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!

It wont be long...til we've sung our song..

I'm in the final days of the Edinburgh bubble..it has been a total dream....nearly all good. I am exhausted... officially! we did three shows today...4pm, 6pm and a late one at 9pm... it was full to bursting... and we finally managed to serve hot rum! It's bloody cold enough up here! We have been doing feed back sessions... I'll tell you more about them in another post... but I was the victim today and boy it's good! You basically get told by everyone in the group the details and specifics of why they like you. Now I imagined that it would be more of a 'I like this, but I get really annoyed when you do this..' but no, it's just the positive bits... and do you know what... the negative bits either melt away, or they are easier to start a conversation about.... it's a bit magic! The shows today where great fun, bursting with life and love. This month really has been the best in my life so far! we went to an awards ceremony and collected an award from the publication Three Weeks, for...Doing exactly what we set out to do...reinvent the live gig. Ta-Da!!! Every day has been exciting. We met a man from Artangel who thought I was 'beguiling'!!! WAAAAAAA! I'm now going to sleep.xx photo: David P Scott

Between show 29 and 30 Klanghaus Edinburgh

What is it like to sing 29 shows over 16 days... I love it... Voice in good shape, the main mistake I make is taking in too much breath for the job ahead... So I have to concentrate on not taking in a massive breath during Mother's Mother Tongue.. as I tend to leap around at the same time. Another challenge is singing into a mic during a quiet song and not making explosive 'p' and 'b' sounds.... Trying to make the consenant without the usual air exhalation requires concentration which is all part of not getting bored.... So number 30 klanghaus here we come!

Edinburgh day 15 I think

KlangHaus (@thebutcherof) 06/08/2014 13:29 “@nick_i_williams: @matttrueman thanks for the tip on @thebutcherof #klanghaus! Totally amazing!” maddy costa (@maddydeliqette) 07/08/2014 18:57 Klanghaus at Summerhall. Fucking hell. Music does theatre does video art & comes up with sheer bliss. Just finished&want to see it again NOW Two great tweets and three four star reviews... We are having a ball. I'm going to stop now coz blogging from my phone is an unpleasant experience.

Day off 4 star review

Gorgeous day... no need for an early rise and we have a four star review that is articulate... we really moved into the space today, filled cupboards marked 'surgical blues' and autopsy greens...cleaned up and played with projectors.

Saturday and shows 3 and 4 burst with energy... we are now receiving feedback from our audience...... when do we applaud? we want to stay longer, tell us where to wander we don't want to miss anything. Anthony Roberts also known to the Escalator East to Edinburgh team as, 'Our Glorious Leader' came to show 4 with Josh Hepple our disability advisor ( two tough cookies when it comes to reviews ) and 20 audience... this was a challenge, we wanted to get it right.... As we launched into Mother's Mother Tongue, I saw the delight on both Ant and Josh's faces.... they were right in the middle of a gig without being on stage... we sang in their faces, in their ears, we blasted the whole audience, ran about being loons and then lullabied them to the outside world again. Anthony and Josh both smiled and said they had never seen anything like it before. Ant also added that he hoped we would win some awards......