Can you believe it's September already?? Well, yes I suppose. I'm not too unhappy to see the back of August-the dullest month since records began. I feel vindicated against all those who said 'we've had bad summers before'....again, yes I grant you that-but I feel that the last 2 summers have been the shittest in my lifetime for weather. In our area, where it's grim up north, we've had around half the normal average hours of sunshine in August. It's enough to make you want to emigrate to somewhere brighter, like Norway, the Falklands or Antartica.
Gigwise it was quite a bright end to the month (a super pun there I'm sure you'll agree). 3 nights out in total, starting on Wednesday with The Grove open mind night. This was my first visit since April, and although I went quite well with 'Seven Shades' and 'Lola' the piano is now so bad it's beyond playable. The tuning is by the by, but the pedal doesn't work and there is a natural sustain which lingers on and on. I was also upstaged by a cute hispanic girl playing something which sounded even worse than the Grove piano, a sort of oboe-sounding wind instrument which put me in mind of those hooters you get at major rugby league finals. Needless to say she went down a storm. There lies another lesson in showbusiness. One I ought to recite more often: no-one owes you their adulation or indeed their attention, and as a performer you are in competiton with just about anybody that can vaguely play anything.
Enough said, the Chemic Tavern on Thursday was better this time. I played 'Shadow', 'Angels' amd 'Life', the latter after a long absence. It was well received and I think the night was fairly succesful.
On Friday it was the latest band instalment at the Cricketers Horbury. Whilst never going to be as good as the previous Friday (see last blog) it wasn't a bad night, the 2nd set in particular doing it's job once the transient audience had settled down into a group more prepared to listen. I think the pub is part of a 'run' through Horbury on a Friday night, which must be an exciting experience. 'If He Knew You' was debuted pretty succesfuly. It's just a shame that we haven't another gig until September 23rd. I've a couple more observations about the night which I'll save for a week or two...just in case the people concerned are reading this, I doubt it, but it can keep for now.
This week will be the first in a long while where there'll be no gigs at all, so next week's blog may be on another of my interests, or perhaps it will focus on recording and writing songs, something I occasionally find time to do!
Monday, September 01, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Great night at the Kings Arms
The first week back has been and gone, and so has the last bank holiday weekend. I normally feel low at this time of year, but seeing as we've had such a shit summer with the weather I don't suppose it really matters. It's felt like we've been permenently in Autumn anyway. Still, plenty of time to go before the end of the year, and last week really wasn't so bad at all.
The middle part of the week saw (finally) some forward process on the Paradise Street album. This being my 'side project' for female songs. There's six songs already posted on the above link and I'm now beginning to round things up towards finishing the album off. When completed it will have 13 songs on and lately I've been doing my best to spend at least a little time each day in the studio working through things. I'll keep you posted as to how things go.
Friday brought great relief in that we had a brilliant night with the band. This was at the Kings Arms Heaton and whilst the last show was merely very good, this one was exceptional! Oh yes, I kid you not, a full pub, an appreciative audience, and altogether a great gig. It was one of the best of this year, with the original material flowing nicely against the covers. It was one of the latter that brought about my highlight of the night, with 'I Won't Back Down' finally sounding like I wanted it to. It's one of my favourite songs, and as the band chugged along, I could see people moving and just for a fleeting moment, a single moment, there was a glimpse of what I envisaged in forming the band. And a glimpse of what could be in the future if all goes well. It was one of those moments of satisfaction that seem all too rare these days. Here's to more good gigs at the Kings Arms and fingers crossed the noise problems don't develop further. So get behind the venue and support what they are doing, believe me it's one of the best at the moment.
Sunday afternoon was the Owl beer festival and whilst there were the expected cock-ups with the programme luckily my set was bang on time. I'd like to thank Simon (the PA man who looks like Jeremy Clarkson) for a)working hard to keep things organised in the absence of anyone from the pub and b) for getting a superb sound for me onstage.
It also was lucky in that the sun made an appearence (do you remember what it looks like?) and I played for about 40 minutes. Not much response but some connections were made, and the crowd was still growing at this point. I reckon if I'd had the numbers Silverlode played to I'd have had a much better response. Still, looking back it wasn't too bad.
Speaking of the Owl, I was quite relieved to hear that I've not been the only one to fall victim of the bookings cock-ups. I can't complain about my slot on Sunday but many others had problems, and the saga of the regular band bookings has seen some people really pissed off. As always, it's a shame as it's potentially a good venue and my band gig in January was first class. Let's hope they get it sorted before it's too late, because musicians get blamed for far too much but they will eventually vote with their feet.
This Friday the PJ Band will be back at the Cricketers Arms, Horbury, at 9pm, so please come and support live music, it's another good venue. I may also be present at a couple of open mics in Leeds so may see some of you there!
The middle part of the week saw (finally) some forward process on the Paradise Street album. This being my 'side project' for female songs. There's six songs already posted on the above link and I'm now beginning to round things up towards finishing the album off. When completed it will have 13 songs on and lately I've been doing my best to spend at least a little time each day in the studio working through things. I'll keep you posted as to how things go.
Friday brought great relief in that we had a brilliant night with the band. This was at the Kings Arms Heaton and whilst the last show was merely very good, this one was exceptional! Oh yes, I kid you not, a full pub, an appreciative audience, and altogether a great gig. It was one of the best of this year, with the original material flowing nicely against the covers. It was one of the latter that brought about my highlight of the night, with 'I Won't Back Down' finally sounding like I wanted it to. It's one of my favourite songs, and as the band chugged along, I could see people moving and just for a fleeting moment, a single moment, there was a glimpse of what I envisaged in forming the band. And a glimpse of what could be in the future if all goes well. It was one of those moments of satisfaction that seem all too rare these days. Here's to more good gigs at the Kings Arms and fingers crossed the noise problems don't develop further. So get behind the venue and support what they are doing, believe me it's one of the best at the moment.
Sunday afternoon was the Owl beer festival and whilst there were the expected cock-ups with the programme luckily my set was bang on time. I'd like to thank Simon (the PA man who looks like Jeremy Clarkson) for a)working hard to keep things organised in the absence of anyone from the pub and b) for getting a superb sound for me onstage.
It also was lucky in that the sun made an appearence (do you remember what it looks like?) and I played for about 40 minutes. Not much response but some connections were made, and the crowd was still growing at this point. I reckon if I'd had the numbers Silverlode played to I'd have had a much better response. Still, looking back it wasn't too bad.
Speaking of the Owl, I was quite relieved to hear that I've not been the only one to fall victim of the bookings cock-ups. I can't complain about my slot on Sunday but many others had problems, and the saga of the regular band bookings has seen some people really pissed off. As always, it's a shame as it's potentially a good venue and my band gig in January was first class. Let's hope they get it sorted before it's too late, because musicians get blamed for far too much but they will eventually vote with their feet.
This Friday the PJ Band will be back at the Cricketers Arms, Horbury, at 9pm, so please come and support live music, it's another good venue. I may also be present at a couple of open mics in Leeds so may see some of you there!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Holidays, back to work, back in business
It's always refreshing to go away for a couple of weeks and then come back and get stuck into work. Especially in this industry where you can find yourself very quickly in the scenario of 'running fast just to stand still'.
I've had a wonderful time, thanks for asking. I won't bore you with any holiday photos, suffice to say that over the past 2 weeks I've been to Vienna, Budapest and Prague. All very lovely places, and I did it all by train too, so got to see more of the world. I'm back now for my first full day, knackered but mentally more refreshed.
There was a week missing from here which was the week before I went away. There was one band gig on the Friday (Aug 1st) which was at the Snooty Fox. It was terrible! One of the 2 worst gigs so far, simply because there weren't enough people there. There was this awfully hollow atmosphere as we played songs, got no applause, then played the next one. I do hope it won't be so bad on our next visit in December. It will have to be better.
That said, I'm really looking forward to getting back into things with the band and gigs in general. The PJ Band will be back at the KINGS ARMS, HEATON this Friday Aug 22nd at 9pm. I'm also doing a slot at the OWL RODLEY BEER & MUSIC FESTIVAL on Sunday Aug 24th at 2pm. Please see below for a little statement regarding the Owl at Rodley.
I'm also very keen to crack on with some recording, firstly finishing the Paradise Street album and then marketing that, and everything else, to a higher level. I make no secret of the desire to really move forwards at the moment, I always feel like this first day back! The trick is to ask me again in a week's time!
OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE OWL AT RODLEY
Paul Jeffery and The Paul Jeffery Band would like to make it clear that we had no record whatsoever of any booking on Friday 1st August at the Owl, Rodley. In addition whoever phoned the pub to cancel this booking was in no way connected with our band. It is a mystery to all of us who phoned the venue to cancel a gig that never existed in the first place. I have since cleared this matter up with the bookings manager and am assured there is no problem. The Paul Jeffery Band will be back to play at the Owl on Saturday December 20th, as originally intended. I would be grateful if nobody would spread malicious rumours to the effect that we renaged on a booking with the venue. This is simply not the case.
I've had a wonderful time, thanks for asking. I won't bore you with any holiday photos, suffice to say that over the past 2 weeks I've been to Vienna, Budapest and Prague. All very lovely places, and I did it all by train too, so got to see more of the world. I'm back now for my first full day, knackered but mentally more refreshed.
There was a week missing from here which was the week before I went away. There was one band gig on the Friday (Aug 1st) which was at the Snooty Fox. It was terrible! One of the 2 worst gigs so far, simply because there weren't enough people there. There was this awfully hollow atmosphere as we played songs, got no applause, then played the next one. I do hope it won't be so bad on our next visit in December. It will have to be better.
That said, I'm really looking forward to getting back into things with the band and gigs in general. The PJ Band will be back at the KINGS ARMS, HEATON this Friday Aug 22nd at 9pm. I'm also doing a slot at the OWL RODLEY BEER & MUSIC FESTIVAL on Sunday Aug 24th at 2pm. Please see below for a little statement regarding the Owl at Rodley.
I'm also very keen to crack on with some recording, firstly finishing the Paradise Street album and then marketing that, and everything else, to a higher level. I make no secret of the desire to really move forwards at the moment, I always feel like this first day back! The trick is to ask me again in a week's time!
OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE OWL AT RODLEY
Paul Jeffery and The Paul Jeffery Band would like to make it clear that we had no record whatsoever of any booking on Friday 1st August at the Owl, Rodley. In addition whoever phoned the pub to cancel this booking was in no way connected with our band. It is a mystery to all of us who phoned the venue to cancel a gig that never existed in the first place. I have since cleared this matter up with the bookings manager and am assured there is no problem. The Paul Jeffery Band will be back to play at the Owl on Saturday December 20th, as originally intended. I would be grateful if nobody would spread malicious rumours to the effect that we renaged on a booking with the venue. This is simply not the case.
Monday, July 28, 2008
It's nearly time for my summer break. I'm glad really, as the gigs have been wearing me down a bit this week. I think it's time for a little breather. I did 2 solo shows last week on Thurs (Murgatroyd Arms, Halifax) and on Sunday aft (Fernandes, Wakefield). Both were very easy-going 'background music' affairs, where no-one listened much and the crowds were thin on both occasions. Yesterday was especially tough as it was such a hot day outdoors. Thursday made me laugh a little as Halifax holidays were blamed for the poor crowd, that's an excuse I've not heard for many years! The last time being when only 5 turned up to watch my band at The Bowling Green. The 5 consisted of: My parents, our soon-to-be bassist, and.......a couple on holiday from Aberdeen!
In between, the PJ Band did it's bit in Batley at the Church Steps on Saturday night. This was a lot better than I'd feared, and the crowd were at least willing to be entertained. The new songs are working well and the 2nd half especially was very pleasing from a musical point of view. At one time a gig in this sort of environment would have got me down, but now I actually don't mind. Everyone in the band is very upbeat and we didn't have any trouble.
A final word on these 'background music' solo acoustic free and easy gigs. They're a ball-ache but are at least paid. I'm usually tired before I start, especially the Sunday ones which normally come hot on the heels of a Saturday with the band. There's no adrenalin to be gained from a flat crowd, and unless I prepare in advance, there's no new material added on the spot. So I end up going through the motions. And then forgetting the words to things I've sung hundreds of times, like I did yesterday with 'Your Shadow'. At least I'm home in time for tea though! And after a night's sleep, it doesn't seem half as bad....that's why I'll be playing there again in September.
That's about it for this week. I'm sorry it's all a bit negative, I'm easily bored. Just one show with the band at the Snooty Fox, Oakworth, this Friday, and then 2 weeks off. There was little time for recording this week, but progress is being made on those front, slowly as usual!
In between, the PJ Band did it's bit in Batley at the Church Steps on Saturday night. This was a lot better than I'd feared, and the crowd were at least willing to be entertained. The new songs are working well and the 2nd half especially was very pleasing from a musical point of view. At one time a gig in this sort of environment would have got me down, but now I actually don't mind. Everyone in the band is very upbeat and we didn't have any trouble.
A final word on these 'background music' solo acoustic free and easy gigs. They're a ball-ache but are at least paid. I'm usually tired before I start, especially the Sunday ones which normally come hot on the heels of a Saturday with the band. There's no adrenalin to be gained from a flat crowd, and unless I prepare in advance, there's no new material added on the spot. So I end up going through the motions. And then forgetting the words to things I've sung hundreds of times, like I did yesterday with 'Your Shadow'. At least I'm home in time for tea though! And after a night's sleep, it doesn't seem half as bad....that's why I'll be playing there again in September.
That's about it for this week. I'm sorry it's all a bit negative, I'm easily bored. Just one show with the band at the Snooty Fox, Oakworth, this Friday, and then 2 weeks off. There was little time for recording this week, but progress is being made on those front, slowly as usual!
Monday, July 21, 2008
A quick review of the 3 nights I was out playing last week: On Tuesday I went along to support the Open Mic night at The Arkle in Morley. My band are playing there in October. The night is thin on supporters but it carries very well. I also got to meet a fabulous blues harmonica player-the whole idea of networking with musicians is so important. Sometimes it's hard to explain to people the value in doing a night like this, unpaid of course, but there's always something, some little connection being made.
I played 'The Prisoner' which went down very well. Then I did my Ben Folds Five cover 'The Battle of Who Could Care Less'. I'm still learning this one but it was good practice for Thursday night's piano gig (see below). I then invited my harmonica friend (he got a great sound through an authentic amp) to join me on 'I'm Coming Out'. This is a strong song of mine off the first album that I've hardly touched live. The title is a bit off putting, even if the song has nothing to do with homosexuality! It also has a bluesey feel which by pure coincidence lent itself to the harmonica perfectly.
I finished with another cover, a song I've been listening to of late, 'How Long' by Ace. It's a number that's never gone down well live in my old sets, but now I'm attacking it more, using more rhythm, it sounds much better. I then guested with Andy, Nigel and co on a few blues standards before returning home.
I mentioned that on Thursday I would be playing a genuine real living piano at the Chemic Tavern. This would be the headline slot for the cloth cat open mic night. I turned up a little late, before going on to play my set. I'd kept 'Coming Out' in, plus the Ben Folds cover, in addition to my usual set-plus Seven Shades made an appearance, and there were encours of 'Somebody to Love' and 'Rocket Man'. I was happy enough with the piano and the sensation of doing something a bit different to normal. But I wasn't happy with the fact that people weren't really listening.
The moment anyone mentions 'headline slot' on open mic nights I begin to get worried! Usually this means going on after 11pm after the audience has long since lost the will to listen after the umpteen open mic slots have passed. It doesn't matter if half of them are rubbish or not, just the sheer fact that after over 2 hours of music people are hardly in a good frame of mind to concentrate on yet another half-hour set of mainly original songs. Not to bother though, I think it wasn't too badly received, the same thing used to happen at Doctor Wu's. Personally I think it's pointless having the booked slot-better just to keep it as a free-for-all then it's not too taxing for everyone.
On Friday night my band made it's debut at Hudsons in Bradford. We had a fantastic night in front of a thinnish but appreciative crowd. The band line-up was different to usual in that we had Paul and Norm back with us, and the whole night was very enjoyable. Not to say that it isn't normally. I was well pleased with the fact we threw in 4 new covers we'd never played together before.
The weekend was all about stock car racing again-this time the European Championships at Northampton. A lovely weekend with some decent weather, the Dutch adding a pleasently tipsy edge to the atmosphere. If it wasn't for being in a really good band, I could do this every weekend. And to add to the fun there was a programme fair on the Sunday, so there I was buying old programmes ten at a time! It's not often you see me spending money. It's also not often you hear about a musician spending his leisure time doing that sort of thing. Mind you, Peter Waterman's got his trains, so I guess I've a way to go for my anorak yet :)
I played 'The Prisoner' which went down very well. Then I did my Ben Folds Five cover 'The Battle of Who Could Care Less'. I'm still learning this one but it was good practice for Thursday night's piano gig (see below). I then invited my harmonica friend (he got a great sound through an authentic amp) to join me on 'I'm Coming Out'. This is a strong song of mine off the first album that I've hardly touched live. The title is a bit off putting, even if the song has nothing to do with homosexuality! It also has a bluesey feel which by pure coincidence lent itself to the harmonica perfectly.
I finished with another cover, a song I've been listening to of late, 'How Long' by Ace. It's a number that's never gone down well live in my old sets, but now I'm attacking it more, using more rhythm, it sounds much better. I then guested with Andy, Nigel and co on a few blues standards before returning home.
I mentioned that on Thursday I would be playing a genuine real living piano at the Chemic Tavern. This would be the headline slot for the cloth cat open mic night. I turned up a little late, before going on to play my set. I'd kept 'Coming Out' in, plus the Ben Folds cover, in addition to my usual set-plus Seven Shades made an appearance, and there were encours of 'Somebody to Love' and 'Rocket Man'. I was happy enough with the piano and the sensation of doing something a bit different to normal. But I wasn't happy with the fact that people weren't really listening.
The moment anyone mentions 'headline slot' on open mic nights I begin to get worried! Usually this means going on after 11pm after the audience has long since lost the will to listen after the umpteen open mic slots have passed. It doesn't matter if half of them are rubbish or not, just the sheer fact that after over 2 hours of music people are hardly in a good frame of mind to concentrate on yet another half-hour set of mainly original songs. Not to bother though, I think it wasn't too badly received, the same thing used to happen at Doctor Wu's. Personally I think it's pointless having the booked slot-better just to keep it as a free-for-all then it's not too taxing for everyone.
On Friday night my band made it's debut at Hudsons in Bradford. We had a fantastic night in front of a thinnish but appreciative crowd. The band line-up was different to usual in that we had Paul and Norm back with us, and the whole night was very enjoyable. Not to say that it isn't normally. I was well pleased with the fact we threw in 4 new covers we'd never played together before.
The weekend was all about stock car racing again-this time the European Championships at Northampton. A lovely weekend with some decent weather, the Dutch adding a pleasently tipsy edge to the atmosphere. If it wasn't for being in a really good band, I could do this every weekend. And to add to the fun there was a programme fair on the Sunday, so there I was buying old programmes ten at a time! It's not often you see me spending money. It's also not often you hear about a musician spending his leisure time doing that sort of thing. Mind you, Peter Waterman's got his trains, so I guess I've a way to go for my anorak yet :)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Introducing Paradise Street
OK, I've been mentioning this for weeks now....
I've started up a new project running alongside my own regular music. It's called PARADISE STREET and is quite simply a vehicle for a different batch of songs. Co-written with Cath Walls these are pieces mainly written a few years ago, suitable for female singers as opposed to myself.
The myspace page for the project has been up and running for a couple of months now. It features a selection of tracks from what will be the first album. At the moment I'm busy working on finishing off the remaining songs, and hope to have the album released by the end of the year.
There's a very broad range of influences on this one. You can tell a little from the Top Friends list on the page as to the general style and genre. Basically it's mature female pop, very melodic and drawing on some different ideas to my own solo material. Similar artists include Dido, Annie Lennox and Kate Bush.
The as yet untitled album will be released worldwide in both CD and mp3 formats and will be distributed by all the recognised sources such as Apple iTunes, Napster and Payplay.
Please feel free to have a listen to the songs and stand by for more news soon!
Monday, July 14, 2008
I had an interesting experience on Thursday night. My first EMO gig! One of my band's drummers, Norm, is the driver for a band from LA called The Outline. They were in Leeds at the Cockpit and I was on the guestlist, much to the surprise of the bouncer who must have wondered what the hell I was doing there!! Given that the average audience age was about 15, I can't really blame him.
We arrived to be greeted by a large queue under the railway bridge. The headline band were Rocket Summer, and they were obivously very popular. It was a bit like a school disco. The first band onstage at 7.15 prompt. People were ID'd with Passports. The bar was very quiet as most people weren't old enough to drink, so at least there wasn't a queue there!
I wasn't surprised by the tightness of the bands, all 3 were excellent. The middle band, who I can't remember the name of, had a piano frontman, a bit like Ben Folds. All bands had loads of energy and the lyrical and melodic content came a distant second. As usual in a club venue, the vocals aren't clear and the kick drum and bass guitar receive far too much attention. Shit, I'm sounding like someone's dad. But then again, I was almost old enough.
The other thing that struck me was how the crowd came to know about the band in the first place. They knew all the words, and were certainly prepared for what was happening. Is it an internet following? Or maybe street teams or a combination of many things. I was impressed. Even if the music and the following were totally different to what I do and follow myself, I couldn't help but be energised by the experience.
Back to reality (if you can call it that) at the Rock n Heifer on Saturday night. Our second trip here with the band saw a pattern emerging. A late-set is added on after the normal 2, where we get paid a bit more to do a bit more. I wasn't at my best due to a cold brought on with shouting at the match officials at Warrington the night before. Or perhaps it was the cavern-like atmosphere in the Cockpit, where ventilation is clearly a mystery concept.
The first set featured a couple of noise complaints, but that was all forgotten in the longrun. It is off-putting though. When someone says 'It's too loud' in the middle of your set I tend to panic a bit thinking 'well what's too loud?'. I've done gigs like that before, and there's no real easy answers. It's generally annoying when it's a slim minority who complain, usually because they want to talk over you. But that's free entertainment for you. There's no pleasing everybody.
I used up a bit of anger in the second set and we pulled together more as a band. I even silenced the whole room at one point while a gentleman made a phonecall on his mobile. Will someone please explain what posesses a person to continue a phonecall whilst a rock band is in full flight, in the SAME room. How the fuck do they hear what the other person is saying?! Just one of the many mysteries of performing in pubs. To be fair though they do love us there, and I'm already looking forward to going back.
The same can't really be said of The Drop Inn yesterday afternoon (sunday 13th). A slight improvement on the Shepherds Rest the previous week, but still a long way from being fun. Most people were sat outside, which is fine given it was the only day of sunshine we've had for a while. A few ventured in for a bit of a listen, not many appreciated it. But I didn't really expect that. In the end I reasoned that on a colder day it would have been pretty full, so perhaps I will go back. I just wish they'd put something on at the same time every week, so that at least I've a fighting chance of being accepted.
I've just watched the South Bank Show from last night on Billy Joel. I find it inspiring to hear interviews with these people, it inpsires me to keep going for at least another day or two. One of the most inspiring things was the story of playing the piano and finding Elle McPherson suddenly leaning over the piano. He has this theory that a piano is a better pulling-machine than a sportscar. I say that's bollocks. I've been playing the piano for a long time and it's never done me any favours in that respect. Perhaps I'm playing the wrong songs!
I still haven't had time to talk properly about Paradise Street, my new collection of female songs. Well, old songs that are finally getting an airing to be precise! But just to say for now that progress is being made a bit quicker and that there's now 6 songs finished. If you go to the myspace page for the project, you'll be able to listen to 5 of them in full.
We arrived to be greeted by a large queue under the railway bridge. The headline band were Rocket Summer, and they were obivously very popular. It was a bit like a school disco. The first band onstage at 7.15 prompt. People were ID'd with Passports. The bar was very quiet as most people weren't old enough to drink, so at least there wasn't a queue there!
I wasn't surprised by the tightness of the bands, all 3 were excellent. The middle band, who I can't remember the name of, had a piano frontman, a bit like Ben Folds. All bands had loads of energy and the lyrical and melodic content came a distant second. As usual in a club venue, the vocals aren't clear and the kick drum and bass guitar receive far too much attention. Shit, I'm sounding like someone's dad. But then again, I was almost old enough.
The other thing that struck me was how the crowd came to know about the band in the first place. They knew all the words, and were certainly prepared for what was happening. Is it an internet following? Or maybe street teams or a combination of many things. I was impressed. Even if the music and the following were totally different to what I do and follow myself, I couldn't help but be energised by the experience.
Back to reality (if you can call it that) at the Rock n Heifer on Saturday night. Our second trip here with the band saw a pattern emerging. A late-set is added on after the normal 2, where we get paid a bit more to do a bit more. I wasn't at my best due to a cold brought on with shouting at the match officials at Warrington the night before. Or perhaps it was the cavern-like atmosphere in the Cockpit, where ventilation is clearly a mystery concept.
The first set featured a couple of noise complaints, but that was all forgotten in the longrun. It is off-putting though. When someone says 'It's too loud' in the middle of your set I tend to panic a bit thinking 'well what's too loud?'. I've done gigs like that before, and there's no real easy answers. It's generally annoying when it's a slim minority who complain, usually because they want to talk over you. But that's free entertainment for you. There's no pleasing everybody.
I used up a bit of anger in the second set and we pulled together more as a band. I even silenced the whole room at one point while a gentleman made a phonecall on his mobile. Will someone please explain what posesses a person to continue a phonecall whilst a rock band is in full flight, in the SAME room. How the fuck do they hear what the other person is saying?! Just one of the many mysteries of performing in pubs. To be fair though they do love us there, and I'm already looking forward to going back.
The same can't really be said of The Drop Inn yesterday afternoon (sunday 13th). A slight improvement on the Shepherds Rest the previous week, but still a long way from being fun. Most people were sat outside, which is fine given it was the only day of sunshine we've had for a while. A few ventured in for a bit of a listen, not many appreciated it. But I didn't really expect that. In the end I reasoned that on a colder day it would have been pretty full, so perhaps I will go back. I just wish they'd put something on at the same time every week, so that at least I've a fighting chance of being accepted.
I've just watched the South Bank Show from last night on Billy Joel. I find it inspiring to hear interviews with these people, it inpsires me to keep going for at least another day or two. One of the most inspiring things was the story of playing the piano and finding Elle McPherson suddenly leaning over the piano. He has this theory that a piano is a better pulling-machine than a sportscar. I say that's bollocks. I've been playing the piano for a long time and it's never done me any favours in that respect. Perhaps I'm playing the wrong songs!
I still haven't had time to talk properly about Paradise Street, my new collection of female songs. Well, old songs that are finally getting an airing to be precise! But just to say for now that progress is being made a bit quicker and that there's now 6 songs finished. If you go to the myspace page for the project, you'll be able to listen to 5 of them in full.
Monday, July 07, 2008
I had 2 very contrasting gigs last week. I always seem to be able to write more about the bad ones, indeed over time they're the ones that seem to stick in my mind more. I think that's human nature, or perhaps I'm just a pessimist. No, that can't be right. A pessimist wouldn't last 5 minutes being a musician!
For example, anyone with a negative outlook on life would have probably packed up for good after Wednesday night! Seriously, it wasn't actually that bad, and at least I got to the pub before closing time.
I'm referring to the Shepherds Rest in Sowerby Bridge. This is an Ossett Brewery pub and like all their pubs it is lovely. In our area there are many crap pubs, so their's all shine out like beacons in a brewery desert. The beer is great, the scrotes aren't there, the decor is tasteful. The only disadvantage is that some are very quiet midweek and that those that are there seem un-prepared and un-interested in live music.
On this occasion it was both. At 9:00pm the pub was completely dead, no customers whatsoever. I've done my fair share of playing to virtually nobody, but drew the line this time. We agreed I should wait a while and see if anyone turned up. If not I was free to go. Unfortunately, depending on your point of view, a few punters came in, indeed by 10pm there was just about a healthy number. But yet again (and not for the first time) there was ZERO interest in what I was doing. No applause, no awareness, just ignorance beyond apathy.
I played one set for 45 minutes then went home. I really do hope it will be better this Sunday at the Drop in Elland, but I doubt it somehow. No-one wants to know. It's such a shame, because the scrote-count last Sunday at the Bridge Tavern may have been high, but at least people were willing to be entertained. It's a tough call on both sides. I only wish Ossett (who I think do a wonderful job) would consider having turns on at least once a week. At the moment, I keep getting looked at like I've got 10 heads or something. It's not very conducive and nobody wins.
I actually returned to Sowerby Bridge on the following night to have a look at The Works. This is the 3rd time I've visited what is always a busy pub, with a big room and a band on every Thursday. Here the interest is not great either, but when it's this busy it's a little easier to take. Unfortunately I feel that it's unlikely to suit my band due to the volume. The entertainment policy seems more geared towards the pretentious than the talented, so we shall just have to see.
Saturday night certainly wasn't pretentious! Back down at The Peacock my band gave it everything in front of a lively crowd. It was the second time here for us, and the second time I've come away feeling rather pleased with how things went. Given even a passing resemblance to a 'good crowd' we now have the material and musicians to really let rip. I've never felt so on top of things in a pub before. We have well-known songs and strong originals, and still enough balance to make it interesting and challenging to perform. We really need to build on these sort of nights, if only there were a dozen venues like this, we could begin to really move forward.
I'm looking forward to this Saturday (the 12th July) when we return to another good band venue, the Rock and Heifer at Thornton. I'm rather more reticent about the Drop on Sunday afternoon, but let's hope it's a bit better than Wednesday in Sowerby Bridge.
Until then, enjoy the rain :)
For example, anyone with a negative outlook on life would have probably packed up for good after Wednesday night! Seriously, it wasn't actually that bad, and at least I got to the pub before closing time.
I'm referring to the Shepherds Rest in Sowerby Bridge. This is an Ossett Brewery pub and like all their pubs it is lovely. In our area there are many crap pubs, so their's all shine out like beacons in a brewery desert. The beer is great, the scrotes aren't there, the decor is tasteful. The only disadvantage is that some are very quiet midweek and that those that are there seem un-prepared and un-interested in live music.
On this occasion it was both. At 9:00pm the pub was completely dead, no customers whatsoever. I've done my fair share of playing to virtually nobody, but drew the line this time. We agreed I should wait a while and see if anyone turned up. If not I was free to go. Unfortunately, depending on your point of view, a few punters came in, indeed by 10pm there was just about a healthy number. But yet again (and not for the first time) there was ZERO interest in what I was doing. No applause, no awareness, just ignorance beyond apathy.
I played one set for 45 minutes then went home. I really do hope it will be better this Sunday at the Drop in Elland, but I doubt it somehow. No-one wants to know. It's such a shame, because the scrote-count last Sunday at the Bridge Tavern may have been high, but at least people were willing to be entertained. It's a tough call on both sides. I only wish Ossett (who I think do a wonderful job) would consider having turns on at least once a week. At the moment, I keep getting looked at like I've got 10 heads or something. It's not very conducive and nobody wins.
I actually returned to Sowerby Bridge on the following night to have a look at The Works. This is the 3rd time I've visited what is always a busy pub, with a big room and a band on every Thursday. Here the interest is not great either, but when it's this busy it's a little easier to take. Unfortunately I feel that it's unlikely to suit my band due to the volume. The entertainment policy seems more geared towards the pretentious than the talented, so we shall just have to see.
Saturday night certainly wasn't pretentious! Back down at The Peacock my band gave it everything in front of a lively crowd. It was the second time here for us, and the second time I've come away feeling rather pleased with how things went. Given even a passing resemblance to a 'good crowd' we now have the material and musicians to really let rip. I've never felt so on top of things in a pub before. We have well-known songs and strong originals, and still enough balance to make it interesting and challenging to perform. We really need to build on these sort of nights, if only there were a dozen venues like this, we could begin to really move forward.
I'm looking forward to this Saturday (the 12th July) when we return to another good band venue, the Rock and Heifer at Thornton. I'm rather more reticent about the Drop on Sunday afternoon, but let's hope it's a bit better than Wednesday in Sowerby Bridge.
Until then, enjoy the rain :)
Monday, June 30, 2008
I did 3 gigs last week. Wednesday and Thursday were solo in Leeds. They were both fairly short notice sets, which shows someone must love me. The Library on Wednesday was better than expected considering it wasn't very busy. There were just enough to make it a show and it turned out pretty well. I even managed to sell a few CDs! I played Shadow, Words, Whiskey, Gods n Angels, Won't Back Down, If He Knew You and These Eyes.
Onto Thursday which was a last minute call-up to The Primrose. It was supposedly for Lynne's birthday but she wasn't actually there! I had another good set, a favourable reaction in front of a smallish crowd. This time I did Old Wishing Well and left out Words. As usual the keyboard had a big sound. I've come to realise that there's more chance of a small crowd listening than a large one sometimes, and this means you get proportionally more attention. I wasn't really looking forward to these sets but they were 2 of the better ones. Oh and Matt Baxter's set on Wednesday was superb!
On Saturday night a ventured out in search of new venues and bands. I scored 0 out of 3! 2 pubs I called into advertised bands but of them there was no sign. The other pub has been boarded up and thus becomes another pub to point out which I managed to close down. (Ok I hadn't played there for 6 years but you get the general idea!). A less than fruitful recee and worse still for having to go into Bradford city centre.
Back to my birth city for the Bridge Tavern last night (Sunday). A normally quiet and peaceful gig to round off the week was livened up considerably by a possee of scrotes who came in after the football. A couple of years ago this would have spelt big trouble for me but now I can't say I was over-bothered. They didn't really cause any trouble, other than being roudy. They got a bit close once or twice but the landlord actually made some attempt to move them. In all my hundreds of pub gigs I think that's the first time I've ever seen the management intervene when a scrote has croseed the line. They normally couldn't give a monkey's.
We introduced some new very old classic rock covers. Wishing Well (not mine) is a song just about every Bradford band plays. So I thought we should do it as well. It's actually a song I really like, just that it got over-played. Ive always found I can sing it pretty well and we really had a good sound on that one. It was hard to concentrate with idiots close by but we managed to get through the new songs pretty well. Talk about a baptism of fire!
Onto Thursday which was a last minute call-up to The Primrose. It was supposedly for Lynne's birthday but she wasn't actually there! I had another good set, a favourable reaction in front of a smallish crowd. This time I did Old Wishing Well and left out Words. As usual the keyboard had a big sound. I've come to realise that there's more chance of a small crowd listening than a large one sometimes, and this means you get proportionally more attention. I wasn't really looking forward to these sets but they were 2 of the better ones. Oh and Matt Baxter's set on Wednesday was superb!
On Saturday night a ventured out in search of new venues and bands. I scored 0 out of 3! 2 pubs I called into advertised bands but of them there was no sign. The other pub has been boarded up and thus becomes another pub to point out which I managed to close down. (Ok I hadn't played there for 6 years but you get the general idea!). A less than fruitful recee and worse still for having to go into Bradford city centre.
Back to my birth city for the Bridge Tavern last night (Sunday). A normally quiet and peaceful gig to round off the week was livened up considerably by a possee of scrotes who came in after the football. A couple of years ago this would have spelt big trouble for me but now I can't say I was over-bothered. They didn't really cause any trouble, other than being roudy. They got a bit close once or twice but the landlord actually made some attempt to move them. In all my hundreds of pub gigs I think that's the first time I've ever seen the management intervene when a scrote has croseed the line. They normally couldn't give a monkey's.
We introduced some new very old classic rock covers. Wishing Well (not mine) is a song just about every Bradford band plays. So I thought we should do it as well. It's actually a song I really like, just that it got over-played. Ive always found I can sing it pretty well and we really had a good sound on that one. It was hard to concentrate with idiots close by but we managed to get through the new songs pretty well. Talk about a baptism of fire!
Monday, June 23, 2008
After it's postponement last October, the Police finally came to Manchester on Wednesday night, the 2nd of two 18,000 sell-out concerts as the comeback world tour nears it's end.
To hold 18,000 they open all the seats, all the way around including those normally curtained off behind the band. This is where we sat! So we got the back view of the band. Different certainly, but nonetheless good fun! There was sound facing our way, which was actually pretty good for once, unlike previous Sting gigs I've seen there. It was compelling to watch Stuart Copeland giving it his all for nearly 2 hours, and the whole thing was well worth the wait. Being where we were the atmosphere wasn't 100% but it's one of those nights I'll take a lot away from and remember fondly. So that's 2 more of my all-time heroes I've now seen within the last month, not many more to go at now.
I did the Chemic Tavern open mic on Thursday night, playing the opening slot I performed 'It Will Pass', 'Whiskey', 'Gods&Angels' and 'One Of Us'. Not the greatest reception given how early it was, but the venue is dead right for those sort of gigs. The size and semi-darkness provide a good atmosphere.
I skipped off to near Carlisle on Saturday to play another amazing wedding venue with Atlanta Soul. It rained solid all day, as it was the first day of summer after all! This time it was a hall that was actually someone's house, and when it's the daughters' wedding what better way to celebrate than to have a marquee holding 200 people in your back garden?! Just another stopping off point on my UK tour of strange and wonderful places to play.
Having made it home just as the sun came up I then had another solo gig on Sunday night. This was at my regular haunt the New Inn at Barwick-in-Elmet. It was a solid night, a little quieter than normal (8 people instead of 12), and I got to play some more of my original material to an audience that knows me pretty well now, on my 8th visit. That rounded off another busy week just in time to start the next busy week.
I still need to tell you more about Paradise Street, but if you can't wait take a look in my top friends on myspace. The page is now up and running and I'm updating regularly.
I've also been making some breakthroughs with internet radio. I'll let you know of any showtimes, but I've certainly made some interesting contacts. I also found time last week to nearly complete the mix of another song for the Paradise Street album. It may be finished for autumn, but as with Peter Gabriel, I'm not saying which one.
To hold 18,000 they open all the seats, all the way around including those normally curtained off behind the band. This is where we sat! So we got the back view of the band. Different certainly, but nonetheless good fun! There was sound facing our way, which was actually pretty good for once, unlike previous Sting gigs I've seen there. It was compelling to watch Stuart Copeland giving it his all for nearly 2 hours, and the whole thing was well worth the wait. Being where we were the atmosphere wasn't 100% but it's one of those nights I'll take a lot away from and remember fondly. So that's 2 more of my all-time heroes I've now seen within the last month, not many more to go at now.
I did the Chemic Tavern open mic on Thursday night, playing the opening slot I performed 'It Will Pass', 'Whiskey', 'Gods&Angels' and 'One Of Us'. Not the greatest reception given how early it was, but the venue is dead right for those sort of gigs. The size and semi-darkness provide a good atmosphere.
I skipped off to near Carlisle on Saturday to play another amazing wedding venue with Atlanta Soul. It rained solid all day, as it was the first day of summer after all! This time it was a hall that was actually someone's house, and when it's the daughters' wedding what better way to celebrate than to have a marquee holding 200 people in your back garden?! Just another stopping off point on my UK tour of strange and wonderful places to play.
Having made it home just as the sun came up I then had another solo gig on Sunday night. This was at my regular haunt the New Inn at Barwick-in-Elmet. It was a solid night, a little quieter than normal (8 people instead of 12), and I got to play some more of my original material to an audience that knows me pretty well now, on my 8th visit. That rounded off another busy week just in time to start the next busy week.
I still need to tell you more about Paradise Street, but if you can't wait take a look in my top friends on myspace. The page is now up and running and I'm updating regularly.
I've also been making some breakthroughs with internet radio. I'll let you know of any showtimes, but I've certainly made some interesting contacts. I also found time last week to nearly complete the mix of another song for the Paradise Street album. It may be finished for autumn, but as with Peter Gabriel, I'm not saying which one.
Monday, June 16, 2008
OK, here comes a concerted effort to catch up on the last 2 weeks, then I can say I've caught up. Just when you think you've found the end, someone moves the end......
The Band were back out 2 days after Skipton slightly closer to home at the Junction at Queensbury. This time there was no fog and more people. Almost a respecatble amount no less. The reception was none too bad, despite the presence of musicians in the audience which are easy to spot but very hard to please. As a poor spectator myself I can understand this, although it's something that's gone on for years in the pubs of the Thornton/Queensbury district. Still, any audience is welcome these days. Well, nearly any.
The weekend of the 7/8 June showed up the remarkable contrast that exists in my career, and that of most working musicians. On Saturday night I played at the Midland Hotel in Manchester with the fabulous Atlanta Soul Band. We had a dressing room with a balcony overlooking the square and the library, and generally could bask in the surroundings of one of the few hotels that can still be called 'grand'.
The following afternoon was The Bridge in Huddersfield.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Bridge, indeed my band had a much better time of it there than last time. But perhaps you wouldn't pay £150 a night to stay there?
As I said, the Bridge was a decent gig this time, on the hottest day of the year it was a lovely sunny afternoon. We played as loud as possible which seems to be the done thing there and despite around 50% of the punters sitting outside it was still an enjoyable gig. Afterwards we all embarked on a trip to Cleckheaton for a curry, just like old times. This was the 2nd sit-down meal the band had had in a week, and it does help to socialise with the band. Indeed, many of you may be surprised to read that the musicians could afford 2 meals in one week!
The first two weeks since my 'week off' have been very hectic, and the work-life balance went awry at times. I think I'm now starting to catch up a bit, but it was a bit difficult at times last week. The gigs were another mixture of good and bad.
On the Thursday the band played at The Abbey Inn, threw in a new cover and generally looked set for a decent night at what is one of the few pubs that can be classed as a 'music venue'. But it wasn't to be. We all knew the Thursday was not going to be like a Saturday gig there, but can someone please tell me why the gig wasn't advertised on the pub's own whiteboard???
The same thing happened on my last solo gig there in April. My posters were up, but so were several other bands' in a muddled up manner. Lots of people know me there from the open mics and solo and beer festival slots. Lots of musos and music enthusiasts go too. I was pretty annoyed at this slip up to be honest. It's hard enough work these days playing in pubs as it is, and yet again the warm night means the smokers can stay outside all night. Fair play to them, but the fact remains, how many had come to see a band? Hardly any, because none knew there was one playing. I'd like to say I love playing at the Abbey, but for all it's charm, friendliness, and support for live music, it seems to flatter to deceive, and in the process threw up possibly the worst PJ Band gig so far.
Having navigated Friday the 13th, there was another Atlanta Soul gig on the Saturday in deepest Lancashire, near Nelson. I keep mentioning these gigs because it gives a more rounded view of what I do, and at least means I get the occasional smart venue thrown in amongst the pubs. There was a lovely touch at this one right at the end (and I don't mean from the Finnish girl!). Instead of the usual fireworks, they let off paper chinese lanterns carrying a small flame. It was such a site as they all flew high into the night sky, lighting it up. It was almost like an alien invasion, except that this probably happened some years ago in Barnoldswick, and no-one could tell any different.
Last night I returned to Leeds to support Jon Strong at the Roscoe. My slot went really well and I managed to sell quite a few CDs. I played Cold Cold Day as the 2nd number and it had the best response it's ever got at a solo set. I think Gods And Angels is here to stay in the set too. I also threw in If He Knew You and a cover of One Of Us. It was also busier than last time, and all in all is just the sort of exposure I need.
I'll hopefully finally get around to plugging the Paradise Street myspace page in a special midweek blog, stay tuned.
The Band were back out 2 days after Skipton slightly closer to home at the Junction at Queensbury. This time there was no fog and more people. Almost a respecatble amount no less. The reception was none too bad, despite the presence of musicians in the audience which are easy to spot but very hard to please. As a poor spectator myself I can understand this, although it's something that's gone on for years in the pubs of the Thornton/Queensbury district. Still, any audience is welcome these days. Well, nearly any.
The weekend of the 7/8 June showed up the remarkable contrast that exists in my career, and that of most working musicians. On Saturday night I played at the Midland Hotel in Manchester with the fabulous Atlanta Soul Band. We had a dressing room with a balcony overlooking the square and the library, and generally could bask in the surroundings of one of the few hotels that can still be called 'grand'.
The following afternoon was The Bridge in Huddersfield.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Bridge, indeed my band had a much better time of it there than last time. But perhaps you wouldn't pay £150 a night to stay there?
As I said, the Bridge was a decent gig this time, on the hottest day of the year it was a lovely sunny afternoon. We played as loud as possible which seems to be the done thing there and despite around 50% of the punters sitting outside it was still an enjoyable gig. Afterwards we all embarked on a trip to Cleckheaton for a curry, just like old times. This was the 2nd sit-down meal the band had had in a week, and it does help to socialise with the band. Indeed, many of you may be surprised to read that the musicians could afford 2 meals in one week!
The first two weeks since my 'week off' have been very hectic, and the work-life balance went awry at times. I think I'm now starting to catch up a bit, but it was a bit difficult at times last week. The gigs were another mixture of good and bad.
On the Thursday the band played at The Abbey Inn, threw in a new cover and generally looked set for a decent night at what is one of the few pubs that can be classed as a 'music venue'. But it wasn't to be. We all knew the Thursday was not going to be like a Saturday gig there, but can someone please tell me why the gig wasn't advertised on the pub's own whiteboard???
The same thing happened on my last solo gig there in April. My posters were up, but so were several other bands' in a muddled up manner. Lots of people know me there from the open mics and solo and beer festival slots. Lots of musos and music enthusiasts go too. I was pretty annoyed at this slip up to be honest. It's hard enough work these days playing in pubs as it is, and yet again the warm night means the smokers can stay outside all night. Fair play to them, but the fact remains, how many had come to see a band? Hardly any, because none knew there was one playing. I'd like to say I love playing at the Abbey, but for all it's charm, friendliness, and support for live music, it seems to flatter to deceive, and in the process threw up possibly the worst PJ Band gig so far.
Having navigated Friday the 13th, there was another Atlanta Soul gig on the Saturday in deepest Lancashire, near Nelson. I keep mentioning these gigs because it gives a more rounded view of what I do, and at least means I get the occasional smart venue thrown in amongst the pubs. There was a lovely touch at this one right at the end (and I don't mean from the Finnish girl!). Instead of the usual fireworks, they let off paper chinese lanterns carrying a small flame. It was such a site as they all flew high into the night sky, lighting it up. It was almost like an alien invasion, except that this probably happened some years ago in Barnoldswick, and no-one could tell any different.
Last night I returned to Leeds to support Jon Strong at the Roscoe. My slot went really well and I managed to sell quite a few CDs. I played Cold Cold Day as the 2nd number and it had the best response it's ever got at a solo set. I think Gods And Angels is here to stay in the set too. I also threw in If He Knew You and a cover of One Of Us. It was also busier than last time, and all in all is just the sort of exposure I need.
I'll hopefully finally get around to plugging the Paradise Street myspace page in a special midweek blog, stay tuned.
Monday, June 09, 2008
You may have noticed that I'm a week behind with this, so will see if I can catch up a bit now.
Tuesday May 20th took me to the Arkle in Morley. This is the latest home for Scouse Andy's open mic night. First time I met him was at the Fox and Newt in Leeds last year. Since then it's been to the Old Vic, and since their change of entertainment policy (not having any) we're now at the Arkle.
It's an old-style estate pub, the sort that normally I'd avoid like the plague but this one seemed to be a good venue. The pub is big and fairly quiet but the open mic brought enough people in to make it an encouraging evening. I played four songs: Shadow, Whiskey, Here Comes the Sun and Freefallin'.
Thursday was another new venue: Quid Pro Quo in Leeds, on Greek Street in an area of yuppie bars in the city centre. This is back to the 'younger end' bars that I'm seeing less and less sense in doing. This one was ok, although it seems to be un-decided about whether it's definetly an open mic or not. There was a bacardi promotion going on, which meant at least a promo girl in a tight t-shirt. I was lucky in that I got to play first-did 5 songs, then had a beer and went home.
I played the same orignals as at Morley, and also These Eyes Of Mine, One Of Us and Rocket Man (requested by someone who saw me at Doctor Wu's).
I wouldn't mind going back there, it's got potential. The management seemed pretty impressed so we shall have to see.
Sunday evening was the Abbey Beer Festival, which actually ran all weekend. On the Saturday night the marquee blew down (thankfully after the show was over!) so I played outside and under heavy skies hoped it wouldn't rain. My luck held out!
It was an enjoyable set, with Old Wishing Well added along with Somebody to Love. I tried to give it an outdoor feel....I even did Summer Of 69 as the encour. There's some photos of what I gather was a succesful festival here.
So to Whitsun week, and my 'week off'. Ok, I actually managed about 2 days of actual rest in the Lakes whilst trying to cram in all the other things I had to do. On Wednesday (29th May) there was the Bruce Springsteen concert in Manchester. Everyone knows I like stadium rock, and even though we were sat far away, it was still a good atmosphere and I'm glad I went. He managed to get the crowd working on what was a rainy night down the front uncovered end. It still makes me ambitous to see these shows, and hope that one day I might be able to do the same thing. It's a far cry from the gigs I do, but it's about the best dream I've got!
On the Sunday afternoon, now back home again, the band was out at the Craven in Skipton. We had a good run playing for a thin crowd of locals. Turns out the landlord is from Bolton, so he got on well with Dave, Norm and myself especially. It was a bit surreal I must say. 3 days after Springsteen, belting out 'Hell Freezes Over' to a handful of people....still, it's a learning curve.
Tuesday May 20th took me to the Arkle in Morley. This is the latest home for Scouse Andy's open mic night. First time I met him was at the Fox and Newt in Leeds last year. Since then it's been to the Old Vic, and since their change of entertainment policy (not having any) we're now at the Arkle.
It's an old-style estate pub, the sort that normally I'd avoid like the plague but this one seemed to be a good venue. The pub is big and fairly quiet but the open mic brought enough people in to make it an encouraging evening. I played four songs: Shadow, Whiskey, Here Comes the Sun and Freefallin'.
Thursday was another new venue: Quid Pro Quo in Leeds, on Greek Street in an area of yuppie bars in the city centre. This is back to the 'younger end' bars that I'm seeing less and less sense in doing. This one was ok, although it seems to be un-decided about whether it's definetly an open mic or not. There was a bacardi promotion going on, which meant at least a promo girl in a tight t-shirt. I was lucky in that I got to play first-did 5 songs, then had a beer and went home.
I played the same orignals as at Morley, and also These Eyes Of Mine, One Of Us and Rocket Man (requested by someone who saw me at Doctor Wu's).
I wouldn't mind going back there, it's got potential. The management seemed pretty impressed so we shall have to see.
Sunday evening was the Abbey Beer Festival, which actually ran all weekend. On the Saturday night the marquee blew down (thankfully after the show was over!) so I played outside and under heavy skies hoped it wouldn't rain. My luck held out!
It was an enjoyable set, with Old Wishing Well added along with Somebody to Love. I tried to give it an outdoor feel....I even did Summer Of 69 as the encour. There's some photos of what I gather was a succesful festival here.
So to Whitsun week, and my 'week off'. Ok, I actually managed about 2 days of actual rest in the Lakes whilst trying to cram in all the other things I had to do. On Wednesday (29th May) there was the Bruce Springsteen concert in Manchester. Everyone knows I like stadium rock, and even though we were sat far away, it was still a good atmosphere and I'm glad I went. He managed to get the crowd working on what was a rainy night down the front uncovered end. It still makes me ambitous to see these shows, and hope that one day I might be able to do the same thing. It's a far cry from the gigs I do, but it's about the best dream I've got!
On the Sunday afternoon, now back home again, the band was out at the Craven in Skipton. We had a good run playing for a thin crowd of locals. Turns out the landlord is from Bolton, so he got on well with Dave, Norm and myself especially. It was a bit surreal I must say. 3 days after Springsteen, belting out 'Hell Freezes Over' to a handful of people....still, it's a learning curve.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Last time I deviated from my normal format and told you all about the Free Download Track. Well, it's still free and downloadable so get hold of it for nowt while you still can! The offer only lasts a little while longer.
OK, so back to business. I'm now on May the 15th, which was my first visit to the revamped Cloth Cat Open Mic night at the Chemic Tavern in Leeds. I've played in many hundred pub venues over the years (as well as drinking in several hundred more!) and I find that the best time to form an impression over whether or not I'll like it is as soon as I walk through the door! I'm an introvert, very sensitive to changes and atmosphere and my environment. What I'm trying to say is that I knew this place was going to be good as soon as I walked in. It had something special, a homely, intimate atmosphere. I hope I'm proved right.
If you go back far enough with these 'ere blogs you'll remember that the Cloth Cat guys used to run the open mic at The Primrose in Meanwood. They've only recently returned to running one at the Chemic. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit, playing 4 songs as an open spot. (Eyes, Whiskey, Gods, and Shadow-to give them their shortened titles as they appear in my diary!).
Take a moment to view the pub's myspace page. You'll find a pretty picture of the pub with snow on the foreground, and also note the choice of theme tune-'Cheers', which seems rather appropriate. And in case you're too excited to wait, here is the picture!!
*And I can now announce my very first headline slot at the Chemic.....on a real GRAND PIANO too! This will be on Thursday July 17th at 9pm. Be sure to attend as real GRAND PIANOS are very rare in pubs these days!
The following night the Band returned for the second time to the Cricketers Arms at Horbury. We had a good night there again, and look forward to returning soon. One thing that can never be taken for granted in a run of the mill pub gig is the fact that no-one owes you their attention. Even if you think that attention is fully deserved. Therefore it was only in the last 3 songs that the penny dropped and I could really begin to draw the crowd in. I've had my fair share of moments where I've got frustrated at being ignored (are you still there?), but ultimately I'm learning that it takes a bit of gandering out to achieve. This still doesn't change the fact that 'Hell Freezes Over' definetly deserved a better response earlier on, it's a song which is fast becoming my favourite to do live.
Rather than have a rest, I decided to spend the entire weekend watching cars race round a track. On Saturday it was the turn of MG racing at Oulton Park, which is a sedate way to spectate, but there's some really lovely machinery.
Hence....
and...
A beautiful pair of 3.9 litre BCV8s!
And on Sunday it was Buxton for the stock cars, which of course is my normal choice of entertainment. I've found a bit on youtube which sort of gets the idea across of what happened in the Final. And yes, they are supposed to hit each other!
OK, so back to business. I'm now on May the 15th, which was my first visit to the revamped Cloth Cat Open Mic night at the Chemic Tavern in Leeds. I've played in many hundred pub venues over the years (as well as drinking in several hundred more!) and I find that the best time to form an impression over whether or not I'll like it is as soon as I walk through the door! I'm an introvert, very sensitive to changes and atmosphere and my environment. What I'm trying to say is that I knew this place was going to be good as soon as I walked in. It had something special, a homely, intimate atmosphere. I hope I'm proved right.
If you go back far enough with these 'ere blogs you'll remember that the Cloth Cat guys used to run the open mic at The Primrose in Meanwood. They've only recently returned to running one at the Chemic. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit, playing 4 songs as an open spot. (Eyes, Whiskey, Gods, and Shadow-to give them their shortened titles as they appear in my diary!).
Take a moment to view the pub's myspace page. You'll find a pretty picture of the pub with snow on the foreground, and also note the choice of theme tune-'Cheers', which seems rather appropriate. And in case you're too excited to wait, here is the picture!!
*And I can now announce my very first headline slot at the Chemic.....on a real GRAND PIANO too! This will be on Thursday July 17th at 9pm. Be sure to attend as real GRAND PIANOS are very rare in pubs these days!
The following night the Band returned for the second time to the Cricketers Arms at Horbury. We had a good night there again, and look forward to returning soon. One thing that can never be taken for granted in a run of the mill pub gig is the fact that no-one owes you their attention. Even if you think that attention is fully deserved. Therefore it was only in the last 3 songs that the penny dropped and I could really begin to draw the crowd in. I've had my fair share of moments where I've got frustrated at being ignored (are you still there?), but ultimately I'm learning that it takes a bit of gandering out to achieve. This still doesn't change the fact that 'Hell Freezes Over' definetly deserved a better response earlier on, it's a song which is fast becoming my favourite to do live.
Rather than have a rest, I decided to spend the entire weekend watching cars race round a track. On Saturday it was the turn of MG racing at Oulton Park, which is a sedate way to spectate, but there's some really lovely machinery.
Hence....
and...
A beautiful pair of 3.9 litre BCV8s!And on Sunday it was Buxton for the stock cars, which of course is my normal choice of entertainment. I've found a bit on youtube which sort of gets the idea across of what happened in the Final. And yes, they are supposed to hit each other!
Monday, May 19, 2008
THE FREE DOWNLOAD SONG
OK, rather than the usual gig reviews, I'm going to start this week with a couple of pieces of news more connected with the web.
Firstly, I've started to put more effort into building up my online mailing list. This is the type of thing you used to find done with 'hardware' in which a newsletter would drop through the door everynow and then. Of course, now it's an 'emailing list', strictly speaking. Which means I'm doing my bit for the environment in the process!
It's mainly for fans who don't get to see gigs, particularly those in the US. And I've been adding names more regularly for a while now, with their permission of course. The result has been this month's innaugural newsletter-which contains a free gift: a free track to download!
And it's not a throw-away track that I had no better use for either. It's a frontline track from my new album, one of my most played songs, and one of my most popular too.
So, for those of you not on the list, here is the link to the free download right here, now:
CLICK HERE FOR A FREE SONG!
All you have to do is click it and save the file to your computer. Congratulations. You now have your free download of one of my better songs. You can now play it, copy it, share it, send it to friends, whatever you like with it.
Copy it? Share it? Isn't that illegal? As the artist shouldn't I be wanting you to pay for that?
Bollocks.
OK, of course I want you all to buy CDs and mp3s of my songs. But how exactly am I going to do that once I get past friends and family and punters at gigs (all very valued folk of course!)?
Once we lose personal contact, and talk to people online across the other side of the world, it becomes harder to make a 'sale'.
Therefore this is simply a way of introducing more people to my music who wouldn't have otherwise heard it. Simple as that. And for those who have already expressed an interest from hearing the tracks, it's a way of saying 'here I am, come inside and interract'. It makes people feel part of something. If some of these people then want to maybe, just maybe, part with a little money on a few other tracks, then the whole thing will have worked.
Remember, mp3s are infinite in quantity. You can't run out of them, there is NO CONCEPT OF THE LOST SALE. There are only new friends to find, and with a internet worldwide population of millions, there's plenty to go at.
So please go ahead, take the free track, and spread the word. You'd be doing me a huge favour.
Firstly, I've started to put more effort into building up my online mailing list. This is the type of thing you used to find done with 'hardware' in which a newsletter would drop through the door everynow and then. Of course, now it's an 'emailing list', strictly speaking. Which means I'm doing my bit for the environment in the process!
It's mainly for fans who don't get to see gigs, particularly those in the US. And I've been adding names more regularly for a while now, with their permission of course. The result has been this month's innaugural newsletter-which contains a free gift: a free track to download!
And it's not a throw-away track that I had no better use for either. It's a frontline track from my new album, one of my most played songs, and one of my most popular too.
So, for those of you not on the list, here is the link to the free download right here, now:
CLICK HERE FOR A FREE SONG!
All you have to do is click it and save the file to your computer. Congratulations. You now have your free download of one of my better songs. You can now play it, copy it, share it, send it to friends, whatever you like with it.
Copy it? Share it? Isn't that illegal? As the artist shouldn't I be wanting you to pay for that?
Bollocks.
OK, of course I want you all to buy CDs and mp3s of my songs. But how exactly am I going to do that once I get past friends and family and punters at gigs (all very valued folk of course!)?
Once we lose personal contact, and talk to people online across the other side of the world, it becomes harder to make a 'sale'.
Therefore this is simply a way of introducing more people to my music who wouldn't have otherwise heard it. Simple as that. And for those who have already expressed an interest from hearing the tracks, it's a way of saying 'here I am, come inside and interract'. It makes people feel part of something. If some of these people then want to maybe, just maybe, part with a little money on a few other tracks, then the whole thing will have worked.
Remember, mp3s are infinite in quantity. You can't run out of them, there is NO CONCEPT OF THE LOST SALE. There are only new friends to find, and with a internet worldwide population of millions, there's plenty to go at.
So please go ahead, take the free track, and spread the word. You'd be doing me a huge favour.
Monday, May 12, 2008
It's going to be a short one this week! I'd planned on a quieter week but it turned out to be a case of 'too little too late'. I'd probably already over-done things a bit lately and by Wednesday night I felt pretty awful. My throat was sore and I was aching and generally feeling like I couldn't be bothered doing very much.
This was a shame as I'd gone to see some live comedy in the shape of Andy Parsons that night. I still enjoyed it, but was feeling a bit rough. So Thursday became pretty much a day of rest and I certainly made the right call pulling my trip to the Chemic Open Mic (I'll try again this Thursday instead!).
By Saturday things had improved enough to mean the band gig could go ahead fairly comfortably, although it was a hot night and a hot room to play in! We didn't get a very big turn-out as people preferred to sit outside and do outside things, this being the hottest night of the year so far. The band, however, is more than used to playing to a handful of people and we actually had a great night musically. The set was tight and some numbers were the tightest they'd ever been. So not a bad do all in all.
This Friday we're returning to the Cricketers at Horbury, which went well last time (as most of them do!). We need re-bookings in order to turn over work and keep the diary full and the online giglist healthy. It's working just about so far to my target of playing once a week. Hopefully we can expand on that but with so many line-up changes for now it's probably about right.
See you next time!
This was a shame as I'd gone to see some live comedy in the shape of Andy Parsons that night. I still enjoyed it, but was feeling a bit rough. So Thursday became pretty much a day of rest and I certainly made the right call pulling my trip to the Chemic Open Mic (I'll try again this Thursday instead!).
By Saturday things had improved enough to mean the band gig could go ahead fairly comfortably, although it was a hot night and a hot room to play in! We didn't get a very big turn-out as people preferred to sit outside and do outside things, this being the hottest night of the year so far. The band, however, is more than used to playing to a handful of people and we actually had a great night musically. The set was tight and some numbers were the tightest they'd ever been. So not a bad do all in all.
This Friday we're returning to the Cricketers at Horbury, which went well last time (as most of them do!). We need re-bookings in order to turn over work and keep the diary full and the online giglist healthy. It's working just about so far to my target of playing once a week. Hopefully we can expand on that but with so many line-up changes for now it's probably about right.
See you next time!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
I'm a day late this week, due to the Bank Holiday. I'm sure you were all really worried about that....
Anyway, last Monday I did a gig in Bradford. I say 'gig', when it could better be described as 'I played to 4 people in Bradford last Monday'. The Priestley gig has been one of the best nights of it's kind since I first went there last July. It's a songwriter/acoustic night, incorrectly billed as 'open mic'. It has had it's flaws but has real character and a decent set of people in it's network.
However, like all good gigs, nothing lasts forever. I arrived on Monday to find that not only was the audience absent, but that only 3 musicians had been booked. The gig hung in the balance at this point, until we decided there was just enough need for it to go ahead. Needless to say it was a complete waste of time, and the sooner everyone decides what's best for this night the better. It doesn't help that the venue is in administration and seems to constantly have an uncertain future.
March was supposed to be the last one ever, but then I found it was advertised thru July. Apparently last time the promoter and the venue had different nights scheduled and the whole thing fell through. It really isn't that hard to run a decent night, and there's no excuse for not booking enough acts, there's plenty of those even in the absence of an audience. So for now, it's a case of 'wait and see' with The Priestley.
The Wardrobe on Wednesday was at least as per normal. I was on first, but the place did fill up reasonably as the night went on. I did 6 songs, with Words and How Do You Sleep returning to the line-up. I bumped into Mark Sayer, the photographer who captured some of the live shots you see dotted about my websites. We talked, amongst other things, about the Freaky Pest promoter (see January's blog for further details!)...and it turns out he's upset plenty more people than I thought. It's sometimes nice to have my opinion qualified.
Thursday night on this busy week was back to the Band, playing the Waggoners in Queensbury. Steve was back, and we played pretty well to a thin crowd. (numerically not weight-wise). This is another of those venues where you get the feeling that bands won't be playing in another 6 months, or that the faces behind the bar may well change. A decent venue in theory, but a bit of energy is required to sort it out.
On Saturday, and the band managed a new achievement in it's short history: 2 gigs in the same week!! Of course, the line-ups weren't the same, (bass this time!), but it was one small step and all that.... Speaking of landing on foreign alien lands, we were playing at Berry Brow Liberal Club. The most Liberal thing about it being the amounts people drink.
We had a great night really, and got a thoroughly good reception. Most of the band gigs have gone down really well in fact. I just hope it can go where I want it to go.
I value days away from music more than ever now. That's a sign of getting a bit older. It doesn't mean I don't love what I do, I'm just more knackered than I used to be by doing it. So Sunday and the Bank Holiday Monday were set aside, not that I took it particularly easy. I had a family day out on Sunday going over to Pickering, Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. The latter is one of those places I feel at home with, a bit like the Lakes. I keep eyeing the small houses that are for rent there, and planning.
The day after was back to Stock Cars. Yes, 2 meetings in one day, starting at Sheffield at 12noon, then over the tops to Belle Vue, Manchester for the evening meeting at 5.45. As I said, nice and relaxing. The latter meeting was especially thrilling, with fires, rollovers and drivers running across the track to wrestle with flag marshalls. A typical night's entertainment really. Sorry if this is going over your head, but I do like to try and educate people onto my little planet.
This week promises to be quieter on the gigs, with just a band slot at Lindley this Saturday, and an open mic on Thursday at the Chemic in Leeds.
Anyway, last Monday I did a gig in Bradford. I say 'gig', when it could better be described as 'I played to 4 people in Bradford last Monday'. The Priestley gig has been one of the best nights of it's kind since I first went there last July. It's a songwriter/acoustic night, incorrectly billed as 'open mic'. It has had it's flaws but has real character and a decent set of people in it's network.
However, like all good gigs, nothing lasts forever. I arrived on Monday to find that not only was the audience absent, but that only 3 musicians had been booked. The gig hung in the balance at this point, until we decided there was just enough need for it to go ahead. Needless to say it was a complete waste of time, and the sooner everyone decides what's best for this night the better. It doesn't help that the venue is in administration and seems to constantly have an uncertain future.
March was supposed to be the last one ever, but then I found it was advertised thru July. Apparently last time the promoter and the venue had different nights scheduled and the whole thing fell through. It really isn't that hard to run a decent night, and there's no excuse for not booking enough acts, there's plenty of those even in the absence of an audience. So for now, it's a case of 'wait and see' with The Priestley.
The Wardrobe on Wednesday was at least as per normal. I was on first, but the place did fill up reasonably as the night went on. I did 6 songs, with Words and How Do You Sleep returning to the line-up. I bumped into Mark Sayer, the photographer who captured some of the live shots you see dotted about my websites. We talked, amongst other things, about the Freaky Pest promoter (see January's blog for further details!)...and it turns out he's upset plenty more people than I thought. It's sometimes nice to have my opinion qualified.
Thursday night on this busy week was back to the Band, playing the Waggoners in Queensbury. Steve was back, and we played pretty well to a thin crowd. (numerically not weight-wise). This is another of those venues where you get the feeling that bands won't be playing in another 6 months, or that the faces behind the bar may well change. A decent venue in theory, but a bit of energy is required to sort it out.
On Saturday, and the band managed a new achievement in it's short history: 2 gigs in the same week!! Of course, the line-ups weren't the same, (bass this time!), but it was one small step and all that.... Speaking of landing on foreign alien lands, we were playing at Berry Brow Liberal Club. The most Liberal thing about it being the amounts people drink.
We had a great night really, and got a thoroughly good reception. Most of the band gigs have gone down really well in fact. I just hope it can go where I want it to go.
I value days away from music more than ever now. That's a sign of getting a bit older. It doesn't mean I don't love what I do, I'm just more knackered than I used to be by doing it. So Sunday and the Bank Holiday Monday were set aside, not that I took it particularly easy. I had a family day out on Sunday going over to Pickering, Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. The latter is one of those places I feel at home with, a bit like the Lakes. I keep eyeing the small houses that are for rent there, and planning.
The day after was back to Stock Cars. Yes, 2 meetings in one day, starting at Sheffield at 12noon, then over the tops to Belle Vue, Manchester for the evening meeting at 5.45. As I said, nice and relaxing. The latter meeting was especially thrilling, with fires, rollovers and drivers running across the track to wrestle with flag marshalls. A typical night's entertainment really. Sorry if this is going over your head, but I do like to try and educate people onto my little planet.
This week promises to be quieter on the gigs, with just a band slot at Lindley this Saturday, and an open mic on Thursday at the Chemic in Leeds.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Another busy week has flown by. I did 4 nights last week and there's another 4 coming up this week too.
On Tuesday I went over to the Abbey Inn for their singaround/open night. This was largely in preperation for my gig there on Friday night. I played a new song, Martyn Joseph's 'Between the Raindrops', as well as 2 recent additions to my covers list: Days and Here Comes The Sun. I forgot my bag at this one, and went the wrong way to get there. And I thought I'd woken up a bit too!
Thursday took me back to The Primrose for a fairly decent opening slot. I did 6 songs and managed to get a bit of banter going. As usual it was a sparse crowd containing memebers of the other acts and their friends. I did both of the piano songs from the new album. Gods And Angels and Cold Steel Lover. I really wanted to do both of these as I now have a greater insight into their meaning, all thanks to Sarah's wonderful lyrics. I even got an encore and went through 'Won't Back Down'.
Friday was the aforementioned Abbey solo gig. Not a great turnout, but all thanks to my small but ever-growing following for making it a much better night than it could have been. I played more covers than I would have really liked to, but in the end settled into a nice raport with the audience and had a fairly decent gig.
Saturday night was back to the band. And as with all bands, 4 people means 4 times the potential for something to go wrong! I switched my phone on at dinner time, nice and casually, only to be met by a barrage of messages from our regular drummer Steve who had gone down ill. He'd phoned the night before, which of course was when my battery died! The wonders of technology.
So I had to frantically rush round looking for a drummer, and this is where having stnad-ins has really paid off, as we've had 3 drummers cover the gigs so far. So it's a big thank you to Matt who was available and came and played a blinder.
The pub was an old haunt from my cover band days. Of course it's changed hands since then, as they all have! We played in the bar to a small but very enthusiastic crowd. As the night went on the more enthusiastic they became. This being to the point that we had to play an extra 20 mins 'encore' set, paid of course!
It was an encouraging enjoyable night to round off a fairly tough week for the band. And we nearly had an extra traveller on the way back as a local moggy had found it's way into the van. With the doors closed and the engine running, we heard it just in time before it would have had a free ride back to Brighouse! So there you go, even my band had some pussy in the back of the van.
The other thing that amused me last week, although perhaps it shouldn't have, was the Florence Nightingale Pub in Leeds which met a sticky end thanks to a gas explosion. Luckily it was derelict at the time, but I have it on record that I once played a gig there back in 2003. Now I do hope that isn't starting a trend....Paul Jeffery will play your pub and then it will explode. Could be just the new gimmick I need. Come to think of it, there's a few more I wouldn't have minded blowing up over the years.
Another song mixed on the Paradise Street project last week. That's 3 down 10 to go! The good news is I now have enough material for a myspace page. The bad news is I don't have enough time to make one! Perhaps the blogs will have to get shorter.
On Tuesday I went over to the Abbey Inn for their singaround/open night. This was largely in preperation for my gig there on Friday night. I played a new song, Martyn Joseph's 'Between the Raindrops', as well as 2 recent additions to my covers list: Days and Here Comes The Sun. I forgot my bag at this one, and went the wrong way to get there. And I thought I'd woken up a bit too!
Thursday took me back to The Primrose for a fairly decent opening slot. I did 6 songs and managed to get a bit of banter going. As usual it was a sparse crowd containing memebers of the other acts and their friends. I did both of the piano songs from the new album. Gods And Angels and Cold Steel Lover. I really wanted to do both of these as I now have a greater insight into their meaning, all thanks to Sarah's wonderful lyrics. I even got an encore and went through 'Won't Back Down'.
Friday was the aforementioned Abbey solo gig. Not a great turnout, but all thanks to my small but ever-growing following for making it a much better night than it could have been. I played more covers than I would have really liked to, but in the end settled into a nice raport with the audience and had a fairly decent gig.
Saturday night was back to the band. And as with all bands, 4 people means 4 times the potential for something to go wrong! I switched my phone on at dinner time, nice and casually, only to be met by a barrage of messages from our regular drummer Steve who had gone down ill. He'd phoned the night before, which of course was when my battery died! The wonders of technology.
So I had to frantically rush round looking for a drummer, and this is where having stnad-ins has really paid off, as we've had 3 drummers cover the gigs so far. So it's a big thank you to Matt who was available and came and played a blinder.
The pub was an old haunt from my cover band days. Of course it's changed hands since then, as they all have! We played in the bar to a small but very enthusiastic crowd. As the night went on the more enthusiastic they became. This being to the point that we had to play an extra 20 mins 'encore' set, paid of course!
It was an encouraging enjoyable night to round off a fairly tough week for the band. And we nearly had an extra traveller on the way back as a local moggy had found it's way into the van. With the doors closed and the engine running, we heard it just in time before it would have had a free ride back to Brighouse! So there you go, even my band had some pussy in the back of the van.
The other thing that amused me last week, although perhaps it shouldn't have, was the Florence Nightingale Pub in Leeds which met a sticky end thanks to a gas explosion. Luckily it was derelict at the time, but I have it on record that I once played a gig there back in 2003. Now I do hope that isn't starting a trend....Paul Jeffery will play your pub and then it will explode. Could be just the new gimmick I need. Come to think of it, there's a few more I wouldn't have minded blowing up over the years.
Another song mixed on the Paradise Street project last week. That's 3 down 10 to go! The good news is I now have enough material for a myspace page. The bad news is I don't have enough time to make one! Perhaps the blogs will have to get shorter.
Monday, April 21, 2008
I must admit to being completely knackered last week. That's the problem with leading such a hectic life! When I say hectic of course I mean dis-organised. Not hectic as in planes and limos here and there. That's the kind of hectic I need.
I performed at the Kings Arms Open Mic on Wednesday night. After the band's succesful raid there the previous Friday I thought I'd unleash more of my own material. It turned out to be the first night they'd actually run an open mic so as such it wasn't a great success! I played 'Shadow', 'Whiskey', 'One Of Us' and 'These Eyes'. They need to have the night hosted properly otherwise it won't work-the musicians support is there!
On Friday the Band returned to the Snooty Fox at Oakworth for what was one of our first repeat bookings. It was busier and slightly more atmospheric than the first time, which isn't saying much! But at least it's a step in the right direction. Not the easiest of venues, paritcularly for original material, but we had a reasonable night as a band.
That was it for music as I went off to Bristol via Birmingham over the weekend for the Stock Cars. And yes it actually only rained at one of them! Bristol remained dry and sunny which does tend to make all the difference as we belatedly limp into Spring. The shitty weather of late has really got me down.
Still making slow progress with the Paradise Street album, and still building up the myspace page, now to over 20,000 hits!
I performed at the Kings Arms Open Mic on Wednesday night. After the band's succesful raid there the previous Friday I thought I'd unleash more of my own material. It turned out to be the first night they'd actually run an open mic so as such it wasn't a great success! I played 'Shadow', 'Whiskey', 'One Of Us' and 'These Eyes'. They need to have the night hosted properly otherwise it won't work-the musicians support is there!
On Friday the Band returned to the Snooty Fox at Oakworth for what was one of our first repeat bookings. It was busier and slightly more atmospheric than the first time, which isn't saying much! But at least it's a step in the right direction. Not the easiest of venues, paritcularly for original material, but we had a reasonable night as a band.
That was it for music as I went off to Bristol via Birmingham over the weekend for the Stock Cars. And yes it actually only rained at one of them! Bristol remained dry and sunny which does tend to make all the difference as we belatedly limp into Spring. The shitty weather of late has really got me down.
Still making slow progress with the Paradise Street album, and still building up the myspace page, now to over 20,000 hits!
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Kings Arms at Heaton on Friday was my first time there. The Band's first gig for a couple of weeks too. This time it was Paul and Norm in the line-up. The venue is an interesting blend of people, with a good atmosphere and quite an old-fashioned feel about the place.
The set went down a storm, and we'll be back there in August.
Sunday afternoon was Fernandes Brewery Tap for the 2nd time. This being a pub with an even older feel to it, something quite unique in fact. The first set was better than expected and the 2nd slightly worse, leaving me pretty tired by the end. (I'd worked Saturday night with Atlanta Fuckin' Soul in Northwich). The first had mainly listeners, some good responses and a couple of album sales. The 2nd had less listeners and more of a couldn't-care-less attitude. I'm known for dwelling on the handful of bad gigs I've had rather than the many good ones, so let's approach it 'half-full' rather than 'half-empty' and say it was a good gig based on the first set.
It might not seem much but it was a very busy week. I managed to virtually complete another Paradise Street track (myspace page still to follow!) and follow-up the usual round of printing, phone-calls, gig hustling and twats who run two pubs which host bands in Brighouse and Northowram.
The set went down a storm, and we'll be back there in August.
Sunday afternoon was Fernandes Brewery Tap for the 2nd time. This being a pub with an even older feel to it, something quite unique in fact. The first set was better than expected and the 2nd slightly worse, leaving me pretty tired by the end. (I'd worked Saturday night with Atlanta Fuckin' Soul in Northwich). The first had mainly listeners, some good responses and a couple of album sales. The 2nd had less listeners and more of a couldn't-care-less attitude. I'm known for dwelling on the handful of bad gigs I've had rather than the many good ones, so let's approach it 'half-full' rather than 'half-empty' and say it was a good gig based on the first set.
It might not seem much but it was a very busy week. I managed to virtually complete another Paradise Street track (myspace page still to follow!) and follow-up the usual round of printing, phone-calls, gig hustling and twats who run two pubs which host bands in Brighouse and Northowram.
Monday, April 07, 2008
I returned to 2 open mic nights this week on Tuesday and Wednesday. Two that I did many times last year. First up was The Primrose, which has moved to Tuesdays now. The heady days of the Cloth Cat night seem a fair way off at the moment. It was pretty quiet, but as usual the PA was big and full-sounding and the people were very welcoming. I played It Will Pass, The Prisoner and If He Knew You, finished my drink and went home.
The following night was The Grove. This is the one open mic that counts for more than some paying gigs in terms of promotion. It was busy in the little room, and the atmosphere was the usual friendly hostility! I played Chains Around My Heart and also one of Tim Wood's songs: 'Some Religion', which was a novel idea to help promote the Sunday gig, more of which in a minute.
Thursday was a night off, so just for a change I went to a gig. Chris Rea at Newcastle City Hall. I'd only found out about this tour days before, and this was the only place I could find a ticket in. So I set off, and 90 minutes later made it to past Bradford on the M62-another day, another accident on the motorway, and another few thousand pissed off motorists. With over half my journey time completed and set about the simple drive up to Newcastle and got to the venue about 10 minutes before the start. Just as well, as I was in for a treat.
It was one of the best gigs I've been to, possibly ever. Watching a superb band, voice, guitarist and sound, a sat there in amazement and awe at the man who had come back from the dead (almost) playing like a man possessed. Such was the enthusiasm in the performance that I reckon I'd have loved it even if I didn't already dig the music style, which of course I do so it was easy! So after the mother and father of all traffic jams, I had a really good night.
Two full gigs completed the week over the weekend. One bad and one belter here. The bad, well that was Saturday night at the George, King Cross, Halifax. OK, not rough King Cross as in the Junction and the Allan Fold, but dead King Cross a bit further down. What looked like being a fairly useful gig was nothing but another slog through to a dead and unattentive audience. There were 2 types of people: Those in God's Waiting Room who clearly hadn't smiled for 40 years, and those who had smiled but couldn't remember why.
As I got more isolated, I fired back with 'it says no smoking, not no smiling'. I only played 2 originals. Apparently there's normally another 30 people there (and yet again the weather was a big problem) but it remains to be seen whether this will lift the atmosphere sufficiently.
On Sunday things were much much better, as it was the New Inn at Barwick. Here small crowds don't matter as the few that do turn up know my set, like it and listen. I also had the small matter of Tim Wood as support, playing his first gig in over a year. Tim is an associate of Jon Strong, and the 2 go back a long way. Around 6 years ago Tim was gigging more regularly and was one of my favourite songwriters. The album they made together 'The Obvious Rhyme' is a masterpiece and when I listened to it a few weeks ago it still sounded just as good.
So Tim did his set and I loved it. It's such a good feeling to be able to do a gig, and spread the word on behalf of those I respect too. All I need now is to do it on a bigger platform, say Wembley this summer. 'Wembley welcomes Tim Wood and Paul Jeffery'.
My set was another step in the right direction, playing more originals than ever before in one set. I only did a few covers and these were mainly new ones or requests. Arguably the highlight was the first encour where I performed Tim's 'Some Religion' song again.
So not a bad end to the week. I even found time to do a bit of mixing on the Paradise Street project too. The myspace page for said project is iminent now, so I will let you know how it goes.
The following night was The Grove. This is the one open mic that counts for more than some paying gigs in terms of promotion. It was busy in the little room, and the atmosphere was the usual friendly hostility! I played Chains Around My Heart and also one of Tim Wood's songs: 'Some Religion', which was a novel idea to help promote the Sunday gig, more of which in a minute.
Thursday was a night off, so just for a change I went to a gig. Chris Rea at Newcastle City Hall. I'd only found out about this tour days before, and this was the only place I could find a ticket in. So I set off, and 90 minutes later made it to past Bradford on the M62-another day, another accident on the motorway, and another few thousand pissed off motorists. With over half my journey time completed and set about the simple drive up to Newcastle and got to the venue about 10 minutes before the start. Just as well, as I was in for a treat.
It was one of the best gigs I've been to, possibly ever. Watching a superb band, voice, guitarist and sound, a sat there in amazement and awe at the man who had come back from the dead (almost) playing like a man possessed. Such was the enthusiasm in the performance that I reckon I'd have loved it even if I didn't already dig the music style, which of course I do so it was easy! So after the mother and father of all traffic jams, I had a really good night.
Two full gigs completed the week over the weekend. One bad and one belter here. The bad, well that was Saturday night at the George, King Cross, Halifax. OK, not rough King Cross as in the Junction and the Allan Fold, but dead King Cross a bit further down. What looked like being a fairly useful gig was nothing but another slog through to a dead and unattentive audience. There were 2 types of people: Those in God's Waiting Room who clearly hadn't smiled for 40 years, and those who had smiled but couldn't remember why.
As I got more isolated, I fired back with 'it says no smoking, not no smiling'. I only played 2 originals. Apparently there's normally another 30 people there (and yet again the weather was a big problem) but it remains to be seen whether this will lift the atmosphere sufficiently.
On Sunday things were much much better, as it was the New Inn at Barwick. Here small crowds don't matter as the few that do turn up know my set, like it and listen. I also had the small matter of Tim Wood as support, playing his first gig in over a year. Tim is an associate of Jon Strong, and the 2 go back a long way. Around 6 years ago Tim was gigging more regularly and was one of my favourite songwriters. The album they made together 'The Obvious Rhyme' is a masterpiece and when I listened to it a few weeks ago it still sounded just as good.
So Tim did his set and I loved it. It's such a good feeling to be able to do a gig, and spread the word on behalf of those I respect too. All I need now is to do it on a bigger platform, say Wembley this summer. 'Wembley welcomes Tim Wood and Paul Jeffery'.
My set was another step in the right direction, playing more originals than ever before in one set. I only did a few covers and these were mainly new ones or requests. Arguably the highlight was the first encour where I performed Tim's 'Some Religion' song again.
So not a bad end to the week. I even found time to do a bit of mixing on the Paradise Street project too. The myspace page for said project is iminent now, so I will let you know how it goes.
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