Small Giraffes

"My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul." Psalm 108:1

I held my first guitar when I was 5 years old, incorrectly and out of tune. It was a Yamaha classical acoustic that my mum had kept from when she had lessons. Soon after my parents bought me a guitar of my own, one more suiting to my smaller stature. I started guitar lessons later that year, learning a few basics chords and a couple of strumming patterns. At first I didn’t care much for those ‘thin guitars’ or electric guitars as the rest of the world knew them, until I got one. It was a green Samick, and soon became a part of who I was.

Archers was a turning point in my songwriting journey. I had just bought a 12 string guitar, and I think it was the first song I had written that reflected the direction I wanted my music to take. I would spend the next few years working on both my songwriting, vocals and technique. In 2007 I started writing The Math, which was the first real step I felt since Archers. A year's hard work drew to an end with an 11 track album and an equal number of b-sides.

Having spent the last several years studying design at university and then working in the field, I’ve given the next several years to pursuing a career in music.

I spend my time between writing, recording and playing live. I live pretty simply these days, eating two minute noodles and working out chord progressions on my ukulele. My dream is to make a living from my songwriting. I don't really know what the future holds for me or if this dream is even possible, and that can be pretty scary at times, but I know I'm not the first, and certainly won't be the last person to be in these shoes!

Whatever happens and wherever I may end up, I know that God is with me, so no matter how poor I may become here on earth, I am rich with Him!

Towards the end of this year I'd like to travel and play a few gigs at local coffee shops and the like! Having recently finished Housebird, I now have a product that I can take with me, and am starting to work on getting together a live set that I'll be able to play anywhere!

I recently completed my first instrumental album Small Giraffes. This has been something I've wanted to do for a while now, and I feel it will be the main direction of my music from this point onwards. Daylight Tremor, my songwriting project, is something that I will continue with, and I would like to release a follow up album to Housebird in the future, but at the moment I feel Small Giraffes is where I'm at musically and creatively at the moment.

As I scribble down these thoughts on post-it notes, I am reminded of the people that I have met, the friendships that have been formed, and all those who have shown me love and support. And as I reflect on these things of past few years I feel truly blessed, also knowing that I’m only at the beginning of this journey.

I regularly busk at Salamanca Markets in Hobart, where I'll have Small Giraffes for sale. If you see me playing there, or anywhere, come and say hi!

Much love!
Alan