Unfortunately had to quit new band Blegology after our debut gig as it wasn't working out for me musically. Creative differences my PR would have said if he/she existed. In happier news, I'm guest playing at Baffy's next gig in April. Baffy has a lot of familiar faces from Improvisi so I should feel quite home. To wrap this update, I've been listening a lot to the Egberto Gismonti trio with Jan Garbarek and the late Charlie Haden. While reading about these artists, I came across this quote from Charlie: "I learned at a very young age that music teaches you about life. When you're in the midst of improvisation, there is no yesterday and no tomorrow—there is just the moment that you are in. In that beautiful moment, you experience your true insignificance to the rest of the universe. It is then, and only then, that you can experience your true significance." |
0 Comments
Productive first rehearsal / audition with dance / dub act Blegology this past weekend. Gig scheduled for March with plenty of time to develop our sound further. Meanwhile, found a lost recording of CFT from roughly a year ago. I've uploaded it here. As to what happened in the past 4 months... well, let's say I've been practising a lot, developing myself as a musician in more ways than just playing a single instrument. I've also been looking for the right project to join, which isn't as straightforward as it might sound with quite a bit of trial and error and wrong fits along the way. Here's to a productive 2016! So I didn't get the band together. If you play any kind of fringe/extreme music it's very hard to find the right people, at the right time, with availability, and then find the venues, the rehearsal space at the right budget and so on.
It sucks but sometimes there's nothing to do. I gave it a go... In less disappointing news, I wrote my first invoices as a musician this week. I had been paid before, but never as officially as this. I'm still developing myself as a solo act, following the lead of Mary Halvoron's latest album and Noël Akchoté's solo career. I've also started to learn slide guitar, which I plan on using as a tool with the least blues/country influences as I can manage. Getting a bass player for CFT and then spending the rest of the year gigging and recording. BOOM! Check the ad here and pass it along to any bassist friends you have. So that's that for the Camden Fringe. What a lovely time! Quite challenging to be the solo musician on stage reacting to all the cues and being wholly responsible for the music. Had its ups and downs (1 terrible show, 2 average ones, 2 perfect in my opinion), but I'd do it all over again. I'm afraid opportunities like these don't come so often for guitarists as this is the realm of pianists. We'll see... Meanwhile, here's a beautiful card I got from Next to Normal's two creators. In musical music news, I managed to turn Thursday's cancelled gig with Charlie Rauh into another kind of gig. A gang of musicians will descend on Cafe 1001 for some free improv. Maybe the names look familiar... but don't call it Improvisi because that's dead. Here is... NOPROVISI!
My musical theatre debut! Tickets available for the 5 dates, check them out here. From Wednesday until Sunday at the Phoenix Artist Club.
On sadder news, my buddy Charlie Rauh didn't manage to get a working visa for the UK gigs, so my solo outings with him later this month have been cancelled. Sad face but I'm sure we'll cross paths later. Not much live playing right now. Rehearsals for Am I Not Pretty Enough?!!!?!?!??? and preparing material for the solo shows in August.
For AINPE I'm playing all the music and sound fx, including but not limited to:
All of this and more in less than 45 minutes! It's pretty cool actually. Have joined the roster of a comedy called Am I Not Pretty Enough?!!!?!?!???. It's being put together by two very talented young ladies, Liz and Clare, and I'll be the third performer on the stage, for I'll be not just playing guitar but also joining in some of the sketches! I'll be playing anything from sound effects, to mood music, and even some classical pieces arranged for guitar. Is that cool or what? It's part of the Camden Fringe festival and you can buy tickets from the link above. It's running for 5 days from the 5th to the 9th of August. I guess if it's successful we can extend it or tour it perhaps. It's a totally new avenue and opportunity to play and I'm really excited to compose for it and perform it. Was planning on taking a break to work on the solo material but just got invited for an event I can't refuse - Apocalypse Jazz Unit: Psychological Realignment
An evening of experimental Jazz, Improvisation and psychological realignment with the expanded Apocalypse Jazz Unit family. Full details here . I also am making noise (literally) at the 25 years of The "A" Band party. That's this Saturday and I'll be on early-ish at 5:30 pm. Details here. Finally, I went to a really odd audition this week. They are looking for horn players. If you are one and want a crack at this get in touch for details as it might not suit everybody but there's definitely an opportunity there. |