Grow, Grow

I LOVE this article by Amy (@amypalko) confessions of an inconstant blogger

“Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, Grow, grow…”
The Talmud

We all go through this ebb and flow of creativity! I love the quote, it’s beautiful and hopeful and inspirational. My new album is all around the theme of “the seed of an idea” and growth in nature.

I’ve been looking at my life differently since arriving at this theme. I think part of growing as a human involves periods of internal growth and preparation where it seems nothing is developing on the outside, you’re not producing fruit yet…but you’re taking in everything you need to make the fruit. It’s seasonal! I wrote a new song called Secret Roots, you don’t see them, but they make you stronger. Amy’s article talks of this, and all of us worry when we’re not producing fruit, but nature doesn’t work like the conveyor belt of capitalism. Time to develop, time to put down roots and time to grow is an essential part of our own growth.

Even the funding of the album is growth oriented, as I get one step closer with each person who chooses to pre-order it. These are my angels, whispering “Grow, grow” Grow the seed

I’m writing a song today about being a tree, coming out of the dirt, finding nutrients in the dirt, and converting these to fruit.

We’re all creative creatures and we need to remember that the periods of quiet, though seemingly unproductive will help lay the foundations for our best work, our masterpieces, our fruit!

Grow, grow!! Xx

As Trains Pass By (from Different Skin)

If you like this, please pass on, it’s been enabled for free download…you might also want to be part of making the next album happen here: http://www.sponsume.com/project/meme

Please tell all your friends
Hugs and fairy dust x

If We Meet

Keir and I really enjoyed working with Jiamin Liu on sound design and music for her wonderful animation “If We Meet” which was officially selected by the following festivals:

Holland Animation Film Festival 2010
5th China (Beijing) International Student Animation Festival 2010
Tricky Women International Animation Festival 2011
Monstra Animated Film Festival 2011
Womanimation festival 2011

IF WE MEET from jiamin liu on Vimeo.

Jiamin also animated the music video for my track “You”

Plum (feat. Ben Phaze)-YOU from jiamin liu on Vimeo.

A very talented girl – look out for her at www.missbowtie.com

Marvin Mouse…in the bath

Untitled from Plum Tunes on Vimeo.

This is Marvin Mouse, who I rescued this evening from 2 cats and an army of ants. Poor wee thing.

Advice welcome – I have so far rescued a jackdaw, a sheep, a seagull and a stray dog before, but never a mouse.

Thanks,
Plum x

Ring Ring

Happy days, 3 of the tracks from Different Skin have just become available as ring tones for your mobile

You – Text ‘track you’ to 80818 to buy
Eagle And The Penguin – Text ‘track eagle’ to 80818 to buy
As Trains Pass By – Text ‘track trains’ to 80818 to buy

“To buy the track you would text, ‘track you’ to 80818.

If you want to download it straight to your mobile handset you simply put an ‘m’ after the Track ID, for example ‘track you m’. Please note that Direct to Mobile downloads require WAP support to work. Most phones support WAP, but there are some notable exceptions. For instance, the Apple iPhone does not support WAP. Some networks do not support WAP either. However, if a UK user is on a network or handset that does not support WAP, and attempts a Direct to Mobile download, they will not be charged.

When people purchase the track(s) they will receive a text with instructions on how they can download the music.

Each track costs £1. Mobile downloads may incur additional charges. Users are advised to check with their operator”.

Sneak preview of new track The Seed

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THE SEED by Plum

Age old graves under an azure sky

Wading through wheat fields up to our waists and long grass tickling our ears, Keir and I giggle and trip our way clumsily over uneven ground – sometimes squelchy, sometimes crunchy under foot. The sun is setting in the distance behind us leaving a glowing sky above as we struggle to see in front of us. Wispy smudges of cloud overhead making shapes in the glow.

We know where we are going, we’re just not sure how to get there. An old kirk surrounded by a red tinted wall, broken down in places, and apparently with no path towards it, and neck high nettles surrounding every possible entrance…but one.

Clambering over old tree roots and under archways of leaves, we enter the graveyard as the sun disappears over the Pentland Hills.

Thomas Mitchell departed his life here, and his entire family of fourteen children and wife Elspeth, whose remains lie near the headstone. A secret old church, known only to the wood pigeons and magpies. Truly magical. There is a small hidden path between two hedges which brings us slowly and peacefully back to civilisation.

We walk on wet feet back along the quiet track road to the studio with fresh inspiration.

The glamorous life of a musician

Thursday night…put the finishing touches to the new song, and practise so much I bruise my finger.

Friday – pack the car with tent, wellies, sleeping bags, guitar, laptop, percussive frogs, loop pedal and leads…fill up with petrol. Drive to Insider festival with Keir…stop at House of Bruar to meet Alex, Rob and Gareth and exchange walkie talkies to play with on the drive up. Most communication consists of them yelling rap lyrics down the phone, directing our attention to a large stag at the side of the road, and me squealing “Bunnies…Ponies etc” at random intervals.

Arrive at Insider approximately 10:30pm, pitch tent beside the band Homework, who I hadn’t met before – nice lads. Beautiful festival – it’s one of my favourites, they have set designers help make the place more magical. It was described as the kind of festival you would have imagined if you’d had the reigns to organise as festicval as a child. Fairy lights, yurts with cinema screens and pianos, 3 live music stages, alternative therapies, hogroast tent, mushroom sculptures, an absynthe tent, the place is magical! Help Capitals get their gear onto the stage, get beer, dance like a numptie throughout their set, help get the gear back in the car (2:40am), go back to the campsite, where Ross from Homework is hillariously drunk and keeps falling into tents which miraculously pop back into position…all but his own tent which snapped when he fell on it.

Go to sleep.

Saturday – Wake up 5 hours later, sleeping bags wet, tent with puddles inside, rain pouring down outside. Eat yummy bacon roll, have incredible cup of tea, pack up tent and walk with stuff back to car. Drive to Perth, pouring rain the whole way. Have lunch in Perth, and call Stuart to see if Tolmiefields still on…affirmative. Drive to Cumbernauld. Raining when we arrive. Stuart is sweeping puddles of water off the stage, and gaffa taping bin bags around the edges to waterproof it. Cute festival. Saw Stuarts treehouse. Played set, which went down well. Stayed for a while after and met some lovely people…packed up car at 9:15pm, drove home…on the way were chased by angry road rage man who shouted lots of abuse. Got home at 10:30pm, got Indian takeaway, lit fire and cosied down for the night.

Sunday – stayed in bed for most of the day. Ate yummy chilli.

Cottages, PRS and Tolmiefields

Well it’s been a very busy couple of months, sadly due to the increasing fuel costs, I had to pack up my beautiful cottage in the Borders, and move closer to Edinburgh. I’m in a smaller place, with a beautiful view over Edinburgh from the distant hills, I still have a lovely music studio, good neighbours, and now a live-in producer which helps to bounce ideas off. It’s been a busy time painting, cleaning and building flat pack furniture, but it’s getting there!

Have been writing a lot of lyrics the past week, mostly very late at night. Also was up at Rock Ness this weekend with Capitals (www.capitalsmusic.com) which was a blast. Very talented boys!

And this is now the 8 day count down to hear back from the fabulous PRS WOMEN MAKE MUSIC grant which I applied to. Fingers crossed.

This weekend I’ll be performing my frist live gig of 2011 at Tolmiefields (Cumbernauld) to help the Tronic Boys raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice. Tickets are £10, and it’s a family friendly affair, and I hear there’s space for campers too. If you’re on Facebook search for Tolmiefields

Bring on the trumpets

Video Blog 1!

After 6 months of sticking my head in the snow, I have finally dusted the cobwebs out of the studio and got back to some writing. I’ve also roped in some musical friends (genius musical friends) to help me with some production on the album, so it’s a very exciting time.

Here’s the first draft of “My reason to Strive”:

I also thought I’d give you a wee tour of my beautiful cottage, where I’ve been living since July. It’s very peaceful and a great space for creativity…if you’re not in the midst of writers block/crisis of confidence…it’s a completely un-thought-out random blethering tour of the cottage…I will learn planning before the next blog! Promise. …and I’ll learn how to dub over the random chat with music…