Trip to Bath and Second Acoustic Gig

Last Friday I took the train to Bath to rehearse with my old band "The Falling Ashes" and to hear the full mix of the recent mini-album we recorded over the summer that the bassist has been completing. The rehearsal went well and I taught the band one of my songs "Patriarch", completing the arrangement within an hour - and we were very pleased with the result. Here is a video of us rehearsing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imcqGn3sNrU
(2 hours)
Later on we went to the studio suite and listened to the mix that Chris had prepared. I was very happy with the sound quality of the instruments, especially since it was recorded in a home. However, I did have some issues with the levels - for example I felt the guitars were dominating the mix a little, the other parts slightly obscured particularly the vocals which I thought were way to quiet. Also the reverb that he had applied to the vocals was a good warm-sounding effect but I suggested adding more pre-delay to bring out the original sound more.
(1 hour 30 mins)
We discussed our plan to have a vast number of copies of a three-track demo of songs taken from this album and to distribute it around our respective universities for free in order to spread our word around more. At some point before the year is out I shall invite the other two band members to Derby so that we may make use of the superior music facilities here. There are samples of our music at www.myspace.com/thefallingashes

Monday was my next acoustic gig at The Brewery Tap which had a payout of £30 because not enough turned up for me to obtain the full £50. However, the venue want me back to do the first student night back from the Xmas holidays, which should be rewarding.
(2 hours)
I should have videos from the gig uploaded soon - in the mean time, here is the setlist:

(songs are my originals unless otherwise stated)

SET1: Red Rain (Peter Gabriel), Long Road to Ruin (Foo Fighters), Over The Edge, 7:45, Heartbeat (King Crimson), Patriarch, Midnight Musings, Betray, Diary of Jane (Breaking Benjamin)

SET2: Top Yourself (The Raconteurs), Too Close for Comfort, Over The Edge [again!], Cockney Medley (Bill Bailey), Family Snapshot (Peter Gabriel), Would? (Alice in Chains), The New Tricks, Time is Running Out (Muse)

ENCORES: Bliss (Muse), Blood Brothers (Iron Maiden), Rock n' Roll Nerd (Tim Minchin), Business Time (Flight of the Conchords)

Update: link to gig video of Too Close for Comfort and The New Tricks - http://fb.esnips.com/doc/ed22ab86-51f8-4da2-af5d-42026ae17610/acoustic-gig-2

Learning other peoples songs!

On Saturday the 8th this week I had another jam session with Anna and our Czech friends. We spent most of the time learning two of Anna's songs "Lighthouse" and "Listen Angels Sing", experimenting with different arrangements. Anna sung and played guitar whilst the rest of us provided dynamic and rhythmic accompaniment in similarity to a session situation. Next time I shall bring my effects pedal in order to expand the capabilities of my part of the ensemble. I may also bring another mic and and stand so that I can provide harmonies and backing vocals. Here is a link to a recording we did of "Listen Angels Sing":
(3 hours)
Anna says she has found a venue who want us to play a gig in December, so this provides us with an aim with which to focus our efforts.

The Sunday I spent rehearsing with the band with Ragnar, Peter and Dominic. Daniel was not present due to being away on a trip. We focussed on learning the parts to a song Ragnar had written. Although this took up most of the time, we ended up with a full composition complemented by my creative suggestions including guitar harmonies and a stylistic change in the final chorus. It is now my job to produce some lyrics and a tune for it, which I will try to have done for the week after this. Here is a video of us playing the song - http://www.esnips.com/doc/281880a3-f7d4-4d5b-8cb6-0ee9953ded7d/ragnars-song_0001
(2 hours 30mins)

I have another acoustic gig next Monday which I can use to showcase my lastest acoustic song "Over the Edge", as well as the prospect of a decent payout. I will be uploading a video compilation as with last time.

Busy three days!

On Saturday 1st November, I met with Anna and Marcella in order to practice some of our acoustic songs for the gig on Monday. These included the ones we had rehearsed the week before, and afterwards a group of Czech musicians arrived to jam with us on some of these tunes. We were especially proud of our arrangement of one of Anna's songs "Lighthouse", as well as OneRepublic "Stop and Stare" and Alice in Chains "Rooster". Here is a link to a few recordings we made: http://www.esnips.com/doc/acc56b35-1b5f-45a6-a302-3e0f0ec307e9/stopandstare and http://www.esnips.com/doc/8e97f2c0-5641-4235-ac1f-4f3378f6e09e/practice
(3 hours)

The Sunday consisted of practicing with the band - and we went over all our cover songs again, this time with bass.
(2 hours)
We had to stop early because I was to host an open mic that night in the Polish Club bar, using a combination of my guitar amp and the mixing desk. It went quite well, the only problem that it needed greater publicising because the main acts consisted of myself, Anna, Marcella and the Czech guys we rehearsed with the previous day. However, me and Rangar did an acoustic version of Blood Brothers which went well. Everyone who attended said that they enjoyed it and would come next time. I was informed that should I host another, there was a possibility of being paid!
(2 hours)

Anna's gig yesterday went very well, consisting of two sets centred around her whilst myself, Marcella, Roman provided backing vocals and guitars for her on several songs. Each of us did do a couple of solo spots though, me and Marcella did our renditions of "Heartshaped Box" and "Sex on Fire". Many videos were taken, hopefully I can upload some of them soon.