Tour times...

Waking up this Sunday morning, sees the end of the band's summer tour. We have travelled to many areas of the UK that we had previously not visited. Some of these breathtakingly beautiful, others not so awe-inspiring. However all these new places brought with them new faces; people who had never heard us and people who had come especially for us.

I think it awesome that in these cities miles and miles from home, in which we had never played in until now, contained our fans who had ventured out to watch us perform. For me, I feel we must therefore be doing something right. As long as this recognition of the band continues to increase, with the help from you the reader to spread the word, things can only get better.

Fellow bands will know all too well how it feels to turn up to a dingy venue with only the two locals drunkenly straddling a bar stool each as you reluctantly enter the first stages of your set for the evening. Thankfully following this bout of shows, we have taken another step in the opposing direction of this not ideal scenario. But with further help from fans we can save each other from these awful happenings.

Now tour is over it is time to regain our strength and get into the studio. Roll on the album!

Thank you to all who attended our shows. Without you we would indeed be at a loose end.

P.S - if you haven't checked out our new single here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0rRJTkVano

Realtime continues...

View from the van

The band (mid-tour in Dundee)

It's been a while...

Those of you who have followed some these posts would have realised the vast lack of blogging over the recent months. Due to the busyness of booking up tour dates and writing the album there has been a considerable amount of slack on my part in regards to this blog. However it is all back on!

Some of you may already know that my band have newly released a brand new music video and single. Notwithstanding the immense stress and aggravation of producing the song and video (for further details on this - http://realtimebandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2012_06_01_archive.html), it was eventually released successfully through Kerrang! on 27th July. Yet there was still a slight issue with the video footage and therefore had to be uploaded again, but it is all sorted now.

Below is the video now. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

Realtime continues...

Video antics...

As a band, we have successfully completed a total of three music videos. The preceding two were relatively stress-free and straightforward. The third video was a rather different affair.

From the get-go we were running about half an hour behind schedule due to leaving late to get to the venue where we would be shooting. Then after meeting up with the video director, a vital cable was discovered to have been left behind to make the director's PA work. What ensued was a thirty minute journey into the heart of Camden Town on a quest to find a replacement for the misplaced forgotten cable. Moreover we found ourselves three actors/actresses down due to last-minute drop-outs. We then had to scramble to obtain as many replacements as we could in the remaining five hours we had left to finish filming both the storyline and the live band scenes.

We managed to find two additional people and due to losing so much shooting time had to make do with five actors as apposed to our planned six. It was made to work, however the storyline scenes took far too long to execute, allowing a mere forty minutes maximum for live band shots. To top it all off the room temperature was unbearably hot, but all was concluded with not a minute to spare.

Hopefully all will turn out great after the whole stressful ordeal. I am sincerely hopeful that not too many other bands have had such an impromptu video shoot.

Here's some behind-the-scenes footage -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofZxNLSfJj0

Results are soon to be seen.

Realtime continues...

On set at the shoot

Rule 1: Keep your guitar on-stage...

Last night we made a journey into the country's capital for another gig with slightly deflated expectations of an agent coming down to the venue to check us out. Due to a number of previous occasions where an agent has said they were attending but then cancelled the morning of the show, we were not particularly expecting much. Moreover, we had a rather major issue of trying to actually reach the venue.

With no van available currently, we've had to make do with traveling in a convoy of cars and attempting to pile in all our gear. It can be quite a challenge! But because we were not allowed to use two of the speaker cabinets of the headline band we were forced into having to take one cabinet ourselves and could not fit in another. There was no space remaining in our cars whatsoever. We had to therefore result to having to plug the bass into the PA system (DIing) which sounded balls to say the least. 

Despite these issues, ten minutes prior to performing an agent arrived; one who if they were impressed could potentially lead us to greatness. I instantaneously became nervous and under pressure to play to my best ability. I would strongly advise against thinking that way, as a result of working myself up, in the final song I had to run off stage to fetch my alternately tuned guitar due to forgetting to place it beside me before commencing the set. Not the most professional look! 

Seemingly undeterred by all these problematic events, the agent loved the set. How very relieved I felt!

We will now see where this takes us. Another step in the right direction one might say. Let's hope so.

Realtime continues...

Prior to forgetting my other guitar (photo by Allyn Lai)

It is official...

Lately some things have taken far too long to be completed. However finally it is official. As of yesterday, we are now legally signed to a major management company. We thought that going out to a little local pub to confirm the contract would make for a nice occasion. With a round of drinks in, the pen was put to paper and all was finalised.

What ensued was a somewhat odd feeling of vigor that we now have a huge force behind us who will hopefully help us out tremendously. But one must not get too carried away thinking that they have simply now "made it."

There is much more work still to be done and I for one am rather looking forward to these challenges that are to bear down upon us.

Realtime continues...

Signing our lives away...

A dilemma of choice...

The process of recording has dragged on for an exceedingly long time, but on the Thursday just gone we completed the final finishing touches. After attending a total of five studios around the country, all work on these three tracks are done. Now mixing will follow. One might think that going to five studios for only three tracks seems somewhat excessive. As everyone would assume, the primary objective is for a band to get the best sound possible from their producer. But sometimes, and in this instance, a band will have to look for a change in surroundings and an alternative producer to see if things would work better. Notwithstanding the change of producer and the changes and additions made to each set of songs, we find ourselves in a situation where both collections of recordings from each producer are sounding as good as they possibly can (prior to mixing) but we do not know which producer to choose to record the full album. They both are sounding great. I suppose this is not such a bad position to be in. At least the opportunity of choice is available!

In other news, we inch closer to a very important contracted confirmation but more on that once everything is finalised. Exciting times approaching.

P.S - If available to attend a certain gig this coming Tuesday 17th April you may well find myself playing there that very same night with my band. Check this link for details - http://www.facebook.com/lecarlaofficial/app_178091127385

Realtime continues...

Final studio

Gangsta Panda

Perseverance...

Sometimes in bands there is a tendency for obstacles to get in the way of the end goal. These past few weeks have brought forth a number of small complications. Issues with relationships and strains of having to write University dissertations and deadlines to meet can get distracting. It sure can all pile on top of you. HOWEVER! During the last couple of band practices, the best material is beginning to be formed. The album is shaping up to be extremely exciting with only a few remaining songs to be written.

While this behind-the-scenes writing has been happening, in order to keep things flowing, one of our songs is available to download here - http://www.thruthegrapevine.co.uk/songs/download/42

It is always important for a band to keep fans interested in what they are doing while they concentrate on writing their album as apposed to constantly gigging, otherwise boredom is likely to ensue.

Things are working well and the next show is likely to contain a hefty amount of new tunes to make people need a fresh pair of underpants after hearing them. Be there!

Realtime continues...

Tribute to Jim Marshall - the inventor of tone

A common annoyance...

If in a band, I'm sure you are all much familiar with last minute cancelations of gigs for reasons unknown. Especially if these gigs are all quite close together it can be a real buzz-kill. Just a situation has yet again graced us with its presence.

However in other news, a contract has been edited and redrafted and we find ourselves one step closer to getting things official. Good things come to those who wait, one might say.

Also on having a new drummer joining the ranks, a new photoshoot was in order. One preview shot back displays me seemingly about to carry out a right-handed karate chop. I'm not too sure this image would bode well as a professional promo shot!

And finally, I have been back in the studio down in Brighton recording some further guitar tracks to help improve their massiveness. Sometimes it is necessary to add in other elements if it is needed to help get the songs sounding just right. However on the last day of my little lone expedition I successfully managed to slam the door of the producer's car on my left thumb. Crack, mass pain, blood, swelling, further pain... Not my proudest moment. Injury aside, I battled through the last day of recording, just about, in order to get things finished. But I did get some cool snaps of Brighton. I must say while walking along the seafront, it made me think how privileged I was to have the opportunity to travel around the country recording for my band. Certainly brought a smile to my face.

Realtime continues...

Preview shot

Brighton seafront and helicopter

My thumb (five days after)

A meeting...

Today, I journeyed into south-west London, with my fellow band members to a renowned studio which we consider now our second home. We went there today for two rather important meetings. One in which was discussed for a considerable amount of time, but was much a necessity.

After an eight hour session consisting of practice, one showcase and two long discussions, we find ourselves with a clear mind set on what must be done for our next steps. Although management is an extremely great help, we our missing one link in this chain, but I sense that the gap will be shortly filled.

Maybe soon this ball will really start rolling.

Realtime continues...

The blurry meeting table

The journey begins...

So I have decided to set up a new blog that I hope will give an insight into being part of an upcoming band and allow other people in a similar situation to compare their experiences. As of yet I have not seen any source other than face-to-face conversing that helps to display such a service.

No names or companies will be mentioned directly as so to keep my references anonymous. The future is so uncertain that on beginning this realtime account of my progression into the world of music who knows what may lie ahead.

I begin with the member changes within bands. It is unfortunately a common occurrence and most bands will have to endure such a time. Recently my band had to part ways with our original drummer (2nd change from original line-up). Some members took the change harder than others, me being one of them. But despite this alteration I feel that it is a fresh start for us and we can now progress into the year ahead of us with real determination.

There are big things in the pipeline that should bring great opportunities for us, but when losing a member that has been with you from the beginning sometimes it can make you feel somewhat guilty for continuing onwards without them. However one must not dwell on either side of the decision made and proceed with a new lease of life.

We sit on the cusp of putting our five pens to paper, but these moments are not for rushing into.

Realtime continues...

Band at work