Great news this week to learn that Sharks, the song I co-wrote with Luke Moore/Operation Lightfoot is currently getting lots of good feedback on the Fresh on the Net – Listening Post (Batch 322).
songwriting
Collaborations! ‘Drink Me’ video session wt Grethe Borsum
oooh …..this song gives me the chills every time I hear it!
Me and the fabulous Grethe Borsum (Get Her Band) sat down a couple of years ago with some beers and whisky, my resonator and a means to record. The intention? to do some songwriting…
Approaching collaborations you never really know how it will go until it does. The best I bring to it is to focus everything I’ve learned as a musician and songwriter and try to stay focussed on getting something to come away with, as well as having an experience that nurtures the creative process….it needs to flow 🙂 Admittedly, I was a teensy bit nervous, mostly because I’m used to writing on my own and it feels so vulnerable doing that with someone else.
It turned out that we had a lot to talk about…as the evening passed we crafted and played, had a chat and beer break, repeated this countless times. The result of which is this beautiful, lullaby of a song I get lost in every time I hear. Drink Me.
Proud. Happy. A genuine marinated shared creative experience.
When Grethe made a trip back to Liverpool last month we got together and recorded this video in Jacaranda, I’m so happy it’s here to share. Thanks to Grethe for her amazing video skills as well as the experience of writing this song together! Also, shout out to Luke Moore who jumped in and did some videoing for us too.
Enjoy x
![DSC_0777[1]](https://jobywater.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/dsc_07771.jpg?w=491&h=277)
Luke, Me, Grethe
Special Guest Harmonica! – Cold Coffee Blues.
Updates!
So, 2, 3, or even possibly 4 years ago I made a quip on Facebook regarding having the cold coffee blues…
… once upon a time I would drink my way through a Cafetiere of coffee whilst working/songwriting and drink it dry as it was going cold….now? no, no, I like it hot!
Hence my proclamation.
This was commented on at the time by an old friend of mine from my time on the Popular Music BTEC at Thornes Park College..Mr Ryan Mitchell – Smith, that it would indeed be a great song title. I agreed. I said I’d write it and he said he would play harmonica on it.
Being the kind of person that if I say I’ll do something, I tend to mean it. 10 years may go past but I will carry it and one day, it will be done. And here we are.
Cold Coffee Blues is now a song. When I sat down with my guitar to write one day, that song just fell out, (as easy as knocking over my coffee has been plenty of times). It’s fun, it’s thoughtful, it’s easy and cathartic and made me smile and when I smile playing one of my own songs, its all good! Once I’d finished it I was hoping Ryan would still be up for being a part of this. Lucky for me he was still into it.
Full circle. I’m totally honoured. Ryan has nailed this song. We have some cheeky Blues Harp. His playing is awesome and has really captured the vibe and it’s been on repeat in my headphones for the last couple of weeks. It’s really exciting for me to work with people on my music, and when it fits, it’s magic. Like excited being a kid magic. Things I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done myself. It’s much more fun involving others!
Please go and check out Ryans music, he writes his own songs and plays harmonica for a range of people. Here’s an ace vid from one of his own songs, go check out Youtube for more..
Cold Coffee Blues will be on my next album. I’m recording and working with guest musicians to make it an album I’m happy, excited and proud to share. So far it’s all working to plan 🙂 I’ll be continuing with updates as things happen each step of the way and when I have bits of music to share it will be here first!
Thanks for reading, listening and sharing and don’t forget……..DON’T LET YOUR COFFEE GET COLD.
Jo x
Making of ‘Sharks’ video & upcoming performance 25th November, Liverpool.
Earlier this week I headed out to meet with Luke Moore (my collaborator for Sharks with Operation Lightfoot) and Jazamin Sinclair (multi – artist and in this case, videographer and photographer..) to get filming our video for said song. We wrote the song a while ago now and after piecing bits together are a step closer to releasing it! For this I am excited, I love this song. After brainstorming ideas a couple of months ago and then Luke fine-tuning them, we’re off…………
The morning looked like this… a coffee, chat, catch up and superfood salad… plans and directions decided, satiated and ready to go film….
photo by Luke Moore
photo by Jazamin Sinclair
photo by Jazamin Sinclair
photo by Jazamin Sinclair
Pic by Jazamin Sinclair
We ventured various places over the course of the day. The trees, the beach, face down in the sand, avoiding statues, dogs and boats. We squelched down dingy railway alleys and bin alleys in the dark, ran through doors and ended up in the cellar. We had a giggle, drank lots of coffee and after 10 hours had enough footage to allow ourselves sleep. I had an amazing experience working with these two folks. It was easy and fun, and we got stuff done. I’m excited to see the finished edit and to premier at View Two Gallery, Liverpool on 25th November 2016… cant wait to share.
And this is what I looked like at the end of the day…..
photo by Jazamin Sinclair
Creeping from the darkest corners of the cellar I present to you ‘Sharks…Operation Lightfoot featuring Jo Bywater’….the Teaser/Trailer/Taster of what’s to come your way this November….
Here are a few words from Mr Operation Lightfoot himself, Luke Moore..
“It’s been great to work with Jo again after finishing the track earlier in the year. In the video pre-production meeting we talked about a few things that we wanted to try out and put together the framework of how this might look and the footage that we got is even better than I’d expected.
We’re aiming to have the video ready to accompany us at the next Operation Lightfoot performance on Friday 25th November at the View Two Gallery in Liverpool.
The song and video, like the other Operation Lightfoot material, is a great example of how collaboration and working outside the usual comfort zone can be both a creatively enlightening experience as well as produce really strong results.
Jo has been a really strong co-writer, flawless performer and working with her from behind the camera was an absolute joy and I think we were both pleasantly surprised by what we achieved. I’d like to say a big thank you to Jazamin Sinclair, too, who has really done a great job so far and I’m very keen to work with as soon as possible”.
See you there!
Jo x
studio / album mixing pt. 1 / videos
The last few weeks have been inspiring…
Album recording/mixing pt. 1
There’s a lovely list of 12 songs all ready to make up my next album. I’ve been patient this time round and have opted for letting this music marinate, sitting with it, making tweaks. I now have 8 songs pretty much recorded with some sprinklings from other artists to add to the mix and so a couple of weeks ago I paid a visit to Jon Lawton at the new premises of Crosstown Studios in Liverpool for his expert ears and studio skills….
with Jon at Crosstown Studios, Liverpool
The feedback was great, the coffee was flowing and I came away feeling very excited and like I can move on to my next chapter… watch this space, this thing has wings!
Operation Lightfoot………….
Last year I recorded a song with Operation Lightfoot called Sharks, I love this song, it’s moody and dark and comforting. Lots of strings. Perfect. We wrote the song together and I’ve been excited for when we release it. This is now getting closer and we are currently story-boarding a video to go with it. This will hopefully be out by the end of the year 🙂
Keep an eye on my website / social media for updates!
Until then
Jo x
Recording! new songs – new album
Hello!
I have now started recording my second album. I’ve spent the last year in my creative cave, gathering enough songs that I can be excited and proud of to put together worthy of an album. 12 songs in total, yes! I made it.
Admittedly I got a teeny bit waylayed as I spent time on some amazing collaborations with other artists (Bowker, Tiki Black, Operation Lightfoot) and also had the pleasure of playing guitar on the Kwalaparla album Break the man. I have also acquired a small collection of commissioned pieces for BBC Radio Merseyside Pure Musical Sensations show (Anyone Who Had a Heart (yes, a Cilla cover…), Always Feel Like Home & Faith on Hope st.).
Admittedly…………..I also got a bit more waylayed as I entered into a personal mission to get fit (Crossfit / Running / Hiking / Mountain biking) and eat clean, get some decent sleep, early mornings and drink less..(much less)…so, rock n roll….I know, but I feel amazing….. and…it feels GOOD!
But now….I’m ready. In motion.
So I have a little quick video to share with you that I’ve just recorded at home as a taster of what’s to come. The album is pretty much a mixture of acoustic guitar and slide guitar songs. Some solo, some with guests 🙂 I’m excited.
But for now….
Enjoy x
In Situ. – Light Night Liverpool
Good Afternoon!
The latest from my creative journey…..
I was asked a couple of months ago to be involved in this and I’m made up to be included in the commissions for part of tonight’s Light Night Liverpool.
In writing a song for ‘In Situ‘ I wrote ‘Faith on Hope st.‘ to go with the suitcases installation (A Case History) and surrounding area on Hope st./Mount st.
I’ve had some good / bad / drunk / sober / hilarious and inspirational times in the area…so there was plenty of inspiration to draw from, such a mixed bag and important area of the City.
All of the tracks for the project are downloadable for people now ready to go on an audio tour around Liverpool this evening. People will be meeting at 9pm, Anglican Cathedral tonight and experiencing the expressions of local musicians to evoke the chosen places around the city.
Please, also download the audio even if you can’t make this evening and would just like to indulge in some Liverpool inspired songwriting!
Enjoy x
Music for Empty Spaces
Happy November folks 🙂
A couple of months ago I was invited by Roger Hill from ‘The Popular Music Show’ at Radio Merseyside to contribute a song to the Empty Spaces project. I love a good excuse to write a song and flex those muscles so was very happy to serve up my creative offering.
The project was to write music to invoke / express spaces in Liverpool that are run down and not in use, or in use but how do they feel when they are empty…
For me, I immediately thought of the Atrium in LIPA, a place where I spent much time as a student, a place that many many others have also experience. It has such a potent atmosphere that I couldn’t resist. My song is called ‘Always feel like home’. The show was aired last night.
Jo Bywater – Always Feel Like Home – Music for Empty Spaces Project
A whole host of musicians were involved in this project and you can here their offering here…
Jo x
Folkscene & Bluebird Cafe comp!
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to go to Radio Merseyside and record an hour-long interview with Liverpool harp legend and all round good ‘un Stan Ambrose for his show Folkscene. I always have a great and interesting chat with Stan on creativity and songwriting.
Here’s the link to playback for the next 3 weeks. After that I will add it to my Soundcloud account..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02jv9j6
And and and…
I have also managed to be picked as one of the 20 songwriters invited to go to group songwriting workshops with visiting Nashville songwriters and music industry execs on their visit to Bluecoat, Liverpool for The Bluebird Cafe event on 29th August.
http://monkeymindproductions.net/the-bluebird/
Exciting, creative times!
Riches to Rags FREE download..
Hey All!
I’m very excited about this whole experience of writing and winning the Judges Award for Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge (Nov 14) and so have decided that the new recording will be available as a free download to anyone who would like to enjoy it for a limited time.
As part of my prize I had the pleasure of recording Riches to Rags with Judge Jon Lawton at Crosstown Studios Liverpool. We had a chilled and enjoyable session and thus this recording was born.
Big thanks to Liverpool Acoustic and the 3 Judges (Kaya (Balance Vocal), Jon Lawton (Crosstown Studios) & Robert Vincent).
Big smiles from me!
You can download the song from Bandcamp (free or if you want to pay anything that’s up to your discretion) or Soundcloud.
I also played the fab Liverpool Acoustic live on Friday (27th Feb.) as part of an epic line-up (Cousin Jac & Roxanne De Bastion) and the lovely Graham Holland (1 half of Liverpool Acoustic) took this vid of me performing the song …
Enjoy
x
Jo Bywater 