Howdy Folks.
We have a lot of different things running simultaneously, which is our defense against randomness.
Some things are going right, some things are going wrong, some things that shouldnt have gone right have gone right and some things that should have gone wrong have kind of half gone right. Sort of.
In no particular order, for no particular reason, here's what's happening down in the 'cellar
Everywhere Feels Like Home Multimedia Night
Great rehearsal but so much other stuff is going on I had a meltdown last week and wanted to can it. Instead, we're changing the way we'll present the night and scaling down some of the multimedia (bummer) but the show goes on.
Recording songs for EFLH
I thought Bloomington was ready, now the boys are messing with it, in a good way but that's slowed down recording. We're looking at a fantastic space in Glebe for a live recording but now that the boys have added a twin guitar harmony and a new section in G, it needs more rehearsal. ARGGGH!!
Rock River Variation is coming along nicely and we might be able to record both at the same session...when we get to a session.
I think everything else is done!
DC Bellamy Tour
Doing paperwork for our own US tour is one thing. Doing it for DC is hilariously different. Before anyone makes fun of US paperwork, you ought to check out the Australian process.
The Yanks ask if you're a criminal, a terrorist, a people smuggler, a terrorist, are you sure you're not a terrorist. Are you really really really sure?
Our guys ask 'Do you have tuberculosis and have we given you a government grant before?' My answer is No and Yes :-)
Anyway, the DC tour is rocketing along with a string of great dates in Sydney + more to come.
Stormcellar US Tour #3
We're booked for three fests and a bunch of shows, I'll aim for maximum marketing impact and release each one at a time. Unless I don't. Who knows.
New Videoclips
Yep, trying to make those too. This is one area with more Fail than Forward Motion so far, but I am trying to get a clip out for Same Old Blues, have written one for Sun Shines On and Return of The King (which we havent even recorded yet). I recently changed O/S and my excellent video editing program didnt make the change over so I have to find a new one. Bugger.
Half way through writing SC8 and road testing the songs at gigs.
Another dozen songs are doing battle in the Musical Fighting Pits as an internal struggle between simplicity and complexity engulfs the band.
Asian Rock Punk and Pop continues to have a profound influence on Mr Wizard - Baby Metal, Scandal, Mustang Jerx, Shonen Knife to name a few that he's been listening to.
The Japanese seem to favour highly changeable songs with lots of different and interesting parts, VS 'the Groove' - the static same-ness of some forms of western music. I for one am in The Groove camp. The groove, the pocket, the grind, whatever you Get Down to. Yeah. Doesn't stop me liking complexity but I still treasure the simple.
I thought The Curious Assembly was a weird collection of songs and Everywhere Feels Like Home is another slightly oddball project (Mongolian Singing anyone?), but I have an idea that it's only an indicator of the weird and wonderful stuff that's to come over the next year.
The occasional musical explosion that showers you with Cheese is not to be feared. Fail towards Victory, it's a scientific method and at the very least, should prove most entertaining.
Back to work.