Shenanigans

We be moving on up (to the new site)!

The bad news:

As much as I love staring at myself passed out in a sand-dune every time I post a new blog (sorry, mom), we will be moving over to our new home with a slightly more, how do you say, flattering layout? Wherein this page will eventually be a dead link/fall off the face of the earth.

The good news:

This is all because my new website has FINALLY GONE LIVE! All of the blog posts have already been transfered over, and I will continually post updates there. You are welcome to subscribe, shop around and take a look. Pack your bags, and join the party! It all goes down at:

http://www.alytadros.com

The story behind the tour...

Continued from The Official Southeast & US Tour Announcement:

So, Chloe Charles is back from Toronto; touring around NYC with Sam, her bassist, and getting ready to head down to Austin for our big show at Momo's (Thursday, Nov 11 @ 8pm!) to celebrate the release of her latest EP, "Little Green Bud".

Me? I'm celebrating wearing tights 5 days a week. Yay winter!

I'm making my third tour out to the Midwest and Southeast (holy crap!) in the last...year or so? No wonder everytime I turn around, ol' Black Betty is ready for another oil change. Sponsorships, anyone?

In all seriousness: this tour I was determined to find a way to give back on the road, and feel like I was contributing to some higher purpose other than "sell merch." I've always been passionate about nonprofit work (I am a full time musician, after all), don't have a bunch of funds at my disposal, and love working with people one-on-one. So, I thought integrating music and volunteer work on the road would be the best way to go about it.

I got in touch with the wonderful people at Musicians on Call last year to see if I could figure out a way to perform in hospitals around the country. Unfortunately, MoC is only based in a few specific cities, and it seems they won't let just anybody waltz into hospital rooms and break out into song. Liabilities and differing music tastes and such. So that was off the list (for now).

Then, my friend Katie in Evansville hooked me up with the people at Evansville ARC - and a free performance was scheduled for the Ragged Haggard Tour. And it was AWESOME. I didn't care what I sounded like, wasn't critiquing my lyrics or performance; all I cared about was being in the moment; interacting with the students and have a damn good time. We had a blast. And I thought, "Shit, shouldn't every show be like this!?"

And then, I got these in the mail:

click on images to enlarge:
  

Yep. Done.

Several people also recommended checking out Nursing Homes, as they're constantly looking for volunteers. I read online that something like 60% of people in homes never get a visitor - I mean, really?!

But I needed help. I put up ads online and found my fantastic intern, Sarina - and enlisted her to help me around the office, and coordinate free-performances around our regular show schedule.

And, voila, we have a full-fledged, 22-date tour.

This is an experiment of sorts, hopefully to grow into something bigger over time - but, let's just say I'm getting my feet wet.

Interview with Cream City Magazine

One of my favorite spots to play in Texas is Gallery 201 - a fantastic little Art Gallery/Listening Room in my hometown, Laredo, TX. So, I was pretty stoked when the folks over at Cream City Magazine asked me to do an interview for their profiles section, and do a photoshoot at- where else, but Gallery 201.


Click on images to enlarge:
 






To checkout the magazine, go to http://www.creamcitymagazine.com!

Leçons

At the halfway marker of the tour, I have learned a couple new lessons:

• Cowboy boots are highly functional for every occasion, as they are fashionable, and utterly indestructible

• Exception to previous statement: Parisians do not curb their dogs.

• Never buy bus tickets at the station.  They are almost always hugely discounted online.

• Never, ever throw away your student ID. It is a cheap travel goldmine.

• If you are at an Irish Pub and in need an icebreaker, order a Guinness.

• If  you are at an Irish Pub with anyone over the age of 50, you best  learn some Irish Folk Songs, and fast.  If not, order more Guinness. They will come.

• Always travel with blank Thank You notes. They don’t take much time to fill out,  and the small but thoughtful gesture always fills me with gratitude.

• For musicians: one of the best ways to network in a new town is to go to an open mic. Make friends with local musicians, and get the lowdown on other spots around town. It’s also another opportunity to sell CD’s and get spots on your mailing list.

• When in doubt, there’s an app for that.

Not a Drop

Back in April I moved to Barra de Navidad, Mexico for two months to recover from the road and work on new material.

I started secretly planning the trip back in November. Found a bungalow, cleared my calendar, and spent six months sketching out long dreamy days of songwriting.

...and of course, when I finally got to Mexico, I sat down to write and couldn't think of a thing. No inspiration. Nada.

So, I wrote about it. Here it goes, live from London:

All the time in the world.

Four-months deep into my first national tour, it became my sanity-mantra; "All the time in the world". Alyse and I had covered thousands of miles, well over a hundred shows; car packed to the ceiling and puppy dog in tow. That month we pulled six all-nighters and littered the car with parking tickets like they were party streamers. That was also the month we quit caffeine and went vegan.

All the time in the world.

And somehow between all the shows, tofurkey wraps, and eight hour drives; it always brought us back down to planet earth, if even just for a second.

It wasn't really an excuse to procrastinate - God knows I've come up with some creative ones - but to remind ourselves that, ultimately, we created our own reality. If we wanted to stay on the road four more months, we could make it happen. Spend two years in Timbuktu? Make it happen. Do it all whilst running around like chickens with our heads cut-off? Yep, made it happen.

Or not.

From Atlanta, to....?

Woke up today in a motel 10 minutes to check out. Doug and I stuffed our bags, washed out the ice chest and grabbed a few leftover muffins from the front office. Now we're sitting in a little bohemia-hip neighborhood in Atlanta (Iwillnotstepfootinthevintagestores, Iwillnotstepfootinthevintagestores). Our show is tonight at The Five Spot.

Still coming down from the crazy experience that was The Eddie's Attic Shootout last night. It's a strange animal to be in competition with other songwriters. The whole songwriting experience is so intimate, at least for me, and personal - and unique. I made it to the top 8 of 22, before being beat out 3 to 4 by another amazing trio. Disappointed? Sure. But I met some wonderful artists last night, and ultimately, the winner - Tyler Lyle - totally floored me.

Came across another amazing lyricist - Laura Meyer - and was charmed by her opening tune, "Night Drive". Magical, as campy as it sounds, is the first word that comes to mind. She's just wrapped a seven month tour; it's inspiring and comforting to know I'm not alone on the crazy-neverending-grassroots-tour boat.

I spent the last two months in Mexico adrift in self-reflection and tequila. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself but write. I just bought a stack of books on Time Management and Mindfulness. So I'm trying to find the time to be mindful, I guess. And I'm trying to figure out my next move.

Meh, I'm going to go write some music.

PS. Thank you to everyone in Barra de Navidad and Atlanta and everywhere else on this beautiful planet that came out to support with their warm words of encouragement. You've been heard.

Developing a New Tour: Creative Touring & Homelessness

I have my second national (ish) tour coming up in early 2010. Several friends have asked about the process of booking the last one - so I thought, hey, why not just document the whole thing on here?

I'm going to be as transparent as possible about the process from now until its completion. The tour is in the planning/booking stage as we speak. I hope that guiding you along will help you to develop your own tours, learn from my tricks & pitfalls, and most of all, see the humor in all of it.

If I've learned anything, it's that touring can be a silly business. Running out of gas in Middle-of-Nowhere, Kentucky, is silly. If you don't have a sense of humor, you're screwed.

Sirens N'Boots "Kick off Tour" Press Release

June 22, 2009

Contact: Jo Rae Di Menno, Press Agent at:  512.236.0969 and at <jorae@hardpressedpublicity.com> for promotional materials, jpgs, live on-airs and further information.

Re:  Sirens ‘N Boots: Sarah Peacock (songwriting, vocals, guitar), Alyse Black (songwriting, vocals, keyboards) and Aly Tadros (songwriting, vocals, guitar)

Texas ”Kick Off” Tour – July 8-21, 2009:
Wednesday, July 8 -  9:00pm -   Antone’s - Austin, 213 W. 5th St., 512.320.8424
Thursday, July 9 – 10:00pm -  Triple Crown - San Marcos, 206 N. Edward Gary, 512.396.2236
Friday, July 10 - 1:30pm - ME TV! - Austin, Tx
Friday, July 10 – 9:00pm – Casbeers at the Church – San Antonio,  1150 South Alamo, 210.732.3511
Saturday, July 11 - 8:00pm -  Clicks - Corpus Christi, 3100 Monticello, Ste. 350, 214.521.7001
Sunday, July 12 - 5:00pm -  House Concert -  Laredo
Tuesday, July 14- 9:00pm- Rudyards - Houston, Tx
Wednesday, July 15 – 9:00pm – AvantGarden -  Houston,  1850 Hollister St. 713.464.9293
Thursday, July16 -   9:00pm -  Clicks - Tyler, 1946 E. Southeast Loop 323
Friday, July 17 - 9:30 Opening Bell @ Mosaic – Dallas, 300 S. Akard St., 214.665.2355
Saturday, July 18 - 3:00pm - CD Source Records - Dallas, Tx
Saturday, July 18 - 8:00pm  - Sue Ellen’s - Dallas, 3903 Cedar Springs Rd. 214.559.0707
Tuesday, July 21 - 8:00pm -  Cactus Café - Austin, The Texas Union at the corner of 24th and Guadalupe on the University of Texas campus

About Sirens N'Boots
SIRENS 'N BOOTS

(Austin, TX – June 22, 2009) What happens when three up-and-coming female singer-songwriters share the stage at the same time? Exquisite harmonies, breathtaking moments, and intimate magic. Sarah Peacock, Aly Tadros, and Alyse Black will be sharing stages across Texas from July 8th through 21st for their “Kick Off Tour” as “Sirens N’Boots.” Some of the best venues in Texas will witness this charming, irreverent three-some as they spread their soulful melodies over the ears of new and old fans!

With three award-winning recording and touring artists working together, the song choices just got choosier. Each of these songstresses has a recent release, with several of their albums releasing right before the tour.

Video updates of the tour will be posted on YouTube for fans to follow the adventure! Radio and media stops will be planned throughout the tour. The tour will be full of moments and shows not to be missed!

SARAH PEACOCK

“It was Janis Joplin meets Alanis Morissette… a huge voice and unbelievable range. Her songs are well written and have meaning. Her look, her entire act for lack of a better word has commercial appeal. Sarah is ready to sell records.”
Senior Contributor, The Silver Tongue

“Whether you see her show or meet her in person, Sarah Peacock will make an impression. She is a down to earth person with superstar stage presence. Her songs are well written, her musicianship is amazing and her voice will knock you out.”
Angry Face Music – 7:30 Club

“Once you listen, you will see that Sarah is an artist quickly on her way to success!”
High Note Partners Management and Booking

With a positive and melodic approach to songwriting, Sarah Peacock is an artist quickly generating a buzz in the music industry with the release of her debut album, Straight For Your Heart. Having performed over 200 dates on the road since 2006, Sarah is winning over audiences in cities all over America with her catchy tunes and charming personality.

Maze Records in Nashville, TN proudly presents to mainstream music a fresh, new sound with Sarah Peacock. Fusing memorable Beatle-esque melodies with powerhouse vocals reminiscent of Heart’s Ann Wilson, you will find it hard to believe such a big sound coming from such a little person. Her most recent performances promoting the release of her album have received excellent reviews from music industry publications.

 

ALYSE BLACK

“Fans adore her smooth, come-hither voice and cleverly spun lyrics... Like a sonic speedball, her smooth-as-butter jazz sensibility mixes with her frisky, spirited voice to produce one helluva listening high.”
San Antonio Current

“Her voice is captivating: rich and velvety in the lower, quieter sections; clean, articulate, and never shrill or nasal in the upper range and in loud passages…and always with dead-on pitch!”
103.1 KCDA in Spokane, WA – Live Review

“Alyse hits home with every track enough to mesmerize a person... The music of Alyse Black transcends all genres, demographics and more... My audience is always hinged for more!”
KRIM-FM 96.3 in Payson, Arizona

With a crimson silk voice set to deceptively lovely pop tunes, Alyse Black embodies the red-headed siren singer-songwriter. Drawing on a wide variety of influences, from Bjork to Billie Holiday, from Tom Waits to Tori Amos, from Piaf to Portishead, Alyse creates a delicate world of bright colors and lilting pleasure – creating a “hazy rose-hued state of mind where sensuality is key and reality is just a dirty word.”

Alyse’ alternative-pop sophomore album, For You, was recorded and produced by Ryan Peacock (Foo Fighters, Ra Ra Riot, Blonde Redhead, The Gossip) and is due out October 1st, 2009.  Her first album, Too Much & Too Lovely won 1st place in Billboard’s Annual World Song Contest in Jazz among many other awards.  In addition her US tour in 2008, Alyse performed numerous major music festivals around the States.  This year, Alyse will tour the US from August through October and Europe later in the year to celebrate the release of For You.

Alyse left a short corporate career to sing on the streets of Pike Place Market in Seattle. One day, the pianist for a local group wandered by, listened for a moment, and then explained that he liked her style. He needed another singer for a show that night at a local club. There was no looking back. From trekking in Nepal to road tripping the USA. From working for the US House of Representatives in high school to starring in musicals. Completing three degrees at the University of Washington, running a marathon, building an elementary school in Costa Rica, attending Barbazon modeling school, and living in France, Germany, Peru, Czech Republic, and more.  Alyse’ eclectic life is all fodder for her award-winning songs.

ALY TADROS

When Aly Tadros was offered her first paid gig, she had three original songs under her belt. The set called for two hours. She took it anyways.

"It's a lovely voice such as this so in tuned to one's heart"
- NPR Texas Music Matters

“It's clear she was born to fingerpick and execute a perfect Cuban clave with her flamenco shoes.”
San Antonio Current -  Critic’s Picks

Spacious and melodic, salty and moving, Aly Tadros alternative folk stylings tempts each listener out of the vacuum-sealed sterility of every day life. Her classical guitar writhes on the floor of the mind, haunted by the honesty of her lyrics. Her influences range from the off-kilter Tom Waits, to the commanding Ani DiFranco, to the captivating Fiona Apple, leaving the listener to feel seduced, loved, left and wizened.  In addition to her influences, Aly is frequently compared with the likes of Rachael Yamagata and Jolie Holland.

Before flamenco lessons and tennis tournaments, Aly jokes that she first wowed audiences as a Cardboard Fish in a community theater showing of The Little Mermaid in her home town of Laredo, Texas. She studied in Spain, Turkey and Egypt in high school and marched on to study middle eastern politics at Sarah Lawrence in New York before dropping out to pursue music full-time, playing over 200 shows in her first year alone. Aly may have soaked up her eclectic guitar style from Mexico to Egypt, but her words could only be born from the most deep and quiet places within her conscience.

Aly’s gutsy debut album, Things Worth Keeping, was recorded and produced by Duane Lundy (Ben Sollee, These United States, Vandaveer) and is set for release on August 22, 2009, with a three month US tour in close pursuit. With so much under her belt by 22, this chanteuse is just getting started.