Fuller’s Hill Video
Fuller’s Hill is an original instrumental played on ukulele by Mike de Velta. The title is dedicated to Blind Boy Fuller who inspired me to use an alternating picking technique and apply it to the uke in an unconventional way.
I recorded it with an Sm57 through a Great River Preamp and a Daking FETII Compressor. Sound was processed with Pro tools.
New Album On target
Hey Mike when’s the next album coming out? My usual response is, “When it’s ready”. This time around though I’m doing things much differently and really taking my time. Whenever you come to this website you may hear un-mastered previews which may be officially released at a later date. The great advantage of this approach for me now is that I can actually gauge your response to these new tracks I’m posting and make a decision later in regards to whether or not I’ll release them. More importantly though you can really help me by leaving comments, sending me a regular email or even picking up the phone. Tell me what you like, what you’d like to hear more of, or even what sucks? Anything that will help me get to that higher level of music artistry would be so appreciated. In the meantime if you dig any of work please share it with your networks and help me spread the word.
Mbira Magic
Busy recording Sally Quealy’s new album and it’s coming together beautifully. If you like African music played on Mbira (Finger piano made from flattened nails) this is just magical and a must hear. I am so proud to be a part of this project. I’m thinking I need to record more ethnic music, it feels like time travel, music translated over thousands of years to arrive at my little studio in Beeliar, I’m wrapped! Thank you God.
Who is Mike de Velta? An interview by True Blue Promotions
Where were you born?
I was born in Islington , London and grew up in Edmonton. Not quite within the Beau
Bells but some might say I qualify as a Cockney, alright my son!
What was the first record you owned? The First record I bought was a Blondie single, Heart of Glass, I also
had her poster, you know the one where she’s wearing the Andy Warhol’s Bad TShirt. She was my first
infatuation with an unattainable. That poster literally hung on my wall for years. I went to school with a guy
who claimed to be one of the members brother, Mick Stein I think, still not sure about that one though.
Who was the first live act you saw?
Pretty sure it was Madness, I grew up with the London Ska movement
and continued to follow that style of music after immigrating to Perth. A far cry from blues and folk I must
say but it was the sound track to Quadraphenia which was widely accepted and adopted by the mod revival
of the early 80′s that struck a chord with me. The soundtrack featured Booker T and the MG’s ‘Green Onions’
and it was played to a scene where “Jimmy” goes nuts in a Brighton club jumping off a balcony into a crowd
of tripping party goers. You could say that for me it epitomized the image of a social rebel but with a touch
of with class, I liked that idea at the time.
How old were you when you discovered you could sing?
Still working that one out, I can honestly say it’s
not been easy to develop and was something that didn’t come all that naturally for me. Even so called great
singers comment on struggling to come to terms with their own abilities. However, what is most exciting
about singing unlike playing any other instrument is a uniqueness of tone which begins to develop as a
direct result of playing and singing frequently over many years. Only know do I feel that this is beginning to
happen.
What was your first paid public appearance? I stepped out doing solo work for a restaurant in Point
Samson, NW WA. Just instrumentals, played very long versions of tunes like Exodus, Spanish Harlem that
type of thing. I couldn’t believe it, being payed for a good time, I was hooked!
What was the first car you owned?
A green 1300 Torana that I pranged on the second day I owned it. Ran
into a tree on someone’s front garden, took off quietly after only damaging the front wheel and little leaving
rather heavy skid marks on their immaculate lawn. I can’t believe no one even noticed!
What do you enjoy doing outside of music?
Travel, photography, bush walking, that type of thing. Any
experience that might teach me to see or feel more. A l’il philosophical I know but really, how much of our
lives is spent in “sameness”? I get bored quite easily, always looking for new ground, conceptually,
spiritually or otherwise.
Who is, or are, the biggest influence in your music?
Kenny Burrell
Michael Hedges
Larry Carlton
John Lee Hooker
Ravi Shankar
Taj Mahal
Keb Mo’
Blind Boy Fuller
Brownie McGhee
Ry Cooder
Who is the biggest influence in your life?
In 2000 I spent three months traveling India, this particular event
as small as it appears had a profound effect on my thinking.
Never having ever seen an Indian Ashram I decided to visit this particular one in Kerala on was what a fine
Indian day. On arrival I walked up some steps towards a courtyard to be enveloped in what could be only
described as a most beautiful and peaceful feeling. As the sounds of holy mantras filled the air I walked
amongst prayerful Saddhu’s and colorfully dressed devotees to find one of only a few westerners leaning
against a low wall. Seeking guidance I introduced myself and he said his name was Ram. With a chuckle he
then surprised me by saying, “Everyone’s called that around here.” Puzzled I said, “What does it mean?” He
said, “It means God!”
TRUE BLUE would sincerely like to thank Mike for providing his thoughts and answers to these questions,
and to reveal some things about him that very few of us, if any, ever knew. For those that have had the
pleasure of seeing and hearing Mike’s music it comes as no surprise that his answers are very reminiscent
of his personality – quiet, cheeky, spiritual, honest, caring, gentle, and tolerant. It is indeed a privilege to
be associated with Mike, and TRUE BLUE wishes him every success in his musical career – it is all well
deserved.
Mike currently has two albums, “Norfolk Lane” and “On a backdrop of silence” plus he is working hard on his
next CD release, due out early in 2006. He also features on the TRUE BLUE RECORDS “Pinnacles” CD.
Is tinnitus curable?
Well contrary to common belief I now believe TINNITUS IS CURABLE and I am currently experiencing greater episodes of silence but I’d like to give credit from the information I gleaned from http://www.curetinnitus.org/ for helping me find my path.If it wasn’t for the work of these people I still believe I would be stuck in this conundrum, a hellish place of hopelessness and despair.For the sake of simplicity I am going to break down how I feel my tinnitus responds to my lifestyle and my beliefs about my condition. I now understand it is NOT the result of exposure to loud sound in any context.
I consider these attributes play an important role in the increased volume of my tinnitus.
- Anxiety and constant worry,
- Being obsessive, fixated by problems,
- Being self absorbed,
- Exhausted,
- Experiencing grieving or post traumatic stress,
- having poor health and lack of exercise,
- Negative beliefs about tinnitus being incurable,
- Depression and constant striving (being clearly not at peace),
- Fear of future events,
- Low self esteem,
- Feeling suicidal,
- Experiencing poor sleep routines,
- Consuming stimulants, alcohol or drugs,
In reverse;
- Employing relaxation techniques,
- Improved diet and exercise,
- Maintaining the belief that I am the cure,
- Being still, feeling the moment, listening to the body and it’s needs,
- Having faith and being optimistic,
- Feeling inspired,
- Connecting with your creator
- Serving others and being selfless
- Promoting and experiencing regular sleeping patterns,
- and a reduction in the consumption of stimulants, alcohol or drugs all help reduce the volume of tinnitus.
In understanding how tinnitus responds to our central nervous system we can learn to live with it and manage it more effectively. So is tinnitus curable? Yes, I believe so but with practise. There are times when my tinnitus is damn loud, intolerably so and there are times when I just don’t have it at all. As my well being improves so will my condition, I am sure.
When it’s loud, back off! Take your foot off the gas and enjoy what you have 
With love and peace to all.
Mike de Velta
First ever Banjo track!
Play it here – I just wanna drive!
Here’s a brand new one for you! My first attempt at incorporating a banjo as a main hook in my adventures as a songwriter and producer.
Also featured in the above photo is my ’53 Les Paul, a 1950′s Harmony mandolin, Fender Jazz bass with flat wound strings and of course the banjo which all served well to bring this track to life. The banjo was actually given to me a couple of years ago so it was quite a novelty to put it to good use.
Again I’d like to thank Dean Wuksta for playing and recording the drums for me. The beauty of technology these days is that he records them in his studio and sends them to me over the net where I then import them into my software and get busy. Brilliant heh?
Play it here – I just wanna drive!
I just wanna drive
©2010 Mike de Velta
Ohh ohh ooh ooh
I just wanna drive
Hey hey ooh ooh
Ohh ohh I just wanna drive
When the world falls upon my shoulders
When the sky comes tumblin down
When the girl I love’s no longer lovin
When I cry and just wanna break down
I jump into my V8 Chevy
pump the gas til I’m outta sight
I take a long hard ride to the country
gonna leave all my troubles behind
never felt so happy drivin in the sun
not a care in the world when I’m havin fun
you might think it’s just plain ol motor car
but I’m laughin with the wind
I’m like a shootin star
Ohh ohh ooh ooh
I just wanna drive
Hey hey ooh ooh
Ohh ohh I just wanna drive
never felt so happy drivin in the sun
not a care in the world when I’m havin fun
you might think it’s just plain ol motor car
but I’m laughin with the wind
I’m like a shootin star
Now the sky’s all blue and I’m smiling
and I know it won’t take long
for the trouble I had ‘s all behind me
Now I ‘m singing this brand new song
Ohh ohh ooh ooh
I just wanna drive
Hey hey Ooh ooh
Ohh ohh I just wanna drive
adlib out…..
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About
Typically associated with the Blues and Roots movement and acoustic in nature Mike De Velta's intoxicating compositions and performances are constantly on the move. A rich showcase of modern folk,blues and a hint of the eastern expressed through the shimmering and delightful tones of lap slide, ukulele and acoustic guitars.