HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

Hello good people,
Summer is here for us in the UK at last and the warmth and sun have done much to cheer things up in the real world. It is also a quite busy time for Sunwolf and I, so much so that I wish I had an RL alt ( for those who may not know, an alt is another avatar you can use if you wish to split your activities.) Anyway as this is not possible in RL some scaling down of activities is becoming necessary and it may be that I will be writing here a little less frequently. I am not sure about this yet but it is looking likely. However let me get to this weeks happenings for Wolf n Hawk both  the duo and the pub.

                                                                             
Monday, saw Sunwolf and I at a new venue Called The Crown and Anchor and owned and Run by Anna and our dear friend and fellow musician Ronnie Mayes. The pub wasn't officially opening till Friday,but we had been invited to go over so they could have a test run. All was in order and we stayed around until we had to get to Southbound for our regular show there.
After our set at Southbound we then went over to another club I had not been to before called ,The Cavern Club, where Ronnie Mayes did a really stunning set. As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I am a Philistine who does not, nor ever did like The Beatles, but Ronnie's set was all Beatles numbers and I just loved the way he did them, so much better than the originals, well to my mind anyway. We stayed at the Cavern to listen to Seamore Wildheart, who is part owner of the club, another good set.  The place is a replica of the real club in Liverpool and I must admit I did like the atmosphere there.
Tuesday, saw Wolf n Hawk playing another regular show for The Drunken Drow, as I have said before, we really do enjoy playing here and last week the audience numbers were better this always makes me feel good for the venue.
Cailidgh Spires followed us with her particular crazy banter and wonderful songs and then it was time to go back to RL and the ever present chores that always await our return.
Wednesday, we were hosting at our pub, Ye OLde Wolf n Hawk and it was a great evening ( well for us it is  evening in RL).
Ronnie Mayes did and absolutely blistering set, you really missed out if you were not there.
Gweeb followed, and he gave us a great performance enhanced by his mad cap antics and comments.
Last on the bill that day was our Lovable Lion Ringo and again it was a great show.
Thursday we did not log on, there was just too many other things claiming our time and I don't mind that really as I think it is healthy to take a break and live in the real world for a time.
Friday, we were back at Guthries, a place we so love to perform in. We were followed by Moses then Lazarus Doghouse, but then instead of Quinton Whitman, who was away having been doing a  show in RL at the real Guthries centre, Jed Tharnaby played a set. All in all, it was a great time.
Later that day we went back to the Crown and Anchor for the official opening and were honoured to follow Gweeb and play a set here. We then had to fly as we were hosting our own place literally within the next hour.
Mash Rhodes opened for us  and wow, he was on fire, such a brilliant set.
Bronze2080 took the stage next, he had not played at the pub before and was standing in for Cailidgh Spires who is away on holiday. Again it was a really great set and we decided to offer him some regular shows.
Saturday, Wolf n Hawk opened at the pub hosted by our lovely hostess Blackdwarfbud. For once there was a reasonably sized audience. It's odd the way things work out. We were just thinking of pulling out of the Saturday slots and then things begin to pick up, so this decision will be shelved, for the near future anyway.
                                                  The wonderfull Stephen Sixpence

                                                                       
Stephen Sixpence finished our shows for Saturday. He has a unique sound and seemed to play all my old favourite songs. A lovely way to wind up our SL time.
Musically it was a very good if busy week with lots of old favourites and lots of exciting new experiences, what more could anyone want except perhaps more time, but that is where I came in so I will finish here.

Wishing you all that is good and positive

love n hugs n stuff.

This is the week that was ??

Hello folks,
Once again Real Life (RL) has been messing with our Second Life (SL) time, meaning we have been so caught up with issues and concerns that we have had to limit our time on the net.
Last Monday, we played back to back sets. The first one at ArrowandBow's venue Entschleunigt. This is a nice intimate little German venue. Arrow had moved from where the venue was before and I think this one is much nicer. We were about three songs into our set when Sunwolf had to stop the song we were performing as a tendon in his right forearm decided to seize up. He gave it a moment and tried again, but to no avail. We managed to get through the set playing songs that didn't put so much pressure on the arm, but our anxiety levels were quite high because we knew we had another hour after that one to get through. We could have cancelled but that is not something we do if we can manage, and Southbound is a venue we play at regularly so we did not want to let  Crystal down. We managed OK and the few folks that were there seemed to enjoy what we were doing, making it all worthwhile.
The extremely talented Ronnie Mayes followed us, and it was nice to kick back and enjoy his set.
We live and learn and I don't think Sunwolf and I will be doing back to back shows again in a hurry.
Tuesday we had to cancel our show at the Drunken Drow, we were not happy about that but Sunwolf's arm was very painful by this time making playing out of the question. He had been hoping all day that it might ease enough, but by the time we got to 3 hours before we were due on stage he had to admit defeat and let Raredread know we were not going to make it, how we hate having to do that.
Wednesday, we were hosting at our place. Ronnie Mayes  was first up followed by Gweeb, both great sets well worth catching, so if you didn't..........
Our little Dragonette, Ari finished of our performances with a gentle soothing set guaranteed to calm anyone down in time for bed.
Thursday is turning out to be a day away from the PC. We had not intended for this to be so, as we loved getting to Spice in the evening (our time) and seeing out friends Katja and Tim, but lately this has not been possible as there has been just to many calls on our time.
Friday saw us playing at Guthries, and luckily Sunwolf arm was OK, it had been rested all week and that seemed to do the trick. This time we were able to stay and catch Moses Rae, Lazarus Doghouse and Quinton Whitman's sets. Guthries is in my opinion the only place to be on a Friday if you enjoy real music played live and from the heart.
Later that day we were again hosting at Ye Olde Wolf n Hawk. We had a new performer playing, not new to SL just new to the pub.
Seamore Wildheart did a wonderful set and we thoroughly enjoyed it as did the rest of the people who came in. Seamore has already agreed to play another set for us on June 1st and I would like to think he will become a regular at the pub.
Cailidgh Spires should have been following Seamore. but we had a call to tell us she was unwell and as there was not enough time to get a stand in Seamore was our only act that day.
Instead we went off to watch Russell's performance at Philadelphia Museum. As I have stated before, it is always a joy to hear Russell and we don't get to nearly as many of his gigs as we would like to.
Saturday, we went off to Cuddlers Cove where we always like to spend our time on a  Saturday. Cuddlers used to run on a Friday too, but for this last few weeks that has not been happening and I think those days are probably over at least in the short term. Anyway we enjoyed Quinton's opening set and were able to Greet Suka before she had to dash off to RL.
As it turned out, the second act could not make it and Quinton asked us if we could fill in. I always get nervous when we have to follow someone so talented as Quinton but he is a dear friend and we will always help out when we can. We felt sure we would empty the place, but that turned out not to be the case and it was so lovely to see folks out there enjoying themselves.
Steeley Da Costa was due to follow us, but for some reason he did not show up, so we took the opportunity to log out early and get a longish break before we were due back at out place to play another set.
Our Saturday set is turning out to be something of an intimate, friendly hour, where we can try out new stuff and chat to the few friends that make it in. At first I admit I was a little disappointed with the low attendance, but lately I have begun to enjoy the chance it gives us to get to know the folks that do come in a way you can never do with a larger audience.
After our set the smooth Mr Steveeolio sang some wonderful tunes. This man has such a lovely voice and his guitar playing is so competent and inspiring. It was a small group again and I can't help wonder why that should be for a man with such obvious talent. What are you all thinking of.......or doing that you can't find the time to come and see him.
Again, though the group was small there was a lovely atmosphere and folks were so kind in showing their support both for Stevee and the venue.

                             Ummm what can ya say..when you ask sunwolf to put
                                 a nice picture on...my blog

                                                                                                                    
So there you are, that was our week, but before I go I want to say a few words.
The first is about our Live Music Scene in SL. We don't want to loose it, SL would be so much poorer for it.
So if you agree with me, please make an effort to put time aside to come to the venues. It has been noticed by many performers and venue owners, that the venues are not drawing as many folks as they used to. Please don't leave it to someone else, speaking from both points of view, we need you if we are to remain. Without you the music scene will slowly but surly fold.
There are several ways for people to show their support for the live music scene. The first and most obvious one is to give a few lindens when you can. Venues need them to pay rents, and there is so much hard work running a venue, it is nice to know folks understand that and support you. Performers tend to feel valued and appreciated when given a tip however small.
Another way is to remember to hit your applause button now and then. This costs nothing but a thought.
Speaking as a performer, it takes a lot for most of us to get up there in front of you folks and offer what amounts to a piece of ourselves to you. It is a kind of reaching out, trying to connect, and hoping we can bring something posative to the encounter both for you and for ourselves. So if you hit that applause gesture, or say something encouraging, it is a way of letting musicians know we are getting something right.
I once went to a charity gig where no one said anything, not even the hosts, except  who was up next. Several acts were given this silent treatment and it just did not feel at all right.
BUT the one most important single thing you can do IS TO BE THERE, or oneday you may TP over to a venue and find only a vacant lot as I did just the other day.
I am not trying to give a lecture here, just trying to reach out to you, if you do really care then please show it.

As usual  if you wish to comment on anything I have said please do so it is always lovely to hear other folks point of view and please don't think what you may want to say is not important enough, all contact with one another is important otherwise we are just whistling in the wind.

Till next time Love, Light , Health and Bright Blessings to you all.

SHORT AND NOT ALWAYS SWEET.

Hi All,

As weeks go the one that just passed was not one of the better ones, though it was not the worst, so at least there is that to be grateful for. Sunwolf's part time job in RL finished rather unexpectedly less than a week after he had been told all was OK, Ah well, such is life, but it does mean now we have to be extra careful what we are doing financially,and as we were practising thrift to begin with my mind is boggling a bit as to quite how we are going to keep our heads above water. There is a plus to this however as Sunwolf is having trouble with one of his feet that makes walking any great distance painful and as the job was all walking..... So he will be poorer financially but richer health wise, well that is the hope, and we are waiting now for an appointment with some medical people to see what can be done.

Monday in SL saw us having problems too. We went to Southbound early to watch Jed Tharnaby, and had just settled in when I decided to do my usual round of tips, only to find SL decided to take all my money. Sunwolf, trying to help me out, sent me a couple of lindens as that often straightens things out, but not this time, they promptly took all his too. Now as we had some other folks we wanted to send tips to we thought the best thing would be to re log, another mistake. We could not get back in for over 40 minutes and I was beginning to get irritable and twitchy as we were due on stage after Jed. We finally made it back with about 10 minutes to spare to find just about everyone else  had gone too and we got the all too frequent message from Linden Labs saying they were having problems yet again,  Jed, had managed to stay in world, bless him, and was still doing his stuff.

It was a smaller audience than usual for our show and we can only assume that folks were having as much trouble as we did. I found it a bit difficult settling into the set from all the frantic key pushing and rebooting that it had taken to get us there.

At least things seemed to have righted their selves by the time Ari was due on stage and there were quite a few folks arriving for that.After Ari's show I was more than ready to go back to RL and have a few quiet moments before bedtime.

Tuesday, we also had quite a small audience at the Drunken Drow. This always worries me a little as we want to try to keep venues running, especially places like the Drow, and too few people over too long a period means you are not doing that and there is always the understandable fact that the venue owners will need to replace you with someone who gets more folks to attend their shows. This would make us very sad as we love playing at the Drow. What I can't quite understand is that when we look at the figures after the show we always find there have been folks listening in world who have not come to the venue! so if you are one of those, do please consider coming along it makes a big difference for us and for the venue.(even if you are only down to lint in your pockets we still love seeing you:)

After our show we stayed to see Cailidgh Spires perform her set, she did a wonderful job as always and I am pleased to say there were a few more folks around by then.

Wednesday, saw Sunwolf and I hosting at our own venue, where I am pleased to say we now have Ronnie Mayes performing weekly. Those that didn't come missed a great set.

Gweeb, followed Ronnie and these two always make us laugh with their friendly needling of one another. It was another great show, and it makes us proud to think we are giving such talented folks as these somewhere to play.

Our lovable lion Ringo closed the day for us with a great mix of originals and cover songs, and again if you were not busy somewhere else than you should have been there, we would have loved to see you.

Thursday, Sunwolf and I were caught up with RL problems and concerns that unfortunately don't go away without some attention and so we did not make it on line at all.

Friday, we were feeling a bit bruised by RL concerns so it was great when dear Dottie Iceberg told us we could keep our weekly slot at Gurthries.We love this venue and the folks who turn up there. I think it is probably one of the best venues for our type of music, which we know is not main stream listening by a long chalk.

This week though, instead of settling in as we usually do to listen to the great acts that follow us, we had to drag ourselves back to RL as there was so much we needed to try to sort out and deal with.(poor sun had to go on a rush visit to the local govt offices)

We were back in SL that evening ( well for us it is evening), when we were hosting Russell and the Eponymous family at Ye Olde Wolf n Hawk. Russell soon had us feeling soothed and smiling with his wonderful show and I can honestly say I have never seen nor heard of a show of his that wasn't first class, and the family is just filled with such kind, appreciative folks that it always takes my breath away to be with them for that precious hour.

                                               RUSSELL PLAYING AT OUR PLACE.

Mash Rhodes followed Russell with an absolutely blinding set, Mash at his absolute best, so if you missed it then you are the poorer I think.

Half way through Mash's set we had a distress call from Cailidgh Spires our RL friend. She was due to follow Mash and couldn't get her PC to boot up. So there we were trying to get to grips with that while hosting Mash and keeping things running smoothly at our end, a nail biting time.

Fortunately WildMan was with Caili and he managed to save the day, at least temporarily, with a memory stick plug in thingy, don't ask me to be more specific because I really don't have much of a clue about these things. All I know is that it worked and Caili was able to get to the venue and do her set. She sang some truly lovely songs, it is always such a pleasure to listen to her.

Then it was back to RL and those ever present concerns.

Saturday, will usually find Sunwolf and I at Cuddlers Cove, but not this week, there was just too much that needed sorting out in RL and for the first time in what seemed like months we had fine enough weather to enable us to attend to outdoor matters and so out we went to cut grass, sort outbuilding out and plant the summer flowers.

We did make it back in time to play our own venue set for a small but very appreciative Audience and we thank them for showing up from the bottom of our hearts.

Rock Doghouse was on after us as our last show for Saturday and he moved me to tears once again with his beautiful songs and soulful delivery. We are so proud to be able to say Rock plays at the pub and the only thing I can't understand is where were you? Rock doesn't play many shows at times when  European  and UK residents can get to hear him and if you haven't caught a show of his then you are missing an awesome show that never fails to touch your heart.

Well that is it for this week. We are playing  back to back sets tonight, as we go to Arrow and Bows venue and then over to Southbound for our usual show there, maybe we will see you, it would be nice to think so.

Till next time, hang on to all that is good in your life to bolster you for when things get tricky and if you can't think of anything good, breath in and out a few times. If you can do that easily then there is good in your life you just haven't recognised it yet, because while you have breath you have hope.

Sending love to you all.

WHOOSH.

Well here we are again good people, so straight to business.
Last Monday saw  Wolf n Hawk at Southbound, where we managed to catch most of Mamaa Saiz , a wonderful set as always. Then Dusty Smythe have us a great set of songs and I had to remember that we were playing after him so I didn't get to engrossed in the music and forget to do the things we need to do before performing. There was a nice group of folks in and the set went well. Gweeb was due to play after us but had to cancel a bit disappointing but RL sometimes gets in the way of our SL schedules.
Tuesday, we opened at the Drunken Drow and Cailidgh Spires followed us. It was a small but appreciative audience and we all had fun, which is what it's all about really.
Wednesday, we were hosting at our own place, Gweeb rushed in after having come from another show, bless him, he did a great set. Ronnie Mayes played next a thoroughly enjoyable hour. Our little Dragonette was due to follow, but she had been taken ill, so we were finished early.
As we had some extra time we took the opportunity to catch Russells set at Molaskey's Pub outside bonfire site. I love being able to catch Russell's show but especially as the last one before bedtime, his sets are always so relaxing and soothing just the thing to ensure a good nights sleep.
Thursday, was a change to out normal routine, RL kept us busy all day and well into the evening, by the time we had finished all we wanted to do was sleep.
Friday, we were on stage at Guthries and doing well till Sunwolf's PC decided to drop it's signal. Now that had never happened before during a show and I must say it annoyed and flustered me a bit. Still we managed to get back without too much hassle and carried on where we left off.
After us was the usual Line up of Moses Rae, Lazarus Doghouse and Quinton Whitman. We sat back and tried to enjoy those three hours, which wasn't to be because though I kept the stream running I seemed to be constantly up n down answering the phone etc.
Friday evening saw us hosting again at Ye Olde Wolf n Hawk. This time it was for our lovable lion Ringo who stepped in to help us out after Mel Cheeky had to retire to her bed poorly. We do hope she will be up and about soon. Cailidgh Spires and Wildman entertained us for the last show of our line up and Cailidgh's shows always leave us with a smile on our faces.
Saturday was spent messing about with PC's trying to change which one held the performing stream. The idea was to try to avoid another signal failure. Ronnie Mayes kindly came in to help us with a sound check,
I find it all quite baffling and could only watch as Sunwolf messed around altering settings here there and everywhere it seemed to me.
We then went off to Tayla's Palm Springs Live Music venue to listen to Ronnie and de- stress. Tayla's is a nice open air venue with friendly folks.If you haven't been there, why not check it out. Ronnie was as great as always.
Later that day we were at Cuddlers Cove run by our dear friends Suka and Quinton.
Quinton's set was lively and varied and I wondered how he could be so full of energy first thing in the morning, I know I can't, it can take me several hours to get myself together in the morning. Playing a live set before 12 noon our time would be out of the question for me.
Mash Rhodes, followed Quinton and he is another excellent performer we never tire of hearing.
Then it was our turn and I was nervous at the thought of playing after two such great artists, but the show went well I think and people were very kind.
We played again two hours later, this time at our own Pub. Poor sunwolf's fingers were not impressed and though I felt raring to go towards the end of the set my throat was beginning to get a little sore.
We were hosted by our dear friend Blackdwarfbud again and it is so nice to have her support while we are on the stage.
Stephen Sixpence was our closing show on Saturday and he played a lot of my favourite  songs. I particularly like his version of Neil Young songs he has just the right tone in his voice, wonderful.
We do not normally go on line on Sundays as there is so much we need to do in RL which tends to get neglected most of the week, but this week we were playing at Elfstock for The Relay For Life Charity.
Ari, was up and about again and she opened this very worthwhile event with her gentle voice and incredible guitar playing.
We followed Ari, and the show went well. There was only one little incident for me and that was when I sang our song that we had dedicated to a dear RL friend Alan, who passed on in late November last year due to a brain tumour. As Relay for Life is all about raising money for Cancer research we thought the song quite appropriate to perform there. We used to Jam with Alan and Sunwolf worked with him every weeks for quite a few years. He was a great and supportive friend and wonderfully talented multi instrumentalist. I was fine doing the song till we got to the final last two lines, and then my throat chocked up and tears fell. I felt a bit of a fool, but I did eventually manage to get my control back, helped by Dusty Smythe who was in the audience and sent me a hug, bless him.

                                       STAGE SETTING AT ELFSTOCK WITH CISKE ON STAGE

We stayed to watch Ciske Crumb do a fantastic set that included lots of blues numbers, great stuff. I don't want to move on from this until I have mentioned how lovely the sim looked for the Elfstock event. It  must have taken hours n hours of dedicated work to get it looking that good. I want to say Well Done! to Reardread, Kins and all the others team members who were involved.
We would have liked to stay longer, but had to make a quick dash back to RL for awhile.
Later that night with a little time to spare, we noticed Frank Molko was playing a set and as we don't seem to get to hear him often we took the opportunity to zip over to Sailor's Cove Theatre and Park. This is another lovely little outdoor venue run by Chippy Ann Kamm. If you haven't been there pop over next time they have some shows on and see what you think.
Frank's show was as good as always, we especially love his original songs.
Following Frank to the stage was a guy we had not heard before called Jon Regent. We stayed to have a listen and are so glad we did, Jon was incredible. We always find it exciting to discover someone we have never heard who turns out to be so good, and I cannot urge you strongly enough to go along to one of Jon's shows I know you won't regret it.
Well that it for this week folks, I do not have any particular issues I want to give an airing to so till next week
Stay Safe and Happy.