,NEWSLETTER 9 JUNE, 2005

It's been a while (which reminds me that I haven't played the song by that name for some time) since I've found the time to get to the newsletter. There's been a lot happening. I'll work backwards chronologically.

• Recording of the CD has been completed. It now only requires to be pressed and for the artwork to be done. I will provide more details later in the newsletter. There will be a CD launch probably in either late August or early September. All subscribers will be most welcome to attend.
• I have uploaded another four (4) tracks to www.mp3.com.au those being: 'Best Man', 'Tonight', 'Columbine' and 'Not Quite Kelly'. All of my recorded original work is therefore available at that site. To find the other tracks just type 'self tort' in the search box (remember to leave a space between 'self' and 'tort')  I would urge you all to please go to that site and have a listen. The samples of my work on this site are limited to 1meg which represents about 60 seconds. At www.mp3.com.au you get the full song and can either just listen, or if you like, you can download and store it.
• I've had some feedback in terms of reviews. One is for 'Get it Right This Time' which was uploaded early in the year, but I only just found the review which was as follows: 

  'Wow... this is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard on the site. Although the author classifies it as country, it really is more in the New Jersey rock tradition, with beautifully played piano very reminiscent of E-Street's Roy Bittan.
  
  The singing too, really reminds of the Jersey sound, and the lyrics which ride the fence between sublime and child-like (the word sublime is in the lyric!), are also highly typical of Jersey rock.
  
  What a beautiful song, a true joy to listen to. If I have only one criticism, it is that I would have used rim-shots and not a heavy snare during that first verse. :-) '

  If you don't believe me you can find the review at http://www.mp3.com.au/review.asp?id=17090&type=1 
• The second review was for one of the new songs 'Best Man' which is as follows:

  'kingcongaman loves the groove of best man...funky ckicken...mashed potato...the orangutan stomp.. i danced,i fell down,got back up and straightened the furniture then danced some more to the cool organ groove and tasty guitar licks....this song is a great party groove to shuffle your feet and wag your bum to...well done! '   The review can be found at http://www.mp3.com.au/review.asp?id=19573&type=1

• The review process of mp3.com.au is very important in terms of having your songs heard. In February, 2005 as you may recall 'Get it Right This Time' went to number 1 in the mp3.com.au Country Tracks chart. I was surprised at the level of 'hits' it was getting compared to the other tracks and to be quite honest, I assumed that there was some technical glitch of which I was the beneficiary. Now, realising that the review actually appeared during January, its clear that the favourable review was the catalyst for the number of visitors to that song.

• Similarly, once a song gets into the charts, people are more likely to listen to it. There are thousands of songs on the site. Indeed over 400 were uploaded last week. In order to get heard you need some sort of edge. Reviews are one way, but reaching the charts is another. The more people that go to a song, the more likely that others will. The thrust of the above is to request that as many subscribers as are able go to mp3.com.au and have a listen to my stuff. If you like it, tell your friends and spread the word. I'm not asking for a 'My Restaurant Rules' type flood of votes for me, but any assistance you can give would be appreciated.

• 'Naughty Wall', one of my songs for kids was placed 7th in the 2005 Australian Songwriters Association National Songwriting Competition. As a result I was invited to the presentation night to receive a Certificate. It was an interesting, if somewhat long, night. Russell Morris was inducted into the ASA Hall of Fame, with Molly Meldrum giving the induction speech. I happened to be in the dunny at the same time as Molly and what appeared to be Alfie Langer. I'm not suggesting anything by this other than it was a somewhat bizarre combination.  There is a photo of me receiving the award here.

• Attended a 'Bite the Bullet' night at the Songwriting Society of Australia' ('the SSA'), not to be confused with the Australian Songwriters Association ('the ASA') (sounds a bit like a scene out of 'The Life of Brian' doesn't it) last week. On these nights members are invited to submit a CD containing one of their songs, and the songs are evaluated by a couple of industry types. I submitted 'Get it Right This Time' which received a favourable review from Alan Caswell. Alan wrote the theme for 'Prisoner' which I always go to call 'You Don't send Me Flowers' but which I think was actually 'On the Inside'. His only criticism was the use of the words 'oblique' and 'sublime' in the song, which is interesting considering that Admiral Bob (see review for same song above) seems to have liked the use of 'sublime'

• Last Friday at the Mortdale Hotel was one of the best gigs for a long while. There was a good crowd, a mix of regulars and quite a few new faces and a really good atmosphere. For once, a lot of the younger Oatley crowd came over relatively early so there were a lot of young people in the audience while I was still playing. That gave me the opportunity to play some relatively modern stuff, such as Franz Ferdinand's 'Take Me Out', Outkasst's 'Hey Ya' and Powderfingers' 'Sunsets'.

• I've been doing a few 'open mic' nights, not only at the SSA monthly concerts but also at the Bat and Ball nights run by Mike Cook of the ASA, and also a really fun night at Willoughby Legion Club run by Ron White. The Bat and Ball nights have unfortunately ended as the pub is being renovated, but Mike is hopeful of finding another alternative venue. I'll let you know when they start up. The Willoughby gigs are great fun in a very intimate room at the club. Whereas most 'open mic' nights are limited to 3 songs per performer, which effectively means accompanying yourself on acoustic guitar, you get a good 30-45 minutes at Willoughby which justifies taking the whole electric catastropher. One problem with Willoughby is that it is generally held the day after Mortdale on which day I am usually hungover and have very little voice. However, the next time I book in I'll let you know. It'd be good to have some support and it is, as I have probably said three times now, a fun night. 

That's about it for now. Don't forget to check up my songs on www.mp3.com.au. I won't be at the Mortdale on the first Friday of July, 2005. It will be the first Friday in the month that I have missed in either 4.5 or 5.5 years. I will be back on 6 August (if that is the first Friday) refreshed for a big night. If you can make it please turn up, and if you haven't met me come up and demand a beer or some other appropriate beverage.

Thanks for all of your support.

Regards

Brian Ralston

aka Self Tort

PS. For those that didn't see it when it was published I had an article published in the 'Heckler' section of the Sydney Morning Herald. The published version of the article can be 'googled' by searching 'brian ralston heckler' and clicking on the appropriate result. The unedited version now appears on the 'Opinion' section of this site. Click here to view.