Tag Archives: David Bowie songs

AURAL Heather biz, timing, ten years after, back to Haida Gwaii

More from my travel journal:

First comes Mary, Mother of God
Standing on the moon, presiding over the jungle
First comes Mary, Mother of God
sacred to all her Mexican children
in the harbour of her arms

Funny, I compose a melody to the words and then later flounder to find the key. Fortunately my producer Roderick (Shoolbraid) records our initial efforts including the chord progression for guitar. He came up with what he called a Bauhaus beat. I take it he was referring to the band but I’m not sure. He is a visual artist as well though—a painter—and could have been referring to the movement. There might be an absence of ornamentation and certainly harmony between its function and design. Off to a good start in any case and looking forward to working on it more after his return from Europe. He went to his best friend Tanya’s wedding on the island of Ibiza and will have some time in London as well, lucky bloke.

The next recording project will take place after we’ve been performing the material, the ideal situation. I’ve come up with new parts and ideas for some of the spoken word songs from Princess Nut, regret that they aren’t on the CD. Seems there are always regrets, second thoughts with any piece of art but if I don’t despise it then that is enough. For the first time perhaps, I am truly proud of my work. (My boys are gone and it’s so quiet I can hear the breeze in the chimes.)

We ran through our set a few times with the new PA. What a thrill hearing myself in a vocal monitor, a boom stand and mike for Roderick. We’re trying to come up with the perfect cover choice. Considering Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young or a David Bowie song but can’t decide because there are so many great ones. Rebel, Rebel? Ashes to Ashes? Need to work on festival submissions when I return, applying for a Career Development Grant, deadline Oct. 1 and hiring a publicist. Wish we (AURAL Heather) had thought of that before going out on the road in July. Well, I thought of it but mistakenly assumed that my promo efforts along with the label’s would be enough. If you’re laying that much on the line, might as well cough up the dough for PR. Next time. Live and learn.

Ten years! Josef and I are celebrating a whole decade together at the end of this month. We met at the Word on the Street Festival. I was reading Continue reading