CURRENT MISSION
Proving my promising future is not behind me...

ABOUT ME
I’m a Scottish musician and record label owner living and working in Warsaw, Poland.

I run the “too many fireworks” record label / agency and I play guitar and piano in an instrumental post-rock band called “The Frozen North”. I occasionally DJ / podcast indie-pop with my friend as “If You’re Feeling Sinister”, and I write and record indie-pop songs under various names. On top of all that, I manage bands, promote and organise shows, and teach various music industry topics at a small independent music school.

I am the adopted dad to a 3 year old black cat called Rima.

PHILOSOPHY
Couchsurfing appeals to my own personal philosophy that I try to express through my record label and through my work in the music industry in Poland; and that is that a sense of community, cooperation, collaboration and DIY attitudes should be encouraged. In music, for instance, I believe bands should steer clear of “battle of the bands” contests and such things and instead should club together to organise and promote their own events. Couchsurfing is great in that it brings people together in that same spirit of community and cooperation.

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
For various reasons, I have been away for a couple of years but I’ve come back to the couchsurfing community partly because I’d like to travel more in 2016 and partly because I’d like to host more.

I'm happy to host 1 to 2 people but I'm also here to make friends and show people around my adopted city of Warsaw.

I often attend independent music shows in the city so I’d be happy to take guests along to a live music event if there’s something cool happening.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Back in the late 2000s, I hosted many travelers back in Glasgow. When I moved to Poland, I lost touch with the community and have no idea where my old profile disappeared to, however, I met some amazing folk in that time and CS even introduced me to an Icelander that subsequently signed to my record label. Serendipity, eh? In 2013, I hosted a good many guests at my place in Warsaw and had some lovely experiences but circumstance meant I had to leave for a while. I look forward to hosting more couchsurfers soon.

Intereses

Records, books, and films.

My first love, of course, is music and I spend a great amount of time thinking about it, listening to it, and talking about it. I like to discuss the ethics and politics of the music industry, the business, but most of all, just about the music and the people who make it. I am also interested in photography and in taking pictures though I don’t do it so much anymore. I’m a big football fan though to save you asking in the future - no I don’t support either Rangers or Celtic. I’m an Airdrieonians fan (who?) and a Newcastle United fan. I enjoy reading about pure mathematics and neurology (especially when related to music), but some of it just sails over my head. I’m also politically engaged and active with a left-wing, socialist viewpoint. And yes, had I been allowed a vote; I would have voted for Scottish independence.

• cats
• arts
• books
• photography
• diy
• ethics
• dining
• running
• clubbing
• politics
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• live music
• guitar
• piano
• soccer
• business
• communications
• mathematics

Música, películas y libros

You can see my listening habits over at last.fm
http://www.last.fm/user/photoneil

I love the movies of Aronofsky, Kubrick, Spielberg, and Loach.

My favourite book is Lanark by Alasdair Gray - and I love the Sherlock Holmes stories. I read an absurd number of music biographies.

But that's just the beginning, right?

Algo increíble que he hecho

You know, it's tempting to answer this with some label stories, band stories or TEDxWarsaw stories but you know; a couple of weeks ago; I gave my fast-food meal to a homeless man who asked if he could have some food. I think it's sad that this would be considered amazing; but having seen this guy being turned away by countless other diners in the restaurant, it seems it is.

Enseña, aprende, comparte

Teach
I teach classes and workshops in songwriting, social media for musicians, intro to music production, and various other music related topics. I also occasionally consult for up-and-coming unsigned or independent bands to help them navigate the murky waters of the music industry. I also teach guitar; and if you want to know about indie music, I’m your man.

Learn
I’m always happy to learn new things. One couchsurfer taught me how to play ukulele and another taught me card tricks. I like to learn of arts and indie music from other parts of the world.

Share
If you bring a musical instrument on your travels, we can have a jam. If not, we can go out to some events or just sit in and listen to some great tunes.

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

I can teach my hosts a little Polish...

No seriously - it's hard!

Bardzo trudny!

Países que he visitado

Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Ukraine, United States

Países en los que he vivido

Poland, United Kingdom