Claudine West 2018, meditation, music, musician, musicians, new age, New Age Music, Well Being

The Making Of Candle Gardeners

The Making of Candle Gardeners. Released 30th May 2018 http://hyperurl.co/ef3qxg

Welcome to this journey. Music to be mindful, meditate and chill out to. This was an adventure abundant year in the making. A musical travelogue. Time flows as we capture elements of our life, loves, experiences, states of being. Multi-Instrumentalist Claudine West (aka Earth Tree Healing) releases her 7th instrumental New Age recording via digital stores on 30th May 2018. The name Candle Gardeners came quite suddenly during a celebration of Samhain in 2017. A year in the making. The journey, inspirations and concept created on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Malibu. CA. Wales and Glastonbury, England. This 12-track album explores ethereal places of musical ascension. Starting by the coast. ‘Overture of Oceans’ introduces the album. Explore sonic sunny rambles with ‘Glastonbury’ then wake with the mellow golden dawn of ‘Eos.’ Chill out to ‘Summerland.’ The upbeat ‘Green Man’ sparkles and indulges. ‘Namaste’ is an evolving improvisation with Sitar. The hypnotic refreshing heartbeat and simple piano of ‘Mercury In Retrograde’ gently prepares you for the meditative ‘Doom Mons’ and 25 minute track ‘Realms.’ We then embark on the final 3 introducing the waking rhythms of ‘Illumine’ and ‘Lithosphere.’ The finale wildfire is ‘Diablo Winds.’

The name Candle Gardeners came quite suddenly during a celebration of Samhain in 2017. I was in Wales with Family. We had prepared the table in the Blue Room for our feast of honouring our ancestors.  We lit candles for loved ones and were in and out of the room bringing food. I was tasked to guard the candles. It then happened upon us all the ‘garden’ them. Divination, laughter, affirmations and a noisy hamster wheel via Skype followed. Our circle..The Candle Gardeners. This had been the place where Ange and I had been Hand Fasted on April 1st 2011. The place of magic, where the Green Man and wood nymphs roam. Watching over with blessings. There is a strong possibility of the presence naughty faeries too. (The ones that nicked all of our tea spoons last year!) Thanks for giving me back my cowbell you pesky little ones. I need it for gigs! 

samhain blue room
The Blue Room Wales. Samhain

Earlier on October 15th 2017. I had stood upon the golden sands of Zuma Beach, Malibu. Watching the Pacific Ocean waves.

Track 1: Overture Of Oceans.  I have a true love for the sea, the healing, new beginnings. An indulgence of wonderful negative ions. That feeling good experience that revitalizes ones being. Freedom as the waves crescendo on the shore, a vast open expanse of well being. The danger in one moment, that might just swallow you into the deep blue. The recreation of that feeling musically begins this album. See more blogs of the trip to California. I could and would live here. https://wordpress.com/view/claudsville.wordpress.com

Track 2 (recorded 17.03.18 is simply the beautiful guitar and piano of ‘Candle Gardeners.’ It was the last track and 13th recorded. My album theme tune.

Full video playlist making of Candle Gardeners featuring more videos. 

Track 3: Glastonbury. Waking up to birdsong on sunny fresh morning gazing at the Glastonbury Tor.  I grabbed my phone and captured the summertime.  It’s a magical place. Somerset is a beautiful County. I love the vibes. It’s also a place where we could live. This is inspiring in itself. Creating this track, creating the balance of natures music, with variety and feel of the instruments. Acoustic guitars and flute compliment piano arpeggios. I used an accordion that I bought from a car boot sale in Colwick, Nottingham.

Track 4: Eos. The Greek Goddess of Dawn. To become witness to the absolute wonder and beauty of sunrises over and over is one of life’s many pleasures. When each day awakens.. new opportunities for a blissful existence arise. great for yoga and meditation practice. Chasing sunsets draws me into the woods and flourishing skyline adventures.

Track 5: Summerland. During my first past life regression, described in my Kindle book Claudsville Blogs and Bio of a Bog Woppit  I glimpsed a moment in time where I stood gazing upon corn fields. With an electric blue sky and a breeze shimmering. I felt content and accomplished. I felt peace. We arrive at the Summerland. We remember the Summerland. In the afterlife, rapture, blessed be. The music to travel to your places and explore the serenity. I recorded the video on a train travelling back from Wales January 2018.

Track 6: Green Man. It is thought his image was the medieval bridge between Paganism. and Christianity. Our foliage faced Pagan nature spirit. Symbolizing rebirth, spring. I see him as the ‘daddy of the woods.’ Growing up in Nottinghamshire with the Legend of Robin Hood and The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest. Wood nymphs run riot, beheaded vegetation deities, nature is a beautiful thing. What flowed when I composed this was a mandolin menstruation. A fast strum to the beat of a bodhran. I then planted different seeds to grow. The Green Man to me watches over. Lives in the wild abandon. Often glimpsed but ever present. I’d painted him a number of years ago on a box for the Daughter of friends.

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Green Man will have its full unveiling upon release. It’s one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Track 7: Namaste. Añjali Mudrā or Pranamasana. A venture into the sitar. I’ve got a beautiful old one from India with a history that dates back decades. How better to honour it with the welcome of Namaste. Starting off on Kalimba. I added an autoharp. This track was Improvised. The spark in sunshine. The limes in a tree. It’s quite a citrine blossom with differing shades of  wild orange. I’ve had dreams, meditations and vision during Reiki attunements of temples…floating.

Track 8: Mercury in Retrograde. Spells trouble, trauma for some of us. It certainly meant trying times for us in 2017. Once acknowledged though, one works through it and come out the other end wiser even if a little peeved. I’d been working on a piano riff. The original recording went a bit haywire in my studio. Nothing would sync to it for no apparent reason. I profess not to be a sound engineer. More of a multi-instrumentalist that puts a jigsaw of instruments together. The riff became quite fitting and a reflection of this time.

Now your journey moves into unadulterated relaxation. Lay back, meditate, practice mindfulness, yoga.. dream…

Track 9: Doom Mons. Titan. The largest moon of the planet Saturn. The largest mountain range. I recorded binaural beats and with a setting the turning to God frequency 432hz. This is consistent with the vibrations, patterns and mathematics of the universe. Ancient sites such as Stonehenge and the pyramids reflect the number 432 as the ratio to the sun, earth and moon. Article here There is a subtle difference for listener exploration into Zen compared to 440hz music. At this point on the album it is time to drift off into the cosmos.

Track 10: Realms.  25 minutes of frequency 432hz.  Imagine a breeze, imagine a moment. Imagine a horizon. And… relax, meditate, practice yoga, mindfulness, connection.

Track 11: Illumine Enlightenment. Awaken. Attain insight. Attain spiritual knowledge.

Track 12: Lithosphere The crust and upper mantle of the Earth. Armed with a flask of tea by the lake. We connect to the earth, the crust. Observing the wonder of the sky and the sunrise.

Track 13: Diablo Winds

I was in San Francisco, October 2017 during the wildfires, the fear, the tragedy, the smoky air, watching it live on the news. Unprecedented destruction. I wanted to capture quickening, the forces of nature…I’ll never forget the burning..thoughts, prayers and healing. Trees are born in fire…

Track 13 (recorded 17.03.18 is simply the beautiful guitar and piano of ‘Candle Gardeners’

Full video playlist making of Candle Gardeners featuring more videos. 

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Making Candle Gardeners. It was a more ‘go with the green, the flow and the rhythm indulgence. Sessions and my creative juices have been so productive during the winter darkness, Vitamin D supplements and Chai Tea. That I’m now halfway thought recording ‘Reiki’ which will be released on July 1st 2018.  The commitment to a track a weekend is a welcome release from a stressful and exhausting  6 months in the NUH day job. Summer is coming…..

Claudine West Music/ Earth Tree Healing links

Check out my other albums.. 8 Sabbats, Archangel Divination 2, The Journey, Archangel Divination, Citadel, Meditation Chronicles.

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Earth Tree Healing Meditation Music

Blog

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Art

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Claudine West 2018, claudine west music, earth tree healing, multi-instrumentalist, music, singer songwriter, songwriter

2018 Interview Claudine West Notts Music Network Magazine

“I was once described as ‘something close to traditional folk, to a more dreamy sound, all the way to an electro Tori Amos, an artist not to be pigeon holed.’

Read the Notts Music Network Magazine interview

“I create alternative and new age music. I’m a multi-instrumentalist currently drumming in Nottingham indie rock band ‘Strange Currencies.’ I release solo work under Claudine West and ‘Earth Tree Healing.’ I used to call myself Bog Woppit.

“My sound can be as simple as a finger picked acoustic guitar with a haunting vocal. To alternative rock with electric guitars and melodic keyboards. I’m big on harmony, melody and haunting beauty that evokes emotion. I sing a little. But musically it’s the instruments that really do the talking with my work. I am the protagonist of my lyrics. My journey as a musician though jazz, blues, folk, grunge, rock has shaped what I create. You will hear elements of all.

“I also release new age, instrumental and meditation music under the pseudonym ‘Earth Tree Healing.’ From performing on sitars to accordions, keyboards, singing bowls, bongos, mandolins and more. I’m venturing more into binaural beats and good vibrations at 432hz (the God frequency).”

History

“From my first little ‘Bontempi’ Keyboard and second hand classical guitar. I knew my fingers were a bit special. Puberty unleashed a massive rush of creativity and opened me up as a conduit. It flows through me like a stream from the mountains. But I cannot contemplate the true source. Why would I?

“On one level It’s the buzz after exercise, the wellbeing after meditation and the warmth after red wine all rolled into one. On another it is the rock and roll adrenalin fuelled orgasm and vibrational ecstasy that come with live performance. I am grateful of the bliss this life is giving me. Fame is elusive. But in the dark rooms I learned to play the guitar in, so I didn’t need to look at my fingers on the fretboard, to collecting instruments. (You can never have too many!)

“This journey is so much more satisfying in ways that money or fame cannot bring. I never got into cover bands. I’m a creator not a copier. I’ve spent a lot of time locked away from daylight in home studios. As a teenager I got into Hip-Hop, Tori Amos, Suzanne Vega and grunge music. I appreciated funky beats and rhyme. Along with learning the drums at School. I equally concentrated on piano/keyboards and guitar. Self-taught. I don’t read music much. I improvise. Playing jazz and blues music and spending my formative years jamming at live mic nights.

Claudine West

“I spent many a good and not so good time with talented and sometimes temperamental musicians. I also suffer from a sometimes creative temperament. The beast is calmer with maturity. All great learning on this road!

“Experiencing the sudden death of my music mentor and close friend in my late 20’s was sobering. It created a world of emptiness and revaluation. The writer’s block that followed took me to new shores to heal. My evolution as a songwriter, composer, musician and conduit of thoughts, damage that became lyrics.

“I also have always loved creating instrumental music. A few years ago, I trained as a Reiki Practitioner. I wanted to accompany my practice and meditations. Being part of the pagan community and a spiritual being. The long road of excess led me here. I wrote a book about my life so far. It’s not an ego massager. It is an honest and true account of how I came to be ‘Claudsville Blogs and Biog of a Bog Woppit.’ is available via Amazon Kindle.

“I’ve been in a few bands along the way to here. Namely the cofounder and a decade stint in Nottingham’s The Idolins. I moved from folk pop to rock with the short lived Subway Circus. With myself and the vocalist PP Johnson departing to form Strange Currencies.

“I crawled out of the hole a few years back and really got back into gigging. This helped me get over the stage nerves that plagued me so much. The digital age has been a fantastic enabler to share it all worldwide. I’m having a great old time! I’ve been doing all of this this for over 20 years. Balancing it with my bill paying full time day job in the NHS is hard, but if it was easy. I would not appreciate it as much.

“After I’ve departed this mortal coil, my music will live on. There is something special and humbling about that. Practice, feel it, perform it, channel it, love it.”

What I’m working on

“I’ve just got back from a trip travelling around California. I was in San Francisco and Los Angeles during the tragic wildfires of October 2017. I wrote a new song upon my return called ‘Diablo Winds.’ Which is currently on Bandcamp. This will be on my new instrumental album under ‘Earth Tree Healing’ called ‘Candle Gardeners’ which will be released on digital stores on my birthday, May 30th 2018.

“I’m also busy creating some instrumental meditation work for a few clients. New music and recording an EP with our band Strange Currencies. About to release a guided meditation album I’ve just completed with our spiritual ‘Yoda’ Sally Wathen at Rainbow Bridge. Then I’ll write and record a ‘Goddess’ themed instrumental album later in the year.”

Music Links

https://claudinewestmusic.com/

 

Claudine West 2018, claudine west music, earth tree healing, instrumental, music, New Age Music

Glastonbury

On my birthday. Waking up in our E-den Camping Cabin, going for a wander. Recording the birdsong while looking at the Glastonbury Tor. We love Somerset. Inspired, I made this music to accompany. From my forthcoming 2018 album to be released on 30th May. Written, performed, recorded by Claudine West (Earth Tree Healing)

Currently exclusive to Bandcamp.

 

Watch the making of Glastonbury at Claudsville Studios.

Links

Digital Stores > Earth Tree Healing Music

Thanks for listening

©laudine

Claudine West Music

 

Claudine West Conspiracies, Dreams, music

The Apocalypse of Dark Secrets

How did this turn into such horror….???? After playing a gig at The DH Lawrence Festival with dry ice. We ended up back our ours talking people’s dark secrets, conspiracies, truths over a few bottles of “d d d d d d d d d..Prosecco” and kebabs. With our imminant debut Strange Currencies album about to be released. We discussed why we are the monsters… ‘Making Monsters‘


… I was descending down a hill on a bus with fog surrounding the trees. It was so vivid and white. Quite beautiful, I took a photo.

A rabid monkey thing suddenly jumped on the bus and started attacking us all. I was grabbing and flinging them off.

Then this world around us changed. So began the decimation.

This was the beginning of the apocalypse. We were holed up in a house. I was summoned outside. Just me…. A tribe/gang were waiting.

 

I discovered they were after Ange. Will Robinson (music promoter from I’m Not From London) held them off by delaying then.

We initially escaped. Travelled north and ate tapas. Finding the label of something lovely in a jar stating Sainsbury’s. I made a mental note to get some.

For some idiotic reason we ended up back at that house. They came back. With fishing rods this time. Surrounding us, trying to blend in. I ran to the room where she sat. Defeated. I said “Fill your pockets with crystals”

Even thought they wanted to kill Ange. (As she owed them and hadn’t paid up) They didn’t know what she looked like though. We escaped via a lilo and got dragged through the sea grasping onto another boat.

Driven by some form of terminator robot thing. We ended up beached on a sand bank with washed up ships full of live fish..

I woke gasping, then counting my blessings. This is all in an average nights dream session. I could live these lives and if I never woke. That would be my eternal reality. A mind sponge that the subconscious goes rabid with! #howmydreamsgetmade dry ice = fog. The monkeys things must have mutated from watching ‘Men In Black’ last night had lunch yesterday at The Full Moon Pub in Morton. Eating a really tasty starter of olives, bread, balsamic vinegar and (the red jar in dream I suspect) sundried tomatoes mixed up with olive oil. Commenting how lush it was and we should make at home. With me also watching a lot of hurricane footage (stranded ships) my constant need to escape. (lots of career changing/concentration of music making discussions and action taken lately a big need for change and day job motivation) The clarity is rewl. Even though my eyes now are adjusting in my 40 from short vision to long vision. I’m not ready for bifocals or seperate reading glasses yet. So suffer a sligh blurr.  Ange calls me ‘Old Bitch!’ We chorle as my hair greys a little more. As the need for adventure and escape to the country grows. Action is taken towards this… With a little help from the universe and law of attraction ofcourse…I find it incredibly draining and at times soul destroying doing day job and my passion and calling. But the bills have to be paid and I’m lucky to work in a decent job where I get looked after.

With all other dream fuel drip fed, blended and spat out… I now need to record more meditation music to calm my arse!

The dark secrets.. well you know your truth.. don’t you. 
Enjoy

My Meditation Music Links

Claudine West live, music

From Where I Sit

When synchronicity slaps your loo loo. With syncopated rhythms. You glide into sounds of silent screams and dreams and avocado wellbeing. You are your own reflection. So reflect wisely. There are the people you will meet in your life that help you, give you the wisdom of mankind that only a true life lived soul can discuss. There are the lazy arsed vampires and bum chumps that collide and collude, can’t look you in the eye. By their own body language alone and behaviours, emit their own guilt. Whether you walk a well trodden path and blurt out ‘Baa’ or struggle through sunken sands with the storm in your eyes. The rollercoaster of life hits yer hard at times. 
With the sometimes curse I am blessed with. I see you, I sense you, I feel you. I am you. I sometimes sit well in darkness. Most of the time I am bliss. The tortured blessed. The more I indulge in my calling. Those moments of happiness expand to days. 

When true clarity is so blurred in this microscopic society. Where the hunter is hunted. Zen moments are pursued by the enlightened and seekers. 

In Your World. Your ocean and the chop balance upon this flat Earth. You share with a maelstrom. It sucks you down.. underneath. Looking up into a southern metallic blue sky. You realise. It’s all over. What did I do while I was here? 

I sit amongst and am surrounded by the unity, vibrational orgasms… that create a band. The laughter, the sweat, the thrill, the chaos, the calm, the comedown. The only motive in every second of performance is to make the best music you can. 


The ego, the struggle, the muggles, the wants, the insecurity, the genius, disagreements. The family, festivals, rum, whisky, bottled water, broken strings, sticks, pulled muscles. 
Extreme adrenaline. The rush. The crush. My muses, the losers. This journey is beyond an entertaining adventure. It’s so much more. I feel white noise for the ones that live in shadows. I embrace the light from the inspiring beings that ride on the rug that was your magic carpet. 

Then we have the aliens and the truths… the comedy, the mood swings. I go back to who is your muse? You are surrounded by energy. Embrace. 

Those moments, that you share only in you. That make or break at sunrise and travel alone into dusk. 

After all.. when the dust settles. Where were you? 

– Claudine

LOVE

LISTEN http://hyperurl.co/ef3qxg

Claudine West 2017, claudine west music, instrumental, multi-instrumentalist, New Age Music

Litha Summer Solstice

When the Sun reaches highest in the sky. We celebrate Midsummer. Litha. The Summer Solstice is a beautiful time. Gatherings, celebrations, rituals.

Yesterday (13th May 2017) I began writing and recording my new Earth Tree Healing album. Called ‘8 Sabbats.’

The music journeys through the sunrise to a crescendo of celebration. This album will feature a lot more acoustic instruments such as the sitar, mandolin, autoharp and my guitars. Getting back to my roots. Which began with folk, evolving to Grunge and beyond with the influence of the 80’s.  I’ve found my Zen with Paganism, Mother Earth, Spirituality, Meditation and Reiki.

I’m releasing this as a single on digital stores June 3rd. Enjoy. Claudine.

Track : Litha – Summer Solstice (Promo Clip – Full Track 9 minutes)

Artist : Earth Tree Healing
More tracks on Soundcloud @user-856862566
Release Date: 3rd June 2017 Digital Stores
Single from the Forthcoming album 8 Sabbats by Earth Tree Healing
claudinewestmusic.com/
Spotify : open.spotify.com/artist/6mPpC4hlyq6kpVHhpPehOx
iTunes itunes.apple.com/album/id12026659…?ls=1&app=itunes
Facebook Page www.facebook.com/newageinstrumental/

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Claudine West 2017, alternative, claudine west music, music

Midlander Blues

 

5th track from the 2017 album ‘Becoming Moons’ By Claudine West

 

Becoming Moons is the new album by Multi-Instrumentalist & Songwriter Claudine West. From the debris from a galactic collision.. Comes something whole. Alternative rock with acoustic colours. Avante garde explorations, therapy, spillings, worries, dreams and meanings. Album cover comes from a guitar art piece.

This project; It’s an evolving beast. Songs will be added each month until completion.

claudinewestmusic.com/

MIDLANDER BLUES

Divas wept
They Talk about convention
Fake news under a microscope
Born in a heatwave
Declared renegade
Reptilian holograms
Wasps in my hair
I’m at the end of this leather
nag a ram an anagram

No one’s gonna mess with my big red moon cup
The noises in the bedroom
Making up with fucks

In an anorak
Is a razor back
Don’t look back
Panic attack

But I still love you
and I want you to unwind
I broke the mirror
But reflected over time
And my head banging
Come on pour me some more wine

I followed through when i went to the zoo
That’s what you get for queuing
It’s not so crazy believe in Tena lady
To catch your poo in

There’s menopause around the corner
Spa weekends and breath taking saunas

Silent stifled screams
Cock Wombles….

© Claudine West 2017

 

 

Claudine West music

Music Exposure: H2

Back in the day, when we all weren’t driftwood in the flood. When technology and internet basically shut the door of opportunity and exposure on so many. Times were good.

Now exists a polluted cyberspace of ego, greed and self opinion. This little piece is a ‘no shit Sherlock!’ Record of what you and I are up against. Embrace, indulge, be pretty, be ugly, be yourself, be someone else, be cool, be different. As the clones get forgotten. Be talented, don’t produce drivel that even the pissed up old bloke and his dog down the pub would write a ‘this is magnolia’ critique to. If that sound you produce, stimulates your very soul. Vibrates your vertebrae & Vag. Tantalises your tail. Then for God’s sake. Fight like Rocky to share it with the world. This will involve ‘talking to people.’ ‘Being interested in them.’ Not crossing the stalker line… Build relationships x 1000. Nurture.

Get your music on as many good platforms such as SoundCloud and Bandcamp as you can. SoundCloud is a popular one that promoters and industry professionals look at. Make videos. Even in 2017. The amount of tech and apps at your disposal is phenomenal. It just takes some imagination and commitment. You can also throw money at everything. It’s doesn’t necessarily mean success though. Being poncy… how far does that take you?????

The trick? There is no trick. Your challenge is to capture potential fans attention. God’s speed. Break a leg and all of that.  You need to find innovative ways to gain people’s attention. Here comes that word… NETWORK like your future depended upon it. Gig! GIG, GIIIIIIG. I love watching the other bands we share the bill with. Bar having another gig to rush off to. Etiquette states ‘you don’t just rudely fcuk off after your set!’ Become a mystery. Tragedy sells apparently . With a society that is fascinated by scandals, drama and the morbid. Maybe become the positive role model you always knew you could be.  There is nothing worse for a super-fan meeting you any you are rude and a dick.

Many years ago. Our Manager Ange (Ange my wifey…Nepotism at its best…) did security for concerts. A very lovely David Bowie. Asked if she was hungry. He then proceeded to go get her a plate of food from the artist buffet. Manners my readers. Cost nothing! Never mind how unknow or how big you are. Always remember that. It will serve your obituary well.

What floats people’s boats? Everyone has their own opinion. One influence is established or mass hysteria generated. Or marketing. The little lambs will follow. Then you may stumble upon the real music fans. That if you interact, engage and commit to them. They will return with dedication. We all like to think our music is amazing. Your music is amazing. You made it. When you get the knock backs, ignored, criticism, patronized. Take that pinch of salt . (Unlike me that has diva fits, followed by a really bad mood 😉

Once you pick your ego out of the gutter. Get a good bollocking from said ‘wifey’ and Manager. You learn to channel, move on. Concentrate on what is important. The older you get and if you don’t allow them. The tossers are irrelevant. The good people who genuinely see your talent will either find you or by networking, you will find them and make a positive impact.
Go watch who inspires you if you can live. If they are dead or split up of course. That’s unfortunate tough titty. Just listen to their records and dream. What makes them tick? What make you tock. What sets of your tummy and you then need to drop your kids of at the whirlpool?

I’m pretty easy to engage. Only the other day the Lady Gaga story about her seeing Prince Charles shape shift in front of her.  Reptilians are so intriguing! This lead on to a ‘before bedtime’ sidetrack to a Justin Bieber exposure to his fans. This shit sells! Except seriously Justin, you ain’t on my playlists.

I can sit there and search for a particular playlist, genre, new music. Make my own mind up. Enjoy it. I don’t need to buy it as can stream it? Then Vinyl and its nostalgia came back for the connoisseurs. Then I joined PRS & Tune-core. The End…well the beginning….

I could have also spent the best part of the last 20 years. Creating it too.

After I crawled out of my cave, having experienced musical bliss, creative satisfaction. In order for my music to be in with any chance. As a musician. I now need to get my 5 meditation albums. Heard and ‘out there.’

Having conducted research. Found the prescribed ‘rule book.’

I conducted some experiments these last couple of weeks, to test the water… These are just a few recent examples. Of this shit sandwich. There is some sweet ‘Nutella’ disguised as plopsy here I promise..

By no means am I unaware of the rules, the scams, the self opinionated ego manic ‘Keyboard Warriors’ / promoters who ‘appear’ to tick all boxes and are ‘on your side baby!’ ..that is until you do a gig with one of the we encounter recently. ;-0 When uttering a hello and basic manners are beyond their capability once their Facebook account off and the ‘I’m only human after all’ comes out after dark. Disappointed is a word. Such a shame.

Such a shame that they had their back to us throughout our performance.. engrossed being a keyboard warrior. So dedicated to ‘helping musicians’ for a fee for radio plugging of course. That not even a ‘thanks for performing for free’ having failed to attract an audience to ‘said venue.’ That will teach me for forming a lovely opinion of someone that so clearly isn’t. Encouraged but not defeated….

So through that bullshit. The offered promises for £££. I think we will pass. Got to meet a load of lovely other bands, while playing to each other 😉

Then we get the websites that you submit your music to. Bloggers… stations, publications, YouTube channels. The works. Oh and you can pay for the privilege. To get


Thanks for telling us that you can’t actually pigeon hole us. You will basically blow a fuse if you had to process this ‘Jason’
Jason.. what do you do. What qualifies you with authority?

Get on Reddit they said! Expose your music!
So enthusiastic I failed to ‘read the rule’

Oops!

Then after a wonderful Loreena McKennitt concert in Gateshead, at The Sage. I return to the hotel to check some bits. Then a bitch slap. After the high comes the low. Thinking ooh my 2 busy weeks. Sharing my stuff on difference platforms… then …… In all of my enthusiasm and excitement… I failed to read the instructions..  Jesus Wept! Measure twice, cut once. Always encouraging to get blocked by a ‘moderator’ on #Reddit for sharing the #meditation and connection that lead to me to creating & sharing music for others. Why thank you #theturbolemming #perseverance #sharethelove #Reddit #ego #slappedwrist #dulynoted  oh and Turbo Lemming person. Please don’t be a future fan, I’m asking you. Not instantly blocking you 😉  I’m only human after all. Don’t put the blame on me… I am unable to contribute to meditation discussion now! But thanks. You inspired me further.. and we’re the inspiration for this blog. Blessings…. oh and Turbo Lemming my little sausage… seeing as you will not promote me. I had to do it myself darling. I’ve sent the link to this blog to you in Reddit. 😉 xxx is this you by the way? https://youtu.be/8xCwNWTVBLM

But out of this. As musicians find out they now need to become promoters, networkers, radio pluggers. All of the advice. Be human. Be the best you can and persevere. Whether you be young, older, ancient. It’s it’s truly good stuff. They will find you.

Tips: Hunt out the good bloggers. Engage. Seek the good music supervisors and build a relationship with them without ramming the typical ‘listen to my tunes’ instant email.

Sometimes it’s not how talented you are. It’s about who you did the ‘favor’ for them to gain exposure.

  • Create desire
  • Create interest
  • Create curiosity.

I’m an advocate of hard work, perseverance, self belief. Talent and good songwriting.

Someone once said….

‘We are termites’ trying to climb to the top of the mud. Some will get crushed. Some tread on others. Some don’t deserve a slice of mud pie as ride on the talent and foundation others created first.’

There is that image stuff as well…. oh my oh my!  When people put their 🎧 on. What do they see????? 🖖

I’m lucky. We have and are gaining a great network of really cool folk that are helping get the music heard.

Do your research. Speak to people.

Create something eye catching with your media. ( no photos in front of walls or forests- sound advice from an industry professional 😉

Make it personal, but positive. I’ve not met many of the ‘genuine s’ in this business that don’t rejoice in their passion.

Fit your bullshit detector with brand new batteries. In fact plug it into the mains.

Fill your rejection and perseverance shield with reserve, extra padding and hot, home made chicken soup for the soul. You will need it. Don’t ever, ever, give up if its your passion and true calling. If its a just a hobby to you. Enjoy.

If you tickle ’em with a feather. They will eventually giggle. Hit ’em with Thor’s Hammer. They might just block you instantly.

Set up and email list for email subscribers. Mail Chimp is good. 1000 likes on Facebook is nothing, if no one is listening, or your mates have liked out of sympathy.. Or ex band mates secretly stalk.

Find the super fans. Not the ‘like’ clickers and ‘follow me back’ button sleepwalkers. Engage. You are never too important to send a personal mail.

I’ve found some really handy music advice podcasts. Great to listen to on your travels. So please seek out and do research. Then just do…. define what you are. Define who you are and then tell the world. Define roles in your band. Its about working the people who are good for you. Not the ones that will simply rip you off for no real return of investment. Find out their success stories. Anyone not will into to divulge=Alarm bells!

Once you build a solid foundation. Of genuine ear heaven. Something great follows. It might not be a hit single next week.. but over time…with a positive mindset… the rumble will build into a roar.

Or just maybe, perfect timing gets you to the Zenith…,

Big thanks to the lovely folk we are working with that are helping. You know who you are.

Re write the rule book. Things are a changing. Self belief empowerment and the law of attraction will create untold wonders. On that note. Go plough… Good luck. Be brave. I hope this finds you. Wherever you are

~ Claudine

Claudine West music, release, rock, singer songwriter, strange currencies, vocalist

Weebles, Wine and Words

To swear on air. That was a bloody good ‘straight after work’ vocals recording sesh. After leaving to breathe… The McGuigan

via Weebles, Wine & Words — Strange Currencies

To swear on air. That was a bloody good ‘straight after work’ vocals recording sesh. After leaving to breathe… The McGuigan coated throats just enough for a velvet vintage performance. Now for Rugby (and a big well done to England Yesterday winning the Six Nations) & Pizza with Wifey. Well done Mr Paul Phillip Johnson.

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With a pretty great music ‘information gathering’ week in the bag.  Networking a go go. We all feel a refreshed reiteration on how to move the music of Strange Currencies into the universe a little better. With a Nusic Academy Q&A hosted by Mark Del at Nottingham Trent Student Union. Featuring on the panel John Kennedy from Radio X, Kate Holder, Producer for Huw Stephens for the BBC, Eleanor Goodman, currently features Editor at Metal Hammer from and Jamz Supernova from BBC Radio 1Xtra. Being a musician and not a savvy Radio Plugger, promoter. Well not yet… In this day and age. Listening to some valuable tips via iTunes podcasts on the bus to work has been enlightening. Some things are obvious. Some are ‘Aha’ moments. Some are well ‘why do that as I would not..?’ But play guitar with the suggested chord formations. You might just have a tune. With stalls, advice and networking with local promoters I’m Not From London. It was a productive meet and greet.

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One of the funniest moments from the Nusic sesh involved as question about visual media eg band photos. Eleanor Goodmans sound advice.. Don’t do photos of bands in front of walls or forests. As its ‘soooooo very unoriginal’ had us laughing out loud. You had to be there!  ‘Wanky Cocks’ against depressing backdrops in a nutshell. Its quite possibly 50 shades of grey with arrogance and unoriginality.

A few pre mastered CD promos featuring a few songs were handed out.  Some more seed planted from out underground greenhouse.

After finding Bridget Jones’s Baby funnier than expected. Pissing at the one liner “It’s a big wanking bomb Viv” in No Offence,  a heart stopping episode of The Walking Dead, season 7 this week. When we thought Rick Grimes was zombie pate. Some really weird dreams followed by milking squids.  The question begs… Is it better to gain musical success from your own talent and creating what you love. Thank pulling in favours in Whoreland?

Then at the weekend… a band injury.. I’m recovering with a sore upper bingo wing, being burned by an oven tray full of bacon, I’m still not sure how i managed it at that angle. Maybe….(for album pre release publicity) A unicorn self combusted its horn. Then decided to compete in the winter Olympics while applying lippy. Bought a Moped and then travelled Thelma and Louise style to Balmoral. Later recording an album likened to ‘Rumours.’ Shagged a pony. Had an affair with and antelope. Found an ice pop. Snorted Kryptonite. Went on a cruise with Jane McDonald, burst into song, with a distinct blurred lens. Then trained as a butcher, opened a shop. Decided to become vegan. Discovered that vegetables have feelings too. Went batshit crazy apeshit. Read up on mind control and possession. Did a bit of hocus pocus. Found out the Reptilians wanted to recruit. Found me and did this in the night. Ok ED and James. Your beautiful oh little scar scar.

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Recording the album ‘Making Monsters’

It was PP Johnson lead vocals and Claudine West backing vocals of something very beautiful for the album tonight. Take this one to your church. This Girl is understanding.

Album is coming together pretty good. It eclectic! Grunge, country, ballad, Blues, Dance, Pop and more.

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So as we depart into the weekend between the day jobs. We are happy. Excited and content and a little tipsy. Rehearsals with the full band commence next week. Good times for Strange Currencies. Great year ahead.

Be the best you can be 😉

~ Claudine

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