This is a song I wrote in 2016, about overcoming negative self doubts when I was starting to write songs again after a break of about 20 years.  It’s a song of positivity and self encouragement to get on and do the things you want to before it’s too late, regardless of what stage of life you’re at.  Recording, percussion and additional fabulous chucka chucka guitars by Carl Hetherington of Van der Neer.

Doing time

"You don't sound like anyone else," said Danny Thompson - renowned bass player for Nick Drake and Joe Strummer - about English musician Conil.

The GRAMMY-winning engineer for Tom Waits and Elvis Costello, Tchad Blake said: "Strange Part of the Country is an awesome album! I still listen to it."

Fleetwood Mac legend Peter Green liked Conil's music so much he stopped by Conil’s house to record with him. They recorded a version of Conil's homage to the jazz greats "Round Midnight". 

Strange Part of the Country never conformed to any current trends and has remained timeless. Now, people are discovering this album and it is becoming an all-time favourite. 

When the album was released in the UK, it received some amazing press. Britain's biggest selling music monthly Q magazine gave it: "Four stars - Q Recommends". Blues Matters magazine wrote: "One of the most original artists out there". In the next issue, Blues Matters put him on the front cover.

Conil left London after Strange Part of the Country was released and has spent the last ten years living in the United States and Europe - including New Orleans, New York City, and Berlin.

Hello! Thanks for stopping by.  I write songs in reaction to life, quite often my own, or the lives of those around me.  Sometimes my song tells me what I'm thinking before I've even realised myself.  
I hope there is something here that resonates with you, I'd be really delighted to hear your comments.  
I started writing and playing again in March 2015 after a break of about 20 years having realised that life is short and I'd better crack on! I self released my 9 track CD 'Your Life' in 2017 and have since written many songs which will eventually end up on a 2nd 'album'!  I’ve had a couple of radio plays on BBC Introducing and played at a few local singers nights, but I’m really blown away by this Soundcloud community,  there’s a treasure trove of real music on here and the support is really appreciated.  
March 2021 update I've been teaching myself keyboard and have found it an inspiration for song writing and so my more recent tracks are written and performed with the piano keyboard.  
First memory of being captured by Songwriting was sitting behind a sofa aged 10 at a party and discovering Carol King’s Tapestry and a turntable. Teenage years dominated by an obsession with David Bowie, his word craft, imagery, story telling and his example of being able to constantly reinvent himself and not be pigeonholed. 
All tracks are my own compositions and performances except extra rhythm guitar and percussion on ‘Doing Time’ which was Carl Hetherington. 
Most of the images I have used are my own original artwork.  I now have an Instagram page where I’ll be posting my art at rowenaartandmusic 

https://www.instagram.com/rowenaartandmusic 

Thanks for stopping by, it’s much appreciated.


I am drawn to folk, blues, soft rock, and country music, new and old. I love songs that tell a story, especially the Irish, English, and Scottish ballads of long ago because their stories are often timeless, and most everyone at any time can relate to. 
 
I also am a pastel painter and find being able to express universal emotions through my art, as well as writing lyrics and putting them to music that I can sing and play on my guitar or ukelele so rewarding and comforting.

Memories of people, places, and events throughout my life influence the songs I write.





My focus is on songs, on composition, not on style or genre. The songs  usually have lots of space for improvisation. 

I use a simple little application called "Guitar Pro", not really fit for producing, but a dream come true for rough little sketches like these...

Hope you like what you hear!
Cheers!
Rob

The music production software I use is GarageBand macOS.
I play guitar, bass, and keyboard instruments.
Depending on the song, I use Apple Loop.
I record the drums on a MIDI keyboard or use the drummer function of GarageBand.
My favorite bands are 70's progressive bands such as King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Yes, and ELP.
I am always looking for vocalists.
If you want to collaborate with me, please contact me.
Thank you to everyone who has listened to my songs.
*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･'(*ﾟ🙏*)'･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*

A big thank you to all who stop by to listen. I am grateful for any and all support!

My first album, Head on Straight, can be found on all streaming platforms. My second album, A Long Way from Hell, will be out sometime this summer. You can find versions of many of the songs that will be on it here. 

You can also follow my YouTube Channel, if you would like. Someday I will add content... promise. https://www.youtube.com/@damiansmithandthejourneymen

About Me:
While I do record and release music independently, my true passion is in the songwriting. I would love to write with or for independent artists, so if you are interested in co-writing for your personal release or recording one of my songs, please reach out.

Loves X-Perimental Jazz, Soul, Reggae, 
Indigenous Rock & Blues, Classical ,
Space & Phunk on my Shore*
😎 🌞🌊🏝️

The world around us is inexorably changing and all this is happening not without the help of the human race, the Earth is our home and now it is not just a big anthill in outer space, but the starting point of the mind, from here and into distant worlds.
kgdkun@gmail.com

Virgo/Taurus/Taurus
É nóis que faz o ambiente ficar gostosinho.

Doing time

Rowena Simpson