Lyle Lovett's gig @ Hamer Hall was awesome (in the true sense of the word).  His songs were heartfelt and technically perfect, his manner was personable, funny & respectable, his band was understated brilliance, they all looked fantastic in suits & created harmony & beauty not only musically but by the way they positioned themselves and interacted, these men R performers of the utmost professionalism & showmanship.

KC Chambers was good 2.  She's right, what a lucky woman 2 B touring with this legendary outfit.

Well, we made it.  The Loose Ends Launch was finally held after several years of brain fermentation.  A good natured crowd of 100 family, friends, friends of family, family of friends, family of family & friends of friends & kids belonging 2 all of the aforementioned enjoyed the show put on by our 4 piece band (AB on piano/vocals(der), Mark McSherry on guitar, Mario Iacobaccio on bass & vocal harmonies & Nick Merisch on drums).  We played all 10 songs from the album, then I autographed 21 CDs 4 eager purchasers & donated all dosh 2 the RSPCA.  As I slurped my post performance sparkling I also quietly celebrated a significant "0" birthday which shall remain nameless, suffice 2 say apparently it is the new "30"!  1 tiny regret after an otherwise brilliant occassion - I didnt take any photos of the crowd.  So I have plenty of the band performing but little of the wonderful people who made it an event.  If U attended please dont B alarmed if U suddenly encounter me & my camera during my journey around Melbourne 2 capture the images of my fabulous audience! 

Since Launch day I have written & recorded a song about the drought 4 an ABC comp & attended training held by the Australian Conservation Foundation in Magnificent Morwell 2 B 1 of their "GreenHome Community Leaders".  Again, dont B alarmed if after I take your photo I then gently persuade U 2 sit & converse green.

On January 22nd 2009 I became a mother.  My son Beau will celebrate his 1st birthday this coming weekend, & 2 weeks later I will celebrate my own significant biological milestone with another long-awaited event, the belated launch of Loose Ends.  Its gunna B huge people.

Brainstorming re the plausibility of performing a CD launch 4 "Loose Ends" preggers:

PROS:

Get it done 2 fully concentrate on motherhood in 2009

Give me a project 2 get my mind off the perils of pregnancy

Can take leave from dayjob 2 plan, practise, prepare

With the CD now available, will a later launch pack as much punch?

If not now, when?

CONS:

Will B substantially pregnant ie 3rd trimester by the time it is organised

Stress of organisation & performing pregnant

Would enjoy the launch more not pregnant:

eg concern about growing baby would limit my ability 2 "throw" myself completely in2 the show

eg no celebratory/nerve settling drinx pre/post show

Not enough time 2 do make it a salubrious event eg notifying industry/media, a suitable venue, an attractive stage setup, catering

Extra curricular energies would B better focused on baby preparations

The most important thing in my life is a healthy pregnancy & a healthy baby in January.  Anything compromising this is not worth attempting 4 the sake of tying up "Loose Ends".

The 2.4 of us (me, Adrian & 19 week foetus) made the mad dash 2 Sydney 4 the nite 2 attend "The Easys", my first songwriting awards ceremony.  I was on stage 3 times with fellow nominees & accepted 2 awards - I did not win the prestigious Rudy Brandsma award 4 songwriting excellence but IT WAS AN HONOUR 2 B NOMINATED :o) 

Loose Ends came 7th in the Country category and Fire in my Mind 9th in the Contemporary/Dance  (press alert).   Fire In My Mind - not my usual genre so nice surprise 4 that song.  Loose Ends - 2 judges complimented me on a highly original entry worthy of 1st place & requested a copy of my CD.  So despite not being able 2 take advantage of the open bar & eat as I pleased from the delicious platters (baby baby I love U growing in me but ROLL ON JANUARY so U R out of my belly & in my arms) our journey was a worthwhile experience.

I have not blogged nor plugged my CD "Loose Ends" 4 6 months due 2 various health issues, & will elaborate on 2 of the physical impairments 2 my musical journey.  1 caused recurring pins and needles down the left side of my body 4 several months.  I underwent a brain CT (2 rule out stroke/blood clotting), extensive neck and back x-rays, a neck CT and an MRI Brain (2 rule out MS) 2 thankfully confirm the only culprit was a "cervical rib" - an extra bit of tissue sticking out of my neck bone impinging on a nerve.  Apparently a lucky 2% of us R born with this affliction.  There is no cure, however it is not life-threatening & certain good habits ie healthy sleeping position & posture can modify its impact.

In May my producer Mark, my bass-playing friend Mario & I were preparing 4 a CD launch in July.  @ our second rehearsal I postponed the launch until August, & in July postponed it again indefinitely.  Why?  Now, 18 weeks in2 it, I will confirm my pregnancy online.  Juggling full-time work, morning sickness and the other stresses accompanying this blessing left no energy 4 extra-curricular pursuits.  However, I did enter songs from "Loose Ends" in the Australian Songwriting Association's competition this year, & am pleased 2 announce that 2 songs have reached the top 10 in the Country and Contemporary categories, & I have been nominated 4 an award in songwriting excellence.

I will B attending the awards ceremony in Sydney later this week - stay tuned 4 the results...        

The past few months have been, well, stressful.  I have certainly faced pressures/changes in various areas of life, however, they were intensified exponentially by my tendency to worry/panic/fret/stew/control etc.  In fact, no tragedy has befallen me or mine, the threat of it only existing in my troubled mind (apart from the weather, we need 2 do something!!!), and someone with a less type A approach would've sailed through this time if not unscathed, way less scathed.  Yes I know - psychology 101, basic self awareness, common sense etc, but anxiety can carry U 2 the dark side & leave U floundering.

new years resolution = CHILL

Anywaze, I'm over the hectic time & "Loose Ends" is on the production line as I type.  Looking 4ward 2 bringing my music 2 the people this year  :o)

Due 2 a looming, significant & daunting dayjob commitment & an impending house move, I will B unable 2 website* or music* as usual 4 the rest of 2007.  Thankfully I recently scored a couple of unexpected home days during which I laboured 2 update aforesaid 2 my satisfaction.  Please enjoy the result & U will hear from me when the CD is done.

* verb

I was happily surprised reading a recent blog by my UK-based mate - about me!.  Belly gaffawing ensued when I read how she perceived me - 1 doesn't often ask others how they appear 2 them, & other's don't often voluntarily profer their perceptions, so when 1 gets the low-down on 1self thru the observer's eye (B they stranger, acquaintance, friend or soul mate) it can B fascinating & insightful.  Like most of us unfamous plebs, reading about 1self is a novelty akin 2 being in a changeroom where wall 2 wall mirrors enable 1 2 check out angles of 1self unfamiliar 2 1(ie derriere) that others C every day (well not everyone sees my derriere everyday but they C more of it than me!).  Even in that instance, 1 is still the "narrator" of 1self, whereas in Kelly's blog I am a character in her book, grinning like a cheshire cat with a minor but managable drinking issue :o)  thanx Kel   PS Spelt derriere good hope I.

http://melbournedreaming.blogspot.com/2007/08/in-which-i-stop-moaning-and-talk-about.html

Hmmm, just read the scariest possibility ever.  The emminent scientist Stephen Hawking reckons that rising temperatures may trigger an unstoppable ecological reaction that transforms Earth into another Venus - ie a hot, dead planet.  I had believed that global warming may wipe most of us out, but that once we were gone or sufficiently depleted Earth would eventually recover. 

Nice legacy human race - the mainstream daily current affairs shows should widen their definition of "tenants from hell" to include us all!  What a ratings grabber ;o)

I'm a raving introvert, I dont want 2 B famous.  But I wanna get my music "out there", so people have the opportunity 2 listen & derive enjoyment from it.  There are many singers/writers/songs who/that light up my world, & I believe this is how I would best "contribute 2 society". 

I like my current office job.  & I am but 1 of an uncountable number of creatives who must settle in2 less self-fulfilling occupations 2 live well.  I'm not resentful.  Choosing 2 surrender the life of unrelenting soul-bearing, shabby gigs, man troubles, paltry pay, insecurity, unfulfilled promises, rejection, booze etc in favour of hubby home & hearth, regularity, stability, financial security, booze etc made me a happier person full stop. Sure, the ocassional crumb of recognition was thrown, appreciative listeners were heartwarming, but they did not pay the rent.  I do not want 2 dedicate my life 2 "art" @ the expense of everything else.  

But I continue my quest behind the scenes, & still hope that my songs may one day prosper in the commercial realm.

I remember loving hot weather a few years ago.  Bright sunny days and balmy nites rocked, household chores were effortless when washing and floors dried in 10 minutes, being confined 2 an office 9-5 was unbearable during summer etc.  Now, I dont know whether its because I am afraid of global warming and drought, or that I spent my sun-worshipping years in a dark dampish house & since the move have had no biological imperative 2 top up my vitamin D the natural way @ any opportunity, but I am sure loving our "descent" into Winter.  Red wine-quaffing on chesterfields in dimly lit bars beats beer-guzzling on banana lounges bayside, no contest between salad vs steaming bowls of hearty soup or spag bol, jumper-wearing, overcast skies, bone-chilling breezes, RAIN PLEASE MORE RAIN BRING IT ON  is wot gets my juices flowing.  3 years ago a move 2 Queensland or WA was appetising.  Now, the south island of NZ looks good, or mayB Finland.

I am really happy 2 B performing again.  Years ago I was on stage regularly, either doing the lucrative but soul-destroying thing (wedding band singer) or the soul-baring/hard yakka/art is its own reward thing (lugging my HEAVY electric piano around Melbourne 2 strut my original stuff).  There was a substantial hiatus 2 seek/sort/regroup.  Now sought, sorted & regrouped, I've found a nice outlet 2 once again put my 2 cents in2 the muso stratosphere.  Once a month (a nice amount of performing 4 a dayjob girl), I get 2 Wax Lyrical at Hardimans or the Old Hepburn.  This time round I'm settled & confident, & with the important addition of my own personal roadie & groupie combined in2 one (very attractive) package, its gr8 2 B back!

(see gigz 4 dates)

I haven't written a song 4 3 years odd, which is how long my current, stable relationship has been going strong.  Recently, due 2 the rapup of the CD, I have revisited song ideas that have been churning in id since i last put down my quill, and my what a struggle its been!  I was never a prolific songwriter, averaging 1/2 a dozen or so songs a year @ my peak, but they used 2 come easy, often involuntarily (why I got in2 this caper).  Now, my quest 4 fresh material is relatively forced.  Which led me 2 the question, does my domestic bliss equal creative meltdown?  In short, NO!  It's TIME!!  Lack thereof.  The words R a-flowing when they get a chance (long weekends R helpful).  In the good old miserable days I had enforced rumination.  Now, with full time work & a relationship 2 nourish there is little energy 4 quality introspection.  Thankfully my natural motivator, GUILT, has intervened and ensured the production line is now operational, & 1 shiny newy dropped off the conveyer belt yesterday. 

I am rewarding myself with this procrastinating blog.  

Some people hate the yearly reminder that they R growing old.  I love my birthday.  1 day when the niceness and kindness in my family, friends, colleagues etc is truly on display 4 me!  U get coffee in bed.  U can get 2 work late & take a long lunch.  U can take personal calls all day.  & U can drink B4 5pm guilt-free.  Giftwise, U get what U want (unlike Christmas when everyone is stressed by the shopping/family gathering issues & presents R often bought in haste).  Living is also an achievement in itself in this wonderous, wild world, so congratulations R in order 4 reaching the next chronological marker.  Happy Birthday everybody :o)