On a shoestring project part 52

Birthday Cake 2 clipart
from Clker.com

  So here we go, a full year worth of blogs done and what a year it has been! We have had some serious downs, like all the trouble Qra had with his health, but at the same time, I am sure for all of us the past year has been a one we will remember for along time. I don't really know how to reflect on it... I mean we had a plan to have the album done by now, but at the same time, we did get the E.P. out in March and it is still available for a free download from our website:-) We did pack in 10 concerts, the eleventh is going to be our birthday bash in few weeks time. We all made some amazing friends! Some great musicians that we will be in contact with probably for the rest of our lives. The past year for me really has brought back hope to music, at every level. I am so happy to get to play with Sebastian and Qra, the talent and enthusiasm these guys bring in has been so invigorating. My singing has improved massively, just due to the fact that I have been singing so much more:-) I have found new passion for it. I was also stuck in a bit of a songwriting rut, but that has long gone now. I have also found new and fresh enthusiasm for my long time band (the longest job I ever held in my life;-)) Sliotar. Again two amazing musicians I am privileged to play with over the years. I have found great output for my electric guitar playing in JPKALLIO.COM, and again fallen in love with acoustic guitar that is all so evident in Sliotar.
  So what now?... Well, those of you who know me, know it is impossible for me to take it easy:-) The year ahead is going to include lots of both! Sliotar has started the fifth album, and JPKALLIO.COM will start our work on our debut album. There are some difficult challenges ahead for both bands, and I do think that sharing these two very different bands work loads and how we over come those challenges will be more than enough to fill this blog for another year:-) Also I have been blown away of the response to this blog, we are nearing 10000 readers. I know in the blogging world that is not really that big, but to me the fact that so many of you come back to read whats going on in my life week after week, it just make me humble. I would like to thank you all very much for this.
  I have also worked on some really cool stuff on web design, and I am trying to get a simplified self-installation guide for bands and musicians to build their own websites. I am really exited about this and I think lot of bands could use this guide.It is going to be a long process and a learning curve for me as well. I also originally wanted to include as much recording information as possible, so I might include some of the carry on that goes on with Sliotars new album. I think some of the more acoustic orientated approach would possibly be great for some singer songwriters, or acoustic bands. Maybe some industry related interviews? I really would like to hear your input on all this as well. This blog is as much mine as it is yours:-)
I am actually on a plain on my way to Finland to play with Sliotar at a festival, told you it has been a crazy year;-). Also we had our first rehearsals with JPKALLIO.COM last week after the holidays, it was great to be back! And we are all really looking forward to the Punk Rock Mayhem show for our birthday on 9th of September in Fibbers:-) And by the time you're reading this, hopefully I am in the north of Poland on a beach having a bit of a break for few days:-)
  So now the first year of on the On a shoestring comes to an end, I do look back and even more so I look forward to the next year. Let's make it a year we wont forget easily;-)
  J.P.