Hey,
It's been another amazing week — one of those where you actually stop for a second and realise just how much is going on.
This Week
Wednesday — Windsor & Eton Brewery, Windsor Had a great feel to it — one of those nights where you can sense something building. It's starting to turn into something really special there, and I'm enjoying being part of it.
Thursday — night off for the birthday girl Took the night off to celebrate my daughter's 8th birthday. Pizza Express, family time… no better reason.
Friday (afternoon) — Dementia Day Centre, Claygate I can't emphasise enough how important this gig is to me. Every time I go in, I'm greeted with warmth, conversation, kindness — people asking about me, my family, and remembering.
In a life where time always feels short and the schedule is packed, it reminds me how lucky I am to be busy, to be working, to be able to support my family doing what I do. For many of the people I play for there, life looks very different. And yet the joy they show in those moments is genuinely moving.
And if I'm honest — they make me feel like a rockstar every single time.
Friday (evening) — The Maypole, Surbiton One of those places that just feels right. I've known the owner for years and his support over time has meant a lot. It's turned into a proper regular spot now — familiar faces, new faces, and people travelling in because they know I'm playing. We ended with a group singalong to a certain Tenacious D song… if you know, you know.
Saturday — Kew Gardens Hotel, Kew Brilliant evening. Lots of dancing early on, then it shifted into something more intimate later. I ended up sitting with a group, playing acoustic, taking requests, having a proper social afterwards. Those nights are special in a completely different way.
Earlier in the day my wife took the girls to dance class, and I managed to catch up with a good mate over coffee. It had been too long. Life gets busy when you're chasing things, but good friendships don't disappear — you just pick up where you left off.
On My Mind
I started back at Anstee Bridge this week, getting properly stuck into teaching again. One thing I'm really excited about right now is working towards recording the students — capturing them doing what they do best. The idea is simple: give them something real to hold onto. Something they can keep forever.
There's something powerful about hearing yourself back for the first time. It's daunting, but it's honest. Music doesn't come out of the box sounding polished — it's shaped, refined, and built over time. I want them to see that process, to understand that what they hear from their favourite artists didn't just arrive fully formed.
If anything, I hope it helps them realise they've got something to offer. Whether they pursue music long-term or not, that moment of creating something real is something to be proud of.
On a personal note — it was my daughter's 8th birthday this week. Watching her open her presents, seeing how happy she was… it hits differently as a parent. At the same time, seeing my other two girls just as excited for her — no jealousy, just love. That says everything.
Coming Up
- Sunday 19 Apr — Open Mic at WeBrew, Kingston (7pm) — tonight
- Tuesday 21 Apr — Private Function
- Thursday 23 Apr — The Red Lion, Hackbridge (7pm)
- Friday 24 Apr — School Discos (afternoon) + The Acre, Windsor (9:30pm)
- Saturday 25 Apr — The Albion, Hampton Court (8:30pm)
- Sunday 26 Apr — Open Mic at The Sovereigns, Woking (8pm)
Featured
Tonight I'm heading over to WEbrew in Kingston to host the open mic. That's something I'm really enjoying building — seeing familiar faces come back, new people stepping up, and slowly turning it into a proper little community of musicians.
That's the goal really — not just playing gigs, but creating spaces where people feel part of something.
See you out there,
Aaron
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