For a while now I've been debating with myself whether to blog this.
I have no idea why.
Among every thing else this week, I have been to visit Ris at his house for the first time. meta matic central - the 'headquarters' of all things Fox. Not nearly as far away as either of us thought, and I managed the journey up there in just over the two hours, but hit traffic on the M3 on the way home. Serves me right for trying to get back into Southampton for 6pm I suppose.
We got on well enough, but his nerves at my presence rather surprised me. There still seems on his part to be an element of 'checkng out' going on, and I am wondering if he is uncomfortable wth the friendship that is developing beyong our 'professional' relationship.
Tx has suggested (and now it seems obvious) that the nerves and anxiety are what contributed to his reversing the car into a post, causing an ear-splitting crunch and £500 worth of damage while trying to park up for lunch. Unnecessary too - a sandwich at the desk would have been fine,a nd we could have got more done.
Maybe this is a Big Deal for him, never having had any one else in this kind of role before. I'm honoured, and sincerely flattered to be here, in this room, surrounded by all this incredible stuff.
Ultra Vox paraphernalia, memorabilia everywhere, floor to ceiling. Signed photos of the band, gold discs etc etc. The compilation of the eight album Ant hology project is nearing completion. A major piece of work.
Fox artwork stacked against the wardrobe, a little dogeared. Priceless original collages for single sleeves and albums rescued from the scrapheap where they were cast when the dog chewed the corner. There is so much of it.
I felt most of the time like a kid in a sweet shop, but remain truly staggered by the amount of material there is still to go on the website. We discussed presentation of media, interviews, photographs, discography, updates, movie clips etc etc. So many fantastic ideas and opportunities among the hesitancy and reservation.
Fascinating day. I feel disappointed, frustrated, hopeful and inspired.
Rounded off nicely in the evening by an email from SM touching on a project to look into the artwork side of things in greater detail. I have ideas but no solutions.
Meanwhile, the man is in Leeds tomorrow showing Tiny Colour Moves, and the 'last gig' is only two weekends away.
I didn't ask about the news and the gossip because it isn't right that I should do so. I don't wan to know what the five 'exclusive' fan-chosen tracks will be, but it isn't difficult to specualte quite accurately. I have no doubt these will include The Graden and Eurpoe After The Rain, and would put money on Your Dresss being included as well. Morning Glory is likely to make an appearance too I would imagine, alongside Ener The ANgel.
I could of course, be completely wrong.