Just Checking In To See What Condition My Subscriptions Are In...

Sounds Good!

Hey there, an informal post - and this one goes out to everyone (free list and paid subscribers). It’s not quite been two full weeks since I started my Substack journey - only one full rotation of the current format which is Movies/TV on Mondays, Books/Writing on Wednesdays and Music on Fridays.

If you’re not a paid subscriber you won’t have read any of those - but I appreciate you signing up and taking interest. I’m currently planning on a weekly wrap-up email with some links for the weekend. I tried that out last week anyway and I hope you liked it.

I’m still nesting in with this content. And I am always keen on your feedback.
So if there’s something you think the newsletter is missing let me know. Or if there’s a particular thing you want to see more of then holler about that also or instead.

Friday’s music post is going to always have a playlist - one I’ve made exclusively for that email; in fact there’ll probably be two (famous last words). In theory there’ll be one about a particular artist that’s featured - and then there’ll be the Something For The Weekend-styled playlist of new and old music, or things I’ve just been digging lately.

From time to time (like now) I’ll send out a note to the full list - paid and free players. And yes, transparency is key: I am absolutely trying to win over a few new paid subscribers each time I do this. I’m also reaching out to stay in touch. This is your newsletter too. It’s ours. I’m supplying the content. You’re supplying the support. We are a team. A community. And I want to know how you are and what you like and what you’re liking or not liking about the material I’m sharing with you.

So before I go I should tell you a couple of things.

There’s been an update to my Fringe Festival show - due to one of the band members in the Ethersonic crew feeling a bit poorly we’ve cancelled tonight’s opening show. But we’re now offering two sets a night this Friday and Saturday - so it’s Koha entry at Meanwhile Gallery, 99 Willis St, Wgtn CBD. And there’ll be a 6-7pm show and then an 8-9pm show on both Friday (tomorrow) and Saturday nights. Four sets in total. Ethersonic is a multimedia show projecting layers of light and sound. Check out that link for further details and this snazzy updated poster below.

Speaking of NZ Fringe - last night was the opening night of Comedy Vs. Poetry FACE/OFF - this show is on every night until and including Sunday and each time it’s a whole new line-up. That’s three poets and three comedians each night at the Fringe Bar. There is a reduced capacity because of Level 2 - so book at the Fringe box-office. And hey, guess what? Last night my team won! Or rather, the team I was part of (Kate Spencer is Team Poetry’s captain - she curated the line-up for each night). But anyway, you guys, we won! The poets beat the comedians in the battle of the funny. Each performer has a six-minute slot, comedian followed by poet. At the end of the sets it’s up to the audience to judge. Judging on which team brought more laughs.

I’ve just published the piece that I performed last night - so if you want a read it’s there in that link. It’s built from the parts of a very old performance poem/story that I first wrote and delivered about 20 years ago. This new version is much shorter, a bit more modern and every bit as horrible. Lol. (It’s meant to be horrible). Anyway - it was a great night and a fun event.

And finally - if you want a nice little injection of energy to your day - check out this clip of Prince from his 2004 Musicology tour - the full show is available on the YouTube and I’d recommend that if you are Prince fan, of course. But even if you’re not much of a fan I think it’s hard to go past this clip. (I watch it at least once a week). The song DMSR comes from 1982’s double album, 1999 - and, sure, it’s a bit of an electro-pop banger. Got a vibe. But in the scheme of the Prince catalogue it is a low-key album-track. During his 2004 Musicology Tour he made it a mid-set highlight. This band is phenomenal - the joy and skill - the love of and for music. I am close to tears most times I watch this clip. Lump in my throat. This to me is live music. This is what live music can communicate. The way Prince plays the audience like an instrument. Their buy-in. They are so eager. Everyone is whipping everyone to a frenzy. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about this clip as I write about it without even watching it…Okay, time to watch it.

It’s lost nothing with time. I miss Prince most days. Certainly think about him a lot. And in these uncertain times with live music all but stripped away I turn again to this clip in particular to bask in the joy and brilliance and skill of wonderful music.

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Have a great Thursday (if you’re reading this as it arrives when I sent it out). And please do drop a comment or message me to share what you’re liking about “Sounds Good!” And maybe what you’d like to see added.

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