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01.11.2006 -
Boys and
Girls! "Of course my music is ****ing sacred!". This is what I said to
my manager after he informed me that the organisers of the Sacred
Music Festival in Milan were questioning my validity for their bill.
They have invited artists from around the world (India, South America,
China, and many more) to celebrate spiritual music. If my music, or
indeed I, were really sacred, surely I wouldn't react in this way.
This is what I find funny. But I do believe it is sacred in its own
way. Hey, I could perform these tunes in Buddist, Jewish, Catholic,
Islamic, or Shaman costume and get away with it don't you think? Maybe
keep the shades on so as to not get found out. Anyway while I am
flattered to have been considered, I am somewhat pissed off to have
been doubted. I will let you know how this pans out because I really
want to do it.
It's good to have some distance from the Fourth Wall album. The
further away I am from it the less I understand it which I kind of
like. While I was performing some of these tunes in Germany I couldn't
for the life of me remember what their origin or inspiration was. But
I do know I can find out by checking the diary I kept on the website,
should I ever be at all interested. I will never know how I came up
with some of the tunes from the other albums though. Sometimes there
are clues in the titles, but that's about it. Eclipse could mean there
was an eclipse on that day. February Sun might mean exactly that etc.
But with Always, or Do You Want Me, I have no idea what I was
thinking. It doesn't really matter. It's just music. No more and no
less. I still haven't found (or looked for) a label to release this
album in UK and USA. I need to get Stefan on to that. It's never easy
to know when the right time to approach these people because one
doesn't want to disturb them while they are in the middle of a game of
solitaire, or worse, while they are IMS'ing their friends. If there is
anyone out there working for a major record label who happens to
stumble upon this little note, please share with us what, exactly it
is, you do. Heard any good music lately? Answers or suggestions to
www.dominicneedshelpunderstandingthemusicindustry.com. Ok, it's
honesty time now: What's behind this little bee in my bonnet is I
can't get signed (arrested) in America with my own music. Either there
is something wrong with the whole of the music industry or maybe, just
maybe, my music isn't appropriate (good enough) for these markets.
Perhaps I should practice more humility. The problem there though, is
I can't work out if one is naturally humble or if one makes oneself
humble. Sometimes I get the impression people fake humility, or wear
it like some kind of after shave. "HUMILITY, by Calvin Klein". That
has a nice ring to it don't you think?
It's been a good month because I have had a chance to do so many
things which are impossible while I am on the road or in the middle of
a project. I am moving into a new studio which is really exciting. I
have purchased the latest state of the art computers, hardware,
software, chinaware etc and am really going for it. Call it an
upgrade. It's about a five mile cycle ride from home which will keep
me fit. I have also had a chance to spend some real time with my
family and get into a rhythm and pattern with my life. There hasn't
been that much work (or I haven't taken everything like I normally do)
so I find myself with extra time on my hands. One of my great luxuries
is to sit on the sofa in the afternoon and watch Columbo. I haven't
done that for years. This is the best show on television as far as I
am concerned. Quality acting. Everything about it is great. I have
also been playing chess matches for my club (The Chelsea Arts Club)
where I am a member. We have a small team and play against other
London clubs most Tuesdays. I have to wear a coat and tie which is a
comical sight. I lose most games but I also win a few. I am getting
better at chess all the time. It isn't exactly rock & roll hanging out
with old geezers (aren't I doing that anyway?) playing chess, not
saying a word, but I like it. I have also been out seeing friends
which I can never do on the road. Fanny and I went to a party (a
party!) where we sat for dinner and made conversation with strangers.
Then the music came on and I found myself dancing. I can't dance. I
think I could when I was younger but now I look like your friend's dad
dancing. Guitarists should never dance. Don't do it guys. It's not
cool. Just look miserable and things will happen for you. Trust me. I
have been married twice.
I had a great little trip to Korea and Japan. It's the first time I
have travelled that far with my own project. This meant turning right
once on the plane instead of left. In other words, my seat was in the
economy section. I like to call it festival seating. I haven't done
this for a long time. My seat was something like 48 K. I didn't even
know they had a "K". I do now, and I will never forget it. It actually
wasn't that bad, although I shan't be sharing this information to my
employers. They might get ideas. I have to admit I am a travelling
snob. The shows were great. I don't know why but South Korea is a
really important region for me. I love these people so much. I
couldn't believe the response we got. Rhani and Nicolas loved it too.
I must have signed two or three hundred autographs. The album in Korea
is different in that it includes two bonus tracks, "Rise & Fall" with
Misty, and "La Belle Dame" with Claudia. We sold quite a few. I was
very sad to leave Seoul. I promise to anyone who was there that I will
be back. I went to Japan to do some promotion for my new compilation
album "Heartbeats". I spent a day doing interviews, radio etc. I felt
sorry for the poor interpreter girl because I answered quite a few of
the same questions which she had to translate. By the end of the day I
was worried she might be sick of my story which certainly covered my
whole life. I can tell you I was sick of me. I will post details of
how you can get the new album on the site soon. I signed a lot of
autographs in Japan too. For every autograph there was also the
picture. The Japanese have really cool camera phones. At one point two
girls came running up to me so I readied myself to sign. They didn't
ask. I couldn't understand a word they were saying so I thought maybe
they just wanted a picture. I put my arm around one of them and
assumed the "meet dom" pose while looking for the camera. No camera to
be found. It turns out they worked at the hotel coffee shop and wanted
me to pay the bill. I clearly forgot. They didn't have a clue who I
was. This was one of my most embarrassing moments ever.
Had a great night at St Luke's opening Sting's "Songs from the
Labyrinth" show. He kindly asked me to do this because I am kind of
related to the project. A couple of weeks earlier, as a matter of
protocol, I sent him the recording I did of Rise & Fall with Misty. He
really loved it and then asked if I wouldn't mind having Misty join me
on stage for this song. I thought about it hard, with all its
implications, and then asked her. She just said, "Sure Dad". I was
fearful for her because she has never done anything like this. I was
worried she might crumble under the pressure. We did a couple of
rehearsals and she didn't really know the words but assured me she
would on the night. This really worried me because in my experience,
with nerves and pressure you (I) usually lose about 20% of your
ability in front of an audience. Rarely does one do better than when
one is prepared. This is why I prepare like crazy for a show. We did
the sound check on the day and she still didn't really have it
completely. I was petrified for her. Before the show she and I were in
the dressing room and I must have walked a mile in pacing. She told me
she was quite nervous too which didn't help. She was dressed casually
except for her skirt which had some glitter on it. She wore a green
T-shirt and blue cardigan. Her hair was tied back and she wore no make
up (when she is out with her mates she usually does). She
instinctively knew to dress down and keep it low key. I was proud of
her for that. Show time: She and I are standing in the wings and I
give her a big hug while Sting is introducing me and I tell her I'll
see her at the end of my set. I do my bit which goes ok and then
invite her up. I noticed how calmly she took to the stage, and with
such poise. She proceeded to sing the song note and word perfect. She
even took a few chances with some ad-libs which completely paid off.
She was confident yet still humble with it. She added at least 20% to
her ability and did it better than I have ever heard. I was smiling
during the performance with joy and some pride. At the end, the
audience gave her a standing ovation. We went back to the dressing
room and I gave her a hug. After the show all the who's who (celebs
included) came to our dressing room and bypassed me, almost pushing me
out of the way, to speak to her and give her their compliments. I
didn't mind. She seemed so cool with it all while still retaining her
humility and poise. I may sound like an overly proud parent here, but
I can't help it. I seriously do believe she has a unique talent. What
she does with it is entirely up to her. I am not an ambitious parent
for my kids. I strongly believe they should do what they want, not
what we do. Actually, she is more into ballet than music. The
limousine took her home. The next day flowers arrived for her from
various sources including a very impressive bouquet from Sting and
Trudie.
I can't follow this story with anything so I will leave it until next
time. But I would like to say this: I was so happy to see some of you
at my shows in Germany and Seoul. I really enjoyed these special
nights especially because you helped me make them what they were. I am
extremely grateful to all of you who made the effort to show up. I
would have liked to have chatted with you more but time didn't allow.
There is so much to talk about. For now, the only way I can
communicate with you is through my music.
Until next time,
Love,
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