Bloggy Monster

Hello Trick-or-Treaters…

…or maybe I shall address you as Poe o’ Treaters…

…Poetry-ters!

So, what is taking me so long to release my next CD – Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven – you ask? Sigh. My engineer is a busy, busy man, and he gets to my project when he can amidst his long to-do list. It’s like long bouts of limbo while I wait between mixes, but he has fabulous ears, and he’s doing a fabulous job, and it’s almost done.

Win a Signed Set of Kristen Lawrence’s Halloween Carols CDs

Free Contest for October 2011

~ Three Winners ~

The Rules:

- Create a video for YouTube using my song, “Ghost of John (Bare Bones Version)” – free download on my website: http://HalloweenCarols.com

Hello Trick-or-Treaters ~

To update you on my latest Halloween music offerings …

It’s taking longer to complete the mixing/mastering of this song than I thought (it’s a long song), so hang tight!

Sip your hot cider. Sew your Halloween costume. Pet your cat.

I wish I could get it out to you sooner, but I’m your proverbial girl next door, and don’t have the high-end budget to make I-want-it-yesterday demands. Someday. I hope.

Dear Trick-or-Treaters!

Dear me! It's been a while since I've blogged. I'm constantly updating my status on facebook, but haven't delved into Bloggy Monster Land for a few months.

Well, to catch you up, I am nearing the digital release of the first song (and its instrumental version) from my next batch of goodies. In fact, I am driving up to Burbank tomorrow to get started on the final mix/master with a choice engineer.

Hello Trick-or-Treaters!

It’s time for an update on my recording whereabouts. Many of you have been so kind with your little notes of enthusiasm and support, and I want you to know how much it means to me, how much it fuels me while I work. Thank you.

Hello, Trick-or-Treaters!

I like sound, but sometimes I don’t like its physics. Delay can be fun to play with, but not when you’re trying to synchronize with a live orchestra. It can be like playing straight into the dark. I’ll explain …

I was invited to play the organ with Pacific Symphony for their family Beethoven concert at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. We had a rehearsal this past Wednesday and two performances just this morning at 10:00 and 11:30.

Hello Trick-or-Treaters!

NAMM this year was a delight. (NAMM is a worldwide music convention that takes place over the course of four days in Anaheim every January.) I just like being around thousands of music-minded people and seeing all the offerings – any sort of music-related anything is at this convention.

I ran into Michael Kenney, the keyboardist and bass technician for Iron Maiden. I met him last October when he came to The Iron Maidens’ Halloween show in which I guest-keyboarded. He’s the nicest guy. I’m so glad we’re pals.

Hello, Trick-or-Treaters!

Yes, trick-or-treating can apply to all seasons. Right now the “treats” are candy canes and chestnuts and … Stollen. No, not thievery. Stollen is a Germanic sweet bread that makes this American grin quite broadly. There’s a German deli in Orange called Mattern that imports all sorts of German treats. Tasty treats. Johannesbeersaft, marzipan, lebkuchen. Ahhhhhhhh …

The “trick” involved in this season is one’s pants magically shrinking. So, logically, we ought to call it “trick-AND-treating” during this season.

My dear Trick-or-Treaters, I must share an extraordinary experience that occurred just last night, the 2nd of November (All Souls’ Day/Dia de los Muertos). I share because this will eventually concern you with the “food” you give your ears.

The Muse decided to crack open my skull and pour in a new melody last night. The first part of the melody came right out through my fingers without needing any adjusting. I couldn’t believe how smoothly everything glided out. Like ribbons of silky cream. Well, thicker. Like soft-serve.

I was astonished … and swept away … and grateful.

Hello Trick-or-Treaters!

Sigh. What a beautiful month it has been. Whenever October comes, I make a point to devour it as completely as I can. “Lick the plate clean” …

… like I do at one of my favorite restaurants, Zov’s (in Tustin on 17th, right off the 55). They have a calamari appetizer that sends my brain to far-off places. It’s not fried like most calamari dishes are. Rather, it comes swimming in this sauce. Oh, this sauce. Thanks to the mopping power of their chewy rolls, we send the dish back completely wiped clean and dry.