May 14th - Day 26

Heartless Bastards at Pure Groove opposite Smithfield Market - the first recipients of my new business cards created to make me braver. I'd not heard of Pure Groove before, but think this will not be the last time I visit the place. They are, in their own words, "a record shop/gallery space in central London, hosting regular instore performances from the best bands in the world on our specially constructed stage, and serving a wide range of soft and alcoholic drinks". Neither had I heard of Heartless Bastards, though it could be the last time I see them for a while, not because they weren't any good - they were excellent and gave the thirty or so audience a rocking good lunchtime - but because they're from Cincinnati.

September 4th - Day 139

The long south side of Smithfield Meat Market is a fine building designed by Horace Jones, the same chap who designed Tower Bridge. One can get a very good view of it from the window seating of Pure Groove Records, situated opposite, on the other side of West Smithfield. There is only so long, however, that one can admire the doings of a visionary nineteenth century architect and after two hours I was begining to tire of red bricks. I was wondering, as behind me a sociable and excited crowd was building up in the shop/cafe-bar/venue to celebrate the release of Hook and the Twin's new single "Bang Bang Cherry", whether I could count the band's soundcheck as today's music (it's never a good sign when the band soundcheck half an hour after the advertised start - I must learn that start times in Time Out are sometimes made up). As it turned out I was able to stay long enough to see half the gig - including the launch of the single itself ("That's it...it's launched," said singer Tom on the song's completion). Helped by live-looping and powerful drumming (by Marcus) this duo made a big sound for just the two of them...a sound with a krautrock core that I'm a bit of a sucker for at the moment.

myspace.com/hookandthetwin

November 16th - Day 212

My bastard train was cancelled en route and I only got to Pure Groove's instore lunchtime gig half way through singer/songwriter/guitarist Catriona Irving's delicate and upbeat set, which calmed me down nicely. Better now.

March 4th - Day 320

Melbury cake at Pure Groove records. Not performing, but under the small glass dome. £2.50 a slice. Performing delicate, floating songs that reminded me a little of Tracey Thorn was Vancouver's Rose Melberg (accompanied, I think she said, by Felicia).

myspace.com/rosemelberg