Matt Hobbs

Kate & Ronan Go Latin!

2010-03-11T08:46:00.001Z

Cat Mask Amy
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

Saturday night was an epic Latin-fest at Kate & Ronan's house to celebrate their imminent trip to South America for a year. A great party, as these pics show, and as always.

We'll miss you! Have a splendid time.

Plus �a Change (Blogger: 10 years on)

2010-02-21T19:26:00.003Z

Many, many years ago I signed up for a young web service to host this blog. In fact it was almost ten years ago - or will be in a week. This service, Blogger, was the de-facto standard for web-log (or 'blog') hosting at the time - far and away the leader in a young market. A few years later Google bought them out, and the team who created it went on to other things. Wow. Time flies.

Now Google has decided that they can no longer afford the development effort to support how I, and I assume at least a few other people, and FTP publishing of blogs is being discontinued as of March 26th this year. Bugger. So this means at some point in the nearish future this blog will be moving over to a new platform, most likely Wordpress. Yes, I could magically host the domain on Google's hosting but part of me doesn't like the thought of everything I do being on one, increasingly monolithic provider (Microsoft, anyone?). That and I prefer to maintain more control over what I can and can't do with my blog and self-hosting Wordpress is a way to do that. For now at least.

So it's with a slight tear in my eye I big 'adieu' to Blogger. You've served me well for many, many years and for that I thank you.

Nico: A Beautiful Art Magazine

2010-02-21T19:16:00.003Z

nico magazine - issue 04

I picked up a copy of nico magazine due to the wonderful paper filigree cover by young artist Yulia Brodskaya - and I recommend you do the same. It's well designed in a mix of English and French, with stunning photography and other art works, but still maintaining a light touch. Go check it out - or just be inspired to try out cutting small bits of paper and sticking them down yourselves.

A Quick Travel Shout Out

2010-02-05T10:03:00.004Z

I just wanted to say that over all my years of travel there have been many websites that helped me out - but one really stands out of late. Kayak, which now owns rival SideStep, is a flight comparison engine that works in browser to search multiple flight sites and suggest the best price. It's not always right when it gets to the final price, but even so it will generally point you in the direction of the cheapest flight. Thanks, Kayak!

For the love of good music videos

2010-01-15T11:48:00.003Z

Through some circuitous route that, for now, escapes me (but possibly involved Grizzly Bear) I just came across this great site full of intimate impromptu performances from great indie bands. Check out Arcade Fire's two songs - first in a freight elevator, and then out in the middle of the audience waiting for them to come on stage. Some very happy fan faces there. I love this! Who knows how our concert visits will pan out this year after last year's epic excess of wonderfully intimate gigs, but with sites like this you can capture that small venue feel in the comfort of your own home. When you're not playing Beatles Rock Band of course...

A Very Neon New Year to Everyone

2009-12-31T17:55:00.001Z

Space Invader Neon @ Lazarides Grifters Show
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

As the last few hours of 2009 draw to a close we can reflect on the year that's been. Or we can do the same as every newspaper across the world has done and reflect on the decade that's been - the 'noughties'.

2009 for me has been dominated by an increasingly joyous obsession with Space Invader graffiti, combined with my first full year of work in London since '97 and the opportunity to do some European travel. Prague, Paris and Barcelona all featured - as did happy return trips to New York and Toronto. My carbon footprint has been quite heavy this year, apologies to the world on that. There have also been a number of weddings - so further congratulations to Aimi and Gary, Paul and Victoria and Chris and Cecilia on that front. Not to mention the great increase in quality time spent with my family now we're on the right side of the world again.

2009 was also a great year for gigs - from perennial faves TV on the Radio, Daedelus, PJ Harvey and the amazing Blur reunion gig at Southend. We thought that Blur wouldn't be beaten, but then a last minute intimate Pearl Jam gig at Shepherd Bush snuck in there to give them a good run for their money, as well as unexpectedly superb Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Pixies gigs. Wow. 2010 has a lot to live up to there.

As to the decade. Well you can read this blog if you want, which started in earnest on February 27th, 2000 with this unauspicious first post. Yes, this blog is almost turning ten! It's seen a lot of good times with friends around the world, and a lot of tragedy with the events of 9/11 and the election of George Wanker Bush amongst others. Although the Internet has revolutionised our world, it hasn't helped us to overcome the fears and governmental idiocy that have been introduced at the same time - or at least not yet..

Decade highlights for me have to be the arrival of four nieces and nephews, getting to travel round the world and learning to scuba dive, living in New York and Montreal, making some great friends, and spending half that decade with the ever lovely Miette.

So for everyone, everywhere - here's to a happy, healthy 2010 and the decade beyond. Go for your dreams and don't listen to the naysayers. Skol!

Anish Kapoor @ RA

2009-12-20T23:36:00.002Z

Anish Kapoor @ RA
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

We managed to catch the very end of Anish Kapoor's lauded show at the Royal Academy last Friday. Even more luckily we got in thanks to my Dad's membership card which meant we didn't have to queue round the courtyard to see it (even with extended 11pm closing). Popular chap this Anish Kapoor!

The show was amazing, covering a span of Kapoor's work from his early years through to pieces that were commissioned just for this show. The saturated colours Kapoor favoured in his early years were back with a vengence, as well as amazing mirrors, rusted pieces, exuded 'worm casts' and a new leaning towards wax that means that the pieces are constantly evolving as the show runs on. Most amazing of all these was an immense, red 'train' of wax that moves almost imperceptibly slowly through three galleries. Stunning. You can see more pics here.

I Love Barcelona (and Marmite)

2009-11-29T15:41:00.002Z

Hate / Love Marmite Wall
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

We're just back from an impromptu short trip to Barcelona. Our plan for the week off had been looking round London areas to move to, but the Great British weather had other plans. So as a result of a hangover (good to see you, TIm) and easyJet we went from getting up at 10am with no plans to being in lovely, warm Barcelona at 7pm. Splendid.

Barcelona was wonderfully relaxing. Eating great tapas at Set de Born in the evenings. Walking along the beach in the sun. Slow, languorous breakfasts at Kasparo. Comfy designer chic at the Soho hotel. Getting lost in the old city. Perfectly perfect.

We even enjoyed our virgin easyJet experience - something I'd been dreading with some of the stories you hear. Now we have some easyJet 'tricks': do internet check-in to get on the plane quicker to choose your seat, their unlimited weight carry-on policy means you only need to pre-buy a single hold allowance if you want to buy wine, and bring some food, books & other entertainment. That and the check-in at Barcelona airport is miles away from the main T2 building (at sector C), which in itself is confusing to get to from T1 (you have to go downstairs to level zero to get a connecting bus) - but the BCN aerobus is cheap and quick.

Barcelona photos will be uploaded soon(ish), especially as Lightroom now has a release candidate that supports the wonderful Canon S90, but in the meantime enjoy this wall of stickers from the pop-up Marmite shop on Regent Street. Mmm... marmite.

Space, Invaded (NYC Map Stylee)

2009-11-12T12:43:00.001Z

NYC Space Invader map #2
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

Huzah! I finally have my own New York Space Invader map thanks to Mister eBay. Now if only I'd won the other three auctions for Perth, LA and Cote d'Azur as well... bugger.

Fleetwood Mac @ Wembley Arena

2009-11-01T14:25:00.003Z

You may have noticed over the years that I'm not one for going to large stadium gigs. The intimate, smaller venues are almost so much more engaging - and generally a lot cheaper - for most bands that I love. That said, I have been very lucky with the bands I have seen in smaller venues. Sometimes though, you just have to bite the bullet and Friday night was just such a time - to see Fleetwood Mac play Wembley Arena - and I'm very glad I did.

The band came on around 8.30pm and started off quite slowly, with a bit of chat and a few slow songs. Stevie Nicks seemed a bit faltering and the energy was a bit off, but then, suddenly, everything turned around as they belted out hit after hit with barely a pause in between. Lindsay Buckingham did most of the audience interaction for the night, and seemed to be on stage more than any other band member performing a number of solo acoustic versions of classic songs. Never Going Back Again was stunning and moving and Buckingham's guitarmanship is outstanding. Around an hour in the band was on top form, Nicks seemed to be more comfortable and started engaging more with the audience, and during World Turning we were treated to an extended guitar solo with shouted audience instructions from Mick Fleetwood, which culminated in a turntable/drumming head to head before the rest of the band came back on stage to finish the song.

I don't think any Fleetwood Mac fan was disappointed, other than by the absence of Christine McVie. They played songs from all stages of their career - even solo efforts from Nicks and Buckingham and, most wonderfully, the blues classic 'Oh Well' from their pre Nicks and Buckingham incarnation - with Lindsay carrying off Peter Green's singing and searing guitar with energy and impact. The only downside on the night was that we were so far back and the video screens were a bit crap, but the energy carried around the arena to keep us hooked. The full set, with no support, was about two and a half hours - three encores - impressive stuff and a wonderful night.

Happy Octoberween Everyone!

2009-11-01T14:17:00.002Z

At this time of great joy and happiness, the BBC has a piece on the ever expanding influence of Halloween - a festival that Americans have taken into their hearts. The Beeb also asks whether Halloween has gotten too commercial, something that has been worrying me more every year.

This year I saw my first shop selling pumpkins and masks two months ago! In summer!! Is nothing sacred anymore? When will we get back to Halloween's roots - as a time of scaring and egging of houses? As a time when small children eat enough sweets to be sick? Instead, big business has made it another opportunity to up the bottom line. Shame on you corporate world! Can't you stick to ruining Christmas with mass consumption?

Film: Two Days in Paris (3/5)

2009-10-15T12:59:00.003+01:00

Last night we watched the interesting indie flick Two Days in Paris starring/written and produced by Julie Delpy, and co-starring Adam Goldberg. Delpy and Goldberg play a couple who met in New York, but are visiting Delpy's parents in Paris for a two day stopover at the end of a European trip. Delpy plays an artistic, slightly dippy photographer, and Goldberg a hyper-neurotic, hairy Jewish Interior Designer.

Paris, as always in such films, is the real star here. Beautiful angles of lesser seen arondissments and a wonderful glimpse into real Parisian life and apartments as we follow their whistle stop catch-up with the town Delpy grew up in. Delpy gives us all a look at how life can be if you're young, artistic and Parisian, all of which plays nicely off the counterfoil of Goldberg's closed, paranoid and generally rude boyfriend. That said their dynamic is enjoyable to watch, if slightly forced and leaving a feeling you're watching a movie that Woody Allen might have done were he this young now. No bad thing in itself. That and the fact that most of the characters talk little English and Goldberg makes no real attempt to learn himself gives much of the film its meat, that and the wonderful characters of Delpy's parents.

Well worth a watch if you like indie European flicks with a Woody-Allenesque feel.

The Imaginarium Opens Tomorrow - Friday 16th

2009-10-15T11:20:00.003+01:00

Terry Gilliam's latest magnum opus, featuring Heath Ledger in his fateful last ever role, is opening tomorrow in cinemas across Britain. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a beautiful gothic fantasy set in modern day London. The story revolves around the mysterious Doctor Parnassus who has the skill to guide your thoughts to reveal your inner imaginary world. Parnassus was once a monk who made a deal with the devil for long life, and many other deals and bets since then, one of which involves the soul of his first child due at the age of 16. Parnassus tried to prevent this by never having a child, but (un)fortunately he did - a daughter played by the sparkling Lily Cole. And so the scene is set for the story.

As Parnassus and travelling show troupe try to save his daughter's soul they come across Tony, played by Heath Ledger, hanging from Southwark bridge. They save him and he, in turn, acts to save them - or does he? All is not clear as Tony's character evolves. Along the way Tony finds out about Parnassus' magic mirror that reflects your innermost mind and enters it himself - and it is here that Terry Gilliam's genius saved the movie when Heath unfortunately passed away - every time Tony enters the mirror he becomes another actor; Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell all take up the reigns to play the mirror Tony and to great effect.

Go and see this movie. You won't see much press about it as Terry Gilliam is one of the most talented Directors in the world today but his movies never sit comfortably in the 'blockbuster' genre and so marketing departments seem to give up in despair - instead he makes us pay attention to the wonders he creates on screen and use our brains and imaginations to full effect. Parnassus sits with Gilliam's classic fantastical movies; Time Bandits, Brazil, Baron Munchausen and the Brothers Grimm - all wonderful flights of fancy and visual feasts. More info on the film and a larger copy of this wonderful poster can be found here.

The Pixies Do Doolittle

2009-10-09T01:11:00.001+01:00

Black Francis in Action
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

I have to admit to not being a huge fan of The Pixies, even though I know most of their songs through cultural osmosis. So the thought of seeing them play just one album, albeit their seminal album Doolittle, all the way through had me slightly apprehensive. Thankfully this apprehension proved misplaced, as we were all in the capable hands of some of the finest alternative rock musicians in the world.

Rocking tunes, amazing visuals, and my first proper mosh in way too long made for yet another great gig in a year of great gigs. What the band lacked in between song banter, they certainly made up for in energy and precision, delivering hit after hit to an audience that lapped it up and just wanted more. The more in this case being a smattering of Doolittle B-Sides and a couple of classic hits off the album. Wonderful. Plus Art Brut were the support, could it be any better?

If you can get a ticket to tomorrow night, the last of their four sell out shows, then go - you certainly won't be sorry. Otherwise just click for more photos of The Pixies in action.

Meeting my Idols #2: Terry Gilliam

2009-10-08T08:26:00.001+01:00

Terry Gilliam in Q&A @ The Curzon Mayfair
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

Last night we had the joy of seeing Terry Gilliam's latest film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, followed by a Q&A with the great director himself. All very exciting stuff.

The film is awesome, a fantastical myth making tale along the lines of Baron Munchausen, with great performances from all the actors. The way in which Heath Ledger's untimely departure from halfway through filming is handled extremely well and, if anything, adds to the film - as in some scenes Heath's English accent veers a little antipodean or is smothered in excessive use of the word 'mate'.

Lily Cole is visually stunning and hypnotising as Parnassus' daughter, unaware of her imminent fate as the trade made in a bet between Parnassus and the Devil - played excellently by Christopher Plummer and Tom Wait respectively. Why are Gilliam's casting choices always so spot on?

After the fun of the film we got to spend a while in Q&A with Terry Gilliam. He was at ease, happy to go into stories, and full of interesting anecdotes. The only annoyance was the apparent inability for some audience members to not ask questions regarding Heath's death and family, all of which had been answered by Terry in many of his recent interviews or were just deeply inappropriate.

Post Q&A Terry was thronged by fans outside in the bar, some more greedy with his time than others, but thankfully he found a few seconds on the way out the day to sign my favourite Brazil DVD. Huzah! Fanboy #2 goal achieved (#1 being meeting Eddie Izzard back in '98 of course).

September so far...

2009-09-22T17:21:00.003+01:00

Hmm.. seem to have been a bit too quiet on the ol' blog-o-sphere this month! This I attribute to not having anything witty or insightful to say. Apparently my Mercury is heavily retro-graded according to my ever helpful friend Paula. Possibly I'm just recovering from an epic August full of weddings and other fun stuff.

So, a brief update on the month so far: we've wandered around many areas in North London to try and work out where to live next. Hampstead was very nice but stupidly expensive, but the heath is lovely and you can swim in the lakes as long as you don't mind catching something! London Fields was lovely but stupidly expensive. Stoke Newington had a nice park, and was only ridiculously expensive - notice a trend here? Living in London may have its upsides, but cost of living certainly isn't one of them. We also went along to the London Twestival, which was great fun - most of which was had doing craft making small Twitter style birds. Ah, bless.

This last weekend we saw the ever wonderful Massive Attack at Brixton Academy last friday, where Martina Topley Bird did a stunning beatbox version of Black Steel. Then Saturday was a day full of family nephew related fun around London, followed by our first trip to Buttoned Down Disco which was highly enjoyable.

Sunday we braved the many thousands of other cyclists at the London Skyride. It's a wonderful chance to cycle round car free streets in central London, but I have to say it feels less safe cycling round with little kids either wobbling around left and right or zooming through small gaps than it does with cars! That and the somewhat OTT corporate sponsorship from Sky and the highly un-environmentally friendly rubbish, plastic bags, etc generated by the free giveaways. Bio-degradable bags, anyone?

Other than that I are mostly be running a lot. Or was at least until last night, when my knee gave out going past the Houses of Parliament. So another fitness regime has bitten the dust.. for now!

Congratulations Chris and Cecilia!

2009-08-31T23:11:00.001+01:00

The Happy Couple
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

Well the last wedding of the summer is over - so it's a big congratulations to Chris and Cecilia (aka Mr and Mrs Child)! And also a big thank you to them and their families for organising such a splendid wedding-fest.

There are a few more photos up here.

Nun with a Gun

2009-08-24T10:31:00.001+01:00

20090808-IMG_2396
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

There are some photos up now from Paul's stag do in Oxford the other weekend. Much nun and gun related antics and fun was had by all. So a big thanks to Iain for organising, even with a broken arm and a morphine habit to boot. Paul's married now to the lovely Victoria, so I've been told it's safe to release these photos to the wild as divorces are expensive {;)

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Pearl Jam @ Shepherds Bush: Addendum

2009-08-13T11:02:00.003+01:00

Some more exciting news - one of my pictures got picked up by RollingStone.com - and as of this second it's currently on the front page - woo! Fame and fortune at last.

For those of you interested, the set list for Pearl Jam's amazing gig at Shepherds Bush:

Sometimes
Interstellar Overdrive
Corduroy
The Fixer
All Along The Watchtower
Why Go
Dissident
Severed Hand
Given To Fly
Lowlight
Light Years
Evenflow
Present Tense
Save You
Down
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
Brother
Do The Evolution
Got Some

Encore #1

The End
Inside Job
Betterman
Alive

Encore #2

Soldier of Love
State Of Love And Trust
The Real Me
Yellow Ledbetter

All this from here.

Pearl Jam @ Shepherds Bush Empire.. WTF!

2009-08-12T01:06:00.001+01:00

Eddie Vedder & Ronnie Wood @ Shepherds Bush Empire
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

A few weeks ago Pearl Jam announced an intimate, pre O2 Arena gig at the 2000 capacity Shepherds Bush Empire. Given that they sold out the O2 in 11 minutes it was always going to be a long shot that we'd manage to get any tickets to SBE. Guess what? We didn't. Real hardcore fans (ie, not me) started to 'line up' electronically at TicketWeb at 4am, before the 9am actual sale started - so my attempt at 8.45am was too little, too late.

Or at least we hadn't gotten tickets, until about 3pm today, when the wonderfully, Twitter-tastic @o2sbe mentioned that TicketWeb had a few last minute tickets on sale... This was a tweet I almost missed, but thankfully didn't, so a few seconds later I was on Ticketweb trying to buy tickets to no avail. It looked like it had already sold out. Poot.

Except they hadn't sold out. In fact the Tweet had been a bit too early. As a few minutes later I tried again and voila! Ticket were on sale! Not only that, but stalls tickets were on sale. So after a fevered few minutes and 90 quid burnt on my credit card (again) we were in possession of two stalls tickets to one of the hottest gigs this year. My evening plans had suddenly changed and here was I wearing a business shirt instead of something suitably alt-rock-esque.

A few hours later, tickets in hand, touts avoided along with the pleading gaze of many people holding home made 'tickets needed', we entered the packed Shepherds Bush Empire. Drinks purchased we found ourselves a comfortable spot near our usual bar alongside a very short Matthew Horne (of Gavin and Stacey fame) before some loud mouthed Scottish banter sent him scurrying up to the celeb balcony to continue playing with his phone. Everyone was in high spirits, both drunken and in terms of their height as this had to be the tallest crowd we'd ever seen at the Empire. Then, around 8.45, the magic began as Pearl Jam came on stage and everyone went a little bit crazy. Because it was Pearl Jam. And because Pearl Jam still know how to rock. Oh yes, they do.

I can't remember the exact set list from their fan friendly set of mostly hits, with a few new tracks and covers thrown in. They covered 'All Along the Watch Tower' - and to make sure it was extra special they brought out Ronnie Wood to play along with them. Yes, Ronnie f*cking Wood. Celebrity excess aside the crowd got to bounce and sing along like crazy folk to Even Flow, Alive, Better Man, Dissident and Jeremy amongst others that escape me now. They even found time to thank Obama for winning the presidency and not forcing them to pretend to be Canadian. Eddie has a lovely line in crowd banter, bless. Two encores later and we all had to go home. Ears ringing from guitar splendour. Legs aching from most frenzies. And most importantly, faces plastered with the biggest grins ever.

Thank you Pearl Jam (and @o2sbe) for making what was supposed to be a boring night in one of the best nights this year. I thought Blur was going to be the uncontested highlight of this year, but you guys gave them a good run for their money! Now if only Kurt Cobain was still alive I could try and complete my University musical taste triumvirate...

Pearl Jam play Shepherds Bush Empire - August 11th!

2009-07-15T10:11:00.003+01:00

In what is likely to be one of the 'must see' gigs this year for indie rockers, if not the rest of us, Pearl Jam have announced a special one-off gig at Shepherds Bush Empire on August 11th. It's time to beg, borrow or steal your way in there folks, as this promises to be something else.

Of course considering Pearl Jam sold out London's humongous O2 in 17 minutes I think we can all safely assume that those not in the industry will have a gnats piss chance in hell of getting in. Still, hope springs eternal, and for those of you who are hopeful (read: 'deluded') what you need to do is pre-order a copy of Pearl Jam's new album Backspacer from HMV.com. They will then send you a unique link that lets you fight it out during the pre-order period between 21st and 22nd July. For the rest of us tickets are on sale July 23rd but let's face it.. there won't be any beyond 0.1ms into the pre-sale assuming HMV's servers don't go into meltdown. Which they will.

Essex Dogs

2009-06-22T00:56:00.001+01:00

Damon Albarn - Blur @ Southend
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

Just got back from Southend where we saw Blur perform their "first official gig" (according to Damon himself). And what a gig it was.

From the very start the Blur boys rocked like they'd never stopped with a long set of all their hits. Song 2, The Universal, PopScene, Essex Dogs, Chemical World, Modern Life is Rubbish and of course, Girls & Boys, which had the whole crowd jumping along for the first of many pogo sessions.

They have a few smaller gigs to follow over the next few weeks - so if you get the chance go see them for a show you won't forget.

The Happy Couple & Friends

2009-06-21T16:12:00.001+01:00

The Happy Couple & Friends
Originally uploaded by ultrahi.

A big congratulations again to Aimi & Gary, who tied the knot yesterday in a wonderful ceremony at Orchardleigh Estate near Frome.

And a big thanks for organising such an amazing celebration in such a beautiful location! You've just set a high standard for the rest of the weddings we're going to this summer. Pretty sure we won't get to stay in a tower with a four poster bed and a bathroom on a separate floor very often - lush.

More photos as soon as I find a spare moment to get through them. Right now though we have to shoot off to see Blur...

Looking back at the Demon Days

2009-06-14T17:40:00.003+01:00

You can currently watch the Gorillaz documentary 'Bananaz' online for free right now. It's a great behind the scenes look at one of this decade's biggest bands, from the initial conception right through to their rapidly sold out shows in NYC.

To Scrappage or not to Scrappage?

2009-06-14T11:57:00.004+01:00

Recently the UK government announced a scrappage scheme, whereby you can scrap your old car and get £2000 or more in return for buying a new car. The theory behind this is pretty straightforward, incentivise people to get their old, unevironmental cars off the road and at the same time stimulate the UK car market. Simple.

Of course although many people have jumped at the chance to get this 'free money' the reality is much more complex. It looks as though some car dealers put their prices up on the new cars that they then 'reduce', meaning you can save more money from just buying a car without trading in your old clunker. Not so good from a money standpoint. And from an environmental perspective, the strict scrappage rules define that any car over 10 years is worth scrapping - but is that necessarily the case? Are we just creating more landfill from the unrecylclable parts of a car rather than learning to maintain what we have - a much more green approach to life.

Either way the scrapage scheme is here with us for a year at least, so make your own mind up. As for us, well our car isn't quite ten years old - even if we did have enough spare cash to buy that new Ferrari I need for my pre-mid-life crisis. Mmm... red.