So I’ve been reaping the fruits of finishing my album… namely manually assemblingstaplinginserting the print-work, burning each CD and then writing the title onto every one of the two hundred copies I made. Then of course riding around Sydney delivering them to mailboxes of various peoples I know. Also the gig at the Vanguard looms and despite some serious initial doubts about the band I have pulled together, I think we might just pull it off!

Anyway, in more practical news, I’m starting a new degree at Sydney University (my third! so this better stick or I’ll be really, really old by the time I leave a bachelor of Media and Communications.

In immediately pressing news: I’m going to see The Arcade Fire tonight. Although I’m not terribly familiar with their canon of musical-work, the religious zeal with which many otherwise placid music nerds have taken up arms in their support… lets just say expectations are high.

Some fortunate time-tabling means I have official dates to produce the stop-frame animation I’ve been mentioning. 7th – 19th of Feb (my brother and mother are going to South Africa to visit family, so I’m going to ‘borrow’ my brothers room, and use it to make the film). And in final creative news: I am most determined to paint again, its been longer than a year since I picked up a brush! I have a sketch ready, to re-create on a big canvas – it will have to be my last creative effort before university starts again.

Okay enough updatings, till next time world, remember to breathe (it helps enormously in the staying-alive department)

So I finished the last track for the album today. It feels good to write that. Creating it certainly ranks with the novel as one of my longest sustained creative efforts. On Saturday I’m going to check out some abandoned squats to take some album-art photos. Hopefully I’ll be distributing the packaged CD next week.

Having listened to the album in full I think I can say that I’m both proud and pleased with it, which is a relief. Though like any creative work, I suppose I will only really be able to pass judgment months from now when its not so connected to me.

In more practical arenas I’ve got a gig booked at The Vanguard, one of Sydney’s premier club venues. However the band I’ve pulled together is causing me endless pains, with an extreme lack of punctuality and apparent commitment. (More on this in future blogs!).

It will be nice to finally clear my mind of the album and move onto other things. My major project before University starts is the stop-motion animation I have planned. I’ve drawn up the story-board and organized a high-quality digital still camera from a friend, so all is ready. I think it will probably only get done in late February though.

Anyway, its almost midnight and I should sleep. Until next time world.

I’m currently working on the last song of the album. Progress has slowed to a near halt, but I’m so close to the finish line now I could probably crawl across by dragging myself with my tongue

I’m looking to have everything done by the end of next week, which is actually quite achievable at this point. I know that the album would probably benefit from a month of further tweakings and minor adjustments but my timetable simply won’t allow it.

All in all I feel quite confident in where its at. Certainly I’m proud of myself for sticking with the whole process, through all the creative ups and downs and doubts. And also the sheer weight of technical knowledge I’ve accrued over the recording period has been worth it, in and of itself.

In Creative News: Songs continue to be written – I wrote an as yet untitled murder ballad while I was at a camping festival over NYE, a piano song called “Lullaby” and rock-number called “The Trial” and mandolin-picker called “On The Run” & well etc. etc. Also before I go back to university I have a stop-motion film planned out (I had hoped to enter it into a particular short-film festival, but the album takes precedence until its complete) so check out the motion section to finally see some new material!

Until next time world.