Sometimes the difference between an ordinary photo and something memorable is just one slightly stupid idea. For a Last Milieu band shoot a few months ago, I brought a ladder and suggested the photographer shoot from above. For the Sunday Mail shoot this week I suggested that we all lie on the floor with drumsticks. Both ideas got used. The photographers still did the actual photographic work, obviously. But turning up with an idea gave them something more interesting to experiment with. It’s a useful reminder that creative direction doesn’t only belong to the person holding the camera. Bring an idea. Suggest something. Try the odd angle. Worst case, it doesn’t work. Best case, it ends up in the paper.

This week, a press release for one of my bands, Last Milieu has generated: - an article in today’s local Sunday Mail - coverage in Glam Adelaide - coverage in The Note Magazine - an interview and performance on Radio Adelaide on Monday 31 August I’m mostly mentioned as the multi-instrumentalist and appear in the photos, which is completely fine — the story is the band, and the situation for one of the other members. The useful reminder for me is this - finished work creates momentum. You can spend months tweaking, planning and preparing, but once something is actually finished and sent out into the world, it can start changing things. Weeks later you meet people and they say "Oh yeah I heard of your band...." or "yeah you were on that Radio chart." That applies to music, videos, courses, websites, probably most creative work. Finish it. Send it. See what comes back. Read one of the articles here: https://www.thenote.com.au/news/stage-iv-diagnosis-prompts-adelaide-garage-punk-trios-first-live-show In the next few weeks I will be sharing more of the music and related work that sits next to Room to Record on my schedule. And, I'm starting the process of recording album #2 in the studio.

Short videos shot in the car (not while driving) can be a quick and easy way to not only produce content and get messages across, but also to communicate and organize ideas quickly and develop a routine.

A slightly special welcome today to our newest Room to Record member — and member #19. This one happens to be my sister, Sandra - which means she has had considerably longer than most of you to observe my tendency to start ridiculous creative projects and then somehow keep going with them. Room to Record is growing slowly, but very deliberately, and every new person makes it feel a little more like an actual community rather than me rearranging furniture in an empty room. So welcome aboard Sandra. And since you’re here: tell us what you’re working on, making, recording, writing, avoiding, or trying to finally finish.