Things I am looking forward to (or aiming to do) in 2011 :)

January 5, 2011

In no particular order:

  • Richard Thompson concert later this month. Loved the new album, and this will be the  first time I’ve seen him with a full electric band. Should be a cracking gig.
  • Penguin Cafe Orchestra concert in Febuary. I saw the new incarnation in  the Ed Festival year before last. Was great getting to hear all those lovely little tunes, as the original PCO was before my time. Glad to see the new lot are still going strong and returning to Edinburgh outside of the festival (and hence, cheaper tickets, longer concert, and a more reasonable start time!)
  • The Invisible Helpers debut gig and recordings. We were meant to be playing our first gig in December, but it was cancelled due to all that snow (seems to long ago now!). Norman seems to be dead keen to get the show on the road soon though, so I can’t imagine it’ll  be that long til we play. On a related note, we were in the recording studio yesterday laying the foundations down for two tunes. I’m quite excited to hear how they sound as more parts gradually get added.
  • Louisa’s first ice hockey match with the Beagals. Although I do worry a little, i can imagine it’ll be great fun to watch! I do hope she makes it through in one piece though!
  • Getting my Go Kyu past 20 on DGS. Shouldn’t be too hard, as long as I can avoid making stupid mistakes. Not playing Go for six years makes you careless!
  • Getting a 3rd journal paper accepted. Optimistic. And it’s been a while since I had a publication. But I there was more interest in my work than I expected at the Paris AVA meeting, so fingers crossed.
  • Continuing to improve my ‘cello playing. Here’s hoping that by the end of 2011, I’ll be better than I was in 2000! Eep. I’m really enjoying trying to play Brahm’s 1st cello sonata just now. And the Vivaldi sonatas.
  • Get more of my daft electronic solo music done. You never know, I might manage to do enough for a EP :)
  • The National Museum of Scotland reopening in the summer!
  • Potentially, a trip to Skye for a little Scottish Vision Conference around Easter.
  • The Big Chill, if I can persuade a few friends to come along :)
  • More hill walking with Ed. About time I walking up some Monroes.

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From the archives: Some Arping

November 29, 2010

Well, as I’m back blogging, I thought I’d dust off and upload another old tune. From way back when in my Warwick days. I think I must of just discovered arpegators and slap bass when I wrote this one. I can’t think up any other reasons for something so musically tasteless. Still, it’s a colourful tune and fairly upbeat and happy for once.

Some Arping by Riadsala

Also, look, see, I have discovered Soundcloud…

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X Factor

November 28, 2010

Well, given that nearly all my friends are either watching the X Factor, or complaining about the X Factor, I thought I might as well add to the overwhelming pile of nonsense. Louisa watches it, and I usually half watch while practising my guitar or playing a computer game.

Firstly: I don’t like the X Factor. But not for the same reason as most my friends who are complaining about it. I don’t like it cause it’s cheap telly. Too many recaps and voice overs and soundbites. And not enough music or analysis. It it was done properly, openly, and honestly, I think it would be fascinating. Simon Cowell is very good at what he does. Who obviously has a very low opinion of the music buying public (probably warranted, as people do buy the XFactor singles, and go to the live shows).  Oh, and another reason i dislike it: the volume of the crowd is far louder than the volume of the music. The moronic screaming is annoying. Also, I think it’s a bit of a shame to see good interesting vocalists go through the X Factor process. A couple of them sounds increasingly dull and bland every show. But again, Simon Cowell knows what he’s doing and whoever wins will end up making him a load of money.

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5ives

November 25, 2010

Well well well. Another blog. I’m still here (more on that later).

 

Anyways, I thought I’d upload 5ives, as it’s about as finished as it’s ever going to get without a serious new source of inspiration. I hope to reuse some of the ideas at a later date. Maybe even pull it apart, rework it, and play it in a band. But for the time being, I’m calling it done.

5ives – Riadsala

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Quote of the Day

July 8, 2010

I like the fact that there’s a driving beat and some very fast and strange stuff from Alasdair going on over the top. This is going to be fun live

PS. For those of you that are on the edge of your seats with anticipation, I’ll get round to writing a proper update sooner or later.

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My Suit Isn’t Big Enough

June 8, 2010

My suit isn’t big enough.

It doesn’t have enough flashing lights either:

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XKCD Tetris

April 20, 2010

Just thought I’d share….

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And another gig with Calum…. Blue Wednesday feat. Neoviolet and some other people

April 6, 2010

And here’s another last minute gig. Calum’s been asked to host Blue Wednesday this month (at the Forest Cafe) and as such will be playing a little set of his own material, and yours truly will be along to to accompany him on bass. His band, Neoviolet are also playing and worth checking out. So come along… as I have the day off work, I might investigate my new box of tricks and see if I can fit it into the set somewhere.

Oh yes, and I handed in my thesis :)

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One more little set to add to the list…

April 2, 2010

Hi Alasdair,

Can you come and play bass for three songs on Tuesday 6th April (which
is next week)? Paul Gilbody has had a cancellation and offered me a
three song set at Acoustic Edinburgh. So my plan is to go in, play a blinding three
song set (which would require you on bass) and wow them that much that
they feel like tits for treating me like an also ran.

That’s if you’re free. If you’re not, i will turn down the opportunity i think.
Let me know anyway,

it’s 7pm at Medina on Tuesday to do a quick line check if
that’s okay, and i expect we’ll probably be on quite early, probably
first, though he didn’t say.

Calum C…….

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Some Upcoming Gigs

March 31, 2010

Here are some upcoming gigs. I’ll be accompanying Calum Carlyle on bass, and will be playing ‘cello with Lindsay and the Storm. All gigs are in Edinburgh, unless it says otherwise.

15th April, 9pm – Calum Carlyle – Featured Artist at Out of the Bedroom. The Tron

24th April – ?pm – Calum Carlyle - The Hide @ The Argyle Bar

25th April – 8pm – Lindsay and the Storm – The Listening Room, The Blue Blazer

29th April – 8pm – Lindsay and the Storm - Concrete Campfire,  Bar Brel, Glasgow

30th April – 8pm – Lindsay and the Storm – MUSA Arts Cafe, Aberdeen (Note: don’t know if I’m playing this gig or not yet)

22nd May – 2:30pm – Calum Carlyle – Elvis Shakespeare, Leith Walk

2nd June - 7pm – Lindsay and the Storm – Secret CDs – The Poenix Cellar Bar

6th June – 8pm – Lindsay and the Storm - Acoustic – Aragon, Glasgow

7th June – ?pm – Lindsay and the Storm – The Voodoo Rooms



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