Hello and welcome to the first edition of on repeat by me, Imogen Halsey.
I hope that in time we can build a supportive, positive and creative community from this newsletter both online and in person.
Read on for my musical influences, ideas that come into existence on walks or in the middle of the night, reflections on creativity as well as upcoming gig announcements of course.
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on repeat
This month I’ve been listening to The Dunwells on repeat. In particular their songs Animal (studio and live versions are both wonderful) and Communicate. They are a Leeds based Indie-folk / Americana duo and there’s something so special and unique about their music that makes me add it to my Spotify queue again and again. I was lucky enough to open for them at The Ministry at the end of last year thanks to the amazing Lorraine at Success Express and since then I haven’t been able to get their music out of my head. Go listen and experience it for yourself.
A note on this section: I tend to get obsessed with songs and listen to them, you guessed it, on repeat. Each month you can listen to a brand new playlist of all the songs I’ve been listening to. Click the image for the first edition, which is the original on repeat playlist I made in January 2021.
Rewind
Looking back over the past few months, a highlight has been doing backing vocals and playing cello for the brilliant Flo Perlin on tour. If you don’t know her music yet then you are in for a treat - go listen to her music and join her at a live show. You won’t regret it.
I also spent two days playing cello for a new musical workshop. I’ve been involved with this musical in a variety of forms since 2014 and I know you’ll think I’m biased, but it’s honestly incredible. Feeling grateful to still be a small part of it. Billie the Kid needs a stage longterm.
Pause
Recently, I’ve been thinking and talking to friends about when I feel most creative and why. I notice more and more that I’m at my most creative when I am rested, relaxed and would go so far to say that I need time to get bored before there’s real space for authentic creativity. I was lucky enough to have a week off over Christmas and it was only on the final day of the break I felt I could write a song.
Don’t get me wrong, I can be creative during intensely busy periods but I’ve started to question whether it’s the same, better, or worse than truly blocking out time to do nothing, in order to let creativity thrive. Quality over quantity. I came across the Lazy Report from It’s Nice That right in the middle of my pondering of this idea - great minds. I found it really resonated with me - download and see what you think for yourself.
Fast-forward
I’m excited to announce two gigs I have coming up. I’m at The Gladstone Arms in London Bridge this Tuesday for a solo gig. Doors are at 7pm and I’m on at 8:15pm. It’s always a great night there, so come join us if you can.
Looking further ahead, I have a full band show on Friday 14th April at the Spice of Life, Soho. I hope you can make it! Tickets are here – https://bit.ly/3Kfbg9u
Shuffle
Here’s where I get to share random things that I have enjoyed in the past month - hope you enjoy them too.
I’ve been enjoying making this Mob recipe for my lunches recently - Harissa Bulgur Wheat Traybake
Opened the New Statesman to find this article [Is Substack the future of media?] mere days after I decide to create a substack - hello universe?
Who wants to go eat this Burrata with me…? Delish.
When and/or where do you feel most creative?
Leave a comment to share your answer with the group. Hope you enjoy and learn from reading each other’s responses.
Thanks so much for reading all the way to the end - you’re the best! If you’ve enjoyed this first edition I’d love for you to give it a share and bring more people to the party.
See you next month,
Imogen
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