August started with August 1st. I took a last minute slot at Carpe Diem for Leeds Acoustic Showcase and played 2nd on the bill. It was fairly quiet but I really enjoyed this one, for some reason it sticks in my mind. The sound was great through a full PA and it was all very relaxed. I played 'Nobody Said It was Going To Be Easy' for the first time in a long time. Also 'Dare' again and 'How Do You Sleep'.
August continues with August 2nd. Here the band was playing at the legendary Puzzle Hall in Sowerby Bridge. In our search to find the smallest pub venues in England (or indeed in the world), we played a good set- I felt a little down on what we did at the Railway, but still a good night.
I was back at the Abbey twice last week, firstly for the open mic on tuesday (this time duetting Hey Jude with Andy), and then on Saturday the 11th for the command performance full set. I'd like to thank all the people that came to support, because without you- it'd have been empty! I enjoyed playing the covers again though.
The following night (the 12th) I was back at the New Inn in Barwick playing to an even smaller audience of 7.....but they all knew me, liked me and bought some cds-so it was still a really nice night.
Monday was a bit busier and certainly trendier with my first gig at Revolution in Leeds. This is a relatively new night which seems to be working well. I was on first and played half an hour including 'Nobody Said' again and covers of One Of Us and Freefallin. This time 'Can't Believe the News' was introduced as Why does the drummer always get the girl, the bastard. Which I think is a good title.
Playing first enabled me to pop across to Doctor Wu's (is it really closing??) and watch Rob from Grain Division's band Silverlode. It was nice to see a properly tight band on this circuit for once.
I was back at The Grove on Wednesday (15th) playing 'Cold Steel Lover' and another new cover 'Nobody Knows You when you're down and out', I played the latter so well that I was asked to play a blues night, that's versatility for you!
I was partly there to promote a very important gig for the band there on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH. Make a date!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Is it really a month since the last post? Yes it is.
Quite a lot happening as always, including most importantly the long-awaited finish of the 2nd album! Yes, the new 10-track CD is finished, and awaiting final printing and duplication before I'll be selling copies.
As usual, these will be available at gigs and on cdbaby.com, and in due course various other digital distributors such as apple itunes and napster.
The album is entitled 'Seven Shades Of Grey' and 4 of the new tracks are now on my myspace site.
There's also a VIDEO of a LIVE PERFORMANCE from Zephyr Bar in March of 'Money From The Satified Man'. Carol Douglas also has the track 'Through Heartache and Back' on her page.
PAUL GOES MAD ON MYSPACE
Speaking of myspace.....apart from ranging between over-worked to lethargy the other reason for the long delay since the last blog is that I've finally become addicted to myspace, about a year after I started with it and about 2 years after everybody else cracked it and moved on.
Slow developer again.
I've progressively been getting more 'hits' on there than on here basically. Website traffic is a slow trickle and without constant mailshots and new releases seems to stay that way. Myspace is there, it's immediate and the networking potential is of course infinite. I've realised fully the power it can have for promoting my music and very slowly I'm learning how to utilise that power.
The site is virtually a website in itself, apart from the limit on songs (4). But with soundclick.com allowing limitless uploads that is easily stepped around. Pics, videos, and then your 'guestbook'-where people leave nice comments and promote their own wares-all add to the instant networking appeal.
Of course, you all knew this long before me and are probably now bemoaning it's lack of 'edge' and championing facebook and bebo. I think I'll stick to myspace for now, who knows I might even get nostalgic about that too.
Back to the gigs then, The 18th July Primrose was cancelled due to 2 bands pulling out. So I went off to try another new open mic night in West Leeds, the Old Vic at Bramley. This is run by Scouse Andy (who used to be riot controller/compere at the Fox & Newt open mic). Here in more civilised surroundings we had a good night. I played 'Your Shadow', 'Laura Jones' (over their heads a bit), and then a special impromtu duet of 'No Other Baby' with Andy. He happened to be playing it in the soundcheck which I remarked on.
'No Other Baby' is by the Vincents from about 500 your ago, and was covered by Paul McCartney on his 1999 Run Devil Run rock n roll album. I loved the vibe of the latter version and used to cover it in my old band. There's very little to it, just a 12-bar that builds up-the rest of the band hated it but I always loved the song. Andy sang the lead vocals and I harmonised, to me at times it sounded like the Everleys....
Saturday 21 July featured my set in the afternoon at the Abbey. Their festival brought indoors by the council this year, just as well with the abismal weather. I played around 20 mins and with Andy compering again, in went the duet for a 2nd time!
Dare Cafe was on the schedule for that evening but was cancelled as the venue has music licensing problems. These problems seem to have become more perminent since then so I hope they can sort it out.
Sunday night was my 2nd time at Santiagos. I played a set comprising 'Your Shadow', 'Whiskey', 'Can't Believe The News', 'Dare' and 'These Eyes'. I really enjoyed this one, and am now starting to recognise some of the other acts that are around, as well as having a bit of fun with the passing City Varieties Blues Brothers audience as they made their way home.
The Grove open mic on Wed 25th July was pretty special. I played '7 Shades' and 'Words' and sold quite a few CDs. It is currently my favourite of the open nights. The following night I played a set at the Puzzle Hall open mic, again pretty succesful, mainly to promote the following weeks' band gig. 'I Don't Need' had an airing this time.
The last Monday of the month was another first, a set at The Priestley Bar in Bradford. This is based in Little Germany and is a studio theatre with a bar. Another hugely succesful night in terms of cds sales and networking. It was here that I hooked up with bcb radio to do some interviews for the new album. I really hope this night survives because it deserves some success.
I'll pause there with August still to go, stay awake at the back....
Quite a lot happening as always, including most importantly the long-awaited finish of the 2nd album! Yes, the new 10-track CD is finished, and awaiting final printing and duplication before I'll be selling copies.
As usual, these will be available at gigs and on cdbaby.com, and in due course various other digital distributors such as apple itunes and napster.
The album is entitled 'Seven Shades Of Grey' and 4 of the new tracks are now on my myspace site.
There's also a VIDEO of a LIVE PERFORMANCE from Zephyr Bar in March of 'Money From The Satified Man'. Carol Douglas also has the track 'Through Heartache and Back' on her page.
PAUL GOES MAD ON MYSPACE
Speaking of myspace.....apart from ranging between over-worked to lethargy the other reason for the long delay since the last blog is that I've finally become addicted to myspace, about a year after I started with it and about 2 years after everybody else cracked it and moved on.
Slow developer again.
I've progressively been getting more 'hits' on there than on here basically. Website traffic is a slow trickle and without constant mailshots and new releases seems to stay that way. Myspace is there, it's immediate and the networking potential is of course infinite. I've realised fully the power it can have for promoting my music and very slowly I'm learning how to utilise that power.
The site is virtually a website in itself, apart from the limit on songs (4). But with soundclick.com allowing limitless uploads that is easily stepped around. Pics, videos, and then your 'guestbook'-where people leave nice comments and promote their own wares-all add to the instant networking appeal.
Of course, you all knew this long before me and are probably now bemoaning it's lack of 'edge' and championing facebook and bebo. I think I'll stick to myspace for now, who knows I might even get nostalgic about that too.
Back to the gigs then, The 18th July Primrose was cancelled due to 2 bands pulling out. So I went off to try another new open mic night in West Leeds, the Old Vic at Bramley. This is run by Scouse Andy (who used to be riot controller/compere at the Fox & Newt open mic). Here in more civilised surroundings we had a good night. I played 'Your Shadow', 'Laura Jones' (over their heads a bit), and then a special impromtu duet of 'No Other Baby' with Andy. He happened to be playing it in the soundcheck which I remarked on.
'No Other Baby' is by the Vincents from about 500 your ago, and was covered by Paul McCartney on his 1999 Run Devil Run rock n roll album. I loved the vibe of the latter version and used to cover it in my old band. There's very little to it, just a 12-bar that builds up-the rest of the band hated it but I always loved the song. Andy sang the lead vocals and I harmonised, to me at times it sounded like the Everleys....
Saturday 21 July featured my set in the afternoon at the Abbey. Their festival brought indoors by the council this year, just as well with the abismal weather. I played around 20 mins and with Andy compering again, in went the duet for a 2nd time!
Dare Cafe was on the schedule for that evening but was cancelled as the venue has music licensing problems. These problems seem to have become more perminent since then so I hope they can sort it out.
Sunday night was my 2nd time at Santiagos. I played a set comprising 'Your Shadow', 'Whiskey', 'Can't Believe The News', 'Dare' and 'These Eyes'. I really enjoyed this one, and am now starting to recognise some of the other acts that are around, as well as having a bit of fun with the passing City Varieties Blues Brothers audience as they made their way home.
The Grove open mic on Wed 25th July was pretty special. I played '7 Shades' and 'Words' and sold quite a few CDs. It is currently my favourite of the open nights. The following night I played a set at the Puzzle Hall open mic, again pretty succesful, mainly to promote the following weeks' band gig. 'I Don't Need' had an airing this time.
The last Monday of the month was another first, a set at The Priestley Bar in Bradford. This is based in Little Germany and is a studio theatre with a bar. Another hugely succesful night in terms of cds sales and networking. It was here that I hooked up with bcb radio to do some interviews for the new album. I really hope this night survives because it deserves some success.
I'll pause there with August still to go, stay awake at the back....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)