Debra Fotheringham

EP Release Concert!

2010-09-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

So the EP is officially finished. It's being printed as we speak and will arrive the day before the release concert (phew...that was close). The same thing happened with the last CD so I guess I shouldn't be so surprised by that. *cough* I am so looking forward to sending this out into the world so you can listen to it. I hope you enjoy it. I enjoyed making it.

I'll start rehearsing soon with the band. Check out this line-up: Ryan Tilby on bass, Jacob Skaggs on drums, Stuart Maxfield on guitar, and Brian Hardy on keys...not to mention Stephanie Mabey on backing vocals and glock. Hopefully I can convince some others to sing as well like Dustin Christensen and maybe Ryan Tanner if he's up for it. And maybe I can even entice Lacey Smith into playing some cello.

Jarrett Burns is even going to join me on a song, the duet we sang together on his album. There will be some other surprises and giveaways throughout the evening as well. I want to make this as fun for you as possible. I hope you'll join me.

Loves,
Deb

Recording is complete

2010-06-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

Recording is complete. Scott is now comping songs (piecing together a complete version of all the best takes) and then on to mixing. It was an insane and emotionally and physically exhausting two days, but well worth it. The talent in that group of musicians is unreal. I am extremely pleased with the final product. I can't wait to share it with you.

Here is what I'll be staring at for the next few hours.

EP on the way

2010-06-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

I may have mentioned in previous posts that in I'm going start recording an EP. What was originally scheduled for the last week of May has been pushed until mid-June. Scott Wiley will be producing it.

Scott Wiley is a freakin' genius. I've been wanting to work with him since I was a bright-eyed 16 year old kid hanging out at his studio because my friend Andy worked as his assistant engineer. Although we've discussed working together in the past, it never really worked out until now. I've worked on a few things here and there with Scott (including this, this, and this to name a few) but never any of my own stuff. But starting mid-June we'll head into the studio with an all-star group of musicians to record a live studio album. "Live" meaning we won't be over-dubbing a bunch of stuff like most regular albums. What you hear will have been played live in the same take by musicians that will blow your socks off. I mean, look at this list: Paul Jacobsen, Dustin Christensen, Ryan Tanner, Pat Campbell, Ryan Tilby, Nate Pyfer, Dylan Schorer, Brian Hardy, Stephanie Mabey...I might have missed someone. Hopefully this will give the EP a raw, intimate vibe. There isn't an adjective that adequately describes my excitement.

Anyhoo, to prepare to make this EP the best that it can be I've been working on some new material. Stephanie Mabey and I have co-written a song that I'm super excited about. I'm also currently working on a co-write with Paul Jacobsen via email. It's an interesting process. It's not finished yet (my fault). But, boy howdy, I'm floored to be writing with Paul.

Want to know what else is rad about this album? Ryan Tanner is designing it and Jed Wells is doing photos. What?! I know. Now all I have to do is not suck.

EDIT: Recording begins June 15th!

new music?

2010-03-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

So, the latest news is this...

New EP coming this year. (5 or 6 song album) produced by the über talented Scott Wiley. It's gonna happen, folks.

More news later. Details to come...

blogging

2010-03-15T15:33:00.001-07:00

It bugs me so bad when people don't update their blogs regularly.

Mormon Messages

2010-02-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

I am humbled and also thrilled to have been a part of one of these inspiring messages from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I hope we all can find an opportunity to show our love for someone this week, whether spouse, significant other, brother, sister, parent, neighbor, friend, or even a stranger. God bless.

Christmas show

2009-12-01T20:12:00.001-08:00

I am so looking forward to this show. I love playing Christmas music even more than I enjoy playing my own songs. I've asked Mindy Arrington to join me. She is an amazing violinist I met while working on the hymn project I was a part of in October. And rumor is...we may even have a cellist join us. I hope that rumor is true. Can't wait to see you there!

crappy blog updater

2009-10-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

So...this one time...I had a blog on my website. And I kept forgetting about it so I never posted on it. THE END.

Also I'm pretty sure no one reads it anyway.

But guess what?
I actually have something to write about. I just finished a weekend in the studio with the finest bunch of musicians you ever did see. We were recording an album (actually several albums worth) of old hymns and spirituals LIVE in the studio. I've seriously never had so much fun in all of my life. I mean...human interaction...plus music? How cool is that? I feel blessed to have been a part of it. More details later.

In the meantime...
I was part of a different album of hymns that was just released by the same producer, the almost uncannily talented Scott Wiley. It's called "Nearer: A New Collection of Favorite Hymns. Some of these versions are so great. I really like this album and not just because they let me sing on it. I think you can buy it on iTunes but you can definitely buy it here. This is what the cover looks like:

Clutzy McClutzerson

2009-06-22T13:57:00.001-07:00

Yesterday as I was attempting to paint my toenails, I knocked my brand new bottle of nail polish on the floor. The top shattered when it hit the floor and splattered maroon polish all over the bathroom. As I was cleaning the mess up with nail polish remover, I accidentally knocked the open bottle of remover off of the sink and all over the floor.

Please don't ask me to hold your grandma's prized punch bowl or anything, k?

a thought

2009-06-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to a book signing of a friend and one of my very favorite authors, Brandon Sanderson. His latest book Warbreaker came out on Tuesday. Since he offered the book as a free PDF on his website before it was published (with approval from his publisher Tor), I had already read it, loved it, and have been eagerly awaiting its publication with new scenes included. (More about the book, including where to buy it here. If you're interested in buying it online, here is the Amazon link.) If you haven't heard of Brandon, you probably soon will. He is writing the concluding two novels of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, at the request of Jordan's widow. Yeah, for you fellow nerds who know what I'm talking about, that's a big deal.

As I left the signing, freshly marked book in hand, I got to thinking. Why can't the world of music be more like the world of books? In the world of literature, more emphasis is placed on the work, and less on the author. In the music business, it's all about the artist...and the songs are secondary. Why is that? Food for thought...and discussion.

my other life

2009-02-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

In another life I am not so much a musician as a science fiction and fantasy nerd. Asimov, Heinlein, Card, Bujold, Tolkien, Rowling, Bradbury, Herbert, Dick, Whedon, Sanderson...you name it. I devour it. I have been writing short stories in the aforementioned genres since I first learned to write in the first grade. I have been reading the stuff since about the same time. I still get as giddy and excited about a good novel as I did when I was a kid. There is never a book far away from my hand...and I have about ten of them currently piled around my bed. That said, I recently saw an advertisement for a local sci fi/fantasy publication and I decided that I am going to submit one of my short stories. So I am dusting off and revising a story I wrote a couple years ago.

I've been listening to the Fleet Foxes CD non-stop in my car for the past few days. Love them.

my new toy

2009-01-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

My latest musical instrument is a cajón. It's my new percussion joy/toy/box of awesomeness. By all accounts, it is a box...with a hole in it. But no ordinary box makes such extraordinary sounds. Mine was hand-built and custom made for me by a master wood worker...and I love it. Its fine sound was already put to use in a recording for Stephanie Smith. I stirred on it with some wire brushes. If that means anything to you, congratulations. Here is a video of me playing it with my hands for Steph's song "Until Then" at a benefit concert. This link is to a Facebook video so it may or may not work for you. Clicky! Whew, talk about a head rush. I feel like a head-banging rock star when I play it. I also may or may not have the ability to get you your own custom-made cajon from this master wood worker. Hmmm...that was cryptic. I'll be clearer. Yes, I do have that ability. Message me. I love this little box.

I am looking forward to attending the Mindy Gledhill/Thrillionaires benefit concert for Nie this Monday at The Covey Arts Center. You should go.

winter is officially here

2008-12-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

While I sit typing, snow is gently falling outside and I am listening to the Clare College Choir singing John Rutter Christmas arrangements...on CD. (As cool as that would be, there is not a choir in my living room.) This past weekend, I flew to Arizona for a house concert. If you remember, back in September, I held an online auction to benefit the Nielson family from Arizona. The winner of the private concert was the Johnson family from Mesa, AZ. They generously donated a large sum to the charity as well as offering to fly me out for the concert. We had the concert this past Saturday in their home for friends and family. It was such a great opportunity for me to mingle with some folks from Mesa, get to know the wonderful Johnson family, and bask in the 70 degree weather. I want to thank them for their generosity not only to me but to the Nielson family as well. God bless you.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Spread some love.

I need your help

2008-11-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

So...there's this contest going on right now at Mormontimes.com. (An online news source for us Mo Mos.) I have entered my song Across Oceans. The winner gets $5000. That's a lot of cash...cash that could be the difference between creating a new album or not creating a new album. Would you consider voting for me? Here is the direct link:

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?nocache=1

Now, they won't let you vote unless you have an account with the site, but it's free and it takes like 2 seconds to sign up.

You just click the Need An Account? Sign up Here link at the top right side of the page.

Create an account.

And then vote.

If you're ok with that...please consider voting. (You can vote once a day when you've registered.) You don't have to be Mormon to vote and have an account. I don't care if you cancel your account after you vote. I know some of you have expressed interest in a new album and have wondered how I could speed the process along...this is it. The contest will choose 4 finalists for each month for the next three months. Mine will end Dec. 15th. At the end of the three months, those 12 semi-finalists will compete. The top three get cash prizes.

Thanks for your continual support.

Much Love,
Debra

God Bless America

2008-11-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

Land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her. Through the night something something something!

Well, you probably haven't heard so I wanted to be the first to tell you that it's Voting Day. I am sporting my "I Voted" sticker proudly. I am going to march into Starbucks, point to my sticker, and see if they'll give me a free hot chocolate instead of a coffee. Wish me luck.

But seriously, I hope everyone is taking some time today to vote. It's an historic day.

God bless America.

why?

2008-10-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

What's with people saying "Good on you" lately, instead of good job or congratulations? I hate it so much.

Colorado was a blast. The Durango Songwriters Expo was held in the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. So beautiful. I feel rejuvenated and inspired to continue and write, write, write.

Friday...and I'm leavin' on a jet plane.

2008-10-03T09:46:00.001-07:00

I'm flying out to Colorado this afternoon for the Durango Songwriters Expo, which is being held in Colorado Springs this year. I'm looking forward to a weekend of music, songwriters, and inspiration. I need to recharge my batteries. I'll do a post from the road tonight. Cheers.

posts

2008-09-23T16:08:00.001-07:00

Remember how I said I was going to post every Friday? Aren't I awesome? I promise to do better. It's hard when I don't have internet at my apartment. I've been pirating a neighbors wireless signal (shh...don't tell) but that is unreliable. Basically I'm just trying to make excuses. Anyway, I promise to do better. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?

I've been listening to The Village soundtrack in my car. It's pretty much the first album I pull out every year when autumn hits. Kills me every time. I love that piece of music more than I can express. I consider it a masterpiece. The movie...not so much. In fact, perhaps some might think the soundtrack could be faulted for so thoroughly outshining the movie.

Anyway, I am currently writing a song. I hope it goes well.

And the winner is...

2008-09-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

The Johnsons in Mesa, AZ with a bid of $500 for the concert, plus airfare and lodging. Wow. And a bid of $100 for The Package. That is extraordinarily generous. Thank you so much.

And because I felt sorry for our bidder, Michael, for missing the midnight deadline. I will create a 2nd Place Package that includes just the CDs for a matching bid of $100. The more money for this wonderful family's recovery, the better, right?

To get your items/coordinate the concert, click on the Donate to Nie button at the bottom of this email, make your payment safely and securely via PayPal, and then email me your receipt along with your name, address, and phone number. I will then contact you with the particulars.

Thanks to all bidders for raising the stakes. God bless you.

Auction to benefit Nielson Recovery

2008-08-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

If you're avid in the Utah blogging world, you may be aware of a tragedy that occurred a week or so ago. The author of a very popular blog, The Nie Nie Dialogues, aka Stephanie Clark Nielson, and her husband, Christian, were in a private plane crash. They are in critical condition in a burn unit in AZ. The recovery will cost millions of dollars. (Please go here to read details of the situation and to find out more about the Nielsons.) Their four young children are staying with family members while they recover, which may take months.

I've never met Stephanie or Christian. I only heard about the situation because I'm a regular lurker on Stephanie and her siblings' blogs. Though I don't know her, Stephanie's positivity and creativity have deeply affected the way I view marriage and motherhood. Her positive attitude has influenced the way I handle situations on a daily basis. Isn't that what we're trying to achieve as artists? Whether we're writers, painters, songwriters, musicians, photographers...shouldn't that be our highest goal? To better a life through something we've created. Stephanie has inspired that goal in me.

Bloggers all over the blogosphere are joining together and offering items for auction to benefit the Nielson's recovery fund. (Maroon 5 has even joined in!) So, I'm offering my own little auction. Here are the two items I am offering:

#1 The Package:

An autographed copy of my self-titled album
An autographed copy of the little eight song acoustic demo I used to sell
An autographed compilation disc of everything I've ever written that is not included on the first two discs. (Unless the winner wants some acoustic versions of songs from the first album.)
An autographed 18x24 DF gig poster. (I have extras that I need to get rid of.) :)
DF bookmarks

#2 The Concert (for Utah residents only):

A private concert in your home for your friends and family

Ok, here's how it works.

To bid on this item, enter your amount in the comments below. Be sure to check the comments already made and bid higher than the current bid. Check back to continue bidding: I will not notify previous bidders. I anticipate that bidding will close on Thursday, September 4th at 10 p.m. (MST).

*EDIT* Auction has been extended until midnight (MST) Friday, September 5th.

I will post the winning bid on the blog and make every reasonable effort to contact the winning bidder via e-mail. The winner will then make a Pay Pal donation to the Nielson fund, email me their receipt, and I will ship the item to the winner or make arrangements for the concert.

100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Nielson family recovery fund. Shipping will be paid by me. Please bid in increments of dollars (no cents). Let's start the bidding for The Package at $40. The Concert at $100.

If you would like to donate without bidding, click the button below:

Weekly Friday posts

2008-08-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

I am going to start posting weekly Friday posts. Why? So you can be updated on the goings on of my music world...and because I enjoy writing and I'd like to challenge myself a little. I am not only challenging myself to weekly blogging...I am also challenging myself to weekly songwriting as well. This week I read a paraphrased article from a Ryan Adams interview. Ryan said that songwriters who don't dedicate consistent time to songwriting aren't songwriters at all...furthermore they are lazy. Ouch. That kinda hit home...just a tad...and tore out my heart and stomped on it. I am not a prolific writer and that is because I am lazy and easily frustrated. My boyfriend challenged me to write a song a week this month and stick with it...even if I don't like the song. So...like a good girlfriend, I accepted his challenge and I've been writing a song this week. I started out hating it...on a normal day that would have been grounds for dismissal. But this is a new week so I let it play out...and now I'm really loving it. It's very different form anything I've ever written.

New song revealed for your listening pleasure.

2008-08-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Today my newest song, Parisian Air, is available for listen exclusively at this website:
www.threewinksstudio.com

A few months ago I played at a house concert in Draper. After the show I got an email from someone who'd seen the show and enjoyed the ONE song I'd played so much that she wanted to use some of my music on her website. It turns out that this person, Stacy Young, is one of the most talented photographers I've ever seen. Stacy is seriously amazing. The photo I have up now on my myspace profile is a result of a photo shoot she and I did a little while ago. Soon the website will be redesigned, featuring one of Stacy's photos. Stacy's work blows my mind. Her colors are so vibrant. You can see more of her work and read a little bit about the song release on her blog
http://threewinksstudio.wordpress.com/

Go take a listen!

Folk Fest, children's book

2008-07-14T09:18:00.001-07:00

Well, if you read the News page you'll see that this has been a very exciting weekend for me. On Friday I was informed that I was selected as one of the Top Ten finalists at Telluride's Rocky Mtn. Folks Festival. They have a songwriter showcase each year. Ten songwriters perform and a winner is chosen. The winner gets to play the main stage the next year. If you haven't heard of this Fest, it's one of the biggest in the country...or probably the world for that matter. A few artists I respect very much are headlining this year: KT Tunstall, Patty Griffin, and Nanci Griffith...as well as last year's winner Sarah Sample (she used to be a local). Check out www.bluegrass.com for more info on the Fest. Anywho, I'm extremely excited.

Also, a friend of mine, Sandra Tayler, has just published a fantastic children's book I think you should take a look at. It's called Hold on to Your Horses. It's a story about a little girl whose creative ideas run wild and constantly get her into trouble. Her mother comes up with an imaginative way to help her reign her ideas in. I know a lot of high energy, highly creative kids who can definitely relate. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and Sandra and Angela Call (the illustrator) have given you two options for owning this book. You can download a free PDF of the book in the website (linked above) OR you can buy a copy of the book there as well. To truly do these fantastic drawings justice, I think you'll want to own it.

One of the things I love about what I do is how many people from the artistic community I get to meet and create friendships with. I think we should all share in our creativity.

i loves joolye

2008-07-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

I loves me some sweet Joo-lye in the mornin'. Tomorrow (the 3rd) I will be playing at Provo's Freedom Festival. This will be my...let me calculate...seventh or eighth straight year playing the Festival. I think it was one of the first shows I ever played back when I was young, bright eyed, and bushy tailed. (Oh, and I had mermaid braids and I wore one of my mom's flower shirts from the 60's. Good times.) The Fest IS summer for me. I don't know how I'd survive without the smell of toasted almonds and funnel cake. And the heat...oh the heat.

Independence Day is on Friday, in case you didn't know. (Pssst. It's the same as the 4th of July. I know, weird, huh?) I have many veterans in my life to thank for the freedom to smell toasted almonds and funnel cake...and wear bad wardrobe choices on stage. My mom's dad was a pilot in WWII and was shot down over Germany when she was six months old. My mom's stepdad (who I always knew as Grandpa) also served. I have a brother-in-law in the Air National Guard, cousins in the Navy, and many other friends and acquaintances who are serving or have served this country. This country is a phenomenon and you make it possible. Thank you. Sincerely. Thank you.

i am an idiot...and other tales

2008-06-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

So...twice this weekend I had percussion gigs with Mindy Gledhill and Stephanie Smith respectively. (For those of you unaware, in addition to my singer/songwriter thing...sometimes I also work as a percussionist for hire for other singer/songwriters.) And twice this weekend, I thought that since I was just doing percussion, I wouldn't need to bring very many CDs to the gigs. (I always bring a few, just in case.) And twice...I didn't have enough CDs for people who wanted them. You'd think I would have learned my lesson the first night. Nope. So, I apologize to those of you who were disappointed. I am an idiot.

I've been sick this week and it's made it difficult to sing...which has again made me aware of just how much I actually sing during any given day. A lot. Seriously people, I never shut up. I had ask my boyfriend to remind me to stop singing so my voice/throat could heal. He had to remind me like every two seconds.

Also, I've got a show coming up at Velour in Provo. See the News page for details. I love summer.

cali-forn-i-a...

2008-05-05T11:40:00.001-07:00

...was awesome. I'm not a big fan of California in general, but if someone offered to sell me a big bottle of Cali weather I would say, "Yes, please." The show at the House of Blues with Stephanie Smith was quite awesome. The house was packed. The lights were low. The booze ran freely like a bacchanalian revel. I quietly sipped my vintage bottle of Arrowhead water c. 2008. Steph turned to me, her own bottle of water in hand, and said, "I feel like we're the mathletes at the cool kids party." The show itself was fantastic.

We spent one luxurious morning on a secluded beach in a cove in Laguna. The stretch of sand was maybe 100 yards across. Besides the six in our traveling party, there were maybe ten other people. It was mah-velous. I was sitting there slow-roasting my feet (something I discovered later) when someone spotted a pod of wild dolphins just off the shore, dipping and diving in the surf. Magical.

I finished my new song and I will play it at my next show. I'm already working on another.

hair

2008-04-01T10:43:00.001-07:00

I debated growing my hair out because I knew that if I did, it would make my album look dated. My hair grows fast...I mean really fast. But I was thoroughly sick of short hair...and thus, sometimes when people look at my album and I'm standing right next to them they say "Who is this?" And "Wow, this is you? This album must be old." Yes, it has happened more than once. And no, the album hasn't even been out for a year yet. My follicles can't be stopped. I need to update the home page.

It is supposedly spring. I even had a vernal equinox party with my friends to celebrate the official emergence of spring. If it is truly spring, why is there still snow on the ground? And why is snow still haunting me? And why won't it GO AWAY? Just wondering.

daylight robbery

2008-03-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Someone stole an hour of sleep from me...and I want it back!

Last week I did a little road trip up to Moscow for a gig. Moscow, Idaho that is. Gotcha. I'm hilarious. The gig was at the University of Idaho which is the home of one of the country's most prestigious jazz festivals. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. I missed the fest by a couple weeks...sadly...but there were plenty of other things in Moscow to entertain me. Like...uh...there was a Jack in the Box...and...I think I saw a hawk....maybe not. It was nice to get out though. We were even greeted by an Idaho State Trooper! He told us not to drive so fast and told me to break a leg at the show. I didn't. Oh, and then he told me I look like Lindsay Lohan. Lindsay Lohan? I mean...really.
All kidding aside, thanks to Vandal Entertainment with the University of Idaho for bringing me out! They treated me like the queen of America and were extremely accommodating. Thank you! It was truly a pleasure.

I'm working on a song right now but I'm agonizing over the lyrics...as usual.

Hark the Herald

2008-02-15T08:49:00.001-08:00

Yesterday's issue of the Daily Herald UV Entertainment insert featured an article on tomorrow's show. Take a look here:

Clicky!

Also, I've decided to make a single of my song Subtraction and sell them at tomorrow's show. I've had a lot of positive response for this song and a lot of requests for a recorded version...so...I hear and obey.
Speaking of hearing, I'm really looking forward to hearing Russ Dixon play. It's been a while since I've had the privilege. I'm going to see if I can get him to freestyle rap. He's so good at it it's ridiculous!

I hope you all had a fantastic Valentine's day yesterday. Mine was...so, so wonderful. :)

I'm working on a new song at the moment. Not sure what it's going to be called yet, but I'm pretty durn excited about it. I love this feeling. There something about creating and shaping a song that is so fulfilling emotionally, spiritually, physically. I'm an addict.

Valentine's show

2008-01-28T16:54:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to put together another concert at the Noni auditorium for a while now. I loved playing there at my CD Release concert. So...without further ado...I'm doing it. Two days after Valentine's Day, I will be performing a "low lights and love songs" themed concert with the band at the Tahitian Noni Auditorium. That's Brandon Cummings on the drums, Trevor Gorton on the bass, and John Kovalenko the violin. (Those of you who haven't seen John play with me yet are in for a major treat.)

We'll be giving away "romance prizes" throughout the evening to concert goers. We'll have drawings for multiples prizes, including a dinner for two at Magleby's restaurant, a Swedish massage, European facial, and cut/color from Katumba's salon in Orem, and other great prizes. Buy your tickets right here online and you'll get one free for every one you buy. Tickets won't be shipped to you. You can pick them up the night of the show at Will Call.

And, as a long-time veteran of Singles Awareness Day, I can empathize with the Singles among us. I will play some just for you.

I'm also very excited to have the amazing Russ Dixon (of the band Colors) joining us for the evening. Russ is one of my favorite people. You don't want to miss him.

a new year

2008-01-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Well, it's time to bid adieu to one heck of a fantastic year. 2007 will go down in history as one of the best on record. But I am looking forward to 2008. I'm already doing more songwriting than usual because I've made the commitment to write at least one a month. So far I've done quite well. I'm working on a new idea right now that I'm quite excited about. I'm looking forward to exploring the possibilities.

Right now it's bleak midwinter in Utah and it's snowing. To quote Christina Rossetti, "Snow on snow. Snow on snow." I think I whined about snow in my last entry...but I'm not finished. I wouldn't mind snow so much if I didn't have to drive in it. My boyfriend tells me that if I had an Audi Quattro, my driving in the snow woes would be over. I can dream. I won't tell my Chevy Cavalier because he'd get jealous and start complaining about all his battle scars and snooty German engineering.

I'm looking forward to my show in February. It's at the Tahitian Noni auditorium where I held my CD Release concert. (Some people get confused and think it's the Noni building off I-15 near American Fork. Nope, that is their factory. This is in their corporate building in Provo near the Riverwoods.) The show is on the 16th, two days after Valentines. I planned it that way on purpose...because guys...you need to take your girls to a concert. Seriously. And singles...what better way to forget than to immerse yourself in music.

More on the show later.

december

2007-12-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! It snowed here in Utah somethin' fierce this weekend. I went to a concert at Temple Square on Friday with some friends... and the snow was INSANE. I'm glad I wasn't driving. Last year Stephanie Smith and I had to drive home from a gig in SLC in white-out blizzard. I couldn't see the road; I couldn't see the median; I couldn't see the signs. Yeah, I thought I was going to drive off the edge of the mountain and die in one terrific fireball. By the time we reached home (safely) I was visibly, physically shaking and I had to pry my hands off the steering wheel.

But snow signifies other things besides instant death...Christmas! To ring in the holidays, I posted a recording of my arrangement of Good King Wenceslas on my Myspace profile (which you can access from the Links section). I will be posting a new Christmas arrangement every week until Christmas! I've also posted a demo recording of my newest song, Subtraction. I recorded these tunes in my closet on my MacBook so don't expect any stunning sonic wonders. Also, you may want to check the Calendar page. I've added some new gig dates. Merry Christmas!

november

2007-11-12T17:54:00.000-08:00

November is upon us. I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. How time flies. I'm trying to have a goal to write a song a month for the next little while. That doesn't sound like much, but considering how long I agonize over lyrics...that sounds like a huge, daunting commitment for me. It shouldn't be. So I've got October down. November is already half over. I better get crackin'.

I was in the studio last week recording a duet with the talented Benton Paul for his new album. A few of you may have seen Benton and I perform this at a show or two. It's a really sparse heart-breaker ballad with just the piano and two voices. Benton's album will likely be released at the first of next year. I'm sure it will be fantastic.

finished

2007-10-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

I finished my new song yesterday. Although technically it's not 100% "new." I wrote the original version of this song many years ago. I liked the lyrical and musical idea, but hated the finished product. So, having a new and poignant inspiration and reason to rewrite this particular song, I dusted it off, opened it up, and revised it. It's called Subtraction. Some of you may have heard it or remember me playing it once or twice. Now it's brand spankin' new and I'm finally satisfied with it. That's the best feeling in the world. Why don't I write more often? I will tell you why. Because I'm lazy.

Can you believe that after all of the insane traveling I did this summer, I'm already itchin' to go somewhere? I believe they call this malady wanderlust. I've got a serious case of it.

october, new song, and charlie

2007-10-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of October! This is a momentous day. Why? Uh...just because I like it. It's getting much colder here in Utah. Saturday was ridiculously cold and now I have to actually scrape the frost off my car windows when I get up early in the morning. This I could do without...both the scraping and the early mornings.

I started writing a song on Saturday. It's been a LONG time since I've written. Way too long, in fact. I read somewhere (I think it was on the blog of one of my fav. bands and friends, Raining Jane) that if you have writer's block it's simply because you're not writing. This was true in my case. I'd sit down for a few minutes, come up with some ideas, and then abandon them. So I resolved on Saturday to stick it out no matter what. And now I'm actually getting somewhere and I'm pleased with the lyrical direction, which is what I usually struggle with the longest.

Last night I was forceably awakened at around four in the morning by a raging charlie horse in my calf muscle. It lasted for longer than I care to remember. Now my whole leg is sore. I would like to know what causes these atrocities. I have a theory that it's because I wore heels all weekend which I don't always do. Cursed heels.

portland and pumpkin bread

2007-09-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the opportunity to fly to Portland to open for the wonderful Sam Payne at PSU. I'll be honest, after the hassle of last month's flight experiences, I was not looking forward to stepping foot in the airport again. Fortunately, the flights were very uneventful and smooth...and the security lines were short. We were graciously taken care of by the sponsor of the show, the founder of Jim Band Music, Dave Andersen. For the past couple years, Dave and his crew have worked relentlessly and sometimes thanklessly to put together wonderful family-friendly shows in the Portland area. It was an honor to be included with this one, especially on the same bill with Sam Payne. Sam is the ultimate performer. I love watching his shows and I especially love listening to him preface the songs with stories. He's has one of those voices that was born for telling stories, that soothes and entertains all at once. I always walk away from Sam's shows edified and inspired to write.

Sunday was the autumnal equinox. Stephanie Smith and I are somewhat fanatical about the fall season, so we had been planning our autumnal equinox celebration weeks in advance. We couldn't have planned better autumnal weather...overcast and cool. We inaugurated the celebration by lighting a pumpkin spice candle which was almost unnecessary since we made pumpkin bread from scratch and soon filled Steph's kitchen with the natural scent of pumpkin and spices. Then, in the company of her family, we enjoyed different breads, imported cheeses...gouda, swiss, portsalut, and fruit. Could one ask for a better fall celebration? I submit that one could not.

autumn...

2007-09-19T17:52:00.000-07:00

Autumn is my favorite season. But this has been a rather strange month for me for various reasons and there's been a hint of melancholy to the approaching season. I still love to look up on the mountainside and see the scrub oak leaves turning orange and I eagerly await the scarlet of the sumac...but it's just the tiniest bit sad to see things dying. It's sad to realize that the vibrancy is one last ditch effort before death, before the frost and bite of winter and loneliness. So I remind myself that it's just change...and change brings growth. There's beauty and wonder in the change if I choose to look for it. So I will.

I love the word autumn; I love everything about it--its letters, its length, and especially what it denotes. I can feel its crispness in the air when I say it aloud. There are a lot of things I want to do this autumn. I want to go hiking when all the leaves on the mountains have changed and the air is cool and smoky. I want to go to a corn maze at dusk, when the light is just beginning to fail. I want to carve a pumpkin and then roast the seeds. I don't even like roasted pumpkin seeds. I want to make warm, gooey pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and share them with my friends as we laugh and talk outside among the fallen leaves.

home again

2007-08-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

I'm finally home again after an exhausting...but wonderful...summer tour. I love music, in case you hadn't noticed. It's been such an awesome experience to share mine with so many wonderful people. One of my favorite things about being a musician is that I get to meet new and exciting people at every show...guaranteed. It's something I look forward to. I love the fast pace and I love facing new situations every day that force me to grow as a person. Yes, even flight cancellations...alone...in Paris.

So, what's next? I plan on sitting down with the ol' guitar a lot these upcoming months and writing a lot of new material. I have so many experiences, emotions, and ideas percolating in my head. They need to come out. And I'm sure I'll be doing plenty of shows on top of that. I'm not one to turn them down. The future is exciting.

if it's nae scottish, it's crap

2007-08-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hallo from the land of my people...Scotland. Oh my, I love it here. Every single piece of land in Scotland is beautiful...stunningly so. I'm looking out the window of the B&B across green rolling fields dotted with grazing sheep. All the houses are straight from a story book, including the one I'm in...and I just laugh to myself every time I look outside because I can't figure out how one place could be so amazing. I feel some songs coming on. Unfortunately, my guitar is in Germany...and I'm 1600km away (that's right, I said kilometers.) My hands are feeling the deprivation. Sometimes you don't realize the significance of something or someone until it's gone.

I've seen lots of ancient castles and villages and abbeys here in Scotland, but that thing that has impressed me most (other than the scenery) is the people. Everyone is friendly, helpful, congenial. There's a slower pace of life. Most people are willing to help each other out. It's fantastic.

I could do without the poor exchange rate though. Man, this sterling thing is killing me.

Well, it's late. Off to bed.

bonjour from paris

2007-08-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

I'm in Paris...and I love it here. I'm not one to like big cities. Usually they just overwhelm me and make me anxious. Not Paris. There's something different about it. Paris, je t'aime.

My show in Germany was fantastic! I want to give a huge thank you to all of the people who came out to the show, despite the fact that many of them couldn't understand a word I was saying. (Thanks to my good friend Matthias for translating!) Fortunately, music is the universal language. I hope I said something that was meaningful to you.

I love Europe. With a few language courses and some time, I could definitely see myself living here. There's a different pace of life that I find refreshing. Now, I'll be honest. So far I'm not a big fan of German food. Every possible liquid is carbonated...including water. German ice cream, however, is another story. I could eat hazelnut ice cream until the day I die. Germany itself is lovely. I was a little surprised to see so much farmland. I guess I had ideas of what Europe should look like and it surprised me...pleasantly.

I'm in Paris for another couple days, hitting all the spots one must hit when in Paris. So far I've been to all the places I really wanted to see, including the cathedral that I've wanted to visit since I was sixteen, Saint Chappelle. It was so worth it, better than I had ever imagined it would be. Went to Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, La Basilique de Sacre Coeur, Versailles. Today's adventure is the Louvre...and scouting out some excellent pastries. There's a creperie stand right outside my hotel. I've had a crepe sucre for breakfast every day. If I could, I would transport this little stand back home and sit it right outside my house. Yum. But now I need some suggestions from you knowing Parisians or Paris regulars...where are some great places to eat?

new york city

2007-07-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

I flew back into Salt Lake City last night from New York after an exhausting three day trip out east. I've been fortunate in all of my travels thus far to have largely avoided airlines headaches such as flight cancellations and delays. I guess the odds were against me for keeping that record. Stephanie and I played a show in the Tetons of Idaho Tuesday night, drove all night to make it to the airport in SLC for our 6:00 flight to NY, and hopped on the plane. We had a plane change in Atlanta, which seemed to be an easy enough switch. The weather in Atlanta was a little cloudy but didn't seem all that threatening. We were sitting in the terminal waiting for the flight when an announcement over the PA informed us that due to weather, our flight to Long Island had been canceled. After a nightmarish experience dealing with Delta airlines (whose customer service, I am convinced, is the worst out there), we had to reschedule our flight for the next morning...but not to Long Island. The only available flight was to the LaGuardia airport, which is about an hour away from Long Island. Which means not only were we going to miss our show that night, someone was going to have to drive two hours to pick us up. We asked Delta if we could get our bags. They wouldn't release them to us. They were continuing on to Long Island even if we weren't. (Our baggage consisted of my guitar and all of our merchandise.) We asked them to put us up in a hotel for the night. They gave us a discount voucher for a Best Western that had no rooms available. We had to find our own hotel, catch a shuttle from the airport, miss our show and instead spend the evening in a hotel in Atlanta, and then catch the shuttle for the red eye flight the next morning. We arrived in LaGuardia and our hero arrived in the form of Dave Dircks...the founder of the Acoustic Long Island podcast. (The show we would have played the night before.) Dave picked us up at LaGuardia and then drove us all the way out to the LI airport to fetch our bags, which Delta assured us would have arrived by then. Of course, they hadn't. We were informed that they would be arriving that evening...an hour before we needed to leave for our show in Manhattan. Dave took us to lunch, took us to buy the supplies we were missing, took us to his house to freshen up for the show...and pretty much saved the day. He drove us back to the LI airport at the time Delta told us the plane would be coming. No...of course not...it had been delayed an hour. So...we waited...and an hour later FINALLY had our luggage (but not before the conveyor belt broke causing further delays. Oddly enough all this happened on Thursday the 12th, not Friday the 13th.) Dave then proceeded to drive us all the way out to Manhattan for our show, missing his dinner appointment in the process. Dave is our hero.

The show was great. Stephanie and I shared the stage with a great performer/songwriter named Andy Mac at a swanky little club on 34th Avenue called Mo Pitkin's. A big thanks to Lena Chen of Chilen Music for putting on the show and inviting us out to play. And the biggest thanks of all to Dave Dircks. Holy Hannah. What would we have done without you? Despite the craziness of it all, I still had a great time. Yesterday we got to go to a pizza place in Brooklyn that everyone is always raving about. Grimaldi's. It was excellent. New York City is a crazy place.

So, now I'm home again and I've got a few hours of down time before I head out to play my show at the Sandy Amphitheater tonight. Monday Steph and I head out to Seattle for more traveling fun. I'm looking forward to that. I think Seattle is my favorite city in the U.S.