Fanbridge was supposed to cross-post this for me, but I didn't see it happen. So here it is, just in case you haven't seen it. :) Feel free to share this around!
This month is gonna be a wild one for me. I'll be lucky to get my taxes done on time, but I suppose that applies to most of us. :)
I've got shows and workshops in Arkansas, Ohio, Minnesota, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa! Whoo!
It all started THIS THURSDAY, in my hometown. I had a small but dedicated crowd in Dumas last night who braved the rain to hear me sing. Thank you all!
Next week, I'll be flying to Cleveland to give a concert at Baldwin-Wallace College.
Wednesday March 14, 2012 — 8pm
Baldwin-Wallace College
Student Activity Center
96 Beech Street
Berea, OH 44017-2037
Parking available behind the SAC building.
Sponsored by the Allies Group. $5 cover for non-students.
During the afternoon, I'll be leading a discussion on campus about bisexuality.
All students and faculty are welcome to attend and take part.
All possible kudos go to Patrick for helping me set up this trip! I can honestly
say that it would not have happened without him. :)
Then it's off to the Twin Cities, zoom, for PaganiCon and the All Snakes Ball!
Weekend of March 16-18, 2012
PaganiCon 2
Double Tree Park Place
1500 Park Place BLVD
Minneapolis, MN 55416
952-542-8600
S. J. and Christopher Penczak are guests this year!
Then home again to Arkansas very briefly, where a massive (and sexy) band
convergence will happen once again! Heather, Ben, Betsy and I (aka The Fair Folk!)
are getting together with our Big Bad Gina sisters to make some noise in Fayetteville!
Wednesday March 21, 2012 — 7:00pm
Big Bad House Concert: Sooj, Heather Dale, & Big Bad Gina!
Hosted by One Wild Tribe
RSVP for tickets & directions: melodie@bigbadgina.com
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Space is limited; please RSVP soon!
Doors open at 6:30pm. Don't miss this one!
Renee tells me that the concert is already halfway full. I want you guys to be there,
too, so please RSVP as soon as you can!
(update: Renee tells me that the concert is now full, but the waiting list isn't! Looks like we better come back in the fall and do this again!)
After Fayetteville, we hug our sisters goodbye and load up the Fair Folk caravan
to head to Memphis, St. Louis (it's been too long!), and Chicago.
Thursday March 22, 2012 — 7:30pm
S. J. and Heather Dale!
First Unity Church of Memphis
9228 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova, TN 38018-7743
(901) 753-1463
$10 donation, all ages.
Special thanks to Andrea & June!
with Ben & Betsy in the band!
Buy a ticket if you'd like: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2
MEMPHIS! YES, YOU! I MISS YOU! Please come and rock out with us!!!
Friday March 23, 2012 — 7:30pm
S. J. and Heather Dale!
Lafayette Park United Methodist
2300 Lafayette Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104
Doors open at 7:00pm.
$8 - $15 suggested donation plus a canned or non-perishable food item
with Ben and Betsy in the band!
Buy a ticket if you'd like: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2
Saturday March 24, 2012 — 7:30pm
S. J. and Heather Dale!
Chicago Latvian Community Center
4146 N. Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
773-588-2085
$8-$15 suggested donation, all ages.
Special thanks to Ray, Ronnie, Adam, Ange & Joan!
with Ben & Betsy in the band!
Buy a ticket if you'd like: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2
After this tiny, triumphant tour, I'll part ways with my beloved Canadian bards
and my cello mastermind to stick around Chicago. I've got something relatively
new to share with you.
Sunday March 25, 2012 — 4:00pm
Class: Music & Magick
Life Force Arts Center
1609 W Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 327-7224
$45 per student, limited to 15 slots.
More info here:
http://tinyurl.com/76byypv
This Music & Magick class is something I've been pushing myself to teach more often
lately. I taught it a couple of times last fall (yay MuseCon and FOS!), and I had taught it three times
previously, at various events. It's been well received each time I've taught it,
so I decided to take it on the road. Sista Sherry Kirk was the first friend who encouraged
me to start teaching, back when we hosted an intensive weekend together a couple of
years ago. The class, as I've developed it, has been a very rewarding thing for me.
In the Old World, people recognized that music had a lot of power. My goal is to
help people gain an awareness of that power these days, and to find (and trust) the
music inside themselves. Check out the class description at the link up there if
you'd like to know more.
(Joan wrote me today to let me know that we have only 6 slots left for the class! Sign up soon. If we get a Huge waiting list, I'm considering teaching a second one the next day, or at least coming back to town.)
And now, on to Iowa! I have a house concert in Ames and an in-store appearance in Des Moines.
Tuesday March 27, 2012 — 4:00pm-6:00pm
Afternoon concert & autographing hosted by
Ancient Ways- Ingersoll location
3029 Ingersoll Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312
515-274-9034
Wednesday March 28, 2012 — 7pm
House Concert!
The Crow & Dove House
RSVP for directions: croweanddovehouse @gmail.com
Ames, Iowa
$10 Suggested Donation.
with special guests Cheshire Moon!
Special thanks to Lizzie and Eric; it's been ages since I last got to stop and play in Iowa!
Zoom! Down to Kansas City next, for a three-event weekend!
Friday March 30, 2012 — 7:30pm
Class: Music & Magick
Amethyst Dreams
4301 Main Street, Suite 110
Kansas City, MO, 64111
Amethyst Dreams is a healing center, botanica, gallery & boutique
presided over by the incredible Rev. Aislinn Awatake Firehawk.
816-349-9931
$30 per student, space limited to 25 students. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/e
This is the same class as the class I'm teaching in Chicago. :)
Saturday March 31, 2012 — 7:30pm
House Concert!
Hosted by Rev. Aislinn
RSVP for directions: aislinnfirehawk @gmail.com
Kansas City, MO
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/e
Space is limited.
Here's the jewel in the crown, all on an April Fool's Day Sunday!
Sunday April 01, 2012 — Noon-3pm
We're All Mad Here!
April Fool's Mat Hatter Tea Party!
Amethyst Dreams
4301 Main Street, Suite 110
Kansas City, MO, 64111
Amethyst Dreams is a healing center, botanica, gallery & boutique
presided over by the incredible Rev. Aislinn Awatake Firehawk.
816-349-9931
Honoring Mama Dragon's April Fool's Day Tradition, attendees shall wear a Silly Hat (this is mandatory),
spark many a great & goofy conversation, and have a LOVELY TIME! Join us.
with scones and tea provided by our hostess!
Zoom! Up to Lincoln Nebraska, for the first time in far too long!
Monday April 02, 2012 — Doors at 7:30pm, music at 8pm
Bija Bhoga Community Room
1700 S 24th
Lincoln, NE 68502
Bija Bhoga is Sanskrit for The Source or Seed of Sense Enjoyment
$5-$10 suggested donation, all ages welcome.
Thanks to sweet sister Jade for hosting this little Monday show!
Whew!
On April 3rd, I'll be teaching my class and giving a concert at Crone's Hollow
in Salt Lake City. Then it's on to Washington state for ATC Spring Mysteries!
I'm just getting the April schedule posted on http://www.skinnywhitechick.com
More good stuff added as soon as it's confirmed- I'll be performing solely in
Washington state for most of next month, with stops in KC, Nebraska, and Utah on the way.
WHAT DID I FORGET?
Let's see. I'm home for a few days to rest, and I'm working on the film score
for EMBER DAYS, which includes pieces by both Alexander James Adams and Bekah
Kelso. My cute little recording studio in the woods continues to be a happy place.
I'm also writing the last few songs for the WONDERS album, which will be
the book soundtrack for The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her
Own Making. The sun is shining today, and it's hard not to just play outside
all the time lately. I'll try to send some sunshine along to all of you, no
matter what the weather on the ground.
Last thing: Indierhythm.com is shutting down their physical CD webstore and going digital soon. They still have some stock of mine, including the otherwise out of print album, For the Girl in the Garden. Grab them while you can:
http://indierhythm.com/product.php?c
Thank you all for being part of the magic, the journey, and the story.
- Mood:
accomplished - Music:April Fool's Day
I was having such a wonderful time in Chicago today, walking in the snow and having lunch with friends (
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
lilrongal, adamselzer, arjil, tadghlughan) that I forgot all about it. For almost the entire day. Isn't that something?Your support, efforts, prayers, and well-wishes, then and now, are why I was healthy and happy enough to forget for a while that it ever even happened. I truly would not be here without you, and you all know who you are.
Thank you, my Ravens and my friends. I'm so glad you're here, and I'm so glad you're reading this.
- Location:windy city
- Mood:
grateful - Music:hans zimmer
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
magick4terri if you haven't already. Unbelievably sweet auctions are going on there, having started this very day, to help one of our brightest faery godmothers, Terri Windling, in her time of need.
I have not had the great pleasure of meeting Terri yet in this life, but all of you know that she took part in your herculean rescue efforts when I was so horribly sick and afraid, not so very long ago. Her stories haunt my songwriting dreams at this very moment.
There will be some long-secreted Ravens rearing their heads to take part in this bit of magick, oh yes.
Love to you all. :)
B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-BEETZ.
Rough recording, from my iphone, at rehearsal about a week ago.
Renee and I started writing this at the Whole Foods salad bar in Memphis the day we headed out to the river for Festival of Souls.
It seems I'm not done with silly salad songs. :D
I've got one show left this year, at Voulez Vous Lounge in Eureka Springs on Black Friday (that's this coming weekend), with Big Bad Gina. The sistaz and I will definitely have this one on the setlist, for its live debut.
stealthcello just got to hear this for the first time, and she is one big grin.heeheehee.
- Mood:
spoonless - Music:see entry
You are all amazing. So amazing.
Operation Fly In Betsy is PAST its goal. In under six hours.
*PIXIE DUST EVERYWHERE!!!*
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
I have two concerts at PhilCon this year, in November.
Here's the link for PhilCon, with info about the other guests (Cory Doctorow, Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell!!), and where you can register:http://2011.philcon.org/
Both of my Philcon concerts were going to be solo shows, because PhilCon had budget enough to bring me, but not to bring my beloved cellist, Betsy ![[info]](../../img/userinfo.gif?v=3){kind=small}
stealthcello, whom most of you know and love.
Now, I love doing solo shows. But at this point, Betsy and I won't get to perform together again until February 2012 at the earliest.
I have many shows across the nation before I get to PhilCon. My last scheduled show with Betsy was this past weekend. I haven't even left the house yet, and we're already wishing we had more time to make music together.
Many of you have seen and benefited from the magic that Betsy and I can conjure when we're on stage. PhilCon deeply regretted not being able to bring her in with me.
We all decided we weren't happy with the situation, and we decided to do something about it.
And we need your help. :)
I've been emailing back and forth with my con liaison and with several dear sweet people on the concomm this week. We've all been
brainstorming to find a solution, and we think we've hit upon the perfect thing.
Let's call it Operation Fly In Betsy.
Our objective:
raise the $500 it will take (thank you, Thanksgiving plane fares) to get Betsy to Philcon from Seattle and back, so that she can join us all at the con and join me onstage.
How you can help:
become a Betsy Sponsor by contributing at least $5.00 USD via Paypal.
We all know from experience that even a tiny amount adds up, and we've all seen amazing fundraising efforts come to great success on the internet and in our tribe before.
What you'll get:
-an exclusive live concert from the two of us at Philcon for Betsy Sponsors only that you can attend in person if you join us at the con,
or exclusive access to the online live stream of that concert if you can't join us...
OR...
-If you can't join us at the con for the exclusive concert, and you can't join us online to watch the live stream either, or you'd just
prefer this option, a free year's worth of exclusive downloads (one nifty, unreleased, shiny thing per month that you couldn't get any other way) from me, sent to your email by me, over the course of the next twelve months, starting in November.
My subscriber/sponsors have gotten unreleased recordings from me, sneak peeks of upcoming songs, poetry, spoken word recordings, and other special things.
ANYONE WHO DONATES $5 OR MORE gets access to his/her/per choice of these two thank-you gifts.
ANYONE WHO DONATES $25 OR MORE gets access to BOTH the concert, online or in person, AND the year's worth of exclusive goodies emailed to you by me personally.
Thank you all for reading, and thank you all for considering making my Philcon shows, which are my last shows of 2011, twice as awesome for the presence of our favorite cellist on the planet.
Very special thanks to everyone with PhilCon for being so helpful this week and so very supportive of this idea.
- Mood: accomplished
I wish that I had even more new music ready for all of you, besides these.
I hope they fire your hearts and heal your dancing souls.
omnisti is still getting together a bonus download of visual goodies to go with the single that you can download from the same album link. If you just want the music, go ahead and grab it. If you want to wait for the bonus goodies, they'll be there soon. Most of them are intensely beautiful visual desktop backgrounds of Rob's art and the bones I painted with woad while at Burning Man this year.- Location:eugene, or
- Mood: calm
- Music:see entry
The important bits, for those of you who are skimming:
-Betsy & I are performing at Faerieworlds Harvest this coming weekend. LOTS of stage time, all 3 days, but the big shows are Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon/evening.
-"Rootless" and "La Sirene" are coming out as a digital single, perhaps as early as day after tomorrow.
-The video for "Neptune" is almost done.
-Faerieworlds emcee Mark Lewis is doing a Soulfood concert with me on Sept. 24. He's also teaching a storytelling workshop that afternoon at Betsy's house. We have 17 slots left available for the workshop. If you're interested in taking part, leave me a comment.
-I love you.
A gift for reading this far: I wrote a new song today, something of a ghost story, something of a love song. Lyrics under the cut.
Hope you enjoy.
( Dream of Mississippi )
- Location:pinecoon
- Mood: busy
- Music:see entry
- Mood: happy
- Music:see entry
Glad to be back, though.
It's been a season and a half of upheaval, but there's always light- and not just at the end.
I've been making myself go back through all of my entries lately, aaaalllll the way back to the beginning.
I wouldn't trade any of it, because I worked, together with
omnisti and so many others over the past eight, ten, twelve years to build a dream that I've been living now for quite a while.But I see now: it's no wonder I got so sick and so tired.
I don't have to work quite so hard now, not all the time, to keep the dream going. It's a difficult habit to break, working.
Now I know what it feels like to see your dream realized and to have the world pulled out from under you when you discover that you no longer have the faintest damn clue of what you want. I can laugh about it now, as the clues for the future roll gently in, but I was in some deep dark places about it in recent months. Not so dark now.
To all who have helped me and mine, in whatever fashion, thank you. If I've never said so, or if it didn't come across as thanks, I apologize.
Thank you.
Thank you for your efforts, your care, your patience, your generosity, your wisdom, and your awesomeness.
Thank you.
The process of learning to rest, to take care of me, to grow and to change continues.
Album projects continue to fill up my head.
I continue to hear from people all over the place that I have inspired creative works of their own.
The sun comes up.
Onward. :)
- Location:betsy's basement
- Mood:
contemplative - Music:(internal) Ekova- Ditama
Hugs for everyone missing
uglygrandmother and smiling when you think of her today. Carrot vs. Athame: still a valid question. **Love**In the House of Mama Dragon
April Fool's Day
Also,
rosefox points out that my sanity is crowd-funded. ((smile)) Truer words were never spoken. Thanks so much everyone- loves, fans, friends.- Mood: calm
- Music:kan'Nal - All Things Change
yuki_onna and I got interviewed while we were dyeing each others' hair purple, as one does. This is one of my favorite interviews ever, over at the Interstitial Arts Foundation website. My heart is currently smashed, but at least I can still make art in the world, wounded or not. It's why I'm here. Time to throw myself into the creative well again, deep. Hope you're all doing well this week.
I'm performing at Spring Mysteries at the ATC in a few weeks, and I realized that I am not entirely certain which of my songs are best for gettin' down with the Greek pantheon...SMFgoers, what would you most like to hear? Request soon and often in comments, please, so that I can practice and bring my A-game for you. <3
- Location:nyc
- Mood: crazy
- Music:(internal) me- Girl Into Devil
yuki_onna on stage next to me. Only screwed up the words a little bit. ((grin)) Life is all over blessings. I concede a bit of breakup angst in this one, but it's genuinely written for Deathless as much as it is for me, with cameos by Lebedeva, Chairman Yaga, Ivan, and of course Marya. Composed in Cat and Dmitri's house in Maine just exactly a week ago, in the nick of time...Girl Into Devil
Copyright S. J. Tucker 2011. All rights reserved.
"Who do you belong to, little girl?
Why do you wander in the deep dark wood?"
The answer should be easy, but not this time.
She fits your little story, but she's up to no good.
Growing up means growing into war,
waiting be broken just to understand,
and going where you've never gone before,
changing into devil just as fast as you can.
Wolves shall croon in your merciless ear.
Don't believe everything that you hear.
Wear your color high and tilt your head just so-
Maybe nobody will know.
Who is more a dragon or a danger? Who's to say?
Stolen fairytale girls never get to choose the easy way.
A danger and a devil disguised as a child at play,
Masha raises her head to say
"I belong to me.
Even now, even here,
I belong to me."
Drink the souls of songbirds, little girl.
Spin your lie like thread and suck the music down.
Counterfeit to hardness all you will,
everybody knows that you're from out of town.
Trust the devil never to let go,
mixing hell and romance just like any other fool.
Wisely, you must heed a sister's words:
love comes down to nothing more than who is to rule.
Coral coaxes, red compels,
green for daring, blue for bargains fell.
You are dear to me and I'll never tell
how afraid you are.
Shouldering a rifle more to prove with every breath,
stolen fairytale girls make the difference between life and death.
It all comes down to choices, but you've only the hard ones left
and so all you can say is (yes)
I belong to me,
even now even here.
And when he comes a-courting with a kingdom in his hand,
clever fairytale girls strike the hardest of all bargains.
As long as love's around we'll tell the story again and again.
I think this is where I came in.
"Who do you belong to, little girl?
Why do you wander in the deep dark wood?"
It's not an easy answer, I'm afraid.
I may fit the story but I'm up to no good.
- Location:just this side of Queens
- Mood: crazy
- Music:see entry
Also, you can hear me read
yuki_onna 's poem, The Secret of Being a Cowboy, if you wanna know what the Mythpunk Gals get up to late at night on the island. (smile)- Location:Peaks Island
- Mood: cheerful
- Music:(internal) September's Rhyme
Hear the show
Donate directly
As soon as I get a little bit of brain, I'll be setting up some eBay auctions for Doctors without Borders myself, of some of the last remaining copies of the Ravens in the Library anthology. My hope is to raise some love for aid in Japan and aid in Haiti. I'll post when those auctions are ready to go.
- Location:chez valente
- Mood: calm
- Music:(internal) Jesca Hoop - The Kingdom
omnisti and the Traveling Fates and I would be very grateful. Please let me know in comments. EDIT: elisem and sweetmusic_27 have rescued me and helped me find table space. <3 <3 <3 thank you, sisters.Also still looking for crash space for us two and the band in Madison as well. UPDATE: got crash space for K and me secured, just need safe places for Ginger and Bekah to sleep now. urgh, feeling like I have really dropped the ball, but I know it will be all right. Anybody have beds/floors/need room mates? Again, please let me know in comments.
Lastly, would anyone like to help us throw a concert in Madison, house concert or otherwise, just in case the concom doesn't ever respond to our concert proposal? Comment if you're willing.
Thanks, everybody.
Just feelin' a little small and discouraged at the moment. I know it will be grand. <3
I'm happy to say that there will be Fates shows in Chicago (May 24, Tuesday) and in Reedsburg, WI (May 25, Wednesday-thank you, Ghetto Shamans!) on the way to WisCon, and those at least are coming together. :)
- Location:ellicott city
- Mood: anxious
- Music:(internal) imogen heap
Alexis, thank you for posting this. I finally get to see what was happening down there. :D
and now I take myself to the spa. :)
Hope you all have a delightful day. 2/22/2011 is a pretty nifty number, I think.
- Location:pinecoon
- Mood: accomplished
- Music:see entry
to the Winterborn to know:
of icicle kingdoms this side of the veil,
of sigils writ across the snow.
Taken above Cedar Creek Falls, Petit Jean State Park, Petit Jean Mountain, Thursday February 3, 2011.
Photo by s00j, all rights reserved. :)
- Location:hbf
- Mood: impressed
- Music:(internal) Ginger Doss - Ma Belle
I am tucked in on the couch with my mama in southeast Arkansas, warm and safe while the (unprecedented) snow continues to fall outside.
I know it's been a little odd for some of you to imagine me on winter vacation and not out on the road bustin' ass and playing shows constantly... But I have more than a little to show for it. And I'm feeling gifty tonight. So. Here, have a FREE NEW SONG!
By the way, this new song has a music video as well, which means I HAVE A MUSIC VIDEO! FINALLY! Thanks to the brilliant Ben Dobyns of Dead Gentlemen Productions, I have a music video! I haven't even seen it yet, but I was there for the filming day...during which we got silly and were awesome at a sweet comic shop in Tacoma...so I KNOW it's delightful!
aaaand I don't have a link for it yet, BUT I WILL SOON. If you're in Tacoma Washington this Saturday, you can see it at Dead Gentlemen Productions' screening of JourneyQuest at the Tacoma Little Theater--more information on that here.
The video will be included in the special features of the Dead Gentlemen DVD rerelease of The Gamers: Dorkness Rising, set to hit stores in April 2011. Dead Gentlemen Productions is known for its RPGeek-friendly films, such as The Gamers and The Gamers: Dorkness Rising. Castmembers of those films, including the sinfully gorgeous Jen Page, guest star in the music video. I FEEL VERY GEEKILY FAMOUS.
You can watch all sorts of Dead Gentlemen videos at their website, linked above.
I hope you guys dig the song. This is my first time writing and releasing a parody: "D&D" is sung to the tune of "The Napoli" by Mr. Steve Knightley of British folk group Show of Hands. Vixy & Tony turned me on to their music right around this time last year. Definitely give a listen to the original as well as to my parody version--it's every bit as cool for different reasons, being about a (relatively recent) shipwreck...there's piracy. Tony did the tracking in Seattle, and I am hoping that in the near future I can add Vixy!singygoodness and Betsy!cellogoodness to the recording.
Little bit of free music industry trivia, to go with your free download: I had to ask permission to release this parody and to move forward with the production of the music video, because songwriters in the UK actually have some right of veto over who does spoofs of their stuff--we here in the United States have no control over that whatsoever. Weird Al asks because he is Nice, not because he Has To. EDIT: apparently this is not universally true (see comments if interested) in the USA; I guess I wasn't finished doing research after all.
This is very exciting for me, guys, not least because I have proof now that my years of filling out character sheets has, in fact, paid off...or it will, if you help me spread the word. Please download the song and share the link with others--encourage friends to explore my other available downloads as well; you know how it works, every little bit makes a difference!
So thanks Ben and Barry and Jen and Chris and the whole gang; thanks Mr. Knightley and Mr. Pearce; thanks Vixy, thanks Tony, and thank you!
- Location:chez mama
- Mood: accomplished
- Music:see entry
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you!
Among the shining examples of getting it right or trying their damnedest to get it right are the following festivals and groups I've worked with in the past or am currently working with, in no particular order:
Heartland Spiritual Alliance/Heartland Pagan Festival
CAYA Coven, CA
WytcheHaven, AR
Wolvenwold, MO
Mid-Missouri PPD
Witches Brew Denver
The Sacred Paths Ctr, St. Paul
Summerland Grove, TN
SDCW, ATC, AR
The ATC, Washington state
Pagan Unity Festival, TN
The Goddess & the Moon, Nashville
Florida Pagan Gathering (though I've heard there's been some static about being able to feed vegan performers lately--wtf guys, it's a lot less trouble than feeding omnivores can be!)
Phoenix Festivals (AutumnMeet, PhoenixPhyre), Florida
PantheaCon (which admittedly is pay-to-play and a bit of a madhouse, because SO MANY PAGANS OF DIFFERENT FLAVORS UNDER ONE ROOF ZING!! but I found it to be a wonderful madhouse, and when I asked for sound gear and a room to put a concert in, I got both, at the appointed time, and that room got packed.)
Bengalhome
Mystickal Voyage/Lori Savko Perdue, Maryland
Squanderosa, Maryland
Brotherhood of the Phoenix
HeARTbeat Collective, Boston
TOTEM, Oklahoma
Pooh Clan and CMA, TX
OurHaven (I love you!)
Faerieworlds/Faeriecon/Mythic Faire (we have our speedbumps, but everything always turns out well in the end.)
Sunflower River, NM
Albuquerque Witches' Ball
...and any other festival/group I may have forgotten in error. I am not including filk cons or scifi cons in this list because I think they deserve their own thank-you note.
Thank you all. You are in my fondest dreams and memories. Thank you for supporting me, for giving me sacred space in which to make music and/or fire, and for always inviting me back. You mean the world to me, you do. I urge you to keep up the good work, and to keep on making your guest performers AND guest authors feel like rock stars.
- Location:LesbiHood West
- Mood: grateful
- Music:(internal) Diana Krall
Dear pagan festivals and events:
You were the source of my first valid income as a performer. You were the first community to adopt me with your whole heart and to lift me up. You are my heart's home and you are the coals which continue to burn, even when the rest of the world is all over darkness. I love you and I glory in you. To that end, I hope that you will take gracefully the request which I am about to make.
I love you, as I have said, but I am just as valid a minister as anyone with a Llewellyn publishing deal. It would be nice if you would recognize that fact once in a while.
Translation: stop treating your guest musicians like dogs hunting for table scraps while you treat your guest authors like royalty. My concerts provide just as much of a boost in festival attendance as does the presence of my published peers and elders, and often my music provides a substantial percentage of the transformational magick that keeps people coming back, myself included, to dance with you in the woods every year.
This letter comes as a result of getting just one too many emails, just one too many booking offers, wherein you say to me, "well, we would love to pay you and cover your travel expenses, but we're already spending all of our budget to put author ********* ********* up in a hotel and cover plane fare to and from the event, so we understand if it's not possible for you to join us this year."
Do you really, now? I wonder, because this particular set of excuses is getting old. I am not an afterthought; I would appreciate it very much if you would stop making me feel like one.
A few years ago, I would have bent over backwards to come and sing for you anyway, because you are dear to me. This year, I'm just too tired to deal with your insult to injury. I only choose to dignify it with a response because I've been wanting to say all of this for quite a while.
I value your existence and your honesty. I hope that you can afford me the same value, even though you can't seem to afford much of anything else where I and my fellow credible performers are concerned.
May your coffers swell, may your harvests be sweet, and may your attitude be adjusted.
With all the blessings available,
S. J. Tucker, Bard.
...I have really REALLY had it up to here.
and yes, I have had a taste of how difficult it is to run my own event now. I know how hard non-profits have it most of the time, and I understand how difficult it can be to even get a budget in the first place. I also now know what it feels like to have to send my friends and peers home with empty pockets and NOT empty CD boxes, and I strongly wish never to personally put any of us through that experience again, though it was all certainly magickal.
And sometimes, yes, in fact often, the magick is enough.
But I'm tired of this abject imbalance, and I see it again and again.
Don't ask me to come if you can't show me any respect at all.
It just stresses me out and we all end up disappointed.
Treat me like a friend at least, or perhaps even treat me like the bard I am, and not like a stray, or a freak, for whom you're doing a favor, and I will give you all of the music that I can. This has always been true.
Festival folk who I have worked with in the past, please do not take this ill...but please do take it into account for the future, if you can. I thank you, on behalf of myself and all other performers who really are in this to make people's lives a little brighter, as well as to survive.
- Location:Elsewhere
- Mood:
discontent - Music:(internal) Mozart
Meanwhile, Bekah has raised $300 of her initial album-funding goal of $1300, which she hopes to raise by January 24th--not long. She's got a breakdown of sponsorship options, all of which come with goodies and tons of sweet-sweet incentive (everything from handwritten lyric sheets to personally arranged house concerts; signed copies of DEPARTURES to vegan cookies baked by the artist herself and more!), ranging from $15 to $5K. Click here to help Departures take flight!
Now I must give you all an update of what sort of new albums and thoughts and plots I have been cooking.
As many of you could no doubt plainly see and hear and sense, I have been one exhausted pixie since the summer of 2009.
I've suffered a lot of minor illness and vocal fatigue in recent months. My voice is changing. I'm (gasp!) growing up, ever so slightly. The Strowler events took a lot out of
omnisti and me, and all who (went above and beyond and) helped us fly. I knew at the end of 2009 that I needed to rest, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to, not yet, not until several more long months, another album release, and the Strowler events had gone by. Now I've made it here alive, and I'm doing my damnedest just to rest, because it's no fun to be too worn out to play. For quite some time now, I've just not had as much to offer my friends, fans, and loved ones socially and emotionally--I'm that tired. In order to let me relax, get my strength and confidence back, and seriously buckle down on songwriting and recording, I won't be touring nearly as hard this year as I have for the past seven years. I'll have fewer shows each month, and most of the ones I have will be supported events like Faerieworlds, Mythic Faire, MuseCon, and WorldCon. I'll still be playing all over the country, just without running myself quite so ragged as I have before.
This doesn't, however, mean that you'll be hearing less music from me. Quite the contrary.
Since I will be performing a bit less, I will have more time to finish and record new songs, which I fully intend to do. They're already tumbling out, in fact, since for the past year and a half I have had to put most of my energy into getting through the next show intact, instead of saving any time and brainpower to work on the multitude of new song ideas that hit me every single month, if not every single day. I've got a lot of upcoming albums planned out in my head, all of which I hope to work on this year while I'm resting, and I've already gotten started on some of them. Since there are so many, and since I really do care 100% what you guys think, I'm posting a poll here, so that you can tell me which album ideas you're most excited to see and hear. Since each of my upcoming projects will need its own budget too, this poll will help me decide which albums to work on sooner rather than later, as it's not likely I'll be able to afford to get all of them recorded, mixed, mastered, replicated, and released at the same time... that would spell disaster as well as a new kind of lack of rest, anyway.
I do encourage discussion and questions in comments, as well. I will check back here frequently. Feel free to link this and spread it around to other
s00j fans as you please, and thanks for voting.Poll #1667663 Vote for your favorite next-album idea!
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 192
Choose and Perish...check the album(s) that you most want to hear/download/buy/support sooner rather than later.
| SISTERS & SHIPMATES (all of Sooj's pirate songs with new stuff, live cuts of the Wendy Trilogy, etc. Cover art by Amy Brown!) |
   74 (12.9%) |
| ROOTLESS (a Sooj solo album, possibly witchy-song-focused, a la Blessings) |
| 123 (21.4%) |
| SAYINGS (a Sooj solo album, featuring traditional stuff such as Sooj's versions of House of the Rising Sun and The Parting Glass) |
| 80 (13.9%) |
| Tricky Pixie Album #2 (working title: SEEMING, both new and well-traveled songs from all 3 band members--work has begun, slowly) |
| 90 (15.7%) |
| Where's the Fire & Strings/Electronica album, already? (I already have one lovely sponsor for this one) |
| 46 (8.0%) |
| An album to accompany The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland... by Catherynne M. Valente |
| 51 (8.9%) |
| An album to accompany Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente |
| 47 (8.2%) |
| Ember Days Original Motion Picture Soundtrack/Score (this one's release date will depend on contracts and DVD deadlines.) |
| 8 (1.4%) |
| Record more songs for QUARTERED & do a physical release of it, as well as digital! |
| 52 (9.0%) |
| I want to suggest an entirely different sort of album in comments, and will do so! |
| 4 (0.7%) |
Choose the Orphan's Tales redux album idea that you like better.
| OrphanAlbum Double-set (remixed, remastered limited edition of both Orphan's Tales tie-in albums) |
| 73 (72.3%) |
| OrphanAlbum Best Of (selected remixed, remastered tracks from both Orphan's Tales tie-in albums) |
| 28 (27.7%) |
- Location:the house by the lake
- Mood: excited
- Music:(internal) see above, pick something. it's all in there.
Check out the tracklist and fan-funding opportunities on Facebook if you like, or on her fan-funding page on her website.
Spread it far and wide, folks! ((DANCE DANCE)) My boo here is hoping to raise her first chunk of project cash by January 24th. Help a girl out if you can, and I know that you will if ever you're able, from blessed, incredible past experience. You guys rock and I love you.
- Location:elsewhere
- Mood:
bouncy - Music:(internal) bekah kelso - seething sun
- Location:pinecoon
- Mood: anxious
- Music:(internal) Kidneythieves - Arsenal
I'm planning to post a recorded audiobook version of this story on my bandcamp site sometime next week--honor Mama Dragon and test out my new condenser microphone and recording software at the same time: herself would approve, I think. I'll post as soon as that recording is available.
I love you all and wish you safe and happy holidays. Hope you enjoy this. Raaaar.
The Ballad of Maiadara
Or
The Singer & The Dragon
Copyright S. J. Tucker, 2000-2010
Slip down just this once, back into a simpler time; when antiquity was as young as her wizards; when minstrels roamed free; when magic was as real as snakes, and when snakes were, in truth, snakes, not lawyers or businessmen.
There are no snakes, lawyers, or businessmen in this tale. There is, however, magic. And there is a dragon. Concern yourself with imagining a world in which man was not the land’s chief predator. Imagine man as a lower creature who could still be eaten, in spite of his sterling intellect, by larger things. The dragons of this age were clever, and only a few were truly infamous as eaters of men. Most had entirely more scrumptious delicacies to seek out-- better tasting and less likely to get a dragon wakened from pleasant dreams by hundreds of angry shouts and the poking of tiny spears and lances.
Despite the common tales of animosity between man and fire-breathing beast, there were a few eccentrics among the dragons who preached that not all of mankind should be thought of as a nuisance, or as mere prey. Maiadara was one of these, and she was very old. She remembered the times before mankind, and she had seen man’s halting progress as existence took him from idiot to inventor and, in most cases, right back to idiot.
Maiadara survived plague after plague of self-righteous dragon slayers, unlike the majority of her dwindling generation. She accomplished this by living as a nomad. Like most of her kind, she sought out the secret cave, the high mountain, the unknown grotto, for shelter and room to rest. Unlike other dragons, she never claimed one place as her own. It was a good way to keep herself safe, stay detached, and also to keep little dragon slayers confused and younger dragons on their toes.
Despite her staggering age, Maiadara rode high upon the winds of the world, her long body still graceful and her wings untorn. Her iridescent, leathery skin still caught the light and transformed it into waves of color. Seemingly, all of her knowledge and years had been achieved without any scars at all. This was Maiadara’s great deception, for she carried within her being a weariness that only comes from living such a venerable life. Now, years and seasons passed her like the short lives of insects. Trying to keep up with the changes of the world only made her want to slow time, so that she might catch a breath or two before it moved on. The few times that she was among those of her kind for matters of business, sparring, or mating, she thought herself the most ancient creature in any flight of dragons. One can imagine that the circumstances were a bit daunting.
For her own protection as well as her pride, she kept her deep fatigue a secret. And dragons are perhaps the best secret keepers the world has ever known. Thus, other dragons, the Younglings, knew her as a famous antique, but powerful, unhindered by her passage through time. When they found themselves in the same part of the world with her, they stayed well out of her path.
There were humans who knew her name as well, but she doubted that they thought of her as anything other than a threat. It was just as well. Heavens forbid they should come seeking her aid! That was a privilege rarely taken even by other dragons.
Once upon a time, however, The Dragon Maiadara was indeed approached by a human being. This is the story of that encounter, and of the man who never had any intention of seeking Maiadara’s aid, but who came to perform for her a very important favor.
( Read on. )
- Location:chez mama
- Mood: thoughtful
- Music:(internal) Jesca Hoop - Seed of Wonder
Now the hungry lion roars
And the wolf behowls the moon;
Whilst the heavy plowman snores,
All with weary task foredone.
Now the wasted brands do glow,
Whilst the screech owl, screeching loud,
Puts the wretch that lies in woe
In remembrance of a shroud.
Now it is the time of night,
That the graves, all gaping wide,
Every one lets forth his sprite
In the churchway paths to glide;
And we fairies that do run
By the triple Hecate's team
now are frolic
--Puck
act V scene II
Happy New Year, my friends.
All the blessings of the season find you - safe, warm, dancing.
Strowlers....I shall see you this evening, blazing bright and true.
- Location:sunbeam
- Mood: mischievous
- Music:(internal) vixy & tony - just a dream
I've written two new songs this week. I'm sharing one of them with you now.
Also, I found out this evening that I'll be opening for Abney Park at Mythic Faire in 2011.
But SONG.
Believe in Lullabies
Oct 5 2010, for RJL
(bluesy, legato, 4/4)
I feel this magic come and
wrap around me like a vine
Lover, can you trust yourself
to believe in lullabies?
I don't know who's wilder
I don't really have to try
to know all of the answers
I will hold you by and by
Lover, let me stay a while
And I'll weave you lullabies
You are laid so low with loving me
you can barely see the sky
but love you're not the only one
needin' holdin' when you cry
I don't know the road ahead
I don't really have to try
to hold all of the answers
I'll just hold you by and by
Lover would you put a little
faith in lullabies?
Oh, I feel your magic coming
wrap it 'round me like a vine
Lover, let me stay a while
Put your trust in lullabies
I don't know who's wilder
I don't really have to try
to know all of the answers
I will know you by and by
Lover, can you trust me
And believe in lullabies?
Lover, let me stay a while
and I'll weave you lullabies
- Location:StrowlerCon HQ, Boston
- Mood: grateful
- Music:(internal) DMB - When the World Ends
Last weekend, I walked a shamrock-shaped candle labyrinth at EWF in Ohio.
Mama Wolf decided she was coming with me.
I'd had a good day, not working, getting interviewed just for the hell of it, and spinning fire with two of my best fire sisters for hours--no concert for me, no pressure to conserve my energy, just playtime. Walking this labyrinth was the last thing on my agenda before packing out what little I'd unpacked and heading back to civilization for a night's rest.
No sooner had I crouched down to ground myself, with my hands on the dark surface of the basketball court on which the curving rows of luminaries glowed, giving entrance-guard-pirate Mark a chance to waft sage smoke about me...I felt her. I was not alone in my skin, and it was a hard thing, not to enter that labyrinth on all fours.
What else can I say: my eyes and muscles were not entirely my own. I saw differently, processed information differently, moved and lived and just *was* differently.
I started down the tight path and through the first of the labyrinth's three sections. "We're gonna do this together," I heard her say in my mind. "You're gonna walk with your senses open, with your eyes open. Pay attention. Feel and see and absorb and observe." I did as I was told. The candles lit my way. The night air was cool around me. My steps were sure.
Once in the second section of the labyrinth, the topmost, she was on me, relentless, asking me over and over, "what are you hunting? What are you hunting? What are you hunting?"
I remember that my answers were each one word, and they came quickly from me, no hesitation. It was call and response, and there was rhythm to it.
"What are you hunting?"
JOY
"What are you hunting?"
Courage
"What are you hunting?"
Sustenance
"What are you hunting?"
Wisdom
"What are you hunting?"
Strength
"What are you hunting?"
Peace
"What are you hunting?"
Comfort
"What are you hunting?"
Truth
"What are you hunting?"
Stories
"What are you hunting?"
CONFIDENCE
"What are you hunting?"
Magic
"What are you hunting?"
Reassurance
"What are you hunting?"
Love. LOVE.
...and on, and on, until I reached the center, crouched again, and softly howled, twice, near the glowing fire pit, stretching my hands over the coals, stretching my fingers, seeking sensation.
"You did well today, cub," I heard her say, steady yellow eyes fixed on me from somewhere entirely else, her gray fur thick and healthful, ears forward. "You came out to play. You hunted, you fed yourself. This is better, better than before. Use your eyes, for they are my eyes. Use your strength, as it is mine. Use your power as it is mine. Good.
Now, you know what you're hunting; go."
I rose.
I turned to the exit path.
I took a step.
I danced, wolf-wild, out of the labyrinth...and kept dancing on the empty black asphalt, under the black sky, dancing with my shadow, tail and teeth and joy and limbs, until I felt at home in my skin, charged, recharged, and whole.
Last fall, Louise Cloutier in Chicago took me through my first sound healing.
It was intense.
We went deep, and it took a long time.
I had come to Louise sad and afraid, experiencing vocal fatigue for the first time and at my wits' end about how to get through it in a healthy way.
Early on in our work that afternoon, Mama Wolf appeared to me and shook me by the scruff, ripping me a new one and not holding back about it. "You're not FEEDING yourself; you're not HUNTING; you're not even remembering to CHASE YOUR TAIL EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU STUPID, STUPID CUB!" She wasn't pleased with me.
I believe her, that I'm doing better now.
After last weekend, I definitely believe her, and I lay my kill at her feet.
- Location:Nottingham, MD
- Mood: contemplative
- Music:(internal) Van Morrison - Moondance
AAAAAND I ended up working, anyway, but the fun was all wrapped up in it, even so.
I had a great interview for the Modern Witch Podcast, you see, with host Devin Hunter, who's an absolute doll.
Devin's just posted this newest podcast on YouTube.
Watch Part One, in which we learn that I am "fun-sized".
Watch Part Two, which includes an exclusive live performance of "Rootless", the new song I wrote during Faerieworlds, that several of you have been clamoring to get a recording of. It's gonna be a while before I can slow down enough to record it properly (along with everything else I want to record, yeesh), so this is to hold you over, with lots of love. Thank you all for your feedback on and love for that song; it's a big one.
2. Also last weekend, I spoke with Penny (aka Inanna) and Chris, two fans of mine who have a tiny publishing company (Misanthrope Press. Gotta love an honest name like that. Yarr).
They're currently accepting submissions for a Pagan Short Fiction Anthology to be released in Spring 2011. Halloween is the deadline.
They need submissions, and they're very sweet. I encourage all of you brilliant writerbrains whom I adore to check out their submission guidelines and fire when ready. May it bring good things to all involved. Check out the guidelines here.
Perhaps the coolest part: they begged me sweetly to write the introduction for this anthology. ((glow)) Therefore, naturally, I want all of my friends to send in stories, so that it becomes the coolest anthology ever born. ;) You know who you are, and you can't really blame me--you're all made of pure hammered awesome. Leave me a comment when you send something in so I can get excited and speak well of you.
(a note to pro's: The pay is perhaps insulting....but it's above zero.)
3. Lastly and most mercenarily is
shadesong 's comprehensive StrowlerCon schedule post of awesome. Yes. SCHEDULE. At last. Because 'song rocks and so does everyone else involved. We're almost there. 'Song has also included ALL of the relevant ticket buying discount getting links, etc. Please please go and check this out, especially if you haven't decided to go yet. Thank you!- Location:The Magickal Mill
- Mood: hopeful
- Music:(internal) spin doctors - cleopatra's cat
We are out here, telling stories, inspiring each other, inspiring people we've never even met.
And we don't stop, even when it hurts.
We were raised on movies like The Neverending Story, which told us blatantly that even when our empire is reduced to a single glowing grain of sand, all we have to do is dream.
All we have to do is dream.
All we have to do is dream, and everything'll work out.
Some of us believed it.
Some of us are doing exactly that: dreaming. Making Shit Happen.
And you know what..?
Even on nights like tonight, when I just have to lie down for a bit and cry until my chest hurts...
everything's working out.
Everything is working out.
And I'm still dreaming.
dreaming hard for the one true thing...
Crazy in love and in bed with my boots on
Tempest-guitar and a whirlwind girl
Making believe that you're home with the light on
I'll be riding in hard with a story to tell
I don't ask the road how far it'll take me
Halfway to heaven, stone's throw from hell
Winter will come and the autumn may break me
but I'm gonna have a hell of a story to tell
- Location:wheeler, WV
- Mood: absolved and undone
- Music:Chris Cornell - Sunshower
A couple people have come to me saying "I'm having trouble convincing my friends that StrowlerCon is gonna be awesome because there's not much information about what's actually on the schedule yet." We're working on that, as fast and as hard as we can, seeing as how it falls under the "herding cats" heading (volunteers,
shadesong , you rock and I love you), but really?You know what, we're not HONK. We're not NY Comic Con. We're not w00tstock. We're not the popular kids, nor do we have years of experience and a budget.
What we are is shiny as fuck, and we are gonna make history with this, one way or another. And we'd love it if you were part of the magic, too. Planned thus far are a writing workshop, ten-or-so crazy-good concerts with people who don't often perform in Boston, a Monster's Ball at the hands of
yuki_onna , passionandsoul , and me, a Maker showcase, a catered Sunday brunch, after-hours grown-up entertainment of the Strowler kind, and quite possibly a one-time-only siren fusion concert/workshop project involving me, Heather Dale, Sharon Knight, and Kellianna. That's four scary-fine goddess voices working together, in case you didn't know.There's still time to get tickets and hotel rooms.
http://www.strowlers.com/events/strowler
There's still time to volunteer, present a workshop, or show off your sexy Maker brain in tangible fashion.
thewildpirate @gmail.com
Info on supporting memberships:
http://www.strowlers.com/events/supporti
How to apply for scholarship tickets/lodging:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?f
- Location:Frankton IN
- Mood:
determined - Music:(internal) Bjork - Joga
"What does a Strowler wear?"
This question came through my inbox this morning, with the concern that if some people couldn't figure out a costume, they would not attend the Strowler events (!!), and so I'll share some insight here, largely taken straight from http://www.strowlers.com/
Strowlers are not necessarily outlaws, though we do not fit into what society calls a safe space most of the time, with our firebrands, juggling toys, loud laughs, strange hats, odd talents, and big smiles. What this means, essentially, is that we may wear whatever we damn well please. If that thought is too broad, however, here are some clues.
What if you could hack history's operating system? Imagine a world where things happened a little bit differently. One where magic and wonder go hand in hand with the horror of things from beyond. This is the StrowlerVerse...
"Aligned with steampunk and other chronology-bending movements, strowlers focus on alternative forms of performance art, such as music, juggling, poi spinning, dancing, drumming, circus arts and ropework. Strowlers are also into craft, calling themselves "makers". Strowlercon is an annual gathering of such folk." — Urban Dictionary
A showcase of the best strowlers and touring musicians in these United States. Circus arts, dancing, and theatrical fun. A fandom-convention-style event with daytime workshops, panels and a Maker Showcase. Fire shows, a Chrononaut’s Masquerade, and mysterious mayhem.
Know Your Strowlers
Revolutionaries. Enemies of the Crown. Agitators. Deviants. Practitioners of illegal magic. Dumpster divers. Anarchists. Pagans. Federalists. Jugglers. Street musicians. Costume designers. Gamers. Historians of the forbidden past. Strowlers.
The Strowlers movie/series that's planned for the future is described as follows: STROWLERS is an alternate history/adventure show—reminiscent of WATCHMEN, THE GOONIES, DARK ANGEL, and the INDIANA JONES films—serialized for the internet in 5- to 7-minute episodes. The show chronicles the ongoing trials of a ragtag group of adventurers as they encounter missing princesses, corporate assassins, magical mysteries, and the challenges of keeping their heads above water in 21st-century Cascadia.
I encourage all of you to discuss this on the forums at Strowlers.com as it's part of defining the movement. Very important stuff, and you could hold it in your skillful hands if you wish: http://www.strowlers.com/forums
What will I be wearing to StrowlerCon and Strowler Nights, you ask? Something delicious. Come and see.
- Location:Oakland CA
- Mood: busy
- Music:(internal) Zoe Keating - The Path
Several folks who read me here and know me out in the world asked me to let them know what they could do to help with StrowlerCon, if anything. Today I have a better handle on what we actually need, thanks to K, who sent me a list. Here's what's up.
Firstly, and thank you, any of you who want to volunteer in any capacity at all, whether in person or online or remotely, the guy to know is Frank, our volunteer coordinator. If you want to lend a hand in any way, shape, or form, email him with the quickness: thewildpirate @gmail .com Frank has a job list and is a prince of a piratical fellow.
If you're planning to be in Boston with us and you want to volunteer for an in-person, general staff job of any kind, there's a general volunteer sign-up: clicky
Specific jobs to sign up for include lodging coordinator (a hard job, someone good at managing information) and Sunday VIP brunch coordinator (an easier job, mostly on-site details). Contact Frank if you're interested and able to fill those spots. I'm sure he has more things of that kind that need people.
K says "We need people to talk about Strowlers as a concept, and what it means to them, to create a discussion and spread the idea. The idea itself has value and weight, and it grows with every new person that self-identifies as a Strowler." What we have on our hands is the beginning of a movement that you yourselves can fuel and be part of if it speaks to you. To check out the definition for Strowlers that Ben found in the 17th century Dictionary of Thieving Slang, as well as to find and post whatever your strowler hearts wish in the forums, go to Strowlers.com
We REALLY need help getting the word out about StrowlerCon in Boston. Lots of things are happening that weekend that will have a much bigger draw than we will. NYCC is happening; HONK is happening. What StrowlerCon will offer in place of the big, main events is more intimate entertainment, where you'll stand a chance of speaking with the performers, makers, authors, and film makers we'll have present, as opposed to being one of hundreds, thousands who doesn't get to make a connection because jeez there are tons of people there.
Tell your SCA groups, Pagan groups, Maker groups, juggling clubs, your favorite capoeiristas, Burners, hafla-sisters, etc. Send them to the website and let them know what's coming.
We need street teams to put up posters and distribute handbills in Boston, MA, CT, RI, NH. Contact Frank if you're interested.
We need help contacting newspapers, radio stations, podcasters, and bloggers in the Boston area. Contact Frank if you can help with that. This is our press release.
We need people to buy advance tickets (day passes are $25. Weekend passes are $45). Obviously, we'd love it best if you bought a weekend pass. Here, have a 15% off discount code because I love you and I want you to be there with me and my band(s) and the Gypsy Nomads and Sharon Knight and
yuki_onna and passionandsoul and and and: SWC15We need people to come to StrowlerCon and stay overnight on Friday or Saturday, and reserve hotel rooms (via lodging@strowlers.com)
We want people to sign up to throw room parties in the event hotel on Friday or Saturday nights during StrowlerCon. Again, get in touch with Frank; he's already coordinating a couple of room parties for other confolk at StrowlerCon. ( thewildpirate @gmail.com )
Part of StrowlerCon is the VIP Sunday Brunch on 10/10/10, where we'll have some sort of nifty countdown to 10:10 AM on 10/10/10.
We want people to buy tickets to the VIP Sunday Brunch: $40 - my discount code above applies to that price. Only 40 seats are available, and it's going to be full-on catered. All the shiny kids are doing it. (same page as the general ticketing page for StrowlerCon, under Sunday: http://www.strowlers.com/events/strowler
Most of all it's about spreading the word, filling the hotel rooms (we need to have something like 65 more room nights booked than we currently have in order to meet the expectations the hotel has set for us), and having tickets/weekend passes sold. We're down to the wire. It's going to be amazing, whatever happens, and it's going to be okay...but at this point, we're not likely to make the performers any money, and they're who this is all about for us.
A few people have asked me if we're crowdfunding this. We're currently not, but I'll discuss it with K and see if he wants to open that up. Love you all for suggesting it.
If you attended StrowlerFest in St. Louis last weekend, PLEASE blog about your experience, or email us and tell us if you don't blog. Post to the forums, make some noise. The more buzz, the better. If you can help us spread the excitement around online (and I know lots of you were rockin' Twitter at the time; thank you for that), we'll be more successful everywhere. Post your photos, let everyone know what they missed. I need to do the same.
It's a wild ride, but we've rocked it so far, and we're not done.
Gypsy Nomads will be performing in Boston, Sharon Knight's coming from the west coast, Heather Dale is coming down from Canada, and it's possible that Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band is going to step in to play as well.
yuki_onna and I are plotting something amazing which we'll tout as soon as we decide what form it'll take. Come and be on a train with us in the hotel; you won't be sorry. Thank you all.- Location:Oakland CA
- Mood: busy
- Music:Azam Ali - Lasse Pour Quoi
New rule:
You do not take my Hugo-nominated sister's gorgeous, brilliantly-written high-level Prester John treatment, and cheap it out to look like a Last Airbender porn graphic novel, at best. Karma, anyone? Bullshit, anyone?
Enough.
If you have a shelf full of Cat Valente books and the thought of putting this one next to them makes you want to start singing "One Of These Things (Is Not Like the Other)" - tell them so. If you are planning to buy copies of this book in the Christmas season and you're going to feel the need to say out loud "They couldn't have made a worse cover if they tried, but the story is amazing" - tell them so. In writing. If you couldn't read the title without looking twice or three times - spill it.
In whatever way this choice is going to affect your behavior, tell them so.
Be specific about the problems - the font, the disappearing author's name, the egregious whitewashing. This is a small press we're dealing with, folks. Ten emails look like twenty. Twenty-five emails look like fifty or a hundred.
E-mail goes to jlassen AT nightshadebooks.com. Damn the Man. Save the Kingdom. "Honey flows in our land, and milk everywhere abounds."
Mythpunk Army....it's time to mobilize and do that magic that I've seen you do so well, time and time again.
My darling
popelizbet says so many things passionately and well, as many of you know.Her words on this situation, as well as the cover image, are under the cut. Please do go there.
People are not doing right by our girl, and we can do something about it. All it may take is one email from ten or so of us. Please, if you have the time today or tomorrow, take the time. I'm asking gently and hopefully.
( Operation Save The Kingdom )
- Location:pinecoon
- Mood:
appalled - Music:(internal) Hyper-Cascade
omnisti ; wanted to make sure that all of you see the news and the discount code and stuff.StrowlerFest in St. Louis is now THREE nights of music, Friday the 10th, Saturday the 11th, and Sunday the 12th of September.
Weekend passes to StrowlerFest are now $45 - but you can get 10% off of your event registration using the discount code here.
We have an unbelievable lineup of music for the weekend -- in addition to a unique opportunity to see Tricky Pixie and the Traveling Fates at
the same event -- We'd like to specially point out:
DreamTrybe is coming together for a very special reunion show,
Wendy Rule is flying in all the way from Australia, and
Sharon Knight is joining us from San Francisco,
and lots more of our amazing musical friends - find details at strowlers.com/fest
We are very, very excited about this event, and I hope that you're excited too!
We are adding daytime activities at the event hotel (open to all event
attendees), including workshops and panels on singing, juggling,
dancing, and more!
We are currently anticipating contributions from St. Louis' premier
astrologer, a virtuoso vocal coach coming in from Chicago,
and more workshops ranging from drumming to aromatherapy to costuming
to holistic healing.
Time is short if you'd like to stay at the hotel on site:
Westport Chalet, 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146.
You have only until August 20th (this Friday) to take advantage of the block of discounted hotel rooms we've reserved for folks that will be traveling to join us for the event.
go to: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/stro
- Location:Agora
- Mood: calm
- Music:(internal) We Are Shangri-La
This year we have worked miracles together, made art together, and laid down epic schemes, some of which will be blossoming very soon. We have hiked the Sierras, 'coptered over the Grand Canyon, and crossed the nation as usual. We have worked, promoted, slogged through, and soared--my new album is released upon the world and it's the most beautiful and interactive one so far, because of all of the creativity and effort that he put into its visual aspects--all the pretty on the outside amplifies the music on the inside. None of this would have been as epic or as much fun without
omnisti there with me. He is as much a rock star as I am, for all the best reasons, and I am happy to tell you right now that he is resting beside me as I type. The best part of all, the best present and reward of all, is that we are both still here, celebrating each other.I love you,
omnisti. Happy anniversary, my priceless, precious, genius love!
Yesterday we sought the company of wolves, trespassed, climbed, sang at a waterfall, devoured tasty pizza, and participated in music for a good cause. All in all, a fine way to mark the day. Thanks everyone for the well-wishes so far. It's been another hard year, but this intense and amazing life beats the easy way, hands-down.
- Location:Agora
- Mood: accomplished
- Music:(internal) Jesca Hoop - Feast of the Heart
Our Faerieworlds schedule has changed up a bit, naturally. Here's where we'll be the rest of the weekend:
1pm today: on stage with
vixyish and tfabris at the Neverworlds Stage!Sometime this evening: I may be involved with the lighting of the Tree of Wonders somehow, remains to be seen.
After Faun and the fire show, late tonight: Tricky Pixie will be back at the Neverworlds Stage for a late night set. Anybody with a camping wristband gets to stay and boogie with us.
Sunday at 4:30pm: Matt Hawk has made space at the Neverworlds Stage for a bit of Lost Girls Pirate Academy mayhem. Ladies, we hope to see you in your pixie or pirate finery; you'll do Tink and Wendy proud, however you come. Lost Boys are most heartily welcome, too.
ryuuaja and I are splitting a set after this from 5pm-5:30; we'll just roll one right into the other, and maybe trade songs back and forth for the whole hour.Yesterday was intense, incredible, so full of magic(k) I'll be hard pressed to remember it all. I am going to try, but likely after the weekend is over and not now. The pixies CAN sleep, it turns out, but Alec and I were both so pumped for today (and after yesterday, during which we and
stealthcello played one of the best shows of our lives), we've been up for hours.Yesterday's set went as follows:
Mushroom Song
Chickies in the House
Creature of the Wood
Daughter of the Glade
Dance of Hoof & Horn
Were-owl (with
vixyish )Dryad's Promise (with
vixyish )Tam Lin (with
vixyish )What Are We Doing
Firebird's Child
BLOGATHON!!
shadesong is auctioning a copy of Mischief and lots of other amazing things; head over to her LJ to show her (and BARCC) some love.MUSIC!!
Right now you can download Jesca Hoop's new album Hunting My Dress, which she's only released in the UK so far, on Amazon for $5. I'm just a little obsessed with this album and I recommend it, particularly if you like
s00j -speak. It turns out that Jesca-speak is pretty close. Also, her guitar technique is frightening. I am a fan.Heard Brother yesterday for the first time. Bagpipes and Didgeridoo and drums. Played by handsome men. YESTHIS. Get some.
If you're on site today, don't miss our caravan comrades Scott & Sam, the Gypsy Nomads. OM NOM NOM.
...and then of course there's Faun. They have a new (acoustic!!!) album this year. So much dancing to be done today.
I've gotten a staggering amount of affirmation from so many different people in the past 24 hours. Thank you all; you know who you are.
- Location:eugene
- Mood:
awake - Music:(internal) jesca hoop - tulip
It's alive!
Digital sales are rolling. Bandcamp is the place to download for now. We'll get iTunes and CDBaby set up soon. Physical orders are available as of a few minutes ago (
omnisti is updating the websites as fast as he can - we have new t-shirts too). We'll have tons of copies on hand at my shows for the rest of the summer and beyond. Tonight, we sing and celebrate in Redmond!As always, thank you all for your support. This could really suck without you.
and by the way, if you want to thank me, thank my wonderful Kevin K' Wiley instead, for getting all the digital stuff and website stuff and sponsor stuff and pre-order stuff together and ready. He is the real rockstar, here. The man put easter-eggs in the album art for crying out loud! (
tereshkova2001 is just discovering this and is loudly calling us both sneaky punks.)Also to be thanked:
gingerdoss , tfabris , yuki_onna , 'Stoph, ophidiophile , windbourne , and the gang at Audiographic Masterworks. I love you all.- Location:couch of morpheus
- Mood: bouncy
- Music:see entry
-Salt Lake City (will be there towards the end of August. Could likely play Bevalo coffeehouse if it's still there, but if I have enough fans to fill a bigger place, I want to look for one. UU churches and house concerts are much preferred over pubs or coffee shops. Bookstores are ok too.)
-Memphis (again, for the tail-end of August. We had a great time doing the Speakeasy thing back in April, but it was a lot of work for a small (seriously awesome) crowd. I could do an MGLCC gig on Aug 27, or I could find a bigger space. Any suggestions?)
-Nashville, Chattanooga or Birmingham (en route to DragonCon, where we may or may not actually be going...waiting for answers. (sigh))
New album in DAYS. Getting really pumped over here. :D
First show of the month in DAYS. DEFINITELY pumped!
- Location:Agora
- Mood: productive
- Music:Rob Zombie - Demonoid Phenomenon
- Mood: calm
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