Watch this without smiling…
Check out this show from 1988… It was aired on the station “CoolTV”
As cheesy as it is having Pat Metheny playing above them as they dance, you can’t hide the fact that they are having a complete blast!
Lee “Henda” – Graphic Designer
Lee’s been a key factor in design for specifically the CD production and “H” logo for me already, and has significantly helped with refining a “brand.” The great part about working with Lee is how smooth he facilitates the process of building your vision. For example, if you’ve got something specific in mind, Lee will be your Michael Angelo and turn it into visual art. On the other hand, if you’ve got much less of “something specific,” even as little as a “color” in mind, this is when the magic happens. Working with Lee is it’s very much an “Ahh! yes, why didn’t I think of that!” conversation where by the end, you’re about convinced that you’ve designed the whole project yourself! And there’s nothing better than feeling like what you’ve produced represents you.
You can find more info on Lee’s graphic design here: www.LeeHenda.com
and check out some of the work he’s done for me in his portfolio here!
Featured Artist – Cameron Phair
I was thinking about how amazing all these artists are around here and decided that what better way to showcase them personally than to start an ongoing “Featured Artist” series. Every once in awhile, I’ll present my experience from a musical stand point of anyone who particularly leaves an impression.
…And who better to kick it off with than the well deserving close friend, who opened my eyes to the talent over here in the first place…Cameron Phair.
Ok, You’ve heard me mention Cameron before, like I said, he’s the first musician I met at the original open mic. Not only is he practically superman for running multiple gigs a week, but he’s also an amazing musician, performer, and singer songwriter. One thing I love (and envy) about Cameron is how consistent he is. Having the pleasure of seeing him perform multiple times now, I can always look forward to expecting some great sounding music. He cover’s Dylan, The Doves, Beatles, Oasis, you name it. On top of that, he plays some very intricate, well thought out original songs that are heartfelt and melodic. Stray Dogs for example is one of his original songs about the repercussions of a non-healthy relationship and feeling lost. Who hasn’t felt lost in or after a relationship at some point right? His newest song may be my favorite, its about the last stretch of time together before your love leaves town for good… what a song.
If you have a chance to watch Cameron play, or hear his original songs, do it! You’ll also find, he’s one of the friendliest, most smiley guys you’ll ever meet, so introduce yourself and say hello if you get the chance!
(I mean look at the picture, how could you not want to be his friend?)
So with that, I leave you with Cameron Phair’s original song…Stray Dogs (Regent Showcase August 2011 featuring HP)
Artist Rating (1-10):
9 – Vocals: Very consistent vocally, large range, nice tone, and as a bonus can harmonize like a champion.
7 – Instrument: The guitar chords he uses are technical. I get impressed when I see a chord shape I don’t recognize. Uses the guitar as accompaniment, not the show. (because he doesn’t need to!)
9 – Songwriting: Very sophisticated songs musically. Well thought out lyrics that connect with listeners.
9 – Presentation: He’s got a good look, expresses himself and performs passionately. its obvious he’s experienced, and if you see him multiple times you’ll find that he’s consistently great. Definitely one of the best overall musician’s I’ve seen over here.
Regent Showcase
The Regent Showcase. What can I say? Well, the caliber of music and artists was incredible. I honestly haven’t heard original songs like these in my life… oh, and I also didn’t realize “The Regent” is one of the “gay” friendly bars in Edinburgh to until after I made a casual joke about wearing high heels… yup.
Let me give you the run down! 
I brought the camera and laptop to record, figured it may be a good opportunity to catch some good music and shots. Unfortunately the lighting was awful so the video didn’t turn out very well, but I did get some decent sound out of the mixer. The musicians were ridiculous to say the least. A girl named Calypso for example, 19 years old I might add, completely rocked it. Just listen: Oh My God
Another artist that I thought was especially good was a guy named Mike Kearney. He had the most unique sound and voice, plus his songs were just brilliant. I also loved the fact that he was a keyboard player who was just playing his tunes that he wrote on the guitar. Here’s his song “Music” about connecting with other people who use music to say what they want or need to say. The Music
So after I heard musicians like this and other great song’s I was a little hesitant to go up and perform at all. So another artist named Callum and I discussed the level of performances together in the bathroom funny enough (I’ll get back to that later) and soon enough it was my go…
Ok…Here’s an attempt to explain the heels joke.
Mike Kearney, the guy who’s music song I loved, made a comment about why he wears tracksuit bottoms to make him feel healthy, and we all know a healthy body = a healthy mind right? So I related that (sarcastically of course) to why I wear high heels… to feel sexy. (I thought it was a little funny at the time…) But thats not all, Callum who I mentioned I met in the bathroom said something after my performance like “I was talking to Ross in the bathroom, I don’t usually meet men in the bathroom.” to which I responded, “I wouldn’t have met him in the first place if he didn’t compliment my ring while I was urinating”
So as you can see the banter we we’re slinging around was already a bit over the edge… Only to find out afterwards that we were in the one Edinburgh gay friendly bar…
Anyhow, the night was a success, everything caught on audio… (never to be released…) and the music is what it was about! I felt completely privileged to be a part of all of it, and it’s so amazing to be surrounded by such great musicians over here.
oh, and just so ya know, its a pleasure to share with you guys, I hope you enjoy it as well!
Take care!
Ross
Scotland Music
Finally settled in! which means we have the guitar situation sorted and have found some places to play music!
So let’s get straight into the music shall we?
Last night was the second time playing at a local venue called “Whistle Binkies” for an open mic night hosted by my new best friend Cameron Phair. I met Cameron last week and a few songs into my set we somehow started throwing the tune into the other’s court with complementary beatboxing, harmonies, and singing exchanges. (Cameron being behind the bar might I add…) It was beautiful…
The evening was great, we had a ton of students in our church over from around the UK who came out, as well as some great friends from the vet program. I can’t forget about my main stage-wingmen Andy Thomas and Eric Arvoy either! Both these guys came and rocked out a hand full of songs as well. Andy plays left handed on a right handed guitar, as well as your classic left handed guitar (yup, just like hendrix…). I’m incredibly jealous of his lyricism, it blows me away. He’s definitely a story teller. Erik on the other hand has a pretty massive presence. It feels like Johnny cash gets up on stage and with his lower raspy voice he owns his songs like he’s playing songs people have been hearing for years!
So that’s not it!
Tonight I have the pleasure of taking part in a “The Regent Showcase” which takes place once a month here in Edinburgh. It allows singers songwriters to bring their “A” game to a crowd that is there specifically to hear original songs and lyrics. It will be nice to here some different influences and songwriting approaches. I’m hoping to get some good footage with my new camera and make some sort of showcase trailer for youtube down the line so i’ll keep you updated!
(here’s the info on tonight http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=256755524347723 )
We’ll keep it short, but I’ve missed you guys! 5 weeks has flown by in a blink. It still feels like i’m on vacation which is a good thing. It’s probably because i’ve been keeping so busy and meeting such incredible people.
Ross
Here’s some videos that I snuck onto my youtube channel from Estes Park’s ICMC as well as our family cat’s lounging around on a Sunday. Both videos use original tracks for the backing!
Watch in HD (1080p). And no comment to the question “where you filming and driving?” I can’t remember specifically, but I know I was being safe somehow…
Watch in HD (1080p)
The relationship between music and animals…
There are few things that most would associate animals and music having in common. I think there is at least one very significant characteristic that they share.
Both carry an almost overwhelming ability to capture a moment in time.
Take animals for example. Nothing in this planet lives more in the moment than animals. They are not worried about bills, what they are going to do for a career, who likes or doesn’t like them, etc. Animals are almost always captured and swept away by the simple act of existence. Watch a kitten do literally anything, watch a deer and its two Bambi’s casually eat your mom’s plants, watch a dog sprint towards a disgusting pond after he’s just been groomed. Any of these examples scream in your face something that we take for granted. The simple idea of being alive and appreciating the moment of present. The innate ability that God’s creatures have to capture this and display it carefully in front of us is incredible. Some think that the connection to simple appreciation of existence is one of the most fulfilling things that we can experience. Whether we realize this or not, animals are one of the greatest doorways to this.
Music does an incredible job of capturing a moment in time as well. Think of how many songs transport you to your teenage years to an exact moment. Think about the emotions that you can immediately feel as you listen to certain songs. Nothing connects us to a moment in time stronger than emotion, and there’s no doubt that music has one of the best abilities to elicit emotions. The fact that every culture has some implementation of music. Whether it’s African drums in a native tribe or techno beats in a European club, there is definitely something significant and fulfilling about music to us. Music not only capture’s the present while it’s happening by being an escape, but it also preserves it. Almost like a bookmark keeps a place while reading a book, it can become easily accessible later on. The duality of music facilitates people out of the stresses of life and into a moment in time where they can be closer to an appreciation of feeling alive.
So I’ll leave you with this:
We are so blessed to be alive in this world.
Let animals be an inspiration for appreciation.
Let music be an emotional bookmark.
God bless you,
Ross
Post gig… July 8th
Wow, what a night! Two things, one, thanks for fighting the weather to come out! Two, I know it was hot in there… most likely because those guitar solo’s were on fire! (I’m kidding)
Special thanks to Francis, Ryan G! (best surprise ever). Jill Kregstein, Danielle (another incredible surprise!), Mike Olson (yet another ridiculous surprise!), Cade and Jake (just plain awesome) , Jessicas (my favorite), Mike and JoAnne, Barb and John, Kyle and Mandi.
So only about two weeks left before I’m gone! I’ll let you know as soon as I can about the last “send” off show, as well as next week!
Talk soon,
Ross
Pre gig… July 7th
Alright, all set up! You know? I wont get upset that it happened to be lightening and pouring when, (and only when) I was loading up the gear…and now that I’m done, and set up inside, its practically subsided. (That’s good for you guys though!)
Either way, I’m excited for tonight! A little music by the fire after a nice refreshing rain, maybe a hot drink… does it get any better?
yes… yes is the right answer. Life always gets better, but you should always be grateful for how great it already is!
we’ll close on that. 
Ross
Fourth of July
Happy 4th of July!
Nothing like an American Les Paul painted in stars and stripes to kick off the 4th of July evening eh?
Unfortunately I do not own this guitar, if I did I’d have something to do tonight! Anyhow, I wanted to personally say thank you to all of our troops, and their families!
Ross
Alright, a little about this looping stuff…
I just wanted to start off by again thanking everyone who has been able to come out night after night, I don’t know about you, but I am enjoying having an excuse to get to see you all more often! And thankfully, after the conclusion of the third week in a row of getting to play nearly four hour sets, I am beginning to find and refine my craft quite a bit more. Which in some cases means figuring out what “doesn’t” work along with what, of course, does work.
There’s obvious pros and cons about doing multi track live looping, so let’s jump right in…One great thing about building the songs one instrument at a time is that every single time a song is played, it can potentially be different. This is simply because with one person you’re able to take advantage of spontaneous ideas as they come. Another, more obvious benefit, is the simulation of playing with more than just yourself…obviously playing with real live band member’s is always first choice, but unfortunately not always possible. Finally, there’s an inherent captivation about one person over a period of a a few minutes buildingfrom scratch something that sounds similar to a fully produced band.
So, on the flip side, there’s about a 90% chance that something will not go as smooth as anticipated in the length of the night resulting in the unlucky “nose dive” in a performance, as I like to call it. This can be quite exhilarating for a musician as you may guess. Thankfully “a” (single) nose dive isn’t usually too big of deal, and is all part of entertainment anyhow right? Though too many of these can drastically take away from the music. So here in lies the question of what is too much?
There’s obviously a difference in someone just playing an acoustic guitar and singing, to someone who is building and filling out a song progressively by looping in the separate instruments. The goal is to provide first, as close to a full band sound as possible, and second to also create an overall performance of “the build up” as well. So the problem comes in when there is too much going on regarding “the show” part of the “build” to where it takes away from the music itself.
Ross
