Acoustic Magazine

Things have been great since Berlin.  It’s been nearly a month and I’ve been loving the time I’ve had to spend on songwriting, recording, and gigging.  The Troubadour was a huge confidence boost and I have been in creative overload since I got back.  I met with Andy Lowe today; the guy who is recording my first album.  We had a good look over the stuff we’ve done and it’s really coming together.  I just bought a mandolin and tried it over a few of my tracks.  It sounds wonderful!  What a beautiful sounding instrument.  So, on Monday I am recording all day in an effort to get the album done.  I still have to do a couple of guitar parts and vocal cuts, and I’ve written string and brass parts to a couple of songs, but we should have it all done very soon.  This is very exciting!

Rick, a.k.a. DJ Buddha, had some good news for me a few weeks back.  It turns out he entered me into another competition a while back in Acoustic Magazine.  To cut a long story short, I had made the final 10 and was invited to play live in Exeter at the Phoenix Theatre.  After driving, flying to Cardiff, then the Train to Exeter in probably the hottest heat I’ve experienced this year, I spent much of the day in my B&B room in my underwear watching the tennis.  It was far too hot to do anything.  I stayed in Exeter for the night and made my way to the Phoenix for 9:45am in the morning.

I met some wonderful people there, who were also participating, and the staff from Acoustic Magazine were very welcoming and nice all round.  The sound was brilliant and we got to play in the Theatre.  I got to go on 2nd as I had to get back to Edinburgh by plane in the afternoon.  It went really well and I enjoyed the set I played.  Longest way I’ve went to play 2 songs.

I met a cool band called, wait for it…Troubadour; a 2 piece from Blackpool who were very good.  And a nice lass called Jo who was only 5′ and had cool dreads.  It was a pity I had to leave as I enjoyed the acts I saw and I felt very priviliged to be a part of the day.

We did get these very cool ‘Goody Bags’ with a couple of magazines, Strings, Peg Winder, a Breed Love calendar, and a years subscription to Acoustic Guitar Mag.  Brilliant!!    I was also informed that I would be getting some exposure in an upcoming Acoustic Magazine.  All in all it’s very exciting.

If by some chance I actually win I get a Breed Love acoustic guitar (which are stunningly beautiful!) some recording equipment, and a set at the Beautiful Days festival!!  That would be very cool.  I should find out on Monday.

Saying that I was happy to get to the final and play.  It was another huge confidence boost and everyone was so kind about my performance.  Just to take part and be invited was a dream come true.

So, it’s full steam ahead with the completion of the album.  I’ll keep you posted with any news.