Well it's almost one year since my first blog post! I've been very slack these past few months posting here. In all honesty, I've been making music, which is exactly what I should be doing. But I should also touch-base here once in a while, to write down what I've been up too.
Looking at my statistics, it looks like I went quiet around January. Around that time, I went on holidays and started thinking seriously about writing an album. A Concept Album - something that would tell a story, where each song was related to the next and kind of flowed into each other.
Looking at my statistics, it looks like I went quiet around January. Around that time, I went on holidays and started thinking seriously about writing an album. A Concept Album - something that would tell a story, where each song was related to the next and kind of flowed into each other.
The Subject
I looked to my favourite concept album - Pink Floyd The Wall. I needed to tell a story, something that meant something.
I've noticed that my work to date has not been very personal. More experimentation really. I decided I needed to write something more personal. Something that showed a more vulnerable side.
I found myself hospitalised October last year with an intestinal infection, later diagnosed as Diverticulitis. This after years of never really having to visit the doctor apart from cholesterol tests and the odd check-up. This was a huge shock to me - 6 weeks past 44 and I'm in hospital with life changing health issues. But this first instance was just a sample. In hindsight, I wasn't really treating this change with as much respect as I should have been.
Another 5 weeks later, I'd be back in hospital with a bowel obstruction, a lot of vomit and a pipe through my nose to my stomach. During those 6 days, it really hit home how out of control you are with health issues. At one stage, I thought I was in there for the long haul, as I didn't feel like I was getting better anytime soon. I felt like shit. Feeling insignificant and irrelevant to the scheme of things, I realised it was all completely out of my control.
I've noticed that my work to date has not been very personal. More experimentation really. I decided I needed to write something more personal. Something that showed a more vulnerable side.
I found myself hospitalised October last year with an intestinal infection, later diagnosed as Diverticulitis. This after years of never really having to visit the doctor apart from cholesterol tests and the odd check-up. This was a huge shock to me - 6 weeks past 44 and I'm in hospital with life changing health issues. But this first instance was just a sample. In hindsight, I wasn't really treating this change with as much respect as I should have been.
Another 5 weeks later, I'd be back in hospital with a bowel obstruction, a lot of vomit and a pipe through my nose to my stomach. During those 6 days, it really hit home how out of control you are with health issues. At one stage, I thought I was in there for the long haul, as I didn't feel like I was getting better anytime soon. I felt like shit. Feeling insignificant and irrelevant to the scheme of things, I realised it was all completely out of my control.
Grief - The First Demo
And that is how the song Grief came about. Grief is that moment - when I felt like the whole world had fallen around me and I was wondering well what happens next. I probably should have called it "Despair", but it really felt like a grieving moment. Like you were letting your life and health decisions to date, all those decisions of what to eat, drink, do, abuse, enjoy, etc. - all come back to haunt you, with responses like "but I didn't even know that would make a difference?" - and you have to accept it is all now out of your control, a thing of the past and let it all go!
So Where To From Here?
So I've got 7 tracks, all named and in order - telling the story of my little experience last year. The framework is there, just need to write the songs. I got two almost completed, about 3 others started and 2 more just lyrics that haven't begun in song.
Working Title - Tenets Of War
So I've got a working title for the album - Tenets Of War. Because when you're sick and helpless, it really is a war. And there are no rules, you are at the mercy of fate and luck.
You'll find out stuff you had no idea about, family histories, how many other people you know already have what you have and you never had a clue.
You'll find out stuff you had no idea about, family histories, how many other people you know already have what you have and you never had a clue.
Is It Still The Same Genre?
That's a really good question. My next demo to be released - The Shock - well, it's a bit different to what I've written to date. It still has metal in it, but I've already been told it's the most commercial thing I've written to date. So be prepared - things might change. For better or for worse, we are all still to find out. Hopefully I'll have this second demo out real soon and you can be the judge.
