T A M

Hope

2010-07-16T13:41:00.002+02:00

Hope is the little faint flicker of fire that refuses to go out. That is my personal feeling towards life. You know, we can have ten alarm clocks, scattered in various rooms, but we gotta uncover ourselves and get out of bed. The first step is our choice. I love the adventure I am on. I will keep you posted, but for now, even when it is tough, separate yourself from your anxiety, then scoot it in the corner, and wait for it to dissolve. It will:)

2010

2010-02-15T20:40:00.003+02:00

Hi guys
Just an update on my life:) The last three months have been pretty productive. When you run your own business,there is little time for rest. Even when you are on "holiday", I find you are never fully relaxed. When you are not working, you are not earning.

I spent one week with the family in Kommetjie, over December. That was my holiday. During the term, it is difficult to song write during the day. I have a job, which starts at 2pm and ends at 6:30pm. I teach extra lessons to kids. So far, I have 40 students I teach from Monday to Thursday. I keep Fridays open to track my songs. During the week, I put down ideas. SO, school holidays are NB for me. That's when I track around the clock, literally. I got 5 songs down over December. They are currently being mixed. I am so happy with them . They are the first songs I produced myself, and wrote and tracked at my little studio. I have done a couple of vocal tracks again at Roomworks Studios, but most of my tracking and production was in my little home studio.
My goal with my music, is to be a pro - international singer and songwriter. It is amazing how much you sacrifice for that which you love. I am so hoping that I get a break in this crazy muxic business. I believe I have fresh music. It saddens me to my very core, when you watch music videos or music shows, like the Grammys. It's not about the music at all. Artists are out to shock. They claim to be role models, but wear next to nothing. The music and movements are provocotive. Where are the Bob Dylans and Carol Kings? Freaks me out!

All who you know

2009-09-16T22:48:00.002+02:00

The music world is a business. If you want your music to reach a wide audience, you have to know the right people. (ALL who you know, I am afraid.) But, what happens when you don't know the king pins and you know you have songs worth listening to? Frustration steps in and kicks your butte, both left and right cheeks. That's when you have to be truly passionate and love what you do.

It scares me to think where music is going? Will I Am made a comment the other day; that in four years time, he doesn't think cd's will be sold anymore. That got me thinking, especially as I am a songwriter........ So, the race to get hits online will be on..... That means, artists are going to have to shock people and do crazier things than other artists to get the views and purchases online..... It is going to be graphics and boom boom boom that wins the day..... and for the songwriters and artists who are not prepared to wear nothing but a cloth hiding their strategics, and singing about unrefined things and dancing sexually in music videos (some music vids are close to porn), it's finding the live venues; places where people still appreciate music with soul; cause I don't think these artists are going to be able to compete in the fast-paced-graphic-sex sells-shock me now so I will check out your vibe- sells; online-world.

Will - I - Am scared me with his statement.

passion first

2009-09-06T15:40:00.000+02:00

Sho! This is a tough business. You gotta really like your own stuff; so that when you are in the verbal firing range of liberated opinion-slinging, you can handle yourself confidently.... Just do your best, have a solid, truthful and knowledgeable accountability structure with whom and off whom you can bounce your sound .... everybody cannot be a sounding board... you'll go nuts. Then do your best! Knock on doors and hopefully the right one will open... But, most importantly, keep music a passion, and financial payment, will then just be a bonus.... [less]

TEAR DOWN THE WALLS

2009-09-03T10:57:00.001+02:00

Let’s live a life of serving others. Let’s live a life of making others feel loved and special. Let’s live a life of helping people feel like they belong!
There are broken people around us; people whose lives have been shattered by the traumas of life….widows, widowers, orphans, rape-victims, drug addicts, jobless-people, single-parents, children of broken marriages…….. We don’t have to look too hard. God wants us to serve the poor, the rich who are in fact poor, the destitute and the broken-hearted and lead them to Him. That is what we are called do. That is what we were designed for.
We have to tear down the walls that are in front of their lives, the walls they cannot see over, the walls that stop them from even attempting to jump over, so they can see there is a place where they will be loved, feel like they belong and come into relationship with God. Our Edge Church doors are open. Open for us to grow and learn about God together, and open for us to step out and tear down the walls in front of people, with God’s sword of truth and His amazing grace.
The first step: God, help us to love and see people the way you do. Amen
Live large! Love lavishly! Leave a legacy!

PASSION

2009-08-29T05:50:00.004+02:00

I have had the privilege of meeting and playing music with brilliant human beings. Last night, I opened for Andre de Villiers, one of SA's legendary singer/songwriters. We were raising funds to purchase a truck for missionaries in Western Zambia.

Today, I am gigging to raise funds for animal shelters.

I was posted some pics on facebook of Dave Maurice and me playing at Die Boer. Dave has taught me so much about music; not to compare, just to be me and full of heart. I lost my brother 5 years ago. Jacques drowned tragically and I miss him every day, so much.

God has blessed me with brothers: big brothers and younger brothers. I am blessed.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

2009-08-21T18:27:00.004+02:00

Hi everyone

Wow, the last month has been a rollercoaster ride. Feels like I have been running on a treadmill at full pace for a month.

K. Can't talk too much about it, but may have interest in my songs abroad. Will keep you posted. I have got my website revamped by a chap called Jaco; looks cool hey.

One of the highlights of my career was jamming at Wendy Oldfield's gig on Ladies' Day. What a blast. She is South Africa's best folks. What a voice and stage presence.

I hope to take a trip to the Wilderness and spend some time with her.

2009-07-13T21:59:00.002+02:00

Tonight, my dad took me with him to deliver food to the poor, homeless and prostitutes. They live in the shadows of the buildings. It was wonderful to give them food and talk to them. These people are literally forgotten about. I spoke to a prostitute called Nikita. She was 23 years old, doing what she does in order to survive. It is not like she woke up one morining and exclaimed, "Goodie, I am going to become a prostitute!"
She was so bashful when I said that she was beautiful.
I called out, "Meneer, word wakker. Hier is 'n bietjie kos om te eet!"
I was shocked when the cardboard boxes lifted and an old man, in an old tattered suit, appeared.
I said,"Oom, hier is kos vir Oom."
Why is he on the street in the cold? He should be celebrated as one of our old wise men of our beautiful country South Africa.
I spoke to some people sitting around a gas fire in the pouring rain. They had no shelter. The rain was falling down hard, and on them. You know, they still managed a smile?
I think the most incredible thing of the evening was when a mother and a daughter declined my offer of food gratefully, saying that they had enough to eat for the night. They steered me in the direction of others who had no food for the night.
That my friends is humanity! She had nothing! Yet, still, thought of her fellow man! A wow moment in my life.

PAPA LOUIS

2009-06-24T21:26:00.001+02:00

PAPA LOUIS:
I am named after both my grandpas: Papa Tom and Papa Louis: Tamarin Louise. I love it!!!
I have been fortunate enough to have had all my grandparents alive for most of my life.
Papa Louis is my last living grandparent. It was my birthday on Saturday. We went out for a bite to eat. Papa Louis wrote out a cheque for my birthday present at 11am. He informed me that he was going to bring vacuum-packed steaks to my birthday braai that evening. Then, suddenly and tragically, PApa Louis had a stroke. He is in ICU, unconscious and unresponsive. It is so sad to see him lying there. To be driving on Saturday morning to the shops to buy the newspaper and goodies for his boy, my Dad, and then be in a coma, by 12 noon, just rocks my boat. The prognosis is not good. One third of his brain is dead and the doctors are making him feel comfortable. I am not sure what to pray............... So I have just prayed that God's Will, will be done. May and June months are just so hard, Jake and Suzie's birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, my birthday, and now, Papa Louis having a stroke, is just too awful. On 27th June my brother, Jacques, will be dead for 5years. He died tragically in a scuba diving accident, leaving behind his wife, Suzie and his baby boy, Jake, his family and friends. The last time I ever saw my boet was on Father's Day, and on my birthday. I have struggled to celebrate my birthday since.... Now, Papa Louis had a stroke on my birthday too.... It tends to mess with my mind. I thank the Lord for His grace and the amazing family and friends that we have. Friends and family who lift us up, encourage and love us. God is good!

MMMMMM.....

2009-06-08T15:53:00.001+02:00

Hey, I was just thinking:
We worry about the things we are most passionate about!
It is s hard not to worry!!!

"It is a choice!" people say....

Ja, ja ,ja! I know it in my head. My heart does not always sinc with the good things in my head!

I reckon I will try this:
CHANGE MY DEVOTION TO CHANGE MY EMOTION!
Hope that means something to someone! It does to me!
Love TAM