SONGWRITER'S NIGHTS
On Wednesday night, we
headed into town to attend the local songwriter's night, which is held
once a month. Having only returned to the region of my roots in recent
months, I had not been a regular at these events, though this was the
second one I went to.
Years ago, when I first started songwriting and performing, I used to traipse around Sydney a few nights a week, sharing my tunes at any songwriter's night or open mic night that I could find. Back in those years, I was in a hard place in myself and performing was not something I particularly aspired to. Unfortunately though, sharing my songs was. And to do that, performing them over and over at songwriter's nights was the best place to start.
What I did enjoy immensely about those nights though, was hearing the songs of others. So I usually tried to get on and perform early-ish, so I could then relax for the rest of the evening and hear what other songwriters had to share.
Thankfully over the years, my aversion to performing lessened considerably, particularly when I found the audience I most resonated with, through the folk music scene in Australia. Once I found the right audiences through folk festivals, I came to enjoy performing immensely, loving the connection shared with like-minded people.
These days though, performing is not such a regular part of my life. Writing has taken over, particularly over the last year or so with the book being written and recently released. At the moment, it suits me much more to write. But I realised that by not performing, I was not hearing as much live music either, since the two often went hand in hand together, at festivals. Hence, my decision to visit the local songwriter's night was made.
Driving home from the event last week, I was on a natural high that only music can provide. It was such a warm and welcoming evening for all involved, both the songwriters and the audience. There was no stigma, competition, or judgment, as both experienced and amateur songwriters shared their tunes. It was an evening inclusive of everyone, particularly as songwriters tend to share a little more about the songs with the audience at these nights.
It made me so happy to be a songwriter. Although I have a collection of feel-good songs waiting to be recorded into a new album (which will be my second album), just having the opportunity to share a few of the songs to a live audience in such a congenial atmosphere was wonderful. If I hadn't been a songwriter myself, I may never have discovered these nights, which brings me to what inspired me to write about this. You don't need to be a songwriter to enjoy songwriter's nights!
These nights introduce the audience to live, acoustic music that a general audience may never hear otherwise. Sure, there are beginners there, people just starting out and sharing their tunes. Everyone has to start somewhere after all. But there are also some brilliant songwriters who continue to support these nights the world over. And let's face it, who amongst us has not been affected by a particular song during hard or happy times in our lives? Every such song has a songwriter behind it, whether that person is the one who ends up performing the song or not.
Music is a magnificent language, one that can transport the listener to somewhere else in an instant. Songwriters are honest storytellers - artists who have the courage to share their emotions, allowing the audience to then resonate with themes common amongst them.
So please do yourself a favour, and find some local songwriter's nights in your area. Or if visiting major cities, there will almost always be a night on offer. Every songwriter's night is different to the last. That's the beauty of them. You truly never know what you are in for until you are there. But this is a positive thing.
In the rush and bustle of every day life, sitting back and listening to some acoustic music, shared by the person who has created the actual song, can be an unexpected gift to yourself. It is time well spent. Naturally, songwriters appreciate the support too.
Mostly though, for both the songwriter and the audience, it is about connecting through the wonderful language of music. And surely, you owe yourself such pleasure now and then. Indeed!
As mentioned, every songwriter's night is different. So how will you know if you never go?!
Enjoy the tunes, friends, and happy listening.
Years ago, when I first started songwriting and performing, I used to traipse around Sydney a few nights a week, sharing my tunes at any songwriter's night or open mic night that I could find. Back in those years, I was in a hard place in myself and performing was not something I particularly aspired to. Unfortunately though, sharing my songs was. And to do that, performing them over and over at songwriter's nights was the best place to start.
What I did enjoy immensely about those nights though, was hearing the songs of others. So I usually tried to get on and perform early-ish, so I could then relax for the rest of the evening and hear what other songwriters had to share.
Thankfully over the years, my aversion to performing lessened considerably, particularly when I found the audience I most resonated with, through the folk music scene in Australia. Once I found the right audiences through folk festivals, I came to enjoy performing immensely, loving the connection shared with like-minded people.
These days though, performing is not such a regular part of my life. Writing has taken over, particularly over the last year or so with the book being written and recently released. At the moment, it suits me much more to write. But I realised that by not performing, I was not hearing as much live music either, since the two often went hand in hand together, at festivals. Hence, my decision to visit the local songwriter's night was made.
Driving home from the event last week, I was on a natural high that only music can provide. It was such a warm and welcoming evening for all involved, both the songwriters and the audience. There was no stigma, competition, or judgment, as both experienced and amateur songwriters shared their tunes. It was an evening inclusive of everyone, particularly as songwriters tend to share a little more about the songs with the audience at these nights.
It made me so happy to be a songwriter. Although I have a collection of feel-good songs waiting to be recorded into a new album (which will be my second album), just having the opportunity to share a few of the songs to a live audience in such a congenial atmosphere was wonderful. If I hadn't been a songwriter myself, I may never have discovered these nights, which brings me to what inspired me to write about this. You don't need to be a songwriter to enjoy songwriter's nights!
These nights introduce the audience to live, acoustic music that a general audience may never hear otherwise. Sure, there are beginners there, people just starting out and sharing their tunes. Everyone has to start somewhere after all. But there are also some brilliant songwriters who continue to support these nights the world over. And let's face it, who amongst us has not been affected by a particular song during hard or happy times in our lives? Every such song has a songwriter behind it, whether that person is the one who ends up performing the song or not.
Music is a magnificent language, one that can transport the listener to somewhere else in an instant. Songwriters are honest storytellers - artists who have the courage to share their emotions, allowing the audience to then resonate with themes common amongst them.
So please do yourself a favour, and find some local songwriter's nights in your area. Or if visiting major cities, there will almost always be a night on offer. Every songwriter's night is different to the last. That's the beauty of them. You truly never know what you are in for until you are there. But this is a positive thing.
In the rush and bustle of every day life, sitting back and listening to some acoustic music, shared by the person who has created the actual song, can be an unexpected gift to yourself. It is time well spent. Naturally, songwriters appreciate the support too.
Mostly though, for both the songwriter and the audience, it is about connecting through the wonderful language of music. And surely, you owe yourself such pleasure now and then. Indeed!
As mentioned, every songwriter's night is different. So how will you know if you never go?!
Enjoy the tunes, friends, and happy listening.
