Kien Lim

busy of late. I’ve played 4 gigs in 5 days, learned “Life on Mars?” by Bowie, attended meetings and music related thingies, and worked my day job. And it has all been really marvelous!

I just got back from The Castle. It was a good gig. I was happy with my singing. And with the new groove for Moonshine Girl. I’m also playing “Sunshine Ellie” which is going down a treat. I didn’t use to play that but decided to from noticing it’s popularity from iTune sales.

I am gonna rework some grooves to some old songs. “Moonshine Girl” works so well now that a review of all songs is something I find rather exciting.

Yes, I’ve said it before, and I will be putting my electric guitar to work again. I’ve discovered the “Blackstar HT Dual”. It is a tube pre-amp pedal designed by the people who worked for Marshall. It has a speaker simulator output that will plug directly into a PA system or mixing desk that will emulate the sound of a guitar amplifier speaker mic’ed up. I’ve used the Marshall JMP1 which has that facility and have had brilliant results with it. And if this team of people worked for Marshall then……. Oh, and I have tried the pedal in the shop too and it is the dog’s bollocks!

So exciting things are afoot. I will keep you posted:)

to a fellow performer who has turned band promoter. “I only promote bands as I don’t think that solo performers can keep the attention of the audience long enough” he said ( or something like that ).

He’s the second promoter whom I’ve spoken to who’s said that. That got me thinking: “Now how many solo artistes do I know that perform solely on their own?”. Bob Dylan, well with a harmonica, Woody Guthire, Lightnin’ Hopkins and a host of blues artistes. Now, did they play to large audiences? And when they did, were they performing solely solo?

So I’ve been researching solo artistes on YouTube and yes, there aren’t many performing a full length concert solely on their own. They mostly have one other to accompany them. Be it a guitarist, bassist, percussionist. The only one and truly solo performer who can do it is Tommy Emmanuelle! Big hats off to him!

This is in the realm of music.

weather we’ve been having of late. I’ve been pretty much in my shorts the last week.

I must confess, I’ve been on ebay quite a bit. I’ve spent some money, a little itsy-bitsy fortune. It’s isn’t that bad. Lets just say I’ve managed to spend an amount needed to purchase 2 Abercrombie cargo shorts, but have acquired twice the number of shorts, and a polo shirt!

I’ve brought my 1973 Strat back from work where it had been in storage for the last week or so. I will start playing it now. I must get the Red Box Classic to enable me to plug in the Strat without having to lug around an amp. Wanna experiment and try sumptin’ new at open mics.

Last Thursday’s gig at the Market Bar was fantastic. First off, my lovely cousin Shuen came by before the gig and we had a Malaysian dinner at “Makan” in Portobello and chatted about what we were doing and how we’re finding out that in marketing, networking was essential for it’s success!

When I got to the Market Bar, my two wonderful nieces turned up! Then another couple I met at work. Then Nolia with a couple of friends. Then my cousin re-appeared with a couple of her friends. So did Roberto and his friend.

I know it don’t sound like much, but it was quite something for me with members of my family and a handful of fellow Malaysians and friends being there.

I opened with a 45 minute set. The awesome Storm performed next for about 30 minutes. I got on again for about another 30 minutes. Storm then performed some covers. I closed the night with a 35 minute set.

It was fantastic.

I am humbled and grateful to all who turned up. Thank you

Nothing seemingly out of the ordinary. I woke up, performed my morning rituals, played guitar and sang, tried some ideas out, broke out my new pair of Abercrombie and Fitch cargo shorts that arrived in the morning post, put them on, went to work, met some people after work, and got home about 45 minutes ago and had a dinner of pitta bread, olives, monkey nuts and 2 nectarines.

But it was a truly fantastic day. I took everything in my stride and everything went without a hitch. A peaceful, joyous day. Unbelievable. I guess it’s because I put in 100%, or close to, positivity in everything I did and was reciprocated.

Must add that my dinner was inspired by the book I’m currently reading, “The Triumph of The Sun” by Wilbur Smith, that is set in Sudan. Yes, I like Mr. Smith’s books.

Thank you for the wonderful day Powers That Be:)

to all who came to see me play at The Market Bar. I am most humbled and very much touched. You really rock!

And thank you Storm. You are totally awesome!