Post #100: The Next Album Genre Announcement!

Yep, this is blog post #100.  If this were a TV show, lucrative syndication would be just around the corner (well, maybe that's at #200...).  But since I'm not a TV show, I have to make this post special another way: by announcing the genre of the next album!

Although I am a Jazz Studies major and I sing jazz at almost all of my live gigs, I've never released a full-fledge jazz standards album.  But that's going to change in 2013.

My next album will be a collection of jazz standards, my own jazz originals, and a few classic blues.  The album is as yet unnamed, but many of the tracks are already recorded and waiting to be mixed and mastered.

The release date will most likely be summer of 2013.  I'm hoping to release at least one single from the album in the spring.

I will, of course, keep you updated!  And thank you for your continued encouragement and support!

And for those who missed it, check out this incredible review from Stubby's House of Christmas--released Christmas Day--about me, the band, and Jazzy Christmas to You II.  Thank you, Stubby!

Here's an excerpt:

"Jillaine sings "I Wonder As I Wander" as though she were born to it.  I do believe, and it's a risky thing to say this sort of thing, Jillaine's version of "I Wonder As I Wander" is the single finest version I have ever heard.  I've tried to think of one better--there are several I'm quite fond of--but none measure up.  Jillaine's voice flows freely and easily through the song, unrestrained by the music, undaunted by the obstacles.  She's not playing by their rules anymore.  Jillaine becomes the song.  Oh, God, I wish there was some proper metaphor to describe the bliss her vocal performance creates.  What do you do when you work with words and the words fail you?  All I can say is that her performance of "I Wonder As I Wander" is the very definition of the very finest Jazz."

--Stubby's House of Christmas

My Take on "My World"

Jillaine released her "My World" single today!  I never get tired of the song and let me tell you I have heard it at least 100+ times.  Okay, that is an exaggeration but I have heard it a lot in the last week.  With most songs you would feel inclined to cut your ears off when you cannot stand to listen to them one more time.  This is by no means the case with "My World."  In fact, it is just the opposite.  

Every time I hear it, I connect even more with not just the orchestration but the deep meaning of the words.  "My World" simply envelopes--it pierces the soul.  It really is hard to express the effect it has had on me.  This morning it was played on KLYV 105.  It took all the muster I could conjure up to not get emotionally choked up--not the kind of choked up because it is my sister, Jillaine, I am hearing on the radio, but because the song is just that powerful in connecting with the listener.  It is simply something you have to experience for yourself.

"My World" on iTunes!!! (FREE download on Facebook)

Today, my first single is...RELEASED! "My World" is definitely an invitation into, well, my world! (That pun was TOTALLY intended!)

Get the FREE "My World" (Radio Edit) on my Facebook band page. Hurry, it will only be around for a limited time!

Fortunately, though, a blog is forever!

Yesterday, I blogged about how the lyrics of "My World" came to be. And, as promised, today is all about the mixing!

After fixing timing issues (we wanted it to be perfect for slow dancing), we set about creating the sound of the song. Not just the sound of each track, but really how we wanted to whole song to blend together.

We experimented with Antares Harmony efx on the lead vocal to add back-up vocals, but the sound wasn't quite right for this song. Though we did like the effect itself and plan to use it on future releases.

Next we tried chorusing within Pro Tools. We knew we wanted that effect, but the plug-in was giving a metallic sound to the vocal so we looked further. Little did we know we had a wealth of chorusing effects within our Kurzweil KSP8 outboard effects processor. After some experimenting with different kinds of chorusing, we settled on one that added just the right amount of depth. Then Erik programmed the delay to correspond with the tempo and triplet feel. We were making headway!

We applied a similar chorusing effect on the instruments, but something was still missing. We thought it was in the synth, so we searched for the right synth patch and found it in Synergy. Unfortunately, there was still something missing.

Erik then had a brilliant idea...I should play a harp part! I was a little bit wary of his idea, but decided I should give it a try. This isn't an ordinary harp you hear.  It is electric.

So Erik got my Camac Big Blue all plugged in and we literally composed an additional track.  Yes, Erik would sing what he wanted while I played what I heard him sing!  Frankly, it was hilarious! I play harp on the choruses and bridge. The upper registers on the harp add just the right scintillating touch to the song!  Harp will be included in upcoming releases!

And that's our mix down of the process we used to bring you "My World."

Until next time!

Writing "My World"

My first single! Who would've thought?

The single is up on iTunes tomorrow and the radio edit is free (for a limited time) on my Facebook page (also tomorrow).

Amazingly, "My World" has taken a long road to get where it is. It was originally recorded in the summer of 2009 with only temp lyrics. The final lyrics didn't happen until March 2010. Since that time, it has been catalogued under...well, "not ready to release!"

The temp title was "Rock Love Ballad" so I kept trying to write lyrics for a love song.  After countless hours, endless scribbled note paper, and quite a few headaches, I decided the love song angle just wasn't working out. New direction: hmm...?

Still stymied, I just wrote down what I was feeling at the time. I was...frustrated. However, I knew I could finish the song, so I was still hopeful. I continued to write in an almost stream of consciousness fashion until I began discovering some good ideas. Then I quit for the day and ate some ice cream. (Tip: ice cream always helps in songwriting. Not sure why, but I think someone should do a study on it and get the figures down. I'd volunteer for the study! My current favorite is Breyer's Butter Almond!)

Over the next few days, I hammered out the rest of the lyrics and got the song structure to fit with the recorded tracks.

Next objective...recording vocals...in a make-shift vocal booth made of air mattresses poised and balanced in the hallway. Being a college student is so awesome!

Tomorrow I'll update on the mixing, which was actually the most fun I've ever had mixing! After doing jazz that requires a mostly natural room, clarity in the vocals, and instrumental sounds, doing a pop song allowed Erik (my brother and all-around genius music engineer) to experiment with some pretty sweet plug ins and outboard gear.

Until tomorrow!

Recording and Meet the Band!

Recording success! After three days of intensive recording, we completed the remaining songs for three albums to be released this year.  Now we need a few vocals then we will be ready to mix, master, and release! See the photos here.


Meet the band, sound engineer, cinematographer, and songwriting partner:


James Archibald, bassist. James has been with the band for over six years and is always good for comic relief in addition to solid bass lines. He debuted his singing voice last year on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and is back again for "Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off."


Zach Wiggins, pianist. Zach is new to the band and wows with his jazz chords! I am partial to his substitution chords. He astounds with mean Latin lines! His piano arrangement of "While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night" is pure delight. He can take what may seem like a mundane chord progression and lift the accompaniment to soaring heights. You'll love Zach's talent for Latin the way it shimmers in "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To."


Jesse Quebbeman-Turley, drummer. Jesse is also new and fortunately for me, is Zach's roommate. That's how I found him! Jesse's arrangements are fresh yet accessible. His understanding of melodic theory makes him a unique force as a jazz drummer. You will love his jaw-dropping soloing on "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus!" One of my favorite "Jesse" arrangements is "Santa Baby" as you've never heard it before!


Erik Chaston, sound engineer. Erik is a master of infinite skills. As my brother, he jokes that I'm lucky I have him to work for free. No joke though, Erik is the best! Without Erik, these days of recording would not have happened. He puts together old analog equipment with new digital technology so that my vocal recordings are lifelike and accurate.  He can fix just about any equipment and improve it!


Brett Bird, cinematographer. While Erik captures the sounds, Brett captures the movement. Thanks to Brett's skills, we will have music videos to post on YouTube of our recording sessions. Also, Brett takes great still pictures because he doubles as a photographer.


Justin Jensen, songwriting partner. Justin and I were paired in a songwriting class and our writing methods clicked! Our pop song, "The Moment You Came Into View," will be released as a single in the coming months. Our Christmas song, "Santa Blues," will be on the next Christmas album. We have other songs still in the writing stages.  We are very anxious to finish and release those songs as well.


Mixing and mastering of the tracks is slated for early summer while Erik and I intern at Cumulus radio in Iowa! 


I will keep you posted as the albums near completion!  Fun times ahead!

Cover Song Clearance? No Problem!

When something sounds too easy, I take the skeptic's stance.  I ask a lot of questions.  I do a lot of research.

So naturally when I found out about Limelight, I was skeptical.  Not anymore!

In fifteen business days, I had my song licenses downloaded to my computer and was uploading "Jazzy Christmas to You" to Tunecore for its October 25 release date.  Sweet.

Doubly sweet?  Tunecore and Limelight have a partnership and I got 15% off my entire Limelight order.  Could this be any easier?

Do I recommend Limelight?  Definitely.  Will I be using Limelight in the future?  Indubitably.