Tag Archives: music

Vivika's Musings

EH!

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In my younger years I had the pleasure of seeing a lot of live music in my adopted home of Dundee. After a fifteen-year hiatus I paid a visit to the old venue known as ‘The Doghouse’. It was like nothing had changed. There were the same thrills. It was like no time had passed at all.

Before I get to that, first I’d like to mention Lexi Campbell, an amazing individual who I never had the pleasure of meeting. With their passing, a legacy of music behind. Mental health issues are something that can affect all of us, so Lexi’s family and friends made it a mission to raise awareness, supporting some amazing charities at the same time. The Lexfest event was something to be proud of. It was what drew us all back together after such a long time and I was glad to be able to enjoy the music that was provided.

Returning to my own experiences, fifteen years ago, on the music scene was an amazing band called EH! Their unapologetic presence on stage made them a standout. Ian, Sean, Paul and Andy had an excellent mash of indie and classic rock sounds. They had a vibe that was always captivating.

Image Credit: Tracey Stewart Thompson

That was then. In more recent times, things had gone quiet. People mature. Priorities change. Life gets in the way. Then recently word got out that they would be coming back together in support of Lexfest and some wonderful causes. Fifteen years is a long time. Many rehearsals would have to take place to see what still worked. Would they even be able to mesh again? Would it be the same with so many changes on the scene?

During the weeks prior to the gig, I found myself waking up most mornings humming the tunes like I did back then. I was excited to see it all again. I just couldn’t wait to recapture those moments.

The boys took to the stage after the long absence. I took a spot front and centre in the audience. The drums, the bass, the guitars and the bold vocals erupted. It was like they had returned home. They were exactly where they belonged. I had my young niece in my company, and even the younger generation found themselves absorbed.

Image credit: Kirsten Connelly

The music was incredible. They even introduced a new song, ‘Money don’t grow on trees’, which rang with poetry and held such power in the soft melody. I decided there and then it was my new favourite.

I know there were nerves all round within the band. They needn’t have fretted. Music touches the soul in a way nothing else does. It’s never gone. It is an entity that has tremendous power. It reunited us with old friends (missed you so much, Tracey!). It brought us together after all those years. As Ian would say, we formed a ‘wee community’.

I saw the good it did for Paul to get back to those drums again. Andy, you strive for perfection on that bass, and that’s the name of the game. From a fan though, I don’t think you realise how talented you are. Sean, I’ve never known anyone personally who can handle the guitar the way you do. It never ceases to amaze me. Finally, Iain, I missed your poetic spirit. You have an affectionate confidence that most of us can only aspire to.

It was great seeing EH! back on stage again. I look forward to gathering for the love of music all over again!

Main Image credit: Kirsten Connelly

For more information on Lexi:

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/opinion/3212120/amie-flett-lexi-campbell-legacy/

Vivika's Musings

The Soundtrack Of Life

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I am such a person that I spend a lot of my time stuck inside my own head. I’m either focusing on work, relaxing from work, adding some noise to my surroundings or I’m adding some joviality to a situation. Either way all of these instances involve music. I spend a huge part of my day with headphones on. When I’m trying to focus I use music to drown out all else. When I want to take a walk I put on headphones and can ramble for miles. What better way to keep the boredom of a long train journey at bay than by – yes, you guessed it – putting on headphones. With this in mind it gave me cause to think of the part music plays in all our lives.

What kind of music do you like?

It’s hard to find someone that doesn’t like music. it’s such a varied thing that there is surely something for everyone. From cheesy pop to death metal and everything in between there is a soundtrack for all kinds of situations. I guess that’s why movies and television shows use soundtracks to really capture the mood of the scene. Have you ever taken a scene and given it a different kind of soundtrack? it really changes the tone of the scene. Music can be beautiful audible poetry. It can also offer such lyrical genius as, “Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof woof.” Or, “let’s do it like they do on the discovery channel.” (Probably showing my age with those examples there but you get the point).

What does that song make you think of?

Another thing about music is it can be a great memory trigger. Those carefully constructed notes go a long way to bringing all kinds of images to your head. They can make you remember a person or a place. As you listen along all the other senses are called into action. You can taste it, smell it, feel it. You can see the face of someone you haven’t seen for years as though they are standing right in front of you. For creative writers like myself it’s a great tool for picturing scenes, giving characters their personalities and really locking down what kind of emotion you want a scene to portray. I do this now quite habitually. It was on advice from my fellow writer, great friend and mentor that I do this. He himself is a director and musician so he knows all too well the importance of soundtrack.

Dance to your own tune.

The most important thing about music, for me, is how much it lets you explore. Sure you can be stuck on a crowded train into the city but stick on those headphones you can be transported to a memory of a night out with friends. If you’re at the gym and down want to be distracted by how slow the timer on the treadmill is going you stick on those headphones and suddenly you’ve ran your way through three whole songs. If you are hurt, push play on that song and let it guide your emotions. Music is a wonderful thing I can’t even begin to imagine the cold, silent world we would live in without it. So tell me, what does music do for you?

When, cult deprogrammer, John Reynolds, loses someone close to him to the Church of St Wigan, he will stop at nothing to bring them home. He’ll have to call on every skill he has to pull from the clutches of the zealous church leader. A pandering con man is all he has to help him. How far must a man fall before the climb back up becomes too steep. Praise Wigan!

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Ten things you (probably) didn’t know about George Beckingridge

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He’s an adorable little psychopath, right? Well perhaps not. He tends to rile the readers but he does give a lot to talk about. So with that in mind here are ten things you (probably) didn’t know about the heir to the BECKINGRIDGE TOWER.

This may contain some MAESTRO spoilers so if you haven’t read and wish to do so click HERE.

1: Crazy on his mother’s side.

KNOCK KNOCK readers will have met ERNEST BECKINGRIDGE, George’s father, in ISSUE 17: HIGH FLIERS but Maestro readers will remember George’s mother, Alice. Tall, demanding and with a reputation of being a bit of a dragon Alice had a reputation that resonated through the town of Filton and with good reason. She was tough, charismatic and was ahead of her husband in leadership of the Beckingridge Manor. What you may have not known was that Alice was treated as girl for rage bouts and psychopathic tendencies. It seems its like mother like son for Alice and George.

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Beckingridge Manor: home to the Beckingridge family for generations.

2. Cecil

Before music teacher, VINCENT BAINES, came into his life George had no friends. The Peterson twins in the neighbouring mansion house avoided him as best they could. The only person he had ever grown close to or would even consider a friend was a little boy named CECIL. Cecil was sick though. George was never told what had happened to him but when he failed to turn up at school one day George was informed by their teacher, Miss Matheson, that the little boy had died in the night. George was inconsolable.

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As a grown up George still keeps the stuffed animal he named Cecil close.

3. Allergies

To say that George has strange quirks would be putting it mildly. But among those quirks George has a deathly allergy to bee stings. At age seven George had been stung whilst in the gardens of his manor home. His tongue and throat were swollen but his mother Alice, watched him. He was close to death when finally his father gave him his epipen. George, as you can imagine, hates bees.

4. Highly intelligent; emotionally stunted.

Even as a grown up George still has the tendency to behave like a child and a very spoiled one at that. He has the emotional level of an eight year old but when tested he showed an extremely high IQ. Some doctors reckoned most of his childish outbursts were an act. He seemed to enjoy shocking people.

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Ernest Beckingridge: CEO of Beckingridge Financial Empire

5. Twin birthdays.

Speaking of spoiled. The Peterson twins, with some hesitation, offered an invitation to the Peterson manor for their joint sixth birthday party. George accepted. However, seeing the attention the twins were being showered with GEORGE created a scene the way only George could. Ernest had been present but unable to stop his son wrecking the gifts that had been brought for the twins and attacking Oliver Peterson with a soiled nappy. Twin, Ollie was a feisty little boy though and George was sent home with a burst nose.

6. A night at the movies.

We all enjoy a good flick, right? George does too. In fact he had been sat in front of the television so often as a tot with little else to stimulate him it became something of a nanny. He especially enjoys the older films when actor, LAURENCE DUBOE was in his prime.

George loves messy play.

7. On display.

George was sent home from school one afternoon when he was eight after exposing himself to the entire class. Ok maybe that’s not exactly a big surprise but he enjoyed the wave of shock he had brought to the room. Perhaps enjoyed a little too much. It wouldn’t be the first time he exposed himself, nor would it be the last.

George always loved lessons with Mr Baines. Now he knows where to find him, Harbour House rehab.

8. Preservation.

After his mother died George became interested in the embalming and preservation process. He learned everything he needed to know from books he had insisted on getting from the library and even had a shed full of dead pigeons he planned on putting his knowledge to the test on.

9. A distraction.

When Vincent first meets George’s Aunt ELIZABETH, she informs him that his latest pupil may be a bit of a handful. It seems Beckingridge Manor has had some trouble keeping its heir in line. Vincent has been enlisted as a music tutor not only to offer the boy some refinement but also to distract him. Vincent fails to ask what exactly they are trying to distract him from. He finds out for himself soon enough.

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Elizabeth seeks a tutor in the hopes music lessons will give her nephew something positive to focus on.

The reason music is chosen rather than martial arts, drawing or any other pursuit is because George’s favourite place as a boy was the music room. He would spend most of his time in there and when he was in there Alice could lock the door and forget about him for a while.

10. 10 years is too soon.

George was a kidnap victim. After seeing what George was capable of and what the Manor environment was doing to him his teacher offered him a way out. Naively, perhaps but at least it did keep him out of trouble for a while.

Now George is back. He’s all grown up and he’s ready to take the reins of his father’s empire. Part of that empire leads him to Harbour House and the place where his favourite teacher is now resident.

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Assigned as tutor to George Beckingridge, Vincent arrives at the manor.

#amreading #thriller #harbourhouse2020 by @VivikaWidow

When a respected music teacher with obsessive personality disorder meets a psychopathic new pupil he found himself in need of rehab at Harbour House.

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Behind mansion walls are where the true skeletons lie. If you want to take a peek inside Beckingridge Manor check Vivika Widow’s best selling thriller MAESTRO.

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Checking out Teacher

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People in the well to do town of Filton were always a little cautious of new comers. They were a close knit community and scrutinised those new to their town with wary eyes, especially those who would be close to their children.

“Have you met the new teacher yet?” Mrs Wan asked Mrs Jole.

Mrs Jole raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t been made aware there would be a new teacher at the Pettiwick school where her daughters attended. One was in the preschool and would be joining the prestigious classes after the summer. Pettiwick was the best education money could buy.

Mrs Wan could understand Mrs Jole’s concern. At Pettiwick the parents always came first. As such they were always kept in the loop.

“He’s a music teacher,” explained Mrs Wan.“He isn’t permanent. He’s just helping out with the fall concert. Vincent Baines is his name. He’s the son of Fredrick Baines. Do you remember the concert in the city?”

Mrs Jole nodded her head in agreement.

“That was his father. The only reason I know all about this is because he’s teaching Simon violin. It’s only been a few weeks but he’s come on leaps and bounds.”

Mrs Jole’s concerns seemed to be soothed.

“Maybe he can teach the girls. Elle could really use some extra help with piano.”

Elle was Mrs Jole’s eldest. The annual Pettiwick concert was a big occasion in the town. Parents became blood thirsty in their attempts to have their child in a starring position. Ten year old Elle hadn’t shown any interest in music but her mother’s encouragement never stopped.

Mrs Wan pushed her white ceramic cup aside. Half of her decaf soya macchiato still remained. She leaned in closer to her companion.

“I must admit though, there is something a little off about him.”

At first Mrs Jole assumed her coffee mate was fearmongering so her son Simon would have an advantage at the concert.

“How do you mean?” Mrs Jole pressed.

Mrs Wan raised her hand. “I can’t really tell exactly what. There is just something a little off.”

Mrs Jole pursed her lips. She wasn’t buying any of it. If Mrs Wan truly believed that Vincent was odd she would never have him in her home. She would especially not allow him near her precious Simon.

“He’s started teaching at the Beckingridge house, little George I believe. The daughter, Catherine, was been shipped off to boarding school in the city by that aunt,” Mrs Wan continued.

Mrs Jole nodded. She pushed her own cup away. Unlike her companion she had finished her skinny vanilla latte. She had also devoured the gluten free brownie she had ordered with it.

“The child murderer!?” she gasped.

This was a reference to the Beckingridge home. Some time before a body of a child had been found on the land. It was something the suspicious little town rarely spoke of but they would not easily forget.

The door of the coffee shop opened. A young man in his late twenties, carrying a violin case pushed his way in. Mrs Wan – who was facing the door – watched as he approached the barista for attention. He was fair of face and well groomed. His chin was clean shaven, his brown curls styled. He wore a dark purple cardigan that his youth made seem quite trendy.

Mrs Jole looked over her shoulder to see what caught the attention of her friend.

“That’s him,” Mrs Wan explained.

Vincent waited patiently for a black coffee which the barista fetched in record timing. He paid with cash. As he turned he pulled the lid from the takeaway cup and blew on the steaming hot coffee. His eye caught Mrs Wan. He smiled and straightened up. He approached the women. The barista watched the musician, wiping his hands on his black apron.

“Good to see you, Mrs Wan,” Vincent said politely. “How are you?”

Mrs Wan returned the smile. The same warm grin she used for all the Pettiwick faculty.

She gestured with her hand towards Mrs Jole.

“This is Mrs Jole. She’s another Pettiwick parent. You’ll find her eldest daughter in your concert.”

Vincent laid the violin case on the ground and took Mrs Jole’s hand in a firm shake.

“It’s a pleasure,” he said.

Mrs Jole retracted her hand after sufficient time passed. She folded her arms across her chest.

“I think most people are around here are Pettiwick parents. It’s really is the best school by far.”

Vincent lifted his violin again and nursed the coffee in his other hand.

“It’s been nice meeting you Mrs Jole. If you ladies will excuse me I have to rush off.”

He waved the women goodbye and headed to the door. As he reached it it was opened by a large man with a baby strapped to his chest who allowed the musician sufficient room to leave.

Music lessons would do the Elle the world off good Mrs Jole agreed. Vincent was charming and pleasant. Mrs Jole had suspected Mrs Wan was deliberately trying to put her off. She was right though, there was something a little off about the teacher.

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