I've worked in worse places...

I'm in the States for the first time ever, working on a few adverts for Gatorade and have been ingesting material in my hotel room. It's been immensely enjoyable.

Tasmanian Sky

March 9th, 2014

I went to Tasmania for a few days and loved how beautiful the sky looked in comparison to the constant blue mainland Australia offered. Here's a video to show my appreciation of it.

Music also composed for film.

Hail! The Planes - Pontvane, April 2014

Wales, April 2014

Four of the H!TP sextet made our way to Pontvane this spring to write some stuff for our upcoming album. I didn't film as much as I wanted to but I've made a short preview of what's to come, enjoy!

A Very Large Mosque

A few years ago, I heard that they were building the largest mosque in Europe right here in London. 

I thought no more of it after that, but a few months ago I decided to look it up and found out that it was located no more than 4 miles away from my house!

It turns out that it is in fact the largest mosque in Western Europe

I'll be deeply honest, Morden is not a pretty place. It's a little bit like Tooting but without the intensity. 

The Baitul Futuh is located just on the outskirts of Morden near Morden South train station and it really is a strange site to witness. 

The building incorporates much of the structure of the old dairy factory it is built upon and certain parts really look like a factory from the outside.

I entered the gates at the front of the building and asked if I could have a look around.

The staff were more than happy to give me a guided tour of the area, and let me take a few photos of the exterior too.

The great hall inside can take up to 4,500 people at a time and it's incredibly beautiful. Unfortunately I couldn't take photos of the interior but the exterior has some great sites too.

Upon leaving the mosque I was told I should come and witness prayer time when I am next in Morden.

I might just do that.

Recommended Listening - Volume 4

It's day 3 of my non-stop migraine and I've taken so many drugs that I feel quite splendid/horrible.

What better way to start the day than with this classic from Action Bronson.

Yours,

A poorly Lee Wood

Oh, The Places You'll Go

December 2013 - The Channel Tunnel

Riding through this tunnel to Belgium, so many memories race through my mind.

10 Albums from 2013

Hey all,

So this year was really good for releases. It made me want to make a list of albums that stood out.

If you haven't listened to any of these yet, I highly recommend you do!
_________________________________________________________________


10.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away

I've loved The Dirty Three and Warren Ellis for many years now and because of this, have always had a soft spot for Nick Cave.

Warren's influence in Nick Cave's later albums is immediately recognisable, and this album is definitely one of his more mellow in recent years. A brilliant choice!

9.

White Denim - Corsicana Lemonade

I saw White Denim live for the first time in November this year and they blew my mind. Incredibly technical, varied and interesting. I've had a lot of respect for them since I heard their first album at Zavvi in 2007. Despite it not being their strongest album, I still really like the sound they are adopting.

8.

Melt Yourself Down - Melt Yourself Down

When I first heard the first track from this album I immediately thought Seb Rochford was part of the lineup. Turns out the bassist from Acoustic Ladyland is part of this and not Seb, can't win them all.

7.

Akron/Family - Sub Verses

Love the stuff these guys do with Do Make Say Think and their own stuff is great too. They also seem like the nicest hippies! This album would've been higher up the list if it weren't for track 6, which is admittedly, incredibly difficult to listen to.

6.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II

These guys have the best song of the year but as a whole, the album isn't enough to make it my favourite... close though.

5.

Phosphorescent - Muchacho

Phosphorescent has been very consistent with his "bad album, good album" releases. This year is good album time, when he strays away from ultra country and goes more into his depressing tones.

4.

Braids - Flourish//Perish

Braids were such a new experience for me when I first heard them. Their debut album is one of my favourites of all time and this album wins the "most anticipated" award. 

When I saw them at End of The Road they only played the song below from this album. Everything else was brand new, which means I'm going to have to wait for two years until I can listen to them. Already a contender for "most anticipated 2015".

3.

Julianna Barwick - Nepenthe

Here's another act I saw at End of the Road, although surprisingly I wasn't that swayed by her. On record though, it's a different story. Though not ideal as live music, this album is incredibly beautiful, and just for the amount of times I have played it this year, deserves a spot in this list.

2.

Bill Callahan - Dream River

The way Bill Callahan can weave stories into his music astounds me. I never thought I'd be so involved in a song about someone's part-time job painting boats. Outstanding work.

1.

Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold

The band I want to be in. Such a mature sound for guys at such a young age. The most well rounded album of the year and new material can't come soon enough.