Most of my performing is as a member of the various singing groups and choirs that I have enjoyed being a small part of. As a lifelong introvert, that’s where I feel most comfortable.
I have though braved a few solo performances, sometimes with fellow singing students, occasionally alone at open mic nights accompanied by acoustic guitar and once as a duo. I do find that to be incredibly challenging but also is tremendously rewarding.
Square Chapel
When I retired from my career in Information Systems consultancy, I held a lunchtime ‘leaving do’, at The Square Chapel’s Box Office Bar in Halifax.
My colleagues had been curious about my singing adventure and some where pressing me to perform so I duly sang a three song set:
1. Cover ‘Hurt’ – Nine Inch Nails / Johnny Cash
2. Cover ‘Sometime Around Midnight’ – The Airborne Toxic Event (TATE)
3. Deembe Original – ‘Sign on Again’
Nerves got the better of me and I rushed so the vocals weren’t very good.
Holmfirth Picturedrome
I partnered with my fellow Kirklees Musica Rock School, Adult Guitar student Steve Gaunt, to perform as a duo at the Holmfirth Picturedrome Box Office Bar Open Mic. We delivered a three song set:
1. Cover Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Greenday
2. Steve’s original – ‘Lindy’ .
3. Deembe original – ‘Out of Order’
Sadly care responsibilities meant that I could not commit to the continuation of the duo. Steve now plays with Millstone Band.
Bar 1:22
Small Seeds
Open Mic nights at Bar 1:22 / Small Seeds were an integral part of vocals development, and then guitar and vocals, during my time as a student with Olivia Hyde.
I performed there several times, mainly covers but did also perform my original ‘Sign on Again’ there with some encouraging feedback about the lyrics.
- The Streets of London – Ralph McTell
- This is how it feels – Inspiral Carpets
- Time of Your Life – Greenday
- Sign on Again – Deembe
The Black Lounge
My three Black Lounge performances were as part of a singers showcase event with Olivia Hyde Coaching. I had the thrilling support of members of Bad Pollyanna backing me to perform:
- Sometime Around Midnight – The Airborne Toxic Event
- Time of Your Life – Greenday
and a bespoke backing track to perform:
- Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens
where two fellow students and Olivia provided backing vocals. A topical joke from rehearsals led to me naming this act Deembe and The Chai Latties!
The Blind Pig
In similar fashion, learning with Laura Morrell Music is also providing the rewarding challenge of solo performance. Laura arranged for we ‘Sing Pop’ students to perform at The Blind Pig music bar in Sowerby Bridge.
Here I performed to professional backing tracks:
- Heroes – David Bowie
- The Night – Franki Valli and the Four Seasons
Further appearances here are currently being planned
Holmfirth Tech
The Christmas Social for the Singing for Group at Holmfirth Tech provided another solo opportunity.
I sang three songs:
- Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
- Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens
- Sign On Again – Original
