The Band, The Who, The Beatles, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Wilco, Neil Young, Beck, The Kinks, The Brian Jonestown massacre, Ryan Adams, The Byrds, The High Dials, Pearl Jam, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Nick Cave, Rolling Stones, Love, Small Faces
Currently listening too: Small Faces - Ogdens Nut Gone Flake, Devendra Banhart - What will be will be, The Who - Who' Next.
‘I will always make music and put out records, no matter what happens or what’s going on’. Traquair 2007
Traquair is Glasgow based Singer Songwriter Stewart Traquair. Born in Pretoria, South Africa where he spent the first seven years of his life. It was here he acquired an early taste for music by sliding and scratching his parent’s vinyl collection. The victims included ‘The Beach Boy’s – Pet Sounds’ and ‘Al Stewart – Year of the Cat’ among others. Narrowly missing death on more than one occasion, his near misses included: falling off a truck in a Safari Park (luckily the men with tranquiliser gun’s were on hand), almost drowning in Crocodile Infested Quick Sand (his Dad on hand to pull him out by the hair) and narrowly missing a bomb explosion in the local bank. You could say life was hectic for the young Stewart Traquair.
At seven his parents decided to move back to Glasgow, Scotland. The next few years were fairly normal for Stewart Traquair. That is until he found himself with a £15 guitar and a notepad at the age of 12. Mastering the C chord and ‘The House of the Rising Sun’, Bands came, tambourines went and with a few years of gigging, writing and recording past, Stewart Traquair decided to become a solo artist.
‘Writing is the most important thing, write down everything that you see and feel. It teaches you a lot about other people.’ Traquair 2007
Between 2002 and 2005, Traquair the solo artist released 3 e.p’s: Levelled – 2002, The Three Sides of Perception – 2004 and Hello, Good Times Goodbye – 2005.
2005 saw Traquair living in New Zealand, where he painted, read, wrote endless songs and prepared to record his first full length record – ‘Waiting for the Day to Begin’. On his return to Glasgow in 2006, he released this very record. Inspired by the laid back sounds of the beach and the surf, ‘Waiting for the Day to Begin’ was a laid back affair with Traquair in a mellow mood. 2006 was spent gigging, mingling and writing. It was a full on year, taking in over 60 gigs and endless nights in Glasgow’s Halt Bar.
2007: A New Year and a new record. ‘The Purpose of the Hopelessly Immoral’ was recorded and released in 2007.
‘In a way, it was reminiscent of British folk music of the late sixties and early seventies transported into a modern, urban setting. Pleasingly melodic with that open, almost spiritual feel of the best folk music this album did prove to be a rather soothing’ experience Bluesbunny.com 2007
2008: Relationships, marriage and a brief excursion to India and Pakistan took up most of Traquair’s 2008, that and of course writing his next record. Many songs were written and recorded, put aside, re-recorded and then re-written. Had Traquair gone mad? Possibly! Has the world gone mad? That would be most definitely.
2009: A new record, a new sound and the search for an endless manta. ‘‘We pay good Money to see Miracles’ is currently scheduled to be released in April 2009.
‘It a circle that I’m more than willing to go round. This is just the start.’Traquair 2009
DICE, "just call it cosmic prog" with their 16th CD "Eternitys Ocean" and their 2nd DVD "A Long Cosmic Trip" thanks very much for frienship. From germany - best regards!
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. .. You can read our brasilian-interview now on our webside www.dice-band.de !! Check it out. . -------------------------------------------------------------
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
The rain now washes all the crack and snow away. The elf has disappeared to a safer place to play. The oracle shows the quiet of a softer, sweet display With masks and magik books smiling As they gently tuck themselves away.
The fairy adjusts to his old, established way His tasks are now completed. The elf is safe at play. He slips into the shadows until the needed “other day.”
The insanity that came from the busy of active, demon play Is missed in a peculiar sick and twisted, sort of way. The fairy role was of a hero and he misses it today, That old, enchanted feeding of the demons’ swaying way.
The choices of the elf are plain to see today As he looks upon himself Through hollowed, tormented eyes To see if he has run far enough away.
The fairy magik continues with its’ work Although the mountains block the view. Earth mother and soaring, watchful eagles Will now show him what to do.
The magik is far stronger Than all the demons of the world at play. It is possible that the hungry, prowling demon Won’t eat our little elf away today. With the clean of hope and freedom The fairy always gets his way!
I feel the pain and joy for you. I feel the void, the boy for you. I write these words to get you through, A book of thoughts from my within To help you walk your road again.
A book of rhymes To help you through your troubled times To read with love and hate, To ponder life and all its' riddles that you find And to guard you at the gate.
A book to read for you to find your “you” To feel your guts and soul, A book to feed the elf in you, A book where you can reach with no control.
A gift for you, No debt along the way, Some, humble words and thoughts for “self” To love and hate and play among the elf With no strings attached to keep you bound And hold your soul at bay.
Read these words “a bit a day” Or put them on a shelf Or simply throw them all away. Or keep them hidden for the elf.
They only come from my within In hopes that you find your way again. They'll make you laugh and make you cry. They'll eat you up. You'll want to die. They 'll give you hope in your dismay. The baffled elf will learn to play And feel within his mind, his soul, his way Another day. . . . . . . .All fear will go away!
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