Review

And so this is Christmas. Time to review my last year in music.

I've done quite a few open mic nights. That was a resolution I made last year: to do lots of open mic nights. It's been great practice but I'm starting to realise that I'm not that interested in them. They're not really showcasing my songs - you don't get long enough. And having to listen to all the other acts is tedious at best, confidence-shattering at worst.

My biggest achievement in 2009 has been the two Studio 106 gigs. They were both exactly how I wanted them to turn out: a good atmosphere and enjoyable for the performers as well as the audience. I think this is partly because most of the audience already knew each other and it was a friendly and supportive atmosphere. People were laughing with me (hopefully not at me!) when I went wrong on my songs. I definitely want to do more of these gigs and organise gigs in other places with the same ethos.

I finished another songwriting class in March. Songwriting classes were really useful. Mainly to have a place to showcase song ideas and to get feedback. I don't think I could really learn any more from the teacher even though she was very good at teaching. I just don't think songwriting can be taught that much. You can have a few pointers but then you just have to go and do it. And the only way to get better is to keep doing it.

I also met Sarah on the songwriting class and it's been great hooking up with her and playing music together. I want her to play more on my songs next year. I think her voice is perfect for my songs and I like it that she can play lots of different instruments. I'm desperately trying to write a song for the bagpipes for her to play and for me to sing.

I'd like to try and improve my voice next year, maybe with singing lessons. The last studio gig was a revelation in that it was the first time my voice didn't wobble with nerves. But still... it ain't great! I listened back to the videos Helen took of the night and my voice just isn't as good as it sounds in my head.

Next year I'd like to get my own recording set up. It's been great going over to Adam & Jayne's in Hastings to record but I'd like to be able to knock little CDs out quickly and cheaply. So I'm going to look into getting some decent recording equipment.

I'd like to carry on playing music with Annie but next year will also be the year of a new project that Brendan & Anjuli of The Great Indoors and Crack-A-Jack Crow are getting together with me playing bass. We haven't been able to get together for a rehearsal yet as we were snowed off last Friday. But I'm really excited about this project. I'll write more about this next year I'm sure.

The whole getting-to-Portland thing has kind of changed. I read recently someone saying that if you don't follow up on your plans straight away that they sour and I feel that has happened with my Oregon Bound idea. I'm just not that bothered any more. It's a shame that this blog is named Oregon Bound Music because it's actually turned out to be a nice way of keeping a record of my music-making progress and I don't want to abandon it just because I'm not so fussed about going to Portland any more. But you never know... things might change and I might get longings for West-coast America again. So, for now, Oregon Bound Music it is.

And that's it. My resolution will be the same as last year... do more music!

Enjoying

I've got an idea for a concept album. It's to do an album of songs based on birds. I've already got "All These Things" which is about a magpie/my girlfriend. And I've had an idea for a while to write a song using the metaphor 'as the crow flies'. I could write about 5 songs and have a cute little album.

I was worried that the songs I've made so far don't quite make an album because there's six of them. This is too much for an EP and not enough for an LP. I was thinking I had better wait until I had some more songs to complete it. But then, my new song, "All These Things", feels different to my other songs. So then it hit me: an album doesn't have to be ten songs long - and I don't have to call it an LP or and EP as I'm releasing it myself. I'm realising that I don't have to do anything in a particular way if I don't want to.

I'm under no pretensions: I'm not making a career out of this - I'm not good enough. So I may as well do things my own way. If I want to release a little CD of five or six songs then that's what I'll do!

This can be applied to lots of things in my music. I don't have to do pub gigs or gigs just to get exposure. I'm not bothered if my music is popular or not so I don't have to do any gigs if I don't want to.

I enjoyed the studio gig last week so much! And whenever I play at the open mic night it's just a bit of a let down. I want to push myself but there's really no need for me to do gigs that I don't enjoy. And realising this is very freeing. It's exciting! I can organise gigs in woods or in abandoned places.

I've just got to ask myself the one question: am I enjoying this?

These people from Múm are clearly enjoying it

Múm - Prophecies and Reversed Memories - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Tidy

I organised another gig in my studio last night. It was great! Everyone said they really enjoyed it and that it felt very special.

I did five of my songs first. Usually my voice is all wobbly on the first couple of songs but I think I did alright this time. I felt nervous but I wasn't panicking. My fingers were something else though. They had a mind of their own but I managed to calm them down towards the end of the first song.

Sarah played on a couple of my songs too. She played glockenspiel and melodica on Grace Is Just Her Middle Name and it made it sound amazing! It really makes them into proper songs when you have someone else playing on them. Her backing vocals on The Lepidopterist were great too. I really like Sarah's singing voice and I think it goes really well with my songs.

Next Sarah played a couple of her songs with me on bass - great to hear Sarah playing her songs - they're quite heart-breaking - in a good way! Then I played guitar and bass with Annie who's voice sounded amazing in the small studio space. I always think we sound better when we're unplugged. It's just like our rehearsals - nice and relaxed and we're just enjoying playing the music. And that is the whole idea of these studio gigs.

Finally Anjuli played her songs with Brendan as Crack-A-Jack Crow. She's such a star! So professional. Witty and charismatic on stage, she played a beautiful set. My studio colleague just walked in as I was typing this and raved about Anjuli, saying how she was just stunned when she started singing and couldn't believe that someone this amazing was playing at Studio 106.

Anjuli kindly played The Rainbow Connection for me. Thanks! I love that song so much.

For an encore I was persuaded (twisted my arm, honestly!) to play bass on a Great Indoors song, Working Overtime with Brendan and Anjuli. I hadn't practiced it so it was a bit nerve-wracking but at the same time I know it so well I could just look up and watch Brendan and Anjuli singing.

Now I've just got to go and tidy up!