Category: What’s Happenin’

Has it been that long?  Yup yup yup.  I have been through a few health issues of late, and playing music had to go on the back burner for quite a spell.

BUT I am now keen to get back into some mild gigging.  Not looking for huge venues, or big sound, but rather a quiet spot or two.  I’ve done a couple of gigs at the Alberton Hotel lately.  Not a music pub as a rule, but happy to have had me there on a couple of special occasions, the latest being a charity gig I did gratis, to help raise money for the Cancer Council of SA via the 2022 Kay Brien Relay for Life Memorial Walk on Oct 16th.  It was a great event with over 200 participants, many of whom stayed for a breakfast after their walk.

I am not seeking fame or fortune, I just like supplying enjoyable entertainment.

Woo-Hoooo!  It’s arrived, my shipment of self-produced CDs.

A huge shout-out to Dex Audio in Melbourne for their professionalism, patience, and understanding whilst this self-made old hack launched himself up a very steep learning curve in having my CDs replicated and printed.  Not only that, but at this the busiest time of year for most, they still managed to get them to me by Christmas.  AND they look just great.

Added edit: And here’s a sample, you can hear all six songs on soundcloud!

Well I never thought it would happen, but now it is.  I am producing an EP (six songs) CD which includes four songs I’ve written myself!  It is only the encouragement of friends and the public at large, which has got me to this place.

I’m frequently asked when busking “have you got any CDs for sale?” and until now, I’ve had to say “no”.  I know of some buskers who just go ahead and produce CDs, sometimes covering others’ songs without any regard for copyright or quality, but if I’m going to produce and sell something, it has to be something which ticks all of the proper boxes.

And now, I have it.  I’ve placed my order for the first pressing of over 500 copies of “Nothing Artificial Added”, a title which reflects my style in a nutshell.  I didn’t want to make anything which sounds too remote from me and my guitar when busking, so each track is recorded in one hit, both guitar and vocals simultaneously, just as I would perform live.  Minimal processing has helped produce a natural sound which is easy to listen to.

To top it all off, I’ve done it entirely myself (apart from the generosity of the contributors to my GoFundMe campaign). Performance, recording, processing, engineering, mastering, and artwork have all been done by me, and I’m having it professionally replicated (rather than burning) by Dex Audio, who gave me a great quote and who have been more than a little helpful and patient along the way.  They not only manufacture the CDs, but also handle printing and packaging.

A huge thanks also to Ricky Burningham of Mushroom Records who helped me gain the permission I needed to add a verse to “The Ballad Of Ned Kelly”, kindly granted by Warlock/BMG who own the rights to Trevor Lucas’ song which was recorded as “Poor Ned” by the band Redgum.

Also a special thanks to Peter Fenton of APRA/AMCOS who helped guide me through the rabbit warren of law and protocol regarding copyright and licencing requirements.

BTW I don’t aim to get rich or famous by this, but I am happy now to be able to answer “why yes!” when people ask me for a CD.

Music SA are supporting an initiative to showcase local busking talent inside the Adelaide Railway Station up until Christmas.  Each weekday afternoon from around 4-6:30pm local performers will be busking in the station, under the banner of Tracks at the Railway Station.

I’ve had two evenings so far.  I don’t envisage any more this year, as they’ve got more contenders than they do spots to fill!  I was encouraged by the comments from passers-by, and I do hope this continues into next year.  Currently it’s a trial but if all goes well, it may continue indefinitely.  Considering busking has been banned inside the station for a decade or so…

Of Mice and Men… Well it seems I’m not going to make enough with my GoFundMe campaign to produce the two CDs I planned, so I’ve decided to make a change or two.

I’ll make and release first a compilation EP with six tracks, four of my own compositions and two covers. One being the Queensland version of Waltzing Matilda, the other being The Ballad Of Ned Kelly (Trevor Lucas), my own version of which is the Redgum version (Poor Ned) with a verse added to the end, which I penned myself after Ned’s remains were uncovered at Pentridge Prison (where he was hanged) and returned to his kin.

This way, I will soon be able to afford to proceed to production and once I sell some of those, I’ll have enough money to make the two full-length CDs I want to make!  I’ve always said where there’s a will there’s a relative rubbing their hands together… 🙂

Anyhow, all I need now is another $300.00.  I have had $585 donated so far.  I need around $800 to replicate the CDs and around $100 for royalties for the Trevor Lucas song, and other AMCOS costs.

If ANYONE can spare a little (or a little more, if you’ve already donated) it would be a great help.  I’ll still honour my original plan of mailing CDs to my donors so if you want to get in early, and free (sort of…) then now’s your chance.

I have heard on the grapevine that soon busking is to be stopped at the Port Mall shopping centre. I’ve been busking down there for over a year now, and it’s been a welcome top-up to my disability pension. I have also got some charity work from it, and a few private engagements. The ban has apparently become necessary due to the bad habits of some of those who have started busking there of late, namely drinking, swearing, and leaving rubbish around. I know my presence is always welcome down there as security, store staff, and the general public all tell me they like having me around.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope that management can come up with a suitable alternative to a complete ban. Keep yer fingers crossed!

I have recently secured a regular gig at the Semaphore Hotel.  Each Sunday starting around noon I’ll be playing in the beer garden, at least while weather permits.  The Sem has recently started offering a carvery lunch and Acoustic Nostalgia is the perfect music choice for the venue.  Not too loud and a variety of music to cater for all tastes.  See ya there!

A huge THANK YOU must go to the people of Port Adelaide.

They say that when one door closes, another door opens.  After the downer of being expunged from busking at Westlakes, I went down to Port Adelaide last Saturday morning, and played through lunch time.  I was set up on the West-facing wall of Foodland, facing the large car park.

I have to say the punters were quite generous on the day.  So much so that I was able to pass a few bucks on to Bruno, a local identity who is frequently seen down the port bumming money or cigarettes.  Easy come easy go I say, and Bruno is one of those people who, if I have a bit to spare on the day, I’ll always pass on a bit to him so I was glad that the locals were in a giving mood.

Thank you people of the Port, you’ve done yourselves proud.

Well, it seems the odd squeaky wheel gets the oil.  A small number of shop owners at Wesfield Westlakes have put an end to the live entertainment myself and other buskers have been supplying (free) there.

Whilst I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from passers-by and shop owners alike, it seems that a couple of those who would rather have canned doof-doof blasting their customers have taken it upon themselves to shut the live stuff down.  You see, people don’t pass on the good comments to management.  There’s  no need to.  Only those who want to complain and whinge will go to the trouble.  And they have.

The management themselves have expressed regret at having to take the action of shutting us down, they said they enjoyed the ambiance live music added to the centre, but that they must keep their paying leaseholders happy, and that they’ve had word from national HQ that the busking must stop, citing legal concerns.  Seems the whingers have gone right to the top.  There should be no legal concerns.  Even though when busking I am just a ‘beggar with a permit’, I have a $20million legal liability policy just in case some litigious bastard trips on my guitar case and wants to sue.

Anyhow, seems not much can be done, though I am thinking of a well-worded letter of complaint to Westfield HQ myself… stay tuned!