We can fly! She can fly! We can Fly!

We had a good rehearsal last night! Many of you have probably seen our first shameful rehearsal; obviously we don't sound that good (don't worry, we know it too). But last night's rehearsal went really well, in fact so well, that everyone is feeling a lot less discouraged and is excited again about our potential Summer plans.

Unfortunately, we didn't take a video last night. I think we were all so shamed by the first one, that no one could stomach putting up another one.

Some reasons why last night went so well though, Aspen rocked it on the tambourine! No seriously, Aspen kept the beat for us (becoming our own personal metronome) and really figured out some good beats. She managed to even coax a few different tones from a one tone instrument. Even though she's only been playing a little while she's picking it up quickly and seems to have found a niche as a drummer. We're looking into finding some bongo drums or something for her, to borrow, rent or buy, so if anyone knows of a place or person who has a bongo drum and might be interested in one of the above three, please let us know!

With the added beat everyone kept with each other so much better. We also incorporated some left hand rolled chords. (Rolled chords are basically a chord, you just play each note individually, one after the other.) Adding these smoothed out the sound of the harp, really giving our music some body. Before we had noticed that just playing the melody only produced a plinky sort of sound; adding the rolled chords really produced some continuity to the piece and made the songs sound absolutely gorgeous. My goal for the next few days is to arrange my own left hand to the songs, since so far I've been really dissatisfied with the ones from the arrangements we've been using.

I also happened upon some really beautiful notes that transition between the verses of some our songs really well. Janelle had the great idea to add small harp solos in between the verses, so I'll be working on developing those as well.

The last reason why things went so well last night is also the singing. Janelle has a really beautiful voice, especially for the folksy, Celtic music we've been playing so far, but for the song "Danny Boy" we've decided to all sing it. I'm not sure how it came about, but we realized that the three of us singing and harmonizing on that song really sounded great. Now for those of you familiar with Aspen and myself, you should know, we don't sing. Ever. We don't sing in choirs, I know I don't sing in the shower and I barely sing in my car (for the last two you'll have to ask Aspen about that). For some reason though, our three voices blended really well, especially since Aspen and I have more alto based voices and Janelle is a strong soprano. Now, we won't be singing loudly, but adding some background vocals really spiced up the song.

For those of you who know us, you should realize that us singing is a big deal. It's incredible we even sang during rehearsal, doubly more impressive that we agreed to sing in public. I feel  like the kids in the Disney version of Peter Pan when they realize they can fly. Imagine that scene happening in my small apartment bedroom...


So anyone, this is a positive post. One filled with hope for our future as a band. Things had been pretty dicey the past few weeks, what with little time to rehearse, and bad rehearsals when we did manage to get together. However, I think we're here to stay guys!

Why You Never Quit Your Day-Job

True to our promise, we are sacrificing our dignity on the alter of entertainment to make your day a little brighter...or at least your appreciation for music a little greater.  This is a documentary of sorts, recording our epic first rehearsal.
Don't be fooled by the oh so casual language.  This is so embarrassing and I might never live this down (I can't speak for the other two members).  --Jaenelle
P.S Am now eating large quantities of chocolate to reclaim self esteem.

If you can't get the video to work, here is a link.  

Why Hello Dose of Reality, Where Have You Been?

Already this expedition of ours has worked changes in me that I hadn't anticipated.  I guess if you have the courage to become a vagabond and the confidence to live off talent alone, stepping into the "real world" becomes less scary.  If I'm willing to dedicate a portion of my live to passion, then dedicating my whole life seems more obtainable.

Christmas Break and the time-out it provided me with my family put my up-coming decisions into high-relief and, since I have committed to complete confessionals, I have to admit I almost folded in this whole affair.  This semester I'm taking 18 credits, so I don't have the time I need to dedicate to the penny whistle (luckily I've been singing for years, so  I won't be building from the ground up with that).  I also remembered one night while I was drifting off to sleep that the loan money I have needs to last me six months instead of four because I'll still be in school Spring Semester.  Which means the little cushion money I have in savings might get used up before we hit the road.  Needless to say, Christmas Break wasn't as relaxing as it could have been as I tried to reconcile reality with desire.

Have no fear, starlings, the band has not disbanded and thanks to Pepper's dedication and optimism, I haven't hung up my lute (so to speak).

But I have a plan now, for life after the Renaissance Faire, something I have been struggling to develop for almost a year.  Like I mentioned before, taking a chance on myself, on my talents and intelligence and merit, has become less scary thanks to this crazy idea of ours.  I want to go to Graduate School for English Literature or Creative Writing, so at first I was going to go to Northern VA, get whatever job I could find, and save up.  While the over-all structure of this plan has remained in place, the location has changed.  Again, the revelation came over Christmas Break.  Working retail so far away from my family means I won't be able to come home for the holidays.  (ok, I know I'm not aiming for the stars there, but I am trying to be a little realistic given this economy)  My family and I are really close (Which sounds cliche and trite for some reason written out like this.  After all, starlings, you have no obligation to take my word for anything), the thought of missing holidays with them made me choke-up a bit.

So, new plan.  Move to Northeastern Ohio or Anne Arbor, work there, go to graduate school (P.S cost of living in Ohio is ridiculous, so I could afford my own house on hourly wages).  Write books.  Do Kung Fu.  Live life. --Jaenelle