Visualizing Roland

As I said in yesterday's post, how I find it a challenge to visualize the characters in my books, and how I asked ChatGPT to create the detectives in my novel, Dark Water, based on my descriptions, I was finally able to visualize inspectors Mickey Calloway and Erin Hayes, which has actually helped me develop their characters more.

Thanks, AI.

For fun, whilst creating that post, I uploaded images of singer-songwriter Midge Ure and of myself, from when I lived in Korea, and asked ChatGPT to merge the images to come up with Roland Axam, the central character to my novel, Songsaengnim: A Korea Diary. Here's what it came up with:

Image: ChatGPT

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Though the film noir feeling that Ure's portrait for his The Gift album cover suits him perfectly, I wasn't feeling it for Roland (though, as my novel tells, he has a dark past). So I asked ChatGPT to add colour to the image and use the background from the photo of me.

Image: ChatGPT

And while it still looks like the person in the first image, I felt the face was too round for Roland (it captured the roundness of my face perfectly) and it had also created somewhat of a double chin for the character, something that I definitely didn't have in 1998. So, I told the AI tool to slim the face and lose the double chin.

Image: ChatGPT

I can actually see this as Roland Axam. Well done.

I can finally stop visualizing either myself or Midge Ure when I think about my character, who will make an appearance in another book, someday.

Happy Wednesday!

Visualizing Characters

Midge Ure in 1985.

When I created Roland Axam, more than 40 years ago, I had a clear picture of how I wanted him to look. My favourite band at the time was UK new-wave band Ultravox. Around that time, front man Midge Ure had started releasing solo albums, and the cover for his first one, The Gift, featured Ure in a black-and-white, slightly noir head shot.

Roland Axam, in my mind, didn't look exactly like Ure but close enough to win a look-alike contest. Roland had a more-defined jawline and eyes that always looked half-closed, like he was either in deep thought or was sizing you up.

If you ever looked at Roland, you would never know what he was thinking. And that was perfect for the short stories and trilogy that I wrote, in the late 80s, where Axam was a spy.

Me, in 1998.

By the time I wrote Songsaengnim: A Korea Diary, Roland looked like a cross between Midge Ure and myself, especially how I looked at the end of my first year whilst living in South Korea. I often visualized Ure, on the cover of The Gift, and a photo of me in a Seoul market, and I mashed them up in my head to create an image, but that image was never clear to me.

When I write about other characters, however, I don't always see a face.

When I started writing Dark Water, a few months ago, I didn't have images for most of the characters. When I created the victim that is discovered in the Rideau River, I just imagined a woman in her late 20s or early 30s, with long, red hair.

Once she was extracted from the water, I kept picturing one face as I wrote about her. And I'm a bit disturbed to have my image be that of Ottawa journalist, Rachel Gilmore.

I say 'disturbed' because while she fits the profile of my victim, I would never want to see any harm come to Gilmore. She's great at her job and I enjoy following her on Bluesky and YouTube.

So far, I've been unable to clearly visualize my two inspectors, Mickey Calloway and Erin Hayes. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, when I asked ChatGPT to create a book cover that included these characters, I purposely requested that the detectives faced away.

The AI tool was actually pretty good at visualizing my description of the detective duo.

But this week, as I was reading through my rough manuscript, trying to flesh out the characters more, I still couldn't give Calloway or Hayes a face. So I finally asked ChatGPT to do it.

Image: ChatGPT

The first attempt was pretty good and I liked the face that was given to Calloway. I think he could be 'drawn' taller and more imposing (he's a solid 2 metres and broad-shouldered).

And while the image of Hayes is good, I think she appears in the image older than she is in the book. She's supposed to be 28 and, as Calloway put it, is "ridiculously beautiful." I mean, the woman in the ChatGPT image is pretty but not ridiculously so, IMHO.

I then asked the tool to make her prettier and younger, reminding ChatGPT that she's supposed to look 28. I think the woman in the first image looks mid-30s.

Here's what it gave me in its second attempt:

Image: ChatGPT

Closer. I prefer the Calloway rendering in the first image but Hayes looks closer to her age this time.

As I've written her, Inspector Hayes is half a metre shorter than Calloway. In the image that I had ChatGPT create where the detectives are faced away, I asked it to change the image so that she was 75 percent shorter than Calloway, and the tool gave her the legs of a child but kept the proportions above her legs the same.

Talk about ridiculous. Obviously, I didn't keep that image.

I'm not going to mess with the characters' height in this image. It's not important. I just wanted to create some faces to give me a better visualization for when I write the story, and I think these images help accomplish this objective.

Unlike how ChatGPT visualized Roland Axam when it merged our photos.

Happy Tuesday!

ChatGPT's first interpretation of a merge of me and Midge Ure, as Roland Axam. Hmm...

Just Perfect

Midge Ure said it best.

To paraphrase, music today has become too contrived, over-produced from cookie-cutter production houses, with more contributors to the creation of a song than the list of ingredients in a ready-made cake^*.

Just add water. Just add singer.

Rare is it, on the hit charts, a good song that is conceived, written, performed, and produced by the actual artist. Now is the age of Beyoncé, of One Direction.

As Midge put it, there are too many Karaoke singers.

And so it is a good thing that we still have legends like Midge Ure, who continue to create, to compose, to give life to music.

Midge Ure played to a packed house at the Black Sheep Inn, last night, and exceeded expectations. After more than 30 years, he can still belt it out, without an auto tuner, showing his fans that he and an acoustic Fender can create a warm, intimate atmosphere.

Between numbers, Midge delighted the sold-out crowd with wit, humour, and personal anecdotes. He played songs from his new album, Fragile, some of his older hits, and more classics from his days in Ultravox. Before arriving, I wondered how he would cover songs that generally have a heavy synthesizer presence, using only an acoustic guitar, but Midge is a master, and he sustained a high energy.

It has been more than 25 years since I last saw Midge perform live: I'm hoping I don't have to wait many more before he returns.

I felt honoured to be able to meet with him, after the show, to chat, to tell him how I've admired him, how he has inspired me and influenced my artistic side. I was also honoured when he thanked me for helping get the word out about his show, when he wished me a happy birthday, and when he accepted a copy of my book.

I swear, I didn't ask him to hold up my book. The evening was all about seeing him. But I'll take the unsolicited promotion, with much gratitude!

Midge is mentioned in the story, and one of his songs plays a small but important part.

Attending Midge's performance was a delight, but what made the evening even more special was to have so many friends and family members join me for the evening. Thank you to my parents, Faye and Greg, to my sister, Holly, and to my wonderful friends, John, Kerry, Becca, Krista, Katheleen, Russ, Nina and her family, and Ed.

I feel so privileged. The night was perfect. Just perfect.


ilThere was cake, by the way. It was delicious.

Music Monday: Breathe (Again)

An open letter to Midge Ure:

Dear Midge,

I'm very excited that in just over one week, you'll be returning to the Ottawa area and performing at the Black Sheep Inn, in Wakefield. It's a great venue: intimate, with a great view of the Gatineau River, in a quaint little town that's only a half hour north of downtown Ottawa. On stage, you'll be nice and close to your adoring fans.

And you will have fans at this show.

There will be those who have seen you perform at Barrymore's, in Ottawa, in the 80s, who are looking forward to hearing you again. There will be those who I have invited to join me, who have heard your songs over the past few months in my Music Monday posts, who are, no doubt, looking forward to hearing you live.

I'm willing to wager that I will be your biggest fan at the show. I have been a huge fan ever since you took the lead of Ultravox and throughout your successful solo career. I have listened, ceaselessly, to your music since 1980. I often sing it around the house.

You have influenced my musical taste, influenced me in my writing (my fictional character is loosely modeled after you): my first-published novel has a mention to you and to one of your songs.

If I was any bigger of a fan, I would border on stalker (don't worry: I'm not. Please know that I will keep a respectful distance. Though, I will be bringing a copy of my novel and would be honoured if you would accept it as a small token of my appreciation.)

For this Music Monday, I'm sharing a video of one of my favourite songs of yours, "Breathe." I have already shared an acoustic version of this song and I have seen a couple of videos, but this is my favourite one.

So, in advance of your visit, I offer some advice: you might want to ensure that you're dressed as you are in this video. It's been a hellish winter in our area, and that coat and hat will keep you warm.

These temperatures will take your breath away.

See you soon, Ross.

To my friends and family, this will be the last song of Midge's that I will play for Music Monday. I hope the music has inspired you to join me on March 3, not only to hear a great artist but to help me celebrate my 50th birthday, which is also next week.

No greater gift could be given than for you to be there (okay: if Midge asked me to join him in a song, I could die right after, a happy man). You can purchase your tickets to the show by clicking here. If you want to RSVP to my birthday event, go here.

Happy Monday!

Music Monday: If I Was

If I was
A better man
Would all my friends
Come to my party?

It's only two weeks away, and while I'm really excited to see one of my favourite performers of all time return to the Ottawa area after a 25-year absence, I'm really touched by the number of people who have told me that they are coming out to share this evening with me. To date, I have heard from more than 20 friends and loved ones who have told me that they are coming.

And as awesome as that is, I want more. I want all of you. I want to pack the Black Sheep Inn to the rafters.

I know it's a Tuesday. I know it's a 30-minute drive from downtown. That's what makes it so special to me.

In the months leading up to my 50^th birthday, my wife asked me how I would like to celebrate it. I considered reserving a hall or a private room at a hotel, restaurant, or pub. I considered Mill Street Brew Pub. I considered Bier Markt. I considered the Centurion Conference Centre, on Colonnade Road, in Nepean (also about a half hour from downtown).

When I learned that Midge Ure is coming to the Black Sheep Inn on March 3, two days before my birthday, I knew that the stars had aligned. I knew I had found my venue.

If you're able, get yourself a ticket and make your way up to Wakefield. With the new highway expansion, it's even easier to get there. Come early and see the beauty of the town. Have dinner at M.J.M.D. Pizza de Luigi, or The Village House, Le Hibou, or even the Black Sheep itself. The doors open at 6 and the show starts at 8:30.

I don't want gifts: I just want you. You're presence is your gift to me.

Speaking of gifts, I thought I would jog your memory of Midge Ure songs by sharing his hit single from his 1985 album, The Gift: "If I Was." The Gift was Midge's first solo album after Ultravox (though he did put out one more album, U-Vox, with the band in '86), and "If I Was" did reach number one in the U.K. charts.

I love the song, but seeing the video now, with the clothes and the dance moves, I can't help but smile. It was the '80s, after all.

Enjoy, and I hope to see you on March 3.


 
Happy Monday!

Music Monday: Are We Connected?

In three short weeks, I will be celebrating a half-century of life, and I'm hoping to be surrounded by friends and family, and with those of you who feel a connection to me.

As luck would have it, one of my favourite musicians of all time will be on tour, and he will be coming to the Ottawa area in time for me to celebrate this milestone birthday.

What you may not realize is that Midge Ure had a huge influence on me when I was a teen. In 1980, as my musical tastes were expanding, I discovered the New Romance/New Wave music scene, and fell in love with the music of Ultravox. I played Vienna until the grooves in the vinyl began to wear, and I had to replace the album. I followed this band closely, buying new releases before I had even heard a single track from the album.

My high-school graduation writeup gives a nod to this band.

When I created Roland Axam, I modeled his appearance after Midge Ure.

In my novel, Songsaengnim: A Korea Diary, I give a nod to Midge Ure and one of his great songs, "The Leaving (So Long)."

I sing a lot of songs around the house, and I usually sing either a Midge Ure or Ultravox song at least once a week.

Midge Ure is a big deal to me.

I hope you come to his show, on Tuesday, March 3, at the Black Sheep Inn.

A couple of days ago, when I was driving to my local LCBO, I was playing Midge Ure loudly in my car. As I pulled into the parking lot, a song was playing with heavy bass, making the windows on my car vibrate. I saw heads turn. I saw people stop and take notice.

I've never felt so bad-assed in my life.

I owe it to Midge Ure and his song, "Are We Connected." Have a listen. Play it loud. Feel bad-assed.



Happy Monday!

Music Monday: Move Me

They say it's sometimes the smallest things that can have the biggest impact on us.

Take, for example, the Scot in me. I have, at best, a dram of Scottish blood, but I love all things Scottish. My main character in my novel is from North Berwick, just east of Edinburgh. I married a woman who is half-Scots. One of my favourite authors is from Scotland. And, for the past eight years, I have celebrated Robbie Burns Day in Ottawa's foremost Scottish pub, The Highlander.

For the first couple of years, I went to The Highlander with colleagues from work. Then, for five years, it became a tradition with my father and me. And this year, because he was out of town, I brought my wife and kids, and we feasted on haggis, nips, and tatties, and we washed it all down with some single-malt whisky.

My thanks go to the staff, for putting on their usual outstanding show, and to Ken, the owner, who chatted with me about fine Islay malts, and who shared some rare, 25-year-old Laphroaig.

I never feel more Scottish than when I'm at The Highlander.

Do you know what else I love that's Scottish? The awesome music of Midge Ure.

And because he's coming to the Ottawa area for my 50th birthday, I want you to spend this special show with me.

Doing so would greatly move me.

If you can come out on Tuesday, March 3, to the Black Sheep Inn, in Wakefield, I would be honoured. You can buy the tickets by clicking here, and then you could let me know that you're coming by going here.

Or just show up and surprise me. I like those kinds of surprises. I know that it would be no small thing for you to commit to a show on a week night. Small things have big impacts: just think what a big thing like this would do.

For Music Monday, here is one of Midge Ure's songs, You Move Me.



Happy Monday!

Music Monday: Vienna

In February of this year, Midge Ure performed one of Ultravox's classic songs, "Vienna," on Ireland's RTÉ Late Late Show. It was just him and an acoustic guitar, and it was powerful.

On Tuesday, March 3, Midge will be performing at the Black Sheep Inn, in Wakefield, and I expect this acoustic show to be no less impressive. I plan to be sitting up front and centre, and I want all of you to join me. Buy yourself a ticket and help me celebrate my 50th birthday in the best way I can imagine.

Here is Midge, performing "Vienna" on The Late Late Show.



If you want to join me, here are more details about my birthday celebration. 

Happy Monday!

Music Monday: Breathe

Midge Ure is coming to the Black Sheep Inn on Tuesday, March 3. To celebrate my 50th birthday, I'd like to see one of my all-time favourite artists perform, and I want all of you to join me. Let's pack this great venue and enjoy a great show.

> To get you as excited about this show as I am, I thought I would give you another taste of what you're in for. This is going to be an acoustic show, so I thought I would share an acoustic video of Midge's 1996 song, "Breathe."



Between now and March (with the exception of next week), I will feature more of his songs for Music Monday.

Tickets for the show are on sale NOW!

Happy Monday!

He's Coming!

No, not Santa Claus. Have you not been paying attention?

It's someone much more important. To me, and to many lovers of the 80s band, Ultravox.

Midge Ure, whose career has spanned more than four decades and who has been involved in many bands, including Irish rockers, Thin Lizzy, and who co-founded Band Aid (he co-wrote "Do They Know It's Christmas" with Sir Bob Geldof), is coming to the Ottawa area for the first time in decades.

And he's coming in time for my birthday. My 50^th birthday.

Midge Ure will be performing at the Black Sheep Inn, in Wakefield, on Tuesday, March 3. And I want to pack the house with friends and family—including my social-media buddies. I want to see as many of you as possible. Let's sell out this show.

I'm going to send out reminders between now and March. As soon as tickets go on sale, I will promote them through Twitter, Facebook, and The Brown Knowser.

As far as my birthday goes, all I want is for you to buy a ticket to the show and to be there. That will be more than enough.

For those of you who are not familiar with Midge Ure's music, here is one of his popular songs, "Dear God", from his 1988 album, Answers To Nothing.



Let's do this!

Music Monday: Become

It's been a very long time since I've heard anything from Midge Ure. The last time I bought one of his albums, I wasn't even married: that was more than 20 years ago.

Which is sad, because I idolized the man when I was a teen.

When Ure became the front man for Ultravox in 1980, my life changed. I went from listening to Led Zeppelin, Yes, and The Who to New Wave and Alternative Pop (Depeche Mode, The The, Eurythmics, and U2). I still liked my rock, and Peter Gabriel was king (still is), but I listened to Ultravox every single day.

I had earlier albums by Ultravox (Ultravox!, Ha!-Ha!-Ha!, and Systems of Romance), when John Foxx led the band, but I wasn't really into them, only liked a track or two from each.

With Midge Ure and Vienna, it was a whole new band with a completely different sound, and I couldn't get enough of them. I would buy every album as soon as they hit the store shelves, without hearing a single track. And I would play them over and over again.

Ure went on to put out a solo album in 1985, The Gift, before he and Ultravox released their final album together a year later. His hit single, If I Was, solidified him as a top artist around the world.

I saw Midge Ure play twice in Ottawa; the second time, I managed to sneak back stage and meet him, although briefly. When one of the security guy at Barrymore's noticed I was where I shouldn't be, he moved in quickly to bounce me out, but Midge said, "that's okay," and I was spared a rough departure. But we shook hands, I told him I was a huge fan, that I hoped he would return to Ottawa, and that was pretty much that.

He hasn't been back, and I blame the bouncer.

When I was first creating Roland Axam, I modeled his appearance after Midge Ure. Brown hair, dark eyes, thin-faced with a high forehead. A good looking man who could easily fade into a crowd. Even though my novel, Songsaengnim: A Korea Diary, is based on my experiences in South Korea, I always pictured my character, who has a much darker past than me, who lived a past life as a spy, I have always pictured Roland Axam to look more like Midge Ure than like me.

By the time I left Canada to live in Korea, in 1997, I hadn't seen a new album from Midge Ure since his 1991 release, Pure. He had a UK release in 1996, but it hadn't reached Canada before I left the country. And any time I checked a CD shop, I never found anything by the man I idolized (the Internet wasn't as robust back then).

I assumed Ure hadn't produced any more music, had turned his attention to charity work, such as Live Aid. I also learned that he and Ultravox reunited for a tour in 2009, but they never came to North America. And so I stopped looking for more from Midge Ure.

Until earlier this year, when I learned he was on Twitter. Naturally, I began to follow him, but by then, I was so busy with other things in my life that I didn't go digging, didn't check to see what the man was up to.

At the beginning of July, he started tweeting about his new album, and I got excited. I thought that he would have a UK release and that shortly thereafter, there would be distribution in Canada and other countries.

Being old-school, that was my thinking: and then I remembered we now live in the digital age. Yesterday, I performed a quick search on Google Play, and lo and behold, I discovered Midge Ure's full library. I immediately downloaded his new album, Fragile, and one from 2001 (re-released as an expansion in 2006), Move Me.

I have missed you, Midge. And while your new album still carries the sound you had in the 80s and 90s, you have also kept with the times. You have evolved with the Pop genre while keeping your distinct sound, and you have shown me what I have missed over the decades.

Fragile is beautiful, filled with haunting joy. And while I love the album, I do find that Ure's vocals seem softer; on some tracks, slightly diminished, as though the album title refers to the man, whose voice does not have the strength and the power of The Voice from Rage In Eden.

For today's Music Monday (yes, I eventually got here), I am sharing a song from Midge Ure's new album. Though time has changed the man, it certainly hasn't changed him for the worse.




Over the next few days and weeks, I'm looking forward to reacquainting myself with the man who kept me safe from a bouncer.

Happy Monday!