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August 20th
Queens Park, London
One community ... i am humbled by the conscious poise of the new offering from Murray Kyle, Up from the Ground. After the sketches, here's the full colour painting. Beautifully digi packaged by Murray himself - are those titles/boads vertical no they're horizontal - the record weaves a lovely path through lo-fi songcraft, Blissmonger easy star off-beats and gaia-positive lyrics. Its like an inspired encounter between James Taylor and Eckart Tolle. The record's north coast interstella guests include Bodhi on Mohan Vina, Optimystic Stu on bass, Cye from Mystic Beats on violin and the sweet vocal tones of Rebekah Ray. Its a worthy companion and follow up to 2005's Signs of Life. For the Wikipidians out there i played a bit of bass and did the initial tracking at Uki's creation station with the trusty Fostex on Unlock Your Memory (my favourite at this point), Up from the Ground, Shake a Rattle, Tawny Wings, Planting Day and We are the Shore, with Murray completing the job
himself at Avalon, Uki. Get yourself connected at www.myspace.com/murraykylemusic
and if Claire can find the cover image on the net then it will appear next to this blog. In real life Murray is a wise man of few words .. but with a voice and lyrics this good ..... its better than dark chocolate.
August 10th
After our great Scottish road trip (and thanks Pamski for your blissings and blessings at Loch Lomond) we headed south to SW England and the Big Green Gathering. Smiles all round as we realised that 20,000 of the tribe had gathered for five days of hugs not drugs and tantric lawn mowing. We were too late for the main programme but two shows apiece at the Triban (great sound) and Earth Heart (great vibe) cafes allowed When theres no Meaning, Come Home, Infinite Space and Things Look Better in the Sunshine to be heard. Saw Liz from Happy High in the audience for the Earth Heart 2AM set. Flamenco Fusion dancer Vanessa joined us for Dragonfly, Andrea's swooping vocals sounding ever more like Feist, and the act as a whole with the two nylon strung acoustics a bit like Kings of
Convenience. This crazy pagan dude called Rollo started howling at us louder than the PA .. i had to ask him to leave .. and stay off the bad acid ..
ah yes, The Big Green, still RADICAL. The site is like a fairyland of yurts, tipis and other esoteric structure constructions. Late nite cinemas in grottos showing indie movies like The Secret, a sense of dreaminess, a sauna (though not Hot Tub under the stars - Sydney confest still the best in that debt), a huge healing field, horse drawn carts, alternative media, fire twirlers, workshops (thanks Bernadette), organic food .. what more could you want at this convergence of ley lines? Musically there was heaps on .. i loved Martha Tilston's "In a Fine World" and the guitarist Kit from Swindon who in 20 minutes at Earth Heart re-invented the instrument. A hard act to follow, all we could do was to give it up to him! So RESPECT to the organisers, Gaia loves you and returns the valentines. The rest of the society could be like this ... yin and yang in balance, powered by the sun, the wind and the people.
July 26th
Andrea, Goba and myself are travelling around the highlands and islands of Scotland, landing where the wind blows us and playing a gig or two. The Wickerman Festival saw us do a short afternoon set on the Acoustic Stage, on the invitation of promoter Susi (a true angel) and an evening jam in a tipi ... just before the sacred burning of the Wickerman
itself. Then a few days later the funky Isles Inn in the Isle of Skye gave us a slot and without a PA we did a two acoustic sets in front of an international and clued-up crew of revellers. Andrea's new songs like Dragonfly and There's no Meaning are sounding very crafted now, she is picking up many friends with these low-key shows. Goba is doing the management stuff and also taking heaps of photos and video. Loving the sunsets up here .. after the sun goes down there's this ambient fade out of about two hours as the light fades. Bagpipes in the village squares, the peat bogs, lochs and mists of Scotland are fully pushing us along or is the wee drams ? ... this weekend we head to Loch Lomond folk festival and who knows whats in store there?
Life's good ...
June 24
The promotional videos for the Scalaland singles Call Me and Snow White Lies shot in 1995 are viewable on You Tube. Call Me, shot in black and white by Andy Catlin features myself and Chris Roberts driving to Paris in a vintage Jag, via Arras, on a quest for something unspecified, like a typical Godard movie of the late sixties, while SWL is an Alice in Wonderland full colour fantasy with snake charmers, huge chess boards and a cast of hundreds.
June 7th
Realising i was staying minutes from Tanworth-in-Arden, Martin and i made the trip to see Nick Drake's home village, and came across his grave in the local churchyard. His mum and dad are laid to rest there too, its a simple headstone under a quite magical (fruit?!) tree. Fans have left messages on scraps of paper and plectrums in an urn, so i added my own message to Nick, a huge influence on my playing. A truly atmospheric and moving place (a bit like Nick's music ..) and in stark contrast to the rather shabby and non eventful site of Jim Morrison at Pere Lachaise in Paris. A new cd of early Nick Drake demos is due soon, i think its wonderful that his influence and presence continues to grow 37 years after he passed into the next dimension.
June 6th
Martin Fraser (former bassist with Western) recorded/demoed a new guitar piece at his house in Cleve Prior, a village near Stratford on Avon, England. A few days later John Almond in Harpenden did me a similar favour using his home set up, while evergreen Gerard Langley from the Aeroplanes inspired a new piece when i passed through Bristol. It was wonderful to catch up with Bristolians drummer John Langley, bassist Ruth Cochrane, Hazel, Max and DJ Jon Stapleton, and get a preview of the forthcoming Aeroplanes album.
June 1-2
Rehearsals in Rue Lafayette, Paris, with Andrea Soler. In her shoebox sized flat she shares with Goba we ran through (me on guitar) some of her new material including Dragonfly, Swell me Around and Waiting for the Moon. There is quite a buzz about Andrea in the Parisien songwriter scene, she has a regular gig at a funky cafe in Montmartre. And a new guitar, a Takamine steel strung.
May 30
Today i was guest interviewee on Rose Citron, a 1 hour radio show hosted by Christophe and Olivier on Radio PFM, Arras, France, a community radio station. I talked about living simply for five years in the rainforest hills of northern new south wales, and played tracks by Light Activation (Disengage), Murray (Letting Go and Planting Day from the recent demo), Loren (Some Shelter from the demo), also a track from the luminous new album by Feist. As i had my acoustic with me they got me to play a couple of tunes - Who Built the Space and a new idea written while at Osho Leela in Dorset to end the programme.
May 11th
After completing the Light Activation album i began recording at the Creation Station, Uki, with Murray Kyle on his new project. We kept\ one of the beds from the recent demo, Soma, and started on five other tracks including Planting Day, Tawny Wings and a new untitled one written in Thailand. The sessions were very chilled and careful, while we waited for the right day to record Murray's incredible voice.
1st May
How that last entry looks out of date! In the last month I have been on a mission to birth the Light Activation eponymous debut album. Tig, David, Paula, Dave and myself recorded ten pieces at the Creation Station in Uki. Murray designed the gorgeous sleeve and sang a guest vocal on The Deepening. It was an amazing few weeks of selection and transformation, highs and lows, of passion and deep co-creation. Thank you Barb for providing us with a perfect cover image.
The album will be available from May 11th, when we are launching at Uki Buttery at 4pm, followed by a sunday session at Sphinx on May 13th. Come along and join us as we celebrate, finally, the existence of 1 hour of LA audio!
The full track listing is
1 The Book of Love
2 Valentines to Gaia
3 Who Built the Space?
4 Passage of Spirit
5 The Deepening
6 Directions to a Good Headspace
7 Babareki
8 Disengage!
9 Electric Confetti
plus there is a hidden track, a newly recorded
version of Owls.
Details to follow of how to obtain the album from local
shops and by post from us, and some pictures from
the launch gigs. See you there!
6th March
The Light Activation album is now set for recording at an artist-friendly home with 240 power in Uki, NSW on March 16th and 17th 2007. Richard (guitars), Tig (drums and set up), David Innes (bass), David Sykes (organic acoustic) and Paula (vocals) will be pressing red buttons and saying things like "silence dude, this is a take" for a whole crazy weekend. Stage dreamcanvases "Answerphone", "Who Built the Space", "Poem", "G Ballad" and the song "Infinity Pools" are to be definitivized ... the album will have 10 or 11 tracks altogether.
21st February
The full track listing for the new Murray Kyle demo is
1. Birds of One Feather
2. Unstoppable
3. Even Angels
4. Soma
5. I Just Might
6. Remember to Breathe
7. Tawny Wings
8. Planting Day
9. Shake a Rattle
10. We are the Shore
Richard sculpted a mix at Natascha's place on Feb 20th, with Loren archiving to Pro Tools.
5th February
"There's a new sound forming outside of the bubble, building a bridge in Babylon's rubble .." Richard has recorded a new sketch demo for Murray Kyle. 10 new Murray songs, recorded as
guitar/vocal performances, with minimal bass and backing vocal overdubs. The recording and mixing took place on January 20th 2007 at Murray's home.
6th January 2007
Dave Innes (Davide #2) has become the full time bass player with The Light Activation. The band have also been experimenting with a vocalist from Uki: her identity will be unveiled at the Sphinx on 21st Jan. Also adding some didg will be Jack Freeman. Richard is negotiating a recording space in the Uki area. Thanks to Murray Kyle for some lush vocals at the Uki market show, and Bernie who played flute, Marti who played some bass and Jenny who danced. The 21st show will see some of Richard's new pieces given a first public airing.
Christmas 2006
November 15th
The Light Activation have contributed a track to the Sea Shepherd compilation. "Owls" perches sleepily alongside music from Cloud Nine, Blissmongers, Loren, Kevin James, Bunna Lawrie, Anahata, Deya Dova, Carrie Tree, Helen Rogerson and others on a compilation to raise money for pro-whales action ship Sea Shepherd. With Japanese, Norweigan and Icelandic boats still hunting the citizens of the sea, north coast musicians have got together to raise awareness. Sea Shepherd skipper Paul Watson is speaking at Byron Bay community center on November 21st, while the official album launch is at the Coorabell Hall on December 8th. The album was compiled and mastered by Jake and Sue at the Mothership.
November 6th
Demoville presents the top 35 tracks of 2006. Richard (and occasionally Tig) present a 2 hour wednesday night show on Nimbin Community Radio. Regular Demoville listeners and maybe a few more will be huddled round their transistors to see which tunes have made it to the best of 2006. Tune to 102.3 in the Nimbin area on December 13 and 20th to see just which of those Inrockuptibles, Uncut, Word, Q and Mojo freebies floated the Demoville boat. Though chances are, many tracks will be local artists and their demos. The full list will be published here after the programmes. No burns, and very subjective.
October 27th
"A Midsummer Night's Dreaming" with Murray Kyle and Loren playing solo, art from Jack Freeman, Samaya Zakay and Jessiah and a set from DJ Starfish. Friday 15th December at Wet Paint Gallery, Uki, near the foot of Mount Wollumbin. An outdoor, glade-like setting with organic vegan food and great company. Tickets (advance only, limited to 150) are $25 from Babareki Beads, Tel 66795677. Be quick!
October 8th
Held at Tyalgum Showground, NSW, Wollumbin Festival in its sixth year is a celebration of Bundjalung culture. Black and white co-ceate this event: the Rainbow crew keep the chai tent pumping, while the Corroboree on the saturday night draws a huge crowd. Its a moving, positive and fun weekend in the shadow of an Australian heart chakra, cloud catching Wollumbin. People whisper of the energetic connection between Nimbin Rocks, Wollumbin and Mount Tambourine. Others draw a triangle between Uluru, Wollumbin and Mt Kailash in Tibet.
Channel Free played on the main stage at 11 on Saturday morning. As ever the line up came together according to who was around. Jake on drumkit, Dave Innes on bass, Sue on vocals, Richard on guitar, Mat from Mystic Beats on didg and tabla, and Brisbane flamenco guitarist Anthony Garcia. Eclectic! Jack Freeman filmed the set from the audience.
But the big gig was sunday evening with Shimshai. On a short north coast tour set up by Kev from the Optimystics and Murray, Shimshai from Hawaii - just 25 and already 4 cds into his career - resplendent in long white dreads and super calm persona - played a 7 song set that many in the huge crowd said brought them closer to God! Jake on the kit, Richard on bass, Ky from Mystic Beats on violin, Kev and Sue on b/v's and Avishai from Sheva on flute, this was a reggaefied, devotional and multi-lingual gig, featuring songs such as Pure, Shalom and All that i Am. Awesome!
August 26th
Uki-topians Channel Free announce a homegrown debut cd of slinky soundscape grooves, celebrating creation over replication. The album has nine tunes, with Richard on guitar, Marty or Dave on bass, Jake on drums, Sue on ambient vocals and percussion and Michael on guitar synth. It was recorded in the moment during winter nights at the Mothership. Richard's electric playing calls up the spirit of David Gilmore, Steve Hillage and Angelo Bruschini from Blue Aeroplanes days. Email Richard if you would like to buy one, otherwise look the band in the eye at one of the Far North Coast gigs this spring.
August 20th
Mixing Anahata .. a sunday afternoon of spellbinding atmospheres at Mount Burrell, Katrina was in devotional form, backed by the calm crew of Shane, Ren, Gerard, Tree and Leah on ducimer and dreamdancing. Yum!
August 18th
Richard has recorded and mixed a dozen new Loren songs, including Rat Race and Some Shelter. Stripped-back and intimate, the tracks are to be made available as free downloads from his website www.loren.com.au. Fans of Nick Drake's Pink Moon please note .. between you and me these songs are TOTALLY LOVELY his fans will really appreciate the intimacy of the recording. Loren is really happening as an artist. He might use one of them
on his next studio album!
July 25-26
Dave Innes is strapping on the bass for the two Channel Free shows this weekend. Byron dancer Jenny has joined Channelfree and will make her blissed out debut with the band this friday at the Durrumbul. Also guesting on the night on spoken word will be deep ecologist John Seed.
June 30
The audio artistry of Michael Down will be a regular feature of Channel Free after a private jam at Byrill Creek which saw Michael weaving found audio samples and guitar synthetics into the mix. Also present: Gabi Bliss (vcls) and John from Melbourne (bass).
June 15, 2006
Writing in Maleny, Queensland. Richard has been thowing some shapes with Maleny based sculptor and singer Shannamay. They generated a heap of ideas, the most happening of which will be demoed in a farmhouse near Nimbin later in the month.
June 3, 2006
Richard is mixing The Blissmongers at Coorabell Hall, Byron Bay. Mystic Beats and Zing are also on this bill.
May 2006
Leaving on a jet plane ... Andrea Soler has been taken under the wing of a French management company following a thumbs up for her demo. So the remaining Andrea Soler and the Common Thread gigs will be a last chance to catch her act in Australia for the forseeable future. She has recorded some new tracks at the Attic with Richard, and with Jake at the Mothership.
April 2006
Richard has flowed in with the Channel Free crew, on guitar. The band live, jam and record in a bush setting near Uki, NSW. Prolific recording taking place, at The Mothership, with Jake on drums, Sue on vocals and percussion, Marti on bass .. and various other potential collaborators .. Dave (bass), Kerry (vocals) ... more as we work it out.
April 7, 2006
Busy day ahead for World Environment Day, June 4th, with Richard booked to play
with Andrea Soler, Blissmongers and Anahata at two events, Knox Park Murwillumbah and Winders Park Currumbin, Gold Coast.
Janunary/February 2006
Murray Kyle is promoting solo album Signs of Life (produced by Richard at The Attic, Larnook) with gigs around the North Coast. Richard will play bass.
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