Papa Was A Rolling Pin. 

The Robin hasn't been around for a long time, but just now it was having a drink in the water that I put out for thirsty birds. It was looking a bit bedraggled, scruffy and dusty; sure enough, it took the plunge and had a jolly splash about for about ten minutes. I kept thinking it had finished, and then it jumped in again. By the time it had finished, it was glossy and sleek: it shook the drops…
A vote of confidence for my new songs from Gary Trueman at www.devolutionmagazine.co.uk 'Helen McCookerybook wins the room over with her beautiful voice and brave, deeply personal songwriting. Tackling serious themes with pure heart and soul' Just what I need to hear today!
I've invented a new thing: mindlessness. It's the opposite of mindfulness, and much, much more relaxing.
Bloody bingo! Trying to write it in my head worked- I have the bassline written but not the skill to play it yet. Which means practicing. Urgh. I'm trying to channel Andy Warren, while sitting down instead of standing up, and not having my ankles crossed like he does. To be honest, I don't practice bass at all so I shouldn't begrudge putting a couple of hours in to get it right. I had a tiny…
I'm not sure if I'm skiving or just taking a bit of time out! Yesterday, I was a victim of funky lateness twice in one go: things that are supposed to begin at a certain time and don't seem to be part of social life. I didn't mind though. Every time I walk somewhere it's an opportunity to think through stuff to do with the album; the reflection is part of the process. The bass guitar is looming in…
Playing the songs 'out' on Saturday has taught me a lot. I'm going to swap to playing the Telecaster for some songs- which means quite a lot of re-recording. The Green Goddess sounds just too pretty for a couple of the more energised songs. I also know it was a wise decision to wait until the weather cools down a bit to do the lead vocals. I've finally got used to the change in my lung capacity…
There was no way I was going to miss Violet Violet, who were first on at the Loud Women Stage. Fliss Kitson, the dance-behind-the-kit drummer from The Nightingales, had a teenage band with Cherie Percy and I'd watched their videos on Youtube. Here they were harking back to their young selves, but in the freshest and most powerful way you could possibly imagine. I loved them: they are such…
Not only is Blackpool an extraordinary place, but Rebellion is an extraordinary festival. It was quite anxiety-inducing to read in advance of the number of hotels that had deliberately double-booked (the air show was on at the same time), and who were turning away prospective guests. I think there are going to be rather a lot of lawsuits before next year: I'n not sure whether the proprietors…
Suburban stories, fractured friendships, puncturing power: Showtunes from the Shadows is here for you on #BandcampFriday! https://helenmcc.bandcamp.com/album/showtunes-from-the-shadows
On Tuesday, Gina and Lindy and me went for our annual lunch together, going to a oc park afterwards where we watched a very friendly fox pottering around. It was so relaxed that it was perfectly happy for children to film it on their phones. There were tiny blue butterflies landing on the flowers around us, and a dusting of drizzle swept past us to complete the magical experience. I had to cancel…
I really don't like snails and slugs at all, but yesterday I felt so sorry for a dried up slug that was lying on the paving stones that I watered it with a bit of water. I thought it might have died because even its skirt had warped, and it had curved inwards upon itself. This morning, though, it had gone. I hope it managed to survive. I've been watering the garden with bath water. A while ago I…
Left to right: Lester Square, me, Karina Townsend and Ruth Tidmarsh. I haven't had time to write it up because I was ill last week, but it was a fantastic afternoon at the Eel Pie pub. There is some footage of it which I'll upload soon.
Almost Acoustic at Rebellion Punk festival in Blackpool next Saturday- onstage at 6.30 p.m. when I'll be playing a set of brand new songs about the Brighton punk scene in 1977 I'll also be interviewing Pete Bentham of The Dinner Ladies on Saturday lunchtime, and Shanne Bradley of The Nips on Sunday lunchtime.
In 2015, Gina and me were chatting about my book The Lost Women of Rock Music and a film she was in the process of making about The Raincoats. Gina had shot extra footage of many of the women she'd interviewed, and we talked about maybe collaborating on a DIY film loosely based on that footage and possibly more interviews with the musicians I'd spoken to for the original book. I'd been teaching…
I went to the posh loo in a posh shopping centre. There were recordings of a forest with birds singing, and trees swishing in a gentle breeze. It did smell rather horrible in there, though. The conveniences themselves had fancy hard translucent pink seats for hygiene (they said). I lifted the seat and a fly flew out of the bowl. Later, when I went to wash my hands, the cleaner was trimming the…
One of my favourite animals is the hare. To escape being detected, it jumps sideways to break its scent trail. It is then faced with an entirely different landscape to work out a route through. I keep this in mind, constantly. https://helenmccookerybook.bandcamp.com/track/hare
Stop press! I'm honoured to be part of a supporting cast for Caroline Trettine 's album launch on the 12th of September. Terry Edwards will join me for a couple of songs. Look at the line-up! Further details here: www.carolinetrettine.com
I've recorded thirteen songs for my new album and as always, it is changing tack as it goes on. Originally I'd thought of a simple guitar and vocal recording but then it just grew. I am going to ask a couple of other guest musicians next week (they may say no, because they are both very busy), but as it is it is already surprising me with its sound. I tried to record one of the songs this morning…