Posts

December ...

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I attended the Ipswich Art Awards in November and was inspired by the musical band playing. The music downstairs and the art displayed upstairs were so separated though - and felt at odds to each other.  After that night, I suggested that I could do some music for the opening of ArtsConnect's "Off the Wall" exhibition in the Ipswich Community Gallery.  "Off the Wall" ran from 12 to 21 December.  Over 40 local Ipswich-based artists and craftspeople showcased their work. The exhibition included paintings, woodwork, glass artworks, photography, mixed-media and craft works. Almost all artworks were for sale, including work by award winning artists. I put together some music that I thought would be in sync with the art. I chose some easy jazz/blues/funk backing tracks that I could improvise around, using my guitar playing to change the dynamics of the music during the opening event. The attendees were very encouraging and the project was a great afternoon.  I subsequ...
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September Showcase ...

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Photo Credit:  Naomi Nichols Back in August I took part in a master-class for the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Seniors Spectacular cabaret - and was then chosen to perform at a showcase event in September.  I'd played "The Magician" for the master class, expecting to select a different song for the actual performance but that's not how things worked out. We were up early on the day to get to the venue for pre-show sound checks. There's a lot going on at the moment, so I was a bit concerned I'd struggle doing the performance but all went off quite well - and I received some excellent feedback afterwards (for the song and my outfit)! What else has been happening? I wrote a love song in August, which I released on 29 September.  Have a listen at the link below - it's getting some good engagement. There's fantastic news to finish off the month.  I entered eight songs in the Australian Songwriting Competition earlier this year. I woke to lots of emails yesterd...
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July - I Heart Songwriting Club Retreat!

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Photo Credit:   I Heart Songwriting Club (used with permission) July began just like many other months but a change was coming. I did a couple of open mics at Banshees, where there was an easy feel through my songs and a new level of encouragement. Highlight of the month was being accepted to attend the I Heart Songwriting Club / Wild Mountain Songs Retreat, held on the edge of the Border Ranges National Park .  What an amazing experience!  I was one of nine songwriters in attendance.  During the weekend I collaborated with six of those other attendees, writing five different full songs.  I threw myself into the projects - supporting the other writers with music and lyrics.  We created some awesome songs together.  It was a special way to celebrate another birthday and such a beautiful space to spend time.  There was a koala outside my window one night, glow worms beside the road each evening ... and I saw a mini glider.  All the food ...
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Song Dreaming (again) ...

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It was pretty hectic through June, with lots happening behind the scenes.  It's been good.   I've been working on a few songs - and had an opportunity to put one of my older songs ( "Song Dreaming" from 2020 ) in a US playlist.  As a result of that inclusion, I've had 850 more listeners than what I'd normally have!  It's a fair whack of new people listening to my music!   The entry deadline for the Australian Songwriting Contest was extended.  I entered six songs before the original May deadline and decided to submit an extra two for the new deadline.  The two additions were "Song Dreaming" (contemporary) and "Going Home" (open).
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2025 Australian Songwriting Contest

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I was on annual leave for several weeks in May, holiday-ing at home for the most part.  It was a chance to relax, re-set and catch up on a few missions. One mission was to enter six songs in the 2025 Australian Songwriting Contest.  It's my fifth time entering and I wanted to put in a cross-section of my work, so chose songs that fit six different categories.   I chose to enter my latest three songs - "Till It's Gone" (Ballad), "What Am I Worth" (Spiritual) and "Beat Of The Clock" (Folk).  These three songs are all different in the way they sound, their structure and subject matter.   I also entered two earlier songs. "Mona" is a good fit for Comedy/Novelty and "Going Home" went into the Australian category.  I still like my older songs.  I produce and perform newer songs but when listening to my older stuff, I feel they remain relevant.   "Breathe, Miss Sunshine" made it to the Top 30 list previously, when I first ent...
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April - new and old ...

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This April update is late - cos I've been on annual leave, holidaying at home and having a great time!  So.  April was a time of learning new technology.  I had another gig at Banshee's and bought a tablet beforehand, to run an app as a memory prompt for my songs.  Sounds easy enough but as with anything new, it took a while to get everything functioning smoothly before the show.   As much as there was new technology, I was also working on something older - a 20-year-old bargain guitar that I picked up recently.   It was an acoustic with a solid spruce top and solid (not ply) mahogany back and sides.  Cort's brand which retails at around $1,000.00 new, though doesn't usually have great re-sale value.   I cleaned it, fixed a dent, installed a new nut and saddle, removed the pins and refinished everything.  It looked great when I was done.   I sold it for $200.00 cash - and another guitar.  The bonus guitar is a sm...
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Till It's Gone ...

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March is rushing along!  After prepping for Cyclone Alfred and possible flooding, I holed up in my studio for a couple of days to produce "Till It's Gone" - which released on 26 March.   I'm pleased with how it turned out.  It's another breakup song but also a breakthrough one.  How is it different? This is my first released song where I've written directly about me, rather than me writing about someone else.   Have a listen at the link below.  And praps check out some of my other releases - now 46 in total.  My other focus this month has been prepping for my Live and Local gig at Banshee's on 13 April.  Check the posters in the sidebar and on the Live tab for all the details! "Till It's Gone" prompted the theme of my setlist - songs about relationships not going well, for various reasons.  I've had a few of those. 
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