The Works!: oktober 2014

maandag 20 oktober 2014

On your radio

It's always fun to hear your song on the air or on a mixtape. So many talents that need to be heard.
I've already told you about Croydon Radio (London) and here are some other platforms on www to get your music heard. It's all about spreading the goods. Have fun!

ShockPop play list October 19, 2014
Podcast on Mixcloud

Every Sunday, Noon to 2PM Eastern
on www.ScrubRadio.com

1. ShockPop! is ON THE AIR with Sparkwood!
2. Rick Hromadka - Dreams Of A Hippy Summer
3. Mama Got Five - Ocean
4. The Brigadier - Just a little kiss Miss Busy
5. Danny Trashville - Big Fish
6. The Well Wishers - Over and Under
7. The Hi-Nobles - Big Black Car
8. Paul Butler - Sweet sea creature
9. The Heart Strings - The Five Minute Wonder Boy
10. Baby Scream - Twenty Seven
11. Wim Oudijk - Naughty Little Flea
12. Maxi Dunn - Perfect Sorrow
13. Dermot - This Moment
14. The Mockers - Little Girl Blue
15. The Dixie Bee-Liners - (I Need) Eighteen Wheels
16. Butch Barnette - News These Days
17. Maini Sorri - Moira
18. Toy Horses - Sordid Little World
19. Bigfellas - 4:20
20. Geggy Tah - Giddy Up
21. JoosTVD - Stupid Song(s)
22. Shoes - Out of Round
23. PT Walkley - Leeches
24. Two Sheds Jackson - Memory Lane
25. Paul Butler - I remember Mabel
26. The Milk Carton Kids - I Still Want A Little More
27. Pete McCabe - The 6 A.M. Train
28. Seth Swirsky - Twenty Minutes to Myself
29. Justin Kline - Heart Attack
30. Lannie Flowers - Come On Girl (LIVE)
31. The Legal Matters - We Were Enemies
32. Brian Ray - Sub Atomic
33. The Duckworth Lewis Method - Rain Stops Play

USA Pittsburgh Radio Madein

1.	Come Clean	Action Camp	PA	2014
2.	Dark Surf	Action Camp	An Introduction to Action Camp	2012
3.	You Don't Even Know My Name	Action Camp	PA	2014
4.	Gasoline	Ben Dumm And The Deviants	Ben Dumm And The Deviants	2012
5.	Homestead Greys	Big Snow Big Thaw	Big Snow Big Thaw	2012
6.	Lonesome Highway	Bill Jasper Acoustics	Deviled Soul EP	2014
7.	Today It's Raining On Just You	Broken Fences	Broken Fences	2013
8.	Deviant	Chalk Dinosaur	Dawn	2013
9.	Doubter's Blues	Chet Vincent and The Big Bend	Unconventional Dog	2014
10.	Plumage	Dazzletine	Heart, Mind, Bodies	2011
11.	Skin Period	Dazzletine	Heart, Mind, Bodies	2011
12.	Track 04	Dolce Gueverra		2012
13.	S&M	Fist Fight in The Parking Lot	Fist Fight in The Parking Lot	2012
14.	Jesus and Johnny Cash	FOOD	Four Pieces From Candyland	2012
15.	Santa Maria	FOOD	Four Pieces From Candyland	2012
16.	Train Hound	Grand Piano	America's America	2013
17.	Sailor's Life	Harlan Twins	Old Familiar	2012
18.	Velvet Shoes	JoosTVD	I Mimic Me	2014
19.	Everything you Have	Joy Ike	All Or Nothing	2013
20.	Honky Tonk Angel	Legendary Hucklebucks	Rattle All Night Long and Shake You	2005
21.	Cowboy's Lament	Lukas Read	Ramble Man, Ramble	2013
22.	Innocents Abroad	Meeting of Important People	My Ears Are Having a Heart Attack!!	2012
23.	Keep Your Eyes On Me	Meeting of Important People	My Ears Are Having a Heart Attack!!	2012
24.	Allegheny Mountain Queen	Slim Forsythe	Down on My Knees at Nied's Hotel Again	2012
25.	Why Can't I Get Duquesne On This Sad Lonesome Train	Slim Forsythe	Down on My Knees at Nied's Hotel Again	2012
26.	Major Moves	The Come Up	Change Of Plans	2012
27.	Torn	The Danzas	We're The Boss - REMASTER	2013
28.	Won't Last	The Options	Rob's Couch EP	2013
29.	Magic Touch	The Semi-Supervillains	Tricks	2013
30.	She Put a Spell On Me	The Semi-Supervillains	Tricks	2013
31.	Clambake	The Turbosonics	The Turbosonics	2013
32.	Zombie-A-Go-Go	The Turbosonics	The Turbosonics	2013
33.	Acid Love	Ursa Major	Never Worried About A Thing in My Life	2012
34.	Getting Warmer	Ursa Major	Never Worried About A Thing in My Life	2012
35.	I Get Dreaming	Whiskey Holler	Hive Songs	2012
36.	Let's Go Home	Whiskey Holler	Hive Songs	2012

zondag 12 oktober 2014

Songwriters fog

No, I don't have writer's block, never met any. Just want to talk a bit about the impenetrable fog that can cloud your overindulgent mind, when you've got a sudden burst of creativity. I've been there a few times. So for the aspiring, enthousiastic songwriters, here's my 50 cents.
Here's your first, ok second. working on it.... no, rewrite, aah here it is....your 550th song. Freshly composed with the help of those unstoppable brains that pour out emotions through your fingertips. "Is it that good? Wow, I can't believe what I just did! And I only know three chords! Better put it on tape now -just like that sleepdrunk Keith Richards did with the riff of Satisfaction- before I forget that special little ditty."

Keith is almost satisfied....

Don't be shy! If you' ve got the drive, the chops, the writings will be all over the place. Go with the flow, don't force it and before you know it, you've got that hook. Next thing, you want to play it over and over again....ok, now stop... before your mind is getting too much out there, like in a constant high. You imagine yourself on a stage in front of thousands of adoring and screaming fans: wow, bang, starstruck!
It's a pity, but there's a- too good to be true- foggy cloud that hangs all over you. There's always hope. Something like a dark vaderish voice comes to the rescue and says: "better come down to earth Luke (Skywalker). Think it over. Let the song breath for a while. You need some distraction, go and do the dishes, walk the dog, or throw out the trash. O, is it that late? Go to sleep. Sweet dreams. When you wake up (look in the mirror of truth first), listen to that wonderful stuff again with fresh ears. Does it still gives you the same thrills and chills? Yes? There it izzzz." Even if you've forgotten to record it, as long as you can remember the melody, there's nothing to fear.
It lies in the continuity of songwriting to build up your confidence and your personal style brothers and sisters. Trust in yourselves. Keep writing, playing, practising. I still do.

The obvious well-intentioned, but often false feedback every artistic talent gets and craves for in the beginning and too soon, is this: do my parents like it? "No mam/dad, stop the biased way of pleasing your obvious talented, but eagerly waiting for approvement son/ daughter!"
Well, it's a start. And even if your friends think your voice has got that special sound that belongs in some hyped TV contest, the best is, in my opinion, the humble attitude way.

JoosTVD used to gig you know...

Recording a song is like a selfie. Listening can be a painful ear experience in the beginning, but it will keep you on your toes. When I used to perform back in the day, we used to record almost every gig. Not just for laughs & kicks alone, but to use it as a truth mirror to get tighter as a band.
These days you don't have to gig to get some attention, although it's the most rewarding situation, if one exposes himself directly.
Find out what's working best for you. Are you an introspective singer-songwriter (James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens) or a frontman (with a band)- songwriter? So why not expose yourself in a small way. Bring your guitar/ bongos/ mouthharp (what else?) and good humour to your friend's party. Invite the whole neighbourhood if you like. Mouth to mouth advertising, next to the social media can be crucial in broadening your horizon.
Laaaaaazzzzzzy?
Hey, the world is flat, because of the unavoidable www, it's easy to try out a few tunes on some of these social interactive platforms (appreciate the feedback and return the favor). Because of the tsunami of songs these days, don't expect anything though. Just write, write, write and after that, write. The Pollock way. Cut/paste words, jumble chords, do it. The next song will/can be better. The most curious, hidden things about myself I have discovered through songwriting. It's a discipline, a way of life, a commitment.
The homestudio then?

Todd at work

A small setup (for example, these days wizz kid Todd Rundgren only uses a laptop, interface software, guitar/keyboard and some already discovered creativity) is enough to get things going and is relatively cheap. There's so much for the DIY on the internet by the way. Take advantage!
So I guess you already know where to go, but as an example I've put a few of my favourite (and if you don't mind, personal) links up here:

Emeraz
Bandcamp
Jamendo
Soundcloud
Reverbnation
Youtube
Amazing Tunes
Fresh On The Net

Yes, there's always more....

donderdag 2 oktober 2014

Update the up to date

Animated Dutchman

Although I'm in the middle of recording and writing some fresh tunes, there's always other things I have to take care off, like experimenting with the artwork for the new album. By the way, the above rainbow gif pic will not be used as a frontcover. It's just a example of what an amateur can do these days with a modest picture. Just a simple google search (photo-editor) is enough to find some great ones like Lunapic with gif animation. Back to the colourful acid area circa 1967!

As I said earlier, I'm in the middle of recording new songs (these are mostly the most obvious studio happenings, like writing melodies & lyrics, mixing, arranging, playing and goofing off) and there's a lot to choose from, worthly of as least two albums(!) What comes quick, will last, that's my motto. Sometimes I've got a-wow brilliant-idea (on piano or guitar or a lyric) so guickly played, arranged and recorded, that I often stand amazed afterwards. Two days work. For me, that's the most organic and satisfying way to do it. Ok, it's not like the mind blowing fast Pollock method, but hey, I would if I could play all the instruments simultaneously. I just try to put the ideas on tape in the moment you're one with the song. Wow, I must have got an acid brain! I hear you think: "why not put out the songs ASAP then?" Well, that's because I still believe in the concept of making an album as a whole, not just spreading a few songs as loose ends. Fleshing out the finishing touches takes the most time. The quantity helps for the learning process. Maybe I will put up some rough mixes here on the blog. I guess it's just the kick of hearing the perfect fitting sounds, melodies and the exploring, experimenting and finishing of your creations, that makes you work faster. And as I'm getting older, the more flexible I've got. I've read somewhere that Prince- guess any prolific songwriter- works all through the night to finish a song, just to get it done. So I better move on..... In the meantime I'll need a title for the new album, suggestions anyone?

Get hooked! Reviews:

"And every time he surprises with very high -quality songs in which all kinds of influences pass by such as the warm Kevin Ayers sound through the singing of Joost, Cocktail Jazz, Bee Gees Disco, Fusion, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan. Again Joostvd delivers a great quirky quality album." Peter Marinus, Bluestownmusic on 196Tree [2024]

"The new 19th album starts with the swinging 'Living Is Instant', a truth like a Dutch cow. The perfect opener for the funky 'Put Your Fade In It': a boost for those who don't like it anymore. And if that doesn't seem enough, then 'Hear The Sunshine' will encourage you to enjoy life. Even stronger than on his previous albums, Joost knows how to dress the sensitive string in his lyrics with uplifting vibes and grooves." Marino Serdons, Keys and Chords on Put Your Fake In It [2023]

"The album has a great diversity of sounds. But the basis is a funky swinging touch with a basic singing beat. It's the sounds with which you can't sit on your lazy ass. It has a South American touch that touches on the African. By incorporating the horns into the songs, it gets a jazz moment. But above all are the catchy repetitive lyrics of, among other things, the title track and the opening track 'Living is Instant' with which you are sucked into the album." Roelof Noorda, De Muziekplank on Put Your fake In It [2023]

"He sings his songs like George Benson plays his notes. Careful even seems to me to be a bit like the Swiss electric formation Yello. the fact is that all 14 tracks on the album never even seem the same". Rootsville on Put Your Fake In It [2023]

"It just makes me very happy every time! On every album, Joost turns out to be a musical do-it-yourselfer who knows how to ingeniously mix his influences into a style all his own. Agnes Magnus Populess is hilarious! A kind of Monty Python-like funk!". Peter Marinus, Bluestownmusic on Put Your Fake In It [2023]

"The Vanished Dutchman, shows again that we are dealing here with a very self -willed artist, who does not deny his influences but integrates them in his own unique style. In the opening number of His new album, City of the Pretty, sounds Joostvd like the Dutch Isaac Hayes, or as you want Barry White. Funky symphonic soul with a stubborn sniffing synthesizer". Peter Marinus, Bluestown on Sand In My Shoes [2022]

"Richly layered compositions that go completely against the grain in times of minimalism. There is always some cheerfulness in the songs (also a rarity). Simplicity and mainstream are (fortunately) not in his dictionary. Just like Frank Zappa back then, creativity knows no bounds". Marino Serdons, Keys & Chords on Suit Yourself [2021]

"On Suit Yourself he has rediscovered the form of The fly on the wall routine. On the title song Suit yourself, JoosTVD shows that he bounces in all directions. The horn sounds that come out of the keyboard are nice. JoosTVD presents an excellent album to fans of his music this year". Timpaan Muziek on Suit Yourself [2021]

"JoosTVD is a jack-of-all-trades without limits, who knows how to provoke variations of rhythms, in his tracks and in the tempo of the album, as if he could take possession of our bodies and souls, the time of the twelve tracks of "Suit Yourself", to guide us towards a funky trance. Impossible to refuse him that, it would be a shame to deprive ourselves". Homecooking Share on "Suit Yourself" [2021] https://fr.calameo.com/read/0064287340b02f77adcf0 /

"Joos manages to let you listen breathlessly from the beginning to the end of the album. The Buzz is an airy swinging song that is reminiscent of the Gruppo Sportivo side branch the Buddy Odor Stop but just as easily to the jazzy sounds of a Ben Sidran or Mose Allison. And Joos also rips through it with an electric guitar solo. The Cat Gang sweltering on with yet another “crooked” samba sounds in which Steely Dan is present this time. After this magnificent seventh album by JoosTVD look I'm already looking forward to part 18!" Peter Marinus, Bluestown Music on "Suit Yourself" [2021] https://www.bluestownmusic.nl/recensie-joostvd-suit-yourself/

"Right in the opening track The Heavy Donut Discount Blues you are already in the Caribbean, rocking your hip with a cocktail in your hand, musing about a heavy donut. Joos sounds like our own Kid Creole here. The cocktail atmosphere lingers in Flower Power Festival, a sultry heaving song with a great Kevin Ayers content, which is not surprising since Ayers also liked a “Caribbean Moon”.
In When U Go Rong, Joos moves to an intimate Spanish village, where a la Kevin Ayers / J.J. Cale release a loom number on us. A song that is so good that it makes you spin. The warming Do It Without Love reminds us of the early work of Todd Rundgren and Fay Lovsky with frolicking keyboard work. Smart then has a funky 80's wave sound a la Orange Juice with a wonderfully grooving funky bass and a suddenly emerging tear guitar."
Peter Marinus, Bluestown Music on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"Joost does it again ... putting a smile on my face. Cheerful, humming songs adorn the new album.
The playful funky tunes dispel any confinement thought. The songs occasionally ring a recognition melody (F. Zappa, B. Protheroe, K. Ayers), but an open door doesn't wait for you. From pop over funk to ballad: JoosTVD always captivates."
Marino Serdons, Keys & Chords on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"The danceable summery South American tinted candy The Heavy Donut Discount Blues, brings a carefree smile to your face. And this feeling he holds the whole plate, he does not deviate from that. At Smart, Joost manages to hit the effects pedal well, but otherwise the cool slack bass work of this originally drumming musician is striking. He makes the difference with the dreamy instrumental Midnight Cowgirl bathed in light fusion sounds and the ballad Cold surrounded by dim smoke fumes."
Leon Pouwels, Written In Music on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"The heavy donut discount blues kicks off the album. The humor takes a prominent place in 'I just wanna eat that thing,' sings JoosTVD. The sound is cheerful and clear. Flower Power Festival is melancholic and has a nice run in the bass. When you go wrong opens with a nice guitar sound. Smart has a nice guitar solo. The musical feeling and playing pleasure radiates between the notes. A special mention deserves the highlight on this album. The track Cold stands out between the songs. Subdued and sensitive, JoosTVD plays a singer-songwriter song."
Timpaan Muziek on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"All kinds of acts come sailing into your brain, such as Frank Zappa (the sometimes complex song structures and vocals), Gino Vanelli, Steely Dan, Robert Jan Stips and even Gruppo Sportivo in the fun Treason. All this named dropping does not stop the do-it-yourselfer from coming up with strong songs such as the funky opening trio Fly Talk, Stuck and Behave, the nicely lazy Say The Word and perhaps the strongest song, U Know That Now. Strong record of this music survivor."
Joop van Rossem, Heaven Musicmagazine on
The Fly On The Wall Routine [2019]

"JoosTVD has once again delivered a beautiful musical adventure book. An album that you constantly set up to make even more musical discoveries. I can't wait for his next musical journey of discovery already!"
Peter Marinus, Bluesmagazine on The Fly On The Wall Routine [2019]

"Again a great album from The Vanished Dutchman, JoosTVD. Beside his "classic" funky beats, you will find a few crazy cabaret tunes. How nice music can be!"
Marino Serdons, Keys And Chords on "The Fly On The Wall Routine" [2019]

"JoosTVD again delivers a technical tour de force. He once again plays all the instruments himself and convincingly puts down the complex musical melodies."
Timpaan Muziek on"The Fly On The wall Routine" [2019]

"The album splashes with funky grooves and regularly reminds of the late Frank Zappa, a master of complex yet understandable structures. Listen to opener 'Not Now' or 'The Vanished Romeo': electronics such as Todd Rundgren, xylophone and Frank Zappa. Is there a full orchestra at work here? No, this is JoosTVD on note."
Marino Serdons, Keys And Chords on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"The opening track, Not Now, is for example a funky rock song in which influences float around from Todd Rundgren, Gino Vannelli and Frank Zappa. Crackling Tower Of Power-like horns, a ripping guitar solo and electronic rhythms, that do not disturb at all. The Vanished Romeo starts with new age-like panflute sounds, which are quickly wiped out by a scorching Wah Wah guitar. Then a lazy, horny Zappa funker is used full of ingenious breaks. Joos has a perfectly sultry voice for this song."
Peter Marinus, Blues Magazine on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"Virtuous loops and ingenious counter-melodies complement each other continuously. Opener Not now has a good drive. The vanished Romeo involuntarily curls up the corners of the mouth. Just a short style break with a quote in it. in short, music that has been thought about. Humor is in this music."
Timpaan Muziek on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"Just Say Know is clearly a labor of love and that shows through the masterful songwriting, tight performance, and challenging, compelling song structures. This is a progressive project, after all, and the person behind it did one hell of a job!" Drooble on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"With his new album, JoosTVD builds on the road taken on its previous albums with 11 decent songs, on the cutting edge of funky pop, r & b, often topped with a jazzy sound. It continues to be incredibly cool that he can invent, develop and complete his music projects in his studio. He delivers craftsmanship of international allure for Dutch standards."
Fred Pach, Muziekwereld on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"And once again he does not disappoint the listener. Again a pleasant mix of danceable R & B, funk, pop and cabaret and a jazzy flavor, which some songs are tinted, is audible."
Fred Pach, Muziekwereld on "Sagitario" [2017]

"Musically, Sagitario again offers the complete range of jazz, funk, rock, cabaret and nonsense. If you do not know JoosTVD yet you can not really classify it. The fact that the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, alone in his studio year after year, is a cure against any bad mood or spring fatigue."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Sagitario" [2017]

"The album Open Up My Parachute of the Dutch multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter JoosTVD (aka Joost van Dinther, with musical nickname Joost The Vanished Dutchman)) is a notable release because on the one hand a very successful one-man project and by the varied musical character, a mix of r & B, funk, pop and Latin, often still covered with a jazzy twist."
Fred Pach, Muziekwereld on "Open Up My Parachute" [2016]

"What does it need to get great pop songs? Of course you need melodies, that go straight to your head and a groove to make you dance on the spot. And every great pop song needs lyrics to make you laugh or cry. Yes, you can say: "Open Up My Parachute" very close to be a perfect pop album!"
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Open Up My Parachute" [2016]

"Some musicians are just too clever while humorous to in this oh so serious - to be successful - and so successful greedy world. I'm glad that someone like JoosTVD is not discouraged them and publish nevertheless an album full of musical great songs every year."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Lightning Dutchman" [2015]

"A great album musically and from her texts. And even if mimicking here the music to the subject in accordance with the style of the last decades, is that by no means that the pieces of Joost van Dinther would not extremely orginal."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "I Mimic Me" [2014]

"It could also look for Relatives of music as Steely Dan, the middle period of Stevie Wonder and others. But just were never so full of humor, sarcasm and self - irony. Who calls a title voluntarily 'Stupid song (s)', which then also completely silly comes as the world tour by Ralf Sögel written directly on the Casio and then pimped even with horns? This is simply zappaesk. And of course, great."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "The Ballooning Brouhaha" [2013]

"And since Frank Zappa is no longer available is musically sophisticated and at the same time humorous albums, one must here always attentive lookout. Joos The Vanished Dutchman can convince me in recent years repeatedly."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Art Decoy The Bluebeard Boy" [2012]

"Let me tell you... music, is a very serious thing... right?... but, there's nothing in the book that says it can't be fun... or even funny. In fact, I believe that it even benefits a whole lot, when musicians are having fun while doing it. It breathes quality and know how all over. It's... an extended, but overall gratifying... funky based production, leaded by an excellent performer, with a voice full of personality and a full bodied singing, replete of irony and good spirit. The music is quite addictive and sounds generally super well."

"Orson Nietes is from front to back through all 24 tracks (and over 70 minutes) a great entertainment at the highest level and as I said.. Danceable from cover to cover without risks and side effects My recommendation is: Download and Share!"
Jamendo Reviews on "Orson Nietes" [2011]

"If people have immediately a smile on his face when music is playing, then that's a good sign. In Joos TVD the soon running shortly after the start of the album. Immediately came questions: Who's that? A Dutchman who builds all alone in the studio? Unbelievers glances."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "The Vanished Dutchman" [2010]