Suddenly I'm very busy doing everything BUT music. It's very frustrating. I haven't picked up my guitar for days and I seem stuck to my computer doing work and planning. Plus my move is getting closer (aaaaaaaaaagh!) Usually this busyness is fine but right now it's getting in the way. Tommorow I'm going to put in three hours practice. And then I'm going to review what the hell I'm doing! On the positive side I'll probably write a new song about it.
Hmmm. Issues right now. Having to move. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAgh. But still managing to get stuff done. Short blog today. Still getting on with book. Still getting on with songs. Started another new one plus had a lovely afternoon reviewing others from my back catalogue. Back to reality now. Lots to be done! Best regards Phil
Its been a mad last week again! Busy sorting out the new Storm Books pages plus my new novel which is obsessing me and then back into the studio to pretty much complete the new track. I've been rehearsing new material (I'll probably give it a go up at the Island this week) And I've been getting my act together on planning a promo video to go with the new recordings. Somehow I need to get my promoters list ready to start establishing links to gigs in Europe in the next months. Right now it all seems faraway but you know how time speeds up!
John at EQ has been a star and the 3 song package is nearing production expectation currently. Mid September is the goal! So it's head down and get on with it all. Nice to hear that expert muso and whistle maestro Phil Hardy now has a son. Big congratulations to him and Bruni and I'll be in the studio with him next week (that's Phil and not the baby) Summer is coming and going but it's all good! Regards Phil
PS: My friend Michael the computer expert from Nuremberg and John at the desk during the last session. John waiting to pounce if he gets it wrong!
Hi All! Great gig on weekend with Miss Practice at The Proud in Camden. First time for me working with Curtis the Bass player - He is a supreme being - an amazingly jaw droppingly brilliant player. Sensitive and bold. The crowd very much liked it and Alice sang her heart out and was awesome! John played some lovely whizzy and complicated chords and we both sang BV's. I played Cajon (and guitar on one song) - prompting John's friend Mike to re-christen me Phil 'Bongo' Ryan. It's not a name I'll be using much I don't think!
Back in the studio with Peter and John on Friday finishing 'Love Walks Away' look out for it here soon - will try and play Wednesday night. But right now I'm immersed in my book writing! It's an obssesion.!! I'm off to see Mike C and the other John at Music Land TV on tuesday so watch this space. Apart from that its the usual fifty million things to sort out. Onwards and upwards. Best regards Phil
Hello I'm wake again. Busy old week ahead. Having a bit of a play Wednesday and Saturday with The Island Experiment crew - Weds at The Island at Kensal Rise and Sat at The Tabernacle at Notting Hill. Practicing a bit to play with Miss Practice at the Proud Gallery this Sunday the 8th (I'm guest guitarist and percussionist) She's an amazing singer and well worth seeing. Currently trying to finalise a few tracks by the end of August and have started new short story book called July in Prague. Check out www.stormbooks.biz as it's starting to take off! Now back to my guitar - have re-worked some tunes and now messing around with lyric ideas. Best regards Phil
Ooops late blog. Been in Prague - got so busy then relaxed forgot to blog. Just back now. More news coming next week.Lots to tell and stuff going on. This weekend Saturday 31st playing Proud Gallery Camden (In the Stables Market bit) at 4.30. Going back to sleep now. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Regards Phil
It's hot and lovely the weather - but it's not ideal for being in the studio! But I've found the sound and it's extraordinary. Still banging away on the tracks with Peter and John plus I'm forging ahead with my new novel The River Runner in my spare time. It's been great having time to sort out the new tracks and write new material for 41GP - but I'm still popping into the Island over the next few weeks as well The Proud Gallery on the 31st Saturday (40 minute set) to try out the new songs. I haven't abandoned some of my original classic songs though and they'll be making a new appearance in my new style on The Storm House when it's finished. The new songs complent them very well.
John at EQ has asked me support his daughter Alice aka Miss Practice at some upcoming shows at The Regal Rooms in Hammersmith and at The Proud Gallery in Camden over the next weeks which should be a blast - I get to play Cajon and Guitar! Finally I'm just sorting out some ideas for a new website that I'll tell you all about soon.
Mines a large one with lots of ice! Regards Phil.
Me at 17! First Headline gig. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Back in the studio and the weather just gets hotter. The Phil Hardy/Kemo/Wolf project is slowly moving along and it's nice to work with such a set of fun and creative musicians! Gearing up for a quick break soon (plus I've accidentally started writing another novel) 41GP publishing meet up soon as Richard has asked for some new songs (one is for an ex X Factor singer - not sure if they'll like what I've done but hey ho!)
Worked out some new beats and percussive parts for the next song on The Storm House album and now I'm working up a new track here on my porta studio using my Fiona twelve string and it sounds scintillating. So now its back to work sorting out a few more meetings for creative stuff and then its time for a very brief rest!
Best regards Phil
PS: Hope you like the new photos on the front page!
Sunshine and sunshine! It's been a crazy last week of new songs, guitar maintenance and general running around. Worked on new and old songs for the album. Bits of diary planning for next weeks sessions with Peter and John at EQ to move the album tracks along. Plus I've been arranging some July appearances (only one in London - at the Proud Gallery on July the 31st - the rest abroad) Will still stick my head in The Island gigs as much as I can though.
Had a very pleasant surprise when an old friend Phil Hardy an incredibly multi talented multi instrumentalist and Producer called me up to invite me into his new project. It's a four way collaboration beteween him, two artists (Kemo and Wolf) and myself. We are all from different music backgrounds and disciplines but at Phil's studio we ceated a very unusual first collaboration which we're mixing later this week (watch this space) It'll stretch me musically without being too much of chore - as all the guys are a real joy to work with. And all great singers and players!
Finally had a glorious country weekend in Cambridge working on a new stage concept with John Bird and then a bit of judicious script editing for John at EQ on my return. Enjoy the heat!!
Best regards Phil
PS Pictures next week as I can't figure how to download them off my blackberry!
Birthday week! Did a lot of cakes and tea and looking at new guitars (sensibly I didn't buy another one!) But back to work now and into EQ to begin the next process on what has now turned into 5 new tracks. Just gathering some more players into the fold for the eventual live experience and the project will have reached an important point. Still creating new material and finding time to update some old songs I really love.
Apart from that its MLTV week as the site is finally populated and then its down to me to add lots of words. So wish me luck as I get very very busy this month. Finally a new video shoot is in the planning stage to accompany the new mini CD I'll be releasing in September!
Hope its sunny wherever you are. Best regards Phil
PS A picture from a wonderful place in the City of London - a 1,000 year old church building apparently. The acoustics were fantastic to perform in. I could hear angels harmonising.
