To form or not to form?

I've been in lots of bands, The Feud was the first one, formed with some school and ATC mates when I was about 14. When it folded I thought that was that because I didn't want to sing, and didn't consider myself good enough to make my way to other bands as just a guitar player. (I had just started to get good, which meant I knew how far away I was from being great, see what I mean?) I'd been writing songs with my best mate for the band though, so we formed the Bleak, and in the next year or so I became a much better guitar player,

The Bleak, which was basically me and my best mate writing songs together and performing with number of talented drummers, ending up with a very strong line for a couple of years from 2005-2007. When this band folded because we all ended up at different unis, I was quite upset by it. I thought maybe it'd go all the way.

Then there was the bands that lasted a few weeks for assessments at uni, in which I normally shyed away at the back because being a joint student I felt like a bit of a part timer. They were good bands though, even if I didn't always play at my best.

I also gigged a few times with a couple of other bands, all nice people and some good songs but in the end I decided to try on my own for a while. Why was this? Because I wanted the last say on song choice, because of my increasing confidence as a singer and because it was fun.

I really enjoy solo gigs, and when I was recently in the studio it was cool to share all the playing between me and the producer. Having said this though the recent jamming at the crossroads has reminded my how much fun it can be to be up on stage with other people.

What am I saying then? I don't know. I will always do solo gigs, but it'd be interesting to try something with some other people, maybe a drummer bass player, keys? Just some jamming, maybe the odd gig and some studio time and then who knows. But even thinking about looking for people is hard work. Perhaps I should leave it to fate and see who I might bump into down the line?

Guitar Lessons

As well as being a performer and song writer, I also offer guitar lessons in the Wolverhampton/Walsall area. I've got experience of teaching all ages and abilities, in both one to one and group sessions.

I teach students whatever style they want to learnm be it Blues, Rock, Folk, Pop as well as anything else they are interested in such as music theory, song writing etc.

For more info, get in touch by phone, email or on one of the websites.

Gigs galore

I've got two gigs this week, on Wednesday at Katie Fitzgerald's in Stourbridge, and Thursday at the Adam and Eve in digbeth, Birmingham.

Next month I'll be visiting The Soak in Selly Oak, finally playing at Bearwood after my last gig there was cancelled due to the closure of the venue, making my first ever visit to Cambridge and playing again at Birmingham's Island Bar.

And in April I'm supporting another 1960s Brumbeat band, The Rockin Berries. Have a look at the gig listings on the right for more info and me know if/where/when you reckon you'll be seeing me.

Hope to see you all at a gig soon...

I'm Sitting Here Wondering

On Thursday the 5th of February I jammed again at the Crossroads Blues Club at the Tower of Song, Birmingham.

The night was a little quieter than usual, I'd guess this was because of "Blizzard Britain" and fully understandable (it was Cold!) Having said this the usual lovely atmosphere was present. There are a couple of things that make visiting and playing at the Crossroads so much fun. First off, many of the audience are musicians and are extremely supportive to everyone who performs. The audience members who aren't performers are just as supportive, they really listen and genuinely seem to be there for their love of the music. Another thing is the level of musicianship on display. For example, at this last jam Chickenbone John basically carried most of the night with his accomplished singing and guitar playing, as well his organising of the players. Some of the regulars I've come to admire at my last few visits weren't there this time, but there was some great players who I saw and played with for the first time (and failed to catch names, I'm just shy really)

For my part I sang Matchbox and Double Trouble with Chickenbone John on snare, and a really cool guitar player and a harmonica player jamming along. I think this went particularly well and it was fun to kick off with an upbeat number then take things down little. Later I joined everyone else for three or four songs at the end of the night. This bit is always great fun, I think at one point there was seven or eight of us playing away, it still amazes me how this always manages to sound coherent and powerful. That'll be the talent on display amongst these guys I guess.

I'd urge anyone I ever meet, musician or not, blues fan or not to visit the Crossroads. The regular nights are an open mic session followed by a couple of headline acts by great blues performers from far and wide. The monthly jams are fantastic fun to watch and play at. On a personal and selfish level it's been great to play 5 or so of these jams and feel welcomed as a player and singer by these talented and experienced musicians.

Brand New Recording of Well Adjusted

As promised, for 24 hours only, the brand new recording of Well Adjusted from the upcoming EP is in the player on the right. (It's probably the last track, it's not the one called Well Adjusted (live) It's not been completely mixed, but I'm sure you'll hear the difference between it and the home made demos that have been on here up till now.

As ever, let me know what you think...

The Outsider is Coming

On Sunday 25th of January I spent a day in the studio, starting work on on a brand new EP, tentatively named "The Outsider"

It was a good days work, with progress started on four tracks and one almost finished. It's not mixed yet but all the elements are there. Because it's very very exciting for me to listen to it, and because I'm very proud and I want all of you to hear it, there will be a sample of it on this blog in two days time. But because it isn't mixed, it will only be staying on here for twenty four hours. So from 12pm on Thursday, till 12pm on Friday you can hear it here, and here only...

As for the rest of the tracks, the plan is that the full EP should be here around about April.

I'll write more of a round up of the studio experience another time, but it was very good (if expensive!) fun