Archive for June, 2009

Refer Me For Contract Web Design or Development and Bag Yourself a Free iPod Nano

// June 19th, 2009 // No Comments » // General

free ipod nano
One of the issues with taking on more freelance work is making sure there’s enough work to keep you occupied, and what better way of doing that than running a shameless self-promoting PR grab? So here goes…

If you’ve got a friend, colleague or a business of your own that requires a dose of my expertise then pass my details on to them, make sure they include your email address and name as the referrer and if it turns into an open project I will immediately send you a brand new iPod nano, free of charge in your choice of colours. It’s as simple as that.

I’m running this offer through to the end of July 2009, for contracts with a value of £500 and over. To qualify, just contact me with your name, email address and preferably the name and contact details of the person you wish to introduce. Once an agreement to begin a project has been made I will make the necessary arrangements to get your shiny new iPod to you. This offer is limited to residents of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, sorry.

That’s not a bad offer even if I do say so myself.

Manchester Calling – Musically At Least

// June 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

Perhaps subconsciously I’m a little homesick but whilst I’m sat here working away in Camden I can’t stop myself listening to some good old Manc classics.

It all started this morning when one of my all time favourite records came through via an iTunes set to random. The unmistakable rhythm guitar from the classic “Let’s Take a Trip” by Northside gripped me immediately and sent me into a spin back to a little Manchester-in-my-head. For me it’s one of the defining songs of the whole ‘Madchester’ scene and to some extent Factory records too; optimistic, uplifting whilst still being a bit rough. (For the record in my opinion much of Factory’s music was quite uplifting -if a bit scruffy- despite the belief by some that it was all a bit tragic due to the Joy Division association, but that’s another debate.)

Following on from that, I couldn’t help but dig out Palatine: The Factory Story; the 4 piece box set containing some outstanding tracks from pretty much every member of the Factory family. From Joy Division early James and The Durutti Column through to more the obscure X-O-Dus and Kalima the full set mixes the upbeat with the downright grim. It’s a pretty good way to reawaken any dormant Manchester thoughts in anyone’s brain and today in-particular I’m glad for it (gladferit?).

If you can dig it out (I believe it goes for anything between £75 and £1000 second hand these days so good luck), I highly recommend it. Although listening to the albums from which the tracks are taken is always worth the time if you have it.

My notable tracks:
Sketch For Summer – The Durutti Column
Hymn From a Village – James
Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division (Of course this has to be there)
You’re No Good – ESG
Happy Ever After – Stockholm Monsters (Weird Johnny Rotten/Brian Ferry/Roxy Music sound but lovely)
Sparkle – Kalima (The birth of the Balearic scene maybe?)
24 Hour Party People – Happy Mondays
World In Motion – New Order (Catch Me If You Can, Coz I’m The England Man – Ha Ha John Barnes)
Wrote For Luck – Happy Mondays

Essential Addition to Your Summer Playlist – Discovery

// June 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

Discover LP Album ArtorkIf summer ever comes that is; I thought it was meant to be always sunny and warm down here – or so my cockernee friends always told me.

Anyway, Jon Hicks yesterday posted a brief intro to the new band Discovery (he discovered it perhaps?). Discovery are a side project taking 50% of its members from Vampire Weekend and 50% from Ra Ra Riot a blend that works for me as I quite like both bands.

This type of synthy electro pop is the perfect way to brighten up your day a little. Have a listen over at the Hype Machine.

Hello Camden. I’m Andy the Mancunian Digital Freelancer.

// June 8th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Design, General

After what seems like years and years I’ve finally completed my move to Camden. I’ve been here since Saturday and so far, I’m very enjoying it very much, despite a few little traumas.

Most notable is the distinct lack of furniture in this house, meaning I’m currently experiencing an unintentional extreme minimalist existence, with just two large bean bags being my only options for work and rest. Working on a bean bag all day is not an experience I recommend in case you were considering it. The only other ‘furniture’ is a stereo and a TV (I’ve got my priorities straight as you can see). I’m just hoping that’s not where the parallels with Steve Jobs’ late 20’s end; I’d quite like some of his entrepreneurial success too.

Hopefully I’ll not be without a desk for much longer, and the addition of a sofa and somewhere to sit and eat will be most welcome later this week.

Since my last post all those weeks ago, I’ve been working on an exciting new venture which I’ll go in to greater detail on in the upcoming weeks. I’m also now working on a few freelance projects here in my new home town which are shaping up quite well. Somehow I managed to continue functioning during my own little internet ‘prohibition’.

I’m looking forward to making the most of all that Camden has to offer, especially the pubs and places to eat. Even as a born and bred Mancunian, I’m very excited about living in Camden, so far it seems like a great place. Fellow Mancunians might liken it to a giant Northern Quarter, with large parts of it being a giant Affleck’s Palace. It’s creative, diverse, vibrant and in the right places warm and welcoming.

Now I’m back to full strength again I’ll endeavour to post more often again. Afterall, I’m sure you’ve missed my wittering this past few weeks.