So, it would appear that periods of insomnia/nocturnal behaviour do have an upside when it comes to creating blogs. It seems, that while the world sleeps, or perhaps wakes to the shock of the alarm, I am at my most creative, or perhaps most verbose!
Since my last blog a fair amount has happened. I didn't get the job of electric guitarist for Forest of Dean Based Prog-Rock band "Unto Us". What is nice, is that the feedback given was very positive. Essentially the answer was "We're going to keep looking, personality wise you were a perfect fit, but playing wise we're looking for something else, we're not entirely sure what yet, but we'll know when we find it". I will be keeping in touch with these guys and listening out for what they produce because I know with guys like this driving the creative machine it will be magical!
What I took from the experience was all positive. I now know Sling is near Coleford, not, as my bad memory had convinced me, near Cinderford! I have met three musicians who I will keep in contact with and hope to enjoy the company of in some capacity in the future. I have realised I am a touch too gentle, polite and lyrical in my electric playing, and perhaps some days being a laid back hippy doesn't pay off...;) I have also realised that just because I'm not right for that job, doesn't mean I'm not right for so many others, and being in a band creating progressive music is still something I'd really like to do with my time.
After the audition I had a lovely "In Concert Gig" at The Oxford, Totterdown on Wednesday 7th of March with a surprise visit from good friend Jay Webb, who did me the honour of quoting lines from the chorus of my final song as his facebook status that night! Well, it is his favourite song of mine (Nine Tenths Live).
I had some quality "time out" visiting my Mum in deepest darkest Kent, in the village I grew up in. There is a wealth of history in the family house, and the builders working to prop up the house from underneath in the cellar appeared to have uncovered a fair bit more history in the shape of various bones between the floorboards and the plaster! The origin, nature and purpose of them remains a mystery, but thankfully nothing to trouble Miss Marple or any of her sort!
Plenty of gardening, crossword solving, beer, wine and good food and several games of pool with my nephew later I was back in Bristol, with a problem - no singing voice! I had to bail out of Ant Noel's brilliant acoustic evening at the Merchant's Arms, but was replaced by good friend, fellow musician and stallwart of the acoustic scene Geoff Pugh (I think the mention of a free drink on the table may have swayed him slightly!). I then discovered my new duo partner of a ginger persuasion Graham Higgins (known better as Gaham due to an unfortunate spelling error on an Alfie Kingston Poster which has haunted him ever since!) was iller than I was, and even more unable to sing. We'd planned our first assault on the eardrums of Bristol to be at the Pilgrim Inn, Brislington, but sadly it was not to be.
After a few of days of self-imposed quarantine I was getting cabin fever and seeing that both Julie Baker and Sadie Fleming were playing at the Spring Garden on Friday night, I decided what better therapy than listening to other people's lovely voices, whilst self medicating with beer? I was not dissapointed, not only did I get to see Julie Baker on top form, with her Mum in the audience looking proud and radiant I also became her guitar technician, replacing a string while she borrowed a guitar for a song! New string on, stretched and perfectly in tune in time for the next number - where else do you get that service for nothing but a smile and a hug? Sadie was on brilliant form, and with the added bonus of Lindsay Bullamore on Cajon and backing vocals and Bex Cullen on Vocals and Guitar for the final two songs, the "S.Ex.Ay" line up was completed!
Vocal chords restored, all be it with a slight hangover, I greeted St. Patrick's day with renewed faith that I could sing! A lovely set at the Seven Stars, alongside the amazing talents of Lewis Creaven, Rob Power and Lindsay Bullamore and hosted by the legend that is Tim Rice, I sang a mix of originals, folk songs and a couple of covers. I threw in an old Irish Folk Song, "The Black Velvet Band" which Rob Power joined in on with gusto from the bar, unveiling his half Irishness again!
Then a period of waiting, and avoiding beer, so that I could perform sober and well at the very civilised Marlow's Cellar Bar for Mark Venus. The set up in there is wonderful, the sound is engineered brilliantly, the candles give it an intimate quality, and the space has its very own feel and atmosphere, making you want to fill the space as beautifully as you possibly can. I even felt confident enough in my voice to complete "The Galway Shawl" with an unaccompanied chorus, which silenced the crowd, until the applause.
It being St. Patrick's day, I couldn't end the night there, so rushed off to catch the awesome and ridiculously tight Dysfunktional at the Cat and Wheel (well, it is my local!). Christian Walsh was on fantastic form on lead guitar, rocking out so hard he broke a string. I've never seen him sweat so much, he was loving it, little rock-god! Freya was powerful and unfased as ever, fronting up this unit of skilled musicians, despite drunken people in silly hats dancing in her face, and trying to put their hats, wigs etc. on her! All in all, a great party band, and a pub stuffed full of party people, some of whom were to beautiful for words, a sweet end to the night.
And so, a new week has begun, almost without the weekend ending, in my case. I play at the Blue Lagoon on Wednesday, a solo gig of two sets, something I don't often do, and I'm looking forward to trying out a few different songs and maybe breaking out the keyboard for variety's sake. I've set up a new page for Howard Sinclair Guitar and Bass Tuition here: Howard Sinclair Guitar And Bass Tuition so please go and like it, share it and let everyone know I'm available to teach guitar and bass anywhere in Bristol and the surrounding areas at very reasonable rates.
On a slightly sadder note, fellow musician and all round awesome guy Owain Roberts, from The Reasoning has been missing from his home in Wales for over a week. He left there to walk the costal path on Saturday the 10th of March and hasn't been seen since. Please follow this link and like, and share the page especially if you have friends in Wales who may have seen him. His family, friends and band mates are very concerned and want him home safe - thank you.https://www.facebook.com/findowainroberts
So, until I'm up at a stupid hour and feeling the need to share, please look after yourselves, and keep supporting live music wherever you are!
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