Hello O people of the Frostiverse.
It is with mixed emotions that I must tell you that I'm to take an
indefinite break from playing the drums with the band that is known to you
as Frost*
I have recently become a full-time teacher of music at the College of
Kidderminster and my duties with the talented youth of it's environs will
place a great strain on my ability to travel in various planes, boats and
white vans about the place doing gigs.
After a big big big chat with Jem we decided it would be best for me to
stop gigging with the band known as Frost* although I hope my total
involvement with the said band won't stop (as there are so many things a
band can do as well as gig!)
'What' I hear you ask!
and also you may ask
'why stop gigging?'
My reason for doing music is coz I like to do music. Write it, record it
and think of different ways of doing it. Of all the bits involved in
making it the bit I like the least is gigging.
If my time is going to be restricted then it is that bit which I would
like to curtail.
I also feel that the music business is about to change dramatically. I
think Frost could play a vital part in that change and I want to be free
to be involved in that if I can, not spend the little spare time I have
rehearsing and travelling to gigs.
I love Frost*. I love the guys so much too. I have laughed so much and had
a great time. I thank everyone who has supported the band and allowed us
to make and break the rules.
I hope this change of affairs will allow us to make and break the rules
even more.
Here's to the future and all who sail in her.
Andy xxx
Wow ... didnt expect that, I thought you'd landed a life changing gig and were about to travel the world ! .. completely the opposit in fact .. when you've only got limited time, best to use it doing something you love ! Good luck !
Can you buy shares in the College of Kidderminster?? Cos they will be going through the roof!!
Pleased for you Andy, really am. Although you will be missed onstage with Jem and the lads, the knowledge and enthusiasm you will be able to share and give to others is priceless. Good luck with it all. :D
Hmmm.. :idea: 'The Frost* Academy of Music'... now there's an idea!!!
Sorry to see you go, Mr. Edwards. We hardly knew ye. Brilliant work with Frost*, iQ#, Acoustic@ Treat% and your work on "Progressive^."
Congratulations on your new endeavor. Your CoK students are in good hands. :?
I look forward to hearing what you come up with next.
Best of luck.
All the best Andy, good luck with the career move!
I think that the first 'teaching' job will be explaining to your replacement how to get that mysterious 13th beat into place ;)
...and of course you can teach keyboards as well
cue 'oboe' solo :shock:
Andy, all of us hear wish you success and are absolutely delighted for you and also your plans to not leave Frost* totally. We wish you luck and enjoyment.
What about your involvement with IQ?
We'll miss you, but it's difficult to sulk when someone gets to do something they really want to do! Good luck!
Quote from: "eponymous"Quote from: "Brom"Hmmm.. :idea: 'The Frost* Academy of Music'... now there's an idea!!!
Frost*warts.
Can I be sorted into House Sex Panther? ;)
Will there be Progitch at Frost*warts?
Quote from: "Andys Blog"Recently IQ has reduced it's live output more and more. This year we are doing 3 and 3/4 gigs so I do hope with my restricted schedule to still be able to carry on with IQ.
Answered my own question.
Quote from: "eponymous"Frost*warts.
Ooh! That sounds painful. Is that like some kind of carbuncular growth commonly found on Frost*bitten extremities?
...All the best in yer new thang Andy. It's been a pleasure listening to your work with the band.
You're an amazing drummer and you'll be missed. But I'm glad you have the opportunity to do something you've always wanted to do. Good luck and all the best!
All the best Andy
Go for it Andy!
Life's too short for regrets, so take the chances and do the things you love!
Hope it all goes really well :)
Splitter :D
Please see previous compliments
All Power to the Professor of Prog! (not to mention funk and punk).
Oh, and will the gents tailors of Kidderminster be having a run on tweed jackets with leather elbow pads? ;)
All the very best for the future Andy.
Blimey! A real day job?!
The incumbents of CoK have just got themselves a real treat - a teacher who recognises the importance of groove and feel over finely-honed technique.
Brilliant. Chuffed to bits for you.
sales of jazz jumpers will be going through the roof round there then.
best of luck sweetie. x
Quote from: "Andys Blog"Recently IQ has reduced it's live output more and more. This year we are doing 3 and 3/4 gigs so I do hope with my restricted schedule to still be able to carry on with IQ.
what is 3/4 of a gig?
Does this mean we have to raise our hands before we can ask you stuff?
Quote from: "jymf"Quote from: "Andys Blog"Recently IQ has reduced it's live output more and more. This year we are doing 3 and 3/4 gigs so I do hope with my restricted schedule to still be able to carry on with IQ.
what is 3/4 of a gig?
It's like a 7/8 gig, but it's not odd... :lol:
Best of luck Mr Edwards! ;)
3/4 of a gig refers the gig IQ did without Pete last Saturday.
Yes, I have got a proper job. My mind is full of ideas of what I want to do there. I can't wait to get stuck in.
No, I haven't got some big gig. I've done that and that box is ticked.
Of course I can't speak for Jem and the boys but I really do hope that I will keep some creative input into Frost. As I have siad before, I'm stopping gigging because I think there are many other things a band can do with a band. Frost* is perhaps most widely known for it's youtube videos. Who would have thought this would be the case 5 years ago? With each video reaching 1000s of peeps I would think this is as important as gigging for spreading the word of Frost.
I think we are not to far away from a band being a collection of musicians that are linked by a concept, not by a record deal, that work outside of the album/tour framework, that produce and distribute their music themselves. Their fanbase will be worldwide, despite the size of following. They will perform to their fans not only by gig but through cable TV shows and internet concerts, thus reaching their total fanbase. Their success will be defined by how different they are, not by conformity. (sound familiar?)
It is this type of stuff I want to be involved in.
Quote from: "TBE"3/4 of a gig refers the gig IQ did without Pete last Saturday.
Yes, I have got a proper job. My mind is full of ideas of what I want to do there. I can't wait to get stuck in.
No, I haven't got some big gig. I've done that and that box is ticked.
Of course I can't speak for Jem and the boys but I really do hope that I will keep some creative input into Frost. As I have siad before, I'm stopping gigging because I think there are many other things a band can do with a band. Frost* is perhaps most widely known for it's youtube videos. Who would have thought this would be the case 5 years ago? With each video reaching 1000s of peeps I would think this is as important as gigging for spreading the word of Frost.
I think we are not to far away from a band being a collection of musicians that are linked by a concept, not by a record deal, that work outside of the album/tour framework, that produce and distribute their music themselves. Their fanbase will be worldwide, despite the size of following. They will perform to their fans not only by gig but through cable TV shows and internet concerts, thus reaching their total fanbase. Their success will be defined by how different they are, not by conformity. (sound familiar?)
It is this type of stuff I want to be involved in.
Sounds like a cunning plan! :mrgreen:
It's true though, the business is changing rapidly. Not sure where it's going to but we all need to learn how to adapt.
Best of luck with your new job! :)
Quote from: "TBE"3/4 of a gig refers the gig IQ did without Pete last Saturday.
Yes, I have got a proper job. My mind is full of ideas of what I want to do there. I can't wait to get stuck in.
No, I haven't got some big gig. I've done that and that box is ticked.
Of course I can't speak for Jem and the boys but I really do hope that I will keep some creative input into Frost. As I have siad before, I'm stopping gigging because I think there are many other things a band can do with a band. Frost* is perhaps most widely known for it's youtube videos. Who would have thought this would be the case 5 years ago? With each video reaching 1000s of peeps I would think this is as important as gigging for spreading the word of Frost.
I think we are not to far away from a band being a collection of musicians that are linked by a concept, not by a record deal, that work outside of the album/tour framework, that produce and distribute their music themselves. Their fanbase will be worldwide, despite the size of following. They will perform to their fans not only by gig but through cable TV shows and internet concerts, thus reaching their total fanbase. Their success will be defined by how different they are, not by conformity. (sound familiar?)
It is this type of stuff I want to be involved in.
These words he speaks are true, very true in fact. I am involved in something that hopefully in the new year will take this to the next level. The music business is changing. It doesn't need to be a thing of dread but rather something to embrace. It is a brand new musical frontier, those who can adapt will thrive, those who can't will sadly fade. It is natural evolution.
Good luck Andy. Look forward to seeing you play once more at The Peel Show. I will attempt everything to make it as painless & as much fun as is humanly or even inhumanly possible.
Twang XXXX
Quote from: "TBE"3/4 of a gig refers the gig IQ did without Pete last Saturday.
Yes, I have got a proper job. My mind is full of ideas of what I want to do there. I can't wait to get stuck in.
No, I haven't got some big gig. I've done that and that box is ticked.
Of course I can't speak for Jem and the boys but I really do hope that I will keep some creative input into Frost. As I have siad before, I'm stopping gigging because I think there are many other things a band can do with a band. Frost* is perhaps most widely known for it's youtube videos. Who would have thought this would be the case 5 years ago? With each video reaching 1000s of peeps I would think this is as important as gigging for spreading the word of Frost.
I think we are not to far away from a band being a collection of musicians that are linked by a concept, not by a record deal, that work outside of the album/tour framework, that produce and distribute their music themselves. Their fanbase will be worldwide, despite the size of following. They will perform to their fans not only by gig but through cable TV shows and internet concerts, thus reaching their total fanbase. Their success will be defined by how different they are, not by conformity. (sound familiar?)
It is this type of stuff I want to be involved in.
Andy, your way of thinking sounds an exciting and fresh approach to getting your music to the audience, and seems to dovetail with Jems recent thoughts on the same subject.
But it got me thinking about the state of the niche music market in general. It may be that a by-product of this kind of business model is that it may level the playing field a bit between more established bands/musicians who have the time, experience and contacts to promote themselves properly, and up and coming 'hobbyist' or part-time bands who can't devote time to touring and promotion because of the day job getting in the way.
So in that respect, it might mix things up a little which hopefully will be for the good.
It seems to me that because of the more niche appeal of prog, a lot of bands currently on the scene - even the well known ones - may fall into the 'part-time' category anyway.
The only thing is, if this way of working becomes more prevalent, will it affect the viability of the 'full time' bands on the level of, say, Spocks Beard or Porcupine Tree, (who's main source of income is the conventional cycle of album sales, merch and touring)? Marillion seem to have a more adventurous business model though, with the pre orders for forthcoming albums, fan conventions and their Front Row Club releases.
But looking way down the line, if cyber-performance on YouTube as opposed to live performance in a venue becomes the norm, what happens to bands who are trying to do this full time for a living, or musicians who have spread their talents around several projects such as yourself Andy, or JJ and JM?. Won't they see their ability to generate income and make a living from recording or performing their music diminish?
Or have I got the wrong end of the stick, and there's not much of an income to be made from it these days anyway? :( I'm not trying to be negative BTW, 'cos I think what you say makes perfect sense - and lets face it, a lot of the changes you propose are a way overdue anyway and the music biz may not have much of a choice to resist. It's just that the Devil's Advocate in me won't shut up! :D
Of the musicians I grew up with the ones who made money made it through writing hit records and getting royalties. Or they write music for the media. Or they are DJs
These don't however include my friends who have 'big' gigs.
Some of the guys I know who are older have made a lot of money from gigging but not the ones my age or younger.
I have always (except when I played with Robert Plant) made most of my income from teaching in some way or another. With the change in economic and cultural climate I have decided it is best as much as I can to take myself out of the 'old' way of doing music and try and align myself with the way I think things will go.
I think creative music is about to go underground. Rock n Roll happened in part due to the sudden increase in affluence that occoured in the fifties.
We are all in debt now, I can only predict a deflation in all things including the creative arts.
The musicians who will change music in the next twenty years (I predict) won't be known in their own lifetimes. We won't see the next Elvis Presley emerging. We will however not be aware of the next Robert Johnson rewriting how things are done in a bedroom next door.
I think the very idea of a music 'business' will slowly be eroded.
Musicians will make a small living in entertaiment (vaudeville?) and will be creative on the side. Rock n Roll will become a museum piece. Eventually all the legends will die and the door on that era will finally close.
Johnny Rotten will end up doing adverts for butter.
Quote from: "TBE"Johnny Rotten will end up doing adverts for butter.
He's such a tart isn't he?
Country Life...Pah!
Has he not heard of Lurpak? :D :D
Quote from: "TBE"I think creative music is about to go underground. Rock n Roll happened in part due to the sudden increase in affluence that occoured in the fifties.
We are all in debt now, I can only predict a deflation in all things including the creative arts.
I think to some extent creative music is already underground. Not having a go at "pop" music in the slightest, but that is (and always was) something that was a bit of fun, and not intended to be serious. Its a lot easier to produce music these days though, and its increasingly apparent that the quality isn't always there - how often is a track based around a vocal sample of some other song, that repeats endlessly over the latest drum loops?
On the other hand, you don't want to kill all the fun in music either. Its a serious thing to do it well, but you are allowed to have a good time doing it too!
Quote from: "TBE"Johnny Rotten will end up doing adverts for butter.
It will be a sad day ...
Anchor In The UK, who'da thought it?....
He'll be getting a starring role in Grease next....
This is indeed an explanation I hadn't seen coming but reading what your ideas are about the current and future music world it does make a lot of sense. Over the years I have gone to loads of gigs and have always went to see upcoming bands / artists (prog or non-prog) but in the last few years I have noticed that I don't go as much anymore. And it is not that I don't want to but there is real dryspell of interesting live-acts these days. The last 'new' band that I saw live that really gave me a buzz was Lazuli at last year's SymForce festival. And I think it was a year before that a Finnish band called Overhead. When I compare that to the mid to late 90s where there were periods that I went to gigs on a weekly basis and lots of times those were new bands I do think original live-music is in a serious rut.
What I also liked about your statement is the fact that you are focussing yourself on teaching. I really applaud you for that because teaching music is possible one of the most important things we could do for kids. Not only because music is fun but I believe it also teaches certain values to kids that sadly they don't always get from their parents or through regular education.
Little can I say that have not been said by other Frosties*, Andy, so I wish you the best with your new quest, and also tell you how intelligent and insightful your views with music are. I hope you keep posting here every now and then and tell us about your teachings. ;)
That's just great Andy! Nice to see you're spreading your great knowledge of drumming. Can't wait to hear what you do next with/without Frost*. :)
Interesting points raise above ChrisX .. i type with an amount of ignorance, but these are my thoughts.
I have no idea about the future (my crystal ball broke recently) but at present its interesting to see how many established acts have been hitting the road to earn money through ticket sales and concert merchandise .. the joy of a live band cant be downloaded, its an experience that can be sold ..
As the more established acts have lost a considerable amount of their income from downloads and file sharing they've been forced to leave their luxury lifestyles behind and hit the road .. 10 years ago fewer bands were touring because they were making more than enough money from cd's etc
If you want to make money as a band now, Live is probably the only way .. provided you're popular enough to warrant putting on a large scale tour that is.. with the added bonus of endorsments, tour sponsorships and simultaneous cinema broadcasts.
As a new band / Artist .. the only way you could conceivably make a living out of this business , is with the financial backing of a management company and / or big record co, but we know what kind of handcuffs would be involved then, and most probably aimed at the charts/tv audience.
Viral style marketing through youtube / myspace etc can give a band profile, but no income .. so you're down to the truely committed chasing their dreams / art with little or no hope of making a living .. some of them will break through, most will not ... getting a good support slot would be a massive break, but there's only a few of them about.
So we're left with the cottage industry model .. home recorded, self released, small scale self promotion, a few live performances ... exactly where Frost are now, and most bands of their ilk, more of a hobby than a career.
There's an irony in that the cost of making a quality recording has dropped dramatically ... EIMA is essentially a home recorded album, with a little use of JM's studio for the drums, and a squeaky stool in London ... the cost of recording a quality album like EIMA 20 years ago would have been huge, conversely, the cost of promoting and getting your music to the masses has probably never been harder and more expensive.
Unless you're like Jem who has one foot firmly in the commercial music world, how can it be more than a hobby now ? So on that basis, Andy's decision is the right one .. he's securing a firm financial future for himself whilst satisfying his artistic needs, but to do so means sacrificng his life work.
My 2p worth, but what do I know... :)
Its a shame you are leaving live work Andy, you are such a great drummer I hope you continue to stay around the forum too.
If I read it right, he's still going to drum live, just not with Frost*....for the forseeable....
Quote from: "ChrisX"What I also liked about your statement is the fact that you are focussing yourself on teaching. I really applaud you for that because teaching music is possible one of the most important things we could do for kids. Not only because music is fun but I believe it also teaches certain values to kids that sadly they don't always get from their parents or through regular education.
I've the same opinion.
Andy, I hope that your decision could make better musicians to people who wants to be better persons. I dont'k know if I can explain very well what I want to transmit (I'm very rought with English) but I think we can't live in a world without music and teachers (like you are) who want to share their knowlegde with everyone.
Good Luck in your new endevour!!
I think it's great to know a musician of your talent will be out there teaching
future generations. It's people like you in communities across the world
we need to be there to educate future musicians not only about music itself
but other aspects such as the business side. You've been out there and played
with a lot of different amazing people playing a lot of different kinds of music.
You'll be there helping to seed the future not for just prog, but for all kinds
of music out there to come.
Congratulations Andy! and I wish all the best for you. I look forward to hearing
any future creative input you have in Frost and other projects.
change is good. We'll appreciate TBE all the more when we DO see him.
besides, nobody likes Permafrost. well, the song is ok but the state is bad!
Quote from: "wickedwitch"besides, nobody likes Permafrost. well, the song is ok but the state is bad!
The song is a masterpiece almost as good as a song from under the floorboards. :D
it has its place !! i like 'because you're frightened'. no accounting for taste is there?!!! x
Quote from: "wickedwitch"it has its place !! i like 'because you're frightened'. no accounting for taste is there?!!! x
To be honest I like just about everything they produced, they really should have been one of the biggest bands of their time, still they were great.
lyrics are usually great, music is great, his voice just grates on me sometimes.
An acquired taste for sure.
Quote from: "johninblack"To be honest I like just about everything they produced, they really should have been one of the biggest bands of their time, still they were great.
I take it you know they're reforming for a two-date tour next year? If I miss it it'll be one of my greatest ever regrets. I'll have to get to at least one of the gigs.
//http://tinyurl.com/66zq69
...and yeah, Howie's voice is, er... lacking melody(?) at times. :mrgreen:
i heard they were sold out a while ago.
Quote from: "wickedwitch"i heard they were sold out a while ago.
I've just checked the Manchester Academy website, and there still seems to be some
slight hope, in that a second date has been arranged at the academy, on Tues 17th Feb. Only problem for me, is I ain't got no money right now. Oh joy.
Quote from: "Ivor"Quote from: "wickedwitch"i heard they were sold out a while ago.
I've just checked the Manchester Academy website, and there still seems to be some slight hope, in that a second date has been arranged at the academy, on Tues 17th Feb. Only problem for me, is I ain't got no money right now. Oh joy.
I did know and am in that horrible position of needing to get tickets but not yet sure of how my finances are!!
Just to add my tuppence worth....
Many thanks for being part of Frost* and giving us Frosties so much good music. Our loss is Kidderminsters gain!
Best wishes for whatever you do :D
Andy's blog (//http://andyedwardsmusic.blogspot.com/) has been updated.
(Thanks for the tip, Bat ;) )
I will miss meeting you at RoSFest next year, but definitely wish you the very best. and welcome to the world of school music teaching!