Today is my birthday! I'm very excited because I'm launching my new album tonight - just a little party with some friends, to celebrate. It's only officially released next month. I'm very pleased, after four years of hard work. It has plenty wrong with it, but at least I am getting stuff out there.
I was hanging out with a very good friend of mine, Obita, on Monday, because he cannot make tonight's launch. We spoke about a recording session with Josh, an artist who used my voice on one of his tracks. Obita says he was back in town a few weeks ago and Josh asked after me. They had a chat and then Josh said to him, "That guy has has got one of the best voices I have ever heard..." Man, I was so hugely encouraged. It took ten years to get that voice, and it may well taken another ten years before I'm making the kind of music that I will do justice to. But that's okay - as long as I don't end up being some weekend wannabe.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Time marches inexorably forward...
Come Wednesday I'll be a day older, but also a full year older. Can you believe it?
To celebrate this auspicious occasion I'm releasing my first album of solo original music. I have other original stuff out there, but this is my first solo flight, with ten original tracks. It's taken four years, and without sounding too harsh, it's an ok album - no awards, but it really is a labour of love and therefore, for me, a highly prized piece of art.
It still bothers me immensely that I'm turning 40 next year (what a BIG party & album launch that's gonna be) and I should be so much further along in my career, but I'm not. I still have so much to learn about the music industry and about making good music that people like and enjoy. I want an album with 10 crowd-pleaser tracks. But it feels like the DJs are taking over the world, man! Not that that's a bad thing... With my students at Soul Candi I am busy reworking some of my music into House tracks. It's keeping me young, and it really has been great fun.
But back to the album... It's called "Finding My Own Voice," which I should really have done by this stage of my life, right? Well, maybe this album will move me there, but I don't know if I've found my voice yet. Maybe that's because it keeps changing, and maybe that's what should happen.
As my sister says, the universe is exactly as it should be... That ever-so curious French expression comes to mind: C'est la vie...
To celebrate this auspicious occasion I'm releasing my first album of solo original music. I have other original stuff out there, but this is my first solo flight, with ten original tracks. It's taken four years, and without sounding too harsh, it's an ok album - no awards, but it really is a labour of love and therefore, for me, a highly prized piece of art.
It still bothers me immensely that I'm turning 40 next year (what a BIG party & album launch that's gonna be) and I should be so much further along in my career, but I'm not. I still have so much to learn about the music industry and about making good music that people like and enjoy. I want an album with 10 crowd-pleaser tracks. But it feels like the DJs are taking over the world, man! Not that that's a bad thing... With my students at Soul Candi I am busy reworking some of my music into House tracks. It's keeping me young, and it really has been great fun.
But back to the album... It's called "Finding My Own Voice," which I should really have done by this stage of my life, right? Well, maybe this album will move me there, but I don't know if I've found my voice yet. Maybe that's because it keeps changing, and maybe that's what should happen.
As my sister says, the universe is exactly as it should be... That ever-so curious French expression comes to mind: C'est la vie...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Going, going, gone!
I was very sad to see that the iconic Roxy's in Melville and the Victory Theatre in Orange Grove are both going on auction. Amazing musicians like Dave Matthews played at Roxy's in Melville, and the Victory Theatre brings back wonderful memories for me. I first saw the Rocky Horror Picture Show there.
Hope the new owners will turn these two wonderful Jo'burg venues into entertainment hot spots for the city.
PS This is my 100th post. Is that cool or what!!!???!!!
Hope the new owners will turn these two wonderful Jo'burg venues into entertainment hot spots for the city.
PS This is my 100th post. Is that cool or what!!!???!!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Baccalaureus Musicologiae
YIPPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! I just found out that I passed the first two subjects of my Bachelor of Music degree WITH DISTINCTION. I considered doing a BMus when I first started university 20 years ago, but I wasn't sure I wanted to do it and I didn't think I'd finish it. Ah well, better late than never. Besides, I think I'll do it justice this time around, now that I'm older and wiser...
Monday, June 21, 2010
Encouragement again...
This is like my own big online personal diary, and what is it about my exhibitionist nature that propels me to post tidbits about my music career here? Ego, no doubt...
Anyway, on 11 June, the start of the World Cup in SA, I went and saw Crighton Goodwill, a SAMA-winning producer (the SAMAs are the South African equivalent of the Grammys). I'm thinking of working with him to do a track or two. He listened to my stuff and said, though the production lets me down a bit and my style of writing is a bit dated, that I am a good songwriter!
Then on 16 June, Youth Day in SA, I saw one of my students, Lisa Bornman, for a singing lesson. Two things she said in conversation really stuck with me: 1. "Rob, you're a massive talent." 2. I am not the corporate bunny type, and it's so NOT me, therefore I should never consider returning to such a career. Not that I had ever intended to...
I'm so encouraged by these things, and the reason I share them is that I am insecure about my musical talent, and I often feel like I have not yet achieved the great heights I have set for myself. Sometimes it really is just good to stop and take in those roses...
Anyway, on 11 June, the start of the World Cup in SA, I went and saw Crighton Goodwill, a SAMA-winning producer (the SAMAs are the South African equivalent of the Grammys). I'm thinking of working with him to do a track or two. He listened to my stuff and said, though the production lets me down a bit and my style of writing is a bit dated, that I am a good songwriter!
Then on 16 June, Youth Day in SA, I saw one of my students, Lisa Bornman, for a singing lesson. Two things she said in conversation really stuck with me: 1. "Rob, you're a massive talent." 2. I am not the corporate bunny type, and it's so NOT me, therefore I should never consider returning to such a career. Not that I had ever intended to...
I'm so encouraged by these things, and the reason I share them is that I am insecure about my musical talent, and I often feel like I have not yet achieved the great heights I have set for myself. Sometimes it really is just good to stop and take in those roses...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Mind the gap!
Today I travelled on the new Gautrain, Jo'burg's rapid rail project, from Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport. Anybody who's ever travelled on the London Undreground, the Los Angeles Metro, the Paris Metro or the New York Subway will have noticed the similarity to Jozi's new system. It really is world-class, opened just in time for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Of course this has absolutely nothing to do with music, but I just have to comment that it really is helping turn Jo'burg into a world city. It's wonderful to see the tourists all piling on with their bags on the way to the airport. Of course, there are other parts of the city that are not so world-class, like their crappy billing system for water & lights. But for once, I am proud of the city I grew up in, and it really is a thrilling time to be in SA. I'm proud of my country on occasion. This is one of those occasions. Well done to all concerned.
Now my big question is: will we see buskers at the stations, peddling their musical wares, like we see in London and New York? As Katie Melua says, it's a rite of passage for a musician - but it requires such guts! I remember doing it for a few years at The Zone in Rosebank. Bleak days, with little money, but man I had such fun. A very cool guy at the Musica store in Rosebank said to me one day, "You lend such an air of class to the joint" (I used to stand and sing musical theatre numbers). Wow! Be still my enormous ego! Thank you sir.
Of course this has absolutely nothing to do with music, but I just have to comment that it really is helping turn Jo'burg into a world city. It's wonderful to see the tourists all piling on with their bags on the way to the airport. Of course, there are other parts of the city that are not so world-class, like their crappy billing system for water & lights. But for once, I am proud of the city I grew up in, and it really is a thrilling time to be in SA. I'm proud of my country on occasion. This is one of those occasions. Well done to all concerned.
Now my big question is: will we see buskers at the stations, peddling their musical wares, like we see in London and New York? As Katie Melua says, it's a rite of passage for a musician - but it requires such guts! I remember doing it for a few years at The Zone in Rosebank. Bleak days, with little money, but man I had such fun. A very cool guy at the Musica store in Rosebank said to me one day, "You lend such an air of class to the joint" (I used to stand and sing musical theatre numbers). Wow! Be still my enormous ego! Thank you sir.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
I'm Encouraged
Today after class, a student of mine came to me and asked me if maybe I'd be interested in doing some vocals on one of his tracks. I listened to the track and I enjoyed it, and then I played him my track. He said, "This is really good. Are you serious that you've only sold like five copies?"
I was so encouraged...
It's my favourite track on my first album, and it just goes to show: you never know how your music impacts others. I just love singing and making music. It gives my life such purpose.
I was so encouraged...
It's my favourite track on my first album, and it just goes to show: you never know how your music impacts others. I just love singing and making music. It gives my life such purpose.
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