So?! What’s it called?! Well basically I really wanted to capture the journey that I have spoken about. I’ve decided to call it “Estuary“, as it really sums up where I feel the ideas come from (the Source), and especially with this project, I have created and nurtured the songs, then slowly took them down stream, and will eventually will reach the point where I will have to free them into the great unknown – the sea. That’s a basic synopsis of where the idea came from for the title of the album.

Let me know what you think. Thanks for all your support along the way on email, MySpace, Twitter and Facebook! It means a hell of alot. We’re nearly there –

L+L

Minus Circus Live on Bondi FM Australia by Minus Circus

Last night was a great laugh, full of everything that I miss about Ireland. The total randomness was really apparent last night, from the moment I walked into the back-stage area of the venue. Every Irish person will relate to the question of “where are you from exactly?”, which usually precedes the “Oh! Do you know so and so”. The fact is Ireland is so small, that we really appreciate the fact that the chances are, you’re going to know someone in common. We find the common ground alot easier than countries with vast areas such as Australia or the US or UK. It turns out there was alot of banter and mutual friends between alot of us, and a great nights music was had, and I have to say, I was really really impressed by The Coronas.

I’d seen the band when they first started out in 2006 (I think) in the back room in Whelans. When I say, I’d “seen” them, I possible grabbed the last 15minutes of their set that night, and it’s really amazing to see a band break out of Ireland, and get some recognition, especially in the current state of the industry, I’m delighted to see anyone do well, but these guys are talented, and great guys. SO if you’re in Melbourne next week, pop along to their show. You’ll be sorry if you don’t!

So what else happened last night? Well there was alot of beers consumed by some great guys from Limerick, who provided me with alot of stories of rugby and life in general. If you’re reading this, thanks for the beers and hope you enjoy the CD’s (and the hangover!)

Gotta leg it, it’s raining and it’s cold in Sydney. But I’m delighted with the way last night went, I’m delighted to have gotten through playing the new songs without too much a balls-up, and I’m even more delighted with the reaction and feedback I got from the audience. Here’s to the rest of 2010! Can’t wait to get it finished….!

The Coronas – Live at Oxygen Festival, Ireland

I became so disillustioned with the entire industry over the last 12months, and really had to look at justifying the spend of alot of money on making the record. As an independent artist, it’s really difficult, and especially when I didn’t get what was needed for the album in Ireland, I really had to look long and hard at the bigger picture. I stripped everything back, and I really feel that after 5 years of gigging, rehearsing and writing, that I am truly ready to release something that I am totally proud of. It’s really quite simple, anyone these days can make a record, and release it. But not everyone will be able to say that it is “them” on the record, and really and utterly represents who they were at that time of their lifes.

So Brendan’s really made me look at everything, made me think about my approach to what has become “re-recording” this album. So what we done that was so different to the way I have worked before? We focussed on the bare bones of each lyric, and track. We looked at the song as a collective, and focussed on the strength of each part, and re-built arrangements. We ventured down paths that didn’t bear any fruit (but at least we know there’s no fruit down that path now). It’s been such a rollercoaster, and we’re getting closer to the final round. Alot of the parts have been finished, but we need to really re-assess the album in a week or so – just to see what else needs to be done.

I’ll be opening for Irelands Meteor Award winning band “The Coronas”, in the next 2 weeks at 3 of their 5 date tour around Australia. Check the live page for dates and information on tickets etc.

Initially I had decided to work with Gavin Ralston of Silverwood Studios in Ireland, and hired him to work as producer for the album. But unfortunetly, the outcome of these sessions although engineered excellently, lacked the punch I desired – which falls both on my shoulders and Gavins. Anyone who knows me, or has worked with me before, knows that I am a perfectionist, and unfortunetly the fruits of the sessions in Ireland resulted in tracks that if released, would ultimetly be a poor reflection of the songs and music that I have created. So I was left with a handful of songs that were “close”, and another handful of songs that needed TLC, with attention on creating the right arrangements for the songs.

As a result, I have hired Brendan O’Brien (Melvin Tree) to help collaborate, and strip the album back to the bare bones, and rebuild from the ground up. So over the last few weeks we have been able to work out the wood from the trees, and I am really really excited about the results. I would have loved to have had the album finished sooner, but I have come this far, and I figured that there really is no point in releasing something that I would not want to stand on the top of a building and scream about.

Everyone knows that there’s millions and millions of albums getting released every year, and the competition is extremely tough, but I want to create an album that is totally honest, and a real reflection of who I am. Sorry to bore you guys with all of this, but I really felt that I needed to share the journey with all of you guys. I’ll be working with Brendan over the next few months, and will 100% keep you posted.

Gavin’s built up a wonderful range of electrics, ranging from some lovely Gibsons, Tele’s, and 12-strings etc. So if you throw into the mix some gorgeous vintage amp’s – I’m pretty much in heaven. So I’m really able to nail the vintage sound that the songs are calling out for.

Today we have Geoff Woods adding some extra little sounds that add’s the extra dimension to alot of tracks. It’s going great, and we’ve been working on a track called ‘Home’, which I think is going to make the cut.

I’ve been back here for 10 days and it’s been manic, but I’ve managed to squeeze alot of things in outside of the studio. As always it’s great to see alot of my friends and family, and great to see Dublin in the lead up for Christmas. The hardest part for me living in Australia, is the lead up to the festive season. I’m use to cold, dark nights, with shitty music on the radio. But you’d be surprised how much you crave the shitty music when you’re in your shorts (i’m serious!) and really bright summer evenings. Dublin is great – but like anywhere it’s the people that makes the place. I’ll have a few beers hopefully before I leave, to celebrate what looks like being an incredibly productive (touch wood) 14-15 days in the studio!

Fingers crossed!

This week we’ve nailed 13 songs to the cross through the direction of Mr Gavin Raltson. We started off with Johnny Boyle (on drums), and Aonghus Ralston (on bass) and myself lay down the bones of the songs, work out the grooves and arragements over the last week. It’s a crazy rush to hear the songs take life and form in the direction I have always wanted. Johnny and Aonghus are total legends – great craic was had.

I also managed to fit in a gig in Whelans on Tuesday night. There was a wonderful turn out on a really bitterly cold November night, and I wanted to thank everyone who made the trip out. I know how hard it is for people to leave the comfort of their homes for nights like this – and you can be rest assured that I truly appreciate every one of you guys who make the effort to come and show your support to me! It means the world to me! Also a massive thank you to Stephen Branigan and Shay Cotter for opening the wonderful night.

Thanks to to everyone for the kind words on MySpace and Facebook – wishing me a happy birthday! The big day is in fact today, so I’ll have a few extra drops of whiskey in the glass tonight for all of you! I honestly can’t believe the amount of well wishers on my facebook page! The internet is a wonderful thing! (or scary thing!)

Anyway – lunch is over – and I had better get back to it. I had mentioned doing a daily video log from the studio, but sorry to say, I have not had a chance to do this. I will however try and do something different in the following weeks when I return to Sydney!