Tip of the iceberg. What do musicians do all day?

The gig, the show, the concert. The album, the EP, the single. All just tips of giant icebergs.

What lies beneath?

Hours and hours of daily;

Rehearsals,
Songwriting,
Emails and social media messages to venues, promoters, sound engineers, radio stations, fellow musicians,

Form filling: Performing Rights society forms, Sound technician tech-specs, contracts.
Researching and communicating with good potential venues, festivals, promoters, media-makers,
Designing and creating posters, videos and other promotional material.,

Preparing and repairing instruments and other equipment,
Maintaining/trying to advance social media presence on various popular platforms,
Website updating and maintaining,
Maintaining 'peripheral' websites such as musicglue, BBC Introducing and dozens of others so that you keep/advance your presence there,
Problem/issue solving; Dealing with issues relating to the logistics of a specific show with all the people mentioned above,
Writing press releases,

Getting advance copies of recorded material to music mags/bloggers and other acclaimed reviewers,
Traveling to rehearsals and shows,
Practicing your instrument(s),
Studio work; recording, messing with files, production, contracts, liaising with studio managers, producers, fellow musicians.
Liaising with peripheral producers; music distributors, CD/sleeve designers, artists and graphic design companies,

Maintaining records for HMRC, doing tax returns from various income streams including different record distribution services, music tuition, royalties, music sales and more,
Getting involved in symbiotic promotion of festivals and other bodies you are involved with,
Fitting in all the other 'stuff of life',
Writing this!
All good fun though of course, if that's your thing! :P

From a Blue Yellows rehearsal (from instagram)

From a Rickety Wireless rehearsal
(pic from Instagram)

Rock'n The Box

Photo by Tim Lee

A gig at Crewe's proper rock n' roll beautifully 'distressed', graffiti-bejeweled much loved venue, The Box. A fantastic team in operation here from Glyn, the captain of the good ship Colossus Productions at the helm to Tess, Harry, Stevie P who was recording it all (and interviewing us) for The Cat Radio and not least Adrian on the sound. 

This was significantly the best sound we have ever had at this venue on stage, and presumably out front 'in the room', given how good the other acts sounded. If you're in a band, you will know that sometimes you have to deal with terrible sound-scenarios on stage. Imagine singing but not being able to hear your own voice other than perhaps a faint, heavily echoed, fractured effect off the back wall of the venue which is now out of time with the 'live' instruments around you. Imagine hearing only one instrument where you are, harshly drowning everything else out. imagine not being able to hear another instrument that provides vital cues to where you are going next, musically. It shouldn't happen but it still does. 

If, like at this event, you have a great sound on stage, it means you can really dig into the sound, really enjoy it, and it gives you the confidence to perform really well. So often, a good performance is so much to do with having a good sound on stage. If it sounds crap on stage, no matter what 'form' you are on as a musician, or how well you might be communicating as a band, you're probably screwed, but the public probably won't why, and will think it's you.  I think I've made my point, thanks team - thanks Adrian!

We, that is of course The Blue Yellows, were there to support our stoner-rock friends Brave New World who were on the best form I've seen (heard) them in, do check them out! Again sound-guy Adrian would certainly have helped with their fab sound (and everyone was talking about the sitar effect afterwards)! They're onwards to The Cavern Club, no less, next. You can read more about their night from the point of view of their ace-of-bass (not to mention incredible songwriter and producer guy) Tim Lee on his blog at https://timleesongs.wordpress.com/2017/04/01/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-middle-aged-rock-n-roll-bass-player/

Also in support role was the brilliant James Johnston, sporting a Bob Dylan T shirt, a powerful, gritty vocal and superb songs. Inspiring stuff. Do yourself a favour, go to the bottom of this post and listen to his new EP, Before I Lose My Mind.

Photo by  Kirst of KRPR Services

The rest of my gang enjoying a truly rock n' roll pre-gig ritual

Great to have such smiley company in the Green Room

Rafflesia Dreams is OUT NOW!

LisUpdate ten & donwload here:
Listen & download at https://jonathantarplee.bandcamp.com/album/rafflesia-dreams

@JonnieGitAhhr Hidden Shallows hit the ipod mix today - between Kula Shaker & The Beatles! It's a stand out track from #RaffelsiaDreams x

— The Inept Rebel (@TheIneptRebel) March 26, 2017

Music Review: Rafflesia Dreams by Jonathan Tarplee https://t.co/SIrQqk67s9 pic.twitter.com/c3jHSfrNVF

— Tim Lee - Songwriter (@timleesongs) March 20, 2017

@TheIneptRebel Did you notice the sound of my kettle boiling towards the end of the track? #worldexclusive 😜

— Jonathan Tarplee (@JonnieGitAhhr) March 28, 2017

Two Pints of Lyrics and a Packet of Riffs.

Had a couple of recent trips to Runcorn, somewhere I've passed through so many times on the train on the way to Liverpool but never actually visited before until these occasions; the point being to visit a lovely bunch of young people who had recently been bereaved by a close family member, who had asked for some support with ideas on songwriting.

The bereavement of someone as close as a parent or brother or sister is a terrible thing to go through at any age, yet alone when you are a young teen to mid-twenties this group are, a time when there's a sort of assumption that your loved-ones will somehow be there forever...
This group were the subject of support of a wonderful organisation, Child Bereavement UK, who work hard to do all they can to help these youngsters come to terms with the strong emotions and difficulties they have as a result of the catastrophic loss they feel.
I can't say enough good words for them.

WOW Macclesfield! You won't find a better venue than The Swan with Two Necks in Macc.

 March 3rd, 2017

Just wow! On my stays in Macclesfield in the past I have always tried to make it into The Swan with Two Necks as the atmosphere is so good, and I'm really glad to report that it's still as great as ever.
A clean, well presented place that also has a bohemian character (not to mention characters inside). Clean stylishness and bohemia are sadly not common bedfellows in the music-venue world, but they are here.

So a lovely place to be in, super-friendly and helpful staff and the people who came along were also dead friendly and up for a good time.

Thank You All!

In short, THE perfect place to play or see a band!
They are pretty active on facebook so please do check them out at https://www.facebook.com/TheSW2N oh and treat yourself to a night out there!

First time using my two-in-one guitar bag from Gear4Music

We pretty much stuck to the planned setlist
this time, other than modulate 'There She Moves' into
'Jolene' (by Dolly Parton) when some enthusiastic
folk started singing it!