Around 15 years ago I was introduced to and began playing the didgeridoo. I first picked up the instrument because I was fascinated by its sound and had always wanted to have a go at playing it. I played with the "one breath "style for about the first year of having a didge!!!! Then finally a mate of mine (Alan McGough) explained to me the circular breathing technique!!! This took a bit of time to master but once I got the hang of it I knew that was it! I would be hooked on this instrument for a long, long time............
Sadly, before picking up a didgeridoo, I knew very, very little about the Aboriginal culture and its people. I’m so lucky, I think, that the didgeridoo in a way created a bridge for me right into the heart of my birthplace; something I had never understood. I have met some really amazing people and been taken to some really amazing places, both spiritually and physically; all thanks to this instrument.
After some time, I began to take more of an interest in different playing styles; expanding and working on my own playing variations. I have had many influences in my playing style; the first didge recording I heard was from David Hudson so he was definitely one of my first inspirations then Ash Dargan, Mark Atkins, A.D., Ganga Giri, Mark Hoffman, Charlie McMahon,David Blanasi,Darwins Local Yidaki and Mago players, Bronson.............. (and the rest).
From 2002 to 2006 I ran a small didgeridoo shop in Darwin N.T. Originally I opened the shop because I knew so many great didge makers, but knew of no shop that would sell all of these instruments from the one outlet. For me personally the shop was a great way to have an amazing range of didgeridoos to promote and play, including craftsmen like Robbie Hantelmann (STIX Didgeridoos), Bob druett (didji.com.au), Nathan Burton and Djalu. Also this enabled me to meet great didge players from Australia and around the world. For me, having the opportunity to hear so many different styles, from traditional aboriginal to contemporary didgeridoo playing, has had a positive influence on my playing style.
Over the last 6 years I have expanded my didgeridoo experience and knowledge; performing solo and with bands, playing in session recordings and also teaching and running workshops.
In January 2005 I performed with The Pigram Brothers at the True North launch in Fremantle W.A.
In 2005 and 2006 I also performed with The Groovesmiths in Darwin N.T. and in W.A., and in November 2005 recorded on The Groovesmiths album "Demonstrations of Intent".
In 2006 I was privileged to perform alongside Mark Atkins, with the Dutch band BLOF, in Rotterdam Holland. The performance marked the release of the album UMOJA, which features didge music by both Mark Atkins and myself. As a follow-up from the UMOJA project I will again perform with BLOF at the Dutch Movie Festival in September 2007.
hey there buddy how ya doin'?! just checking if everything is fine fe you mate, are you still in Europe?! I really hope to see you sometimes, you've been of a great influence on me didging style for all these years... if you get some time, check didgelement on myspace, a friend crafting gorgeous and soundful didges! one love
Hello
friends of Woodroot World,
in addition to our webradio we've installed a new music-video-portal www.woodroot-video.eu. Hence we
would be glad to upload your high quality videos. To our concerns it's only the
quality that counts, the filesize of the video is irrelevant.
We are also looking for good music for our webradio www.woodroot-radio.eu. So if
you send a CD to us we will also appreciate it.
Kind regards and best wishes - Ballog
Hallo Freunde der Woodroot World;
Neben
unserem Webradio haben wir ein neues Musik-Video-Portal www.woodroot-video.eu.
Gerne würden wir ein Video von Euch in unser Portal stellen. Bitte von guter
Qualität, das Volumen spielt keine Rolle – es zählt alleine die Qualität.
Unser
Webradio www.woodroot-radio.eu sucht immer gute
Musik zum Senden. Wenn ihr eine CD habt, lasst sie uns bitte zukommen.
hi Mark... how are you mate? i'm waiting for you plaing in Italian Didjeridoo festival this Year ....are you in Europe in July?... hope to see you soon
Hello friend of woodroot radio; thank you for your interest in our woodroot music.web.radio. For your page we have our miniplayer, with which you can listen our actual program – Ballog.
Hi Mark hope u and Alexa are doin just great. We miss u both here! i wish u really cool relaxin time on xmas and some revitalising New Year Eve :)) liebe Grüßen aus Düsseldorf a.
Hey !! :) How are ya ?? Hope very well ! Me always in Lille, in an university master to organize concerts and festivals ! Hugs from France ;) Take care
Shalom Salaam Mark, I hope that life is flowing & growing beautifully for you. This is just a good vibed message to make you smile... Spread it & see what happens... Blessings, peace & positive vibes, Nathan
Hello Mark, Im back home from being on the road going to Festivals & camps this summer, connecting with beautiful people & musicians feeling the cosmic energy of festivals.
I have been doing Bodhran workshops at some of the festivals, giving people the inspiration & energy of playing the bodhran, feeding the rhythms of Mother Earth to connect oneself with the bodhran as a channel to find rhythm within oneself. I have had a cosmic expierance of passing on the energy of playing the bodhran to teach & feel the vibration of the drums.
My journey of playing my drums in drum circles around festivals has been an enlightening & cosmic expierance, connecting with other drummers & the vibration of Mother Earth, the Sun & Moon.
My truly highs of my journey has been The Rainbow 2000 Music Camp, The Out of the Ordinary Festival, The Coedhills Equinox Celebrations & Summer Solstice at Avebury Stone Circle. These places & expierances i have had will remain in my heart & spirit deep in my soul forever, eternal in spirit.
MY HEART, SPIRIT & DRUMS
MY HEART FEELS AT ONE WITH MOTHER EARTH FLOWING WITH LOVE IN MY HEART MY SPIRIT FEELS AT ONE WITH THE SUN & MOON FLOWING WITH LIGHT IN MY SPIRIT MY DRUMS FEELS AT ONE WITH THE RHYTHM FLOWING WITH BEATS IN MY DRUMS.
Peace & Love Alasdair
This is a video taken at The Out of the Ordinary Festival of me in a drum circle at the Peace Stone Circle, feel the vibes of Mother Earth, Fire, Sun & Moon.
hi Mark how are you? are you still in Australia? or Back in Europe? if In Europe do u like to come at the end of November coming in Italy to play and do a workshop? see you soon
Online Now!
