I think about when I started this record and how much things have changed over the past couple years.  It is a real trip. A new family, a new marriage, new experiences, new growth it’s bound to be time to let the next thing manifest. I am one of those people that likes to hold onto things, it’s hard for me to let go , but now it’s time.

Look for it on I Tunes or your favorite digital distributor, June 21st

Christa Mae & The Brigade

The Truth Is…

I just wanted to announce that I have officially started a myspace page for me and the Brigade.  I posted two songs off the record if you wanna hear a bit of what I have been talking about all this time.  I hope to be posting some new pictures and blogs soon so stay tuned and become my friend.  It’s a great way to stay connected!

myspace.com/christamaeandthebrigade

If you are interested in any listening to some older material , feel free to check out my older myspace page as well. I am planning on keeping that going and posting individual projects and older material. 

myspace.com/christaknudsen

Thanks for the support!

Just want to let you know that in the middle of all this hustle and bustle , my brother and I cut a little acoustic record called Red Meadows.  It’s been a dream of ours for a really long time, and I am thrilled to see it actually come into fruition.  We did it just days before he flew off to teach English in Saudi Arabia for a year, so it felt like it was the perfect time.  It is an 11 song album that is strictly acoustic.  My brother picked out 5 songs that he wrote, I got 5 of my own , then a tune we wrote together.

We have all the tracks cut at this point, so now we are in the mixing stages.  I will keep you posted on it, and will upload one of the tracks here when I get them in my hot little hand.  I look forward to a productive and prosperous new year and I wish all the best to you and yours!

Red Meadows the Album coming 2010

The good news though, is everything worked out in such a way, that I am moving forward with the record.  I am going to be heading back into the studio in the next few weeks and finishing all the background vocals, Lord willing.  I guess it is a not so subtle reminder that we only have today.  A chance to appreciate small things such as working legs, cars that still drive-even if they do look banged up, and my girl’s little voice singing the ABC song to herself while she is in the bathtub tonight.  I don’t mean to sound like a Hallmark card, but hey life is good, and I look forward to the opportunity to keep singin about it.

To think that none of this existed 48 hours ago.  It was all recorded this weekend.  The whole process went really smoothly.  We basically cut 9 tracks in 10 hours, now that I think of it.  That’s pretty much unheard of in the recording world.  Fortunately we had rehearsed, so everyone was pretty familiar with the music. Though it had been a while since we played last, we seemed to find our groove pretty quickly.

I  have to admit, I had preiviously thought I wanted to put fiddle, horns, mandolin, sitar- basically everything but the kitchen on to this thing in terms of additional instruments and extra production.  Listening to it now though, I really don’t know if it needs much of anything.  That’s something I never expected; for us to be enough. Though I am sure a few other sounds might find their way onto the project, for now I feel totally content and at ease.

I also have made one last change to the song line up.  I decided to take out the emotional  song  It Just Didn’t Work Out and replace it with a lighter tune Like A Wave.  I want the overall feeling of the record to be one of optimism and positive energy.  I was really excited about when I first wrote Like A Wave, and I think it’s going to be a good addition to the project.  I have recorded the song before, but I think we can change it up and make it fresh.  We were talking about dropping the bass line on the thing and dubbing it out a bit.  It will truly be a thrill to watch how album is going to evolve.  I’ll keep you posted!

The best part though is having conversations with the band about what they feel and how they hear the songs, really exploring the dynamics.  I try to just sit back and listen to their opinions.  Sometimes we even share the same thoughts, which is kind of cool.  It makes me feel as though we are on the same page.

I am happy about the song selection too.  It was such a process narrowing down what songs are going to make it or not.  I got it down to 15, and then it got ugly.  Still I am confident that these songs are the ones.  Most of them are new material.  That could be because it’s always fun to play new songs, but in a way I think they represent where I am at as a songwriter right now, which is a lot of what this project is about. I guess it does not have to be the last record, it is only the beginning.

My favorite cut right now is Constellations.  Steve, the Producer and bass player, is laying down the perfect line on a fret less bass he found in some guys trashcan and Jon, the drummer,  has such a laid back swinging beat, I almost cry every time I hear them kick in.

I keep thinking this is the most amazing dream. .. If it is, please don’t wake me up.