GAGA & PIK

One Minute Wonder

2012-02-05T23:13:00.001Z

Last year I submitted a track for a 'One minute wonders' competition. My track - At Sea (Part 2) was recently featured on this limited edition 7" released by NRONE Records. The vinyl features fourteen 60 seconds (approx.) tracks from some great local artists. And even though i'll never see any money from it, Its well worth buying one, if there are any left. For more information on the One Minute Wonders and to get involved in 2012 go to the 1mw website.

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/part-2">Part 2 by Iain Lowery</a>

Invention

2012-02-05T22:18:00.001Z

<p>&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://acivilian.bandcamp.com/album/invention"&amp;amp;gt;Invention by aCivilian&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;</p>
I had forgotten about this until now. This is the long time coming, debut album from ACivilian A.K.A. my good friend Phil Critten. I'm not playing in this band any longer but I certainly did through the making of this record, which has relatively recently come out (Nov 11). It's a really great achievement in terms of Songwriting and Arranging in my opinion. There are some great moments. Every song has so much to take in so you'll need to give it the time it deserves. I played quite a bit of Guitar on it and I think I'm singing on it in places too.

Enjoy, and please buy one! It's available on CD for the same price here.

Exquisite Corpse

2012-02-03T17:16:00.002Z

The foldover song project that I started around a year ago with James Leeds, Mark Thorby & James Eliot Taylor is finally complete. We set out to write 4 foldover songs, each consisting of 4 separate song sectionse by each writer. Read my previous post and this for more information on our process...

Here is the third foldover song - 'Underground'. This one starts with Mark Thorby, I am second, James Eliot Taylor is third and James Leeds is last.

And here is the fourth and final foldover - On Fire

Foldover Songs

2011-06-04T22:09:00.002+01:00

The two tracks below were made by myself and my friends James Leeds, James Eliot Taylor and Mark Thorby. We made them like a foldover picture - You know!? where somebody draws the head and folds the paper so you can only see the neck, the next person draws the shoulders etc...

I started the first one, titled 'At Sea' and send the last couple of seconds of my bit to James Leeds who then did the same and sent his bit on to Mark... you get the idea. Anyway, we didn't hear each others section until all the bits were complete and we had them together as one piece. I think they work rather well.

We are going to make two more foldover songs in this way, changing the writing order each time so each person gets a chance to be first and last.

- At Sea

- In Flight
www.soundcloud/theelectricset

Rehearsal Video

2011-01-29T17:19:00.000Z

This video is from the band rehearsal before my last gig at The Playhouse in Norwich. We were learning vocal parts for 'Dancing in the Mirror'.

New Year Plans

2011-01-03T21:41:00.000Z

So a new year is upon us. What will it bring? New songs for me I hope. I plan to finally finish my unfinished album, Gaga Navyharsties & Pik. I'm not sure how that is going to happen yet, just that I WANT it to happen. I am also toying with the idea of undertaking one of these 'song a day/week/month for a week/month/year' projects to force myself into writing again. I haven't 'finished' a song for yonks. I feel like I need to write a few shit ones to dust of the songwriting cobwebs, before I can do something good. A writing project to force me into doing it seems like a good idea... I should probably finish the album first though.

I have been co writing a song called 'Isle of White' with my friend and fellow songwriter, James Eliot Taylor. Its a biece of music which I wrote and arranged but never wrote words to. I sent him an instrumental and he put words and a tune to it. It's now in the tweaking stages. I will post it up here when it's done. Hopefully it will turn out well and we'll end up doing more together.

I am hoping to do some recording with Alan Southgate and a few others to 'band up' some of his Touchable Numbers songs. Touchable numbers is a song a week for a year project which Alan completed late last year. Check it out

There is also a Lost Levels (my other band) album in the wings. We are trying to arrange a trip to Norway to record it with a friend of ours - Jonas Raab, who is an amazing producer and has his own studio in the middle of a forest somewhere. Fingers crossed that happens!

That sounds like enough to be getting on with for the time being I think.

Happy New Year

Gig

2010-11-24T00:32:00.002Z

I have a gig at The Playhouse in Norwich on Sunday 28th of November. It's free and I'm supporting a band called Red Gate Rover. I'm going to be doing a few of the newer songs and some of the hits. I don't play very often (as Lowery) so don't miss it yeah!?

Two New Track Updates!!

2010-10-08T00:17:00.000+01:00

I have just returned home from a night of recording and mixing with Mark Thorby, at his studio which he, James Leeds and I have dubbed 'Clinic'. We have recorded some extra bits for Dancing in the Mirror - Melodica, Synth Bass, Piano etc etc. Check out version 3.1!

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/dancing-in-the-mirror-31">Dancing in the Mirror 3.1 by Lowery</a>

Also this evening we added Drums and Piano to 'On Another Knee'. We recorded both parts straight over version 2.2. I think mark has done a good job of slotting them into the mix. What do you think?

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/on-another-knee-23">On Another Knee 2.3 by Lowery</a>

New Version - Blisters 2.0!

2010-09-30T22:28:00.000+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/blisters-20">Blisters 2.0 by Lowery</a>

Another 'Live' version of this song. And like the previous version, its taken from a recorded rehearsal. It's a nice thread which has developed unconsciously. This version though, was recorded by Jason Baldock for 'Live at Old School Studios' on breakthruradio and features Phil Critten on Guitar, Mark Thorby on Piano, Owen Morgan on Bass and Steve Harris on Drums.

New Album Artwork

2010-09-30T22:16:00.000+01:00

This brilliant picture is one of three, which have been drawn by Phoebe O'Donnell for my Gaga Navyharsties & Pik album. I have decided to use it as the new front cover. It Features our two main characters exploring the Fairy Glen.

Is it ridiculous to change the artwork after so long? Probably. I never meant for the original artwork to be permanent though. You could probably tell. Like everything else on the record, it was 'in progress' too.

I had to crop this drawing a bit to make it square for the bandcamp page. Phoebe wasn't at all pleased by this and insisted I posted this full version on this blog.

New Version - Dancing in the Mirror 3.0!

2010-09-21T23:24:00.001+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/dancing-in-the-mirror-30">Dancing in the Mirror 3.0 by Lowery</a>

This version of the track is still very much 'in progress'. I was really reluctant to actually upload it in it's current state but I felt that to be true to the project, I should. I've been recording it with my friend Mark Thorby at the studio in his garage. What you hear represents one evenings recording and a bit of tweaking from Mark. We will be finishing it soon and i'll update this with version 3.1 when we do.

Still need some artwork for this track...

New Artwork

2010-09-20T14:21:00.000+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/we-are-the-no-one-20">We are the No One - 2.0 by Lowery</a>

I actually received this picture a few weeks ago but I haven't had a chance to post about it until now. This very detailed drawing is by my friend and music buddy James Eliot Taylor. He said my music made him think of Owls and wanted to draw me an Owl for 'We are the No One'.

I got myself in a bit or a worry when James said he was doing this picture as I had already spoken to someone else about making an image for this song - My friend Jon Allen asked if he could do it and I said yes! I explained this to James but he did one anyway. I like it a lot.

Check out James' music. It's very good and I have been involved with some of it...

http://jameseliottaylor.bandcamp.com/

More New Track Artwork! - Birthday by Mark Bigley

2010-07-29T18:58:00.000+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/birthday-22">Birthday 2.2 by Lowery</a>

Two new images in under a week! I feel so lucky. This one for Birthday was created by my friend (and Duty Manager) Mark Bigley. Mark is a great artist and knows a hell of a lot about music. I'm really happy that he wanted to get involved in the project. I love the picture...I didn't give him any instructions other than to pick a track and do what he wanted.

If there is anyone else who would like to get involved with the album and make an image inspired by one of the songs then please get in touch. There is no money on offer, just the chance to be involved in an exciting and ever growing album project. I have many ideas about how this album is going to progress and eventually be finished. I don't want to say too much at the moment as these ideas change and as yet, I haven't yet made any concrete decisions. I do plan to exhibit all of this art work when they album is complete. I'm not sure where or when that will be though...

New Artwork - Blisters by Kim Rebecca

2010-07-26T01:23:00.002+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/blisters-12">Blisters (1.2) by Lowery</a>

This wonderful image was made by my friend Kim - http://kimrebecca.blogspot.com for the track BlistersShe gave it to me yesterday then ran off before I really got a chance to talk to her about it. I will do - I think its brilliant.

The original is A4 size and shape so to use it as artwork for the download page I had to make it square. I hope that's okay Kim...

I'm still very much looking for other people to get involved with this project and create an image for a track - if you would like to do so, get in touch...

Friday 11th June

2010-06-05T21:14:00.000+01:00

Come

OST

2010-06-01T15:59:00.001+01:00

Myself and my friend Sam Leonard (Ninoskika / Heart Of A Dog / Future Radio) put on free gigs in the bar at Cinema City every other Tuesday. Here is the flyer for the next one..

As more people are starting to come, these gigs are getting really good and certainly not to be missed. I've never seen Characters From Books play live before but Danny Whitehouse blew my mind last time I saw him play...

Please check them out on their social networking pages and come down next Tuesday.

Some new things

2010-05-31T12:57:00.003+01:00

I have updated my Gaga Navyharsties & Pik album - removing one track and re-ordering the remaining ones. I have also updated the artwork for the track 'Rain'. Phoebe drew this image upon her first listen.

I had planned to upload a new track 'Ennio Morricone' but the recording I have didn't really seem suitable. You can hear that track, and three others recorded live at our most recent practice below...

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/album/practice">On Another Knee (Colin's Song) by Lowery</a>

I have a gig

2010-05-18T12:28:00.000+01:00

I will be playing live at Wensum Lodge on Friday June 11th. I'm not yet sure who will be playing with me. I did have a band all planned out but people are dropping like flies. I'm sure it will be good though...

I will be playing some of the songs from the Gaga Navyharsties & Pik album, as well as some choice oldies. It's free to get in and its a lovely venue. If you haven't been before I really suggest you make the effort to come - There are gigs there every Friday evening (as far as I'm aware).

New Track

2010-05-07T22:24:00.000+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/interlude-the-rain">Interlude - The Rain by Lowery</a>

I've just been going through my Cubase files and came across this instrumental. I had totally forgotten about it. My labelling of ideas is very sloppy. I usually record things in a rush and then forget which folder I've saved them in. It seems to work quite well though. I often dismiss an idea, forget about it, find it again and really like it. Quite a few of my songs have been written in this way. Sometimes, when you are really involved with something it's hard to know if it's good or not. I find getting a bit of space and time away from it helps to be more objective.

New Beginning

2010-05-07T16:42:00.000+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/untitled-10">Untitled 1.0 by Lowery</a>

This is the very first stage and recording of this new idea. I feel quite excited about it at the moment so I will hopefully get on and write the rest of it very soon... Time is against me.

New Version

2010-04-27T00:12:00.000+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/we-are-the-no-one-20">We are the No One - 2.0 by Lowery</a>

This version is made up of 3 different recordings, spliced together. Its really as far as I've got with this song. There will be another section. I have a few ideas. Nothing recorded.

This track was really just for my benefit. I wanted to hear it going from the vocal section to the instrumental to see if it worked. I have posted it up temporarily just to give an idea of where I'm going with it...

The best bit is in about an hour and a half

2010-04-06T01:11:00.001+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/no-other-reason">no other reason by Lowery</a>

Tea Steam

2010-04-06T00:51:00.001+01:00

So, last October I wrote about wanting other people to get involved with the artwork for the Gaga Navyharsties & Pik album. Yesterday I had my first donation. My friend Joel, who is an illustrator and runs a blog called Tea Steam sent me this image -

I'm am using it for a track called 'On another Knee' (Colin's song), as it was written for my cat, Colin R.I.P.

Joel's work is really great. Go and look at his blog.

Thanks Joel.

James Elliot Taylor

2010-04-04T12:20:00.000+01:00

Last night I played a really nice gig at the Puppet Theatre in Norwich with a guy called James Elliot Taylor. He is an Ireland dwelling American who comes to Norfolk every few months to make music. You can listen to a live session we recorded for the 'Live at Old School Studios' radio show on www.breakthruradio.com here.

I'm hoping to write some stuff with him at some point. He really likes my songs and I really like his - espacially a song called 'On That Day', which you can hear on the live session.

He has more tracks here if you are interested.

Somewhere in my Heart

2010-02-11T22:48:00.001Z

Here is the cover version of Aztec Camera's 'Somewhere in my Heart' that me and my friend Jason (who I do the Planet Beet Radio show on www.breathruradio.com with) recorded a couple of Sunday evenings ago. We did the whole thing, start to finish in about 5 hours. Hopefully we'll be recording another cover version in the next few weeks. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, download this...

<a href="http://planetbeet.bandcamp.com/track/somewhere-in-my-heart">Somewhere in my Heart by Planet Beet</a>

Update - Brain Part 2

2010-02-01T15:56:00.000Z

I thought I would make another Brain. It's been a while since I've posted any new recordings up to the bandcamp page. I haven't really had a great deal of time or enthusiasm for it recently - plus I have been pretty busy with the real band I play with - The Lost Levels. So, to keep everything moving and to encourage myself to do something much better, I have put together 'Brain - Part 2'. It's a musical collage of a few little bits and bobs that I've been messing around with over the last few weeks. I'm quite excited by a couple of them.

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/brain-part-2">Brain - Part 2 by Lowery</a>

Johnson & Cooper

2010-01-24T17:01:00.002Z

New Version - Birthday 2.2

2009-11-23T00:14:00.000Z

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/birthday-22">Birthday 2.2 by Lowery</a>

For the time being I have added a couple of extra sections to this song.

Doodlecam 2

2009-11-15T02:57:00.000Z

Dark days

Doodlecam

2009-11-04T16:05:00.000Z

Do you like drawing pictures?

2009-10-19T17:21:00.005+01:00

Have a listen to my album in progress - If you like it, why not have a go at designing some new artwork for it? Not only would I like a new front cover, but I would also like images for every one of the individual tracks. Please get in touch if you are interested and would like any further information - iain.lowery@gmail.com

The whole idea of this album is that it is constantly changing over time. I would like this to apply to the artwork as well as the tracks. There is an option to have a variety of extras included in the download. My idea is to be able to include every drawing or picture anyone sends me as part of these 'extras'.

There should be some new tracks on the way soon by the way. Watch this space!

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/album/gaga-navyharsties-pik">Nothing (1.5) by Lowery</a>

New Version - Birthday 2.1

2009-09-29T03:00:00.005+01:00

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/birthday-21">Birthday 2.1 by Lowery</a>

Robots

2009-09-24T02:35:00.000+01:00

Screwhead

2009-09-18T21:54:00.006+01:00

Last night was one of those where i woke up with a terrible headache a couple of hours after falling asleep. It was horrible. I didn't have any paracetamol in the house so had to settle for water and head holding. It took me over an hour to get back to sleep again.

When i woke up in the morning i remembered various dreams i had during the night. In one of them i was looking in the mirror. I parted my hair and found the top of a metal screw sticking out of my head. I was shocked to find it there. Who wouldn't be!? I unscrewed it, and took it out of my head. there was a little blood but no pain. The screw was about a centimetre thick and roughly two inches long.

I've never dreamt anything like that before.

Update

2009-09-15T00:23:00.006+01:00

Dancing in the Mirror - Version 2.1

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/track/dancing-in-the-mirror-21">Dancing in the Mirror (2.1) by Lowery</a>

Dancing in the mirror

2009-09-10T21:29:00.003+01:00

I've nearly finished a new recording of a song called 'Dancing in the mirror'. This afternoon I wrote a second verse. I think it's good. Once this version is complete I will upload it to the Bandcamp page, replacing the current version. Should be some time in the next few days. I'm glad I'm doing this album.

I was toying with the idea of making individual tracks downloadable. I have decided against it for the time being. I think it misses the point a bit.

Last night I had an amazing dream

2009-08-28T22:34:00.006+01:00

It was full of spaceships colliding and exploding. They left me running for cover from falling debris. It progressed into an terrorist/alien attack scenario. The whole thing was scary but exciting. When i woke up i was genuinely unsure whether it had actually happened or not. I love that shit. I was going to try and write the whole thing out as a story but many hours have passed since it happened and i am forgetting the finer details. Perhaps i will write a song about what i still can remember.

Snoozer

2009-08-07T13:58:00.003+01:00

I have been sleeping late this week. I love staying up until the early hours of the morning. When everyone else is sleeping I work (very quietly) on musical ideas.

It does mean that i am getting up late too, but this is ok as i generally never work before midday. I also find that being asleep at around 10 or 11 am really improves my chances of being aware of, and remembering my dreams. I love that too.

Last night i made a few minor changes to the Gaga Navyharsties & Pik album. Someone that i dont know has already downloaded it. I find that very exciting.

Gaga Navyharsties & Pik - The Living Album

2009-07-27T22:57:00.006+01:00

I am currently working on new musical ideas which I am intending to fashion into an album. Along the way I am making loads of recordings . Sometimes, when i have a new bit, I'll be updating existing recordings. Other times I will start a completely new recording and the idea will change. Anyway, below is a link to album in it's present form. It will grow from day to day as changes are made and new versions appear.

<a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.com/album/gaga-navyharsties-pik">Nothing by Lowery</a>

Last Night

2009-07-08T02:09:00.003+01:00

Taken by Mia at the Hot City Sounds gig at Norwich Arts Centre

Twits

2009-06-06T15:53:00.001+01:00

I am now on the Twitter bandwagon. I'm called navyharsties i think. Follow Follow.

Hopefully it wont all be me moaning about stuff, we'll see how it goes

Kaufman

2009-04-30T16:55:00.003+01:00

I told my Friend Sam about Andy Kaufman the other day and, as a result he posted this video on my myspace page... I hadn't actually seen this particular clip before but it's brilliant. He was, and still is amazing.

Trip

2009-04-15T15:31:00.001+01:00

I'm sitting in the back of my own car being driven to Manchester by my friend Cath the drummer. In the passenger seat is Mia Vigar. We are all off to the BBC to play a 6 music session for Mark Riley. It's Mia's gig really but me and Cath are playing with her. We just saw a farm house in the middle of two lanes on the M62. According to Cath the farmer refused to move when the road was being built.

Gaga and pik visited me in my dream

2009-01-02T17:05:00.003Z

I had a dream that the staircase in my house fell down so i couldn't get up to the higher floor. In the dream I was very upset because it was only recently that i had started making use of the stairs, and now they were gone. I was made to feel slightly better by the fact that a new doorway had opened up on the ground floor. Standing in the doorway with welcoming faces were my old friends gaganavyharsties and pik. I knew that them being there meant that everything would be ok in the end.

I have a cold

2008-12-31T01:17:00.001Z

I am spending most of my time blowing my nose and trying not to cough, it's not very nice. Still, on the upside i haven't smoked any cigarettes for 2 days, that's got to be a good thing!

Free Digital Download Albums

2008-12-11T18:53:00.004Z

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.mu/album/demonstation-2"&amp;amp;gt;the wrong way by Lowery&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://lowery.bandcamp.mu/album/live-at-the-playhouse"&amp;amp;gt;my old good friend by Lowery&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Say hello to Colin

2008-08-19T15:52:00.002+01:00

This little guy is my new kitten called Colin. He was 9 weeks old in this photo. He is pretty cool, though sometimes does wees in places he shouldn't...

I have written a song about him called 'On Another Knee', there is a link to it in the free downloads section...

Gig

2008-07-27T01:46:00.001+01:00

My gig was rubbish. I just wasn't into it at all. I almost felt embarrassed about singing some of the words, it was horrible. Some people said they liked it though so it was worth doing i suppose.

I think I'm going to take a break from gigging and concentrate on rehearsing instead. That's my problem. I just need to work out some really good arrangements of some new songs... These things take time though.

Things Are Looking Up

2008-07-26T03:54:00.002+01:00

Our new video for the early sheets is amazing. I've finally got some ideas for my best man speech. My sister and i had a good heart to heart and i'm doing a gig tomorrow which might be great!

Robot

2008-07-18T03:45:00.002+01:00

I have posted a link to a new song in the free downloads bit (on the left). It's sung from the perspective of a robot in the future.

Neighbourhood Watch

2008-07-15T03:29:00.001+01:00

Last night someone broke into my next-door neighbours house. I heard a window break but didn't see anything. It was pretty horrible though... as Lavar said last night; Burglary is such a rubbish crime. I want to move to the countryside.

My road seems to have loads more cars parked on it these days. I often have to park on the next road, which is a total hassle. Today when I was walking to the next road to get my car there was a really old woman shouting her head of at a younger woman who was trying her best to diffuse the situation. The old woman was being really emotional and quickly let out a big, childlike 'aaww shuuutt up' and then stormed off with her Norwich accent, down an alley which ran between what I imagined to be their respective houses. I want to move to the countryside.

2008-07-13T18:52:00.004+01:00

Today Lavar and I were in the Studio finishing some mixes for my Record. I think they sound good, the CD won't play on my Computer though...

After the Studio we went to the lake down the road. Lavar took the photo.

I am working

2008-07-13T05:55:00.002+01:00

I have written a song on behalf of a machine in the future. This is a picture of me playing it in shorts

Today was a day of seeing friends

2008-07-13T05:13:00.003+01:00

All in all I saw 9 friends today, plus loads of other people who I know well enough to talk to, but wouldn't really spend time with. I ended up round steves house. We listened to electronic music and talked about some heavy weight concepts like the Soul, the Universe, and Humans. Good times.

The photo was taken outside Steve's house at about 3:30 am when I was getting in my car.