Week 232: Sketches - Album Cover

Sketches - Album Cover Which do you prefer? Hi Guys! I'm back in the UK and preparing to play this spring/summer. I'm working on a demo album of acoustic songs in their purest form. Tracklist: 1. 21st Century Man 4:58 (listen) 2. I Can't Sleep Tonight 4:32 3. These Are The Days Of Our Lives 3:11 4. Sofia's Song 3:34 (listen & free download) 5. Maybe 3:46 6. Smile 3:18 7. The Purpose Of Existence 4:14 8. Hold Me 0:52 9. Lord Have Mercy On My Soul 3:39 The album will have 9 songs on it and will be ready and available in a few weeks on BandCamp and at my gigs. Because I'm a solo artist, I'll be collaborating with other musicians to perform live in different setups, as a solo, a duo & as a band. Currently I'm in the studio recording & producing a full band version song number 3. These are the days of our lives. I've put over 70 hours into this song and it really has been a learning curve. My objective is to get the best possible quality in the song and production as I can using a DIY model. Later I'd like to go into a pro studio and work with a producer. I will have a preview for your feedback on which of the 2 versions you prefer in my next newsletter in May. These days I'm listening to producers like Timbaland, and solo artists like James Bay and Hozier. I look forward to performing for you soon and getting your feedback on different versions. E.g chill-out, instrumental and acoustic versions. I look forward to playing live. But its back into the studio for the moment.See you soon! Zack aka RedEyeZack I prefer album cover A I prefer album cover B

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 130: Getting Paid Gigs

Hi Music Lovers!

After last weeks free gig at Teteria Salterio (Teahouse) I realised I could perform without a mic and amp in front of a small friendly crowd for 1 hour and 20 minutes. It wasn't just about steaming through the songs like a train. I got into a comfort zone and a rapport with the audience and even read some poetry.

My second official gig is at Pipiolo this weekend. It's a place known for six nights of singer-songwriters every week.  It's the biggest of the small places I've elected to play and the 1st paid gig. Just 3 Euros at the door!

I've also set up at Ticketea.com, an online system where people can purchase tickets in advance for all kinds of events and venues can scan printed tickets or electronic tickets on mobile devices to validate the tickets. It was fun figuring out how the system worked & will come in handy in future.

I've started rehearsing with a few different people and hope they will join me onstage  for a few songs each.

The other group sharing the billing are POOL, playing as an acoustic duo of Gilles Estoppey on piano and Claudia Steccato on vocals.

I'm planning a few theatrical elements and would like to add some surprises to each show. I've been looking into guerilla marketing and used recycled train tickets to write my address on last week and hand out to the audience. I also collected email addresses at the show.

I'm working on new songs too, just to give some surprises and something never heard before, even on my website.

PLJ
Zack aka RedEyeZack