26 January 2010

Black burning heart


His curly hair would makes some Welsh turn their back on sheep, his face has broken some heart and his deep voice, made him master of many ears. Black burning heart is not somebody you forget.
He has moved to London, nearly two years ago. "My band had split up, so did my girlfriend, I didn't have a job so I decided to move and make it in London". It seems easy enough, but really it isn't. It is hard to leave your family, your friends, and your history behind, even if you are 24 and only 200 miles from home. Lots of people come to London to "create" somebody else, to change who they were or what they did, to erase things they wanted to forget. I did it, and so I know you never really can do it. Black burning heart didn't either. His roots are still tied to him and this is a good thing. Not being a Londoner, but being one of the rare English in London, gives him a different outlook on things. The love/ hate relationship that he has with a city gives him strength.
We do have some similarities even if we are very different people. He too wants to live up to his passion. No just be satisfied in an easy path but try something different, to see how far he can go. Real passionate are quite rare. People ready to loose everything to fulfill their dreams. Black burning heart is one of them. He's often lacking sleep, sometimes seems selfish to his friends and family but never looses sight of his goal. Loads of people are scared of him, of his passion. If he is right, they might have wasted their life. I envy him this strength. I am not even half as focused and determined as he is.

Determination is something he does need here. Competition is tough in London. You just need to see the number of gigs played every night to see it. Being a talented bassist in a brilliant metal band might not be enough. Nowadays, people would rather buy Susan Boyle's CD than look for any good artist. Music is turning into a soulless business. You are either a rock star or you're nothing, there is not many alternatives.
I am not worried for him. "Talent is nothing without hard work" and he has both. Soon enough, he will rock this city and over the seas.

http://www.keanemusic.com/

17 January 2010

Cixxi, a silenced writer


Black hair, brown eyes, big boobs and firm ass, Cixi is sexy and so am I (not my word). We're both independent woman, often rebellious,(sometimes shameless) but always faithful (to our convictions). I didn't take her name out of the blue (I added an "X" per modesty - yes, I do have some, somewhere). I do not have powers but we share strength. And while Troy was her territory, London is my playground.
When you write in newspapers, moving to a country which you don't speak the language of seems like a bad idea. And it is. That's what I did though and never regretted it. 5 years later, I can use Shakespeare's language (not as well as he did but) well enough to decide it is time. Time to get back to my first love (I am not talking about my ex).
Being a writer is a complex mater. You don't become Conan Doyle or Virginia Wolf one morning (unless you're them). And even if you are lucky enough to have the talent (finger crossed), you need stories. "It is always better to write about something you know" is an old proverb. I am not always following this advice (or any) but here I have decided to do so. 
London is a complex city, so are its people and their stories. A cleaner working for one of London's most luxurious hotels; a soulful musician, trying to find his way up against market robots; a T total working for a wine company etc. these are some of the stories I will write about.
I am not a silent witness and from now on, I won't be a silenced writer. Good luck to you all.

In 10 years? I might be a famous columnist, writer or just a successful employee doing my 9am to 5pm in an office, who knows?
http://www.lanfeust.com/