Factor Demo Grant Application

45 Home Street, 3/4 Song Demo
"Roots" music category,  EP description:
Lyrical indie folk pop
with some celtic twang from time to time.

http://www.myspace.com/LoguelikeVogue

Description (PROJECT GOALS AND EXPECTED RESULTS):

The funding is requested as support for the completion of recordings for a 3 song demo in Toronto in December 2011.   With the guidance and support of more established and talented musicians to play the songs,  and a producer to help oversee enhanced musicality 4 tunes are to be laid down over 2 days in the Lincoln County Social Club recording studio with John Dinsmore engineering; with 2 days of producer Bob Wiseman's time to mix and fix it all up, also built into the budget.  I want to pick the top 3 tunes in a social networking survey to give away as a Christmas gift EP to my friends and family!!!

For sure I can demonstrate leadership, and decision-making skills, but throughout this process I will invite the experience of the other people on the project, especially in regards to  arrangements and recording methods, not mention the making of actual music.  I am confident in my ability to deliver soulful vocal emotion from fragile whisper to full volume, and would like to experiment with overdubs and harmonies and such.

In general, I hope to record the music as I perform it, adding supplementary vocal and instrumental parts.  I like a deadline and a limited budget because it helps drive and shape my creativity, and I don't forsee any discomfort with constraints vs. aspirations or dreams.

My proposed producer, Bob Wiseman, will help  me make decisions to make a good sounding recording, efficiently and within budget, while taking responsibility for decisions regarding the final mix.  I also feel comforted to think he will do any arranging to compose any required music by other musicians while we get to hang out and have fun.

My proposed engineer, John Dinsmore creates a comfortable vibe whereever he happens to be and I would gladly let him select, set up and operate the equipment, not to mention as many instruments as possible ha, in his studio.  I also wish for his involvement to help organize and direct sessions, especially among the musicians.  I wouldn't mind if he wanted to try and correct musical errors or make aesthetic judgements...

> Awkward Silences
Verse lyrics have been reworked so the story is more clearly told. Needs to be recorded with Girl Jam harmonies on the chorus and an instrumental bridge before the 2nd chorus.  Awkward silences in the song are to be poetically awkward and NOT musically correct.

> Lovecall
The kooky singalong chorus should have a variety of surprising sounds, rhythms and melodies like the bird calls that day.  (Think vocal jam. Think Evenine choir? could i bring in a field recording?)

> Hey Sister
I actually can't play this one at all.  Maybe I could try it on the washboard, ha.  Needs at least guitar plus bass and drums. Please Make Dynamics.

> Lifestory
This needs shape and variety. Some kind of guitar groove to drive it on.  Pedal Steel, fiddle and pennywhistle? Why not, it's my record.

This digital demo project will allow a new focus on the artist/songwriter on ukulele, and piano.  Tracks to work on will include the never before recorded Lifestory, the group collaboration song Hey Sister, as well as a corrected/reworked Lovecall and revised Awkward Silences.  Since fine-tuning the latter two lyrically, we will improve upon the musicality and production qualities and instrumentation of the two tracks previously recorded in support of my application to the Songwriters Association of Canada to be a Volunteer Coordinator of Guelph Regional Writers Group Meetings.

The digital files can be shared on-line to facebook and myspace friends, for feedback on the demo will be collected and measured via social networking strategy.  I am also going to draw on the expert guidance of the producer and engineer, in consideration that future manufacturing for a real release can be considered…

producer $900 (donated $300 net $600)
recording studio & engineeer $600
 $300 to pay other musicians + $300 in donated service requests:
Aimee and Trish, Girl Jam to sing, by email, Evenine Field recordings?

Production Plan
Book early December dates, two days

day 1 = kim to record 4 songs
rehearsal with the other musicians?
can the Girl jam girls email their chorus vocals for Awkward Silences?
what to do about the love call voices?

next booking = bob/john/kim
overdubs/other musicians

Interim Goals:
metronome SETTINGS
PRACTICE!
breathing/exercise/fitness

I must shalt arrange some kind of barter or something to offset an expense list for Session  f o o d.  I want everybody to eat healthy and nice, but not lazy making pasta, ha.
*
Artist Bio

An established poet, Kim Logue has recently published song lyrics in literary anthologies, while managing/promoting other musicians. A mostly-self-taught artist, writer and music journalist, she hails from a business background.  An award winning broadcast journalist and producer of the syndicated hoofbeats! radio show founded at 93.3 FM in Guelph, she is currently at work on a short film documentary set in her fibre arts studio. With some recent acting experience, and some powerful voice coaching under her belt, she sings in several choirs, teaches beginner uke and dabbles in guitar while aspiring to play piano...


"Someday I would like to make a full length album that comprises a variety of settings, including full arrangements replete with kid laughter, cat meow and canter stride snort.  I love to play shaker, dollar store tambourine, cowbell, washboard and other non-instruments, by ear."

*

Although I did not trouble them for FACTOR Demo Grant letters of support, in the event of a commercial EP release, I would seek the support of the following:  Hilary 570?, CHES 88.1 Steve Clarke, former Brother Billy! out west, Laurie B? Ian C? The Signal and maybe even the Guelph contingent of the CBC

If a commercial release it an outcome of this project, I feel I would have viable sales outlets including Ground Floor Music and Folkway Music in Guelph, Ardvark Music in Orangeville,  Long and McQuade in Stratford & Cambridge.

[ ] promise to deliver one completed song afterwards to FACTOR as condition of funding!

OAC Creation Grant Application (improve/recycle?)

Music is a magical place to pour sorrow and find joy. Singing heals, and songs change the world. Songs play a spiritual and intellectual role in society, of profound and lasting benefit to humanity, as well as to the individual creator. Sometimes I am still surprised to realize I have become a songwiter!

I was a Creative Writing major in first year university and somehow got swept away in the Management Training program of a major bank. I reinvented myself as an artist after a successful 15 year career in the financial services industry. I persue my art the way I vote, diligently with thought, research and any required hard work put into it. I do it with gratitude that I am able to; and with the intent to make my voice heard, to make my mark in society, and to do my bit to improve the world, ha...

I also write as my own personal therapy and to find out what I think!
*
To connect to an audience, I will continue to find unique venues and celebrity guests for the increasing number of song circle events. I will play my original songs at upcoming uke workshops at Long and McQuade. I will busk, attend open stages, including the Tranzac’s Composer’s workshop and seek opening gigs. The relationships I plan to develop also include tours of some recording studios of profile including Bob Wiseman’s at the Tranzac and John Dinsmore’s called Lincoln County.
*
The final project will be different from the submitted audio examples in that the musicality will be improved, enhanced and more diverse. Through the investment of time, care and attention on behalf of the artist, as well as the investment of expertise and talent from a growing community of musicians and co-writers, song structures are expected to become more intriguing and more interesting, with more variety tune to tune as well as more proficient musicianship even in solo performances.

List of Participants: Kim Logue, Principal Songwriter and Singer, uke, and rhythm guitar player, possible future piano player, and volunteer coordinator of Writers Group meetings.

Applicant Bio:

An established poet, Kim Logue has published song lyrics in literary anthologies, while managing/promoting other musicians. A mostly-self-taught artist, writer and music journalist, she is also an award winning broadcast journalist and producer of the syndicated hoofbeats! radio show founded at 93.3 FM in Guelph. With some performance and voice coaching under her belt, she dabbles in uke and guitar and hopes to learn to play piano.

Audio Support Material

These two tracks are recent recordings of original material. The first recording is the first time I have tried to play my own guitar instead of relying on more established players, and, basic as it sounds, it marks a progression in confidence and ability. The second tune is audio extracted from a laptop video, documenting a group songwriting exercise, live off the floor. It’s also included for its timeline and for its illustration of the direction of the project, in terms of the progression as a musician and specifically in the related ability to collaborate with other more proficient musicians, as well as the use SAC meetings to create whole new tunes during a meeting.

2. Hey Sister = written by Kim Logue, Roelf Zantige, Barry Parsons, Bonnie Cumming etc. performed by the aforesaid Regional Writers Group members that collaborated and co-wrote the tune at the March 2011 meeting, recorded on Mac laptop

Hey Sister, I don’t know where you are But we’re never far apart You’re always in my heart

Oh Sister, Skies of icy blue Make me think of you Do you miss me too?

instrumental, then bridge: I can hear us laugh Gazing at a photograph

Ah sister, Though I may not see Who you want to be Just be you and I’ll be me.

1. The Way The World Turns = written by Kim Logue folk acoustic guitar and vocal performed by Kim Logue Feb 2011 and recorded by Sean Paddison.

G Em C Am (stacato strum, like drum, hit base notes!) I wish to be in London but I’m afraid to fly Another 9/11 finds my heart desperate to try

chorus: G Em C D (up and down strum) And the world just keeps on turning, millions of wasted lives Imagining how we could be, is the way I’m wasting mine

Why’d you have to leave me? Did I make you turn away? Our meeting may mean nothing to you, but lightening struck me that day. chorus Its always the same old story. Unrequited love. Want to write a new chapter now, that lets us travel on. Chorus, tag last two lines as outro

*
The project that will be completed with this grant includes the creation of a minimum of 7 new songs, a “Home Street” songbook. The new tunes may reflect the access to a piano after August 1 and are to compliment existing catalogue towards a full length album for recording fall 2012. The grant will cover living expenses as well as artistic costs such as music lessons, choir costs and band practice. Milestone events are to include the SAC Guelph Regional Writer’s group meetings, which will be ramped up to meet every other week Sept- November 2011. Once a month we will do a songwriters in the round with feedback and once a month we will work on a group song. I will also be seeking bandmates as co-writers and in support of aspirations for recordings and gigs in future.
*

Q3a) The impact on the art form, specifically on these project songs is a chance to incorporate recent and future feedback from Regional Writer’s Group Meetings. Suggestions on where to add a bridge, finetune and/or add verses so that each story is more clearly told, as well as learning to take a verse up an octave and/or learn to sing harmony parts for a chorus. Piano, mandolin and uke will feature as main instruments for the first time. The impact on community will include more collaborating with fellow musicians and seeking bandmates to enhance the complexity and quality of the overall musicianship. The impact of the grant on myself as an artist will be similar to the impact of the recently received royalty cheque, that reinstated my belief that songs can make money.  Also note that I will gladly acknowledge OAC’s support by placing the OAC logo on all printed promotional material such as press releases, programs and websites.  The impact of this is added credibility to my endeavours as a songwriter.

Book Now!

Hey Sister,

I've registered this tune with Socan.  Did you help write it? If so, I need your SOCAN number...

Recent Performance Highlights:

Original Music Performances (excluding broadcast, recording or internet)

1. The Way The World Turns
Performed by Kim Logue on guitar, Tuesday November 23, 2010. Folkway Music, S.A.C Guelph! Song Circle, estimated audience 15.

2. Secrets and Lies, Lovecall
Performed by Kim Logue on guitar, and singalong audience, Wednesday March 16, 2011. Fat Albert’s Open Stage & Coffee House, (Cecil St Toronto), sharing the stage with Bob Wiseman, Shane Phillips, Ruth Jenkins and Sam Larkin, estimated audience 25.

3. Lovecall
Performed acoustically by Kim Logue on uke with Rob Kerr on guitar and vocals, plus countless campfire participants. Campfire Session Sunday March 20, 2011. The Cornerstone, estimated audience 50.

4. Lifestory
Performed by Kim Logue on uke, SAC Guelph Song Circle, Wednesday April 13, 2011. Gordon Taylor Music, estimated audience 5.

5. Secrets and Lies (now AKA Awkward Silences)
Performed by Kim Logue, on electric guitar with Barry Payne on lead guitar. Sunday May 15, 2011.  JamSchool, S.A.C. Guelph Song Circle, estimated audience 5, with video also posted on youtube and facebook.