I Suck

At blogging - as it turns out I am VERY inconsistent!  Good news is the date is set for going into the studio, November 2nd!  I haven't checked my horoscope or anything yet to make sure that is an auspicious day...it will probably say some like "do not leave the house on this day"...oh well...  Now all I need to do is choose the songs, practice them till perfect and think about what they need in terms of other instrumentation, production, arrangement...hmm...I better stop blogging and get to work!  Here is where I will be recording!  He is an amazing talent and right here on Bainbridge - I am so lucky!
www.omdubya.com

Tumbling Tumbleweed

Here is a photo of the stage we played on, taken Saturday with The Cutters performing.

Whew, what a whirlwind weekend!  Valerie and I drove to Richland on Saturday, made excellent time and got to enjoy a good portion of the afternoon's offerings at Tumbleweed.  The weather was gorgeous and the music was so very enjoyable.  Tumbleweed hosts four stages (not including the open mic stage) and there are performers on every one of them all day long.  Larry Murante, Cat Loves Crow and Kerry Grombacher were among my favorites.  In the evening the Meteors from Bellingham did a fantastic job (however, they should really change their name, because if you try to find them on google you get a punk band from the UK or a cover band from Chicago...).  These youngsters from WWU are off to a great start in music.  The Festival itself was perfectly run, this is the fourteenth, so they really have it down.  Valerie and I stayed up late drinking red wine and playing music in our hotel room, an awesome way to end the day!  Then, up early and heading over to the park for our 11am set.  Being first on stage for the day has the advantage of extra set-up time, but the disadvantage of a smaller crowd.  That said I wouldn't have traded our slot for anything, our crowd was appreciative and enthusiastic and our soundman, Jim, was excellent.  We performed our set, got off the stage, packed up and hit the road.

It stopped raining!

I think that is important enough to blog about for sure!  I just took my bass into the shop to have a guitar strap button put on so I can play standing up...of course, if I can actually play standing up (like walking and chewing gum...).   Valerie and I have been rehearsing for our performance at the Tumbleweed Folk Music Festival in Richland on Sunday.  We have forty-five minutes and our set, with blah-blah's ran 44:26 - pretty darn close!  As long as we don't tune too much or talk too much or have any technical difficulties we will be right on...we shall see!  Okay, since I don't have anything else musical to talk about I will put up a photo of my pug...pugalicious!

Cafe Luna

Helloooooo!  Valerie and I played Cafe Luna on Vashon Island last night.  First a word about getting to Vashon...unlike Bainbridge, they don't have a bridge (good for them!), so you have to take a ten minute ferry ride from Southworth (if you are coming from the Kitsap area, otherwise it is a twenty minute ferry from West Seattle).  Depending upon when you get there and how many cars there are for Fauntleroy (I am guessing here) you may have to back onto the ferry in your car.  Pretty humorous spectator sport for sure!  Vashon itself is a beautiful island, lots of farm stands, antiques, a lighthouse, country roads...quite lovely.  I got there early and was able to check out some scenery before the show.

It was a small but mighty crowd at the Luna last night and the staff were EXCELLENT.  All in all quite an enjoyable experience.  Valerie sang her butt off (really, I was there) and I think I only screwed up my bass parts once or twice...really!  We debuted our version of "Jolene"..."Jolie" and played a couple other songs we learned just for this show.  Next weekend - TUMBLEWEED!  Can you say "road trip"?

Aloha!

Sorry I haven't written...wait - no I'm not, because I was in Hawaii!  Kauai to be exact, so who would be sorry about that!  I think I only played guitar once while I was there, having lugged my Martin Backpacker the whole way, so that I am sorry about.  There was an interesting duo playing at the Hanalei grill, a guitarist/singer and a violinist.  I spoke with the violinist, he actually had played with the Hawaiian Orchestra and was quite accomplished, cool guy.  Other than that, not much music other than a DJ at the Tahiti Nui that had us dancing like maniacs.

So, back on my own island now and rehearsing with Valerie for our upcoming show at Cafe Luna on Vashon.  They are not licensed with ASCAP or BMI so we will be playing only our originals or songs in the public domain, which is not a bad thing, just means pulling out some oldies but hopefully goodies that I don't usually play anymore, like the "Dead Rabbit Song" and "Baby Blue".  Valerie is playing the Poulsbo Art Fair today, so we are headed that direction to show our support.

Maholo and Aloha!!!

Free Acoustic Concert this Saturday!!!!

Shameless plug - I know - but what else are blogs for?  Valerie Markell, Jim Bybee and I are playing at the Kvelstad Pavilion (say that five times fast) in Pouslbo from 2pm till 5pm.  We will be playing separately and together, or as Valerie so aptly puts it "solo and collaborative performances".  Check it out!!!

Get your local produce - and music!!!

If you are in the neighborhood (or if you feel like going for a drive or ferry ride) come by and see Valerie Markell and I at the Kingston Farmers Market today, July 3rd, from 10am until 2pm.  We would love to see you there!  We will be the ones shivering on the stage!  Where is the sun????  I thought this was summer!!!

Kingston

I suck at blogging.  Okay, now that that is out of the way...  Off to Kingston for an open mic tonight - gonna be playing there with Valerie Markell at the Farmers Market Saturday, July 3rd.

Show on Saturday!!!

Breath Holding...

If you've been wondering why I've been so quiet...and I know you have...I have been holding my breath in anticipation of the EP arriving...TODAY! It will be a fabulous day, the beginning of a three day weekend (and rain here, which always makes me laugh a little, because some out-of-towners are bound to be trying to camp), a session with Valerie and my six pound bundle of joys arriving! (at least that is what UPS says the package weighs). Okay, I need more coffee and time to contemplate...

The EP has left the building...

Oh yes, in the short span of five hours this morning I uploaded the audio files and artwork for the new EP. I encountered all the usual difficulties - files that wouldn't upload (okay, okay, I used mp3s instead of wavs - they seriously would not upload), a song that had a freaky digital break in it for no reason, that I had to re-convert and upload again, artwork that was a bit too close to the cropping edges...you get the gist. Anyway, all that is HOPEFULLY behind me now and it is being processed and reproduced like mad rabbits. (okay, that's a little weird, but I am tired). Here is a sneak peak at the cover, it is a jacket, so picture the front and back folded...you know what I mean. I haven't posted it anywhere else, yes, that is correct, no facebook, no myspace, no twitter...only my blogness. The EPs should be here on the 28th and I await them like an expectant mother... without the stretchmarks (okay, weird again, I told you I was tired). Now, off to rest mine tired eyes (actually, to play some guitar and bass and sing, rather than sit in front of the computer for a change!). Buenas Noches!

Live Music and Typos

My daughter and I went to Stephens House to catch a songwriters in the round performance last night. Very cool, very intimate. Lori Dreier, who arranges the sessions, Daniel Adams and Roy Garcia traded off songs. Gotta love live music! Here is a quick pic of Lori before they got started. She is playing at the Farmers Market here on Bainbridge on June 12th, I hope to catch her there as well.

Oh my goodness...I am so lucky to have my mother! She caught a HUGE typo on my CD cover...BEFORE it went to press! It is amazing how we can get used to seeing things, or just know how things are supposed to look and not even see what is really there...sounds like a song to me!

CD baby - Oh Yeah

Okay, today I set up my CD Baby account and got it all set for the EP's arrival. There will be "physical" CDs available as well as digital downloads. Wow - the world is such a complicated place, so many options. Remember when there were just "records"? Yeah, me neither. Hey, there is a cool new store on Bainbridge called "Indie Banditas" http://indiebanditasbazaar.blogspot.com/ What, you ask, does this have to do with music? Well, besides featuring all local artists (a perfect place to purchase gifts for "off-islanders") and two that have moved away (a disclaimer owner Katie Butler announces when you arrive), she has offered to sell local musician's cds in here boutique. (some information I gleaned from the Music Community Resource's Newsletter). How cool is that? I myself am the lucky owner of several fine pieces from there, my fav is the two headed doll you see pictured here. Katie said some people just don't get it...I can't imagine...she is perfect for me!

Musical Influences

I just thought I would take a second to talk about influences...when I was a child my parents listened to a lot of Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, John Prine and the like. I feel fortunate that they did! Through high school I listened to mainstream music, ate what I was fed, with an occasional side of Melissa Etheridge or Pat Benatar. In my twenties I found Billie Holiday and Nina Simone and I was enthralled. Now a days my palate varies widely from one day to the next. Sometimes it is the comfort music of my childhood, sometimes I drive fast (not over the speed limit of course) with the windows down blasting Seattle grunge, other times I immerse myself in world music, specifically Mali Blues, where you can hear the influences of so many. When I can I catch live shows of my favorite artists, such as Tinariwen at the Triple Door. Here is a photograph I snuck that night... Awesome, awesome show.

EP Daze

This week I am working on my EP (precursor to CD). I THINK it will be called "Upside Down Acoustic EP" (sure that doesn't sound so fantastic alone like that) and I THINK this is the cover image I will use. I THINK it will have six songs, three from each studio session. I THINK I am THINKING this to death! Imagine the pressure of a full CD!!! I THINK I know which six songs...however...if there are any requests out there I will certainly entertain them.

All office work and no play makes Julie...

A dull girl for sure! Oh well, has to be done! Spending time this weekend trying to fill in the calendar, which is rewarding, but tedious. I have some leads on some cool new gigs, so be sure the check out the calendar on my website often, who knows, I could be playing in somewhere near you...or where you want to be!

I am reading a great book right now, which you see a photo of in this post. I recommend it for anyone who wants to play music. Unlike a lot of books out there, it is actually current and interesting.

Hopefully I will get out to see the Blushin Roulettes tonight - they are from Mendocino and are playing on Bainbridge at Pegasus Coffee House - too cool! Hope to see you there!

A New Addition...

Well...if you have been wondering why I have been so quiet...and I know you have...it is because we have an new addition to the family...that's right...she came earlier than expected but she is here...a Victor Bailey signature acoustic-electric bass guitar...thanks to my sweetie she is no longer a dream...

So, I better get practicing!

If you can't beat them...

Write a song about them!!!!

That's what I decided was my new...um...saying...byline...whatever - when something went bad the other day. I was so upset...until...that's right, a song was born! It is called "Little Men" and it is certainly not about physical size. Fast, fun songs come so easily...none of that pained searching for the right word or emotion. I got my dad, my ex-boss and my ex-husbands all with this one and it feels so darn good! Not only that, it is a message for all powerful women that we don't need to take sh** from small minded men. Perhaps it will become an anthem for all women someday...I can only dream...

Too busy to blog???

So very sad... Well, anyway, here I am again!

Last night I spent hours learning "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell. I don't care if it has been done and overdone a million times...I love that silly song...

I am still loving the new Jakob Dylan album, "Women and Country" - though his lyrics are often cliche "an eye for an eye, a truth for a truth", his melodies are divine and there is some great instrumentation on this CD, including stand up bass and awesome harmonies (I am taking notes for my sessions with Val).

Still working on gigs for the summer, four right now, hoping for many more!

View Julie Marie Duke's EPK

I don't think we're in Mexico anymore...

No matter how many times I click my flips together I can't seem to get back there!!!

Okay, of musical relevance, I saw two live bands while in Mazatlan. One at Tony's and one at Gus Gus - so, if you are heading south be sure to check out those venues. The band at Tony's had a female lead singer and the crowd was really into them. At Gus Gus the crowd was more laid back (or actually more like non-existant), though the players were actually better. Both bands played American covers as well as Latino genre songs that I was unfamiliar with. You know, sometimes I think we musicians here in the States have it rough...imagine being a performer in Mexico...

Tonight Val and I are off to meet with a Fiddler - could be a very cool addition to the sound/act.

Oh! I got the new Jakob Dylan yesterday...yummy... Much better than his last CD - he even has Neko Case singing on this one.

Okay - got to go get ready to meet the fiddler...hope that's not like paying the piper!

Hola!

Well, I am off to Mexico - so...no blogging for a bit! Miss me!!!

I don't expect to be musically entertained while there...unless you consider those guys singing "Aye, Yeye, Yeah, Yeye" entertaining. Oh, or the loud dance music pumping out of every speaker in every cab and club! Well, it is worth it for the sun...and fun!

I am working on a new song, not the stuck song, that is shelved for the moment... a new, new song and I hate to leave it, even for a couple of days... For the new song I put the capo on the fifth fret - interesting... banjo inspired... speaking of which, I am communicating with a fiddler who has a mandolin player on board...could be interesting....

New gigs being penciled in daily, so be sure to check the calendar! Summer is shaping up nicely!

Okay - adios, hasta la vista y hasta luego!

Julita

If A Blog Falls in the Forest...

And no one is there to read it...

Bass lesson yesterday. Awesome time. Need to practice. I think I am getting it...

Got some new to me Iron & Wine today...great stuff.

Not gonna do any @)!(*(&*$@(# tomorrow...only practice...if only...

Frustrated musician typing...

Not your momma's blog

Since I am blogging from my mother's tonight (while we watch New Moon with my daughter) this blog is dedicated to my mom. A big thanks for my first musical influences; Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie...may I forever be scarred.

Though she may pretend to have no musical talent (she who plays violin, piano, etc), I remember her singing Judds tunes with me note for note, complex harmony by complex harmony.

Don't deny it Mom! Love and thanks! Your favorite (oh, and only) daughter.

Tattoo of the day

Here is a photo I took of my friend's new tattoo! It means: Woman, Conquer, Chaos...surely there is a song in there somewhere. We listened to her ipod playing Dead Weather while it was done. How cool is that? I, on the other hand, am not inked, yet again, out of time and still undecided. Such is life.

New Tunes

Okay - there is some great music coming out right now. Under Great White Northern Lights (White Stripes) just arrived and I can't wait to hear it! Drive By Truckers have a new CD out, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club...too many cool bands to list! Very exciting!

Hmm, now for my new music...I am stuck on a song...not writers block per se, but definitely stuck, but it doesn't feel like one of those I should let get away. So, every day I come back to it and there it is...

On a more positive note, I think the bass lessons are paying off! I think I will actually try playing bass with Val next practice, now that is very exciting indeed. Who says you can't teach an old dog!

I have a friend up from CA, so we are going to get our hair cut, maybe get some new tattoos...you know, girl stuff! I'll let you know what transpires!

Spring forward?

Time change - yuck!

Okay - awesome bass lesson today! Made actual progress - very cool. Had an extra bass lesson with Steve Newton at the Island Music Center tonight - also very cool. Thinking that perhaps someday this bass thing might work - hopefully by summer when all the gigs start occurring!

The new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is out - nabbed a copy off emusic. Sounds like good stuff. Also recently acquired the new Sean Hayes and Lhasa - will review soon.

Okay - I REALLY, REALLY need to go practice - too much talk, not enough walk!

Ack - Missed a Day!

Well, some blogger I am - missed a whole day! I am sure you noticed and were quite alarmed.

Yesterday I checked out acoustic electric bass guitars, trying to decide if that might be the way to go. They do put out a bit of sound if unplugged, but I am not sure if there is enough sound to be heard over/under an acoustic guitar and singing. I will have to have Valerie come with me next time to try it out :-). They necks are also wider, which, could potentially be a problem. Perhaps I will have to stick with an electric bass and not play bass if there is not amplification allowed at a venue. I asked about the Ovation Basses and the person working at that particular store was not fond of them - the bodies are extra large and bowled, making them strange to play. I will have to find one to try myself... He also didn't like the Ibanez arch-top f-holed basses, thought they sounded tinny...

Valerie played the Shamrock Dinner at the historic Masonic Temple in Poulsbo last night. I can't wait to hear how it went.

We have another gig booked - mark your calendars - July 3rd at the Kingston Farmer's Market. WooHoo! Sounds like fun!

Okay - I actually have to go take a shower now - I know, TMI

To Sing or Not To Sing...

Nope, that's never a question.

Just picked up some new music at the library - Bainbridge library has excellent taste in music. I only listen to them, of course, I do not pirate them... If I like them I can always buy them later on iTunes, or maybe even a record store... We musicians have to stick together...though the ways of the world are changing (with mp3s and streaming), we must stand strong...

Today :

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape
Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic vol. 1
Clem Snide - Hungry Bird (album art is PG13 - parents strongly cautioned!)
Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards

Can't wait to take a listen!

Okay - going to cram an hours worth of practice into five minutes before heading out to dinner!!!

Valerie Thursday!

Well the symphony yesterday was beautiful...though I am so glad I don't have a job where I have to be in a tuxedo by noon! It was my first time in the Benaroya Hall - what an amazing structure. Herding fifth graders through the streets of Seattle was, however, not so enjoyable...as one might imagine.

My topic for today (since it is Thursday, and Thursdays for the last couple of months have been the day we get together) is Valerie Markell.

Valerie Markell is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Poulsbo, WA. Valerie has been performing in the area for around two years now, playing coffee shops, farmers markets, etc. She performs her original tunes and an eclectic mix of covers. How would I describe her style? Hmmm...not sure - I'm not very good at that! Let's just say she has a beautiful voice, plays her lovely Taylor guitar with precision and skill and her songs are catchy, haunting, melodic and just plain good! You will be humming them to yourself after the first listen.

We met on craigslist...cool, huh! We have been learning each other's songs and creating harmonies - great fun! We have chosen some covers to work on together...you will love our unique version of "Jolene". We played an open mic night at Tizley's Europub in February, the video is on my myspace and youtube, we had a blast to say the least. We are currently working up a full set list and our first confirmed gig is a Stephens House Concert (Bainbridge Island) on Saturday, June 12th. Hope to see you there!

Symphony Today

Well, I am headed over to the city (Seattle) with my daughter's fifth grade class to see the symphony perform Peter and the Wolf...twenty seven children on the streets of Seattle...I think I need more coffee first.

Helping my daughter experience Pat Benatar had the expected results, she said Pat has a great voice and that was it...perhaps the sound was a bit dated for her modern ears!

I have decided, since the blog has just begun, that I need to go back in time a bit and review some of what has been going on prior to its inception. This may require more than one post a day - so be it!

Off to the ferry - wish me luck!!!

A blog a day...

Helps keep the what away?

I realized yesterday that I had created a severe deficit in my daughter's musical education. We were discussing her vocal range (after a meeting with her singing coach) and she said she had a range like Mariah Carey. I said, or like Pat Benatar. She asked who Pat Benatar was???? Could this be true? Could it be in the last few years I haven't played any Pat Benatar in front of her? I have the Synchronistic Wandering box set on my iTouch...surely... Well, she will hear it today after school (whether she likes it or not)! I have been listening to it all morning...ah...Promises in the Dark... Actually Pat Benatar was my first concert...in Seattle at the Key Arena (I think...it was a long time ago)...ah, leather mini skirt and fishnet stockings...those were the days... I think I thought I was Pat Benatar for awhile...