In early 2009 I had this idea/concept that all sounds, noises and words could be connected in some strange sonic organic mashed up world, where everything is equal, odd, and often weird and absurd. Most of the time I’m not too sure what the content of each show is going to be, as most shows are improvised as I go along. However, TOSS does tend to incorporate elements such as, nonsense poems, monologues, my own spoof commercials, real and quite often fictional information, my own music, abstract noises, readymade loops and a frequent use of plunderphonics, which I lift from the internet. There are however, some shows which focus on a particular theme, for instance, pop music or post-modernism, but this doesn’t happen very often. Basically, TOSS is my arbitrary take on oddness and absurdity, along with all manner of other stuff thrown into the mix to help create its content.
So far I haven’t collaborated with anyone whilst producing TOSS, unless one includes pluderphonics. In which case, some elements of TOSS could possibly be described as a kind of conceptual on line collaboration, which I then re mould, so to speak, and give new meaning/s to. However, outside the workings of TOSS, I’ve collaborated with a number of people, for example, the artist Martha Moopette, Vulnavia Vanity, Erik Bumbledonk and Ergo Phizmiz, and most recently, with an artist called Elvis Herod.
Most of the time I make the shows simply by playing, improvising and messing about with ideas, thoughts and feelings. I frequently write ideas down and surf the net, especially ‘YouTube.’ Then, gradually, I pull as many ideas together as possible, and take it from there. What I’ve learned during the process is that all manner of sounds, noises, humour, playing, words, concepts etc, are all equally important. I’ve learnt that most, if not all the rules subjected to the creative act are simply an unnecessary hindrance. I strongly believe that all creativity needs to be positively subverted, yet always free. TOSS I feel, is a small step into such a creative process. I’m not too sure where TOSS is heading next, but what I do know, is that it will continue to try and surprise, confuse, baffle, and have fun, and hopefully entertain the listener, apart from that, your guess is as good as mine.
I was born in Chiswick West London in May 1961, I play guitar, write silly songs, monologues, short stories, plays and the occasional nonsense poem. I produce sound works and sometimes short webcam films, and I used to paint, draw cartoons and illustrations.
