April 17 2008

Today is Piano Day.

It’s a gorgeous Autumn day in sunny Coburg, my toes are cold from lack of circulation and it is day twelve of recording my 8th release, tentitively called “As the sun falls”.

Things have been going well, in the sense that everything has run roughly to schedule. At this point we are only 3 days over in a 30 day schedule which I think is pretty good when you consider that there are around sixteen people working on this album. I hadn’t thought about that…Shit that’s heaps!

In the few days leading up to and including yesterday I was starting to feel a little anxious about the whole process. Luckily I remembered I had felt the same way around about this time during the last record I did with Marty, so I didn’t freak out. Basically I couldn’t tell what we were making. With all of the parts piling up on the recording it started feeling like a bit of a mess, and with that I was losing faith in my vision.

But today is the day I have been looking forward to. I have the good fortune of working with a handsome pianist by the name of Adrian Vincent.

Now you may not know this about me but my favorite instrument in the entire known universe is Piano. This comes from having discovered Tori Amos a very early stage in my writing adventures, and stumbling across Fiona apple a short while after. It’s pretty rare for me to work with boys who have an understanding of why these women altered my life in such a profound way. So you can imagine my delight when Ade, the man in charge of this life altering instrument on my record, does.

Not only that, but he is pretty good at it, and first thing thismorning I turned up to him having nailed his part on “Pebbles and Mountains”. This is one of my favorites (which is why I ordered heaps of piano on it, like a pizza), and though I think I may have worried marty when he turned to ask me if I liked it, I think I got the point across with a touch of uncontrolable sobbing.

Since then, Ade has upset me during “Sleep” and will probably continue to do so throughout the rest of the recording today.

I hope he upsets you too.

I’m off to get some lunch.

Its funny. The clearer my head gets, the easier it is to manifest things.

I just pulled out a secret weapon.

its going to go off. Vague anyone? excited. yep.

x

This new drug I am on, fit and well rested and happy... all good. Very un rock and roll, but good.

I had a meeting with mister marty brown today and we have set some dates in motion for recording my new album!

Recording will commence in April.

I AM EXCITED.

So I have been writing my lil arse off lately. shutting myself in a room with this little 'puter and a few mics and making music. I'm developing quite a relationship with the space. Its featured in the background of my profile picture, and stay tuned for more shots of the space soon to be followed by some sneaky demos popped in my player from time to time.

The most recent songs seem to center around my upcoming journey back to melbourne and into the studio. I'm exploring the idea of my profession. the nomadic nature of it, the cheap living lifestyle where you sacrifice what you can to get closer to making money out of your art..

Of course in amongst these are the ideas of broken, lost and reniewed love... a few little ditties about sex, and how clumsy I can be in life.

I'm really excited about the next chapter. I will have a fair few great songs to chose from. So far theres 27 or so.... and I'm sure the ones out of a possible 40 that dont make the record could spill out in some shape some time later down the track...

The next 18 months hold a creative adventure that I cant wait to share with everyone.

Yeah YEAH.

-jesmaq

This friday just passed was an amazing experience. For those who attended, thank you for braving the late night and coming along for a non nana schedule...

I am so happy with my band! still waiting to figure out what to call them but I tell you what it is a pleasure to spend time on stage with such delicious musicians. The way the music grabbed onto me and shook me about was unlike anything i have ever felt at a show.

This feels like my new sound. The new songs really went down well and I cant wait to see what I come up with next. Its pretty bloody cool.

Ah I think I might be finding it hard to describe the feeling, perhaps I'm a little too tired but I will get on to it and put a better picture to you.

I must say I am a happy little camper at the moment. Why? because on this camping trip I have found 16 new and shiny songs. Theyre very good, too. I'm not sure if I have anything else to add to that... I'll gather my thoughts and get back to you.

-jesmaq

Today I have received a few texts from the eastern states because of a little organisation called the Oaktree Foundation. The kind souls at said organisation had me on the Zero Seven make poverty history roadshow and have put me on the DVD that they stuck to the cover of todays herald sun.

So I get all these texts thismorning from my mates in Melbourne and I am about to head into Perth to see if there is a newsagency that has a copy. Thats pretty cool I think .

Its funny the things that make impressions... the more you spread yourself into the little nooks that are around, the more that people do you little kindnesses.

And its like any industry, I'd imagine. The more things that impress people, the more you are worth.. and its all a matter of opinion. I'm just pleased that I was included in such a strong lineup which I have my booking agent, Scotty to thank for it. I also think it was partly due to my touring party that we got on that DVD... They did such a great job and we all got along really well with the people who put the show together. Such lovely people.

These little things really do change the way things go and I am greatful.

thanks to everyone that just keeps nudging my name along the right paths...

In the mean time I am writing! Almost every day I have been sitting down to make a little more progress and it truly makes me feel like the professional I am becoming. All good things. I had a Jam with Drew from Karnivool the other night and something sprung up that is a little different... yum!

Hope youre well... Its finally raining here and I love the rain.

- jesmaq