"Crash course in all things music"

Again, thank you for following my blog, and for your comments. I am very happy you continue to read and enjoy !
Welcome to any newcomers, may I suggest you read my previous blogs first to fill you in with the story so far.

In this next chapter I will be telling you about some music projects, the wonders of the "ego" and my accidental fall into Radio presenting.

Chapter 5

"Crash course in all things music"

During my years making music I have worked with a number of musicians and producers, some I connected with and get on very well with and some, well let's just say, sometimes an ego can really get in the way of magic so to speak. In every walk of life a certain amount of confidence is good, but some over step the boundaries of confidence and a huge ego takes over, often meaning they don't achieve their dreams and spend their lives being bitter and wondering why they never got their rightful glory, and hating all those who do achieve success, and often attempt to get in the way of talent and crush it. These days I have learned to identify what kind of producer/musician I am working with much more quickly, whether they are actually interested in what the artist is about and actually listen, or they are more interested in stamping their own mark and making it all about them. It's ok whatever brand they are, I know how much effort to put in and where my place in everything is, but I also know when to walk away. My mum told me that not every opportunity is a good one, but I will say that all of my experiences good and bad have taught me something so nothing is ever a waste of time and to be regretted, however much it might feel that way.

Towards the end of 2007 I was asked if I would like to get involved in a music project by a certain radio Dj who you now all know as my partner in crime on radio Aja :-)

As well as this new project I had actually done a raw recording of one of my Blues tracks, which was receiving some great feedback. I was genuinely surprised at the response as it really couldn't have been more raw, no frills, but people seemed to love it, even got it played on a few FM stations, it even got me a page spread in a Blues mag which was super cool !!

I ended up writing and recording some music with the new project and had a great time, learned ALOT, oh yes, one wonders what drives some people to make insane decisions and terrible judgements..I may be blonde, but I am not stupid. Unfortunately that particular project didn't work out, due to some of the reasons I talked about above.

Time to move on ! That's when I kind of accidentally started getting involved with radio. My partner would disagree I'm sure, but he bullied me into it !!!

You would assume that because I have been performing live on stage for 15 years, I would have no problem talking into a mic, but I can tell you HA..yeah right ! I honestly found it nerve racking, remember I was telling you about the recorded interview I did..well It was as bad as that at first, I would talk at one hundred miles an hour and say UUUmmmmm about a zillion times, and get tongue tied and giggle alot ! I used to cringe listening back, I honestly don't know what used to happen, but my voice would go up in pitch and I would sound like Stacey off Gavin and Stacey. Fortunately it didn't take me long to find me feet and become more comfortable , and before long I was chatting away and we soon became what I would almost describe as a comedy duo !

Over the following months I had what can only be described as a crash course in music history..I still have a long long way to go and alot to hear. But having only ever been exposed to fairly commercial Jazz & Soul I hadn't heard most of what we played on the show, It was fantastic , all this music I hadn't heard before. I remember wondering how on earth you could sub categorise the genres, but I started to understand the different forms and styles. To be honest no one person can ever know everything, there simply aren't enough years in one life, but I enjoy the process.

In the next chapter I will be telling you more about Radio presenting with a move to a new station, joining a second station, and putting together and recording a brand new song.

Thank you for reading my blog, look forward to next time !

Love

Claire x