I returned home from my second from eoa Conference yesterday with a couple of souvenirs, lots of insights and some great memories. I’m not sure if it was more surreal winning EO Rising Star of the Year, or to see these signs on the show floor the morning after! I’m still trying to articulate howContinueContinue reading “Grapevine named EO Rising Star 2025”
Category Archives: Blog
Blue Sky Blondes reunion
Here’s a story about one of the unexpected bonuses of employee ownership. Last year I went to the eoa Annual Conference in Telford to represent Grapevine on my own. Knowing this, Emma Hardy from Blue Sky Financial Planning invited me to join her, Lesley Keets and Theresa Osborne for dinner when we arrived ahead ofContinueContinue reading “Blue Sky Blondes reunion”
25 years of Less Than Jake’s ‘Borders & Boundaries’
TL;DR – Borders & Boundaries is my favourite Less Than Jake album. It turns 25 today. There may be records in their back catalogue that sound better, bigger hits may be housed elsewhere, but in viewing albums as a consistent line of thought, this is the band’s greatest success, in my humble opinion. The name andContinueContinue reading “25 years of Less Than Jake’s ‘Borders & Boundaries’”
Me and the music
Live music is back on Poole Hill in Bournemouth, courtesy of The Vault venue and Coach Party, one of my new favourite bands from the past few years, who headlined the first ‘gig’ put on here, in what is primarily a nightclub. Some of you may remember this venue as being The Winchester around 10ContinueContinue reading “Me and the music”
Comfort in Sound revisited
Last week I went to see Feeder play their 2002 album Comfort in Sound live in full at Brixton Academy. The jury continues to be out for me on whether album shows ‘work’. I’ve seen quite a few over the past couple of decades, some just don’t convert from record to the stage, that wasContinueContinue reading “Comfort in Sound revisited”
Tech Futures at the National Oceanography Centre
It’s a privilege to be in a position where I regularly have days away from my desk to listen and learn from others. This isn’t lost on me on these occasions and yesterday was no exception. At a time when H.I. (human intelligence) appears to be somewhat lacking in society, education feels like an antidoteContinueContinue reading “Tech Futures at the National Oceanography Centre”
Two much perspective
Last night Sam and I went to see Spinal Tap II, a sequel 41 years in the making. The film deals with the legacy of the ‘band’, which has a fictional take in the narrative but can’t be separated from the real word impact they’ve had. https://youtu.be/wMQZG9u4Sjg?si=RNZK9ojnh7c6pT43 Back in July we visited Stonehenge (the subjectContinueContinue reading “Two much perspective”
Celebrating 10 years with Grapevine
Today is my 10th anniversary aboard the good ship Grapevine. Time is sailing by, but it actually does feel like it’s been 10 years when I think back to 2015 now (something big happened in the middle that I’ll refrain from reminding you of by naming it).A decade ago I worked at Bournemouth University, runningContinueContinue reading “Celebrating 10 years with Grapevine”
30 years of Less Than Jake’s ‘Pezcore’ and more
Pezcore, Less Than Jake’s debut full length was released in the US, 30 years ago today. The first release was via Dill Records, the predecessor to Asian Man Records, both run by Mike Park, formerly of San Jose, California ska band Skankin’ Pickle (keep reading for more on him!). I’m enjoying revisiting these Less Than JakeContinueContinue reading “30 years of Less Than Jake’s ‘Pezcore’ and more”
10.08.05: Braking Fast at Mr Kyps
20 years ago today I played my first gig at Mr Kyps (RIP) in Poole. Two decades should feel like a long time but a few things make this day feel like it was yesterday.1. The bands who inspired us at this time are still going strong (I just saw Million Dead’s 20th anniversary lastContinueContinue reading “10.08.05: Braking Fast at Mr Kyps”
7,231 days later: The Million Dead returnth
This week I got to be in the room for the early 2000’s UK post hardcore band Million Dead’s first show in 20 years. The room in question being the same one where they played their ‘last’ show in September 2005; the legendary Joiners in Southampton. I wasn’t there for the previous show, looking atContinueContinue reading “7,231 days later: The Million Dead returnth”
FIN. The Great Tail Trail farewell and auction
Photo credit: Bailey Moore, for Julia’s House The past couple of weeks has seen events to celebrate the conclusion of the Julia’s House ‘Great Tail Trail’ project. I wrote previously about the concept, the company behind these trails across the UK and beyond, Wild In Art and how our business, Grapevine came to be involvedContinueContinue reading “FIN. The Great Tail Trail farewell and auction”
Liam Toms 