There are heavy grey-bottomed rain clouds hanging overhead as I write, but I am outside to soak up the bits of sun that peep through. Spring is starting to bloom, and Willowside farms, where I live, is promising a long and plentiful harvest, from the lettuces and honey that we are harvesting now all the way through the fall when we'll be harvesting grapes from the property. Outside in my backyard, the windchimes are ringing and a bird who has built it's nest in the corner of our covered porch is feeding her baby birds with fat grubs.
My little girl Ella is 7 months, and I am enjoying a little more time and energy to devote to creative pursuits. I am performing locally a couple of times a month, writing new songs and learning covers like Pieta Brown's "Loretta" (a great song about the state of the world and the sometimes overwhelming task of balance).
I recently discovered another Santa Rosa local, Petracovich, who is also a mama. Her music is beautiful, described by pitchfork media as folktronic, and the lyrics have lots of free association about local imagery and the colors of feelings. She performed on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic- one of the best radio shows ever- and showed off her beautiful pregnant belly to the camera, which is so beautiful and brave of her! I hope to catch her live soon.
I have sold out of my first run of CDs. My debut ablum "Smoke Rings in the Sky" is still available on itunes, Amazon, and other online retailers. If you are looking for it, ask your local indie record store to order it for you (available through Redeye Distribution.)
I am talking to local venues about hosting a singer/songwriter night locally. I want to connect with songwriters, play live, and bring in my talented friends and colleagues to play. I know there is a great audience for singer/songwriters in Sonoma County, and I feel lucky to be here in that respect and so many others.
I am ready to start teaching and consulting with singer/songwriters and vocalists at my teaching studio. In my teaching adventures prior to my 7th month of pregnancy, I taught a huge range of students and topics- ages 6-30, piano, guitar, singing/songwriting, and voice. I discovered that my real passion lies in teaching voice and singing/songwriting. I love teaching voice because I have been learning about the voice for so many years and love the internal and external journey of it. You really have to look inside to sing powerfully, in a physical and emotional way. Then you have to figure out how to present yourself externally. It is a deep and rewarding study.
My favorite student was a 14 year old singer/songwriter. I started writing about this time and it was so fun to help my student to develop her ideas and learn to accompany herself and think about her songs in a structural way. I enjoy being able to teach guitar, piano, and music theory in this context. I hope to teach many singer/songwriters and vocalists in the coming years.
The family label, Omega-records, is up to great, mind-blowing projects as usual. King City and billboards on bay area rooftops. I feel lucky to be privy to the wonderful madness.
Hope to see you at a show this spring!
Alison Harris
www.alisonharrismusic.com
www.myspace.com/alisonlharris
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