I started using the Ubuntu operating system about a month back. I wanted to try and get away from using Windows.
Ubuntu is part of the Linux family of operating systems. It’s completely free to download and install and is built by a team of volunteer programmers working worldwide. This system of many people building non-copyright softare is called open source.
I had heard a lot of bad things about using Linux, such as it’s only suitable for techies and is not very user friendly. Having now used it myself, I’ve found this to be completely untrue. In fact, Ubuntu seems a lot simpler to use than Windows.
Disadvantages
The only disadvantage I can find with using a Linux operating system, is that some pieces of professional software won’t run on it. I use Sibelius to edit music scores. No other software comes close to Sibelius in terms of speed. Most people who use their computer for high-end professional work such as graphic designers, architects, sound engineers need specialised software that currently only runs on a Mac or Windows. There are some very good free alternatives to a lot of commercial software but if you’re using it day in day out, then you will still depend on the commercial software and operating system.
Luckily you can install both Windows and Ubuntu on the same machine. This means I can switch back to Windows when I need to use Sibelius. Everything else, I can now do with Ubuntu.
The show is a musical comedy. Loads of good laughs and some very clever lyric writing. On top of that, I guarantee you will be whistling the tunes for days. The cast are brilliant. All five of the main characters are hilarious as well as being fantastic singers.
The Bamboo Sessions have been running a competition where the prize is 3 days in a recording studio for one songwriter.
We held the prize draw in RedLab Studios last Friday. Here’s the video.
I think after this performance, the offers are going to be rolling in to host other raffle sytle events.
Competition was won by Jennifer Evans. She’s going to be coming in to the studio at the beginning of September. We’re going to post up videos of the fininshed song.
I just stumbled on this video of Mississippi John Hurt singing “You Got To Walk That Lonsome Valley”. I would love to be able to fingerpick like this guy.
His voice is really relaxed. Kinda like Pops Staples.
On top of that, I’m going to do string arrangements for whoever wins.
We came up with rules so that only a songwriter can actually win. Basically, only one person is allowed into the studio.
All you have to do to enter the competition is give your email address. The winner will be picked from a hat.
The competition was set up to spread the word about the Bamboo Sessions (and RedLab). We’re hoping that songwriters will get there friends to enter on there behalf.
The more people who enter the draw on your behalf, the more chance you have of winning. An email address can only be entered once. Hopefully this will encourage people to spread the word. We launched it last Thursday. So far, we only have 14 email addresses (boo!).
I don’t think that people have got the message that they can get friends to enter for them. Needs more work.