I’ve mentioned in a few posts about the vocal classes with Jaclyn Serre (and through Elite Music Academy). After a couple of months of strictly exercises, we have moved onto sessions where, after warmups, I’ve asked Jaclyn to listen to my songs and look at how they could be improved. The first tackled was “Loud Girl“, which I wrote about back in May. Through Jaclyn’s tact and honesty (hard to find together sometimes), I transposed the key down one whole step, and re-recorded the entire demo. Although it loses some of the more plaintive quality the higher key provides, it is probably a more comfortable thing to sing (and probably listen to). Here they are side-by-side. Let me know what you think.

Loud Girl ©2017 R. Pelletier/Félix and the Cats (in B minor) 

Loud Girl ©2017 R. Pelletier/Félix and the Cats (in A minor) 

New Gig Alerts

I’m happy to report that I will be at the Linsmore Tavern this coming Tuesday, July 18, as part of the Indie Tuesday series, with good friends Michael Sheen Cuddy, and T.C. Folkpunk. The show starts at 8:00, with Michael, me in the middle at 9:00, and T.C. headlining at 10:00. We are thinking this will be a three-solo-guys-with-electric-guitars kinda show. Look for irony.

Also coming soon, and in a similar format, I will hosting the first, and if things go well, not last Triple Threat Night on Wednesday, August 2 at the Salty Dog on Queen Street East. My guests will be Michael Cuddy and Sal Indigo. Show starts at 8:00 and goes to about midnight. Thanks Danny at the Salty Dog for giving us the chance to do this.

Finally, a reminder that two days after, NeMo and I will be playing a “Two’s Co.” show at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club, starting at about 10:30.

Telecaster Kit Project

The guitar I was building from a kit was fine sanded, buffed and assembled this past Tuesday. Unfortunately, I failed to notice that the nut (for non-guitar peeople: the part of the guitar the strings go over to reach the tuning pegs) did not come play-ready slotted, but rather left up to the builder to set to taste. Since I don’t have the right tools to do this properly, it was off to the 12th Fret for that and a set-up. There goes any economy I thought I’d reap from a DIY approach, but it has been a valuable learning project, and I’m still very happy with the product. It bodes well for future “Frankenguitar” options. The guitar should take a few weeks to come back to me as the “Fret” is very busy.

Until next week, be well!