Tuesday 11th August 2009
Prague revisited…
Trawling through the internet one evening last week, Dazzy noticed a new Royseven video on Youtube. Time was we were gigging so much we didn’t take note or even watch videos that appeared online. But this was one taken in Prague by a punter with editing ambitions, so it was worth a look. The songs he /she chose to feature in the footage were such that I wasn’t on stage for some of it (particularly “In your Bedroom” when I was busy encouraging those assembled to join me and get on their knees). You can actually hear me shout “Ian” our roadies name as I needed him to come and follow me with the mic lead so I didn’t get in too much of a tangle, which in fact I did anyway, and I accidentally unplugged the mic from the lead too but it went largely unnoticed.
All in all, it’s a nice little souvenir to have of the gig and better that it’s an unofficial offering as it has more of a personal “friends on a night out” feeling. It’s great to even hear the songs from the audience’s perspective and “Every line’s the last one” always makes me want to dance as soon as I hear the intro, that has to be a good thing?!
Have a look at it yourself if you wish...
Wednesday 12th August 2009
Star Search returns…
This will be my fourth season involved in RTE2’s star search talent show. You may recall me canvassing for votes on behalf of my wild card choice Lee O’Sullivan earlier in the year. They’ve changed the format this season though. This time around five mentors (of which I am one) are each given a group to oversee. I’ve been given the solo boys category. I haven’t seen them perform yet so I’m not sure what to expect. The biggest and best change to the new format is that the voting system has been updated. This should mean that the most talented performers now stand the best chance of proceeding to the latter stages of the competition, finally! The only drawback for me is that due to the larger number of mentors involved, I’ll be appearing less frequently- which sucks financially.
Anyway, we all had to record a biog/interview package in Westland studios today where we were individually interviewed in front of camera and asked a series of questions about performing, advising the young contestants and our thoughts on the forthcoming season. As a finishing piece we had to play an instrument that wasn’t our core instrument and to try bang a tune out of it, the intention being to show that we are human too - I didn’t really need reminding of that after the few weeks I’ve had. So, Mickey Joe Harte had just given the drums a hiding, and they didn’t want me to do the same, so I chose the guitar. ϑ
I’m not a great guitar player but I can play and I also like to bash the piano. However I don’t care that I’m not a virtuoso, I don’t think you have to be to write songs. It’s always surprised me the number of piano players who’ve made their way up the grading syllabus and can play complex classical pieces with the same ease that I play “chopsticks” but if you ask them to write something original off the top of their heads or busk a song, they look at you with a face that says “sure, where’s the sheet music for that?”. Anyway, I started off my piece to camera by talking about and playing the first song I ever wrote when I was 12 “Visit in May”, then moving onto a song that took me a while to learn “Blackbird” by the Beatles, finally then to a newish song of ours called “Wedding bells”, which I quickly remarked would never make our album but we’d happily give it to someone else. Sadly it would only suit a McFly type band. It’s fun, so clearly not us.
Friday 14th August 2009
Dirty & Purty
The Dirty 9s had their first gig in the Purty Loft in Dun Laoghaire tonight. I was oddly relaxed whereas normally I’m as nervous about their gigs as I’d be about one of my own. It was also my first time in the venue even though I’ve been invited out there in the past. It’s quite spacious, good stage and nice décor, with a suitably intimate atmosphere to the room. Ailish and I headed out to see the guys perform, they were headlining and support came from Pocket Promise and Audio. I really liked Pocket Promise actually. Their last two songs were particularly outstanding and I’d like to get to see them again.
It’s been a few weeks seen I’ve had a chance to watch the Dirty boys, and in actual fact, on reflection, I watched them more tonight than on previous nights as I wasn’t distracted by anything else. They were really tight and had a healthy dose of charisma and on stage persona which I loved. The months of gigging have helped so much and by not seeing them in a short while I was able to be more objective about my thoughts on their progress. It’s given me an extra push and rush of excitement. They’re a great band with catchy little songs and unlimited potential. I’ve always liked the fact that they’re not a trend band, they don’t reek of a desire to be famous or to look like the coolest kids on the block and I think that is going to bode very well for them. Their first single “Lucy Opus” drops on October 9th.
News in my briefs:
I got my hair cut. I’d had enough of it. €50 for the pleasure though. Eek..
I’m thinking of getting a car very soon, I’m sick of being car-less.
I love Burnley since they whipped Man.U. in the premiership.
I have a new flatmate from September, a German girl. I’m hoping she can teach me the language (finally).
- PAUL WALSH - ROYSEVEN
