Domestic Diva
by Juliette | 01.19.12 | Domestic Diva, Latest News
James is back on tour with Alfie Boe whilst I’m holding the fort at home. We’ve the added complication of an impending house move to contend with. James is flying back from Glasgow to assist on the big day before leaving for Sheffield the next morning. Not ideal but when stressed, I say throw money at the problem and pay the removal firm to pack the house too. The house we’re buying needs rewiring, plumbing, new roof, kitchen, the list goes on but basically, we have to rent while we get the builders in. We’re converting the garage into a studio first but whilst we’re waiting for that it’s a great opportunity to sit round the piano with no distractions and finish our new children’s orchestral piece, The Great Enormo which we’re writing with Michael Rosen. It’s being premiered in the Brighton Festival next year and because we don’t earn any money for it upfront, we always find it hard to justify taking the time out to compose despite being desperate to finish it.
Having said all that, however stressful the imminent move is, what’s keeping me awake at night is the trumpet cake I’ve been commissioned to make for Anna’s birthday party next weekend. Now that’s stressful! More »
Tags: Alfie Boe tour, birthday cake, home studio build, The Great Enormo
by Juliette | 01.03.12 | Domestic Diva, Latest News
I’d love to start with some line about batteries being recharged after the relaxing festive period etc etc but that would be a lie. Does anyone actually manage to recharge anything over Christmas and New Years?
This is the time of year that small children get vomiting bugs, siblings pick fights over who left the lid off the mayonnaise, you spend a months salary on food and another month being surgically attached to the sink or cooker, you feel compelled to eat the contents of your fridge over the course of 3 days (and lets not start on the drink), elderly relatives become incontinent on your sofa, you get a cold that lasts for the entire break and to top it all, when it’s all over you have to go back to work and face the daunting pile of admin awaiting your return. More »
by Juliette | 06.14.11 | Domestic Diva, Latest News, Performances
Belton House
As the parents of 2 year olds, we are very used to sleepless nights, it’s to be expected, goes with the territory etc etc. But we had to stay up all night last week for a different reason. Our studio basement flooded with the torrential rain and we had a full on fight to keep the water out. We won, the carpet is saved (hallelujah), but spare a thought for the client we had booked in at 9am the next morning. Dehumidifiers on and our eyes propped open with matchsticks. More »
Tags: basement flooding, Belton House Prom, Guildford Cathedral operatic evening
by Juliette | 05.30.11 | Domestic Diva, Latest News, Record Producing
Much excitement in the house as we have several green strawberries and even a teeny, tiny tomato on one of our plants. The slugs got all three of the cucumber plants, but I have become like a woman possessed with the salt every evening. They are not going to get past me this year. I am determined that we shall have a strawberry that goes through all the various shades and reaches a proper crimson without great holes missing from it.
We’ve been in discussions these last few weeks to produce another album. Not anyone from our usual classical world I might add. Trouble is, these big names from the world of pop and rock, expect certain perks, and normally get them. The particular artist in question happily admits to not being able to write, or arrange but still wants 50% of our royalties. More »
by Juliette | 05.03.11 | Domestic Diva, Latest News, Record Producing, Twin news
I’m in terrible voice at the moment. I’ve simply not had time to do enough regular singing with all the record producing and it’s not been helped by rather a lot of sleepless nights (twin toddlers for you). I have a concert in Colchester next week so I’ve really got to knuckle down this week and get it all working as sadly, there are no short cuts.
We got back from recording sessions in Prague at the weekend. In time for the boys 2nd birthday and the making of the ridiculously over ambitious train cake. When will I learn? They were recently discharged from physio More »
by Juliette | 02.18.11 | Domestic Diva, Latest News
Anna received an iPod for Christmas and carries it everywhere. I told her it reminded me of when I got my first Walkman.
“ What’s a Walkman Mummy?” More »
Tags: iPhone, iPod, Princess Diana, Walkmans
by Juliette | 01.21.11 | Domestic Diva, Latest News, Record Producing
Home at last. New Zealand is a wonderful country, fantastic wine needless to say but the most amazing scenery to boot. So, you can drink great wine with a wonderful view. Paradise. Not going to mention the flight home, I’m trying to pretend it never happened.
Along with every other (disorganised) self-employed person, I am currently in a very dark place I call,
Tax Hell.
No amount of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and pretty vista can reach me here. The wine would provide some More »
Tags: Alfie Boe, Bring Him Home, New Zealand wine
by Juliette | 01.13.11 | Domestic Diva, Latest News
Advice for taking 20 month twins and 8yr old on long haul flight to New Zealand:
- Drug them
- Check drugs don’t have vomiting side effects before administering
- Drug yourself More »
Tags: Children and babies on aeroplanes, taking toddlers on long haul
James is back on tour with Alfie Boe whilst I’m holding the fort at home. We’ve the added complication of an impending house move to contend with. James is flying back from Glasgow to assist on the big day before leaving for Sheffield the next morning. Not ideal but when stressed, I say throw money at the problem and pay the removal firm to pack the house too. The house we’re buying needs rewiring, plumbing, new roof, kitchen, the list goes on but basically, we have to rent while we get the builders in. We’re converting the garage into a studio first but whilst we’re waiting for that it’s a great opportunity to sit round the piano with no distractions and finish our new children’s orchestral piece, The Great Enormo which we’re writing with Michael Rosen. It’s being premiered in the Brighton Festival next year and because we don’t earn any money for it upfront, we always find it hard to justify taking the time out to compose despite being desperate to finish it.
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