A Week of iPhone Vlogs
It was kind of accidental, but after having so much fun making a whole bunch of iPhone vlogs last week I just carried on during the first week back at work, and made one every day. Each one comes with a brand new soundtrack sketch too.
iPhone Vlogs: May Half Term
Recently I've been quite tough on myself creatively: only wanting to release more and more polished ideas. This lead to forgetting how much fun it is to simply capture moments as they fly by, imperfect though they may be, and ended up simply making less stuff. So this week, I've tried to shake that feeling off, and gone back to where this blog started: one minute videos and soundtracks — all created on my phone.
Video Blog: Westquay Science Day
A couple of weeks ago, my sister and I took our niece and nephew out for the day.
We headed over to the science day that Winchester Science Centre were running at Westquay. As the snow started to fall, we popped in to Byron Burger for lunch, followed by cookies for pudding. Finally, a trip to Mayflower Park ended with warming hot chocolates back home before saying goodbye.
Instagram Story
Video Blog: Festival of Lights 2018
Last year, Westquay hosted the first Festival of Lights, and looking back on the video blog and soundtrack from an evening trip, it's one of my favourites of the year. This year we took another trip, along with another dinner at Wahaca too.
2017
2017 has been full of unexpected developments. Along the way this year, I've found that documenting life, as moments fly by, has helped me find space to pause and reflect.
Work
Last years Music Tech Project filled most of my work time at the start of 2017, coming to an end in July. The project was a huge success, with over 2,000 young people (many of whom face challenging circumstance in their life) taking part in over 250 hours of music-making with iPads.
The end of the Music Tech Project overlapped with being made Interim Hub Manager at Southampton Music Hub in May, covering for my boss during her maternity leave this year. As part of my new role, I've helped oversee the formation of Southampton Music Trust — a new charity helping advance music education in the city— and helped write the business plan that secured a further two years of funding from Arts Council England.
Finally, in November I joined the team at Solent University as an Associate Lecturer in Popular Music Production. I've spent the past two months finding my feet and helping out with the end of a few modules for semester one. In semester two I will be taking on my own modules, something I'm really excited to do.
Family
When I was studying at University, and my first Niece was young, I had time to spend with her most weeks. As the family has grown — including the beautiful Imogen Faith who arrived in March — work and school and other life circumstances have changed, and there is less regular time spent with my nieces and nephews. Instead of regular time, I've had to focus on trying to spend quality time with all three little ones instead. In June I got to take two of them to the Isle of Wight, and this Christmas was incredibly special, sharing time and gifts with them that I hope will show them know how much they are loved and valued.
Friends
I will confess, being busy with work, and life, has meant that I've not had enough time to spend with friends this year. Luckily, I have some amazing friends who are understanding and supportive, and are still willing to see me, even after months of radio silence. To see my friends Emma and Davyd raise their adorable daughter in to a kind, thoughtful and brave little girl has been incredible — I'm in awe of the beautiful family they are making together. Also, having friends who share and support my love of making music has been a a very special thing to share this year.
Music
I've continued to work with Emma on new music for her Pyra project this year. The album is really taking shape, and whilst we someimes feel frustrated at how long it is taking to complete, the process, with all it's stops and starts, has meant that the ideas, and the creative minds that make them, have been nurtured with kindness — it is very special to work with someone who values both of those things.
I put up two new soundtracks in August, Style and Play, which I worked on with Matt Mead and David Fletcher, and have become the starting point for the six pieces of music I'm currently working on for release in 2018. Play was featured by BBC Introducing South, including getting to talk about how creating music for this blog has helped improve my mental health.
Trough the Stars was a multimedia art piece I worked on in October, made using astronomy photographic plates from University of Southampton. I was really delighted by the final images and the soundscape that emerged too.
Visual
My visual style has both developed, and changed this year. Trying to document more of the every day has meant that I've used my phone camera more, and my DSLR less. I've used Instagram stories a lot this year, and I really enjoy that format: I really want to do more with them in 2018.
2017 has been full of unexpected developments. Along the way this year, I've found that documenting life, as moments fly by, has helped me find space to pause and reflect. My hope is that in 2018, I can be more present, more reflective, and more balanced.
What did 2017 bring in your life, and how have you found space to reflect upon those changes? What are your goals for 2018?
My Seven Favourite Blog Posts from 2017
This blog has grown and changed in so many unexpected ways this year. Here are seven of my favourite posts from 2017:
- Breakout Youth
In February it was an honour to make a video with this amazing group, who support LGBT+ youth in Southampton, and help them win a Hampshire Pride Award - Imogen Faith
Causing quite a panic on her arrival, Imogen Faith was born in March, making me an uncle for the third time - An Adventure on the Isle of Wight
In June, I took my Niece and Nephew to the Isle of Wight, and the vlog of the day is one of my favourites of the year - Style
In August, I made a soundtrack and video blog with Matt and Dave, all written and recorded in one day - Play
At the end of August, we followed up Style with Play, which later was featured on BCC Introducing South - Through the Stars
In October I made a multimedia art piece using astronomy photographic plates donated by University of Southampton - Vlogmas 2017
Filming every day in the lead up to Christmas was a huge challenge, but also incredible fun. I love weeks one, two and three, but the 18 minute video blog for week four is my favourite of the year
Vlogmas 2017 (Week Four): Christmas Day with Family, Food and Presents
The final week of vlogmas includes the lead up to, and the big days its self.
In the lead up up the big day, there's lot of food to be prepared, and celebrations with friends. On Christmas Day, there's more food, plus time with family enjoying time together and some gifts.
Christmas Day Food:
This year's dinner was very similar to last years feast, with a few changes:
- Turkey
Local, organic, free-range bird from Uptons of Bassett, roasted with rapeseed oil, lemons, clementines, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, sage and thyme - Gravy
Made from roasting juices and organic chicken stock - Pork shoulder stuffing with red onion, chestnuts, sage and cranberries
A Jamie Oliver recipe with some modifications, including dried cranberries added and gf bread crumbs - Sausages in bacon
Use thinly slice pancetta for wrapping for extra flavour and crunch - Roast potatoes
Par-boiled, left to cool, then roast in rapeseed oil, with rosemary - Roast parsnips
Par-boiled, left to cool, then roasted with honey - Carrots with butter, sugar and star anis
Cooked in butter, sugar and star anise from a Tom Kerridge recipe - Cauliflower cheese
Gently roasted cauliflower covered in a basic béchamel sauce, with lots of cheese in, and cheesy breadcrumbs over the top - Brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts
A BBC Good Food recipe - Red cabbage with apple and balsamic vinegar
An amalgamation of a number of recipes, including spices, red onions, apples, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar - Cranberry and apple sauce
Another amalgamation of recipes from all over, following the basics of this Jamie Oliver recipe, but with my own spices added - Green beans with lemon
Lightly boiled and dressed in fresh lemon and rapeseed oil - Butternut squash mash with spiced roasted seeds
Roasted the squash whole, mashed the flesh and served with the seeds roasted in cumin and paprika - Steamed Spinach
Simply steamed and served
Christmas Gifts
I got some amazing gifts, including my favourite scent (Givenchy Pour Homme Blue Label) and a Hans Zimmer Masterclass.
I got my family all kinds of bits. Particularly successful gifts were books for my Dad (including Post-Capitalism: A Guide to Our Future by Paul Mason — one of my favourite reads from 2017), and "Strong Girls Club" tops for my nieces from Muthahood.
Vlogmas 2017 (Week Three): Finishing Work For Christmas
Week three of vlogmas includes lots of songwriting, food, and finishing work for Christmas.
An Adventure on the Isle of Wight
At Christmas we promised my niece and nephew a trip to the Isle of Wight, two weeks ago, we got to go on that adventure.
Video Blog: Abbotsbury
During half term, I drove west along the south coast, to meet my very good friend Corrie in Abbotsbury.
Corrie works at The Clock Workshop, just at the bottom of St Catherine's Hill. After meeting her for work, we walked up, past St Catherine's Chapel, and sat overlooking Chesil Beach.
We walked back down for dinner at the village pub — a halloumi, pepper and humous burger, followed by a chocolate brownie for me — before going to watch the sunset from Chesil Beach.
Video Blog: Saturday 22 April 2017
I spent the last weekend of my Easter Holidays exploring the New Forest with Emma and Annora Bird; drinking and heading out in to town with friends; and then recovering the next day with Nandos and drinks with Alice.
Video Blog: Friday 21 April 2017
Friday 21 April 2017: vocal session with Pyra follwed by dinner and drinks with Dave and Livi
Video Blog: Wednesday 19 April 2017
It's been so good to have time off work to spend with friends. Video blogging these simple, lazy days helps to make memories from moments that are all too easy forgotten,
Video Blog: Monday 17 April 2017
Vlogging my day on Monday 17 April 2017 — Easter Monday.
After a lazy start, I met Wez and Dan at Weatherspoons for lunch, followed by a drink at Maritimo Lounge. The day ends with a relaxed evening with Ellie and Dave in Chandlers Ford.
A Day In London
I was in London this week for a day with the Musicians Union. After staying overnight, I spent the day seeing family and friends.
After a morning at the British Museum, taking in the 'American Dream' exhibit, I met Dan and Luke on the South Bank, for lunch, drinks and a visit to the Tate Modern. After dinner with my brother and (soon to be) sister-in-law, it was time to head home.
Becky's 30th Birthday
My sister-in-law turns thirty today, and this weekend we threw a little party to celebrate.
Throwing someone a party is way of showing them how special they are. To me, that means that every party has to be unique. As with my sister's party last weekend, all the hours spent making food, or time spent gathering supplies, or money spent on balloons and gifts is all in service of making that person feel loved and appreciated for who they are.
So, with a baby less than two weeks old — whose arrival was more than a little stressful — this weekend's celebrations had to be simple and stress free: step up rent-a-party!
Disposable everything makes for easy, hassle free, clean up. A mix of Tesco's summer range — cute little pineapples, watermelons and cactuses — along with extras from Hobbycraft and little Easter bits Sainsbury's, all create a simple, but cute selection of birthday treats.
Lets not also forget that cake! Becky is our family's expert baker — the one who does the cakes for everybody else. So, it's only fitting that on her special day she has a cake much better than we could ever make for her, courtesy of Hummingbird Bakery!
We're very lucky to have Becky be part of the Brombley family — Happy 30th Birthday Becky!
Vlog: Saturday 18 February 2017
On Saturday night, I went with a couple of friends to the new development at Westquay to go bowling, see the festival of lights and have dinner at Wahaca.
Update (26/2/2017): Soundtrack now on Soundcloud
First February Weekend
It's been a busy first weekend in February....
Auxy Remix:
Auxy is an app I use all the time. Recently, the company that make the app have been running a “Beat the Clock” competition, which I've had a lot of fun entering, and even had one of my pieces shortlisted. This weeks challenge was to remix a previous winner's short track, in to a full length piece. I spent most of my Saturday lazily working through ideas, and piecing together my remix:
Sunday Walk:
Keyhaven is one of my favourite places to visit for a walk: the view across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and the Needles is stunning, and despite the bitterly cold wind, it was a beautiful day to take some photos across the water too. I took lots of pictures with my new Canon 80D, and a few with my faithful old Nikon D5100. It was nice to get some more use out of my new wide-angle lens.
Sunday Lunch:
Even when I'm cooking for just myself, I do love a good Sunday Lunch. Today's lunch included pan friend pork chop, rainbow carrots and baby parsnips all served with a side of roasted cauliflower and broccoli cheese.
Honestly, my only regret, was not going full veggie: the roasted broccoli and cauliflower cheese was hearty, and tasty enough to be the main dish — there was no need for meat at all frankly. The trick to keeping this recipe big on flavour, but cutting down the calories is to roast the broccoli and cauliflower before stirring through the sauce and baking again. The big flavours of the roasted vegetables mean you need less cheese and less sauce, which is great for keeping the calories low.
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese — Recipe:
- Half a head of cauliflower
- Half a head of broccoli
- 12g butter
- 12g flour
- 225ml whole milk
- 25g parmesan
- 25g extra mature chedder
- 1 bay leaf
- a few pepper corns
- a fine grating of nutmeg
- a dash of mustard (english ideally, but any will do)
- 1 shallot, skin removed and cut in half
- Salt, pepper
- Split the cauliflower and broccoli in to florets, season with a little salt and pepper and roast until golden and a little crispy around the edges, around 10–15 minutes
- Meanwhile, make the sauce, buy first warming the milk with the bay leaf, peppercorns, nutmeg and shallot. Melt the butter in another pan, adding the flour and stirring to make a roux. Let this cook out for a few minutes before adding a dash of mustard. Slowly add the warm milk, straining through a seive to remove the flavourful extras you added earlier. Stir until you have a silky smooth sauce, and let it gently simmer for a few minutes. Finally, strain through a sieve to remove any lumps.
- Melt the most of the cheese in to the sauce, saving back a little for the top.
- Stir the roasted broccoli and cauliflower in to the sauce, and tumble in to an oven proof dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden
This recipe serves two as a side, or one as a main dish.
Putting this in to MyFitnessPal, it works it out to to be about 260 calories as a side, or 520 as a main. Your milage may vary.
Engagement:
My brother and his girlfriend — now fiancee — are engaged! I couldn't be happier for them both, but also, very happy for myself, to be gaining a new sister-in-law too. After two Christmases shared with Helen and her family, she felt like part of the Brombley's already, so it feels even more special that it will finally be official.
The Great Vacation 2017: First Steps
One of my big plans for 2017 is a trip to America: The Great Vacation.
Preparations for The Great Vacation are in three parts this January:
- Healthier and Happier: I'm working on eating healthier, exercising more and feeling happier with myself and my body. To help the health and fitness part, I've been following lots of advice from The Body Coach, and Joe Wicks' January Bootcamp workouts have been particularly useful. To help the happiness part, I've been using the Headspace app, and the guided sleep exercises have been a surprising success too.
- Motivation Maps: I bought two map prints from Mujumaps and put them in two frames from Ikea to sit on my living room walls, above the dining table and overlooking my exercise space, to act as a motivation for eating healthier and being more active.
- New Passport: The last time I had to get a passport I was going to the Ukraine with work, and left it so late I had to drive to London to order a rushed one. It was crazily expensive, and I refuse to make that mistake again, so I'm ordering my renewed passport in plenty of time this year!
Black Bean Brownies
When these vegan, gluten free, low carb brownies popped up on Facebook today, I knew I had to try them.
The recipe comes from So Vegan and it's basically fool proof: you blend everything in a food processor and bake. The only thing I would do differently next time, is to smooth the mix down a little better before baking: the mix doesn't flatten out in the oven like a regular brownie mix does, so mine turned out a little gnarly, although still quite pretty thanks to the whole walnuts I put on top.
Honestly though — and it's not just the mid-January diet desperation talking — these tasted incredible. Gluten free needed or not, vegan or not, these were packed full of deep, rich flavour and a bunch of healthy ingredients... plus some less healthy ones... but a treat is a treat.
Links:
2016
If my 2016 has a theme, it is probably this: finding comfort amidst the confusion.
An Unsure Start
Finishing university in 2015 meant I was back in my old job — the reason I had gone to uni in the first place — and wondering what my plan was going to be. In September 2015, I gave myself a year to find the next new challenge, and so had set about writing a funding bid to Youth Music for a new project at work. That application went off in January, and kick started so much of this years big moments.
M-Tech
By May, we found out that our funding bid was successful and my new role as M-Tech project manager had begun. It's meant incredibly long hours, and so much extra work, but it was the challenge I needed when I decided it was make or break last September. It's been an incredible start, and one of my first jobs when I'm back in January is to wrap up what we've learnt from the Autumn term, which I can't wait to share.
Pyra
Over the year, I've been recording with Pyra, continuing to work on new music together. This year, we both feel like we're creating our best work yet, and whilst much of it remains hidden until it is finished, 2016 did see two songs we worked on go out in to the world: ‘Ride U Better’ and ‘Bodies’ (embedded above).
Invaleurs
In August, I released an EP under the name Invaleurs:
I have a confession.
For too long, the anxieties I experience around sharing my music online have kept me from creating things I love. But when I set out writing these songs, I made them just for me.
With that freedom, I could explore more freely, able to push beyond the boundaries of my own comfort zone, to create songs I am proud of. And so, I am sharing them with you
If you enjoy them, if you share them too, then I feel honoured to know that these songs have found new connections beyond the ones I hold with them. If you don't, that's fine too. I've already done what I set out to do.
Family Holiday
This year we went on a big family holiday to Cornwall, and it was an unforgettable experience: a wonderful, special time spent with family in such a beautiful location. I video blogged the trip to try and keep the memories captured to remember in years to come.
The family holiday came accompanied by two big announcements:
1. Becoming An Uncle (Again)
My brother and his wife, and their two beautiful children, are adding to their family with another one. And later in the year, I got to help them make a special announcement about it...
2. My Sister's Engagement
And the second big announcement was that my sister got engaged!
Annora Bird
Two of my very best friend's a simply the most adorable little baby in to the world, and every time I see them together, my heart swells with pride and love for them all: I couldn't be happier. I wrote a song for her, on the day of her birth, and Emma writes the most incredibly honest, funny and frank blog about what it's like being an expectant, and then new, mum.
UK Music Award
As a result of the successful M-Tech bid, I was nominated by Solent University for the UK Music ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ award. It was an honour to be nominated amongst other high achieving new graduates.
Starting a Blog
Finally, in 2016 I started this blog. As I wrote about in October, I started this blog as a way of creating and releasing music that was better for my mental health. And I'm so happy with what I've started to build. As this blog grows, and develops, it's been fun to explore what shape music can take when you remove the constraints of the old methods of production and consumption. I don't feel like I have any answers yet, but asking the questions has been reason enough on its own.
It started with Summer Shorts...
Moving on to Autumn Pieces...
And finishing the year with Vlogmas.
So, to finish, I come back to the theme of 2016: finding comfort amidst the confusion. With all that has happened this year, I have tried to learn to bring myself more fully in to each moment, to enjoy and take comfort in friends and family, and to be a little kinder to myself. What did you learn in 2016?
Vlogmas (Parts 8–10): A Very Brombley Christmas
From Christmas Eve through Boxing Day, the Brombley clan, along with assorted others we've pick up throughout the years, come together for Christmas celebrations. Every year, I make the food.
Food & Recipes
Christmas Dinner:
- Turkey
Local, organic, free-range bird from Uptons of Bassett, roasted with butter, lemons, clementines, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, sage and thyme - Gravy
Made from roasting juices and organic chicken stock - Pork shoulder stuffing with cranberries
A Jamie Oliver recipe with dried cranberries added - Sausages in bacon
Use thinly slice pancetta for wrapping for extra flavour and crunch - Roast potatoes
Par-boiled, left to cool, then roast in hot goose fat - Roast parsnips
Par-boiled, left to cool, then roasted in hot goose fat - Carrots
Cooked in butter, sugar and star anise from a Tom Kerridge recipe - Cauliflower cheese
Gently cooked cauliflower covered in a basic béchamel sauce, with lots of cheese in, and over the top - Brussels sprouts with chestnuts
A BBC Good Food recipe - Red cabbage with apple and balsamic vinegar
Another Jamie Oliver recipe - Cranberry sauce
Another BBC Good Food recipe with a cinnamon stick thrown in for extra festive cheer - Yorkshire pudding
I used this Jamie Oliver recipe
Boxing Day Lunch:
- Ham in Coca-Cola
4kg ham, from Uptons of Bassett, cooked according to Nigella's recipe - Coca-Cola sauce
I used a recipe from Rock Recipes, replacing soy sauce with tamari to make it gluten free for my sister - Dauphinois potatoes
I used a BBC Good Food recipe - Roasted sweet potato
Par-boiled and roasted in rapeseed oil - Carrots
Boiled and glazed with honey - Green Beans
Steamed and dressed in fresh lemon - Squash
Roasted whole, then mashed and served with toasted seeds - Whole Roast Cauliflower
I used a fairly plain recipe, as this was a side, not a main, but there are many more exciting versions out that would make an incredible main dish - Spinach
Quickly sautéed, and well drained - Broccoli
Steamed - Sausages in bacon
Just like Christmas day
A couple of staples I cannot cook without:
- Maldon sea salt flakes
The best salt for everyday cooking - Rapeseed oil
A British crop, with lots of the goodness of olive oil, but a higher smoke point