Monday 14 November 2011

Oh how i get lost.....

Hey all,
i know the title might seem a little vague to say the least haha!
Obviously its with regards to my love for all things art and music, all though you might say they are the same thing and i would agree in many ways.

I got in from work tonight, did my hour and half workout and then played some guitar for a couple hours. After noodling over random backing tracks on YouTube i got lost within myself, it often tends to happen.
I forget everything else around me and then just let my inner music express itself freely, i honestly don't think i could be distracted in any way and if i were it might kill me (almost like sleep walking or something lol)

I actually realised I've been involved with music for almost 20 years now, its been a 20 year obsession too i can openly admit to that.
Its just crazy how i can listen to anything and feel a connection, say Jacqueline du Pré for example (who I'm listening to right now)
I love classical amongst many other genres of music out there, i just find it amazing how music that couldn't be further away from your own can still have a huge influence on you.
I put all of it down to the strength of your ears, not in a literal sense though ( like a Guinness world record attempt for dumbbells hanging from ones ear lobes lol)
Just how music translates to your brain when you hear it, some people might listen to the words, some might listen to the drums only, some might listen to the piano....
Just what grabs you when you hear it being played in whatever form, its something that your ears train themselves to do as you grow up listening.
Even sat here listening to Jacqueline du Pré i feel things absorb through me, not just the music, expression and feeling but also its timbre and tonal qualities.
Comes in handy when you a producer as well as a composer/musician, well... without getting too deep i guess what I'm trying to explain is the way music lifts and excites me when i hear it (like it has tonight and all days/nights over the last 20 years).
I'm not saying its a unique feeling and that you need to be a Painter, music producer, composer to feel this way, its just fascinating how universal it all is and we can all relate to it on a universal level.
Regardless of all the negativity in the world they produce a positive outcome, even if it what is being expressed is dark or aggressive.

Anyways... I'm rambling haha,

Sraight from playing my electric guitar to you, just a few random thoughts, im feeling great about some new music I'm working on too but i will save that for another post hehe!

Truth is, I'm in love with music and forever will be,


The impact its had on me and my life is beyond words, but not beyond the music.





I hope everyone is safe and well,



Peace and Love as always,




Lucky :-D xx

Sunday 6 November 2011

Has it really been 4 months?

Hey there,

just thought i would check in today and noticed it has been 4 months since my last blog post, suppose I've just been busy with things (as most people tend to be these days)

To be honest I'm not even sure what I'm going to type about today haha, it was only because i have had a rare "lazy Sunday" i decided to catch up on some web activity.

If any of you read my blogs then you will know they tend to be about my music but also general goings on, I'm never one to speak out about personal life to the world and its more of a therapeutic thing typing stuff out on this here blog (whether anyone reads them or not, its a good thing to do i guess)

So....
errrrmmmm...

Everything has been going great with regards to music, "The Project" album is finished and its all set for its release date 11/11/11
We are all so excited about this one, it features some excellent songwriters and some pretty kick ass musicians too.
In my previous post i talked about our experience in the studio whilst recording the album, its so hard to believe that was 4 months ago now.
The overall experience has been such a good one (tough at times though, mainly due to working to its release deadline)
The music had to be finished at least 3 weeks before its release date in order to leave enough time for digital distribution uploading, all the artwork and music files can take anything from 3 to 6 weeks to upload to the database.
Everybody worked so hard on this record and Kev Bayliss (singer) lived on the breadline to make the whole project happen, its such an honour to have been asked by Mr Bayliss if i would contribute some of my songs to this project. Not just that... i have some excellent musicians feature on them too!
We all spent many hours in the studio mixing the songs to a standard everyone was happy with, many mornings we would leave the studio blurry eyed around 4/5am.
Every second of every minute of every hour was worth it, we all couldn't be happier with the way this album has turned out.

The album will be available from here on 11/11/11 http://kevbayliss.bigcartel.com/products

I have been working on so many different things I'm starting to get dizzy with all the spinning plates haha, there is also something else that's been waiting in the wings for some time now though!

Raven Falls is a project that was put together by Rob Clutton many years ago, it originally started as a co-written project between Rob and my good friend/Drummer Kevin Bartlett a very long time ago (yes.. its length in existence has become something of a legendary story now lol)
The music has taken on many shapes and forms even before it was presented to me, myself and Mr Bartlett dived straight in and re-demoed every single song but also worked up a new piece for the album called Zion, its very progressive at times and features some pretty impressive bits of musicianship.
Rob had this collection of songs (co-written with Kev) with all the vocals pretty much there, to be honest the music wasn't really my bag but because they were open to having a new outlook on the songs (having built up a great musical relationship with Kev) i dived straight in and reworked the lot.
Once everything was recorded, the album went through many different mixes but nothing seemed to go our way.
It was being tossed about here and there and it didn't work, so just like people say "if you want a job doing right, your probably better off doing it yourself"
We have decided to book time in with Steve Eastment (co-producer and mixing engineer at smash rooms) as he did such a great job working with us on "The Project" album.
That way all 3 of us can sit in with Ste and mix it just how we want it to be, no compromising anything and incorporating everything.
The album features over 70 minutes worth of music ranging from pop/rock ballads to full on metal, of course... there's everything in between too.
There isn't a release date confirmed just yet but its something that has be anticipated I'm sure!

On top of that i have my own music of course, I've decided to take a long break from collaborating to focus on what might possibly be another 3 album release but we will see.
Definitely step back in to writing and recording another instrumental record (well i have started a few demos already) and another pop/rock venture similar to "Tokyo Rules"
I spoke to Kev today about banging our heads together and knocking up another possible concept for another concept album similar to "Project 8105"

all albums available from: http://www.luckysinghonline.com/

We are also looking to record an album for VCustoms motorbike accessories shop, they have a couple of outstanding stunt riders and we will be looking to provide music for there events which will probably turn into an albums worth of music.

The music is still flowing so I'm sure next year will be as big if not bigger then this one, just like life itself.. We will just have to see how things pan out.
All exciting stuff though!

There isn't really much more to say to be honest (all though i have said a fair bit already, surprise surprise its all music stuff as well haha)

Well... Xmas is almost here so i guess thats another "Expense" to look forward too lol, fortunately I've landed myself some work so earning some extra cash which is always great.
Still trying my best to get fit too, training 3/4 times a week and a 6/7k run every Saturday morning (plus a 20 minute walk home every night from work)
Planning on getting down to an ideal weight by my birthday next March, fingers crossed hey!

Other than that not much has changed, I'm still me and I'm still here so i guess that's all that matters right.

That's about it for now then, will try post here a little more often in the future.
Just amazing how fast 4 months can fly by you, even a year can just disappear!

Hope you are safe and well, whoever you are hehe!

Lucky :-) xx

Friday 17 June 2011

Final Day in the "Magic Garden"

Well.....


So we are at the final day today, all songs have been recorded and now its time to get them mixed.
Its been such an experience at Magic Garden, things have gone very smoothly but unfortunately the time has gone very fast!



Each song is very different from the next but as a collection of songs on a record these are going to work great, you can imagine how we felt leaving the studio excited and happy with 1 song "Quicksand" well... its that feeling 5 times over haha!


Gavin, Gazz and Joe have done such an amazing job so far, getting the best out of us to get the best out of these songs and they are sounding amazing.
Its strange walking in with a handful of demos that have been thrown 'this way' and 'that way' to the point everybody is happy, but then you step in to a studio with someone like Gav and his respected opinion and experience take your collective ideas far beyond your own creative minds.
The songs we least expected to work within "The project" have actually turned out to be the favourites, when you have high respect for someones opinions (like a have for Gavs) it means so much to hear him say "Thats my favourite song" or "This sounds great" etc.. haha.

All though we are happy with them its always going to be the peoples opinions that really add to this accomplishment, its a lot about the listener at the end of the day and what you all think.

I can see some pretty amazing times ahead though, recording new music steered more towards the direction we are developing in the studio right now.
Well crafted demos by a great bunch of musicians, re-recorded and produced by an extremely experienced producer is the winning formula.

Anyways.....

Better get myself ready to leave, Kev Bayliss (Singer) is on his way to pick me up soon.

The final day of whats been an amazing week is here, excited really isnt the word to describe my emotions ;-)

Chow for now,

Lucky

Monday 13 June 2011

"Entering The Magic Garden"

Hey folks,

Well......
Yesterday was day 1 of recording with Gavin Monaghan and Gazz Rogers at "Magic Garden Studio" in Wolverhampton, 5 songs that will be featured on a 9/11 track album by "The Project".
Its such a blessing to be back at "Magic Garden" after whats been some years now (apart from recording "Quicksand" a few months back)
Its such a comfortable environment to work in, i say work but its definitely more fun than working lol

As Gazz rightly said yesterday "The studio is a safe haven for musicians" i couldn't agree more with that statement, you get to be completely "you" and its delivered sonically through the music you create together with the people around you.
I don't think I've ever been in a studio and not learnt something new, Gav always has so many stories and is so humble about his work too.
If you ever wanted to know anything in terms of recording hes so open about it all, its rare you meet people like Gav that are willing to share the magic.
That magic that they've discover over decades of passion and hard work, an obvious love for what they do.

This might be a bold statement but yesterday was 1 of the best experiences I've had in life so far, couldn't imagine being with nicer people doing what i love to do.
Make music and just play my guitar!

Things are sounding amazing too and i have to say a big thank you to Steve and Andy Eastment at Smash Rooms in Telford, without their help we wouldn't of been able to get the track listing up by 2+ more songs.
Recording the drums with Steve at Smash Rooms has helped us so much, capturing a well engineered set of drum takes has been a total blessing in terms of the time we have to focus on all other instruments/vocals.

Mr Bartlett managed to get all 5 songs nailed in one day!!
It is amazing to see someone do that, not just that but we were able to tone it down to only a few drum fills here and there haha!
Brilliant work bro!

Mr Bayliss... well haha!

This whole project is Kev's idea and he has actually funded this whole thing so i cant thank him enough for letting me be a part if it all, not just that but also to consider using 3 of my own compositions to co-write and collaborate on.
What Kev has added to these songs vocally is far better than i could of imagined, its an honour to send a piece music to kev and get it back with his vocals and just say "that's it!"

I really have found a great musical chemistry with Kev (another Kev to add to brotherhood haha), its turning out to be a great musical partnership that will continue for a long time to come I'm sure.

So tomorrow we head back in for 4 days to finish up, i should hopefully have all of my guitars done tomorrow (including Acoustic Guitars)

Nick (bassist/guitarist) is joining us tomorrow onwards too, be nice to see how his ideas weave in to the tapestry.

I'm so excited about getting this thing finished and out there to you all, but honestly...
If i could make this week last a lifetime i would be more than happy, so if any record labels are reading this then sort it out would ya lol!

Peace & Luv as Always :-) xx

Wednesday 8 June 2011

7uckytv at Youtube....

Hey everyone,

i realised last week that i haven't uploaded any new vids to 7uckytv since "Breathing" my Guitar Idol Entry.
Its been 8/9 months!!!!!
Haha....

Ive decided to film 3 new videos, they feature instrumental songs that may possibly be contenders for the new record.
They haven't been confirmed as I'm still feeling them out, i thought it would be nice to film them and get peoples opinions on them first.
If they don't make the album well at least they have been featured in some way or another, they could easily be part of the instrumental record but as i say... we will see.

Anyways.... just a short one here but i will keep you all updated peeps.


Peace & Luv as Always ;-) xx

Monday 30 May 2011

Good Things Always Come In 3's.

Well, well, well....

How is everyone?
I would like to announce that I'm working on another "Triple Album" Release, i have been working away at so much music it seems only fitting to take it on again.

Its amazing how much music i actually have archived, not to pat myself on the back too much but i am proud Ive had the patience to get to a recording device and document any ideas that emerge out of the ether.
It must be this time of year or something lol!
I sat up late last night drafting up a master plan, each album, its genre, its content etc etc etc....
Its going to be very similar to the previous release in terms of over all genres, however...
Having spent a few years evolving as a musician and exploring myself as a composer, I'm going to be pushing myself even further forward both Technically and Dynamically (without disregarding who i am as a person or the music that comes from within me)
I wont Reveal anymore but please head on over to www.LuckySinghOnline.com and sign up to the mailing list and i will keep you all posted.

Peace and Luv as always ;-) xx

P.S. Subscribe to www.youtube.com/7uckytv
I'm planning on filming a few demo versions of possible contenders for the Instrumental album!!

Chow for now ;-)

Sunday 17 April 2011

An update on life so far and a New Project!!

Hey All, sorry i haven't updated in a while but i have been busy with many, many good things ;-) As always I've been working away in the studio to see what inspiration brings to me, its such a blessing when you plug away at writing music and that moment arises where it just all comes together like magic. To give you an idea of how much music i have been writing... I'm actually running out of drive space here ahhhhh lol! All though i still go in blind and just go from wherever the inspiration takes me at that moment, its nice to finally be able to write in most genres and feel i can deliver it with some sincerity. Music is such a mystic/magical place i tell ya haha, its like your own private little playground that only you know about and who understands its personal deepness. I'm still focusing on the next Instrumental installment (listening to demos right now as i type) Its a tricky one this... People seem to have such a wide range of musical tastes these days, with the advent of the Internet its really opened peoples eyes up to anything and everything music oriented. My heart says "stay clear of the fast Shred guitar playing" but my mind says "it seems to be what people want to hear" I'm kinda torn between the 2 at the moment. It becomes frustrating going into the studio conscious of what i want and what the people would expect, guess its all the fun and games that come with being a musician/songwriter. I have previously blogged about focusing on a more commercial pop/rock based album, i was demoing many little ditties for a possible album and then was approached with a great opportunity. Through my longtime friend/drummer Kev Bartlett, I was asked by I very talented singer "Kev Bayliss" if i would consider collaborating on an album with him. We began meeting and we toyed with the idea of putting a band together, arranging rehearsals and writing music as a band. I started to dig out some old demos to consider for this new project, unfortunately the project was shelved for reasons i wont go into but it never saw the light of day again. Kev Bayliss was considering a collaboration album of his own featuring musicians he has worked with past and now present (ME haha) We started with a song that was demoed for the original "Project" idea that was shelved, "Quicksand" (originally titled Tone Of Voice) is to be the first single from an album due to be released at the end of 2011. It really is amazing to see this song being developed into what it finally is, i had written it back in 1999 with Adam Morgan (a very talented drummer) and it was just guitar and drums. After re-demoing the song adding extra guitars and bass Kev Bayliss wrote and record a vocal, after hearing the demo it was pretty clear this one was going to be a single for sure! Pete Lakin also features on Piano/Keyboards on this song, gave the song a whole dimension and is definitely more radio friendly. We spent a Sunday at The Smash Rooms in Telford to record Kev Bartletts drums and then we spent 2 days at Magic Garden Studios Wolverhampton to record mix and master the rest. You can have a listen to a snippet of the song here: http//www.facebook.com/kevbaylissmusic The new demos are sounding great too and we are back in the studio in June to finish up, I'm really looking forward to getting peoples views on this. There are many, many other things to blog about, think i will save them for another day though lol! Peace & Luv as always ;-) xx Lucky

Tuesday 15 March 2011

JAPAN

Japan Needs Our Help
You can help Japan deal with earthquake/tsunami by donating through The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)


http://www.ifrc.org/

Monday 31 January 2011

January and so on....

Hey all,
just a little note here nothing too exhausting lol!

Just to let you know that my new covers band "Comic Book Villains"
performed our first 2 shows last weekend.
FIrst being Saturday the 29th Jan at the Haygate Wellington, it was also the landlady Tina's birthday which made the night extra special!
Tina & her family have done so much for the band over the past few months, even allowing us to rehearse in the pub early hours of most Sunday Mornings.
The 30th of January was our second show at The Crew in Nuneaton, having played there many times before it was a pleasure going back there and seeing some old faces.
Strange thing was... throughout the show all 4 of us felt like we were dying on our arses (excuse my french lol)
when we were packed up and finished, the bar staff said how great we were and how people were constantly saying how amazing the show was.
Even to the extent of saying we were the best band they had ever had (go figure lol), hearing that after thinking we fell flat on our faces was pretty shocking to be fair lol!
Theyve asked us to book more dates there, i could see them being Friday and Saturday bookings which is great if they are!
Roll on show number 3!!

As for my own music....
ive had to slow things down a little...
As ive had the first few shows coming up with CBV ive had to focus alot of time on musical gear, getting things repaired and trying new setups etc...
Im still going back to my original demos for both the 2nd Instrumental album and a new acoustic guitar, vocal oriented album.
Im looking to have both completed and available hopefully by the summer of this year, soon as the covers band has settled in i can focus my attention more on composing new material and getting these things recorded!!
Ive had a few friends review the 1st 3 possible considerations for the instrumental album, Black Moon, Joanne and Sins (all working titles) are 3 ideas i had originally demod as instrumentals but also considered them for a possible pop/rock project.
I have the mini reviews on my personal Facebook page (you can find me by looking through the friends list on the 'Lucky Singh' group page)

I did say it was going to be a short note today but hey ho haha, hope you have all been safe and well and this new year has been a great start for each and every one of you!!

Peace & Luv as always,

Lucky ;-) xx