So with the Royal Wedding officially in progress and in the good spirit of PROCRASTINATION, I thought it an appropriate moment to take some time out from my NEIS study with a little interlude about my favourite thing in the world, The King.
ELVIS PRESLEY.
What a guy...
When I was a child, every Sunday at approximately 1pm, my brother, sister and I would deposit ourselves around the Idiot Box to watch an Elvis film. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we were in for a double feature. Oh the joy!
It really was the only way to truly stop us kids from arguing.
Elvis: The World's Greatest Babysister.
Let it be known, that I was in LOVE (and still am for that matter).
I really thought that I would marry the guy someday. Elvis and I, together forever in harmonious marital bliss. Probably propped on a Ferris Wheel, or double saddle on a palamino, him confessing his dedication to me, all in the wonderfully entertaining format of song. This deep infatuation continued, until one fateful day, probably when I was about 10, when my mother informed me that he was, in fact, DEAD.
I. Was. Devastated.
What about my our wedding day? Who would serenade me now?
...not Elvis, it seemed.
What is it about The King that has capured the hearts of men and women alike from every race and creed known?
Was it his smouldering good looks?
His melt-your-heart vocal delivery?
His killer karate chops?
His sparkling white jumpsuit?
His comedic genius?
His inspried pelvis?
Well, they were all good.....but I vote pelvis.
He really was so very special.
The 60's was my favourite era. Those movies have fascinated and inspired me to this day and I am still on the eternal artistic expedition to write a song that Elvis would sing in one of his films.
I have tried many times.
Yes.
Elvis.
What a guy...
Below is a link to my favourite scene ever from an Elvis film. Something weird happens to my brain when I watch this. I can't explain it. If you look closely, you can almost see Ann Margret's ovaries spewing out eggs in King Presley's general direction. Who could blame her, really?...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiJ7uQfogKA
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
KateInc
Today I started the NEIS program (a government run project to help people start up their own businesses). It's basically a grant system which provides you with a fortnightly retainer for a year while you are trying to become self-employed. I managed to get onto this course, only by the skin of my teeth, after insisting that my business (the business of Being Kate, that is) was simply perfect for the project. They eventually agreed to let me be involved, probably after realising that I would most certainly continue to badger them until they gave in.
So, after a liver challenging weekend past in Melbourne and an over enthusiastic late night catch up with friends upon my return last night, I awoke with that familiar old feeling of too-much-booze-too-little-sleep. I sported a intense and enduring thousand mile stare for most of the morning session which, I hope, could have been mistaken for deep concentration.
I really hope I haven't missed anything largely important. Surely it's all formalities on days like this?
Hmmmm...
The ideas for businesses were balls-out, hearts-on-sleeve and wide-eyed. I share the class with a hypnotist, a yacht maker and a couple of fairies (the kind of child entertainment), amongst others. My business was different to most. When it was my turn to speak, I explained that my business was essentially 'Just Kate' and that my favourite business titles so far are KateInc or xKateOrDiex.
I think most of the other participants think I am slightly mad, and perhaps they are correct....perhaps.
So, after a liver challenging weekend past in Melbourne and an over enthusiastic late night catch up with friends upon my return last night, I awoke with that familiar old feeling of too-much-booze-too-little-sleep. I sported a intense and enduring thousand mile stare for most of the morning session which, I hope, could have been mistaken for deep concentration.
I really hope I haven't missed anything largely important. Surely it's all formalities on days like this?
Hmmmm...
The ideas for businesses were balls-out, hearts-on-sleeve and wide-eyed. I share the class with a hypnotist, a yacht maker and a couple of fairies (the kind of child entertainment), amongst others. My business was different to most. When it was my turn to speak, I explained that my business was essentially 'Just Kate' and that my favourite business titles so far are KateInc or xKateOrDiex.
I think most of the other participants think I am slightly mad, and perhaps they are correct....perhaps.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pies
Well, here I am again having procrastinated myself out of another month of blogging. It's not like nothing has happened, in fact, the month has been quite busy and there is certainly lots to tell...There have been many highlights so please bear with me folks, this is probably going to be a bit of a rant...
So, the most memorable experience this month has been a well anticipated Australian visit from Texas Tea's french touring partners, Orville Brody and the DDD. The tour was great, much broken english/french was spoken, there were BBQs, pool parties, wine soaked dinners, double kisses, double entrendres, and double trouble with TT and the DDD side-by-side again.
I can't explain to you the joy I feel when I watch this band. I think it is a combination of the pure entertainment value of the DDD and nostalgia of times gone by. Memmmmmoriiiiiiiiies aaaaaw. It was so amazing, and completely surreal, to see them on Australian soil. I had aligned their existence with France alone so it seemed impossible seeing them on a different backdrop. That first night it was like they were on green screen, an artificial inclusion in my world, but before too long, they were donning their hibiscus-covered board shorts, cracking a VB and firing up the barbie, and it suddenly seemed quite natural.
So, I am always laughing about funny things that the French say that don't quite make sense in English, and I believe I was ultimately due for the karmic tables to be turned in this next anecdote....
This is the first time I see the DDD in Oz, they are still on green screen, TT had flown to Melbourne just for one night to play a show with the boys and it was a celebration as you could imagine. Many drinks were had and after the show we were all hanging out, some of us speaking french, some of us speaking english. I could overhear Orville telling a funny story in French, that the Frenchies all thought hilarious. Now, Orville is a funny guy so this scenario is not unusual at all, but what made my ears prick up was that it seemed to be a story about me. I keep hearing 'french french french french 'oh kate!' french french french [insert raucous laughter from Frenchies here] french french french'. Then they would all look at me like I was cute and stupid.
So, the thing is, I had been writing letters to the French leading up to the show in Oz. It is a French tradition to sign off letters with 'Gros Bisous' meaning 'Big Kiss', and I was doing this. However, I was spelling it wrong. My version was 'Gras Bissouss' which roughly translates to 'gross greasy pash'. Oh boy, they couldn't get enough of this story, and I heard Orville telling it in French, and English, many times. I'm certain it was told many times when I wasn't there as well. sigh.
They left yesterday and goddamn I miss them hopelessly already, but luckily, Texas Tea have managed to book a tour of Italy and France in early July, so we will be seeing them again very soon. Magnifique! We are currently doing a grant application to get funding for the tour. Grant writing, good lord, what a tedious process. Hence why I am now writing this blog entry. Can you see the procrastination food chain forming here people?
I really need a supervisor or something.
In other news, Ben and I did some demos for the new Texas Tea album over the weekend. We managed to get 11 tracks down. That's some mighty fine demoing handywork right there if you ask me. Was great to get back into the studio and they all turned out pretty good actually. Ben's are the best (...not just saying that).
Another thing that happened this month was the Women in Music conference, held in Brisbane on International Women's Day. Now, I probably wouldn't have a attended something like this if I wasn't invited to speak but, wow, it was great! It was a purely female event bar 2 male teachers escorting their students for the day. Oh boy, I felt sorry for those 2 dudes, it was such a right-on, girl-power experience. The vagina brigade was a force to be reckoned with and I'm sure the two outsiders must've been absolutely terrified by the experience.
I believe the two males made it through the day unharmed... but I can't be certain.
So, I was speaking on the song writing panel in the afternoon...
Let me just say that I get REALLY nervous with these kind of things and had intense anxiety for days leading up to the event, so you can imagine my relief when I found myself actually making some kind of sense in front of the 300 strong audience. So, everything was going quite well until the facilitator asked about my song writing partnership with Ben and how we went about writing songs together. I went ahead and explained (quite gracefully I might add) that we have tried many different techniques, gave some examples etc. I then talked about the new album, that we decided to be completely collaborative for the process and work on all the songs together in their initial stages in order to form better arrangements, better lyrics and stronger ideas for the album as a whole. Then I said 'we like to put each others fingers .....[*UH OH WHAT AM I TRYING TO SAY*].....in each other's....... [very uncomfortable pause].........uh.........pies.'
Oh man, the audience were trying to be adult about it, but there were more than a few snickers and even some cackles. I died a little bit, and forevermore, I will be known as 'fingers in pies' girl. Seriously, I should not be allowed to speak publicly.
Ironic really that I am further publicising my stupidity on the World Wide Web.
Over and out amigos.
So, the most memorable experience this month has been a well anticipated Australian visit from Texas Tea's french touring partners, Orville Brody and the DDD. The tour was great, much broken english/french was spoken, there were BBQs, pool parties, wine soaked dinners, double kisses, double entrendres, and double trouble with TT and the DDD side-by-side again.
I can't explain to you the joy I feel when I watch this band. I think it is a combination of the pure entertainment value of the DDD and nostalgia of times gone by. Memmmmmoriiiiiiiiies aaaaaw. It was so amazing, and completely surreal, to see them on Australian soil. I had aligned their existence with France alone so it seemed impossible seeing them on a different backdrop. That first night it was like they were on green screen, an artificial inclusion in my world, but before too long, they were donning their hibiscus-covered board shorts, cracking a VB and firing up the barbie, and it suddenly seemed quite natural.
So, I am always laughing about funny things that the French say that don't quite make sense in English, and I believe I was ultimately due for the karmic tables to be turned in this next anecdote....
This is the first time I see the DDD in Oz, they are still on green screen, TT had flown to Melbourne just for one night to play a show with the boys and it was a celebration as you could imagine. Many drinks were had and after the show we were all hanging out, some of us speaking french, some of us speaking english. I could overhear Orville telling a funny story in French, that the Frenchies all thought hilarious. Now, Orville is a funny guy so this scenario is not unusual at all, but what made my ears prick up was that it seemed to be a story about me. I keep hearing 'french french french french 'oh kate!' french french french [insert raucous laughter from Frenchies here] french french french'. Then they would all look at me like I was cute and stupid.
So, the thing is, I had been writing letters to the French leading up to the show in Oz. It is a French tradition to sign off letters with 'Gros Bisous' meaning 'Big Kiss', and I was doing this. However, I was spelling it wrong. My version was 'Gras Bissouss' which roughly translates to 'gross greasy pash'. Oh boy, they couldn't get enough of this story, and I heard Orville telling it in French, and English, many times. I'm certain it was told many times when I wasn't there as well. sigh.
They left yesterday and goddamn I miss them hopelessly already, but luckily, Texas Tea have managed to book a tour of Italy and France in early July, so we will be seeing them again very soon. Magnifique! We are currently doing a grant application to get funding for the tour. Grant writing, good lord, what a tedious process. Hence why I am now writing this blog entry. Can you see the procrastination food chain forming here people?
I really need a supervisor or something.
In other news, Ben and I did some demos for the new Texas Tea album over the weekend. We managed to get 11 tracks down. That's some mighty fine demoing handywork right there if you ask me. Was great to get back into the studio and they all turned out pretty good actually. Ben's are the best (...not just saying that).
Another thing that happened this month was the Women in Music conference, held in Brisbane on International Women's Day. Now, I probably wouldn't have a attended something like this if I wasn't invited to speak but, wow, it was great! It was a purely female event bar 2 male teachers escorting their students for the day. Oh boy, I felt sorry for those 2 dudes, it was such a right-on, girl-power experience. The vagina brigade was a force to be reckoned with and I'm sure the two outsiders must've been absolutely terrified by the experience.
I believe the two males made it through the day unharmed... but I can't be certain.
So, I was speaking on the song writing panel in the afternoon...
Let me just say that I get REALLY nervous with these kind of things and had intense anxiety for days leading up to the event, so you can imagine my relief when I found myself actually making some kind of sense in front of the 300 strong audience. So, everything was going quite well until the facilitator asked about my song writing partnership with Ben and how we went about writing songs together. I went ahead and explained (quite gracefully I might add) that we have tried many different techniques, gave some examples etc. I then talked about the new album, that we decided to be completely collaborative for the process and work on all the songs together in their initial stages in order to form better arrangements, better lyrics and stronger ideas for the album as a whole. Then I said 'we like to put each others fingers .....[*UH OH WHAT AM I TRYING TO SAY*].....in each other's....... [very uncomfortable pause].........uh.........pies.'
Oh man, the audience were trying to be adult about it, but there were more than a few snickers and even some cackles. I died a little bit, and forevermore, I will be known as 'fingers in pies' girl. Seriously, I should not be allowed to speak publicly.
Ironic really that I am further publicising my stupidity on the World Wide Web.
Over and out amigos.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Warpaint
Last week I went to Melbourne with The Seja Band to do a couple of supports with Los Angeleans, Warpaint. The shows were over two nights, sold out on each, at the Northcote Social Club and it is fair to say that I probably played my worst and best shows ever with the band. Luckily it was in that order....
The most significant moment I can remember from the dud set was during 'We Begin' where I play the keyboard hook throughout the song. We started playing the song, I manage to get the keyboard run done (quite tidily) once, then, out of nowhere, brain fails and I suddenly can't remember ANY note that I am supposed to be playing. I keep trying and trying, hitting everything wrong and nothing right. To make matters worse, I just keep doing it, throughout the entire song, distracting, torturous and completely obvious FORGODSSAKESJUSTSTOPPLAYINGWOULDYOU???
No... I keep going and going, determined to right my wrongs, and fail miserably. On top of this, I am so completely frustrated with myself that I yell "FUCK!!" mid song. In this moment I realise that microphone is right there, in front of my mouth, and I still can't be sure that the front of house speakers didn't pick up my crude awakening.
The next night I (thankfully) redeem myself; no fails, no yelling profanities into mics, and I manage to find myself still employed in The Seja Band for another day. Believe me, I thought it was touch and go there for a moment.
I got to catch a bit of Warpaint this evening too, and wow, it was one of the sexiest things I have ever seen. 4 girls, all haircuts and collarbones, awash in red light, reverb and chorus, looking achingly sultry and a just little bit sad. Yepppp. I would turn for any one of them.
The most significant moment I can remember from the dud set was during 'We Begin' where I play the keyboard hook throughout the song. We started playing the song, I manage to get the keyboard run done (quite tidily) once, then, out of nowhere, brain fails and I suddenly can't remember ANY note that I am supposed to be playing. I keep trying and trying, hitting everything wrong and nothing right. To make matters worse, I just keep doing it, throughout the entire song, distracting, torturous and completely obvious FORGODSSAKESJUSTSTOPPLAYINGWOULDYOU???
No... I keep going and going, determined to right my wrongs, and fail miserably. On top of this, I am so completely frustrated with myself that I yell "FUCK!!" mid song. In this moment I realise that microphone is right there, in front of my mouth, and I still can't be sure that the front of house speakers didn't pick up my crude awakening.
The next night I (thankfully) redeem myself; no fails, no yelling profanities into mics, and I manage to find myself still employed in The Seja Band for another day. Believe me, I thought it was touch and go there for a moment.
I got to catch a bit of Warpaint this evening too, and wow, it was one of the sexiest things I have ever seen. 4 girls, all haircuts and collarbones, awash in red light, reverb and chorus, looking achingly sultry and a just little bit sad. Yepppp. I would turn for any one of them.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The ol' disappearing January trick, eh?
Well, it seems I have taken my unemployment a liiiiiitle too seriously. I have let pretty much let it all go. I have not only stopped working, but have stopped blogging, stopped checking emails, stopped getting up early, stopped caring what I look like at 4pm in the supermarket in my pyjamas with crazy bed hair, and stopped giving a toss if anyone judges me for it.
That said, it has been a pretty eventful past month. There have been natural disasters, park drinks, inland tsunamis, mid week parties, returned luggage, noise complaints, flood refugees, job offers, juvenile delinquency, renovations, walking after midnight, long distance dragster rides, romance, bromance, and mad rants.
I have realised that having no job makes you really good at things like:
Baking
Craft
Indifference
Strolling
Procrastination
General time wasting
Conspiracy theory
Drinking-far-too-much-coffee-javajavajavajavajavajavajava
Trolling the Internet
If these new skillz weren't enough, I have also very nearly mastered mid week binge drinking, and how to make friends and influence them into giving me their cigarettes.
*IamstillanonsmokerIamstillanonsmokerIamstillanonsmoker*
All in all a great month. My sincerest apologies for not posting during this time. I will endeavour to be better. Starting......now!
That said, it has been a pretty eventful past month. There have been natural disasters, park drinks, inland tsunamis, mid week parties, returned luggage, noise complaints, flood refugees, job offers, juvenile delinquency, renovations, walking after midnight, long distance dragster rides, romance, bromance, and mad rants.
I have realised that having no job makes you really good at things like:
Baking
Craft
Indifference
Strolling
Procrastination
General time wasting
Conspiracy theory
Drinking-far-too-much-coffee-javajavajavajavajavajavajava
Trolling the Internet
If these new skillz weren't enough, I have also very nearly mastered mid week binge drinking, and how to make friends and influence them into giving me their cigarettes.
*IamstillanonsmokerIamstillanonsmokerIamstillanonsmoker*
All in all a great month. My sincerest apologies for not posting during this time. I will endeavour to be better. Starting......now!
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