Category Archives: Music

Gig Alert – Higher Ground, October 28th

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Yes that’s right, this Thursday I’ll be playing at Higher Ground (Light Square, City) in the Arts Cafe as part of the third Open Mic Network Showcase put on by SCALA (Songwriters, Composers and Lyricists Association) and my Open Mic Network.

There will be 4 other amazing acts sharing the stage with me:

I’ll be playing songs from my upcoming CD plus, I’ll be playing for the first time, some of the songs I’ve recently collaborated with Adrian Miller which will be interesting in itself.

Here’s hoping my voice recovers by then and if I’m lucky I might be able to get some audio and video of the show as well.

The show starts at 8pm and will finish at around 11pm, I’ll be the last performer on the night. Cover charge is $5 for waged persons, $4 for concession card holders and $3 for SCALA members.

There are no free lists.

Hope to see you there,

Corey :)

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 :)

CD Project Update #10 – Sailing Into The Great Unknown

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I know it’s been just over a week since my last post and with recording on hold because of Anthony being on tour for a couple of weeks (lucky bugger) I thought I’d take the opportunity to outline what’s been happening.

Last Wednesday’s recording session saw electric guitar overdubs completed on “Half Hearted Man” and “Back Of My Mind” which made the day a long, slow process.

I’m surprised how drained I felt at the end of the session (and I didn’t even pick up the guitar once).

There have been times of late where I felt that all the songs should’ve been recorded live in the studio at the very beginning but then I listen to the finished takes (especially the finished version of “Billboard Angel”) and I’m reassured that the decision to do everything separately was the right one.

What I am realising is that this CD is going to take much longer than I anticipated and I don’t know how to feel about that. Do I have the patience needed to see this through? I was kind of hoping that the CD launch could coincide with my birthday in January but I’m not so sure now.

Hmmm, all this sounds like I’m perhaps getting cold feet or, having second thoughts about the whole CD project.

Not at all… I think I’m feeling the venerability that almost all songwriters feel when creating something that will project their innermost thoughts and feelings out in the real world for mass consumption.

It seems that now that a finished CD is becoming more and more of a reality with every recording session, I’m becoming more and more aware that I’m sailing into uncharted waters of the great unknown.

In essence, this CD is pushing me way out of my comfort zone and that scares the hell out of me.

This is a question I pose to anyone who has done this before:

  • What has been your experiences with recording your CD?
  • Am I going mad here or, is what I’m feeling normal?
  • Is there any advice you can give me?

Please let me know what you think as I’d love to hear from you all about this but in the meantime I better start learning how to swim in case I get thrown overboard.

Peace,

Corey :)

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My First Concert – Sting, Memorial Drive 1985

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The Dream of the Blue Turtles
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I remember the Dream Of The Blue Turtles concert as it was yesterday.

A group of about 5 of us stayed over a friends place who lived close to the venue the night before to ensure that we got a good position in the lineup. As it turned out, at 8am the next day we were the second group in the line.

The whole day was full of taking in turns going into the city and hanging out listening to music on a cassette player (now I’m showing my age here). The air of anticipation became thicker and thicker the closer we got to showtime.

When the gates eventually opened there was a mad rush to the front. I managed to position myself front and centre of the stage… It couldn’t get any better than that.

Hunters and Collectors were the support band for that night and they had just released their landmark album “Human Frailty” that same year. They were fantastic but of course all eyes and ears were waiting for the main act. Sting and his band of Jazzmen.

When it was time for Sting to start there was a roar of applause from the capacity crowd and by this time anyone who was sitting on the ground were standing.

First to appear on stage was drummer Omar Hakim who kicked things off with an incredible drum solo that seemed to last forever but it was probably around 10 minutes at the most. WOW!

Then, Sting and the rest of band graced the Memorial Drive stage and proceeded to blow everybody away for the next 2 hours. At this stage any thoughts I had in my mind that music wasn’t going to be a permanent part of my life were gone.

For me this concert represented the closest thing I have come to a religious experience and after the final note was played I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and today I’m still doing that.

Peace,

Corey :)

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My First Record – Jeff Wayne’s “War Of The Worlds”

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Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the...

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I don’t watch that much television but one of my favourite TV programs going around at the moment is RockWiz on SBS.

On the show, every participant on the program is asked one of two questions as part of their introduction.

1. What was the first record you ever bought (or was bought for you)?
2. What was the first concert you ever went to?

Today I’m going to deal with my first record… It was Jeff Wayne’s “War Of The Worlds”

My Auntie (Mum’s sister) got the double LP for me for my 9th or 10th birthday because every time I went over to her place I would take her copy of War Of The Worlds and put on some headphones and spend all night night listening to it over and over and over again while looking through the extensive album notes and pictures.

I still have the album even now, it’s a treasured part of my music collection.

The War Of The Worlds album captured my imagination and it really influenced my musical leanings as the album turned me on to the concept of orchestral music (I didn’t start studying music until I got into high school).

I found this video of the introduction and the first piece of music (The Coming Of The Martians) performed live and conducted by the composer himself, Jeff Wayne

Man, what a gig to be part of.

I must say… Richard Burton still has the best speaking voice EVER.

Peace,

Corey :)

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SongDare And Other Video Projects

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Picture of a canon video camera.

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Ever since I wrote Pomplamoose & The Covers VS Originals Argument in late July I’ve been mucking around around with my Canon video camera, working out how to use it and, at the same time, trying to work out what my promotions and marketing angle for me using video would be.

Obviously my first step is to put my own songs onto video. I really do think that for me, video is going to become an integral component in my online music marketing however, I’m also going to take a leaf out of Pomplamoose’s book and start experimenting with playing covers.

Why not? There’s a couple of ways I’m going to do this.

First of all I’m going to start a video series on this blog called I Wish I Wrote That where I pay homage to the songs and songwriters that have inspired me throughout my life. It’s where I can show you through video who my musical influences are and it will also give you an opportunity in sharing with me your musical influences as well.

I’m looking forward to some fascinating conversations from this…

Secondly, I’m starting an ongoing series of videos where I play any song that is requested of me, from you. The concept is called SongDare and it’s an idea that has been running through my head ever since I started seriously playing covers either as a soloist or with bands professionally, about 5 years ago.

The concept is very, very simple.

You request a song, and I mean any song, no matter how bizarre or beautiful it may be, and if I can play it just by using my voice and an acoustic guitar, I’ll video it and put it up on YouTube and embed the video on this blog.

As well as putting my own songs onto video, SongDare is something I’m really excited about.

It’s always amazed me the diverse range of songs that people would request me to do for them at my cover shows from Duran Duran to Meatloaf to Garth Brooks to Beyonce. I do love a challenge and SongDare gives me a chance to have a go at playing anything and everything.

So, I now open it up to you.

Contact me with your request and I’ll do my best to learn it, cover it and put it on video for you. When your song is ready to be put online I’ll let you know and send you through the YouTube link. I’ll personally make sure that I put your name in the credits.

Which means YOU get instant bragging rights.

Remember, your SongDare request could be your favourite song or, a song that you’d think would be hilarious to watch me attempt to play.

All I can say is bring it on… I dare you!

Peace,

Corey :)

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Guitar Tuition With Corey Stewart

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A variety of guitar picks

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After many, many enquiries from interested folks I’ve finally decided to get back into teaching guitar again.

What does this all mean for you?

Well, have you ever wanted to:

  • Play the guitar but you didn’t know where to start?
  • Seek out and learn your favourite songs on guitar?
  • Write more songs using the guitar as a songwriting tool?
  • Learn more chords and get more out of your guitar?
  • Play your guitar for relaxation or, maybe as a profession one day?

If you said YES to any of these questions then consider me as your guitar teacher.

As well as being a songwriter I have also been a guitarist for just over 25 years and I reckon in that time I’ve picked up a thing or two about playing the guitar and how to get the best out of it. My experiences and what I’ve learnt on my journey is what you will learn from me.

You’ll also learn everything you need to pick up your guitar and play your favourite song, jam with others, expand on your own chordal and theoretical knowledge or write your own songs using the guitar as your primary songwriting tool.

Each lesson will be customised for you and for the goals you want to achieve, whether it be to play for relaxation or as a step towards playing music as a profession.

You’ll learn at your own pace with someone who is patient, understanding and very knowledgeable.

That would be me!

To make a booking or for more information about my fees and/or what I can do for you and your guitar playing please contact me.

Peace,

Corey :)

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Updated CD Project Songs Are Now Online!

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CD-Rs

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I’ve finally put the updated versions of the 16 remaining songs up on the CD Project page for you all to listen to.

Please bear in mind, even though these songs are recorded with drums, bass, acoustic guitar and guide vocals they are still unmixed, unequalised, unmastered and unfinished.

I am of course still open to any and all feedback, comments and/or suggestions that you may have. You can do that by either contacting me or leaving your comments below.

Peace,

Corey :)

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The Synchronicity Police VS Pure Blondie – The Day After!

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Today I’ve been in recovery mode after the TSP vs Pure Blondie show last night. Recharging my batteries so to speak.

I want to personally thank everyone who braved the incredibly shitty weather and turned up. I know you wouldn’t have been disappointed.

For me, the whole night was fantastic and there were a lot of people there enjoying both bands and getting into the spirit of the US vs UK new wave tribute concept.

We started off proceedings at 10pm and for just over an hour we gave the crowd a little bit of a Police history lesson, going through all their hits and a few of their well known album tracks.

People were dancing, singing along to the choruses and getting into the audience participation and the duet that Lisel (from the Pure Blondie show) did on “Wrapped Around Your Finger” went down with the crowd really, really well.

I had a lot of fun…

I managed to catch a little bit of the Pure Blondie show from side of stage while I was waiting for my turn to get up and do my rendition of “Rapture Riders” with the band and I was impressed with the way that all of the band members really got into their collective roles and also for their use of props to really drive the Blondie concept home for their fans.

Personally, I learnt a lot from them in terms of band promotion and merchandising (they had t-shirts for sale at the gig) and at the same time made some friends along the way.

There is another TSP vs Pure Blondie show planned for later on in the year but it’s not confirmed as yet so watch this space.

Now, another working week beckons…

Peace,

Corey :)

The Synchronicity Police

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For years I’ve had people say to me that my voice sounds like Sting. Initially I was a bit taken aback by these comments however, I now regard statements such as this as an amazing compliment so I asked myself “why not put this Sting-esque voice of mine to good use and form a Police tribute show?”

Hence The Synchronicity Police (also affectionately known as “TSP”) was created.

TSP was born out of an obsessive passion of all things Police and Sting by myself and long time mates Greg Adamopoulos (Andy Summers) and Dave Branton (Stewart Copeland). We recreate a 2 hour live Police experience utilising all of the classic Police hits such as Message In A Bottle, Walking On The Moon and (of course) Roxanne which has been a crowd favourite at my own live shows.

Very recently we have added renowned keyboard player Victor Oria to the mix and in the future we’re going to expand the repertoire to include the very best of Stings solo catalogue.

Here is a recent review of our Fringe show (Steph Glaser, Independent Weekly March 9th, 2010):

“… Corey Stewart, Greg Adamopoulos and Dave Branton were The Police.

Ripping the bass during the first set, Stewart belted out favourites such as Don’t Stand so Close to Me, De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da and Wrapped Around Your Finger while Adamopoulos jammed on guitar and Branton pounded the drums. They also covered B-sides such as When the World is Running Down and It’s Alright for You. Stewart’s singing, especially the wails and screams, did more than justice to Sting, while Adamopoulos and Branton amply honoured Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.

The first set ran slightly short, but the trio absolutely rocked the second set. The middle-aged crowd appeared to relive the 80′s while they sang, danced and pumped their fists to the power hits Every Little Thing She Does is Magic‚ Message in a Bottle, and King of Pain. The band didn’t disappoint with a seemingly endless encore that included Roxanne, Every Breath You Take and So Lonely.

This is truly a tribute show and it’s easy to see the band members are hard-core fans.”

The above review was a good one and I’m very proud of TSP and what we’ve achieved so far. I know that we would rock any venue that decides to have us.

If you have any questions about TSP please contact me however, for any booking enquiries please contact Peter Hunt at TSP Management on 0417 862 660 or by email.

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