#folkrocksingersongwriter

[vlasman123]

(Vlasis Metaxas)

[navalemusic]

Two bands and a Ginger; Navale Music, Ginger Jam and Deep Leaf

There’s something magical about recording music. When you bring your instrument to that microphone there’s a strange sensation. A good sensation, but a-lot of pressure. But it’s the sort of pressure you beg for as appose to run away from. You enter the studio with an anxious pit in your stomach but as excited as a dog. It’s like you can only just stop yourself from dropping your tongue out the side of your mouth and go around smelling everything. I've seen it happen.

This is how I feel EVERY DAY at the moment! I am a Folk-Rock Singer-Songwriter called Navale. I am also the Lead Singer and Rhythm Guitarist for two bands; Deep Leaf and Ginger Jam. Deep Leaf are recording their first single at the moment called Eternal Rebel and it sounds awesome! A Grungy Doomy Stoner Sabbath Sound, which of course makes no sense to some and absolute sense to others!

We’re recording in our own home, which is new to me. I love it, a couple of beers and working on Deep Leaf's music on a Friday with the boys is possibly the MOST fulfilling part of all of this right now.

Navale (myself) is also very busy! I have gigs and live performances coming up, more and more songs being written all the time and a very active social media presence with a-lot of ways you can join in. Navale is next in the studio, to start recording the Singles which will make my new EP.

Last but not least, Ginger Jam! We’re a Rock, Blues & Reggae Cover Band that’s been gigging in South Wales for the last 3-4 years in-between Covid outbreaks. We’re a fun band that doesn’t take it self too seriously and play a right mix of tunes with the one rule being that we still have to love the tracks. I love our cover band and there’s something honest about being booked to entertain people who have worked hard all week and want to let of us steam.

It would be cool to thank everyone at this point. Everyone that’s come to a Ginger Jam or Navale gig. Everyone that’s booked us. Everyone that follow our socials and engages with our posts. Everyone that’s mentioned us to a friend, family or just fellow music lover. Everyone that’s noticed our improvement and how hard we’ve worked. Everyone that understands how hard it can be to be a musician and everyone that does not. Everyone that’s given us constructive feedback. Everyone that has ever enjoyed our music. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I CANNOT put into words how grateful I am to each and every one of you, YOU are the reason we keep making music and getting on that stage.

THANK YOU!

There’s too much to tell you about the plans I have for the future here. It’s all unravelling on my socials at the moment. Day by day, week by week the Two Bands & a Ginger are making their statement. Improving their craft, writing new songs and hitting the studio. I want you to become a part of the Navale Music Family, and come with us on this journey and help eachover to make this awesome!

To say thanks I want to give you some FREE MUSIC. If you haven’t already, sign up to my mailing list to receive your free track ‘Need It’ and see what you think. If you like it I’ll send you more! If you join the Navale Music Membership you get MORE! See how this works?

You get EXCLUSIVE content such as weekly livestreams, chats, videos, beginner guitar lessons and more that only members get. As-well as exclusive opportunities, free attendance to my shows and much more in the future. Join the Navale Music Family, say hello and tell me what you need from me. This music, this website, this blog, this movement is all for YOU!

Speak soon,

Navale

[vlasman123]

(Vlasis Metaxas)

[navalemusic]

Navale on Hagley Road; the joys, trials and tribulations of 'The Big City'.

I never thought I would live in a flat with barred windows. Above a shop that got robbed one morning whilst I was waiting in the queue to buy the milk for my coffee. Always thought I would live with people that could use a toilet correctly. Never thought I would have a HUGE Take-Away's extractor fan outside my bedroom window so loud it vibrated my room 12-14 hours a day. Would never of guessed I’d be looking over my shoulder when I went for a cigarette, cringing as I got begged by the local drug fiends with suggestions such as ‘Do you know you look like Ed Sheeran mate? You wanna come back to my hostel and play guitar? Got a smoke blud?’ I was SO wrong! How did I get myself into this mess?

I moved to Birmingham in 2013 in attempt to change my lifestyle. Life in Wales was chaotic and unproductive, I needed to get away from that. I moved to Birmingham with a mission of, well let’s toss aside the elaborate language for a second, ‘to sort my fucking head out'. You can read more about that in ‘Navale - Compassion, Intervention and Support’. This can be found in the Blog section of my website.

I’d never been to Birmingham before moving there. Birmingham was my destination because Newman University did a BSC in Psychology with Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, and that sounded fancy. Life was great, and everything a first year university student wanted it to be. I lived in a place called Bartley Green and I loved it!

Although my intentions were genuine, the dysfunctional habits I wanted to leave in Wales, followed me to Birmingham. Until reaching a climax in my third year, when I was diagnosed with Substance Induced Anxiety and Depression.

I managed to learn the work I needed to scrape by. Sitting in my bedroom cramming it in the night before and in the words of Joe Rogan whilst as ‘high as giraffe titties’.

I achieved greater things outside of my degree. Through different and voluntary roles as-well as recording my first EP Muddy Amman at Blackbird Studios. I was playing these new songs and covers at Open Mic nights and the odd gig and really felt this was when I started learning the skills needed to be a performer.

I put the final touches to my EP Muddy Amman and for the first time in my life I had some recordings of my own songs, and that felt pretty cool!

I sent them out to various Independent Labels, Promoters and Small Pubs. Frankly, I got more success than I thought! I had a string of small gigs, supported Jordan Allen at The Sunflower Lounge and The Animal Farm Independent Label in London was interested in recording some of my music! I was chuffed, re-focussed and loving my work. So where was this longing coming from?

It was at this time I made the very unwise decision to put down a deposit and move into the single room accommodation mentioned in the first paragraph of this blog. Desperate for somewhere, and obviously not thinking clearly I moved in and worked hard. I was smashing it in work and like instructed by the label I had 3 new songs ready to record in 3 days and the studio time was booked.

Recording at The Animal Farm was one of the coolest things I’ve done too date. The producer Matt was an inspiring energy to be around. I’ve never had anybody embrace my music like that before! I loved the tracks. Came back to Birmingham discussing the structure of the release and still gigging where I could around my job. So where was this longing I STILL felt coming from?

I came back to Brynaman the village I was raised, to visit family and friends. Me and my friend went down to the river not far from his or my house. The sun was hot, the breeze fresh and the grass lush. For those that haven’t been to Wales. It’s a beautiful country full of mountains, rolling hills and valleys. A stark difference from the inner-city Birmingham accommodation I had at the time. I think it was this day I made the decision to come home.

I am now giving my Animal Farm singles away for free! Starting with 'Need It' you may have heard it already if you have signed up to my mailing list. If you haven't just sign up!

If you liked 'Need It' then you should join the NAVALE MUSIC MEMBERSHIP! By joining you get exclusive content such as weekly live streams, chats, videos, beginner guitar lessons and more that only my membership gets. As-well as exclusive opportunities, free attendance to my shows and much more in the future.

Join the Navale Music Family, say hello and tell me what you need from me. This music, this website, this blog, this movement is all for YOU!

Much Love,

Navale