Trying to set up a monthly gig in North London to play crazed Americana, rockabilly-funk-bluegrass… As long as you don’t mention the C-word, everyone’s interested: mention the C-word and you hear the sound of slamming doors. I think I’ve found a venue and a promoter to work with and -glory of glories, the promoter seems …
Monthly Archive: April 2012
Apr 30
Koala Chlamydia and One Direction
Best ever cover story by band returning home from tour: A few One Direction band members are concerned about their health after they were urinated on by koalas while visiting an animal sanctuary in Australia. A likely story, but an impressive amount of organisation by the tour manager. Most bands just get an elephant shot …
Apr 29
Day 14: Last night’s gig with Twin Peaks, The Voice, and the Dario Cortese diet.
Great gig last night with a function band I’ve not worked with before: let’s call them Twin Peaks. I like a good function band: many musicians look down on this kind of work, but to me it’s a more honest expression of music than the madness of pop shows in stadiums. (I’ve been lucky enough …
Apr 28
Memo to Recording Engineers
Recently, I found myself in a situation I’ve never before experienced in 37 years of recording: I didn’t want to be in the studio. I was producing and we had a tight schedule. A combination of attitude and technical problems resulted in the session from hell (although we got it done!) I can’t go into …
Apr 28
Day 13: memo to recording engineers and two wonderful gigs.
Those of you who were kind enough to comment on my recent post “Memo to Sound Engineers might like to read this: memo to recording engineers. Thursday night’s Songwriters’ Circle was a glorious celebration of our art. Cherished moments include the sight of jaws dropping around the room as George Frakes played his first song …
Apr 27
Day 12: contrasts…
Just a quick update: a day of contrasts, and I’ll save the details till I’ve calmed down otherwise I’ll offend someone. Have a nice night. Share this:
Apr 26
Day 11: songwriters’ circle this evening,
Tonight I have been invited to take part in a Songwriters’ Circle event at the North London Tavern in Kilburn. I love these: I’ve done a couple now and it’s a fascinating way to present your songs: your song choice tends to be influenced by what the previous performers have done. Also taking part: George …
Apr 25
Day 10: guitar heaven in online session!
Whoopeee! doing guitars for a Swiss artist (anonymity preferred.) I’ve got tracks with guide guitars and a mix of each without guitars. Here’s how I go about it: 1. Check format, bit-rate and sample-rate of the files they sent me: if I get this wrong, my guitars will play back at the wrong speed or …
Apr 24
Day 9: Music is not a competitive sport! Good Luck Joelle Moses!
I’ve enjoyed The Voice so far and before I go any further I must declare an interest here: I produced, arranged and played on the fabulous Joelle Moses’ backing tracks for her blind auditions. (You can hear a couple of them here and here.) On th blind audition itself, the band played my arrangement of …
Apr 23
Day 8: influence of technology on the music made with it.
Musing on the comment by Lester Claypool on the interplay between music and technology: here’s his comment in full. >My wife has a theory about technological advancements and their contribution to new musical styles: >No transistor radio? No Elvis. You weren’t going to hear that kind of music listening to the “Pappy O’Daniel Flour Hour” …
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