Published June 12th, 2009
in Uncategorized.
You may have read about my need of counseling in my previous post. I managed to find the balls to actually turn myself in and book an appointment. I say find the balls, what I actually mean is I told some girls I wanted to go and then they refused to let me back out of it. I guess that could prove to be a productive way of working in many situations.
So, I’ve had one session so far. I’ve always imagined that counselors would just talk rubbish, make points that were completely obvious and blame everything on your childhood like that bald guy from Spendaholics does. Well, that kind of is what happened, except things make a bit more sense when you’re the one being counseled. Or maybe that’s what they want you to think?
Published June 7th, 2009
in Uncategorized.
Its bizarre how one can go 20 years, then in a single weekend learn more than you ever could through years of schooling. Needless to say, this years UnConvention (the first conference I’ve been to) was a hugely worthwhile experience.
My new found knowledge seems to be a bit of a hollow victory though. Having spend a few days around people that know exactly who they are, what they do and who just simply ‘do it’ has put me into a position of great confusion… Yeah, ok so I’m a musician, but what does that mean? I guess I’ve sort of learned that it doesn’t matter what you are good at or what you’re not good at, but about how you go about showing people that you’re a worthwhile investment in their time.
A fairly obvious point, and one I was probably trying to avoid realising because of my massive confidence and communication issues. I’ve pretty much come to the conscious conclusion that I need to seek some form of counseling so I can turn what people frequently mistake for laziness into productivity and industriousness.
Big thanks to all panelists, and indeed everyone who I managed to speak to at UnConvention.
Published June 1st, 2009
in General thoughts and Music related.
Having been ill for what feels like the last 13 years or so, I’ve been even less motivated than usual. Having also managed to completely run out of money due to my cars M.O.T. and tax being due at the same time I’ve been incredibly bored not being able to go and do anything to take my mind off being ill.
My illness, or rather boredom did however inspire me to try and make myself useful by recording a new instrumental track for the ‘Parks Of Bathgate’ music project ‘Honey and Lemon’ so titled because I was sucking a honey and lemon throat sweet during the recording process.
Wish me well!
Published April 29th, 2009
in General thoughts and Travel.
A couple of friends and I entertained the idea of having a road trip to Europe next summer, this being a pretty adventurous feat for us Lincolnshire lads. Over a Starbucks we began to talk of the possibilities and discuss destinations and such like. Though the course of this we actually convinced ourselves to get off our arses and go ahead with it.
Taking the whole thing far too seriously, we soon found ourselves hunting the local retailers for a poster sized map of Europe. Also on the list were map pins, and most crucially, a large glass brewing bottle, into which one pound Stirling will go into from each of us for each day that passes until we go. If our calculations are correct that should equate to around £1200 which will get us… somewhere. I might even try and sneak in a few cheeky solo acoustic gigs in France just to get the ladies swooning.
I’ll keep you updated on the plans for the trip and they unfold
Published April 18th, 2009
in General thoughts and Music related.
I’ve always maintained that I both liked snooker more and was better at it that pool. Tonight, well last night now, I changed my mind. I recently became a member of a club due to their having a snooker table. After a game or two I thought ‘I’m a little rusty’ After a couple more I thought ‘I give up’
Me and my snooker buddy pursued hope at another club where we decided to have a go at pool, in this instance I had suddenly become a hustler. Its somewhat frustrating because I’m fixed in the mindset that pool is a lower class game and this if I play it it makes me a lower class person, think its a size thing. I think I’ll try billiards next.
I arrived home after my hustling to a pleasant surprise. A tweet from my favorite local Radio DJ James Wickham of BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Introducing: The Mix indicated that I had my new song Dirty Hands played on the radio. I like being played on the radio, the novelty never wears off.
Published April 15th, 2009
in Uncategorized.
Just finished writing another song today, which by my standards makes this week one of the most productive of my life. Just in the process of making the recording sound good at the minute. If I keep up my hard work it might be done by tomorrow.
I’m beginning to think that for my recordings to be of any use I should really start getting gigs so that I can find people who might actually buy a CD from me once I get one finished. Self promotion however, isn’t one of my strong points. Need some free management. Free being the key word.
Published April 14th, 2009
in Uncategorized.
Jason F. Parker (my solo acoustic project) now has a new song, and I mean NEW. Just wrote it last night, or indeed this morning at about 3am. Then recorded it pretty much as soon as I woke up, as you can probably tell from my voice. I put the perfectionist in me to one side and made do with first takes.
Having written and recorded the song so quickly I haven’t had chance to decide if i even like it yet. But either way I guess there’s a chance that you might? Dirty Hands - Jason F. Parker
Published February 19th, 2009
in Music related.
Its 4:30 am and I’ve just finished mastering my song describing words. This song isn’t exactly new, the recordings been a long time in the making. I had sort of given up on the song about half way through as I thought I was going off it, but I think in this particular case it was good to take a long break from the song because when I came back to it I had the motivation and importantly the ideas to turn it back into what I believe to be a good song.
Judge for yourself and perhaps leave song of your own describing words on my profile. Jason F. Parker
Published February 8th, 2009
in Uncategorized.
Just got my friend Dan (@musosdan) to set me up Twitter Tools. This is a test to see if hes managed it ok.
Published February 8th, 2009
in General thoughts, Music related and Reviews.
The other day, like most days was a boring one. Yet I found myself somewhat inspired to do a bit of DIY…
I have an increasingly large collection of unfinished business where guitars are concerned, most of which need painted, but the weathers never good enough to go outside and spray them. (thats been my excuse for the last 2 years)
I did however decide to try and do something about my ‘Hondo II’ which i bought several years ago for a tenner. It had knackered machine heads and a bit of a bend neck, hence not ever using it.
After a few attempts at ‘persuading’ the neck back into shape I decided that I could use its high action to my advantage and turn it into some sort of blues slide guitar, this thought then inspired me to raid my box of accessories and fit a telecaster neck pickup to it. While I was at it I stuck some machine heads off a strat copy on it.
Result?… Its alright I suppose.
