Just a quick update before Christmas REALLY kicks in!
1) I have an incredible gig coming up for my first of 2015. It is a real honour for me to be invited by Blues Matters Magazine to perform on their JAKS stage at The Great British Rock & Blues Festival in Skegness on 25th Jan. I will be performing a 1 hour set at 1.15pm on the Sunday 🙂
Here is the poster for the event., if you can make it please come along!
2) I’ve done two ace collaborations recently, both very, very different!
I performed and recorded backing vocals and guitar on a beautiful track by Songwriter Tiki Black called Free Like Smoke..
This will be available to buy on 15th Decemer.
Also as of 24th November the excellent concept album Sail to the Deep by Bowker was available to purchase. I composed/sang vocals for this on The Dream (Valentina pt 2)
Aaaaand 3)…. last but not least!
I have my very own Christmas song coming out called Christmas Come Home as part of Searching For Dandelions Christmas vol. 3. It is written, ready, the artwork is done and I will be back with a confirmed release date..
On Friday I went along to perform my entry for the finals. It was a great night of music both from 2 of the judges (Robert Vincent & Kaya) and also the other 9 finalists.
There’s a big smile on my face and I’m also very overwhelmed by the amount of congratulations from people. I genuinely entered the challenge for a bit of a different songwriting venture but to come out winner is very nice…
This is the painting I chose from View Two Gallery to write about… I was really drawn into this picture and had the whole song concept very quickly.,
The song…
The lyrics…
Riches to Rags
Do you know I used to be a Queen?
I followed you here
Enticed and entranced by your need
But I know I’m never going to be your Queen
Though dress in golden seams
I’m left alone with my dreams
And I gave my colours for you
Gave my colours for you…
*
Honey, how I ache to be your queen
Oh invisible me
Now we’re strangers its clear that I
Served a purpose it seems
Left to dote in the breeze
Carry all that I’ve seen
And It’s alright
I know how you feel
I can’t keep you here
You’re not meant for me
And we used to dance and you’d hold me so firmly
I’d fly like a bird
And you’d touch me so softly I’d slip through your arms
Like the breath that you drew
When you kissed me
Unhooked me from all that I knew
Now all I know is you
Now all I know is you…
*
Darling I could never never be your queen
The world worn weary
This Goddess has dignity
And darling I rage like the sea
You took all that I had
From riches to rags
Not sure I exist
Chameleons and twists
Laments of lives gone by
I float between two skies
I’ve been chasing ghosts
Since you caressed my throat
Spinning mirrors and smoke
I tenderly choke
And we used to dance and you’d spin me so firmly I’d fly like a bird
And you’d touch me so softly I’d slip through your arms
Like the breath that you drew
When you kissed me
Unhooked me from all that I knew
Such a beauty, you told me I shone like a charm
These red lips you could kiss
That remind you of sunsets so bold
So unspoiled, I unfold, you took me from all that I knew
The prizes for winning are a vocal lesson with the amazing Balance Vocal, a studio recording of my song with Crosstown Studios and I am also invited to perform at Liverpool Acoustics Birthday event on 27th Feb 2015. 🙂
A few weeks ago I went to be filmed performing my song Chopping Wood for Liverpool Live TVs ‘Red Sofa Sessions’. These guys are great to work with and it was the easiest 5 minutes of filming I’ve ever done 🙂
This is the result…
Be sure to head over and see who else they have filmed, always quality!
I was very excited to be asked to lay down a vocal track for Bowker a few months ago. One of the biggest musical challenges I’ve undergone, possibly! and the first time I’ve been required as just a vocalist… no words either 🙂 This great band from Southport – have an impending album launch to be held at Lomax, Liverpool on 11th October, at which I’ll be making an appearance. Keep your ears open for the track as it becomes available!
The album is called Sail to the Deep and from what I’ve heard will be a chunky riffs power trio collection of musical delights. They are releasing through Searching For Dandelions, the very same which I released Chasing Tales through. Well worth a check out!
Swishing into December are we, doing whatever each of us likes to do or not do! 🙂 Me personally I like to leisurely drink coffee and stay in where its warm..
Busy times musically!
First up. Last month we filmed a vid over two days to compliment my crowd favourite Chopping Wood. This song has been making people happy. So I contacted the fab Mr Andrew Ab and he sent the finished product to me this week and I couldn’t wait to share it.. I suggest sitting yourself down with a brew and taking 4 mins..(until the end of the song of course) and soaking up this little visual delight. I’m really happy with it and so seem those who have thus far seen it..and who can say more than that.
Secondly. Last month Chopping Wood was picked by the one and only BBC 6 MusicsTom Robinson for his Fresh on the Net blog. I then was emailed an excellent message to say the same song had been selected for Tom’s BBC Introducing Mixtape show. Happy? Well..just a little bit 🙂 Here’s the show that went out with my song on it!
The Fresh on the Net site is also an amazing resource for musicians looking for tips on how to optimise their opportunities..
Third. Last weekend I headed down to Hertford Corn Exchange to perform as part of the Folkstock Christmas show. I did the festival in the Summer and I can’t recommend it enough for the future. I was treated extremely well and the acts were all top quality. Last sunday was a full day of free music. Check out these guys if you can and keep an eye on the festival for the future!
Pic from the day by Helen Meissner..who also took some vid footage and made an awesome compilation here…. as well as being the boss of Folkstock!
definitely not least… one day last week whilst browsing the internet I came across this little gem..
If you cast your eyes to the bottom you will see what made me happy 🙂
Blues Matters is a great mag featuring all things blues and somethings that push the boarder of traditional blues. I like this ethos a lot being that my music is not especially traditional to any genre. These guys have reviewed my EP and it is in the current issue with favourable words. Once I have my copy I shall be posting a picture of the review.
Until next time enjoy this time of year however you need to! Many good vibes from me and if you’re looking for gift inspiration I would recommend my EP Chasing Tales…. naturally!
Happy Days., I’m really still coming down from Friday nights Chasing Tales EP launch at View Two Gallery, hosted by the fantastic Liverpool Acoustic and with and awesome line-up (Little Sparrow, Me & Deboe, Anna Corcoran).. full house and lots of happy music lovers.
It’s been solid work for me since September last year with starting to write the first song (Woollen Hearts) and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.
The EP is now available to buy from all the usual suspects –
There are limited number of CDs available so get in there quick if you love the tactile music experience, I know I do. I will be taking these to gigs as well until they run out!
This is what the reviews are saying about the EP so far..
‘always played with a great sense of maturity, an ear for the rhythmic and an ability to place words in such a way that the guitar is more than an instrument to her, it is more like a confidant, a co-conspirator in her music and Chasing Tales once exemplifies this confidant and genuinely very cool woman’s ability’ – Liverpool Sound & Vision
I’ve been excitedly preparing for this date and here it is! I would like to invite you to my EP launch and latest installment of new and original music.
Date: 27th Sept. 2013 @ View Two Gallery, Liverpool. I’m very pleased to be doing the launch with the award winning Liverpool Acoustic. The line-up is amazing – Little Sparrow, Me & Deboe, Anna Corcoran and Me (plus special guests).
The EP is also in collaboration with Searching For Dandelions (www.SFDRecords.com) label/collective
Chasing Tales is Acoustic Blues slide guitar meets finger-picking brain food. Raw and finely-crafted beauty with a dark twist, soothed with harmonies, melodies and textures. A worthy follow-up to 2010 album Cycle Grace Pulse Break in creative growth. The EP features guest performances from Andy Jones (Just by Chance) and Blythe Cooper and was mastered by Russell Cottier (Parr St. Studios). It is released in collaboration with Searching For Dandelions Label/Collective. Cover Artwork by Jo Bywater. The first review for the EP has been provided by Ian D. Hall for Liverpool Sound and Vision:http://www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2013/09/04/jo-bywater-chasing-tales-e-p-review/ Chasing Tales will be available from CD Baby, Bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes and at shows. There are limited CD copies available to buy at shows and online.
It would be a pleasure if you could join us at the launch! For those not able to I hope you enjoy this next chapter of my creativity 🙂 for updated info go to http://www.jobywater.com. Jo x
Whilst patiently and creatively spending the last few months immersed in writing new songs and playing with new guitars I haven’t been out as much as usual on the old gig scene…it is however, time for the summer to begin 🙂
This has been booked for some time now and I’m very excited at my first festival of the summer..camping, beer, music 🙂
I was invited to play on the Area 2 stage..this is a dedicated section for up and coming developing acts…honoured! I’ll be there with my new tunes on Sunday 23rd June at 7.40pm…I hope to see youthere!
Until then have a little listen to the live version of Woollen Hearts I recorded for Billy Kellys Radio show in Liverpool last month.. Jo x
Well for as much as I’ve been having a hibernate and writing lots so far this year I also appear to have done much! 2 new songs under my belt all good and strong: Last month I set free ‘Woollen Hearts’ into the ether and this month I have my newest ‘This Garden’.
I had a play around with some new textures on this one and added some harmonies and a sprinkling of flute, thanks to my fab Blythe Cooper. The song is about having somewhere that brings you back to your recharged state. Somewhere that reminds you of home (where ever that is) and who you are when things my shake you away for a bit. I wrote this on my newest acoustic guitar (Taylor 314) and as it was crying out for some finger-picking that is exactly what happened. The guitar has been beautiful to play on and I’m very much looking forward to doing much more writing on it 🙂
You can listen to the song here! It is a free download at the moment so feel free to sing along, upload it to your Ipod etc….
Over the last month I did my first gig at Threshold Festival, Liverpool and was filmed over the weekend by Addistock and Liverpool Live TV performing Woollen Hearts. You can see both of these vids on my Videos page. I had a wonderful review of my gig thanks to Ian @ Liverpool Sound and Vision.
For April….well, tomorrow I head to finish my session with Addistock by playing a cover song that will be revealed soon enough 🙂 I shall also be live on The Tillerman Show (www.liverradio.co.uk) 4pm – 6pm from The Lomax, Liverpool.
More updates to come soon! 🙂 Until then enjoy the music and create!
This year is my dedicated ‘writing’ year. A bit like crop rotation! I have been nurturing some new tunes for a couple of months now and the first one is ready for the ears of more than just my own.
It’s called Woollen Hearts. I bought an electric resonator last year and also started getting really interested in slide guitar playing….a world unto itself 🙂 It opened my eyes a lot and I had some good fun playing around and seeing what I could come up with creatively. This is my first installment….
It took me a while to get used to the weight of the brass slide but it sounded so awesome that I had to power through!
I’ll be putting up top quality demos of my tunes over the next couple of months as I write and record I hope you enjoy the journey with me. They’ll all be downloadable so you can learn the lyrics in your own time 🙂
I sign out with a picture of my beauty of a resonator that helped my write this tune x
Jo Bywater 