Sasha Colette & The Magnolias's Blog
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Ahh, The Fruit of Summer! The Enscribitionist, THE NEW ALBUM and on the road
Jose and I have recorded the score for David Smith's second full length film, The Enscribitionist. The score was 3/4's created by me and the other 1/4 was all Jose and his fine bass lines! It will be debuted at The West Virginia Filmmakers Conference in Sutton West Virginia on June 12th. That will be a very proud day for me! This is my first stab at writing in this kind of gear. I used a couple songs that I had written prior to seeing the movie and definitely don't consider that to be slacking especially when they fit like gloves to the scenes! Two that were used are Sacrifice and Rock of Ages and both may I say were good choices.
The debut concert is among the beginning of the summer shows we've booked. That show, along with the shows that we're billing with The Fox Hunt are going to be big times! Check the schedule for more details. There's also a show that is booked for July 30th at Live Mix Studios in Charleston, West Virginia with Louisville based songwriter Johnathan Glenn Wood and West Virginia superstar, John Lilly. I don't get to see these guys too often, but they are facinating to me. I enjoy them so much! This is another Songwriters night organized by Adam Harris. He put together the last one we had at Shamrocks not too long ago. That was a great success and we look for this one to be just the same or better!
OK NOW FOR WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
Recording the Album!
We have eight songs recorded and may or may not release all of them. So far it is remarkable what Bud Carroll can do with programming along with producing and anything else! This is the first batch of recording that the magnolias and I have came together with but it has been nothing but great. We recorded up at Bud's place, Trackside Studios in Barboursville, West Virginia. We used the age old technique of recording live takes until we all came out with a performance that we all had the "That's the ONE!" kinda feeling about. The most takes that were done... I think it was with the song Rock of Ages. fffffoourrrrrrteeeeeeeen takes. It was cool because among all the craziness and difficulty of a situation like that, we were all playing each take with conviction and having a few exhaustion laughs here and there. The take that was dubbed "the one"... we started by saying.. "OK.. take 3". Talk about relieving tension that wasn't even exactly in the room. I guess they call that warding it off.. having a good time B). I really don't believe that a more beautiful group of sessions has taken place for a long time, we've really struck gold with our set up.
The album features Andrew Gillum on drums, Jose Oreta on Upright Bass, You can hear me on Vocals, Guitar and Banjo, Bud Carroll on Electric guitar, Pedal Steel, Keyboards as well as programming. Ryan Weaver is kinda like the Wizard of Oz Engineer of the whole situation.. down stairs.. he's in the cans.. and making wishes come true lol Between all of our good ideas, the sound is going to blow you out of the water. I guarantee you will not be expecting the style that is on the album. Imagine if Neko Case were to collide with a wailing heartbroken and somewhat angry Tom Petty. Close. Very Close. Victory has a very breathy and felt sound to it. Pedal Steel and Flutes. Like I said- gonna blow you outta the water my friend.
Sacrifice has strings of many colors and Rock of Ages is a full blown dance tune.. kick drum and nasty bass. Mercy moment will give you sensory overload that will put you in a state of utter jam. AH, how I love a Jam.
There will be a three song heads up comprised of Sacrifice, Victory and If it Ain't a Lie available at The Clack Mountain Festival.. another show that will be killer- Other artists performing are Ben Sollee, Jill Andrews and Coaltown Dixie.. so much good music! It's a pleasure to be in with such a grand bill.
This album is finally going to sound like me. I feel my songs in a much more A3 way than the live shows are generally able to convey but progress and time are always good to keep hand in hand. Which we are keeping a full band for most all the shows now days and that makes me one very happy gal. I do hope you're able to enjoy the tunes sooner rather than later and I hope to see you in good spirits somewhere in the coming days!
I know I've been a bit off the grid for a bit, but I'm pulling this train back on the tracks and you're gonna hear this whistle blow- I'm sure of it.
Love to you all,
Sasha C. -
Sasha Writes a Film Score AND soo much more
Current mood:
Hey all!
artistic
Spring is definitely coursing through this smile of mine for it has brought lots of beautiful things thus far!
David Smith of Huntington, WV approached me not too long ago about writing the score for his second feature length film, The Escribitionist. The film tells the story of Josh Thomson the main man, who blogs about everything that happens in his life. When Josh's candor causes him to lose his job, he embarks on a soul-searching journey to pay his rent. In this kind of emcompassing plot, there are lots of opportunities for good tunes.. and opportunity for me to try something completely different than my norm. It's great to have a reason to write more music!
The music for this project will include me on guitar and banjo with occasional singing, and accompanying me will be the big man bassist, Jose Oreta. A captive blend of times and blues seems to be what I've been placing with the film.
Check out the trailer...
Along with the never ending work on new albums, I've also been working on a project for FUSE THE MUSE. A collaboration effort put on by the Rowan County Arts Center, I along with friends Jim Burchett (photographer) and fellow songwriter and Americana Crossroads torch bearer, Amelia Conway are working up some projects.. A combination of Photos placed to lyrics. We'll be putting on a show on the exhibits opening night. Expect this to come in around September.
You can also keep your ears open to hear some work that I'm doing with Sherry Bennett. She is doing a documentary of Women in Traditional music and I'll be doing the narration for the project as well as giving some of my input! That will be a fun one to catch B)
All irons are on the fire, and I'm even trying to book some shows out west(ish) and some south carolina and alabama shows for the fall.
Sayin Hello to all of you where ever your grin from.
I'll keep you guys posted with more details soon!
sending all kinds of love for an all kinds kinda world.
Sasha C. -
Oh yes, this is much better..
All Right!!
Well, things are going much better than in the last entry. My shoulder is doing much better.. I'm dressing myself now and everything lol it's a grand achievement. The doc says that I'm gonna have a bit of a bone sticking out, its gonna be all right. I'll be returning to the giggin' on Feb 6th at Taylor books in Charleston, WV. Tomorrow night though, I will be attending the V-Club gig.. The Hard Quartet (a funk, dance, frank zappa kinda band) will be playing the gig for me... come out and show some love! I'm all about seeing some familiar faces B) show starts tomorrow night at 10:30.
I'm on the road to recovery and looking forward to recording the new project!
Yes, This is most definitely an all right kind of day. -
broken shoulder
i have a broken shoulder. fell out of the loft in the house while sleep walking lol what a story!! anyways, im a bit behind on my myspace stuff and obviously will not be able to play the jan9 gig in cinci snd the 14th in huntington... hopefuly ill be back in the game for the 15th!! wish me luck! ill be back on soon with more developments :)
have a beautiful day, ssssasha c.