Connections and Creations. Part 6: We’re Better Together

Wednesday 25^th October

Kathy’s fundraiser has reach £2500! Her story was covered in a Canadian newspaper and rather sweetly, the journalist mentioned that ‘even a Brit has written a song for her’.  I found this quite lovely as I never think of myself as a Brit.  I’ve broken into The Brits a few times, but I’ve never considered myself to be one.  But I guess I am.

Good news!  Dwayne sent the drone footage. It’s crazy seeing yourself that small against a large landscape.  I hardly recognise myself and what a peculiar walk I have.  That will be the fallen arches and weak ankles I guess.  I never knew I looked like that when I walked.  Oh well, old flat foot strikes again. The video is looking very lovely.  Nothing fancy, but quite true to the journey the song has taken me on.

Tonight I am taking part in a recording session in Toronto via the wonders of…FaceTime.  Whilst I remain undecided about the eventual effects of instant internet connectivity, this surely is a huge plus for musicians.  Working remotely with music is commonplace now but I’ve not done it very much and I’ve never felt like I was at a session that was taking place on another continent.  Ben and I try hard not to make too many Star Wars jokes (yes, Star Wars obsessive – guilty as charged) while Alexy works through the drum parts in the control room.  After an hour or so, he actually thinks I am there in Toronto and half expects me to walk into the room at any moment.  I too realise how loudly I am talking at 4 o’clock in the morning and wonder if I’ve woken any neighbours up.   It’s all quite surreal, but it works perfectly.  Alexy nails the drums and the whole song has shifted up a gear.  It’s starting to sound epic and my face is aching from smiling.  Ben is also just about to shoot a video for his own single the next day.  This is pretty amazing.  Most artists would be having an early night before a video shoot the next day. I feel ever so slightly blessed, but truth be told, it’s the song that’s being blessed and it carries a lot of love within it now, from many corners of the world. As an extra cherry on the top, the supreme and heartfelt musician Vezi has also recorded Hammond on the song. So now we have a drummer from Montreal, a choir from The Isle of Wight, a violinist from North London, a pianist from Reading and an organist and mastering wizard both from Toronto and a flat footed vegetarian songwriter originating from Soho.

After going backwards and forwards for a few days, putting all their heart into it, Alexy and Ben have mixed and mastered the song. I have finished the video. I’ve uploaded it to digital stores, but it will also be available on my website to download (recommended!)

It’s all ready to share. The video will premiere on Wednesday 29th November. If you haven’t done so already, please donate to Kathy’s fundraiser here.

Have you missed the first five chapters of this story? Go here.

To donate to help Kathy get back on her feet again, click here.