And the Student Life Begins again!

As you can probably guess from the title, I have now moved back to Southampton ready to start my second year on the Popular Music Performance (Hons) degree at Solent University. And I would be lying if I said that I wasn't excited to be back. I have moved into a student house along with 5 other guys, which will be interesting in itself! And I have finally unpacked all my things and set up my precious Yamaha DTX in my room ready for silent practising! So all in all I'm pretty settled, and revved up for another full on year in Southampton. I have already said that I am going to try to attend more local gigs while I' m here, and so far have spotted 2 or three that, on the condition I have the money to, would like to attend, Frank Turner and Sum 41 at the Guildhall being the main ones coming up. I am also looking to fit in at least 2 hours of practice a day, which is easily doable at the moment as uni has not yet started, but I am starting a new part time job next week, that, coupled with my lectures, uni work, and (hopefully) a social life may prove to make 2 hours a day a bit of a challenge. I like a challenge! I'm beginning to think that the best course of action is to make a strict schedule for my week, noting in my practice and work time so that then hopefully, I can get everything done and still go out for a quick drink at the end of the day! That may be slightly unrealistic but I'm an optimist!

Gigs

I mentioned last week that I'm now playing drums for Lauren Bannon, and on Monday I have my first rehearsed gig with them. I say my first rehearsed gig because I have already done 2 gigs with them with no rehearsal at all, something that I am not very comfy with! But somehow they seemed to come off quite well. But now we have rehearsed the set to perfection, in one rehearsal, a few weeks ago! Fortunately we are having another practice tomorrow just to run through everything. Me and Kris have slightly different ideas about how a band should practice, I'm the kind of guy that like to practise every inch of the set to absolute perfection and be completely anal about regular rehearsals before I even think about playing a gig, and Kris has the more laid back attitude of “I know the songs, you know the songs, it will all be ok!”. Somehow, when you put the two together I think you get the perfect mix! So on Monday (6th September), we have our first rehearsed gig together, and I'm really hoping that the thought and practice that me and Kris have put in to the drum parts will pay off and it will be a really good show. Its in Bournemouth at a put called the Winchester. I have no idea where that is but if you do, and fancy a good evening of live music (there are other bands playing too) then please come down as the support would be great.