2012 New Year's Day Matilda's Estate Winery Gig!

New Years Day awoke a little bleak, grey and showery to say the least. This was not what I had been looking forward to as we had been booked to play an outside gig at the Matilda's Estate winery by events manager Jon Finneran. Traditionally a large crowd turns out for this gig and it was looking like the weather might ensure the numbers choosing to attend could be severely diminished. As I was driving to Matilda's it started to drizzle again even though the forecast was for the weather to clear. It was not looking good but I was determined to enjoy myself as is my motto for every gig we do! There were just a few people milling around when I arrived including Max and Todd, both of whom were seriously concerned about the weather. I said don't worry it is going to clear only to receive some derisory expressions of disbelief in reply. Todd decided he was going to set up on the right side of the stage rather than in the more exposed section provided for the drummer behind the middle of the main stage. This was because the sail erected over the stage did not provide any cover. Ironically, at our previous gig at the White Star, he had ended up with a sunburnt neck from being stuck out beyond the tarp erected over the stage there. Max set up next to me with the back of his bass rig clothed in blue plastic to protect it from the elements. A few more people had rolled in by the time we started but not the crowd we were expecting but the venue was great and the sound was fine so I was enjoying myself. However, as we worked our way through the set list, the punters started to make their appearance and by the time it ended there was already a good crowd in attendance. They just kept on coming until there must have been a good couple of hundred or so who seemed to be in the mood to enjoy themselves. We had no trouble getting back up singers out of the audience for Mustang Sally and, at my urging, it seemed like every single one of the crowd that had now showed up joined in the chorus. There were also good numbers who had decided that they just had to express themselves physically on the area reserved for dancing in front of the stage. By the time we were in to the 3rd and final set Matilda's was pumping and everybody was having a great time. So yes, the weather did clear and by the end of the night it was really quite pleasant. Matilda's owner Steve Hall had very kindly supplied me with Coronas at each break (beer in a winery Robin? What were you thinking?) and after the gig finished we were also provided with a steak sandwich and chips from the Pepper & Salt restaurant. They had run out of burger buns so they used flat bread instead and it was mouth wateringly delicious. As Nigella says "Fat is flavour!" A fitting end to one of the most rewarding gigs we have performed so far. Looking forward to the opportunity to play Matilda's again soon. Thanks for the opportunity Jon!

Busy times ahead!

I figured we might get a bit busy over the Christmas break. Another gig at the White Star this Sunday, Matilda's Estate Winery on New Years Day, a wedding in early January and then back at the White Star at the end of the month. And in the middle of all that a grandchild will make his or her appearance! So the tag of Grandpa band that was thrown at me recently, because we don't play until late, will actually be true for one of us at least!

Blues in F at Calamaris

Max's mate Chris, a harp player from a former band, happened to be at our Calamaris gig with a Bb harp so he got an invitation to sit in. He is welcome back anytime. Such a lot of fun!

Maggie McGill at The White Star!

ReverbNation

Having created a page for the band on Facebook, I was then keen to get some of our music up so as people can get some idea of what we sound like. I did a bit of research in to Facebook music players and accidentally happened upon ReverbNation. It is very like MySpace but dedicated to music and the Band Profile created can be linked into the Facebook page which is great. It also has some useful widgets which I have added on the right of the page also so as you can listen to a couple of tracks recorded at rehearsal, find out where our next gigs are at and join our mailing list. I only got this happening yesterday and I have been a little stunned that we already have 13 fans and I have received personal feedback from some about the tracks I have uploaded.
"much respect....from SR......hornsraised-rick..."
"Good stuff guys"
"Really tight live work guys!!"
If your band is not on ReverbNation then I can recommend that you might like to consider doing something about that!

Albany gig done and dusted

Ramsnake in action at The White Star's Sunday session recently. It was a great gig with a good crew bopping along in the final set and the general feedback was that all who were there really enjoyed our offering. We had to handle our own sound for this gig with the help of Scotty, who created a basic set up for us. Thank goodness. I hate having to deal with the PA before a gig and really did not get my own sound dialled in and consequently had a poor night on the guitar. I really missed not having the band's 4th member Terry Dodd, our sound guy, who normally looks after things for us as my guitar always sounds great and I play far better. I think I will try miking up my amp next time as it seems to make a significant difference to the way I hear the guitar having something coming back to me from in front of the amp. Oh well! Looks like we will be at Calamaris before the end of the year possibly in September when the weather starts to improve. As well as this blog you can see more pics and catch up with what we are doing on our new Facebook page here.

An Albany gig finally and Max reveals his secret to great bass playing?

Another gig down at the Denmark Hotel in front of a smallish but most appreciative crowd. We are tweaking the set lists and have added some more up tempo tunes with the slower showcase style tunes reserved for concert style gigs. So our repertoire is growing fast with some other new repertoire in progress that we will introduce over time.
I have been chasing gigs in Albany and have finally cracked it and am able to announce we have a gig at The White Star Hotel's Sunday Session on the 7th of August starting at 6pm. So if you are up at Calamaris, where we hope to score a gig at soon too, you can come on down to the Star after the music finishes there so as you can carry on bopping!
I was delighted to see Kimbo from the Albany Blues Club turn up at our last Denmark gig and he was keen to get us down to the club in the future, so look out for an announcement about that sometime. Kimbo was the sound guy for my last band in Albany and always did a great job, so it was great to catch up with him again.