Writing Something New

It's The Thoughts That Count

I'm pretty much consumed with trying to crank out some new material these days. To me writing's one of those things i love having done. I love having a finished song (or blog post for that matter) that I've churned out of my own noodle, but the actual process of writing - well that's another matter. It's not that it's hard, per se, it's just not easy. And that's not a bad thing. It's just a thing. It's a thing to be handled, dealt with, wrangled, etc.. Anyway that's my focus these days is writing. My goal is to produce enough new music to add to existing material and end up with a one hour set's worth of better than average songs in time for my first gig in mid-January. (More about that gig when it gets closer.)

Merry Christmas everyone,

Dave

Guitar Pedal Rescue

My Pedalboard Redo

It's been a week since my last post and it's not for lack of trying that it's taken so long. I really wanted to write about my new pedalboard several days ago but I couldn't. I couldn't because life kept interrupting and it took much longer than I anticipated to get the new board put together.

Anyway it's done and I'm very happy with the final result. The bottom line is my rig for playing live is simplified and organized so I can concentrate on my performances. Now that rocks!

Cheers,

Dave

New Routines, Familiar Faces

Rehearsing & Reconnecting

Well it's been just over two weeks since I left the work-a-day world to follow my bliss in to the ranks of working musicians. During this time one thing I've been trying to do is establish new routines. The kind of routines that lead to success. With some of these cornerstones now in place I can begin so see some clear progress being made toward making it in the music world. Firstly I've been rehearsing my live act in the living room for a couple days with the furniture pushed out of the way. (Yes my wife is a saint.) and I'm making progress in smoothing out the kinks in my performances. It really helps to be able to make the room a small club stage as possible and work as if there really is a paying audience sitting in front of me so that's going well.

Another great thing that happened was that I had dinner with a dear friend I hadn't seen in awhile. Alice Stuart is an amazing blues singer/songwriter/guitarist from the Seattle area who is making some of the best music of her long career these days. You can check out her website by clicking on Alice's name and I've embedded a video here below.

Alice wouldn't confirm rumors that there might be a nation-wide tour coming up, but she wouldn't deny it either so if you love the blues and happen to find Alice's band playing anywhere near you I strongly suggest you make plans to spend the evening with this classy lady.

This morning I got to reconnect over coffee with another great couple; Darren & Debbie Loucas. Darren Loucas is a solo artist and also fronts a traditional blues band: The Jelly Rollers.

The JRs are a world class blues act and they really are in top form lately. They're in the middle of a string of club dates right now so here's another great opportunity to get out and experience some amazing high octane music.

Thats about all for now. It's almost the weekend so go ahead and check the paper for some bands you like and get out there and support some of the great musicians in your area.

Later,

Dave

The New Nova Delay's Here! The New Nova Delay's Here!

Guitar Pedal Goodness

GEEK ALERT: I know, I know, I'm really geeking out on this new piece of guitar gear, but I'm just so happy! It's the new T.C. Electronic Nova Delay. I've been trying to get my hands on one since March and Santa brought it early. I must have been a very good boy this year.

Okay, I know some of you are shaking your heads but it's kind of like when Ralph in A Christmas Story wants "An official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with compass in the stock and this thing that tells time" for christmas. (Read the preceding with a lisp for full effect.)

Fortunately there's only a very remote chance I'll injure myself with my new pedal. I've gotta go now. I think my Nova's calling me.

Later,

Dave