Ramblings of a Model, Mother and Outspoken Weirdo

Getting all excited for my next performance which will be Gully Sutherland's Emporium of Extraordinary Entertainment - Victorian Winter Wonderland Variety Performance. I will be performing the act I last blogged and a brand spanking new act called 'Winter Wonderland' which I recorded my own version of the song for, with the help of Mr Mark Pinder who also took me some festive piccies. It was really nice to do something different like that, I haven't sang in years and it used to be a really good way for me to get my 'Meh' out, I am always pottering round my kitchen and singing my ass off.

I am a little bit concerned about my costume not arriving in time for this performance on the 29th, I am expecting some flipping amazing hot pants from the states and they are probably not going to get here *sad face*. It should be a great night with a mixture of things, not just burlesque if you are able to and want to have a warm up for New Years, you should come along! I am also excited because a lot of the people performing and attending are some of the most amazing friends that I have made in 2010, I am lucky to have them in my life!

Had a shoot a couple of weeks ago with lovely chap and excellent photographer Richard Hanley, who also lives in the same village where I live! The outlook of this shoot was instantly improved by the attendance of MUA Josephine Birkett who was an absolute star she knew exactly what I was after which all worked so well with the location.

Ah hah, the location was a record shop in Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre called Steel Wheels. It is completely different to how I remembered, it was relocated and downsized a lot, downloadable music probably to blame. I still had an amazing time and it was one of my favourite shoots to date. There wasn't really a lot to work with but I had a lot of fun and I am very very impressed with the images. Probably the first time I have seen any Dani in images that weren't taken by my boyfriend.

Here are a couple of my faves.

I am bit small minded when it comes to music, about 95% of the music I listen to is all women. It's not that I don't like listening to men, I just prefer a womans voice. I only listen to 3 blokes particularly regularly Alan Windram, Paul Heaton and Neil Finn. I heard a girl of 17 on Friday and it's inspired me to blog about it she had a gorgeous, warm voice which pulled my heart strings.

I am pretty much out of touch with modern music now to, I listen to stuff that I like and that's about it. I do sometimes listen to a compact disc(!), we have a massive separates system including massive lead weighted speakers which take up loads of space in my lounge. I still really want a NAD amp to match my CD player, the same one that Rob had in High Fidelity. I would want the same sort of 90's finish that mine has though. I am coming across like a proper nerd now, I did used to read What-Hifi though.

I am quite emotional person so I tend to get absolutely sucked in and feel it, I find it easier with a female voice probably because I am female, but then I am over analysing now. I almost can't listen to the song 'Brick' by Ben Folds Five since I found out it was about abortion, it makes me cry like a nutter.

Here are some of the women who make me want to get into music again and be able to express myself in that way. And some of the albums that have sort of shaped me into the woman I am. Or some of the wailing white women that annoy my husband, whichever way you prefer to look at it.

1. Shea Seger - has an amazing sort of country voice, she has only released one album 'The May St Project' I was lucky enough to see her live when she was supporting Toploader (Snarf!). I love all the songs on her album but I guess 'Clutch' and 'I Love You Too Much' are the high points. Also on one of the 2 music videos she did she had these amazing Green trousers on, I have been trying to find a pair similar for about 11 years.

2. Lisa Loeb - my favourite Lisa Loeb song is 'Sandalwood' you can tell this by the fact when I sing along to it I close my eyes. I have dived in and I am swimming in it and it's beautiful. Her best albums in my opinion are 'Firecracker' and 'Tails' one of her songs was on the Legally Blonde soundtrack (might have even been the sequel which is worse) and I found a couple of her albums a bit swoozy (is that even a word?) and Poppy.

3. Lisa Richards - I picked up a promo for liked £2 in Steels Wheels in Newcastle. Picked up utterly by chance, it had a chick on the front had about 21 tracks on it and I figured what is the worst thing that could happen? Her voice is probably more whiney that the other ladies I normally listen too but her songs are amazing and her lyrics top notch.

4. Beth Orton - Her voice is just mind blowing, sort of like Dido but a million times better. Also she is responsible for my all time favourite song 'Devil Song'. Another closed eyes sing along track.

5. Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs) - I think I prefer her solo stuff, and her version of 'Because the Night' is the best I have ever heard. I think I had to liken my own voice to anyone it would probably be Natalie Merchant. My recordings on Myspace were done when I was 17 and my voice has grown up a lot since then, it's all the better for singing the Timmy Time theme tune. 'Kind and Generous' by Natalie Merchant is an uplifting song although I think it could be received as sarcastic too with the 'la-las' but that could just be me being British.

I want to do music again but it needs to be stuff that I want to do which is why I am pretty desperate to learn guitar. I have lots of pent up emotion, I remember the joy of releasing it through music I don't want to be a front woman I just want to be on my own with it.

If you managed to read all that without falling asleep go and make yourself a cup of tea

I used to love music it was a massive part of my life for a long time, I enjoyed singing and making music with like minded people but I guess my priorities in life changed when I had Laurence. Everything shifted.

The last gig I went to was Electric Six in December 2004? Or something ridiculous. I did go to see a friend's band called Won Mississippi earlier in the year but people you know don't really count.

I went to a gig last night a bloke called Alan Windram, I am a massive fan of this chap, I can't even really explain why his voice just makes my tummy tingle and I love his songs, sort of soft and very easy to listen to.

I sort of stumbled upon him too which makes it even better. I remember back just after I got married I was typing random words into Itunes and it came up with his band Splendid. I clicked on Buy this album entirely by mistake. I was annoyed with myself at the time actually but the songs kept appearing on shuffle and every time they did I liked 'em. I then purchased their other album.

When I was pregnant, the time I become an emotional idiot! I used to lie in the bath with my wriggly bump listening to Splendid and bawling my eyes out. I have listened to albums to a point now that they remind me of significant times in my life. Alan recently released his solo album which I love just as much as the Splendid ones.

I felt like a bit of a noob but asked to have my picture taken with him! Also! I'd like to add I only found out about 8 months ago he was from the Borders it was total coincidence. I figured he was from the big smoke and I'd never get to see him live. He had a little super cute guitarist called Rory Butler! I reckon he will get famous. Just a feeling in my bones.



I wore my gorgeous Able Grable Scarlet Street Blouse an absolute comfy divine delight! Didn't manage to get any decent pics of rocking it though. I will do when I get something decent for my bottom half. :)