Author Archives: alvaadmin

FILL THE WELL with AL LEWIS

FillTheWell

In this series, I ask other songwriters about their quest for inspiration and how they tackle the day-to-day tasks of writing quality, engaging songs. Behind every good song is a hard-worker. I want to know how songwriters work and how they fill their well so it never goes dry.

AlLewis

AL LEWIS is a Welsh singer-songwriter living in Tooting, South London. Writing music in both Welsh & English, Al composes modern folk songs reminiscent of classic 70s songwriters. He’s received several well-deserved accolades in Wales (ahem a nomination for the Welsh Music Prize), airplay on BBC Radio 1, 2 & 6 Music, and has just opened for Jools Holland at the Royal Albert Hall. Tomorrow night (December 5th), I am opening for Al at Music from the Market – a quarterly acoustic show series curated by Al & Theresa Heath in the historic Tooting Market. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. Read on to learn more about Al’s songwriting process.Continue Reading

ex-factor cover

Ex-Factor

I hope to share more versions of the songs that made me fall in love with music. To chart my musical history that led me to this point. It might get weird but whatever.

I was in 7th grade, a cheerleader in braces who worshipped her cool older brother. I had just lost my father. I loved pop music – I didn’t have anyone playing weathered vinyls of Joni (that came later); I listened to what was on the radio and I loved Lauryn Hill. She was more honest than Destiny’s Child (who I also loved, don’t get me wrong). She seemed true to herself and to her message, and that struck me. I remember buying the “Everything is Everything” single in 1999. It hung in one of those plastic CD sheets that you tacked on the wall, probably purchased from Spencer’s Gifts. On that single, there is a bonus track – a simple mix of “Ex-Factor.” It was one of the first songs that made me fall in love with music. Here is my version, my tribute to a pin in my musical map.

Please download & share.

Photo by Ian Dingle / Design by Alva Leigh

saving with jamie

     

I am obsessed with Jamie Oliver’s new cookbook Save with JamieAbby gave it to us as a hostess gift when she visited us in September and I have cooked from it so much this fall. When I looked up some reviews of this cookbook, the press referred to it as Jamie’s “austerity” cookbook (Oh, I love this country), meaning all of the recipes cost a few pounds per serving. He achieves this by dressing up leftover Sunday roast throughout the week. You spend £8 on a beef brisket for Sunday and have curry on Monday, tacos on Tuesday, stew & jacket potatoes on Wednesday, etc. There are lots of tips for using up leftover veggies, overripe fruit, stale bread, etc. and turning into useful kitchen standbys. It is so practical and very user-friendly but the recipes are really delicious.

We are in austerity mode up here in north London, so needless to say, I have been all about saving with Jamie. Here are some my of favourite recipes from the book that are available online. I’ve made all of these and they are so good.

Meatballs alla Norma / Lamb koftas / Veggie korma with cauliflower pilaf / Hit & Run chicken tray bake

I think this would be a fantastic housewarming gift, hostess gift, Christmas gift, etc. Who doesn’t want to save money on groceries and still crank out delicious meals? And on an expat note, this cookbook has everything from piri piri to roast to cauliflower cheese – a pretty good overview of all the things you might find on a British dinner table. When Americans say there is no good food in England, they just haven’t been invited over for dinner. Or supper. Or tea. Or whatever.

Photos by David Loftus / Recipes by Jamie Oliver from Save with Jamie 

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