Ghost Dog Blog
03/28/2010
Soona's Spring Sing
Greetings Soonaphiles,
Ghost Dog here, hoping the Equinox finds you happy, healthy and balanced for the new season. Beth Cahill, Radiophonic and Kevin Elliott (our latest bloomer) show signs of emerging from winter; Singer/Songwriter/CEO Marilyn Duncan heads to DC once again for the National Cherry Blossom Festival; Markley & Balmer announce their next western tour; and new Soona Snacks are up for your first download of spring.
A word from our CEO - Check out the Soona Songs Store - unique gifts for unique people - we have folk, rock, pop, roots and jazz - tasty licks for every taste.
Project Updates
The Soona Songs Showcase and exhibition booth at the 2010 International Folk Alliance conference in Memphis were a great success. Many pre-release copies of Beth Cahill's Songs for Sarah were handed to many Folk DJs - expected full bloom, late spring. The Malvinas reunited for some excellent showcases and plan to get on the road again soon. Kevin Elliott tested his album material to very receptive audiences - expected full bloom this summer. Markley & Balmer wowed the crowds as usual. See all the Soona Stars having fun on myspace and facebook. We made new friends, hugged old friends and had a really good time.
Our rock contingent, Radiophonic, is moving steadily towards release of I Could Have Been a Rocket Scientist. Artwork is decided and the rest will follow soon. Meanwhile, music videos are underway for "Wonderboy," "Sunrise Over Venus," and "If I Ruled the World." Ghost Dog loves that these guys are filmmakers too.
Cherry Blossom Time Again
If it is spring, it is time for Esteemed CEO Marilyn Duncan to go sing in Washington, DC. This year they have moved the Cultural Performance stage from the Jefferson Memorial to the Sylvan Theater (15th and Independence Avenue SW - near the Washington Monument). Performance is Thursday, April 1st from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you are in the area, come on down!
Markley & Balmer Head West!
Kerrville sweethearts Lisa Markley and Bruce Balmer travel as two acts - the Markley & Balmer duo, and as our own jazz diva Lisa Markley, with guitar guru Bruce Balmer on the side. They have just announced their anchor gig - July 9th at 8:00 p.m., Lisa Markley at the Lucid Jazz Lounge in Seattle, Washington. Booking for points between has begun! So if you live along the road from Dallas to Seattle, keep an eye out to see when they will be playing near you.
New Soona Snacks Up!
In honor of spring popping up all over, we will feature pop songs (yes, we have them) for this round of Snacks:
"How Do You Wanna Die?" from 3 Shot West (tragedy - the inevitable - in 3/4 time - and one of our most popular streams on music sites)
"As Long As We Are Friends" from Old Friends and Lovers by Marilyn Duncan (very 80s - but that's when it was written)
"WestJet Ticket Counter" by The Malvinas (infectious breakup song with a touch of the great outdoors)
"Overhand Knot" from Markley & Balmer (tie me up don't tie me down)
Download and enjoy!
Meanwhile, as the sun returns to our end of the earth, Ghost Dog thanks you for getting all the way through this blog - and for supporting independent music - especially ours!
Soona
we're doin' art here.
02/11/2010
Soona is Winter Wonderful
Greetings Soonaphiles,
Ghost Dog here, reporting on big doin's - Kevin Elliott's January session, Folk Alliance in February, Radiophonic and Beth Cahill updates and of course some tasty new Soona Snacks for Valentine's Day.
A word from our CEO -
Wrap up a calorie-free Soona Songs Album for your Sweetie, to go with that chocolate heart!
Soona Updates -
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois converged on Jonesborough, Tennessee in mid January for a week of audio fun. Singer/songwriter Kevin Elliott and Audio Engineer/man-who-can-hear-thoughts Graham Duncan joined Esteemed CEO Marilyn Duncan at the new Soona Songs studio for our first recording session. Being first has its pluses and its minuses. Kevin was a real trooper as cold, puppies, parrots and tuning were overcome each in turn. Ghost Dog is really pleased with the results and expects you will be too. Estimated release date is late summer, so keep your ears open!
Meanwhile, Soona Songs will once again travel to Memphis for the 2010 International Folk Alliance Conference, February 17 - 21. The journey from Jonesborough, TN to Memphis is about as long as the one from Dallas to Memphis - a surprise to anyone who has not driven all the way across Tennessee. Esteemed CEO is looking forward to seeing all her acoustic artists and not getting any sleep for several days.
The new Radiophonic album, I Could Have Been a Rocket Scientist, lovingly fermented for the past five years, is actually with mastering guru Dan Stout of Colossal Mastering as I write. The roll-out will be starting soon with an amazing video for Wonderboy. We'll let you know when to go viral.
Masterer Mr. Stout will not be idle long, as singer/songwriter Beth Cahill's first Soona Songs release, Songs for Sarah, will be following shortly. The final mix is in process under the talented ears of Graham man-of-many-tasks Duncan - with timely assists from fellow Hoody Brother Brian Pinke and thoughts and suggestions from the Artist and CEO. We are very excited about this album, and look forward to handing a pre-release copy to the DJs at Folk Alliance.
And while you wait, our new Soona Snacks feature a sneak preview from each new album for you to enjoy.
Ghost Dog wishes you a short winter, good health, happy thoughts and the wisdom to keep your tail from under the rocking chair.
Soona
we're doin' art here.