This week I've been mostly putting together packs to send to radio stations and to get gigs. Nothing too exciting, just a Sampler CD a piccie and a sheet with some basic info. In the course of doing this I usually end up with a few CDs that are "seconds", that is to say they didn't quite print right or the songs aren't in the right order. Rather than bin them I usually take them to gigs and give them away, but since I have friends and fans who can't often make it to gigs, I thought I'd see if anyone fancied a free CD. If you do just email me an address to music @ darencallow.co.uk (you'll need to remove the spaces) and I'll post a CD to you. All I ask in return is some nice words about me on your Blog or (if you don't have a Blog) just to the people around you, ha ha.
Apart from pimping myself, I've also been to see a screening of Laurie Anderson's latest video work and got to see her in person doing a question and answer session. Very interesting and amusing person - I was very impressed. Talking of the art world, I'm also playing at the Whitstable Biennale with my friend Frog Morris on June 29th. This is actually quite a big deal in the UK art world, so I'm looking forward to it.
I'm also playing at the Notting Hill Blag Club on May 28th... but more on that later. The next gig is this Sunday at Cross Kings in King's Cross... 8pm.
Dxx
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Free Stuff
Saturday, May 03, 2008
The Fool I Am - Demo
Here it is then in a more complete form. It's still just a demo, mind you. It needs real drums, real trumpet and a bass line of some description, but I'm pretty happy with it so far and thought I'd share. Hope you are having a good weekend!
The Fool I Am - MP3
Dxx
Friday, May 02, 2008
You Win Some...
I played the Duchess again last night, it went well... there were two other acts worth checking out:
The Bee's Niece - all the way from Norway, via Manchester. Lovely delicate songs with very well thought out lyrics. Lovely girl too!
Simon Andrews - great songs and now, with the lovely Katie, gripping harmonies. Well worth a listen.
My set went okay, The Fool I Am is proving a winner, and Obsession and I Need Your Love went down well.
On Wednesday night I went to see Laurie Anderson play. Now, I always get a mite suspicious when I see musicians sitting down to play... but fortunately Laurie was standing and despite my seat being a bit uncomfortable it was a very mesmerising 2 hours of playing. The songs/pieces veered from funny to thought-provoking to sublime. Very interesting and entertaining, if occasionally quite hard going (it's not exactly Pop you understand). I came away very inspired, albeit with a numb bum.
Hoping to record The Fool I Am very soon, if not today. Curiously I noticed that my song I Can If You Can contains the line "If you want me to be a fool, then I am", I hadn't made the connection before.
Next few chances to see and hear me play:
11th May - Cross Kings, Kings Cross
15th May - The Duchess, Battersea
29th June - Whitstable Biennale
plus, I'll be at The Montague Arms, New Cross next Thursday lending my support to Second Thursdays.
...And You Lose Some
I really hope Boris doesn't get in. He's a funny guy and all that, but running the most cosmopolitan city in the world... please god no! As Will Self put it, I'd rather have a lizard in charge than a clown.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Manning The Bar
Last Thursday I tramped up to Mannings Bar in Hendon with my guitar to play a set. I had been looking forward to this gig for a while as it was the first time in a bit that I'd had the chance to play a full set. The venue itself is a small stage and PA in the bar and myself and the other act were well looked after by George who hosted the night and did the sound. Initially it was myself and two bands but one act had pulled out so my set got even longer. They had been hoping to stream the concert via the internet, and I excitedly texted a few people I knew to check out www.theshowliveonline.com but in the end they couldn't get the streaming working so nothing got broadcast. Shame, but they should have it working for next time so that will be exciting for my far-flung listeners, plus I have a copy of the video on the way to share with you. My set went pretty well from what I could judge and I felt confident to include Vulnerable, which I only tend to play in more intimate venues. The new song The Fool I Am got a second airing too, check out the post below to hear a rough version of this tune.
My full set was:
All I Want
Do Your Want To Dance?
Obsession
Lightkeeper
When The Snow Fell In Denver
The Fool I Am
Vulnerable
I Need Your Love
The act after me were Skeleton Gun who had schlepped all the way down from Manchester for the gig. Despite the lead singer having a cold (and them having to beg, borrow or steal a few instruments, including my guitar) they played a great set. The singer was so on form that at one point in their set I found myself standing next to the bass player and drummer at the bar! They were good lads and even put up with me telling my Ian Brown story again (well the lead singer was wearing a t-shirt saying "I Happy Slapped Ian Brown" so what can you expect?!).
Looking forward to the next gig now, and the video from this one, so I can enter the YouTube world once again.
Love to all,
Dxx
P.S. Thank you sooooo much to all those who came down to support me... I owe ya one!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Go Or Stay
I've written a new song, which I've been battling with for a long time. It's got the best melody I think I've ever written and it's taken a long time to get a structure and a set of lyrics that match. I think I've managed it, but why not come down to Mannings Bar tomorrow and be the judge yourself. Btw, it's actually not about anything at all, but rather an example of a song which is just about strong writing. Having said that I'm hoping it will resonate with people's lives if they've ever had to make a decision.
I'm still trying to decide what to call it... the choices so far are Go, Go/Stay or The Fool I Am... any preferences?
Go
==
Go if you want to go,
Stay if you want to stay,
Just don't expect me to be waiting here endlessly.
Life is a mystery, to everyone including me,
I don't pretend to know the rules,
Just don't take me for the fool I am.
They all let me down,
My body that is failing me, the words escaping me,
They crumble to the ground,
And lie there soundlessly.
But I'm never tongue-tied
I've always got something to say,
But not today so...
Chorus
It all drags me down.
The decades of misery that stained indelibly.
And left their mark on me, there for the world to see.
But I know my own mind,
Surely I'm okay if you're okay, thanks but not today so...
Chorus
Go. Stay. Go. Stay.
I don't know what I've done.
I just know someone has to pay, but not today so
Chorus
Stay if you want to go,
Go if you want to stay,
You know that I'll be waiting here endlessly.
Life is a miracle it created me it created you,
I don't pretend to know the rules,
Just don't take me for a fool,
I don't pretend to know the rules,
Just don't take me for a fool,
I don't pretend to know the rules,
Just don't take me for the fool I am.
(D. Callow 2008)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Random II
Ostriches
I saw some Ostriches today in a field near Chesham. They are quite amazing creatures from a different time and space, they used to be dinosaurs dontchaknow. They can make the most amazing sound by inflating their necks - it sounds a bit like a didgeridoo.
Near Death Experience
I cut through a live power cable. It went pop, like someone popping a crisp packet. It burnt a 2mm hole in my metal clippers. The RCD in the house fuse box tripped. I didn't feel a thing.
Radiohead
I'm doing a remix of Radiohead's new single Nude. Lots of people are doing it. I think it's kinda cheeky that they charged us 79p per track to download the individual stems.
BBC6
I've put my name forward to appear on Tom Robinson's unsigned band podcast and show on BBC6. My friends Wayne (Fit & The Conniptions) and Victoria & Jacob have already been played. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Floorspot
I will be at The Duchess in Battersea Park tomorrow night to do a floorspot. Come along from 8.30 and join in the fun. Mine's a Guiness.
Love to all,
Daren
xx
P.S. Two new songs on the way too!
