Holy crap...a day off!

Okay, so i know i've been moaning a lot lately about people going n about christmas. Well seen as it's the 23rd now, I guess it is Christmas time. Merry Christmas everyone (I won't say it again this year so treasure it)...

Work

What I've been up to lately

• Recorded the last track for the Homework album called 'Is Gold'. My favourite track yet to record me thinks. So that's all the tracks recorded. Just mixing, mastering, cover design, duplication and a launch night to sort out.
• Rehearsing and Gigging with Carrie Mac  - had a good old time in Glasgow apart from the uber-rude concierge in the hotel (which shall remain nameless). Truely the rudest man I have ever met such a role - not what you expect from a swanky hotel!
• Had a scary journey to and from Aberdeen in atrocious weather with The Jenni Gibb Band  - thanks a million to Gary Oliver for getting us home safely. Gary - you the man, seriously.
•  Also had my last of the 'Off-Piste' gigs at Hawke and Hunter - I will never ever miss the fake snow they put everywhere - it took about 5 hours to rid my clothes of that stuff!
• Chucked down a couple of cheeky drum tracks for the ever great Haftor Medboe - he's got a new project going so keep your eyes and ears peeled. 
• Started recording some bits and bobs for my solo album - it's miles away from even 1 finished track but - it's a step in the right direction.
• Learning how to use my newly acquired Fender Jazz Bass - so far i got my major scales and pentatonics down. Now, thanks to Haftor i'm working on walking bass lines - hopefully have Autumn Leaves in original key down by the end of the year. On top of that i've been busting my ass learning Harmony with Renee Stefanie - she's a patient woman let me tell you!
• Rehearsing with The Soul Foundation for their show at Vegas on the 31st...actually can't wait for this.
• As this will be my last blog of the year there's a particularly entertaining video for you of what i've been up to this week :-)

Listening Post

Some things I like at the moment:

• EST 'A Picture of Boris Travelling with Dorris' - I love this song so much!
• Steely Dan 'Alive in America' - Dennis Chambers strikes again!
• 'When You Wish Upon A Star' from the Disney soundtrack - dammit if those strings don't get me every time
• John Williams "Home Alone Soundtrack" - still on the playlist this week!

Play

Stuff that doesn't have anything to do with music

• Inverness Caley Thistle are still kicking butt at the moment - yus!
• Gonna try and get to Inverness for Christmas tomorrow - wish me luck!

Well - that's about it, have a lovely festive period. Got a very very exciting January coming up. More on this soon. Rock on.

R 

Gig, Sleep, Gig, Sleep, Gig, Sleep...Gingerbread House!

December has certainly been a busy old month so far, and just like the snow in 'it doesn't show signs of stopping'. The snow meant a couple of things were postponed cancelled but it's still been a good couple of weeks

Work

What I've been up to lately

• Stu Goodall Band - Rehearsal and EP Launch. The weather meant the EPs didn't arrive in time but there was still an awesome turnout from an awesome crowd. Cheers to everyone who out. You can see a little video from the gig HERE - thanks to Lewis Rumney for capturing a little bit of it and uploading it.
• Gigging with Homework in support of Bronto Skylift - great gig. Bronto were excellent, really original, creative musicians. Crap weather threatened to wreck the night, but thankfully it all went ahead, despite us forgoing soundchecks due to a late start, but hey - that's life.
• Laid down drums for Kerrie Stirling's debut album, expect her bluesy goodness to be with you sometime soon. Tip of the hat to Dan and Doug for their playing and Shahab + Tom for their engineering skills and supreme chat. Looking forward to hearing the end product.
• A wee video of some of the stuff I've been up to

• Cheeky rehearsal with The Soul Foundation for their New Year show at Vegas - get you tickets from the website only £30. It'll be beast.
• Learning some new material for Carrie Mac - she's writing some awesome new stuff just in time for her tour with Alexandra Burke
• Gigging with a bunch of cool people at Hawke and Hunter for their Off Piste nights. Not a fan of the fake snow though, I gotta tell you.
• Also doing some playing for The Jenni Gibb Band - had a class gig on Saturday which involved Al pulling the plug on a DJ, very funny.
• Got myself a lovely Jazz Bass - watch this space for how I get on trying to tame this beast.

Listening Post

Some things I like at the moment:

• Charles Mingus 'The Clown"
• Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Self Titled) - Groovetastic
• Count Basie "16 Men Swinging" - Wouldn't get away with calling an album that nowadays!
• John Williams "Home Alone Soundtrack" - this is frightenly good.

Play

Stuff that doesn't have anything to do with music

• Inverness Caley Thistle are kicking butt at the moment - c'mon the wee teams!
• I spent my first evening off in 5 days baking a gingerbread house - how rock and roll is that?
• It's still nowhere near christmas yet guys - so shut up about it already!

And that's about it - off to shred for the next few days ahead: 2 rehearsals, 3 gigs, 1 studio session, 1 potentially dodgy trip up to Aberdeen and apparently more snow - all in 4 days.

R