{blog} Well, 2020, then.

From a work point of view, I’m pretty much done for the year now, apart from a little virtual recording. It would be an understatement to say that nobody quite expected 2020 to turn out the way it did...it has been 9 months of movie-like drama and chaos after what was a fairly regular beginning. Indeed, at the start of the year I played some lovely big shows with Fred’s House and performed a run of my one-man play, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late at the West End. I’m so grateful I did this run before everything, well, kicked off.

Suffice to say it’s been difficult, and I’m not one of those people who will boast about finding “success” in the midst of a global crisis (fair play to all of you who ran a marathon in your house or whatever, well done - I’m just not like that). True, I did learn new skills; I had to adapt to teaching virtually very quickly, I wrote and taught a drama course online, I really, really got in to recording using Logic Pro X (with my solo percussion album receiving plenty of airplay and an impressive listenership on Spotify). I guess I should be proud, or at least grateful for new skills learnt, but I guess my gut feeling is: I’d rather I just didn’t have to.

We all had big plans for 2020, mine in particular was the Harvey Greenfield movie. Nothing is cancelled, just postponed.

On a personal level, the move to our dream home that we bought in December was delayed but we got there eventually in June, our wedding has been postponed twice but we’re still praying it can go ahead (albeit with 15 people) on the 28th. We’re in the right tier, we just need to stay there for another 7 days, please. I’m not particularly political but the short-notice of these decisions have really wound me up this year. All fingers crossed.

Ultimately, in 2020, I’ve taught more than ever (6 days a week, 12 hours a day), I’m writing more than ever, I’m drumming a lot, even if it’s not onstage. But it’s hard to be satisfied, isn’t it?

I’ve also on my third car of the year, which is VERY impressive considering I’ve barely driven anywhere.

Anyway, off to get my hair cut for the wedding. It’s been a tough year but as always I’m totally chuffed to still, continually, be surrounded by such a fabulous array of wonderful people. You know who you are.

Stay safe, Merry Christmas and don’t forget that brighter times are ahead.

Paul

{news} Three Men and a Bassist - Christmas special

The Christmas special of Paul’s sitcom, Three Men and a Bassist is now live. Recorded with a full cast entirely on Zoom, such is the technical wizardry of audio director Alan Morgan, you can listen to it here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6nrQXQ2HYr0ABlZg1R4oTi?si=lOqnu_9CQ6q34AlbWB9nRw

{news} 'That Man' from last week's gig

Last Sunday, Paul played a lovely show with We Are Sound, which was filmed for broadcast. Here’s a fun clip of one of the songs…

{news} Christmas Advent Calendar charity series launched

Paul has launched a mini Christmas advent calendar series featuring many of his students to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Every day, there will be a different Christmas tune, performed by a different drummer (sometimes two!). Watch all the videos here:

www.facebook.com/paulrichardsdrumlessons

{news} Christmas charity single featuring Paul's students

Paul has once again collaborated with piano teacher Josie Campbell and singing teacher Vikki Jones, this time with his drum students recording a charity single for the National Autism Society. Fittingly titled CHRISTMAS CHAOS, the release features nearly 80 students, all playing at the same time…it’s a fun one! Christmas Chaos, by Music Students of Cambridge (the new name for all projects featuring Paul’s students, Vikki’s students and Josie’s students when collaborating) will be released worldwide on December 4th.

{news} Write a Thing - the Christmas edition

Earlier this year, Paul launched a successful online writing course, all on Zoom, throughout the first lockdown. As we enter a second lockdown in the UK, Paul is bringing the course back, only this time with the intention of releasing a Christmas book from it, to raise money for the food banks. The sessions will only take place on Sundays, online. More details and how to book here: www.thepaulrichards.com/write-a-thing

{news} Next student showcase gig is now live!

Paul’s drummers, in collaboration with piano students from Josie and Piano and singing students from Singing Vix have put together another collaborative gig to raise money for charity. This month’s theme is Beatles songs, this month’s charity is A Space Between. Watch the full show here: https://youtu.be/g-9ye6FWAfw

{news} Megafastmusicquiz commissioned for full series

Recently Paul, alongside scorekeeping co-host Liz Barker, recorded a radio pilot episode of his fringe show from many years ago, MEGAFASTMUSICQUIZ. A simple idea; two contestants are asked the easiest music questions you could possibly imagine but, such is the speed in which Paul talks, they barely get a chance to think about their answer. 90 questions in 30 very frantic minutes…

Anyway, the radio version has now been picked up by Cambridge 105, who have commissioned a full series, which is expected for early 2021. If you’re a bit of a music buff and fancy being a contestant, drop Paul a message and we’ll see if we can get you on.

{blog} So busy!

I’ve not had a chance to update this for a while because things have got very busy indeed. I like being busy, I’m a fidgety little (lanky) man when I’m not, but this is crazier than ever.

These are strange times, we can kind of do gigs, but not quite, we can have script readings but only six of us allowed due to the current rulings so we’re doing it on Zoom instead. We're all doing our best to stay creative, but it feels like we’re being held on a tight leash. Look; I shouldn’t moan, many have it worse than me, but 2020 offered so much and has been a bit…well, crappy, at times.

Some schools, including my old secondary, are cutting music, art and drama, because they’re not ‘important’. This has given me a new energy, a fire, if you like, to fight this. An idea is brewing for a project that will address this. It will involve lots of drummers. Luckily, I teach over 90 a week…

Throughout the madness of 2020, the confusion, the frustration (our wedding was moved to December and is now down to 15 people, our dream 3-week honeymoon in Africa is now 2 nights in Norfolk), the one thing that has stayed constant is the drum teaching. I love it more than ever, I have more students than ever, it’s now 6-days a week, full days, but I’ve got an amazing set of students who are onside with my enthusiastic way of teaching. Indeed, a headteacher at one of my schools said the other day, “I’ve forgotten how loud drum lessons are. Not the drums, the teacher.” Very true, but I don’t think in a negative way.

Virtual gigs for my students are now monthly, raising money for a different charity every month. We’re recording the Christmas special of my sitcom, Three Men and a Bassist, soon, I’ve had a lovely couple of shows with Glymjack recently, Fred’s House rehearse every week despite the lack of gigs. I just like hanging out with these people, we all need each other, really. I’m currently writing two novels and we live in our dream house.

Nothing to moan about really. Apart from 2020, generally. Oh, and the fact that my car died and is being scrapped on Monday. I’m replacing my lovely, if very old, issue-ridden Merc with a sensible Ford Focus estate, which is a clear sign that I’m finally growing up.

{news} The Student Collaboration Project

Paul wants his students to gig, but it’s a bit tricky right now. Instead, we’re doing these monthly virtual showcase gigs, but Paul is on a bit of a mission to find musicians who can (virtually) be part of these fabulous events, all of which raise money for charity.

More information here: www.thepaulrichards.com/student-collaborations

{news} BBC airplay for Paul's debut album

Under the name of Mr. Richards and his Drum Orchestra, Paul released his debut, instrumental, percussion-dominated album earlier this year. Titled The Argument, it’s a concept album about…well, an argument, told through multiple (sometimes up to 40) percussion parts. Paul released it, but, as it’s his first solo ‘thing’, he didn’t tell anyone about it at first.

Anyway, a track from the release, Cogs, was played on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire last night. An industry-type has since hailed it as being ‘the album of the year’. It’s not, but as far as concept drum albums go, it’s not bad. You can listen to the whole album here.

{news} Three Men and a Bassist launched

Paul’s audio sitcom, Three Men and a Bassist, is launched today! Written by Paul, directed by Kate Madison, audio tech stuff by Alan Morgan and staring Liz Barker, Alan Hay, Rory Lowings, Warren Clark and Samantha Billing (plus guests), the series is an offbeat comedy about a band. A musical comedy, without the music.

Episodes one and two are now live, with a new episode every Monday for the next 6 weeks.

Check it out on Spotify

And on iTunes

{blog} Are we allowed out again?

I hope everyone is hanging in there in this 'lost year', it's been a bit strange, hasn't it? There was definitely a moment when the lockdown first kicked in that I paced around the house shouting "all of my work has gone! Help!"

If you're in the same boat, I hope you managed to keep your head above water, somehow. I've switched my lessons over to an online format, which took a while to adjust to - there's a lot that changes when you can't be in the same room as the student...I can't just jump on the kit and demonstrate something and even the slightest delays in the internet speed can totally throw a song. I've found ways around it, but it did take a bit of tweaking. Some students even prefer it now and, whenever we can have lessons in person again, they're up for keeping it virtual. That's fine by me, I mean...I get to save on fuel and I can wear my comfy slippers, but I personally can't wait to be back out there again, teaching one-to-one. Which brings me to the title of this post: am I allowed to, now? If I bring my own sticks, and keep two metres away? Probably gonna leave it a while, just until everything settles, but we'll see. 

Alongside the home-recording stuff for various people, I had my first totally live gig in three months the other day. Socially distanced, with each musician kept apart in the studio, with an audience online only, but broadcast live from Soham. Made me realise how rusty I was in the rehearsal, but two days of panic practicing and I was back in the swing of things, and how lovely it was, too. Can't wait to gig properly soon, and to be onstage with theatre stuff, too.

In the meantime, the new Fred's House EP has just been released and I've been sent a copy of the new Glymjack album, which I recorded drums for last summer, and it's all wonderful stuff. 

Also, we finally managed to move house! 3 months after we were supposed to, and 5 months since we made an offer for it, but it's worthwhile. 

Anyway, back to unpacking the five million boxes that remain untouched in the garage...

Take care,

Paul

{news} Another student showcase gig for the NHS!

Following the success of the last gig (which raised £585), Paul and his drum students, all deep in lockdown, have put together another online gig to raise money for the NHS.

Here’s the details!

And here it is! Our second drummers showcase gig to raise money for the NHS. Due to a few copyright issues we lost a couple of tracks and this is a slightly shorter gig than planned, but it's a lovely half an hour brimming with talent.

For the first time we have more girl drummers than boys, we have somebody drumming in a shed, we have quite a lot of rock, a bit of funk, a flustered host and a drummer dueting with his violin-playing-self.

Watch, enjoy, donate to the NHS (money goes directly to them), share!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM76RXFkqso

{news} Virtual student showcase gig for the NHS

Paul and 9 of his drum students have put on a showcase gig to raise money for the NHS. His students all filmed themselves drumming, remotely from home, and Paul has put it all together to make a show. You can donate here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/drum-students-raising-money-for-nhs

And you can watch the gig here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi3PGltXEJk

{blog} The Lockdown

I write this in the hope that you're all keeping well, staying in and staying safe. If you're a key worker, thank you for everything that you're doing to keep this battered country hanging in there.

Odd times, these, aren't they? Selfishly, I moped about a bit for a day or so as things quickly fell apart around us; the sudden loss of a lot of work, the probable delay to our wedding (August suddenly feels a bit optimistic for a huge gathering), not being able to move into our dream home that we've just bought, the potential delay of filming the feature film in July, the cancellation of the Edinburgh Fringe, the cancellation of so, so many gigs...but then I realised: there's a lot of people who are in a really bad place, right now. I'm fine, I'm obviously totally inconvenienced, but I'm safe, future wifey and I are eating well and doing our best to not get too down about the postponements of these huge life plans we'd spent a long time making, we have just enough money to be comfortable. Many haven't, if this had happened three years ago, I'm not sure what I would have done. 

I'm gradually adjusting to these new life changes. I get it's all temporary, but nobody knows how long 'temporary' will last, of course. I've bought an electric drum kit for virtual teaching and I've converted our conservatory into a little workspace - computer in one corner, drums in another, notepads all over the floor. Teaching online has been a challenge but a few weeks in it has now settled, that's both me and the students all working around any technical tomfoolery. I've also been teaching my Write a Thing course which has been a joy, and have also launched drum lessons for people in isolation who don't have a drum kit - more details here. 

Outside of the teaching work, I've finally finished writing my new book, Edinburgh in August, which will be released later this year, as well as the editing of the film version of the same name. I streamed my play, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late, to a live audience on Saturday evening, in conjunction with my friends at the Art House in Southampton and I've had to learn how to record drums digitally, using Logic Pro, very quickly, so I could accept the offer of being We Are Sound's house drummer for their new series of virtual LockJam gigs. It's a steep learning curve, but technology aside, also a great musical challenge, having to learn a new 12-song set every week. If anything, although I'm not out there gigging like I used to be, I'm drumming more than ever. And writing loads, too. None of it is any good, yet, but something will come from this strange time, I'm sure.

Most importantly, I've been trying to keep my working hours to a sensible amount. I'm a total workaholic and, until the lockdown, I hadn't taken a day off since Christmas. It's fine, I love what I do, but when you're stuck indoors, in the same room, it's easy to go totally mad sometimes. I'm now working 10am - 6pm weekdays, 11am - 3pm on Saturdays and I have Sundays off. I'll probably stick to this when the lockdown is lifted. Probably. 

Anyway, I do hope you're coping okay. If I know you (which if you're reading this, I probably do) and you're struggling, drop me a message, I'm always available to chat.

Stay safe, 

Paul

Harvey Greenfield is Running Late - live stream

Paul will be performing his hit show, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late, virtually, next Saturday evening. In conjunction with The Art House in Southampton, the show will be broadcast on Zoom. Free tickets (with a suggested donation) can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/harvey-greenfield-is-running-late-live-online-via-zoom-tickets-102026235216

New online writing course: Write a Thing

Paul has launched a new online writing course, aimed at children aged 8-14 years-old. Demonstrating how to write a short play, or short story, in just 45 minutes, the resulting piece of work will then be published in an anthology with any money made from sales going to help the food banks.

This course was originally set to be a 2-hour course at a Cambridgeshire University, from September onwards (and still will be!), but due to the recent Coronavirus outbreak, Paul has tweaked it to be shorter and available online, to help give kids something else to do in these difficult times.

More information here: www.thepaulrichards.com/write-a-thing