Project Opus

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL

Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN

..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>

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28 Feb 2008

Who is who are ANTIQCOOL?

..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..> ..> If you like well crafted songs with intricate guitar arrangements and vocal harmonies you've come to the right place.
Influences Far too many to mention all of them here but these are at the top of my list... Beatles Fleetwod Mac U2 Police Stone Roses Led Zeppelin The Who Crowded House Beach Boys
Sounds Like The Police arrest Fleetwood Mac defended by Crosby Stills and Nash in a Crowded House.
..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>..>

So who is ….who are ANTIQCOOL?

There is no single answer to that question…..sometimes I work alone as a singer
songwriter, other times I get together with friends and collaborate….

Making music that we enjoy playing and other people want to hear is all we try to do. I like to think of the internet as a sounding board
to get songs heard and listen to the feedback. It helps to generate an overall picture of what is working and what needs to be fixed.

Being in a productive successful band is in my opinion a little bit like being in a marriage….you are going to be spending a lot time together
going on the road, writing , recording and promoting your music….having the right mix of personalities is essential if it is going to last.

Will ANTIQCOOL ever become a successful working band…..I hope so….A lot will depend on how well my songs are received….so I will just keep writing and recording.

Pete.

Message to Publishers

Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .

Email :

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL

Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN

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21 Feb 2008

Antiqcool Karma Pool

My thanks to Barry at Instrumantal QRM for playing Ticking for you

http://instrumentalqrm.com/

Cheers Ade for playing Antiqcool tracks on TunA The Day

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=58258055

My thanks to Jeff for playing "Englishman out in the midday sun" on The Download Show

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=232426551

Many thanks to Dee for playing Antiqcool songs.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=10447319

My thanks to Michelle at MicheBelz Hollywood for playing digging for gold

http://michebelzhollywood.btpodshow.com/

My thanks to Lynn at Planet Parsons for playing OH MARY

http://www.planetparsons.net/

Thanks to Radio Gets Wild for playing "OH MARY"

http://www.radiogetswild.com/

Thanks to Marc at Kill Radio for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://www.killradio.org/proginfo.php?id=943

Thanks to Blood is Truth for the blog post and for playing our tracks.

http://bloodistruth.blogspot.com/search?q=Antiqcool

My thanks to Ewan at TPN Rock for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://rock.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/06/25/rock-the-week-in-with-ewan-spence-5/

My thanks to Hieronymus Murphy even though he wasn't able to play
our tracks he took the time to send a very encouraging email

http://www.murphyssaloon.com/

Thanks to John Rhys-Eddins at BluePower.com, our songs were not
suitable for his show but he deserves a link for the very polite reply to
my email.

http://www.bluepower.com/

Thanks to Derek and Deliberate Noise for playing our stuff

http://www.deliberatenoise.com/

Thanks to Brad and the Replay Factor for helping us out

http://replayfactor.blogspot.com/

Many thanks to Nic and the Home Grown Podcast for playing our songs

http://homegrownpodcast.co.uk/

Thanks to the Bob and AJ show for playing some of our tracks

http://www.bobandaj.info/

Thanks to Daniela at I Spin It for playing our songs

http://www.ispinit.com/

Thanks to Mitch Joel for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks on his Six Degrees Of Seperation Podcast

http://www.twistimage.com/blog/

Thanks to the Hobson Holtz Report for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://www.forimmediaterelease.biz/

Thanks to JD's Musical Alchemy for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://www.jdsmusicalalchemy.com/wordpress/

Thanks to Kara Balicki for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks on her Weekly Fix Podcast

http://www.garageband.com/user/aweeklyfix/podcast/main

Thanks to the Five Gallon Podcast for playing antiqcool tracks

http://www.fivegallonsound.com/podcast.html

My thanks to Technogab for playing our music

http://www.technogab.com/

Thanks to The Z List for playing our stuff

http://www.zlistpodshow.com/

Thanks to Edd's Mixed Bag for playing our songs

http://www.edsmixedbag.btpodshow.com/

Thanks to The Podzone for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://www.thepodzone.net/

Thanks to the Gomem Show for playing ANTIQCOOL songs

http://thegomemshow.btpodshow.com/

Many thanks to JD's Musical Alchemy for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://www.jdsmusicalalchemy.com/wordpress/

Thanks to Boriz at My Pocket Player for playing ANTIQCOOL songs

http://pozytywnezacisze.pl/

Thanks to zip71101 for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://www.zip71101.com/

Many thanks to That Blue Jeans Guy for playing ANTIQCOOL songs

http://thatbluejeansguy.libsyn.com/

Thanks to Donna and Buster for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks on their show

http://www.myspace.com/busters_wife

Thanks to Bloody Rose podcast for playing "When Your down"

http://bloodyrose.podomatic.com/

Longtown Sound

Many thanks to Paula K at Longtown Sound for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks…
we really appreciate your support Paula.

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/

KIAC Radio
Thanks to "PoPRoX" radio for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://independentartistscompany.com/station.aspx?stati..584

Thanks to "Gotcha by the BLUES " radio for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://iacmusic.com/station.aspx?stati..582

Thanks to "pretty darn good" radio for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://iacmusic.com/station.aspx?stati..3633

Online Music Marketing
A big thank you to Jay Moonah for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks on his very cool podcast….great show Jay
….Jay also plays in a pretty cool band called "Uncle Seth"....doing plenty of shows in Second Life….
every time I go online I seem to see or hear something about this band.

http://onlinemusicmarketing.com/
Startled Bunny Podcast
A big thank you to Startled Bunny for playing ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://startledbunny.wordpress.com/2007/06/04/episode-20-startled-bunny/

Thanks for the airplay Martin
Green Dragon http://greendragon.btpodshow.com/

I figure these guys deserve a link….the least I could do…they keep playing ANTIQCOOL tracks....Actually I double checked and they have only played one track so far....no hype here!Ignore the above they played us again.
Insomnia Radio http://uk.insomniaradio.net/articles/home.imp

The best song I've heard in years
"So, I Guess My Love Has Gone Away" by "Destroying Something Beautiful" is one of the best songs
I have heard in years so follow the link and have a listen.
I discovered this track a couple of years back on Vitaminic and it still moves me.

http://www.redletterdayrecords.com/dsb/music.html

Anji bee's "Unwind" was the first podcast ever to play my music so that deserves a special linkin my book…..thanks Anji.http://www.anjibee.com/

Message to Publishers

Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .

Email :

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL

Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN

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26 Feb 2008

ANTIQCOOL CD’s
Category: Music

The first ANTIQCOOL CD

"DIGGING FOR GOLD"

is now available to buy through CD baby.

http://www.gosh.org/index.html

100% of artist profits generated by the sale of "Digging For Gold" and
" Songs of Hope and Despair" will be donated to GOSHCC.... Great
Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

If you would like more information prior to purchase just email
me at

or leave
a Myspace message.

To find out more about GOSHCC.... Great
Ormond Street Hospital Children's
Charity just follow the link below.

The second ANTIQCOOL cd "Songs of Hope and Despair"
is now available to purchase through CD Baby

This album was inspired by people and places in the North East.

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03 Oct 2007

Remember the RNLI

Having spent some time working at sea in stormy weather I realise what a comfort it can be

to know these guys are willing to risk their necks to save you when the proverbial hits the fan.

So next time you see a tin with a lifeboat on it just imagine being adrift all alone in a cruel sea

and throw in a few coins.

The RNLI.

http://www.rnli.org.uk/

Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .

Email :

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL

Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN

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20 Aug 2007

ANTIQCOOL teams up with ROTAX for instrumental tracks

ANTIQCOOL teams up with ROTAX for instrumental tracks.

A while back I collaborated with George and his band ROTAX on a few instrumental tracks.

Most of the credit should go to George as he came up with the music ….I just added some

guitar parts. It was quite a departure for me because most ANTIQCOOL songs rely heavily

on guitar while ROTAX are keyboard and synthesiser based.

I have decided to write lyrics and remix some of the songs so they are being updated periodically.

These tracks are Creative Commons and cleared for airplay by ROTAX.

I just uploaded them to the PMN under the name ROTACOOL….pretty lame

I know but what's in a name, it's the music that counts, right?

Just follow the link.

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ROTACOOL

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08 Mar 2008

Guitar Heroes

I started playing guitar when I was six years old when my father, who was a
handy carpenter made a Spanish guitar for me mainly because he couldn't
afford to buy one.

Looking back it probably wasn't the best guitar in the world but that didn't
matter at all holding it felt as natural to me as breathing and sparked my life
long love affair with music. I would spend most of my waking hours playing
along with my heroes trying in vein for the most part to emulate their wizardry.

So who are they? Well right up there at the top of a long list I would have to
put the late great Jimi Hendrix, no one can really touch him in my book he was
an original who could do things with a guitar most of us can only dream of.

Peter Green comes next, back when Fleetwood Mac were girl free he was
putting together groundbreaking guitar arrangements for some truly classic tracks.

Last but not least is Jimi Page, Led Zeppelin are as popular now as they were
thirty five years ago due in no small part to his ability to mesmerise an audience
and take them to a higher level, lets face it with mates like that you can't go wrong.

I could wax lyrical all day about these guys and many other truly gifted individuals
past and present but I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.

MY FAVOURITE GUITARS

First of all I would just like to say that I have no affiliation
with any guitar manufacturer…..nobody is paying me to write this.

I am no expert on all the different makes and models of guitar
on the market of which there are many but I know what I like.

When I want to buy a new microphone, effects unit, recording
software etc I normally do a little research to find out what other
artists, musicians or producers are talking about then process
that information before going on line and shopping around to
get the best deal.

Buying a musical instrument is a little more personal. I may spend
some time on web sites to compare prices but the quality of each
individual instrument, even identical models can vary enormously
so there is no substitute for taking your guitar out for a test drive
before handing over the cash.

My first really good guitar was a cherry Gibson SG. Comparing it
to my old guitar (a fairly bad Japanese Les Paul copy) was like
comparing a Ferrari to a bicycle.

Next up was a Gibson Les Paul Custom, a very popular choice
with rock guitarists everywhere.

My next choice was a PRS SE Custom. Not one of the hyper
expensive in laid mother of pearl jobbies but one made in
Korea under licence.

You can mask the tone of a guitar with effects and amplification
but slick action and intonation are a must in my book, eating lots
of spinach to get Popeye fingers just so you can press down on
to the fret board is not my idea of a fun day out at the recording
studio.

I must say my PRS scores highly on all counts when you consider
that it's about one third the price of a Gibson Les Paul.

So all you mad axe men out there….what's your favourite and why?

Message to Publishers

Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .

Email :

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL

Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN

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04 Mar 2008

Songwriting and recording
Category: Music

A POLITE EMAIL CAN GO A LONG WAY

Contacting mp3 bloggers, radio stations and music journalists looking for
airplay and reviews for your music can be a tricky undertaking but a
polite email can get you a long way.

It doesn't have to be the Gettysburg address, in fact less is more, they
are all very busy people who don't always have time to wade through
your life story so keep it short and to the point.

It's still a work in progress for me, every day I learn something new but
here are just a few pointers you may want to consider.

1. Try to find the name of an actual person (not always easy, more
than once I have given up and simply started with Hi… but usually only
as a last resort.

2. be courteous but business like and succinct, a few lines describing
who you are, what the music sounds like and what you want from the
reader are all that is needed….just be sure to place a web site link in
your signature so they can find more information if they need to.

3. If possible try to spend a little time doing some research….don't ask
a heavy metal radio station to play your latest string quartet CD. It's
always a good idea to mention something you read in a persons blog
before emailing them so they are aware that you have at least taken
the trouble to gather some background information.

I must confess Sometimes there aren't enough hours in the day so I
don't always get round to doing this. If you are running late and the
email looks a little bit form be honest and say you will spend more time
on their site when you get a chance, most people will give you the
benefit of the doubt.

4. Give people options, some find it more convenient to follow a link to
where they can listen, others prefer a physical CD to be snailed out.

5. Be grateful if someone takes the time to reply even if it's only to say
thanks but no thanks, it costs you nothing to be polite and thank them
for their time. Try to develop a thick skin (easier said than done I
know) but not everyone is going to like your music, get over it and
move on.

6. If someone does play your music or writes a glowing review of your
CD remember to thank them and if your budget will allow send them a
small gift like a free T shirt, everybody likes presents.

A foot in the door

When faced with a steep climb up a long ladder stretching into the
clouds, getting past those first few rungs can be a true test of
character. When you are on your way and the momentum is with
you finding people to lend a helping hand becomes much
easier, everybody wants to be your friend.

This is the music business! people tell me and I agree that taking
care of business is an important part of the process but for many
songwriters and musicians it is also a spiritual journey of discovery.
My guess is if and when they get to the top and look down, most if
not all will want to share those emotional moments with friends who
have supported them and believed in them every step of the way.

Independent musicians shouldn't expect to be taken from zero to hero
by some fat cat in a suit waving a magic wand, it does happen but for
me the rewards to be gained from being taken seriously as an artist are
a much more compelling reason to pursue music as a career. That said
if I was a bronzed Adonis with little or no talent, had a queue of
salivating A&R men itching to sign me up I might think differently and
who could blame me.

So to all you publishers, entertainment attorneys, record companies and
producers out there who are too focused on the bottom line afraid to take
a chance on something that inspires you consider this, the musical
landscape is changing fast as more and more artists tired of trying to jump
through all of your hoops are going the DIY route, maybe soon they won't
need you at all.

10% inspiration 90% perspiration

People sometimes ask me about my song writing and where I get
my Ideas from. Inspiration can be triggered by many different things
including life experiences, books, films or other songs I wished I had
written. "The Storm" for example was originally an instrumental track
I recorded after watching the recent BBC TV adaptation of Jane Eyre.

It is a popular misconception that songs are heaven sent from some
mysterious other worldly place. While this may be true for the rare
musical genius able to simply pluck them from the ether, for mere mortals
like me that old saying "ten percent inspiration and ninety percent
perspiration" would be a more accurate description.

It's true I often get interesting ideas just as I am about to fall asleep or
just after I wake up in the morning which is why I always sleep with a
note pad and pencil by the bed just in case….if you don't write them
down immediately they are usually gone forever.

These can be just a few words of a verse or chorus or maybe an
interesting song title but never perfectly formed masterpieces.

Many hours follow slaving over a hot computer, staring at the wall, jamming
with a guitar and recording interesting chord sequences or possible arrangements.

Many times I have recorded a riff and gone back to it months or even years later
and used it as a bridge to a song that was almost there but not quite.

The best you can hope for is that you write and record something you are
proud of. If lots of other people like it too well that's the stuff that dreams
are made of.

Inspiration diary.

In this section I will be discussing individual songs and what
inspired me to write them.

I tend not to wax lyrical about Antiqcool songs, who wants
to hear a self absorbed muso droning on about the minutia
of song writing techniques?….Hey ! I have to write something
in here but for you non geeky normals I will endeavour to keep
it short and sweet.

OH MARY

One reviewer described this song as a poptastic Beach Boys
Simon and Garfunkel nursery rhyme.

An interesting comment, being compared to those giants is fine
by me but the inspiration for writing this song came from a much
darker place.

We all have our favourite movies and even though after the first
viewing we know the plot and the outcome this does not seem to
deter us from watching them over and over again. Braveheart is
one of mine, some of you may be yawning at this point
(so go and read someone else's blog) I suspect some of you might
actually be closet fans who watch, unobserved armed with a big
box of Kleenex.

Another film which I saw only once (everyone should see it once)
affected me so deeply I could not bring myself to watch it a second
time I didn't need to the imagery was so powerful it left a lasting
impression in my memory.

The Passion of the Christ, understandably would not make it on
to many peoples favourites list mine included but if after viewing
it you remain unmoved my advice would be to get thee to a
good shrink!

What does all this have to do with a song called Oh Mary ?

Watch both those films then listen to the song and maybe
you can work it out.

LYRICS

Oh Mary
Though our love was strong
Mary I'm moving on

Can you see
Why I feel this way
You won't ask me to stay

Mary I'll take you with me
Wherever I go
And Mary you'll always be
Guiding me I know

You will be waiting
You will be waiting
Burn me a candle watch it glow

Oh Mary
Though our love was strong
Mary I'm moving on

Can you see
Why I feel this way
You won't ask me to stay

I see where the heavens touch the sky
A look to remind me
And wonder if god could tell me why
It's all behind me

But you will be near me
To curse and to cheer me
Always to hear me when I cry

Oh Mary
Though our love was strong
Mary I'm moving on

Can you see
Why I feel this way
You won't ask me to stay

Mary I'll take you with me
Wherever I go
And Mary you'll always be
Guiding me I know

You will be waiting
You will be waiting
Burn me a candle watch it glow

Follow the link to listen.....track 14

ENGLISHMAN OUT IN THE MIDDAY SUN

The album is called "Songs of Hope and Despair" so after writing three
songs of despair it was time to put my happy hat on and write a song of
hope.

For many people working jobs that leave them at best uninspired at
worst downright miserable their one comfort in life is having something
to look forward to. What better way to get you through another mind
numbingly boring day at the office than to plan, dream and scheme your
next holiday.

Having had several mind numbingly boring jobs I know what I'm talking
about. This song could indeed be described as poptastic and what's
wrong with that I'd like to know.

Follow the link to listen....Track 1

LYRICS

Read the brochure got inspired

Told the agent she was hired

To find me paradise

Forget about the price

Credit card will save the day

Just before it melts away

I slipped into a dream

Just picturing the scene

Englishman out in the midday sun

Bar-B-Q'D off to the bar

I'll have another one

On the pull dancing the blues away

I never want this to end

I see me finding a job

Shacking up with a friend

It's so easy to pretend

Note to milkman gone astray

Back a week on Saturday

A neighbour took the cat

On treats he will get fat

Every night working overtime

I get by with a sigh

Look ahead as you toe the line

Gonna be flying high

Every working day

Is one day closer you will be

To sea and sun and alcohol

That's the life for me

Bags are packed and ready to go

Waiting for my ride to show

A blue sky holiday

A sun sea getaway

Passport photo A OK

Board the plane and no delay

The clouds are far below

I Watch the in flight movie show

Englishman out in the midday sun

Bar-B-Q'D off to the bar

I'll have another one

On the pull dancing the blues away

I never want this to end

I see me finding a job

Shacking up with a friend

Going home

Now I'm feeling alone

Got some pictures in my head to call my own

I CAN SEE WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM

Here in blighty of late there has been a virtual plague of sleaze infecting
our political system which has left many people disillusioned to say the
least.

I am fortunate to live a democratic society which affords me the
freedom to vote, some aren't so lucky but finding a candidate or a party
I can believe in is becoming increasingly difficult.

My sentiments are echoed throughout this song and shared by a
growing number of people.

Follow the link to listen....Track 6

(If you like this song feel free to go to www.garageband.com and review
it, we'll be happy and you'll make some new friends)

LYRICS

Politician in my face

If you vote for me I can get on your case

If you put your trust in me

But I see only lies

When I look in your eyes

Why don't you just let me be

Think you're trying way too hard

To please me now but I can see that card

You've been hiding up your sleeve

This much I know is true

You're ready to deceive

Hope is in the air that I breathe

Show me something I can believe

Got my soul and I got my heart

Your empty words won't tear them apart

Spin your web better make it strong

I can see where you're coming from

A phoney and a soul for sale

Can only get so far and then he will fail

Better take some good advice

And think it over I say

One day you could pay the price

Is it worth the sacrifice

If you show me no respect

You're in a party I could never elect

Think you're gonna take control

Well I've got news for you

You better follow through

If talking is the best you can do

I wouldn't want to be in your shoes

Got my soul and I got my heart

Your empty words won't tear them apart

Spin your web better make it strong

I can see where you're coming from

Can you give me a sign that you're my brother

Can you spare me the time

When you tell me we're all in this together

For you the sun gonna shine

But will the shadow be mine

A LEAF THAT IS BORN OF A TREE

For anyone with a big dream living in a small town can stifle creativity, the
modern world with it's mobile phones, high speed internet and social media
networks can provide a conduit to a more meaningful existence but there in
lies the problem.

One look on Myspace will give you some idea of how many would be
poets, songwriters and musicians there are competing for a piece of a very
small pie.

My advice to any of them would be to enjoy the journey and not get too
hung up over the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. To quote my own
lyrics "Many leaves set free, they look just like me".

On a more positive note I do believe things are changing for the better and
there are many more creative people willing to settle for being able to make
a decent living from their dream, fewer starving artists and hyper rich rock
stars, sounds good to me.

Follow the link to listen....Track 10

LYRICS

This town has seen better days

The last mine closed down all the young gone away

And it won't be long before I move on

Put my hand on my heart and say

There will be an answer to everything

If you just write a song for the future to sing

Got to have a dream for it to come true

I believe in you I believe in you

From the seams my father knew

Head in the clouds dig a tunnel right through

To make my escape with one lucky break

I could climb from the valleys

Standing on the edge of a mountain I

See clearly how to demystify

The riddle of a sign on a winding road

I have Cracked the code

Shed my heavy load

Raise a glass and make a toast

Here's wishing I'll soon be making the most

Of what I might find

And what I leave behind be my guide for tomorrow

Is on my mind

This old car has seen better days

Tyres are worn down radio barely plays

If it gets me there why should I care

If the road I am travelling

Leads me on to my getaway

The engine runs hot on a cold winters day

Open up a file in my memories

I can look back on when I'm number one

As I weave my web of schemes

The path didn't seem quite so far in my dreams

In my minds eye like a bird I would fly

Over all I could ever be

Dreamers only see what they want to see

And I am a leaf that is born of a tree

Taken by the wind to a resting place

Many leaves set free they look just like me

Raise a glass and make a toast

Here's wishing I'll soon be making the most

Of what I might find

And what I leave behind be my guide for tomorrow

Is on my mind

MY AVATAR

Some of you may already know of a mysterious place
ont - tinternet...garlic bread ? (sorry I digress but
Peter Kay is a genius) called Second Life where people
re-invent themselves with the aid of an alter ego known
as an Avatar.

Indie musicians can actually synch their live performances
to a virtual gig within Second Life, as they play their
instruments the avatars jig about in time with the music
rather like cartoons in concert, (think Gorillaz).

This song is just my social comment on this virtual world.

Follow the link to listen...Track 13

LYRICS

Picked out my avatar

He's playing my guitar

I'm pulling strings

He gets a buzz and I just do my thing

Down fibre optic light

Got me a second life

I'm in a stream

Then suddenly I wake up inside a dream

SL friends pay to see

Me rocking in 3D

It's so bizarre

One day I could become a virtual star

You give me something I want

And you're not even real

You give me something I need

But you don't know how to feel

And if you ever ever ever look into my eyes

I'm alone I'm alone I'm alone

I'm playing in disguise

Using a mask of poetry

To cover up a web of lies

Picked out my avatar

He's playing my guitar

I'm pulling strings

He gets a buzz and I just do my thing

The humming bird café

I'll sing the night away

Tips in my hat

You pay to see just where my head is at

Fruit of the linden tree

Is what it wants to be

In cyberspace

It's easy to get lost without a trace

You give me something I want

And you're not even real

You give me something I need

But you don't know how to feel

And if you ever ever ever look into my eyes

I'm alone I'm alone I'm alone

I'm playing in disguise

Using a mask of poetry

To cover up a web of lies

So I can steel your heart

With every sigh

So I can build a bridge

To carry the prize

So I can steel your heart

With every sigh

So I can build a bridge

To carry the prize

So I can steel your heart

With every sigh

So I can build a bridge

To carry the prize

Love my avatar

JUST ANOTHER GROOVE ON A FORTY FIVE

I could write a song about my pet stick insect if I had one which might well be a big
hit with other people who have pet stick insects but how many of those are there
likely to be?

There are exceptions to every rule but writing about a personal experience that others
can relate to will probably gain me more listeners….I hope so.

Most people have loved and lost at least once in their lives and the subject has been
covered a thousand times in almost every genre imaginable, the trick is to think outside
of the box yet try to achieve something memorable.

Have I been successful with this song? Only time will tell.

Follow the link to listen....Track 3

http://songwriter101.com/

LYRICS

Hold the news today

Story on the wire

Is trying to make it's way

To me hope it will say

She's going to stay

In my tiny universe

My imagination is a tragic curse

Loving you makes it worse

For I can't clearly see

If I'm lying to myself

I wear this cloak of misery

Just another tear in a hurricane

Rocking the love foundation

It's a heavy rain

Just another groove on a forty five

Telling the world I miss you

Caroline

Curse My luck and curse my fate

To be near you I can hear you

Telling me how my love must wait

Get so lonely get so lonely

In a bed too big I lie awake

All the love we make

All the pleasure that we take

Is countered by the pain of loss

We bear the cross we bear the cross

We can never get enough

I made one mistake

I have wished a thousand times

That I could take

A trip inside a time machine and make

A journey back to when

I was favoured by you over other men

I would change the future now for then

But I'm spinning through a black hole lost again

Just another tear in a hurricane

Rocking the love foundation

It's a heavy rain

Just another groove on a forty five

Telling the world I miss you

Caroline

Curse My luck and curse my fate

To be near you I can hear you

Telling me how my love must wait

Get so lonely get so lonely

In a bed too big I lie awake

All the love we make

All the pleasure that we take

Is countered by the pain of loss

We bear the cross we bear the cross

We can never get enough

All the love we make

All the pleasure that we take

All the love we make

All the pleasure that we take

All the love we make

All the pleasure that we take

All the love we make

All the pleasure that we take

This section is just a general rant about the music business

To pay or not to pay

I Recently posted on a songwriters forum topic about the rights and wrongs of
paying for song critiques or evaluations. Being a songwriter I can understand the
desire to give in to temptation and part with your hard earned cash in the belief
that it will give you an edge over the competition but IMHO it is an act of folly.

A much more sensible and less expensive approach would be to do your own
research. It's unreal how much information is freely available on the internet
to assist you in honing your craft, take advantage of it instead of allowing
others to take advantage of you.

Songwriter 101 might be a good place to start, they seem to have a lot of
relevant content and a lively forum debating this and other issues.

Here is my post ….

Hi,

I have been looking at this site for a while now and there seems to be some
genuinely useful information to be gathered here, I am first and foremost a
singer songwriter who also enjoys working and recording with other artists
from time to time.

It's great to have somewhere to come and get unbiased insights into the
music biz, I guess we all need a little guidance from time to time.

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not you should pay to have
your songs evaluated, IMHO the answer is most definitely NO!

If you have written a classic which you copyright and upload it to the top
social networking sites (after reading the small print) then go away and do
some serious FREE promotion of your own people will come looking for
you….You are a small fish in a big big ocean full of sharks…don't be their
next meal at feeding time.

To tour or not to tour

This is particularly relevant to me as an artist who is not currently
touring, or playing live regularly.

Most of the feedback I get from friends, publishers, managers etc
is pretty universal, you have to tour, you have to play live.

All things considered I would have to agree that live performance
is probably the best way for an artist to build a fan base.

I guess I am burying my head in the sand just now because I know
from past experience…..

1. How difficult it is to find a group of dedicated musicians all
reading off the same page, all willing to invest time, money and
the considerable amount of hard work involved in putting a
meaningful tour together.

2. How easy it is to go out on the road and under perform because
all the pieces don't fit.

I have spent the past twelve months writing, arranging and
recording songs and nothing would please me more than to be able
to perform these songs WELL in front of an appreciative audience
but I am reluctant to embark on a poorly planned venture where
everyone involved is not one hundred percent up for it.

So I guess this is a call to all musicians out there who are based in
North Wales, North Shropshire or South Cheshire to get in touch if
you think you've got what it takes….then all you have to do is
convince me.

If you are reading this then you know where to find my music, if you
like what you hear and you want to take it further just send me a link
to your music so I can check it out…..you never know where it
could lead.

Recording on a budget.

Trust me I am not an expert on this subject, what follows is a brief outline
of some basic equipment requirements which will hopefully enable you
to record a better demo.

There are many links on this site directing you to
people who really know what they are talking about I suggest you take a
look at what they have to say before making a final decision on which
items to purchase.

I have no affiliation with any manufacturer's products; no one is paying me
to say this.

A good place to start looking for advice would be the S.O.S. forum, lots of
free and usually unbiased advice from amateurs and professionals alike.

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum

If you have purchased any mid range computer system in the last
three years chances are it can cope with running a sequencer like
Protools or Cubase, just remember to set it up properly for home
recording, again….lots of information out there if you do a little
research but insufficient RAM is possibly the number one cause
of glitches and crashes.

Cheap as chips equipment I have used in the past to record demos.

1. Preamps come in all shapes, sizes and prices but for less than £80 I bought
an Art Tube MP and an Art Tube MP Studio V3. The Art tube was used as a
dedicated guitar preamp and the Studio V3 (more settings but twice the price)
was used mainly for vocals.

Add to that a Behringer B-1 (S/H bought on Ebay for about £35) great as a
backup for distance ambient micing of guitars and vocals. Last but not least
an AKG Perception 100 priced about £60 as I recall used mainly for close up
vocals.

3. Using a pop shield is always a good Idea, got my first one on Ebay for
about £8.

4. A basic mixer is a very useful purchase allowing for much more flexibility
with recording techniques in what was a tiny bedroom studio. I started with
a Tapco Mix 100 for around £50.

5. A Line 6 POD……again given to me by the same friend who was running
his own professional studio at the time, great for enhancing guitars and very
neighbour friendly…..winding up your 100 watt marshall stack for that authentic
rock guitar hero sound at 1oclock in the morning is definitely not recommended
unless you live on a remote Scottish island….hmm now there's an Idea, very
Spinal Tap.

6. Mastering software. Mastering can be a very mysterious and expensive business
but you can get some decent results from Isotope Ozone 3 for about £140. You are
not going to turn the demo recorded in your dad's garage into an Abbey Road
masterpiece overnight but even using the presets can make a huge difference to the
end product, just remember to spend a little time trying to get a balanced mix first.

So that gives you some idea of how little you need to spend to get your first home
studio up and running especially if you're me and you've got nice friends who give
you things.

In my opinion this is the best way to start …..Forget about paying for expensive
studio time, gold record producers and wizard engineers, concentrate on writing
some good songs first, remember you can't polish a turd.

Message to Publishers

Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .

Email :

Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks