Paint my world Pink!

Golly gosh!  There's so many musical initiatives happening round here lately that it's hard even for ME to keep up with it all.  Some of the highlights though, over the last month have been;

• Finished recording the new album and decided on a title.  Dollars are so tight though that I've had to opt for doing my own album artwork rather than hire the person I wanted to do it for me.  I've also had to defer getting the first run done until I've got a few more shekels in the bank!  sigh!  the life of an impoverished muso - always new challenges!
• the Women Upfront concert last Saturday night - which was also a fundraiser for Heart Magazine Heart Magazine - was a winner!  It was just great to see so many women performers up there putting their work forward.  It was a great turnout ...and wonder of wonders, I had so many helpers that everything just ran like clockwork.  No stress for me!!  Did a few songs of the new album and got great response [and that's always satisfying]
• and the new chorus group that I'm coaching - Found - also found their voices on Saturday night and put in a "pearler" of a performance.  There's so much work that goes into pulling such a group together but it is SO satisfying.  And they're a great bunch of people - weekly rehearsals are always a hoot.

So in the next issue, I want to share more with you about the new album ....some of the songs and the stories .... and test out the cover piccie!  So stand by - you might win a copy of the new recording.

In the meantime, it's head down tail up working on the next projects - the Multifaith Concert which I'm organising in Newcastle for Mattara next week;  the Folk In Broke festival is only a matter of weeks away - see more at Folk in Broke festival; the next Savoy Supper Club is going to be just a top night - check the blog in the next few days for new info on that -  Savoy Supper Club ;  as well as 2 new shows coming up at the Royal Exchange theatre in December "Krackers"  - check it out at Royal Exchange Salon Theatre Newcastle  .  Gee I might even catch up on some sleep after Christmas!

ciao bella!

The HIghs and Lows of playing LIVE

OMG  ...you know, you go along your merry way thinking that all's well, then - when you least expect it -  the Universe pulls the rug out from under you .....and that's what happened at the Savoy Supper Club last week when I absolutely crucified my mini-set of 4 songs!!  Played 'em hundreds of times over half a dozen years then all of a sudden, out of the blue, my brain gets stuck in the logistics of the night and there was no room left to concentrate on my own music!!

It was a good shake-up wake-up call to remind me that she who tries to juggle too many balls at the one time without sufficient preparation is doomed to disaster!   So I just have to accept that when I'm in the drivers seat, I can't be navigator and chauffeured princess all at the same time.  Damn.  Guess performing is going to have to take a back seat for the next couple of months.  So is songwriting.

Now,  I just have to make note to myself .....2012 New Year's Resolution.......
dear Moz,  in 2012 let's get back to focusing on what YOU love to do best.  Instead of creating lots of opportunities for other musicians, let's concentrate on making and sharing YOUR music first.

CREATIVELY SMOKIN'!

Holy Smoke!  So much is happening that I forgot all about my own personal blog!   rhagataggach!!  So I'm just going to share the scorecard in this post....and reflect a little on human nature and the music industry while I'm here.


ON THE GO:

• The new album made brilliant and rapid progress to start but has now stalled - waiting for another studio date.  Hopefully Rob can fit me in before the end of July.  About 75% of the tracks are done but I had to find a young woman's voice to sing "Gemma's Song" and it looks like Kate Lightening McLean-Hamilton is going to do the job.  She has a lovely distinctive sound which should fit the song well.  Some additional instrument tracks need to go down and Rob Long will do most of those.  And there's another couple of vocal lines to go down including Mike Gray's voice on a Spiritual Round.
• The morning Seniors Shows at the RX Theatre in Newcastle haven't sold which is disappointing but we're hoping that we'll at least fill the last Tuesday in July.  
• The fundraiser for Folk in Broke was a great night that everyone enjoyed ....however it was poorly supported by the local community and raised less than half of the hoped-for $s
• The Savoy Supper Club opens in just over a week and fingers crossed that it gets the support it deserves.  I'm thrilled with the artist response and the acts coming in to perform.  You can find out more  at Savoy Supper Club   It's on trial for just 6 months on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and I'll review it at the end of the trial.
• I've just formed a chorus group to give new singers an opportunity to build their skills and showcase their talent at some upcoming concerts.  Their first performance will be at the SOUP! concert in August.
• I'm beavering away on the 5th Folk in Broke music festival and the program is shaping up beautifully.  Got lots of new faces appearing this year and some great activities lined up to fit the theme.  You can read more about this on the blog at http://folkinbroke.wordpress.com     
• The annual SOUP! Concert will be a hoot this year ...I'm really excited by the range of performers joining us at this one....expect surprises as always!! {more at  www.royalexchangenewcastle.com.au }
• And finally, the other major project {not enough room to fit in all the minor ones!} is a fundraiser for Heart Magazine and will be a Women Upfront Concert on 24th September.  Again, the lineup of women performers is wonderful.....musicians, dancers, storytellers, poets, songwriters, singers.  Wow, there's so much talent around.

and ON REFLECTION:

• The older I get the more surprised I am by the quirks of human nature.  And I'm grateful everyday for the energy and the enthusiasm which drives me forward. 
• why are there more 'devils advocate/s' around than there are enthusiastic people willing to celebrate the journey more than the results?  Some people immediately put their hand up and say Good Idea - can I play too?!  While others want to give you at least 10 reasons why what you're proposing won't work - you're wasting your time.   Such negativity is soooooo hard work!!  Life is SO much more enjoyable when you meet it with positivity and enthusiasm.  
• I've long divided the music industry into Street Musicians and Elite Musicians  {and if you're a muso you'll understand the difference} .... but there are some interesting facets of the industry that falls into both or neither categories;   all musicians complain there's not enough work, not enough good quality venue's, not enough recognition and value for the skills and the contribution of musicians;  most musicians complain because audiences won't come out and support their shows.  Yet the number of musicians who simply can't be bothered supporting other musicians is staggering.  "what's wrong with this picture?!?!?!"
• I've come to the conclusion that musicians generally are driven by either:  money;  ego; or passion.   In my experience - 1. independent musicians are the most passionate - they're ALL about the music, the money comes second  2, there is no direct correlation between talent and ego!  3. the majority of musicians I've ever met are the most generous, compassionate, and caring individuals you could wish to meet  {there are exceptions to this rule!!!#!!%!*!!!!}
• I've come to the realisation that the Industry 1. doesn't care about the music or musicians  2 does care about how much money they can make and how far they can exploit musicians  3 has absolutely no comprehension of the role musicians and music play in community and society well-being  4 has absolutely no understanding of the hours and years of work and study a musician puts in to develop their craft   5 truly believes that a musician should be grateful for the privilege of entertaining their paying patrons in return for a meal  [!?#  and who pays the musicians rent, fuel, heating, et al?!??]

That's it......BIG BLOG!!......and now - - - back to the music room!

Mojo Matters

Well, since I got back from Queensland that mojo I found has been working overtime!  A number of projects are already underway while 2 have been put on the backburner until the second half of the year.

Today I completed the first studio session for a brand new album and it's just sooo delightful to be working with the excellent skills of Robbie Long once again.   Not only a multi-award-winning fabulous musician, Rob's also a master behind the desk in his sound studio here in Newcastle.  I reckon he could make a duck with laryngitis sound good!  I'm over the moon that in just 1 x 5hr session, we've actually got the bedding tracks for a whole album locked down.  12 tracks in one session - down to my satisfaction....that's outstanding!  {and if Hachabel is reading this....the renovated studio is very comfortable boys hehehe!]

I'm opting to keep this album simple and uncluttered.  Not too many instruments, not overproduced.  As others have commented to me previously,  "the songwriting is the artwork - the songs can stand up proudly in their own right.  They don't need to have masses of instruments or sounds to enhance them".   I've finally come to believe in that principle.


The songs on this album are an eclectic mix ranging from Jazz/Blues, Comedy, Soft Rock, Urban Folk, and even a touch of Mozart would you believe it?!?!  I'll tell you more about them later when the album is ready for release.  In the meantime, if you have any ideas for a title I'd love to hear them.  Tell you what - there'll be a free copy of the new album for the best - selected - suggestion!  Put your thinking caps on, eh?

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On other Mojo Matters,  

• I'm trialling a new initiative at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Newcastle.  For the month of July I'll be doing a series of morning shows - every Tuesday in July.  The format will be a morning tea followed by a show loosely based around the theme of *Gravity *Grandchildren  and *Ageing Disgracefully.  I'll have a guest artist at each show.  If you'd like more information on this one - like to come along, or tell a friend - check the theatre's website:  www.royalexchangenewcastle.com.au
• I'm also organising some fundraisers in the next few months - for Heart Magazine [a not-for-profit publication that recognises and celebrates the achievements of Australian Indigenous Women]  - and for Folk in Broke [a not-for-profit community festival in the Hunter which showcases the music, talents, art and produce of the Hunter region and welcomes Australian talent from across the country].  If you'd like to jump on board and help or support either [or both] of these worthwhile projects, please check out their websites and contact me for details.   www.heartmagazine.com.au  and  www.folkinbroke.com.au