 |
Back From the Gambia3:09 PM - Thu 28 January 2010Just back from an amazing three week trip to the Gambia sorting out various things for the Kartong Festival and the Dombondir Festival in the Casamance. It was wonderful to catch up with old friends and get some much needed sunshine. Here’s a short clip of me and my friend Moriba (on the Kora) playing at a friend’s wedding in Brikama! The anti-malarial drugs I was on Malarone didn’t do me any good though and I won’t be using that again! Moriba Kuyateh and Chandra Moon Here’s a link to some photos from the trip! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...98a4f9dfbf comments {1}Action9:42 AM - Tue 20 October 2009http://chandramoon.efx3.com/2009/10/...20/action/comments {0}Tuesday in Bristol12:49 AM - Wed 7 October 2009http://chandramoon.efx3.com/2009/10/...n-bristol/comments {0}WOMAD and other shenanigans!10:27 AM - Wed 29 July 2009I think that possibly this has been the longest gap I've ever had between posting so I'm sorry for that!I had a good visit to my son in London and a whistle stop tour of various friends. This last weekend we went to the annual WOMAD Festival at Charlton Park - absolutely wonderful as usual - we saw some great bands and some smaller more obscure things as well. A fantastic beat box group called Schlomo, a group who emulated electronic music on hang drums, double bass, sax and percussion called Portico Quartet plus the big guys such as Yousur N'Dour, Peter Gabriel and loads more. It got muddy and rainy on the last day but we didn't really mind that! 
We worked a few hours a day at the Drum and Dance workshop marquees and that was fun too. So.... busy, busy but I'm still here ha ha! 
comments {2}Performance at Walberswick and Other Ramblings6:25 PM - Sun 8 March 2009I’m sitting in the sitting room of the place that I’ve rented for a week here at Walberswick in Suffolk (on the East Coast of England) – it’s a funky place with a pleasant living room/kitchen, shower room and tiny bedroom.I got back from the Gambia late on Wednesday evening, spent a couple of nights with my daughter and her husband and saw my lovely little grand daughter. She’s only 4 months old and had really grown in the 5 weeks since I’d last seen her. I set off very early on Friday to come here for 10 days sabar drumming with our teacher Modou Diouf. This weekend has been the advanced class and today we’ve just finished a performance in the local village hall. It was incredibly loud (the audience were provided with ear plugs ha ha), as the room is rather echoey for drums. PHOTOS OF GIG - CLICK The performance went really well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and got up and danced at the end. You can really see the improvement in our playing – we’ve all been playing for quite a few years now. 
There are about a dozen of us and we all cook together and spend very pleasant evenings while we’re here. Tonight though, four of us are leaving the main group and going for a meal in a restaurant at Southwold, a small town about 20 minutes drive away. I’m missing P like mad, he’s still in the Gambia organising the festival and trying to raise funds for it – with the economic situation everywhere it’s much, much harder to get people to contribute or sponsor events and yet it’s so important as it’s not only a wonderful event in its own right, but also brings people together from different tribes and traditions and also from Europe and beyond in a peaceful and amazing environment and brings income into the local village. The exchange rate is so terrible at the moment that everything is at least a third more expensive than it used to be – four years ago you’d get about D52 (Dalasi) to the Pound but at the moment it’s only D35. Anyway, I’ll take my Mac and send this from a pub at Southwold, which has free wireless as there’s no internet here anywhere! I may well not get to internet again till I get back to Bristol on March 15th. Then I have ten days to sort my life out in Bristol before I return to the Gambia on the 25th March till May. On our return, we’re going to rent a place together near Banbury to start with and I’ll let my house out in Bristol – huge changes in my life – I’ve lived in Bristol for 30 years!! About time for a new direction in anybody’s book and I’ll spend a weekend a month in Bristol anyway so I can see my family and friends and hopefully keep my little band going. comments {2}New Website11:49 AM - Thu 2 October 2008Hi there - well I've been a bit remiss about blogging recently - I've been very busy in my personal life (looking up but hardly been in Bristol!), various family commitments and as usual music practices and gigs here and there.Meanwhile I've been putting the finishing touches on my new music website designed by the lovely Alli Liew and I now want people to visit it with suggestions for improvements, things that do and don't work before I really start promoting it and sending out my CD to radio stations etc! So, for those who have yet done me the favour of commenting on the website (at the website or here) - could you do so as soon as possible. A few issues have cropped up so don't be afraid to give me some constructive feedback. Thanks a lot: www.chandramoon.co.uk comments {4}Gigs and website8:08 AM - Sat 27 September 2008First of all, thanks to those of you who've taken the trouble to check out my new website and comment - I really appreciate it as we need to iron a few things out before I publicise it! If you haven't yet please could you go there and leave me any comments or feedback at http://chandramoon.co.ukLast night I went to a great gig at Gimme Shelter at the Hatchet! War Against Sleep (with Duncan Fleming) were playing and were excellent as ever - his music is dark, occult bordering on the plain spooky but wonderful. They were suported by an excellent female band. Here are a load of photos http://www.new.facebook.com/album.ph...=637503707 CLICK 
comments {3}Rain11:11 AM - Wed 13 August 2008I posted this todayThe Rain - Lyrics CLICK comments {8}Back from The Big Chill10:27 PM - Tue 5 August 2008Wow what a fantastic festival this was! Apart from the amazing highlight of Leonard Cohen doing the most mind blowingly brilliant set, I had such a great time with my friend Babs and seeing lots of great music and meeting fun people. We laughed so much I hurt!The venue was beautiful in the middle of the Malvern Hills near Hereford. It was quite a big mainstream festival (not really world music) lots of trance and electronic stuff as well as bands. The Orb played - I can't list the whole line up would just take too long. Here's a link to some photos which hopefully give you a flavour of the event: Link to Photos CLICK 
comments {8}Big Chill9:51 PM - Wed 30 July 2008No I'm not freezing - it's the name of a festival near Hereford that I'm off to tomorrow.You may remember I went to a festival at the end of May called Sunrise which was cancelled due to foul wet weather. Instead of giving us our money back, they've given ticket holders the option to attend Sunrise at The Big Chill instead. Sunrise has a field next to The Big Chill and I'll be able to attend both adjacent festivals. Sunrise Festival Link I'm very excited as Leonard Cohen is headlining the Big Chill (yes I know it's throat and wrist slashing music but hey I'm a masochist). Apart from that there'll be the usual assortment of amazing live bands and also electronic dance music round the clock if we can keep awake. I'm going with an old friend of mine, she's taken a couple of days off and so another adventure in the Moon Palace begins................. ............I'll take the camera this time!!!! comments {7}Modou at Drum Camp playing Tyzen with us1:32 PM - Wed 23 July 2008I thought you'd be interested in seeing this video. Modou Diouf is leading us in a tune called Tyzen. We are all playing different parts. I'm playing the chol which is one of the bass accompaniments though I know the other parts too as it's one of my favourite tunes!Sabar drumming is very specialised in that you have to learn the EXACT rhythm for each drum for each tune. Even if you are playing a "simple" rhythm you have to know exactly where it comes in, where it fits in the overall tune and maintain it. Each song has a different recognisable introduction and signal at the end so you know how to come in and where to stop - you can here both in this example - the intro and the outro. The overall effect is a proper tune. Many of the tunes have been passed down from generation to generation. I know about 20 of them, about 3 parts of each so far and it's an endless amount to take in. He only visits each year for a few weeks in the summer which is why I trail around after him trying to learn as much as I can while he's around - it's not written down you learn it by a special language - each of the many sound techniques having a different word. Different tunes are used for different ceremonies such as births, deaths, naming, calling people together etc. If you watch it at Youtube rather than here it's worth clicking on the "watch in high quality" as the sound and picture are much better that way. comments {10}Gig at the Lansdown9:15 AM - Fri 4 July 2008Thank goodness last night's gig was really good!There weren't tons of people but those that were there were really appreciative and I thoroughly enjoyed playing to them. I felt Paddy and I played well and it was good to play some new songs as well as some off the album - we did a half hour set which went down well - it made up for the last couple of gigs that were rather disheartening. I enjoyed the other musicians playing as well. 
Here a link to MORE PHOTOS comments {2}Song Writing Group - Last One!11:07 PM - Wed 18 June 2008What an emotional day it's been. I feel in a complete daze this evening.I've been attending Patrick Duff's brilliant songwriting group nearly every week for the last four years - it's been a HUGE part of my life and yesterday he phoned to say that today's group would be the last one. I'm stunned. It was a brilliant day as usual - more people than normal attended as it was the last one. We did our usual round of talking first this morning - mostly today thanking Patrick for the amazing support he's given us as artists over the years, both individually and as a group. We then did a round of songs and had lunch all together. This afternoon there were tears and laughter, hugs and handshakes, memories and wishing people good luck in their creative lives. Somehow I'll go on fresh from today - I know I can do it without the group now but I know that I wouldn't be where I am today with my songwriting without the group and the support I've had from Patrick. He gave me self-belief when I thought my songs were just rubbish, encouragement when I started teaching myself the guitar and came to my gigs when I started playing out. Thank you Patrick and everyone in the group for everything you've given me. Good luck in what you do from today. 
comments {9}People of This Earth Video12:06 PM - Tue 3 June 2008This is the slideshow for People of This Earth which we used at the album launch in February. Produced by Patchwork it encapsulates the intention of this song which I believe in passionately.comments {8}Rocking Horse7:26 PM - Wed 28 May 2008Here's another of the video's produced by Patchwork - this track tells the completely TRUE story of when I burned an ex's belongings - I know a lot of you have heard the track but thought you'd be interested in the video. I've reduced the quality to upload them to Youtube or they're too slow but the originals are high quality images and sound.I'm working on them to go on the new website I'm doing which will focus entirely on my music work. Of course I'll still blog here too for personal stuff - the new website will be to promote the album, tell people about gigs etc. comments {9}Sit Here Dreaming11:17 PM - Mon 26 May 2008I spent the morning working with "Patchwork", the artist that did the slide show for my album launch. We've separated out the tracks and put the audio on so that I can upload them to Youtube etc.Here's one for you - Sit Here Dreaming - you can see Moon Palace in the video. I wrote this song at the place in the video so it brings back a lot of memories for me. Hope you enjoy it. I'll gradually upload the others. comments {9}Gig at the Cafe Delight3:10 PM - Sat 17 May 2008My support slot for Sarah Joy went really well last night. I don't seem to get too nervous (just a good kind of nervous before I go on ) and I think we did a good set. I did a half hour set of 7 songs and one encore with Paddy my keyboard player who is really very good. He also plays some flute and violin when needed and is a dab hand on a drum too!There was a decent turn out and I'm looking forward to playing there again. It's a small venue but always friendly and quite near where I live so I'll try and organise another night there some time in June. 
Hopefully there'll be some better pics soon. Sarah Joy did a great set with a cellist accompanying her to finish off. comments {10}Drumming at The Watershed9:52 AM - Sat 8 March 2008Just a quick line to let you know I'm drumming today at Bristol Watershed as part of International Womens Day. We're doing the opening ceremony - a half hour slot playing 4 different singing and drumming pieces. We're a very small group so I'm a bit nervous but I guess it'll be ok!I'll try and get someone to take some photos. comments {6}Michael Bassett and more!10:03 PM - Wed 5 March 2008Well what a treat I had on Tuesday night. I went to the usual Miners Arms Open no mic and there was a guest slot from a guy called Michael Bassethttp://www.myspace.com/michaelbasset...aelbassett. and http://www.eschatone.com/michaelbass...elbassett/ He had a violinist/viola player with him and a bass player and they played a wonderful set - he plays guitar with a great gift of rhythm which echoes of ancient percussion. He has the most unique voice spanning a great range and marvellous lyrics. I really think he's one of the best things I've seen in a while. He's an American singer songwriter currently living here in the UK. Michael Bassett 
I feel so privileged to get to see so much live music. The Tuesday sessions are amazing - you see complete beginners to really polished acts - but all are respected and the people really listen - I love playing there. Sarah Joy, the woman who runs the evening is a really good singer songwriter as well. Sarah Joy 
Today I went to the songwriting group and this evening I had a practice with Paddy (keyboard player). We have a gig on April 18th here in Bristol. By the way - did I tell you that I'm off to the Gambia on Mar 18th for a couple of weeks. I'm going to do voluntary work at the WYCE project, attend the Kartong Festival, do a live radio interview/set and then have a week's drumming lessons with Modou Diouf. I'm so excited - I haven't been away out of the country for ages. comments {14}Shadow Puppets3:42 PM - Thu 28 February 2008Some of you may remember a song I put up here before (lyrics) called Shadow Puppets about insomnia.I've now worked out a melody and rough arrangement with my keyboard player. For those of you interested in hearing the tune for this song click this link: Shadow Puppets I always welcome feedback at this stage before it's finally recorded! comments {5}
|
Description
WELCOME! This blog is about my travels, original music and songwriting, drumming, festivals and gigs mainly from Bristol, UK. I also post about my everyday life and happenings. Please respect that any song lyrics are copyright Chandramoon and shouldn't be copied without my express permission. There's a link here called Song Lyrics which will take you to my second blog dedicated to posting my lyrics. There's also a link called Chandra Moon's Music direct to myspace where you can listen to some of my tracks. Now available on iTunes  
  
Home Register Today! User Profile Archives Friends Control Panel Chandra Moon's Music Words of Peace Sons Blog Daughters Music Sons Music Chandra's Art Rhymester Post Alerts Extra Pages Song Lyrics My Vox Blog You Tube Efx2 Facebook Group IAC Radio Free shoutbox @ ShoutMix Buddies - Patty - libertine - Eclectablog - enidation - grnidlady - womanoffeathers - engieviral - Squilla - logis - roserose - legsland - LauriesAsylum - kinnigurl - LadyVisine - Vampyre - thelostprophet - jsains - drdog - DeeJay - mothman - Chica - bitzky - Somepoet - tonybrookes - birdsnest - copperman - Rubicon - jeremy - fundy - pd - selkie - indigomoonarts - wozza - WelshPixie - budi - sarai - Mia - slayerbarbie - blacklisted - CleanNeedles - 2bpeegee - elisataufik - bob - jeeps - PeriodicallyDemented - bbd Recent Entries - Auxerre - Meeting PD and a Bag Snatch - What A Drag! - My son's London warehouses - Sabar Drums and Clowns! - Back From the Gambia |
Technorati Profile