Banks Radio (Australia)
Radio Wigwam
Chat & Spin Radio
Belter Radio
Poze Radio (US)
LA Rocks Radio (Germany)
Ridings FM
Betpo Radio
BCB Radio
Radio Scarborough
Vixen FM
Radio Aire
Control Radio
Nova Radio
Hebden Radio
Marlow FM
Valley FM (Australia)
Indie Music Radio (US)
Radio Milton Keynes
Drystone Radio
Bandwagon Radio (US)
Radio Lantau (Hong Kong)
KWSS 93.9FM (US)
Mersey Radio
Nusakan Radio
Firebrand Radio
and How Radio 107.5FM (NZ)
KFMA Rock102.1FM (US)
Berlin FM
Lonely Oak Radio (US)
Radio Kaos Caribou (Canada)
Beyond The Dawn Radio (US)
Indie Star Radio (US).
Reply
How many more love songs do I have to write? My mind has been nowhere else during the last twelve months, but there's other facets in my life which could do with writing about. But if I start on another subject, am I being true to myself? There's unfinished business in my brain which needs to be addressed, put on paper, shaped, moulded and developed. I want/need to move on. I have to break the cycle...
"I miss you terribly
But miss you terribly I must
If we're to break the cycle
It's good you feel disgust."
See!
FFS!
I will move on and write songs about other parts of life, but as long as my muse tempts me, it will be a hard, painful process. Truth is important, but also a curse. XxX
Reply
Perhaps it's because I've been reading a book about the West Coast punk scene, but things need shaking up a bit. Does anything grab our attention any more, or are we just goldfish in a world of multimedia? Playing it safe just aint an option. Why should I give a damn what people think about what I do? I do this for pleasure, if I get recognition or respect for it, that's a bonus, but not the end game. I'd much rather annoy than pamper to the masses.
I don't have the answers only questions. If u like what I do - fantastic. If you don't - fantastic. Just respect my decision to be different like I respect yours.
Reply
2012. What beckons? Gigs in West Wales and South Wales, some with the newly established Acoustic Circus South Wales Division. Easter tour in Somerset with 4 other acts. Loads of gigs with the Acoustic Circus locally. New album? Possibly, but at the back end of the year. And of course, sticking up for the musicians who have the same philosophy as me - Create Together.
Come and join the Vanray:UK? party.
Reply
I've got this guitar pupil of mine. He's 10/11 years old and keeps coming up with little guitar riffs. From these ideas songs have been grown. Chords put behind them, lyrics written and several of these tracks will be recorded. Some of them, 'With A look' and 'A Hopeful Song' have already been played live and got a great reception.
So, that's all you need - a germ of an idea, which when planted in the mind grow into full blown songs. Clever kid.
Reply
These things come to those who wait. I could push it, but you kinda know when it's right. So, here it is - A GOOD DAY TO BURY BAD NEWS. Sums up where we all are at the moment. Tsunamis and earthquakes plus nuclear disaster gives governments around the world the chance to bury the stuff which otherwise would be headline news. It also reflects the kind of music which I'll be recording on the new CD - possibly more aggressive, but with a beautiful downside. This album will define Vanray:UK? and the title is my mission statement. I've been doing this for too long to tone things down and try not to offend people. If any of the new tracks do offend you, then perhaps it's YOU who has the problem. It will be pretty apocalyptic stuff, I can assure you.
Look to the skies 'cos there's a storm a coming...
Reply
Here I have a list of thirty telephone numbers. Each one is a venue in North, Mid and West Wales. I want to go on tour, and I want to play in places which are pleasing to the eye, and it doesn't get much more pleasing than this part of the world.
So,...., I have a list. I also know that I will get gigs this way. Venues don't book straight from emails, or at least most don't. A phone conversation followed up by sending a press kit is what most will want. Hopefully, it being 2011 and all, some will take an electronic press kit, but it's that initial phone call which establishes the link. I also know that once one venue has booked me I am then committed to travelling a long distance for at least one gig - it kinda makes you make sure that you book another one in the vicinity dead fast. More than two make it all worthwhile, and I would expect to achieve that pretty easily. Five would be great.
So,...., this list. Kinda like taking the plunge into an icy sea or the first kiss. Here goes....
Reply
My age is immaterial, 'cos no one else is doing what I do. I'm not a 'pop' artist, I don't want to hear the teenies scream. If I do covers, people ask why don't I do my own stuff. If I do my own stuff, people say why don't you do covers. I can choose from a back catalogue of 200 original songs, or more, and can work out and play any song on the guitar. I'd much prefer to take a 'non-acoustic' song and make it work (eg.Strange Kinda Woman by Deep Purple) than even attempt to sound like John Martyn or James Blunt. Those who manage and promote are always looking for the safe option. The record industry is changing, but the model stays the same. The public don't know what they like until they hear it. So make their day and give them something new.
Reply
Are you the best guitarist in your town? Is your band the best on the local scene? Would you consider yourself the best singer of your generation? If you can answer 'Yes' to any of these questions, then I'm very happy for you. Well done. But I think you're missing the point. Sure, a personal best is worth striving for, and you should be looking to improve at every given opportunity, but don't go and judge yourself on the ability of others. If they know more, learn from them. If they know less, encourage. Some people see 'compromise' as a dirty word, but in music it is a neccessity. Give and take. Ebb and flow. Create Together.
Reply
You know what makes me real annoyed? People with talent who do nothing with it. Musicians, especially guitarists, are lazy bastards, who would rather wait for somebody else to manage their life for them rather than do anything about it themselves. Book your own gigs. Manage your own finances. Produce your own CDs. Distribute your music. Create your own artwork. DIY. Have total control of your creations and share them with the world.
Reply
VanRay / Blog
Airplay.
Banks Radio (Australia) Radio Wigwam Chat & Spin Radio Belter Radio Poze Radio (US) LA Rocks Radio (Germany) Ridings FM Betpo Radio BCB Radio Radio Scarborough Vixen FM Radio Aire Control Radio Nova Radio Hebden Radio Marlow FM Valley FM (Australia) Indie Music Radio (US) Radio Milton Keynes Drystone Radio Bandwagon Radio (US) Radio Lantau (Hong Kong) KWSS 93.9FM (US) Mersey Radio Nusakan Radio Firebrand Radio and How Radio 107.5FM (NZ) KFMA Rock102.1FM (US) Berlin FM Lonely Oak Radio (US) Radio Kaos Caribou (Canada) Beyond The Dawn Radio (US) Indie Star Radio (US).
Reply
Truth
How many more love songs do I have to write? My mind has been nowhere else during the last twelve months, but there's other facets in my life which could do with writing about. But if I start on another subject, am I being true to myself? There's unfinished business in my brain which needs to be addressed, put on paper, shaped, moulded and developed. I want/need to move on. I have to break the cycle... "I miss you terribly But miss you terribly I must If we're to break the cycle It's good you feel disgust." See! FFS! I will move on and write songs about other parts of life, but as long as my muse tempts me, it will be a hard, painful process. Truth is important, but also a curse. XxX
Reply
Wake Up - Shake Up!
Perhaps it's because I've been reading a book about the West Coast punk scene, but things need shaking up a bit. Does anything grab our attention any more, or are we just goldfish in a world of multimedia? Playing it safe just aint an option. Why should I give a damn what people think about what I do? I do this for pleasure, if I get recognition or respect for it, that's a bonus, but not the end game. I'd much rather annoy than pamper to the masses. I don't have the answers only questions. If u like what I do - fantastic. If you don't - fantastic. Just respect my decision to be different like I respect yours.
Reply
The Year Of The Dragon.
2012. What beckons? Gigs in West Wales and South Wales, some with the newly established Acoustic Circus South Wales Division. Easter tour in Somerset with 4 other acts. Loads of gigs with the Acoustic Circus locally. New album? Possibly, but at the back end of the year. And of course, sticking up for the musicians who have the same philosophy as me - Create Together. Come and join the Vanray:UK? party.
Reply
All you need is a seed.
I've got this guitar pupil of mine. He's 10/11 years old and keeps coming up with little guitar riffs. From these ideas songs have been grown. Chords put behind them, lyrics written and several of these tracks will be recorded. Some of them, 'With A look' and 'A Hopeful Song' have already been played live and got a great reception. So, that's all you need - a germ of an idea, which when planted in the mind grow into full blown songs. Clever kid.
Reply
New album title!
These things come to those who wait. I could push it, but you kinda know when it's right. So, here it is - A GOOD DAY TO BURY BAD NEWS. Sums up where we all are at the moment. Tsunamis and earthquakes plus nuclear disaster gives governments around the world the chance to bury the stuff which otherwise would be headline news. It also reflects the kind of music which I'll be recording on the new CD - possibly more aggressive, but with a beautiful downside. This album will define Vanray:UK? and the title is my mission statement. I've been doing this for too long to tone things down and try not to offend people. If any of the new tracks do offend you, then perhaps it's YOU who has the problem. It will be pretty apocalyptic stuff, I can assure you. Look to the skies 'cos there's a storm a coming...
Reply
A List.
Here I have a list of thirty telephone numbers. Each one is a venue in North, Mid and West Wales. I want to go on tour, and I want to play in places which are pleasing to the eye, and it doesn't get much more pleasing than this part of the world. So,...., I have a list. I also know that I will get gigs this way. Venues don't book straight from emails, or at least most don't. A phone conversation followed up by sending a press kit is what most will want. Hopefully, it being 2011 and all, some will take an electronic press kit, but it's that initial phone call which establishes the link. I also know that once one venue has booked me I am then committed to travelling a long distance for at least one gig - it kinda makes you make sure that you book another one in the vicinity dead fast. More than two make it all worthwhile, and I would expect to achieve that pretty easily. Five would be great. So,...., this list. Kinda like taking the plunge into an icy sea or the first kiss. Here goes....
Reply
Be Other.
My age is immaterial, 'cos no one else is doing what I do. I'm not a 'pop' artist, I don't want to hear the teenies scream. If I do covers, people ask why don't I do my own stuff. If I do my own stuff, people say why don't you do covers. I can choose from a back catalogue of 200 original songs, or more, and can work out and play any song on the guitar. I'd much prefer to take a 'non-acoustic' song and make it work (eg.Strange Kinda Woman by Deep Purple) than even attempt to sound like John Martyn or James Blunt. Those who manage and promote are always looking for the safe option. The record industry is changing, but the model stays the same. The public don't know what they like until they hear it. So make their day and give them something new.
Reply
Well said! i never really enjoying playing covers, like you say, i could play anything i chose to learn, so it takes the fun out of it for me. Best to be original, stick to your guns.
MUSIC AINT A COMPETITION.
Are you the best guitarist in your town? Is your band the best on the local scene? Would you consider yourself the best singer of your generation? If you can answer 'Yes' to any of these questions, then I'm very happy for you. Well done. But I think you're missing the point. Sure, a personal best is worth striving for, and you should be looking to improve at every given opportunity, but don't go and judge yourself on the ability of others. If they know more, learn from them. If they know less, encourage. Some people see 'compromise' as a dirty word, but in music it is a neccessity. Give and take. Ebb and flow. Create Together.
Reply
CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN.
You know what makes me real annoyed? People with talent who do nothing with it. Musicians, especially guitarists, are lazy bastards, who would rather wait for somebody else to manage their life for them rather than do anything about it themselves. Book your own gigs. Manage your own finances. Produce your own CDs. Distribute your music. Create your own artwork. DIY. Have total control of your creations and share them with the world.
Reply