The Lyric Game

I was just reading through some of the blogs to see everyone's final touches and I've got to say, I'm loving them all. I was reading through Joanne's Online Sketchbook blog there now and her post entitled bands, bands, bands really interested me. I absolutely love the artwork she has done. I'm also envious of the fact she's been to see some amazing bands at Leeds Festival.

It was her artwork for the band Simple Plan that sparked something in me and I couldn't help but blog about it now. Her artwork reminded me of a game I used to play. It's what I've called 'The Lyric Game' and it's mainly for when you're alone with nothing but your boredom and your music for company.

Basically what you do is set your ipod/itunes/media player on shuffle and let it play. Each song that plays, you listen and write down your favourite lyric. (If that song repeats again, then write a different lyric.) What you have is a collection of lyrics that obviously mean something to you. They might be good, bad or just plain hilarious. I find I end up playing this game during my 'emo' days of when nothing but the sound of my music seems to matter. I ended up making a piece of artwork similar to Joanne's after my game so I thought I'd post it up.



So anyway, whenever you find yourself bored out of your mind but too lazy to do your assignments, have a go at the game. It might bring the 'emo' out in you!

I need to go to 'Busker's Anonymous'

I’m beginning to think this blog has made me a ‘Buskaholic’! All I seem to think about is when the next Busker’s Night is and what new songs I could learn before then. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing!

It all started a few weeks ago when we were in The Borough. The manager Grant, who we’ve got to know over the past year, came up to me and started talking about busking. He had spotted my facebook profile picture, which is of my buskin’ at Paddy Whacks and asked me to come to his busker’s night. He had heard that my night at Paddy Whacks was quite successful (thanks Lisa) and wouldn’t take no for an answer about me coming to his.

I couldn’t disappoint him and honestly, I was actually looking forward to my next opportunity. It must have been about 10pm last night when I randomly decided to head to The Borough but it was worth it. Arriving a bit late, I only got to play two songs but despite that, it was great fun. I played ‘We Are Broken’ by Paramore and also ‘Stop and Stare’ by One Republic, a song that I haven’t been playing long.

I was a little bit disappointed with the guitar though. I thought there was a bit of a weird sound coming from it and the lighting wasn’t exactly the best. But despite that, I got on with it and even though I was still a bit nervous, it was fun. Thanks to my ‘camerawoman’ Lisa Ovenden for leaving her work to come down with me. I guess I've got to thank her for giving me that ‘kick’ to get up there in the first place. Now I can’t seem to get enough of it.

Knowing me, I’ll probably be buskin’ again before I leave Sunderland for the summer so if I am, I’ll let you all know. But for now here are the videos for ‘We Are Broken’ and ‘Stop and Stare’. Apologies for the lighting and that ‘crazy’ guitar and I hope you enjoy!