The good was very much those small lessons that I have learnt over 2014.
With so much negativity fired out from the mainstream media these days regarding music and the lack of possibilities one has to survive at such a thing outside of (or even inside of) the big label route. I have sought to find solace in those who have chosen to encourage me directly. (be they man, woman….or dog) 😛
Private Bookings
Twice in 2014 I have been requested to perform at private events outside of the UK. One in the Netherlands and one in Italy. Both concerts were very special experiences and I really felt cherished for being a part of such an event. To have someone pay for travel and accom to fly myself out from London to perform is really something special. It really gets me thinking ‘they must honestly like what I do’. Despite however much one can be self defeatist. This helps to silent that.
The Dutch concert was in a house which had been kitted out for the occasion. There were other performers and the atmosphere was intimate. I was especially nervous for such an event.
The 2nd concert took place up in the mountains of northern Italy.
Performing as a part of a birthday event for a wonderful human called Alessio. We had been friends since he attended a concert in New Zealand 3 year prior and to be invited to his home was something wonderful.
My deepest thanks to Rob in the Netherlands and Alessio for their invitations.
Music & Dance
Aside from the private bookings I also managed to make my debut into the world of Dance. No not me dancing. God forbid!!!
In Feb 2014 I was asked by CocoDense to accompany one of their pieces for the Resolution performance series at ‘The Place’ in Euston Central London.
Then later in the year I was a part of another live dance meets live music performance in the town centre of Watford.
I was working closely with long time friend and collaborator Nick Hall. Nick had helped me to mix the songs from the album ‘Scenic’ which went onto be released on double LP in 2012. Now I was woking with the members of his dance school The Dan Tien.
Unlike the performance (which had based it’s performance around one of my songs) in Euston; this was a case of writing and learning all the music from scratch. A mighty task but hugely rewarding once I had got my head around a lot of the intricacies of the performance. I also was not performing the music alone this time and worked with Dave Smale on the piano.
Working to a directors vision and to the specifics of dance performance was a true education and I relished it greatly.
The Touring
In the last 7 years not a 12 month block would go by without me leaving Europe from time to time. 2014 however was the exception as I decided to focus my attention on playing places closer to home.
With my poor old tour van ‘Betsy’ going into retirement I was forced to search out a new Wagon. And fate must have been shining on me too because I found ‘Udo’ kitted out for sleeping and ready for the road.
This change meant an upgrade in size and with a fresh engine many months round the UK and Europe followed.
England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Italy, Switzerland & the Czech Rep provided me with places to play.
I ended up on the road for about 5 months straight with additional shorter tours from time to time. Roughing it never felt so good 🙂
As the miles rolled on I never had engine trouble and ‘Udo’ managed to take me over mountains far and wide.
The Live Show
As with anything you do it enough times and it will naturally progress in some direction. Almost organically the process will ebb and flow into something a little different. For me that process can be painstakingly slow. But if I listen back to songs from my 2006 debut album and hear how they have shifted in dynamic when performed now. The process is almost inevitable to deny.
As a part of this ‘progress’ my show went from one man with a guitar to one man with a guitar, a harmonica, several effects pedals, a set of chimes, some percussion, a sampler and a Synth.
The list of stuff used for the shows keeps being added and I seem hesitant to take stuff away from my equipment list (which is proving tough for the road.)
Recently this music box was added to the mix of stuff as well as additional percussion:
Who knows what will happen next but it all seems to be headed somewhere and that’s good enough for me.
2014 Releases and possible thoughts for 2015….
I never did make it into a studio throughout 2014. However right at the end of the year I decided to re-issue 2 Albums.
Both had sold out and I wanted to have them with me for future touring:
Go is a very Electronic Album and probably indicates best where it feels the music is going from here:
Bright was a result of many various recording sessions round the world. I took these random sessions and worked to get them into a consistent body of work. The result surprised me and I’m delighted to be getting both of these albums released on CD for the first time.
As for 2015. I am looking into the possibility of a Live album release somewhere down the line.
I have 100’s of live concert recordings that I need to sift through to find the best performances. But many shows from being on the road in Japan have been recorded and I remember feeling very positive about performances out there.
We will see….
In the mean time my first concert of 2015 was with my full band and is our first show together since 2012. It was pure joy to share the stage with these wonderful musicians again.
Otherwise there is nothing left for me to do but to thank those who have supported me and to hope I can keep on with my journey.
Ciao for now,
Stoo x
Stuart O'Connor 
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