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.
Monday, 30 July 2007
Friday, 13 July 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, 12 July 2007
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
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.
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.
Monday, 2 July 2007
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
