To end the year...

First...

Is it a little redundant to say thank you for all the support we've had over the last year?

There are a few people that really made things happen for us. Paul & Claire, from "A Badge of Friendship", did our PR for the album. It is because of them that we appear to be more famous than we really are (we really aren't). It is because of them that our the sudden rise in attention has almost been a blur. We owe them much and they've become real good friends - and that's the point really, isn't it?

It is a strange thing to have people we don't know talking about our music and giving it marks out of 10. Even more of a surprise is that the response was majority positive, ending with an average of 8 out of 10 in the end of year polls from major publications. We were played on radio, podcasts and features, both nationally and internationally, and we have a now infamous Hounslow Chronicle article. It is a strange thing.

By far, one of the strangest thing was having the album leaked before the release. I thought this only happened to BIG bands. Because of that 'leak', however, our music was picked up in eastern Europe and has taken our music into the ears of people from Ukraine and Russia. A young lady called Tanya (from Ukraine) took it upon herself to translate our Last.fm page into Russian and put it up on the Russian Last.fm page for other non-english speaking people - a real HERO. It is a strange thing.

The gigs have been wonderful - some ok, some REALLY bad, but mostly good ;) - yet we haven't even reached 20. This is something to rectify for next year, and we're starting hardcore. We start the year with a couple of small tours, a couple of London shows - they'll be big ones though! - and we're trying to get some festival dates... Cannabis Cup would be aces!

The acoustic shows were great, and our album launch was fantastic. Nothing quite as scary as playing to family. From the success of this we've decided to record the acoustic stuff and maybe do a small series of acoustic shows? The journey is only just beginning...

So, perhaps it is redundant to say thanks, but we'll say it anyway. We've released our first album and we met some friendly, interesting, sexy, funny and genuinely cool people. I say we do it all again next year, and because of your support, it seems like a good idea. Thankyou all. I say well done.

SETLISTS:

11-NOV/2009 @ The Lexington (aka - the gig where the samples failed)
Sum Numbers
Leap Of Faith
Radar
Audio Video Disco
Underachiever

30-NOV/2009 @ Ram Jam (album launch)
01-DEC/2009 @ Fighting Cocks (aka - the acoustic shows)
Issue/Underachiever medley
Sum Numbers
Phat Knickers
Radar




... the above 3 taken by Joanna Rabadi


... the above 1 taken by David Brown


The 405 filmed our launch night so video's up when they finally post them. Until then - MERRY XMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

3LX

...to build a studio (part 4)

Back once again.
There isn't much footage left. After this we put up the rest of the plasterboard (2 tonnes of it), varnished the floor, decorated a bit...(?) and then got to work. Without further ado, PART 4 OF:

...to build a studio
- Quod me nutrit me destruit -

Always just for fun.
enjoy



3LX

30-OCT/09 @ Cafe De Paris, London & Photos...

It only seems like yesterday that this was just an idea we all; passionately and privately hoped, secretly wondered and worried, would be a good one. Record the songs, Make an Album, Release a single, Make a Video, Play gigs and try play to as many different audiences as possible. So far... so good. A couple tight squeezes. A couple scattered performances. A few injured body parts & equipment - Nothing life-threatening. So why do i feel the way i feel?

Cafe De Paris was wicked. Manic rush through soundcheck helped by the soundguy there - Paul, Cheers!
It's a lush venue. A burlesque club with a deep red velvet bed filled VIP lounge, and an even more private pink cushioned soundproof room...

...nice ^_^

SETLIST:

Sum Numbers
Leap Of Faith
Radar
Phat Knickers
Underachiever*








Top 2 photo - LEEDS
Bottom 3 - Cafe De Paris

3LX

(*Underachiever from the gig is up on the website as the background music)

Leeds Oxjam & Free download(s)

(1) today is our single release and its completely free of charge just:
-a- CLICK HERE or
-b- You can just hover your mouse over the image below and see what happens...?



(2) Yesterday we played the Oxjam festival in Leeds! It was a funny gig. Responses were good - and for that we're soo thankful - but from our end, it wasn't as good as we could've made it. STILL, we played hard, made some friends, got lost in the leeds one-way system and built lego toys... I say well done!

SETLIST:

Sum Numbers
Leap Of Faith
BTDTGTD
Underachiever
Magical Mervin
Radar

...photos to follow shortly...

3LX

Sessions & Cancellations (1 of...)

We've been lucky enough to get through to some folk on the radio. John Kennedy played us, the lurvley people at Glasgow Podcart have played us, Tequila Radio in Cardiff and also some radio station in Spain...?! FTW (which i've been told means 'For The Win'...). We also recently did a session for Diesel:U:Music and it was all a bit manic. If it wasn't for a few nice people working there it could've been a massive disaster. In fact... you can see for yourselves (personally, i think the guitar could be a bit louder..?)-



We've got an acoustic session planned for the 405 which we're currently working on so good good good... BUT, the Universe is all about balance and we have to have some bad bad:
It seems that we've had to drop our date at Puregroove for our album launch :(
Our Newcastle gig got cancelled due to another band pulling out :(

I know we're in the process of sorting out another date up there. Angus (the promoter in Newcastle) has been really good about everything and has made an effort on our behalf so cheers fella, we will repay you handsomely!

We don't know what we're going to do for the Album Launch party but right now its all about Radar. Come this monday (26-OCT/2009) it'll be FREE to download with a B-Side from the website. The video has been really well received and has hopefully found its way to you.

And finally... we played the Oxjam in Cardiff on 11-OCT/2009 at 'Clwb Ifor Bach'. Everyone there was really friendly and made us feel right at home. No stress, no worries! Thanks to Liz, Joe, Sara, Al and his mates, Hugh & Russ!



3LX

Ex Libras - Radar (single edit)

Here it is...

3LX

------------------------------

This video could no have been done without the following:

James T, David G, Aaron G, Arun S, Aaron M, Alex R, Alexandra P, Alice & Ashley B, Ben S, Beth D, Dave B, Davey H, Diana S, Emily W, Iona R, Joanna R, Kerrie M, Lisa M, Michael K, Paula M, Sarika S, Thom H, and finally Rich @ the Grey Horse.

Video by J. Turner & A. Sharma
Music by Ex Libras

02-OCT/2009 @ The Fighting Cocks - Cancer Research & TDTY

Thank you to all who came out to the gig.
With the help of you guys, Josh managed to raise close to £2000 for Cancer Research. I say well done.
The night was immense and the bands were brilliant. The 'one-night-only' reformation of They Died Too Young was the icing on the cake. After not having played for over a year together, it was like they had never left. Still miss them sorely.

SETLIST:

This Ship Is Synking
Phat Knickers
Audio Video Disco

I wasn't expecting to see folk down, but to those that came, I'm so glad you did.

3LX

22-SEP/09 - Buffalo Bar & 405

Never drive out on a match night! It was a tough gig to get to, and a little nervous through sound-check, but when it came to playing, i think we've got lady luck watching over us. Everything came together and we really had some fun - In no small part to the awesome guys at the 405 -->CLICK ME<--

SET LIST:
Radar
Magical Mervin
Audio Video Disco
Leap Of Faith & BTDTGTD

To the folk that came to see us, we thank you. The support of late has been really welcome! See you on the 02-OCT/09 @ the Cocks!

The 405 put a review up of the night -->HERE<--

3LX

Video shoot photos...

Courtesy of the lovely Diana Stainton - www.dianastainton.com -







Thanks for coming down guys!

3LX

Many things & JB

Hey up! Quick bursts of information (these are bullet holes BANG BANG BANG) . . .

Single: We're releasing our first single 'Radar' on the 26-OCT/09. It'll be a FREE download and accompanying it will be the B-Side 'Dumb Numbers'.

Video: We shot a video for it. We got by with a little help from our friends. If you were there, you know the fun. Trust me when i say it looks DAMN FINE! The video will be up here beofre the single is released. Keep an eye out

Album: The single, the video, are all coming at you becuase we're releasing our album - Suite(s) - on the 30-NOV/09. The album is coming out on Wirebird Records and will be available for Digital Download. HOWEVER... we will be pressing a limited amount of physical copies which will come uniquley bound and will have some other goodies crammed into the CD.

Tour: To promote this mad idea of trying to do this old school, we'll be playing a few gigs throughout October and November (inside and outside London). Check the MYSPACE and WEBSITE for details of when and where. CD's will only be on sale at the gigs or through the website. Keep your diary free for -

ALBUM LAUNCH PART:A - 26-NOV/09 @ Pure Groove - FREE ENTRY & PARTY!!!

ABoF: We have the wonderful A Badge Of Friendship giving us a helping hand getting our stuff out there during the course of this release. So for all Press - info@abadgeoffriendship.com




JB: There is never an escape...

3LX

15-AUG/09 - Notting Hill Arts Club & VIDEO

(1) Awesome show.

Things sorta went in our favour that night... Being sandwiched between 4 bands was always going to be hectic. Sadly one band couldn't turn up which meant that we could have a leisurely set-up and it made us all the more comfortable.

Thanks to Claire & Paul from ABoF (A Badge of Friendship) for getting us the gig at RoTA event - Big ABoF Love - and cheers to the people that made it out to see us - Biggest Love.

SET LIST:
Magical Mervin
Radar
Leap Of Faith & BTDTGTD
A Boat Capsized
Underachiever

(2) Today, it's 10am and we're about to shoot a video for 'Radar'. Yup. It's gonna be... interesting. Vague concept so far, but it will require another day of shooting where we'll need to enlist the help of you - Wanna be in a music video? Of course you do!

Get yourself onto our FACEBOOK fan page
or go to our website - www.exlibras.co.uk - and sign up to our mailing list so we can get in touch with you direct!

3LX

24-JUL/09 - Fighting Cocks & WEBSITE

(1) Click this --> EXLIBRAS.CO.UK <--

(2) One of our favourite gigs so far! So many people saying so many nice things - It can be a bit overwhelming. I smiled so much last night it hurt! But so good to see so many people down for the cocks. What a night!
Hero of the day - Kieran. For playing even though he burnt his hand pretty badly 24 hours prior!

SET LIST:
Magical Mervin
Radar
Leap Of Faith & BTDTGTD*
Underachiever
A Boat Capsized

*(Been There Done That Got the Decks)

The record is being mastered and we're currently deciding if we should do an online release or a physical one? sadly we don't have the luxury of things like money to help us out, but where there are limitations there is room for creative thinking.

Thanks for coming to the show last night. Serious.

3LX

Leap Of Faith (*LFTS* 21-JUL/09)

One of the new songs we've been bashing about - our attempt at dance/pop?
Perhaps.

No band members were harmed during the recording of this song.
Shame.



*Live From The Shed*

Keep your eyes peeled and ears open.

3LX

----------

& check this shiz out - Click MEE - recognise anyone...

Guerilla... stationary

Like the ostrich with its head buried in the sand, we now surface completely unaware of what has been going on around us. But then again, you're not reading this to find out about the rest of the world, just our little microcosm.

(1) We've been trying really hard to get gigs around OCT so we can put together a (sorta) mini tour to promote the record.

(2) The record (no title as of yet) has been sent to be mastered so we'll have something concrete to give to everybody. It's taken a year but we got there. Good thing it still sounds fresh.

(3) We've written a bunch of new tracks which we're fine-tuning. Currently, they're forays into new grooves and new ways of playing. We've never sounded so quiet, and we've never sounded so heavy - FACT.

(4) Website done and will go live 24th July (thats next friday?!)

So we have a gig coming up with the lovely Gin Panic and Anison. Its at the Fighting Cocks in Kingston and it's on the 24th Jul so we're hijacking the night and using it to launch our website. Like i said - we've been out of touch. It seems we need to brush up on social ettiquete.

3LX

----------

New tunes - working titles & descriptions...?

- Magical Mervin -
Constant solid grooves with a few audio illusions eventually breaking down into a lush trip-hoppy-ish slow-core-ish shoe-gazy-type... what was i saying...?

- A Boat Capsized -
Chilled out slow jazz. Melancholic and melodic. Breaking into abstract 'movie' noise building up and up and up into a tidal wave of bass and guitars and drums. It's our soundtrack to Kate & Leo's Titanic.

- Audio Noughts -
Atonal Hip-Hop that sounds like a trip. As it stands, the ending gets warped into a chaotic DnB break.

- Woe -
Very direct and rhythm orientated with a few idea still being thrown around. A very deep, soundscape led chorus. Various promising bits still flying around. We got the text about MJ (RIP) when we were working on this song - hence the title.

- Leap Of Faith & BTDTGTD -
A 2 part piece. Big lovely melodies. 4 to the floor style beat that builds and builds. Drops to almost nothing and then builds and builds again. Like a ship trying to break the atmosphere, thruster failing, dipping back down to earth to the point of impact... then using all reserves to punch it straight out into space.

03-MAY/09 - Newcastle

The Newcastle gig was a real breath of fresh air. We had the best time even though we thought we didn't play well. They've got it right. A favour for a favour, no bad vibes, supporting each other because everyone wants everyone to do well - that's the impression i came away with, and perhaps that's because it is a smaller place (pop. 200,000?) which may lend itself to a stronger sense of community..?

London, in it's ever sprawling magnificence, beauty and diversity, breeds a sort-of segregation. The communities are plentiful, smaller and vibrant, for sure, but are also trend driven - Pressure on the 'individual' to do good, to stand out, to be unique...

and it does make a strange kinda sense. Either we're so different that we strive to be like everyone else, or we're so afraid of being like everyone else that we struggle to stand out.

and yes. I'm totally rambling.

Setlist:
Sum Numbers
Radar
Phat Knickers
Audio Video Disco
Underachiever

I wish i had taken a photo - It was a gig with a view & the view was a little like this:

Cheers Rich & the fella's at Blank. We'll be back soon.

3LX

The looking glass

Vogue. & vogue. & vogue. & vogue... (when all i wanna do is play & play & play & play)

say cheeeeese...


The plan is idiot proof!

3LX ;)

Thought for the day: What is the difference between a realist and a sell-out?

Cover ideas...?

No name yet.






Let us know what you think

3LX

12-MAR/09. Gig for Gaza @ KCLSU

We'd like to give thanks to Tom (from 'Rollcall...') who asked us to play & special thanks to Alex of 'Gin Panic' who did our sound and helped us make the walls shake a little harder. Plus the people who came down to see us, we hope you enjoyed our little set (cushioned between 2 political activist speeches & and a Hip-Hop MC in baggy grey sweats)

Setlist: Radar / Audio Video Disco / Underachiever



3LX - see you soon ;)

-------------------------------------

I keep hearing the same argument again and again - If we stopped spending money on war and weapons development, there woud be enough money to provide those less fortunate with medicine and aid... But for some (illogical) reason we can't do this. We'd much rather arm ourselves against... ourselves?

The events happening in Gaza right now are sad, but it is one of MANY situations that we need to be made aware of. Events like this help raise awareness, but to what end...? There is no big picture plan. It really makes you realise how controlled our sources of information are. Knowledge is totally selective: depending on what we're allowed to see, hear, buy, switch over to, to what we overhear friends discussing etc. etc. Yes, the world could be seen to be in a mess - that's your own choice of perspective, but what can we expect to do... you know, with this recession and all?

I have an idea - be nice to someone for no reason. Try it.

Or if you got the guts, try do something like this...



Cheers for reading
<3 [A]

23-Jan @ Fighting Cocks - thanks

To all involved - nice one! Cheers for coming out to see us play.
Appreciated everything you all said.Believe me when i say, it was our pleasure.

SET LIST:
Radar
Sum Numbers
Audio Video Disco
Underachiever

Thanks to Jakub for being a hero and being there with his video camera the last couple of times. Beyond the call of duty.
Also, some of you (those of you that were there tonight) may have had the pleasure of meeting Bastien. He's making our website and he's doing a damn fine job of it too. for his credentials check out the 'Iglu&Hartley' website, also check out 'Killers' 'Craig David' and soon the new 'Guns n Roses' website! I know..!

More tracks have been mixed so won't be long now (said the joker to the thief).
till next time

3LX