the life of yi

Hello again

2011-01-13T12:31:00.003+10:00

Hi everybody. It's been so long since i've been blogging. It's really nice to see all your lovely comments.
I've been pretty flat out for the last few months with my band- the submariners-
Check us out at

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yi

2010-08-07T14:13:00.000+10:00

2010-03-11T11:05:00.004+10:00

She’s not who she seems…
She’s been giving out tiny pieces until there’s no lungs left to breathe with
She’s not who she seems…
But then, just who is she?
Will I ever know?
I don’t know
It’s the middle of the night and it’s raining on us
And it’s all for me, and it’s all for you
And the sky is full with the moon
You told me I wouldn’t like you
But oh, how wrong you were
Oh how wrong you were
Still, you won’t be caged
If I chase you you’ll run
You won’t be told
What to do or become
Because you know what you want
But then no, you don’t
If today you say yes
Then tomorrow you’ll surely say no

A fine drop

2010-01-03T16:31:00.001+10:00

Technorati Tags: whiskey,tokyo,vending machine,fond memories

Wow, does this photo bring back fond memories… late night whiskey from a vending machine in Tokyo is a moment best shared with friends- yummy!

Japan Japan

2009-08-26T21:57:00.001+10:00

in Kyoto at the moment. sorry, no pics to post just yet but hopefully when i get back. I'll tell you all about it when I do...

breaking and entering!

2009-07-10T22:12:00.002+10:00

The other weekend Charlotte and I broke into this abandoned factory building to take some photos. Unfortunately I look like I’ve been ‘smoking the peace pipe’ a little in these photos. Haaahaaaaaaaa, lol

The doors were all open but neither of us felt like being stabbed so we didn’t go in… the warning was written above the left hand door.

I really like the jacket I'm wearing in these shots- it’s an old ski jacket I got from a thrift shop outside a hospital- very cool. I also love these Levi’s bell-bottoms which I got ages ago at a vintage clothing store (they make me feel like a 70’s rockstar), like Nicole explained in an earlier post – Levi’s are so comfy! The shoes are Alife ‘public outrage’.

btw, Charlotte took the photos

Yi weekly

2009-07-06T18:44:00.001+10:00

Has anybody read this weeks addition of ‘Yi weekly’? haha, this photo was taken at a gig in Brisbane last week by a friend of mine Lewis who has recently taken to photography/posters. check out Lewis’s ‘Tempblography’ here

This shot must have been taken at a strange angle- it makes me look rather “full”. lol

Technorati Tags: yi,yi weekly,music magazine,tempblography

Tea anybody…?

2009-06-23T13:22:00.002+10:00

These are some boxes of tea that i bought in Nepal on the last trip. The flavours look super tasty but i haven’t even opened theboxes yet because I just think they look soooo cool! i will taste them one day though.

My favourite is the banana- it’s so ‘velvet underground’…

Technorati Tags: tea,tea boxes,flavours

gothic kilt n' boots

2009-06-15T16:23:00.001+10:00

I've been looking for new ways to show off my boots.
Failed painter made this black kilt for me...complete with tassel.
The Irish part of me loves it.
Probably won't go down well here in Australia.
So I'll debut it in Japan when I visit in August.

Technorati Tags: kilt,doc martins,yi,submarine man,men in skirts,gothic celt,japan

Punk at heart…

2009-06-11T20:46:00.001+10:00

Did I ever mention that throughout the years I’ve been extremely influenced by punk music…

As a reckless, strong-minded youth back in middle/high school finding my feet as a musician, naturally I found myself amongst punks and punk music. I actually have written lots of Punk songs- many of which i still look back at now as great songs. I think I’ll always gravitate that general direction. I often think about re-working and recording for future albums

Working out

2009-06-09T19:36:00.001+10:00

After reading about and seeing some of Charlotte’s strange animals on her blog I decided to post this picture of our much loved household cat… Mr Bubbles. I took this photo right after his daily workout, lol. He’s quite a large cat; so much so that this shot is pretty flattering to his figure. all the same he’s a beautiful and very affectionate animal.

Does anybody else have exceptional pets worth bragging about???

She came bearing gifts

2009-06-08T19:51:00.001+10:00

She knew me all too well… charlotte, clearly aware of my taste sent this wonderful gift in my direction.

FIGS! they look weird and kind of gross but they are so tasty.

I’m unable to resist dried figs so I gobbled these down shortly after some photos were taken in the sewing room. They were the organic kind too! my FAVORITE… thanks a lot charlotte

Winter’s here

2009-06-07T12:50:00.002+10:00

PERFECT! I caught a cold on Thursday. I thought I was going to be able to shake the thing by now but clearly I haven’t. I called up a moment ago to cancel tomorrow nights gig in west-end…

Hopefully I can book the same time next week. humble appologies. I hate being sick.

What the music industry is really about...

2009-06-03T20:33:00.003+10:00

Within the music industry a common expression is to 'define your identity ' Automatically this implies a sense of trying to look and sound like something other than who you are. Instead, I focus on defining my identity. Realising who I am, what my sound is and how this can be used to my advantage. It's really important to know who you are, what your product is and why you are making it.
Most people will only want to listen to music that somehow fits in or enhances the image of themselves that they want to have People wear music as if it's a hat, a pair of shoes or something to make them look good So, if a certain kind of music or musician doesn't fit in with an image or doesn't contribute to their 'style' people are less likely to listen to it.

A reason some musicians have so much trouble being heard is because they are about being creative without a pre-existing motive to how it should sound or what group of people they want to listen to it
I think one of the reasons why I struggle to find an audience is because my music doesn't have any social or cultural agenda's attached to it. As cliche as it sounds, my music really is just about the music (melody, harmony, experimentation and just the beauty of sound) and there's only a small demographic of people who take the time to appreciate that approach.
It's not that every musician that fits into a specific category is completely talentless and superficial, it just means that in many cases it is easier for them to get somewhere than for the stand-alone artist

'a railway conversation with Charlotte
posted by:

opinions please

2009-06-01T16:19:00.001+10:00

Ahoy there...failed painter and I have been working on some new images to further promote "Submarine Man". The image that includes a maintenance crew in the background is shown in colour as well as in monochrome for an 'old fashioned' effect. The 2nd version features the Submarine Man alone to create a feeling of solitude, and it also shows smudges created by condensation on the porthole.

I think all 3 look pretty good so I'm not sure which version looks best but I think it's the 3rd version that best describes my vision of the Submarine Man. What do you think???

Is there a doctor in the house?!

2009-05-29T19:18:00.001+10:00

I'd been eyeing off this GREAT pair of Doc Martins for a long time until just a few days ago when I was in the valley and couldn't control myself... I HAD to buy them! Having always lusted over Bowie's outrageous (Jean Genie/ Ziggy Stardust) Boots of the early 70's it was inevitable... I hope this will pair be the the start of a great collection!

These are just a couple of shots taken in my room

I love my Docs and think they look awesome! WHAT DO YOU THINK??

Moving In

2009-05-28T18:24:00.001+10:00

Well, it's looking a bit untidy at the moment but at least I'm at a stage where I've moved back in. I still need to: paint the windows and sills white, fix the broken glass in the door and and give it a lick of 'English phone box red', find something to cover the cement and lastly hang some more art on the walls- so far I've only hung my much-loved framed portrait of 'John Lennon'. On the plus side it is a huge improvement to what I started with.

I had my first practice session in a month today, it felt great to be back into the swing of things and thankfully I wasn't too rusty.

Soon I'll have to start work on the outside...

feeling all the bumps

2009-05-20T12:33:00.001+10:00

© l.m.noonan

I think our possessions like our passions say a lot about about us so I'm going to post--randomly--under a new category, some of favourite things. Above is a photo of one of my pushbikes. Old, rusty but hellishly stylish.

transformations

2009-05-14T19:14:00.001+10:00

I've put on my carpenters boots- With Dad's help I've been dressing, lining and putting up walls to turn my once hollow shell of a cabin into a cozy cottage studio. It's a big job and though I can't really practice till it's done, I kind of enjoy the challenge. Can't wait to move back in... I'll take a photo when I do!

Woe Is Me

2009-04-26T14:47:00.001+10:00

I've spent the last week procrastinating and feeling sorry for myself and personally, I HATE the feeling of getting nothing done. Woe is me...

like first time lovers lyrics

2009-04-23T10:25:00.001+10:00

LIKE FIRST TIME LOVERS © Yi 2008

See through bullets pierce our clothes
clear a path through your hair and slide down my nose
I want to go home and for the day to be over
take me home, take me under the covers

See the bullets pierce our clothes
revealing our bodies so everybody knows
why I want to go home and for the day to be over
take me home, take me under the covers

Like first time lovers
You and me will be tonight
Like first time lovers baby
lets make love

There’s a flying club 20 miles away from here
hop in a plane my dear
close your eyes and I’ll let you steer
take me far, far away from here

The sound of heels on the floor turns me on
we’re sexual creatures after all, after all
I want to be like a mark on your skin
Caused by a sheet and a good night’s sleep, oh yeah

See through bullets pierce your clothes
revealing your body so only I know
why you want to go home and for the day to be over
take me home take me under the covers

Like first time lovers,
you and me will be tonight
like first time lovers baby
lets make love

Like first time lovers- ooo
you, me, tonight
like first time lovers baby
you know what I’m craving

a bit of shameless self promotion

2009-04-21T16:17:00.001+10:00

I've been busy working, practicing my music, putting in my resume to various music venues and painting a small canvas I started a while back. Today I posted another video to youtube, nothing fancy...just a live clip of one of my new songs "Like First Time Lovers".
If you like it please post a comment...I need some feed back. I'm hoping to record it properly soon for inclusion on my second album.

sashaying at the shisha

2009-03-28T16:55:00.001+10:00

I've been trying to make the most of my gap year, writing music and practicing whenever I can. I feel that I'm ready for anything, any opportunity to perform...anywhere there's an appreciative audience.

Failed painter took this photo of me performing at the Shi Sha nightclub in Kathmandu.

time off

2009-03-19T14:37:00.001+10:00

I took some time off and spent a few days in Sydney last week. It's a great city, but there's no place like home.

to tie or not to tie

2009-02-15T18:10:00.001+10:00

Failed painter knows how much I love cravats and unusual neckties; I'm always on the lookout when rummaging at our favourite op shops.

She has been collecting vintage ties for decades; wearing some occasionally and meaning to put the fabric in the others to good use someday.

Someday, came last week when she hit on the idea to repurpose and consequently invent a new way to wear and use these lovely things. Failed Painter calls them her 'Unties'©...

I'll never have to struggle with tying a proper knot again.
They're multi purpose and transform from formal neck attire to casual scarf in a wink. Everyone loves them; so her studio is littered with them.
Here's a few examples

does it suit me

2009-02-12T08:15:00.002+10:00

I found this black tailor made 1940’s English tail coat in a thrift store. The sleeves and one of the tails had lots of moth holes even so it was a steal at $45

So I thought to myself… we’ll be going to Nepal soon and there is a shop that sells wonderful embroidery work… Time to customize!

We roughly put together a design and then the suit was carefully taken apart and couriered down to a village in Kashmir.

A month later--after we'd finished trekking in the Everest region; the suit was back but still in pieces however a tailor skilfully sewed back together in a few hours.
The result is this absolutely unique suit and I love it to bits. Hmmm, now where can I wear it…?

Home sweet home

2009-01-28T11:42:00.001+10:00

After two months of trekking in Nepal and gallivanting around India I’m back.
I’m flat on my back recovering from some awful bug that came back with me but other than that excited to start work laying down some new recordings.
It might be a while before that happens but I’m trying to keep positive.

my art

2008-11-27T17:52:00.000+10:00

'needs more black' ©yi

me chatting with the minister for the arts at the Gallery of Modern Art

in the studio

it's always strange watching yourself...don't you think?

'st sebastian' © yi


'music assemblage' © yi


'loss of innocence' © yi

like first time lovers

2008-11-03T17:16:00.002+10:00

'Like first time lovers'
I recorded this on the "zoom H4"--down in my practice room.
The song is new and has to be tightened up and recorded properly.
What do you think?
I'll post the lyrics soon.

Technorati Tags: like first time lovers,mp3,Yi,new song,original song,artrock,2008 Power 100,live recording

Zoom

2008-11-01T20:35:00.001+10:00

So the other day L.M.N found this wonderful thing online…. the “Zoom H4”
it is a field recording device with many applications which fits neatly into one hand.
I plan to use it like a diary in which I will take note of ideas and plot down “sketches” of songs through (messy) takes. The beauty is that I can later edit these takes on programs and work them back into my published music as sample tracking.
I have conducted a few trials of the Zoom and as soon as I figure out how I will post them to give you all a sneak preview of a couple songs I’ve written in the past few weeks.
Keep in touch

Walking on a tight rope

2008-10-28T18:15:00.002+10:00

I've got lots to do but i can't or i won't
My body can move but my brain won't move with it
I'm tired, I'm lonely, the breeze is so cold
The storm clouds look hungry, i want to go home

I've had days that have been just like this
Horrid days when i can't do a thing
You're here and I'm here but I'm still alone
you're up in my head and i want you to go

Technorati Tags: thoughts,yi,life of yi

Showcase Review

2008-10-27T10:42:00.002+10:00

The first anything is always special and the first review of my album 'Submarine Man' is especially sweet. It was written by David Howard, a Visual Artist and Musician and someone who's opinions I value. His showcase review has been posted to Artsmelter (an artists collective blog site) where you can find all sorts of interesting posts about drawing, painting, video and experimental music.
Thankyou David

PS...I'm 18 so technically I'm just shy of 19 years old.

A few of my favourite things

2008-10-24T11:44:00.002+10:00

My brother Oliver took a series of photos of me and turned them into an interesting composite.
I'm wearing a couple of my favourite things; cream 'kangarucci' sunnies from the 80's, vintage 'windsor smith' soft black leather shoes and my stretch, striped jeans.
Technorati Tags: vintage fashion,photography,Yi

SUBMARINE MAN

2008-10-23T12:36:00.001+10:00

My debut album “Submarine Man” is something that I recorded and mostly wrote towards the end of Grade 12—this year.
The 40 min recording more or less explains my life, recent events and emotions through an array of “Beatles-Bowie-Hawksley Workman” influenced songs.
The often Beatlesque arrangement of instrumentation together with some experimental recording techniques and a sense of unpredictability; create what I hope is a highly textured album.
Any feed back (comments, advice, e-mail) from those who take the time to listen to my songs would be very welcome.

Technorati Tags: music,art rock,progressive,contemporary,debut album,submarine man,mp3,free download,australian,beatles,bowie,hawksley workman

DEBUT ALBUM

2008-10-22T15:12:00.000+10:00

Version #1 © L.M.Noonan 2008

My album comes in two flavours, both say something about the contents and each gives a different impression. Which one would you choose?

Version #2 © Oliver Hew 2008

I've listed the tracks in order, please click on the arrow to have a listen.
Please leave me a comment.

#1 submarine man

#2 silly cinomen.

#3 to say i'm with you

#4 ruby skies

#5 pretty little hands

#6 schools of fish

#7 after everything

#8 go to bed

~~PSSST...there is a secret track on the plastic version --CD.~~

Technorati Tags: debut album,art rock,progressive rock,submarine man,yi,australian,mp3,download

PRETTY LITTLE HANDS

2008-10-08T19:02:00.002+10:00

There's something special about this song for me.
Each time I play 'pretty little hands' it is slightly different yet it always takes me down to the roots of my relationship with music.
Whether I've had a great day or a terrible day there is always a connection for me.
I guess it comes down to the honesty of the lyrics and that strong blues riff that does it for me.
'The blues' was how I first learned guitar --my first instrument; and so every time I visit that place I just get overwhelmed.

PRETTY LITTLE HANDS
© Yi 2008
Pretty little hands, so soft and so wonderful
Pale as snow, the paint stains right through them
See her hands, watch her dance
Over keys, see her hands – oh-oh-oh-oh
The girls walk by with their pants legs rolled up
Their thighs are so obvious but it’s not enough
Because older boys need younger girls
So they feel confidence in themselves
And in what they’ll receive when they speak those fatal words – words!
Your smile does nothing for me, the freckles on your cheeks and the braces on your teeth
Sure they’re cute, maybe the cutest thing I’ve ever seen
But how can I see you so innocently when you’re cold, to the bone
Your soul is as empty as dead man shoes, there’s a note on your window says – nobody’s home
But those pretty little hands, so soft and so wonderful
Pale as snow, I guess I slipped right through them right through them – ohh
Now the girls are on display in the centre of the throughway
Discussing this and that is the fashion of the day
Because older boys need younger girls
So they feel confidence in themselves
And in what they’ll receive when they speak those fatal words
Ahhh- I love you- I love you- I love you
Hang a smile on your face pretty girl
Don’t fret about what you will be when you are older
Look at me, look at me, look at me, look at me when I say
“I’ve had enough of these mind games babe
The secret of your whim lies steady on those finger tips
Be careful or you’ll lose them, those pretty little finger tips
The girls walk by with their pants legs rolled up
Their thighs are so obvious but it’s not enough
Because older boys need younger girls
So they feel confidence in themselves
Yes, the girls walk by with their pants legs rolled up
Their thighs are so obvious but it’s not enough
Because older boys need younger girls
So they feel confidence in themselves
And in what they’ll receive when they speak those fatal- words
Technorati Tags: Submarine Man,debut album,art rock,glam rock,lyrics,original music,singer songwriter,australian,pretty little hands,yi

FREE MP3s

2008-10-08T15:36:00.000+10:00

'Submarine Man', is my debut album.
I am the submarine man; so in many respects the album is a collection of songs about ‘being me’.
It creates an atmosphere in which the listener can be a part of things that have happened in my life and feel things as I have felt them.
The unusual arrangement of instruments that I play in this record go hand in hand with the descriptive lyrics that paint images and help transport the audience to another place in their minds.
I wrote, performed and recorded the albumin my studio.
Please click on the >> to scroll through the 8 songs.
The entire album or individual tracks can be downloaded for FREE and you can embed the player code
(click on share) into facebook, myspace, wordpress, twitter, typepad, blogger and webpages of all sorts.
You can even email or instant message it.
Cool! Please help spread the love...thanks Yi

I'll be posting a link to my lyrics soon. They'll be downloadable as PDFs...

photo gallery

2008-10-01T17:12:00.000+10:00

CONTACT YI

2008-09-29T17:23:00.000+10:00

SUBMARINE MAN lyrics

2008-09-01T17:54:00.000+10:00

Submarine man way down below the world
Can you hear the echoes of our call?
Can you hear the echoes? Can you hear the echoes?
As you drift around from place to place
Please don’t forget the world above the waves
Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay ah-oo-ah-oo
Woe-oe-oe-oe-oe-oe ahhhhhhh
Pardon me Mr Submarine,
I hear you move around down under the sea
As you drift about from place to place
Please don’t forget the world above the waves
As you pass through a cabin built for two
Through your gaze you confess a feeling of loneliness
But come now it’s not too late to come up and spend the day
Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay ah-oo-ah-oo
Woe-oe-oe-oe-oe-oe ahhhhhhh
Pardon me Mr Submarine,
I hear you move around down under the sea
As you drift about from place to place
Please don’t forget the world above the waves
Submarine man way down below the world
Can you hear the echoes of our call?
Can you hear the echoes? Can you hear the echoes?
Give the world a chance, don’t judge it upon a glance
Give the world a chance, don’t judge it upon a glance
Give the world a chance, don’t judge it upon a glance
Oh come now it’s not too late to come up and spend the day
Pardon me Mr Submarine,
I hear you move around down under the sea
As you drift about from place to place
Please don’t forget the world above the waves
Pardon me Mr Submarine, pardon me Mr. Submarine
Pardon me Mr. Submarine, scusi me Mr. Submarine

submarine man, released 10 October 2008
written, performed and recorded by Yi
artworks reproduced on this site © by l.m.noonan AKA failed painter lmnoonan.blogspot.com