I got home at a decent time last night after another enjoyable gig. Sometimes, often, too often, the circuit can be a slog, but I’ve had two enjoyable shows in a row and right now, that’s something. Tonight, I’m gigging in north London and looking forward to this well-run night.
I probably got to bed too late, still aching from yesterday morning’s 10k run and my knee was playing up again. I resisted the temptation to down a couple of painkillers, hoping I’d find a way to doze off despite the discomfort.
There were some light rehearsals this morning in the flat. I always run through the different set lengths depending on what I’m doing on a night. I’d devoted a few days’ regular rehearsals, in the flat and on my runs, to Sunday’s 20-minute spot and with that over, I’ve been rehearsing my newest set. Last night, I aired a shorter version of it, and tonight, it’s the longer version. I’m still having to cut out some good stuff from this set but it’s good to know you’ve got material in reserve.
I arrived in the back-up café just after 11:30hrs with a new deodorant that I worry might be too ‘high profile’ for me. It smells nice. I can smell it now as I’m writing this, but that’s the thing. I’m such a reserved guy, I don’t really want to be noticed, unless I’m on stage. A few years ago, listening to one of Frank Skinner’s early radio shows, I remember him saying he didn’t believe people should stray too far from their original scents with their choice of fragrance. I’d echo that. You don’t want to stray into fantasy scent arena, a smell that’s far removed from your natural aroma. So, I’m all about the low-key scents. This one might be on the cusp.
A decade ago, when I was working with ‘The Kid’, easily one of the funniest guys I’ve ever known, so funny in fact that it was being around him every day that gave birth to my Daniel Ruiz Tizon is Available podcast that ran for ten years from 2012 and almost 450 episodes. I just couldn’t not be around this guy and not talk about it. He even went on to appear on a few shows, though he never once listened to an episode. And of course, who could forget his appearance on the live Christmas 2014 Bumper Christmas Annual that aired on Resonance FM? It’s still my favourite episode ever and remains available on my website.
Anyway, back to the anecdote. The Kid was very materialistic, very into his fashion and perfumes. He was always buying new fragrances and handing me down those he no longer wanted. One time he gave me this scent which was way too high profile for me. I can’t believe I used it for half a year. Every time a colleague asked me about the scent, and complimented me on a fragrance I didn’t actually like, The Kid would quickly jump in. “Yeah, I gave it to him, innit.” He was a twat, but I miss him.
I’ve just noticed Bizarro Me sat not quite at the back of the back-up café. It looks like he didn’t get his favourite table, which is now free, but he’s elected to stay put.
In other news, a small, white bearded men in a too-bright summer jacket and crocs (a choice of footwear that kills me) tells Muscular “You’re short of toilet roll in the bathroom.” That’s something I wish I could say to the staff here but it’s the type of conversation I find awkward.
White Beard doesn’t even segue into anything else.
No SMALL talk.
Nothing.
He’s just gone.
His point made.
13:31hrs
The familiar pre-gig nerves are already with me. The deeper I go into this, the more I’m starting to grasp that this is all about managing the build-up. Sunday’s spot in Bournemouth was the 20-minute opening slot. Last night I did a much shorter set in Pimlico, and yet, even though 24 hours earlier I was doing 20 minutes, those pre-gig nerves were back again last night.
You get yourself through it because you know you can do it and you will do it. You tell yourself, “But last night I was opening, I was doing 20. This tonight is a walk in the park by comparison.” That still doesn’t shift that anxiety though. But it’s that fear of the unknown, not knowing how a spot will go, that perhaps also makes this so exciting. Personally, I could do without the pre-show anxiety. Being on stage is often the easiest part of the night.
I order another decaf from Muscular. I notice, while in my seat, that I lean to the right slightly as I order. This ‘quirk’ has crept into my coffee ordering here. It doesn’t happen in THE café, perhaps because I’m more comfortable with the SW8 guys.
13:33hrs
The latte arrives quickly.
Too quickly.
The problem here is usually that you’re having to wait ages for your drink to arrive, but I’m always suspicious when a coffee arrives too early. Was this made for someone else and then they changed their mind?
It doesn’t feel too hot when I wrap my hands around the glass.
Still, I’m on the clock today and I’d like to be back in the flat in the next hour. I was about to end the post here. Which would be a dull way to end this missive. Then a man, late forties perhaps, tanned, a well-clipped 1940s-style ‘tache (think David Niven) makes a visually arresting entrance in a brown beret (the most pretentious of hats) and a brown corduroy suit.
Unusual.
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