David Amos: when I turned 50, I was like, I need to get back into this. I need to make this happen. So, so far, so two years down the line, it's still going and I haven't managed, you know, work still happening and I'm able to juggle the two.
James O'Donnell: Welcome to the Bishop's Stortford Community Podcast, the show where we shine a light on the incredible businesses, community leaders, and local legends shaping our town. I'm your host, James O'Donnell, and today we are joined by David. David, welcome to the podcast.
David Amos: Thanks for having me.
James O'Donnell: No worries. David, for those of us who don't know you yet, who are you and what do you do here in Bishop's Stortford?
David Amos: I'm David. I work as a lighting designer as my full-time job, but I'm also a keyboard player in a local Pink Floyd tribute band called Post Floyd Dream.
James O'Donnell: Wow. how do you become a keyboard player in a Pink Floyd tribute band? How does that happen?
David Amos: I've been playing piano since early age of sort of nine, played in a few bands at school and college, but then working as a lighting designer, obviously sort of hours, weekends, long days, and it became very difficult to commit to a band, know, being a band that they'd go, we've got a gig next Saturday, and I'm like, well, I'm working, can't you take it off? Not really, because the... show won't happen without me doing the lighting. So it became really tricky. But then, yeah, when I turned 50, I was like, I need to get back into this. I need to make this happen. So, so far, so two years down the line, it's still going and I haven't managed, you know, work still happening and I'm able to juggle the two. So, but yeah, I've always been a Pink Floyd fan since sort of got into them at college. And really, again, through sort of lighting, because obviously their lighting and sort visual show is amazing. And for anybody who hasn't seen them, I'd recommend checking them out on YouTube. The live gigs, especially the Pulse live gig at Earls Court in 94, the lighting for that is sort of industry recognized as being one of the best shows around. yeah, I sort of used that. That was sort of when I was at college. got into the music, got into the lighting and sort of inspired me to carry on and do lighting for shows. yeah, but keyboard wise, I've answered an advert in a local sort of online site for the other guys at bass just across the border in Essex. And it went from there.
James O'Donnell: Awesome. I was gonna ask about the kind of the the crossover, the kind of Venn diagram between the lighting and and you know, for Pink Floyd because th the the kind of visual style is so I suppose spectacular. Is is that something that you're bringing to the to the shows? I know we'll get get to get to it later, but the for the shows that you do and you the the events that you put on.
David Amos: I have got involved with the lighting, yeah. So when I joined, they did have a tech guy on board who was doing a good job and they definitely had a show together. But I've obviously got contacts and access to additional kit and resources. So happy to help and get involved. And we've worked together. Mitch is the guy. So the two of us have been put together, a sort of upgraded show, some lasers, that kind of stuff. and they've got a circular screen. It's kind of well-known image of that kind of circular screen. So yeah, no, it's been fun doing that and a lot of work, but yeah, no, I've enjoyed it.
James O'Donnell: got an event coming up at the college?
David Amos: That's right, yeah, it's at the Leo Price Theatre at Bishop's Oxford College. It's their in-house theatre, but they're trying to push it out to doing more public events, which is great. It's a lovely little space, about a capacity of 130 seats. It's like a sort of mini South Mill, if you will. And they've got a lovely team there who are keen to kind of get more outside shows in. So, yeah, we're going in there this Saturday the 5th, 7.30, and yeah, hopefully it'll be a good night.
James O'Donnell: Fantastic. So you put on you putting on event. You you kinda got a busman's holiday because you're doing the lighting for it as as as well. is this something that you're gonna be doing more? Are you gonna be doing more gigs going forwards? or are you just kind of ticking over? What's the what's the plan long term?
David Amos: That's the plan. Since I joined the band last year, we've done this is my third gig with them. They were doing they were going great guns, I think, pre-COVID and then COVID kicked in and they sort of had some changes in the band and reformed. And yeah, so we did a gig at St. Mary's Church in Stansted last year, which went really well and suited that kind of church environment. And then we played the Alderbrook Pavilion Theatre and then Yeah, we've got this gig at the college. But yeah, the hope is we'll get some more. think we're looking into the option of there's a lot of churches out there that are either, you know, looking to get more income, I guess, and that's the kind of perfect environment rather than just looking at theatres or pubs and for our music and our sort of vibe. So we may explore that bit. So yeah, look out, we'll keep it all updated on Facebook.
James O'Donnell: I'm guessing it's pretty spectacular put putting something on like on like that at a church.
David Amos: Yeah, think it's just the acoustics and when we did the one at Stansted, we lit the church as a building. So the environment was also changing color and it worked really well. And obviously, I think some styles of music wouldn't work as well in that environment, but we were lucky that it worked. So it seemed to be very popular. The feedback was good.
James O'Donnell: is the band looking for other more more talent for in particular areas or even support at all if people are out there listening in?
David Amos: yeah, no, definitely love to hear from people. I think the more the merrier. I'm saying that from organizing the gig, playing keyboards and doing the lighting. yeah, no, we've got seven in the band. So we've got two guitars, drums, bass keys, vocals and a sax player. And actually our normal guitar player is injured his hand. So we've got a standing guitar player and he's going to come. sync backing. But now I think these things, this is sort why I do it, to meet people and, you know, organize stuff like this. I think it's great fun and it's a way of getting to know the community. It's a social thing. So yeah, definitely happy for people to get
James O'Donnell: Yeah.
David Amos: in touch.
James O'Donnell: It's it's great since I've started the podcast, the amount of different musicians that I've met and different people that are really pushing the music scene, the live music scene in Bishop's Stortford i it it's been great and and and the community really does all come together to to make that happen. So you know hopefully you're tapping into that and benefiting from from from that kind of community field that's that's out there.
David Amos: I think the arts is such a great way for that to happen. think the more I can help to push that in Stortford, think, you know, we could do with a few more kind of people backing the arts and, you know, we've got some good venues, but I think there is space for more. think there's, like you say, there's some great people out there doing great things, but it's such a community thing. People can get together to organize the gigs, get to see them. And also for... kids, you you go to schools nowadays and a lot of people are interested in what the school's doing in terms of theatre or media or film. So the kids are into it as well. My daughters are both going on to study media, so I think it's so important.
James O'Donnell: the more that, you know, has a community. Hmm.
David Amos: I think it's another avenue for them socially, isn't it, as well, in terms of my daughter plays in a band and she's got friends outside of her school network through that and you meet new people, don't you, other bands. So yeah, I think it's great.
James O'Donnell: Yeah. And and it's not a screen that you're looking at. It's you're getting out, you're meeting people, you're interacting with them
David Amos: Hmm.
James O'Donnell: with it in a different way. And young people so much more now are not going out so much. But this is a different way of of of doing that and and supporting your friends as well. that's really interesting.
David Amos: 100%. Yeah, I agree.
James O'Donnell: Really interesting. Thank thanks for sharing that with us, David. give give another
David Amos: Thank you.
James O'Donnell: give me another plug for your your gig and where people can follow along online to to see what you're all about.
David Amos: So the website is www.thepostfloyddream.com Yeah, our gigs at Leo price Theatre, Bishop's Stortford College. Bar's open from 6.30, gig from 7.30. It's going to be spectacular night. Good music if you're into that kind of thing. Light show, lots of friendly faces. Yeah, come and support your local bands.
James O'Donnell: Fantastic. We'll we'll put the links to that in the show notes so people can follow along on that and put some put some bits out onto social media as well, David. No, no
David Amos: Thank you.
James O'Donnell: worries. Thanks for thank you for sharing. Thank you for sharing. are you ready for some Storford spotlight questions now?
David Amos: Let's do it.
James O'Donnell: Excellent. These are three super fast questions that we ask every guest that comes onto the Bishop's Stortford community podcast. First question: if you could put one sentence on a billboard in Jackson Square, what would it say and who needs to hear it the most?
David Amos: Come and support your local arts, I think. And I would probably direct that towards any council members of Bishop's Stortford, but Bishop's Stortford generally, I think.
James O'Donnell: Yeah, get out, support people. always try and make the effort just to, you know, show your face. It it makes a difference to to everybody, doesn't it? it really does.
David Amos: and
James O'Donnell: And the more you invest in the community, the more you get out of it. It's it's a it's a good good feedback loop.
David Amos: I think so, and I think you can go and see some good local stuff for decent prices and you're not paying £100 to get into a show in London and the travel.
James O'Donnell: Yeah.
David Amos: Everybody's trying to save pennies nowadays, aren't they?
James O'Donnell: Yeah, we're we're lucky in Stortford I think, for the the the quality we got. for that. Yeah, it makes sense.
David Amos: so many creative people.
James O'Donnell: Hmm. Definitely. okay, question two. Where do you go in Stortford that you secretly hope never gets too popular?
David Amos: There's lots of cafes in Stortford, but I'm personally a big fan of Cafe thyme There's not a lot of places you can sit outside and just watch the world go by. And we've discovered this this summer with the brilliant weather and their food is just top-notch. It's a local style, very friendly. The food is always consistently good and you can sit outside and just watch the world go by.
James O'Donnell: okay, last question, David. Who's doing something special in the community that more people need to know about?
David Amos: I'll give this one to Tim and Joe from Stortford Sessions. So I mentioned my daughter's got a band. So they're putting on gigs around Stortford, Half Moon, for up and coming bands, the kind of bands who not getting paid for gigs, but get the opportunity to play in front of a live audience. I think it's so superb what they're doing and I really want to help out.
James O'Donnell: What a great shout out. We will link to them in the notes and hopefully we can try and get them booked on the podcast as well so we
David Amos: Yeah.
James O'Donnell: can shine a light on them. If you can give them an elbow into the ribs, try and try and get them on. That would
David Amos: Mmm.
James O'Donnell: be fantastic. So we can shine a light on on their work. again, David, where's the best place online for people to follow along with everything that you're doing?
David Amos: So for the band, it's www.thepostfloydream.com. That's our website. So come check us out.
James O'Donnell: So do check it out. It's quite colourful. and obviously it's got your dates on for your for your gigs as well. David, that's a wrap. Thank you so much for joining us today on the Bishop's Stortford Community Podcast. No worries,
David Amos: Thanks for having me. It's been great.
James O'Donnell: If you've enjoyed this episode, the best way you can support the show, the podcast is to hit follow, leave a quick review on YouTube, Apple or Spotify and share it on your socials or maybe share it with someone in town who you think should hear this episode, who's not on social media. Show them this episode. And if you've got a local legend, someone that's investing in Bishop Stortford community, that's running a club, a charity, starting a new business, that had been running a business for years. that you think we should feature on the podcast, drop their name in the comments below. I'll reach out to them and invite them on for a little chat. Again, thank you so much for joining us today on the Bishop's Stortford Community Podcast.
James O'Donnell: Welcome to the Bishop's Stortford Community Podcast, the show where we shine a light on the incredible businesses, community leaders, and local legends shaping our town. I'm your host, James O'Donnell, and today we are joined by David. David, welcome to the podcast.
David Amos: Thanks for having me.
James O'Donnell: No worries. David, for those of us who don't know you yet, who are you and what do you do here in Bishop's Stortford?
David Amos: I'm David. I work as a lighting designer as my full-time job, but I'm also a keyboard player in a local Pink Floyd tribute band called Post Floyd Dream.
James O'Donnell: Wow. how do you become a keyboard player in a Pink Floyd tribute band? How does that happen?
David Amos: I've been playing piano since early age of sort of nine, played in a few bands at school and college, but then working as a lighting designer, obviously sort of hours, weekends, long days, and it became very difficult to commit to a band, know, being a band that they'd go, we've got a gig next Saturday, and I'm like, well, I'm working, can't you take it off? Not really, because the... show won't happen without me doing the lighting. So it became really tricky. But then, yeah, when I turned 50, I was like, I need to get back into this. I need to make this happen. So, so far, so two years down the line, it's still going and I haven't managed, you know, work still happening and I'm able to juggle the two. So, but yeah, I've always been a Pink Floyd fan since sort of got into them at college. And really, again, through sort of lighting, because obviously their lighting and sort visual show is amazing. And for anybody who hasn't seen them, I'd recommend checking them out on YouTube. The live gigs, especially the Pulse live gig at Earls Court in 94, the lighting for that is sort of industry recognized as being one of the best shows around. yeah, I sort of used that. That was sort of when I was at college. got into the music, got into the lighting and sort of inspired me to carry on and do lighting for shows. yeah, but keyboard wise, I've answered an advert in a local sort of online site for the other guys at bass just across the border in Essex. And it went from there.
James O'Donnell: Awesome. I was gonna ask about the kind of the the crossover, the kind of Venn diagram between the lighting and and you know, for Pink Floyd because th the the kind of visual style is so I suppose spectacular. Is is that something that you're bringing to the to the shows? I know we'll get get to get to it later, but the for the shows that you do and you the the events that you put on.
David Amos: I have got involved with the lighting, yeah. So when I joined, they did have a tech guy on board who was doing a good job and they definitely had a show together. But I've obviously got contacts and access to additional kit and resources. So happy to help and get involved. And we've worked together. Mitch is the guy. So the two of us have been put together, a sort of upgraded show, some lasers, that kind of stuff. and they've got a circular screen. It's kind of well-known image of that kind of circular screen. So yeah, no, it's been fun doing that and a lot of work, but yeah, no, I've enjoyed it.
James O'Donnell: got an event coming up at the college?
David Amos: That's right, yeah, it's at the Leo Price Theatre at Bishop's Oxford College. It's their in-house theatre, but they're trying to push it out to doing more public events, which is great. It's a lovely little space, about a capacity of 130 seats. It's like a sort of mini South Mill, if you will. And they've got a lovely team there who are keen to kind of get more outside shows in. So, yeah, we're going in there this Saturday the 5th, 7.30, and yeah, hopefully it'll be a good night.
James O'Donnell: Fantastic. So you put on you putting on event. You you kinda got a busman's holiday because you're doing the lighting for it as as as well. is this something that you're gonna be doing more? Are you gonna be doing more gigs going forwards? or are you just kind of ticking over? What's the what's the plan long term?
David Amos: That's the plan. Since I joined the band last year, we've done this is my third gig with them. They were doing they were going great guns, I think, pre-COVID and then COVID kicked in and they sort of had some changes in the band and reformed. And yeah, so we did a gig at St. Mary's Church in Stansted last year, which went really well and suited that kind of church environment. And then we played the Alderbrook Pavilion Theatre and then Yeah, we've got this gig at the college. But yeah, the hope is we'll get some more. think we're looking into the option of there's a lot of churches out there that are either, you know, looking to get more income, I guess, and that's the kind of perfect environment rather than just looking at theatres or pubs and for our music and our sort of vibe. So we may explore that bit. So yeah, look out, we'll keep it all updated on Facebook.
James O'Donnell: I'm guessing it's pretty spectacular put putting something on like on like that at a church.
David Amos: Yeah, think it's just the acoustics and when we did the one at Stansted, we lit the church as a building. So the environment was also changing color and it worked really well. And obviously, I think some styles of music wouldn't work as well in that environment, but we were lucky that it worked. So it seemed to be very popular. The feedback was good.
James O'Donnell: is the band looking for other more more talent for in particular areas or even support at all if people are out there listening in?
David Amos: yeah, no, definitely love to hear from people. I think the more the merrier. I'm saying that from organizing the gig, playing keyboards and doing the lighting. yeah, no, we've got seven in the band. So we've got two guitars, drums, bass keys, vocals and a sax player. And actually our normal guitar player is injured his hand. So we've got a standing guitar player and he's going to come. sync backing. But now I think these things, this is sort why I do it, to meet people and, you know, organize stuff like this. I think it's great fun and it's a way of getting to know the community. It's a social thing. So yeah, definitely happy for people to get
James O'Donnell: Yeah.
David Amos: in touch.
James O'Donnell: It's it's great since I've started the podcast, the amount of different musicians that I've met and different people that are really pushing the music scene, the live music scene in Bishop's Stortford i it it's been great and and and the community really does all come together to to make that happen. So you know hopefully you're tapping into that and benefiting from from from that kind of community field that's that's out there.
David Amos: I think the arts is such a great way for that to happen. think the more I can help to push that in Stortford, think, you know, we could do with a few more kind of people backing the arts and, you know, we've got some good venues, but I think there is space for more. think there's, like you say, there's some great people out there doing great things, but it's such a community thing. People can get together to organize the gigs, get to see them. And also for... kids, you you go to schools nowadays and a lot of people are interested in what the school's doing in terms of theatre or media or film. So the kids are into it as well. My daughters are both going on to study media, so I think it's so important.
James O'Donnell: the more that, you know, has a community. Hmm.
David Amos: I think it's another avenue for them socially, isn't it, as well, in terms of my daughter plays in a band and she's got friends outside of her school network through that and you meet new people, don't you, other bands. So yeah, I think it's great.
James O'Donnell: Yeah. And and it's not a screen that you're looking at. It's you're getting out, you're meeting people, you're interacting with them
David Amos: Hmm.
James O'Donnell: with it in a different way. And young people so much more now are not going out so much. But this is a different way of of of doing that and and supporting your friends as well. that's really interesting.
David Amos: 100%. Yeah, I agree.
James O'Donnell: Really interesting. Thank thanks for sharing that with us, David. give give another
David Amos: Thank you.
James O'Donnell: give me another plug for your your gig and where people can follow along online to to see what you're all about.
David Amos: So the website is www.thepostfloyddream.com Yeah, our gigs at Leo price Theatre, Bishop's Stortford College. Bar's open from 6.30, gig from 7.30. It's going to be spectacular night. Good music if you're into that kind of thing. Light show, lots of friendly faces. Yeah, come and support your local bands.
James O'Donnell: Fantastic. We'll we'll put the links to that in the show notes so people can follow along on that and put some put some bits out onto social media as well, David. No, no
David Amos: Thank you.
James O'Donnell: worries. Thanks for thank you for sharing. Thank you for sharing. are you ready for some Storford spotlight questions now?
David Amos: Let's do it.
James O'Donnell: Excellent. These are three super fast questions that we ask every guest that comes onto the Bishop's Stortford community podcast. First question: if you could put one sentence on a billboard in Jackson Square, what would it say and who needs to hear it the most?
David Amos: Come and support your local arts, I think. And I would probably direct that towards any council members of Bishop's Stortford, but Bishop's Stortford generally, I think.
James O'Donnell: Yeah, get out, support people. always try and make the effort just to, you know, show your face. It it makes a difference to to everybody, doesn't it? it really does.
David Amos: and
James O'Donnell: And the more you invest in the community, the more you get out of it. It's it's a it's a good good feedback loop.
David Amos: I think so, and I think you can go and see some good local stuff for decent prices and you're not paying £100 to get into a show in London and the travel.
James O'Donnell: Yeah.
David Amos: Everybody's trying to save pennies nowadays, aren't they?
James O'Donnell: Yeah, we're we're lucky in Stortford I think, for the the the quality we got. for that. Yeah, it makes sense.
David Amos: so many creative people.
James O'Donnell: Hmm. Definitely. okay, question two. Where do you go in Stortford that you secretly hope never gets too popular?
David Amos: There's lots of cafes in Stortford, but I'm personally a big fan of Cafe thyme There's not a lot of places you can sit outside and just watch the world go by. And we've discovered this this summer with the brilliant weather and their food is just top-notch. It's a local style, very friendly. The food is always consistently good and you can sit outside and just watch the world go by.
James O'Donnell: okay, last question, David. Who's doing something special in the community that more people need to know about?
David Amos: I'll give this one to Tim and Joe from Stortford Sessions. So I mentioned my daughter's got a band. So they're putting on gigs around Stortford, Half Moon, for up and coming bands, the kind of bands who not getting paid for gigs, but get the opportunity to play in front of a live audience. I think it's so superb what they're doing and I really want to help out.
James O'Donnell: What a great shout out. We will link to them in the notes and hopefully we can try and get them booked on the podcast as well so we
David Amos: Yeah.
James O'Donnell: can shine a light on them. If you can give them an elbow into the ribs, try and try and get them on. That would
David Amos: Mmm.
James O'Donnell: be fantastic. So we can shine a light on on their work. again, David, where's the best place online for people to follow along with everything that you're doing?
David Amos: So for the band, it's www.thepostfloydream.com. That's our website. So come check us out.
James O'Donnell: So do check it out. It's quite colourful. and obviously it's got your dates on for your for your gigs as well. David, that's a wrap. Thank you so much for joining us today on the Bishop's Stortford Community Podcast. No worries,
David Amos: Thanks for having me. It's been great.
James O'Donnell: If you've enjoyed this episode, the best way you can support the show, the podcast is to hit follow, leave a quick review on YouTube, Apple or Spotify and share it on your socials or maybe share it with someone in town who you think should hear this episode, who's not on social media. Show them this episode. And if you've got a local legend, someone that's investing in Bishop Stortford community, that's running a club, a charity, starting a new business, that had been running a business for years. that you think we should feature on the podcast, drop their name in the comments below. I'll reach out to them and invite them on for a little chat. Again, thank you so much for joining us today on the Bishop's Stortford Community Podcast.
