So ... I've deleted 3 or 4 songs and added 2 and now have a "subs bench" of about 5. Are you still with me? Thought not! It's a strange and sometimes satisfying conundrum. I've thought about having an online post show debate ... where I post the set list for each night and you ... my dear, dear listener ... get to comment on it, whether you're at the show or not. It's just an idea ... and generally speaking once I've found the list that works I stay with it but this being a new way of working for me, perhaps I'll veer off the normal way of things and be even more adventurous?! Only time will tell. Apropos of nothing really I just want to say how beautiful the Island is ... look!
On Sunday May 17th my good friends at Stereoscout records started a weekly music event at the award winning and beautifully renovated court house on Atholl Street in Douglas (iom). Christy DeHaven (guitar,vocals and loop station!) with Dave Armstrong on bass, (Mr and Mrs Stereoscout ) were hosts and first up ... I'm so proud of Christy's confidence now on stage ... hard won and well deserved, she was fab. 
Truman Falls were next and filled the place with their gorgeous harmonies and brilliant songs - the tiny isle has a wealth of musical talent. Anna Goldsmith should have been here too but was fighting a nasty virus - she has since fully recovered - hurrah. So I was up last to finish the night. It's a while since I stood on stage on my own and I have to say I was quite scared ... but loved every minute of it once I get going. I played a few tried and tested songs from the past and one of my new songs for the first time ... "We Spoke Today" ... glad to say we both came out of the ordeal shining bright.
It was a great opening night and each week will have a different Stereoscout host with 2 or 3 guest artists doing 2o minutes a piece ... as I say the Island is chock full of very talented people and these events are a brilliant way to get aquainted with a whole host of different artists and their wonderful music. If you live on the Island or just visiting and here on a Sunday ... GO! Thanks to Martin Critchley for the photos!
I was invited to Manx radio last week (May 26th) for an interview and a song or 2 on Bob Harrison's afternoon show, ostensibly to plug the very first gig on the tour (eek!) at Port Erin's Art Centre. Christy DeHaven came along and very kindly videoed the proceedings. I'm not sure we made much sense to anyone listening but we sure had a lot of fun ... Bob is a great supporter of live music and is always generous and sincere ... oh yeh and very cheeky! I was blown away by the emails that came pouring in while I was there ... from fans as far afield as Essex, Ramsey, Suffolk, Buckinghamshire, Belgium and California! Fair tickled the cockles of me 'eart! Thanks! We Spoke Today from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
I took advantage all week of the full fat gloriously bright sunshine and practiced in the garden each day
... much more satisfying than stuck in a room in the gloom on your own. I have so far been through at least 4 lots of false nails ... can't keep the glue going long enough ... must try to have a professional job done for the tour ... just one hand though, I wonder how often that happens in a nail salon?;-) Talking of salons ...another essential part of the preparations for touring is a new hair cut! I tried a salon in Douglas that has a great reputation and has won awards over the years, called "Utopia" and is ... as I found out ... difficult to get an appointment at. But I persevered et voila! 
I dared to go darker and richer in colour ( sloughing off my recent middle aged grey) and love the bright red glints. The salon may not get another award for my new look but I like it .... just need a fab new outfit now ...Stereoscout and DAM productions are involved with several great projects on the Island at the moment, one involving the Manx TT ... which is already upon us! ... and the worlds first zero carbon, clean emissions Grand Prix Race, scheduled for June 12th: www.ttxgp.com . As part of the promotion of the event Dave Armstrong at DAM has been inspired to make a music video capturing the spirit of the venture. He came up with the brilliant idea of using John Mayer's "Waiting For The World To Change" and has filmed and recorded a multitude of local musicians at various outside locations, all live each time adding their performance to the growing track.
I added my part a few days ago on a perfect evening at the Sound, on the southern tip of the Island, driving back via Port Erin which looked stunning ... it was a fabulous experience and I think the final results are wonderful; here's a clip to give you the idea:Waiting On The World, by 'Treisht' from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
There's also a music event affiliated with the clean emissions race an orcestral concert with the LMO entitled "The Promise of a Generation", we've bought tickets already and are bringing mum, dad and my sister Diane ... it's being held on mum's birthday so all round we're very excited. It promises to be a wonderful evening.
Another project that myself and other Stereoscout artists are included on is a cd "One In Three" for a local Cancer charity now available on Amazon.co.uk: One in Three. A great collection of songs/artists showing off Manx musical diversity at the same time supporting a very worthwhile cause.
One last thing before I blog-off ... I forgot to mention last time about the re-release of HBHB II Money The Final Frontier now available at: Stereoscout
... and also available at gigs! Hurrah.By the time I next Blog I should be on the road! Yeh ... and I'll have details of the cd that will be available on tour ... some live recordings of Rob and I doing our new thing ... plus a few new demos ... a sign of things yet to come ...
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read my meanderings. If you make it to a show please come and say hello ... I'd love that!
Take care. See you out there soon ...
Christine ;-) XX
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