Each chord falls into place Unruly magic flying forth In the act of creation and composition Notes and rhythms coaxed From lucid fingers like pixie dust Sound and motion realised from imagination Lyrics profound or immaterial Whatever I choose to … Continue reading Mine. A poem.
Next week I’ll be looking after my friends’ house as they go on an overseas cruise. They live in the centre of town near the beach (tough break, huh?). I was planning to use the time to read, blog, do uni assignments and play Xbox, but then I had a great idea. I have a heap of songs I’ve written over the past twelve months, and while I’m housesitting I’ll have the perfect opportunity to record them. If you have been following long, you’ll know I’ve managed to record one song in the past year, because I’m living out of … Continue reading House Sitting and the Musical Muse
Album: Integrity Blues Band: Jimmy Eat World Label: RCA records (Sony) Length: 11 songs, 47 minutes Summary: Deep and thoughtful, dark-edged alt-rock from the fan favourites Jimmy Eat World is an American alt-rock band hailing from Arizona. Darlings of the alt-rock and … Continue reading Integrity Blues: Jimmy Eat World (album review)
This is a uni piece I wrote many months ago. Everyone had to write an introduction for themselves. The final assignment has been marked, so I can post it now. Continue reading The Player. A short tale.
DOH!
As soon as I heard the familiar schwing sound and the song I was playing sounded off, I knew I had a bit of a problem. Continue reading Broke a nail…um, I mean, a string
American alt-rock band Taking Back Sunday have an alt-rock sound verging on punk. They’ve released their seventh studio album, titled Tidal Wave, in Australia a few months ago. As usual I’m catching up. Continue reading A Tsunami of Taking Back Sunday Goodness – ‘Tidal Wave’ album review
You Me At Six are an English alt-rock band with four successful albums under their belt. They’ve released a new album, Night People.
Night People is short and to the point, clocking in at just over 35 minutes for 10 songs. It has a polished and commercial sound, leaning heavily on 70’s and 80’s hard rock influences. Continue reading Rock Cliché in Spades (“Night People” album review)
Today was Australia Day. And despite the inclement weather, most people were out celebrating (or protesting) and having fun (or protesting). I, however, stayed home and recorded music (which is my way of having fun). Continue reading A Song a Day…
I’ve been playing guitar for around 25 years, and not long ago I gave my original old Aria acoustic to a friend and updated to a Takemine. It sounds wonderful and I’ve written about twenty songs on it since I got it. Continue reading The Music of Hope
I have been a serious musician for about 25 years or so. I play guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and sing. I write my own music and have made seven albums. (And, yes, I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my music – so, sue me.) I have very broad musical tastes; I like metal, punk, jazz, pop, funk, rap, classical, and opera, to name a few styles. But in all my time as a serious muso, I have never, ever admitted to liking the music of Taylor Swift. Continue reading The Muso Who Said: No More! Or was it no, more…
The first thing that struck me when comparing 57th & 9th with Sting’s previous material is how stripped back it is. His recent reunion tour with The Police has been an obvious influence. I saw Sting playing live on TV the other night and he had a three-piece backing band supporting him as he played bass, rather than the large ensembles he usually tours with. The material on 57th & 9th has a leaner production and drier mix than previously (tighter, less involved arrangements and less reverb, for those not in the know). Continue reading Sting’s “57th & 9th” – a review through the eyes of a jaded muso
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