Well where do  start? There’s been a lot going on …

First of all with the Recession & everything my plans for funding and getting this to come together full-time have fallen flat so I’ve gone back to the day job (which isn’t at all bad as day-jobs go) & got a kind of a promotion in with the bargain, hence securing my ability to further invest in the music side of things - Nice! So it’s not all bad

Second I’ve been back in the studio … You’ll hear some new tracks recorded with a mate on my myspace site (www.myspace.com/benitajohnson) … but the main work I’m doing at the moment is on an album. It’s proved to be a tricky process - it’s fair to say I do everything the hard way! But we’re making progress and it’s sounding good. initial estimates were that I’d be done by Christmas - right now though, I’m not thinking about a deadline. I don’t think that’s helpful.

And gigs - yes, now there’s a story! I’ve been doing a fair few of these - and some of them unplanned, which is always nice as I really miss it if I don’t have any to do for a while… And, do you know! I was verbally assaulted at one last week! shock horror! I was playing (musicians take note) at the New Inn, St Owens Cross, Hereford and a) they weren’t really sure what they were doing with the whole live music deal b) the locals weren’t prepared for such as me it seems! I was basically told I couldn’t sing for shit, they didn’t want me there and I should just fall off the planet and die!!! … lovely. I had a few choice words of my own to give out …. I did the gig and I got paid but it made me a bit mad… But I guess it was a reality check too - just shows that i’ve got very comfortable with my usual haunts …

Played a couple of gigs in Bath this week too. One at the Porter Cellar Bar I really enjoyed, so I hope they have me back …

And writing - loads of this going on feeling especially inspired at the moment … though I think it’s gonna cost me !! x

Thanks to you folks for checking in and reading my waffle. Please feel free to Comment - it’s a more reliable way of contacting me at the moment as my site email is full of spam!

x Bj

Just a quick reminder that I’m playing this Sunday (27th) at The Priory Inn, Tetbury again… I get to play for about 2hrs so it’s well worth coming along … Free on the door, good stuff at the bar and the amazingist pizza!! Be nice to see some folks there Bring some sunshine with you…

Bj

“kiss me gently into morning for the night has been unkind. … take me somewhere that’s so holy I can wash this from my mind…. “

It’s not word for word but I only heard it once - a lyric from a Sarah MacLachlan song, I think is called “Answer”. Stuck in my head - it’s so beautiful, and so completely summed up what I felt when I heard it.

People are capable of some beautiful, brilliant and unspeakable things. And it’s all the same people.

People are crazy, frustrating, vulnerable, incredible, inspiring, terrible and fantastically flawed. And they are all doing what they can to survive - the only way they know how. For that, you must forgive them. And some of them we are bound to love.

There is no magic, no gene, no sign that makes anyone any more or less holy than anyone else. We can cross the lines at any time. Blur them, re-draw them any way we want to. . .  

Still … sometimes I have to wonder …  

Sometimes the night is too unkind.

I’ve been re-writing my bio today - or trying to. Trying to explain some of the gaps, the background, the scenery, the stuff I think probably no-one really gives a damn about. Although increasingly, when I’m submitting work to people, strikes me they at least want to know some of it. Something that makes you interesting. (And what is THAT exactly?). Well I know ‘interesting’ when I see it … for sure… but I’ve got no idea what it is in relation to myself. (This might be as well - or how big would my head be?!).

Interesting to me is something you just can’t put your finger on - something hypnotic, elusive and impossible to describe. . . So I guess we’ll just be sticking with the standard bio then!!

But if someone should decide that my music is interesting - then I’d consider it a job well done.

As for me - I’m going to find my holy place … … or at least somewhere I can put my head on ice!

x Bj

I want to thank Dave & Sophie, and also Silas on sound for last night’s gig at the Thunderbolt … I really enjoyed it guys, I hope you did too. Thank you also to the people on my mailing list who did turn up - I’m sorry I don’t know you all to talk to, but I know you when I see you! … And also extra special thanks to the people who came up to me afterwards to say how much they enjoyed my set!! That really means a lot … and if you’re reading this then you went home and checked me out online which is great! I hope I see you again sometime … hopefully at the Thunderbolt! … and to the CD buyers: I hope you like it! Stay posted, because I’m recording more all the time … Benita

Next gig 27th June at the Thunderbolt, Totterdown, Bristol. (tbc)  

On the subject of gigs, I recently played The Olde Bath Arms in Frome. It turned out to be a really rewarding night and I hope they ask me back sometime … If you’re ever out that way, it’s well worth checking out on a Thursday night as they have a collection of singer-songwriter types playing and it’s a gorgeous place - with excellent food! (although, if you’re veggie, I hope you like artichokes!).

I’ve also been doing some rock-duo work with a friend of mine  (we call ourselves Label 5 - it’s a long story, and you’d have to have been there) … so we debuted at Alfie Kingston’s Acoustic Afternoon last Sundayat the 7 Stars pub in Redcliffe, Bristol … we went down really well so we’ll probably try to do more of the same over the summer… so if you see LABEL 5 entered on the gigs calendar that’s what I mean…

That’s all for now - fingers crossed for the 27th! If anyone’s stopping by the Thunderbolt any time soon, maybe chivvy them up for me?? Much appreciated xx

This blogging thing is quite a stretch for someone who doesn’t really say one hell of a lot. Which shouldn’t be confused with not having anything to say. Far from it! Want to know what I think? - What I feel? My songs should tell you that - all you need to know anyway. But since I HAVE a blog, I guess I oughtta use it … :) 

So I was recording Wednesday, did this open mic last night and a gig tonight on a boat - not my first time (that was another boat - the Thekla, a few years ago for Ladyfest) … I had spent the day surrounded by two-dimensional people and swiping at some phantoms from my past … it just got too hard to smile. Nobody likes that. People like people to be happy, and mellow and reasonable. Any display of true emotion, or frustration or (God forbid) anger is liable to get you hurriedly swept away by some giant social-cleansing dustpan. . . Days like this make it ever clearer to me how important music is in my life - and not just the gigs but everything that goes with it - especially the people.

I like genuine, real, multi-dimensional people. I might not like them very much - or I might not like what they stand for. But it’s not against the law to state preference and it’s a free country. But I respect their honesty, their conviction, their ability to stand true. I can’t stand anyone who just isn’t who they are. And I really find it hard to understand anyone who makes too many compromises … it’s fair to say, I probably didn’t like myself for a while there then! These last couple of nights, I have spent amongst some solid crystal characters. (not just the artists). You can’t fold them into the cartoon-strip of your daily grind and expect them to follow the script. I guess that’s something Music does for people - and not just the people who make it. A captivating tune, a lyric, a sound that grabs at your soul can take you anywhere you want to go. You can’t put a price on that!

I had a conversation with a guy recently who was trying to tell me how fortunate people like me are that we have this means of expression, this gift, this outlet … it was cringeable stuff, but he didn’t have to tell me, I know. Of course, he’s right - though it comes at a price, I think. Not that you’ll hear me complaining!! I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am certain that the same can be said for the folks I’ve shared the stage with recently… Check out Catherine & The Owl at www.catherineandtheowl.com Also Google “Amelia Tucker” and “The Funkinsteins”. And go to www.myspace.com/jackbirdjackbirdjackbird and last, but not least, go to Rita Lynch.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

There is so much out there! Get out of your box and start listening!

Bj

And not just any boat, sailor - it’s the John Sebastian Lightship! And what is that? Simple answer: I dunno. My best guess is that it’s some kind of mobile marine lighthouse - which defies the object surely? Why would you have a ship that’s a lighthouse? …. “hey look! there’s a rock over here! …… no over here! …. no now it’s over here! keep up!@@~?:@^&**”

… which I suppose is why it’s now securely moored and being used as a live music venue … well, at least it should be easy to find! It’s address is: Bathurst Basin, Bathurst Parade, Bristol. Not helping much? It’s between the Louisiana and the Ostrich pubs. Still no help? Go here : http://www.bristolbands.com/VenueDetail.php?venue=VLBS0000252 

I’m playing there THIS FRIDAY (30TH MAY) between 8:30 - 9pm. Yes, I know - but it’s worth it as there’s some great acts on display, and I’m just plugging a gap for the promoter last minute. The bill is:

BENITA JOHNSON / AMELIA TUCKER / JACK BIRD / CATHERINE & THE OWL

For a sneak preview and more helpful details I suggest you go to http://www.myspace.com/BristolBands.com

Thank you again to the gang for turning out to see me last night! Hope you enjoyed it - what did I tell you about the pizza!? I appreciate the efforts you went to - it’s a bit of a trek for some of you - and I didn’t get to talk properly to everyone as I didn’t have much time - sorry folks … next weeks gig will be a different story (don’t forget - change of venue - it’s now at the Full Moon) … Take care x

Gig tonight at the Priory Inn (see “Gigs” page for map) … really looking forward to this these guys love to have me play there - and, well I just love to play! … It also marks the end of my involvement with Highnote Music Management which hasn’t exactly been an earth-shatteringly productive association, leaving me free now to carve my own way ahead in terms of live work - or possibly take up with some other management company … either way, gigs at the Priory will continue, which is great news

IMPORTANT LATE CHANGE: folks, there’s been a change for my other up-coming gig this month :  18th May @ Tao Bar IS NOW 18th May @ THE FULL MOON, Stokes Croft, Bristol … new details appearing on gigs page shortly… sorry if this causes confusion - it was a promoters decision and nothing I could do much about, but Rachel who promotes the night is very reasonable & has really tried to make sure this is a positive shift - which I am convinced it will be! There will be an addition to the bill, with AMY HAZEL (aka Amy Parkhouse) also playing in support - well worth a listen, let me tell you! … Please make sure that if you have told other people about this event, that they now know about this change - I would hate for people to make the effort to turn out to see us & not be able to find us!! Any of you who are regular Mailing Listers will receive notice of this change. It’s too late to replace the posters that have already gone up - but we’ll do what we can - and there’ll be a proper press release to make sure as many people know as possible … fingers crossed!! … it’s gonna be FAB tho - be a shame to miss it xx

Wrote this this week. Don’t know what I’d call this one - any ideas anyone? I thought “My Old Addiction” but that’s been done already …

XX bj