Published September 1st, 2008
in Music related.
I’ve recently began ‘properly’ recording my solo projects songs (By properly i mean in a final recording sort of way rather than in a professional sounding way) for a possible EP release in the near future. As a result of my tight fists and my lust for acquiring new talents I’ll be recording a selection of my songs to the best of my ability at home.
Since my first recording last week It has already proven to be somewhat of a learning curve. Now on song number three and each song I record seems to sound a little more professional than the last. I can see myself going back through each song an endless amount of times at this rate.
Admittedly, my recording attempts thus far have been little more than trial an error, due to my impatience when it comes to learning how to do things properly. So, in a sense, I’m very intrigued to hear the feedback of anyone who does know what they’re doing, or in fact anyone who doesn’t. Instrumentally, i have so far achieved some pretty admirable results, if I do say so myself… I am however concerned than an inability to sing well might prove regrettable.
Still, must press on.
Published August 22nd, 2008
in Music related and Uncategorized.
And now something for all of you who want something free and legal, and I know you all do!
www.newmusicalorder.org is A website founded by my friend Dan and his mate Gareth. Curiously, they’ve never met. The site is aimed at anyone who seeks free and legal music downloads from Major, Indie and unsigned artists alike.
They have an RSS feed and a Twitter feed if you wish to follow updates.
Published August 12th, 2008
in Computing, General thoughts and Music related.
I’ve taken it upon myself to add a link to my youtube page in the ‘Personal Links’ category. I plan to try and put up new videos as often as possible of various pieces of musical creation, such as solo jamming, jams with friends and any full songs that I feel are good enough to let you hear. This is partially so people can see I’m actually doing something and I suppose partially so I feel like I’m doing something myself. So feel free to check regularly and see what I’ve been up to.
In other news, still unemployed I arranged a careers interview. I kind of expected this would be more helpful than it was as I was basically told I should go back to college. Agreeing with this and yet being terribly frustrated because i can’t afford to go back to college I applied anyway. So I await a reply for my application into a BTEC National Diploma in Music Performance and Technology. I gather that this title is designed to attract people rather than to be accurately fancy.
Also, I bought a new I Mac keyboard for my mac mini yesterday. As geeky as it sounds, its amazing how complete ones mac begins to feel when you’re typing on a fine piece of design.
Published July 30th, 2008
in Music related and Reviews.
After having gotten to know my Gretch pertty well i feel that its about time wrote something about it just to inform anyone who cares just how proud I am of it.
This kit is easily within some of the best kits that i have ever played, which is shocking considering just how affordable it is. In the same price range as kits such as the Pearl Export I personally think that the Gretch is leaps and bounds ahead of its competition.
I was first interested in this kit because of its custom look offering offset lugs and the 20″ long bass drum, features that i’ve not found on any other kits for the same price. After reading about the notorious ‘powerhouse’ of a bass drum it had me sold, and let me tell you… that bass drum sounds phenomenal. Having been a front man in the past I know how nice it is to be heard over the rest of the band and with regards to that this kit sees everyone turning themselves up a notch.
Another surprising feature I found were the skins that are supplied with the kit. I’ve heard people recomending that they upgrade from the Evans g1s but I personally don’t see it being an issue as they sound pretty good even without any dampening. (providing they’re tuned properly) Tuning isn’t an easy task on the rack tom however, because of its 5 lugs, but its worth it in the end.
The snare that comes with this kit is often slated in reviews… I don’t think its a particularly bad snare, but I do prefer the sound of my other, and my other isn’t of particularly high quality. Not the end of the world though, I think anyone serious about drumming should choose a snare seperately anyway. At least thats what i’d do If i could afford to.
Someone who once played this kit at a gig estimated that it must have cost me around £1600. Is that not reason enough to buy one?
To hear my drum kit being played by myself click here and listen to ‘headlights’ or ‘these two hands’
Published July 17th, 2008
in Computing.
Nothing but chuffing setbacks this month, or so it would seem as my Mac mini goes in for repair less than a month into my proud ownership. The rather strange problem that occured had Apples telephone support technicians baffled, which was a little less than comforting. Then, annoyingly I had to endure an hours drive to the nearest Apple reseller only to have to leave it with them as they showed their very own signs of confusion and defeat.
The problem its self is this: When I turn the power on at the mains the fan inside the Mac starts spinning outrageously fast and making a bit of a racket, even before the mac its self has been switched on. Apple themselves described the sound as being like a hoover as I let them hear over the phone. If anyone has experienced any similar problems it would be interesting to hear the outcome, or even the cause.
Published July 6th, 2008
in Uncategorized.
Expectantly, my two steps backward have come both at the same time. A hop backwards one might say, had the word ‘hop’ not had such cheerful connotations.
Friday the 27th of June (following a surprisingly pleasent gig in Doncaster) my cars alternator decided to give up on me. This however, I thought nothing off at the time presuming that buying myself a new alternator etc wouldn’t be such a big problem.
This was only made problematic on the 30th, when I was made redundant (again) due to a lack of work. Although the alterator has now succesfully been purchased it leaves me somewhat short of money left to run the bloody car anyway. This is terribly frustrating given that my band are currently on tour and have the recording studio booked for this coming wednesday and require a good couple of practices. Typically I’m the only person I know with a car big enough to get my kit in, and getting to band practice alone costs £10 a time!
Had I a job, I’m pretty sure there’d not at this moment in time be a care in the world, I’ve have the ability to save up and buy myself a car that isn’t falling apart for a start. I could also keep towards this recording studio that did appear to be taking shape.
I often wonder if staying at college would have helped me find a permanent job position, as just finding jobs i’m qualified to apply for is a challenge. Although, at the same time I just think… “nah”
Published June 23rd, 2008
in Music related.
I realise that making the title of this post a question wasn’t the most optimistic of things to do, but isn’t a step forward often followed by two back? I certainly hope not in this case.
Before I lost my previous job, i was working towards having some kind of recording studio… Not necessarily the most prefessional of studios but something offering a reasonably preofessional sound for relatively little money. Now that I have been in my new job for all of two months I feel somewhat back on track having now just bought a shiny new Mac. Saying that, given that it hasn’t yet arrived i can’t really pass judgement on its shininess.
My next purchace is set to be a firewire audio interface. Got my eye on the ART Tubefire 8 based on the fact that its such tremendous value for money and comes with a handy copy of cubase. The tube driven mic pre amps appeal to me also.
In the midst of all this purchasing I also plan to begin a loft conversion, because everytime i spend a bit of money my living space gets a little bit smaller. My current room which I use for making music in will all become a live room with my ’studio’ up some stairs from here. The idea works in my head, even if it doesn’t in yours. I’ll be sure to post pictures of the finished product if all goes to plan. Also i’ll post somewhere a recording or two that i manage to pull off with my new gear.
Published June 10th, 2008
in General thoughts and Music related.
First post of the month, and very much overdue at that. Delighted to announce that my band The Idlers have now started our ‘tour’. Two gigs in and I feel worlds more experienced in gigging already. Its not until you’ve navigated your way through London to find yourself playing in a basement that you’re truly in a band. And what a fantastic atmosphere to get me in the mood for the rest of our dates.
Our gig in London was located at the Hope and Anchor in Islington where we played with ‘Straw Bear’ a very friendly bunch of guys with a fantasticaly interesting sound. I owe thier drummer a high five for noticing my scottish origin and for complimenting my new drum kit.
Gig two at The Junction in Cambridge saw us supporting ‘Palace Fires’ Again, the members i spoke to were friendly, which is exactly what support bands need from their headliners… Wheres the fun in being a nob? The Junction is probably the most ‘proper venuey’ type of place i’ve played so far. Playing up on a high stage, boosted by a drum riser is pretty exciting, although, I couldn’t possibly choose the experience over a more intimate gig like the one at Londons Hope and Anchor.
On the subject of intamacy, I could do with some.
Published May 19th, 2008
in I Hate People.
Surely to god, if there is one thing you don’t do its tell people you are good at something. Let alone telling someone that you are “the best in town” at doing something. Certainly not unless it was meant as a joke among friends. Having spoken to a guy who insists he is the greatest in town at one specific activity It pains me to be so polite as to nod my head and pretend to believe him. Particularly when this one thing he is so good at happens to be one of my own talents too.
Besides taking the surprise away from an upcoming performance, bragging can also make someone look like quite the tool when they turn out to actually not be very good at what they do. Theres nothing I hate more than watching someone perform badly with confidence. Except perhaps being patronised and offended by this person when they tell me how much better they are than me, yet they still expect me to smile and nod away as though they were an idol of mine.
I’m a believer in self confidence and I think that everyone should be proud of what they achieve in life but if you don’t keep it inside then you can expect a punch sooner or later.
Published May 5th, 2008
in General thoughts.
What a thoroughly bloody hot day it has been today, with each individual UV ray pin-pointing and highlighting my indecisive nature and illuminating it before my eyes (or so it would seem). I think it takes a nice day to give one the feeling of needing to really get off their arse and do something.
I’ve been thinking quite hard about going back to college and doing something i enjoy that might be useful before I get too much older. However, the thought of having to go without a full time job meanwhile seems like far too much of a task, that is given how depressed I currently feel from not having any money to play with.
Theres an open day at local Lincoln College on the 7th of June which i shall force myself to go to for a chat with some tutors. Hopefully that will help me make up my mind about whether or not its worth giving up a half decent job for. I had always hoped to a bit more than half decent, so I think I know what I have to do… I think.
