April 2011
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 16, No. 4
NEXT MEETING 5:00pm Sunday, April 3rd, 2011
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 382-9942
Vice President/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, campkittycat@gmail.com
Membership
Susan Foster-Trewick, susiecool2001@yahoo.com
Newsletter
Jeff Mason, jeffrey_mason@me.com
Matthew Campbell, matthew_sax77@yahoo.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every month at the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson (at the extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport ) in Orlando .
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and what we do. For more information, visit our website at www.isgorlando.org or myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/internationalsongwritersguildorlando .
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Matt here. I’ve been unable to get a hold of Russ; if any of you have heard how he’s doing, I’d appreciate if it you’d call or email me with an update.
First off, I want to thank Matthew Campbell again for hosting the March meeting. I heard nothing but good reports! It’s important for us as a group, going forward, that we’re not totally dependent on any one person. Certainly not me; I have to travel on International Drive all the time, and have you seen how the tourists drive? J
Russ always likes to use this space to write about the seasons. I don’t want to steal his thunder, but it’s hard not to talk about this weather! We’re lucky to be here; spring is a great time of year here in Florida . Sort of makes me want to write a song about it; you too? If you have a springtime song (or nature or growth or rebirth), bring it in and let us hear it. Of course, any excuse to write a song is acceptable in my book.
On a serious note, I’m sure you are all aware of the situation in Japan . Thousands are dead and thousands are missing as of this writing, and many more were relocated because of issues at that nuclear power plant. I’d really like to do something to help, something more than mailing in a check. If any of you have any ideas, bring them to the meeting. Our friend Jeff Mason lived in Japan for a time; have any insights for us, Jeff?
And of course, do bring your latest song to the April 3rd meeting. See you there. J
Matt (for Russ)
Writer’s Block
By Jeff Mason
The deadline fast approaches. It seems to arrive earlier each month. What do I write about this month? What would Matt say if I couldn’t produce an article? I stare at a blank page, or in my case a blank screen. The dreaded writer’s block has arrived; I’ve nothing to talk to you about despite all those high fallutin’ words about deadlines and discipline. What is writer’s block? If you Google it you’ll find thousands of sites about it. The main definition is an inability for a writer to produce work. But what causes it and, more importantly, how do I deal with it?
One reason for it is creative: the writer has no inspiration. Sometimes the reason is more serious. It could be due to financial pressures, illness, depression, or a sense of failure. It appears throughout our culture in books and films. Stephen King has written about it. In the movie Secret Window there is a character played by Johnny Depp who is struggling with writer’s block. My favorite King character is the role played by Jack Nicholson in The Shining. It is a very scary depiction of a man suffering from writer’s block.
The best site I found for dealing with it is on Dubspot.com and is titled “10 Tips For Dealing With Writer’s Block And Increase Studio Productivity”. The first tip is clean up your workspace. I like that one. It is a Feng Shui kind of thing. I hate clutter so it really applies to yours truly. A cluttered room makes for a cluttered mind.
One of the more interesting tips is to use Oblique Strategies. Brian Eno is a musician, songwriter and a producer. In the 1970’s he collaborated with an artist named Peter Schmidt. They produced a deck of cards; on each card was written an aphorism. The phrase is designed to help a person deal with a dilemma or problem. Instead of dealing with a situation head on it may be beneficial to use a more round about approach. My two favorites are: “Honour Thy Error As A Hidden Intention” and “Think--Inside The Work--Outside The Work”.
Eno has worked with Bowie , U-2, Roxy Music, and Talking Heads, among others. He is credited with the term “ambient music”. Another tip is to listen to new music. Brian Eno is worth a listen. The Oblique Strategies deck of 113 cards is still available and comes with some blank cards so one can write one’s own aphorism. Mine would be “Wash the Dishes”.
I found another way to deal with writer’s block is to write about it. Thanks for indulging me.
See you next month.
Jeff
ISG Bulletin Board
Matthew “Sax” Campbell open mics and gigs:
- Acoustic Open Mic Night, 1st Thurs each month 9pm-12am, hosted by Matthew “Sax” Campbell, House of Beer, 13526 Village Park Dr, Suites 208&210, Hunter’s Creek (Orlando), www.hobflorida.com. All ages with parental supervision until 10pm, 21 and up after 10pm; no drum sets plz, small 1-spkr amps OK, all musical styles welcome, clean language till 10pm (no exceptions), non-smoking inside, full PA and 6 string acoustic and bass amp provided.
- Live Original Music by Matthew Sax Campbell, Fri Apr 15th, 9pm-12am; Orlando Brewing Taproom, 1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, www.orlandobrewing.com. All ages with parental supervision, non-smoking inside.
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Kitty Camp Pet Boarding—A loving, lakeside resort in Fruitland Park . Daily activities include: playtime, bird-watching, brushing, petting, purring, sunbathing, catnapping, and kitty’s favorite…mealtime! Daily/Weekly/Long Term, private rooms and suites available. 25% off weekly stay, FREE first night. Please call for details at 352-205-4284. Posted by ISG member Jackie Gould.
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association, Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
We’re always looking for material for the newsletter. If you have any information that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please see Matt Griffin at the meetings or email him at isgorl@cfl.rr.com . Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing with the ISG . For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Matt or email: isgorl@cfl.rr.com .
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always! Just get your text to Matt by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the monthly meeting); email is best ( isgorl@cfl.rr.com ).
New members always welcome!
March’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Sink or Swim by Matthew Campbell
(2) Catch Me by Sheila Dixon and Susan Foster -Trewick
(3) Oh, Melinda by Phil Pye
(4) Earth Song by Matthew and Rebecca Campbell
© 2011 ISG