Yo, musiciany-type SC.netters -- what news?

[DirtyMartini]

Kudos, Schmaff and Spec!

Who else?


(Bongo, I'm looking at you, lady . . .)

[BongoBoy]

Cheers Yo !

I am now working on my own non-Police/Flag material.

This is where it gets serious.

(I am working on having a three piece jam band for practice fun.)

I will put up my songs soon to get your impressions. These ones I really treasure your opinions because I need outside views and opinions on my Reggae/Folk songs...or whatever they are. You guys can tell me.

I am trying to work a schedule of more practice, difficult when your wiped and un-inspired after work. Peanut and Spec and Skaman have shown me that I must step it up NOW.

I hope this is a time of positive change after going full circle with The Police.

How would it feel to have Stewart comment on someones original tune here ? Very motivating.

I was wondering why as an old guy, I want his approval, whatever you want to call it. I think it's because musicians like The Police have sold so many records/tour etc. They know where they stand, fan feedback/sales. I don't have that, so I seek some confirmation that I am not wasting anyones time. Once I feel like, yea, I'm in the game...just gotta work to get better, THAT is when I will have the confidence to push more.

Some days I really love my songs, some days I wonder.

It's hard to become a kinda front guy after being a drummer in a band years ago.

Sorry for the long update.

Peanut has me thinking too much.

I have a truckload of respect for what he has done. I am very impressed with guys who do it.

I have been talking too much...more doing now.

Cheers n Thanks for all of your support.

BongoInaReflectiveState O !

[Chatchka]

My session work (vocals) seems to be on the upswing. I keep getting calls out of the blue from more and more studios who need a soprano to do "rock-pop ballad" demos for songwriters that cannot sing -- three new studios since Redrocks (In fact, one call came in while I was waiting for the flight home from RR). This is cool for me as a musician, but I'm not sure this bodes well for the music industry in general, that is if "rock-pop ballads" are the new trend. (Selfishly, what do I care? It is work!)

I haven't done a lot of studio work (more live rocknroll, than studio) so I'm not sure what to think about this increased volume, but I guess once your name gets out there as professional and reliable, it opens the floodgates. (I certainly never thought of myself as a session player.)

I'm still (ahem) hammering away at learning the drums. I don't have a clear goal in mind for that, so it is just fun playing for me. Until I figure out what I want to do with that skill, I'm just learning every style I can.

Additionally, I connected with an old bandmate while in NYC, who is a songwriter. He writes music but not lyrics, I can write lyrics but not music, so he and I are going to begin collaborating virtually to create some originals. (I'm all geeked out about this because he is really good.) When/if this portion ever comes to fruition, I'll share through my myspace page.

I love this thread -- Thanks Kel.

[BongoBoy]

Good for you !

Keep going...you never know where these things lead.

Sometimes it's the thing that is not your bag, then BOOM something great happens.

Cheers.
BB.

[Spec A!]

[quote="BongoBoy"]
I was wondering why as an old guy, I want his approval, whatever you want to call it. I think it's because musicians like The Police have sold so many records/tour etc. They know where they stand, fan feedback/sales. I don't have that, so I seek some confirmation that I am not wasting anyones time. Once I feel like, yea, I'm in the game...just gotta work to get better, THAT is when I will have the confidence to push more.
[/quote]



Wasting time? Does not compute!

[BongoBoy]

I know.

I am not "down on myself" like it reads. I like my stuff.

I will always write and record.

The decision is whether you should try to go to the next level, retail stores, video's etc.

it's great to read about everyone though.

We are not alone !

Cheers Spec....I wanna see you do Man in A Suitcase, Live version, Melbourne 1981. heh,heh.

BB.

[Spec A!]

Sure, is that the one on the Box Set? Otherwise I dont think I have that version

[Skip]

BB- you're not wasting anyone's time - -I think when you make art , performance or visual it's always nice to get positive feedback and approval from your peers and people you respect.

You're never too old- I'm having more fun now in my late thirties playing the drums than I did when I was twenty. Keep at it BongoBoy- I like your stuff,
your passion for music comes through.

[BongoBoy]

Thanks you guys.


I aspire one day to have my own flag.

tee,hee.
BB.

[mj]

Ok, so some of you know about my a cappella project, the band that appeared with me in the Christmas greeting singing Message in a Bottle... I've been in that band for quite a few years now, and i used to be the musical director in charge of arrangements and everything, but i have been sharing responsibilities lately, basically since i've been in charge of two very demanding children! But i did take as a personal commitment arranging Message for the band, and i quite like the result (there's only a fragment in the video)... It will be on our next cd... right now you can watch a few live takes of our songs on youtube and listen to some fragments on our web...

http://www.ocume.net/multi_video.php
http://www.ocume.net/cd.php

But i have also taken part in other diverse projects... once i was a back-up singer for an African band... man, that was tough work!

You can listen to some of my own compositions here...

www.myspace.com/desconciertoenelzoo

Unfortunately, the bass player decided he wasn't having fun any longer just when we were going to record our first cd, so the project didn't went further... at least in musical terms, although i did keep in touch with the drummer (we have two kids now)!

I also sing and compose for a band that makes cds for schools in Spain, and sing back-up vocals for a songwriter...

http://www.juanluisrubio.net/ (i'm only on the live (directo) tracks)

That's all on top of working full-time in a high school... I wish i could start a serious project of original music, with professional musicians... but it's hard with my schedule... although it's still on my mind... Maybe soon... when the kids are a little older...

If you listen to any of this and have an opinion, reports are welcome! Sorry for the long post...

ps I love best singing Police tunes... How would it work to start a Police cover band with a female singer??

[Chatchka]

MJ that would rock. I've been toying with the idea of an all female Police cover band. Go for IT, lady.

Bongo, Keep at it, if for no other reason than your own enjoyment. (validate, validate, validate -- need icon for this)

[BongoBoy]

Cool lots of stuff to check out.

Thanks uplifters !

HEY SPEC A ! Check your e-mail Buddy !

Cheers to DM for bumping this great thread.

BongoValidation !

[Divemistress of the Dark]

(nothing to add, just lurking, so I can pounce on links when you guys post stuff )

[Kiki]

I'm in my 4th month of guitar lessons. It's tough. But I'm loving the learning process. My fingers hate me though. I currently own both an acoustic and an electric guitar.

My roommate, LSB, has been playing electric bass for the same amount of time...and can kick my ass when it comes to playing our chosen instruments.

But we're starting a band.

Currently searching for a drummer...

We're...THE VINYL VIXENS.

And we'll climb those charts as soon as I can play something other than Kumba-ya.

~Kiki~

[BongoBoy]

That is so amazing.

Keep it up...in a couple more months you will be surprised at how far you have come.

Cheers.

BB.