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.
No comments:
Post a Comment