Radio interview with Elizabeth Erin Kemler

Elizabeth is not only the Director of Local Programming for Hope Sings, she is an uber-talented singer-songwriter. And she has just released an incredible album, The Weight of Mortal Skin. 

Elizabeth Erin Kemler, the New York Cowgirl and her latest album The Weight of Mortal Skin

"This is some of the most rewarding stuff I've had the pleasure to work on. I can listen to it over and over again from top to bottom."

Eric Michael Lichter, Producer, Dirt Floor

Elizabeth just snagged an in-depth radio interview with Northern Spirit Radio on their "Song of the Soul" program. It is an entertaining and enlightening look into the album, her inspiration and her life. Catch it here.

Purchase the album here. You'll be glad you did. 

Songs for a Cause Nov. 15 welcomes Danny and Caroline (Q&A)

We are thrilled that the Indie Folk-Rock duo Danny and Caroline are joining the line-up for our second “Songs for a Cause” event on November 15 at the Katonah Village Library in Westchester County, NY.

Danny and Caroline, based in New York, are blessed with huge talent and potential. They have two short EP's available and their first full-length album comes out TODAY November 6, 2016. Download it here.

Danny and Caroline's sound has evolved tremendously over years of writing and touring together. Teaming up with producer Wil Farr, of Hurrah! A Bolt of Light, has taken their songs to new heights. The upcoming album, titled "Beauty and the Beard" is one you won't want to miss!

Their track "Better Days" gained the duo some international exposure when it was featured in a Coca-Cola advertisement promoting the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 

Danny and Caroline are playing Saturday Nov. 7 at the New Fairfield Coffee House. Bring a picnic (indoor) and a bottle of wine and you’ll have yourself a lovely evening!

Here’s a little window into Danny and Caroline - who they are and their songwriting lives.

1) Why are you singer-songwriters?

We both feel that in a way songwriting chose us. As young kids we were exposed to music, and chose to make it a big part of our lives as we got older. We were fortunate enough to be accepted into a songwriting program that helped us nurture out abilities. Collaborating has helped us find our identity as songwriters.

2) What are your major influences? (an oldie but a goodie)

Musically our biggest influences are. Ben Folds, Kings of Convenience. Our parents have always had a huge influence on our career choice. They have always encouraged us, and supported us along the way.

3) What social causes move you?

Helping under-privileged children, and Anti-Bullying. As someone who was severely bullied and found solace in arts, I know music can really make a difference.

4) Tell us about a few of the favorite songs you've written.

We will always remember the first song we wrote together. In a lot of ways it has been our biggest success - it was featured in a Coca Cola advertisement in Russia. For us it marks the beginning of something special.

5) If you weren't singer-songwriters, what would you be?

Danny would own his own music school. Currently Danny teaches through Music in Chappaqua to help fund our musical endeavors. Caroline would have been working in the film industry. Instead, she films and edits music videos to help promote the songs we write.

Q&A with Songs for Sandy Artist Christina Li

Christina was the first artist to step up for the S4S project - and boy, we were happy to have her! Check out her new video, Disappear, and you'll agree.

http://youtu.be/_g2XiPShy-Q

And now - the Q&A!

Who/what are your musical inspirations?

I get inspired by other people with true passions – even or especially non-musical ones. My friends
and family inspire me daily with their own talents.

What gives you hope about the world?

Small, unselfish acts of kindness.

Do you write and sing from joy and hope - or from fear/ anxiety/ need?

Probably from fear/anxiety/need. My music comes from an emotional place that I don't often show to people, so performing and singing is a much needed catharsis.

What’s your favorite chord?

Bb minor

Q&A with Songs 4 Sandy Artist Mario Moita

We connected with Fado-artist Mario through WOMEX, the World Music Expo. Though Mario is from Portugal, and was on tour in Brazil, he wanted to do his part to help Sandy victims - going so far as to include the sounds of Brazilian waves on his song!

It's clear Mario has a huge heart - and from the insights we get below, tremendous faith as well. What a gem!

Who/what are your musical inspirations? Love, peace

What gives you hope about the world? Hope in god

What causes do you support – in your heart and/or with your actions? All I can, in my town and in the world, always, when I can.

What fills you with great joy? A smile.

What breaks your heart? Bad persons who complicate my life...

Do you write and sing from joy and hope - or from fear/ anxiety/ need? Always for joy and hope.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Travel with a flight very early

What was your biggest setback, and how did you overcome it? In 2001 I lost 20.000 euros with a producer. I overcame that with hope in life. In 2012,  a Brazilian producer took me to court just to get my money. Again, faith in God always guided me thru the road of life.

Do you meditate? Yes. And pray.

What’s your favorite chord? C.  Because in life the most simple sings are the most beautiful.

What word or phrase do you overuse in your lyrics? “My love”

What are you most proud of about yourself? Respect for everyone, and have many friends that love me around the world. not having debts and sleep soundly!

What’s your favorite food? Portuguese alentejo coriander soap

Q&Q with Songs for Sandy Artist Maddy Rodriguez

It's hard to believe that Maddy Rodriguez is only 18. Her vocal and songwriting maturity are such that she was named the youngest winner ever in the US-based International Acoustic Music Awards Competition. Learn more about the Ontario, Canada-based singer-songwriter, what gets her out of bed in the morning and what breaks her heart (hint: one of these items starts with "b").

 

Why do you write?

Because I have to. Everybody has their own way of expressing what's inside of them. For me, it's writing. 

Who/what are your musical inspirations?

Life, love, pain, people. And great artists like James Taylor, Elton John, Zac Brown, Taylor Swift and Shania Twain.

What gives you hope about the world?

Good people.

What causes do you support – in your heart and/or with your actions?

The Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto (since I was a kid - I used to make crafts and sell them to raise funds for them) Ability Online - it's a wonderful organization. They created something like a Facebook social network for kids and young people with disabilities and some health conditions.

Free The Children - I went to a presentation by the Kielburger brothers and they do awesome work. I recently performed at an event for my university's Free The Children chapter.

What fills you with great joy?

Christmas. When I finish a song. Even more when I record it. And family & friends.

What breaks your heart?

Boys. Hahah! And sometimes the music business. It can be a brutal pursuit. But mostly, seeing children suffer.

Do you write and sing from joy and hope - or from fear/ anxiety/ need?

Both.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

The idea that "today" is full of possibilities.

What was your biggest setback, and how did you overcome it?

In my eyes, I didn't do very well at my very first important performance. I was 15 and I wasn't ready. I felt I let myself and everyone who believed in me down. But I realized I had 2 choices: work harder or give up. I chose to keep going and work hard, and here I am. I still struggle with nerves but I am much more confident than I used to be... It gets better everyday.

Do you meditate?

Not really. But I pray sometimes at night. I hope that one day I'll be more in touch with my spiritual side. For now, I'm to restless to sit and be still. Lol.

What word or phrase do you overuse in your lyrics?

Nothing comes to mind, really. I always obsess about my lyrics and make sure that I use a wide variety of words & phrases - sometimes it takes me days to get a verse right.

What are you most proud of about yourself?

Besides my songwriting talent, which I'm very proud of, I'd have to say I'm most proud of my strength and my ability to laugh at the disappointments in life.

What’s your favorite food?

This is the toughest question. Cheese. or mushrooms. or mashed potatos. or chocolate. KETTLE CORN.... I can't decide, haha.

Q&A with Songs for Sandy Artists - Gene and Kim

This is the first in a series of Fast and Fun Interviews we're doing with our first artists in the Songs for Sandy initiative - so you all can get a little insight into what makes them creatively "tick." Caution: this interview might make you hungry!

Gene Ellsworth has been fine-tuning his songwriting craft in Pittsburgh, Nashville, and California since 1985. He’s had several number one hits, including "The Fool" (Lee Ann Womack) and "All Aboard" (the Del McCurry Band). He met Kimberly Manns in Pittsburgh through yoga, and together they plan to produce and release an Indy Folk CD in 2013.

Why do you write?

Kim: Well, I don’t think Gene has much a choice… it just comes out. Of course, then he spends chunks of time fine-tuning and tweaking. Gene encouraged me to work with him and found out how fun the process can be...even when he disagrees with me.  I love the journey and sharing something we’ve completed.

Gene: I don't have the words for why, but I love the feeling of not knowing where a lyric or melody came from...like magic it's just there.

What fills you with great joy?

​Kim: The sunset, the sunrise, watching the sky.

Gene: Being on a bike ride with Kim.

​What gets you out of bed in the morning?

​Kim: I get out of bed because I’m tired of being there. I am a doer.

Gene: I like to stay in bed and vegetate...you know, I'm a vegetarian. (editor's comment: ha ha)

Do you meditate?

Kim: Meditation Is the best part of my yoga practice.

Gene: Yes, meditation reminds me again and again of who I really am.

What’s your favorite food?

​Kim:  Popcorn made with coconut oil and a little garlic salt.    

Gene: I shouldn't but I love sweets...cake, pie, candy, cookies...yeah.