Week 132: To gig a lot or not to gig a lot? - That is the question!

Hi Music Lovers,

Despite the 1st gig being sold out and a great success, I forgot to collect email addresses. It also makes me think of the work and preparation that proceeds a gig. If I really had to think about it, I'd want to gig only once a month!

Why? Because it does take up a permanent part of your brain. We have other obligations and work, like paying the rent or the dayjob deadline that puts us under pressure. At the same time. I ask myself, did I practice enough?, was I prepared?, Am I going to get everything done before the gig?, will I have to drop things? I'd much rather be chilling out near the seaside and writing songs:)

This kind of thing leaves us mentally exhausted and really wanting to focus on the music and performance only. But in these early DIY days, no such luck! That's why I'm going to limit the number of gigs over the summer, so I can work and save up... to have a few months free to focus on a strategy for making the most of the performances, less as gigs and more as special events. 

This includes having professional photos taken and High Quality video, streaming live, flyer design, recording live, good lighting, something more theatrical... etc

Follow developments this summer... maybe festivals or traveling. Keep in touch & let me know if you plan to come to Barcelona.

PLJ
Zack aka RedEyeZack

Week 119: Technology as an Accelerator

Hi Guys!

I wanted to do something simple like a slideshow with all those lovely photos that I´m taking. So I uploaded to FLICKR and embedded to my website and blog. Only problem is that people on mobile devices couldn´t see the slideshows! Then I tried with HTML5 but it didn´t work.

Finally good old YouTube and movie maker (free in windows) gave me this result. I played around a little more and added my guitar audio tracks as background music as well as effects and cool transitions between the pictures. I could also add text to some of the pictures. Finally add intro title and credits at the end and voila! You have a more interesting way of looking at photos.

I'm also preparing some Pink Floyd songs for our Jam session this coming Friday 15th Feb. We are planning some gigs and recordings in the coming months.

Look forward to seeing you there and streaming online in the near future.

Zack a.k.a. RedeyeZack

Here's an interesting reference to technology in music:

David Byrne, founding member of the Talking Heads, label owner, Byrne makes the point that while technological innovation creates efficiency for the savvy artist, technology alone cannot enable you to have a successful career. 

Source

Week 118: Setting up a covers band

Hi Music Lovers!!

This picture was taken in a cocktail bar called 7Sins!!

It's a great place for my first creative video, very glamourous and stylish (coming in the spring). I'm going to perform my own original songs acoustically in small places in Gracia and play with streaming services, so you can watch the gigs live in the comfort of your own armchair. 

Well it's back to work this month (Feb!) Jan was very slow here in Barcelona. The covers band could be good fun but more than this, it's an incentive to practice on set songs. I've been to 2 rehearsal Jams at BAMM. The 1st was a general Jam & the 2nd was a Beatles Hommage. On Feb 15th we have the Pink Floyd night.

I've put my own list of covers together (see below) and I'm planning to name a date in about 2-3 weeks for the session. Let me know which songs you would most like to hear. Finally we have to select 15 from them.

Let me know if you would like to be involved in any way: zackqureshi@gmail.com 

PLJ 

Zack a.k.a. RedEyeZack

Source

Week 117: Playing Covers - Beatles Night at BAMM

I joined the Barcelona Amateur Music Makers for their Beatles night. Miquel had printed sheetmusic copies of 6 or 7 songs. Were were a small group of musicians around a piano. It was great to hear the saxophone. We also had guitars, vocals and two ukulele's.

It was fun to sing together. I've always been a big Beatles fan. Here are some pictures and a slideshow of the event. Doing cover versions is a great way to collaborate with other musicians.

It's possible to connect and find common ground when you play songs that you love.

So I've decided to put a covers band together. I'm looking for a core of musicians; Bass, Guitar, piano, percussion. The idea will be to introduce other members of our BAMM community into the coverband to perform in front of friends at small event and house parties.

If you would like to join us then please drop me a line at zackqureshi@gmail.com

Checkout my cover of One featuring Albert Greenlight.

Source

Week 116: Finding local musicians

Hi Guys!

I've been looking for a guitarist to play with. There are several I've met but they are foreigners like myself and with other jobs. I've been down that road before which is great for doing covers or just having fun with music as a hobby.

I'd like to find local musicians, those that are dedicated and managing to live from their music. So I've been to see a few bands and I'm talking to friends that know these musicians. There was a great funk party this weekend that was closed down by the police on Sunday afternoon. It took place at 33/45, a venue I've written about before. This time I had a chance to chat with the musicians during and after the gig.

I chatted to Khaoula  bouchkhi (she joined the band for a few songs and when she sang her first line the crowd were gobsmacked (see alternative English dictionary) 'what a voice'!) and met the rest of the band. EMPTY POCKETS are a funky force full of energy, a jam group. Their founder, keyboard and pianist Adel Boquera told me they had just been playing together for 2 weeks and decided to perform at 33/45. Adel gave me his details and also told me he was responsible for the Superfly Parties in Barcelona: http://www.superflyparty.com/ (The finest Funk & Soul).

Checkout their next event on Jan 20th on their Facebook Events page

I really enjoyed watching the musicians, they were all great and having a good time performing. I found the drummer amazing. His name is Caspar St Charles, from London, so it was great to have a chat with him.

Caspar St. Charles @ WTF Jam Session en Jamboree Jazz Club - Barcelona 24/11/2008 from Aurelio Santos on Vimeo.

Week 114: Barcelona Music Community

Hi Guys!

Welcome to 2013!

After flying in directly from my Xmas holidays in the UK, I freshened up and went on my way to join group of music lovers at a bar near the center. It was a MEETUP group called Barcelona Amateur Music Makers (BAMM)

"El Nostre Racó"

• Saturday 5th Jan at 9:00 PM
• El Nostre Racó

New year, new place!

Any nou, lloc nou! Año nuevo, lugar nuevo!

37 years of spontaneous music in Barcelona. Essential place to go!

37 anys de música espontània a Barcelona. Un lloc imprescindible!

They've had a few meeting already and it was my chance to meet the group and their organiser Miquel Ferrer (Piano/Guitar) Although they call themselves amateurs, I've seen the profiles of some of the members and some of them have galactic credentials! 

Where to park?

As you can see, it's a pretty cozy and rustic bar. There's an upstairs area for about another 10 people. I could hear 2 or 3 other groups jamming at the same time. Notice the 'guitars on the ceiling'. There was a constant flow of non-musicians too. Always ready to start a surprised clapping after hearing a 'Golden Oldie' or Beatles song.

It was good for learners of all levels. Here's me and Manel Munoz tuning up (top photo). It was also a great opportunity to sing harmonies, something that doesn't happen very often. 

I enjoyed singing without having to play the guitar too. I sang Rolling Stones 'ANGIE' with Miquel on guitar, the group did a version of HOTEL CALIFORNIA in Am. We played MAD WORLD by Tears for Fears.

 

There were 3 guitars, acoustic and classical, one flute, a ukelele, piano and some pleasing listeners who sang along. There was some improvising too. It started with BossaNova but ended up with a Beatles songbook.

 

 I know the group are practicing for a Beatles night. Whats your favorite Beatles song? Come on down and 

join us sometime.

  

Miquel and I are very willing to help you get to a level where you can perform and enjoy these songs. Gustav (Above) has a band that are performing at ALFA bar in Gracia. Join the group and let our musical spirit out. Singers and music lovers who are non-musicians are welcome to participate. It's a great night out!! Barcelona Amateur Music Makers (BAMM)

Is that Fmaj7 aug or dim??