@Self Tort - blog

Free Giveaway - @self-tort

Thu, 04 May 2017 20:56:45 -0400

If any mixposure member is interested, I have coupons to CDBaby which will allow you to download my EP "Oldest Roadies on the Earth", and my latest CD "Stripped Bare" from the CdBaby website. If you are interested in either, or both, just pm me.
If you're already a member of CDBaby, then downloading is simple. If you're not already a member, you will need to join, but it's a simple thing, doesn't cost anything, and opens up lots of independent music that you might not otherwise hear. I've been with CDBaby now for 10 years and they do not spam you.
So the offers there if anyone is interested. If after hearing the tracks you were minded to leave a review on CDBaby, that would be appreciated, but it's not a condition. Each coupon has a different password enabling one download, so the coupons once used can't be transferred to someone else.
Don't be bashful.

Cheers,
Brian

Nice To Be Back - @self-tort

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 07:04:50 -0400

It's nice to be back to Mixposure. It's been a while since I've been particularly active. I have in recent years been involved in working with David Pendragon who is a producer who was heavily involved in the early years of this site. That plus attempting to run a legal practice makes it difficult to spend as much time as I would like here.
For those who might remember me from the earlier days, I am now recording as "Brian Ralston's Self Tort" rather than "Self Tort" - a significant reason for that was that the most recent recordings have been more "singer/songwriter" than "band" and, perhaps more importantly, my most recent (and hopefully future) recordings use real people playing real instruments.
In 2013 I put together a band to be part of our ABC's "Exhumed" competition and as I mentioned in my penultimate blog we won the Sydney final of that competition. I will be posting in coming days some videos of that night which was one heck of a blast. Sadly the geographics involved with the members of that band did not allow it to become an ongoing thing.
However, in February, 2015 I happened to be playing a solo spot at a gig in Sydney, and after my set I was approached by someone I knew from my past dealings of mixposure, but whom I had not previously met in person. That was Robert Smith or "Robbo" as he's known in here. Rob's sons were playing in a band at the same gig after my set and we talked about getting together. In November 2015 Rob was part of a band that was put together for the launch of my most recent CD "Stripped Bare". We have also played a few times together as a duo and keep talking about putting together a funk band (Rob's call) and a Joe Cocker Tribute Band (my call).
Anyway, I will be posting some tracks of my most recent recordings including the EP "Oldest Roadies On The Earth" and "Stripped Bare". There will be some downloads, but having spent a lot of time and money in getting them together I won't be giving away the whole box and dice for free. Oldest Roadies is already up at iTunes, Amazon etc and Stripped Bare should be up there in the not too distant future. The recordings will include tracks co-written with well known mixposure people such as Melsi, Carol Douglas and Lex Zaleta.
Thanks for allowing me to come back after such an absence.

Cheers to you all

Self Tort "Exhumed" - @self-tort

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 03:12:51 -0400

Our Australian National Broadcaster the ABC has, on its youth network, run for many years a competition called "unearthed" seeking young unheard bands. The Sydney afternoon presenter on 702ABC (who himself played in well-known Sydney bands in the 80s) decided to run a similar competition for more mature musos which he called "Exhumed". I decided to form a band to enter the competition and we were shortlisted for the Sydney Final which was held at the Basement, one of Sydney's premier musical venues. And lo and behold we won. It was a fabulous night and now we have to wait to see whether we survive the cull from the 42 regional finalists to the final 6. In the meantime though, we are part of a People's Choice contest with other regional winners. I am attaching a link where, if you wish, you can go to vote. Needless to say we are "Self Tort" http://www.abc.net.au/tv/exhumed/bands/

Collab with Nigel Potter - @self-tort

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:59:21 -0400

As many of you will know there is a Same Song Madness project going on in here.

Nigel Potter has posted a set of lyrics and invited members to put their own individual take on the lyrics.

My version of the lyrics is posted here:

Just Keep Breathing

Those who have dealt with Nigel would be aware of not only his talent, but also his support for his fellow indie artists. I have available a backing track without lead guitar and lead vocals if others would like to add their own take to the track. In particular any of the brilliant guitarists on site who want to have a shot at the solo, any vocalists, in fact it's pretty much an open offer if you want to get involved. I'd love to do a mega mixpo mix of the track. If you'd like to get involved PM me and I'll send you a copy of the backing track. If you just want to add harmony vocals to the present track up here just PM me and I'll give you details of where to send you files.

Cheers

Brian

The things you find - @self-tort

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:03:46 -0400

I had a quiet morning and, not particularly wanting to head into work too prematurely, decided to have a browse around the net. Every so often I do a google search on myself. It's not so much an ego thing as curiosity. Whenever I do it, and really it's only on boring days like today, I always find something weird.

During today's search everthing started off normal, my website, the various omds I've belonged to over the years, the various sites that offer my CD tracks for paid download, but never send me cheques. I have this theory that there are all these sites out there that each owe me 99c but none of whom will pay me till my account reaches $20.

Anyway, nothing untoward had been located until i found this link: http://pl.ayli.st/Self+Tort#2

It took to a site where there was a long list of tracks I've recorded. There was no rhyme or reason to the tracks there. A couple from the first CD, a couple from the forthcoming CD, a couple of collabs with Lex Zaleta, some recent collabs with Melsi and Saladin, and somewhat bizzarely, a collab which, so far as I am aware has never been posted anywhere apart from the original mixposure site.

While I was staring at this list a video commenced. It wasn't my video. It was some guy doing a tribute to Ronnie Barker. But if you came in cold you would assume that the video was "Self Tort". The songs themselves don't play. If you click on the link it does a search of Youtube and then tells you there's no video for the song. It then starts playing another video.

What was particularly strange was that "Bush ****" which has a video on youtube was not on the list, and "What's the Attraction" which also has a youtube video still came up "no video for this song".

I then decided to do an artist search. I tried Nigel Potter and a page for Nigel appeared with a number of songs whose names I recognised as being Nigel's work. In Nigel's case nothing happened. Each song was noted to have no video, and no other vid opened during the operation. The same thing happened with Lex Zaleta.

I then tried Texas Jake Lee and "Conversations at the Crossroads" and "Understanding" were listed. I clicked the first track and no video was found. When I clicked Understanding a video then commenced with a guy playing a rock guitar track over a backing track. No identification as to who he was. Quite the contrary the title made it clear it was Texas Jake playing Understanding. If you'd just found the page by accident you'd assume that the video was of Texas Jake (although the German accent might cause you some suspicion).

When I hit Maria Daines I found paydirt. Actually got Maria Daines video and audio.

I really don't know what to make of it. If the site was offering free downloads of my music I might have been a bit narked that they hadn't sought my permission to do so. But I'm still a bit narked to have a list of my songs up on a site with my name and a geeky looking guy appearing in a video that people might think is me.

I imagine Jake wouldn't be too impressed with his name being linked to someone who's not only not him but in a completely different genre. Maria's vids have obviously been taken from youtube and I guess if you post them there you're pretty much putting them in the public domain.

I was wondering if anyone has any insight into what the site's all about and whether we should be jumping up and down about it or not really giving a toss.

Cheers

Brian

Ton Nez - Collab with Saladin De Tolosa - @self-tort

Fri, 15 May 2009 20:04:20 -0400

I have just uploaded a demo version of a collab between Saladin de Tolosa and myself dedicated to ladies with turned-up (retrousse) noses.

Saladin will be singing the final version, but at his suggestion I'm posting this demo version. Let us know what you think?

Cheers

Brian

Some song changes - @self-tort

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:30:48 -0400

I've done some further work on a couple of my tracks.

On One Hour With You I completely redid the vocals. There were a couple of unnecessarily aggressive sections in the original vocals, and I've settled into the song more now so it seems to flow more smoothly.

On "Can't Stop Thinking About You" I again redid the lead vocals (and fortunately they still matched the harmonies), changed the percussion in the chorus section, redid the organ and added a lead solo.

Both tracks wlll be included on my forthcoming "Tortology" CD, so I would welcome any suggestions for improvement before I commit myself to the necessary financial obligations.

The songs are on my page at

http://www2.mixposure.com/Self_Tort/music.php

Cheers

Brian

Self Tort Live at The Basement - @self-tort

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:43:36 -0500

Man, what a great night. Thanks to all in here who passed on their best wishes.

On Monday I performed an acoustic set at The Basement which is Sydney's premier music club. I was knocked out by the support I received from family and friends, and friends of family, and friends of friends. The place was pretty packed and I would estimate that 75-80% of that crowd was made up of my supporters. There is a dining area in front of the stage but the management does not normally offer dining on a Monday night, but when the advance bookings started coming in they changed their minds.

There were five acts on the bill. I drew the straw for the first spot which was perfect, because I doubt that I'd have got many to come along to watch if I'd scored the 11pm slot. I did 7 songs, starting with one of my co-writes with the amazing Lex Zaleta - "Once is Enough". The rest of the set was as follows:

Six O'Clock Swill
Hardie's Men
Can't Stop Thinking About You
Holding Court in King Street
Fetish (yes Gina, I did that for you)
and finished off with What's the Attraction.

Was knocked out by the audience response.

I've posted the raw video of the first song. I will be receiving an audio CD of the set from the club which was recorded directly onto HD and will try to substitute that audio for the current audio which is limited by the age and quality of my recorder. It wasn't possible to get a line into the recorder from the PA.

Hope you enjoy. If you do, please send a PM to Lex to let him know. He's been feeling pretty low of late and deserves to be told how wonderful and talented he is. Thanks Lex.

Cheers

Brian

Getting logged out...... - @self-tort

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:29:34 -0500

Apologies if I've missed something that might explain what is happening. When I come in to the site it recognises me and welcomes me. But when I click on an artist's page or pretty well anywhere else in the site it welcomes me as "Guest". If I click on log in, it takes me to my control panel where I resume my identity as Self Tort.

But trying to get to another page I revert again to "Guest". As a consequence I can't review or download the January Challenge. I hope I didn't say anything out of line in the forum or otherwise offend anybody.

Dazed, I'm putting this up as a blog because it seems that I can't send you a PM. Any ideas?

Cheers

Brian

New Demo - Suggestions for Improvement welcomed - @self-tort

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:18:50 -0500

Just added a partly completed track/demo of "Can't Stop Thinking About You". See the song info section for the inspiration for the song, unless you're a James Blunt fan in which case you might prefer to stay out of there.

Will be heading back in three weeks to finish it off so any suggestions for improvement would be appreciated. Plan to tidy up the harmonies, add an acoustic rhythm guitar and an organ solo. Not sure whether harmonies on the verses and/or the middle 8 would be overkill, but would be intersted in what others think.

Cheers

Brian

Self Tort at The Basement, Sydney - @self-tort

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:21:14 -0500

I've just been told that I've been booked to perform a set at the Basement, which is the premier music venue in Sydney.

For those Aussies out there who might be interested in turning up, it's on Monday 16 February, 2008. It's an acoustic night and I will be doing a 1/2 hour acoustic set of original material. There will be about another 6-7 artists on the bill.

The Basement started in the 1970s as predominantly a jazz venue and it has hosted some of the really great artists from Australia and overseas.

The beauty of the gig for me is twofold. It will give me the chance to hopefully draw a good crowd of people who won't travel to my normal gigs.

More importantly, I'm told that the venue has a great sound system and that I will be given a CD and video of my performance, which, unless I stuff it up, should be great from a PR point of view.

Anyway, the news hit me with the same effect as I imagine having sex with Elle McPherson might have on one. Not much point it happening unless you can tell someone about it. So I thought I'd share.

It would be great for any Aussies on the site who may be in Sydney on the night to turn up and say hello.

Cheers

Brian

Back From Vietnam - @self-tort

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:55:12 -0400

Have just returned from Vietnam, having studiously avoided the place in the late 60's early 70's for reasons that will be obvious.

Started writing a song over there dedicated to the cyclos and motor-cycle taxis who incessantly demand "one hour, one hour". The song took a twist on the last night there, but I won't repeat what I've already included in the song information.

It's cheesy, but hopefully fun. Planning to tidy up the vocals a little next time in the studio, but don't plan on adding much else. Had thought of adding some ac or elec piano but tend to think it's better kept simple. Same with harmonies. If you disagree or have some other ideas, don't be bashful, let me know.

Good to be back.

Cheers

Brian

A song for the homeless - @self-tort

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:53:43 -0500

Compliments of the season to all mixposure members.

I had been hoping to do a Holiday message and related song, but my recorder's decided that, now that I'm going to have time to use it for a while without work pressures, it's going on holiday too.

So instead I thought I'd post a song that I recently wrote about the homeless. At this time of year it's a good time to reflect about those who are less fortunate than ourselves. I've set out how the song came about in the info section of the song page if you're interested.

Best wishes to all for the holiday season and for a creative and productive 2009.

Cheers

Brian

Another Radio Interview this afternoon - @self-tort

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:13:40 -0400

Just letting you all know that I am to be interviewed this afternoon on a local radio station. The interview will start at 5pm Sydney time (which as best I can work out is 7am GMT/UTC or 3am EST - hmm maybe the odd night owl will be up).

I will be taking some CDs which will include some mixposure collabs I've been involved in and will probably be doing a couple of live acoustic originals as well. It will go for an hour and from past experience is likely to have some wacky moments. So if you happen to be sleep deprived and need a remedy for insomnia click in and have a listen.

Unfortunately there is no chat room or forum on the station's site.

The url for the site is http://www.skidrow.com.au/ and just click on the "Click Here To Connect" button to stream.

Cheers

Brian

New Collab with KED - Lookin' At Ya - @self-tort

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:44:26 -0400

KED and I have been threatening to do a collab together for some time now. I had started working on an instrumental track called "Lookin' At Ya" in about 2006 and had recorded the drums, bass, pianos and organ tracks, trying to come up with a lead guitar that I was happy with. It had been consigned to the "to do sometime later" list, but then I decided to take KED up on his kind offer to collab with me.

Here's the finished result. KED has done a great job on guitar on this and I'm really happy with the result.

Lead Guitar: KED

Synth, organ, elec piano: Self Tort

Drums, bass programming: Self Tort and Stewart Havill

New CrC track (Gary Carciello, Self Tort, Doctor C) - @self-tort

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:05:07 -0400

Doctor C took on board the task of reinventing my old track Six O'Clock Swill and has done a fantastic job. This is a complete change of focus from a former 6/8 track to a bluesy shuffle compete with Doc's trademark keyboards and stellar guitar work from Gary.

It's now less about the evils of drink and more of a "drinking song".

Thanks Doc and Gary. Love working with you guys. That's four tracks doneso we're well on the way towards a CrC CD. BTW if anyone can come up with a better name than CrC let us know.

Cheers

Brian

New Collab with Carol Douglas - @self-tort

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:22:34 -0400

Carol sent me the lyrics for a Two Grand Wager some time ago. Although the structure and the melody pretty much jumped off the lyric page at me it's taken a little while to get it all together.

It's based on a true story, although Carol's subsequent research has revealed that the wager was only 800 pounds. But at the current conversion rate that pretty much equates to $2,000AU, and anyway Two grand" scans better than "eight hundred pound sterling".

Not sure of the present mix. The violins, violas, cellos and accordions may be a little bit too far below the guitars, and I'm not convinced about some of my guitar work. So feel free to offer any suggestions for improvement.

Cheers

Brian

Radio Interview in 2.5 hours time - @self-tort

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:51:52 -0400

Just letting you all know that I am to be interviewed this afternoon on a local radio station. The interview will start at 5pm Sydney time (which as best I can work out is 7am GMT/UTC or 3am EST - hmm maybe the odd night owl will be up).

I will be taking some CDs of recently recorded material including some collabs with my friends on mixposure. I will try to get a few plugs in for the site.

Unfortunately there is no chat room or forum on the station's site.

The url for the site is http://www.skidrow.com.au/ and just click on the "Click Here To Connect" button to stream.

Sorry for the late notice and my absence here of late but my mother passed away last week after a mercifully short illness. Mum had 93 great years and was mentally alert to the end. She was a great lady and will be sorely missed, but as she said a week or so before she died "I'd rather have had 93 wonderful years than drag on and have another 7 awful ones".

Am getting back into the swing of things and hope to be on deck more next week.

Cheers

Brian

Comfort Zone - @self-tort

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:55:06 -0400

Gary Carciello, Doctor C and I have got a new track up that may have slipped through the cracks. I may be biased but I think it's pretty good.

Gary came up with the backing track and asked Doc and I to add keyboards and lyrics/vocals respectively. On the first listen to the backing track I was hooked and it just got better with each version.

This is our third collab and hopefully a full CD is not too far away. I'm certainly up for it if Gary and Doc are.

The song is up on Gary's page. Here's the link

http://www.mixposure.com/Gary_Carciello/music.php

Any assistance with the choice of a name for our collabs would be welcomed. Carciello Doctor C Self Tort is a bit longwinded. I toyed with "CRC" (Carciello Ralston Doctor C) as it was the name of a product that used to be available over here. It was a spray that you used to clear gunk from your distributor caps on cars or even get rust off guitar strings. But if anyone has any bright ideas let us know.

I've been away with family issues of late but will be back hopefully in the next week or so.

Cheers

Brian

Some new posts - @self-tort

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:56:31 -0400

I've just posted another song from my debut CD "N.I.C". The track is called Get it Right This Time. It was written after I got home way too late from a gig.

I've also posted another video from a live performance I gave in Darling Harbour Sydney last November. The video is of my Paris Hilton Tribute (lol) "What's the Attraction.

And check out the photo of "The Butcher of Bosnia". I used to think it was bad being told I look like Kenny Rogers, but to have people calling me "Butcher" or "Bos" is a bit rich.

Hallelujah I got the SG back - @self-tort

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:05:28 -0400

A number of site members (both here and at the old mixposure) have asked me about the white Gibson SG that appears in some of my photos. Each time it has been raised I have felt a trickle of tears run down my cheek.

I bought the guitar in 1973. In about 1975 after a particularly good gig, our bass player, who had drunk more than usual that night, tripped over the guitar causing it to crash to the ground and snapping it at the nut. The first attempted repair was a disaster. I think the guy just stuck it back on with Perkins Paste and it only lasted about a fortnight. Then I found a really good luthier who did a great repair job. It lasted from 1975 till a few years ago. Unfortunately the old case had disintegrated and the replacement I got for it was a bit tight. That wasn't normally a problem because being lazy I rarely put it into its case. But just before going on holidays some years ago I decided to put it in the case and when I came back from holidays it had snapped again.

I took it to a guitar shop and they sent it out to a luthier for repair. I needed to have a replacement and being unable to justify the purchase of another Gibson I got a good deal on a PRS which has served me well. After some months the luthier got back to me with a quote which seemed reasonable and I asked him to go ahead. Heard nothing. Had lost his number and couldn't remember his name.

As luck would have it I was looking for someone to give my acoustic a bit of a service and googled luthiers in Sydney. I saw a name that jogged my memory, and sure enough it was the guy who was repairing the Gibson. I emailed him and he rang to say he'd finished it years ago and it had been sitting in his workshop. He'd lost my contact details too.

So today I went and picked it up. He seems to have done a great job on it. It appears seemingly undetectable to my "failing eyes". Anyway, nice to have it home.

Cheers

Brian

Kids' Songs - @self-tort

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:21:47 -0400

I thought I'd upload a song I wrote when my kids were in Primary School. At the time I had the idea of a "Rock Opera" for kids but only got as far as three songs. The first one's "I Hate Homework" which is pretty much every kids' mantra. I posted under "Humour" only because I couldn't find a "Childrens" genre.

Cheers

Brian

Apologies for my absence - @self-tort

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:00:34 -0400

Sorry I haven't been around much of late. I've had a busy time at work for the last month and with my wife away overseas for the month I took a few extra acoustic gigs that I wouldn't normally do. But she's now back and I've just finished the last of my current workload and am going to give myself a couple of days off to catch up on what's been happening around here and return a few outstanding reviews

If anyone has something special they'd like me to listen to, just send me a PM. Otherwise, once I catch up on my returns I'll just start working through the new songs.

Cheers

Brian

New Collab - A Paris Tale with Rapster - mastered by DiCarlo - @self-tort

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:11:27 -0400

This new collab with Rapster has a bit of history to it. I've set it out in the info section if you're interested in reading it. It's based on a short "news article" I found in a Murdoch rag in the mid 70s. I part finished writing it, then abandoned it as it was appearing likely that it would take about 10 minutes to complete the story.

Pulled it out of the drawer last year and came up with the idea to add a rap section to speed the storytelling up a bit. Rapster (Joey) agreed to join in and to do the rap sections, adding some additional words of his own.

The track was mastered by Di Carlo who did another fantastic job on this. This is the third track that Di has mastered for me and his work has on each occasion been top-rate. Not only is his work of a high standard, but his prices are very, very competitive. Thanks again, Di. It won't be the last time I use you, bro.

Thanks, Joey for being involved in this and for waiting patiently (ok, maybe at times not all that patiently) for me to post it.

Hope you enjoy it.

Alexis' Birthday - @self-tort

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:19:31 -0400

I may be Self Dorking, but unless I've got the date wrong, I think a little birdie told me that today is Alexis' birthday.

I know he's not around here a lot these days, but for those who have had the benefit of his musical knowledge, collabed with him or just listened to his wonderful "fresh jazz" music it's a day to celebrate.

Many happy returns, my dear friend. I've chosen my image where I'm raising a drink.....it seems to suit both my reputation and the occasion.

Cheers

Brian