Week 108:RedEyeZack - Sastisfy My Soul (Demo Preview)

Top of Las Arenas, Barcelona

Another wonderful sunny week in Barcelona and Christmas lights have gone up! Here's a little romantic tune with a homemade video.

It was filmed inside Las Arenas which used to be a Bullring. Now it's an impressive shopping centre! On the top there are restaurants and a 360 degree platform you can walk around. That's where this picture of me was taken on a chilly evening.

Week 107: Biography

''Zack Qureshi a.k.a. (also known as) ‘RedEyeZack’ is an Alternative singer-songwriter based in London, England. He started by writing poetry, his lyrics are both deep and philosophically inspired by his travels to India. His voice radiates a warmth of emotion from the lyrics. He explains something about the origin and inspiration for the songs and in turn, creates an intimate presence and connection with his audience. His favourite Beatle is George Harrison and his other musical influences can be clearly heard. His approach to life is to live the modern and study the ancient, this idea, he says creates an inner peace that allows an open mind to technology or change, yet retain a mystic essence rooted in ancient wisdom that is always a treasure, robots with a soul is one way you could look at it, he chuckles.

Coming from a diverse background of cultures, Zack is always open to collaborate with local musicians and incorporate some cultural/ethnic instruments into his songs. He admits that his guitar playing developed later from his love of sitar and that his themes have a lot to do with love, but that they are not restricted to romantic love, but love as a universal and cosmic force to be reckoned with. 

He's currently single and divides his time between Brighton and Barcelona. Being fiercely independent is second nature and he's definitely a free spirit who embodies his mantra which is PLJ (Peace, Love & Joy).

While Zack writes most of his songs on acoustic guitar, he has a flair for theatrical performance and creates; instrumental arrangements. While living in Istanbul he performed an electric guitar fusion project with Indian Bollywood dancer Ayse Ucar, is now collaborating with Bellydancers for special shows and festivals. 

After moving to Barcelona and pursuing an acting career with his main role and performance as Jalil, an Indian flower-seller falling for Gabi, a Catalan writer of erotic novels in the movie TOMANDOTE. He has returned to his first love... music, to develop an unfinished passion for mixing poetry, philosophy and guitar playing with an Indian ambience. 

Currently, he is living in London and preparing to release his debut EP - Live @ Cartmel Studios.

Week 106:The Clandestine Arts Community

I've been re-writing songs these last few weeks, now it was time to connect with a local community of artists, musicians, vampires etc...

I had been to a couple of Meetups by chance invitation. I came across a new group, The Clandestine Arts Community founded in September by Julius Cuesta. So I joined the group & RSVPed for the Halloween night which promised; an evening of spookiness, dramatic professional theatrical performances, ritual sacrifice, a practical dress code of black, drinks and canapés with a host of fun loving people to share it with. Hmm I thought.

I was planning to go with a friend, I've seen eyes wide shut and it scared the willies out of me! My friend Juan had made other plans, I was thinking to chicken out and cancel, but the opportunity to wear makeup again was just too strong.

I arrived at the huge castle gate entrance somewhere off Rambla Catalunya, to find some guests waiting to enter. Esther, Susanna & a friend introduced themselves. There was a note attached to the huge Iron ring which said "knock 3 times" so we knocked in succession and a spooky young thespian came to greet us.

We were advised to wait and count loudly to 30 before ascending the stairwell. We stood in a queue as vampire-like ladies came to greet us. They instructed us to wait in line.

One by one we entered the hallway and sat while the silent vampires applied ghostly makeup to us. I'm not sure what they painted on my throat, but it was covered up by a small black scarf that was offered to each of the guests. Would I be "the one!" Destined for sacrifice?!!

Then I passed through the corridor to be greeted by a lovely Elvira-like goddess of a vamp, she checked my name against the list, accepted my donation and slipped 2 casino chips into my hand. It was a James bond moment... with chic, glamour, meow, but no casino. She offered a glass of white wine and ushered me into the living room...

There were already some 20-30 guests all dressed in black, mingling & chatting. I mingled, I chatted in character (I thought I'd just entered a spoof movie set) wondering if I was " the one". Then Julius in a somewhat general of an army-looking uniform, assured us that it would be a female that would be sacrificed. I wiped the sweat from my brow, and with increased confidence, started to compliment the decor and design of the Masonic interior & ceiling.

Julius went on to tell his guest that they would be witnessing the ressurection of a Russian nobleman.

You know what they say: When one coffin closes, (on the other side of the world) another one opens!

That's when I met Ivan. We chatted, took photos & discussed bringing our electric guitars to the next session.

I met my new brother Amir (who incidentally has the same surname as me), Susana, Rafael from Germany and 2 Erasmus vampires that were feeling a bit peckish; Magdelena from Poland & Katherine.

I met Lesley Cannell, a blues singer from the UK. Susana introduced me to her sister, I knew they were sisters because they had the same red horns on their heads. Also to friends that ran a Monday night Meetup intercambio Spanish/English exchange group at The Philharmonic Pub c/Mallorca.

All in all, it was a fantastic night, wonderfully hosted, enchanting and entertaining. I tip my hat to Julius the organiser. I'm looking forward to the next event. See you there!

PLJ

(Peace, Love & Joy)

Zack aka RedEyeZack