Recording in Brazil !!!

It's been a short while since my last diary entry.
Been a little busy travelling! It's a hard life :)

Since mid January 2012 I have been in São Paulo recording cover songs, my own songs and songs of friends. 
Having met Emir Noguiera at a gig in London in the spring of 201, He'd asked me to sing for the band but at the time it was a bad time and I had to refuse the offer. When I decided to go travelling around South America and I reached Brazil where Emir is from, he kindly offered his home and studio to me and I've been here recording since! Due to leave For New Zealand on March 27th.
Emir and the band - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rWRIBYxdvM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

It's been interesting to say the least, I feel I have grown as an artist and my character is building. I see more of what I want to be as an artist and what I don't. I'm learning that although I may write a song it may not be fitting for me! This I found confusing at first - why write a song that I don't intend to sing? or it may not make me happy to sing it?? This is all part of the creative process of being a singer/song writer. I'm not writing an awful lot (7 songs in 3 months!) but what I do write I find I am having to split down the middle, as some may be a little to pop for me and I fancy myself as a rocker... Soul rocker...or what have you.

Recorded songs and who wrote/sings them:
Let's Dance - David Bowie
Catch me - Rodrigo Antao
Slow down - Myself
Cherry Pie - Myself
Laces and Bows - Marcelo Noguiera
Dreamy Lady - T.Rex
The Night They Drove old Dixie Down - The Band
Get Back - The Beatles
High and Low - Emir Noguiera 
I'm going home - Rocky Horror Show
Escapade - Myself
Take Me Away - Myself
Cars and Guitars - Myself
The Day of The End - Marcelo Noguiera 

And a few other working progresses, thanks to Emir my songs come together within minutes of him hearing them! Such a clever bunny :D

Marcelo Noguiera'  'The Day Of The End' is for his soon to be realeased short film. Personally the song is just perfect as it is but I am flattered beyond words that Marcelo would ask me to do my own version and possibly use it during the end of the film/credits. Will keep you posted on this.



On Saturday the 3rd of March I had the priveage of going on stage with Emir Noguiera to sing The Beatles 'Come Together' at Hedonic's gig. I'd been very unwell all week and only had one day to learn the song so the performance was far from perfect but for me and my battle against stage fright, it was a triumph. 

Hedonic are a young rock band who are also recording at the studio.
Band Members:
Átila Azzi Cortez - Bass
Rodolfo Brant de Carvalho - Front Man
Carlos Eduardo Dissenha - Guitar
Pedro Henrique Dissenha - Drummer and the youngest member at 15!!! 

Their style of music is very English which i find endearing. Their main influences are 'The Beatles' and 'Oasis' which you can hear in their music. Their lyrics are that of men who have lived and seen. Carlos writes songs that you'd believe is about one thing but its about something else entirely, that's quite a unique talent. Rodolfo's writing style is mature for his age. I think they will go far, at least I'm hoping so 'cus' I love 'em!! When they are sorted I will publish links...

***Musicians in Brazil are second to none they have the freedom to play to their hearts content especially percussionists, it's part of the culture. So when I say their drummers are some of the best in the world I am happy to be held to that until the day I die. Music is in their blood - Samba is a physical work out in itself and I'm not talking about the dance, I mean the way they strike those drums!!