Milk, One Sugar.

How to make the perfect cup of tea. As an Englishman through and through... of course, I enjoy a good cup of tea. So i thought it would be only right to educate those who are less informed about the ins and outs of creating a tipple fit for the Queen. FACT: no country will make you a better cup of tea than Great Britain, God save the Queen.

I prefer PG Tips or Tetleys side note: this is for when you use a tea bag not free leaves. For the Americans among us, these are 'English Breakfast' teas. But don't think you can just pop in any old English Breakfast Tea bag and think that will suffice... it most certainly will not! Brew the bag in boiled water for a good few minutes and squeeze it against the side of the mug with a teaspoon to get all of the british goodness out. Then add the milk until it's the colour of the pic above. Stir, and then add a teaspoon of sugar (or honey!) and stir again. I usually let it sit for a minute or so to let it cool a little. and voila! you have yourself a perfect British cup of Tea.

My dip of choice is the Hobnob... you can't beat a good Hobnob in tea... Enjoy my friends, enjoy ;)

Q: Whens a good time to have a cup of Tea? A: When's not a good time?

Song Spotlight

This song is cool... 'Let Loose the Horses' from fellow label buddies, The Rescues. On my 1st listen i liked the vibe, the sound. By the 3rd listen i was singing along 'let it burn down, let it burn down'. What can I say, i'm a huge sucker for harmonies and this song doesn't disappoint.

Give it a few listens and enjoy :)

Artist Spotlight

When i see talent that i like, i want to talk about it to everyone i meet.

Last night i went to see Laura Marling, watch this space folkland, the name will continue to grow.

Granted i don't know a lot about Laura but... Live, she was stunning, mezmerising, graceful and defined. it's been a while since i've witnessed such powerful 5 part harmonies, and my favourite instrument of them all... the Cello.

If you have an artist you want me to check out/feature email me at fanart@joebrook.com

Bedside Love

I got my iphone last night and have been playing with the hipstamatic app this morning... all shots taken from the same spot... my bed! :D

I Want to Change the World

Sometimes it's a tough balancing act.

Day 3 - Radio Promo Tour

*Day 3 - my feet are inches from the floor to ceiling windows, Cincinnati Airport, Ohio. the rain is beating down onto the fluorescent ground crew below. It's 6:33pm.*

There is something very therapeutic about watching the runway. Planes arrive and leave like clockwork sharing the now monsooned tarmac. I enjoy these moments, moments to reflect, after all the hussle and bussle of dragging your luggage from the hotel and removing your belt and shoes for security. It's nice to just sit and have some thought time.

Matt is sat on his Cajon playing various beats, much to the pleasure of the business man reading his paper next to us... o o he's just moved lol. and now Matt is playing 'Sunday Morning' by Maroon 5. I met Matt last thursday when he came to audition, he sings sick harmonies and plays mean percussion, we get on great... he's 27 but looks 17 and is 6 ft 5 which is a bit annoying cos it makes me look like a hobbit. But we're having a great time, it's nice to have someone to travel with, some fun banter, I'm so used to travelling alone. and he will literally make friends with anyone and everyone... including exchanging facebook details with todays driver lol... very cool.

Today, we were at the Mix 102.3 in Louisville, KY where I met the 4 gorgeous interns that helped get my song on the airwaves. Then we drove an hour or so north to Cincinnati to hang with the crew at Q102 and they gave me a goody bag that included 'The Bachelor' game for the Wii.... which i'm sure will make for an interesting evening of fun ;) I then drew some funky art for their breast cancer auction later in the year (below). Thanks again for welcoming me into your boardrooms and studios with open arms!

I'm now sat in a Sunsetting Detroit airport transfixed by the might of an Airbus A340 about to board for Boston where the next leg of our journey will begin...

Peace and Love

Over and Out

Joe x

My Dog Molly

On an unrelated but equally as important subject... My dog Molly recently came 3rd out of 42 dogs in an agility event on Sunday! well done Molly! and well done Mum!

DAY 2 - US Radio Promo Tour

*Sat in Starbucks, I am the only laptop user not writing their first big blockbuster. Pittsburgh, grey skies loom above our heads, it looks like it should be cold, but it's quite the opposite. Humid and close.*

We set sail from LAX on Sunday at noon heading for Norfolk, VA. via Charlotte. Long story short... We missed our connecting flight and the airline lost our baggage. -- side note: never fly on US airways -- Needing to be at our destination by 8:00am the following day, we rented a brand new Nissan Altima Hybrid (which had some serious balls behind it) and drove over night through some towns that could have featured in any number of horrors flicks. We arrived at 3:30am slept for 3 hours and were singing and playing to the warm welcoming team at 94.9 the Point by 9am after what seemed like an eternity of travelling. a steady drive to Washington D.C. we met the friendly people at Mix 107.3, I shaved in their bathroom and changed my t-shirt for the first time in 36 hours... lets just say that i didn't smell too "fresh" lol.

After flying out of Baltimore we're now hanging in Pittsburgh, driving in last night over one of it's many many bridges, downtown looked so pretty. We just played for Q92.9 and Star 100.7, it's been a pleasure meeting the people that work at all of the stations, super nice, super genuine, I feel like the American people in general are naturally very welcoming and warm.

Tonight we drive and stay in Louisville, Kentucky. I'm excited to visit 102.3 the Max in Louisville because it's been playing 'Superman' roughly twice daily for the past month! So I actually can't wait to thank them!

Today I realized just how lucky I am to be able to travel, see all corners of this vast and diverse country all while playing my guitar and singing my tunes... It's a real dream come true. I promised myself that I wouldn't complain or moan about anything while I'm travelling and to treat each day and performance as though it was the last in my career.

Eva Cassidy is now singing 'Songbird' to accompany my Hazlenut hot chocolate...

Stop back soon for the next installation of the promo tour :)

Peace and Love,

Over and Out,

Joe x

The Album is here!

C O N S T E L L A T I O N:-)M E

out september 7th 2010
PRE-SALE COMING SOON...

I'm very proud to give the world 'Constellation Me'... each lyric has it's meaning, a place and time in my life, each word is from the heart. Broken Hands was inspired by my time in Africa, finding my meaning and what I can do to make a difference. World at Our Feet is about breaking out of your home town, seeing the world, and discovering endless possibility. Voices describes temptation and being unable to find your true self in times of darkness and Kaleidoscope explores the colourful and confusing world of mirrors and relationships.

This is me, plotting out my thoughts of the world as I see it, creating a constellation of kinds. Getting to this point has taken time... but i'm not about to apologize, I'm a big believer in not rushing things... everything has it's time. For me, this has been more about the journey, the life lessons that I will take with me, making me a better and stronger person, the amazing people I've been so fortunate to meet and learn from, the unbelievable talent that I've had to pleasure of witnessing and creating with and the challenges and battles that myself and the team have endured and overcome to reach the goal.

I have so many people to thank.
And if you buy the record you can read all of them ;)
But above all I thank God for giving me the patience, the belief and the courage to pursue a dream, the strength to endure the journey and the wisdom to make plans B, C, and D ;)
And finally, Thank YOU for supporting me, for reading this, for spreading the word to every corner of the world, and for enjoying my music... this is just the beginning :)

Peace and Love,

Over and Out,

Joe x

'CONSTELLATION ME' will be available online everywhere. VOICES will only be available online and APPLE will only be available from iTunes with the purchase of the full album. Physical CD's will be available from Amazon.com.

Promo Tour

I will be heading out on a promo tour across the US to promote "Superman" on the radio starting July 19th. I will be in the studio playing so you will have to wait a LITTLE longer for a real concert, but if any of you are there on my way out I will be more than happy to say HI! See below for links to the stations I will be visiting and where you can REQUEST to hear the single on air! Stay tuned for times :)

Monday, July 19th

WPTE / 94.9 The Point- Norfolk, Va

WRQX / Mix 107.3 - Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, July 20th

WLTJ / Q 92.9 - Pittsburgh, PA

10:00am

WZPT / Star 100.7 - Pittsburgh, PA

12:00pm

Wednesday, July 21st

WXMA/102.3 The Max- Louisville KY

9:30am

WKRQ / Q102 - Cincinnati, OH

12:30pm

Thursday, July 22^nd

WBMX / Mix 104.1 - Boston, MA

12:00pm

WXLO / Worcester, MA

3:30 pm

Friday, July 23rd

WHYN / Mix 93.1 - Springfield, MA

10:00am

Apple

Track #12 from 'Constellation Me'

(iTunes Digital Release Only)

For your consideration

I offer myself with no sign of hesitation

Well, Lets get these wheels in motion

Cause this old guitars ganna sing by the ocean side

Oh apple you’re my life

Feel like a before and after photo

How I’ve lived without you I don’t know

So we ganna plant the seed and watch it grow

Ohh Apple you don’t even know how your laughter tastes so sweet

Ohh apple well I thank my stars that you fell so close,

you fell so close, you fell so close to me

We sit and watch as the waves slowly reach for our names,

and surrender them to the tide

If I could send out a message in a bottle,

I’d say all I need is here by my side

Apple you’re the reason why

Feel like a before and after photo

How I’ve lived without you I don’t know, no

So we ganna plant the seed and watch it grow

Ohh Apple you don’t even know,

how your laughter tastes so sweet

Ohh apple well I thank my stars that you fell so close,

you fell so close, you fell so close to me

Apple you don’t even know,

how your laughter tastes so sweet

Oh apple well I thank my stars that you fell so close ,

yea you fell so close to me

Apple you don’t even know,

how your laughter tastes so sweet

Ohh apple well I thank my stars that you fell so close,

you fell so close, that you fell so close to me

- Joe Brooks

Voices

Track #11 from 'Constellation Me'

(Digital Release only)

The devil on my shoulder

Speaks so smooth to me

Scarlet lips and silver tongue

So easy to believe

But I can’t seem to grow

Can’t seem to change my way

While you’re in control

Darkness it will reign

Darkness it will reign

Angel, Angel come

Be gone of this charade

Drown the voices silent now

At least for another day

But I can’t seem to grow

Can’t seem to change my way

While you’re in control

Darkness it will reign

His darkness it will reign

- Joe Brooks

These Broken Hands of Mine

Track #10 from 'Constellation Me'

Take a breath, I close my eyes

I am lost but try to find

What it is, in this life

That gives me strength enough to fight for something more

Well God knows my feet are aching

And I’ve got mountains ahead to climb…

One way at a time,

I will try to lend these broken hands of mine

Give me strength, be my light,

One way at a time

These walls will fall and fill our empty souls

Give me strength, help me guide

These broken hands of mine

The sky is grey it clouds your world

Clear the air child, break the mold

Find a place, in your heart

To build a shelter from this cold and winding road

Well God knows you’re barely standing

But you’ve got to carry this heavy load…

One way at a time

I will try to lend these broken hands of mine

Give me strength, be my light

One way at a time, the peace will grow

And fill our empty souls

Give me strength, help me guide

These broken hands of mine

What if there’s more?

What if there’s more?

What if there’s more than this?

What if there’s more out there?

- Joe Brooks

Kaleidoscope

Track# 9 from 'Constellation Me'

She hangs wind chimes from her ears

But I still can’t tell which way her mood’s blowing

The shades of her eyes well don’t let them fool you now,

Cos naive is not her middle name

She’s a kaleidoscope,

a new shade for each new way in which she draws you close

and then stumbles on your name

She is a battlefield, except you’re fighting with yourself

To keep your heart of steel, from melting to the ground

She is an oooh oooh... Kaleidoscope

A moat surrounds her fortress,

her long technicolor hair she dangles almost to the ground,

So that my finger tips always fall short of,

The light that glows so sweet and blindly guides without a care

She’s a Kaleidoscope, a new face for each new day

in which she draws you close and then stumbles on your name

She is an astronaut dancing freely through the air

Between each telescope that tries to catch her if they dare

Try to catch her…

Oh she comes and then she’s gone,

To the eye so kind for the heart so wrong…

Oh she comes and then she’s goes…

To my eye so kind, but that’s the one thing for sure she knows.