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.
View all posts by diana Stone →
I feel a little bit out of sorts at present. On wednesday I went to the George 3rd pub in Hoddesdon. A really nice venue with a proper stage and sound system with lights to play with Orchard in a battle of the bands heat. A friendly landlord and a nice bunch of punters too. All good clean fun apart from the drummer Trevor who had auditioned with us a week or so back having a cardiac event whilst playing the opening number with his band “the Trevor Experience”. it all went very quiet. Fortunately Clare our vocalist was a first aider and able to help out. Paramedics were called out and managed to stabilize Trevor who later on went to hospital in an ambulance about 2 hours later. He is OK but won’t be drumming in the near future I guess. The evening went on after a break of about 40 minutes or so and we did our set and it was fairly well received. We got going and managed to play a fun set which was well received. We watched the last band playing who were a young Radiohead inspired guitar band and pretty good actually, though a tad loud for my geriatric lugholes’.
Or will you, maybe in a quantum world you get infinite goes in the multiverse or is it just time for my meds again? Could be I guess. I am aware that as time passes I think much more about the why of existence and the further I feel from it having any meaning I can decipher from it. Perhaps the point is simply that there is no point? Yes but your mama said it’s rude to point didn’t she? Now if I feel the urge to stare into the abyss I reach for the wine. Best I can do really. That and radio 4 on a quiet day when your intrusive thoughts are just a little too intrusive. its raining and it’s dull and my creative hat is in the wash at present and I am wearing my slightly anxious one instead. As I write this it’s July 4th and my latest release goes live on spotty Amazon and most other streaming services.
Its weird, things are OK ish in the main. Musical opportunities’ are increasing but I feel a bit jaded. It’s not logical. A slight air of grumpiness developing today. Not sure why as things are mostly OK at present? Weird how moods just drift in like a sea mist from nowhere? Ok it is a rainy day too, but we need rain so much now.
Am I crazy. possibly by some peoples standards I am. A raddled old hag perhaps with only the ghost of a chance in the frenzied life dance. I have a friend who says the world is going to wrack and ruin but I tend more to think its already got there for some folks in many respects. I am still feeling a bit fragile mentally today to be honest. I roll along feeling ok for a few days then I get hit with a dose of existential dread almost. Weird. Nothing materially changes but the the mood hits out of nowhere. So for me normal. Hoping to will wear off as I am out doing a guest spot at a pub on the eve of writing this. I am slightly dubious about it to be honest and on this occasion would frankly rather not. We have had about 24 hours of rain but it the suns out now finally. I was listening to some of my back catalogue and also that of the Delta Ladies. I was surprised at how “gothic” it sounded and very dark and mournful. I can see why it made an impression. I also listened to a few recordings by other artists from the 60s and 70s and in particular the sound of those albums. Then I came back to listen to some of my own tracks and thought actually not too shabby after all. But I have now formed an idea or two to try something a little different going forward now. I just need the resolve to actually get on and do it. In between the creaking and groaning noises that my body makes like a sailing ship as its timbers swell and then contract again which is now often a part of the soundtrack of my daily life.
Do you remember the rest of that line. if you do congratulations you are vintage. Don’t deny it.
The Invisible Folk Club Band – Jon Bickley, Milo Downs, Diana Stone and Bill Nimmo – playing at the Cowper and Newton Museum yesterday as part of Invisible Folk’s Grace will lead me home project. Thanks to the Museum and thanks to the Arts Council. Photos by Jean Yarwood.
So I am still keeping sort of busy at the time of writing. We have had a few very hot days which have knocked me out pretty much. I don’t have the resilience I used to sadly. Bouncing back is now more of a leisurely stroll or occasionally a crawl.
I watched Elton John’s farewell show at Glastonbury on the Tv and realised that I had first seen him perform live 50 years ago. Wow, times flies. It was a pretty good effort and 2 hours worth. His voice still distinctive though avoiding some of the high notes and playing up a storm on the Piano. So many good songs too. Echos for me now of a very different part of my life and I guess the same for many others.
Here is a tune from about a year back. it’s got some violin on it. That’s a surprise.
Stuckness, what’s to be done about it? That feeling that you could fix it if only and you will get right on it tomorrow. Or rather you would but, you know? Stuff. I am not bored at present so I can’t complain too much I guess. My main concern next will be if I can keep my car on the road another year. Mot is at the end of Sept but that could be a problem. But I can only cross that bridge when I come to it. having working out an Elton John style basis for a tune using some of his harmonic tricks. It wont sound like him when its grown up but its a useful trick to plagiarise a bit when not inspired. I am still very tired. I suppose it’s better than being anxious though. it strikes me that most of my music mates (good bad or genius) play because it still brings them joy and others too at times. The great secret (the holy grail) really is not to overthink it but it takes a long time to learn that if one can at all. Many never do. It’s the doing that’s the important bit I guess.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. Dalai Lama
You must be logged in to post a comment.