elearning for music

Axel Billot September 2006

I went to Vancouver, Canada, after graduation in October 2004. I formed a 3 piece acoustic band, gigging around and gaining experience. I also did volunteer work for a jazz record label called Songlines, they asked me to create a promotional CD-Rom for them to take to MIDEM. I also attended recording and mastering session for personal interest. You can get all the information about the label on www.songlines.com

I moved to Montreal in February 2005. The music scene was so over busy down there that you had to stay at least a couple-a-years to make yourself a pseudo reputation. Fortunately I met a singer songwriter who had no knowledge about music once or ever. I gave him a few guitar lessons end helped him arangingproducing his songs. The guy had the most amazing home studio recording set up, which gave me a lot of pleasure to play with!

After my visa ran out I went back to France where I got bored out of my tits so quickly that I came back to Manchester. Recently I joined a band named The Show I turned into a bass player a we gig regularly aroud Manxchester. Our lead guitarist is in Switzerland at the moment but he’ll be back soon enough. Actually our first gig as a full band again is at The Attic on the 1st of October. Looking forward to see you there.

You can also go on www.myspace.com/theshowonline
The tunes are from a rough recording session and both of them have been re-aranged, re-recorded and being produced. Just listen to them to give you an idea.

That’s all folks, see you around!

Chris Todd August 2006

I’ve gigged as a guitarist with Emma Kate Black (”Americana”/SingerSongwriter/Blues) at Iguana Bar in Chorlton, sun 20th Aug and was supposed to do two this week at the Roadhouse and Real Fresh TV but both were cancelled, I gigged with Lou Whatling at Life Cafe last Friday the 25th and should have more on the way with Lou, i’ll also be performing as C-Po-Kee soon at Lou’s Font bar nights.
I also recorded a demo a fortnight ago with the Function band “Supersession” to help look for agencies/work and I will be gigging tomorrow at Revise in Chorlton with a new as yet unnamed original band with some of the Arch bar(now “Zar Bar”!?) players and John Younghusband on Bass, should be exciting, except for the lack of rehearsal!
I’ve applied for a job in the British Red Cross and i’m considering what it is that I really want to do, i’m really tired of playing covers and other peoples tunes so i’ll probably sack off everything except playing with the new original band; C-Po-Kee/solo works and Lou. I’d rather play less music but keep enjoying it as i’m getting ever more cynical about this industry and I’m seriously considering that in the next couple of years i’d like to do something completely different for a while like voluntary work in the developing world, not sure if i’m cut out for joining any rat races, however,………………….
alas!
New C-Po-Kee tracks under way, lack of instruments/equipment and some tech problems to address but the new material is killer. I’ve also moved to a flat in Salford “people come here for a rest” Quays with Lou and Marlene.
C-Po-Kee
Dave Chapman August 2006

only got a minute so will be quick.

Am still playing with the whiskycats and just had some good news that a pomotionl deal with Sony is going ahead. Playing in Manchester fairly soon, September I think so check our myspace out. It’s www.myspace.com/whiskycats

must go, hope you’re well, Dave.

Josh Ruding August 2006

June 2004
Graduated from city college and spent a lovely month travelling the UK with Scott. All plans to go-ahead and move to the USA in Sept 2006 were in action and the ticket was bought and paid for. I gave away all my furniture, packed my bags, gave up a flat that I’d paid the deposit on and was all set to leave old blighty behind.

Summer 2004
On the Promise of work by the Lowry theatre I decided not to move to the USA and to follow my original dream of working in the music industry. No work came from it. Ended up living with the folks in Hyde (out of their garden shed) until April 2005. Music went on hold and I found a paying job working for the Co-Op on their retail helpdesk. Depressed and dark times.

March 2005
Upgraded from a garden shed to a shared house in Chorlton. Unknowingly moved in with a manic depressive and spent three months in hell. Eventually I was asked to leave and had three weeks of living with various mates until I found a house in Ashton-Under-Lyne. Still working for the co-op at the
time and slowly went crazy. My depression got worse and life was pretty bleak. I applied for various music jobs and found that I was “over qualified” for most of the jobs. Bloody shame really as they would have
found a good, hard working, honest and professional worker in me. Oh well, their loss. My depression tho.

July 2005
Moved to Ashton with no furniture and very little light at the end of the tunnel or hope… Had some good mates around me at the time who helped me through the darkest times.

September 2005
I finished working for the co-op. This was more of a mutual agreement that I should resign before they fired my ass out of the place. Found another job within two days working for the Royal London group on their IT helpdesk. Still very little music happening in my life at this time. My weight
ballooned up from size 34 to size 42 waist. Need I say any more on that?

March 2006
At last there was a light. I was offered a job working for AstraZeneca, a large pharmaceuticals company in Macclesfield. Within the space of 6 months my weight dropped off dramatically - assisted mostly in part by attending the gym 4-5 days a week. I’m back to wearing size 36 jeans again. I’m now working on an IT Change Control project with an incredibly professional team of people and being paid very silly money for my services. The job is great. My house in Ashton is coming along nicely and I’ve even been dating
again (first time since 2004).

The future?
In Dec 2006 I’ll be moving in with Tony, my partner. We’re going on Holiday to Gran Canaria in November 2006. Life is sweet. He owns his own piano, so I’m finally getting the chance to go back to basics and pick up my love of playing music again. I might even sit my Grade 5 rock school at some point soon.

In summary:
It’s a shame music had to take a back-burner, and a shame that my time at college set such a high expectation of how easy it would be to work in the music industry.

If you’re still there or thinking of attending city college - be aware that the nice little bubble of existence (and it is a very nice bubble) will pop when you get on the outside and you’ll realise what a rat-race the “real-world” actually is.

A shame also that my confidence was so heavily knocked by Jason and that it’s taken me so long to get it back again. The words “Nice chords Josh” will stay with me for a good long time, however, on that final note
(possibly a perfect 5th), I can honestly answer “No, they weren’t nice chords Jason, they were fucking great chords”.

My latest email address for those who want to stay in touch:
joshruding@mac.com

John Blaylock August 2006

Yes Pete

I just copied and pasted this from an email I just sent to John Munnelly so it might need some censorship. We’ve got a brilliant tune that I’d love you to feature on the site called Moonshine + Roses. You can hear it at InternationalOne.co.uk and buy the CD either from there of from FOPP records just off market street (£2)

I’ve not long been back from South America where I was travelling around Brazil and Boliva for 3 weeks with this cool southern girl called George. We got a baby tortoise over there and managed to smuggle him back (in my back pocket) He’s a proper little dude

I got new job teaching guitar for the Manchester music service so from September I’ll be doing 2 days a week for the Liverpool Music service and one for Manchester.

The band are working fucking hard and I thought we’d be a lot further down the road by now. We went to London in April to play for a few record labels but they fucked us off. We’ve recorded 6 tracks professionally now and released 1000 CDs in Manchester in June, they’re playing us on Manchester’s revolution radio and talking highly of us - they’ve asked the band to do a live session for them which we’ll be doing in the next few weeks. We’re also currently about to make a music video for ‘Moonshine + Roses’ which is the title track of the EP. There’s a popular TV series called Shameless set in Manchester and one of the main actors from that (a guy called Jodi who plays Lip) is a fan of the band and is starring in and producing the video which is sound, we’ve also got a film company called dubious films to film it for free. We’re grafting and we’ve got a lot of shit in the pipeline but until we’re all making a comfortable living out of it, it doesn’t mean fuck all. You’ve got to hear the song man go to InternationalOne.co.uk and have a listen. If you want to buy the CD I’ll take care of the postage.
Mike O’Neill August 2006

Thinking of doing a National Cert in Music Tech next term. Just bought a Tascam 488 8 Track tape machine, some mikes and effects. Busy Writing recording etc Take it easy

Mark Armor August 2006
www.savinggraceband.co.uk

OKAY, THIS IS SOMEONE IN DESPERATE NEED OF A RECORD DEAL, ANYONE KNOW OF ANY GOING? (or decent management!!!)

Hey, i’m just recovering from a week of shows in Sardegna (Italy) with Saving Grace. It was amazing to see how much live music is appreciated over there and also to see how differently they do things. The last 12 months since college have been pretty heavy going getting the album together, booking tours, writing and recording new music whilst trying to hold down a crappy job to pay the bills! We’ve played on a couple of upcoming festivals, done a few radio shows including a BBC acoustic show for Michelle Mullane to plug our album and wasted a lot of time getting our hopes up with some indie labels that had neither the time or money to get us anywhere. I’m convinced that being in a band is what i’m supposed to be doing so i’m just following the staircase and seeing where it takes me.

Now the Saving Grace album is out it is great to feel part of other peoples lives (for better for worse!) and to have that creative connection that hopefully inspires others. It is difficult with music to decide where to go next, I think most of it is instinctive. From being part of a strong band for the past three years it is great to see how far we’ve travelled and progressed from the beginning. I laugh alot about how naive we were in the early days and i’m also very self conscious about how naive I am still! Every day is a learning experience….and now i’m sounding too philosophical so i’m gonna shut up!

I’m currently jobless so maybe I need to do some acoustic covers to make a little money.

Damn i still miss the cookfreeze!

Andrew Mackin August 2006

Hi Pete!
Great to hear from you!
Where am I now, eh? Cardiff is where I am. Lovin it here, got a sweet flat in the Bay overlooking the bay itself and my neighbors are swans!
I finally have a kick ass rock n roll band too!

It was a slow start here in Cardiff and actually thought about coming back to Manchester but we hung in there and thank God we did. Otherwise we would’t have found Matt and Jon, our bassist and drummer respectively.
We answered their ad we (James and I, he plays rhythm guitar) found in a local guitar shop. James rang ‘em, we met at an open mic night. James and I played a new song, ‘Awake’. Matt and Jon played a drum and bass instrumental. Our jaws hit the deck listening to them play as did the whole pubs!!! Three rehearsals later, we were back there playing a set together!

Since March, we’ve been gigging constantly. One week we played 5 shows!! Must be like touriing??!

Anyway, the gigs are still coming thick and fast but we’re limiting what we’ll do so that we have time to work on new material and develop a bit together.

Also, we have scored a deal to release a single. We were offered an album deal but we thought we’d just test the water with a single first. It should be coming out in December. I’ll let you know the record company’s name when everything becomes fully signed up n’ all.

We’re also getting a bit of a publishing deal. The company think our song ‘My So Called Reality’ would really suit video games so they’re gonna try to sell that tune to some company that will put it on Playstation games or TV adverts or whatever.

So there you go. Still teaching guitar too, enjoy that a lot. But the band is what I came back to Manchester for and now its all happening. I miss seeing the guys every day and feeling pain in my ribs from laughing so much with Pete but there you go, life goes forwards.

Check us out at www.myspace.com/the passengeruk

We’ll be touring very soon, so hopefully we’ll see you there!

All the love and luck to ya guys!!!

ROCK HARD AND ROCK LONG!!!
Lewis O’Brien August 2006

Firstly my band (www.snowfight.net….. blatant plug…) is going well, though the term “slowly but surely springs to mind”. Our first single (well actually our second, but we changed the name of the band so essentially it’s our first… again!!) came out in june this year on a great local label ‘High Voltage’ and did very very well with some good radio/tv play… including being the backing track for some of the world cup coverage! At the moment we’re starting the promotion for our second single and working towards our album, with many tour dates to go with it.

Secondly, I’m personally doing OK with my record production. I’m working with many bands, new and more established and creating release records with them, including quite a few from our record label, I’m about to start work with a band called The KBC on their debut album. Again I think the phrase “slowly but surely” is appropiate, but it should all work out well in the end!

Cheers, hope you and everyone else is doing great.
Hannah Joyce August 2006

Just a quick update as to what I am doing with myself,….. I’m working as a Mortgage Underwriter at the moment for a lot of money. I also work part time for a Mid-Cheshire Stage School teaching posh children to sing, hoping to get full time work through this soon. Also now been put on the books at a modelling agency so watch this space!!! Peace Out x

Rob Chowdhry August 2006

I am Trustee again for a Charity called Re:generate this Charity is Registered Charity 1078551, I have been part of them on and off for 9 years, I have been asked to start a scheme in Manchester which I done with them a few years ago called Listening Matters, basis of this is doing surveys on the street asking basic questions such as: What do you Love about the community you live in?, What makes you angry about the community you live in? what concerns do have about your Community? and from that you find out what “The People” believes is wrong with the community! i have asked to start this in Manchester and explain what the people of manchester think through my peotry.

For More Info: www.regeneratetrust.com
If you click on our team it will give you an insight of few of members of the Re:generate Team.
As you know I had a short film made which included two other people Called Heather(Photographer and Artist), Grace (An Old Age Pensioner who is a Poet) and me (A Poet,Singer and Songwriter), This Short Film was commissioned by Manchester City Council, Arts Council Of England and Lime which is part of the Pathways Project
if do not know Lime and Pathways was part of the Manchester Cow Parade
Lime is supported by the Art Council For England and the NHS.
for more info:
www.limeart.org or www.limeart.org/pathways.htm

Lucy Harris August 2006

Well I’m now working full time for Ribble Valley Borough Council in the Planning and Development Department. I mainly accept Planning Applications and update the Council’s website amongst other bits and bobs. It may not be music but it’s interesting stuff! Also been using my annual leave well as went to the amazing New Orleans last year until the nasty Katrina wiped it out! and also off back packing round Ireland this summer for 10 days so its not all about work when you leave college! Still playing a little and searching for bands I can join so if anyone out there needs a singer/songwriter (great voice by the way) ha ha then get intouch! Before this I was working in an Opticians which although I really enjoyed, I was getting paid peanuts and pratically managing the place!
I am hoping to move back to Manchester at some point instead of staying in this one horse town! but hey nearly being in a band doesn’t really count or help pay the bills so I’ll keep plodding on until I figure out world domination!

Lisa-Marie Glover August 2006

I’m currently finishing off an album at Strangeways
studios which is owned and run by an ex-city college
student called Martin Hurley. I have a website at
www.myspace.com/lisamarieglover

I’m also in the middle of finishing off an album with
Duncan Prestbury. We go by the name of Kosmokrater and
you can find us and some of our tunes at
www.myspace.com/kosmokrater

I’ve been playing and recording and playing at the
Globe in Glossop and have another album in the pipe
line up there too.

I’m also teaching guitar and singing. If anyone is
interested, my number is 07816 567 048 or 0161 448
2581.