Kwalaparla

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

 

 

 

Bluebird at the Bluecoat and other creative catch-ups!

Hello!

The last few months for me has been very creative/collaboratively swayed and I’ve had a lot of fun in the process…

Here is a bitesize update of some selective things I’ve been involved in and more will follow!

The most recent venture for me is happening this Saturday at Bluecoat Liverpool.  I entered a songwriting competition a few months ago that was being run by Monkey Mind Productions in Nashville.  After putting forward 3 of my songs I was picked as a finalist for a masterclass and songwriting feedback session taking place at Bluecoat under the banner ‘Bluebird at the Bluecoat’.  We are given the opportunity to perform a song for the visiting Nashville songwriters/industry professionals and Bob Harris.  I’m very excited (and a teeny bit nervous….:) but good nerves for sure).  More to come on this……!

Check out the details here..  http://monkeymindproductions.net/the-bluebird-at-the-bluecoat/

BIG CLOUD:  Earlier this month I went to visit Big Cloud Productions to be interviewed and perform songs for their excellent podcast.  The man in charge is Steve Stroud.  We had a great time., he asked some really interesting questions and we chatted guitar and music geek for at least a couple of hours and over about 4 cups of coffee 🙂 We also discovered we were playing music in New England at the same time a few years ago!    I managed to squeeze in 7 songs.  Here is the vid for this, enjoy:

ROOTS & FUSION:  In the below link you can hear my latest session with Roots & Fusion.  Always a pleasure to work with Rick and Aaron.  Great session from June this year! (2015)

Roots & Fusion no.330, 17/6/15, from Todd Rundgren to Michael Brook via Jo Bywater in session by Roots & Fusion on Mixcloud

BREAK THE MAN: July saw the finished album that I had the pleasure of playing guitar, harmonica and backing vocals on, as well as designing the cover. This was ‘Break the Man by Kwalaparla’. A Western theme featuring gallows and heartbreak. Here’s a fab and deserved review by FATEA Mag.

http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/2015/KwalaParla.html

Coming up next week is my time to visit Bay TV in Liverpool and play some songs in their studio! More updates and links on that when it’s done and out.

I’ll be back with more updates as they come in and to fill in the blanks from the last couple of months 🙂

Bye for now.

Jo x