The past few weeks have been hard work, however it has definitely payed off and I have learned a lot of lessons about time management, how the industry works with different promoters and gigging cultures around the uk, what it is like to be thrown in at the deep end with a high pressure reading gig and have to learn a lot of different techniques in a very short space of time, amongst many other lessons learned. Unfortunately, I missed the last couple of weeks of performance class, including Jazz week and Salsa week, as I have been on tour with Rod Jones and The Birthday Suit around the UK. I was still involved in a couple of rehearsals and recordings for these two weeks, I played "Take Five" and I was involved in percussion for "Guantanamera". Further analysis of these processes will be posted in a later blog.
Although I have been noting everything that happened, as I realised how much I have been learning when I was playing with these professional musicians out on the road.
The tour with Rod was an unbelievable experience, playing all over the UK to so many different people as the headlining band was a truly amazing thing to do. Seeing press reviews, advertising and other online presence along with people approaching us at gigs for photos and autographs was a lot to take in, although It has definitely set my sights on where I want to be and where I am aiming for with my career in music. Rehearsals for the tour were relatively short and sweet. With the main two being two weeks before the tour for four hours, and one other a week prior to the tour, again for four hours. That being said, with the level of musicianship of the members of the band, that was all we needed. Its great to know that you can relax in the thought that the other members of the band know exactly what they are doing and they will always be on top form when they need to be. That way you can relax into your own part and not have to stress about whether or not everyone else is with you. That being said, being on absolute top form every night is hard work on your mind as well as physically, especially when you are playing every night putting on a visual performance and a technical performance, and on the road for at least a few hours everyday. On top of that, occasionally the setlist would change and songs would get "pulled out of the bag" on the night, so being able to keep up with that was a real test of character. Another unbelievable test of nerve was when the full set in Manchester was filmed and recorded professionally, 5 or 6 cameramen all onstage and around the crowd (which was around 100 strong), along with one right next to me filming my every move. It was a great experience, although truly a nervewracking one to know that everything I did was going to be evidenced on film AND recorded audio. The lesson learned was that if you play like you are known to and always do, then the camera will capture this and show everyone how much you love what you are doing. This is exactly what I did. Throughout the tour I had been told by many people, most I had never met, that I was interesting and entertaining to watch on stage simply because I get so lost in the music and just enjoy being on stage playing drums, so I am looking forward to seeing the final product.
Reading this back it seems that it sounds that I didn't enjoy the hard work, that is far from the case. I live to push my boundaries and challenge myself and I am actually really proud of how I have handled the past few weeks. I feel that I really had my head screwed on and made good impressions with people, including Rod and the guys from The Birthday Suit, the promoters from around the UK, Sean Murtagh who deals with my stick endorsement with Los Cabos Drumsticks, Clare Truan who deals with my endorsement with Lion Cajon Drums amongst others I met on tour like the guys from The Birthday Suits PR company A Badge Of Friendship, Producer Dave Eringa and all the other bands who supported and opened for us at the shows. I already have dates in the calander for Wickerman Festival, Rhythms Of The World Festival in Hertfordshire and also waiting on confirmation on T in the Park to play with the Birthday Suit plus other dates currently being arranged. Another surreal experience was going to John Henry's and Matt Snowball's Music suppliers in central london, seeing accomplished session musicians just walking around the street outside and also tech supply sheets for Matt Cardle, Noah & The Whale and The Vaccines, I have made a connection with Kent who deals with the Idlewild account in Matt Snowball's suppliers so I can get gear shipped from London if needs be. A strange lesson I learned in Manchester was when I was talking to a few people after the show about everything that had been going on, how we had trouble with a van that failed it's MOT and the desperate struggle to find a replacement. A few days later, a review appeared online written by one of the people who I had been talking to, quoting me, my name, age and things I had said. Obviously I had been telling good stories and had nothing in anyway negative to say but it made me realise that in that situation of being the "headline" band, you really have to watch what you say and how you act at all times as you never know who could be in the crowd or who you are talking to.
Alongside this, I was asked to play with the percussion section in Broxburn & Livingston Brass Band for the Scottish Championships on the 11th March. This has been a steep learning curve as I had never really attempted to play in a section before. Also, I had no idea that the week before the contest, there would be a late rehearsal practically every night that week and also an early one on the day of the championships, still having college and work to deal with alongside these rehearsals has been really hard going, although I feel quite good about keeping everything afloat and being able to deal with having so much on at once. Admittedly I unfortunately missed my drum lesson on the friday due to me stupidly messing up my schedules, although I am keeping on top of everything that I am doing in my lessons and everything for my solo assessments. I can definitely feel that everything I'm doing is counting towards developing my overall musicianship and playing skills, helping me make important contacts in the industry and just getting the vital experience that I need to get to the next stage.
The past month has without a doubt been hard work although I have lapped up the experience for all it was worth, loved every second of it and really learned a lot from it all. I can feel in myself that I have progressed in my playing, as well as in my mind with how I deal with the pressure of having lots of different things to do. My diary is always full, although I don't see this as a problem in the slightest. I live to be busy and I enjoy the rush and buzz. I especially love the feeling of accomplishment when you pull it off, put on a great show and everyone goes home happy.
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