Update, Home 14th May 2012
Monday morning and the rain arrives right on cue.
I'm in the south east but it feels like real Glasgow rain. You know the kind. Wet,Wet,Wet!
Time for lunch, I thought. Somewhere with a warm and dry interior. The salad arrives and, just before my first mouthful, guess who calls me? None other than ol' Wet Wet Wet band mate, Marti, and he's asking where I am because he's outside my house in a very fast car.
I try telling him I'm out for the afternoon washing my hair but he's having none of it. Anyway, the mixture of car and Pellow is bound to pull a crowd before long so I finish my lunch and head back before he causes a traffic incident. Once I get him off the public highway (with the usual admiration for the latest car), the mystery is revealed. I'm in the mood for writing, he says. How could a boy refuse?
Writing songs together is a trickier business than it once was. The road's been getting narrower for years - not because we can't do it anymore but trying to come up with new and appealing ideas each time is hard and elusive.
I enjoy the creative sparring with Marti Pellow. He always has ideas to bring along and that's so much better than staring at a blank page with a silent guitar.
Technology is there to help capture your creative thoughts quickly - iPhones, digital dictaphones, ipad. I have a programme called Masterwriter. Great piece of technology - every word you could ever dream of putting in a song (as well as phrases, thesaurus , rhyming words) and right there on the click of a mouse.
But for me, you can only use technology when you have a really good idea. Then it might help you embellish it. There is nothing quite like analogue guitars, voices and a pencil and paper.
You can never reference these tools in the hope that it will write the song for you. Just like I doubt you can go to a Uni or college and be taught how to write songs. It is instinctive. You can either do it or you can't. I wish there was a formula!!!
Anyway, in our 20 odd years of writing together we've very rarely used any of these tools and sometimes that technology can slow you down, I tend to let the ideas take their shape then at a certain point recap and see what ideas are shaping up the best.
I think we got 4 pretty decent ideas down that afternoon. Now, if half of them become songs then we are winning and we'll bring in the technology. One is shaping up and I'm working on it as I write. At some point we will take another look at the other ideas and if they pass the time test and still sound good then I'll get stuck in.
You never say never in Wet Wet Wet so this could be for a new Wets' album. It could be a track for a Marti Pellow solo album. Or a Graeme Clark solo album track. You can't second guess where a song might end up.
Just like you never know when MP will turn up again,
Either way I like the challenge of trying to write something that will resonate with people. Even if it does cause occasional traffic problems or the shortening of a quiet lunch.
Cheers,
GCxx
Blood Brothers, London 28th April 2012
I'm walking down Charing Cross Road crying my eyes out. I've just seen Blood Brothers and it's hit me right on the emotional soft spot.
Willy Russell's writing is quite brilliant with a story that mixes families, class struggle, moral dilemas and love. And all that before you get your five quid ice-cream.
I have to say that me ol' mate, Mr Pellow, has thoroughly impressed me playing the part of the Narrator. He brings a valuable dynamic presence and really adds to the show in a big way. I know anyone who sees the performance will agree.
Marti has a masterful grasp of the sinister character he plays. Worryingly masterful! Even when he says nothing he seems omnipresent, a constant threat, stealing the scene with a menace that not only calls for your attention but demands it. That takes real stage presence and you can't learn it. You've either got it or you haven't. But, after seeing this, I'll think twice before questioning his ideas in the studio!
Compelling theatre and totally recommended.
Excellent! And, for those who met me on the day, sorry for blubbing.
GC
Update - Tue 27th March 2012
Also in the pipeline for July 29 is my west-end debut. Sounds good,eh? Don't worry folks. I doubt I'll be giving Mr Pellow a run for his money!
My songwriting mate, Dean Johnson, has written a musical based on the poems of Wilfred Owen. It's called 'Bullets & Daffodils'. It's a fascinating story and a great piece of work that he's up to his neck in for quite a while.
He asked me if I would consider playing the part of a Scottish soldier signing up to go to war.
Interestingly enough my grandpa did sign up as a 14 year old in 1914, coincidentally, as a musician.
Old Grandad was pretty instrumental (excuse the pun) in my formative years and I thought if I could do any acting it would be great to do it in the context of my grandfather. Here's to him and all the others who signed up for us.
I hope I can do him and the play justice.
Update - Fri 23rd March 2012 (Part 2)
I am just about to leave Liverpool for Glasgow.
Photo session, rehearsal, gig in the Glasgow City Chambers, press conference & meeting the Lord Provost.
These things are going a long way to sell tickets for the forthcoming gig on the green, on the 20 July 2012.
And, after a year of solo work, it seems so different now. But in a good way.
We (TC, NM, MP, GD) have been talking about this for the last month. Keeping it a secret has been difficult as anyone who came to my solo shows have been scratching their heads at my hints. I was saying everything and nothing.
Like " keep your ears to the ground as there might be an announcement shortly". But, like a lot of things in 'Wetland',
it's never concrete until tickets have been printed and put on sale. It's been on then off then on again then off.
Finally I'm thankful we all found the time to commit to this fantastic excuse to come together and play some music.
And who knows - we might even wrote a song or two!
Update - Fri 23rd March 2012 (Part 1)
Well. Is that it all over? It's hard to believe we played 7 shows. Back in some familiar ground but also some new venues. This time out we thought we'd play venues that don't usually entertain acoustic music. And all of you had to stand up and take part! There's no doubt, there are some good dancers out there.
Myself, Graeme and Iain all had such a good time. It's not easy finding the right venue at the right time. We hope you liked them and always enjoy hearing your opinion. I spent quite a bit of time going round radio stations and talking to journalists. That's the first time I've been on my own, playing on radio shows, and meeting people. Some are great. Some are uninterested and going through the motions.
I'm starting to realise what a big job I have on my hands trying to get out there on my own. The only answer is hard work and I really appreciate the effort everyone puts in coming along to hear us play.
Each time we play it feels better and better. Long may that continue.
Update - 9th February 2012
Hi Everybody
Goodness me! Where has the time gone? With Twitter and Facebook, the blogs have been ignored since last year. That's a shame because I like keeping you up to date with some of the more interesting (I hope) goings-ons. And I especially like the feedback.
One thing became obvious last year that no-one has the one-stop answer to music success. So, this year's aim is to support the album and get out in front of as many of you as possible to let you hear the music live.
The music business is a tough business these days. There's very little money around but getting albums and tours together are costly affairs. Somewhere along the line that's got to be paid for. And there are thousands of artists trying to do exactly the same.
I've been following the music press and the different national newspapers for months and seeing who is playing where and when. Have a look and see how many people you've never heard of are playing a show near you soon! Who are these people? I don't know but I have to assume they're selling tickets.
So, for now it's back on the road visiting radio stations and doing interviews for press. Ironically, doing this on my own (mostly) should mean that I'll have more company at the shows. And after all, that's what it's all about.
Keep watching for my update on the great radio station tour of February 2012. At coming up to 22 minutes past the hour..................................
Talk Soon GCx
Update - 14th August 2011
Hi Everybody
Too much to do, not enough time to do it!
It's not easy trying to get my music out there into the public domain. But, anything worth doing seldom is!!
Selling concert tickets, approving artwork for the album, pressing CDs, agreeing artwork for posters, filming bits for YouTube, advertising on Facebook - and then there's the afternoon to think about.
All of this is a million miles away from composing music but has to be done. I'm grateful for the team I have around me. And for the support of the 'Graeme Clark Inner Community'. Believe me - it all helps. All contributions are most welcome - keep the ideas & suggestions coming as without you I'm nowhere.
I'm really happy that I've set my 6 dates in September. Playing music is what makes me tick. Playing my own music is a privilege. Having people out there believing in what I'm doing is a blessing.
Rehearsing is about to start again. Creating the album, writing the songs, thinking about the artwork, deciding the line-up and what songs to sing, where to play, all need to be sorted - of course. But, if no-one turns up to hear and see us, then it all means nothing.
So here's hoping I see you there!
Later GCx
Glasgow Oran Mor - Friday 15th July 2011
Hi Friends,
At last. After all the planning, rehearsing and worrying. Finally, it was great to play a full set, and to catch up with everyone who stayed around to say hello.
I left London on Monday and rehearsed with Iain and Graeme Duffin at The Foundry on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Usually 3 days rehearsal is ample. After our work we felt it was rough and ready enough for an audience to enjoy.
Behind the scenes Oran Mor has a labyrinth of passageways, stairwells and lifts. It seems the place is riddled with so many secret routes that you never quite know where you are. The dressing room was right at the top of the building and we suspected it was a converted pizza oven. So there the 3 of us sweated it out as we waited for show time.
Eight forty five and off we go through the maze of corridors, outside the building and back in, all to get to the stage without being seen. Walking onto the stage, hearing the welcome and seeing some familiar faces made me feel at home right away.
I did have some frantic moments during the first couple of songs but I felt good after that and started to enjoy what I was doing. You forget that everyone there is really wanting you to do well. Once I had that thought in my mind there was no problem. The time flew in and, before I knew it, we were backstage again waiting to see if anyone would ask for more. They did. Luckily we'd rehearsed another couple of numbers.
So. What next? Some more dates around the country but this is proving to be a tougher exercise than we thought. Trying to find the right venues where we can all feel comfortable - performers and audience - is no easy task. I want to strike the balance between the intimacy of an acoustic gig, an environment that compliments the music, and surroundings where people can sit, listen and enjoy what's on offer. I'm sure you would agree, a sweaty club with sticky carpets is not the best suited for that kind of music. So bear with us as we try and find the right fit for us all.
And keep the feedback coming. It's all very interesting hearing your thoughts on the music, the website, or anything else that you might be on your mind.
Again I say a big thank-you to everyone who came along as it would've meant nothing without you all being there.
Love GCxx
Radio Scotland - Tom Morton Show 5th July 2011
Hi Friends
Back to the 'Old Country' again and a big thanks to Tom Morton for having me on his show, a live radio session.
Tom's an old friend of the band and 27 years ago he did an interview with us for 'Melody Maker'. During that interview I told him we were looking for a guitarist and he said, "Graeme Duffin - he's your man."
So, GD appeared at the audition in a geography teacher's long, green trench coat topped with a Tom Baker Doctor Who scarf. At that point we were questioning Tom's judgement - that's the polite version.
Then he played. We were speechless. The rest is history.
Graeme made a huge contribution to the sound of our beloved band and I'm glad to say that 27 years later I am about to take to the stage with him yet again. He's also made a substantial contribution to my new album 'MR UNDERSTANDING'.
Anyway, back to Tom Morton. It was great speaking with him again. He asks questions you hadn't quite anticipated -just like he did all these years ago. All my bullet points were a waste of time but I did manage to plug the gig - 15th July, if you've forgotten.
It also good to get Tom's support. He has carved out his own musical niche in the radio world and is highly respected.
I forget how nerve wracking live radio is. Singing and playing the guitar brings another dynamic to the party. To confuse things more, TM does his show in Shetland, the production is in Aberdeen and I was in a studio in Glasgow. How the world has changed but in a good way. You can be anywhere in the world and still communicate your message.
I am grateful to all of you for the support you guys give me. The feedback is always welcome, so keep it coming.
It really means a lot to me, and everyone at GC HQ.
Home House - Mayfair, London 9th June 2011
Hello friends
Twenty four quid for a couple of hours' parking, and you dont get £200 pounds for passing go! This is the cost of living on the Monopoly board.
Anyway, to get to the point. I had been offered a gig - "The Songwriters' Circle" - by my good friend Chris Difford. A chance meeting on another part of the board, (Marylebone), resulted in him buying me a coffee and asking, "Would you be interested in doing a few numbers at Home House?".
I thought about it for about a second. I knew it was a good idea. It always is with Chris. A purist, an amazing wordsmith, a songwriter's songwriter and one of the nicest guys I know. He tells me to be there at 8pm.
I make my way there from the anonymous roads and avenues of south London to (the Greens of) Bond and Oxford Street to (the dark blue of) Park Lane and Mayfair.
I fell in love with London playing Monopoly with my Family as a kid. When I finally got there to walk the streets (rather than pushing a little tin dog, a top hat or an iron around a board) I was seduced. The gold on the pavements, the traffic problems, and the other idiosyncratic anomalies make London the totally unique place it is.
I get there and the gig is in what looks like a posh living room where there are sofas, chairs, tables, people, musicians, guitars and a piano. Oh and a sausage dog. Only at a Difford gig can this happen.
A warm welcome from Chris Difford and some nerves disappear. I see Chris Sheehan - a fellow writer who has come to perform too.
At Last at 9.30 it was my roll of the dice and I sang 3 songs. By the time I was singing the last song my nerves had dissipated and I just wished I could do them again.
Other artists performing were ; James and James, Kate Harwood, Athena Andreadis, Chris Sheehan, Geoff Martyn - a fellow Scottish writer. Everybody was fantastic and the people listening seemed to enjoy themselves.
It's dawned on me that it takes 3 songs to hit ma groove. Next gig - more than three songs!
I'm not there yet but I'm closer than I was at the last gig.
Speak later, Graemexx
Oran Mor - Glasgow 31st May 2011
I know every little bit of the drive from London to Glasgow, I've done it so many times that I know the petrol station attendants personally.
I don't mind the drive though. I feel I'm coming home.
Eventually I get there and I'm staying in a new City Centre Hotel, one I've never been to. You never quite know what to expect. The Hotel looks colorful from the outside and inside, the theme continues.
I check in and find it's almost like a Tokyo pod hotel. It's a struggle playing the guitar without hitting the wall. My room lights are changing every couple of seconds from dayglow orange to deep purple. I always think these hotels seem to be more fitting on the Architects' page.
Anyway, it felt like I didn't sleep a wink that night. Too much neon going on.
Onto the "open mic" night at Oran Mor. Really I was there was to take a look at the venue and play a couple of songs. With a few friends around, including Tam C, my brother John and some unsuspecting couples, we were off and running.
This was my first gig with Iain, the accordion player, and it felt great to be playing some new songs and some old songs. Dave the sound man did a sterling job and PK was running the show with his usual aplomb. I really love the venue and hope you can come along on the 15 July. I've already booked another hotel!
'Till then speak later
GraemexxFolkstone Gig - Friday 20th May 2011
Hi Friends
Just back from Folkestone, played slightly more than 3 songs so I'm getting stronger with each and every passing gig.
Last night I was in Googies in the wonderful Folkestone Town Centre. Many thanks to Keith and Steve for hosting and allowing me in to play some songs. There is really no place like a proper seaside town in early summer, is there?
It was hot. And the weather was pretty nice as well!
I played 4 songs from my new album. It's always difficult to know how the new music is going to be received in the cold light of a Town Centre Bar, but again, I am blown away by how many people sit and listen and try to hear what I'm singing.
This is still new territory for me but it's getting more enjoyable the more I do it.
When I found my feet, I settled down and felt I played a decent set.
The plan is coming together all the time and I'm feeling confident enough to do this around the UK. Recording and writing is great for my head but playing live is the beating heart inside me. So onto the next one.........
Thanks for listening, GCxx
N22 London Gig, CENTRE STAGE - May 2011
I packed my shirt, songbook, capo, guitar and plectrum. I wasn't sure if you needed a passport to go to North London. I climbed into the car and was on my way with the satnav patronising me all the way.
I left at 3 so when I finally arrived at just gone 5, it felt like I had endured the marathon. I got introduced to 3 Chris's - all singer songwriters - and a couple of the very nice people who work at the Karamel Club. I was failing in my attempts to keep a calm head but they were all very supportive that went a long way to making me feel ok.
To say this was a step into the unknown is an understatement. To be exact it was 3 steps from my usual berth at stage right to centre stage. These were small steps in comparison but giant leaps in terms of what I usually do. But I had been told on very good authority that this is where we all belong in life - Centre Stage!
For the people that don't know I should add that I play a different instrument on stage right as well and don't take the lead singing, apart from a few bars here and there.
After the soundcheck I called a few people and really settled down to trying to enjoy, rather than endure, the experience. I was joined by my friend Paul (always good to catch up with old friends).
The club and gig was not what I was expecting. Quiet, curtious and really listening to the words and music. That was not only refreshing but totally unexpected and as I tried to engage the audience I felt that this was not the time or the place to do such a thing. Suddenly my hands felt like someone else's, when I started playing. The guitar was a complete alien. It didn't sound like I remember it sounding, my voice was uncontrollable, and worst of all, the words. What was the 1st line of the 1st verse?
Anyway that's not how it looked - apparently. That was just my imagination running riot. Everyone in the audience had their perspective too, completetly different from mine!
I think I performed reasonably for a first outing of sorts and after I had finished I thought it would be even better if I do some more of this.....
So stay tuned
Graeme xx
