Sunday, April 29, 2012

Musically speaking...

Steve Poltz, wondering who the stalker is.
In the time that has passed since my Fringe gig, I have managed to keep myself very busy musically, without actually performing anywhere...
I have set myself a target of writing a song a month in 2012, and so far I am going OK with it. Three months down, three songs completed. It doesn't sound like much, but it's a huge improvement on my recent output. I entered one of these songs - What in the World? - into the "Songs for Social Justice" songwriting competition, run by the Alistair Hulett Memorial Fund. It didn't win, but they sent a nice letter thanking me for my efforts.
I have been learning and rehearsing Paul Weller's Wild Wood, a song that I have wanted to do live for ages. I am trying to get a few covers polished and safely stored in the memory banks, as there are going to be times when they come in handy, even for a committed player of originals like myself.
I have managed to acquire a couple of beautiful guitars. An Epiphone Sheraton II and an Epiphone Les Paul Ultra. Now I just need to find the time to play them. I also bought the new Paul Weller album and have been flogging that incessantly.
I went along to Thebarton Town Hall, my favourite venue, to see The Specials. What a brilliant night that was!
I've submitted a few poems to a new magazine that was looking for contributions. Fingers crossed on that one. A few of my journalistic efforts have been published; It is always nice to see the fruits of one's labour appear in print. I'll be a famous writer yet, I tells ya!
As part of my SCALA civic duty, I ran a songwriters' workshop that featured Rob Pippan; founder member of the Zep Boys, professional songwriter, studio owner, ace guitarist, and loads more besides. It was a successful evening and a great way to kick off our 2012 series of free events for Adelaide's songwriting community.
I ventured once more into the studio and recorded one of my songs, Wish I Was You, which is destined for release on the next SCALA album.
In April I went and saw Steve Poltz, who was every bit as good as I'd hoped he'd be. I have his very enjoyable Live at the Basement DVD, so I had an idea of what to expect. I got all that, and a little more.
Despite the paucity of performance, there are gigs in the pipeline. I have a couple of Yours Truly shows lined up in Sydney next weekend so I have been preparing for that. I have also received some exciting news that could see me performing to brand new audiences around the country. Can't say too much yet though...

So, yeah, lots going on really.

www.bleakumbrella.com