Oh if I had a brain.
If I had a brain.
I'd be cold as the stone and rich as the fool
who turned all those good hearts away.
I have to say, I really do love this song. Birdy (who I was turned on to be my ridiculously brilliant student in Toronto Sydney Delong ... go check her out, shes such a beautiful talent) is one of those singers that takes you by suprise. So a side effect of that is the songs she covers take me by suprise. This was one of those... so when someone requested it I said a-ok. Why not.
here 'tis.
x
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
two albums...oh my
Lofty ambitions and the need to make up for a recordless year have dictated that there will be two albums out this year.
Laying cards on the table, I think its safe to say that in my own day to day life I exhibit a certain Jekyll and Hyde persona. That same quality tends to exude over to my world of music - and how could it not?
My love - first and foremost - is the heavier piano driven cabaret tunes. Its a tough call, because on one hand I realize that the market for this type of music is still being built. "This kind of music" doesn't really have a niche yet - it's too soon. And I think that's a great thing. Music is a many facetted mistress - what she wants from you, she probably does not want from me. And let's be honest, she always seems to want the weirdest things from me... never satisfied, always wanting more. Just like a woman - that evil muse. We've had this problem when we've played festivals or competitions - and that is that the judges do not know where to put us. After hearing this many times, I have felt like throwing in my keys and saying Fuck It. "Whom would you like me to sound like, oh Gracious music Lords? Tell me whom to copy, so that you can label this and give me a good score!". But really? REALLY? That's not my MO. And I think that there are people out there who relate and love the kind of music we are making. Just because they don't have a clip board and an expensive pen doesn’t make them matter less. It makes them matter MORE.
Artists like NIN, Tori Amos, Maynard, and The Dresden Dolls brought this type of music out of me, as before them I was still inside the shell of where I wanted to go. The group Evanescence came out and I knew that even though I liked them and the tunes Amy Lee and Ben Moody were making - there was a different plane that I wanted to go to that was beyond metal accompanied by the piano (I do still frown when people compare me to Amy - a girl and a piano do not an Evanescence make).
This was one of the reasons that there were no guitars in Dreaming In Red, or the live band up to that point. I did not want to fall in to that metal & piano pocket, as I knew that would be an easy place to live. I wanted... different. The cabaret element to the music that I wanted to build is partially there due to my love of theatrics. The dark burlesque coupled with traditional indie rock melodies and a dash of something new was where I wanted to steer the boat. I'm still on my way.
I think this new album is going to have more tones of blues-rock, dancing somewhere in the middle with the cabaret flavor in there. A little bit heavier in areas, but not the way you'd expect. Be afraid. ;)
My second Love - The folk/indie pop music with a dash of wistful. I think I write a lot of this material because I spend so many nights by my lonesome with a piano and an acoustic guitar. The folky soft tunes come naturally by the light of computer screens and insomnia.
I also think that my softer side has a chance to shine, the part of me that really has been honed since I was younger. Belting out to the piano by myself is just as comfortable to me now as sliding in to a pair of jogging pants (lets all be honest - jogging pants make the world a better place).
I want to continue to let that music out - and I want to build it. I foresee cellos, mandolins, acoustic guitars and drums with brushes.
In short, good things. All good things. I hope you guys are looking forward to the albums as much as I am.. it's going to be an interesting ride.
xxx
T
Laying cards on the table, I think its safe to say that in my own day to day life I exhibit a certain Jekyll and Hyde persona. That same quality tends to exude over to my world of music - and how could it not?
My love - first and foremost - is the heavier piano driven cabaret tunes. Its a tough call, because on one hand I realize that the market for this type of music is still being built. "This kind of music" doesn't really have a niche yet - it's too soon. And I think that's a great thing. Music is a many facetted mistress - what she wants from you, she probably does not want from me. And let's be honest, she always seems to want the weirdest things from me... never satisfied, always wanting more. Just like a woman - that evil muse. We've had this problem when we've played festivals or competitions - and that is that the judges do not know where to put us. After hearing this many times, I have felt like throwing in my keys and saying Fuck It. "Whom would you like me to sound like, oh Gracious music Lords? Tell me whom to copy, so that you can label this and give me a good score!". But really? REALLY? That's not my MO. And I think that there are people out there who relate and love the kind of music we are making. Just because they don't have a clip board and an expensive pen doesn’t make them matter less. It makes them matter MORE.
Artists like NIN, Tori Amos, Maynard, and The Dresden Dolls brought this type of music out of me, as before them I was still inside the shell of where I wanted to go. The group Evanescence came out and I knew that even though I liked them and the tunes Amy Lee and Ben Moody were making - there was a different plane that I wanted to go to that was beyond metal accompanied by the piano (I do still frown when people compare me to Amy - a girl and a piano do not an Evanescence make).
This was one of the reasons that there were no guitars in Dreaming In Red, or the live band up to that point. I did not want to fall in to that metal & piano pocket, as I knew that would be an easy place to live. I wanted... different. The cabaret element to the music that I wanted to build is partially there due to my love of theatrics. The dark burlesque coupled with traditional indie rock melodies and a dash of something new was where I wanted to steer the boat. I'm still on my way.
I think this new album is going to have more tones of blues-rock, dancing somewhere in the middle with the cabaret flavor in there. A little bit heavier in areas, but not the way you'd expect. Be afraid. ;)
My second Love - The folk/indie pop music with a dash of wistful. I think I write a lot of this material because I spend so many nights by my lonesome with a piano and an acoustic guitar. The folky soft tunes come naturally by the light of computer screens and insomnia.
I also think that my softer side has a chance to shine, the part of me that really has been honed since I was younger. Belting out to the piano by myself is just as comfortable to me now as sliding in to a pair of jogging pants (lets all be honest - jogging pants make the world a better place).
I want to continue to let that music out - and I want to build it. I foresee cellos, mandolins, acoustic guitars and drums with brushes.
In short, good things. All good things. I hope you guys are looking forward to the albums as much as I am.. it's going to be an interesting ride.
xxx
T
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Be satisfied.
Today is beautiful.
Yesterday's frustrations led to a new song, which led to a good night's sleep, which led to a happy T this morning. I have things looming but my inner zen master is kicking in and demanding that I enjoy the moment that is currently here.
So I'm doing just that. Caffeine in hand, pup at side, piano to my right and guitars to my left. It's the morning of coffee and silence.
Be satisfied.
x
Tonella
Yesterday's frustrations led to a new song, which led to a good night's sleep, which led to a happy T this morning. I have things looming but my inner zen master is kicking in and demanding that I enjoy the moment that is currently here.
So I'm doing just that. Caffeine in hand, pup at side, piano to my right and guitars to my left. It's the morning of coffee and silence.
Be satisfied.
x
Tonella
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Roar. With Extreme Prejudice.
So many indie artists, so little time.
I have a theory. For everything that you do, there is someone who is plotting a way to make money from it. Perhaps you will be one of the hard working and/or lucky ones, and you'll be the person to make money off of your own idea. Novel concept. For the most part, some poor shmo will dream something into being, and then a shmo in a suit will step in and rape it.
UNLESS
*drumroll*
You refuse to roll with the process.
But the world is designed around these catch 22's, where until you do this - you can't do that! But until you do that you can't do this !
Hello music business. I didn't miss you at all.
Now that I've rolled my way over to said music business, can we just talk for a small moment about websites like Sonic Bids? I'm not saying it's all bad, I'm just saying that for the love OF GOD YOU MOTHER FUCKERS! STEAL SOMEONE ELSES MONEY! I FN HATE YOU!
Am I on there? Well yes, gentle viewer, I am . But you see, if I am not on there, I am no longer able to submit to the festivals that were once open to all people online. But no no. Now you must pay $50 dollars when you enter, and you must do so with full knowledge that someone will listen to .5 seconds of your song and if they are feeling it, alright! You're in! If not, thank's for the money! We know you probably work 3 jobs and don't get paid shit when you play your shows, but we really do need the dollars.
And if/when you DO get in, you think...
SO exciting! I will get paid to perform, I'm sure. Or at least comped a drink.
Ahhh, alas gentle viewer. You don't get any of those things. You get a wrist band and a stamp, and maybe a drink ticket but most likely just a good ass fucking. The ass fucking of indifference.
Lovely image, I know.
Sites like that are designed (like all media related monsters) to sell you back your own dream, stick a price tag on your work, and make you buy it.
Your own dream.
It's mindblowing.
But when you get your dream, it's been tampered with. That was not how you built it.
Thanks dream killers.
Here are some picure illustrations of my feelings.
And last but not least, let's end on a good note.
ahhh.
I feel better now.
So my plan is this. F 'em. I believe that the name 'indie' and things labelled 'independant' should be just that. INDE FUCKING PENDANT!
The internet is my bitch, I am not yours and I certainly don't need you to guide me through the process of setting up my online networking, or fan mail, or videos, or whatever for a small fee of shut the hell up. I think that erasing the middle man is one of my goals. The middle is only necessary when it comes to things like oreos and a good threesome. Besides that, who needs em.
--- end rant ---
This rant has been brough to you by bitterness, and Sonic Bids.
xo
Tonella
I have a theory. For everything that you do, there is someone who is plotting a way to make money from it. Perhaps you will be one of the hard working and/or lucky ones, and you'll be the person to make money off of your own idea. Novel concept. For the most part, some poor shmo will dream something into being, and then a shmo in a suit will step in and rape it.
UNLESS
*drumroll*
You refuse to roll with the process.
But the world is designed around these catch 22's, where until you do this - you can't do that! But until you do that you can't do this !
Hello music business. I didn't miss you at all.
Now that I've rolled my way over to said music business, can we just talk for a small moment about websites like Sonic Bids? I'm not saying it's all bad, I'm just saying that for the love OF GOD YOU MOTHER FUCKERS! STEAL SOMEONE ELSES MONEY! I FN HATE YOU!
Am I on there? Well yes, gentle viewer, I am . But you see, if I am not on there, I am no longer able to submit to the festivals that were once open to all people online. But no no. Now you must pay $50 dollars when you enter, and you must do so with full knowledge that someone will listen to .5 seconds of your song and if they are feeling it, alright! You're in! If not, thank's for the money! We know you probably work 3 jobs and don't get paid shit when you play your shows, but we really do need the dollars.
And if/when you DO get in, you think...
SO exciting! I will get paid to perform, I'm sure. Or at least comped a drink.
Ahhh, alas gentle viewer. You don't get any of those things. You get a wrist band and a stamp, and maybe a drink ticket but most likely just a good ass fucking. The ass fucking of indifference.
Lovely image, I know.
Sites like that are designed (like all media related monsters) to sell you back your own dream, stick a price tag on your work, and make you buy it.
Your own dream.
It's mindblowing.
But when you get your dream, it's been tampered with. That was not how you built it.
Thanks dream killers.
Here are some picure illustrations of my feelings.
And last but not least, let's end on a good note.
ahhh.
I feel better now.
So my plan is this. F 'em. I believe that the name 'indie' and things labelled 'independant' should be just that. INDE FUCKING PENDANT!
The internet is my bitch, I am not yours and I certainly don't need you to guide me through the process of setting up my online networking, or fan mail, or videos, or whatever for a small fee of shut the hell up. I think that erasing the middle man is one of my goals. The middle is only necessary when it comes to things like oreos and a good threesome. Besides that, who needs em.
--- end rant ---
This rant has been brough to you by bitterness, and Sonic Bids.
xo
Tonella
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