Vocal fitness

Was just pondering on how all us singers at KlangHaus kept vocally fit throughout the 46 shows. I think it was mainly to do with concentrating on not being stressed. Concentrating on not being tense. Most vocal damage comes through tightening of muscles, especially in the neck and shoulders. Tension is the biggest enemy and the mind passing negative thoughts to the muscles. I made sure I had a good picture in my mind of each show. I banished ideas of lucky routines or totems of good and bad luck apart from one. I was nervous of falling down the ladder which we climbed to end the show, I had nightmares which involved me falling down the ladder in every way possible. My luck routine came as a song which I sang as Mark me and Sal descended safely, called 'Nice and safe'. I can recommend your own version in times of duress, it works!

Creative producing....

Went to a conference yesterday at Tate Britain called 'Sound, music ,visual: producing the interdisciplinary.' There was a discussion about what a creative producer is: Michael Morris of Art Angel chatted with Jem Finer ex-Pogues and creator of Longplayer, a piece of music that will run for 1000 years. Okay here is what a good producer is/does: is in harmony with the artist, has empathy with the work, knows when to hold back and when to push, the producer makes the framework of enabling, is the bridge between artist and audience, both producer and artist must trust each other and have a shared belief in the work. We heard producers talk and we heard artists who produce themselves talk. The self-producing artists were bundles of exciting chaos, but seemed like they could have done with a calm pair of hands to help them make good relationships with the major organisations they where commissioned by; the producers where much more measured and calm. Personally I would like to work with a producer and concentrate more on being an artist and less on risk assessments and insurance policies, I can be involved, just not responsible for sorting. I like being part of a team and obviously choosing the right producer is the key. In Edinburgh, the producer-role was vital and we are indebited to Ros Coleman, Alix Lingford and Pasco who shared parts of that role. The corner of the conference that was reaaalllly annoying was the 'Interdisciplinary'bit. I have had so many years of feeling at my wits end as to why working in different disciplines is ever questioned/labelled......it's art for goodness sake, the idea predicts the medium, the necessary materials the outcome...aaaa stop struggling to pigeon-hole it, is it music or art? it's both, it's neither, it's an art and music show.... How on earth did Leonardo Da Vinci cope!