I've yet to listen to these, but I'm sure they're well worth it.
Firstly Ed's Mixed Bag have included 'Your Shadow' on episode #162.
And secondly The Mental Nomad Podcast have aired 'Through Heartache And Back'. I think I'm correct in saying this is the first time this song has been picked up. Again, it's from the last album and is perhaps one of the lesser known tracks.
So I think that means we're all fully up to date with the latest web promotions.
I did 2 gigs this weekend. The band were out at Berry Brow Liberal Club on Saturday night. This was a much better night in many ways and we were very well received. We played one or two different covers such as 'Hold On I'm Coming' and 'Sweet Soul Music'. Why you may ask, well we've got a private function this Saturday coming and we'll need to be an all-smiling cabaret unit for that! They're still good songs after all.
Berry Brow scores a very welcome 7.
Then last night (Sunday 16th) I did a solo set at The Primrose in Leeds. It's a while since I've done a gig that comes under the heading of 'solo showcase'. In other words, 30 minute set-unpaid.
I had a great night. Certainly one of the best of the many sets I've done there. There was a good crowd who listened. I'm often a little uncomfortable at the thought of playing to people a lot younger, but actually they're more open-minded. And even if I'm seen as a bit of a curiosity at least it's well-played (hopefully) and delivered with passion. That's what counts.
There are other advantages to the 'Primmy' such as the big PA, and the sound engineer who wacks up the bottom end on 'If He Knew You'-that's fantastic! I did 'Message In A Bottle' as the only cover, plus 'Gods & Angels'. All the songs were well received and I sold quite a few CDs too.
The latter point is very important. Whilst it's hardly a gig I can afford to live off, I do sell myself better than say, Ossett Brewery gigs. It's a hard choice to balance-no wage but more CDs and promo, or no interest but a wage. I guess some sort of combination of the 2 would be best.
One thing is for sure, I'm looking forward to doing more shows like this, and even a few more open mics. I used to think of them as the 'bottom end of the scale'. But think of it this way: I turn up having had time for a decent meal beforehand, can carry all my gear in in one go, I conserve energy by playing only a few songs, and the chances are more people will remember me and appreciate the original material. I sell a few CDs and hand out some flyers and then am home in time to go to the pub.
This compares favourably in a lot of ways with a paid solo gig where I have to take all my gear and possibly not get any reaction at all, let alone sell a CD!
It also raises one final issue about solo gigs in general. A fellow-musician friend of mine was saying recently how he prefers the solo route to the band one. I have to say I've always leant towards the latter but am beginning to see his point more and more. At least all the musicians turn up for a solo gig! And as I scrabble round trying to put a band together for a gig later this month, I have to say it's somehow more appealing at times to keep it simple.
All said, the Primrose gig scores 7.
One final word on a totally different subject. By the time I do my next blog it will be 45 years since the murder of John F Kennedy. It will also be 5 years since I stood on the Grassy Knoll in Dealey Plaza commemorating the 40th. As we move towards a time of potentially more liberal administration in the States, I think it's worth reminding ourselves that the greatest lie ever put on people is still alive to this day. And if you think it's irrelevant ancient history let me list you all that have been persecuted and killed to keep this lie alive-some not that long ago.
JFK blown away, what else do I have to say.
And if we enlarge the image, here's one of the men that did it.
No comments:
Post a Comment