All posts by diana Stone

About diana Stone

Diana Stone is a performing composer and musician playing Piano Violin & Guitar. She currently plays with Orchard and The Sonic Boomers. Previously with Rock/Roots band Elephant Shelf and also the Delta Ladies who mixed roots acoustic music and electronica until the death of Vicky Martin who formed the band which was active for 17 years. Diana composes in a variety of styles from pop to rock to Jazz and and classical music. Diana is also expert in multi-media recording and music production.

A New Varient.

Diana Stones Songs, glass cage, music, Musings, whatever

It’s been cold. At the rehearsal rooms it was a bit chilly too so that was not the most comfortable session. But it went OK and was productive. 
It was good to play with a rock band line  with actual people up however rusty we are at present.
 
This year I have written and recorded 68 tracks in total starting in January. I have also played on 3 or 4 other recording projects this year. So I have been keeping  busy. I need to switch off for a while now I think, but my mind won’t detach from it. It’s become a little obsessional which is actually not good at all.  Perhaps its the effect of too much time in my own company?    

 

Rolling Along Just About

Diana Stones Songs, glass cage, music, Musings

Winter nights again. if your not sitting in a front of a blazing wood burner many aspects of it are not terribly appealing though. 
 I am not a big fan of Christmas generally. Or perhaps its current incarnation. Still I suppose I should be used to it by now. I have after all had a few at this point in my life.  Still never mind, I am sure others will be able to fill the festive energy gap if I can’t totally get with the program.
So as usual music and more music and bla, bla bla.  Getting up is a struggle now. I just can’t get the motivation. 

I have just had the first rehearsal with the new band and its looking hopeful. Plenty of smiling faces by the end. And some reasonably musical noises made, so a good start at least.I did blank completely on arrival though. Also I felt quite nervous as it’s been quite a while since I played with any new people. Starting to interact socially more is a bit weird as its been a long time since I met new people. Plus having got conditioned to being locked down I am now getting cabin fever having actually had some social interaction again. 

The combination of Covid-19 and Brexit and personal loss means that the world feels very different to me now in many regards.  So I shall carry on day to day and not  dwell on looking  to far into the future which feels very uncertain to me now. 

The time of life is short! / To spend that shortness basely were too long
— HENRY IV PART 1, ACT 5 SCENE 2, LINES 81-84; HOTSPUR TO A MESSENGER 
Or possibly then as Nike say:

Just do it 

  

Out with the Old and in with the?

Musings

I am not a big fan of November.  I have said it….

So things are starting to to happen it seems. The first rehearsal with the band I have joined  is now in the book. Its a while since I was last in a practice room. 2004 was the last time when I was auditioning for a band called Elephant Shelf in a place in Barnet  A full circle almost.  So I am learning a few songs I never thought I would ever attempt to play.  It is a challenge as its very different to anything I have done for a very long time as it requires a very different mindset. Will it work? I hope so.

It occured to me that at times i do feel a bit useless, regardless of what I may or may not have achieved. Again though may be its too much time ruminating. I did manage to do a few things today, despite feeling a bit off. We have been living here for nearly 4 years now. This years been tough mentally though. so I do hope that the few green shoots that have sprung up in the last couple of months socially and musically can be nourished and sustained.

Today has been a tough one. The ongoing  problems with my back and related issues continue. Some days are better than others. Exercise helps but its hard when your aching even though you know that it will help. Getting out of bed is an effort recently as I just can’t  seem to be bothered.  I am still feeling anxious too a lot of the time.  Keeping busy helps  a bit though.  
So here is a very recent recording. 

See what you think