All posts by diana Stone

About diana Stone

Diana is a performing composer and muscian playing Piano Violin & Guitar. She currently plays with the Rock/Roots band Elephant Shelf and also the Delta Ladies who mix roots acoustic music and electronica. She 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. View all posts by diana Stone →

Reflections

December 3, 2023Musingsdiana Stone

Its a time when echo’s from the past often become much louder to us. My ghosts are demanding attention, though ever so politely in their requests for a gap in my schedule.
But they will persist politely requesting until the new year I expect. Usually then they tend to drift of of there own accord seemingly having found other diversions and distractions.

Its going to be one of those days/weeks for me. I have been keeping myself occupied a fair bit in the last few weeks which has lifted my spirits in the main, but this week I have no musical outings on the agenda so I shall have to go into lockdown mode and get make myself get on with other stuff, before the doom pixies manifest and taunt me, as they must for so it is written in the ancient scriptures.

Live at Olney “Never Been So Poor Before”
Jon Bickley and the Invisible Folk Club Band

I played in St Peter and St Pauls Church Olney recently. This is one of Jon’s own songs.

Avoiding the hibernation urge is difficult though and particularly at the time of writing. I a have a track waiting for a vocal that will be the next “thing ” I do. I just have to get started with it. Easier said than done though of course. Winter is a struggle for me and is when I am most prone to mental health issues. I get by but its difficult at times. My compass does not always steer me true at this season.

I’m typing this in a break in a recording session. I just did a vocal take that sounds quite edgy. Also a guitar part. Sometimes singing gives me a pain in the sinus. I could do without that really. I will stop recording now and let it all ferment a bit. that will also make it obvious if I need to add anything else or just mix the track as it sounds full already. Less is often more as I keep trying to convince myself.

Captains Log Star Date Whatever

November 25, 2023Delta Ladies, Diana Stones Songs, glass cage, music, Musings, other, piano worksdiana Stone

Speaking of news, it’s mostly tragic at the time of writing, the headlines reflect unsettling events and conflicts. Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and all the rest. The suffering endured by innocent people is deeply saddening, regardless of the terminology used to describe it. The gravity of the situation becomes even more apparent when we’re confronted with such realities through our screens.

Ideally I would like to go out and socialise say 3 or 4 times a week and the rest of the time with my recording and writing music, writing my blog and stuff. I don’t do too badly really. Some days are hard. Obviously if I had an extended family that would take up some time too, but I don’t. Pub friends are usually acquaintances really in most cases, unless your are in a real village in which case they might be proper mates as well. My friendships usually are formed from a mutual interest and some become more than that. All my women friends know enough about me to get me hung drawn and quartered

As you contemplate the idea of writing a piece of music, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the subject matter. How can words alone capture the complexity of the world’s sorrows, well of course its not words alone. Sometimes, music has a way of transcending the limitations of language, allowing melodies and rhythms to convey emotions that words alone cannot express. Perhaps, through music, you can find a way to lend a voice to the unspoken and offer solace to those who suffer. Of course you may just sound trite, maybe you offer solace only to yourself.

Diana Stones Glasscage · I Dare Not Say Your Name

Engaging in music-related activities can be a great way to counterbalance the winter blues or simply express them, but it can’t eradicate them. Music has a unique ability to transport us to different emotional landscapes, offering solace and comfort during challenging times. It’s a way to connect with our emotions and find a release, especially when the world around us seems to be filled with distressing news.

I completely understand the struggle of navigating through the gloomy winter days and the impact it can have on our moods. It seems like a recurring theme for many of us as we transition from the vibrant outdoors to the confinement of our offices, just to find ourselves arriving and leaving in darkness. However, it’s uplifting to hear that you were able to soak in the crisp and clear autumnal sunshine during your morning outing.

In the comfort of your surroundings, you have the opportunity to explore the intangible connections between your emotions and the melodies that dance through your mind. Your creativity has the potential to touch hearts and serve as a reminder that even in the face of turmoil, there is still beauty to be found.

So, as you sit there, gazing at your screen, know that your desire to express, create, and uplift through music is a remarkable endeavour. Keep embracing the sunlight, both literal and metaphorical, and let it inspire the notes that flow from your soul.

Diana Stone and Vicky Martin. January 2019

When you realise it really doesn’t make sense any more

November 24, 2023Musingsdiana Stone

I am just a little crazy, but then so it seems is the entire world from what I see every day. It nots going to get any better is it? Nope. So I stagger on as best I can. A friend asked idly about my drinking habits. I never really got drunk. Well Ok occasionally but it was a very rare event. I did drink a bit more in my twenties, work colleagues in pubs and then much later with work mates in the Civil service. But not to any great degree. Then with the band a Real Ale or Two on gigs, but that was about it. I don’t smoke apart from a brief flirtation during the obligatory teenage rebellion phase. I did smoke a bit of dope, occasionally when I was 16 or 27. I had one bad experience with LSD. However it was not consensual as my drink was spiked.

I fancy a new keyboard for gigs at some point but really I don’t need one. A bit like my recording gear. Its still good enough with regard to tech specs to create decent results. Since everything went digital its now down to an individuals creativity and skill pretty much rather than having the edge due to better kit. I can still produce stuff that is sonically as good as anything current. Perhaps its akin to have a really good set of quality pigments to paint with and having the skill to use them well enough? I was surprised to find that I have actually done 36 live appearances this year. I though I might at best have done about 8. A bit different to 130 to 150 a year which I used to do. Covid was one of the things that put paid to gigs for me but only one.
But we keep on because “What else is there”.

A track from last year that could do with another airing I feel.

There are plenty of ongoing rehearsals for live events and I even have one gig in the book for 2024. So I am not completely past it yet, though I do feel rather like I might be on some occasions. I am tired but also feeling simultaneously like the walls are closing in. That’s the winter effect though.

I watch the news from Gaza and its not any better. It is good that some hostages have been released but the fact that Israel does not seem to be willing to stop the bombing except in the short term is distressing and ultimately will do no good for anyone in the region in the long or short term.

I am watching a bit of vintage Dr Who that is now on BBC player and has been colourised. I almost remember it the first time round but its was in fabulous monochrome then.