Bandmates and Heartaches

Haven't blogged in a while.. busy on a Steven Spielburg Dreamworks Show.. and the fun filled drama of being a bandleader has kept my tongue under wraps for fear that I may publicly declare damaging or hurtful words. So dust has settled and emotions are clear and in check.. Getting ready to record a  whack of new tunes and finish my first CD. The day-job has definitely been delaying this process.
Cut to the chase. Way too much ego in this industry. Now that I've re-arranged the line-up of players in the Dirty Swing Band I am thrilled to say that I am so on track with my original goals of sharing creative expression and what comes from within with others who enjoy original music as much as I do.

Being surrounded by supportive and encouraging friends and players is the greatest feeling and truly a gift I appreciate more each and every day.

My research on swing music has become a full blown obsession and I can only move forward with faith in the many talented folks I am influenced by. As soon as this film contract is up I can finalize a date and get into the studio in order to offer my soul to all those who are interested and understand my message. LIFE IS A GIFT

Come down this Sunday and hear the new originals before anyone else. These Sunday brunch shows are lovely.

THE AGENT DEMON

Okay folks! It's been a long time since I blogged so let's keep ya'll INFORMED!! I've had some tremendously fun and creative experiences with some amazing local music legends including a night of jazz and blues featuring Jack Stafford on sax and flute.. (there will be more of that!) as well as a wedding with jazz greats Henry Young and Doug Louie. I am spoiled! The Dirty Swing Band is as tight as can be and lately every venue we've been at has had the dance floor packed with music- loving party animals. Thanks be to the boys.. Jack Lavin, Dave Webb, Marty Bernard and Mr. John Nolan.

I'm now at the level of the dreaded agent... up until now its been a labour of love for me and a rush to book the best rooms in town all by my little old unknown self.. and I'm proud of the fact that I shamelessly sell and promote the band BECAUSE THEY ARE DAMN GOOD!! 

Some agents are knocking, some are peeking around the door to see what the Biscuit is up to next. I feel like I need to be two steps ahead of it all because being the original weirdo that I am, I'd rather fall into obscurity than be pigeon- holed into a role or genre that doesn't fulfill my heart and soul.. 

All I want to do is put smiles on people's faces and take them away from their troubles for a few hours in the evening- make them feel safe and create an atmosphere that is based on freedom of expression and all- inclusive enjoyment of life!

All this who's who and what are they up to? The undercutting and back- talking is doing a number on my head so I'm taking to the ethereal quill to vent something that's been gnawing at me for only a slight while. I promised to be honest. I promised to stay true to my dream of reaching out through the medium of music to tell a story and stay sincere and try my best. 

Being a professional musician pays like shit at the best of times.. but now I'm encountering the insidiousness of so- called business men who lock down venues simply so they can profit off the bands they hire. So far I have been able to do everything and more than any agent has ever offered me. Or, perhaps I have yet to meet the right one for me. Regardless..... 

STAY THE COURSE BISCUIT!! (the voices say)

BRAIN ON FIRE

My brain is through the roof.. I have have so much in my head and quite a bit more to add to it. I'm looking forward to all my upcoming gigs.. the dirty swing band is a tight ship. I'm digging the challenge of building a solo act as well. I can confidently pull off one set.. two sets is a little more work.. I bet all the old veterans would laugh at me right now, cause they all know what it's like to sit up there and keep the crowd entertained and the music flowing for hours on end.. i'm pretty new at performing solo.. unless you count busking on Granville and Seymour for french fries and  green hair dye back in the early 90's. (i will always maintain that i made good money busking!)


SUMMER SCHEDULE with the DIRTY SWING BAND

July 7th The Heritage Grill (my birthday)

July 9th Music on the Wharf

July 21st Kingfishers Grill

August 3rd The Cellar Jazz Club

August 24th The Fairview

and a bunch of solo acts in between .. particularily happy to do a solo act with the Downtown Maple Ridge noon hour concert series.. just me and my guitar and the folks of 224th st at Memorial Park :)


a couple of interesting projects coming up at the Railway Club and a live radio broadcast.. I'll keep you posted..


and The Hardrock Miner's Singalong this Mon. July 2nd.. but that's a whole new blog ....

A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SID VICIOUS

The music business is a tough place.. where I'm at anyway.. I'm learning how to hustle 

and it ain't easy. Lotsa bands, fewer and fewer venues. When I started this blog I wanted to keep a journal of my learnings 

and i haven't stopped learning yet.

#1 - when they all told me years ago to keep believing in myself they were right

#2 - nobody's gonna do anything for you so 

be thankful for everything because its a 

gift

#3 - listen to the bass player

#4 - grow the thickest hide possible and reinforce it with good faith

#5 - take risks and hope for the best

 I play music because I love it and I love 

the folks I play it with. Everyone will 

always have an opinion.. music is fairly subjective and we all know what we like. I just want it to be as good as it can be. Some folks support you, others don't, so don't 

rely on others for continued success. Don't stop promoting cause  a quality product is worth it. Life without performing live music would suck, so I'll carry on thank- you, I've still got some stripes to earn......

FOR THE LOVE OF LOUNGE..

www.reverbnation.com/wendybiscuit

So I've been digging into jazz standards and I've re-ignited an older passion.

I have wanted to be a lounge singer for as long as I can remember. They wear stunning gowns and quietly croon away beautiful melodies from the corner of the room.  

The music seems so thoughtfully written, I've fallen in love with every new song I've learned. I'm looking forward to performing some classics from Count Basie, more Billy Holiday, Sinatra, Anita O'Day, Julie London, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole, Fats Waller and my very first favorite: the Gershwin brothers :)

A little departure from my 'blues muse' Memphis Minnie but I know what the old gal would say.. 'Do what makes you happy.' Well it all makes me happy but there's a calling that I simply can't ignore. More recording shall soon commence..and it's going to be a bit of original jazz.. a bossa nova and a swing...plus a little jive tune inspired by mr. ray ayotte..(he knows the one) 

It's getting there and I can't wait to give her a run!

Summer is here and the 'Dirty Swing Band' will all over the town. My usual and wonderful boys- Jack Lavin, Dave Webb, Marty Bernard and John Nolan..(joining us at The Fairview will be the great Jack Stafford on saxophone!!).. hopefully Mr. Koliger will grace a few of the stages as well..

May 26th- Falconetti's East Side Grill

June 1st- Blues on Broadway' at The Fairview 

July 7th- (MY BIRTHDAY!!) Heritage Grill

July 9th- Music on the Wharf (Maple Ridge)

August 3rd- Cory Weed's Cellar Jazz Club

Not to mention my first solo job EVER right here in Maple Ridge Thurs May 24th 7:30pm @ the Haney Public House. Now that should be interesting!

W:)  

SOMEONE EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

Many talented musicians have come very close to my heart this past year.. I am indeed fortunate to have such a wealth of creativity and encouragement amongst my companions, old and new. One man in particular has pushed me beyond my comfort zone and raised the bar of expectations to new proportions that i never dreamed of. That man is Jack Lavin. 

I have always had a love affair with the bass clef.. that's where i learned to read music- in the cello section of the Vancouver Youth Orchestra pit. I rely on the solid pulsing rhythmic foundation so heavily.. it's the first thing i hear when i sit down to learn a song, and almost the only thing I hear when I'm singing on stage. The bass line always tells me where the music is going and provides a stability that makes me want to curl up in it's blanket of comforting vibration and go to sleep.  It's no surprise that I place an especially great value to the relationship I form with my bass player.

When Jack picked me up out of the blues jams I did not know what to expect. Nor did I ever dream that I would not only gain a great teacher and mentor, but also a solid friend-  not to mention the fact that he is truly a great and knowledgable musician. When all's said and done.. I trust my bass player :) 


He has introduced to me to so many wonderful folks.. as he tends to surround himself with the highest calibur of humans inside and out.. musical or not. Whenever I need help, he's usually already addressed my concerns before I even ask. Hell, he produced my five latest originals and he produced them well! 


Speaking of music production.. He and his talented friend Gary Koliger have just released a new album. "Jake and Gate" is my new favourite band and I can't wait to get my hands on my copy of "I Got Your Back" They have a series of CD release events coming up in May and they deserve nothing but the the best reception for this labour of love, soul and songwriting. 

May 16th- FALCONETTI'S East Side Grill on Commercial Drive
May 18th- THE COTTAGE BISTRO on Main Street (I can't wait to see Eugene again)
May 19th- KINGFISHERS WATERFRONT GRILL In my own hometown of Maple Ridge


Anyone who has ever met Jack Lavin, or heard him on one of the many stages he's performed on (pretty much every stage in Vancouver) will know that he is capable of only the best in entertainment quality, musicianship and production.


get your copy on itunes or CD Baby!


Congrats on the new release, Jake and Gate! I am a fan for life.   

WENDY BISCUIT SOLO

Harrison BC is ALWAYS a blast. I love getting the call from my good friends at Rockamole's... this time I got to do things a little differently simply because I can! Because it was only a duo backing me up I thought it might be fun to take the pressure off Dave Webb on keys and bring a guitar to the ensemble.. Now I 'm not a blues player, nor am I a soloist nor am I ANYTHING really.... but because I feel like I'm surrounded by family when I'm up by the lake I wanted to show them a different side of me. 

For four years I had a 'dirty bluegrass' band.. not really a band.. me on guitar, Wayne Evans on bass.. Petrina Baptist singing melody and myself singing harmony.. we called ourselves "Hawkin's Revenge" and we had a lot of fun and entirely too much rye whisky.. anyway.. I wrote about 40 songs for that group and they have mostly been sitting dormant since our dissolve.. Sept 2010

Last Saturday I decided to give the good folks of Harrison BC a taste of 'Wendy Biscuit Solo'.... I wasn't nervous as much as I was hoping that they would understand my own unique brand of original music. The tunes came out as they always used to, and my guitar stayed in tune... my timing stayed on track (thank god!) and the audience appreciated it. WELL! now thats a relief.. putting out heart and soul in the form of original music is always a risk but those who are driven to write and perform really have no choice.. and now that I know it worked.. i'll offer it in other venues as well... 


Mr Webb encouraged me to play ensemble for a few tunes and that made me feel so good! I've always received flack and criticism because my rhythm style is my own and self taught.. but you know what? it worked with these guys! and i liked it! they liked too!! ( i thought they were just saying that to my face but then i heard them commenting about it on a recording my mother took while i was on stage- my heart began to swell..) Have I mentioned that I love the players in my band??? 


Anyway.. it's always a journey and although i love to play guitar and i love my catalogue of past original projects.... I also love just being the singer and being able to pour everything i have into the lyrics, melody and stage performance. However! next time you come to a Wendy Biscuit show... you may just catch me being my own opening act simply because it seemed to work .. :)