Category Archives: Inspiration

Getting Ready For FAWM 2012

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“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London

Man, we’re at the end of January already… Where did it go?

I don’t know where it went but I do know that the beginning of February is also the beginning of FAWM which stands for February Album Writing Month.

I’ll cleaning up my creative space, contacting all of my collaborators and sharpening my pencil for this one.

I know I’ve mentioned FAWM (and my lack of success in it) before in the past but for those of you that don’t know FAWM is a songwriting event that challenges the participant to write 14 songs in the 28 days of February.

However, seeing that 2012 is a leap year the challenge is now to write 14.5 songs in 29 days. The other 0.5 being an extra collaboration with someone new.

Here is some more information about FAWM taken from www.fawm.org

“The FAWM challenge is simple: 14½ songs in 29 days. Why?

If it is inspiration you are after, then FAWM is your club. Each February, this website forges a collaborative community of thousands of musicians worldwide, from all walks and skill levels.

We take on the challenge of writing an album’s worth of new music in the shortest month of the year.”

Interested? Then go to www.fawm.org and join up, immerse yourself into the community and enjoy the ride.

I know I will.

Peace,

Corey :)

The Joy Of Learning New Songs

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For my first official day back from the Xmas/New Year break I spent the good part of yesterday compiling a list of covers that I wanted to learn and integrate into my Corey Stewart Solo and FIGJAM Duo/Band song-lists for 2012.

I figured that the time between now and my first gig on January 18th will be best spent sorting out my covers. This has been something that I’ve been trying to do for ages but had never found the time to do.

After a few years of making changes to my covers repertoire in a sporadic and haphazard manner, I thought it was time to put some process into place because at the end of the day, I love learning new songs and I wanted to add new material on a more purposeful and consistent basis.

I love learning new songs because it expands my musical palette and forces me to experience new songs and genres that I’m not used to.

It also enables me to sharpen up my listening skills, hone my music and guitar chord theory knowledge plus it gives me a reason (as if I really needed one in the first place) to pick up my acoustic guitar and just play it.

Most importantly however, the reason why I love learning new songs is that by mucking around with covers, I actually come up with new songwriting ideas of my own.

This happened on four occasions yesterday and these were immediately recorded onto the iPhone for future reference.

It’s amazing what happens when you just go off on a bit of a tangent in the middle of learning something. Songwriting ideas can come from anywhere…

Even from other songs.

Peace,

Corey :)

The Second Time Around – Song Video

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As promised here is the video presentation used at the CD launch of “The Second Time Around” a song written by myself, Heather Frahn and members of the Community Re-Entry Program at Flinders University as outlined in a previous post.

Here it is for you to enjoy.

Here is some more information about the Musical Brainwaves project from the YouTube page…

Musical Brainwaves was a group song-writing project with members from the Community Re-Entry Program at Flinders University in 2011. Collaborating with songwriters Heather Frahn and Corey Stewart the members contributed their own song lyrics, voices and artwork expressing positive viewpoints about their lives.

The creation of the song “The Second Time Around” brought much celebration of the things that inspire life and wellbeing.

CRP Members: Ben Howell, Cherrie Almond, Ron Brooks, Bernadette Circtzki, Joelene Schmerl, Adam Houston, Ralph Kloss, Zeke Langsford, Peter Coulter, Gary Irons, John Weston, Peter Guidera, Joanne King, Andrew King, Jayne Linke, Darryl Thompson, Cele Richardson, Meg Bartel, Luna Aboulhosn, Janma Gazmere, Jasmine Grace, Matthew Thomas, Karina Wight, Margaret Ellis, Christiana Wu, Louisa Schettini 

Musical Brain Waves was facilitated by Corey Stewart and Heather Frahn, with visual art assistance from Jasmine Grace. Recording and Music Production by Corey Stewart and Heather Frahn © 2011.

With thanks to Charmaine Mahar, Jaime Gardner and Roger Rees for their support for this project.

Let me know what you think.

Peace,

Corey :)

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What Does A Leap Of Faith Feel Like?

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Last night at the Open Mic @ The Dan (a weekly Open Mic that I run) I was having a chat with someone who was just about to experience her first time performing at the Open Mic.

She was very, very nervous and was almost in tears with the thought of getting up on stage and bearing herself to a room full of musicians who she felt were way better than her.

She was having second thoughts about performing and she was up on stage next.

I could only imagine that for someone who has only just started playing the guitar not even six months ago, the thought of coming to a well attended Open Mic full of quality performers such as the one at The Dan would be unthinkable.

She was grappling with the concept of stepping right out of her comfort zone and taking a leap of faith.

As I was chatting to her I was starting to think what a leap of faith would feel like and how I could adequately put the feeling into words. I then had a moment of clarity where I was reminded of the first time I jumped off the high diving tower at the local swimming pool many, many years ago.

I could remember in every detail walking up the ladder towards the top, giddy with anticipation but intensely nervous at the same time.

I remember being up there for what seemed like eternity, and having the feeling of being completely paralysed by fear but I couldn’t climb down from the platform as the fear of losing face in front of the others kids was stronger.

I remembered finally taking a deep breath, running towards the edge and (with an almighty scream) jumping in.

This flashback I experienced only lasted for a brief moment but in that moment I was taking the leap of faith with her.

Just before she went on stage I told her of my diving tower analogy and that by going through with her performance she will change her worldview (and her place in it) forever.

She then got up on stage and put in an absolutely wonderful performance.

Come to think of it, I’ve never jumped off the high diving tower since that day.

Peace,

Corey :)

My Involvement With “Musical Brainwaves”

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I wanted to let you know about a project that I’ve just become involved on with my very good friend and award winning singer/songwriter Heather Frahn. It’s called Musical Brainwaves and it’s a group songwriting project with members of the Community Re-Entry Program (all who have acquired brain injuries) held at Flinders University over a period of six Fridays between May 6th and June 3rd.

Over a period of six weeks Heather and myself will conduct a series of five creative sessions with the participants of the program in which the end result will be:

  • A song written by Heather and myself based on contributions from the programs participants
  • A professional recording of the song
  • A CD of the recording with an accompanying 6 page booklet including photos and artwork made by the programs participants
  • 50-100 copies of the CD distributed among participants, carers and community networks
  • A CD launch (of sorts) for participants, carers, community networks and interested parties

It’s hoped that the finished product can be used as a promotional and educational tool for the Community Re-Entry Program and its members on the Internet, in CD Format and on Radio

The (as yet untitled) song that Heather and I will be working on will have the duel themes of “expressing positive viewpoints about (your) life” and “celebrating what inspires and motivates (you).”

For me, working in the community music and arts field with Heather is an exciting development in my professional music career. It adds another string to my bow and it’s an invaluable opportunity to experience new ways of collaborating on and creating new music.

It’s also such a rewarding experience to be working in the company of such amazing and inspirational people. Both Heather and I started the project last Friday and can’t wait to get into it again this coming Friday and every Friday until June 3rd.

I’m constantly amazed at where the music takes me.

Peace,

Corey :)

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FAWM 2011 Is Just Around The Corner

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Today is the last day of January which means tomorrow, being the first day of February is the start of FAWM 2011.

For those who don’t know, FAWM stands for February Album Writing Month and the deal is, to write an albums worth of material in the month of February, which is set at 14 songs in 28 days. You can find out more about this brilliant songwriting concept by going to www.fawm.org.

On the FAWM website it describes the concept in this way:

“This is the club. Each February, FAWM.ORG forges a collaborative community where thousands of musicians of all walks and skill levels write an album’s worth of material in the shortest month of the year. That’s roughly one tune every other day. “Fawmers” are a mix of music professionals, students, homemakers, and folks who work dayjobs but rock nightclubs.”

In theory, the idea of FAWM being the kick-up-the-arse to my songwriting process holds true but in reality it hasn’t been that way which is my fault totally but this year I’m hoping that my songwriting output for FAWM 2011 will be much better than in previous years.

Later on in the year the guys at FAWM also run something called 50/90 (50 Songs In 90 Days) which will run from July to October 2011 but I’ll cross that bridge when the time comes.

I must keep telling myself that FAWM is not a contest and no-one gets judged, it’s a concept which is designed to test my songwriting process.

Am I ready to tackle inspiration, the muse head-on?

I’m going to give it a go this year, are you? Let me know if you do too.

Peace,

Corey :)

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Gary Numan Coming To Australia

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In 1992 I was turned onto Gary Numan through one of my supervisors of where I was working at the time, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

In fact, it was through repeated listening to Numan’s 1978 “Replica’s” album (that he did with Tubeway Army) that inspired me to form a 3 piece band called “Big Bang Theory”.

We wore black despotic costumes and played 4-to-the-floor punk liberally tinged with Sci-Fi themes, just like what Gary Numan was doing.

The band only lasted one gig however, the experience was enough to give me the courage to move to Sydney in 1994 and the rest is history…

I never realised how much of an influence Gary Numan’s music had on my life until I saw an advertisement for Gary Numan’s Pleasure Principle tour of Australia (due in May 2011) which inspired this post.

Numan’s music and his dystopic imagery dared me to listen to music in a different way and to consider my role in it. I lost my way musically a little bit at that time which turned me into an angry soul but Gary Numan was the light I needed to find my way again.

Numan and his band will be performing at HQ on Monday May 16th, I’ll be getting my ticket. It’s my way of thanking an artist that has influenced me in ways I hadn’t imagined.

Below is my favourite Gary Numan song “We Are Glass.” For me, this song clearly shows how far ahead of his time Gary Numan was.

Enjoy!

Peace,

Corey :)

Wish I Wrote That #1 – “My Love” (Paul McCartney)

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Now that I’m back in the studio again and well and truly back in the land of the living I think it’s about time to start putting up some videos again.

I’ve already put up some videos for SongDare now its time to start putting up some Wish I Wrote That videos.

Essentially, I get inspired by the songs of others just as much as I do writing my own songs. I feel that learning and playing the songs that inspire me is the best way for me to really know the song and the songwriting lessons behind it.

I want to share with you a video of me playing “My Love” by Paul McCartney (and Wings) at the Open Mic @ The Dan last Wednesday night.

“My Love” by (from Red Rose Speedway in 1973) is one of my all time favourite love songs and it’s one of those masterpieces that I wish I had written.

I love how the melody and the chord progression blend together perfectly and while the lyrics may seem a little simplistic, they allow the melody to shine through to its fullest effect.

Enjoy…

For me, this song is quite simply an inspired work of art.

Peace,

Corey :)

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Sting’s Songwriting Process – A Video Insight

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I stumbled across this old video of Jools Holland interviewing Sting (circa mid 80′s) recently and it gives a brilliant insight into the way that Sting gathers, processes and demos his songwriting ideas before introducing it to the rest of the Police band members

Even though the video primarily focuses on how he come up with “Message In A Bottle” (one of my all time favourite songs) there are plenty of pearls of wisdom to be had if you listen for it.

Look out for the introduction of Dennis as one of the central characters in his songwriting process.

I loved every minute of this video especially the old recording technology I mean, I used to have one of those Tascam 4 track machines (ahh, the memories of it all). I hope you enjoyed it too, let me know what you think.

Peace,

Corey :)

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Catching Up With Old Friends

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Recently I caught up with an old friend of mine Jeff Smith whom I had lost contact with for about 8 years.

When we finally caught up it was lovely to discover that there was none of the awkwardness or guilt that sometimes comes with a reconnection with a good friend after a long time apart, we just picked up where we left off and interacted as if we saw each other yesterday.

Besides fulfilling a need to reconnect with an old friend, I contacted Jeff to let him know that a song we wrote together way back when called “Billboard Angel” was going to be part of the next SCALA CD release.

I can’t remember how Jeff and I first met but what I do know is that he’s an amazing guitarist, studio engineer and an all round nice guy with unique perspectives on life which make for great conversation and for writing really good songs.

It’s through reconnecting with Jeff that I’ve become really inspired to get stuck into my home studio setup and start recording my songwriting ideas again, something I very thankful for.

I want to finish this post today with another example of a song that Jeff and I wrote. It’s called “Groove With You” and it touches on the concept of two people who just can’t seem to connect fully even though they adore each other. I just love the funkiness of the song.

Enjoy!

Groove With You
© 2001 (C. Stewart / J. Smith)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Peace,

Corey :)