Katrin's Journal
5.24.10 I am getting really excitied about the new songs i am writing! It has served me well to take a little more time to write this Spring. I am looking forward to this Summer and getting the opportunity to travel to France again and play a number of outdoor festivals and events locally and beyond. These are some special times for me, and I am enjoying growing things. Both literally and figuratively. The musical partnerships I have formed with people over the years are all simultaneously adding energy and input to the music that comes through me. Thank you to whatever force it is that visits me and helps me churn these songs out. Sometimes they just erupt out of a conversation, or they are pushed about and tossed around like a gritty stone that becomes a pearl. I never have the same exact approach to writing a song. It can be a gift or a frusterating needle in a haystack feeling if I try too hard. |
3.16.10
WOW! Las Vegas was a really different experience for me and it put me into places and feelings I have not experienced before. The gig I played was fun and lively and the hockey team made the night with all the enthusiasm. (thanks to Paul!) All of the stuff that happened from winning to losing at black jack, to wheeling down the strip (sprained my ankle) and just watching people has given me food for thought. What is wealth? What is hope? It means so many things to so many different people. |
3.4.10
March is here and it feels like Winter coming to an end. How lucky we are as New Englanders to experience the vast contrast in seasons. Next week, I am heading to a totally new environment....Las Vegas! Where the Wild Things are! I have a gig booked at McMullan's Irish Pub on The Strip, and will have plenty of time to check out the sights and sounds while I'm there for four days. Another thing I am getting excited about is my residency at 6b Lounge in Boston! Right near The Common and State House! The next one is on March 26th!!!! |
2.14.10 Happy Valentine's Day! I made a video of a new song "More". I hope you enjoy it and share it with others.
Katrin |
2.05.10
I am taking some time these days to reflect. I have a lot of new inspiration and am looking forward to putting it into motion. Getting back into it with the band when I have some half-baked songs is sure to make them take on more definition. Sometimes I can get restless when I am not busy performing, and last week was certainly busy in Paris! Winter is a good incubation period, and is in perfect alignment with the Earth's natural rhythm. I'm just gonna sit back and let the creative sap rise this weekend. Next week brings me to House of Blues with Digney Fignus and Independence Grille with guitarist John Harrington! See my schedule for the details.
Katrin |
2.01.10 Hey! The last night in Paris was super! I have so many great memories to take with me. Bar La Liberte was a cool little place and I heard some great music from singer/songwriter's like Chris Kenna from Australia and Kuku from Washington D.C. Here's a Youtube video of a live performance of The Pretender's "Brass in Pocket" with an impromptu appearance of a "unique egg player". |
1.30.10 I am singing in Paris at a last minute gig tonight at Bar La Liberte. The adventure continues..... I'll tell all after the show! fun fun fun |
1.30.10 Wow! So much for updating the blog daily while in Paris! There have been so many wonderful experiences and opportunities here. Since my last blog, I have performed at Cafe Bizart, where Australian songwriter Chris Kenna puts on a lively open mic. I stopped over to Miller's Bar, where I had the pleasure of meeting a great singer and performer named Barry Johnson. We did some spontaneous singing together and took some cool video which will be posted very soon to Youtube! I was invited back to the infamous Galway to do a full show there, which was a blast, especially at the end of the evening when the sing-alongs started to happen. I then took a train to Amsterdam the next day, for a whirlwind tour of the city. I had only heard about the Red Light District, and the numerous coffee shops. There was good music being played everywhere! I just became a sponge and soaked in all of the sights and sounds. The next day, it was back on the train to Paris. I went to dinner at The Buddha Bar with my new friends Phil, Marti, Victoria and my boyfriend Paul before heading to "Carillon" , a funky place with famous lyrics quoted on the walls. I did an impromptu set with an upright bass player which was a fun and cool element to work with. Today is the last full day in this amazing city. I plan to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and eat as many yummy things as I can. I will carry these memories throughout my life, and am sure they will be immortalized in some new songs very soon! |
1.24.10It's the first sunny day in Paris since I have arrived! I hopped on the Metro and started out by grabbing a baguette sandwich and sitting in the huge courtyard of the Louvre. There are so many treasures in the museum I maybe saw a tenth of them. The architecture alone is glorious. Last night, I attended a music benefit for Haiti at Bataclan, a large theatre in the heart of the city. It was wonderful to see people coming together for such a worthy cause. I am always amazed at how such a horrible, ugly, sad and destructive thing can transform humanity. Beauty does emerge in these times and it is very reassuring. Last night I was a guest of The Downtown Merrylegs, at Le Galway, Irish Pub, where I had a chance to warm up the pipes and shake off the jet lag. Thank you to Charlie and Melissa for their hospitality. I did not realize how much a person's body takes on from travel until I tried to muster up the Kat power. Evidently, it was enough to convince the owner I needed to book a gig there on Wednesday! Check out the calendar as new performances are being updated frequently. Until the next time! Katrin |
1/10/09I can't wait to see what is in store for 2010! Happy New Year every one! I am getting ready for another trip around the Sun. I feel like throwing away extra junk I don't need and focusing on the stuff that matters. Stuff like more guitars (just kidding)! No really, the cultivation of one's inner environment. It always seems to manifest in the physical world some how. Keeping up the good creative vibes inside makes living in the world a warmer place. |
It's almost 2010! Man, what a year it has been. I never thought in 2008, that in 2009 I would be touring in Europe and performing with such talented musicians. I am so glad my cd "Soul Wide Open" is released after three years in the making. All of the obstacles and set backs in my life were used for fuel in the birth of this album, and it feels good to have tangible evidence! December 19th will be my last band gig of '09 at Emmetts Pub in Boston, before I head towards the equador over the holidays. I wish all of you out there a very Happy Everything, and don't forget to take time and appreciate the meditative beauty of this time of year. A little walk in the woods perhaps, after the Mall bombardment. I can't help but reflect on all the simple, yet necessary things in my life that I so appreciate. May you all have a wonderful New Year, amd may it be filled with good health and love.
Peace, Katrin |
I am looking forward to playing with my band tonight 12/1 at Church in Boston! I am psyched to play with such good musicians like guitarist Scott Tarulli and bassist Alison Keslow and drummer Mike Casano I love playing acoustic style as well and my friend John Harrington of Lowell has been joining me recently on acoustic guitar with the occasional band gig. Interaction with other musicians for the first time after a new song has been introduced is always an exciting and fragile moment. It's like making a nice piece of pottery and then glazing it and putting it in the kiln. It's always a surprise when you get the result. A combination of intention and pure chemistry. |
I am so thankful to be making and performing music as a living. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to keep going. It has been a wonderful journey. Life changes so quickly sometimes, so I give thanks for all of the things in my life that make it rich and abundant. My friends and family. My good health and creativity. The peaceful and beautiful place I live and of course, my dog Jezebel and my cat Luna :) For the big bush of bright red berries outside my kitchen window. A luscious, bright color amidst the late Autumn landscape. |
I am visiting some older live recordings of mine from previous incarnations of my band and my life for that matter. If you have ever been in a band, or a relationship, you have probably had the experience of letting the water pass under the bridge for a while. When I listen back with fresh ears and a new perpective, I am surprised and amazed!(instead of critical or bitter, or whatever the emotion) As my birthday approaches on November 22nd, (I bet you are wondering what number :)A lady never reveals her age? Well I can tell you I graduated highschool in '92. Anyways, hooray for the experience of realizing I am constantly evolving and even forgetting some of the gems I wrote nearly 10 years ago. Expect to hear some of these at a performance soon! |
The changing of the seasons brings about new inspiration and food for thought. As I move into the darker part of the year, I feel the urge to go within and delve deeper into discovering different sounds and textures to embellish my songwriting. I have always had a love for alternate tunings for that reason. It opens up the guitar and gives me more to play with when I sing melodies. I am looking forward to getting back in touch with the writer in me, after the month long tour in Europe, and the release of my new cd "Soul Wide Open", I had a lot to take in and digest. I do believe that art mirrors life and everything in my environment has an influence on me. Some times having a conversation with some one will strike a chord in me. I'll carry that line in my mental scrap book until the mood of the music evokes the words. Life works so well some times when I don't try. Until next time....enjoy the ride |
Guestbook
| Name | Comment |
T Kane |
Hi Kat: Have not conversed in a few years since your last debut party I played drums on. Hope all is well. I am enjoying your new tunes. Still playing drums in several bands and writing. Be well. I will try to catch a gig sometime. - Tim (the drummer Gabe recommended back in the mid-2000s) www.kanedrums.com |
Mark |
Hey ! Enjoyed your performance at Quincy Market. Wish I had bought a CD :-) You might want to check out Tomatoe Head Pizza in Knoxville TN. They support up and coming artist like you. You will make it big ! Keep up the great work ! |
Katrin |
Hello Katrin, The show last night with Dig was great and yes, it was nice to meet another Katrin (first one for me, besides my niece who was given my name). It's just too weird that a friend sent me your CD two weeks ago and it's been on my desk the whole time. Then, I had no idea you played with Digney. Very cool. Nice to meet you.
All the best with your career and I'll be listening to your CD soon. Rock on!
Kind regards,
Katrin Hall |
Rick |
A pleasant surprise to find you playing so beautifully as I wandered around Boston. I've enjoyed the CD's, especially Nature Spirit. Thanks. |