I make up a banner for Tuesday’s show for my socials and stuff…free tickets available here– or click the pic!
WE HAVE a lazy morning drinking coffee and watching Saturday Kitchen in bed…been a long time since we’ve done that!
We’re meant to be takin g a trip to the dump after breakfast but there’s been torrential rain all night and all the roads are flooded and many closed. Instead I create some images and videos to push the new design t-shirt pre-orders. I wanna get an order I. to our t-shirt guy on Monday
I don’t even wanna tackle the rain and go to the studio so I stay indoors and make some banners to promote my panel and live show at the Musicians’ Union’s ‘Fair Play on Tour’ event at Mono in Glasgow on Tuesday. Free to attend for members and non-members…and complimentary refreshments – but pre-booking is essential.
Next up, I decide to start an email list for West Highland Way Gifts and offer past customers a 10% discount on their next order. Takes a while and while not exactly priority in the grand scheme of things I have time today to do these kinda things!
FIRST job is finishing off a pewter and epoxy open dent with a brown/gold inlay…it was ordered online a couple days ago but the one I had in stock was bought by an in-person customer!
I get it finished and in the post then work on another couple of orders and a tiny wee music note pendant. The music note is by far the hardest thing I’ve tried to make so far but worked out pretty good 🙂
The other two pendants look a wee bit rough in photos but in reality they’re pretty smooth round the edges. We’ll see if they pass the ‘Margaret test‘!
After lunch I get some work done in the studio then we head off to Gartmore for dinner at Duncan and Irene’s. Can’t believe it’s six months since we’ve seen them…lots to catch up on.
OFF to the school in Balloch to spend the morning doing music with some kids.
I’m not long back when our new neighbours pop in to say hello and we have a coffee and a good ol’ blether.
After lunch I get some work done before my guitar student arrives.
Next job is working on some West Highland Way Gifts‘ orders…I posted a prototype men’s pendant on my socials the other day and it sparked a lot of interest,
Betty’s coming for dinner and Margaret’s on cooking duties…we have a grand time then I drive Betty home and we have a relatively early night 🙂
I get social media banners/covers prepared for the release of Yonger Days…coming 10 November!
I’M UP at 6am to get a sourdough loaf int he oven…once it’s done Margaret makes Charlie and I scrambled egg and smoked salmon on sourdough toast.
My Thursday morning guitar student is coming today (Wednesday) as I’m not around tomorrow morning….once we’re done with the lesson I go back to the house and have coffee with Charlie and his three buddies before they leave.
I have a haircut at the village then after lunch I mess with art ideas for the release of Younger Days, create cover arts and banner/cover art for my socials then get things uploaded for a 10 November release on all services – Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, AmazonMP3 etc. I’ll likely put it on Bandcamp much sooner than that 😉
By the time I’m done it’s after 9pm and I head back to the house and make tofu with lemongrass and basil for dinner…
Nice to take our pals from Michigan’s UP a wander up the lochside
AFTER listening to what was meant to be the final version of the new song – Younger Days – Margaret points out that the first word is a bit weak and weird. I agree, but it’s gonna be a real hassle trying to re-set the mics and stuff as they were for the original recording.
I spend some time messing around and manage to drop in a replacement phrase addressing the problem
Our pal Charley is over from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) touring Scotland with three pals…he’s the owner and promoter at the Nahma Inn and the company store venue next door where I’ve played a good few times.
His three travelling companions are staying at the Oak Tree Inn and Charley’s staying with us.
They arrive early afternoon. Charley and Jan come a walk up the lochside while the other two chill…later on we’re treated to dinner then we go back up the road for a drink and blether.
I close the Wildcats’ livestream with a version of Muddy Waters’ Can’t Be Satisfied
ON the ball this morning and get quite a lot of stuff done before my first Zoom guitar session….and I get an email from Reverb telling me the collapsible electric guitar has sold. Thank fuck – the bank account and credit cards are in a poor state.
When packing the guitar up, though, I spot a wee ding in the finish. I can’t send it off like tat without warning the buyer so I take a photo and send it off along with an offer to knock a few quid off. Thankfully he agrees 🙂
After the Zoom session I sort postage then take the parcel to the post office in Balloch. This is the nearest since the post office in the village closed a year or two ago…and a 25-mile round trip!
After lunch I work on the recording for the new song and make a wee video to spin into tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook so folks can hear progress. It’s getting there!
I have a young guitar student at the house late afternoon then back to the studio work on the song before another Zoom guitar student.
Grand day out providing the live music at Cashel Forest’s annual autumn festival
BEFORE breakfast I get the gear packed and car loaded ready to head up to Cashel Forest where I’m providing he live music for the annual Cashel Bash autumn festival.
We’re a little tight for time but I manage to get everything set up, sound checked and ready to roll.
I play three sets throughout the event between 11am and 3pm then enjoy a pizza from our pals Base Pizza who are sent up right next to me.
We’ve just finished tidying up when Catriona and the kids show up. They come back to the house for a coffee then I have a nap on the couch!
All the gear was dumped in the studio when we came back so I head over there and sort everything out so I don’t have to deal with a mess before my first Zoom guitar student in the morning.
NOT feeling much like getting up, but I remember the wind is meant to be low…so I drag myself out my pit and go for a paddle round Inchcailloch and do a livestream as I go.
Really glad I made the effort and enjoy both the exercise and peace.
Back home a shower and a couple of rolls and square and I’m feeling good.
We visit a local pal’s MacMillan coffee morning and I walk back home then I hit the office to finish off a the prototype pendants. They come out good. I’ll get them in t he West Highland Way Gifts’ online store over the next day or two.
I make up set lists for tomorrow’s ‘appearance’ at the Cashel Bash up at the native woodland centre further up the lochside then I get the grill fired up for the lamb…and the pizza oven on for the flatbreads….
OFF into Glasgow early for my emergency appointment at the eye hospital. I drive there then Margaret takes the car to go shopping – no idea how long I’ll be.
As it turns out, my journey through the eye tests can, triage and doctor’s examination is less than hour. Quicker than when I have a ‘proper’ appointment!
Margret picks me up and we go to Costco to pick up some stuff, Love Music to drop off some more CD copies of Devil May Care then Chung Yang for some groceries before heading home.
It’ starting to get dark so I go for a quick walk up the lochside then meet Margaret at Betty’s where we have a drink and help out with some bits and bobs before wandering back home for dinner.
The test pressings for the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care arrive…
FREYA has us awake at 5am then we manage to get back for a little more sleep.
Margaret is taking Betty to an appointment in Stirling and Freya goes with them. I get busy in the office with some more West Highland Way Gifts’ prototype ideas.
JonZip’s coming to finalise a mix of a song I recorded for him. while back so I get the studio tidied up a bit in time for him arriving. The mix doesn’t take long then we back to the house for some lunch and a bother.
Margaret and Freya get back just as he’s leaving and I carry on with some work in the office.
Next, I get back to the studio and try another method of recording the new song which works pretty well. We’ll listen in the house later.
Meantime, Margaret takes Freya back to Catriona and I listen through the test pressings for the forthcoming red vinyl release of Devil May Care. Sounds good. I fire off an approval to the pressing folks.
Betty comes along for dinner and we have a grand evening…then a relatively early night – I’ve an emergency appointment at the eye hospital in Glasgow first thing in the morning…
I try and get some separation between the guitar and vocal mics with some spare foam panels…
STRAIGHT into the office too post some new and images online for the local hydro society.
Been waiting for the local press to run the story – and it may still appear – but we need to get the grant awardees info out sooner rather than later.
I also put together a very simple social media/online plan.
In the studio I carry on trying to get a decent recording go the new song. There’s couple of ‘issues’ – my yodelling is coming in, but it’s still a bit hit or miss, so I need to overdub them. That doesn’t sound great. But with three yodel sections it’s unlikely I’ll ever get them all right no matter how much I practice.
The other issue is guitar bleeding into the oval mic. A lot. it means that anything I do to tweak the vocal sound affects the guitar too..and the guitar bleed into the vocal mic is almost as loud as the main guitar mic but sounds weird and ‘distant’ as the vocal mic ain’t in good place for guitar sound.
I improvise a set up to try and cut down the bleed with some foam tiles that are clicking around but it doesn’t help much.
Other options are to use a directional mic on the vocal, but that compromises the sound and seems ridiculous when I have some great vocal mics. Or, I can record the guitar and vocal separately but that really messes up the feel, especially if I play to a click.
I take a break when Will brings Freya – we’ve to look after her tonight and tomorrow as the school’s shut. Will’s off work but wants to get on with his own stuff…we’re busy too and I need to go to the eye hospital but that’ll have to wait ’til Friday
Back in the studio I persevere with the recording but still don’t get anything I like…it’s 10pm when I get back to the house….
Posters up round Glasgow – including Love Music in Dundas Street…
THE morning is spent finish off one West Highland Way Gifts’ prototype items which all work out pretty good 🙂
After an ear
Early lunch I head to Glasgow and drop a bunch of posters off at the Glad Cafe for the November show…then I drop more off at the Scottish Music Centre and Love Music before making for the STUC Centre for the Musicians’ Union regional AGM.
The meeting ends on schedule and I stop off to pick up some odds and ends of shopping en route home….
UP early to get a wholemeal sourdough loaf in the oven and get some routine stuff done before a morning Zoom guitar session with one of my students.
I book a space at Drymen Primary School’s Christmas Fair for West Highland Way Gifts. Talking of which, the prototype gift products I started making yesterday progress well and should be finished in a. day or two.
Next job is to create Facebook events for the Berwick and Sheffield shows, ticketing for Berwick and add both to my landing page, social banners etc. Also need to get them on all the online listings.
Rather than trying again to record the new song – Younger Days – I spend some time running through it and trying to get into the swing of it and fine-tune the arrangement. I also rehearse some songs I havenb;lt played for a while so I’m match fit for Sunday’s sets at the Cashel Bash further up the lochside.
I have another Zoom guitar student at 7pm then it’s time for the livestream into my Wildcats’group on Facebook – it goes fine with no major technical clusterfucks…then it’s back to the house for dinner and some more work.
THE KIDS have us awake at 6am…I manage to doze off and on for another hour or so then Margaret gets them sorted with breakfast.
Once everyone’s sorted we drive over to EdenMill to meet Martyn and Louise with their kids Oran and Orla. Margaret and Louise take the kids into soft play – Martyn and I go for a walk round Burncrook reservoir.
Back home the kids have lunch and Margaret takes them back to Catriona and Will. I do some work on new product ideas in the office and cast some prototypes.
When Margaret comes back I’m in the studio working on promo for upcoming gigs and searching for an old video that I’m not sure even exists! Maybe a figment of my imagination, but I’m sure there’s video of Lucy Zirins and myself performing Girl From the North Country at the hall somewhere…
HAD hoped for a paddle after breakfast but there’s too much to be done…we need to take advantage of the lull in the rain to chop up all the oversized bit of wood that have been taking up space int he wood shed.
It’s good to get he job done and we finish just in one for Catriona dropping off the kids. They’re here for the weekend.
Next job is cutting the grass and trimming. Probably the last time before winter.
Margaret takes the kids to feed the ducks and I have a quick paddle to Clairinch then land at Betty’s where Margaret and the kids are…David and Lyndsey are there too.
I chat for a while then paddle back to the bay.
Back home I spend a little time in the studio but still don’t manage to get a decent take of the new song. I really need an uninterrupted spell to tackle i…everytime it’s been rushed and ‘last minute’.
Front row seats at the Communities Housing Trust AGM in Inverness…
AFTER checking out the hotel we stop for a quick coffee and croissant in Aviemore then one to the Leonardo Hotel in Inverness for the Communities Housing Trust AGM.
It’s an interesting and informative event and we come away with some more strategies for getting the affordable housing project in our village moving.
We share the drive back home, stopping off in Doune to see Catriona, Will and the kids.
I manage to get some work done in the studio before heading back to the house to make red beans and rice…
Taking the west coast route north is a spectacular drive…
WE’RE heading up north later so lots to get done before we go.
Posters for the October and November shows have to be parcelled up and postage printed so they can be dropped off at the post office later. It’s a job!
I have a Zoom meeting to prep for the upcoming Musicians’ Union Live event in Glasgow on 10 October. I’m on a panel then play a short live set.
It’s at Mono in Glasgow and open to both MU members and non-members. Booking essential tho’…book your space here.
After lunch I do a rough mix of the new song to listen to on our journey north then we hit the road.
First stop is the post office in Balloch then a slight detour to Arrochar to drop off posters. Although a little longer, this route north is much more interesting than the main roads via Perth.
We’re staying just outside Aviemore which makes our drive into Inverness for tomorrow’s (Friday) community housing conference.
A quick trip to the Winking Owl for dinner then back to the hotel for an early night.
MY Thursday morning guitar student is coming today…she’s not around tomorrow and we’re away on Friday.
I have a loch pendant to deliver in the next village and Margaret has a meeting at the village hall. I go with her, deliver the pendant and walk home. Margaret’s off to Glasgow for some shopping after her meeting.
After lunch I do some more work on the new song recording and re-do some of the yodels. Still a bit ‘rustic’ but maybe that’ll add to the effect!
An afternoon guitar pupil is a no-show. Despite my text reminder it seems ‘mum forgot’ that we’d changed this week’s lesson to Wednesday. Ah well…
I continue work in he studio ’til Margaret comes home with the shopping then we wander along to Betty’s for dinner and a nice chilled evening.
FIRST job of the day is gathering the quantities and sizes of posters/flyers for the upcoming gigs.
The artwork’s all done, so it’s just a question of getting it and the instructions off to the printer.
Once all the boring stuff is out the way I do a bit more work on the arranghemebnt of the new song – Younger Days – and record a rough demo.
We have a listen in the house and decide it’s a go-er despite straying quite far into country territory.
I spend the afternoon recording a better version but struggle a bit with my yodelling. Surprise.
I take a break when Sheldon and David stop by with a price to rebuild our deck. It’s a great quote – although still a lot of money for us – and we go ahead. Might be a while before they have time to do the job tho’.
Back in the studio I finally mange to record some passable (I thinK!) yodels and save the session to be developed further (hopefully) tomorrow.
A ZOOM guitar student first thing then I take advantage of a gap in the rainfall to go for a walk up the lochside.
First job when I get back is to see if I can sort the chop saw which gave up the ghost the other day. I check the power breaker on the outside socket.it;s OK. Next, the fuse in the plug and…bingo! That’s it . Fixed.
I make a couple of prototype castings then a custom magnetic leather bookmark for West Highland Way Gifts then send some time in the studio working on ideas for a new song…tentatively titled Younger Days.
Somehow I’d forgotten to put a guitar lesson in the diary, but Violet’s mum messages me to say her step dad will be bring her for today’s lesson. Phew! The lesson goes well.
When I go back to the house Maggi’s in chatting with Margaret about putting together our local place plan. I join them and chat for a while…it’s after 11pm when we have dinner!
Grand day out at Thornill with Norrieston Nook’s pop up coffee shop…
A BIT of a scramble to get the car packed and o the way to Thornhill. We’re a few minutes late getting there but nothing’s really started yet,
Evie from Norrieston Nook pop-up coffee shop has invited us to have a table at her event. Only takes us a few minutes to get set up and I’m pleased with my £35 banner stand from Solopress. For a budget banner the print quality is great and the fact that it’s compact and lightweight is actually a benefit!
Colin from Thornhill Woodturning and Gasgow-based artist Alister Bull have tables either side of us and it’s great to chat about our various projects.
We don’t sell much stuff but there’s lots of interest for in personalised items and possible future sales.
Back home we attempt to sort out the woodshed but just a couple of minutes into the cutting up of various ‘scrap’ bits of wood the saw gives out. Mmmm…
Instead we go back indoor and work out how to mount the projector screen in the living room so we can easily move it from room to room which will be good come the colder weather and dark nights.
We have pizza outside then watch a couple of episodes of Ted Lasso before bed…
FIRST – and main – job of the day is press/media for the upcoming shows.
We’d been holding off in case any more dates came in but we’re right on some media deadlines, so the news release etc needs to go out today.
I finalise the copy then send off to some of my media contacts.
After lunch I spend some time on West Highland Way Gifts‘ merch for Saturday’s pop up event in Thornhill then get my camera gear ready to take a photo to accompany my news release for the community hydro society.
I’ve arranged to take a group pic with representatives from the local organisations that received awards from he society.
After selecting a couple of images I draft up a news release and send it off to my fellow directors for approval.
WITH a West Highland Way Gifts’ table at a pop-up coffee shop event in Thornhill on Saturday I need to get busy with some stock.
Some new prototype ideas show promise but there’s a few flaws that need ironed out – cat head pendants and magnetic leather bookmarks will be joining the product range soon!
Betty and Liz stop by for a coffee in the garden and some help sending package to Canada then I take a clip form last night’s livestream and post it round my socials.
After lunch I spend a bit of time trying to organise a photoshoot for the local community hydro society for tomorrow then get back on the product development.
I’d hoped to get into the studio but before I know it the afternoons gone and Sheldon and David B stop by to see if they can help with our decking dilemma. Let’s just say last week’s quote of five grand for fixing our three by two metre deck ain’t happening. I guess they guy didn’t;t want the job. Hope our buddies will come up with something more affordable.
We go for a wee wander before dinner then sit back and watch the Apple event on replay…
I HAVE an online guitar student first thing…closely followed by another who’s slot is usually 7pm but has been are-arranged this week.
Then it’s straight to the doc in the village for my flu vaccine.
I’d planned to walk back but the timing’s gonna mess up the day too much so that idea is ditched.
After lunch I start re-organising the space in the studio to try and make a more dedicated space for my livestreams. There’s a lot of technical considerations as well as logistical hoops to jump through!
An in-person guitar student late afternoon then I do a little work on merch in the office.
Back in the studio some more prep setting up the livestream and deciding on tonight’s content.
The re-organised space works well…some Fien tuning necessary, but generally not bad!
UP early to go out for a walk with Martyn. Good to catch up and get some fresh air.
When I get back there’s a message from Fiona saying she and David are paddling down from Rowardennan if I wanna meet them on the water.
I get my stuff together and head out on the water. We hook up at Inchlonaig and paddle back together.
Back home I have a big drink of water, a slice of apple pie and a coffee in the garden then hit the shower.
I spend the afternoon working oil some design ideas for new West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff and some promo round my socials.
Next, I Strat prepping the huge marrow Sandy brought us. Gonna make a chorizo, tomato, onion and herb concoction, stuff and roast the marrow then top with manchego and panko breadcrumbs. Works out amazing!
We eat in front of the telly watching Bill’s monthly livestream…
Terry denies all responsibility…not sure what for…then we have cake
WE have breakfast and more chat then Jon and Maggi head off.
I have a chat with Evie in Thornhill – she’s running a ;pop up coffee shop in the village next Saturday (16 Sept) and is keen for me to go along and sell some of my wares.
After some work in the studio I hit the office and work on some design ideas for products that aren’t solely related to the West Highland;and Way and Loch Lomond in preparation.
We have an early dinner – actually, more of a snack – then into Glasgow for my pal Terry’s 60th birthday party. It’s also his brother Shaun’s 63rd birthday (same day!) and also their brother-in-law Kenny’s 60th coming up soon.
I have seen many oof the folks for nearly 40 years so there’s a lot of reminiscing and we have a grand night.
WE’VE a triple birthday party on Glasgow tomorrow (Saturday) night and I decided to make keyrings for Terry, Shaun and Kenny.
I cut and engraved them yesterday so today it’s dyeing the leather and getting them to Margaret to sew up. I also develop the magnetic leather bookmark – a prototype for which won second prize at the local flower show.
After lunch I cut up and marinade some beef to do Vietnamese beef on the grill tonight…Jon and Maggi are coming for the night.
I spend some time in the studio working on guitar and song ideas then go back to help Margaret get the place sorted for our visitors.
We have a great night for food and chat…and Jon and I sit up late putting the music world to rights. Again.
AFTER cutting the tent pole section to size and rethreading the whole thing I get back on track with the regular stuff.
It’s a nice day so I take the laptop outside and spend a while adding new products to the West Highland Way Gifts’ online store.
After lunch I cast a batch of Celtic heart pendants and a couple of Loch Lomond ones…then I hit the studio to edit up a wee promo video. Not just for selling/promoting the new products, but also to let folks know I can take one-off commissions and have them ready in good time for Christmas.
Margaret comes home with the shopping and after it’s all away I finish the video and post it round some socials before we wander along to Betty’s for dinner.
MARGARET’s sorted a couple of dates in the north of England for late October so I start work on a news release.
I don’t send the resulting info out as there’s still the possibility another date or two – if they get confirmed I don’t wanna leave them out of the publicity material and news release. I’ll hang off ’til Friday.
I’m also trying to arrange a press pic to go with a news release for the local community hydro scheme…and gather quotes from award beneficiaries. It’s like herding cats!
Back in the house I make some wrap[s to take out on the loch for lunch. I’m meeting Fiona on the water.
We stop on Clairinch for lunch then paddle on to Port Bawn and back home round Inchcailloch.
I spend the afternoon sorting out mercy for my online store and get my new Dave Arcari/Devil May Care badges on sale.
After dinner I finally get round to sorting out the replacement tent pole – the kit arrived weeks ago and has been sitting for a while. After measuring I find I need to cut one of the fibreglass sections before putting in a shock cord. I’ll deal with that tomorrow. Meantime, I use some of the old pole sections to make a folding pole for my backdrop.
FIRST job of the day is getting news release and photos together for the local community hydro scheme. I joined the board earlier in the year and comms/PR is an area I can make a worthwhile contribution.
I have some personal gifts I want to get made for the weekend and they involve a bit of design. I spend a good hour or so in the office getting things done.
Late afternoon I have a young student coming for her second lesson. She’s a bright kid and, so far, pretty enthusiastic 🙂
Keen to encourage the butternut squash plants to climb I break down some pallets to make trellises. I’m just finishing off when Sandy drops by with a load of home grown veg…including a huge marrow! We have a blether and a coffee in the garden then I get back to work.
In the evening we go to a meeting about potential community ownership and uses for the local church which is set rot close in the next 18 mo nth or so. I walk there and back then grill the pinchitos for dinner…
IT’S a nice day so I plan to pick up my bike in Doune after a session with my regular Monday morning Zoom guitar student.
The bike’s been in for some repairs and a service and was ready last week – I’d arrange duo pick up (and pay!) tomorrow (Tuesday) but I have some time and weather’s good…so I check it’s OK with them and get Margaret to drive me over.
I enjoy the 25-mile cycle ride home, especially the third or so avoiding roads.
There’s another guitar lesson, then the livestream, then back to the house for dinner.
After we’ve eaten I ‘activate’ the landing page on my website promoting the November tour dates, set up Facebook events for each then put together some promo blurbs and other stuff for Margaret to send to the venues.
MIKEY heads off soon after breakfast and I get on with some odd jobs…
First, I fix the gate – a kinda temporary fix until we can get some more serious stuff done – and then tack up the Openreach cable that’s been hanging over a window for the past wee while.
In the studio I mess with ideas for poster and social media artwork for November’s Scottish tour. My special guest on the shows is Ismo Haavisto from Finland.
I get it all done and ready to go – and set up ticketing to go live at 8pm tomorrow (Monday) night when I’ll announce the dates and stuff in my Wildcats’ livestream.
Next I spend some time working on some new guitar ideas the go back to the house and set up the grill for some marinaded lamb…and the pizza oven for the flatbreads…
UP AT a decent time to meet Fiona out on the loch for a paddle.
Turns out better weather than we expect and we have a grand paddle round the islands. I’m pretty burst when I get back to the house but a couple of pints of ribena and a shower see me come back to life.
Catriona and the kids drop by for a visit and we go t feed the ducks then Mikey arrives – he’s staying the weekend.
In the studio I try and sort out my TikTok shop – it’s not straightforward and I’m getting a bit frustrated!
AN order for some Ben Lomond fridge magnets came in from the West Highland Way Gifts website last night so I get them underway first thing.
Margaret’s off into Glasgow to meet some pals for lunch and I get busy in the studio pulling together the digital album discography bundle for some of my Kickstarter backers. It takes a lot longer than I expect and the resulting folder – even when zipped – is too big to send to folks individually via wetransfer or similar services and I don’t have space in my Dropbox account, so I set up a download link and password on my own server and send it out to the relevant backers.
I get the fridge magnets finished off and packed to go in first class post tomorrow (Saturday) then work on some new guitar ideas in the studio.
Our pals Alastair and Karen are coming tonight and pizza’s on the menu so I get the dough balled up and some other prep done in good time before they arrive. Margaret’s doing a ravioli starter and a desert, so the kitchen’s busy!
OFF to the school in Balloch for my first music session with some kids this academic year.
Nice to see everyone and the session goes great, Good to be there first thing rather than the lunchtime timing last session which kinda split my day.
Back home I make a bunch of product videos using the (record) turntable – I was gonna buy something on Amazon then realised I could likely use what I have! it’s a bit of a skiddle but I get Something knocked up that’ll do the job.
I have an in-person guitar student mid afternoon then get back to the studio and edit my product videos – some for my own merch, and some for West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff.
AFTER a hectic few days I allow myself a (slight) lie in…then a bit of a mad scrabble to get ready for a mid-morning Zoom guitar session.
An order for a load of West Highland Way trekking flasks came in from the Netherlands the other day and I needed more ‘blanks’. They arrived yesterday so I get on with the production.
After lunch I get Margaret to drive me to the village to pick up a prescription then walk home. Nice to get some fresh air and a walk.
Then it’s back on ‘production’ – then packing…and there’s a special Glasgow show in October to get posted online.
I’ve just locked up the office for the night when I notice an Etsy order coming in for a leather keyfob. Luckily I have that design in stock so I open up the office and pack it up to go in first class post in the morning.
ANOTHER early start into Glasgow for the AMEE medical education conference at the SECC.
All goes smoothly and I’m done by early afternoon.
I stop off to pick some stuff up, visit Tiso’s for a new pair of walking boots, hit Costco for some shopping and lunch and make it home just in time for a new guitar student arriving. She’s only eight but dead keen 🙂
As soon as I’m through we head to Dundee. I drop Margaret off at the DCA to meet Maureen, Edith and Meg for dinner and I hit Tesco then got to the Manchurian for some (excellent) dim sum.
I go back to the DCA and have drink with Margaret and her pals then drive home…
THE alarm goes off at 6am so I can get my wholemeal sourdough in the oven in time for breakfast. But after heating the oven I realise I put the sourdough in the fridge on Saturday evening…and neglected to shape it and put it in a floured cloth within the bowl.
I tip it out, shape it and put it in the floured cloth and it’s back in the fridge ’til tomorrow. Shop-bought bread this morning.
A message from Eileen lets me know I don’t need to cover anything at the SEC ’til the plenary session at 11am – that means I should be there by 10.30am so I have a stress-free drive into town and have plenty time to get set up.
The day goes well and I’m finished and on the way home before 5pm.
We have a good few hours in the car park at Balmaha accompanied nay Anna’s cat Skye 🙂
UP EARLY to get the gazebos, tables and all our stuff to Balmaha Visitor Centre car park for our wee market.
It’s just Anna (Tropic) and us (West Highland Way Gifts)…and Anna’s cat Skye who proves a real hit with passers by!
There’s a good few folks round from when we open at 10am. I have to ;leave at 3pm to get to Glasgow for the first part of a three day photo job at the SEC for a big medical education conference.
I take the gazebos down and take them home leaving Anna and Margaret to run things for another hour.
In Glasgow I hook up with conference communications manager Eileen and spend a couple hours grabbing some pix then home to grill some marinaded lamb and make pizza dough flatbreads in the Ooni….
UP at the crack of dawn to get some ‘craft’ entries along to the flower show by the entry deadline.
I get there in time and get a chat with some local pals then go back home for breakfast.
There’s still a load of products to be finished and packaged for tomorrow’s (Sunday) market stall in Balmaha car park, so I have a busy morning before walking back to the village hall for the main flower show event.
Nice tips ee so many folks out and loads of entries in a wide variety of categories – flowers, plants, veg, baking, crafts and more. My magnetic leather bookmark has taken second prize in a special ‘bookmarks’ category and my pewter Loch Lomond pendant has second prize in one of the other craft categories.
I walk back home and get back on the case with the West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff and take a break to ball up the pizza dough for tonight… Margaret gives Betty a call to see if she’d like to join us. She does 🙂
A message comes in from Catriona. Her pal’s sister is involved in a big medical conference at the SEC in Glasgow and urgently needs a photographer tomorrow (Sunday) early evening, Monday and Tuesday. We make contact and arrange the job 🙂 It’s gonna be hectic tho’ – and I need to re-jig the diary for Monday and part of Tuesday…
Grand time playing my Edinburgh festival fringe show at the Scottish Arts Club…
I HAVE a really crazy morning working on West Highland Way Gifts’ products for Sunday’s market stall in Balmaha…and also getting a couple of things finished to enter into the flower show tomorrow.
In between times I sort gear and pack the car for the Edinburgh festival fringe show at the Scottish Arts Club.
It’s a mad panic to get on the road – showtime is 4.30pm – and things are made even more stressful when we get stuck behind two tractors. Margaret tells me to go to sleep and she’ll worry about getting us there in time. She does 🙂
I’m loaded in, set up and changed with three or four minutes spare. I’m pleasantly surprised at the turnout, especially given the odd time for the show. the place is about 3/4 full.
After load out we go for a drink with Linda – one of Margaret’s old school pals she hadn’t seen for nearly fifty years – then home, dinner and some more work on stuff for tomorrow!
First job is sorting out a set list for tomorrow (Friday) afternoon’s show at the Scottish Arts Club. It’s a 4.30pm show which is kinda weird…but such is Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
There’s a lot of West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff in various stages off production for Sunday’s market table at Balmaha visitor centre car park.
In between times I have a guitar student late afternoon…then it’s back on production. Still a lot to do before Sunday.
I HAVE a guitar student coming first thing and Margaret’s off for an appointment at a dental place in Glasgow.
After the guitar lesson is done I update the meal plan and shopping list for Margaret then start pay the invoice for the Devil May Care red vinyl pressing. Ouch!
Now I have the Kickstarter backers’ pins I gather some of pledgers’ address info and start packing the signed CDs and pins. Kickstarter doensn’t provide backers’ addresses so I ‘m reliant on them replying to the ‘survey’ sent out for each reward tier and supplying their address etc.
In the office I carry on with West Highland Way Gifts’ stuff for Sunday’s m market table in Balmaha. New design leather wristbands, leather key fobs, fridge magnets, wooden ‘hangers’ and then I cast some loch pendants and pins.
Then it’s time to head to the Clachan in the village for Margaret’s birthday dinner. We have a grand evening 🙂
A CALL from the bike place tells me all the work – and costs – of sorting my bike. A bit heavier than I expected but if it needs done…
They also mentioned that I didn’t leave the battery key. I took it in my pocket but forgot all about it…however, when I go to find it there’s only a biscuit wrapper in the jacket pocket. I musta lost it. Doh!
Luckily there’s one on my keyring and I also have the key serial number –I find a place online and order a couple of spares.
All the assets for the production f the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care are ready and checked so get sent off to the pressing plant. Hoping they’ll be ready in time for the UK dates in November.
In the office I make up a list of West Highland Way Gifts‘ stock and start a wee run of products I want to have on the ‘market table’ in Balmaha on Sunday.
It’s Margaret’s birthday tomorrow (Wednesday) and I need to make a card and finish off the wee heart necklace I’ve made for her. I also call a nearby restaurant and reserve a table for tomorrow evening for dinner.
I get some work done int he studio then go out for a walk top the lochside for the first time in what seems like ages.
Tell Me, Baby from my weekly livestream into may Facebook group…
STRAIGHT into the studio for a session with one of my Zoom guitar students…then it’s onto label design and artwork for the forthcoming red vinyl edition of Devil May Care.
Once again, takes longer than I expect as I start tinkering with alternative ideas!
There’s some merch prototypes to be worked on in the studio then another guitar Zoom guitar session.
Then it’s straight into my Wildcats’ livestream into my Facebook group…all goes well and I use the Acoustacaster for the entire show!
The kids do well on their bikes..stabilisers off soon I reckon 🙂
I WAKE up early and find both Aaron and Freda in the bed with us! Margaret takes them downstairs for breakfast and I get myself sorted.
After breakfast we take the kids to the park on their bikes and Catriona gets back. We have a quick coffee with her then head for home.
Margaret goes for a nap and I spend some time working on stuff for next Sunday’s market beside the Balmaha visitor centre car park. Half way through he Dremel seems to gear up to it’s highest speed and the regulator stops working. Bah. That’s not good as the high speed settings aren’t much good for my needs.
I knock up red beans and rice for dinner and we have a fairly chilled evening.
WE have a long lie then breakfast….then I clear the decks of emails and other routine admin stuff.
In the office I design another item that needs to remain secret for now…then I knock out a couple more Loch Lomond pins to see how I wanna finish them for next week’s “makers market” in Balmaha.
My bike’s booked in for a service at Roots Cycles in Doune on Tuesday morning but we’re heading there today to babysit overnight. The guys at Roots are happy for me to drop the bike today so I cycle over and Margaret drives.
The first half of the 25-mile cycle is off-road and fun…the second half on roads and not as exciting….but I enjoy the ride and get the bike dropped off at Roots just in time before they close.
It’s a short walk to Catriona’s where Margaret’s already got the kids busy. We take them 9n their bikes to feed the ducks then back home, bed and dinner for us….
Phil and Marion at Kilmaronock Old Kirk…great evening 🙂
THE morning is spent finalising artwork for the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care…there’s a fair amount of technical issues with ink coverage and stuff.
I get it all done leaving just the sideA/B labels to be done over the weekend then the lot can get sent off on Monday.
I also try out some ideas for a Loch Lomond pin/brooch but my first attempts don’t really work out.
There’s some merch to be finished and sent off. My plan is to get Margaret to drive me to the village to get the last post and then walk home….but last post has changed, to the stuff won’t be picked up ;til tomorrow (Saturday)... bah! regardless, I enjoy the hour or so’s wander home listening to music marketing podcasts along the way.
Back home I design and make another ‘master’ for the Loch Lomond pin and cast a prototype. Much better…but no time to check it out properly – Margaret’s got an early dinner ready as we’re heading out to see our pals Marion and Phil play at Kilmaronock Old Kirk.
They play a great show and it’s nice to catch up with folks…we’re home by 10pm and watch a film before bed.
MAIN job of the day is sorting out the audio masters and artwork for the red vinyl edition of Devil May Care.
For the audio I need to check timings, track order and side splits and include the bonus track – Loch Lomond Home (acoustic). Once done the audio masters need to be resampled for vinyl cutting…then onto the artwork.
I take a break mid-afternoon for a guitar lesson with an in-person student then tis back to the studio. Hopefully I’ll have everything sorted and off to the pressing plant tomorrow latest.
I finally manage to get out for a wee walk and do a couple of livestream updates to my Facebook page and profile.
When I get home I try and log into may US bank account…apparently it’ll be considered ‘abandoned’ if I don’t have a transaction soon and the balance will have to be claimed through some weird process! The website want to send a code to a US cellphone which I don’t have anymore and the only other option is to call the bank.
Four or five failed attempts later using Skype I finally get to speak to someone. it appears to be a condition of holing an account that you have a US cell phone. Fuck. There is a little light at the end of the tunnel tho’ – I can make a small payment into the account from here and that should sort things out.
Meantime, Betty’s arrived and Margaret’s getting dinner ready…
A duck takes an interest in paddling at Port Bawn 🙂
I HAVE a Zoom session with one of my occasional students then Fiona comes up to go out for a paddle.
We go out and round Inchcailloch, stopping at Port Bawn for a break.
The roof guys are getting on pretty good with your new roof and it looks like they’ll be finished in the next couple of days.
There’s a bunch of social media stuff to do and I send out a general eNewsletter…letting folks know the Kickstarter was a success and thanking folks for their support. I also let them know the guitar necklaces and pins are in my online store and some info on the upcoming Edinburgh show.
In the studio I install a set of power pins on the Acoustasonic…they replace the ‘traditional’ bridge pins which – along with the locking tuners – will make string changing a lot quicker and easier.
Back at the house we clear all the crap form behind the office and chuck it in the roofers’ skip.
Dinner is green curry – first time in ages…then we watch some telly.
I MANAGE to get some of the stuff away and sorted out in the studio before my first Zoom guitar student comes online.
I almost forgot it’s my birthday…I plan to make the most of my last year as a ‘fifty-something’.
Next I hit the studio to colour up a special order for a guitar necklace. It works well and I send the customer a photo to check the colour is correct. She’s delighted. I parcel it up and get it ready to post along with some vinyl going to Estonia – we sold out of vinyl halfway through so folks have been ordering online 🙂
An email tells em my package from Thomann has been delivered by DHL. Nope, no one’s been here and the ‘show delivery’ location and photo doesn’t work. I call them and – unlike DPD – at least manage to speak to someone who is helpful and sends a photo of delivery. The package is jammed in a letterbox but fuck knows where! He says he’ll investigate and get it sorted.
Meantime, the guitar bag from GuitarGuitar finally arrives…then I hot the studio and edit the Estonia video blog in prep for tonight’s Wildcats’ Facebook livestream.
Another video lesson then straight into the livestream..then back to the house for dinner 🙂
ANOTHER early rise to meet our driver who will take us from the festival site to Tallinn airport.An hour or so drive.
We say cheerio to Krista and start our homeward journey.
All goes to plan – Tallinn to Stockholm, (extremely expensive!) lunch, Stockholm to Edinburgh.
We arrive in Edinburgh around 2.30pm…but my guitar doesn’t appear. the AirTag tells us it’s close by but none of the staff seem to be able to help. We decide one of us should exit baggage and see the folks at Swissport, the baggage handlers. I go and speak to them but they ignore the fact that the guitar is actually here somewhere close by and insist I complete a lost luggage claim. I walk away!
Margaret and I are trying to stay in touch by phone, but there’s no signal and the airport wifi won’t let us use any VoiP (voice) services so we try and communicate via WhatsApp messages. These eventually stop working too!
Luckily Margaret found one person who gave a shit and after a while the guitar is found in their office outside!
That means we’re a couple of hours later leaving the airport than expected, so but he time we’re home having picked up some shopping it’s well after 6pm.
THE alarm goes off at 6am and we drag ourselves out of bed, check out the hotel and cross the road to the bus station for the first bus to Tallinn.
The breakfast room at the hotel doesn’t open ‘til 7 am so they gave us ‘packed breakfasts’ to go,..the cafe at the bus station is still closed so I nip back to the hotel where they organise coffees too 🙂
We sleep most of the way and arrive in Tallinn just after 9am. A driver from the festival picks us up and an hour later we’re on site.
Our pal – and festival rep – Krista meets us at my stage where we leave the gear then go on to our accommodation.
Sound check is at 1.30pm…and showtime 2.30pm. Krista and her partner Henk join us for lunch in artist catering then we head along to my venue.
I have a fantastic audience…and despite busting two string during my 75-minute set everything goes great. Margaret’s rushed off her feet selling merch 🙂
Krista and Henk help us back the short walk to our room and after sorting the gear for packing I crash for a while.
Krista and Henk’s room is almost next door to us..and some of her family are there too. Krista , her sister, Margaret and I go for dinner then back to my stage/venue to watch and Irish band.
Margaret and I are pretty goosed so we say goodnight…another early start in the morning….
Third Estonia show, third full house…Kultuuri-ja Huvikeskus, Põlva
WE have a lazy morning at our accommodation in Tartu – I do some social media promo for tonight’s show in Polva and we drink coffee and munch croissants.
Once packed, Martin comes to pick us up and take us down to our hotel for tonight…too early to check in but we can leave all our gear and bags. Next stop his house where we have a late lunch with him and Marilin.
Then it’s back to the hotel where the venue has sent a minibus to pick us up. I get the gear out of the luggage room and Margaret checks us in and drops our main bag up in the room.
Andres and Siret join us on the minibus and Martin takes his car…a smaller vehicle will be bringing us back after the show.
It’s an hour’s drive to Polva and then straight on to sound check.
Booker Eerika has loaded the dressing room with a load of grub and drinks…the hospitality is first class, as is the venue and production.
I play two sets and have a grand time. It’s another full house and everything goes well.
We’re back at the hotel in Tartu before midnight…some snacks, a drink and a shower…then some work. We’re up at 6am for the bus to Tallin!
BREAKFAST is good, albeit a slightly weird dining room packed with Estonian holidaymakers and spa users.
We pack up and head for the bus station earlier than we’d planned as I need to get to a music shop and buy a short patch lead for plugging my foot stomp. I forgot mine!
It’s a three-hour bus ride to Tartu but it goes in quick and soon we’re at the venue where we’re shown around by Kai. She also takes us to our accommodation upstairs.
We meet our pal Martin for coffee then pick up some supplies – we have a kitchen area etc in our room – and then chill for a while before going downstairs for sound check.
Once we’re done and the merch is set up we nip back upstairs for a quick bite to eat. Margaret goes back to man the merch and I get changed for the show.
We’ve another full house when I kick off my set and have a blast playing a couple of sets to a very enthusiastic audience. Kai has done a great job promoting the show.
Once we’re tidied up we go out for a drink with a bunch of our Tartu friends then wander ’home’ back up the hill.
First show of the Estonia tour – Parnu Summer Music 🙂
AFTER a good breakfast at the hotel we get packed up and make for the bus station. just a five or ten minute walk and the sun’s shining.
The bus journey is about two hours and Ülle meets us of the bus and drives us to the hotel. We didn’t know she was coming to meet us.
The hotel is only two minutes walk from the venue. The forecast is for rain so instead of being outdoors, I’m playing inside the venue.
Sound an Otto has everything ready and the sound check goes smoothly. By 7pm kick off the place is full and I really enjoy playing…the new guitar does a fine job too 🙂
There’s a few familiar faces in the crowd and it’s nice to catch up at the merch table after the show.
Once we’re cleared up and loaded out Ullar – who’s booked me for the Parnu Blues Festival many t8mes drives us back to the hotel to drop off the gear and on to a pizza place where Ülle is waiting for us.
We have a grand night, even if we do get lost wandering back to the hotel!
FIVE-fifteen alarm so we can get sorted, car packed and on our way to Edinburgh airport by 6am.
All goes to plan, but there’s a huge check-in queue for our SAS flight to Stockholm. Eventually they open a second desk bit it still takes an hour and 15 minutes to get through check-in. Security’s a long time too.
Luckily Margaret goes and picks up some sandwiches while my effects bag is scrutinised, for once I’m clear it’s straight to the gate and onto the plane.
A change at Stockholm then a short flight to Tallinn and a taxi ride to our hotel. An Ibis in the center of the city.
First job on arrival is to retune the National and rebuild the Acoustisonic. Both are fine 🙂
Margaret messages our pal Krista – who is also our rep for ViruFolk at the weekend – and we meet for dinner and a few drinks. Great to catch up 🙂
A BUSY day kicks off with my first in-person guitar student of the day. She normally comes on a Thursday but couldn’t come last week and I’m away tomorrow until Sunday.
There’s lots off mech to be sorted and some leather luggage tags to be finished so I get some of that done before a session with a Zoom guitar student.
Just a few minutes to get some more work done before another in-person student…again, normally a Thursday student but holidays and stuff mean he’s here today.
In the studio I edit some video to spin into tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook then hit the office and finish off some guitar necklaces and pins.
Before I know it, it’s time for my final Zoom guitar student of the day and then straight into the Wildcats’ livestream during which I give the new Acoustasonic guitar a whirl.
After dinner it’s back to the studio to get all the gear ready…then packing…we’ve a 6am getaway time in the morning…
We take the kids to feed the ducks and go a walk over Craigie Fort…
THE KIDS have us awake just after 6am…I mange to get another wee doze in between bouts of them jumping all over me then we get up for breakfast,
I finish off the scratch plate for the Acoustisonic then we take the kids to feed the ducks and go for a walk up the lochside via Craigie Fort.
After lunch Catriona and the kids head for one and I grind, sand and and finish the first batch of guitar pins. They’ve turned out pretty good.
In the studio I make up set lists for the Estonia tour then set up sound for tomorrow’s (Monday) livestream into my Wildcats’ group on Facebook. I’m gonna showcase the new guitar and need to plug it in – never done that before on a livestream so I need to check all’s gonna work as planned.
After dinner I cast another batch of guitar necklaces and pins ready for finishing tomorrow….
Pouring rain on the loch made for an eerie, but exciting, atmosphere…
AFTER breakfast I get ready for a paddle then Fiona arrives and we head down to the bay.
We’re not long out on the water when the rain comes and it’s spectacular, bouncing off an initially calm surface,
If course with the rain comes wind and it’s soon pretty treacherous. We still manage to paddle round Clairinch and enjoy the experience.
Back home we have coffee and bother then Fiona goes off and I get some work done in the office.
After lunch – a burrito made with leftover ancho beef and butternut squash plus some avocado and Greek yoghurt – I wash down the paddle board and deflate then soak my wetsuit and boots in a big bucket of water and wetsuit/neoprene cleaner.
Catriona and the kids arrive mid-afternoon while I’m prototyping some resonator guitar pins. Similar to the necklaces but smaller and with no hoop and hole at the top. They’re quite intricate so it’ll be interesting to see how (or if) the work out.
They all go to feed the ducks and I prep the pizza dough for later tonight then go back to the office and design a clear acrylic scratch plate for the new guitar.
Got it! Black Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster with neck removal mods and locking tuners by Jimmy Egypt. Delighted.
A BUSY morning fulfilling merch orders. not only are the guitar necklaces selling faster than I can make them, they seem to have triggered other merch sales via my online store.
Of course, I want everyone (in the UK anyway) to get their stuff the next day…but I’ve missed the last post from the village for some of the later orders.
All is not lost though. I call Jimmy Egypt to find the work on my guitar is almost done so I can pick it up later today (Friday)…that means I can post the other merch orders in town 🙂
It’s late afternoon when I get into Glasgow’s west end and pick up the guitar…and it’s spectacular! Not sure the credit card agrees, but hey ho…
We need more AirTags too, so I drive home via Costco and pick up a four-pack..and save £27 on Apple’s own price! I put the saving into the fuel tank.
Back home I make ancho beef and butternut squash stew and we watch the tennis….
More prototypes…and they’re selling before I even have a chance to pout them in my online merch store!
FIRST job is to chase up the Acoustasonic guitar and mods…I;m nervous that there’s gonna be a delay and I won’t have it time for the Estonia tour. We leave early doors Tuesday.
I call Jimmy Egypt to find the guitar arrived yesterday (Wednesday…and they were meant to ‘keep me posted’!) and he’s starting work on the mods this afternoon. Hopefully ready tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday. Ideally it’d be tomorrow so I can spend some time sorting patches on the Quad Cortex and generally getting used to it.
A new, bigger, casting flask arrives in the post so I try my new method out on a Loch Lomond pendant…it works! I make a few more guitars too. Once they’re finished and polished I stick some pictures on my socials and immediately sell ’em – someone even requested the rather rough prototype I posted pix of yesterday!
There’s a shopping list and meal plan to be made up then I hit the studio and do some work on the new song.
Betty’s coming for dinner and I make velvetised chicken with mixed mushrooms and black fungus. Goes down a storm.
We’re not long finished when Matty rolls up. he’s staying over tonight on his way to Glasgow.
Extremely rough video (and sound) to see if this should be developed on side or ‘regular’ guitar…
AFTER breakfast I have a go at using delft clay to cast a guitar necklace. It’s a bit fiddly and time-consuming – but the result isn’t bad and shows promise.
The cleanup job is easier and less destructive than my previous methods and these look like they could be finished without any coloured epoxy inlay. We’ll see.
After lunch Margaret takes me to the village to pick up a prescription and I walk back home.
In the studio I run through a new song idea a couple of times making a rough video recording to put online and see what folks think. Before I start any ‘proper’ work on it I need to decide whether it should be on slide guitar or ‘regular’ guitar.
The ‘regular’ guitar feels a bit more comfortable but I reckon it sounds a bit too country and outwith my (self-imposed) stylistic boundaries. The slide version could be more ‘Dave Arcari’ but seems a little clunky. That might improve as I fart around with it a bit.
The resulting very rough-sounding video switches between the two initial possibilities and I post it in my Wildcats’ Facebook group to canvas some thoughts….
WE sleep in…and I blame a power cut! Seems the electricity went off around 6am and the supplier’s website indicates that they’re on the case and expect power to be reinstated by 11.30am.Ooofft.
I make coffee on our backup camps stove and go back to bed then, att about 10am, the power comes back on 🙂
In the office I make some wee pegboard shelves for all the Dremel ‘bits’. I’m quite pleased with the result and proceed to tidy the place up a bit more.
A new song is pretty much written but the arrangement is causing me a bit of indecision. If I play on ‘regular’ acoustic guitar it sounds too ‘country’…not a problem in itself, but it’s pushing my stylistic boundaries a little! A slide guitar arrangement is more in keeping with my style but some feel feels and sounds a bit clumsy. I record a demo version on slide guitar to see if I can refine things a little.
Late afternoon I head out on the loch for a paddle and enjoy a an hour or so on the water spotting a beaver and then, later on, a deer on a little island peninsula.
Some of my merch production needs improved…the metal/epoxy loch and guitar necklace process needs not only to be streamlines a little but also made. a little more consistent quality-wise. I do some work.
I GET the studio all tidied up and gears set up/put away then have my first Zoom guitar student of the day.
After downloading the livestream video from Saturday’s garden concert I edit a song from each of us and some “prep “b-roll” and make a wee clip to spin into tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook.
There’s some radio idents to record for a DJ in Edinburgh…and a similar kinda thing for a mixture producer in Germany. I get them recorded and sent off.
After lunch I approve the artwork mockups for the Kickstarter backers’ badge and also. run of ‘normal’ badges. They’ll take a few weeks. I also call Jimmy Egypt in Glasgow to check on progress with the detachable neck Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster (phew..that’s a mouthful!). Apparently all the parts are in, but they’re still waiting on the base guitar from Fender. They hope to have it in by the end of the week…that’s cutting things fine as we head to Estonia a week tomorrow (Tuesday 8 August).
I edit a promo video on various formats for the Estonia shows and sort Facebook ‘events’ and include everything in some social posts.
Suddenly it’s time for another Zoom guitar session then straight into my Wildcats’ livestream…
ANOTHER lie in then Margaret gets breakfast sorted and we blether round the table for a while.
It’s not raining so we go outside and tidy up the garden a bit, collapse the gazebos and put them under the smoker shelter to dry off.
We take Bill and Dorothy a walk up the lochside ad when we get back they pack the car and head off.
I manage to get a little work done, get the PA system back to the studio then put up the pegboards that Margaret picked up for me in Ikea last week.It’s a bit of a faff but I’m pleased with the end result that will, I hope, help keep the office a bit tidier.
AFTER a long lie and good breakfast we all get to work outside preparing for the afternoon’s garden concert.
The rain’s not started (yet!) and we sort seating, merch, PA system etc. the iPad app to control the mixer isn’t playing ball so I use a laptop. Then there’s weird feedback until I realise the mic is ‘back to front’. There’s no real indication which way is ‘forward’ on the mic but there’s some telltale screws which I’d not seen because of the the windshield. Things improve whenI sort it out!
We all do a quick soundcheck then folks start arriving. Marion and Phil kick things off with a short set then Bill and I take turns on stage and play three sets each. There’s a few downpours, but we have a full house (or should tat be garden?) and a load of fun.
We get some tidying up done and the big ‘gate tarp’ down and laid to dry under the other gazebos. All that can wait ’til tomorrow.
Bill and I head to the studio to tile some promo pix for G7th Capos who sorted Bill’s capo problem by going well over the call of duty on Friday. They make my Devil’s Left Hand signature capo and I’ve had an endorsement/artist deal with them for a long time.
When we go back to the house dinner’s ready and have another grand evening….
Billy gets Margaret and Dorothy tip to help out on his number 🙂
A bit grey on the loch – but really peaceful. Thanks for the pic and company Fiona 🙂
I’M JUST finishing breakfast when Fiona arrives to go for a paddle. To be fair, I had been up a good while getting some work out the way and my paddleboard/gear ready…
It’s a little grey and damp, but the loch is an oasis of peace and we have a grand paddle then back to the house for a coffee.
After lunch Margaret heads into Glasgow to pick up some shopping and stuff form Ikea to help me organise the office which has now evolved into more of a workshop.
With the Kickstarter campaign about to end I do a livestream thanking folks for their support and reminding other that this is their last chance to grab a reward.
The Kickstarter deadline passes and I’m delighted that not only did I successfully reach my target, but exceeded it handsomely. Thank you everyone for your support 🙂
A BIT of a rush to get things sorted before my 10am guitar student…but she doesn’t appear! I text and WhatsApp around 10.15am but get no response. This is her third lesson and there’s been some kind of issue each time!
Plenty to be getting on with tho’…and the Kickstarter campaign reaches its target with two days still to go. Phew! I start thinking about the vinyl masters, revamped artwork etc.
I need to pick up some stuff in the village and get Margaret to drive me there…then I walk back. Nice to get some exercise.
Back home I start the big office tidy/clean up. The place is full of dust from all the merch sanding and it a cluttered mess, so I have to clear everything out and start a deep clean…
UP EARLY on the campsite at Upton – we need to get the tent down and all the gear packed…then into town to pick up all my gear at last night’s venue before the road closes.
The non-stop rain means the tent’s wet, so we bundle it into the spare wheel compartment int he boot. At least the rain’s off when we break down camp!
After picking up the gear we hit the road to Hudderfield, stopping at motorway serve ices for some lunch en route. We drive through torrential rain and get to the Railway Inn, Marsden in good time to load in for the Sunday Blues Train show at 4pm. Our pal Pat – who booked me for the show – and soundman Rico are ready and waiting.
t’s a long time since I;ve played a “two 45s” set and my hastily scribbled set list (I forgot to pick up the carefully curated and printed ones from the studio before we left!) includes some stuff I’ve not played in ages.
All goes well, though, and there’s a packed house for the show.
By 7.30pm we’re not he road home and split the driving stopping. to pick a sandwich and then coffee. We’re home soon after midnight. The gear can wait ’til morning!
BEEN raining all night but we’re all good in the tent. So far.
A few drips come in while we’re making breakfast but nothing too severe.
The roads into town close at midday so although I don’t play ‘til 6pm we get the car and gear down to the acoustic roots venue and load in to avoid the six mile detour.
It’s good to get everything in, car parked and merch sorted before the performances start.
We enjoy the music – particularly duo Sister Bodhi – and it’s great to catch up with lots of pals – both backstage and in the audience.
The venue is rammed for my set and all, thankfully, goes to plan – other than the fact that my carefully prepared set list is still back home in the studio!
We’re back at the campsite soon after 11pm and have something to eat, chill for a while and then bed….
ANOTHER early rise….Margaret sorts the merch and I take the car to the studio and pack the gear.
We have a quick breakfast, sort some more stuff and get all the tent/camping stuff in the car.
Despite our best efforts we’re still nearly two hours later leaving than we’d hoped…that’s compounded by a load of delays before we even reach Glasgow!
A quick stop at Tiso’s in Glasgow to buy a inflatable camp bed in their sale…half price 🙂 We remembered that Mikey had – against my advice – borrowed our original one a few years ago and had it burst within minutes!
Our delays mean we have to miss our planned stop in Stourbridge to pick up some bottlenecks from my pal Ian…he’s got some more to send later anyway so will post them up when my order’s complete.
We share the drive and roll up at Auntie Glo’s in Bridgend just before 9pm. A flying visit – we’ll see them tomorrow – then off to catch a supermarket before it closes to get some supplies then on to check into our hotel.
ALL hands own deck today – lots to do before we head off tomorrow and Margaret’s not only feeling crap, she’s off to the dentist to het one of her front teeth out!
The tooth was knocked out four or five years ago when she fell in Estonia and although it was successfully put back in, the root has started to deteriorate and notw it’s to come out.
First major job of the year is to put the tent up in the garden to (a) check it’s all OK and intact and (b) get some air thought it – not been used since I played the Red Rooster Festival a good few years ago.
I make up set lists for the Upton Blues Festival and Huddersfield shows and rehearse a bit then get on with finishing off a big batch of earrings and making some guitar necklaces for the merch table.
In between times I get the gear sorted and packed ready to load the car in the morning.
Dinner is pizza and then it’s back to finishing off merch and some Kickstarter campaign promo.
AFTER my regular Monday morning session with a guitar student on Zoom I get back to work editing the video footage from Friday night’s show.
Late morning a couple of Margaret’s pals and their kids arrive for a visit. I sit in the garden with them and have some lunch, take the kids into the studio to mess with guitars then they all go a walk and I get on with the video edit.
My eyes are falling out my head and I need a break from the edit so I go for a walk up the lochside…first chance I’ve had for a walk since we got back from Finland. it’s good.
I’m back just in time for my 7pm zoom guitar student then I nip to the house to sort a spreadsheet for Margaret who’s waiting on Maggi and Lynne coming for a local place plan meeting.
My Lomond Radio session is airing at 8pm so there’s no Wildcats’ livestream this week…
THE kids have us awake at 6.30am. We manage to keep them amused – mostly by jumping all over papa – for another hour or so then get up and get breakfast sorted.
Once things are under control I hit the studio and start editing the video footage form Friday night’s show. Margaret and Matty take the kids to the village to go swimming.
Catriona picks the kids up mid-afternoon and I get back onto the video edit until it’s time to light up some charcoal and grill the pinchitos for dinner.
Unplugged at Kilmaronock Old Kirk. Pic: Tom Wallace
AFTER breakfast I re-string the guitars for tonight’s show at Kilmarnock Old Kirk.
One of the tuning pegs on ‘the black guitar’ comes adrift and it takes me a good half hour to repair using some old parts I have kicking about.
There’s a few songs in tonight’s set I haven’t played for a while so I run through them then start packing the gear.
The venue is a great sounding space and I could play with no PA, but I wanna take it to add a wee bit lift to the acoustic sound. I also pack a spotlight and some other lights so I don’t have to play under the stark white house lights. the car is overflowing!
Matty stays at the house and will come later – Margaret and I make some sandwiches and head to the venue to load in and set up.
Everything goes to plan and the PA and lighting are the icing on the cake of a great sounding acoustic venue.
We have a great crowd in and the gig goes really well 🙂
We’re loaded out soon after 10pm and back home soon after…
I’ll rehearse later, but meantime there’s some ‘last minute’ promote be done round my socials etc.
In the office I do a little work on some mercy production and also start messing with one ideas to sort out my stomp box. The wee Wazinatoralways needs taped down on stage – not so much to stop it moving about, more to prevent the double hit after I tap it…the stage at the last Finland show in Helsinki was damp after the floods and it wouldn’t;t stick so I couldn’t use it 🙁
I mess around with bits of silicon sheet, felt and acrylic to see if I can come up with a standalone solution. It might also help feedback problems if I’m on a ‘hollow’ stage. I get quite far with it then put the project aside as there’s more pressing things needing done.
The pork loin I wrapped in a. bacon weave last night goes in the smoker and will, hopefully, be ready for dinner. A I didn’t;t notice a huge wasp nest on the roof above the smoker until I list some charcoal and was attacked by an angry swarm. A few seconds after they were smoked out their nest crumbled with the heat oops!
After rehearsing some of my set and sorting some camera and audio gear – I wanna record tomorrow’s show – I mess with another project idea. I wanna try and make a wee downdraft table (or box!) to minimise the dust in the office when I’m sanding stuff. I think I have a prototype, but the old car vacuum I use isn’t strong enough to be of much use.
Matty’s coming to stay a few nights and rolls up early evening…
MARGARET has an appointment at the doc in the village…I go for a coffee at Alfie’s and she meets me once she’s done.
Next stop, jimmy Egypt’s in Glasgow to discuss option for my ‘travelling’ guitar needs. Do I get some mods done to the folding electric or can he fit steel liners on a acoustasonic tele so I can easily and safely remove the neck. If that’s possible I don’t want to spend money on mods to the electric. He’ll do some tests and let me know next week.
Margaret drops me at the eye hospital for an emergency appointment and goes to get some shopping.
I have uveitis flare-ups in both eyes and the lens has somehow got stuck the pupil join my left eye. A bit jiggery pokery and I’m given a strict regime of drops and steroids.
Margaret picks me up and we drop into Ikea on the way home.I need to make some kind of down draft table/box to cut down on the sanding dust in the office.
We’re home in time for me to pack some gear and head to Lomond Radio to record a session and interview with David Dennett for his talent spotlight show that’ll go out on Monday.
It’s after 10pm when I get home – Margaret’s got Donner ready… 🙂
MY guitar student due to come this morning has been re-scheduled to Thursday, so kot so much of a panic.
First on my list is to sort a visit to the eye hospital – things were playing up a little in Finland and although I self-medicated a little, it’s best to have things checked out. I get an appointment for tomorrow lunchtime.
Next I call my luthier pal Jimmy Egypt – the ‘folding’ guitar is pretty good but could do with some mods – like a straight through bridge to make string changing quicker/easier. A property cut nut to replace my jam-fisted repair and some other potential nice to haves – better locking timers, pickup upgrade….maybe even piezo’s in the bridge saddles.
It might be easier and better to get an Acoustasonic Telecaster and have him put liners in the neck bolt holes so I can unbolt the neck….then flog the folding electric?? I dunno – depends on the costs of mods to the existing guitar.
I’ll take the guitar in to him tomorrow and we’ll chat through the options.
I put down some weed killer a few weeks ago but despite that, the place is looking a bit untidy and overgrown, so when the rain goes off and looks like it’ll stay that way I do it all again.
Next I add a new house concert reward tier to my Kickstarter – and make some video content to share round my socials to share the news. It’s good to have some updates rather than just banging on about the campaign.
Anna drops round to chat over a custom gift she’d like made before the weekend then Betty pops in.
After dinner I try and tidy/clean the office – I need to find a way to cut down the dust when I’m sanding, drilling and trimming metal etc. the place is now more of a workshop than ab office!
PRETTY dubbed when I wake up, Not surprising after a run of five gigs in four days, a full day of travelling band flight delays and not getting home ’til after 2am.
After a quick gear today up I have my first Zoom guitar student of the day. One of my ‘in-person’ students is coming at midday so there’s a small window of time to sort some more stuff out.
We grab some lunch then I work on editing the video footage from Finland and spend most of the afternoon on it along with some prep for this evening’s livestream into my Wildcats’ group on Facebook.
It’s been raining all day and I’ve no time for a walk before another session with a Zoom guitar student…then it’s into the livestream…
Rain stops just in time at Storyville, Helsinki for the final show of the trip
AFTER breakfast we pack everything up and get ready to leave Lahti.
Ismo and I have two shows today – Jarvenpaa and Helsinki – and we’re staying in a hotel tonight as we fly back tomorrow (Sunday).
Ukko – Ismo’s son – is our driver and roadie for today’s shows. Our show in Jarvenpaa is meant to be outside but the rain means we move inside the venue…no matter, we both have a great show.
A bit of a mad dash toHelsinki. It’s around an hour’s drive and I don‘t think I’ve ever seen such heavy rain. Helsinki is pretty flooded and we have to wait ‘til we get set up on the outdoor stage at Storyville.
Meantime we sit in shelter and are served up big plates of jambalaya.
The rain finally subsides, we get set up and soundchecked and by the time Ismo starts his set there’s a good crowd..and lots of familiar faces including Maiju. Great to see her 🙂
A quick changeover and I hit the stage for an hour or so before Ismo joins me for a coupla encores.
Once we’re loaded up Ismo and Ukko drive us to our hotel and say cheerio. We drop everything in the room and head to pick up some grub…then bed….wet, tired, sore – but well worth it 🙂
UP early, checked out the hotel and parked at the airport before 8am.
Checkin for our flight to Helsinki and security is largely hassle-free, but our departure delayed by nearly an hour.
The delay is compounded by a busy passport control but somehow we manage to get our train with just 30 seconds to spare.
One change then we arrive in Mäntsälä where Ismo meets us drives us to the venue. It’s a great place and Tarja has a great spread of food and drink for us backstage.
Ticket sales are good and the walk ups make it a full house…and a sell-out!
The gig goes great and is a fantastic start to the tour. After we load out Tarja takes us for a drink then we head to Ismo and Suvi’s in Lahti where we’re staying the next few nights.
OFF to the village early doors – Alison at the hairdresser has saved my ass and booked me in for an 8.15an haircut before what was probably meant to be her first customer if the day.
Margaret’s got some stuff at the doctor and we meet at Alfie’s for a coffee before heading home for breakfast.
I have a new guitar student coming at 10am…..when she looks like she’ll be late I message her and, for some reason, she thought it was 3pm! Nevermind, she’s on her way and will be with me by 11am.
Meantime I film a quick video update to tell folks about the new rewards jn my Kickstarter campaign.
The lesson goes well then I edit various formats of the video to post later.
After lunch I finish off a last minute batch of guitar necklaces, Margaret packs the merch and I get my gear ready. We’re driving to Manchester this evening and staying in a hotel near the airport for an early getaway.
We’re a bit later leaving than planned and rock up at our hotel just after 11pm.
A LOT on ‘the list’ today. Merch production, Kickstarter stuff, livestreams, guitar lessons…
After my first Zoom student of the day I get busy with a batch of earrings to take to Finland. We drive south tomorrow (Tuesday) and fly out early Wednesday. First gig is Wednesday night.
In the office I get some merch production underway…I also need to make more guitar necklaces.
Betty joins us for lunch in the garden then I get on with prep for Finland.
I get back on the merch then start sorting out a couple of extra rewards for my Kickstarter campaign….I have a couple of sets of test pressings form my Live at Memorial Hall album..and a couple coloured vinyls left, so I make a ‘bundle’ with them. I also make up a reward with a CD copy of the album plus a backers’ pin.
My evening Widlcats’ livestream goes well then it’s time for dinner.
I spend the rest of the night in the office on merch production and get to bed just after 1am. Early start tomorrow….
You won’t see me crying’…grand afternoon playing Festival Americana in Arrochar
UP early and I get the car packed before breakfast.
We eat then head for Arrochar where I’m playing set at Festival Americana at the Three Villages Hall. Wanna get there at a reasonable time to load in and soundcheck before folks start arriving.
It’s an easy, hassle-free drive and we’re there in just over half an hour. We know the organisers and some of the folks there and set up is a breeze. All sound checked and sorted with time to spare 🙂
I’m never really sure how these daytime shows will go, but the place is full up, I get a good reception and we sell lots of merch…and even attract some Kickstarter campaign backers.
We’re back home late afternoon and I get the pizza dough balled up and ready for later. There’s a fair bit of tidying and sorting in the studio – I have some guitar lessons over the next day or two, a livestream to do and also need to make sure I have all the gear I need for the `Finland tour. We leave on Tuesday evening….
I’VE an outdoor photo job in the village/along the lochside any 11am. A young couple, their 18-month-old kid and a dog…and it’s raining.
Luckily by the time I;ve had breakfast and head out the rain;s stopped and things have brightened up a bit. In fact, the lack of direct sunlight is a bonus as cloud cover is the ideal nature soft box!
The shoot goes well. I’ve done pix for these folks before so things go nice and easy and we have a good laugh.
Back home I dump the pix onto a hard drive, make a coffee then take a walk to the next village for the sheepdog trials. Margaret, Catriona and the kids are already there and we have a nice couple hours watching the dogs at work and catching up with folks.
Later on I hit the studio and sort the morning’s photos, rehearsethe rest of myself et for tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon show any the Festival Americana, Arrochar then pack all the gear ready for an early getaway in the morning.
I get a batch of wee guitars done for the merch table at Sunday afternoon’s show…a wee bit clean up still to do before Margaret ‘strings’ them
RAINY and grey outside. After breakfast I grab a nice wee ½-page feature (on page 2!) from the Stirling Observer about the Kilmaronock show on 14 July. See it here.
The roofing guy finally shows up…a few missed previous visits, but he seems a good guy. he checks the attic and round about and, as we suspected, there’s a bit more to be done than just the soffits. The roof’s fucked. He’ll get us a quote and timescales and we’ll see if we can get a bank loan!
I do some more work on the wee guitar necklaces…they just need a clean up and ‘strung’ by Margaret.
In the studio I do some promo for Sunday afternoon’s (1pm) show at the 3 Villages Hall in Arrochar and rehearse some of my set. I also get my camera gear ready for a job tomorrow (Saturday) morning.
The new SumUp card reader is working on wifi but I can’t get a mobile data connection and so my dialogue with support continues.
Dinner is marinaded flame-grilled chicken and turns out great…
The Kickstarter limited edition red vinyl edition of Devil may Care will include this song as a bonus track not on the CD release…check out the rewards and campaign here.
WE have a lazy morning and breakfast at Bill and Dorothy’s then stop at the supermarket in Dundee to pick up some shopping.
We’re not long home when I decide we need to do a livestream and hit my socials to promote my Kickstarter campaign and the bonus track that will – if the campaign meets it’s target – feature on the limited edition red vinyl edition of my Devil May Care album.
Of course but the time we get out to do it the midges are out in force. We manage through it then drop into Betty’s for an aperitif…
UP AT a reasonable time to try and get some work done before we head off to spend the night with Bill and Dorothy near Dundee.
The Kickstarter campaign seems to have got off to a reasonable start so I decide to hold back on hammering my socials so folks don’t get (too!) sick of hearing about it. I do, however, update the landing page on my website.
In the office I check the silicone moulds…they look reasonable and I melt some metal and cast into the small one. The pour isn’t the best so after it’s cooled I try again. Mmmm…think my ‘object’ is too small for this approach, back to the drawing board on that one.
I do some work on the batch of wee guitar necklaces until Margaret tells me it’s time to go.
The drive up to Dundee is fine and we arrive late afternoon. Bill and Dorothy’s place is lovely with great views over the Tay. We sit in the garden for a while before dinner and have a wonderful evening with our pals.
A CALL from a potential guitar student leads us to diary her first lesson for next week..then I get on with the routine emails, socials and other admin stuff.
In the studio I make up a set list for Sunday’s (1pm) Festival Americana show at Three Villages Hall in Arrochar. I also notice that I’m not getting any notification of Twitter mentions which is weird. There’s a load of stuff from the folks behind Sunday’s show that I haven’t seen, so I like and retweet.
Still no joy getting our SumUp card reader to work – that’s a. on both and half since I got it and it’s never worked. Numerous support ‘chats’ and emails have gone round in circles and I finally lose the tattle today and they agree to send me a new reader to see if that solves the problem. Hope it’s here before we head to Finland.
I hold off launching my Kickstarter campaign ’til later – apparently Tuesday is the ‘best day’ and I wanna leave it ’til a reasonable time in the USA. Meantime, I create a load of ‘now live’ graphics for my socials, banners and anywhere else that’ll let me post promo.
I need to try and streamline the production process for the loch and guitar pendants…there’s too much sanding needed and I end up losing colour by having to sand so deep. I make some new moulds for booth…and a prototype loch earring mould, although I fear it’ll be too delicate for both the silicon mould-making and also the casting process. We’ll see.
In the evening I launch the Kickstarter campaign and start spreading the news. Fingers crossed!
AFTER my first Zoom guitar student is done I hit the office and work on some loch and guitar pendants.
They’re not bad, but to get certain details to come through the epoxy I have to sand down further than I’d hoped and I lose colour in some areas. Maybe I can sell them as one-off special editions!
Lunch is the extra pizza I made last night, reheated in the air fryer. Almost as good as the ‘original’.
After writing up a news release and sorting a pic for tomorrow’s (Tuesday) Kickstarter campaign launch and sen d it off to various journalists and radio folks.
Next I do a little more work on the new song which I aim to play during tonight’s Wildcats’ livestream on Facebook.
Another Zoom guitar student, then it’s into the livestream. Some tentative music including the new song with some yodelling and a special request – Ring of Fire.
It’s 9pm by the time we get along to Betty’s for dinner then back home soon after 11pm.
We take the kids down to the bay to feed the ducks….
AFTER a lie in we have a late breakfast then Catriona and the kids rock up.
We have coffee and cake then Margaret and I take the kids to the bay to feed the ducks and let Catriona get a rest…Aaron woke everyone up at the crack of dawn!
It’s not as windy as forecast and the loch os pretty calm so when we get back I go out for a paddle and do a livestream to try and spread the word about my about-to-launch Kickstarter campaign.
When I get back I edit the livestream footage and use it as content on some of my other socials – InstaGram, TikTok and more…
Dinner is pizza in the garden then we plonk ourselves in for too the telly and watch Glastonbury.
Nice to catch our pal Tom (second right) playing with the uke group at Doune gala day 🙂
THERE’S some mercy to get finished off, packed and in the post before midday.
When I get to the post box it’s not quite noon but the wee ‘next collection’ sign says Monday. Mmmm…
Nevermind, we’re off to Doune to see Catriona and the kids and go to the gala day so well may be find a later post collection en route. Sure enough, there’s a postman emptying a box in Buchlyvie and he happily takes my stuff.
We have a great day in Doune – I find some folks willing to service my bike, spot our pal Tom playing in the local uke group, b ump into an old friend (Lee-Ching) that we haven’t seen in ages and generally have a nice family afternoon.
We have a lovely meal at Catriona’s then head home in time for bed.
