My next original material-related gig was on Sunday December 2nd at the New Inn, Barwick. This time I had support from Matt 'Whiter Than' White and so I did one set straight through, just like the pros do LOL.
This has been one of my favourite venues all year, small but homely and a good listening audience.
The following Thursday was the final band gig of the year, and with big plans for 08 this was a fairly steady affair. The Plough at Warmfield is of course Ali's pub and he does more to make a band welcome than most other landlords put together. It's just a shame he can't get a few more people through the door. The night was ok for us though, and we bedded in some more well-rehearsed material (all true except the last bit) and can now look forward to 2008, when I attempt....one gig a week.
On Saturday I was out and about again. Paul came over in the daytime and we worked through some recordings for a new project. Yes, yet another new project. This time it's not my next album but an album of female-singer stuff. More to be unveiled in the near future. It's part of the masterplan to get all my tracks recorded, and there's a lot of them.
In the evening it was time to go out and look at some more local delights. I called in at 2 Bradford pubs to watch the bands. Both bands I saw were excellent, even if their surroundings weren't. The latter I'll say were really experienced players who deserve better. I chatted to their drummer who seemed to be in the same boat as me, looking for a gig wherever they can get one. It's a shame but at least made me realise I was doing the best I could.
By the following week I must admit to being a bit knackered. The weekend 14-16 Dec was hectic to say the least. The earliest night I got was 3AM on Friday (well, Saturday) and this wasn't self-inflicted as it sometimes is. Christmas can be a very hard time for musicians. On Saturday I drove to Boston, Lincs for a gig with Morris&The Minors, a 4AM finish to my night there. On Sunday, well this one was more my doing, going down to London to see Joe Cocker at the 02.
As you will probably know by now, Joe Cocker is one of my favourtie singers. And the thought of a tour with a 9-piece band was too much to miss. I couldn't do Sheffield because of the Boston gig, so London it had to be. The Spice Girls were on in the main arena, whilst music lovers could see Joe in the smaller Indigo Theatre.
I'm glad I made the effort. Great band, great voice. Again, truly an inspiration for me. I was too tired to appreciate it at the time, but it was a night I shall long remember. The journey back across London I hope to forget, a 4.30 finish this time.
My final gig of the year involving my material was on Sat Dec 22nd at the Old Vic in Bramley. This is the latest venue to spring up around that area and provides another night's work for musicians, which is good. I played a reasonable set, which was better received towards the end. It all bodes well for next year and with a few nights' decent sleep, I can't wait to get on with it. Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Covering Nov 12-Nov 25
Looking at the diary, the week beginning Nov 12th was quieter. I played the Primrose on the Thursday, which as mentioned was a lot quieter than the week before. Nevertheless it went well on the playing side. I've played there umpteen times in the last 12 months and I really hope the venue can continue to shine, it has a real heart and soul.
Sunday was the last Stock Car engagement of the year, and this was the Frankie Wainman Testimonial meeting. He was my favourite driver from day one and now 22 years later, he was retiring for good. A truly emotional occasion was dampened by the awful weather, which eventually caused the meeting to be abandoned part-way through, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Since the beginning of March this year I've been soaked to the skin, snowed on, burnt my head, and finally nearly frozen to the spot but as I said, I can't wait for March 1st 2008 when all the madness starts again.
Monday 19th was what turned out to be my last Doctor Wu's appearance. It was for Rowena's night which features comedy and music. I was on last (not my favourite slot wherever I go) and it was not brilliantly received. Somehow the audience seems to be there more for the comedy and even Gary Stewart seemed to struggle for much reaction. I do hope the night can continue in Verve where it will be ideally suited.
Some last thoughts on Doctor Wu's. A brilliant training ground for me personally, and the first Open Mic I ever did. I've played there dozens of times and had some really cracking gigs. Towards the end I felt the scrote count had gone up a bit, and didn't really enjoy the last few nights. I took the view that you were ok there playing before 10pm, then after that a few 'characters' could come in and spoil it. I suppose you can get that in most venues, but overall I'm glad to say I got a lot out of Wu's and it will be missed.
Over to Wednesday 21st and a new venue. The PM Freestyle Bar/Lounge in Shipley. This is their open night and again a venue with great potential. Good room and PA, it just needs some support and more people. I played a short set for which Tommy had introduced me. His set was good too which followed mine.
Sunday was the last Stock Car engagement of the year, and this was the Frankie Wainman Testimonial meeting. He was my favourite driver from day one and now 22 years later, he was retiring for good. A truly emotional occasion was dampened by the awful weather, which eventually caused the meeting to be abandoned part-way through, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Since the beginning of March this year I've been soaked to the skin, snowed on, burnt my head, and finally nearly frozen to the spot but as I said, I can't wait for March 1st 2008 when all the madness starts again.
Monday 19th was what turned out to be my last Doctor Wu's appearance. It was for Rowena's night which features comedy and music. I was on last (not my favourite slot wherever I go) and it was not brilliantly received. Somehow the audience seems to be there more for the comedy and even Gary Stewart seemed to struggle for much reaction. I do hope the night can continue in Verve where it will be ideally suited.
Some last thoughts on Doctor Wu's. A brilliant training ground for me personally, and the first Open Mic I ever did. I've played there dozens of times and had some really cracking gigs. Towards the end I felt the scrote count had gone up a bit, and didn't really enjoy the last few nights. I took the view that you were ok there playing before 10pm, then after that a few 'characters' could come in and spoil it. I suppose you can get that in most venues, but overall I'm glad to say I got a lot out of Wu's and it will be missed.
Over to Wednesday 21st and a new venue. The PM Freestyle Bar/Lounge in Shipley. This is their open night and again a venue with great potential. Good room and PA, it just needs some support and more people. I played a short set for which Tommy had introduced me. His set was good too which followed mine.
Nov 5-Nov 11
I've got way behind with this as you can probably gather. I start these things with the best of intentions (see the first few blogs of 07!) and then, well, get busy with other things and can't keep up. I need a secretary. No don't laugh I really do! It would suit someone looking for a bit of pocket money, or someone in so much debt they'll accept any offer. Don't get me wrong, I only need someone to update the myspace page and so forth, but for the moment I'd be lieing if I said it was well paid. Oh well, if you know anyone who might be interested please let me know.
One reason it's been busy is the way in which my myspace page has taken off. When I first joined the music upload community, I favoured soundclick, whilst also running pages on mixposure and garageband. My myspace was very slow, until I realised eventually that it was my best way of networking, and being able to do something proactive to actually network. I started putting real serious effort into this in about August and it's since meant I've gone from roughly 2000 hits to almost 10,000. I'm never ceased to be amazed by the number of positive comments from people and the number of likeminded folk out there. It's become a bit addictive, but is starting to take up a lot of time. Hence the need for a bit of help.
In the middle of all this, there's been the usual round of gigs and I was telling you last time about early November.
The first night of the following week was November 5th, which means it's Bonfire Night in the UK. This is a night I've never really liked, mainly because I'm a coward who doesn't like sudden loud bangs. (I love loud music though, and loud car engines). As a kid I used to hide in the kitchen like a family pet and over the years have never really got to grips with it. A compromise was reached a few years ago by which we had a few fireworks with some friends and then moved swiftly on to the food and drink. I still stand watching the fireworks looking a bit lost but it gets us by.
On the 6th I travelled over to Chapel Allerton which is a lovely part of Leeds and really deserves better neighbouring areas, it should be in the Cotswolds or something. I was there to deliver some copies of my new album for sale in the local bookshop. This is run by Beth Raddish who until recently promoted the Leeds Revolution nights.
I then returned to Leeds in the evening for the Doctor Wu's Open Mic, possibly for the last time as it's closing at the end of the year. On arriving I found it wasn't actually happening as they'd mistakenly thought it was the 5th (!)-this is true. So I hiked up Briggate to The Ship, which is also on the same night. As usual it was fairly quiet but I did at least get to play a few songs, including 'Piano Man' which went fairly well.
The following night was Gaftarnick and guests at The Wardrobe, my 2nd gig there. I was on first and enjoyed a fairly good set, well received and all that. On 2nd was the highly-rated Hannah Wilson who was also excellent. She's a fellow Keyboarder and also being younger and more female than me I was potentially jealous, but it went ok. I really like Hayley's nights and now she's running 3 so it's a good job!
Thursday I did the Primrose Open Mic for the first time in ages. Spanish Dave was the compere, and he managed to get more expletives into his introduction than Chubby Brown could have managed-not bad for a driving instructor! The night is a bit hit and miss at the moment, this one was busy and I enjoyed my set, the following week I went again and it was a bit quiet. The former night I did some songs I hadn't done for ages, namely 'It Will Pass' and 'Chains Around My Heart', both off the first album. I was delighted with how they went, and also with 'If He Knew You' which came last. Through their big PA the intro sounded really chunky and the soundman was certainly aware of this-great sound.
Friday the 9th, which is the British 9/11 if you see what I mean, I went off to recee some pubs. The first was in Meltham near Huddersfield. I won't name the pub as it wasn't too pretty and I don't think we'll take the band there, but it did lead to some minor amusement on myspace. I posted a comment on the status board about going overseas to Meltham, and several Americans wished me a safe journey. I have to say it's only 20 mins drive from home, but thanks-I did return safely ( not always easy in Meltham). I called in at The Fleece in Elland on the way back, where a band was struggling for an audience in a cold, dark room-just the same as when I last played there in '05 and got paid off at half-time (the only time this has happened). I have to wonder who is fooling who at that venue.
It may sound like a wasted night but please bare in mind, it could have been worse, we could have been the bands playing there-at least now we are fully warned.
I took Saturday off and then Sunday was for me. It was the final meeting of the Stock Car series and I drove early on down to King's Lynn. It was cold, but a day to remember. The championship went right down to the last race of the season, and having been at the first race of the year I felt I had to see it through. I remember sitting in the car park listening to the new albums by Ray Davies and Marc Cohn, and I think now every time I hear them that's where I'll be. I can't wait for next season.
One reason it's been busy is the way in which my myspace page has taken off. When I first joined the music upload community, I favoured soundclick, whilst also running pages on mixposure and garageband. My myspace was very slow, until I realised eventually that it was my best way of networking, and being able to do something proactive to actually network. I started putting real serious effort into this in about August and it's since meant I've gone from roughly 2000 hits to almost 10,000. I'm never ceased to be amazed by the number of positive comments from people and the number of likeminded folk out there. It's become a bit addictive, but is starting to take up a lot of time. Hence the need for a bit of help.
In the middle of all this, there's been the usual round of gigs and I was telling you last time about early November.
The first night of the following week was November 5th, which means it's Bonfire Night in the UK. This is a night I've never really liked, mainly because I'm a coward who doesn't like sudden loud bangs. (I love loud music though, and loud car engines). As a kid I used to hide in the kitchen like a family pet and over the years have never really got to grips with it. A compromise was reached a few years ago by which we had a few fireworks with some friends and then moved swiftly on to the food and drink. I still stand watching the fireworks looking a bit lost but it gets us by.
On the 6th I travelled over to Chapel Allerton which is a lovely part of Leeds and really deserves better neighbouring areas, it should be in the Cotswolds or something. I was there to deliver some copies of my new album for sale in the local bookshop. This is run by Beth Raddish who until recently promoted the Leeds Revolution nights.
I then returned to Leeds in the evening for the Doctor Wu's Open Mic, possibly for the last time as it's closing at the end of the year. On arriving I found it wasn't actually happening as they'd mistakenly thought it was the 5th (!)-this is true. So I hiked up Briggate to The Ship, which is also on the same night. As usual it was fairly quiet but I did at least get to play a few songs, including 'Piano Man' which went fairly well.
The following night was Gaftarnick and guests at The Wardrobe, my 2nd gig there. I was on first and enjoyed a fairly good set, well received and all that. On 2nd was the highly-rated Hannah Wilson who was also excellent. She's a fellow Keyboarder and also being younger and more female than me I was potentially jealous, but it went ok. I really like Hayley's nights and now she's running 3 so it's a good job!
Thursday I did the Primrose Open Mic for the first time in ages. Spanish Dave was the compere, and he managed to get more expletives into his introduction than Chubby Brown could have managed-not bad for a driving instructor! The night is a bit hit and miss at the moment, this one was busy and I enjoyed my set, the following week I went again and it was a bit quiet. The former night I did some songs I hadn't done for ages, namely 'It Will Pass' and 'Chains Around My Heart', both off the first album. I was delighted with how they went, and also with 'If He Knew You' which came last. Through their big PA the intro sounded really chunky and the soundman was certainly aware of this-great sound.
Friday the 9th, which is the British 9/11 if you see what I mean, I went off to recee some pubs. The first was in Meltham near Huddersfield. I won't name the pub as it wasn't too pretty and I don't think we'll take the band there, but it did lead to some minor amusement on myspace. I posted a comment on the status board about going overseas to Meltham, and several Americans wished me a safe journey. I have to say it's only 20 mins drive from home, but thanks-I did return safely ( not always easy in Meltham). I called in at The Fleece in Elland on the way back, where a band was struggling for an audience in a cold, dark room-just the same as when I last played there in '05 and got paid off at half-time (the only time this has happened). I have to wonder who is fooling who at that venue.
It may sound like a wasted night but please bare in mind, it could have been worse, we could have been the bands playing there-at least now we are fully warned.
I took Saturday off and then Sunday was for me. It was the final meeting of the Stock Car series and I drove early on down to King's Lynn. It was cold, but a day to remember. The championship went right down to the last race of the season, and having been at the first race of the year I felt I had to see it through. I remember sitting in the car park listening to the new albums by Ray Davies and Marc Cohn, and I think now every time I hear them that's where I'll be. I can't wait for next season.
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