GBP
By Matt Thomas
For me the TJF Music Club has been an unmissable opportunity to stay connected with all of you wonderful human beings out there who love our band and support what we’re doing. There aren’t many musicians who get a chance to connect on the level we all do, and for that I’m truly grateful. It’s been a crazy ol’ ride since we were all together in one room, but the TJF Music Club has certainly helped us three through the madness. I sincerely hope that it has also helped soothe the ache of a thousand missed shows for all of you too.
I have to say it’s been a huge amount of fun performing all the top-notch covers that you've suggested and getting a real chance to rework some of our songs acoustically for everyone’s lil’ earholes. In the future I am hopeful that all three of us will be amplified, so we can broadcast the full-on, ear destroying performances we all know you really want. Perhaps more importantly, I'll get my gong back.
Right then. I know what you’re all thinking. Stop yabbering on and tell us what the Charles Dickens is up with your encores? Fair enough. Here’s how it all began...
The week we started the online shows I was unable to appear with Ritzy and Rhydian during the main set, so it was decided that I should perform the encore. For me, this was an opportunity to do something a little bit different. Not just your normal live music performance, but something offbeat, strange and surreal. With that in mind, I placed some CGI dancing squirrels on my kick drum and created a ridiculous back and forth between me and a cuddly Formidabear who was supposedly filming my performance. After the show was broadcast I excitedly grabbed my phone and took a look at what people were saying online. Almost all of the comments contained the phrase ‘MORE DANCING SQUIRRELS!’.
Knowing that everyone wanted more surreal nonsense certainly spurred me on to create the most bizarre content I could imagine. Luckily I’ve watched (and rewatched) hours of Tim and Eric, Lady Dynamite, Metalocalypse, Stewart Lee, BrassEye and of course Monty Python. My inspiration can come from anywhere, so I always write down any fantastical ideas I have and sing and record melodies that appear in my head into my phone. Space moles, talking sprouts, cardboard instruments, face paints, snowmen that fart fire. Anything is possible with a little imagination. And time. You need lots of time. Usually it takes me three to six weeks to write, film, edit and produce the encores. Sometimes the filming alone has taken me three or four days. Partly because I have to move all my furniture aside and set up a huge green screen and studio lights in my lounge, but mainly because every version of me playing another instrument or in different clothes has to be filmed separately and composited together like a huge collage. I often press the record button on the camera, run into position, do a whole take and find the camera isn’t focussed properly. There’s hours and hours of unseen footage I’ve deemed unusable. One such clip that I hope never sees the light of day involves me playing imaginary steel drums in my underpants, which surprisingly IS in focus. One for the OnlyFans perhaps?
When all is said and done, I would suggest that the people who demanded more squirrels in the encores caused me to career headfirst down a road of utter madness and lunacy.
Ah, well. I wouldn’t have it any other way. :-)
Luv, Matt. x
Sign up for a Monthly or Annual Plan to watch Mr Matt Thomas' encores. Matt has his own category Backstage :-)
TJF Music Club - Monthly Plan
£7.50
Thank you for checking out our monthly TJF Music Club. By joining the club you will get Backstage access to lots of exclusive music, online shows and livestreams with your support going directly to the artist. Here's some of the offerings that you can expect from… Read More
TJF Music Club - Annual Plan
£74.99
Thank you for checking out our annual TJF Music Club. By joining the club you will get Backstage access to lots of exclusive music, online shows and livestreams with your support going directly to the artist. Here's some of the offerings that you can expect from the… Read More
