Contrary to Popular Belief...

I'M NOT PERFECT lol (thought that was funny)

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Gaudi Superstar

While listening to ‘Barcelona’ by Queen, I think the drama in that song could be a fitting tribute to Gaudi; The Spanish/French architect that was responsible for the famously garish, wild and expressive buildings dotted all around Barcelona.

Gaudi was the first to translate many of his inspirations from nature through shape, light, texture and colour through the structure of entire buildings. I know. I was in one. Sagrada Familia - his unfinished church was thought of as his piece de resistance, and prob his most famous work. I'd been before (with ESKA), but never inside.

This time we queued to get in. The outside of the building gave me goosebumps to look at. Not a measure had been left un-thought. But when I got inside, I was surprised. Disappointed, I was left cold and wishing for more garish Gaudi, but was actually looking at a (still incredible) structure, that had been polished, preened and left pristine by a project of ‘completion’ and constant restoration.

Apart from realising it hadn’t been Gaudi’s idea for the built-in spotlights or the plasma screens, you could see that someone or a group of people had been assigned to recreate or embellish what Gaudi had begun. I was seeking traces of what I thought was authentic, and those flashes of original genius were still very visible. But now, newer parts made it super clean-looking, and was missing Gaudi’s raw touch, and the magic that went with it.

Being in there inspired me so much. Still beautiful, but it reminded me that if you have a calling to do something special and to create something great, NOBODY ELSE can do it quite like you can. Gaudi was special and he did what he was put here to do! And even though he didn’t finish it, I’m glad he did.

People are in AWE of Gaudi’s creations today, so I reckon back then, people would have been either totally amazed or outraged. He would have divided a lot of people’s opinions. But his legacy that was based on creativity and truthful portrayals from good intentions, and his work still entertains the world (just like Freddy Mercury…) Marvellous.

Gaudi: Superstar

(not to be confused with Rowdy Superst*r)

tho I get the feeling he might agree...

x

UK Riots / Representing You

There were recently some riots that took place in London, and as a result, all over the UK too. I watched it unfold on the news, heard the sirens, saw the flames and I also saw a massive volcano of pain, failure, social issues and idiot behaviour erupt in my home city.

It left me sad and totally restless. Trying to think of ways to help. I went to help with the clean-up effort, though others really did put me to shame. I'm proud of the way Londoners remember that they can stand together. I was going mad on Twitter trying to keep people's spirits up! But I was really inspired by people's stories myself. Some artists online humbly expressed they didnt think it was the right time to promote their music, but I felt that for artists with positive vibes/messages, this was THE perfect time to make their presence felt even more, as it seems like there's not a lot of uplifting music, or images of decent things going around.

This whole episode (and others around the world like it) remind me why I've always felt so compelled to make music. And it's part of my offering to help make things better. Hence the song below. Full version unreleased, but I hope it does help somehow.... (lyrics below, acoustic version HERE) Two fingers up to the fame, there's bigger fish to fry. Like reminding everyone that darkness cannot exist in the presence of light... keep shining BRIGHT!!

Representing You by Sewuese

RIP Mark Douggan x

This will be what’s representing you

For the people, positive and true

If you want it then you, come and get it cos there’s

Plenty more where that came from, waiting out there for you

Verse 1

In the world today, there ain’t much that we can’t achieve

But along the way we forgot about love and peace

I don’t have all the answers, and the future is still unclear

But everyone has a story, and I think it’s time that we start to hear

People walk this way, if your story is yet untold

Cos in the rising tide, yes we all need a hand to hold

Climb these mountains, living free, building up the unity, stop the greed

And show the children, cos they will be

Chorus

This will be what’s representing you….

Verse 2

When you’re down and out, and your problems are coming through

And a simple smile, shouldn’t change things the way it should

We should rally together, in a way that we can be proud

Cos we tally together, they can’t ignore the ones who stand out

When you’re in a place, where you used to live happily

Every single face shows you let down or agony

We should sing in a chorus, that we found a way to survive

And we know that we came through the worst, but we still alive

Chorus...

Sometimes it gets so long, since we’ve seen the sun

We forget the price we’ve paid, and let things become this way

But if we carry on, then we won’t have a home

So here’s the positive and true, and they’re representing you