Music for MRI

Marissa Nadler

2011-09-30T03:06:00.000-07:00

Over the last 6 weeks, soon after the Ash/We are Scientists release (which was, and continues to be an amazing success) my life, time and energy has been nothing but firmly focused on my family, what with my Father and 4 month old baby both finding themselves in hospital, both very unwell... It was during this time, at my lostest ebb I received an email out of the blue from Marissa Nadler, included in the email was a link to the finished version of Washington Parks... What can I say except is it everything i wished for, beautiful, haunting and completely fitting for the situation/mood I was in at the time, and to be honest, am still in..

Ever since the email mentioned above, the health of my Father and son is improving day by day... I have exchange lovely emails with Marissa who has offered incredible words of support, and in her words "It was fate that she sent the song that day, at that time, at my lowest"

Have an advanced listen below, the song will be released end of October, as with all versions of Washington Parks" all profit from any purchase is going to the MS Society to help beat Multiple Sclerosis..

Marissa Nadler - Washington Parks by happymonster

P.s. Check out the special addition on this version of the final verse, from the beginning I have wanted Marissa to add the final verse, something I never got round to recording but was always my intention..

Ash & We Are Scientists - Washington Parks Full digital release!

2011-08-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Finally the song has made it to most, if not all digital sellers, some links are below, if I havent linked, just search in your normal ways from all listed below.. Thank you all if you have already purchased and supported the project through my bandcamp.

Amazon.co.uk HERE
Amazon.com HERE
Itunes UK HERE
Last.fm HERE

7digital

Amazon MP3

Apple iTunes

Deezer

Emusic

GreatIndieMusic

iHeart Radio

Last.fm

MediaNet

MySpace Music

Napster

Nokia

Rhapsody

Spotify

Tradebit

Verizon

Zune

Ash & We Are Scientists - Washington Parks RELEASED NOW

2011-08-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Quick project recap:

Back in February 2011 I was stuck in traffic listening to my original version of "Washington Parks" when the idea of this project hit me.. I have for a long time wanted to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that I have struggled with for 7 years now, but wanted to do something away from the normal and I really wanted to somehow involve music. After all music has been one the most important factors along with my family that has helped me through the really dark and tough times..

I never thought I would still be blogging in August having raised over £10,000, let alone releasing an Ash & We Are Scientists collaboration as the third major song for my project. The first being Ed Harcourt, the second Emmy the Great.. well here it is. A STEREO collaboration between Ash (left channel) and We Are Scientists (right channel) of "Washington Parks" available now to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis... The song is featured just below, along with a video to the song done by one of my bestest friends Adam Rogers... A MASSIVE thank you to everyone involved who has given their time and help make this happen, most noticably the two awesome bands Tim, Mark, Rick, Keith, Chris & Andy

If you can afford, please help by buying the songs available. All money goes to the MS Society to help fund their vital work in beating MS......

Amazon mp3, Itunes, and all other digital links will appear hopefully this week.

**News articles, blogs etc**

Link to NME.com article HERE
Link to article on Official Ash site HERE
Link to article on Official MS Society site HERE
Link to Blog by Ash Gardner who recorded the AWESOME drums HERE
Link to MS Society Facebook article HERE
Featured in today's (12/08/2011) Guardian newspaper

If, however you do not fancy a song, but would like to help the cause and support my project, you can donate directly to my MS Society fundraising page, right HERE

Picture of Rick and Andy recording the drums for Washington Parks.. Double Drumming!!! Photo from HERE

Interview with Chris Cain (We Are Scientists) taken from examiner.com, interview by Ken Grand-Pierre
Full interview HERE

Examiner: A couple months ago I got to interview Tim Wheeler of Ash (Read here: http://randomville.com/wordpress/?p=10311) and I asked him about the possibilities of Ash and We Are Scientists (AKA WASH) to record or tour a track. He said it’s very likely the next thing Ash will release is a WASH track so any word on that?

Chris: We actually recorded a single which is going to come out soon. It won’t be too long until it’s out and it’s for a charity in England called the Multiple Sclerosis Society. It’s a cover of a song called “Washington Parks” by Happy Monster (Robert Manning) but its pretty sweet. The concept of the song is that if you listen to it on headphones or stereo the musicians of Ash are on the left channel and all the We Are Scientists guys are playing it in the right channel. We’re playing the same song essentially but in different ways.
I’m not playing the same bass line as Mark and Rick isn’t playing the same drum pattern as Andy. I think Keith and Tim sing the same thing but in a different sort of harmony. What’s interesting especially is that not only do we have a unison feel going on but you can also take off one headphone and hear one band and vice versa.

Ash & We Are Scientists - Washington Parks

2011-08-05T03:41:00.001-07:00

Song to be released Monday, fully equipt with awesome video.. check back here Monday!

Meeting Ash at Ben & Jerry's festival, London

2011-07-25T01:46:00.000-07:00

On Saturday 23rd July, Megan and I were lucky enough to get invited by Tim Wheeler to see them play at the Ben & Jerry's festival in Clapham..

I can first off report nothing tastes as good as VIP ice cream...

Secondly after their set (which was A-mazing, personal favourite "Return of White Rabbit"), Megan and I got to meet Tim and Rick.. They are the nicest guys you are likely to meet under such circumstances..

We had a quick chat about their cover of my song (to be released in the next couple of weeks), I thanked Tim over and over for his involvement in my project and all the help he has given, and Rick told me how much he likes the song "Washington Parks"

So, please, keep your eyes and ears peeled, in the next couple of weeks I will be releasing the Ash, We are Scientists collaboration for my Music for MRI project.. the video is near completion, and im super excited..

MS Week + New additions

2011-06-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

Bonjour..

Ive a lot to catch up on today, so bare with me whilst I rattle through some updates..

New Addition:

Firstly I would like to introduce the most important new addition to the world, our new family addition. On May 17th at 10.29am Parker Matthew Manning was born healthy and happy completing our family.. I must admit it was a worry living life with Multiple Sclerosis and knowing that I will be waving goodbye to necessary sleep and my normal routine.. There is little left to amaze me in this life but the absolute strength unconditional love can bring is somewhat reassuring. Prior to Parker's arrival if I had anything less than 8 hours sleep the next day I was a mess and could not function anywhere near "normal".. However, recently I have been getting by (pretty well) on nothing but broken sleep, 2 hours here, 3 hours there and even nights without any. It has been hard work though, I am experiencing a whole new set of MS symptoms that I have never experienced before. Most noticeably PAIN! In my thighs, upper arms,waist, back, if I am slightly touched or knocked it feels like ive been punched on an already existing bruise. I went to the doctors, who were as normal with anything MS related useless "oh, its probably the MS" is the normal and easy come back... Which leaves me looking on the internet.. "Dear internet, are these symptoms MS related".. The one thing Ive always struggled with having MS is the amount of different symptoms, no one is the same, and whenever you go to the doctors they just say that its probably MS whilst reading up in a medical bible.. but, WHAT IF ITS NOT! could it be something more sinister that they are not checking just because im labeled with having such an disease.. Oh well, I carry on, enjoying my family and having endless support from my wife Megan...

New Band Additions:

Right, back to business, Ive a couple of new artists to welcome to my project, both of which im extremely excited about.. Firstly Devonté Hynes (Lightspeed Champion, Blood Orange), I have big thanks to Emmy the great for this one, and obviously i'm hugely excited to hear his version, I will keep you fully up to date as soon as I know more..Devonté Hynes has written and contributed songs for a number of acts. His arrangements and vocals have appeared on songs by The Chemical Brothers, from 2007's Grammy award winning album We Are The Night which entered the UK Albums Chart at #1), Basement Jaxx (on their album Scars), as well as Florence and the Machine for her #1 album Lungs and Solange Knowles

Secondly, Faces on Film, an artists from Boston, USA I was introduced to Faces on Film by Marissa Nadler and I instantly fell in love with them. so the first thing I did was email Mike to see if I can get him involved.. Thankfully he said YES!

I dare you, yes I double dare to listen to the song below and not fall in love with it!!

MS Week:

I was able to release "Washington Parks" by Emmy the great & Tim Wheeler just in time for national MS awareness week.. which was great timing.. I therefore spent a lot of my paternity leave trying to get retweets on twitter (yes spamming the well-known) which proved very successful.. For a week or so the song featured in the Amazon.co.uk bestselling top 20 Folk songs(MP3's) which was incredible, even beating a couple of my favourite Bob Dylan songs.. HA! So if you purchased, thank you a million times over..

And finally:

As we sit here today my project has raised over £10,000.. which is AWESOME, said in my best American accent!!. I have also heard back from ASH's management that the ASH & We are Scientists collaboration cover of my song is going to be properly promoted.. So hopefully my project will get a further boost from promotions in the national music press/radio etc.. im hoping.. hoping... hoping.. The release is getting slightl;y delayed due to that fact but it will be soon, and trust me IT'S BRILLIANT!! I am also getting a video made by an awesome close friend in Canada, so keep your eyes peeled.. it will all be worth the wait!!

My project gets a secretive mention in this interview with Mark Hamilton (ASH Bassist) here

So cover versions soon to be released by confirmed artists:

ASH & We are Scientists
Marissa Nadler
You,Coma
Devonté Hynes
Faces on Film

Thank you interweb x

Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler - Washington Parks, Digitally Released

2011-05-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

Roll up, roll up,

The latest music release for my Multiple Sclerosis project is now available.

Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler - Washington Parks- On sale from the following

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://happymonster.bandcamp.com/track/emmy-the-great-tim-wheeler-washington-parks"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Emmy the Great &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Tim Wheeler - Washington Parks by Happy Monster&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Itunes Link

Amazon.co.uk Link

Amazon.com Link

Last.fm Link

Tim Wheeler speaks out about his involvement on the Ash official website: see link below
http://t.co/WVU5g6c

Emmy the Great speaks out about her involvement on Emmy's official website: see link below
http://t.co/fJqHp8U

I am running out of superlatives to express my up-most thanks to everyone involved.. But, needless to say, a massive THANK YOU to Emma - Lee Moss and Tim Wheeler (singer in ASH)...for taking time out to help in my fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis.

Sit back, drink some tea and listen to Emmy's and Tim's beautiful interpretation of my song, and remember 100% of the money you give from buying this song is going to the MS Society to help people like me with Multiple Sclerosis..

The song will be also available on Amazon, Itunes and all other major digital distributors in the coming days/weeks so keep your eyes peeled here, as well as New Versions from ASH / We are Scientists , Marissa Nadler etc.

Tim Wheeler Recording "Washington Parks" with Emmy the Great at Atomic Heart Studios.

Robert.

Long weekends and glorious sunshine...

2011-04-26T02:48:00.000-07:00

I havent posted for a while, for which i apologise, but that does not mean I haven't been busy and my project is not progressing nicely.. Ok I have been enjoying the sun and not working, cooking meat on a grill and looking after my pregnant wife and getting excited for our new family arrival in the next couple of weeks.. So, below are a few updates:

#1. First of all I would like to officially introduce you to a new version of my song by an American artist called "Bill Hudgins" for those of you with a good musical ear and love the likes of "Built to spill" well then you will love this.. I would like to thank Bill for taking the time and getting involved with the project.. have a listen, buy for a bargain £1 and donate to Multiple Sclerosis..

#2. I have received a donation for the project from a universally loved band who would have liked to of been involved but due to being in the process of recording their next album have found time too limited, the band and donation is anonymous but all I can say is that i am amazed and humble with the support I have received in this project... And from hearing such words of support (and financial support) from a band that every one of you most likely have at least one of their albums is so awesome, and although I doubt very much they will read this, I thank you endlessly...

#3. As each day waves us goodbye I am closer to receiving versions from ASH/We are scientists (currently being worked on in New York), Emmy the great (the song is being mixed currently by Tim Wheeler) and Marissa Nadler.. Both Emmy the great and Marissa Nadler have new albums out soon which I highly recommend you look into owning. News on Emmy's album can be found HERE, and Marissa's HERE

#4. Over the weekend I heard a sneak preview of a live version of the song from a new London-based band called "you, coma". they are currently working on their debut EP. but will be taking time out to record in the studio their version over the next few weeks.. They have allowed me to Embed an early pre-production demo of one of their songs.. Sit back and listen, this may be the only chance you get to here the lyrics "boot licking Romans" in a song!!

Finally i am going to link again Ed Harcourt's version, because if you haven't heard yet you must, its beautiful and well worth a £1 donation.

Ed Harcourt - Washington Parks by Happy Monster

Oh and finally finally, Ive added a "Just Giving" link down the the right hand side of this page if you prefere to donate that way, if you use the "Just Giving" method you don't automatically get a song for your troubles, but if you would like one after donating let me know by email with proof of donation and I will sent you a link to the song of your choice.. >>>>

Until next time, thank you

Robert

Ash/We Are Scientists collaboration ....

2011-03-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

I just heard back from Tim Wheeler (Ash), who dropped the exciting news that whilst hanging with "We are Scientists" last week he mentioned his involvement with my project and they have all decided to do an Ash/We Are Scientists collaboration ....which is SUPER exciting!!!

If you are as excited as me to hear their interpretation of the song Tim signed off the email with the following...

"Got the song and it's great, I did a guide track on Friday and Andy who used to be in Razorlight who drums for We Are Scientists is going to do some drums in London this week (fingers crossed!)"

Whilst sitting in the March sunshine it has finally occured to me that I can make a real difference raising awareness and just as important money for a disease which my family and I struggle so greatly with... And I am so incredibly lucky that such amazing artists, artists I have listened to and loved for a long time are being so generous and amazing by getting involved..

So keep your eyes and ears in my direction, you will hear the Song on this very blog as soon as I received..

over and out.. Interweb!!

-Robert

The needle and the damage done.....

2011-03-04T03:34:00.000-08:00

I figure today is a good day to actually write an insight into what life is like living with Muliple Sclerosis..

Friday as a day is celebrated by millions, no more work, no more hanging around with colleagues who you spend more time with than your actual family and friends.. Although I am completely with you on this, Friday is also a day I fear, a day I start dreading all over again from as early as Sunday morning.

The reason - every Friday night since March 2006 I take my injection treatment for MS (Avonex - Interferon beta-1a (also interferon beta-1-alpha)) Statistically you are not given the greatest of percentages, Interferons have been shown to have about a 18-38% reduction in the rate of MS relapses, but at 31 yrs old with a young family and having a disease which is unpredictable, likely to leave you wilting in a wheelchair or worse you will end up taking any percentage over 1% with both hands...

The Injection - Well, first comes the ritual. To help me actually sit down and take the injection I first need to get my wife, although I happily injected myself for 2 years I now have complete needle phobia. Even the smallest sight or reference to a needle on TV and im in panic mode.. Secondly I choose a different vinyl each week to put on and listen whilst my wife is preparing the 2" weapon, I find it much easier to drift away and to try and forget what is about to happen. The songs I choose all have to be slow and atmospheric, I tried to settle down once to "sultans of swing - dire straits" NO CHANCE.. The songs of choice are normally Sigur Ros, Iron and wine, LOW, Papa M or Marissa Nadler...

The side - effects - Don't be fooled by the helpful marketing leaflet in which it states "symptoms may include flu-like symptoms" SWEET LORD...... As soon as the 2" needle pierces the skin I feel the rush of a poisonous substance coursing through my blood network.. This is clearly all in the head, but in the head or not, if you feel it, you feel it..... Next comes the calm before "hurricane avonex" ...I normally get a 2 hour window of nothing, sweet nothing... but like an unexpecting attack by a gang of roughians, the side effects will then hit me like a sledgehammer.. I try to sleep through the onslaught with painkillers and a sleeping tablet, this always works until the 5am wake-up, and it always seems to be around 5am. I wake feeling like ive been run over by a car, shaking, freezing, convulsing, every part of my body aching. The way to best describe is that im paralysed with pain, I can see the glass of water and painkillers less than a foot from my face, but I cannot reach out to get them. It is at this point I feebly call out for Megan to wake up and feed me water and painkillers.. I cannot even hold a glass of water in my hands and my fingers are so painfull I cannot wrap them around the glass.. These side-effects normally last until late Saturday with me bumbling around the house in a dark cloud with a walking stick, then by Sunday morning I feel normal again, just in time to start thinking about going back to work the next day... Brilliant!! I do wonder sometimes whether the injection is actually worse than the disease, but then I lose the use of part of my body in which seems a way of teaching me a lesson and shut up moaning...

There is a pill that has been extensively trialed which would removed the need of the injection, but it looks like it will not be given license in the UK anytime soon... So with that in mind Im going to link one of my favourite "Sad Bastard" songs to represent my mood this Friday morning...

I still love you, girl from Mars....

2011-02-28T05:56:00.000-08:00

Last night during a restless nights sleep my phone's email notification went "bee-boo".. I tried and tried to just wait out and as Neil Young would sing "till the morning comes", but having noted this was making my attempt to sleep even harder I decided to just check my emails expecting the normal sales pitch on over-priced computer accessories...

I was somewhat taken aback when I started reading... "Hi Robert,This is Tim from Ash here".. HANG ON.. WHAAAAT!!

Sitting bolt upright I carried on reading, hoping and hoping Tim would end with a positive YES to joining in with my MS project.. And then as I squinted trying to adjust my eyes to the sheer blinding light of my phone in the 1am darkness came the magical sentance ... "weirdly enough Emmy The Great had told me about it before and I was thinking it would be something I'd like to do. I think it's so cool what you're doing and I'd love to be a part of it"

I have loved ASH since their "Trailer" LP, and I was lucky enough to hang out with them during my days of being in a band on a farm near Brighton just after they released "A life less ordinary" and writing at the time the album now known as "Nu-Clear Sounds"...They were amazing and kind to us back then, Tim is repeating the acts kindness once again and on a much greater level... Today i'm as proud as boots...

So.. yes, there you have it.. today I would like you all to watch the video below and get excited about what ASH is going to bring to the table all for my project to show a united front through music for Multiple Sclerosis....

finally.. you can now download Ed Harcourts exclusive recording of my song all for Multiple Sclerosis from all major digital distributors... enlighten yourself in charitable goodness.. Take your pick from the links below.....

Itunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/washington-parks-feat-ed-harcourt/id420527109?i=420527174

Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001OM5O7M/ref=dm_sp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1298585581&sr=8-1
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Washington-Parks-feat-Ed-Harcourt/dp/B004OPURJQ/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298585636&sr=301-1

Bandcamp:
http://www.happymonster.bandcamp.com/

Ed Harcourts song available to download everywhere!!

2011-02-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

Finally...finally..finally.. you can now download Ed Harcourts exclusive recording of my song all for Multiple Sclerosis from all major digital distributors... enlighten yourself in charitable goodness.. Take your pick from the links below.....

Itunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/washington-parks-feat-ed-harcourt/id420527109?i=420527174

Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001OM5O7M/ref=dm_sp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1298585581&sr=8-1
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Washington-Parks-feat-Ed-Harcourt/dp/B004OPURJQ/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298585636&sr=301-1

Bandcamp:
www.happymonster.bandcamp.com

you will also be able to find if you search in the following:

Amazon MP3

Apple iTunes

Deezer

Emusic

GreatIndieMusic

Last.fm

Liquid Digital Media

MediaNet

MySpace Music

Napster

Nokia

Rhapsody

Shockhound

Spotify

ThumbPlay

Tradebit

Verizon

Zune

Emmy the great... joins in and will cover my song!!!!!!

2011-02-17T01:22:00.000-08:00

First of all, Ed Harcourt's version of my song is available to buy now, all profits raised from the sale will be going to the MS Society UK, please look for links down the right hand side of this page...>>

I found out last night the truly wonderful Emma-Lee Moss aka Emmy the great is jumping on board and supporting my project by recording a cover of my song "Washington Parks"... Emmy is currently recording her new album (keep an eye out for this) but as soon as she returns from New York she will be helping out my project for raising awareness and of course money for the disease Multiple Sclerosis...

As with all the response ive received I am jumping over the moon with thanks and humble appreciation. For those of you yet to be enlightened by the musical delight that is Emmy the great, watch and listen below..

She also recently added vocals to one of my favouirte songs of last year, a song by Darren Hayman from Hefner fame!! also below

As with all other covers im waiting for, you will get to listen here on my blog as soon as I receive, and links will be supplied to buy and immerse yourself with happiness at your very kind charitable donation..

As you can see on the right >>>> my first cover from Mr. Ed Harcourt is now available to buy, so if you can spare the money for a great and needy cause, please help!!

Thanks.

Robert x

Ed Harcourt - Washington Parks

2011-02-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

Today, Saturday 12th February 2011 I received the very first cover version of my song from Ed Harcourt. You can listen to the full song below but please remember this song has been done out of absolute kindness to help raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, so please don't just listen and run away, you have the ability to help those affected with MS like myself.. You can now Buy the song directly through my bandcamp Just click below to listen and buy.... also you have the option to share by including the song on your facebook, blog, twitter etc.. PLEASE HELP, PLEASE BUY, and PLEASE SUPPORT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS...

I will update a Link to all major digital distribution (itunes,amazon etc) as soon as available..

Some words from Ed Harcourt

"it was a pleasure to sing the song, I felt like it has a such a heart-breaking & yearning joy to it, so I decided to do something very simple!"

and finally Ed Harcourt's facebook post on the project..

"A few weeks ago I received an email from a man called Robert Manning. Robert has MS and sent me a beautiful song called Washington Parks he wrote & asked if I could record a cover version to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. It'll be out in a few weeks so buy it as all proceeds will go to the MS Society in the UK. Anyway, here it is. EH"

Thank you x

Happy Monster - Washington Parks (the original song)

2011-02-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

<<If this is the first visit to my blog, please read the very first blog "blog #1" for details on my project>>

Washington Parks by happymonster

This is for reference only to the song.. play before you buy if you will.. an introduction to the song and project...

Please remember all songs listed are for raising money for Multiple Sclerosis...
Thank you to everyone for your continued support.

-Robert x

The UK song link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001OM5O7M/ref=dm_sp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1296744197&sr=8-1

The US song links:

http://www.amazon.com/Washington-Parks/dp/B004L5XY30/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1296844549&sr=301-2

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Heart-Attacks/dp/B004L55STS/ref=sr_shvl_album_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1296844549&sr=301-3

Ed Harcourt supports my MS project and covers my song!!!

2011-02-02T02:50:00.000-08:00

<<If this is your first visit to my blog please read below "blog # 1" for details on my project>>

At my most humble I can report that having exchanged emails with Ed Harcourt over the last few days, Ed will be supporting my project and covering my song "Washington Parks".. I will hopefully receive the cover in the next week or so, I will then list as part of my collection.. Links will appear when complete

At this point can I say a MASSIVE thank you to Ed, despite being super busy with endless commitments he is taking time out to help raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis.... I have been listening to Ed since his early involvement in a band called "Snug" and ever since followed his solo career.. It seems almost fitting due to me taking Megan to see Ed in Brighton October 2006 as part of my planned night to propose to her.. and since, Ed has already personally signed and left a heartfelt message on a vinyl copy of his album "Strangers" for my son Noah..

The Link below is one of my all time favourite songs.

"And I can't stop staring at you, And your expression looks a little confused, This little story will end so well"

blog # 1

2011-01-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

Living with MS is like having a psychotic lover, you know things are going to get crazy and out of control, but the brief moments of calm convince you over and over that things will turn out ok (we have all been there!!).. Its these moments of calm that raise hope and fools you over and over.. But we all know crazy is what crazy does.. there is no hiding!

I have today decided to try something new, before MS twisted itself into my life I used to play guitar, I was in a band that although never released a song achieved plaudits from people I class as musical heroes, took me to places I would have only dreamt off. When the band fizzled out I proceeded to setup a recording studio in my home and kill the boredom by recording personal ramblings, all this stopped abruptly due to the disease crippling my fingers all to often...It was during this time however,I met my now wife Megan in New York City. Who in the brief 5 days together inspired me as soon as I touched down in London to pick up the guitar and write a song for her. the result was a song called "Washington Parks". I think it helped win her heart... well she is my now wife, and those of you that know us know im clearly punching above my weight!!!

With that in mind I have decided to try and start a project based around this song to raise money and maybe more importantly awareness for Multiple Sclerosis....

My Project in question is to get artists I love to cover the song "Washington Parks" giving their own interpretation all for the purpose of raising money.. I have been so very lucky in talking with two artists I love and admire who are looking into helping. Firstly Crispin Hunt from Longpigs fame who says and I quote "I have to say, its really quite lovely, it touched me in many places, half The Magnetic Fields half Pogues, both of which I love" and also in answering my call to cover the song "I will say yes, but dont know when, but its a beautiful song and I'd enjoy doing it" "

Secondly Marissa Nadler who says "I would be happy to contribute to a good cause and help you out in any way that I could"

If you are non to familiar with Marissa's work.. check this out, one of the most beautiful songs ever!!

Obviously these tracks will take some time to get to me (very busy people) but when I have them I will publish and inform!!

From buying any of the songs listed on this site you will help millions who benefit daily from the MS Society, So can I make a difference from a couple of songs, I doubt it, but its going to be fun trying....

<<disclaimer>> my wife tells me the songs are great... but she is no Simon Cowell... which is a good thing during those Sunday mornings in bed, but maybe not so in musical talent spotting.. i am not a singer, i am not a poet.. and i am somewhat out of my depth....

If you would like to get in contact for more info or for discussing sending me a cover version (as open for all) please email robertmanning100@hotmail.com

All the links are below...

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/HappyMonster

Amazon.co.uk can be found here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001OM5O7M/ref=sr_shvl_album_2_artist_rd?ie=UTF8&parent=B004L570TY&qid=1296165694&sr=301-2

and you should now be able to find in Itunes if you search for either:

Happy Monster

or the song titles

Washington Parks
Little Heart Attacks

A million thanks x