Circle named ambassadors for Fender Music Foundation

Sydney-based indie-pop connoisseurs Circle have been announced as band ambassadors for the upcoming Fender Music Foundation campaign.

Circle’s film clip for their upcoming single All The People is set to become a showcase piece for the next phase of the organisations campaign to run later this year. Humanitarian undertones in the song echo the nature of the charity’s work, striking a chord with The Fender Music Foundation’s Executive Director, Moriah Scoble.

“Circle’s video is a beautiful story about the universal power that music has over people,” said Scoble. “The teachers who have received instruments from our organisation often report back to me of this, how music has given their students a place to belong and a way for their students to learn to better communicate with their peers.”

The purpose of the initiative is to support programs that uphold the integrity of music education, primarily in schools, by providing them with musical instruments.

The Fender Music Foundation has reached over 150,000 people since 2005. The guitars used in OK Go’s recent music video, which went viral, raised a significant sum for the charity. Circle is hoping their efforts will do the same.

Getting To Know... Tess Georgia Dimos

As well as being a finalist for the upcoming Sussex Model of the Year Award 2011, Tess Georgia Dimos is an all-round lovely human-being. So we thought you'd want to learn a little about her. Here goes:

Modelling is not what I expected it to be. When I first started getting into modelling seriously with catwalk shows and photoshoots, I expected all the models to be competitive and bitchy, just like they are portrayed to be... Designers to shout at size four girls telling them they are too fat and photographers to come-on to any female model that walks in front of their lens. I'm pleased to say that nine times out of ten this isn't the case. Modelling is what I'd call the perfect job; not for all the clichéd reasons of getting made-up to look pretty and perfect. I have gotten to meet the most talented, artistic and humble people. Modelling has opened so many doors for me and my mind; I couldn't be more grateful. I have made lifelong friends, been lucky enough to have seen some beautiful places and, of course, had the most fun ever these past two years.

I am half-Greek. I lived in Ilioupoli, Athens until I was nine years old. I love the culture, speak the language fluently and adore my Greek family and friends, as they are all very open and close. Everyone is aware of each others feelings. If there was any bad feeling it would be resolved quickly and I love that - unlike my English family who would keep their problems to themselves and deal with it. I think that's very unhealthy.

Aside from my modelling work, I dream. A lot. I dream about the future and make up little scenarios in my mind. This is going to sound very 'Miss Universe' but helping and saving animals is something I've always been passionate about and I wish I could do it fully. Since a very young age I helped raise money for various different animal charities, including helping the working donkeys in Egypt. I used to raise money through organizing cake sales at school and sending money off to various animal charities monthly. I dream that one day I'll have my own charity and help make a difference, as an animal is defenseless when it comes face-to-face with a human. Something I'd also love to do when I'm older is open my own nightclub, or a nice beach bar, in Greece.

I am currently listening to The Black Keys, 22-20's, Broken Bells, Muse (old stuff), Bob Marley, Radiohead and Pyx Lax (Greek Rock band).

I'm really inspired by art and music. My mother is an artist and growing up beside her work has played a huge part in what I've become today. I see beauty in a different way. My mother captured moments and just painted them. Even if the object she was painting wouldn't cross your mind as 'beautiful' if you saw it in front of you, in a picture or a painting it can look stunning and change the way you viewed that object originally. Music, also, is something I simply couldn't live without, I love listening to sad songs - music that has meaning and moves you from the inside.

It might surprise people to learn that I used to be a huge stamp collector and that I still flick through my collection occasionally! Maybe that's something I shouldn't admit.

In the future I want to be successful, still smile at the little things in life and always be grateful for the life I've had. I always go by this Leonardo da Vinci quote: "As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death."

Tess is represented by www.motmodel.com and www.freshagents.co.uk. Why not check her out as the face for the Ophelia Fancy Out Of Control collection, and have a squizz of some of her other work with uber-talented photographer, Kevin Mason. Also, you can keep up to date with all the good stuff she has got going on by following her on Twitter.

Interview by Robert Townsend.
Why not follow Bobbysix.com on facebook for more interviews such as this?

Have a kickabout with Oh Mercy! Dress like the Pet Shop Boys! Play on one of Katy Perry's bouncers! All for charity!

Following the horrific occurrences in Japan recently - in which more than 8,000 people died, thousands are injured and at least 12,000 are missing - it's not surprising that people are pulling together to help. In the music world, the EMI family have been rummaging through their cupboards in search of treasures they can auction to raise some much needed cash that will help to rebuild a country in which 14,000 homes were destroyed and around 100,000 damaged.

This week, heaps of ebay auctions end on some pretty amazing items - with all proceeds going to Red Cross Japan Relief. If you've got a few bob, you might want to bid on Deadmau5's diamonte Mau5head. Or maybe you fancy a signed Bowie back catalogue. Or, if you're feeling particularly macho, you could wear this Pet Shop Boys cube jacket to your local boozer. Then of course, there is Katy Perry's cupcake trampoline. Try having a go on that without squealing like an overexcited schoolgirl. There are heaps of other items too, like hand-written Pet Sounds lyrics and one of B-52's guitars.

There's a chance though, that all of the above are slightly out of your price range. They certainly are for us. However, here's an affordable and fun one that might appeal to the Australians amongst you. Melbourne's Oh Mercy (Alexander pictured below) are offering a bit of a kickabout with the winning bidder and four of their mates, as well as some signed stuff and a few photo opportunities. Sounds like an awesome afternoon to us, and all in the name of a very, very good cause. If you feel like testing your AFL skills against Alexander, Rohan, Simon and Eliza, while simultaneously doing a good deed, you can bid here. Meanwhile, check out all of the listings here.

Words by Rob Townsend

David Ford's Milk and Cookies at The Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne

BobbySix.com braved the snow with camera in hand to attend David Ford's Milk and Cookies gig in Eastbourne last weekend. Check the video below:

Eastbourne resident David Ford has, for a decade, been finding time within his busy recording and touring schedule to orchestrate and perform a series of charity gigs, entitled Milk and Cookies. Having raised thousands upon thousands of pounds, Milk and Cookies turned ten-years-old on Saturday night. To celebrate, Ford played a show at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in his home town.

While the event was sold-out, the fact that England's roads/trains seem to come to a complete standstill with the slightest peppering of snow means that a couple of hundred punters failed to make it. While this was a shame, the event was also live-streamed around the world, so those who were unable to attend could at least enjoy it from the warmth of their living room.

What they would have seen was the usual mix of Ford's solo songs and unexpected covers and rarer treats. Within three hours of terrific entertainment, highlights included a duet with former Easyworld band-mate Jo Taylor-Jones, a turn from Frances Law and a magnificent barber shop quartet featuring Max Arnold from The Late Greats, Neil Martin from Billy and the Fingers and Gary Page. As the gig drew to a close, certain representatives of BobbySix.com made up part of the choir that provided vocals on Bowie's Young Americans, Springsteen's Hungry Heart and John Farnham's You're The Voice.

Ford's music has yet to receive the recognition it deserves and so his life as a troubadour is hardly the most profitable. Therefore, for him to dedicate weeks and weeks of every year to work on this charity project illustrates what a fine chap he is. And the sheer entertainment that was on offer on this cold December evening in a dilapidated old theatre in Eastbourne cannot be argued with. A winning night all round.

This year's very good cause was the Tuesday O'Hara Fund.

How you can still see David Ford's sold out Milk & Cookies gig

For the last few years, Eastbourne's own David Ford has been taking time out from his busy touring/writing/recording schedule to play charity gigs - entitled Milk and Cookies - each Christmas. These events mix Ford's own material with covers that you wouldn't usually see at his shows (East 17's Stay, anyone?) and feature guest appearances from everyone from Fran Healy to Ford's own Sunday league footy team. Most importantly of all, they raise thousands of pounds of cash for good causes.

This year, Milk and Cookies turns ten and the event in Eastbourne on December 18th is already sold out. Dry your eyes though because the good news is that the whole three-hour extravaganza will be streamed live on the good old internet. So, you can be a part of the fun from your living room, while donating to a good cause. See more details in the cheeky little video above, then buy your ticket and find out more here.

Trekstock 2009

When music and charity mix, it often amounts to little more than ego-massaging pomp; Bono and Eddie Vedder getting all dewy-eyed as they hold hands at centre-front of stage and set about saving the world by singing Neil Young covers while Madonna adopts her 37th African child. Thank goodness then for the delightful Trekstock, which just gets on with raising money without such self-congratulation.

Trekstock began in 2006, when London-based good egg, Sophie Epstone, needed to raise some dosh to embark on a trek to Everest in support of Teenage Cancer Trust. To do so, she put on a small, fundraising gig. Since then, the events have grown in size and support for the cause has become widespread, with a number of celebrities happy to show get involved. Beth Ditto, Katy Perry (below), Mischa Barton, Kings of Leon, Agyness Deyn, Klaxons, The Mighty Boosh, Jarvis Cocker, Russell Brand, Albert Hammond Jnr, Kate Nash (below), The Horrors, Radio 1's Chris Moyles, Zane Lowe and Alan Carr all wear their Trekstock badges with pride. Trekstock has, thus far, raised thousands of pounds for Teenage Cancer Trust.
On May 13th, the charity returns for its fourth year of fundraising gigs with a launch night that sees Mark Ronson and some famous mates play at Proud in Camden, London. The supercool night will also mark the launch of a new range of Trekstock clothing and accessories, designed by Will Broome, Kate Moross, Laura Lees and Tatty Devine. If you can spare a few quid and want to get along to support a fantastic cause, then get your ticket to the gig from seetickets.com. As with previous events, it is sure to be an insanely cool night, as the young, talented and beautiful do their bit to help out the six teenagers a day that are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. If you are a facebooker (and who isn't nowadays?), then why not join the group?

The return of John Sundry and The Speedos

The greatest band in the world, Alabama funkers John Sundry and The Speedos are returning to the place where it all began, Eastbourne, for another charity gig.


The last time they played at TJs nightclub, they raised enough money to send two girls from Haiti to school, a privilege rarely afforded to females in the country. So, if you are in Sussex on the 19th December, then please go along and show your support, enjoy some insanely good funk and make the world a slightly better place. We, ahem, I mean, they will be very pleased to see you.