I’M FEELING pretty broken this morning but no time to lie around – Maureen’s and Debbie are coming at 10am and we’re all heading up to the war memorial at Rowardennan for Remembrance Sunday wreath laying.
It’s pissing rain and I’m on photo duty for the local community trust (ie: Margaret!) which has organised the event.
There’s a good wee turnout despite the bad weather.
Back home I sort the photos an post them round the local social media then have a kip on the couch in front of the fire.
I’ve been holding back announcing as it’s both geographically and time close to Stirling…now I can ‘announce’ and get it posted on my website and some of the other listings websites.
Then it;s time to go to our pals Duncan and Irene’s for dinner and a very fine evening 🙂
WE HAVE a bit of along lie to try and recover form the last couple days.
After breakfast burritos I make an 80th birthday cake topper for Fiona who has had a last minute request to make a cake for someone.
In the studio I run some strings repairs then we hit the road to Stirling. Not far to go. But we have quite an early get-in and soundcheck.
All goes smoothly – soundman Dave has worked my shows before and lighting and other stuff is all handled by Leah.
Showtime is 8pm and there’s a good crowd in and I do a similar show to the last couple nights with the new album making up the first set then a second set of ‘old favourites’.
The merch table is busy after the show then we get back to the auditorium and load out.
We’re back home in time to drop by Betty’s for a drink – she’s had a bonfire party for her daughter’s birthday.
Release day for Still Friends…and a launch show at Irvine HAC
BREAKFAST at the Holiday Inn finishes at 9.30am so we’re downstairs just after 9am to make sure we don’t get caught short.
Checkout isn’t ‘til 11am and I get most of the work I need done before finishing some stuff off in the hotel foyer. It’s release day for the new album.
We share the drive to Irvine and both manage to grab a nap (while the other drives!) before loading in at the Harbour Arts Centre (HAC) just after 5pm.
Sound man Rory helps us in and we get set up, soundchecked and merch all sorted with time to chill in the dressing room before doors open just after 7pm.
Showtime’s 7.30pm and I play the same format as last night – the new album in its entirety for the first set and a ‘normal’. There’s a good crowd in and a nice mix of familiar and new faces.
The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen…first show of the Scottish album launch tour…
STRAIGHT into the studio to sort out gear and get everything packed so we can get on the road to Aberdeen at a reasonable time.
We share the drive and park up at the city centre Holiday Inn Express to drop off some stuff. There’s time to chill for an hour before we have to load in at the Blue Lamp.
All goes smoothly although there’s already people arriving just after 7pm and doors don’t open ‘til 7.30pm.
I hit the stage at 8pm and play the first of two sets. Set one is the tracks from the new album – albeit not in the correct order to avoid swapping instruments all the time.
After a short break I play a second set and uniquely the encore calls are for more banjo!
I HAVE a 9am online session with a guitar student then it’s straight into a local energy club meeting – a sub group with some of my fellow hydro society directors and others.
There’s some time to make up set lists for the album launch shows and run through some of the songs I haven’t played since recording the album
Another online session with Help Musicians then a late lunch.
I get a few admin things out the way then, at last, get out for a paddle. It’s the first suitable day weather-wise in ages and I kill a few birds with one stone by doing some livestreams to punt the upcoming shows.
It’s dark when I get back to shore then I get some of the gear sorted for an early start tomorrow before Betty arrives for dinner.
Good to see my pal Neil for a wee bit guitar action….
UP EARLY to meet someone who has a problem with their MacBook and is dropping it off.
Thankfully I find a way to access and back up all her data and work out the problem. It’s a hardware issue and she can either use some of the workarounds I suggest or take it for repair.
I have a Zoom session to record an interview with a radio DJ in Lincoln then I get into the office and sort some merch for this week’s gigs.
Our pal Neil arrives with his dog Sonny…he’s meeting another pal in the village for lunch then coming to collect some merch and have a wee guitar session.
We have a grand hour or so then Neil hits the road and I get back to some stuff in the studio before getting back onto merch prep in the office.
After dinner – roast cherry tomato pasta which I make too hot for Margaret…oops – I spend the rest of the night on promo for Thursday’s show in Aberdeen.
A new penguin ‘sculpture’ – we’ll see if it’ll work in real life!
THE kids have us up early…but not as early as it mighta been!
After breakfast I get busy with some stuff in the office then we take the kids to feed the ducks. Margaret and the kids go to see Betty and take a walk up the lochside
Catriona and Will come to pick up the kids early afternoon then I have a video session with a new guitar student from Germany.
In the office I start a batch of black and gold guitar earrings for the merch table. Folks were fighting over them in France!
After dinner I mess with the 3D modeling app ion the iPad to come up with a better penguin. I quite pleased with the shape now – if I get time tomorrow I’ll do a 3D print then see if it’ll cast…
WE MANAGE to get up at a reasonable time – Catriona’s bringing the kids over so she can have a night off to herself.
Meantime, I get busy with today’s number one priority – promo for the new album and launch gigs.
I get localized messages out for the gigs via Bandsintown then set about making a video to promote pre-sales of the vinyl and CD versions of the new album.
After a break for coffee when Catriona brings the kids I dot between the house, studio and office getting on top of all today’s tasks….
