It's Tuesday.  I meant to write yesterday and well... obviously didn't get here. This weekend in Plattsburgh was beautiful.  Seriously beautiful.  My trip over to Burlington on Saturday evening to record was absolutely awesome.  The drive, the recording session, the feeling of knowing that this project has a finish line.  The last time I left the studio I was feeling a bit discouraged because I couldn't get the vocals for a few of the guitar tracks we had laid down.  So having returned after a couple of months to successfully wrap up these few songs felt stellar.  

I'm telling you, the door to the recording room shuts and it's over... I spread my feet a little bit apart to get some solid grounding, headphones on, eyes are shut and the arms flail as I wishfully attempt to hit the notes just as I want to.  I'm pretty certain I look like a giant idiot.  But that's the beauty of it... there's not a soul in there to judge me!  And I swear to you, channeling your inner diva is monumental in these moments.  Aside from the totally hot jean shorts she sports, I feel like Mariah Carey in the One Sweet Day music video with Boyz II Men... now that is a jam.  Anyway, I'm headed back over this Saturday to lay down three more songs and then we'll be at 15 total! With 15 songs, I'll have a chance to go through and weed out a couple of the songs I'm feeling less enthusiastic about.  And the CD in its completion will hopefully represent what I've put into this project.  I literally can't wait.

And for those of you who didn't catch this on Facebook... I've added a new video to the Basement Sessions!  It's a cover of Foster the People's, "Pumped Up Kicks".  Have a listen if you have a moment:)  I've also added new pictures to the live shows section in photos!

What's next you ask?  The ALS Walk of Hope celebration in downtown Plattsburgh on Saturday, May 26th from 12-1pm!  I'll be playing outside in Trinity Park along with a bunch of other local talent... it should be an awesome day!  Next Thursday, I resume at Irises... check out the shows page for all of the latest details and updates.

Thank you for being supportive.  Thank you for reading these rants.  Thank you for keeping me going.
:)
Giovanina

So I wasn't fibbing about recording on Sunday, but we ended up having to reschedule being that it was a day to celebrate all of the beautiful mamas out there!  Recording reunion is rescheduled for this coming Saturday... Woohoo! Excitement is still in full swing:) 

Ya know what's not in full swing?  The completion of that song I started to write last week... I really felt like there was momentum.  Well, there was... and then it came to a freakin' crashing halt.  Dang!  I hate when that happens.  I'm not very good at going back to the ones I don't finish the first time around. Unfortunately, I might have to add this one to the gone but not forgotten pile... ah well.  You can't win 'em all.

On a brighter note, I celebrated Mother's Day with my family at our camp on Sunday and it was lovely and wonderful.  Not only was it a beautiful day to celebrate my mama and sisters, but it was our first meal of the season out at camp!  My parents move out there every summer and it's glorious, so peaceful, and so summery.  Doors were open, my nephews were fishing off the dock and the adults were enjoying the likes of bad jokes and telling stories around the dinner table... I mean seriously.  That shiz is blissful.

Not to mention, my mom, also referred to by our family as "The White Tornado", is pretty much the finest lady I know.  She's by far the hardest working woman... ever, never stops, always giving and doing for others, can hang with the best of 'em, loves to laugh and basically is just a total badass.  Any of you who know her would likely agree with me!  And thanks to my beautiful sisters, I get to enjoy the role of Aunt GG to 6 nieces and nephews.  SIX.  They're awesome, they're lil' stinkers, they're kind, they're beautiful and they're the next generation of Bucci's to take on the world thanks to my sisters, Bridget and Angie, for being nothing less than awesomely dedicated mothers.  They've taught me more than they'll ever know... I hope I can pass along the wisdom to my own someday.  Someday... many years from now:)

One more week off from gigs and then we're back on track next week rolling out with the ALS Walk of Hope on May 26th!  Looking forward to getting back on schedule and hoping to continue filling up that summer music schedule!

Well, I'll leave ya with that, my friends... 'til next time, of course:)
Giovanina

True. Story.  Back to the studio on Sunday.  Can you freakin' believe it?!  Kyle Rose and I have finally synced our schedules... I knew it would happen eventually.  Although the hiatus from recording has been frustrating-only because I'm antsy to get this project done and in your hands/ears-I'm thinking that going back in there will be refreshing after the mini-break!  I'm also wrapping up the likes of a new jam... might test out the possibilities of it being record-ready:)  Regardless, if there's one thing that is getting crossed off my bucket list this summer, it's this damn CD, I can assure you.  Long overdue.

Other than wanting to share the excellent recording news, not much else is going on!  I have a couple weeks of no gigs, so I'll be popping into the Monopole's Open Mike on Wednesdays... hopefully I can finish this new song up by tomorrow in time to give it a whirl:)  The next big event is happening on Saturday, May 26th for the much anticipated ALS Walk of Hope and the celebration afterward in downtown, Plattsburgh at Trinity Park.  

On a side note, my new apartment was properly christened this weekend with an after-hours dance party.  This could either mean that I've always secretly wanted to be a 19 year old frat boy OR that it's never too late to rock out to a little Biggie Smalls at 2:30 in the morning with great friends.  It's just plain fun.  I mean for that matter, dance parties are fun any time of day.  I'm having one at my desk right now, actually.  A Tribe Called Quest Pandora radio station is brilliant.  Don't be fooled... I do love me some good ol' hip hop:)

Alright, peeps, see you soon!
Giovanina 

Life has a funny way of throwing us gentle reminders, no?  Ya know those moments where you think to yourself... 'ya know what, it's not that bad' or 'well it could be a lot freakin' worse!' or 'at least I don't have to wash my hair every day'.  Or is that last one just me?  You have no idea what curly-haired people can get away with... I didn't appreciate this until recently... the first 18 years were hell.  Seriously.

I digress.  Gentle reminders, right?  Anyway, my point for bringing this up was my jaunt to Open 'MIKE' at the Monopole this past week.  I was reminded that I need more of it and there's an awesome community of musicians in this town, even given it's teeny tiny nature.  And ya know what else... it's just fun to play four or five songs for a totally different crowd of people, no pressure, no set up/breakdown (many thanks to Mike Pedersen for continuing to do all the dirty work for this open 'MIKE'!), nothing but the fine, free-spirited folks who patron the Monopole and their willingness to dance and clap (and spill their beer sometimes).  Not to mention, there's a plethora of peeps to jump in and play the drums or bass and all the sudden there's a full band behind you and you think to yourself... well hot damn, this is festive!

So this past Wednesday was real fun and it was a gentle reminder to go more often, meet new people, test out new jams and rock out with some seriously fine musicians.  Practicing in your living room is one thing.  Practicing for people at an open mic has all sorts of inviting perks.  Until you write and play a sucky song.  Which, I've done in the past and I'm certain more bad songs await me.  Doozies are just part of the songwriting equation.

In other news, I'm Vermont-bound again this weekend for a lovely stint at the Radio Bean.  The atmosphere there is delightful, you should come see for yourself.  I also added a handful of shows at Irises for June and July, check 'em out!  And don't forget about the ALS Walk of Hope happening on May 26th!  Great lineup of musicians playing outside that day in Trinity Park, downtown Plattsburgh, after the walk!  

And oh. my. god.  I almost forgot to tell you - I survived the half marathon... like barely, but I survived.  I still can't walk properly, stairs are a real treat and I've been eating nothing but fried food ever since and not working out (great results in the ass-growing department and also does a real number on your skin.  Lordy, I'm breaking out like a tween.)  Anyway, I finished in my goal time of 2 hours and 10 minutes.  Never in my life did I think I would be able to run for over 2 hours.  I'm not certain I ever need to do another one, but I am proud that I started and finished that bad boi.  It was a gentle reminder that I'm not 18 anymore.  Shit is achin' and crampy and... just... older.

Well, that's a wrap, folks.  Nothing too crazy.  Now, go enjoy your weekend.  Do something fun and if you don't have anything fun lined up, at least hang out with good people... the ones that make you laugh.  They're the best.  

Catch you on the flip side:)
Giovanina

I'm alive.  Kind of.  This past Sunday marked the return from an absolutely perfect five days spent in Charleston, South Carolina to celebrate a wedding with the very best of friends.  I've never been to Charleston and quite frankly I want to go back.  Like right now.  There is so much to do and see and drink and eat!  It's a beautifully historic place that's ridiculously (and noticeably) clean with all sorts of charm running through its veins.  There's also something legitimately lovely about being called "darlin'"... I could probably get used to that:)  Needless to say, spending four nights in a hotel room with three of four best friends (the fourth being the bride and all...) is entertainment at its finest.  We hung the "resting" sign on our hotel door the whole time, which means our room was an explosion of jewelry, towels, pizza boxes and coffee cups.  Oh, and heels and eye-liner.  Beautifully messy.  By Sunday morning it looked like we had had as much fun as we did!

And can we talk about sweet tea vodka for a second?  Good gravy, I've never drank that stuff before and I'm pretty sure I fell a little bit in love down there. There is just nothing safe about a liquor that tastes like a party in your mouth all by itself!  Phew.  Enter detox:)

And how perfectly beautiful are these two?  I know.  I've had to take pictures next to Nisha for the last twenty years... it never gets easier!  The wedding was photographed by my lovely and talented cousin, Morgan LaMare... she's a total camera genius!

So basically, my weekend was awesome.  On top of everything being perfect, I also had the priviledge of playing at both the ceremony and for their first dance!  I officially know how to play Pachalbel's Canon D for any of you out there looking for a wedding guitarist;)  It's such an honor to play at weddings... to really be part of something so incredibly special and in such a unique and memorable way.  I didn't even see them dance... my eyes were closed the whole time as there was some serious concentration going on.  That's a lot of pressure, peeps!

Anyway, I'm back.  The boys and I are back to practicing.  And I'm feeling all sorts of ready for some new songs to be written.  Oh the inspiration... hits you like a bat out of hell when you least expect it.  Kind of awesome:)

I'm also trying to get back to the studio ASAP to continue working on the album.  Kyle, from KTR Recording, and I have hilariously opposite schedules, particularly now that I'm back to selling hot dogs for the summer.  But alas, we will make it happen.  

I'm running that freakin' half marathon on Sunday.  If you live in Plattsburgh and don't see me out and about by Wednesday, can you please come and peel me off my apartment floor?  

Finally, a little plug (you know I can't leave you without a plug!)... Irises on Thursday from 7-10pm!  I'm also getting a massage beforehand, so if I'm melting while playing... it's not the Java-tini.  It's the after-massage-coma:)

See you soon, 
Giovanina

I'd be a crazy person if I wasn't busy all of the time.  But this is just down right chaos!  However, I can't complain because my plate is full... it's full of all the good stuff.  Of course, if I could sleep in like 6 days a week, that'd be awesome, but apparently that's not in my cards anytime soon.  I'll sleep when I'm dead.  Someone famous said that.  And it's darn right true.

Anyway, aside from the two-job-thing and volunteering... I'm getting ready to move into my very own apartment!  I haven't lived alone since college and that was only for one semester.  That was also like ten years ago.  Living alone in my late twenties, I imagine, will feel wildly different.  After moving back from Flagstaff, I moved in with the 'rents.  I love my parents.  You know this if you've kept up with any of the previous rants on here.  But hot damn, living with parents at this point, regardless of how much you simply adore them is just... well... challenging.  They are pretty cute though.  Man, do they have some routines!  I'm talkin' down to the minute, when the tea is made, when the vitamins are taken, when the toast is eaten, what days the toast is eaten, what days the smoothies are made... It'd make a math teacher proud to witness the order of operations happening on Oak St.  It's kind of mind-blowing.  So you get the idea, the apartment thing is nothing short of AWESOME.  I have a porch.  Like a cute porch where I can grow basil.  And you're damn skippy... I'm gonna grow me some basil!

Aside from that excitement, I'm attempting to get all of my ducks in a row to start grad school in the fall.  This, of course, I made sure to make as complicated as possible.  I've entered the likes of pre-req land, which means, I'll be enjoying a couple of classes over the summer.  Ah.  Pure bliss.
Right.  This is what I get for applying to a program that I'm totally not qualified for:)  Duh.  Speaking of things I'm totally unqualified for... I'm training for a half-marathon that's happening in three and half weeks.  Also signed up for this because I'm an idiot.  Not a runner.  If I make it out alive, I'll post an update.

The boys and I have been real good about practicing!  You'd be proud!  Nick, the bass player, and I worked through a few more songs last night and we're ready to rock-n-roll with our drummer, Josh, to put it all together!  The repertoire is growing... woohoo!  The last two songs we learned are the newest ones that I wrote.  And let me just say... with bass and drums... they're kind of awesome.  We get done playing them and look at each other like who's gonna say it... who's gonna say it?  "Yeah, so we should probably do that one again..."  We each gladly reply with a head nod and a smirk. They're fun songs.  They feel good.  They feel passionate.  Lyrically and musically.  And I can't wait for people to hear them.

While we're on the music front, I play at Red Square in Burlington, VT this Friday form 5-7pm.  Can we talk about how excited I am!!!  I mean seriously, I didn't know if I'd get in there and I did and I'm excited!  I also play at Irises this Saturday, April 7th from 8-11pm.  I swear, playing there has also been getting better and better.  Whether the crowd is big or small, there's just something about playing regularly somewhere... it starts to really feel... cozy?  Or maybe familiar?  Or just plain good.  Yes, it does feel good.

I'm also getting ready for my best friend's wedding in Charleston, SC next week!  Here I come little mini-vacation of awesomeness with my four best friends to celebrate the first of us getting married!  Holy cripes, I can't even believe it.  Weddings are a huge reminder that I will forever be the free-spirited, traveling, bohemian, kidless 'Aunt GG' who rolls into town to turn my best friend's 'married with children' life upside down for a weekend... leave a head scarf behind as I cruise off to my next unknown destination in a car packed full of my life.  Wouldn't that be amazing?!  No, but really I'm so excited to head out of Plattsburgh for a minute, spend time with these ladies and send our girlfriend off to the land of matching dishes and grown-up shit.  I'm an incredibly long way from that;)  

So the plate is full.  Full of busy wonderfulness.  

Maybe we'll see each other over the weekend.  That'd be nice;)
Cheers, 
Giovanina

Gosh, I've been such a website slacker!  My apologies, peeps.  I wish I had some awesome excuse, like a last minute invite to play at SXSW.  Not so much.  But alas, here's my attempt to get back on the wagon.  I'm feeling extra inspired by the outrageously awesome (and kind of creepy) weather we're having here in Upstate, NY.  I swear to you half of Plattsburgh was out rollerblading/walking/biking/running on Sunday... 70 degrees is infectious and I love it!  I say this now because I would not at all be surprised if Mother Nature pounded us with a swift reminder that she's the boss... like with an ice storm in May...

Enjoy it while it lasts.

As far as the music goes... we're makin' moves!  The boys and I have been practicing, learning new songs, refining older ones and things seem to be gelling in this amazing way!  It's awesome what can happen once you become comfortable enough with one another, better understand each other's styles and the train-wreck explanations of what I'm "hearing in my head"... :)  So we're building the ever-precious repertoire up and still moving forward!

Recording is also going well!  I have the guitar parts laid down for 11 tracks and vocals for 7 or 8.  My schedule is about to get all kinds of hectic because I'll be back working at the old stomping ground, Clare & Carl's, as of this coming weekend.  Selling all sorts of Michigans to the fine folk who've been patiently waited all winter to annihilate the shiz out of some car-hop service, a cold Pepsi and some hot dogs.  Yup, ya heard.  Hot dogs.  This, in conjuction with the full-time job and gigs will leave a little less time for recording excursions to Vermont, but not to worry.  I do better with more on my plate.  I think anyway.  Along with the fact that recording is a HUGE priority right now, I will find the 25th hour in a day.  

April is scheduled to be a fun, full month of gigs including two in Plattsburgh, two in Vermont and the honor of playing at a very best friend's wedding in South Carolina!  I'm also hoping the songwriting maintains a tinge of momentum as we launch into spring... get at me inspiration!

Happy Spring to all of you!  And maybe we'll see you out this Saturday at Irises:)
Cheers, 
Giovanina

Maybe I'm on the surge to subconsciously try and meet end of the month songwriting quotas or something.  Like I'm the car salesperson of writing songs.  What the hell?  I'm not sure how or why, but some little songwriting bug has bitten me and I wrote two over the weekend.  Count them.  TWO.  That's more than I've written since November... or longer, I can't even remember.  Of course, people's first reaction (I'm guilty of this too) is to inquire about what ("what" meaning "who"... let's be honest) inspired the new jams.  Alas... a girl never tells... ;)

No, but seriously.  I get an idea... and it usually starts with a guitar riff and that riff evokes a mood and I peel back all of my moodiness layers and find the lyrical content that fits the print.  It's not usually about a specific person, I'd definitely be lying if I said it's never about a specific person, but more often it's about a series of add-ups.  Does that make sense?  Specifics about situations, conversations, encounters, etc. with people from the past, people from the present, even people I'm hoping to meet someday all wrapped into one thematic bundle of three or four verses, a chorus and a bridge and there you have it.  My hope is to write about things you, the listener, gets because you've been there.  I want you to get it.  I want you to be able to relate to it on an Adele level.  Yup, I said it.  I mean don't get me wrong, my purpose for writing is initially self-serving (how else could I be a proper musician?).  But ultimately, it's just more satisfying to write a song that makes listeners want to jump in and feel all of the hurt, happiness, sadness, etc. right along side me.  Anyway, that's my deal with songwriting.  In case you were wondering:)

The first song is called "Let Me" and the second is called "Break Me Down".  And I'm launching a new video project, The Basement Sessions, the first of which features "Let Me".  I figure this is the one way I will be forced to get this YouTube thing more up and running.  I've begun video recording songs in my basement.  My goal is to try and record one song a week... I need timelines, peeps, even if it means I have to create them myself.  First of all, with regard to video recording, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing.  So I sit on my couch, press this here little iMovie button, hit record, and then play with the effects afterward.  I guess it's only up from here, no? 

Ok, so I'm not going to lie... the whole videoing-yourself-in-your-basement-thing feels kind of... um... well, vain.  Not to mention, when you're going through the editing process, it just means that you've watched yourself like a gadrillion more times.  It's weird.  And vain.  But I guess it's another way to get the music out there.  So actually, you can minimize that lil' window there and just listen instead... don't matter to me none:)

In other news, the Rachel Bissex benefit this past weekend was lovely and wonderful and I was so very grateful to have been a part of it.  Sunday was spent in the studio and although three guitar parts were delivered on the first take... the vocals were, well less than perfect.  They were just sounding a bit forced and kind of all over the place in terms of pitch - so I'm working on them this week, reigning some things in a bit, tweaking, etc. before my return on Sunday - but we're definitely getting closer.  Which is unbelievably exciting.

Finally, another Irises plug for this Thursday, March 1st from 7-10pm... maybe I'll see your darling faces.  New songs will be played... in case that entices you at all:) 

Until next time.
Cheers,
Giovanina

Well it's official, the North Country has taken my taste in music by storm.  And apparently there's no shame in admitting it because I couldn't have picked a less subtle forum to just whip out all of my cards:)  So I'm stuck on two songs. "Hell on Heels" by the Pistol Annies and Jason Aldean's, "Dirt Road Anthem". Don't judge me.  Ya heard?  I think they're a good combination of lyrical flavor... women being total badasses and the joys of being a dirty, off-roading country folk ridin' with a beer in the console.  Hold up... is that my life they're describing?  Sadly, my coolness doesn't measure up, my friends.   Mind you these jams come on my IPod amidst the likes of Rihanna, Norah Jones, Radiohead, Wu-Tang and Phish.  Hilarious.  Could I be more random? Probably not, but if you know me... well this here little eclectic taste in music suits me just fine:)

And when I get stuck on a song, I legitimately get stuck.  I listen over and over and over.  So don't mind me, I'm just the kid in the corner rockin' out to my new favorite jams on repeat for daaayyyyyyysssss.

I digress.

As you may have noticed, there's been a little break in gig-land.  Not too much longer though!  Big weekend ahead with the Rachel Bissex Benefit Concert finally upon us.  Finally.  I'm honored to be joining some serious Vermont talent on the stage at Studio A in Burlington this Saturday, February 25th for the Dancing with Rachel: A Benefit for Cancer Victims.

Followed by Saturday's festivities, I'll be back in the studio with Kyle at KTR Recordings!  We've had two awesome sessions so far and we're six songs in, so I'm looking forward to another super session.  And did I mention... I figured out how to play with a click-track?!  Seems like no big thang... well rest assured, I'm ridiculously caught up in the fact that I've successfully recorded six songs with that damn clicking assaulting my ear drums.  Playing solo for so long just spoils you as a musician, maybe makes you a little lazy because things like keys, tempos, etc. quite frankly don't matter.  We've discussed this.  You do what you want, when you want.  Which is lovely but it's nice to know you can fall into... "plays well with others" when necessary:)  

In other (real unrelated but awesome) news, I have a new godson!  So aside from another perfectly chunky, healthy little bundle of perfection entering the world... my very dear cousins, Sarah and Bryan, actually believe in my ability to be a responsible (loving, annoyingly smitten) parental-ish adult!  I mean, I do make one heck of an Aunt GG with all the spaziness, big hair and jokes for days... ask any of 'em:)

And with that, I leave you with a little plug for next Thursday, a long awaited gig in Plattsburgh!  I'll be at Irises on March 1st from 7-10pm (holy hell, how is it going to be March 1st?!), please do stop in if you're around!

Stay out of trouble... or don't.  Whatever.
Be well, 
Giovanina

Wow on the Monday coffee front.  I mean seriously, it's the only thing that's helping me bear crawl through this day without doing the head nod at my computer, swearing (out loud) at irrational things and eating my face-off just because.  The weekend kind of felt like a bulldozer.  I had a huge work event on Saturday that led me to bed at 9:30pm.  Ask me the last time I managed that on a Saturday night... or don't because then you'll know all my secrets. But you get what I'm saying.  9:30pm on a Saturday pre-children just doesn't jive with my footloose and fancy-free facade!

Ah well.

Anyway, I had another super productive recording session with Kyle at KTR Recording Studios on Sunday.  We got the guitar and vocals laid down for three more songs.  Six down, six or so more to go.  And then the real fun begins... harmonies, other instruments, me not having to do anything but listen...:)  If we can keep up this pace, this project will be done in no time!  

And I have this weekend off from gigs which is bitter sweet.  Bitter because I do love me some gigs.  Sweet because I'm making a trip down to Albany to meet the newest member of my extended family.  Aunt GG (that's me) gets to gnaw on the cheeks of an almost 10 pound newborn for 24 hours - and that makes her seriously happy.

In other news.  This is random.  But I was reading back on a few posts just to see what I've been up to.  No one ever told me that I use an excessive amount of exclamation points!!!  Jesum, I mean I'm a happy soul, but it's a bit much to assume that everything that spews out of my mouth is just icing on the cake.  I'm going to go ahead a reign those in a bit:)

Finally, don't forget about the Dancing with Rachel: A Benefit For Cancer Victims next Saturday, February 25th at Studio A in Burlington.  The night will be in honor and remembrance of beautiful musician and soul, Rachel Bissex.  And not to mention, I get to share the stage, once again, with some ever-so talented Vermont folks, which I'm super excited about!  Please do join us for what's to be a powerful and purposeful evening of music.

Other than that, I got nothin'.
So I'll catch ya on the flip side:)
Giovanina

Phew.  I'm exhausted, folks.  So do pardon any sort of abruptness or an 'I'm super over tired' tone that may accidentally reveal itself in this post.  Why so tuckered you ask?  Or maybe you didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway:)

Totally kick ass weekend in Burlington.  That's why.  As mentioned in the post below, the weekend was full of goodness and now my almost-thirty year old butt is feeling the 'poor me's' of a Monday.  Lame.  Anyway, the gig at the Radio Bean on Saturday night was awesome.  What a freakin' cool place!  Have you been?  You should.  Many thanks to Joe Adler for having me.  Speaking of said cool place, thanks to Joshua Glass, I have my very first video posted up on YouTube!  He recorded the song "Leaving" at the Bean while super cool disco ball reflections circled the room, and he helped me get a GiovaninaBucci channel all set up!  I've posted the video below for your viewing pleasure:)  You can also find it in the Media section of the site.

Ya know, I think I might need to revisit that post where I chatted about all the things I wanted to accomplish in 2012... I may actually be following through on some of those things!  Case and point... I started recording on Sunday. True story.  Many thanks to Kyle Rose of KTR Recording Studios in Burlington, VT for being the man responsible for helping me finally make this happen!  Spent 5 hours in the studio yesterday.  At about 4 hours and 45 minutes in, I'd hit the wall-o-recording.  Not only was my attention span shot, but at some point you've got to say to yourself, "It's good... just walk away..."  We got the lead guitar and vocals laid down for three tracks and I'm headed back across the lake next Sunday for more of the madness.

I am, however, particularly thankful for the fact that the room that you record in is totally closed off and separate from where Kyle has his big ass board set up.  Which means, don't think for one second that I didn't get all Mariah Carey up in that place and grab one ear of my head phones and flail my other arm around while trying to hit certain notes.  I did.  All alone.  My eyes were even closed.  Thank god no one was taking a video of those shenanigans.  

Anyway, I'm super stoked about the progress that's been made on that front and looking forward to returning to that ever-so cozy city of Burlington. In the mean time however, I will be at Irises in Plattsburgh this Thursday from 7-10pm!  Please do stop by if you get a chance:)

'Til next time...
Take Care:)
Giovanina

Many thanks to Joshua Glass and Derek Burkins for a great Song Writers in the Round series at On the Rise Bakery last night!  What an awesome experience!  Not only did I get to share the stage with super-talented folks (and friends), but the round-robin format, quant and attentive audience, and ridiculously awesome atmosphere and food made for such a unique gig. Regardless of whether or not its music-related, I will definitely be returning to that place... their veggie menu was like a dream come true for this kid and her palette!

Oh!  And Derek handed me a Seven Days newspaper upon arriving last night and showed me a super awesome plug of yours truly - picture and all!  And in true Italian fashion, my parents grabbed like 10 copies of the newspaper to pass along to every relative in our family.  I, however, can't complain for having the most supportive parents in the world.  And of course, I wouldn't have any of these pictures if it weren't for photographer extraordinaire, Grant Masters.  Thank you, my friend, for making me appear more put together than ever - big hair and all:) 

In the spirit of a Friday and the fact that it's February in Upstate NY, what better way to start the weekend than with a Winter Fest!?  Peeps, there's curling.  Curling.  Like the real deal.  Aside from the awesomeness of outrageously cheap beer and food, there's something strangely fun about gearin' up in all things fur-lined and winter-proof to drink beers outside with a bunch of folks in flannel you'll likely never see but only once a year.  Count. Me. In.  Oh, and there are fireworks.  

I figure these festivities will properly prepare me for a gig at the Radio Bean tomorrow night!  Wouldn't you agree?  Another new venue that I'm totally looking forward to.  And... wait for it... are you ready?  Just booked an April gig at Red Square!  Another new venue and one that I'm particularly excited about!  So keep a look out for posters, fellow Vermonters.  Or check back here for incessant reminding:)

Finally, wish me luck on the first recording excursion happening on Sunday!  I'll be certain to post promptly upon my return to let you know how it went.  Well, I'm hoping to watch the Giants win first and then I'll tell you all about recording.  I know I know.  I made a football reference.  But in honor of a family full of G-Men fanatics, it's all in an effort to preserve some seriously good moods for the next couple of weeks if they can pull this off.

In any case, thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend! 

Take Care, 
Giovanina

Recouping from another great weekend of gigs here in Plattsburgh.  Thanks to the many of you who showed up to listen and support!  I'm Vermont-bound this weekend and couldn't be more excited.  Not only do I get to play at two brand new venues... well new to me... but I also get to share the stage with some ever-so-talented musicians and friends.  Below are the details of this Thursday's show at On The Rise Bakery in Richmond, VT and please check the awesome line-up at the Radio Bean for Saturday's show!  Thanks to the fine Vermont folks for inviting me to join you!

Among other excellent news, I start recording on Sunday.  This Sunday!  Kyle at KTR Recording and I have set up our first meeting and I couldn't be more ready to rock!  We're going to work out all of the nitty gritty details and get ourselves in check with one another regarding the goals of this project and how we see it coming together.  My goal is a whole album, somewhere between 10 and 12 songs.  Which means sometime before we all hit retirement age, I swear to you there will be a CD Release Party in your future. Honestly.

So in preparation for Sunday (recording and the Super Bowl) I'm going to spend the week figuring out which songs I'd like on there and what snacks I'm going to make for the big game:)  Decisions decisions.

I think that's about it, my friends.  Hoping to see some new faces this weekend amidst the Richmond/Burlington scene:)

Take Care, 
Giovanina

High five for an awesome turnout to last Thursday's gig at Irises!  Feels damn good to look around while you're playing and see so many familiar faces enjoying conversations and being out and about.  It certainly doesn't go unnoticed on my end.  So thank you.  And you'll have a chance to do it all again twice this weekend:)  Olive Ridley's on Friday for happy hour and Irises on Saturday night for a little weekend mischief.  Please check the Shows page for the time details.  Also, I'm awaiting confirmation, but there's another potential Burlington gig lurking in the near future, I'll let you know!

I've been spending the last week or so working on some new cover tunes because they're always fun to add to the mix.  Not to mention, there's a different sort of creative process that takes place with a cover song.  How do I make it my own without changing it completely?  That's always the challenge.  But an addictive one!  Anyway, I just debuted "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People.  It's a catchy tune that I'm certain you've heard about a gazillion times in the last few months.  I've slowed the tempo down a bit and tried to infuse it with a little jazzy vocal swagger.  Not that I'm claiming to have swagger... seriously peeps.  I don't.  Just huge hair and  boisterous laugh.  Ask my friends.  

Other than that, I took a little road trip this weekend and rented a fancy car to do so.  There's something about a new Chevy Impala that makes me feel like a total badass.  Or P Diddy, but whatever.  While under this spell for the weekend, I made sure to take full advantage of the pretty awesome speakers.  I'm unhealthfully in love with Mumford & Sons right now.  I know I'm late to the punch on this one, but have you listened to them?  God bless cruise control and being alone in car for a few hours.  Tapped my feet the whole way and sang ridiculously loud in my heinous version of a British accent.  Pretty freakin' fun. 

I hope your week is off to a fabulous start!  And here's to hoping you can make it to a gig this weekend:)

Take Care, 
Giovanina 

Well, in case you were wondering... my vacation was as delightful as you can imagine.  I would've been excited to spend two weeks with my dear friends, Emma and Coco, in freakin' Kansas, but the fact that we happened to meet up in Peru, South America was icing on the cake!  I soaked up two weeks of playing in the South Pacific Ocean and it was liberating and fun and it made me feel like I was 10 again.  Dirty, sandy feet.  Naps.  Sunsets.  Laughter.  Christmas in a summer dress.  New Years on the beach, fireworks and all.  Tons of Spanish.  Tons of family. Beach volleyball.  Exploring.  Ceviche... like out-of-this-yummy-world ceviche.  Actually my mouth is watering a little and it's not even 10am yet.  Melt in your mouth avocados.  And I would never need another piece of chocolate if I could eat a fresh mango from Peru everyday for the rest of my life.  Good gravy those things are tasty!  So, yes, the answer is yes... it was amazing and I'm grateful for the open arms hospitality and I'm thankful for Emma and Coco and I'm relishing in the recent memories of all things South American.

And now I'm back to reality.  Not in an "ew" kind of way.  Just factual. I'm back to reality.  I must say, I'm pretty happy with my hometown life here in Plattsburgh.  There's something bizarrely cozy about the place you grew up - there's the familiarity of it all, I get that.  But, for right now it's a reminder of where I'm meant to be and I like that.

The boys and I got together last night for the first time in a few weeks and it was fun!  It was a 'refresher' kind of practice, but lo and behold we've got a few songs locked down and we're ready to venture into some new material.  Woohoo!  And someday we'll be ready for a real gig.  Like a REAL one.  No joke.  I think our first order of business is an open mic... regardless, we're moving forward peeps!  On a side note, I was on a Skype date with friends of mine from Flagstaff last night, Amee and Thomas.  Thomas is an incredibly talented guitarist and teacher and the two of them are proud owners of Thomas Byers Guitar Studio - which you should check out!  Amidst our conversation Thomas asked me, "So G, how are you as a band leader?"  I laughed... kind of hard, threw my head back in a very Giovanina way and exclaimed, "Terrible!" followed by "No, I'm serious... like really terrible.  I don't know keys or terms or tempos.  Like your 5th grade students would annihilate me in a theory smack-down."  And then I explained that I play with outrageously patient folks and my goal is to get smart, which they were supportive of:)  The exchange left us all chuckling a bit... so at least there's that:)

In other exciting news... I got invited to play at a Breast Cancer Fundraiser in honor of Rachel Bissex in Vermont on February 25th!  Rachel's daughter, Emma Sky, contacted me and I'm absolutely honored to be on board with such a talented group of Vermont musicians to celebrate the legacy of this wonderful woman and play with a real purpose.  As we get closer, I'll continue to pass along the details.  But it should be a memorable evening and here's to hoping that you'll be able to come and support local music efforts!

I hope the New Year is off to a fabulous start for each and everyone of you!  I'm hoping 2012 is packed full of songwriting angels... who want to hang out with me:)  I'll let you know how that goes...

Take Care, 
Giovanina

A new jam is finally up!  Took me long enough.  Jeepers.  It's actually a song that was born last winter while nesting in cozy Flagstaff with my girlfriends.  My dear friend and roommate at the time, Renee, plays guitar as well and she knocked on my bedroom door one night with a chord progression and an urge to write.  So we did.  She taught me the chords and we meandered our way through lyrics, ideas, feelings, etc.  I had been lurking over a songwriting idea, but was missing the guitar inspiration - so it was a perfectly timed collaborative effort.  We played it for our girlfriends next door - the song continued to evolve and take shape as the four of us sang it over and over together while we dodged the single-digit degree weather.  Hence, the nostalgia.

I listen to it now and I'm brought back to a time when beautiful friendships were born, stories were told, creative ideas were shared, conversations, laughter, pictures, movies, dinners, literally endless moments of spending time with one another and getting lost in all of the intricacies that create life long friendships.  Dang, I miss those girls. But, it's in these pieces - like this song - that I sit back and think to myself, I'm a fortunate soul for having them.  Just a few (thousand) miles away for now.

The song is called, "Leaving".  And the concept behind it is watching an old love start a new life without you.  Walk into the next relationship as you deem yourself a witness - because there isn't space for you anymore.  Sounds uplifting, huh?  Well, someday I'll write about sunshine and rainbows:) The tempo is a bit faster compared to its original timing, and because of its lyrical content could certainly rest itself in a slower beat, but I like the idea of juxtaposing the content and the tempo.  The end of the song is about realizing that it's not the life you were meant to live.  So, there's more out there - which of course can be an insanely scary, but incredibly liberating - once you set yourself free.  And lord knows, that can take a long freakin' time, but it's pretty special once you arrive there.  

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts - please do share!

Take Care, 
Giovanina

So that little collaboration project I was talking about in the last post (right below this one) is done!  It's here!  It's complete!  It's free!  Holy exclamation points, huh?  Anyway, Joshua Glass did a really amazing job recruiting, playing, recording and mastering a collection of Christmas tunes performed by himself and a pool of awesome local musicians!  Although not a Burlington native here, he was nice enough to allow me to sneak across the lake and hop on board.  The final project came together really nicely and a big thanks to him for all of his hard work in putting it together!

The whole dang thing-14 songs-is available for free download here! Maybe this will help you get into the spirit of the holidays, particularly for those of us in the North Country where we're experiencing 35 degree weather and drowning in fog.  What the hell?  I wouldn't quite classify there being a wintery, seasonal feel in the air.  

Now that I've exhausted the weather conversation...

Here's to hoping you're remembering to breathe now that we're creepin' up on the 25th.  I mean this time of year isn't supposed to test our ability (or lack thereof) to handle stress.  But alas, it seems kind of inevitable... especially for those of us who have mastered the 'art' of procrastination.  When you consider it an art form it sounds kind of charming, no?  Well, if there's anything I've mastered... just ask my mother... it drives her nuts:)  Anyway, I hope you're allowing yourself moments to relish in all things beautifully-non-present-related.  

Now go drink a hot cocoa or a hot tottie and laugh with some friends because that's the good stuff.  The genuinely good... stuff.

Happy Holidays:)
Take Care, 
Giovanina

This time of year seems to have a funny effect on people, no?  Among friends and family you find out who's really in love with the holidays and who is less than enthusiastic about them.  Which, don't get me wrong, each to their own.  I'm not a fanatic, but gosh darnit, I do love this time of year!  I guess it's the spirit of it all, the fact that I'm lucky to have such a great family and great friends, and it offers us an excuse to get together more often than we already do.  

For those of you who know me either personally or from reading up, my 'people personality' is not a huge secret.  That being said, I love this time of year for getting people together because I love commotion, chaos, people talking over one another, laughter, great food, cocktails, desserts, traditions... you name it.  Good god, just writing it, I can see how some might steer the opposite direction:)  But for me, it's a comfort zone.  A big Italian comfort zone.  I love that friends from all over return home for the holidays.  I love running into people I haven't seen in years and picking up right where we left off.  I'm reminded of why growing up the small town of Plattsburgh, NY really was a blessing.  A community can be hard to find or establish, let alone maintain... and I'm convinced, in its own little way, Plattsburgh manages that okay.  Don't get me wrong, it's not all peaches and cream.  But, it's certainly something to be grateful for.

In the spirit of the season, I'm headed over to Burlington, VT this Sunday to jump in on a Christmas EP that fellow friend and Vermont musician, Joshua Glass, is putting together!  Totally looking forward to it.  Not to mention, I can't begin to tell you how neat it is to network with other musicians, work together on projects, just have some good ol' fashioned music fun... particularly when the fun is centered around Christmas music - I mean come on, you can't not channel your inner 10 year old.

And now that I've unloaded all of this holiday jabber on you, I'm sad to say that I won't actually be in the ol' Burgh this year for the holidays.  I am, however, happy to report that I will be on the beaches of Peru, South America for TWO... count them... TWO WEEKS with the best of friends from Flagstaff.  It'll definitely be a new and fun experience and honestly I've never been on vacation for two freakin' weeks.  I better start practicing pressing my r..e..l..a..x button.  My writing button.  My reading button.  My don't-forget-to-wear-sunscreen-all-of-the-time-everday-all day button. You get the idea.    

Please join me this Saturday at the Koffee Kat in downtown Plattsburgh from 7-9pm if you're in the neighborhood for a cozy, coffee-infused evening of caffeine and music.  I'm doing my best to snag one more gig in town before my big adventure begins... I'll keep you posted!  Until next time...

Take Care, 
Giovanina  

Well it's official folks, I'm a 28 year old now!  Although not a post directly related to music, I find that turning a year older offers me an opportunity to reflect, do the ol' self check-in... see if I'm where I want to be and if not, figure out how to get there.  I'll spare you all of the aches and pains that come with growing up, becoming an adult, learning more about myself, blah blah blah and keep this music-centric for the sake of not ruining my website with the muses of what goes on in my head - those thoughts are reserved for songs:)

If the year of being 28 is anything like the last two months of being 27, then I'm feeling particularly refreshed and wonderful about the direction I'm headed musically.  I've recently gained a momentum that I've never experienced before... not only because of the contest win, but also because of re-establishing my relationship with words and songwriting, a recording opportunity in sight, gaining confidence in my music, myself and performing, and I've began playing with a bassist and drummer.  Playing songs with musician friends is really fun.  Like really fun.  It's been this absurd process of listening to songs I've written and only ever known and understood as a solo musician, and bringing to them dimension, layers and this drive that's impossible to achieve without a bass line and drums.  The guys have been ever-so patient with my huge lack of knowing what the hell I'm doing and my ill attempts at explaining what I want.  They smile and nod and then we steadily trudge our way through each verse, chorus and bridge over and over and over.  They are patient souls.  Playing solo honestly just kind of spoils you!  I've never had to explain any of it, I've always just played.  So my music theory isn't exactly stellar or mediocre for that matter.  But alas, this leads me to my goals.  Learn this stuff!  So I'm going to (along with Spanish... but that's another story).  

Write more.  Write more.  Write more.  That's a no-brainer, but honestly I'm not sure it's a goal that ever gets achieved... it just exists on this scale to which there is no max.  Frustrating, challenging and awesome all at the same time.  I do find that when life punches you directly in the gut I always comfortably lean back on the thought, "...well at least I have something to write about."  And it's true.  I think a lot of musicians would agree that the sadness is much easier to write about than the happiness... (in kind of a cliche, hipster, jaded-way) it's true.  And honestly, I consider myself a pretty darn happy person.  So when the punches hurt real good - I have to get about three songs out of them - and I just don't get punched that much.

Record an album by next October.  I want to have this crazy old school little thing called a CD and a link on this damn website where you can buy it.  Although this feels long overdue, seems like these things don't present themselves until you're ready.  And I'm finally ready.  Any record before now would have been premature musically, vocally and personally.  I've had the time to get to know my music again... sounds weird... but there's been less distraction.  

Book more gigs.  For real.  I've been getting a lot better at this (for instance this Thursday at Irises, 7-10pm... I'm shameless), but there's plenty of room for improvement.  And book the first gig with the boys because we won't settle for playing in the living room at my parent's camp forever... although it is quite nice out there;)  So here's my big 28 year old chance to make these things happen...  

Anyway, stellar peeps, just wanted to write down my music-oriented goals and now your job is to hold me to them!  Let's consider this a contract between me and you and if you're finding that I've just toyed with your emotions (this is a stretch... because I'm actually considering that you're emotionally invested enough to be toyed with), then you totally have permission to give me a verbal kick in the rear!  I can take it.

Thank you for making 27 beautiful.  It really was so beautiful.

Take Care, 
Giovanina 

Thanks to the many of you who tuned into the Local Spotlight on 104.7 The Point last night!  I got to hang out with DJ, Carrie Henry, for the 20 minute segment and it was awesome.  Definitely a first time experience for me and so different from playing live.  Duh. Carrie was a perfect fit for my nerves - she was all about having a conversation - which made me WAY more comfortable than the thought of doing a formal interview-type-thing.  As I was getting ready to head across the lake last night I was thinking to myself, "Oh my god, who inspires me?  There are SO many!  What if she asks for my top three musical inspirations... I mean I could rip off a list, but top three?  It's just too stressful!"  Yup.  That's what my nervous brain sounds like.

Radio is a really interesting phenomenon.  I mean you're not on stage, you're just kickin' it in a room with some equipment and hundreds of CD's lining the walls.  No problem.  Until mid-sentence you remember that there are people listening.  And you don't know how many.  But enough.  A lot.  It messed with me a little bit... which is inherently why I giggle.  I can't help it peeps... I guess there could be a worse reaction to nerves.  Another super new experience survived.  And many thanks to Carrie for being so cool and supportive!

Next on the agenda is to set up my recording time.  YAY!  I'll keep you posted as to when that's happening and in the meantime check back for more shows!  I'll be playing at Irises Cafe in Downtown Plattsburgh this Saturday from 8-11pm.  

Take care,
Giovanina

As many of you know, I'm rarely short on words.  But I must say, this past Tuesday left me a bit speechless.  Humbled.  Grateful.  And Excited.  I won the Advance Music Singer/Songwriter Contest held at Higher Ground on November 8th!  Holy.  Crap.  Playing in that venue was amazing in and of itself.  Not to mention, sharing a room packed with supportive friends, family and stellar musicians - the energy was good.  Great, actually.  The talent pool of finalists was awesome and I'm truly honored to have won!  

Thanks to Advance Music, I'm officially the owner of a new Taylor guitar.  And I'm in love.  She sounds awful purdy:)  I'm also incredibly grateful to the Rachel Bissex White Light Fund for the $1000 award. A special thanks to KTR Recording Studio for the opportunity to record a 3 song demo.  And a huge thank you to 104.7 The Point for inviting me to do the Local Spotlight segment this Sunday, November 13th at 6:30pm!  

Cloud nine.  Cloud one million trillion billion and nine.

Of course, none of this would have been nearly as awesome without the 25 friends and family who crossed good old Lake Champlain to show their unending love and support.  I appreciate each and every one of you and consider myself one lucky lady.  Seriously.  That being said, I'm gearing up for the radio segment on Sunday and looking forward to diving into this recording project.  Hot damn!  I leave you with a few pictures from the night...

All is good in music land, my friends.  I competed in the semi-finals of the Advance Music Acoustic Singer/Songwriter Contest over in Burlington, Vermont last night and I made it to the finals!  Can you feel me smiling?  I'm totally smiling.  There are a total of 45 people competing for 9 spots in the finals being held at Higher Ground in Burlington on November 8th.  I played at Club Metronome last night to a full house of supporters and you could feel the spirit of music and competition in the room.  It was awesome.

This was my first music contest and I haven't had butterflies like that in a long time.  I actually think I was more nervous after I was done performing.  The anticipation of it all was just a lot to handle!  The night was full of awesome competition and reflecting on it now, it kind of seems like a blur.  My ever-so-supportive family and friends made the trek over to offer their love, support, advice and gentle reminders to breathe.  It made the evening that much more special!

So I'm gearing up for the finals anticipating a collective of excellent musicians ready to rock on November 8th.  Keep your fingers crossed.  I'll be praying to the guitar gods until then... 

Wow.  Sorry about the hiatus.  I'm sure you've gathered from the title... change has been in store as of late.  I made a move back to my hometown in Upstate New York about a month ago.  I left Flagstaff with a heavy heart to return to my roots... my home, family and even the stuffed animals I grew up with - thanks to my parents for allowing me to settle into my old room:)  I'm using this next year to write, plan my next adventure and continue narrowing my focus in on the music.  So far, so good.  You'll see in the Shows section that I've scheduled a handful of gigs here in Plattsburgh and am on the prowl to continue filling up that schedule!  I've also signed up for an AmeriCorps program which I begin in a couple of weeks.  So it'll be a year of nurturing the music and a year of giving to the community - not a bad combination:)

And an outrageously overdue update on the Santa Fe recording - it went GREAT!  Dan and Margarete at Golden Dawn Gallery have been busy art-making souls since then and are doing some traveling at the moment, so the final project is a work in progress.  I was, however, incredibly pleased with the raw material - which can be a challenge as we all know - we're our own worst critics.  It was a quant crowd of about a dozen people who joined us for the recording and the sound is exactly what I was hoping for - like a warm, cozy cup of coffee with friends.  I'm looking forward to sharing it with you:)

At the moment, I'm writing - and for anyone who writes - you know that any sort of change, whether expected or unexpected is perfect fuel for creativity.  Alas, I write. I'm also working on getting a few more recordings up on the site - there's a new one up today actually!  A tune called Walk Away - the very first song I ever wrote... nearly 10 years ago!  It's funny, I write about very current ideas or things in my life.  While recording that song over and over and over again in the last couple of days, I've reflected a lot on the words and thoughts intertwined in the melody and I can remember exactly how I was feeling - it literally launches me back nearly a decade ago.  Ironically, life does have a funny way of repeating itself, no?  Little reminders that there aren't single moments in our lives that define us, but rather a flurry of continuous interactions, adversities, friendships, love, opportunities and people that create the life we live.  And growing up/getting older doesn't necessarily imply knowing any better... it's just... well... part of the deal:)  I like it (good and bad included).  Although I can't say I'm necessarily any good at it, I do learn something new every single day.  Enjoy:)  

I'm Santa Fe bound in t-minus 2 hours for the live gallery recording this weekend at Golden Dawn Gallery!!  It's a beautiful day in Flagstaff and I'm looking forward to hopping in my hot-rod of a rent-a-car, windows down and music up with the cruise on.  I. Love. Road. Trips.

I'm super excited for the recording and have been for awhile now. I've got some newer songs on the repertoire and am looking forward to both playing and listening to them!  It's going to be a quant gathering with friends and friends of friends - just how I imagined it. And if you're in the area - absolutely come by; it's all happening from 6-8pm!  

I'll be sure to post next with an update of how it went and hopefully some new music clips!

'Til then, keep yourselves out of trouble... or something like that:)  

Flagstaff is sipping spring.  I'm desperately trying to chug spring.  It's time, my friends, it's time.  My 1988 Totoyta pickup, Hoopty, would really appreciate it as well, since she has to warm up even on a nice day.  (By the way, I'm in love with my truck - but that's another story.)  I'm all sorts of ready for the front door to be open, warm nights and sipping cold beers on the stoop with friends, and the infamous sun-burn I get on my nose every summer season.  And playing gigs outside... sigh.  Sunglasses on, wind blowing my music around, people sitting back and taking it all in.  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.

I'll be playing at Cafe Ole this Saturday, April 16th from 5-8pm.  I don't know if it's in the cards this weekend, but with fingers crossed, hopefully we'll be able to enjoy their amazing outdoor patio together!  

In the last bit of news - if you haven't checked it out yet, there is a new original song up in the Media section.  It's the first jam I've recorded on my own, so forgive/enjoy:)  The song's called "Musicmaker" and I actually wrote it a number of years ago.  It's about listening to music and its innate ability to transcend us back in time, to a particular space, person, moment, memory... you know.  I'm working on a couple of other self-recorded tracks at the moment, they should be up within a week or so... I'll keep you posted. 

Well here it is, my friends - a website dedicated to the craft that I love most in life - music.  There's been blood, sweat, tears, bribing, broken strings, begging, you name it... but thanks to the amazing and supportive people in my life, it's up and running and I couldn't be happier!  

I'm also excited to report that the music train has gained some momentum over the last few months and I'm more in love with writing and recording than ever.  The guitar playing and song writing are consistent and it feels good.  Real good.  Next on my agenda is the release of an EP, which I promise you, is more around the corner than it's ever been.  Please have faith:) 

I will be playing at Cafe Ole this coming weekend on Saturday, April 2nd from 5-8pm.  Please be sure to check back for updates to the Shows and Media sections.  And many thanks for taking a moment to stop by; I'm eager to hear your thoughts!