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.

The Nights Draw In Again

Short days will soon be upon us again. This week I have had disturbed sleep and car problems that have thrown me a little. Hopefully the car can be fixed (a plan is in motion), but the sleep disruption is a real nuisance. I had to miss a band rehearsal today due to my recalcitrant automobile, but perhaps it just needs a rest or is sulking as it has not had a holiday for years. I can’t really blame it to be fair. This week I have been playing a little bit of acoustic guitar for a potential idea that’s brewing up. I feel a little inertia creeping up though. Winter approaching?
Yes, that’s part of it I guess. At this time of year some believe the veil between worlds is thin or lifted and it always feels a little different for a while though I have no particular beliefs. Our bodys do sense the seasons change, so surely our minds must follow? Some days I feel more linked to the planet than others and at this time of year I often feel a little closer for a while.

Sometimes I wonder if I have made the right choices in putting so much effort in to music. I get personal satisfaction from it but maybe my life might have been easier if I have stayed in my lane. Much of what I have achieved is perhaps relatively unsung, but what else would I be doing.

Cast The First Stone

Well somebody has to if only to be the scapegoat?

The arts usually require a certain bone headedness to succeed I believe. Change my mind.
Good, so can we all agree on that one I think. people will mostly tell you what you are doing wrong or that you should give up.

I listened to Elephant Shelfs first proper Album from 2010, its held up better than I thought it would! Somebody mentioned it on Facebook today so thought I ought to give it a listen again.
It was the first full band album I recorded/produced (as well as played on, though I had been recording for years) and people loved it at the time and some still do it seems. It’s very different recording a band than recording just yourself on a multitrack. It was mostly live with a couple of instruments added in later. You can’t tell with your own work at the time, you might judge it say as technically proficient but not see its artistic merit or vice versa. Some music I have done in the past stands up very well, but at the time of making it I didn’t think it was anything much at all. Some though is a train wreck.

This week my sister visited for 3 days and we repotted some plants and stuff like that which is not my area of expertise at all, but is hers as a trained horticulturist. It did stretch a few muscles that are not in regular use though. Pleasant enough, then back to the music stuff on Friday again.

Wearing my Jazz/Swing hat here live with Orchard 🙂


My current track I am recording is not inspiring me much as the vocals sounding a bit tired and uninspired. I will try again, but not today as my heart’s not in it.

Another acquaintance has left this mortal realm I discover. Once we get to this sort of age its a never ending stream it seems. A friend of my partners is terminally ill and likely to be going soon. Everything, everywhere at once it seems.

I never was a big fan of Guinness.












Such Times As These.

I watch the news. I despair and feel so powerless. And there are still some bad people everywhere. Mustn’t grumble, but I will. Here is an angry song. Killing for peace doesn’t work it seems nor the concept of bombing starving people to save them.

False Prophet

It’s been a hard week for me as my mental health is really not good right now. When is it ever?

So I am trying to get through it as best I can really. Normally I get a bit of a lift as the clouds blowover but its not happening at present. So on with the usual stuff at home, recording practicing, production and this week a bit of video editing too. I did a charity gig with a band I part of yesterday with the proceeds going to a local food bank.It was very enjoyable and good to have a proper gig on a Saturday night, abet a teetotal one 🙂 Other than that its back to wrestling with eternal questions…. Or should that be infernal questions’?

Only joking!

If I had brains I would be dangerous…