Category: 2008 Blog 1

<p>As many of you will know there is a Same Song Madness project going on in here.</p><p>Nigel Potter has posted a set of lyrics and invited members to put their own individual take on the lyrics.</p><p>My version of the lyrics is posted here:</p><p><a href="http://www2.mixposure.com/Self_Tort/song_focus_13801.php">Just Keep Breathing</a></p><p><br />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&nbsp; 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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Cheers</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Brian</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Anyway, nothing untoward had been located until i found this link: <a href="http://pl.ayli.st/Self+Tort#2"><span style="color: #000000;">http://pl.ayli.st/Self+Tort#2</span></a></p><p>It took to a site where there was a long list of&nbsp; 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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".</p><p>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.</p><p>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).</p><p>When I hit Maria Daines I found paydirt. Actually got Maria Daines video and audio.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br />Cheers</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Brian</p>

<p>I have just uploaded a demo version of a collab between Saladin de Tolosa and myself dedicated to ladies with turned-up (retrousse) noses.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Saladin will be singing the final version, but at his suggestion I'm posting this demo version. Let us know what you think?</p><p><br />Cheers</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Brian</p>

<p>I've done some further work on a couple of my tracks.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The songs are on my page at</p><p><a href="http://www2.mixposure.com/Self_Tort/music.php">http://www2.mixposure.com/Self_Tort/music.php</a></p><p>Cheers</p><p>Brian</p>

<p>Have just returned from Vietnam, having studiously avoided the place in the late 60's early 70's for reasons that will be obvious.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Good to be back.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Cheers</p><p>Brian</p>

Man, what a great night. Thanks to all in here who passed on their best wishes.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br />Six O'Clock Swill<br />Hardie's Men<br />Can't Stop Thinking About You<br />Holding Court in King Street<br />Fetish (yes Gina, I did that for you)<br />and finished off with What's the Attraction.<br /><br />Was knocked out by the audience response.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Brian

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

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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Brian

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.<br /><br />For those Aussies out there who might be interested in turning up, it's on <strong>Monday 16 February,&nbsp; 2008</strong>. 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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />It would be great for any Aussies on the site who may be in Sydney on the night to turn up and say hello.<br /><br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Brian

Compliments of the season to all mixposure members.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Best wishes to all for the holiday season and for a creative and productive 2009.<br /><br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Brian