I know I said it was the last blog of 08 last week, but I thought it would be nice to review the year a little bit, and wrap up the rear end of the year as well.
Firstly, a quick word about last week. The PJ Band did it's last gig of 08 at The Owl, Rodley on Saturday night. Well, after some problems with the diaries there during the summer, I'm pleased to say the night went very well!
It's always good to see a pub where people actually go to watch a band, and this is one of the few where this is still the case. It makes for a better night all round. We also get to play more original material to a more discerning audience. Gone are the ignorant bastards that don't want to know. As a result we played well, enjoyed ourselves, and although it was quite tiring at the time I'm very happy looking back on the gig now. I hope we'll be back there before too long. Scores 7.
Thus the year's gigs are over. I've purposely avoided New Years Eve for the band, we're not really a party band and it's a night that can go horribly wrong-it has in the past. I'll be glad to be on the 'right side of the bar' that night I can tell you. It's the first time since the Millenium I've not worked december 31st.
THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
Looking back it's been another busy year. There's always times when I think I should be working harder but looking back it's been a very full year and it's only on reflection that I realise quite what I take on at times.
I've categorised a few elements in no particular order:
GIG SCENE/PUBS/THE BAND: Our first full year of gigging regularly with the band was certainly eventful. I knew I was taking on a daunting task to begin with and am glad to say it just about came off although at times my nerves were frayed.
The target was one show a week and we hit this in a roundabout way. The target goes up to 6 a month next year (for the first part) and we're already on 8 bookings for January. So far it seems despite the 'credit crunch', smoking ban and all the other miriad of excuses there is still enough work available for us.
Speaking of the crunch, I'm not oblivious to it's effects of course. A lot of our gigs have been very quiet, poorly supported affairs. In some instances it's a case of 'why bother?' and I wonder how much longer some places will stick at it. Some are still very busy though and people were certainly spending money.
As far as the audience reception is concerned, there's usually a few who are interested, the orignial songs haven't really held us back and we've had some good comments. Of course, there's been a few numpties on both sides of the bar-but that's not going to change whilst we're still playing pubs.
The main thing I'll remember is the chaotic way in which the line-up changed, sometimes it was predicatable, sometimes it certainly wasn't!! It was a close-run thing at times but overall I'm looking forward to next year when we'll attempt to do even more shows, no doubt with even more musicians bailing out at any given in-opportune moment!!
SOLO GIGS: With the band taking more of a priority solo gigs were less frequent compared to 07 when I was dashing here there and everywhere playing open mics and showcases. I still did quite a lot and as usual some were better than others. The back end of the year was particularly slow for solo gigs and given that the last one I did at The Primrose was really good, I'm really looking forward to doing some more shows.
I went into the year aiming to phase out open mics, but having done this I'm now wondering whether to keep them going, as a way of trying out new songs and more obscure covers under no pressure. Also, compared to some of the booked gigs, there's several advantages to an open mic-no pressure and home in time for the pub! Sometimes CD sales are higher at unpaid gigs too.
Another thing I learnt was that I shouldn't fear a younger crowd as often they're more open-minded than the close minded bigots in the band pubs. Granted they can treat me as a curiosity, but if that makes them curious enough to buy a CD then great!!
The first solo gig of 09 will be the New Inn, Barwick-in-Elmet on January 4th. Here I'll be hoping to play more originals, and more new covers-it's the closest thing I've got to a 'home-crowd'.
ALBUMS, SONGS AND THE INTERNET: As usual I spent vast amounts of time adding friends on myspace and building databases etc... As usual I've met some wonderful people abroad who I'd never ever have known about without a tour pre-internet. My 'web-presence' has improved steadily mainly down to the time invested keeping it ticking over. I have limited charisma unlike some on there!!
My frustration at this led me to invest a small fortune on a Cyber PR campaign, of which you can read about in previous blogs. It was useful in getting my music out to more folk, getting me a few nice reviews and some podcasts and airplay. The downside was I had to do even more work and still had to log-in to myspace every day to keep traffic moving. However, one of the biggest long-term benefits has been the germination of the idea to start my own label-given some of the contacts and methods I've learned of. My new Paradise Street album is going to be almost totally web-based, so virtual promotion needs to be a big priority next year.
A FEW AIMS FOR NEXT YEAR:
1) Hit targets for doing more band gigs-moving towards two shows a week, build a live following and try not to have a meltdown in the process.
2) Do more intimate solo gigs playing more choice material, unleash the troubador within and hopefully sell a few CDs to students.
3) Totally revamp my official website (yes-that's this one!) into 'Web 2.0' format, whatever that means.
4) Increase web traffic and web hits and promotion to a much higher degree.
5) Watch more stock car meetings.
6) Win the Brighouse Quiz league.
7) Dance with Christine Bleakley.
8) Do anything with Christine Bleakley.
and finally.... the much-anticipated 2008 AWARDS: The phone-lines are now closed, and the results have been fabricated.
1) BEST VENUE: The Peacock, Huddersfield. It may have a rough exterior but inside it's been the warmest audience we've played to this year. A credit to live music in the old tradition.
2) BEST GIG: The Peacock with the Band March 22nd. I guess it was a little unexpected but it was a good night.
3) WORST VENUE: The Snooty Fox, Oakworth. No fun in playing to an empty room.
4) WORST GIG: The Rock n Heifer December 6th, no fun in playing there either.
5) BEST VENUE LANDLORD: It's got to be Ali at The Plough at Warmfield.
6) BEST SOLO VENUE: The New Inn at Barwick-in-Elmet.
7) WORST SOLO VENUE: The Shepherds Rest at Sowerby Bridge.
8) WORST ADVERTISED GIG: The Abbey Inn Band gig.
9) HONOURABLE VENUE MENTIONS: The Kings Arms, Heaton. Berry Brow Liberal Club. The Owl, Rodley.
10) WORST TOILETS: The Church Steps, Batley.
Happy New Year :)
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