A final night of insomnia. Tomorrow I will be in the army.
Violinist. Photographer. Composer. Writer... soldier?
of all the things I thought I would do with my life, this makes the least sense. but it is strangely compelling.
The road bears an infinite number of destinations to those who take one step at a time.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Spouting rhetoric...
I don't actually have anything to say, really. Not right now anyway. It's late, and I'm not even going to try falling asleep. The last few nights I've been staring at the ceiling til 3 or 4 in the morning, or out the window, my mind drifting from one topic to another. Thinking about why things are how they are. Not necessarily complicated things... just small things. The french lady on the train with the little girl, standing next to the chinese lady with a girl about the same age. Two strangers who looked like they would have had absolutely nothing to talk about, had they not had something in common. Something so close to each of their hearts that they had something they could relate to, and understand about each other, which crosse the boundaries of culture, class, colour... they shared an understanding, of what it was to be a mother to little girls of about 9 years of age and as a result, here they were, chatting away like they'd know each other for years. They say opposites attract... I'd say that's true only of particularly curious individuals. Most people, however, are drawn to each other by what they have in common. But is it possible to have too much in common? I suppose it depends on what it is that's in common... but i diverge.
Tonight I don't feel like thinking. I feel the need to... spout. Rubbish most likely. It's almost as if the days when i think, produces all this energy that's stored somewhere, which needs to be released every now and then. I don't really know what it is, other than a feeling I get sometimes. A need to relate.
I used to draw. Draw without any idea of what it was the lines were forming, and so it was a process of discovery... at the end this picture would appear. From where? I don't know. My subconscious? Did it know what image it was going to produce all along? An interesting thought. I don't know enough about the subconscious to put forward a suggestion. But sometimes I wondered what compelled me to put pen to paper at all.
It's like now, where there is not one thing in particular that feel the need to say. Which is not to say that I won't end up saying something... but perhaps we'll both discover that together.
There is a nebulous fog in me that produces all sorts of ideas and perspectives which would be more useful to me and everyone else if I knew when to say the important bits. I think its this thing which compels me to write. and draw. and communicate.
Music probably has a par to play in this. Music was my way of expressing feeling and emotion long before I realised that such an outlet was necessary. Before I learned that the most specific means of communication - words - was perhaps the weakest. We are a species who has found words to describe things, people, places, actions, down to the most miniature of graduations, but in doing so, we cage ourselves. Our depictions limit our experiences to the words we use, and somehow when we relate these experiences, we know that the message received will be but a pale, faded image of what we initially tried to convey. Music, on the other hand, has the ability to move the emotions where words fail.
Or does it?
comment, if anyone's reading...
Tonight I don't feel like thinking. I feel the need to... spout. Rubbish most likely. It's almost as if the days when i think, produces all this energy that's stored somewhere, which needs to be released every now and then. I don't really know what it is, other than a feeling I get sometimes. A need to relate.
I used to draw. Draw without any idea of what it was the lines were forming, and so it was a process of discovery... at the end this picture would appear. From where? I don't know. My subconscious? Did it know what image it was going to produce all along? An interesting thought. I don't know enough about the subconscious to put forward a suggestion. But sometimes I wondered what compelled me to put pen to paper at all.
It's like now, where there is not one thing in particular that feel the need to say. Which is not to say that I won't end up saying something... but perhaps we'll both discover that together.
There is a nebulous fog in me that produces all sorts of ideas and perspectives which would be more useful to me and everyone else if I knew when to say the important bits. I think its this thing which compels me to write. and draw. and communicate.
Music probably has a par to play in this. Music was my way of expressing feeling and emotion long before I realised that such an outlet was necessary. Before I learned that the most specific means of communication - words - was perhaps the weakest. We are a species who has found words to describe things, people, places, actions, down to the most miniature of graduations, but in doing so, we cage ourselves. Our depictions limit our experiences to the words we use, and somehow when we relate these experiences, we know that the message received will be but a pale, faded image of what we initially tried to convey. Music, on the other hand, has the ability to move the emotions where words fail.
Or does it?
comment, if anyone's reading...
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
the return...
So chances are anyone who used to read this has given up checking for posts seeing as thought its been about what 4 months since the last one... but there's a time for learning, and experiencing, and a time for telling... the learning has been intense, and isn't looking like slowing down anytime soon, but I feel like I should write something. And put up some new pictures.
Really, there's been a lot to think about recently. My walk as a Christian for one. Adapting to new environments, which I'm used to , having moved around a lot, but maybe recently having moved to some really foreign environments... takes more adapting than usual. The funny thing is that moving to Singapore, the place where I was born, and have come back to so often, is the most difficult to adapt to. Difficult is definitely the wrong word, but... weird? haha. Not that that's much better.
The last 5 months on the MS Statendam, cruising through the US, Caribbean, Mexico, Nicaragua and Canada was an adventure. Life at sea is something else... on one hand it almost doesn't seem real, but then on the other hand, it is. Of course it's real. it's just different. completely. One's world is shrunk down to the size of the ship, so everything is magnified. Things which aren't a big deal on land become mountains, and you're forced to deal with it because there isn't anywhere to hide. It's like playing football (soccer) on a stadium pitch your whole life, then joining a futsal team. You can learn a lot in a short space of time if you want to.
Anyway, so now I'm in Singapore. I'll be joining the army here in about a week, which will be something totally different. I've been in the country for about 2 weeks, and am blown away by so many things. The music, the art scene, the food... it's a funny feeling. It's as if every time I've come here I've been living in a bubble, I just didn't realise it at the time. having lived in Australia my whole life, but having been brought up in a family with eastern traditions, I spent the first half of my life trying to adapt to that culture... and then to come back to what should be familiar, to discover that it's foreign even to you, is something to get your head around.
I'll be posting more soon. Then not for a couple of weeks, then I'll be back after BMT's over. Here are some pics : )
Really, there's been a lot to think about recently. My walk as a Christian for one. Adapting to new environments, which I'm used to , having moved around a lot, but maybe recently having moved to some really foreign environments... takes more adapting than usual. The funny thing is that moving to Singapore, the place where I was born, and have come back to so often, is the most difficult to adapt to. Difficult is definitely the wrong word, but... weird? haha. Not that that's much better.
The last 5 months on the MS Statendam, cruising through the US, Caribbean, Mexico, Nicaragua and Canada was an adventure. Life at sea is something else... on one hand it almost doesn't seem real, but then on the other hand, it is. Of course it's real. it's just different. completely. One's world is shrunk down to the size of the ship, so everything is magnified. Things which aren't a big deal on land become mountains, and you're forced to deal with it because there isn't anywhere to hide. It's like playing football (soccer) on a stadium pitch your whole life, then joining a futsal team. You can learn a lot in a short space of time if you want to.
Anyway, so now I'm in Singapore. I'll be joining the army here in about a week, which will be something totally different. I've been in the country for about 2 weeks, and am blown away by so many things. The music, the art scene, the food... it's a funny feeling. It's as if every time I've come here I've been living in a bubble, I just didn't realise it at the time. having lived in Australia my whole life, but having been brought up in a family with eastern traditions, I spent the first half of my life trying to adapt to that culture... and then to come back to what should be familiar, to discover that it's foreign even to you, is something to get your head around.
I'll be posting more soon. Then not for a couple of weeks, then I'll be back after BMT's over. Here are some pics : )
Subway art.
There's art like this scattered around the city. I'm in
the bottom left square.
A band playing in the Esplanade foyer
Michelle something or other...
The town
Monday, May 17, 2010
Miami
So after a month it’s definitely time for an update. Apologies for my slackness. We’ve been on the ship for 36 days now, but time doesn’t seem to hold much sway here. It’s like a space/time vacuum. A week felt like a month, and now a month feels like a week. I didn’t have a camera for a while, for reasons I’m too embarrassed to own up to. Suffice to say I finally bought the Nikon D90 in San Diego a few days back. I do have some pictures of Miami, and I promise to blog with more regularity now.
So what to start with? I could start with the ship. The Statendam is the oldest ship in the Holland America Line’s fleet. When we boarded, it had just come out of dry-dock, which is the sea word for heavy maintenance. It looked great. Beautiful. He problem was that nothing had been tested in water yet (hence the term “drydock”). We had waterfalls flowing out of the ceiling in the corridors outside our rooms… long story short, most of the crew were wondering how long it would be before the stately Statendam moved onto its life. As a submarine. The good news is that everything seems to have been fixed, and everything is wonderful.
The photos below are from Miami, the day before we boarded the ship. There is a shopping complex called Sawgrass Mills, which is absolutely huge. Not only that, but everything is cheap here… I never realised how expensive Australia was. Food… clothes… everything. Anyhow. Time for some over-saturated pictures :)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Quartet Australis
So we are finally in the US. After a series of extremely close calls which resulted in my very nearly missing my flight, we made it to Los Angeles this afternoon, had a 4 hr stop over then connected to Miami. We're being put up in the Crowne plaza for tonight and tomorrow before embarking on Sunday. Everything seems like a bit of a blur to be honest, and I'm not sure I'm taking everythin in. One thing is for sure - there is no way I am taking photos of every Starbucks I see. They have starbucks's practically 20 metres away from each other... EVERYWHERE. So we'll leave that - there are better things to take photos of. like the quartet!
These are some pics from our going away concert in Orange, NSW...
So that was the concert... I don't have any pics of the US yet.
I like the states. Walking down the street is a strange feeling. I've never been here before, but this is what I've seen on tv... since... pretty much forever. It's familiar. But so different. We've got the day off tomorrow, will post again tomorrow. til then, adios. Oh yeah, everyone in Miami speaks Spanish. I have 4 months on a ship. I want to learn.
These are some pics from our going away concert in Orange, NSW...
So that was the concert... I don't have any pics of the US yet.
I like the states. Walking down the street is a strange feeling. I've never been here before, but this is what I've seen on tv... since... pretty much forever. It's familiar. But so different. We've got the day off tomorrow, will post again tomorrow. til then, adios. Oh yeah, everyone in Miami speaks Spanish. I have 4 months on a ship. I want to learn.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The beginning...
So it's four days into the grand tour, and definitely time for a check in! US visa approved, medical pending, we're off on the 9th (probably) but the entertainment company hasn't confirmed flights yet. I've been in Orange for the last few days rehearsing with the quartet for a concert tomorrow. It's a good life... good music, good friends, good food, and all the promise of adventure (not to mention possibilities...) I'll post some photos and introductions soon, but I left my camera connector in Brisbane. haha. There's always something. Concert tomorrow is at The Old Convent in Boorinall, just outside of Orange. Beautiful old building, with a wonderful, ethereal acoustic.
Made a trip out to Bloodwood winery in the afternoon to pick up some cases Stephen and Rhonda Doyle donated for the concert. There is a lot of support for the concert, mainly due to the efforts of Rob and Amy, the cellist and violist in Quartet Australis. Both hail from Orange, and have put a lot of work into getting support and publicity for the concert/quartet/tour. It's a great group - all the players are fantastic to work with, and good musicians. I think there is potential. Recordings on Tuesday in Sydney. Anyone know of a good producer?
I feel a bit boring without any photos to put up, so i'll wait til i have some to post. and go and buy a camera cable.
Til next time.
Dan.
Made a trip out to Bloodwood winery in the afternoon to pick up some cases Stephen and Rhonda Doyle donated for the concert. There is a lot of support for the concert, mainly due to the efforts of Rob and Amy, the cellist and violist in Quartet Australis. Both hail from Orange, and have put a lot of work into getting support and publicity for the concert/quartet/tour. It's a great group - all the players are fantastic to work with, and good musicians. I think there is potential. Recordings on Tuesday in Sydney. Anyone know of a good producer?
I feel a bit boring without any photos to put up, so i'll wait til i have some to post. and go and buy a camera cable.
Til next time.
Dan.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A question of music...
This is a topic which has come up in conversation various times over the last 2 years or so since the illustrious and virtuosic Andre Rieu wooed hundreds of thousands of Australian fans during his 2007 tour. My first reaction was that of incredulous repulsion. My second reaction was that of mild awe as I realized how quickly and effectively he was charming his way into the hearts of countless grandmothers and taxi drivers alike. For about a month, every time I got into a cab with my violin, the driver would INEVITABLY make a comment about Andre Rieu. And the number of times I got asked whether he really was the best violinist in the world... Last year I won a scholarship to go to the UK to study from some of the world's greatest violin teachers in London, and the executors of the estate (the scholarship was a bequest) asked if I endeavoured to be the next Andre Rieu. I couldn't believe it. These people were giving me $15,000 to go to some of the most prestigious music schools in Europe, and they were asking me if I wanted to be the next Andre Reiu. Unbelievable.
And then I asked myself why. Why is this smiling Austrian so popular? He is sold as a violinist. Every picture we see of him is with a violin, but his popularity, surely, is not a result of his skill on the instrument. There are too many good musicians around for him to be taken any note of as a serious violinist. The truth is... that he is, in fact, a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is a hardheaded businessman posing as a dreamy artist, and has found a perfect market to sell himself to, capitalising on his blonde hair and angelic looks. I realised that sounds a bit weird... but that's the look he's going for right? I mean...
and
Please.
The thing I ask myself is... is it forgivable to cheapen yourself if you're making millions doing it? If prostitution was still illegal, would the king of the waltz still be in business? Maybe it's not so bad after all. Maybe he actually really does love the music he's playing... then again, you'd love anything that brought in that much money right? Maybe it's just an honest living.
On the other hand, what is the purpose of music? He does make a lot of people happy... perhaps that's all there is to it, and we should in fact applaud him for bringing music back to its most simple, joyous state. How could you not be happy with these album covers?
What frustrates me most about this topic is the fact that we could actually give him the benefit of the doubt. Andre Rieu MAY do what he does with absolute conviction, which would make him just as much an artist as any of us. Maybe more so, because so many people misunderstand him. This is IF he was actually performing with artistic integrity. Which he may. But I can't seem to force myself to believe it.
Somehow, behind the angelic facade and million dollar smile, there is something... fake. One can't get away from the fact that, try as we might to believe that he is an honest musician, we'll always think of him as a mercanistic businessman. Once a violinist who traded his soul for the hearts of old women and their fortunes, bequeathed to him through instalments of $32.95... or whatever he sells his merchandise for.
I have no final verdict.
And then I asked myself why. Why is this smiling Austrian so popular? He is sold as a violinist. Every picture we see of him is with a violin, but his popularity, surely, is not a result of his skill on the instrument. There are too many good musicians around for him to be taken any note of as a serious violinist. The truth is... that he is, in fact, a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is a hardheaded businessman posing as a dreamy artist, and has found a perfect market to sell himself to, capitalising on his blonde hair and angelic looks. I realised that sounds a bit weird... but that's the look he's going for right? I mean...
and
Please.
The thing I ask myself is... is it forgivable to cheapen yourself if you're making millions doing it? If prostitution was still illegal, would the king of the waltz still be in business? Maybe it's not so bad after all. Maybe he actually really does love the music he's playing... then again, you'd love anything that brought in that much money right? Maybe it's just an honest living.
On the other hand, what is the purpose of music? He does make a lot of people happy... perhaps that's all there is to it, and we should in fact applaud him for bringing music back to its most simple, joyous state. How could you not be happy with these album covers?
What frustrates me most about this topic is the fact that we could actually give him the benefit of the doubt. Andre Rieu MAY do what he does with absolute conviction, which would make him just as much an artist as any of us. Maybe more so, because so many people misunderstand him. This is IF he was actually performing with artistic integrity. Which he may. But I can't seem to force myself to believe it.
Somehow, behind the angelic facade and million dollar smile, there is something... fake. One can't get away from the fact that, try as we might to believe that he is an honest musician, we'll always think of him as a mercanistic businessman. Once a violinist who traded his soul for the hearts of old women and their fortunes, bequeathed to him through instalments of $32.95... or whatever he sells his merchandise for.
I have no final verdict.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Memories of summer 2009
and found some old photos I'm definitely glad to have again. Who would've thought. Sometimes you experience a moment and think "I'll remember this for a long time". Not so. There are too many moments in a day. These are all thrown in together, so if you're looking for a theme, there isn't one.
I think digital cameras are better than film. I can almost hear your smug, knowing chuckles. However, there is something to be said for having complete control over what you're doing. Ask Jeremy Clarkson about the 23 year old Ferrari F40 compared to the new F60. I think its the same deal. There's no electronics to "help". It's just what you want to do, and the controls. On the other hand... electronics are... helpful. These pictures are a testimony to that. They navigate through all the settings for you (there are still a good number of manual settings if that's what you want) so you can focus on capturing the moment. As opposed to fiddling around and losing it. 
I'm still on the market for the nikon d90, but I'm thinking it might have to wait a little while longer. Let's take it one step at a time. This one'll do for a bit longer. This picture on the right was taken at the Mona Foma arts festival in Hobart. The guy in the vest is Dean Stevenson, a local singer/songwriter/musical explorer/generally awesome guy. We were playing in his show for the festival, and I'm assuming he was talking about some part of the show. However, this shot always looked like a Corleone family picture to me...
Liz knitting. Or crocheting... I can't remember which side of the fence she's on. I might be wrong, but from what I gathered, the difference to confuse a knitter with a crocheter is like confusing a Macedonian and a Greek. Serbian and a Croatian. Australian and a New Zealander. Violin and a viola. haha.
And then there was Melbourne.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Other men's minds
I bought a book from an antique shop about 2 years ago which I found again today and briefly perused. It's called "Other Men's Minds - 7000 choice extracts from standard authors on history, science, philosophy and religion". So I actually don't have that much to say about it. It's in old English, leatherbound, and bears a handwritten inscription "To dearest Little Mother, from Lad" - 1928. I wonder where they were from, England? or Australia. And who is "little mother?" A girl? Why would you give your girlfriend a book of quotes? Maybe they were both the artsy type. Why would you call yourself "Lad?". Maybe he gave the book to his actual mother. Speculations on relational dynamics... is a waste of time. They're all a little bit weird.
Accounting, on the other hand, is perfectly straightforward. The topic presents itself, as I've spent the majority of today going through my accounts for the past two years. And... I've decided that being an accountant would be a fantastic occupation. There is a special pleasure one gains from categorizing things. Everything there in front of you. Discovering where all your money went (sometimes wondering where it came from)... it's a bit of a revelation actually. Accountants must have a remarkable insight into people's lives/lifestyles. I wonder if they have accounting/psychology double majors. What an interesting job. AND you get to find loopholes. Why wouldn't anyone want to be an accountant. Imagine knowing what everyone spent their money on... actually its not appealing at all. don't even really want to know what I spent my own money on. Next topic.
I was thinking today about what I spend my life pursuing... writing and performing music. taking and selling photographs. writing and selling books. Of all the things to dedicate one's life to, I feel like I've chosen the most beautiful things - the most soul stirring and moving... and least rewarding materially. It strikes me as ironic that all these things are means of expression - of communication. It's ironic because communication was the reason my last relationship ended. Rather, a lack of... the irony is, in fact, sickening.
Maybe I'll become an accountant instead. Or a rally driver. hah.
No...
I choose life.
I haven't put up any pictures for a while. Time for some more.
I'm taking the X-300s for a spin around town tonight... hopefully develop some pictures tomorow.
STAY TUNED, FOR THE NEXT EXCITING EPISODE OF... THE PERSISENT PURSUIT OF...
hahaha. gotta love those open endings.
Accounting, on the other hand, is perfectly straightforward. The topic presents itself, as I've spent the majority of today going through my accounts for the past two years. And... I've decided that being an accountant would be a fantastic occupation. There is a special pleasure one gains from categorizing things. Everything there in front of you. Discovering where all your money went (sometimes wondering where it came from)... it's a bit of a revelation actually. Accountants must have a remarkable insight into people's lives/lifestyles. I wonder if they have accounting/psychology double majors. What an interesting job. AND you get to find loopholes. Why wouldn't anyone want to be an accountant. Imagine knowing what everyone spent their money on... actually its not appealing at all. don't even really want to know what I spent my own money on. Next topic.
I was thinking today about what I spend my life pursuing... writing and performing music. taking and selling photographs. writing and selling books. Of all the things to dedicate one's life to, I feel like I've chosen the most beautiful things - the most soul stirring and moving... and least rewarding materially. It strikes me as ironic that all these things are means of expression - of communication. It's ironic because communication was the reason my last relationship ended. Rather, a lack of... the irony is, in fact, sickening.
Maybe I'll become an accountant instead. Or a rally driver. hah.
No...
I choose life.
I haven't put up any pictures for a while. Time for some more.
I'm taking the X-300s for a spin around town tonight... hopefully develop some pictures tomorow.
STAY TUNED, FOR THE NEXT EXCITING EPISODE OF... THE PERSISENT PURSUIT OF...
hahaha. gotta love those open endings.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The pursuit of God
This morning I went to church. So you know where I'm coming from, I was brought up in a christian home, then when I moved out of home started seeing saturday night sinners and sunday morning saints (i know because they came to my parties) and decided if that was what i was going to church for then i was better off without.
If anyone asked I would still have called myself a christian, but cautiously. You've gotta be careful who you associate yourself with. I noticed people in the church who were there not because of what they believed, or knew to be true, but because they simply didn't know any different and didn't have any desire to think things through. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but for me personally, I had to have a reason to be there.
I never liked calling it religion. Christianity is not a religion - its a relationship with someone who did something so amazing, out of love, that its impossible not to love in return. But I'm not here to talk about what christianity is or isn't, I want to tell you about church this morning.
I went to the new Hillsong church in Brisbane, just to check it out. What i saw there... were people. Humans. everyday, common, same-as-anyone-else-you'll-ever-meet people. Same needs and wants, same everything. Different focus. I saw people who didn't claim to be perfect, but in their humanity, gave of what they had to serve others. They were living beyond themselves. What I mean when I say this, is that there is a feeling you get when you sense someone is doing something for themselves. There is another feeling when you sense someone is doing something for a greater purpose. a higher calling. There was an energy that was running through the congregation, that united them... there was a feeling of something powering them, that was far greater than themselves... I feel like there is so much more to say about this, but I'm gonna think about it a little while. Ruminate. Maybe write more sometime...
Love is more than simply warm feelings. It is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as ourselves? By helping when it's not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of love is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural force. (notes on John 13:35)
If anyone asked I would still have called myself a christian, but cautiously. You've gotta be careful who you associate yourself with. I noticed people in the church who were there not because of what they believed, or knew to be true, but because they simply didn't know any different and didn't have any desire to think things through. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but for me personally, I had to have a reason to be there.
I never liked calling it religion. Christianity is not a religion - its a relationship with someone who did something so amazing, out of love, that its impossible not to love in return. But I'm not here to talk about what christianity is or isn't, I want to tell you about church this morning.
I went to the new Hillsong church in Brisbane, just to check it out. What i saw there... were people. Humans. everyday, common, same-as-anyone-else-you'll-ever-meet people. Same needs and wants, same everything. Different focus. I saw people who didn't claim to be perfect, but in their humanity, gave of what they had to serve others. They were living beyond themselves. What I mean when I say this, is that there is a feeling you get when you sense someone is doing something for themselves. There is another feeling when you sense someone is doing something for a greater purpose. a higher calling. There was an energy that was running through the congregation, that united them... there was a feeling of something powering them, that was far greater than themselves... I feel like there is so much more to say about this, but I'm gonna think about it a little while. Ruminate. Maybe write more sometime...
Love is more than simply warm feelings. It is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as ourselves? By helping when it's not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of love is hard to do. That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural force. (notes on John 13:35)
The pursuit of Music
So for those of you who don't know me, music has been a huge part of my life... pretty much all my life. I started playing violin when I was 3, and now 19 years later have just finished up with an M.Mus (masters in music - violin). I've been really fortunate to have played with some of Australia's best young performers, toured nationally and overseas, and collaborated with some big names, and some lesser known, but no less talented ones. I started at the Sydney Conservatorium, then moved to the University of Queensland for the next two years. While I was studing there I did a fari bit of Chamber music, and in 2007 my quartet, Sanctuary, toured regional Queensland and collaborated with the Queensland Ballet. The next year I was offered a Vice-Chancellor's String scholarship to study in Tasmania, where I did Honours/Masters, and won a $15,000 scholarship to study in London. I'm based in Brisbane for now, but will be leaving again in a few weeks to play on a cruise ship for 4 months. It sounds like so long... wow. i thought I'd start by giving you a bit of a background. I've really been banging on about myself it seems like...
Anyhow, I've been looking at venues for a show I'm pieceing together, hopefully it'll be ready for the Melbourne Fringe Festival in September. I was in Melbourne a couple of days ago, and stumbled, completely by chance, across a cafe/venue called 1000 £ Bend. It's the perfect space for an intimate gig. There's a cafe at front of shop, with a large empty concrete space just behind it. There is also a small theatre upstairs, but the pictures were a bit dark... photos courtesy of Holli.
There is a similar space in Brisbane called the Lapart Wallspace, but the last time I was there was 2 years ago, and I haven't had a chance to check it out since. It doesn't have a cafe.
So regarding the music, at first I wanted to put together an electro-minimalist/postrock outfit for the festival, but I'm thinking it might be cool to do a string quartet thing... hum. Setup would definitely be a lot easier, and we could always build on it. Anyway, proposals aren't due til May, so there's plenty of time to think about it.
I think that's all for now.
dan.
Anyhow, I've been looking at venues for a show I'm pieceing together, hopefully it'll be ready for the Melbourne Fringe Festival in September. I was in Melbourne a couple of days ago, and stumbled, completely by chance, across a cafe/venue called 1000 £ Bend. It's the perfect space for an intimate gig. There's a cafe at front of shop, with a large empty concrete space just behind it. There is also a small theatre upstairs, but the pictures were a bit dark... photos courtesy of Holli.
There is a similar space in Brisbane called the Lapart Wallspace, but the last time I was there was 2 years ago, and I haven't had a chance to check it out since. It doesn't have a cafe.
So regarding the music, at first I wanted to put together an electro-minimalist/postrock outfit for the festival, but I'm thinking it might be cool to do a string quartet thing... hum. Setup would definitely be a lot easier, and we could always build on it. Anyway, proposals aren't due til May, so there's plenty of time to think about it.
I think that's all for now.
dan.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Portraits
There was a time when I found it really difficult to take photos of people. To a certain extent it still is, but I think what my problem was, was that I had a preconceived notion about what I expected in the picture before it was taken, so when it wasn't what I wanted... I went back to taking pictures of buildings. haha.
Though people are so much more interesting. I think i need to do a course or something.
ok so next post is going to be about something else...
Though people are so much more interesting. I think i need to do a course or something.
ok so next post is going to be about something else...
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