TEDxCalgary

I just spent a fascinating afternoon at TEDxCalgary.  The Calgary Folk Music Festival Hall is still under construction, but they managed to host the event nonetheless.  The washrooms were in a trailer outside, (-20 degrees, but hey, we're Canadian!)  The conversation inside was hot enough to keep everybody warm and focused.  We had some impressive speakers who challenged us to think differently about the conference topic, "Volunteer . . even better."

I've got a lot to think about now, and am pondering an idea to meet the "3 things you can do" challenge.

More later ...

Getting Out There

I just got back from my second visit to Market Collective.  Local musicians on stage, great coffee from Higher Ground, interesting original art, jewelry and clothing!

I talked with some animators from QuickDraw Animation Society about collaborating on a music video for "Single Life" and a photographer/artist about creating a CD cover for my current project, "Songs From the Edge."

I stopped by the CJSW booth to ask about getting some airplay. 

Wayne Gretsky says, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Methodology asks, "What are you afraid of?"

Success! (Sort of ...)

Eighty songwriters hungry for feedback; Dan Hill the star on a panel of five members of the Canadian Music Industry.  Each songwriter got to drop a one-song demo CD with lyric sheets into the draw.  Mine came up third!

Most people heard the same advice, (me included!)  Move the chorus to come right after the first verse.  With attention spans getting shorter and more music to surf at the click of a button, you have to grab the listener RIGHT AWAY!  So, "Single Life" now has the first chorus right after the first verse.  Yes, it works better for this purpose.  You can hear the results at: https://noisetrade.com/geoffbell

Dan Hill liked my lyrics, but suggested that I completely change the genre to a blues song. A BLUES song?  Really?  This definitely would radically alter the whole feeling and message!  But then, who am I to argue with Dan Hill, singer/songwriter extraordinaire for 30 years?  So, work has begun to re-imagine "Single Life" as a wailing blues song.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Songwriter Workshop with Dan Hill

Next weekend I'll be doing a songwriter workshop with Canadian recording legend Dan Hill!  My goal is to not make a fool of myself by blathering, but to actually listen to his ideas about songwriting and learn from them.
Deep breaths, stay calm, stay focused ....

Call for Casting - Beautiful Baby Music Video!

Yes, you heard it here first!  I am currently recording a "Beautiful Baby" song to celebrate babies around the world!  When the song has been recorded, I plan to make a music video to post on YouTube.  This is the casting call for babies everywhere!

Parents will be asked to sign a consent form to allow their baby to be in the video.  All babies will remain anonymous. 

So, do you know a beautiful baby?  You can submit your own video clips (15 seconds or less) or we can arrange a short video shoot together if you're in Calgary.  It's best if there are no other people in the video, so the focus stays on the babies.

Want to hear samples of my songs?  Go to:
http://noisetrade.com/geoffbell

Want to see a sample of one of my videos with music?  Go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3slYKTHovUw

When I am finished recording the song it will be added to my collection on NoiseTrade.  When the video is ready it will be added to my collection on YouTube.

Smile, and think happy baby thoughts!

Brand New Song on NoiseTrade

I just put a brand new song at https://noisetrade.com/geoffbell .  "Disbelief" is a departure from my recent acoustic trend.  The new song uses some Steampunk-ish sounds to give it a grittier texture than my acoustic songs. I'll be interested to hear what my 5 fans have to say!  (Yes, it's up to five now!)

You are invited to listen and download at:
https://noisetrade.com/geoffbell

Back From Hiatus

I've been busy visiting with family over the past week, enjoying time with everyone.  Sadly, I also have had to deal with loss; a dear, lovely, kind, cheerful friend killed in a car accident in July.  This week our family also lost another senior member to the complications of old age.  It has been a month of joy and sorrow.

Today I'm back in the studio, writing lyrics, pressing buttons, twiddling knobs, recording sounds, and making some music. Let's see what comes of it all!