Diary: 12th June-22nd July 2001

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Tuesday 12th June

    Had good gig at the Old Railway, Birmingham last Friday, a mainly walk-in crowd (i.e. didn't know me from Adam) as I wanted to play to new faces so hadn't really pushed the gig publicity-wise; and it was great, 'cos they were obviously all there to listen to music, and they all did!   They seemed to enjoy it, too.   But why is it such a rarity that the audience at a concert are actually into listening to the artists performing, rather than just talking over them?   Not the first time I've raised this issue, I know, but it keeps coming back to haunt me.

    So that's the last gig I've got booked in this block - take the summer off, I think, concentrate on recording and writing and relaxing.   Maybe start playing live again in the Autumn, get some kind of game plan together in terms of publicity, maybe release some tracks, do an EP or something.   I feel I've kind of done enough over the past two and a half years, since I started playing solo, that I've made a good solid foundation on which to build - I've developed my performance skills and that to a point where I'm confident enough in my abilities to feel able to promote my material properly.

     Well, for the moment, I can focus on these recordings, and try and get something out of it I feel merits promotional effort.   Still a lot to do, but so far things look promising ....

Tuesday 12th July

    Ooh!   Somebody's been a bit slack on the website updating!!

    Well, I've got my reasons ... (a) I couldn't be bothered, (b) I'm a lazy good-for-nothing, ....    No, actually, various things conspired to keep me away from this.   For a bit, I was really busy.   Then I went through a phase of extreme disillusionment, hence motivation to update site non-existent (what's the point?).   Then I sold my modem (long story) and couldn't get my new one working!!!   Ho ho!!!   Ah, it's a classic.

    But also, it's summer, and I need a break from my music, and from trying to keep the website up-to-date and exciting.   Sorry!   Currently I think I'll do the odd bit of this and that -  I may be playing a bit of bass for someone for a gig, that's very exciting, I've really been missing playing bass these past few months.   I'm doing bits and pieces for Solarflares, endless source of  talent and inspiration that it is!   So that's good.

    And when it gets sunny again (yes, when!) I intend to soak up some rays, hopefully go on holiday a bit too.   I had a few days away last week up in Yorkshire, where I'm from, and it did me loads of good (before: mad as a bun - after: only as mad as usual).   Fantastic.   We like that one.

    So yes, please do pop back and look at the site, but I wouldn't bother checking  too often until September or so, by which time I'll have exciting news about gigs and new releases and that ... almost definitely!   Normal service should be resumed then.

Sunday 22nd July

      Right, things are starting to shape up for the Autumn - I begin my extensive tour with a couple of performances at ArtsFest 2001, which is a free event the Council puts on in Birmingham city centre each year, all kinds of stuff, music and dance and drama-ey stuff and workshops and all that.   So all I need to do now is book some more dates, and produce some kind of product to promote, i.e. a CD of fab tunes, and engage an unstoppable publicity machine of some sort.   Then somebody might actually notice!

    Went down to a gig last week that Mocca (local songsmiths) were playing, supposedly as a showcase for several records labels ... can you guess what happened?   None of them turned up!!   Who would have thunk it?!   But are we downhearted?   Increasingly cynical?   Erm ....

    So, following a spot of taking my computer apart and reassembling it with different bits (I know, I just can't leave it alone, but then it'll be sorted properly and I won't have to take it apart again!) the remaining summer months will be filled with unswerving dedication to producing my very first EP for the Autumn!   I guess I'll do it on CD ... but wouldn't it be nice to do it on vinyl too?   "Theory of Everything" (another fine local outfit) have just done a single on purple vinyl!   Now that's what I call cool!   And Mocca's upcoming release is on vinyl too!  

   Now, unlike some vinyl purists, I'm not a detractor from the CD format, but there is just something about vinyl, I dunno if it's nostalgia or what, but it's just ... ace!   I suppose it's partly that anyone can do a CD now, what with the advent of affordable home recording computer systems, bless 'em, so having a piece of black plastic is a bit different, and seems somehow more proper.   Like what it used to.   Maybe it's coming from a time when wanting to have made a record meant a record, maybe that's still the same for me ...

    Anyway, that's the plan.   Maybe I'll actually stick to my proposed schedule this time!

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