the emzae archive, part 1

I found some things as I was upgrading my computer

Last week, an event took place at Zirconia HQ (to be very clear once again, my bedroom) that was a long time in the making.

After making great use of my iMac for 11 treasured years, a Macbook Pro-sized package arrived in the post along with various other items, including a new chair, desk, audio interface and MIDI keyboard.

A strangely emotional few days followed, during which I combed through over a decade’s worth of musical memories to decide what was to be archived and what was to be transferred over to the new computer.

During the process, I found several old gig posters and demos I’d forgotten. So who better to share them with than the #embaes?!?!!?!?! See if you can find any gigs you attended, or how many artists and bands you might be able to recognise or remember. Particularly if you’re from the East Midlands!

chatzae members can scroll to the bottom of this post, past the paywall, to access a previously unheard 2016 demo. All I ask is that you ignore the slightly out of tune chorus. Otherwise, I think it’s got a bit of charm.

My first visit to Nottingham's Bodega - 2018

My first Dot to Dot festival for BBC Introducing - 2018. I played I think two songs for the very first time using my electronic equipment at this gig. I WAS TERRIFIED.

My first Beat the Streets festival - 2019

A poster for Riverside Live festival in Derby - 2019

The line-up for my stage at Riverside Live

A poster for a support slot I played at the Chameleon in Nottingham with The Honeymoon Suite for Cinema Gold in 2019. Cinema Gold was made up of three members from a band called The Shrives, who I LOVED! This poster reminds me of the pre-pandemic world when I had some of my savings left and could go out more. It was a great time.

A poster for the Dog and Parrot all-dayer in Eastwood, which I played in 2019. We ended up sort of stuck in the corner of the pub after my set because it was so busy in there, and we were right next to the drumkit. Luckily I had earplugs.

A poster for DPP festival 2020, at the now-closed Sitwell Tavern in Derby. Fun fact, this gig was promoted by the lovely Dominic Penna, who is now a political correspondent at the Daily Telegraph!

A poster for Beat the Streets festival - 2020

The demo

(Scroll past the paywall, or subscribe here to unlock)