What DO I do?

When people ask me what I have been up to I'm often a bit stuck, so I thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of the things that I do aside from strum around Hampshire. Some of it may appeal some may not.




My website has pretty much all the info in it but I'll break down some things here.



You can download and buy cds of my music here http://nicktann.bandcamp.com// some of it is free but the new stuff is £3 to download & £5 for the physical cd.



I have Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nick-Tann/128598242167?installed=1&fb_page_id=128598242167 for me and my music



I produce a weekly podcast, it's like a radio show but on the web. You can listen to it by clicking on the iTunes button on the top of the page here http://isthisthingonpodcast.blogspot.com// I play great music that other independent artists send me, have a bit of a chat, do the odd interview plus some other bits & pieces. If you know someone who might want their stuff, there are instructions on the link.



I run an event called Pure Acoustica, its a thing where artists play in venues without microphones and amps. You can see that here http://www.pureacoustica.com/



I have a small consultancy business where I help people including other musicians, promote themselves using the internet http://www.nicktann.co.uk/advice1.html





If you are interested in coming to see me play then this is the page that has all my gigs listed http://www.nicktann.co.uk/Gigs1.html


There are a few more projects I'm working on but I don't want to swamp you with info.

Why Wait? pt2

Going back to my earlier post "Why Wait?" . Many of my friends waiting for something i.e. a new guitar, camera etc before they actualy do something. I'd like you to look again at this little video I made.
It doesn't look that great because it was shot using an old digital still camera, it doesn't sound great because it's just using the mic on said camera, there is the odd mistake on the playing but I thought "f*** it, I'll put it up anyway"

It's been up less than a week and has attracted just over 80 hits to date. Ok, it's not going to change the world but it has generated some lovely feedback. Perhaps the fact that it's an honest little piece, is why people like it? Who knows?

I think what it does illustrate is that we shouldn't put stumbling blocks in our way, shouldn't stop ourselves from doing something because we may not do it well. F*** it, just do it anyway. Perhaps you can do a better one next time.

Lists

I like lists, it concentrates the mind and helps quite the constant chatter in my head "Must do this, remember that, have to call/email/meet up with ....
It is almost endless.

This is a small extract form my master list, there is more so much more...

My Music
Develope my music locally and beyond. Good quality, well attended and regular gigs.

Sell cds and downloads, consistently.

The Vinyl Project.
Use the money that has been donated so far, and record a live album at Pina Studios in London. I will perform this in front of an invited audience who will be present in the studio. They will all pay £10 and will receive a copy of the record that they were present at the recording of. People who have already donated will be invited but will not pay the £10.



Pure Acoustica

I want to expand the number of acts to include poets, story tellers, magicians ect. I think there is a great potential for bookings for niche weddings and parties. I also want to explore the concept of House Concerts. Develope www.pureacoustica.com to reflect what is going on eg gigs, Bristol, artists.
Expand the number of regular venues and publisize "The Pure Acoustica Brand" 

I also want to produce and arrange other bands and artists. I have a lot of experience with this, just need to publicize it more.


Pure Acoustica Records (record label)

Expand the number of artists. This simple way of recording is a cheep and effective way of showcasing an artists talent. I think the stripped down style can also be a great blueprint for future recording. Again it's also a niche.
Develope www.pureacoustica.com to reflect the label as well ast the artists.

So there is a small extract of a list I made two weeks ago. It has altered somewhat and there have been developments.

I hope to have some concrete news in the next few weeks.

This space? Watch it!

Why Wait?

I get frustrated by friends and collegues who are waiting, waiting for something to happen before they do something. You know who you are and it's not just you it's all the others too.

Perhaps it's the fact that I'm aware of my own mortality or my mild paranoid fears of contracting a life threatening cancer, that I can't wait. I'm no longer in the first flush of my youth and I feel a sense of urgency driving me, constantly. I still have so much to do, so many songs to write, so many gigs to play, so many albums to record the list goes on.

I can't wait, I WON'T wait.

So I appolgise if I get frustrated by your inaction, I JUST HAVE A LOT ON!

A little faith...

I played at the Soul Cellar last night. No biggies, I've played there a few times, it's a nice little cellar bar in Southampton.

When I arrived the place was dead apart from a few friends (4)of the guy that was playing at the time.

He was thrashing away, acoustic guitar and mic plugged into an amp, a Marshall I think.

There were about 3 other random chaps hanging about but they buggered off after a while.

Young Jack Martello played next. He played his usual set of covers and original songs.

The previous guy and his mates had pissed off by this time. Solidarity brother!

Around halfway through Jack's set the place started to fill up a bit. The reason being was that the drum and bass club upstairs was due to start and a few enthusiastic D&Bers had turned up early and wher taking advantage of the cheeper drinks downstairs before it all kicked off.

I was standing next to Mrs Nick and remarked that this would be a great opportunity to play Pure Acoustic ie no mic, no amp just me on stage singing with a guitar.

She, understandably, was unsure. "People won't be able to hear" she said. Looking round at the young crowd of around thirty, mainly male average age around 20  I thought she may have a point.

I've been toying with this theory that if you play Pure Acoustic, people will  talk quieter and some will even listen EVEN in a big noisy bar.

This theory was borne out last night. At first people didn't notice and probably wondered when I was going to start. Nevertheless they did clap when I had finished so at least they noticed thaty I had stopped.

When I cracked into my second tune, the ones that wanted to listen did and the overall sound level had dropped considerably. I was playing ballads and getting a great reaction and by the time I got to the end of my set the louder funky tunes went down a treat!

So, Pure Acoustica DOES work, people DO listen.

Schemes and Plans

I thought it might be a good idea to lay out my plan for this new year. I spread myself around the internet and I hope that this will answer some of the questions that I get asked regularly.

1) The Vinyl Project is still a going concern. It's a big project and will take time (*something that I do not have enough of) to fully develop but IT WILL HAPPEN. All the money that has been given is sitting in a special bank account and will not be touched until certain milestones have been achieved. By that I mean sufficient funds to start recording and a certain level of publicity to make the whole thing viable. I promise that despite my dwindling personal funds I will not touch the money collect and THIS PROJECT WILL HAPPEN.

2) Pure Acoustica Despite The Dolphin (our main venue) closing Pure Acoustica is far from dead. I have found a great venue to carry on. More details to follow. If you're interested in Pure Acoustica either from an audience point of view or as an artist either pop your email address into the reverbnation widget on the right or if you're a Facebook person click here.

As well as the live element of Pure Acoustica, I have also started a Pure Acoustica label. I have 2 great artists Tom Caulfield and Emmy-Lee signed up already. I am three fifths of the way through Toms album and have yet to start on Emmy's but will do *very soon.
I'm also half way through recording a new album of tunes, NOT THE VINYL PROJECT, that I hope to finish in the next 4 weeks*

3) Is This Thing On pod-cast I'm itching to start again but it's the lack of time* that is once again holding me back. The main thrust will still be independent (ie poor) composers and musicians as well as the usual rants, opinions, crazy ideas and some of the best non signed independent music I can find as well as that I have some interviews lined up.

4) I have promised to do a few live radio spots for some of my friends who have regular shows and will let you know as and when they happen.

I'll also continue to play out in Southampton as well as anywhere else that I can find and will continue to do musical odd-jobs for Watch With Mothers and anyone else who wants me.

*TIME.....All the schemes and projects I have suffer from me not having enough time to commit to them so I have taken the decision to give up my day job later this year and go full time on musical projects. It's a big decision as I have bills, mortgages and daughters to consider. But if I don't do it now, I never will.
I have a few things I can fall back on if I need some part time work (the docks are just up the road sweetie) and a very supportive wife so it should work eh EH EH?


To follow my progress you can follow this blog, to be kept up to date with gigs, radio appearances etc pop your email address into the first reverbnation widget on the right (the Nick Tann one), I also have a facebook group here  or you can come and stalk me at Twitter
If this is your first time here, welcome. Have a listen to some of my tracks and if you like then tell a few people eh?

Duo et Mono

http://www.monobar.com/

So my plan was to go and play at 90 Degrees in Southampton last night (Wednesday)
It's one of those large plush clubs in town frequented by students and other bright young things. Not my usual kind of place, I have tee-shirts older than most of the people in there, but I've played there before and went down surprisingly well and they asked me back to play and so I did.
On the way there I texted friend and fellow muso Real Raj as to what I was doing and as luck would have it, he was playing just round the corner at the Mono bar and would meet me for a swifter before he went on. Mrs Nick was too tired to come out on a school night, so I was on my own.
So it was all rather jolly as I walked in to 90 Degrees, Raj at the bar chatting to another music type. I'm sure he knows just about every singer, player, promoter whatever in Southampton!
He was just about to start so we agreed to meet up at the Mono after I had finished my set.
It was a noisy 90 Degrees by the time I started and I quickly realised that hardly anyone was listening. I got a smattering of applause but I could tell that they weren't really into it. I wasn't that bothered to be honest, I was in a tip top mood, I wasusing this as a rehearsal for a bigger gig I have this coming Monday and I was looking forward to catching up with Raj at The Mono. So when I finished to a larger smattering I slipped out and was off to The Mono.

The Mono was a welcome change. Just around the corner but still right in the centre of the Southampton club area, The Mono has a fantastic friendly atmosphere. A great guy called Jack Martello was rocking the place and had the crowd in the palm of his hand.
I met up with Raj who introduced me to one of the guys that run the nigh, Martin.
Whilst chatting Martin mentioned that the next act had just cried off and offered me a spot after Jackson. Sorted!
So after 15 mins or so I got up on stage and did a few of my funkier songs as I guessed that the crowd wanted to stay up on the high that Jackson had created previously plus they were all a it pissed but that nice red wine late at night type pissed not that largered up angry pissed.
Someone requested something romantic so I did "All I Think About Is You" which went down really well. One girl actually stood up and started swaying (to my lovely music not because she was legless!) as if she was listening to a tune she knew, loverly.
I finished off with "Pale Moonlight" which is always a nice big crowd pleaser.

Met up with Raj and Jackson at the bar who were chatting with Martin and the other guy that runs the night Christian. Jackson was very keen about Pure Acoustica and will be playing at the next night at the Dolphin.
Martin and Christian seemed pleased with my set and said they'd book me for another.

I didn't get home till 1.30am so I was pretty knackered when the alarm went off at 6.50.
Still, had a great time.

Last Saturday

Just posted a short vid of an audio clip and some still from my gig at The Soul Cellar in Southampton as part of the Angry Badger Showcase. Yes, I'm not too sure why they asked me but I'm glad they did!
Pucka stage, P.A. and some great lights care of Glynne.
I asked Joe the sound guy to experiment with the out front sound, hence the crazy reverb.
It was interesting how some songs don't work as well with a P.A.
"Glad you Came" was a bit odd. All that picky guitar doubled back on itself but I thought this version of "How Do You Sleep?" worked pretty well.
Eh?