Paul MacKay - 1st Waterfront Open Mic I went to

Oh how things have progressed since those days, but I still like this drawing. Makes you just want to go up and give him a hug bless'im!

Oban Mike Night

I swear this night is getting bigger and better. Perhaps soon, Oban will be known as the place to be regarding up and coming original musicians? I hope so. A gateway not just to the isles, but to creativity in general. Louis and Stevo should be the proud daddios of this great event which takes place every month at The Waterfront bar in Oban. Last night saw Chunks, The Lemmings, Cameron, Rona and John, Scott Douglas and Mr Matt Goodwin aka '1/2 MT'all the way from the U S of A play some great sets. Twas a most splendid night. It actually really rocked!

My good pal Garry the animator did a great job as VJ, and setting up the Animation/Drawing Time Lapse system with all his super techno/creative know how, and I just sat back, had a large glass of the Red Stuff, and drew my pants off. Well, not quite. But definitely, I don't think wearing a skirt is practical when you've got to insert yourserlf into small spaces near the stage. All quite different, and all with their own voice. I think Cameron, Rona and John perhaps need a little more time with each other, but individually all were sounding good. Rona's definitely a star in waiting!

So here's the pics from the last 3 Open Mike nights that I've drawn. See what you think. It includes pictures from the last two including the Waterfalls, Kim on saxophone, Washington Irving, the ever popular K9 Kev, and I'm sure I've forgotten someone. Ah yes, The Open Plan who I actually drew at the ever busy James Gray's Musicworks Studios.

If you check their myspaces out you can listen to some of their music. Some might need updating with new music, but you'll get a good feel. You can also see the animation that Garry made of my drawings for the Dunstaffnage Music Festival at the following 2 links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fi21OmxZ1E
http://www.garrywhitton.blogspot.com

Musicians from Open Mike Night - 16 August 2007
http://www.myspace.com/savethoselemmings
http://www.myspace.com/chunksonline
http://www.myspace.com/12mt

Finally, I'm catching Up! Dunstaffnage Music Festival Phase 1

I guess it might have been an idea to only list Saturday's line up for Phase 1, but I've had so many encounters with Technical Constipation, that I'm just banging them up.
Dunstaffnage was a really stunning festival; the local paper The Oban Times, really didn't do it justice. There was GREAT Music, and such a choice - Organic Beats (with unfortunate power cut rendering most bands impotent, but Western Alliance taking full advantage of the only band left still standing to headline!), The Roots, The Open Mic/Stick It On tent, and ultimately the Main Stage - though not all the best acts were featured there. More later.

There were the live mobile bands like Samba Ya Bamba that you must have been a block of stone not to dance to, amazing light projections on giant bits of rock, great stalls - haggis and neeps, the Free From stall, and fresh, oh yes Fresh Oysters.

And then there was the art, and I have to say, on Saturday my animator Garry and I were unstoppable. The combinations of the animated logos before each band (especially when we got the RIGHT band!), plus the animated drawings from last years festival, plus the animated timelapse played right as the Bands were finishing, plus the actual original drawing all contributed to a visual extravaganza.

Pity Sunday was peppered with problems - trust me, MAJOR technical difficulties - Garry went through 5 different laptops (I have no idea where he found them all!!) eventually packing it in in a most dramatic fashion in the evening and calling it a 'day'. We're going to have to work through these minor details...But suffice to say, it was a great dress rehearsal for things to come. Just waiting for the organisers to show me the money...Always get your money up front boys and girls!!!

Suffice to say, Limited Edition Signed prints and originals up for grabs if you're quick enough - info@jennysoep.com or 01866 833207 if you want to place you're order!