Happy New Year Y'all! I hope you are enjoying 2013. So far, mine has been nice and ever so busy. I'm a little late in getting my first email out this year but I'm hoping you don't mind. I've got quite a lot of news to share!
I have just uploaded a new Aural Elixir Piano Ninja video with Jane Uitti on violin. We play the Tori Amos song Siren, click this link to watch it: youtu.be/hBy5KSqVf_k. It is a pure pleasure and a privilege to play with such a talented, classically trained musician like Jane. I feel truly blessed to have met her and that she has taken such an enthusiastic approach to my music, this Aural Elixir thing that I do. The video was recorded by Charles Gammill last Friday in Longmont, CO at the Sun Rose Cafe. There are a few more videos from that night coming soon. I will try to email you but if you really want to stay connected please consider joining the Aural Elixir subscribers on youtube www.youtube.com/auralelixir, the party on facebook www.facebook.com/auralelixir or follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/auralelixir.
Second, I have posted a new song at www.auralelixir.com. It was supposed to be just a warm up song but it turned out okay so I figured I should release and see what you all think. You can find it on the Listen page or in the audio widget at the top of the home page. It's called "You've Changed" and it was the first song we played during the September 2012 recording session at engineer Tim Stambaugh's place, Word Of Mouth Studios in New Orleans. I had the amazing chance to play with some of my favorite New Orleans musicians: Lynn Drury-acoustic guitar, Casandra Faulconer-electric bass, Alex McMurray-electric guitar, Johnny Vidacovich-drums. It was a dream come true; even if we only had a half day, we got quite a few good recordings. There will be more coming from that session but probably not for a few months because these mixes are still being finished in the home studio by me and my brilliant partner-sound engineer, Charles Gammill.
The next bit of news is pretty thrilling, Aural Elixir has been chosen to compete for a spot to play at the Hard Rock Cafe and possibly win money, gift certificates, a chance to play Hard Rock Calling as part of a World Tour, make an album and video with Hard Rock Records, and win new gear! It is truly an honor, after thousands of musicians in the Denver/Boulder area applied, they have chosen Aural Elixir to compete in this competition. They chose the song "Blurry" for the voting process. Anyone can get the free download but the votes only count from folks within 100 mile radius of the Denver Hard Rock Cafe. Click here to check it out: https://www.reverbnation.com/contests/1461/artist/476897
Last but not least, I have two really cool shows confirmed for February and possibly more to come. I will be Aural Elixir solo this Saturday, February 2, from Noon- 2PM at The Red Frog. 15 Ken Pratt Blvd #200 Longmont, CO 80501, (303) 772-7209, http://www.redfrogcoffee.com/. The Red Frog is a cute little cafe and coffee house with all sorts of delicious, all-natural breakfast and lunch items. They have gluten free breakfast burritos & gluten free bread (woo-hoo!). They also carry Almond & Coconut milk, so I will be enjoying my favorite, the coconut milk Mocha Latte, yum. Then in a few weeks, I will be Lynn Drury's guest songwriter in New Orleans at the ultra-hip mid-city venue Dmacs Bar & Grill: http://dmacsbarandgrill.com/. Not to toot my own horn, but that's gonna be a great show with lots of girlie harmonies, piano, guitar, clarinet, cheeky comments, laughter and sassy attitudes. Come out & help us rock your Ash Wednesday!
I'm working hard on last minute production details for the new Aural Elixir CD and I should have more to share about that in the next newsletter. That's all the news for now, I know you're busy so thanks for reading my email. Best wishes for a healthy, happy & prosperous 2013!
Peace & Love!