My Trip To Duffa-Ville

Sometimes I do silly things, like reformatting my recording device and scrubbing it of x amount of recorded ideas. This occurred yesterday and all within minutes of me deciding I needed to back up what was on the darn thing.  I could have ranted and raved all day about the loss of these files.   A number of years ago I might have even spent days lamenting the fact that I wasn't going to ever recoup what I perceived to have lost.  Yesterday I didn't post it on FB cos I wasn't looking for sympathy etc it was a simple case of me going on a trip to "duffa-ville" haha.  I also decided very early on that it was more important for me to kick back and realise that the universe was trying to tell me that I would still be ok without the files.  Perhaps I would find better melodies and phrases to use for a song project.  I would not panic, I would simply contact my mentor and ask for an extension and then hope all would work out.

Now, I am one of those songwriters who isn't really adept at working within a timeline when I've been asked to specifically write something.  I'm one of the "fall from the sky" writers.  My songs quite often crash into me when I'm in the shower, doing the laundry, chatting friends on the phone (yeah tricky one that).  Often new ideas are impatient and do not have any social graces whatsoever. It won't matter what I'm doing, when a song wants to show itself I have to be ready.  Hence I always carry my recording device with me.

Onto the project. I've been invited to be part of the Semaphore Songs Project as part of this year's Semaphore Music Festival.  I'm rather excited about it and have been recording various snippets since June about the song I wanted to write.  Given my songwriting method I thought the only way I could get this project done was to follow as best my way of writing; thus waiting for bits and pieces to come to me.  They did, quite a few actually.  I recorded some lovely phrases and had the essence of the melody as well.  Then the dreaded accidental reformat occurred and suddenly I'm back to square one without a musical paddle.

So, in the past 30 hours I've been wandering round the house with a piece of paper and my phone (cos I have no idea how to reformat that and as such it's a safer option at the moment lol).  I've been doing "other things" and not focussing straight towards the song, except for moments when I recorded or wrote things down.  A great deal of it has been rather daft and silly, but I've suddenly reached a path that is a good one.  After this short amount of time I've stumbled onto a song melody and some lyrics that may just do the trick.  All due to my trip to Duffa-ville yesterday.

Thank you Duffa-ville!  I will, from now on, treasure my time with you.  I think I'm onto a better song because I came back relaxed and hopeful with faith I COULD start again.

Lots of love

your faithful duffavidlian

sooz! xx

"Mate, You've Got a Great Car there...."

I guess it's a form of flattery to be contacted privately on social media and be asked to give something to someone you don't know. I'm sure they feel it's their right to be considered.  Perhaps they think I may have "made it" in the eyes of others and have somehow developed magical powers to which they feel they are owed access to.

It also might have been more believable if they had used better grammar, spelling, and not addressed the letter "to whom it may concern".  That didn't sit well with me.  A mass-produced letter simply cut and pasted into a number of inbox messages across the interwebby thingy shows a sincere lack of sincerity.

I'm trying very hard to feel the aforementioned flattery.  It's not working very well and here's a few reasons why:

When you're new or starting to climb, make sure you don't give anyone too many reasons to think badly of you.  There is a finesse to the art of marketing; that's why there are tertiary courses in it.

It's important to be seen as a "giver". Offering to help someone else before asking anyone brings in the old "pay it forward" edict.  When you give to one person, somewhere along the line someone will give to you.  It may not be the same person you helped but that doesn't matter.  It's the way the universe works. Try it and see how you go.

I know I've made mistakes in this industry and I've learnt from them.  That's another vital lesson. Learn from your mistakes and you may see a difference in your progress.  Take notice of why you don't seem to be getting anywhere.  Is it just that there is a great amount of competition out there? Chin up princess or princeeepooh, go make your product even better then.

Speaking of which, make sure your product is of the highest standard.  Just because you own a home studio don't think you can do the best recording, mixing and, mastering of your works.  Unless you have had any kind of training and experience you're way better off paying a professional. A good producer will bring out something brilliant in your music that, perhaps, you never thought of.  On top of this, the last thing any industry professional will want to receive are music files that are poorly done. Unless of course, it's a demo.  That's what home studios can be great for.

Whilst on the aspect of professionalism, make sure your internet presence is professional too.  It's no good having just a facebook page and wondering why you are still unknown.  Explore as many of the new platforms out there.  You may find another site that is better and easier for you to get people to buy your message.

It's important to ensure that what you put in a publicity blurb or a letter to someone is true.  There is a fine line between "talking yourself up" and over-inflating the truth to the point where it backfires on you.  Being genuine and believable will get you much further than thinking you can snake oil your way to the top.

Work out what would interest YOU when you read your letter.   If you were the industry professional what would you want to read?  Nothing about how many animals you've saved nor if you've got the hottest set of wheels in the district.  Again, you need to offer them something; a reason to want to do more than just quickly scour over the letter and then delete it.  What you want to do is put a "what's in it for them" section right up at the beginning of the letter.

Lastly, like so many artists I am first and foremost a "small business".  Some of these requests feel like someone going into a car yard and saying "mate, you've got a great car there.  I'd like to sell it to a friend of mine so they have transport.  Would you mind giving it to me for free?"

I've worked very hard in the last decade to grow in a professional and fitting manner. I pride myself on maintaining high standard across all I do.  I still trip up occasionally and will be the first to admit that I still make mistakes and am still learning from them.

So, take what you will from this.  I'm sure there will be a few people who would like to take to me with a stick for daring to speak.  That's ok, it will mean I've "struck a chord" lol... get it!  Let's take our healthy egos and go make music.  That's what makes my world go round.

love

sooz!

*In case of emergency when reading this please familiarise yourself with all exits and the instructional guide for what to do if this story crashes*

My first website

After much smashing and crashing of neurons I've finally got my first website up and running.  It's simple and I hope some of you jump over and join up with my email list so that when I figure out how to use mailchimp I can send you great stuff.

Here it is: www.susanlilymusic.com

I love the internet and IT now, but earlier I did not. Many thanks to those around me who've helped greatly.  You know who you are ;)

cheers

sooz! xx

"Tropical Paradise Tour"

Dear Far North Queensland,

Just when you thought you'd had enough of unseasonal cyclones THIS HAPPENS!  Yes, the "Southern Belle" and the "Northern Princess" are teaming up to bring you entertainment like you've NEVER HAD BEFORE!  The atomic clocks got themselves ready, will YOU?  Stay tuned for dates and venues

love

Susan Lily & Michelle Walker

www.susanlilymusic.com

http://www.michellewalker.net.au/

Cinematic Cacophony Unites Community

Sometimes it doesn't feel like we are much of a community and then you experience something like tonight.  All bundled together in a cinema to watch a movie we'd won a double pass to (because we were quick enough to respond to a Dymocks Booklover email) it became very apparent that most were concerned that little talking was to be heard during the screening of "Testament Of Youth".  So it came to pass that the chattering tones of a Nokia mobile ringtone would unit us in a way we'd never imagined.  It began its interruption during a rather poignant part of the story too. How ironic!

As the owner fumbled in the dark for said mobile the ringtone became louder.  At one point I began to imagine either a handbag filled to the brim with objects or a trouser pocket that was not going to give up the musical object within.  Whispering sniggers began to emanate around the theatre. These were only silenced by the sudden 4 sharp/quick, 3 long, and 2 sharp/quick tones that indicated the call had gone through to the keeper.  Guffaws of laughter burst out around the room.....we were all comrades in the war against phones in cinemas and it suddenly felt absurdly funny.  

I love people.  So many are more comedic than they ever dreamed. I shed a tear of laughter and got to be involved community spirit tonight.  Thanks to a winning email and a free movie pass offer.

Oh, and the movie is heartfelt and so worth seeing.  We are truly lucky to not be going through what our families and friends did during WWI.  Perhaps what happened tonight was the movie's way of making us aware of just how fortunate we are.

Dear Manager

Dear Manager,

I recently found your venue perchance and thought it might be a lovely place to dine.  The experience, unfortunately, was rather different from the one I’d hoped.

So please find to follow a list of suggestions that may help you to help your staff:

• 1.       When greeting a customer be pleasant and helpful.  Ask them if they have been at your venue before and if new give them an overview of the logistics

a.       Do not point to the counter and say “ the menus are over there” and then walk away from your customer

• 2.       When you approach a table of customers who have not ordered yet, give them a rundown of the specials

a.       Do not say you do not know what the specials are and then expect the customer to leave the table and walk across to the one black board in the premises

• 3.       When leaving a drinks menu please remember to come back and take an order

a.       Do not wander around the very empty venue, rearranging tables and generally engaging in chit chat between staff, ignoring the few patrons present

• 4.       When providing a meal it is important that the knives provided will actually cut into the food

a.       Do not simply leave the customer by themselves and not check to see if anything is amiss.  The customer should not have to, once again, leave the table and go to the main counter to ask for knives that can actually cut

• 5.       When serving food or drinks make some eye contact and be pleasant

a.       Do not simply put the drinks on the table without looking at anyone and silently leave

• 6.       When the customers are ready to leave and come to pay at the counter it’s always better to ask if everything was ok and remain pleasant

a.       Do not slap the bill down onto the counter, pushing it toward the customer whilst looking away.  This makes you appear dismissive and uninterested.

• 7.       When a customer does have a complaint it is far better to engage with them, empathise and perhaps even offer them a reason to want to come back to your establishment.

a.       Do not stand there with your mouth open, staring blankly at the customer then remain mute.  It only makes the establishment and staff look more unappealing

• 8.       Finally, remember that you never know who you’re a serving so it’s best to treat everyone like they could either tell lots of people to come to your place or advise them to stay away. 

a.       Do not treat your customers badly.  You never know who they might tell

kind regards

Susan

ps. best of luck, I think you're gonna need it :)

The Fragility of Life

As a former trauma radiographer my heart goes out to the family and staff involved in any current critical situations out there.  It’s a heartbreaking job, trying to put people back together after any kind of accident has occurred.  It’s particularly stressful when the person involved has a high profile.  I feel for all who were involved in our beloved sportsman’s case.  I remember from my own experiences the devastation faced when a patient does not make it.  I also recall, vividly, the heartbreak of having to turn off life support to someone you love.  It feels like you are deciding if they will survive or not.  It feels guilty whether it should or should not.  In these situations no side of this type of medicine are left unscathed.  Family, friends and, staff will all be suffering at the moment.  My heart goes out to everyone involved in this.

All the rest of us can do right now is be thankful for our own lives. That’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve taken from working in high pressure medical emergencies.  No matter how fast technology has evolved in the past 20 years, our bodies and physiology have remained static.  We are at the beck and call of Mother Nature.

Sometimes it is fate that decrees, above all else, what will happen to us.  All we can do is rejoice that we've again awakened to experience another day of potential love, happiness and, fulfillment.  I wish joy and happiness to all.  To those in pain right now I hope you will find respite soon.

Love

Susan xx