Day Two in the Studio and Visiting Nashville

Day Two in the Studio:

Rob Holthause came into the studio a few weeks ago to lay down some bass tracks.  My goodness it's nice to work with professionals.  Super easy session.  Each step we take in this recording process makes me SO EXCITED to share it with you all.  Cannot wait.  Still working on a release date, but I promise you...it'll be worth the wait!

For those of you who didn't know, I recently took a trip to Nashville.  I had wanted to visit Music City for a while now, and I'm so glad I finally made an effort to book a trip.

The two best things about Nashville?  The food and the music.  Followed by the people.  Everyone down there was so friendly and welcoming.  I've gotten so used to the Baltimoreon fast-paced, head-down, who do you think you are kind of lifestyle that it was nearly shocking to make small talk with so many strangers.

Here are just a few pics from our trip:

 

Modern day park and mini-pool next to the Titan's Stadium

 

Beautiful Music Center - gawked at this building for a long time.  

Sunset on the footbridge overlooking the Cumberland and Broadway

 

The Cumberland at night

 

Capitol Hill.  So much green :)

I've got some shows coming up to be posted soon!  xoxo

Weekend of Firsts

Day One in the Studio:

So I wanted to write a quick post about my busy weekend!  I had a great studio session last Friday!  Brian Mirsch (Pictured above) and I spent roughly eight hours in the studio laying down some drum and key tracks.  I had goosebumps.  Multiple times.  I cannot wait for you guys to hear the final album.  I am so excited and we've barely even started :) So far, you guys can expect to hear nine (currently working on a 10th) tracks...two of which have not been released to the public, unless you were at the show Sunday.  Playing keys and singing in the studio is pretty cool, but I'm most excited to bring in my violin.  Totally stoked :) Wah, can't wait to share it with you all!

I also had my debut solo show on Sunday at the Frederick Coffee Co.  WOW!  Despite the butterflies and nerves, it was so amazing to see familiar faces in the crowd.  The room was filled with supportive, encouraging people who made my heart smile :) Thank you to everyone who came out!  Stay tuned for more live performances...don't worry.  I'll post a schedule once I get some on the books!

Here's a few photos taken from the show...

As always, thanks for the constant support!
xoxo

Karlie Nicole Photography

"Okay, now I'm going to have you do this..." she said as she knelt down in the middle of the road, one knee to the ground and arms relaxed by her side as I carefully watched, mentally taking notes.  "I think I can manage that." 

Piece of cake.  This was by far the easiest, stress-free, creative photo shoot I've ever done.  I say that as if I've had a plethora of cameras in my face.  Which, obviously, I haven't...at least willingly.  (That sounds way more sketchy than intended.)

Karlie Nicole Photography proves that age is of no importance when it comes to creative endeavors.  I first confronted Karlie about taking some promo shots a few months ago and she was beyond enthusiastic about the project.  We laughed and joked about renaming my upcoming album to something weather related as the first attempt for our shoot was rained out.  The second was almost rained out as well, but luckily we waited out the downpours and took a few shots in between.  Given creative freedom and the album title (yet to be publicly announced), Karlie took it and ran...and my oh my...the results turned out great!  So a big thank you goes out to Karlie Pickett!  xoxo

Please help support local artists and head over to Karlie's page: Karlie Nicole Studios

For more of Karlie's photos, check out her Flickr

Contact Karlie for an upcoming shoot: karlienpickett@gmail.com

Here's a sneak peek: 

Fresh Air and Announcements

By tomorrow night I'll be sitting on a wrap-around porch enjoying this view with good friends and fresh air.  

So glad to be getting away for a much needed vacation.  When I get back, here's what will be going on in case you want to keep tabs on me ;)

June 26th - CD Release Show with Naked Blue @ Jammin' Java's VA.  7:30pm, all ages.  

June 28th - CD Release Show with Naked Blue @ 8x10 MD.  8pm.

July 6th - CD Release Show with Ruut @ Rams Head in Annapolis MD.  1pm, all ages.

July 28th - My Debut Show! :) Songwriter's Showcase @ Frederick Coffee Co., MD 4pm 

I'd like to officially announce that I will be recording my first EP beginning July 26th!  I'll be working with some incredibly talented musicians on it: Brian Mirsch, Rob Holthause, and Dan Vogel.  CANNOT WAIT!  :)  

That's all for now!  xoxo

Behind: Alibi

 

Alibi.  I started working on this song with my friend, Steve Scher about a month or two ago.  He gave me the beginning chords and riff, and I took it from there and tried to develop it further.  

As far as the song meaning goes, it's essentially about a girl, or people in general, who trick the world and trick themselves into thinking they have it all together.  That feeling of false normalcy and convention, but realizing there's more to life than following the rule book.   It's not meant to negate convention, but it is meant to question it.  It's meant to urge people not to use convention as an alibi.   

I should have a post about exciting events within the next few days.  Stay tuned!

xo.

 

Alibi - Lyrics

She's wearing the powder blue dress again

The one she first learned to pretend in

And she knows all of her lines

Perfected the art of a fake smile

Time for the curtain call

Takes a bow for it all

She cried, "All will be forgotten

There is something more on the other side."

She tried staying inside the lines

But all she did was hide

What an alibi

Feeling like a stranger in her own skin

Realizing what it really means to live

But she knows all of the lies

She's told herself in holding out for the prize.

Time for the curtain call

Takes a bow for it all

She cried, "All will be forgotten

There is something more on the other side."

She tried staying inside the lines

But all she did was hide

What an alibi

Lose your inclination to be 

Another copy of a story we've seen

Rid your guilt and feel

The liberation of a nation finally free

Behind: Your House, The Haunting

 

So in case you missed my last post, this new song is my "Ten minute song".  Just a brief little post to introduce you to it :)

The lyrical content is pretty straightforward.  Without getting too in depth, if you're curious about what the song means...just know that it's supposed to capture the feeling of moving on.  If ever I make a music video for this tune, it'll probably start with a house full of treasures and belongings, and one by one they'll begin to disappear (I'm really not this depressing in real life, am I?!).  But quite honestly, moving on in any sense is difficult and bittersweet, no matter how long it may take.

Lyrics are below!  

 

Your House, The Haunting

These walls have seen the best of me

The doors have closed their eyes

Your house is built on memories

That are no longer mine.

But I don't want you anymore.

I don't love you anymore.

Your love was what I wanted

But now that's not true

I know I'm better off now

Without you

Cause I don't want you anymore.

I don't love you anymore.

Please don't haunt me.

No I don't want you anymore.

No I don't love you anymore.

No I don't want you anymore.

No I don't love you anymore.

My 10-minute Song and Did You See Timshel?

I think my best songs are the ones I'm able to write in ten minutes.  That probably sounds strange or paints me as lazy or uncommitted, but here's my logic:

Often times I have intentions of writing a song about a certain feeling or concept, but can't actually make it happen aka writer's block.  (Duh.) And then months later, BAM.  (Yes, BAM)  It just happens.  I've found the right key to play it in, right chord progressions, right lyrics.

This has happened once before with my song, Don't Say.  Granted, I started writing the melody and lyrics in my car before I sat down at the piano, but once I had an instrument in front of me, ten minutes later my basic song structure and lyrics were complete.

I've been struggling with a song idea for about 2-3 years.  And then yesterday, out of nowhere...it came to me.  In about ten minutes I had a basic chord progression and lyrics down.  In pink highlighter, no less.  That's all I could find in my quick scramble.  Recorded a rough cut on my phone and now a new song exists that I can begin developing.

Needless to say, I will be posting this song soon and I'm really excited to share it with you.  Not just because it's a new song, but because this is a song I've been trying to write for so long and never could.  Songwriting is sometimes the only way I'm able to verbalize what I'm feeling (I know, I know...fluffy cliche fluff), but it's always exciting when this happens for me.  And on the flip side, it's always reassuring to hear a song that portrays exactly how you're feeling.  So hopefully some of you will feel that way when you hear my new tune.  Maybe :)

So be on the lookout for a new original posted this week. 




And for the last time - in case you missed it...here's my latest cover: