http://www.markus-k.com/from-me-to-you/ Most musicians, me included, start off wanting to be able to play like their heroes…For a cool video, also check out: http://www.markus-k.com/messing-about-with-voodoo-chile/

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From Me To You (so THAT’s what it’s all about!)
“a musician without an audience is like a madman talking to himself”
audience required
Most musicians, me included, start off wanting to be able to play like their heroes. Mine were, in
chronological order:
1 – Some country singer on the radio (while I was pretending to ride a horse on the arm of the sofa); 2 – my
dad at bedtime (on an old beat-up acoustic); 3 – The Beatles (I confiscated my dad’s copy of ‘With The
Beatles’); 4 – Jimi Hendrix (WOW!, I mean WOW!) and; 5 – the Stones (their version of ‘You Gotta
Move’ got me into the blues).

3. at 17
So, you practice and refine your skills until you feel you are getting somewhere. And then what?
Then you want to be heard!
FIRST GIG: I managed to get a lunch-time gig for me and my equally unprepared friends at college. I really
don’t think we were very good, but we got through it without making complete fools of ourselves. I was on a
high for at least a week afterwards.
One of us had recorded the momentous occasion on a small cassette recorder. We spent the next two days
calling random numbers in the phone book to ask whether they thought we were going to be superstars (under
the pretence of a survey of course). Most of them seemed to think we were! (no doubt prompted by our
enthusiasm)

4. Norway
I was hooked and I remember thinking “So THAT’s what it’s all about!”
BIGGEST GIG: most likely one of the many festivals I did with the various bands I went on to form. It was a
great feeling to stand in front of a sea of people and command their attention with our music, and antics. Plus,
it won us the respect and admiration from both industry professionals and fans. We were on the radio, did
interviews. We even did some TV appearances.
Again, I thought “THAT’s what it’s all about!”
BEST GIG: the dining room of the TM community I had been part of for over 20 years. I had just come back
from a tour round Europe and Norway, with my power trio GILES. The idea was that I would do an intimate
‘coming home’ gig for friends and family, just me and Blondie, my acoustic guitar.
As I sat down to play, I realized that I knew every single person in that select group personally. I knew their
names and what they did for a living. I even knew their hopes and dreams. And they all knew me too, just as
intimately. This was special.
dining room gig
When I started playing my songs, the same ones I had played numerous times before, they suddenly took on a
whole new level. The genuine interest and attention to detail from my friends brought things out in my
singing and playing that I hadn’t thought possible. I felt I was literally flying far beyond my usual limitations.
This was a totally new experience for me, and I think it was for most of them too. Each and every one of
them came up to me afterwards, to thank me personally for an unforgettable evening. All I could do was
thank them in return.
Since then, I measure all my gigs against that one. I started favouring the smaller, more intimate gigs, and I
started doing more solo performances too. Whenever possible, I try and connect with my potential listeners
beforehand, so they will feel like friends by the time I get a chance to play in front of them.

5. recently in Spain
And it works. I have had many of those special gigs since then. The more I can relate to my audience and the
more they can relate to me, the more the music comes to life. Like that feeling that you could hear a pin drop.
Or, as Adele put it, “I love hearing my audience breathe”.
And it has affected my songwriting too, because I know who I am writing for… You, who makes my music
come alive!
So every time someone thanks me for an unforgettable evening, sometimes years after one of those special
gigs, I think…
“THAT’s what it is all about!”
So, to get to know you a little better, I would like to invite you to tell me a little bit about yourself in the
comments below, or if you prefer, in a private email to me. I will start it off by creating the first comment.
You can un-tick the box ‘Post to Facebook’ if you prefer, although Facebook activity definitely helps me to
connect.
It just leaves me to thank you for your interest. I hope this will be the start of a long-term relationship,
because…
“a musician without an audience is like a madman talking to himself”
3
25
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Alejandro Puterman ·
Posting as Hilary Overcash (Change)
Follow · Works at Músico profesional independiente
Comment

6. Alejandro Puterman ·
Follow · Works at Músico profesional independiente
Muchas gracias Markus...está bueno!!!...Felicitaciones!!
Reply ·
3 · Like · Follow Post · February 11 at 5:11pm
Markus 'Giles' Koehorst ·
Follow · Top Commenter · Lead
Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter at GILES power trio
Gracias Alejandro! :-D
Reply · Like · February 13 at 2:09pm
Philip Humphries · Brnunel catering college
Hi Markus,thanks for the songs they are all great and quite different to each other ,if i
had to pick a favourite it would be song for maharishi it takes you to another place,nice
the way it changes tempo mid may and that great drumbeat comes in,feel high just
listening to it ( not that i've been high for a while!I also play Dancing with Dolores a lot,i
picked it up from you when you did a late set at Arena bar,i had done a set with a friend
earlier thank heavens we were on before you and not following you!I sing a little locally
as a hobby which is great because i can do the stuff i really like and as i don't get paid
it doesn't really matter if it falls a bit flat.I admire what you do the originality and the
sounds you get from your magic box are amazing,i hope to see you again locally soon
but as i work mainly nights ats a bit difficult,keep up the good work,regards Phil.
Reply ·
1 · Like · Follow Post · January 17 at 5:46am
Markus 'Giles' Koehorst ·
Follow · Top Commenter · Lead
Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter at GILES power trio
Hi Philip, thank you very much for your reply. I am really glad you like the
CD. Great to be in touch this way. I am sure we will bump into each other
one way or another. I will keep you up to date with gigs in the area.
Meanwhile, enjoy your playing. Enjoyment is key! :-)
Reply · Like · January 17 at 7:03am
Costa Blanca Connect · Works at Costa Blanca Connect
I had similar early aspirations, which ultimately manifested themselves as a lifetime
spent twiddling knobs and staring at studio walls. I was fortunate enough to enjoy
success with that, but as technology became more prevalent, and as my clients drifted
towards mechanised pop, I lost the love for it and retired from the game. Music is about
true communication from the heart, it's not about the size of the audience, the sales
figures or the quality of the reverb. It's good to feel that there may be some kind of
original scene beginning to develop here on the Costa Blanca, and I wish you luck
pushing that forward.
Reply · Like · Follow Post · December 3, 2013 at 3:46am
Markus 'Giles' Koehorst ·
Follow · Top Commenter · Lead
Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter at GILES power trio
Much appreciated, thank you. And thanks for your support on Facebook
and your site in general. :-D
Reply · Like · December 5, 2013 at 3:00pm
Norman Reeley · Freelance Writer and Author at Everywhere it seems
A musician without an audience... good statement... like an author without readers! I
really enjoyed your freebie download Giles, good stuff! I hope you settle well in the
Jalon. I´ll make a point in coming up to the Planet/Paraiso to hear you live!
Reply ·
2 · Like · Follow Post · December 1, 2013 at 6:49am
Markus 'Giles' Koehorst ·
Follow · Top Commenter · Lead
Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter at GILES power trio
Hi Norman, thanks for your kind comment, and I am chuffed you like the

7. Hi Norman, thanks for your kind comment, and I am chuffed you like the
songs. Keep in touch! :-D
Reply · Like · December 1, 2013 at 12:24pm
Vikki 'Singer' Reynolds · Singer-songwriter at Musician
Great blog... Interesting and heartfelt ;)
Reply ·
1 · Like · Follow Post · November 30, 2013 at 2:31am
Markus 'Giles' Koehorst ·
Follow · Top Commenter · Lead
Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter at GILES power trio
Thanks a bunch Vikki, and sorry for my late reply. I am still getting the hang
of this site, and I didn't get a notice of your comment. See you soon
hopefully :-)
Reply · Like · December 1, 2013 at 12:25pm
Markus 'Giles' Koehorst ·
Follow · Top Commenter · Lead
Singer/Guitarist/Songwriter at GILES power trio
OK, so here's my story in a nutshell: Born in Holland, lived in the UK for 28 years, 2
years in Colombia. I now live in the Jalon Valley in Spain, with my wonderful partner
Greys, her daughter, our little girl and my youngest son. I have 6 children in total, who
all make me very proud. I have been practicing Transcendental Meditation most of my
life. I believe in taking responsibility for yourself and your environment. Life is an
experience to be cherished!
Reply · Like · Follow Post · Edited · November 24, 2013 at 2:47am
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Tags: a musician without an audience, audience required, best gig, biggest gig, first gig, Jimi Hendrix, The
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