Last weekend, Rafael Karlen rounded up a few boys of brass (Rob Schultz, Michael Wray and Shane Hannan) for some sessions out at Nundah (respectable seat of the Federal Treasurer).

It was a sweaty mess of trumpet, trombone, French horn, and flugelhorn. Much fun. Pics below.

Things are humming along well for the album. Emerson and I are recording about 16 songs. And, out of that, you’d think there’d be an album right? Well, that’s certainly the idea.

I felt as though the Don Juan of miscellaneous percussion, Roger González, deserved a photo up here. After all, he’s contributed so much to recording sessions lately. Below he’s playing the glock. Also, there’s a pic of the toy piano I bought at ramshackle instrument store in New York.

Meanwhile, the tune Terry Devantier and I wrote and recorded at Applewood is up on my MySpace page. Hope you like it.

Hello there

I’m readjusting to life outside the studio this week, after hiding away for the past little bit. Last weekend was spent with a bunch of singer-songwriting folk out at Tylea and Magoo’s Applewood Project. I don’t think I was prepared for how much I’d enjoy the whole experience (now I’m battling severe melancholy, coping with my return to civilisation). The idea is that you and a mystery partner write and record a song within a few hours. Then you hang out overnight and indulge in the exorbitant hospitality and kindness of Tylea and her loving crew. Terry Devantier and I wrote a tune about missed calls (When I can’t speak)… a bit of a jam between fender rhodes and drums… with quite a bit of delayed guitar action throughout. Jeff Lovejoy helped pull it together in the church studio.

Meanwhile, Emo and I bunkered down at Ferry Rd studios last week recording much piano. The days were long, but the fun was high. We now have mountains of piano for the album, and with percussion by Roger-who-stole-my-disco-conga-González, kit work by John-call-me-daddy-Parker and programming by the one and only Yeo… each song’s forming its own shape and sound.

Photographer Eileen Kenny rang the other day… and we marvelled at the number of untouched roses in New Farm park. Despite homelessness, untold physic abuse, joblessness, systemic corruption, et cetera… roses can thrive in open display. Truly heartening.

This week I’ve played host to a not-so-friendly overseas visitor - some kind of virus my parents brought from Turkey… or perhaps Germany… or even maybe Japan. Who knows. But, a diligent combination of sleep, chocolate, strolls, ginger, herbal tonics, gazing at the floor, multivitamins and minerals, garlic, sleep, tea and footage of a Catholic priest being lifted into the atmosphere by thousands of helium balloons have aided my recuperation.

Having cast off the husk of illness, I’m getting myself together for a show at Ric’s this Sunday afternoon. I’ll be supporting The Kindness of Strangers - who I like to think are an acoustic take on Portishead… sort of. Think of them as dark indie folk. In any case, they’re legends, and you should see us play. I kick off proceedings at 4pm.

Hope you’re well.

I’ve just uploaded a few homespun demos on MySpace. Momentarily, I considered uploading all 16 of them onto the website, for a straw poll - force them to vie for your affection. At the time, a little public brutal love seemed much easier than having to decide for myself which songs will go on to be recorded for real. But… then I remembered my dignity.

Am in the process of covering myself in gold stars - reward for completing album demos. Granted… it’s taken a while, and not that monumental an achievement… but you can never underestimate the obstacles that obstruct recorded form.

Anyhow - more details on that along the way. Mind you… am taking the slow-poke approach to album recording, so don’t hold your breath.

A more timely subject, however, is an upcoming show of mine - this Thurs (03 April), at the Troub, supporting Liam Griffin. He’s brilliant, so come along if you can. Entry $5, and I’m onstage at around 8:30pm. Dan Acfield’s also playing.

Alrightie, take care.

This Tuesday evening, Tara Simmons and I will get cozy on stage, playing one after the other at Ric’s from 9pm (address below). I’m on at 9pm, so, naturally, my advice is to be there from 9 o’clock… or earlier, if it takes your fancy.

I’m trying to work together a new song… fingers crossed. It’s proving a little harrowing, this one… but I feel as though it’s a keeper.

Meanwhile, in the spirit of Laneway… Tara and I’ve decided we can’t promise to offer the talent or undeniable hotness of Wally de Backer… and we’ll try not to burst into spiritual musings (ala Feist - bless her). But we’re working on some unique package. It’s all tbc.

Anyhow, come along. It’s free and all that.

To each and everyone who disregarded the threat of being drenched by the heavens yesterday - thank you. The Turbine Hall (at the Powerhouse) is such an terrifying space to play in if empty… but you made it so cozy. God knows, I was comfortable enough to reveal my fondness for a certain SBS reporter, play a song I wrote 7 years ago, and employ a line of spoken-word in an Angie Hart cover. All bad ideas, on reflection. But, there. Done. And, all because you lulled me into a sense of comfort.

If you wish to practice such deception once again, my next show’s at Ric’s in March. On the first Tuesday of Autumn, in fact. I’m supporting Tara Simmons, and we’ll be kicking off at 9pm. See you around.

Right now I’m 15. All the memories of teenage music theory are inflicting vertigo on me. That’s what happens when you write songs ‘intuitively’ and then must annotate them for others. Damn recording. It’s meaner than a hangover in summer. I’ve decided that all songs of mine, from this point forward, shall be complete rip-offs off paltry tunes with simple chords. Jelly chords. Red cordial chords. Paddle-pop stick structures. That’s it.

Anyhow… ahead of hiding away to record, I’m supporting the launch of Chris Pickering’s new album at the Brisbane Powerhouse (Sun 03 Feb, 3pm). The show’s free and all ages - it’s literally a free-for-all. It’s city dandy vs cowboy. I’ll be on the Wurly, while Roger Gonzalez hits miscellaneous things. Also, we’re breaking out the tried-and-true indie tools - the melodica and glock. There’ll be new songs and a cover I’m working on… something by an Australian lady whose music’s under-rated and dear to me.

Then, on the first Tuesday of Autumn, I’ll be playing alongside the evergreen Tara Simmons at Ric’s Bar in the Valley.

Take care

You know, I completely adore US morning television. Somehow, Americans know how to do live television like no-one else. It’s magic. At work the other morning, Good Morning America was on one of the televisions in the studio where I was working. At 4:55am there’s always live music on GMA. And, knock me dead… on this particular day, Liza Minelli appeared. Let’s remember, Liza’s going on 62 in March… I for one am overjoyed Liza’s still kicking it with the best of them. Did you see “Arrested Development”… she was hilarious in that show. So, she performed “New York, New York”. It was a little shaky, but you know… a delight to watch, nonetheless.

Currently, on my music front, I’m guilty of hiding away… writing songs, making plans for recording sometime early in 2008.

On a tangential note… I’m flying to Karratha (WA) tomorrow. The ABC’s training a few of us in emergency broadcasting. Most immediately, that means being on stand-by to cover the current cyclone season. Can you imagine it… me, storm chasing?! I’m yet to fully comprehend it either.

Meanwhile… I’d like to recommend a few of my favourite Christmastime songs, for your listening pleasure this month:
1. Thank God It’s Christmas – Queen
2. Some Children See Him – Rufus and Martha Wainiwright
3. The Secret of Christmas – Ella Fitzgerald
4. Christmas Morning – Loudon Wainwright III
5. Christmas Time is Here – The Silent League
6. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
7. Maybe This Christmas – Ron Sexsmith
8. I Want to Come Home For Christmas – Marvin Gaye
9. River – Joni Mitchell
10. Snowfall – The Manhattan Transfer
11. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
12. When My Heart Finds Christmas - Harry Connick Jr

See you in the new year.

Take care.

I must say, there’s a serious hazard being onstage at the Turbine Hall (of the Brisbane Powerhouse)… there’s just such an astonishing view from up there. It makes me just want to sit there, look around, and rest on the view for a minute or two. Instead, you’re there to play, right? On that note, sincere thanks to everyone who dropped by to see my gigs there in the past week. Thanks also if you managed to see any one of my other shows this year.

It’s been a little hectic doing the shift-work thing, and finding the spirit to pull a myself together on stage. At least I haven’t collapsed into a teary, snotty wreck. Though, I have noticed the onset of tourette syndrome when I’m carting my Wurly around.

I’m going to disappear for a little while, finish some demos and get this album underway.

Alrightie… well, take care and enjoy whatever comes your way during the next few months.

Wanted to say thank you to everyone who dropped by the Powerhouse yesterday. It wouldn’t have been at all enjoyable without you. So, thanks. And, wasn’t Tylea and her band sensational.

My final gig of the year is for the 2high festival on Friday night, at about 10pm. I’ll be on the Turbine Stage of the Powerhouse. Once again, it’s free and all ages. Pretty cool really.

Then, it’s farewell. If I don’t see you, take care. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I’ll see you in the new year. I can’t say when. It’s a mystery.

I’m seeing out 2007 with two shows at the Powerhouse. On Sun 11 Nov (3pm), I’ll be playing alongside Tylea and the Imaginary Music Score. Then, on Fri 16 Nov (10pm), I’m playing at 2high. Both shows are all-free, all-ages (child friendly) and respectably uninhibited. You’ll find me on the Turbine Stage.

Both events will, no doubt, be Christmas influenced. Whether or not that entails carols remains to be seen. Submit your preference, and I’ll ponder it all.

G’day there. Just wanted to say thanks to each one of you who saw last night’s show. It was a hoot.

I’ll let you know about a couple of exciting shows in Nov soon.

Alrightie… take care. Enjoy your weekend.

Scott