I auditioned down in London on 21st February 2014 (I’ve kept the train ticket in my wallet as some form of good luck charm) and was told to expect a response on 1st March. I awoke at 5am on the 1st to an email from Berklee telling me that I’d been accepted and I was beyond elated: the thing I’d been thirsting for for close to 7 years had crossed over from the realm of fantasy into actuality. It felt as though my excitement and happiness helped to propel the following few months along because before I knew what was happening I was in Boston turning up to my first class.

I couldn’t possibly comment on every aspect of my time in Boston for fear that my descriptions wouldn’t do justice to the incredible experiences I had. In spite of this, one of the most phenomenal aspects of my time at Berklee, and one thing I specifically want to talk about, were the warm, beautiful, and talented people I met over there. It’s been my experience that the most incredible musicians, the ones who are the most gifted, the ones who work hardest and get the best gigs, are often also the most humble, a description that certainly rings true with the friends I made in Boston. I met people from literally all over the world, almost all of whom were younger than me and with seemingly infinite stores of creativity and ability. I felt constantly inspired to go away and practice and to be the best I possibly could be in the vain hope that I could enthuse people in the same way that I had been inspired. No part of my time there ever felt competitive, however- we all encouraged each other, watched each other develop, shared in the very few tedious experiences (hi there, Ear Training classes) and celebrated our various successes together- it was an unbelievably happy time.

Not to single anybody, or any people, out, but I have to mention Soleil Laurent, her loving family, and all the good people in the Quantum Split camp for giving me the opportunity to rehearse and play with them in New York. In all likelihood I will never get a chance to play in that city again but being able to do so over the course of a few months last year is something I will never forget. A truly once in a lifetime opportunity that I know many far more talented musicians than I would love to experience and yet very possibly never will.

And it was that exact sentiment that kept me working hard whilst I was in Boston, the feeling that I’d been presented with this incredible chance to study at this wonderful institution and that I knew there were hundreds, if not thousands, of other musicians that would love to be where I was. I didn’t want to waste any of my time there by doing anything half-heartedly or being satisfied with anything less than my absolute best.

I had two phenomenal private instructors whilst at Berklee, namely Victor Bailey and Lincoln Goines, two bass players whose reputations precede them and two people from whom I learnt a great deal. If you don’t know these guys then just type their names into Google and have a read. A brief amusing story about getting Victor as my teacher: I was asked what kind(s) of music I was interested in studying as a means of pinpointing a suitable private teacher. After mentioning jazz and funk music specifically this chap scrolled through the database on his computer and, without shifting his eyes from the screen, he said, “Tell me, have you ever heard of Victor Bailey?” I cleared my throat. He turned to look at me, a wry smile smeared across his face, just as my jaw dropped to the floor. In my mind I imagined myself donned in tweed, articulate and witty, responding in some humorous way, but in reality I was all pale and sweaty, blinking uncontrollably, yelling out random syllables in a way that I hoped would convey that I had indeed heard of Victor Bailey and that I would very much like for him to be my teacher. Victor is the absolute man: a ridiculous, RIDICULOUS player and an absolutely lovely guy to boot.

Whilst studying at Berklee, I also spent a lot of time in a town about an hour away called Plymouth. I was so lovingly welcomed into a community there, a community I still think about every day and one which I would love to become a permanent member of- being able to move over there permanently (and legally) is my next big project.

Whilst I try to steer clear of needless self-praise, being accepted to Berklee and being part of that community of musicians, even for just a couple of semesters, is one of the proudest achievements of my life. The worry, of course, is that after wanting something for so long and getting it, the actual experience inevitably doesn’t live up to expectations, something demonstrably untrue with my experiences in Boston. The years of frustration, worry and self-doubt have been… perhaps not fully laid to rest, but certainly temporarily satisfied by finally attending the school I wanted to go to. The positivity and enthusiasm that were key features of my time there continue to inspire me to keep striving to be the best I can be in my endeavours back here in the UK.

Find out more about Jamie here.

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It occurs to me that several rather significant things have occurred since July.  Whether it’s an independence referendum in Scotland, the startling rise to prominence of IS or the passing of Ian Paisley, it seems to me that the world is ever changing and constantly moving on to something new.

It’s strange to think that when such huge and significant changes are happening on a global and personal scale – I’m so totally and utterly captivated by music. You can discuss the ins and outs of politics and I’ll more than likely offer you an opinion but nothing came as natural to me as the vilification I had reserved for my friends and family that asked me what I thought of U2 and, more specifically, U2’s ‘free’ album.

First of all, it’s not free.  Apple paid them each a huge lump sum for the rights to distribute that album for diddly.  Do I blame U2 for releasing an album for free?  Of course I do.  I’m not U2 so naturally I’m incredibly jealous of the (rumoured) $25m that they received.  Each.  If Apple offered me that amount of money to distribute an album for free would I say yes?

Don’t. Be. Ridiculous.

Of course I’d say yes.

But have Apple offered me such a deal?  No.  So therefore I’m pretty annoyed.

Next time I’m at a gig I can guarantee when I try to sell our album (11 tracks of blood, sweat, tears and pure unadulterated promiscuity) somebody is going to point out that he can get U2’s for free, and I will have to contend with that.  Now granted, nobody is shelling my home or invading my homeland or asking me whether or not I want to live in a completely independent nation, but still, it’s pretty annoying.  I’m not in a position where I can afford/negotiate a deal to release an album for free so why would you compare me and my band to U2?

I mean for starters I don’t wear sunglasses when I’m inside.  I don’t want to look like a gigantic fly.  But following on from this point I fully understand why U2 have done what they’ve done.  It doesn’t mean that it’s right or that I like it.  I happen to think that it’s wrong and I definitely don’t like it.  But as I wind myself up into a frenzy of anti-Bono rhetoric I think that it’s worth remembering that I actually quite like U2’s music.  I’d also very much like to see them live one day, but moves like this by big guns in the music business do not help people at the bottom of the ladder, like us.

Speaking of the bottom of the ladder that’s where I felt like I was looking up from, at the magnificent Nimmo Brothers after my solo support set for them last month. What a show and a thoroughly nice bunch of blokes as well. If you haven’t already then I recommend that you check them out.

Our Can’t Get Enough video came out as well which has been well received and we’re already working on a video for Dead In the Morning!

Keep a look out for more gig announcements over the next while!  We’re doing another bit of travelling this week with Northampton and Cheltenham as our next stops – hope to see you there!

Also. Red Wine.  I’m a big fan.

TG

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Within days of the EP coming out, it had climbed to No.2 in the iTunes Blues Chart alongside the likes of Hugh Laurie and Joe Bonamassa. Six months down the line, we were named Jason Elliott’s ‘Young Act of the Year’ and the title track from the EP was named one of Dave Watkins’ Top Singles of 2013. I’m sure I speak for the rest of the band when I say that the support we have received has been fantastic and it’s all fed into the current crop of songs we’re working on, which are coming along very nicely.

In December we went into the studio with Dan Mizen to do some rough recordings of the songs we were thinking about putting on our first full-length album, which is set to be released this spring. I’m listening to those rough recordings as I write, and I’m even less sure than I was with the EP as to what type of music this is. We’re all bringing a wide range of influences to the table as we did with the writing of the EP, but it feels like we’re all more comfortable in doing so this time around and are taking a few more chances.

One track in particular, which has a working title of ‘Grim’, is decidedly funkier and – dare I say it – hip-hop…ier (?) than anything else we’ve written. It’s definitely our favourite to play at the moment and I think we’re all looking forward to seeing how it’s received. Another of the tracks, ‘Thinking About You’ is on the opposite end of the spectrum and has already suggested itself to us as a closing number for the album that should leave your head bobbing and a smile on your face.

As for the rest of the songs, I’ve been listening to them on repeat for a couple of days now, trying to define them for the purposes of this blog and giving you an idea of what to expect. I think all I can say is this: expect the unexpected. That’s generally been my guideline so far for working with this lovely bunch of people.

If you want to get an idea of what the album is going to sound like, we’ll be recording a live EP with Ont Sofa at the Corn Exchange in Leeds this Saturday at 7.45pm. Entrance is completely free thanks to the lovely people at the Corn Exchange, so there’s no excuse not to come!

Keep your eye on our Twitter and Facebook accounts for further updates, especially around mid-February when I expect one of us will give you an update from the studio!

N.B. When I say ‘expect the unexpected’, I don’t mean Death Metal. Or a goose for that matter.

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What I love about the Tom Gee Band is that we’re not interested in making a quick pound or two, being minor celebrities for a week and never heard of again. We want to create good quality music that makes you feel glorious. There’s a sense of longevity in that sentiment that no amount of fortune or celebrity can get you.

Last Friday saw the revamped Tom Gee Band in action at the Library, Leeds as part of the 360 Club night.  The feedback that we have received from it, from both the audience and other bands, has made all our hard work over the last few months completely worth it.  This was and still is a huge relief as the whole show was filmed as part of the BBC Introducing programme (which will be broadcast in a few weeks- we’ll let you know). From a personal standpoint, the one thing that has been evident right from the beginning of this new band is the incredible sense of energy that we all convey when we get together and play. Listening back to the recordings of last Friday’s gig that same energy, excitement and enthusiasm is still there. It feels great to be part of such a wonderful project with such a varied bunch of brilliant and creative young musicians.

The next gig we have is at the infamous Adelphi club in the sunny climates of Hull on the 16^th of February. If you’re about and want to listen to some good music, or want to try and prove me wrong (you won’t), then definitely come down for listen. Sounds good to me.

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