RRRooM Music

A top night was had by all at RRRooM yesterday with some excellent live music and great company. The first band to play, were a delight, music from the heart, laid back but with a definite danceable groove. Then there was a duo who had everyone doing impressions of a Japanese cat! I also enjoyed listening to the guy who played guitar and a sanshin, he sang an original song first with the guitar and then switched to the sanshin (a traditional Okinawan 3 stringed instrument that predates the Japanese Shimasen and sounds a little like a banjo) for some traditional Japanese songs.

Thanks go to Youske (not too sure of the spelling) too for playing some great tunes on his decks.

I also played one song with Koji's band which, although I was horribly nervous, I really enjoyed and it was great playing with other musicians. One of the nicest compliments I got for my playing was when Fuji san told me my music sounded like clear water and that he'd pictured a beautiful big lake while I played, I'm happy with that:D

Martha and Lisa

I just love it when friends recommend new music to me that they think I might like and I end up falling in love! Thanks Spencer, for turning me onto Lisa Hannigan! I always loved her vocals on the Damien Rice album 'O', but I hadn't realised she's now gone solo.

I love her voice, so intimate and richly emotional, my favourite kind of vocals! She is also incredibly beautiful I think, a natural beauty. I have been trying to draw her from videos on youTube, so far without much success, I've just not 'got' her yet (see above for some initial attempts). Anyway, I'll keep trying and keep you posted!

Meanwhile you can see her on myspace here , her website here and there are plenty of vids on youTube too.

Also, I've finally finished the Martha Wainwright picture!! It's not at all how I imagined it, it seemed to have a life of it's own that just kind of took over! I'd something much more graphic and contemporary looking in mind. Comments greatly appreciated!

love and hugs xxx