Happy New Year

So I made it to London... I have a new place to live with my mate San in a reaaaaally nice apartment and I'm living just 10 minutes away from my man Carlos as well... I've started the new job and I'm back into the routine of health and fitness - so a good start to the year thus far...

I realised only yesterday that February Album Writing Month is fast approaching - soon it will be February and I vowed to take part again this year.  It was *such* a good experience last year. Last year I was unemployed in February and spending my days in Istanbul for most of the month; I had all the time in the world and I still didn't complete the full amount of songs needed... this year I'm travelling 3 hours to work and back every day, plus exercise, and learning Spanish at the same time.  Obviously I can't change my work hours for Feb and I'm not prepared to decrease my Spanish study either (because I'm sooooo stubborn hahaha) so I'm just going to have to squeeze it in somehow!

The songs will have to be more simple, stripped back... because I won't get anything finished otherwise, but I'm looking forward to starting now and counting down the days...

What do I want to do musically this year?? Well last year, I had plans to record an album until the London move came, so after February, I'm going to plan the next stage for that, keep recording YouTube Videos (I'd like to record some of my own songs on YouTube though ths year in addition to the cover songs!) and I want to play more open mics and gigs in London collaborate with my mate Beth Swain (cos she is toooooooooo awesome!!!!!) and maybe we can write some new songs together!

London by Xmas!

I had some news this week that I've been offered a permanent position at the place I'm currently working at and this position is down south in London!  So I couldn't be happier right now! I was sad to leave London in January as I'd been trying to move down there for so long and then had to leave after 3 months so it's nice I get to move back the same year!

I usually make an End of Year compilation with a selection of the best songs that I have heard in the year - primarily from 2012 but this year I've got into a lot of older music so it will be less 2012 focused.  If anybody wants to swap compilations just let me know! I'm starting early this year as the move is going to be a big part of December!

2012 has been an interesting year for me... Leaving a really good job and leaving London... I had 3 weeks in the beautiful Istanbul in February where I took part in FAWM (February Album Writing Month) and recorded more songs in those 3 weeks than in the last 10 years! I moved back in with my parents for a month in March - I timed it well though as the weather was amazing; I helped out with digging/weeding on my parent's allotment and planted vegetables and herbs! Summer was laced with more completely unexpected events.. a massive shake up in my love life accompanied by a truck load of new songs; some of which I'll be recording soon. I've improved my singing this year and made plans to record my first solo album (which is on hold now until January when I'm back in London).

I've also started learninig Spanish this year which has been a wonderful experience so far - I used to LOVE languages in school and am so envious of people who can talk other languages... The new job will also be part based in Geneva so a good opportunity to brush up on my pre-existing French as well!

Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (New YouTube Vid)

So a few months ago I started learning Spanish...and this is my interpretation of a Spanish song from film Bad Education (La Mala Educación).

Quizás, Quizás, Quizás

Siempre que te pregunto
Que, cuándo, cómo y dónde
Tú siempre me respondes
Quizás, quizás, quizás

Y así pasan los días
Y yo, desesperando
Y tú, tú contestando
Quizás, quizás, quizás

Estás perdiendo el tiempo
Pensando, pensando
Por lo que más tú quieras
¿Hasta cuándo? ¿Hasta cuándo?

Y así pasan los días
Y yo, desesperando
Y tú, tú contestando
Quizás, quizás, quizás

Estás perdiendo el tiempo
Pensando, pensando
Por lo que más tú quieras
¿Hasta cuándo? ¿Hasta cuándo?

Y así pasan los días
Y yo, desesperando
Y tú, tú contestando
Quizás, quizás, quizás




English translation of original Spanish lyrics:


"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"

I am always asking you
When, how and where
You always tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

The days pass this way
And I am despairing
And you, you always answer
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

You are wasting time
Thinking, thinking
That which you want most
Until when? Until when?

The days pass this way
And I am despairing
And you, you always answer
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

You are wasting time
Thinking, thinking
That which you want most
Until when? Until when?

The days pass this way
And I am despairing
And you, you always answer
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

Now (New Song lyrics)

With the Dry Bar gig fast approaching on Sunday, I wanted to complete one more new song so there was nothing older than a couple of months on the set list... (aside from cover songs)  I've been jamming with this  for a few weeks now, but decided to give it a final push and finish it off for Sunday.

So this song is called "Now".

I think this year, I have found more faith in myself and realised more so than ever; the importance of being brave, trusting in yourself, exercising self discipline every day and more so than anything; don't over-complicate what is simple.

I saw this picture the other day which explains my last point really well:

Now

I am ready
I have packed my case
What am I taking?
I will travel light
Like the wind
Feel the barriers breaking

They were all
Self inflicted
You don't need them in your life
Didn't realise they were there
Now, how many
Can I find?

NOW....

I am through
With counting flaws
I only seek solutions
Any extremeties
Lookin' for remedies
With a faith transfusion

I am through
With feeling less
Than everything that I am
I am ready
I am rolling
I am here
I am.

NOW

Dry Bar Gig - Now Sun 30th Sept

Just a quick note to say that the Dry Bar gig has now been rescheduled to Sunday 30th September!

Sorry about the change in date - it was beyond my control...

I should also say that today is exactly 4 years since I moved to Athlone - one of the best things I ever did thanks to the people I met there!

Back to music...  I'm being very productive these days, doing the day job all day and then coming home at night and rehearsing / writing all night...

Good times.

:)

December Gig Booked @ Fuel, Manchester

My friend Ruby Tingle is having her first solo exhibition and the release of her first EP at Fuel in Withington, (Manchester) on Monday 10th December and she's asked me to come along and play some songs too!

I'm a big fan of her music and recently discovered her art work too so I'm honoured to be asked to play on her big night :-D

Ruby Tingle (Tumblr)

Where?
Fuel (Withington, Manchester)

When?
Monday 10th December 2012

When I find out more closer to the time, I'll post it up!

Catholic Cemetery (Lyrics)

Lyrics for one of the new songs I'm playing at the Dry Bar gig on 16th Sept! 30th Sept!


Catholic Cemetery

I took you to a graveyard
Parked up the car
Camera in your hands
Visionary heart

Headless statues
Angels without hands
Jesus on a headstone cross
Trees overhang

And I sang by the church wall
On the edge of the valley
Thinkin' 'bout the endless skies
And the heat of your body

Words soaring
Through my lungs, to the air
Watching you clamber through the stones
Artistic prayer

You returned to the church side
Kissing my neck
Feeling shivers inside
And your hand on my leg

Luscious green life
Ivy covered tombs
Bathing in the ether
Our sparks in the gloom

You shuffle closer, so we're
A jigsaw in bed
With your beard
Tickling the back of my neck

I'm driving with my hand
On your inside thigh
You lean over and kiss me
And this is my high