Well it’s been quite a busy month for me!
I’ve had a good run of gigs with No Questions Asked, the
band I was depping with and now a semi-permanent member. We’ve done a few gigs
around the area, and I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those bands that
is conducive to my development as a musician. It’s certainly the busiest one I’ve
been in for a while in terms of gigs; not since Crashpoint have I managed for
than three gigs a month with a band! While I still feel there is potential in
the band yet to be realised, we’re having fun playing live and making a bit of
money off it as well.
One thing I did realise during my first gig with No
Questions Asked is not to be a dick about my gear. Specifically, my
multi-effects pedal. It’s a Digitech BP50, not amazingly brilliant but does a
good job for the money I paid for it (£80, eight years ago.) I tend to use it
as a stage tuner, but most of the effects on there are amp simulations and
compression/noise gate, and most of them do quite a decent job. There are a few
modulation effects there, including a phaser which I wanted to use on the bands
rendition of Dancing in the Moonlight by Thin Lizzy.
Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of room in the Mitre where
we were playing that night, and due to the length of the power lead that comes
with it, there’s no way I could have plugged it in without getting in
everybody’s way. Dave said to me something like “Just manage without it; you
can play the Thin Lizzy song without it and it will sound as good,” and that’s
when I realised: There’s no need to be a dick about it. The effect would have
been nice, but not essential. And remembering some people in my past that would
have refused to play without their effects made me think: Don’t be that guy. I
used my clip-on tuner, managed without my effects and it didn’t make the
slightest bit of difference to the show. So there you go!
As for the money I’m making, well, not much is happening
with that at the moment. The actual amount I get depends on the venue and how
the money is paid, but I’m savvy enough to know that to rely on a band as a
source of income is a dangerous game indeed, as work goes up and down. So I’m
doing what I do with all the money I get outside of my job, and saving it. It’s
of little use to me for day-to-day spending, but if I save it, the money will
add up – and it’s there if I need it.
In other news, I’ve now started having singing lessons with
my friend and colleague Vie Watson. After singing for 10-12 years, including
studio recordings, live performances with various bands and the many solo
performances I’ve done, I’m finally getting someone to teach me how to do it.
It’s so far had the effect of increasing the range I can comfortably hit – and
how to hit those high notes I sometimes struggle with. But more than increasing
my level of skill, I’d love to be able to teach singing as well. That will
increase the skills I can bring to my work with Dudley Performing Arts, and
also increase the amount of skills I can bring to any future jobs. At this time
I’m still looking for work in Swindon , and I’m
hoping my chances of finding it will increase if I have more to offer!
I’ve not visited an open mic this month as I was busy on the
one night I could attend, but that didn’t stop me doing some acoustic slots for
NQA on their gig in Tividale when the support pulled out, and playing at the
Jam Night they organise! Some people who haven’t seen me play for a while have
noticed an improvement in my playing and delivery, so that’s always good to
hear!
Next month will be a bit quieter for me in terms of gigs
because of some cancellations and a generally lighter schedule, but I’m hoping
to use the time for a little rehearsal with NQA.
