scratched negatives

new song.  happened the other day.  possibly.  no, probably, the best thing that i’ve written in a long time.  it feels good.  it feels right.  it just happened.  the music and words just came together.  the structure just fell into place.  before i knew what had happened it was there.  it was complete.  it’s titled, as the heading of this piece suggests, “muscle.blood.bone” and it has left me eager to sit down at the piano again.  clear of thoughts and expectations.  just when it feels right to do so.  not because i think i have to.  because more often than not, when i sit down because i think i should, nothing good comes from it.  it’s not therapeutic.  it’s frustrating.  it’s tiring.  it’s disappointing.  trying to force things will never produce the best things.  well not for me anyway.  i need time away.  time to think.  time to be inspired.  time to absorb life.  then to pour it all out when the time is right.  the time was right.  and i have a song i am incredibly pleased with in the barest form.  that is always a very good sign.  i think some wine may be in order this evening.  and then with a clear mind i will sit and see what comes.

i am recording at the reid hall on thursday.  on a proper concert grand i think.  i am pretty excited about this prospect.  lets hope i can get my shit together and get a few things recorded whilst we’re there.  i am slowly gathering a collection of ideas together and i am keen to get working on them soon.  

been reading a lovely book called ‘of walking in ice.’  the way it’s written is so beautiful.  it’s a diary of thoughts and moments.  much like this blog.  documenting a time and place.  i really love it.

started work on a new song last night.  tentatively titled ‘this morning night was drowned in cold, grey waves.’  it’s a bit more upbeat and i’m still figuring out where to take it.  or where it will take me.  it’s amazing when works of art inspire you.  it doesn’t have to be music.  it can be a book.  it can be a picture. a poem.  a simple thought.  and i love that.  i think i will continue work on the song tonight.

the wolves will wait for me

the wolves will wait for me

the wolves will wait for me

i won’t be there.

the teeth marks fade away

our bones untangle

the wolves will wait for me

i won’t be there.

good news today.  seems like i’ll be getting to record piano at the reid hall in edinburgh in december.  that’s kind of a special thought.  recording on a proper piano, in a proper concert hall.  yes, that will do nicely.

got the tracks i did in leeds last night.  they are entitled ‘silver mirrors’ and ‘withdrawl letter.’  i am excited to see where they go from this point.

it’s snowed a lot today.  i struggled to work and back.  my feet are cold still though i am safe in the warmth at last.  might build a sledge and buy some huskies for the weeks ahead.  or maybe try and find one of those snow creatures that han solo and luke skywalker ride in empire strikes back.  i always wanted one of them.

tonight, music is my weakness. 

i don’t like tuesdays.  a pointless day.  not the beginning of the week.  not the middle. not near the end.  not the end.  just a day floating in a sea of mediocrity. and bothering me immensely.  today though has not been so bad.  for a tuesday.  we started work on the record.  created a wall of noise.  then recorded a track entitled “silver mirrors”. for the time being.  and it sounds good.  i am happy.  sketches are good i think.

tonight we travelled to york to see a gig.  tomorrow we sail were good.  sound not great but this had more to do with the room.  however i like their music.  spokes.  well i just can’t get my head into it.  i’ve never heard them before.  too formulaic for me. some great moments.  some bad moments.  ultimately just not enough to keep me hooked.  

beer was £1.92 in this cute little pub we visited by the river.  lovely.  more expensive elsewhere.  still cheaper than home.  wine back in leeds was free.  bed is calling.  sleep. then more music tomorrow.  train back later in the day.  it’s been a good few days so far.  

there’s something about bees that is quite beautiful.  that’s all

leeds. it’s nice to be in another city.  i feel i can breathe a little here.  nice people too. this always helps to relax the mind.  the studio looks nice.  discussed the opening idea i had for the record.  pretty confident we can make that happen tomorrow.  we shall see.  i like beginnings.  i like ideas.  i like being able to breathe a little.