Music

How A Real Musician Uses The Logic Pro Digital Audio Workstation

Introduction

The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) has transformed the process by which musicians and producers create sound recordings. Since the first DAW was invented by Micro Technology Unlimited in 1979, the features available to the sound recordist have exploded over time. This has been fuelled by the growth in raw computer power available, along with an ever-increasing array of digital music- and sound-related hardware and software accessories, all with ever decreasing costs. (more…)

By Graham Stoney, ago
Tim Minchin

The Power Of Music & Comedy: Tim Minchin

Tim Minchin is a thoughtful performer who combines the power of music and comedy to both entertain and impact his audience, while expressing what is on his mind in an engaging and memorable way.

I first came across Tim when a friend offered me a ticket to his Sydney show during the Ready For This? tour in 2009. While I’d never heard of him before, I was immediately drawn in by the proficiency of his piano playing, the intellectual nature of his comedic observations, and his bizarre teased hairstyle. (more…)

By Graham Stoney, ago
Rich Hall

This Is A Performance

I’d write something brilliant, but this week I’m not really sure where to start. What’s missing is my motivation. All my musical and comedic friends have had all their gigs cancelled. You can’t even go to a café anymore. My artistic vision is in the doldrums and it’s hard for me to write my essay online. Seems like the big question in the lecture this week was whether a musical performer should focus on himself and his instrument, or just be a conduit for the composer. Never mind that, I’m wondering whether there will be any opportunities for live performance in this brave new world at all. (more…)

By Graham Stoney, ago
Artwork for my first single, Everything is Fucked

This Is Bad Music

I’m currently a student at Sydney University, studying music & psychology. One of my subjects requires us to write a weekly blog post on that week’s lecture topic. Last week’s topic was “This Is Good Music”. For your enjoyment, and here is my post for this week’s topic:

Last week I argued that we listen to music because of the way it makes us feel, and that good music is music that makes us feel good. This week I’m changing teams to argue that there is such a thing as objectively bad music, using as an example my own first chart-bottoming single: Everything Is Fucked:

(more…)

By Graham Stoney, ago

Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) by Billy Joel

One of my favourite Billy Joel songs is Movin’ Out, also known as Anthony’s Song. For me, it’s about giving the flick to pleasing other people and setting my own direction in life. Last year I performed it on a grand piano with a group of fellow music students from Sydney TAFE at our end-of-year concert. Here’s the video:

If you want another live taste of this level of awesomeness, my final TAFE end-of-term concert is coming up at Foundry 616 in Harris St, Ultimo on November 28th. Click here for the details.… Continue reading…

By Graham Stoney, ago

Upcoming Gigs With Margot & Graham: Tomorrow and 16th November

Hey music lovers! Just wanted to let you know about two upcoming gigs I’m playing with Ms Margot tomorrow Sunday 3rd November 2019 at The Annandale Hotel and in two weeks on Saturday 16th November 2019 at Stanmore Music Festival. Click the links for details of each show.

Margot & Graham will be playing all original crowd-pleasers including:

  • Sushi Girl
  • Nothing Going Right
  • Technology
  • Normal She
  • Perfectionism
  • Everything Is Fucked

There will be a bunch of other great acts at each gig too, so come along and enjoy some quality live music.

Don’t forget to say “hi!”. Everyone who comes wearing an Everything Is Fucked Short-Sleeve Unisex T-Shirt or a This Is Not Your Office Passive-Aggressive Anti Mobile Phone Calls on Public Transport T-Shirt gets a free hug!… Continue reading…

By Graham Stoney, ago

Risk Assessment for The Graham Stoney Band

As part of my music performance studies, I was recently asked to complete a Risk Assessment. The idea is that you identify potential hazards that could cause harm to someone, assess the risk of the hazard actually eventuating, and then design some form of risk control that mitigates the hazard so that everyone can get home safely to their family after the gig.

I’ve done plenty of these kind of things in the past when I was working as an engineer, but this was a little different since it was for a rock band.

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By Graham Stoney, ago