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.