George's Groupies

I had to laugh the other night. Luckily, I happened to check what was on the Ovation channel and discovered that a George Benson concert was about to start. I love George Benson. Probably has something to do with the fact that he was usually on our record player every other weekend and I have a happy memory of my father dancing around doing his little "de dah dah doo de dah" dance as he walked through the loungeroom with George in the background.

What I found so amusing and touching too, was his audience. They just loved him. It was a bunch of 50-60 somethings, all up out of their chairs, doing their little "on the spot" dances. The women in the audience were completely under his control - smitten by his romantic lyrics and smooth gorgeous vocals - leaning out to touch him and grab his hand. The highlight of the show was when one overcome by lust, grey haired granny, jumped onto the stage and started gyrating up against George. The look on Mr Benson's face was priceless. His eyes popped out of his head and he politely sidled away, eyes pleading to security for help. I'm not sure that he'd ever quite experienced something like before I'm sure his usual performance stage is taller than granny leaping allows. The camera panned away subtly, and when it returned, George was gyrating-grannyless again. What a shame. It was the best laugh I'd had all week.

Aaaaah...just enjoying "Love Ballad" for the third time in my headphones as I type.

Anne-Lise

Little morale boosters

I've just found out that my EP, I'm Alive, has been getting some airplay on European radio. My glamaphonic music has been heard across Spain, Germany, Austria and the U.K. How exciting.

Another little thrill was to discover that I'm a Martian Music favourite this week. Martian Music Favourites 14 Nov 2006. Other favourites at the moment include the John Butler Trio, Lior and iOTA.

Martian Music is a digital music store that specialises in Australian independent music. Explorate, liberate, groovitate!

My influences...I'm finally realising who they are

By accident, I happened upon a live show of David Bowie's Glass Spider tour on the Ovation channel tonight. Hmmm, I thought as I watched...what great bass. Hmmm, hints of funk and soul, but still not quite either of those genres. Then I thought...hmmm, I like that bass. I like that sound. Then I remembered back to my teens and listening to David's 80s stuff on rotation on my record player, like Loving The Alien, Absolute Beginners and the like. Hmmm, you know, that must have had some effect on me cause as I was listening, I could hear traces of chord progressions and slightly unusual song arrangements that occasionally pop up in my music. Now, in no way am I comparing my sound with David Bowie's, goodness no, but I can see now some influence from him in there.

This also made my poor old brain tick a bit harder. What is my sound? Where do I fit in? Why do I have to pigeon hole myself into one particular genre? I guess that's where the Glamaphonic side of things will allow me to expand my musical horizons. I do have a lot of ideas that I haven't really delved into yet, so why place boundaries on myself? I'm never going to have mass appeal, so I may as well push myself into my darker more experimental side. Speaking as a fan, of the most exciting factors for me in Roxy Music was their experimental stuff. Their music didn't quite fit any one particular genre. I suppose now it's coined Glam, but at the time, it was just good innovative stuff. Then again, they did prosper in the 70s, when music was expected to be filled with originality and creativity.

Anne-Lise

Life isn't fair

I've been really saddened this weekend to learn of Belinda Emmett's death. Belinda was a talented actress and singer (rarely do the two combine) whose life was cut short at 32 after an heroic 8 year struggle with cancer, which she succumbed to yesterday. It just doesn't seem right that someone can battle for most of their adult life against an insideous disease that eventually wins and overtakes life. Throughout her fight, Belinda was the public epitome of strength and resolve. It's impossible not to admire. My deepest condolences are with her family and husband.

Anne-Lise

EP Launch + band search

I've never been one to do things simply. Generally, I like to take the most complicated and unusual route possible. This isn't really by choice. It's just the way my mind works I'm afraid.

Hence, I am in the process of organising the launch for my EP I'm Alive, quite a few months after its release. This also means that I am tackling the lack of band situation. As much as I enjoy being the centre of attention (only occasionally), even I think my singing the EP acapella would be a tad boring and over the top in self indulgence.

Finding the right band is probably the most difficult thing of all things to do in organising this EP launch.

I'm working on some ideas now. I've been sending out feelers to the musos I know, asking them to send people my way. There doesn't seem to be a huge field to choose from at the moment, but I shall stay proactive and patient.

Alas, I feel my ideal of having a great band that cares about me and the music might be a pipe dream now. Sadly, this also means that I won't be able to gig as much as I'd like as I will more than likely be employing session musos per gig. What it does guarantee though, is my music being performed exactly how I want it, and one of the most glamourous sounds you'll ever hear.

Venue has almost been decided and will be in the inner west of Sydney. Making the final decision over the next week or so.

Will keep you all informed on the progress.

Been a long time since I blogged my soul

Yes, it has been a long time since I last blogged. Been very busy promoting the EP and on myspace. Damn, that place is addictive. I've been slowly but surely cultivating a group of glamourhounds. My philosophy is quality over quantity as far as myspace friends go. I like the exclusivity of a small group of glamourhounds digging my thing throughout the week, rather than thousands who visit my page once and never come back.

Oh, I'd also been busy watching Supergroup on foxtel, which sadly ended a couple of weeks ago. The star attraction of the show for me was Ted Nugent. Says it like it is, in his world. While I may not agree with all of his lifestyle choices, a gal could learn a lot from a man like him, and his unswerving self confidence. He said something extremely apt which I think I will claim as my new shield. "There is no greater authority on my music in this world, than me". Thanks Uncle Ted.

Anne-Lise

Digital EP has been released!

Well, there's been a rather large gap between my last post and now, and as you may imagine, a fair bit has happened. The EP was finished last month, and I released it as a digital download, available from my website store. www.glamphonic.com/musicstore.html or www.anne-liselarsen.com/musicstore.html. I'm learning that rcording & releasing an EP is the easiest part of the job. The hard part is promoting it.

Let's just say I have truly dived into the deep end without my lifesaver floaties!

A-L

Coming Soon

Backing Vocals

So the samples are out there and the comments have been flowing in. Most puzzling is the "did you do the backing vocals as well?" question. Ummmm, well, uh, yeeees.... I am the singer. Who else would be doing them?

The Blog Hosting

Because of this inept disaster with my web host, I've decided to publish my Blog to blogspot instead of on my website.

It's never all good

I've been sick for the past two weeks, so haven't been able to put the final finishing touches to my vocals on the EP. It's only today that I've been able to even hold a tune. This is the first day in days that I've felt brave enough to try some singing. The throat is still sore so I only managed about twenty minutes, but at least it's given me hope that I'll be back into it by the end of next week.

However, my major setback for the week occurred when my webhost (the company which hosts www.glamaphonic.com) decided to do a short notice server migration. Ahh yes, they assured me that only my email setups would change and the website would stay in tact. Uh huh. I woke up the next day to discover that my website had gone, disappeared, kaput! I've spent the past few days trying to get some sort of order back to the website, but there are still things missing...

The WORST thing though was tonight when I discovered that my mailing list, the GLAMAGRAM has disappeared. Every single one of my lovely little Glamettes have been lost in cyberspace, and I'll probably never find you again. I can't even send you a personal email as I don't have your email addresses saved apart from on my weblist. What am I going to do!??? If you do manage to find me again, please send me an email and I'll put you on my own list. I don't know if or when the old Glamagram will ever be active again, so I have to assume you're gone. This is a shattering blow...

Website is down

Oh joy of joys. My web host decided to migrate to a new bigger, faster, stronger server. I only got three days notice. I was informed that there would be no interruption to my website. WRONG! It's completely disappeared. I am extremely annoyed, but thankfully, my blog has been saved. No word as to when my website will reappear.

Sick thing

Minor delays as I get over a debilitating cold/flu type thingamybob.

Record delete record delete

AAAAARGH! I am driving myself insane. This really seemed like a good idea at the time, (and I know...it still is..) but I'm driving myself crazy with my vocal recordings. If I was in a studio, the first take would be it, I'd be happy and let the chips fall where they may. Studio time (AKA money) is a very good motivator in getting things right first time. I've been recording take after take. If I stood back logically, each one is good in its own right, but I'm getting a perfection syndrome and nothing seems to be good enough. I just bit the inside of my cheek by accident singing something with passion, and now I'm all miserable. Best to call it a night methinks.

Vocal freakouts!

I've just started seriously looking at the vocals on these recordings. Once the basic track is down, I put a vocal line which is a roughly recorded vocal track to show me just where everything is put together in the song. It's like a tracing line that I can work around.

The tragic thing is, because I'm so relaxed when I'm doing those temporary vocal guides, they're some of my best singing, but generally, they can't be used because I haven't recorded them properly.

Now I'm beginning the the real vocal line recording process, & I'm stuffing everything up as I go along, a plane goes over, the dog comes in and trips over a lead, not to mention my having a coughing fit from my nervous dry throat..yikes. It's a mess. The pressure I tells ya is getting to me!

5 string bass

I'm using 5 string bass for this whole CD. The one good thing I took away from the Ayelle experience, was Paul's 5 string bass. It really opened a whole new world to me as far as bass sounds go. I never realised how having that extra string could sound so good, so heavy and earth shuddering. Having an extra 4th to play around with adds a new flexibility in arrangements and let me tell you, being able to go down to even just the low Eb without down tuning is an arranger's dream.

I love bass

Just been working on "Cold Cold City" again tonight and I've decided that I just couldn't live life without a good punchy bass line. I have to declare my bass love for all the world. I don't care who knows about it. This little track is turning into a real pearler the more I work on it and along with Seize the Day could be one of the cd highlights. Of course, they're all highlights for me...lol.

Doing this CD by myself is definitely challenging my creative abilities (in a very good way!). One of the most enjoyable, and at the same time difficult things, is to come up with a bass line that is interesting, gives a great groove, holds the song together as a foundation, but isn't overbearing. I'm having such fun building bass lines for these songs -- most of my time is spent on getting the bass right, as without it, it's like building a house on sand. You can mess up anything else, but without good bass, you're nuthin!

Cold Cold City

The latest starter is a song I've called Cold Cold City. It's an odd little number, quite a soul/r&b verse, which leads into a somewhat rock influenced chorus. I'm still deciding on whether or not to include this on the new cd. Despite getting the track to sound exactly as I want it, I'm not sure about the lyrics. These lyrics leave me completely exposed. Am I ready to let you know all about me? Hmmm.

The planes...they keep coming

Normally I don't mind living directly under the flight path in the inner west of Sydney. This is quite a sad confession, but it's almost as exciting as going on a holiday myself, when I see a big international go over. Plus, it means I can be as loud as I want, which is lotsa fun when you're singing or listening to music. However, they can be a real pain in the arse when you're trying to record acoustic audio through a microphone. I have three songs down, ready and raring to go, but I've gotta wait until the planes stop so I can record the vocals. Despite the protection of double glazing, the roar still makes it through, so I'm gonna have to wait...

Seize the Day part III

In keeping with the theme of Seizing the Day, I'm still working on the mix of Seize the Day...still an hour to go for this Wednesday.

I'm just listening back to the mix through headphones. It's best to listen to it in as many different speakers as possible to know what sounds good across the board. I hadn't listened to it in headphones until tonight, a month or two since beginning it, and it's kinda blown me away. It's hard to believe I can get this kind of sound at home.

I've just written a new lyric for the bridge section which I feature twice in this song...I know, it's a bit unusual to have a repeat bridge, but ahhh...it just fits.

Bridge 1.

Dreaming has no place here
It's hard to make it through
And if you dream too wildly
It's better me than you ...and so it goes

Bridge 2.
Dreaming has no place here
From this fool I imbue
That if you dream too wildly
May to your self be true....and life goes on

I'm still getting used to blogging...I'm sure the novelty will wear off, just as I'm beginning to get the hang of it. I don't seem to be able to figure out how to get this message into my other ones..oh well...

Seize the Day Part II

Oooh, I just remembered, in keeping with the Mellotron string ensemble theme, I have been thinking of introducing a cello solo into this song. I think it will fit beautifully and what better way to demonstrate the irony of my life, than to play cello on a song about Seizing the Day.

Seize The Day

This full CD recording is going to be such a mixed bag. I guess it's a real insight into my psyche. Some might call me strange, but I think having emotional extremes can help to make you a balanced person, and that is definitely reflected in the bunch of songs I'm laying down. It also means that I won't fit into any mammoth commercial success, but that's ok. I've accepted it now. Lol.

Anyway, Seize the Day is a hint of the mental anguish I put myself through every day. One moment, I believe that just about anything is possible, the next, I'll hit rock bottom, completely inconsolable realising that my dreams won't come true and I've wasted my life. Maybe everyone feels that way at some point. I don't know, but it would be nice to have a rest from it for a change. Just switch off.

Of course, all this is at the fore as I currently record Seize The Day. I'm delving into the all sorts of gorgeous melancholy musical moods and textures. For this song, I've introduced an instrument called the Mellotron, and let me tell you, it certainly lives up to its name. It gives the song an old worldly nostalgic sound, with the sound of a string ensemble playing on an old 78rpm record. There was one particular section in the chorus of Seize the Day in which I used the Mellotron, and it actually brought tears to my eyes. It was just the mellotron...no vocals, no nothing..just the Mellotron playing my chord progression. To me it just sounded so beautiful. I hope that when I eventually release it out to the public that some of you might like it too.

While the Mellotron gives the track a certain sadness, underneath I've placed a nice bass groove, so the song has a bit of life in it. I'm very conscious of not turning it into a durge.

The Recording Processed ...in thoughts

Well, it's about time I joined the blogger bandwagon, and what better way to start than to make a diary, if you will, of my recording process on this CD type thingy I'm making. In years to come, I think I'll enjoy looking back on my highs and lows, frustrations, elations, disappointments and "ahhh, she'll be right, mate"s.

I've been contemplating a title for the CD. By entertaining thoughts of a CD title, I trick my mind into believing that the CD will be recorded (because in these early stages, it all seems to overwhelming and completely daunting), and in a way, it's an informal goal. I'm trying very hard to think of positives, as I bog down in the negatives far too much, and I wonder how entertaining that mustn't be for everyone. What a downer. Anyway, my title is related to my outlook on the world, and how it means everything to me, but in the end it's nothing, and the double meaning of when you have everything, what exactly does it mean anyway? Not much once you're gone. Hmm, maybe I should become a born again Christian.