EllyRox

I was introduced to the Mighty Boosh in late 2008, about a year after my grandfather’s passing. In an attempt to cheer me up, a good friend showed me their work thinking I would love it. Turns out I more than loved it! Not only did the mixed media art interstitials and vivid dream like surrealist story lines spark my imagination, they got me making art again. Something I’d abandoned since my grandfathers passing, along with many other little pleasures I allowed myself, like sleep.

The first piece of art I produced in months was a portrait of Noel and Julian, the double act at the heart of the Boosh. Not to say I don’t enjoy all involved in the Mighty Boosh, I do, but there’s something especially captivating about the candyfloss goth Noel Fielding.

Maybe it’s the former art student in me that appreciates his art degree, or my love of Dali and surrealism in general that strikes a chord, or the glam rock electro that hits home with my long time affection for Bowie, androgyny and Nu Wave, or the subtle notes of Monty Python. It’s weird and fantastic and yet there’s a logic to it if you follow it.

I was lucky enough to travel to Montreal for the Just for Laughs festival. I was also able, thanks to my dad obtain VIP tickets to the first show I attended, and practically VIP seats to the second show via my sister’s keen eye in the general seating arrangement.

Prior to the show on July 24th, I was able to talk to Noel before the show and present him with the art I’d made many years ago, never once thinking I’d be able to hand it to him personally, as he doesn’t leave the UK with frequency. Per my request, he agreed to sign my Boosh tattoo after the show.

After the show, which was spectacular, we waited outside. Fortunately, at L’Astral the stage entrance is in front of the building, and there was a bench right there. After about a half hours wait, and a lovely chat with another fan, Noel emerged from the stage door. We got to chat with him a bit and he did sign my arm and poster I brought from home, a poster from the ‘zine Shellsuit Zombie #2: The Mighty Boosh Edition. He said he didn’t even recognize it. Esoteric fangirling. Get on my level.

After taking up enough of Noel’s time, and posing for several photos. I retreated back to the hotel with my sister. It had been a good night and I once again serendipitously had met someone I admire greatly and they once again had shown me in spades why I admired them. They say ‘don’t meet your idols’ well maybe I just pick really well because so far all of mine have been lovely and accommodating.

The next day we had nothing on but attending the second show we had tickets for so my sister and I took our time, had lunch at Le Petit Opus, and then got ready for the day. We took a cab to Tattoo Bar, upon our arrival I look across the street and spot a familiar tuft of bleached blonde hair bouncing down the street. I exited the cab with as much haste as someone who uses a cane to walk can manage and let Noel know that the tattoo was happening right then. He seemed almost as nervous as I was about it, but was very gracious and encouraging.

After bumping into Noel we crossed back over to the tattoo shop and requested the signature be inked immediately. Of course being in Montreal this cost a fair bit more than it probably would have in Philly, but I also rolled in with no appointment and a sharpie template on my arm, so fair enough. The tattoo artist had a very light touch, and could not wrap his head around my not wanting a line down the back of the “E” but I liked it the way Noel did it, so I made sure that’s how it got done. (When I related this to Noel later, he later said it was intentional and made a Basquiat reference.)

That night we attended the second show, at the beginning of the show Noel was warming up the crowd and asked for where everyone was from. Since I’m me (read: loud, obnoxious, and shameless) I shouted Philadelphia and he came right over to our side of the stage, and I showed him the new tattoo which he came down off the stage to examine. He then called out the audience for their lack of devotion, saying “She’s gone and got needle in her flesh for me, needles! She had needles, in her flesh, needles in her eyes! THAT’S showin’ love! What have you lot done for me lately!”

After the second show we got to meet and talk to Noel once again, and posed for another picture while I told him he had to come to Philadelphia and he related an anecdote about he last time he was there. He was lovely, and talked with us for a while, complimenting my sisters neon orange and blue hair. My sister said “You’ve got his name tattooed on your arm but you’re tattooed on his mind!”

In the end we could have spoken to him more but I didn’t want to be rude or press my luck. I’m over the moon with the new addition to my tattoo and the fact that my taste in idols remains impeccable. When I got home from Montreal and settled in, I posted some of the pictures on twitter and Noel re-tweeted them, so far it’s got 100 re-tweet’s and Noel Fielding knows I exist. Thus endeth the fangirling.