Well I missed writing a blog last month which I think is the first time I have missed one since starting it more than 4 years ago. It got me reflecting on how things have changed over that time and where I want to focus attention for the remainder of the year.

Looking back over the last 2 months to reflect on why I missed writing the blog, I think although I had had a fantastically creative February with FAWM and then starting the piano improvisation course, things rapidly dropped off again in Mar/Apr. Without the focus of FAWM and I suppose the fact that it is always going to feel quiet in March after having written intensely for a whole month in Feb I did not know what to write about. The weeks drifted together without me really picking up a guitar or doing anything much creatively. I have been rousing on helping my youngest with his Duke of Edinburgh award and we started a community group called the Fylde Bee project, promoting bee friendly habitat in the local area, and that was taking a lot of my attention, so I just did not have the space for any music.

If I pause and think about all the things that have happened over the last 4+years since the blog started I have been very active across a breadth of sound creative activities and, although sometimes sporadic, I have managed to keep things going in all of the different areas. The Ask was a successful rock band playing regularly and was fantastic fun. When that folded The Sacred Woods formed and we quickly produced a great set using some old but lots of new tunes and covers and again were able to play regularly and had a great time. At the same time KittyHawk were playing ceilidhs and having great fun across the North West. Interspersed with these activities has been a constant stream of experimental creation under the name Jules Bryant. Bursts of activity creating sound art and album material that has been regularly released on band camp and other digital channels. More recently has been the increase in solo material and the steady release of solo acoustic singer songwriter stuff under the name Jules Roberts.

So, as I sit here writing, pause from beating myself up over missing a blog post I think I can be pleased with what I have done so far and that given that current world situation keeping anything together should be considered an achievement. I have written some new songs over the last few weeks and am about 3 tracks into a new Jules Bryant album in the ‘A collection of notes’ series. So all is not lost. We have not yet managed a Sacred Woods rehearsal since last year and it is over a year since any Kittyhawk practices. Whether these projects will restart I can’t say at this stage. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, but for now I will keep on doing what I’m doing and creating sounds.

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