I added some hand claps to this. Fast forward a couple of instruments, I recorded a percussive sounding bass in order to offset the rhythm. The result was a laid back rhythm that gave a rhythmic back bone to the song:

Just as an extra sneak peak, here's what it sounds like with guitar, piano and 'cello parts:

'The River EP' will be release soon through most major online download retailers. In the meantime, do go and like the Band of One Facebook page and follow on Twitter - I'm not signed to a label so any help in spreading the word would be really nice!

Cheers

​Gareth

I'm very aware I haven't posted much in a while. Since the Scream Street series started the process has been so slick there hasn't been much that I'm allowed to report ahead of episodes being aired. Needless to say the production team comprising Coolabi, Factory and the BBC is one lovely bunch of people, and I feel really lucky and privileged to be a part of such an amazing project. My Christmas wish is that this time next year I'm still working with them!

2015 has been a musically rewarding year for me. As well as Scream Street, I released the Band of One debut album 'Being Ghosts' in May. I've recently been working on a new song for Band of One which I'm hoping will turn into an EP by the Spring. I've also done bits and pieces with the wonderful creative agency eatsleepthink including composing a superhero theme for the Friends of Alec Syphas, a super heroic little man battling DMD.

On the fun side, I've helped out songwriter and old pal Rhod Williams by playing on his recordings for years now, and this year saw a couple of gigs with his band King & Queen of Sorry, one in a record shop in Birmingham in January and the other at the Birmingham Institute supporting Eric Martin (lead singer of Mr Big). Both were great fun, with the band made up of old friends. That community feeling of playing music together is always a real buzz.

Finally, in September my wife Dani and I moved into our house in Shepperton, which meant I could finally have a creative space that I could treat acoustically and hang some pictures (no such luck in rented property). It's exciting to consider just how much music will be produced in that room over the next few years and I can't wait to get started. I'm always up for conversations about possible collaborations...I'd really like to score a short film in 2016 if time allows, so get in touch if you know of any being planned.

So all that remains is to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. This afternoon Christmas kicks off for us with the annual viewing of 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' and tomorrow we're going to see the film that everyone's talking about at the moment (no spoilers please!).

Bye for now, and see you on the other side.

Gareth

It’s been a busy couple of months, sorry for the lack of updates. The debut Band of One album is pretty much ready to release!

In my head, 'Being Ghosts' takes from alternative / indie rock and 80s pop rock, with smatterings of other decades. It's an optimistic album about looking forwards; about living life rather than planning for it.

While I wrote, recorded and produced the album on my own I do have people to thank. Pauly Cutcliffe has been a musical collaborator my entire adult life, and he came in to record backing vocals for 'Edge of Future' and 'Closer', the results of which gave me a real boost when I needed it. Also, rather than come up with the artwork myself, I challenged pal Katie Holden (a prolific doodler) to listen to the album and come up with something unique. I'm sure you'll agree she's totally nailed it.

So, to the songs:

1. All Right
2. Being Ghosts
3. Enjoy The Fall
4. Edge Of Future
5. Closer
6. It’s Happening
7. Down The Rabbit Hole
8. Evening Rifles
9. Together Free
10. This City

Finally, I’m not a signed artist. Any help in promoting the album, whether it’s sharing this post or getting your friends to like the Facebook page or Twitter feed, will be very gratefully received. The album will be released in the next few days (I think!), so I’ll share the links here, but the album should appear as if by magic in your favourite download store. 

Seeing as it's Valentine's Day tomorrow, here's a nice little number from the first Band of One EP.

'Out On A Limb' is available for free download with the rest of the EP here https://soundcloud.com/garethdaviescomposer/sets/band-of-one-ep

Have a great weekend.

This week's SFTW comes courtesy of side project Band of One. I'm slowly getting songs together for the debut album - it'll be released whenever it's ready, and it's nice not to have the pressure of a release date. I thought in the meantime I'd start to share snippets and ideas as the album progresses, so here's a little groove I put together - it's not finished, it's barely started, but it does give a flavour.

So Monday saw the release of the first of three Christmas singles. Let's Get Together At Christmas Time by Band of One is available from all good download stores and streaming sites, notably below (n.b. dancing around the kitchen permitted):

iTunes: https://itun.es/gb/0u3A4

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1yCwWQE

Google: http://bit.ly/1rOyCR7

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1CyOeCu

As ever, your help in promoting this (and the next two singles) by sharing, liking and reviewing would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

G

The Band of One album is coming along slowly but nicely. Being one person it's a bit like doing a jigsaw: I'll record some parts, export to an album playlist (so I'm constantly thinking about song order), then listening back and making notes about mistakes, mix, reverbs/EQs/other effects, arrangements, the works. Then it's back into each song to rectify and add to. 


It'll be released when it's ready - at least that's one luxury I have! There are a few more songs to write but there's a good feel to the songs I've included so far, and I'm looking forward to letting it out into the world. I'm also excited about the album art work but that's for another day. 
G