Hey Soundcheckers,
It's been a different kind of week. Teaching's wound down for Easter and instead of putting my feet up, I've thrown myself headfirst into something I've been wanting to do for a long time.
The Big News
I have a brand new website and I'm genuinely buzzing about it. For years I've struggled to keep gig dates up to date — half the time I'd just send everyone to Lemonrock because I couldn't keep on top of it. That's done now. My website pulls directly from my calendar, so as long as I keep my diary updated, everyone sees what's coming up. No more stale gig listings. Check it out at www.aaronnorton.co.uk.
I've also automated my social media posting. My gig posters now go out on their own — daily stories, weekly carousels, the lot — without me touching a thing. And I thought this idea was good enough that I've started turning it into an app for other musicians. Watch this space. If you've ever spent Sunday night making gig posters when you should be sleeping, this might be for you.
It's been an exhausting week of building all of this, but the kind of exhausting that leaves you feeling like you've actually done something. Every piece connects to the next, and it's starting to feel like the whole machine is coming together.
The Gigs
Thursday — The Bricklayers Arms, Hersham
Saw a few familiar faces I haven't seen in ages, including a teacher from school. There's something quite surreal about someone giving you a perspective of yourself as a teenager. Great night, and the acoustic session at the end was the icing on the cake — which has actually been a theme this week.
Friday — The Maypole, Surbiton
Really good gig. People who'd seen me at other venues came down to check out a new one, which always means a lot. Familiar faces, good energy, and once again the night ended with everyone singing together unplugged. I keep finding myself wanting to leave the stage and just be amongst everyone. I wouldn't call it a trick exactly, but stepping off the stage and into the crowd changes the whole feel of the night. It stops being a performance and starts being everyone's night.
Saturday — Private Function
Can't say too much, but it was a good one.
Tonight — Open Mic at WeBrew, Kingston
The venue used to be called Woody's and they've just rebranded as WeBrew — a Windsor & Eton Brewery bar. I'm hosting the open mic tonight and I'm really excited to see where the rebrand takes the place. If you're in Kingston this evening, come down from 7pm.
See you out there, Aaron