Songwriting

Here's an amazing example of songwriting. Some wonderful lyrics in this tune. Am spending a lazy sunday listening to Shawn Colvin and the Indigo Girls and marvelling at their craft

'Late Summer' by Lyndn Gauntlett

Here's a pretty tune that the woodsman wrote, with woodsman on piano and me on bass. We need to sort out our camera angles more so you can see us both.

Iceland rocks!

As a massive Bjork fan, I've always wanted to visit Iceland - this video makes me want to go there even more! Love this track by Emiliana Torrini -I had no idea she was from Iceland. I studied Icelandic Literature and Culture for a year at uni, where we read Icelandic sagas. It's a place of real mystery and beauty.

(From Inspired By Iceland on Vimeo via the wonderful Cup of Jo)

The meaning of life

Sometimes I spend *far* too much time musing on the meaning of my life, whether I'm living the life that is most complete and most fulfilling. I had a bit of an epiphany the other day. It's nothing I don't already know, really, but something just made my thoughts crystalise on that day. The most important thing in my life - aside from family and friends - is music. Playing it, listening to it, talking about it. When I'm feeling morose, I use music to match my mood, to let me wallow in those feelings, or to lift me out of them. I use music when I can't express a part of myself. It defines me. And so whatever I choose to do with my life (no, I haven't decided yet, even though I'm nearly 35!) music must be at the heart of that. Here's a picture of me when I was doing a gig at the Brighton Festival, sitting and thinking during one of the instrumental numbers.

(Photo by Mat Thomas)

Jackrabbits

I am a little bit in love with Joanna Newsom after her amazing performance of 'Jackrabbits' on Jools Holland. She was a musical revelation in a sea of dross, with such great lyrics. She reminded me a little of Regina Spektor.

Isn't this photo super stylish too?

Photo via Stereogum

Rockin' out

In my very serious quest for more fun in my life, I've been rockin' out and doing some serious air guitaring to baby darling doll face honey by Band of Skulls. I am LOVING this album so much! I'd heard their stuff on the radio and ordered the CD online, but I didn't know anything about them. So pleased to find out that the bassist is a woman - Emma Richardson - and that she painted the amazing album artwork. Go the girl bassists!! Makes me want to swap my double bass for an electric one, that's for sure.