Another hectic few months ahead with myself and Melanie moving house. So I have a lot less time for sitting down and playing/writing new tunes unfortunately, especially as it's this time of year that really gets me in the mood.

The sun has been shining recently, even though its still absolutely freezing, but it seems to woken up more than just the flowers, it's my passion for playing guitar. As I seem to have a lack of inspiration, I wondered if anyone here has any inspiration for a new tune or two?

I don't do Political, mainly because I hate politics, so anything other than that is welcome.   Shoot !

A thought and small poem of what I feel right now

Time disappears when you don't even notice it.
How comes it lingers when you don't want it.
To carry on without his words, is like a riding a bike with no wheels.
To remember the good times can be hard for some years.

Deep thoughts of sadness creep up when you least expect it,
They last for a while and you can't get rid of it,
Somtimes to hear that voice is a void of happiness,
To remember the good times can be hard for the rest of us..

Dedicated to my Dad

Wow !  I have been busy the last month. It's not all been good though unforunately. The end of July saw some idiot cut me up while I was driving and as I swerved, managed to write off my car without scratching their car. Anyway, a few injuries was all that happened, including a burn on my arm and now a clickable strumming wrist, oh well !

While that happened, echotone were in full force. New tunes had been written for the band, and we were on course for finishing our first EP as a band. This was taking some time, due to the fact I couldn't get anywhere without having a car, but we just managed to finish it in time for our biggest ever gig - The Cavern Club in Liverpool.

The Beatles have always been a big influence on mine and the rest of the bands lifes, just as everyone it seems these days, so this was a proud day for us all. Before that big day we had a gig at Seabrights Barn, which was promoted by Shakestar Records. It was a three day beer festival which included bands that have been lucky enough to feature on Shakestar Records CD. This has been shown to some people in the record business in Miami too which is pretty cool. It went down well and was certainly a good warm up for the Cavern. It was an hour long set, which was a biggy for us normally. We featured twice in teh Go! Magazine in the Essex Chronicle in lead up to this gig, and also in the Romford Recorder which we are hoping to post in the sites soon too.

So the big day came, and following us up to Liverpool was over 45 people. THe gig came and went and it was fantastic, very professional sound engineers and organisation, as you would expect. The fans were great, so a BIG BIG thanks to everyone who came. The Launch went well and we sold out nearly all the first batch of CD's made for the day. Some signed too for those who asked.

A week later and back on Terra Firma, we were asked to visit Link FM for a live acoustic set and interview for our EP launch. That went well and was a day or two before our last gig in a two weeks time at St. Annes Castle. This comprised of an acoustic and electric set, something we hadn't done before in one night, but it ended up a success. Selling more Cd's and featuring once more in the local paper for that gig. They seem to like us at Essex Chronicle anyway - ha ha !

So things have calmed down a little, I have posted lots of pics on echotone's websites, and you can hear the new EP on www.echotone.co.uk and even purchase one if you have PayPal.

So until next blog, see ya later.

Oh and can you guess what the new song "I can't Turn the Pain Away" was written about???????? Hint, top of page.

Speak soon

Lee

Things are going well for echotone. WIth brand new tunes and a new image, they are making their way up the ladder it seems. With plenty of interest from local papers and radio stations, they have eventually released a new home recorded EP - Cloud 666.

The Cavern Club will be the launch for the new EP, but you can purchase it from our website www.echotone.co.uk

Ethers Air have taken a long break this year, mainly due to some personal problems and very bad luck since the start of 2007. It's only now that new tunes seem to be trickling back out, and soon they will be back with new tunes and some hope of seeing you all again soon.

In the meantime, stick around and I hope to see you all soon. Will keep you posted of echotone's new opportunities that arise, catch all the news on the band at myspace or on their official site.

Cheers for now, hopefully see you at The Cavern Club?

Lee

it's been a while since the last blog, and for a while they seem to have been a bit of a downer.

But I have some cool news, Echotone have been gigging quite alot recently. With a gig in Cambridge "The Loft" and more on the way. We have a brilliant gig coming up in Chelmsford town centre.  "Panic In The Streets" will see 8 venues in Chelmsford Town Centre promote lots of different styles of music, with lots of local bands joining the festivities, funny enough echotone are playing at the Cellar Bar that day, between 2pm and 6pm. 

Check out http://www.myspace.com/panicinthestreetsofchelmsford for more details.

This is a full set with the new band lineup playing their ever appealing tunes, some new and old. Also we have had to other gigs come our way, firstly in 12 bar Club in Denmark St, London. Looking forward to that one, as its a fantastic place to play, with many famous artists making it big from playing there.

Another cracker is echotone playing The Cavern Club in Liverpool, the worlds most famous venue probably. Obviously not only have The Beatles played there, but most of the biggest bands to this date have played there, we are really looking forward to that. We have plenty of support making there way for this gig already, so join in the fun.

Other than that, new tunes are becoming ever closer to being finished. As soon as I have some demo's, I will upload them for you to hear, the ones I have at the moment a becoming a tad boring.

"We're living on Cloud 666"

I basically cant think of a title for this blog because its a strange one. I am going through some hard times at the moment, as is my family. My Dad recently passed away and it has been a complete shock to everyone who knew him. He has been ill but this was still a shock, and I still don't think its hit me even three weeks after it happening.

My Dad was a great man, I can't explain to those who read this blog who never knew my Dad as they will never understand. But for those who did know him, they will know what I mean. He has supported me so much throughout my life and my family, and I want to mention that he was at every single gig I played, even when he was ill. He was my biggest fan like he was mine.

So as Bob Dylan once said, The Times are a Changing. My view towards life has changed and so will my music, thats just how it seems to be. How and when is a big question but I am sure it will. Playing guitar has been in the back of my mind for the past 5 months but it seems to be coming back gradually. My Dad wouldn't of wanted me to change my love for writing songs so I will not, its just a lot damn harder without him here to hear them.

Well maybe telling people this, I can try to get back with things as they were. I know that wont ever happen but it's a dream. For those interested, Echotone have just booked a gig in Chelmsford on 26th May (Saturday) promoted by Panic Magazine. Check out the band from my top friends.

" Devils Eyes Looking down at Me "

Its been a while since I was last left a blog, so here is an update.

Things have been a little odd the last few months. Plenty of gigs of christmas and new year and had loads of fun with that, so that was nice. But other things are going on which I wont go into, but they are alot more important than music and gigging. I am concentrating on being with my family at the moment and less on song writing and gigging, so things are slow at the moment on that front. I don't seem to have the inspiration or right state of mind for writing songs other than slow/sad ones, which as much as I like them, I don't want to get stuck in that mode. So writing is taking a back seat at the mo.

I am sure things will get better, and the tunes will be flying out soon. I am working on them when I have the time, so I am not letting it go - no way ! I can't imagine not writing songs in my spare time now, its something I have done the last 4-5 years and it just seems to come naturally. As soon as I have some more demos of up and coming tunes for Ethers Air and Echotone, they will be posted...but for the time being hang in there and I will be back.

This blog sounds really depressing now, sorry about that. Just letting you know whats happening at the mo, thats what a blog is isn't it?

ps. Check out my two band websites below.

www.ethersair.com

www.echotone.co.uk

How one musical instrument has changed my life
-----

The first time I remember wanting to play the guitar was when I was about 10, I remember watching a man play an acoustic guitar when I went shopping with my mum in Romford. I just remember that fantastic woody sound and natural voice mainly, I can't remember what he was playing but I remember liking it. That Christmas I got a classical guitar, and it was the best present ever, one problem was that I didn't have a clue how to play it so it got left in the back of the cupboard, a real shame.

The school years went past a bit too quickly for my liking, but it was the age of 20 that I decided to actually go and buy an acoustic guitar and learn how to play it. I started working again so I was able to buy one for myself and some tutor books. My first ever chord that I played was an E major. The first time I struck a perfect E Major was the moment I would never ever give up playing, it felt like it hummed with my soul and I loved that feeling.

I was an addict, I couldn't put the thing down and I got more and more into music and my tastes changed dramatically. My singing was none existent and my dad still says it was nearly unbearable listening to me play/sing in my bedroom. To be honest, my voice is still not great, but that's 'my sound' as Neil Young would say – ha ha.

I found out my friend could play too, James who is the other half of the original Echotone started to come round for a jam. We had been school friends since starting secondary school and I didn't even know he had been playing for a few years, but this was a good thing. I learnt some new tricks from him and we created a few of our own songs…the beginning of Echotone.

My first ever gig was a support slot for James's girlfriend's party and boy was I nervous. We only had 3 songs then and a cover of Turin Brakes 'Underdog'. The feeling that I got when we finished was something I never felt before, like a nervous rush of adrenaline you get before you play some sport. But that feeling was addictive, and we managed to support the same band a few more times and notched up some more gigs. I loved it, and Echotone was having a great time.

But I got stuck, and every musician says that one day you will get stuck in a rut, like you don't know what to do. I think teaching myself created this problem, as you can only teach yourself so much from a book. So by reading some internet blogs, I decided to take up theory in order for me to understand my song writing and how the guitar works itself. This was the best thing I done!

I learnt so much and it has made me a lot more creative with my chord structures and singing too, would you believe. From that Ethers Air was created, I had been living with Melanie for 2 years and she could play piano and sing really well. I always wanted her to help me but she was and still is very shy about doing it, but she eventually gave in. With her involvement I am now able to write different songs, expand my knowledge of singing/writing songs and do enjoy singing harmonies, something which takes some time for me, but it's definitely worth it.

It's weird thinking that one musical instrument can change my life, but it has. I have become more confident in myself and my music and I can understand how hard it is to write a song and perform live in front of those you don't know.

Anyway that's a brief history of me and how I got to play guitar and write songs. If you are reading this and need some inspiration to get out of a rut or write new songs then please send me an email or message. I can give you some free advice and links to really good websites that helped me understand the theory without going to school, or paying £25 an hour from a teacher.

I hoped you didn't fall asleep half way through, keep in touch.

Lee

Hello peeps,

Great news from the Echotone front. We have been rehearsing alot recently as a full band and will still be carrying it on, as we have confirmed our first gig at The Queens Theatre in Hornchurch 30th October.

Melanie Ferguson (Ethers Air) will be joining us on vocals and percussion and Paul Whibley will be adding the drums. I will be on vocals and guitar while James takes vocals and guitar as per normal. All we can say is that Echotone - The Band will be introduced with newly written tunes and these are being worked on at the mo.

Echotone will be send out a press release type thing soon, so keep a look out for that.