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Manda Rin - Be My Baby from Manda Rin on Vimeo.

So this was the big gig - the first one in London, and just the 3rd one I’d done with my band after two in Glasgow! I had chosen to go on the train as I was just sick of 7 hour drives from Glasgow and being in London traffic. I was traveling with my ‘Rinettes’, James, David and Stuart which was just so enjoyable as it was like going on a trip with pals - the way it should be! The train left Glasgow at 10.29am (I’d only had 5 hours sleep as my head was going mental with thoughts and nerves!) but I was very excited. We grabbed a table, and spent the journey playing cards and drawing on newspapers which was very childish but good fun.

4.5 hours later, and after a very painless journey, we were at Euston. This is the way to get to London without a headache! We crossed the road to the Premier Inn where we were staying (cheap, clean and a coffee is all I want!), dumped our personal bags, then headed off towards the venue. I’d DJed at the Fly in the past so I knew roughly where to go. We thought we’d grab a late lunch/early dinner so that it was out the way for the night and found a nice place called the Bar on the way. I treated my boys to this as my thank you to them for doing this with me!

We got to the venue around 5pm (via Dorothy Perkins so I could pick up some new tights after mine had holes). The Fly had changed since my last visit as the stage was at the other side of the room. Pretty small club, but ideal for this gig. The ‘Futuristic Retro Champions’ who were third on the bill, had traveled all the way from Edinburgh the night before, and were such lovely people! Dega Breaks were main support, and again lovely folk. It’s very rare that everything goes so well in day, but also be playing with friendly bands! We were using one of FRC’s guitar amps, one of Dega Breaks, and their bass amp too. Very, very kind, and also gave us that benefit of traveling by train. Soundcheck went very well actually, then I used the free wi-fi to get my six badge orders sorted out I’d had since that morning (got to keep the day job going!)

It was 3 hours before we played, so we sat upstairs drinking and mingling. Even though I was given a bottle of red wine for the night I was a good girl pacing it with a diet coke. Doors opened, and I noticed the most ridiculous sign for the night saying “Miranda Rin formally of the Bis” at the door. I just wonder who did that as I didn’t really know anyone working there etc. Hmmm. Anyway, we went downstairs and set up a merch stall which James nicely said he’d do. He was very good with everyone actually, and sold my new CD, 7″ and badge sets.

Futuristic Retro Champions were first on and absolutely amazing! So energetic, the singer was such a fantastic frontwoman, and I wish I could look like that in hot pants! I will happily have them open for me any gig I do as they were just so good. Dega Breaks were also great, and even gave me a dedication which I was blown away by!

Then time to play! I’d put my dress on during Dega Breaks, so just time to set up. 106 people had paid to get in which was really encouraging, and all eyes were on the stage. We started with Bruises and it went down really well. Poor James broke a string, so he had to quickly set up the spare guitar we’d brought (the one with my Drew Barrymore strap!), and then into Typeface. We went through the set, the crowd were so responsive to chat to, and it was such a joy to see heads nodding throughout the room and the FRC girls dancing at the front. I was really overwhelmed by how well it was going, and it seemed to pass so quickly even though it was a 9 song set. And then it was over. I wish we had an extra tune to do an encore, but we’ll get there soon! Overall - utterly amazing, and I couldn’t have asked for it to be any better. I signed soooo many CDs and records, chatted with so many lovely folk, and was just stunned by it all. Thank you to everyone who made the night so good for us! It was great seeing folk I’ve known for many years like Kevin, Dee, Paul, Stuart, Patrick and Leanne, but also great to meet new people that I’d love to see there next time we’re down.

After it was all over and everyone had left, we packed up and went for a Subway (eatery, not tube). 6″ chicken teriyaki for me and foot longs for the guys! Ahhhh, what a night! One drink back at the hotel, then bed for the train home the next morning (the journey where James opened the toilet door and saw a guy’s willy!).

So, home now and back to thousands of badges to make. I’m calm and relaxed though as I’m just so happy about how well the big night went. I’m ready to do more! My Rinettes loved their time away too, and can’t wait for the gig at the Glasgow Barfly on Thursday. Thanks again everyone!

Just thought I’d update you while it’s still fresh in my head, and I’ll try get some video footage online soon of it!

So Friday night was the first gig of mine at Barfly, Glasgow. Dave and James were playing guitar for me, and Stuart was on bass. They nicely dressed up in matching outfits of black shoes, jeans, and a black shirt, so very handsome indeed!

I wanted to go on first as it was the first show, and meant we could leave stuff nicely set up onstage after soundcheck. I was worried there may not have been many people in the venue on time, and some might have been annoyed if they turned up late. But, I had been telling folk since the gig got confirmed, so had my fingers crossed all would be okay. The soundcheck amazingly sounded really good. This is normally worrying as a good soundcheck leads to a bad gig, and vice versa. Anyway, 8.30 came, a healthy bunch of people had filled the room, I managed to get some beers for my band, bought a wine for myself, and we went on.

We started with Bruises. It’s a strong song, but my singing was pretty dreadful! I’m hoping it was just the nerves, and will get better….. It was just so strange being in the centre for once, having no instrument to hide me, and having my mic out the stand the whole time so I could wander anywhere. I was so aware for once that every move I made was being monitored, which I’ve never really thought about in Bis as I had it in my head everyone was staring at Steven. (he was the perfect frontman and that always made me feel better!) Also, my band were concentrating on their tricky guitar lines so much that I rarely got any eye contact. Normally at rehearsals we’re having a good laugh, so I’m hoping that’ll come too!

So first song ended, and then it was a great cheer/clap, and silence. It was up to me to talk to the room of people! Scary! I thanked everyone for coming to my first gig, explained why I wanted to go on early, then introduced the next song which was Typeface.

The rest of the set was another 5 songs including Do the Static and the Word Out. I was nervous in the lead up to the gig, but I had no idea I would have been as bad as that. I was really shaky, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve felt like that. It was also strange having John Disco (and his wife and Mum) in the crowd watching (Steven’s still on his honeymoon). It was really nice that so many made the effort to come early, including a bunch of pals who did some dancing to the left of me which made me feel really good.

The fantastic Jim Gellatly was DJing afterwards, and said he really enjoyed it, especially my band’s moves in Do the Static. Guilty Pleasure and DNA seemed to go down really well too. In fact, I was in such a weird state for the gig I can’t remember what songs were the best!

A friend filmed it for me, so I’m hoping to get that online shortly (well, the songs that had decent enough sounding vocals…). It was a good experience, but I hope the more confident i get, the more relaxed I’ll be. The next gig at that venue is 11th Sep with Fangs, so I’m hoping people will come back to see me then. There were lots of posters for the gig all over the venue, and a few were nicked by the end of the night, so that’s a good sign I thought!

I finished my wine, and we joined John Disco’s birthday celebrations at McSorleys along the road which was nice. Phew! I’m just glad it’s all done now, and I can’t wait to do more and get better! I’m off for a rehearsal tonight with my band as I’m hoping to get 8 or 9 songs for London so that’s it’s a better length for a headline set.

That’s the update guys! x

A box of album and single samplers just turned up from the record label. Mmmm, they look (and smell!) good!

So eating just eight strawberries gives you just as much vitamin C as an orange according to This Morning. I love strawberries!

So I had my first little rehearsal with my Rinettes today (2 guitarists and 1 bassist). I’m aiming to get 7 songs ready for my first live gigs, so we went through 4 to begin with today. It was hard with only hearing just the backing drums and synths to get the structure and tuning perfect, but by the end we were doing alright. Next one on Tuesday!

I’ll be presenting the Weekend Breakfast show on XFM Scotland from 6-10am tomorrow. Early, early start but it should be fun. Feel free to text the show on 80936 as I’ll be seeing who’s on their way home or just getting out of bed.

http://www.xfmscotland.co.uk/

I went to Rock Ness to play with Juno! They were playing the Go North tent, and the first festival they’d been asked to do. I now sing 3 songs with them, the latest being Jet Set Juno which I really enjoy doing. The XFM Scotland peeps were there too, so it was nice hanging around with them.

I wanted to give out as many CDs of my single as I could to artists I’d love to do a remix for me. So, a few wines down, I was asking away! I get so happy with people remember Bis and who I am. I can’t believe it at times. Calvin Harris looked at the CD and said “yeah, Top of the Pops” which is utterly great.

Mylo, who John Disco has worked with in the past on a few things, had a nice chat to me for a bit too, and said he’d love to work with me. Fingers crossed there!

Eddie Temple Morris, a dance DJ, also mentioned Bis as soon as I was introduced to him. He said he’d played our remixes which DJing a few time in the past. He took my mobile number and said he’ll let me know if he plays my single anywhere. Yeah!

Late of the Pier, the band that are my ultimate favourite at the moment, were absolutely stunning. Check them out if you get a chance, they are so so good! I gave the singer a CD. I said I probably didn’t stand a chance on getting a remix, but he said “you never know”. No harm in trying eh?! Lovely guy, and I’m so glad I saw them.

Then, on leaving Rock Ness I saw CSS. Lovefoxxx remembered me and Bis having met her last year. Ultra flattering!! I had ran out of CDs to give out though. I was gutted at that, but did get a nice pic! What a lovely band.

On This Morning, the gardener guy (David) says he can’t imagine many bands naming themselves after a plant/flower. So while I dried my hair I couldn’t stop thinking of the ones I knew!

New Fast Automatic Daffodils
The Hollies
The Posies
The Bluebells
Pansy Division

Think of any more?

It was a scorcher of a day in Vegas today (28c), and tomorrow will be 31c! Cocktails while sunbathing is very enjoyable (as well as in bars and casinos!).

Only 2 more days left. I’ve really enjoyed myself and can’t wait to plan my next trip somewhere. I can’t stop thinking about Akiko my little kitten though (my Mum and Dad have been feeding her) and do look forward to seeing her soon.