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. 

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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

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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.

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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 73: RedEyeZack - One (U2 acoustic cover version)