Sophie's Silver Lining Fund

Had a very enjoyable time the other night meeting some other folk associated with Sophie's Silver Lining Fund. SSLF is a charity set up by Cherry and Stephen Large, in memory of their daughter, Sophie, who lost her life in a car accident, aged 19, in 1998. They help actors and singers with bursaries towards vocational training. I was lucky enough to get one of those when I was at Guildhall a few years back, and in a funny way, I think knowing they were sponsoring me really helped to spur me on when the pressure was beginning to mount! Cherry and Stephen are some of the most enthusiastic and supportive people you could hope to meet, so it's a real pleasure to still be in touch with them and the charity.

Most of the people at this particular get together were actors, which makes a nice change for me. I love the theatre, and the buzz associated with it - it's different to the buzz you get with music, and there's definitely a vitality unique to that scene. Of course, as someone looking from the outside, I'm sure there are things I might find less pleasant if I was in it. Interestingly, it seems most of the people who've been supported by SSLF have gone on to do lots of work, some having set up their own theatre companies. There are a few productions coming up in the next year, so no doubt if I get to them, there'll be some blogs here about it.

Sunday's gig, and noisy buggers

Had a very enjoyable gig at the Old Blue Last on Sunday. It wasn't without its pre-show jitters, though. After circling round the Shoreditch one-way system for what seemed like forever before finding a turn-off for the venue, we then found that the drummer who was supposed to be bringing most of the drum kit hadn't turned up yet. So we did the soundcheck with half a kit, and the snare balanced on Mark's lap, which made for some interesting sounds! Ah, the joys of sharing equipment.

Anyway, despite all that, it was one of those gigs where we all played well and the songs just seemed to work. Phew. Having been holed up practising piano for the last while, I'd felt a bit nervous about getting back on stage for a band gig, but it was actually really good fun. Which is always a relief!

Michael Pollitt also played a set of bluesy guitar, and there was another guy on before me, but I didn't catch much of his set because a few people nearby were talking at the top of their voices. Why, oh why, do people do this?? I'm going to start a campaign to shut people up during gigs. Even if you don't like what you're hearing, you can at least give a performer the respect for getting up and doing their thing. Maybe some sort of remote electric-shock device would do the trick...Ideas, anyone?

Old Blue Last gig

I'll be playing at the Old Blue Last this Sunday, 2 December, in a rare band appearance (until I finish my album, that is) in Shoreditch, London. This is one of those happy outcomes from a gig I did not so long ago for Vicky's Water Project, where I met, among other people, superb guitarist Michael Pollitt. At that particular gig, I forgot my keyboard stand (doh!) and Michael very kindly helped me balance the thing on two champagne casters...it was a rather humbling and surreal moment, I can tell you. There I was, sitting on an amp, trying not to bash the keyboard too much so it didn't fall off, playing and singing songs about people who don't redirect their post. Whoever said music wasn't glamorous?

So I'm very happy to have a chance to redeem myself this Sunday, at the Old Blue Last. It's also a kind of unofficial launch for Michael's new album with his brilliant band Mr Black and Blues, recorded at Toerag studios. I'll be kicking off the evening with my band at 6pm (sans champagne casters), and there will be a whole host of other toe-tapping shenanigans to keep you entertained and your mind off Monday morning! You know it makes sense.

Music, money and the digital age

I've been doing so much practising in the last while, I haven't really come up for air. Emails have gone by the wayside, blogs have been left bereft and gig lists not updated (what's new?!). But it's been very fruitful and I've really enjoyed getting back into playing more piano and accompanying myself. It's a shame you just can't do everything at once!

Still, I did manage to get to a seminar the other day for creative types: "Tools for turning creativity into income". I could do with some of that, I thought! Unfortunately, it was more like getting the hard sell from the proverbial car salesman. Except in this case, it was four internet entrepreneurs touting their own versions of the digital path to success. Shame - it could have been so good. But I'm not sure anyone came away any the wiser. OK, so there were one or two things I learnt - but I realised later I'd have found out tens times more useful info from looking at Steve Lawson's recent postings on the subject - which I have duly done!

As with all of these things, there was a silver lining. I met another very charming dissenter, poet Sarah de Nordwall. She likened one of the panel to a character out of Minority Report - I feel there's a very entertaining poem coming on there from her! And maybe I'll write a song about it, too...

Back from the studio

Some piccies from my jaunt into the studio the other day with the Rythme Futur crew at Tin Pan Alley.

From left, Andy Aitchison (violin), Dave Blenkhorn (guitar), moi, George Trebar (bass, and the brains behind the album), Barrington Meyer (guitar) and Simon Moore (guitar).

Me crooning on those old chansons francaises. We put down some really nice tracks; hopefully the finished mixes will be on their way shortly.

Down to business

It's time to hunker down and get a few things done. In fact, I'm already doing a lot of practising and other music-related stuff I've been meaning to get round to for ages. It's taken me a while to clear the fuzz, though, from being away. It's amazing how switching off for about 10 days seems to take at least the same amount of time again to wind back to where I left off!

Other than honing the old piano chops, I've been talking to, and visiting various studios about recording my album. There's a few strong contenders, so stay tuned for more on that.

I'm also going into the studio this weekend on a bit of a side project. Rythme Futur, the gypsy jazz group I sing with, is making an album, so I'm recording with them over the next few days. We've got some great songs arranged and - my favourite! - one or two in French and Spanish. I love a bit of continental flavour. I'll post some rough mixes when we get those done.

Freedom of Expression webcast

So apparently, the gig I'm playing at tonight (Freedom of Expression at the Perseverance) is being streamed on the web. I'm not entirely sure of the right terminology, but you know what I mean! So if you are at a loose end tonight and do not want to get off the couch, check it out here. I don't yet know what time I'll be on, but I'm guessing the whole evening will kick off around 8pm. Happy viewing.

As for me, I'm going to brave the darkness for the good of mankind and get out there and play some songs!

Autumn calling

Just back from a much-needed break in the sun...phew. That should see me through the winter! It's now time to get my thinking cap on and crack on with the album - will post more on that soon. In the meantime, I need some sleep...

The Troubadour and other gigs

So, the Troubadour gig went well on Tuesday - lots of positive feedback from the audience, and on the whole, the band were sounding pretty good - even if I do say so myself! Thank you to everyone who came and supported, for making it such a great night. Among the many friends and supporters that were there, it was good to see a few fellow musos in the crowd - Steve Lawson, Kate and Jo from punk band the Rude Mechanicals and Chris Rodgers of Combustible Alarms (mentioned here last post). I also ran into pianist Mike Gorman, who played on one of very first gigs ever in East London, many moons ago. Funny how things come around again, isn't it?

I also did a solo slot last night at a mixed poetry and music night at the Cross Kings in, believe it or not, Kings Cross. Nice bit of wordplay for you there, appropriately for a poetry night. It was an interesting night - I forgot that poets like to talk about sex, in fairly graphic terms. Not that I'm a prude - it's just that you don't really hear that sort of language in every day life, and it comes as a sort of surprise when you do. Reminded me of the various English teachers and professors I've had, who always seemed to want to focus on the sexy bits of a novel or book! Of course, not everyone was talking about sex...in fact, Scottish writer Angela Cleland did a very stylish set, showing how good performance poetry can be when you give it a bit of thought and let your personality shine through.

Today saw me doing a bit of session work for an advert pitch, which was fun. Although it's not what you might call "artistic" in the stereotypical sense of the word, it's interesting to get into the discipline of using my voice in quite a specific way. Whereas with my own stuff, I sing it however I like, and how I think will suit the song, singing for an advert is completely different - it's all about what the client wants and trying to get your voice to fit into that mold. I guess if I was doing it all the time, it could get tiring, but for now, I can think of a lot worse ways to earn a crust!

Combustible sounds

Saw a fab gig the other night, courtesy of Chris Rodgers' big band, the Combustible Alarms, in Stoke Newington, north London. So many musical textures and harmonies to get your ears around, and all done so tastefully, as well. There were arrangements of songs by Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix and Paco de Lucia, as well as originals by Chris himself. These days you hardly ever see a big band in the UK, unless it's the BBC big band, or similar outfit playing the swinging songs you'd probably expect to hear, which is all well and good. But if you want to hear how amazing and fresh a contemporary big band can sound, check out their next gig.

In other news, Steve Lawson and I did our first New Standard-type set in a long while at a Freedom of Expression night. It was good fun to get those songs together again and remember - hey! We made some nice arrangements. It also keeps me on my toes, just having a bass as accompaniment - not much room for fluffing your notes when there's no piano / guitar to hide behind! Also, when you've got multiple echoes of your voice coming back at you because of the looping, it's a whole other experience.

I also saw a cool little gig at Ray's Jazz, Soho, this weekend - Jon Regen playing a solo set promoting his new album (Let It Go). I really like Jon's piano playing - he's got a great pedigree, having accompanied Jimmy Scott for years, but now he's performing in his own right, playing and singing his own songs. I guess you could say his songs are in the crossover between jazz and pop, which is the kind of territory I'm into. So it was great to see a top-class, New York pianist doing his thing in that genre.

The Troubadour, Freedom of Expression and The Space

Been doing quite a few solo gigs lately with just me on the piano. It's been interesting. You hear the songs in a different light. Sometimes, I'm not so sure I like that different light (it's always more exposing to play on your own with no band to hide behind!), but it's definitely more intimate, and that's always a good thing.

In fact, my last gig at the Beatroot Rendezvous night at the Space went down really well. It helped that there was a beautiful grand piano there. And an appreciative audience. One guy told me he thought my set was very "uplifting", which is exactly the sort of effect I want to have!

Of the other acts, I particularly enjoyed Pete Roe, a guitarist-pianist-singer from Bristol with a fantastic voice. Also, Jules Levy did a very warm - in fact, uplifting! - set at the end, playing some bluegrass-type songs, with a banjo and guitar set-up.

I'm now gearing up for my gig at the Troubadour next week with the band. Hooray! Should be good - I've never played the Troubadour before, but I went there last week to see a friend play, so now I'm all psyched up!

In the meantime, though, I'm slotting in a set at Freedom of Expression tomorrow, playing some other material entirely. Steve Lawson is also on the gig doing his own set, so it seemed a good opportunity to revisit some of those New Standard tunes we did last year in Edinburgh, in my set. I'm just trying to decide which tunes to do - Slipknot, Green Day, The Cure...? The choice is endless!

All in a week's work

Lots of momentous things happening lately.

First, my beautiful new niece, Elena, born in the wee small hours of Thursday morning. What a cutie. And my first niece to be born near where I live! Hooray. Once I get my act together, I'll post a photo - or two or five. Like aunties do.

In other news, I played an interesting benefit gig on Saturday as part of a fundraising push for Vicky's Water Project. It was organised by my friend Davina, who did a great job at relatively short notice. If ever I have to put on an event, I'm getting Davina on board! There were four acts (including myself with Andrew Milloy on bass), and we played downstairs at the International near Covent Garden. It was a cool little space, although I had a hairy time getting there with my keyboard. I don't recommend driving into central London of a Saturday night, unless you have SatNav and a lot of patience! SatNav is definitely now on my Christmas list.

Anyway, other acts were Dan Haythorn, Michael Pollitt and Alice McGlaughlin, all of whom were good. I particularly liked Michael's finger-picking blues. And he played a lovely version of Blackbird (one of my many favourite songs).

Looking ahead, I'm playing at the Space this Thursday in the Isle of Dogs, probably a solo set. It should be good as they have a Steinway grand piano. Luxury. I'm looking forward to that.

Tubes, trains and automobiles

It's all go here. What with the euphoria of Greenbelt, then getting back to London and lots of work and private gigs, it's all been a bit manic. I've barely had time to sit down and gather my thoughts. Still, I've been selling lots of CDs off the back of various gigs. Hooray! Must get down to checking out studios etc for my album. I've been thinking about this for a while, but being your own boss, sometimes it's difficult to get everything done at once! Next week, though, I'm going to check out a studio nearby, plus I've got various others to get onto in the meantime.

So as long as they can hold off another Tube strike, it'll all be OK. Whenever these strikes happen, I'm reminded of our former neighbours (from another flat) who once told us, "It's great working for the Tube, 'cos whenever we don't get what we want, we just go on strike!" How charming. They were both Tube workers. Doesn't really do much to promote their cause, does it?

I did actually escape relatively unscathed this week, although I found myself working across the other side of town from where I live on the day it started, wondering if I was ever going to get home. In the event, it turned out OK. Thank goodness for overland trains.

Now I'm off first thing tomorrow to another gig the other side of the country (nearly!). It'll be nice, but I'm praying the traffic is kind to me. Wish me luck.

Greenbelt

Just back from a great weekend at Greenbelt. The weather was superb, punters lovely, atmosphere chilled and friendly - what more could one want from a festival? Oh, and my gig on Sunday in the Performance Cafe was great fun. Thanks to everyone who came and supported. It was also nice to see some unexpected faces there (you know who you are!), and new people too.

We did a lot of songs we'd played before, plus a couple of new ones - What a Woman Shouldn't Do, which is kind of a tango-inspired song, and then another song that I haven't actually thought of a title yet for, although I've been getting lots of suggestions. It all seemed to go down well. Hooray.

Gigs and more gigs

Did a storming gig at the National Theatre yesterday evening. I think it's one of the most enjoyable ones I've done there. It was actually nice to be behind the piano, for a change - all the other gigs I've done there, I've had an accompanist on the piano, but this time it was all my own songs or arrangements. It was a nice feeling, and the songs got a really good response.

There also seemed to be more people there than normal, including a lot of French and Spanish. So at the end I was able to brush off a little of my Spanish, talking with some members of the audience. I love that - it's so rare that I actually speak it these days, and the old language skills are getting a bit rusty! Sold a bumper load of CDs, too. All in all, a great evening.

I'm now looking forward to my gigs at the Betsey Trotwood on Thurs 23, and at Greenbelt on Sunday - I'll have the full band with me for both of those. I'm just praying the rain holds off for a few more days.

The pitfalls of buying gear

I'm revising my opinion of Turnkey, the music shop on Charing Cross Road. For the uninitiated, Turnkey says it has the cheapest prices in Europe, and I think it possibly does - not that I've really done the research. However, most times I've been there, I've either had really bad service (earlier in the year they told me they definitely had a certain item that wasn't actually in stock when I went to pick it up), or felt slightly alienated by the boys' club atmosphere.

However, when I went there the other day, I got a pleasant surprise. OK, so there was still the ubiquitous teenager playing the same three chords over and over again on a synth in the corner. And then another teenager in the guitars section playing the opening riff to Metallica's Enter Sandman ad nauseam.

But I got a blinder of a deal on an amp I've been intending to get for ages - years, in fact - that just happened to be in stock when I asked. Hooray! The nice man in the shop gave me a stonking discount and I can honestly say it probably is the cheapest I would find anywhere. And I didn't even go in there for the amp, I went to look at keyboards. Now that was a good salesman.

So, Turnkey, you are redeemed.

Back on the joanna

An uncharacteristically short entry today, I think. Just back, recently, from a week away in Northern Ireland (or God's Own Country, as He-man would call it), and need to get practising again!

I'm back at PoeJazzi at Volupte next Tuesday, this time for a longer set, and apparently it's already sold out. Hooray! I'll be playing another solo set on the piano and am wondering whether to give some new songs a whirl.

They're coming for me

Balls. The people next door seem to be renovating their loft, which is where my music-room-cum-office is. The scratching and scraping has been getting menacingly closer by the day, and I think it's right next to where I've been practising, now. So the builders will have had a lovely time listening to me doing operatic vocal exercises, scales, arpeggios and working out new song ideas. Hey! What if they've been secretly recording all my new song ideas??? I'd better be careful, you know... If only!

The point is, my idyll is being invaded. I say idyll - really it's a bit too cramped, lopsided and drowning in scrappy bits of paper for it to be Beautiful Homes. But there I was, feeling smug because nobody else seemed to be living immediately next door, so I could play and fart about (not literally) on the piano to my heart's content. And now that dream is being shattered. Damn these people who can afford to buy the whole house and renovate into the loft! Just where do they get their money? I bet they're people-trading in the Congo or something. And they've got a 4x4 (I think). Scoundrels! But now I'm just getting carried away.

On the subject of satirical songs, a common remark that has been cropping up either at gigs or talking with friends recently is, "Ooh, I'd better watch out, 'cos maybe you'll write a song about me!" I understand their anxiety. Who wouldn't fear being taken to task in one of my caustic, cutting and downright searingly funny songs?!?

However, contrary to what certain songs and this blog might suggest, I don't actually hate everyone and everything. Just certain, probably rather obvious, targets. Well, some are more obvious than others. Surprisingly enough, I do actually want some people to like my songs and to have some friends at the end of all of this! So never fear if I meet you on a gig or something. I'm not likely to go home scribbling furiously about what a twat you are. Unless you really are a twat, of course.

More homes, more parking, more guff

I'm glad I'm not an old person. Because all you seem to get is abuse and patronising concessions. On the news yesterday, there was this item about parking spots being provided for old people at a supermarket in Hillingdon. OK, so there's nothing really wrong in that. But have you seen those national symbols for old people?!!? They're like two decrepit cripples hanging off a walking stick - a couple of weaklings who look like they're about to get eaten in some lurid fairy tale. And that symbol, big as you like, is planted smack in the middle of those parking spaces, in case you had any doubts as to just how old and has-been you are. If I was a senior citizen, I'd feel insulted.

Of course, I've got rather a long way to go before I get there, but you've got to think ahead, you know? That's going to be all of us one day, getting patronised, and written off as pathetic and useless. Whatever happened to respect for the wisdom of the old? Perhaps you have to move to China or Asia for that. Mind you, if we get taken over by the Chinese, maybe we won't have to.

I was also struck by Brown's radical statement about needing new homes for Britain. Wow. Things are really changing round here, aren't they! I mean, it's not as though he has to do everything differently, but the spin did seem to be about "all change round here" and what do we get? More promises about new homes.

Whenever I hear ministers going on about housing, I always think, why don't they do something about all the derelict / empty buildings littered around the cities? There are so many disused homes and nobody seems to be doing anything about them. I guess it's just too expensive to do them up - may as well start from scratch and build some soulless, boxy flats with a few square inches to move about in and no storage. Or some identikit housing estate sprawled across a hapless strawberry field.

Now there's a few songs in all that, aren't there. I have to say, the songs are becoming ever more satirical. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll write a normal song again - by which I mean, a song that isn't taking the piss out of something or other. I mean, it's a rich source of inspiration, but do I want to always being poking fun at people? Hmm....well, maybe, yes!!

Gigs, CDs and poetry

Well it's all happening at the moment. I've had a busy week, with a number of gigs - some private, some listening ones.

On Tuesday I did a mini slot at a poetry and music night, called PoeJazzi, in town. It was a really good night. Sometimes when you're checking out these things, the line-up is erratic at best, but here, everyone was good. It was so refreshing. There were three performance poets - Nathan Penlington, Catherine Martindale and Rhian Edwards - and two other music acts, a guitarist Joe Schmo, and a really cracking flute and drum duo, Zashiki Warashi. And then the compere, Josh, who was a charismatic host.

I only did one song, but it seemed to go down well. It's hard to choose a song that really sums you up or will make an impact, as you never know how the audience is going to react. I would've done one of my more humorous songs, but I prefer playing them with the band, so I did Before, one of my more intense, melancholy numbers. People seemed to like it.

Then last night I did a nice private gig, which went as well as any function could - all the people were helpful, respectful and appreciative, there was decent food, it wasn't too far away and I'm getting paid for it! You'd think all those things were a given, but sadly, no. There are so many gigs where either the management / other staff treat you like a liability. I could go on and on about this, but I'll save it for the memoirs.

Other good news is that I got my demo CD wallets back this week - hooray! They look fantastic. Thanks so much to Lorna who designed them. And ALocalPrinter.com who printed them. They're on recycled card, which is quite hard to find, but these guys were friendly and reasonably priced. Unlike 10th Planet, who practically scoffed at me for asking about recycled card ("Well, we can get it, but it's gonna cost you loads and anyway, the CDs aren't recyclable are they?" Oh. So does that mean because buses use petrol, I should just use my car all the time? Dur.)

And now that's quite enough name-dropping for one post.

Singing in the rain

It's getting beyond a joke, now, this rain. I know it's very British to talk about it, but I've just been singing in it.

I was playing a gig for the City of London festival near Liverpool Street, and although we were covered, the punters weren't. Still, it brings out this rather English stoicism and humour when you realise the slight absurdity of your situation. In fact, I enjoyed the gig. I was playing with Rythme Futur, a gypsy jazz outfit I sing with now and then. I like the fact that we can do stuff in French and Spanish and mix it up with the old Louis Armstrong-type numbers. Très chic and swinging! Also, there's something oddly comforting about having two guitars backing you.

Other than that, I'm still getting through the pile of ideas for songs that have been building up of late. Somehow, that pile never seems to go down, but it's better that way than not having one at all (ie, no ideas). Onwards and upwards.

Bring on the smoking ban

Joy of joys - the smoking ban is upon us. I can't wait. As a singer who's worked in countless bars, venues and clubs, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to this. The amount of times I've come back from a gig with a nasty tickle at the back of my throat, feeling hoarse - well, no more from 1 July.

Having said that, I'm not one of these "disgusted from Tunbridge Wells" types who wants to hit smokers over the head with a handbag. I don't advocate violence. In fact, I respect the right of smokers to inflict on themselves a slow, tortuous death via furred arteries and whatever else (look, I'm not a scientist). Because, as the pro-smoking lobby keeps saying, they can more than afford to pay for their healthcare - apparently, although they cost the NHS about £1.4bn in treatment, they pay about £10bn in taxes from cigarettes. So. Seems that settles it.

But then there's this argument about the ban "infringing civil liberties". As Antony Worrall-Thompson so eloquently said on the radio today, "It's the nanny state gone barking mad!". Yawn. Change the record. Well, to be fair, I haven't really given the civil liberties thing serious thought - whether it's a slippery slope and all that - because, in this case, it actually suits me, even if it is. And it would seem to suit the majority of the rest of the population as well. So perhaps you could consider it more as a move for the greater good.

Of course, there's always a few stick in the muds, who, even though they agree with the ban, moan about it anyway. "What about all the cigarette ends on the street?!?!?" several concerned callers exclaimed, also on the radio today. Sigh. There's just no pleasing some people.

The woman artist

I've been thinking about this business of being a woman and an artist. And the more I think about it, the more tricky I realise it is. First off, the woman bit - fairly obvious, really: although things have come a long way, still there are very few decent role models of women in society or high places. Female politicians and women on the TV are generally picked on more for their appearance than their achievements. In film, women are mostly gorgeous sex bombs desperate for a man, invariably young with no wrinkles. Or they are mothers, neurotic singles or intellectuals with a great cleavage just waiting for the right man to thaw their cold, thinking hearts.

In my own life, I find I am often asked about kids more than I imagine any guy would be. It's a bit like, when are you going to stop this silly frittering about with so-called "creative" stuff, and get down to your real vocation as a woman (ie, being a mother)? And unfortunately, that kind of attitude comes from women as much as anybody else. Lots of women, I find, don't understand the concept of being passionate about something other than family and men. I'm not anti-family or anti-men. But if only we could stop worrying about wrinkles, fat and such-like, we'd have a lot more energy to just be ourselves. I'm amazed at the amount of female friends who look great and are fretting over some invisible wrinkle that only they can see and are talking about plastic surgery, or Botox. Get a grip! There are more important things in life.

Then there's the artist bit. Again, the word "artist" seems to be encumbered by various misperceptions in this country. Either you're pretentious for calling yourself an artist, because in Britain we like to slag anybody off for having too high an opinion of themselves, or you must be a painter, or, to be a proper artist (in music, anyway), you must be signed to a major label; only then are you legitimate. Ironically, by the time you've signed to a major label, you've probably lost any remnant of artistic integrity you had in the first place. And the stories of artists who feel they've been compromised by major labels are countless. Because as we all know, cash flow is king.

It doesn't help that for virtually every major label signing, you have critics spurting out guff like "The album of the year" or "The best singer-songwriter of their generation" or "The new Dylan" etc etc. Come on. I was reading a billboard about Ray LaMontagne in the tube station not so long ago. There were quotes like, "A voice that could melt the heart of any person in any nation". Please. And stuff about what a genius he was, and how there's never been anybody like him. Well, I happen to have his album at home (it's hubby's) and I can safely say that after one listen, I haven't been tempted to put it into the CD player ever again. It's not terrible - it's OK. I can relate to some of the stuff he sings about. There's a lot of songs in 3/4 time, which I like. But it hasn't changed my life. I'd hardly give it the genius tag.

There was an article by AA Gill in the Sunday Times yesterday, which I dipped into, that I think was saying much the same thing about theatre critics. It's about time somebody applied some intelligence to these reviews!

To be continued...

Internet evangelists

Feels like a while since I last posted. That's because lots has been happening. I keep thinking of things I want to blog about, but then when I get round to doing it, the moment has kind of passed. Like hearing on the news recently that Tony Blair has called for a "considered debate about the effect of the media on public life". Excuse me, but wasn't he the one that stirred everything up?!?! Beats me.

Also, I've been busily working on getting a great design for my new demo. OK, so I know you can listen to the stuff online, but you can't beat a hard copy for sound quality, and with the design I'm getting, pure class. I can say this, because it's not my design but the work of my very talented friend, Lorna Brown, who also happens to be an illustrator. We're nearly there and all will be revealed soon.

Other than that, I've been genning up on podcasts/vodcasts/videocasts - basically, whatever -cast you can think of. I went to a seminar last night about this and it worried me. Because I don't need to spend any more time on the internet! I realise the irony of that statement, as I happily blog away. But I would like to have some semblance of a real (as opposed to virtual) life. Everybody on the panel was an internet evangelist, and truly, I can see the benefits. But you have to draw a line somewhere. One guy said he'd just spent most of his holiday abroad on MySpace - now that isn't right!

Having said all that, I will at some stage be getting into this podcast business. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em - as I think I said on an earlier post. And hey, I've got things to say! Which is surely the better reason for doing it.

A gig at the Red Hedgehog last Sunday went well - the venue kind of reminded me of The Lot, in Edinburgh, where I did my Fringe shows. On another recent (private) gig, I sang Baa Baa Black Sheep for the first time ever live; a rather excitable child wanted to sing using my mic, and the only way I could protect it was to sing along with him. One of my finer moments, I must say. Still, I like to think I may have inspired a future performer.

Finally, hooray! I've got another slot at Greenbelt this year. I'll be playing with my band, doing the new songs, in the Performance Cafe on Sunday 26 August. It's gonna be fun. Will post more details as they come through.

Good audiences and not-so-good audiences

Things didn't start terribly auspiciously today. First of all, there was no hot water from the shower. So I psyched myself up to go to a local exercise class - something I've been meaning to do for ages and which had absolutely nothing to do with wanting a decent shower - only to find it was cancelled when I got there. Hmmph. Then, to top it all, people have been renovating next door, making all manner of noises. I can't write a hit song with that racket going on! Keeping the muse has been a challenge.

That said, I did pretty much finish one of the many songs I have started recently. And listening back to it on my crappy dictaphone, I think it's all right. Just a few rough edges to tidy up and I'm nearly there.

Apart from all that, there've been numerous outings of a musical nature since I last posted. In my quest to check out ever more acoustic / singer-songwriter nights in town, I went to see my friend Kaz Simmons last night at the Bullet Bar in Kentish Town. I know Kaz from the jazz scene, but, like me, she's been writing some of her own material lately, on the classical guitar. It was a nice place and she did a great set, fortunately at the beginning, while people were still remotely attentive. What was really annoying was that one of the other acts, who'd brought a bit of a crowd, talked through all the other acts. And the singer had the cheek, in his set, to evil the audience when there were one or two people speaking at the back! Some people, eh. I think it's a shame when the other acts on a bill disrespect their fellow performers like that.

In contrast, when I went to Power Down the other week at the Islington Arts Factory, the audience were a complete joy (yes, I know I was one of them, but hey). We had to be, because there was no amplification - the concept behind the gig was to be as carbon-neutral as possible. So there was no electricity - just a brilliant atmosphere in a beautiful old building with great acoustics. And everybody listened.

Recording, new tracks and a piano

Phew. What a week. Well, we've finished mixing and mastering the demo. Thank goodness. I always find the mixing process a bit laborious (listening to yourself repeatedly for a whole day is enough to do anyone's head in), but Josh was a paragon of patience and craftsmanship, and I think we've done a good job. We had our work cut out in one sense because, having recorded everything live, there was a lot of spill from the instruments, and that limited what we could do to any individual tracks. But all in all, we got a good "live" sound and captured the energy of the songs I think. I'm really pleased! So far, I've got them up on MySpace, and once my head has cleared from computer fuzz, I'll get them up on the website, too.

Another achievement this week is that I got my piano moved up from my folks', replacing the keyboard I've been using for the last 7 or 8 years here in London. I'd been umming and ahhing over it for ages, trying out practice rooms (and encountering some bloody awful pianos), wondering if it would fit...wondering if the stairs could take it too, actually! But although the keyboard I've been using is great, it's just not the same, and I finally took the plunge to have it moved yesterday.

Unfortunately, nobody told the guys moving it that they were going to have to climb four flights of stairs, so when they got here, they were a trifle miffed, shall we say. I really felt for them, and it was a nail-biting experience, hearing them heaving it up to the top floor (I say hearing, because I was too nervous to watch!). But all's well that end's well, and here it is, in the study, ready to be played (and tuned). It's been so nice playing it again, and I can tell already I'm going to enjoy practising and writing with it from now on.

Demo!

Me in my piano den


Spencer on his mean machine


Olly lays down the groove

Finally got down to recording my demo today, and it felt good. We went to my friends' Ruth Applin and Josh Kemp's - Josh has set up a brilliant studio and was really good to work with. Olly Blackman was on drums and Spencer Brown on electric bass. We recorded everything live, with me playing piano and singing live as well. By the end of the day we had five good tracks, and now I'm bushed. More news on the final mix soon.

The Inquisition, ducks and a stand-up opera singer

Funny how things change, isn't it? I was checking out some new chords in Mark Levine's Jazz Piano book and while trying out the "So What" voicings (from Miles Davis' 1950s tune), I read that during the Inquisition, if you played a tritone interval, you could get yourself excommunicated, "or worse". Sometimes people really get their priorities screwed, don't they!! Amazing to think that playing a few notes could get you into that much trouble. If only that was the case now for certain "artists": I'm thinking of the Simon Cowell-type bands - the usual suspects - or people that write songs that go: "I-love-you-my-life-is-so-perfect-now- I've-met-you-let's-have-sex". Which seems to be what most songs in the charts are about, anyway.

Anyway, the reason I was checking out those voicings was on the recommendation of the amazingly talented Andrew Milloy, who's played bass in my band and was on my gig last Thursday at Femmes on the Thames. I'm working on a new funky song and want to adjust my piano playing accordingly! But back to the gig. Battersea Barge is the only venue I know of where you can gaze at families of ducks paddling past while you're playing. In fact, it was very soothing and sort of put things into perspective before we came on as the headline act at the end. We were the only full band (Andrew on bass, He-man on drums), which kind of helped to crank up the energy, and the set went down well.

The highlight of the evening for me (apart from the ducks) was Evie Anderson, a stand-up opera singer - "the only stand-up opera singer on the road". She was hilarious - I don't know how she kept such a straight face - and also filthy, as well, actually, so she's not for the faint-hearted. I see she's doing a long run at Edinburgh this year, though, so that looks like a good time to catch her.

Anyway, back to those voicings...

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

I've been thinking about this blogging business. How much do you reveal and what do you keep back? Given that most of my material and songs are drawn from personal experience, sometimes it's hard to tell.

I often find myself wondering, when I read various columnists, "Did that actually happen?", or "I wonder what that friend/spouse/partner thought of them writing that?" Maybe they don't mind. Or maybe they have some agreement about what they can and can't say. Who knows. One thing I do find a bit pretentious, although I understand why writers do it, is this business of giving your significant other an alias. For example, AA Gill calls his partner the "Blonde". One writer whose column I used to edit when I was freelancing referred to her partner as "Boyf". Eurgh.

I asked my husband what he'd like to be known as in this blog. He said: "He-man." I said, "Are you serious?" He said, "Yes." It all stems from this conversation I was having with a friend who came to stay a few weeks ago, and my husband was in the room. I was making some comment about I don't remember what, and my friend, Ada, said, "Well, you did marry a he-man." Which I think he rather liked. So He-man it is. For now....

Timber!

So I was rudely awakened today at about 5.20am by something that either sounded like a demented motorbike owner revving his engine, or somebody doing DIY in a nearby house, obscenely early. Turned out it was closer to the latter - a chestnut tree right outside our flat was being toppled and sawn up by tree "surgeons"... I always find that job title a little euphemistic. Anyway, I'm glad we hadn't parked there as it was right above the spot where we'd normally park if the spot is free, but lucky we didn't, as the surrounding cars were getting a right bashing from falling branches and paraphernalia. Now the tree is all sawn down and all that's left are a huge pile of branches, chunks of trunk and one massive stump. It seems rather empty now. I guess yesterday must have been very windy - I hope it's that, as I hate to see these beautiful trees massacred for the sake of making room for a view or something.

So tonight I'm playing at the Femmes on the Thames night on the Battersea Barge. It's my first "originals" gig since the benefit gig I did at St Luke's about a month ago. It'll be good to play these songs again to an audience. Even though the feedback so far has been really great, unless you're getting out there doing it, it's easy to lose momentum. However, once I get this demo finally ready (which should be next week), I'll be able to remedy that. What's interesting about tonight is that it's actually the same venue where I did my very first full gig as a solo singer, years ago in London. I'd booked the venue while I was doing a jazz course at the City Lit and brought most of my class from that, and it went really well. Issy Postill was on keyboards, her partner Dave Wickens on drums and Amy Baldwin on bass. We did mostly jazz standards and some poppy stuff too. Seems a long time ago now... Let's hope tonight is as much a success as that one.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em

Oh dear. I now have a blog. Yes, after months – years, in fact – spent in protest against this very individualist, web-obsessed modern habit, and after railing against the sheer narcissism of gratuitously sharing your inner thoughts with countless anonymous others, I have finally succumbed and decided to add my own mutterings to the fold. I shall be chronicling my transformation from jazz singer to singer-songwriter extraordinaire, so for those of you with surfing time to spare, you are most welcome to join me on my quest.

It may contain some interesting insights into the music biz (or what I can see of it, anyway!), but I shall try not to name too many names. There may be a few angry moments as I flail about trying to make sense of this hyper-real state known as a “career in music”. I won't pretend to remain impartial or claim to write particularly regularly. However it will contain the latest on my new songs, what inspired me to write them, views on gigs and other paraphernalia. Should you feel inspired to add your comments to the blog, it would be heartily appreciated, as I do like to maintain appearances of popularity where possible.

That's it for now. And next time, I will try to come up with a better sign-off.