Investment

After talking with my husband about this music venture I am taking, we agreed that it would be unrealistic not to think I had to invest some money in new equipment. I researched and spoke to my mom and her musician friend for advice for what I might need. I decided on this:

It's a Fender Passport P.A. System. I definitely needed it since the volume on the acoustic amp for my mic input would feedback if above 4. I love the way my voice is so clear and I can use reverb on the new PA system. It's conveniently packed as the two speakers attach to the main unit for easy carrying. I could also plug in my guitar since it has 4 channels, but I think I will use my acoustic amp for the guitar still--esp since it sounds much richer and clearer without the mic input being used.

   I can have the volume high on the PA and not get feedback. I was going to buy a monitor to better hear myself (as you have to place the PA speakers away in front of you to prevent feedback) but I didn't want to haul anymore equipment by myself or pay $150 more. So I decided I could plug in some headphones to the mixer to hear just my voice and it's awesome! I can control my pitch and tone so much better now that I have it right in my ear. I will be looking for some cheap wireless headphones possibly this week. I am adjusting to the levels and trying to find the perfect set-up and volume/tone levels to balance the guitar and my voice for gigs.

   I didn't need to buy a new mic because my sennheiser is actually good quality. I bought a guitar stand, and strings in case they break. I may buy a stool, and put up a tip/comment jar too :)

      I can also plug in my ipod (need to buy adapter) to the PA, so that when I take breaks I can play soft music in the background.

   John still chuckles when I take myself seriously and say "gig", "artist" or "show", but I don't care. I know I have yet to prove anything so he can laugh :)

  He also expected me to spend much more than I did (the PA was ~$400, and I got a discount for tax day).

See the difference? I look scary in the dark one!

 I also received my new flyers and they look exactly how I wanted--plus I was able to add on the link to this site to promote my stuff. I am very impressed with vistaprint and highly recommend them. Let's hope I get the opportunity to use them again!

   The only thing keeping me from going in and trying to get hired, is that I need a demo. I know I could refer them to my youtube, but I know I probably wouldn't hire me based on those low-quality videos, and they were more for fun. I have been taking myself seriously finally so I know I can do better. I purchased an hour worth of recording time at a studio about an hour away, (thanks for the coupon Alexandra!) and I am in the process of choosing the best 3 or 4 songs to record to highlight my style as a live musician. The only song I know I will include for sure is "Destiny" by Zero 7--it gets the most comments on my youtube lol.

   Once I get the disc of professionally recorded songs, I will put them on here and either make a separate youtube for music, or burn CDs. I truly hope this is the start of something good.

My Equipment..for now :)

This is what I will be using until I have enough to buy a real P.A. system.
This is a Fender acoustic amp, which I will use for both my guitar and mic.
 It sounds okay, but as it's not a P.A. system, it's easy to get that horrid feedback from the mic if the volume is higher than 4 1/2.

And this is my Ovation:

I gotta stock up on 9 volts, which go inside the built-in tuner. If I forget to unplug the guitar from the amp when not in use, it drains the battery, which needs to power the acoustic pickup!

Tentative Song List

I have been rehearsing every chance I get and my first set list I think, will look like this:

1.) "That's Alright Mama" - Elvis
2.) "Meditation" -Astrud Gilberto/Stan Getz
3.) "Destiny" -Zero 7
4.) "Ain't No Sunshine" -Eva Cassidy version
5.) "Hell"- Squirrel Nut Zippers
6.) "Til There Was You" -Beatles
7.) "Today" -Zero 7
8.) "Fade Into You"- Mazzy Star
9.) "Chop and Change" -Black Keys
10.) "Little One" -Beck
11.) "Make it Wit Chu" -Queens of the Stone Age
12.) "Too Far Gone" -Emmylou Harris
13.) "Shattered Dreams/Promises" -Mashup Johnny Hates Jazz + Naked Eyes

And second:

14.) "Smooth Operator" -Sade
15.) "Breathe" -Pink Floyd
16.) "Someday Never Comes"- CCR
17.) "Dindi" -Astrud Gilberto
18.) "Criminal"- Fiona Apple
19.) "In the Waiting Line"- Zero 7
20.) "Sunlight" -Bag Raiders
21.) "Oh You Pretty Things" -David Bowie
22.) "Spinning" - Zero 7
23.) "Agua de Beber" -Astrud Gilberto
24.) "Bandoliers" -Them Crooked Vultures
25.) "Sing Sang Sung" -Air

I am working on some news ones, seeing how far I can stretch my voice. This material so far, is probably about 2 hours worth, including talk in between and a short break.

Suggestions?

Flyers!

The flyers I got in the mail today...taken with phone camera.

I got my flyers today from vistaprint. I am a little disappointed that they came out so dark; my picture looks evil and goth! But the rest is nice and the quality of the paper is very durable. I have comprised a list of potential venues, and will soon be going in to offer up these flyers. Fingers crossed that someone will give me a chance :)

 This is a screen shot of what I ordered...picture looks better huh?