Getting into the Creative Zone

 

Thoughts and Inspiration

Creativity is a huge part of my life. Creating things is massively important to me whether it's music, art, writing, or making videos. Things go wrong for me if I can't create something for any reason. I just start feeling lost and unfulfilled.

I've been reading Rick Rubin's book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being.  As I read, I'm reminded of how important it is to make space both in time, mind, and environment to get in the creative zone. Stepping back and making mental space to allow the flow of creative inspiration to come through.

That sometimes means going for a walk, being present in a natural environment, or doing a mundane task (like washing up or taking a shower), without headphones or listening to anything other than what is happening around me in the moment. Allowing my mind to wander and connect with thoughts and inspirations that drift by. 

Space and time to reflect, imagine, think, create, reimagine, and reflect some more, allows the creative flow of inspiration and ideas to channel through me.  They may not all be useful, but some of them certainly will be.

So, my tip is to make mental and physical space and time for creative inspiration to happen.

I'm certain that's important for anyone, no matter what kind of work they do or situation they're in.

Remember: make space and time to just breathe. Let it flow.

It works for me.

The Willow Sessions

I'm currently mixing and editing our video sessions. I've given the sessions the title, The Willow Sessions, so you may hear me refer to that going forwards.

A lot of work still to be done. There are several songs to complete on those sessions. So those will be coming out, hopefully weekly going forwards.

Here are the two that are currently out there. Through the Glass (Miracle Girl), and Slay the Dragon.

New Album

The new album is making progress. We've finished recording two songs and we’re currently working on another three. My aim is to have finished five songs in the next three weeks. Then there will be five more to do.

The goal is to complete all 10 songs recorded by the 30th of June.  Then we can get on with mixing them. I have the first song mixed and mastered already. The title of that one is Love to The World.  I may even release it as a single sometime.

Live Streams

We’re going to start a monthly Facebook Live shortly. They will be the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm UK time. The first one will be on 4^th April. We're excited to get going again. We may even have a new song or two for you! Watch this space…

LET US PLAY!

 

Have you missed me?

I've been out of circulation for a long time. Not been on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Only two or three Facebook posts in the past year on my pages. That is out of the loop!

So, as I speak, I'm up for upping my game and sharing with you what I've been working on behind the scenes.

Thor and I have been working on our fourth album, no title yet. We have 19 songs in the pipeline, only 10 of which will appear on the fourth album. The other nine will appear later, on other projects.

I'll also be writing new songs to go into the mix along the way. So, no firm plans yet for the remaining songs. The fourth album is planned for release in September this year (2023), but we still must finish it in time for then. So, it's down to work on it.

 

Something else we’ve been working on is making some live-in-the-studio videos that need some editing and post-production. These will appear on our social media and YouTube channels soon. 

The first to see any of them will be our tribe members on our email list. So, if you want to get priority viewing and access to other creations, then sign up for free here.

 

Swings, Grins and Fairytales (22 mix) has just landed on all streaming and download platforms. That's been a while coming but it is live now. Check it out via this link and listen to your heart's content. 

I must admit that the mixes were actually done in 2021, not 22, but ‘21 Mix’ might have sounded antiquated in 2023.

 

Listen to Swings, Grins & Fairytales now

I've been holding down a day job for the past six months, so my time has been limited for creative work. I'm about to free myself again from working for someone else and I'll be back with energy and focus on the things that truly matter to me.

That means creating as much music, art, and writing as I can. And it must be the best I can make it. So, here's to a more creative flow of the best I can give to you and the world.

I believe in giving great value up front, so that is my commitment from now - to give great valuable content to you and as many who will listen, view, and read.

Let us play!

Shem x

New Sunrise lyric video

Here is the lyric video for our song Sunrise.  Sit back, relax and enjoy it!

Lyric Videos

Lyric Videos

I'm currently working on a series of lyric videos for a handful of songs from our album. The first one to come out will be Behind Every Face. I have already created the lyric cards for that song and have some video footage to work with. I am doing the editing this week.  See the previous post below for a taster.

I am also creating the lyric cards for the song, Sunrise, which will be next in the series. I'll do the video next week. I aim to get one video done every week till I have them all done. I won't do all the songs off the album, but a fair bunch of them.

See you next time,

have a good week!

Shem

Behind Every Face Lyric Video Promo Taster

Woodstock Society

We have this intimate afternoon gig coming up this Saturday 27th January.

Woodstock Society is the vintage/ retro clothing and vinyl records shop in Brook Street no. 88, next to the Egerton Arms.  We'll be making a start at 1pm.

Upcoming shows this December

Hi music lover,

We are playing at the Golden Eagle again on Friday 29th December.  This will be the launch party for our new album And The Train Rattled Along.  The CDs are all ready and waiting to go.  This is a proper release using professional glass mastering etc.  The sleeve and booklet are professionally printed too.  The 12-page booklet contains artwork plus all the lyrics to the songs.

On the night we will be proud to present The Ronco Pop-o-matics as support, starting at 8-30pm.  They are a Chester band featuring, yes, Thor Brown on bass, plus Tim Wilday on vocals and laughter,  Earl on guitar, and Milt Kinder on percussion.  They write all their own material and bring happiness and sunshine with their fun shows.

The Shem Sharples set will feature some electric guitar for a change, and include many of the songs from the album, plus a few other audience faves (like The House of Evergrin………wooooooh!)

Do come down and enjoy a great atmosphere, inspiring music, and a nice alternative festive season treat!  Bring all your buddies!

PLUS

We will also be making an appearance at the fantastic Chichester Arms open mic this coming Monday night (18th Dec) as a warm up.  The event starts at 8-30pm - and there’s no knowing what time we will be on,  it is an open mic after all!