The Phoenix Foundation to release Christmas album

Following in the footsteps of Cliff Richard and The Darkness, The Phoenix Foundation are releasing a Christmas album, both digitally and physically, on the 7th of December titled MERRY KRISKMASS. The first single to be released is Everybody’s Money and although not Christmas themed is still a great tune that will have you swaying in your seats.

The lyric’s however, give an ironic twist to the upbeat tone of song. I asked Samuel Scott from The Phoenix Foundation what the story was behind the lyrics: It was written in London last year. The whole credit crunch thing was going down and I wanted to sing about that in a joyful fun tone. Not that I enjoy financial troubles, I just wanted to poke fun at what is ultimately a rather absurd situation. Specifically it was written in James Milne's (aka Lawrence Arabia) flat in Dalston. I wrote a few tunes about Dalston itself and for a while James and I were going to write a Christmas musical about the joys of North East London.

Why a release Christmas album? Why not! It almost coincidental that it's Christmas album. But Chris and Krisk (the two 'people' on the cover and the subject of some of the lyrics) are essentially Christmas ornaments. So it was a mix of timing ridiculous content and a desire to be like Cliff Richard.

What’s your favourite Christmas album and why? To be honest I have never met a Christmas album that I liked. Actually thats not entirely true, there was a Twinset Xmas thing featuring Dermania Loyd, that was pretty good. My family always play this Dean Martin Christmas album, it's horrible.

What are your plans for the Christmas holidays? Eat some Roast Krisk.

Any plans to come to play in Christchurch in the near future? I hope so. In fact I think we are coming down in February, I'm not sure of the details. Christchurch has become a really good destination for TPF, we always have a great time.

Everybody’s Money for some reason makes me think of a great night out on the town followed by the hangover from hell the next day, hugging the sofa, reminiscing about the night before with something easy to listen to on the stereo. And for me to be listening to anything at all the day after a big night out it has to be good. The lyrics are clever and I love the contrast between them and the tune. This is definitely one song to be added to my i-pod for my summer roadtrip and I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.

Where, when, why & how???

So peeps - it's been a while since I wrote anything on here!!
I finally managed to escape Korea - (Although was about to go back the other day!!).
Went off to the Philippines to go scuba diving which was awesome and then to NZ. Discovered that being 20kgs lighter (About 3 and a half stone), I am once again able to shop in normal stores!! yeah - and can even go into those boutiquie places where they only go up to a certain size!! gotta love the korean diet pills!!
So anyway, got to NZ just before Mum's 3rd wedding!! Was a cool day - at the Lansdowne Homestead (beautiful location in christchurch) and now have an older step-brother and step-sister!! Most amusing!!
Then went to visit Mark (dad 2) and caroline (mum 3) in Masterton. They have bought a new house outside of Masterton. It's in a valley and when driving there you'll see the most amazing views and by far the best sights in New Zealand!!
I flew back to Chch for xmas with mum and Si, and the new family, and grandma and grandad, my oldest cousin and her boyfriend!! Slightly hectic to say the least!!
Flew out to Sydney in the early hours of boxing day to go to Amy's wedding. Had a general piss up for a few days before, and then the ceremony itself was held on Balmoral beach followed by the reception on board a boat travelling around Sydney Harbour. It has to be said that it was the most amazing wedding i have ever been to!! The views were out of this world and lots of merriment and alcohol was had by all (including Amy's mum who almost went overboard at the end in her rush to get the pub crawl started!! you gotta love that woman!!!)
Had an interesting time in Sydney - fell in love with the place and wanna live there. Did lots of sightseeing, met some randoms and not so randoms along the way, drank way too much, didn't sleep enough - so all in all was a great trip!!
Got back to NZ on NYE to Masterton and promptly passed out on the sofa just before midnight - this is what happens when you have no sleep and your getting older - can't handle the pace!! lol
After NYE, I got the ferry down to the Marlborough Sounds where I spent the best part of a month down there!! We were out on the boat or jet ski's everyday either fishing, scalloping, general hooning around and getting an amazing suntan!!
The reality hit and back to christchurch on the job hunt!! Did a month temp contract for environment canterbury - door knocking doing market research!! So not keen on it at first but actually turned out to one of the coolest jobs ever!! Out all day in the nice weather, chatting to people (one of my favourite things in case you didn't already know!! lol), and worked with some cool peeps too!!
Now I am doing general reception work etc etc as being incredibly picky with a full time job!!
I am moving house this weekend on saturday!! Moving in with a cool chick that drives the black thunders around for the local radio station zm.
Also working at Jade Stadium this weekend for the Crusaders rugby game (although seriously considering bunking off as A: won tickets to the game tonight and B: It's St Paddy's day and I wanna get drunk!!! lol)
Things are looking up though - was a bit rough for a while - no job, no friends, no money and living at home with the parents for the first time in 10 years - but now things working out quite sweet indeed (Already saying sweet and eh like a full blown kiwi!! damn!!)
So yeah returning back to the homeland ain't so bad at all. I even met a rather cute member of the opposite sex last weekend too - had a very amusing night out after that invloving lots of alcohol etc etc - needless to say I didn't get home until the next morning!!! (But i was a good girl for a change honest!! lol) - will keep you up to date on that development though!! lol
So all in all things are going well. Starting to really enjoy life here.
Any peeps I know from Korea, UK well anywhere really as long as I know you - feel free to come and visit anytime you like!! The more the merrier and I can show you around my new town!! lol

On the final stretch!!

So I have less than 2 weeks before I quit Korea and head off into the great big, wide unknown again!!


Have spent 15 months in Korea now and have definitely had enough - well that's what I say now!! Life in Bucheon has been great though - like the place sooo much more than Ulsan. You don't get hassled by weird Korean men, you don't get your boobs grabbed by ajumma's on a daily basis, you don't get asked if your a russian whore all the time, you don't get asked by taxi drivers to have sex with them rather than pay the fair - all 2,000 won worth (US$2!!). General people in Bucheon are a hell of a lot more friendlier and helpful then any of the random Korean's I met in Ulsan!!


On the down side all my friends are in Ulsan - well those that haven't left already to head home or onto pastures new!! Bucheon has been - well boring!! lol - for a while I thought I was the only waygook here but discovered the foreigner bar the other day and about 100 waygooks drinking inside it!! Had a great night and made some friends who I have been hanging out with since!!


Still 2 weeks cannot come quick enough!! Think it has more to do with heading to Boracay again when I leave to dive for a week. Really looking forward to doing that. Hopefully my ears don't get fucked up again!! Have an overflowing supply of ear drops so fingers crossed!!


Heading to New Zealand after Boracay for Mum's 3rd wedding, my mate Amy's 1st Wedding in Sydney and Xmas with the family. Should be a good time but still a bit edgy about the whole thing. Not the best of times when around my family - usually many arguments, stress etc etc - so prefer to stay well clear!! lol - however, haven't spent Xmas with my grandparents for like 20 years so looking forward to that but will have to see how it goes!!


No idea what the plans are after that!! Have possibilities in Kuwait, Nigeria, New Zealand etc etc so will have to wait and see what takes my fancy!


To all those in Korea though - it was great meeting you and I will miss you all!! Stay in touch and no doubt we'll meet again somewhere in this not so small world!!