I’m still experimenting with my sound and getting loads of inspiration with my new Spotify subscription - why didn’t I do this earlier? I’ve been listening to heaps of Neo-Soul, nu-Jazz and everything in between. Lovely. Discovered John Legend, Erykah Badu, James Taylor Quartet, all very inspiring. If you’re into soul or jazz I’d definitely recommend them.

Also I’ve been reading up a lot on music industry people’s advice for people like me, starting a career in music. One thing I think I need to work on is songwriting - I’m so darn fussy (and lazy) it takes me months to write a song - I need to start churning out a song a week, even if it’s rubbish, to give me heaps more practice. I can always bin them or re-use the good bits, but I think my perfectionist writing style is slowing me down. I give you full permission to hold me accountable to this!

Hope you enjoy the track, the lyrics are on the youtube link.

Until next time…

Stephen

PS Tickets are selling fast for my Kerikeri gig, make sure you grab yours soon before they sell out. Here’s the Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=140115529332793

Hey world - so yeah I’m in New Zealand. You probably know already, but just in case you didn’t. I came back about a month ago to attend some weddings, say hi to the family, hang out with some mates and renew my visa (not necessarily in that order). In September I fly back to London (after ten days in Japan, woohoo!) to start my guitar course and get back into the swing of things music-wise. I have been busy though, in more ways than one - I’ve almost finished a brand new song just for you so hopefully I’ll be able to record that soon. I’ve also been planning a gig here in Kerikeri where I used to live - It’s on the 20th of August if you’re on this side of the planet, details here or on Facebook.

It’s been great being home - flip, New Zealand is stunning! I had the privilege of taking some photos for my mates wedding recently, and although I’ve seen it all before, the scenery here is crazy-pretty. Seriously. You don’t appreciate it till you leave it and come back. Oh and stars! On a clear night they look incredible.

I want to rant a bit about songwriting, I apologise in advance for the following spiel. I guess I’ve been thinking a lot about my music and where it fits - like if you were to give it a genre or put it in a box, what would it be? I like to think I’m kinda jazz-influenced pop, but there’s bits of funk in there, some kinda-R&B grooves, some soul maybe? What is soul? What is pop? Is pop a dirty word? What is a dirty word? Who am I?!? I’ve been thinking, and probably too much.

It has been interesting analysing some different musical styles, and I’ve learnt a bit - for example, I don’t HAVE to change to chord sequence in the chorus! (or the key signature, but I’ll need some serious rehab to work that one out of my system). Some recent revelations: I don’t HAVE to limit the length of vocal phrases to keep it “catchy”, I don’t HAVE to stick to the ABABCB structure (although I probably will) - in fact I don’t HAVE to do anything! Ah, that feels nice to write.

I think I just matured slightly, artistically speaking. Wow, that sounded vain. Oh well. I’m gonna write music that I like, and if I’m lucky, other people might like it too. Screw genres. Where’s my guitar/notepad? I’m gonna work on this chord progression that changes key twice every bar…

It’s been a little while, but I’ve finally finished the next addition to my free acoustic album. It’s called “Awkward” and it’s pretty self explanatory. I played the old version of it at the Proud Galleries in Camden, but have since tidied up the verses to make them fit the vibe of the song better. I’ve been wanting to write about the subject for quite a while - it’s just so universal! Everyone is stuck in those painful situations from time to time - maybe someone unintentionally insults someone else present in a small group setting, or perhaps everyone is made uncomfortable by one person who goes a bit far with some off-coloured joke… you know what I mean. So hopefully this song captures that feeling anyway.

The mp3 is (of course) free for download, just right-click this link and save the file to your music folder: http://www.heystephen.com/music/Awkward%20-%20acoustic.mp3. Alternatively, you might want to download the whole album, just go to www.heystephen.com/music and enter your email address - you’ll get an email with a confirmation link to download it. Oh yeah, lyrics are here: http://www.heystephen.com/music/awkward/

Hope you enjoy it - let me know what you think!

Until next time

Stephen

Hi all - just a quick vlog with a groove I came up with last week - if you can’t see it above just go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DwU5TBAIyw

I’m in the process of deciding on which lyrical themes and musical ideas to use for my next song. In the meantime I’ll record an acoustic version of my latest song “Awkward” and add it to my free album for you to download - you should see that by the end of next week.

Cheers

S

PS For fellow music geeks, it’s an A minor 7 +11 +♮13 , played with capo 2 and  like this: 5×5530. Although you probably worked that out already.

Just a quick one, I posted another video blog explaining some music developments and playing “You Got Me” - if you can’t see it above you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoXZh-OqJy8

Take care everyone, and have a super-blessed Easter break  :-)

Stephen

A couple of developments:

I’ve recorded a couple more tracks for Future Reflections: ”You Got Me” which I finished a few weeks ago, and also “Future Wife” which I just recorded today. You can preview the individual tracks or download the whole album from my music page. Yes it’s free, share it around if you like it! If you’d like to be involved as I continue to add to the album, just follow me on Twitter or Facebook and continue the conversation. I’ll be using these sites to get valuable feedback and input towards finishing the album.

In other news, I’ve met some people recently who are helping me move things forward with my music. I met Tobi, who is kind-of managing me now, at a friends  place about a month ago. Him, Josh and my friend Nat (who’s a producer) were practising for a gig, and since I had my guitar I couldn’t help but jam along. I had no idea who they were - after showing them some of my stuff I discovered that Josh is a professional live and session drummer, and Tobi is in artist management and has loads of industry contacts. They are super-excited about my music and making it huge, so suddenly everything has been in fast-forward - recording new demos, more writing, meeting marketing people; it’s been a great incentive to get things moving.

An interesting exercise was putting together a “mood board” - basically a collection of images which represent me and an art style which suits. Above is a tag cloud generated from some descriptive keywords we came up with - is that about right? I can’t wait to get some art concepts together.

Gig-wise it’s been pretty quiet except for the occasional acoustic charity gig - I’m planning something big in May but I’ll let you know once that’s all confirmed. As I’ve probably mentioned, I’ll be playing with a live band more and more now, which is awesome as that’s how I’ve always imagined it.

S

So… I set myself a target to record my song “Busy Life”  by the end of this week. I started and finished it on Monday. Great! But just before I uploaded it, I thought: “I should make these into an album”.

It’s funny, just by calling it an “album”, it instantly increases the official-ness and coolness factor. It’s no longer: “Oh, yeah I’ve got some tracks online”; it’s: “I’m recording a free acoustic album from home, it’s not finished yet but you can download what I’ve got so far”. Told you it sounds cooler. And it has a name too, Future Reflections. I quite like the idea - I write a song, play it live, then record it and start a new one - people can watch the process unfold over the months and really be a part of it. I can even sell half-finished albums (at cost) at any gigs I play… kinda quirky. You can download the part-album for yourself from my music page.  I’ve remixed the older tracks at a higher bitrate too, so they sound a little nicer if you’re using headphones.

So speaking of writing an album, I’ve foolishly decided to write a brand new song before my next gig at Proud (which, I might add, will be amazing). So far I have one chord, a likely tempo, and some ideas but that’s about it. Still haven’t committed to a lyrical theme yet, I’m tossing up between “I’m pretty big in Japan”, “Those awkward moments that make us cringe but are actually enjoyed by some weird people like myself”, and “No-one understands me when I speak”. All working titles, of course. I better get writing - I love setting myself deadlines like this, it really works!

So hopefully see you at Proud Galleries in Camden on the 17th of February, and don’t forget to download my “album”!

Peace

Stephen

I just posted another video blog, you can watch it by clicking that link or directly in this post if you’re reading this on my site:

I’m working on my new song called “Future wife”, it’s what I’m calling a “hypothetical love-song”. I’ve played part of it for you on that video, check it out if you haven’t already. Disclaimer: the audio sync is all messed up, and I can’t be bothered spending any more time on it. I have to find a better way to do these, I think it’s the built-in webcam on my laptop, it’s just not that flash…

Anyway I hope you like the song, make sure you come down to the Troubadour next Tuesday to hear it in full. Details here, here and here. £6 on the door, 8pm start, closest tube Earls Court.

In other news, I’m thinking of writing an awkward song, you know, about all those painful social situations. Like when you take a joke or something a little too far, and then it’s awkward. I do this quite a bit. Hmm. Think of some examples and reply to this by email or on facebook with some ideas - I’ll probably end up including some in the final version. 100 points for the best example, and 500 points if it’s something you’ve actually done yourself!

Take care everyone, and hopefully see you soon

S

It’s only one day to go, and I’m rather excited. I was really late thinking about Christmas cards this year, so I thought I’d write a Christmas song instead. It was refreshing to break out of the jazz/groove thing for a day and just write a normal guitar song. It was also cool to think I could write a song for a purpose like this, record it and post it online in time for Christmas. Technology these days.

Speaking of which, I’ve started a youtube video blog, where I can post my song ideas, talk about random music stuff and basically mumble too much, along with a healthy amount of new music. If you’re interested, you’ll find it here: www.youtube.com/stephenhaymusic.

And here is my first video blog post, with My Christmas Song:

Sorry if you received this via email, it probably won’t work… just go to my youtube channel to view it in your browser.

And so merry Christmas everyone, and wishing you all an amazing 2010. I’ve got some exciting gigs coming up next year so stay tuned - the best way to find out where and when is to follow me via email, facebook, myspace or last.fm, or just check the homepage of this site. I’m also recording at the moment, I’m excited to get some new and old stuff online so you don’t have to keep looping the same three tracks! (You know who you are)

Take care everyone

Stephen

So I’ve finished my new song “Busy Life” - awesome! I’m pretty happy with it, the first part is on my previous post and the rest - well you’ll just have to come along to one of my gigs and hear it! Sounding great with Doug’s accompaniment too.

I also wrote a final verse to a song I started  (and thought I finished) in February 2008, so it’s the longest it’s taken me to write a song yet - almost 23 months in the making! It’s called “You got me”, some of you might have heard it already (it’s the valentine one). So it’s nice to have some closure on that, in more ways than one, so now I’m ready to record it for you all to hear.

So here I am, feeling good about myself for finishing a couple of songs. I’ve got some great gigs coming up, so it will be good to gauge the response to my new stuff. BUT I can’t stop here! I have to keep writing, keep the momentum, and give people more reasons to come and see me. So the next question is: What is my next song going to be about?

One idea was to write about my complete inability to speak clearly - I tend to speak really fast, with a mumble, and of course in a kiwi accent. So basically, no one understands me. E-NUN-CI-ATE, Stephen… So could be kinda funny, do you think?

On the other hand, my friend Naomi was saying I should write more love songs. Yuck, love? But everyone has had enough of love songs, surely! And like I’ve said, I don’t have an awful lot of inspiration right now. But should that stop me? At risk of completely ripping off John Mayer’s “Love song for no one”, I could write a song from the perspective of “when I meet you, this is what it’ll feel like”. Hmm. I guess the genre(s) of music I write tend to suit love-lyrics, and let’s be honest, we can all relate to this kind of stuff in one way or another. I’m not sure yet, what do you reckon?

Stephen

“Dear Mr S Hay

Thank you for contacting Network Rail.

Your enquiry has been passed to our local Community Relations team who are investigating the issue as quickly as possible. For your convenience, this enquiry has been assigned the unique Service Request number XXXXXX.

In the meantime, should you need to contact Network Rail again, please do not hesitate to call our 24-hour National Helpline on 08457 XX XX XX quoting the reference number provided.

Yours sincerely,

Community Relations Team
Network Rail”

Well, I’ve got a reference number which is better than a straight up “No” I guess… They do sound very lovely about it, rest assured I’ll let you know the outcome.

I thought I’d just share an insight of my new song, which at the moment I’m calling “Busy Life”. It has probably the lamest title so far, so don’t be upset if I change it later.

Basically, something I’d always wanted to write about was the busyness of London -  those that live here I’m sure will agree that it’s a very fast-paced lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving it. I love that there is always something to do, a party to go to or another concert or festival in the city. But I found that with my music especially, it was hard to “find time” to sit down and work on another song or email some promoters. It also reminded me of my life back in Kerikeri - that was pretty busy too! So is it London, or is it just me… Do I make me busy? Either way, something had to happen, because I wasn’t getting where I wanted with my music, and months were sneaking past me without asking.

Is this a busy city? Or is it just me? My weeks just seem to fly past, like that crazy london cab passing me in a flash of black - when’s it going to hit me? Those weeks add up so quickly, it kinda scares me; now winters here, another year. So then where did that time go, and did I spend it wisely? If not, why not?

So with time rushing past at the speed of, well, time, the question really is how do we use it? The focus moves from “gotta find time” to “gotta make time” for the things that are important. Like songwriting in this case, which makes for an ironic prechorus.

Gotta find some time, near impossible in this busy life, I can’t forget I’ve still got this song to write, and it wont happen ’till I make some time in this busy life.

Since writing that verse and pre-chorus I’ve stopped working full-time, so now have truckloads of time. But somehow I still find it hard to put aside time for songwriting, and end up spending lots of time on other stuff, some of which is important and some really isn’t. So the second verse (which I wont write here ’cause it’s not done!) is talking about the reality that no matter how much time you have, it will all be used up somehow, and it’s still up to us to be diligent and use it for what’s important. Cheesy? I’m sorry.

Ok, I’m not that sorry. See you soon!

S

Dear Network Rail

Recently my friend and I decided to play some music outside Euston Station. As I’m sure you’ll agree, the cafes in the courtyard and continuous stream of foot traffic create a buzzing, lively atmosphere; I’d been there before and wanted to go back. I’m a musician, and I couldn’t help but think it would make a perfect venue, so I asked my friend and we agreed to give it a go. We carefully avoided “busking” by removing the guitar cases and hats from view, and simply improvised through a number of cover songs and originals, to the apparent delight of the public. The response was highly encouraging; people would stop and listen while waiting for their friends and family to arrive, passers-by would slow down and smile - there was nothing negative about the whole experience. We played for almost two hours, until just as we were winding down, we were politely asked by two policemen to stop playing. As it wasn’t an official “busking” location, no-one could play music in that area, paid or otherwise. Of course we complied, but it certainly raised the question - “What can and can’t you do in public?”. Understandably if we were profiting from it, we’d be taking advantage of the station/courtyard for income, and I’m sure you’d want to know about it. But if we are doing more good than harm, and bringing something new and fresh to the station entrance, would you forbid it? In fact, what’s to stop you setting up an official busking stand, like on the underground? I know which I’d rather play at, and for me personally I’m a lot more likely to stop, listen and donate if I’m not rushing to catch the Edgware train or just focussed on getting outside. Please give it some thought, as I feel like it’s got a lot of potential.

Kind regards

Stephen Hay
Musician

It’s not something I’ve been doing a lot of recently, or at all if I’m honest… I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit recently though, as I had an interesting conversation about it last week. Where to play? What to play? Play for money, or for the music? I think there are two very different paths I can take - I’m sure there is a crossover but honestly I think it’s too hard to concentrate on both.

1. Money. I learn millions (not literally, that wouldn’t work…) of carefully selected famous cover-songs. I then get involved with cover bands wherever possible, and play/sing at bars, clubs, and weddings/parties and crank out the hits to keep the dance floor pumping. If you know the right people and get enough work, you can do alright, money-wise.
2. Music. I try to wean myself from playing at pubs and crowd-pleaser type gigs, and focus more on my own songs. It’s a lot harder to write a song, than learn a song, but there are gigs out there where you can play at to an attentive, and even interested audience. These tend to be less, or non-paid, with the idea being to get your name and music out, and hopefully get better and better gigs.

Because I’ve only been writing music seriously (as serious as writing songs can be) for the last year or so, I’ve mostly played covers, and played at jam nights and parties, back in NZ and over here. But the whole originals thing makes me think a bit differently - is it my music I want to be playing? What kind of venues and people do I want to be playing to? Ideally I’d like to play somewhere where people will listen and hopefully appreciate my music. I have some ideas in mind, and am hoping to start approaching promoters and venues to get some dates locked down. I do have one gig (17th of September, details right here) and will hopefully get more soon - but they don’t just happen! I have to start somewhere, so am not being picky at all, but it will be interesting to see how this grows.

Stephen

PS. Watch this space for a strongly-worded letter to Network Rail on this subject

Two friends asked me recently (on separate  occasions) what my songwriting process is. Now I’m still quite new to this stuff so I’m certainly no expert, but it was interesting to analyse my writing patterns and see trends coming through with each of my songs. Well I thought it was interesting, feel free to stop reading at any stage.

I  always have a whole bunch of little guitar bits and harmony ideas floating around in my head, so it’s hard to define the starting point. By the time I finish, a song is likely to have guitar parts from three completely different concepts, matched to a common key and kinda welded at the edges. So maybe I’ll have a fun little guitar riff, realise that with a bit of subtle modulation I can get to a chord progression I came up with last year, and then slice in groove I dug up from the voice recordings on my phone from ages ago.

Once I’ve got a basic structure, I’ll start just writing stuff about a topic I’ve been thinking about. As an aside, you’ll notice “love” isn’t a common one for me. I feel like there’s probably more than enough of the usual “I love you” songs, and I think I can do something hopefully more original and thoughtful. Ok, and also I don’t have a whole lot to write about in that department either.  Once I’ve got a few pages of scribbled ideas and phrases I’ll start laboriously going through and trying to match phrases to music - this is a frustratingly long process, and I haven’t found a shortcut yet. I’m extremely fussy, I think I’m averaging about two lines per hour…

The last part is probably the most fun, arranging the parts and finalising the structure. Although no matter what all my songs end up following the ABABCB pattern - oh well. See if you can tell, I’ve recorded two songs so far and now working on a third, they all end up on my music page so check them out here.

I hope you’ve tolerated this music-related post alright, if your on facebook please comment with your thoughts on the topic - whats your songwriting process? Am I weird for struggling to keep to one key for an entire song? Does anyone else find it so hard to write lyrics? Do tell.

Take it easy folks, and stay tuned for “Singledom”, I’m hoping to nail the vocals this weekend.

S