YUMS' One Year Anniversary

One year ago today I set up this blog to share some of my favourite Youtube musicians with anyone who was interested in reading about them, as well as to listen and watch them. Since then, I've moved twice, met some incredible musicians across Europe, travelled to Italy for a while, worked for a villa management company that screwed me over, made a living as a musician, ended up working as a photographer, took part in some short story competitions, busked on the streets of Brighton, recorded my new EP (to be released soon) and so much more. It definitely seems a lot longer than a year, but I must say that creating this blog was both great fun, and an incredible way for me to get to know some fellow musicians.

The very first post I put up on this day in 2013 was about how I felt that the majority of good music nowadays was "underground" and that most of it was on Youtube. Of course this means that the vast majority of what I call "good music" is independently made, without any interest in "business" and "money". Of course, as Dave Grohl says "The deep cuts don't pay the rent." So, it's excusable if one of your favourite artist's make some "lame" tune that gets incredibly popular. Anyways, let me tell you a little bit about the aftermath of this blog.

The first artist I decided to write about was Orla Gartland. And, a year later, I think she's just as incredible, if not more. She's evolved musically and continues to drive her supporters "maaad" with delight. And just as I followed Orla's work more studiously than before, I followed each person I wrote about. Needless to say, I found that some of them disappointed me while others motivated and inspired me. And of course, I came across a whole new collection of artists who I regard as "gems" on Youtube.

And aside from that, I've corresponded with a couple artists. And let me tell you this... Julianna Richer Daily has a heart of gold. She's definitely one of the sweetest, most honest musicians I've encountered online. George Possley has to be one of the "realest" guys on Youtube. He's an absolute delight to talk to and he's pretty funny too. And as you might have guessed, Alysha Moore might be the coolest person alive! And of course there are so many more I've had the chance to chat to more than once. All I can say is...I'm one lucky guy! I urge you to reach out to artists you love to. They really do love it when someone's genuinely supporting their efforts.

And beyond cyberspace...I've met a couple of the people I wrote about. I've had the chance to chat to, play with and hang out with the one and only Danny McEvoy. He's certainly a great guy! I've also come across a couple other people I met on Youtube, which is pretty unreal since you never think you'll actually meet some of these people. I mean...consider this. I subscribed to this guy who was pretty unknown, he had something like 18 subscribers. And I ended up jamming with him over here in Brighton...by accident! I didn't even know it was him until I decided to look up "that guy" again. Funny stuff.

Anyways, I'd love to give all the readers and musicians a massive THANKS! Thank you for reading, for discovering musicians who I love and for supporting Youtube's Underground Music Scene. Obviously, I stopped writing at some point because I got lost in my own music but I thought it was only fair to let you know that "I'm still alive" to quote Eddie Vedder. I'm starting a month of daily Youtube covers this February and will be releasing my new EP in mid-February. For more information on that you can check out my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/alexhamelmusic). Of course...I'll be adding a couple posts to the blog here and there just to give you guys some more musicians to get addicted to. If you've got anyone incredible that you'd like me to write about feel free to shoot me an e-mail at alexhamelservices@hotmail.com.

© Alex Hamel