UNADULTERATED POSITIVITY - POST 3 of 3

When I moved to Brighton 6 years ago I was somewhat overwhelmed by the place. It was (and still is) by far the coolest place I've ever lived and one of the coolest cities I've been to, full stop. I remember talking to certain longer term residents back then, many of whom had a somewhat jaded, slightly cynical 'it was better in the old days' attitude. Club X was better when it was Club Y. That contingent has left and been replaced by this less authentic one. Etc etc.

Now I've been here for a good few years that way of thinking is proving prone to creeping into my mindset, and that of the people I know who've lived here for a similar amount of time. Bamboo Bar was better than the Fringe Bar. The Londoners are driving out the bohemian types. Etc etc. Local publications are just as bad, printing attention-grabbing, ephemeral and vacuous digs at local life, oozing with self aware irony and flippant negativity.

Well, I take solace in the fact that I meet people who've just moved here who are equally as enthusiastic, optimistic and positive as me when I was a fresh faced Brighton newcomer. I love it when I proudly tell someone I'm from Brighton and am met with a dreamy response of "aaaah, Brighton!" (especially when coming from someone on the other side of the world!) I try to put my cynicism in context and remember that, if you stay anywhere for long enough, the novelty wears off. Places you love close down. People from scenes you aren't part of and don't understand carve out their niches and establish their hang outs.

Yes, Brighton has its downsides. Escalating house prices, bewidlering town planning and the slow decline of the club scene seem to be conversation breakers on par with the weather these days. But, lets remember people, boy does it have its up-sides, too. Huge, shiny, wonderful, uplifting, life-affirming up-sides!

I'm surrounded by some of the most talented, driven, creative, intelligent individuals I've ever met.

Everyone has their dream and, be it in the early stages of development, in full flow, or in an 'at least I gave it my best shot' wind-down, people actually work towards it with energy, ambition and enthusiasm.

Every band, musician and DJ you could hope to see grace Brighton's many and varied venues.

One of the biggest art festivals in Europe presents us with more choice than we can deal with every May.

There is an overwhelming sense of proactive, planet-friendly, left-wing, live and let live sentiment everywhere you go.

The city is culturally and sexually vibrant and accepting.

We are sandwiched between a national park and the sea.


My favourite thing about Brighton has always been the optimism and individualism of the people I meet. If we give in to cynicism, lamenting the mostly imagined long-lost glory days, you can guarantee that our city really is going to turn to shit.

UNADULTERATED POSITIVITY - POST 2 of 3

I'm going out clubbing shortly with a big group of lovely friends for the first time in ages and I'm well excited.

Doctor Who was on earlier and I fucking love Doctor Who. A lot.

I'm currently working on a tune that I think is sounding rather great thus far. It's a two part affair starting chilled and ending up as scattery techno (which I also fucking love).