Our Dad

Blogspot is where Our Dad "blogs" about the life and times of an amateur wedding singer.

last updated 1 year ago #

A reasonably well-received 5 nights at the Cafe Uno in Momentum 2007 in Shepton Mallet. Steve now warms up, and doesn't lose his voice. A couple of new reggae numbers were added, and the Tower of Power tracks are sounding quite tight. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful time. We did notice however, that the 18-25 age group is somewhat more reserved than the 13-18 age group at Soul Survivor. Why is that I ask myself? Everyone grew up quickly? Less crowded? I dunno! All I know is that Our Dad's only public gig is just an amazing time and we thank you all for being such fun. See you in 2008 :-)

last updated 1 year ago #

last updated 1 year ago #

This is so exciting! The Walking Bible Project is nearly ready for launch. Already you can visit the site and check out the verses set to music, all written by the three Weeksie brothers, Daniel and Matthew and William Weeks. What an exciting project! It is not often that something new comes along. The Big Ideais that you can become a "walking bible" by memorising the holy scriptures and walking around with them in your head. Great! see http://www.walkingbible.com/en/index.html http://amadeo.blog.com/repository/462532/1647825.jpg

last updated 1 year ago #

"Our Dad" returned to our Cafe Uno gig at the Soul Survivor event again this year. Is it a "festival"? Not really, it's a one-week camping site with Worship for 10,000 and all-day Christian teaching seminars. But the atmosphere in the evenings feels like a festival. It was exhausting as ever. Two hours of music every night, and a lot of each day goes into planning the five set lists with variety and pace, and including guest singers from the audience and from the other performers.

"Man of the Match" must go to Raul D'Oliveira this time. Hanging out at the marketplace, I asked the audience what they liked. Was it the musical excellence? The fun and silliness? The dancing? They said "It's the characters!" and must mean above all, Raul. One effusive comment on MySpace; "Raul is the best thing to happen to Christianity since the resurrection". So there you have it!

A precious memory and highlight for me is to be greeted before the encore by other musicians at stage-side. But this year, the most unforgettable moment was the arrival of a new front row in the audience. After they pushed their way across the front of the stage, they raised their shirts to reveal the wording written across their tummies, "Will you be Our Dad?" Priceless. Now that's what I call Body Language.

Finally, although the excitement and music is all part of the fun, I hope that the lasting memory for the audience will be something deeper. Was there worship in the dancing? Was there truth, even prophetic truth in the singing? If not, then I'll just keep working at it until there is. Of course it was all about the moment. Many things came out of the songs and performances that were unpremeditated, but I do have a planned long-term goal that if possible we might demonstrate a "model" for worship outside of church. And maybe demonstrate a few principles on which you can run bands that play in different styles and gigs for secular audiences. Some bands work on the idea that Christians and their faith, and the acknowledgement of God and truth need not be restricted to church. And the whole enterprise should be totally steeped in excellence and joy; and still be perfectly good rocking night out at the pub.

As one of our audience said, "Best club atmosphere ever, ..and in a tent! ..and with no alcohol!"

Next year, I'd like to start extending the band into doing seminars on using musicianship in this way, (and maybe also get to pitch my tent nearer to the good showers!)

last updated 2 years ago #

Well, only a few days to go. Are you excited? I am! Soul Survivor in Shepton Mallett! What an experience! The excitement's in tents,.. Meanwhile, I've been in Helsinki for a couple of weeks and then straight to Singapore, and then Melbourne I'm off to Tokyo and Madrid pretty soon after Shepton Mallett, so due to pressure of travel, there will hardly be any time for preparation. So Our Dad will have to be at their improvisational best. What will happen? We don't know! Drop in after your day to the Cafe Uno, and we'll work it out together. Yeah Baby! 14th to 18th August. Woah Woh Woh Woah Woh Woh Wo Wo Wo Woah!

last updated 2 years ago #

What a business! Well, the album was finished, and we really enjoyed getting the songs written arranged, played, recorded, mixed and mastered. Then comes manufacturing, for which we need permission from the MCPS. I think we first need legal permission from a number of companies that do not agree on who owns what. In theory we could get this permission and give acknowledgements and pay the 60 quid that SONY (or who ever it is) would take from our total sales, but I just don't have time to deal with this. It seems to me that the only practical and legal option is that we just make our own CDs and give them away. I understand that this is legal. Meanwhile, I put some songs back on MySpace, which may mean they now belong to Rupert Murdoch! Who knows?!

I also hit on a great idea, talking to Martin Neil. He has produced a fantastic album of authentic African music by the Wagogo tribe in Mnase, Tanzania. The joy of the performers in the face of adversity is inspiring, and the money from sales goes towards building a well for them. If you buy one of these CD/DVD packs (15 GBP) I will give you an Our Dad CD. How's that!?

last updated 2 years ago #

The story goes that MySpace has been bought by Rupert Murdoch.
And continues that the current rules say if you post music to MySpace
then this grants the necessary permission to host and share, but also
includes the UNnecessary permission to make commercial profit.

Well, creativecommons.org has already preovided easy access to us all
to perfectly good "share it while retaining commercial rights" licensing,
and RM should be able to provide the same quite easily.

Billy Bragg's MySpace explains everything.
Meanwhile, until it's all fixed, you can get Our Dad's music from the internet archive
but all my music has been removed from MySpace

cheers :-) Steve

last updated 2 years ago #

The Five Track CD from Our Dad is nearly ready.
The mastering is done, and the cover is nearly done.
We will lanch on June 29th, so bring your £5 (bargain!)

Steve Weeks 14th May 2006

last updated 2 years ago #

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Our Dad: "Live at The Rutland"

Thursday 29th June 2006

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At last, a chance to see Our Dad play live, without having to be invited to a wedding, or sleep in a Homeless Shelter (the Dad's normal gig habitat). The gig will serve two other purposes in addition to a chance for all the friends and fans of Our Dad to meet. We'll be launching the new 5-track CD, and supporting two great charities: The Haven (that provides care those dealing with Breast Cancer) and Martin Neil has recorded the beautiful singing and drumming of a Tanzanian Village to support their building of a water well. And if that wasn't enough, there'll be a bar too, so you are going to need some cash on the night, and don't forget your dancing shoes; see you there!

Buy Tickets.

Preview the new CD, Talking2Our Dad on MySpace.
Our Dad's Old Site.
More About The Haven.
More About The Rutland.
More About The Well.

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Love, Steve & Mary Weeks
steve.e.weeks@gmail.com
maria.weeks@gmail.com
+4477 1185 5265

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last updated 2 years ago #