I’m a little bit late with this one. But for a good reason—some of my work colleagues have become interested in contributing band and artist names to my alphabet playlist of metal. To be fair, some of them are having trouble understanding the term metal, but I’m working on that.
… Alphabet playlist of metal—the ‘B’ fortnight
I don’t know about you, but I know a lot of talented people online. I’m still waiting for their creative awesomeness to rub off on me, but it’s yet to happen. While I wait for that, I thought I’d share some ways I think we can all help those indie musicians around us while also helping ourselves. Hopefully this mostly helps others, because giving is better than receiving—unless it’s a headache. Whoever is giving me those, please stop.
… Ways to help your favourite indie musicians
Last year, I challenged myself to a monthly video blog post that focused on a new guitar riff that I created in that month. It was a lot more effort than I realised—writing, recording and replicating for video takes time. But it was a challenge that I’m going to say I completed successfully.
2019 needs a new challenge. It needs to be something different and I am looking for a challenge of a different type. Luckily, I worked out that there are 26 letters in the alphabet and 26 fortnights in a year. So the challenge begins.
… Alphabet playlist of metal—the ‘A’ fortnight
I had a quick look at a list of all the major metal albums released in 2018 today. It reminded me of the music I discovered and loved this year while also letting me know how much I missed. I haven’t been as dedicated as I have been to my love of music this year. Hopefully this post will do two things. One; let anybody who is reading know the music that I loved this year. Two; remind me how much I love music so that 2019 can have an improved focus on what is important.
… My 10 favourite musical releases from 2018
It’s been less than two weeks since I posted the November edition of my monthly guitar riff challenge and yet here we are. The December edition is here well ahead of the end of the month. I may even have a chance to attempt the end goal for this project before the year ends.
Before I get to that, why not a summary of what has been achieved with this monthly guitar riff video challenge?
… Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the December edition
As far as close calls go, this month’s entry in the monthly guitar riff video challenge is as close as I’ve come. As I write this, there are two hours left until the end of November. Tomorrow morning will be December. Still, as soon as I hit Publish on this post, I’m eleven months into a successful blog series. There’s one to go! Maybe I’ll start it tomorrow.
I probably won’t. … Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the November edition
This time last month, I was in Canada (eh). I was literally miles away from my regular world of websites and guitars—although if I stumbled across a guitar store, I did make time to inspect it thoroughly. By this time, I had already posted my September guitar riff challenge and I was enjoying a break from the norm—the norm not including bears and eagles I was seeing in the Rockies. Perhaps it was that break, perhaps it was the change in music I’d been listening to while on holiday, but this month’s monthly guitar riff challenge is actually a bit of a departure from the way I regularly play. And I like it! … Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the October edition
September begins and I already have the riff done for my monthly guitar riff video challenge. I’m way ahead of my previous months. Whatever will I do with the rest of this month?! If I’m lucky, there will be more guitar playing and perhaps video creation. I have plans on how to step up my video game. It involves the help of others. I just haven’t told them yet. This could be fun. … Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the September edition
Even in Australia—where days come earlier than they do for most other countries—it is still August as I add the monthly guitar riff video challenge article to my website. I’m therefore eight months in to a still, somewhat, monthly video challenge that is being met. Just by the skin of my teeth.
I really should brush my teeth more often. Tooth skin is just disgusting.
To the August video content! … Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the August edition
Tomorrow is the 31st of July. So I’ve made the July video with plenty of time to spare. That’s the lie I’m telling myself at least. I am very much behind the eight ball here. July absolutely got away from me. But never fear, I am determined to not let the July edition of the monthly guitar riff video challenge define me. No … My inability to defeat the dredded migraine monster is what will define me. But that’s another story for another time. It’s probably a story for another place too. Migraines aren’t very metal at all.
Riffage! Let’s see what July brought! … Monthly guitar riff video challenge … the July edition
