilled in sight-reading. Swift auditioned, was hired on the spot, and has been Holland's bassist ever since.

Thanks to his talent and growing popularity, Swift is often invited at shows and camps. Recently, Swift was invited to appear at the annual Warwick Bass Camp in Germany in 2016 as a VIP guest, along with numerous popular bass luminaries from all over the world. The 2016 Warwick Bass Camp was held in Markeneukirchen, Germany, and had a roster of outstanding bassists. Attending professors included Alphonso Johnson, Felix Pastorius, Anthony Wellington and Steve Bailey. Swift was also a guest lecturer at the March 2016 Bass Guitar Show at Earls Court Olympia that filled the room to capacity.

Dave Swift is still an in-demand session musician outside of Holland's band and has also played double bass for American soul singer Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King and on ex-Kinks frontman Ray Davies's album, Other People's Lives.

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

In 1991 Dave Swift heard that Jools Holland, ex-Squeeze keyboardist and TV presenter, was searching for a bassist who played both double bass and bass guitar. With the renowned bassist Pino Palladino then holding the "bass chair" in Holland's band, this was a bold move on the young bassist's part. The advantage from Swift's position was that he also played double bass and was already skilled in sight-reading. Swift auditioned, was hired on the spot, and has been Holland's bassist ever since.

Thanks to his talent and growing popularity, Swift is often invited at shows and camps. Recently, Swift was invited to appear at the annual Warwick Bass Camp in Germany in 2016 as a VIP guest, along with numerous popular bass luminaries from all over the world. The 2016 Warwick Bass Camp was held in Markeneukirchen, Germany, and had a roster of outstanding bassists. Attending professors included Alphonso Johnson, Felix Pastorius, Anthony Wellington and Steve Bailey. Swift was also a guest lecturer at the March 2016 Bass Guitar Show at Earls Court Olympia that filled the room to capacity.

Dave Swift is still an in-demand session musician outside of Holland's band and has also played double bass for American soul singer Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King and on ex-Kinks frontman Ray Davies's album, Other People's Lives.

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Old Grey Guitarist: meet the school guitar teacher who has over a million followers on TikTok with his solo covers

John Wines has devoted his life to teaching young people to play guitar – now his Queen, Randy Rhoads and Pink Floyd covers and lessons have made him a hit online

John Wines is our kind of guitar hero; the UK guitar teacher has spent years passing on his love for the instrument to others. He played in bands for years and makes a living teaching guitar in three different schools in Dorset where he's based, as well as working as a guitar tutor privately. And that was his life, until recently when he woke up and found he was going viral on TikTok and Instagram.

John currently has 17.3 million likes and 1.2 million followers on TikTok. Not bad for a player who only joined social media to pick up a few new student for private lessons.

John is passionate about the guitar's power to help young people. He's seen the effect learning to play an instrument can have on special needs children. And he's got a gift; he's not only a fantastic player, but the kind of teacher a lot of us will wish we'd had growing up. His rise also undermines the assumption that TikTok is a place where younger people find shallow success; John's content has connected with people.

For more details

https://www.musicradar.com/news/old-grey-guitarist-meet-the-school-guitar-teacher-who-has-over-a-million-followers-on-tiktok-with-his-solo-covers?fbclid=IwAR3hC3pzFFumAfIIT_n69_2X5WrZJXPefFoTc8q6MpLPNXBvbZyEiFBls4o

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music

Joseph of Nazareth Carpenter, Saint, Father, and Protector of Virgins

In a special Christmas edition, I have the pleasure and the honour to speak to Joseph of Nazareth.

Joseph talks about being a Carpenter in a Roman province and the pluses and minuses that affords him. He also talks about the lineage and a little bit about the life of his famous son.

According to the Matthew's Gospel, Joseph agonized over Mary's apparently illegitimate pregnancy but protected her and the unborn Jesus by accepting her as his wife after an angel appeared to him in a dream and directed him to do so. Receiving rich presents from mysterious eastern magi at Bethlehem after Jesus' birth, he then fled to Egypt to avoid the wrath of Herod the Great, returning to the land of Israel after Herod's death and settling in Nazareth. In Luke's account, Joseph travels to Bethlehem for a census and returns to Nazareth without going to Egypt, after presenting Jesus publicly in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and new year

To support the podcast and get access to features about guitar playing and song writing visit https://www.patreon.com/vichyland

and also news for all the creative music that we do at Bluescamp UK and France visit www.bluescampuk.co.uk

For details of the Ikaro music charity visit www.ikaromusic.com

Big thanks to Josh Ferrara for the music