New bass, new drummer and new horizons.

It's with great pleasure that I have taken delivery of my french bass, lovingly restored by the Matthew Tucker at Bresque Basses. Check here for information on the restoration. The bass was christened yesterday at the first Migratorium rehearsal for a while. We are gearing up for the Multicultural Festival in Canberra in February. The bass is probably close to 200 years old and by the state of it when I gave it to Matthew had most probably not been played in decades. It sounds and feels wonderful and I am looking forward to sharing its beautiful sound with everyone. I actually developed a blister on my right index finger during the rehearsal (I had some alone time with the bass in another studio for 3 hours before the rehearsal) which burst towards the end of the session hence christening the bass in my own blood. Surely this is the way it has to be?

As well as the bass making its debut at the rehearsal, we also welcomed Dimitri Fox on drums. Dimitri is a pure natural and the band gelled really well. It's great to be part of this fantastic show and we are all really looking forward to the festival in February.

IONIA is also back into the studio this week plus I have been approached by Greek band Dilemma to collaborate on their 5th album but more on these projects as they progress.

Lastly, Blues. I have never played it, never really listened to it. I think my appreciation of the blues was when I recorded Richard Maddens debut album - Force of Nature. To be honest, the guy (Richard) is a freak of Nature. He is one of those guitarists who can do it all with style and perfect feel. Back to the point, a good friend, drummer and artist extraordianaire (you can see his work with SND) is putting a blues band together and I will be slugging along on bass,. He assures me it isnt difficult and everyone can play the blues and all I have to do is turn up! Some people think its odd that I have never played blues being a bassist. I guess I spent my youth writing my own compositions, I was never one for covers. Anyway, I will keep this space posted on the progress. I am looking forward to it though, anything new is a positive thing for me.