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Hey Y'all,
Thanks for tuning in. I've successfully recovered from heat exhaustion at the Calgary International Blues Festival and am ready to roll...well, almost. I'm getting prepared for the big transition to graduate studies and full time performance. I always seem to have multiple jobs. Maybe that works best for my restless mind? Whatever the case, life is good. I have no complaints.
I've been raising funds from my fanbase toward the next cd project. I'm now half way there and feeling hopeful that this project will find the light of day. I'm taking the next couple weeks to write some song threads that have been hanging on for awhile. I thank them for waiting for me -- LOL!
I had an amazing time at the Calgary International Blues Festival! Awesome experience and I learned alot and met some really wonderful people. Gotta get that video posted on YouTube. The next project. Until then...keep well and keep in touch!
xo Kat
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
First Class: Calgary Folk Festival
Been there...and definitely loved that!!! The Calgary Folk Music Festival turned 30 and I felt 30 again. What a festival, what a vibe, what love...yum!
Thanks to the audience who showed up at my stages and to those who followed because they couldn't get enough of what I offer. It is sheer joy to feel like the music I create reaches people. I received so much support...Steve Dawson, Geoff Hicks, The Sojourners, Don Benedictson, Ferron...and the list goes on. At this stage in my career to be there learning from the best...what can I say...it was awesome.
Mavis...Mavis...Mavis...I wanna be like Mavis when I grow up.
In the next bit I'll be posting YouTube footage and photos on MySpace and this blog. I hope you'll touch back in to share in the afterglow.
xo Kat
Thanks to the audience who showed up at my stages and to those who followed because they couldn't get enough of what I offer. It is sheer joy to feel like the music I create reaches people. I received so much support...Steve Dawson, Geoff Hicks, The Sojourners, Don Benedictson, Ferron...and the list goes on. At this stage in my career to be there learning from the best...what can I say...it was awesome.
Mavis...Mavis...Mavis...I wanna be like Mavis when I grow up.
In the next bit I'll be posting YouTube footage and photos on MySpace and this blog. I hope you'll touch back in to share in the afterglow.
xo Kat
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Calgary Folk Festival - Wow!
Ooooohhhhhh yeah baby...I'm getting really excited about the Calgary Folk Festival. Mavis Staples, Corey Harris, Ferron and The Sojourners all on one little island in the middle of Calgary. It's all a dream come true! I'm feeling so grateful to the AD Kerry for having confidence in me and I look forward to the new people I will meet. Please take a look at KatDanser.com for updates. I'll be in touch soon...
xo Kat
xo Kat
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Long Live Wang Dang Doodle Koko Taylor Style
Dear Friends,
It is with the saddest heart that I write tonite about the passing of Koko Taylor. She died this afternoon after complications from surgery. I had a profound meeting with Koko in Tunica in 2008 when I was in Mississippi. Our shared love of Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey was the foundation for our time together. I also had a chance to talk about her connection with Willie Dixon and the music they created. They were 'old school' Chicago with an innovative approach to standard blues form. I loved her attitude, her prowess and the fact that she wasn't afraid to tell the story of a woman in her music. I wish deepest prayers to her family and friends. Long live 'Wang Dang Doodle" - Koko Taylor style.
Hugs,
Kat
It is with the saddest heart that I write tonite about the passing of Koko Taylor. She died this afternoon after complications from surgery. I had a profound meeting with Koko in Tunica in 2008 when I was in Mississippi. Our shared love of Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey was the foundation for our time together. I also had a chance to talk about her connection with Willie Dixon and the music they created. They were 'old school' Chicago with an innovative approach to standard blues form. I loved her attitude, her prowess and the fact that she wasn't afraid to tell the story of a woman in her music. I wish deepest prayers to her family and friends. Long live 'Wang Dang Doodle" - Koko Taylor style.
Hugs,
Kat
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Me & Mavis
So...yeah...learned that Mavis Staples and I will be performing at the same folk festival this year! After the kind of year where I've felt so connected to her disc, We'll Never Turn Back, I'm pumped. More pumped than Arnold. Now that's saying alot.
I'm in this very interesting transition. I'm leaving my social work life and moving wholly into creative expression through songwriting and academia. While it is exciting, it is also very challenging. A woman once said to me..."when one door closes another opens but it's hell in the hallway". I know what she means. Overall though, I'm gaining deeper perspective and am starting to feel more and more like I am making this move to improve my artistry on all levels. No matter what I engage in it seems like educating is always a part of it.
On another note...check out my facebook page...www.facebook.com/katdanser...and see video I've posted on the Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale, MS and Mavis Staples "Down in Mississippi". Enjoy.
Until next time...see you in the hallway!
xo Kat
I'm in this very interesting transition. I'm leaving my social work life and moving wholly into creative expression through songwriting and academia. While it is exciting, it is also very challenging. A woman once said to me..."when one door closes another opens but it's hell in the hallway". I know what she means. Overall though, I'm gaining deeper perspective and am starting to feel more and more like I am making this move to improve my artistry on all levels. No matter what I engage in it seems like educating is always a part of it.
On another note...check out my facebook page...www.facebook.com/katdanser...and see video I've posted on the Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale, MS and Mavis Staples "Down in Mississippi". Enjoy.
Until next time...see you in the hallway!
xo Kat
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Mississippi V.1
I'm in reflection mode...it's been one year since I left for Mississippi. When they say time flies whoever 'they' are...they're not kiddin' around. Wow! A year since that journey south. The miles upon miles of beauty, time, space and searching for inspiration. I've never had a more inspired year since I was in Mississippi. Finished one documentary, working on a second, recorded 3 new songs for the new disc AND got accepted to pursue my love of music full time. My world has expanded to such a degree that it's hard even to keep up. C'est la vie I suppose.
I feel so totally blessed to have the internal and external resources to follow what I love. I appreciate all the teachers who continue to cross my path. I was reminded of them the other day at the Blue Chair with a sold out show and some dear musical friends coming to play just because I asked. Now those are whatcha call friends with a capital F.
Stay Cool...Kat
I feel so totally blessed to have the internal and external resources to follow what I love. I appreciate all the teachers who continue to cross my path. I was reminded of them the other day at the Blue Chair with a sold out show and some dear musical friends coming to play just because I asked. Now those are whatcha call friends with a capital F.
Stay Cool...Kat
Friday, March 13, 2009
On the Backs of Artists
Well, today seems to be the day where things I've had on my mind for awhile come out the door into wide open spaces. Today's point of view is the use of SonicBids.
For those who aren't musicians SonicBids is a service to the music industry that offers electronic networking between the musician and the talent buyer. I have had an account with SonicBids for a number of years and what that means is that an artist essentially has an electronic press kit for talent buyers to peruse.
There are inherent problems with SonicBids.
#1:
The first problem is that one has to pay approximately $100 - $200 per year just to have your site up and running. On top of that for each talent buyer you want to have peruse your material it costs anywhere from $5-$40. A modest year of submissions to 'competitions' for which you have a good chance is approximately $400/year.
#2:
The second problem is that some talent buyers will not accept any submissions from any other sources other than SonicBids. This situation creates a monopoly and in a free market this is an ethical dilemma. For some reason though whenever I try to address this issue in the industry there is no room for discussion.
#3:
The third problem is that the money the artist submits for the 'competition' is shared between the talent buyer and SonicBids itself. So, the more money gathered, the more money that goes to the talent buyer and to SonicBids. I know first hand that SonicBids pitches the idea of generating income for the talent buyer as the hook to monopolizing the EPK market. And guess who pays...the artist.
My strong opinion is that SonicBids is scheme to bilk struggling artists with both the USA based business and the talent buyers profiting.
I come from the school of thought that whenever you have an criticism one should also have a solution. My solution...that talent buyers receive electronic press submissions from multiple sources not one monopolized out of country business. I beleive that I should be able to send my EPK link (which has all the necessary information to make a decision about hiring me) from my website and save myself literally hundreds of dollars each year.
It shouldn't cost the artist to be considered for a gig. Period.
Soap Box Kat
For those who aren't musicians SonicBids is a service to the music industry that offers electronic networking between the musician and the talent buyer. I have had an account with SonicBids for a number of years and what that means is that an artist essentially has an electronic press kit for talent buyers to peruse.
There are inherent problems with SonicBids.
#1:
The first problem is that one has to pay approximately $100 - $200 per year just to have your site up and running. On top of that for each talent buyer you want to have peruse your material it costs anywhere from $5-$40. A modest year of submissions to 'competitions' for which you have a good chance is approximately $400/year.
#2:
The second problem is that some talent buyers will not accept any submissions from any other sources other than SonicBids. This situation creates a monopoly and in a free market this is an ethical dilemma. For some reason though whenever I try to address this issue in the industry there is no room for discussion.
#3:
The third problem is that the money the artist submits for the 'competition' is shared between the talent buyer and SonicBids itself. So, the more money gathered, the more money that goes to the talent buyer and to SonicBids. I know first hand that SonicBids pitches the idea of generating income for the talent buyer as the hook to monopolizing the EPK market. And guess who pays...the artist.
My strong opinion is that SonicBids is scheme to bilk struggling artists with both the USA based business and the talent buyers profiting.
I come from the school of thought that whenever you have an criticism one should also have a solution. My solution...that talent buyers receive electronic press submissions from multiple sources not one monopolized out of country business. I beleive that I should be able to send my EPK link (which has all the necessary information to make a decision about hiring me) from my website and save myself literally hundreds of dollars each year.
It shouldn't cost the artist to be considered for a gig. Period.
Soap Box Kat
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