Tom Dibb in 'A Pickle Down Under'

As fun and productive as the last 2 years have been it’s time for a new challenge!

It appears that to get heard by the masses today you need to either enter a televised talent competition or spend the rest of your days servicing social networks and posting bedroom videos of other artists already popular songs, neither of which are options that suit me or my style. 

My aim is to build awareness and interest in my music and lifestyle by interacting with people from different cultures across the globe.

I propose to build an audience by bringing together folks passion about music, travel, food, Volkswagen vehicles and culture in one epic adventure!

THE PLAN

In October 2015, I will be driving the van (Pickle) from London to Melbourne, to put on a massive gig on arrival. I will spend three days to a week in each country on route, allowing me to embrace different musical styles, traditions and food!

This'll be shared through filmed Camper van sessions with local musicians, and cook ups with friends I meet on route.

The whole adventure will be documented throughout, with the aim to develop/produce a full-length documentary at the projects completion.

With weekly blogs and vlogs being uploaded to my website, followers will be able to keep track of 'A Pickle Down Under,' watching the grand finale on line, from Melbourne.

ITINERARY

• 12/10/15 AM Caffe Nero Abergavenny, PM Caffe Nero Newport
• 13/10/15 AM Caffe Nero Bristol, PM Caffe Nero Bath
• 14/10/15 AM Caffe Nero Bournemouth, PM Caffe Nero Poole
• 15/10/15 AM Ferry to Jersey
• 19/10/15 AM Ferry from jersey to Granville, France
•  26/10/15 Belgium
• 30/10/15 Luxembourg
• 02/11/15 Germany
• 09/11/15 Austria
• 16/11/15 Italy
• 23/11/15 Slovenia
• 26/11/15 Croatia
• 30/11/15 Montenegro
• 03/12/15 Albania
• 06/12/15 Greece
• 10/12/15 Turkey
• 11/12/15 AM Caffe Nero, PM Caffe Nero
• 12/12/15 AM Caffe Nero, PM Caffe Nero
• 13/12/15 AM Ferry to Cyprus
• 14/12/15 AM Caffe Nero, PM Caffe Nero
• 15/12/15 AM Caffe Nero, PM Caffe Nero
• 17/12/15 Ferry back to Turkey
• 21/12/15 Iran
• 28/12/15 UAE
• 29/12/15 AM Caffe Nero, PM Caffe Nero
• 30/12/15 AM Caffe Nero, PM Caffe Nero
• 18/01/16 India
• 25/01/16 Bangladesh
•  01/02/16 Myanmar
• 08/02/16Thailand
• 15/02/16 Malaysia
• 22/02/16 Indonesia
• 29/02/16 ship to Darwin, Australia
•  06/03/16 On collection of the van, head south east towards Brisbane
• 18/03/16 Gig in Melbourne                     

BUDGET

Personal Budget	Minimum	Desired
Food, Drink, Accommodation, Accidentals, Personal Experience, Medical
	£3120.00	£3900.00
Vehicle
Milage, Shipping, Restoration, Insurance, Carnet, Border Clearance, International Drivers Licence
	£21,000.00	£25,000.00
Visas
Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Iran, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, Letters of Invitation
	£1189.00	£1275.00
Equipment & Other Travel Costs
Miscellaneous	£5,000	£7,000
Total
	£30,309.00	£37,175.00

WHERE I'M AT!

Currently booked to play at 18 of the Volkswagen/music festivals happening this season. The focus at all these events will be to promote and fundraise for the project.

Organising Three 'A Pickle Down-Under' fundraising Events.

Grand Chapel gig August 8th

A Pickle Down Under VW Festival September tbc

Farewell Gig London October 2nd, venue tbc 

Two 'A Pickle Down-Under' online fundraising gigs powered by stageit.com

May 13th https://www.stageit.com/tom_dibb/a_pickle_down_under_fundraiser/46081

September 16th https://www.stageit.com/tom_dibb/a_pickle_down_under_fundraiser/46082

Liaising with production companies, and presenting to international tv/film production students, documentary development options.

Arranging and recording tracks for a new promotional EP

Contacting potential Celebrity patrons

Building a new website sponsored by Philip Harper Graphic Design

Liaising with MV Engineering and Coast VW on Pickle preparation

Securing Thump Clothing and lifestyle brand as a sponsor www.thumpclothing.com 

Finalising Caffe Nero sponsorship level

Sponsored by VW Heritage

VW SHOWS 2015

01/03/2015 SPRING DUB http://www.springdub.co.uk

20/03/2015 DUB AID http://www.dubaid.co.uk

17/04/2015 BUS TYPES http://www.bus-types.co.uk

01/05/2015 T.O.M.I.E http://www.vw-tomie.co.uk

15/05/2015 VANJAMBOREE http://www.vanjamboree.co.uk

17/05/2015 DUBS at THE PARK http://www.dubsatthepark.co.uk

06/06/2015 DUBS MANIA http://www.dubsatthepark.co.uk

22/05/2015 CARRY ON DUBBIN https://www.facebook.com/carryondubbin

12/06/2015 MIGHTY DUBFEST http://www.mightydubfest.co.uk

19/06/2015 BATTLESBRIDGE VW SHOW http://www.battlesbridge.com/events.php

26/06/2015 VDUB AT THE PUB http://www.vdubatthepub.com

03/07/2015 CAMPER JAM http://www.camperjam.com

31/07/2015 VW WHITENOISE http://vwwhitenoise.com

14/08/2015 LEEDS VW FESTIVAL https://www.vwfestival.co.uk

28/08/2015 VW FAB FESTIVAL http://www.vwfabfestival.co.uk

18/09/2015 GRILL N CHILL http://grill-n-chill.co.uk

25/09/2015 RETRO DUBS SUFFOLK http://www.retrodub-suffolk.co.uk

10/10/2015 FINAL CAMPDOWN https://twitter.com/vdubzblackrock1

So hopefully that gives you a fairly good idea of what I'm trying to achieve and where I'm at.

If any one has any advice or feels they or some one they know can support in any way

please don't hesitate to give me a holler and get involved, I need all the help I can get!

I'll keep you posted with developments.

Lets make some noise!

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Bus Types and Shizzle!

After a pretty Awesome and Mental weekend at Oswestry Show Ground for "Bus Types" festival I sit and attempt to share what's gone on.

Early this month monsieur Luke Beirne and I Busted one up to York to meet the team at Plus 48 Records https://www.facebook.com/plus48records?fref=ts and lay down an acoustic EP called "Sun Child" to get out to you guys at all the up coming festivals and shows.

Unfortunately time was not on our side and we did't get down all we needed and therefor "Sun Child" is gonna take a little longer to get to you.

We did how ever have a sick time!

York is Beautiful and full of friendly, artistic, interesting people.
The bars are open till 4am and the jars are cheap...er than London.

We roamed the streets the couple of nights we were there after recording hitting up the open mic scene, which is pretty vast, and often found ourselves conversing with wonderful characters.
Our first night, we found our selves lost trying to get to the van and were rescued by a very friendly gentleman that was a musical director for theatre, who kindly escorted us to the van before navigating his own way home. Thank you sir!

On our second night we visited a kebab trailer, we had also visited the previous eve, yes we are extremely cultured, and were asked what kind of music we played? Having answered this question verbally on numerous occasions that night we thought it best to just play for the Chef in the street.

This resulted in meeting more lovely people including Oli Knight (the photographer) and Eoghan Conlon.
Eoghan is definitely one of the kindest people I have come across to date, so much so I felt like a bad person in his presence. He put Luke and I up that night, insisted we took his bed while he slept on the floor, and offered us everything he had in his cupboard for breakfast.

York and your glorious occupants, I thank you for having us and I will most certainly return.

Bus Types

This was my second year visiting Bus Types https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bus-Types-Vw-Show-Owsestry/143091159092445?ref=br_rs and last year was great. 

This year was awesome!

I did this show alone but of course there was no time for loneliness with a crowd like you lot, so many friendly familiar faces and whole bunch of new ones to.

I arrived late afternoon to get set up and settle in, took up the same spot as last year and got stuck in.

It wasn't long before I was catching up with folks I'd met on the circuit over the last couple of years and after a successful late night session, with some crazy shapes being pulled by our token drunk, at The Camper van Live Lounge, I was invited back for a hang at The Shrewsbury and Telford Transporters club camp, where I experienced my first beer funnel.

We had cracking weather on the Saturday, but given the position of Pickle I wasn't gonna be getting any sunshine in my day, so I thought I'd try something a little different.

So I took to the roof!
This will certainly be happening a lot more for the afternoon sessions, I bloody love Pickles new rack.

I'd seen a little dude busking earlier and hanging around with his guitar, so I asked if he fancied playing a few tunes up on the roof, and what a legend.
Let me introduce you to 12 year old James Jackson.

The kid's awesome, super shy but got the gonads to sit up there in front of a load of people and play.
James, you'll go far man.
Watch out for James Jackson!

Saturday early eve turned in to a fire building bush class with Andy Spruce and sausages on sticks, before what turned out to be one of the best night time sets, purely because the number of you that left the main hall to come get involved, that I've had over the last couple of years doing the circuit.

Thank you all so much for your support over the weekend, getting CD's and donations towards #apickledownunder, it truly means the world to know the kind folk that are backing me.
If you would like to check out some of the tunes from that set, the photographer behind the shot above, fellow camper van dweller 'Martin Cowe' was filming bits and they are available to view on his youtube channel 'Houseless not Homeless' https://www.youtube.com/user/mooey65

After pack down on Sunday I went hunting for a good feed and fell upon a little pub by the canal on route to Ellesmere called 'The Narrow Boat'.
If there's one thing I love more than being on the road its being by the water, so this was the perfect spot for a post festival wind down.

I parked up and it looked pretty closed but as I approached I heard a call behind me, a gent approached, a familiar gent, It was 'Martin'.
'Martin' was a guy I had met during the pack down at Bus Types, he had been running the bar and helped me locate a key to rescue an extension lead locked in a disabled toilet. It turned out he also ran 'The Narrow Boat'.
Martin Invited me in for an ale and said that the kitchen would be open in about 20 minutes, he pulled me a pint and offered me a cigarette, and we sat by the canal side and time passed quickly as Martin shared stories of people and life by the waterside.

I filled myself to the brim with one of my firm favourites, liver and onions, and as I was about to take myself of for a stroll to let dinner go down 'Martin' asked where I was planning to stay and said I was more than welcome to remain in the car par and use the facilities, awesome!

It was a bloody brilliant walk with nothing to hear but birds, sheep, and the odd splash of a fish coming to the waters surface. The sunset was beautiful, the likes of which i have watched over and over at Gwithian Bay, fire in the sky.

I also established that night, that Martins family own the boat yard next door as well. If you're looking for a relaxing break on the canal with glorious scenery this is where you need to head http://www.maestermyn.co.uk
The place is stunning, the staff and patrons of the pub are so friendly and you can buggar off down the canal for a few days or weeks in a proper dandy narrow boat, what more could you want?
Martin and team It was a pleasure meeting you and thank you for having me, I shall see you down stream.

Monday morning I had arranged to meet with Drew Taylor, one of the Shrewsbury, Telford Transporters, in Ellesmere at his Butchers shop for a brew and he had very kindly offered to put me together a package for the road.
After reminiscing our Bus Types adventures over a brew, including crazy drunk dance off's, beer funnels, and the talent of vomiting whilst mid conversation, you know who you are! :D
Drew points to a box on the side next to me and say's "Is that alright for you" Holy shit, there was enough there to feed a family of six for a week!

Drew of B Hawkins & Son

Drew, you sir are a scholar and a gent and thank you for your generosity, I will certainly be supporting who ever the local butcher is where ever I may be in the UK or on "A Pickle Down Under".

After my visit to B Hawkins & Son I hit the road South to hook up with my wonderful friends at Grand Chapel Studios http://www.grandchapelstudios.co.uk Anneliese and Mike. Check out the site and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GrandChapelStudios Its a beautiful studio with a wicked cool team making awesome sounds, I have a couple of sessions filmed there due to go live very soon, and am looking at doing some more cool bits there before "A Pickle Down Under" so keep an ear out.

On this occasion mind it was a social and a thoroughly enjoyable one.

Of course it seemed only right to bring out the meat! so Drew we made a Chicken Curry thanks to your produce. Ok it wasn't made in a camper van this time but it sure could be.

Grand Chapel Chicken Curry:

1 red onion
1 white onion
1 green pepper
1/2 red pepper
1/2 yellow pepper
3 B hawkins and Son quality chicken breasts
an inch of ginger finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp of cheaters garlic
1 1/2 tsp of cheaters red chilli
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam massala
1/2 tsp chilli powder
pinch of curry leaves
3 mini sweet corn chopped so every one gets a bit
1 mange tout cos it happened to be there
1 tin of tomatoes
the last of the pot of coriander
salt and pepper
a drop of ale for good form

I think that was about it...

So I went for a shower while I believe Mike sliced a red onion and fried on a low heat in butter, could be wrong but thats what it smelt like.
Then I came and through my 5 pence worth in and added another chopped white onion the turmeric, garam, ginger, chilli, garlic and fried for a minute longer.
Added a drop of vegetable oil to stop the spices sticking to much and then put the chicken in to brown and take on the flavours.
Once the meat has browned put in the peppers and other veg you've found or chosen. I f its all getting a bit too dry and sticking add a drop of water, stock or Ale was my chosen liquid.
When the veg has started to soften and is coated in the gravy add the tomatoes, curry leaves, coriander and stir through before lowering the heat and putting a lid on it to brew.

This would be when in the van I'd put it to one side and put the rice on, but with the luxury of  a full kitchen the curry can simmer away while the rice cooks with a tsp of turmeric and a dash of oil added before the boiling water. Remember, a quick stir at the beginning is all cool but then put a lid on it and leave it alone.

when the rice is nearly there stick some naan in a preheated oven for 4 mins then your good to go. 
Season the curry to taste and plate up!

Anneliese and Mike, thank you for a bang tidy evening!

That about rounds me up for now.

My next performance will be Friday at 'The Crown and Anchor' http://www.crownandanchorchiswick.co.uk for our #originalacoustics night with Roxy Searle https://www.facebook.com/RoxySearleMusician?fref=ts so come get involved if your in town.  

My next VW show is T.O.M.I.E on the 1st of may so get your ticket here http://www.vw-tomie.co.uk/Tickets.html

The first of the Pickle Down Under fundraising events is swiftly approaching. On the 13th of May I will be doing a live online gig from Pickle to your screens at home. Its pay what you can for a ticket and all funds go in to the 'A Pickle Down Under' pot.

Tickets and viewing link here https://www.stageit.com/tom_dibb/a_pickle_down_under_fundraiser/46081

Opportunities:

If you are an artist and are interested in playing your own tunes and earning a few quid at 'The Crown and Anchor' #originalacoustics, or joining me at some of the VW festivals to give me a holler on tomdibb@hotmail.co.uk or https://www.facebook.com/TomDibbMusic

If you are in to photography and film production and would like to join me to document any of the VW shows give me a holler on tomdibb@hotmail.co.uk or https://www.facebook.com/TomDibbMusic

My next post will be giving you guys the ins and outs of the 'A Pickle Down Under' project cos I'm sure I've not fully explained yet and a lot of you probably have no idea what I'm on about.

Peace x