Krista

I think I'm officially the worst blogger ever for one main reason, I only blog when I remember that I haven't in three months and then another three months go by and the cycle continues. I've been trying to think of ways I could make blogging more enjoyable for myself and I'm trying one out this morning. It's 10:00 AM on Sunday morning and I'm blogging from my porch which is one of my favorite spots on earth! I figured if I took my laptop to a place I really love, I might be inspired to write a blog. Blogging is so different from writing songs. One might think songs are very personal ways to express one's self and this is true in many cases. In my case (often but not always), I tend to hide behind my lyrics, I write in riddles & metaphors so that what I write can mean one thing for me but many things for others. And sometimes, I don't what my listener to know exactly what I'm singing about so I can sing without fear of judgment and just let go. You can't do that in a blog! Songs also take on different meanings after time, not all but some. Blogs don't do that either. I'm in the literal world right now but it's very comfy here on my big porch, in my big comfy chair with a warm cup of my favorite roasted brown rice green tea, birds chirping, the thick sound of cicadas and crickets all around me...I could get used to this! 

So what's new? Well, as most of you reading this know already, we released our new album, Feel in August. Steve, Mike and I have been rehearsing every week and writing some new songs too. I feel like a musical butterfly b/c there has been so many creative changes over the last year. Steve and I have been writing a lot more together and it's connecting us on a higher level. We've been together almost a decade so finding a new exciting level of our relationship is super cool! I don't know why we didn't try to write songs together sooner, we tried but always failed, never completed anything and in ways competed with each other. See, now I'm nervous b/c I'm writing personal things down in my blog and I'm not used to that! I'm trying not to press that backspace button...let go, let go. Anyway, I don't think it was a conscious competition type thing. I for one was not used to writing lyrics with someone. When Corey and I used to collaborate, it was always the music arrangement of the song and then I would write lyrics on my own. My natural way of writing is different from Steve's. He really sticks to the topic whereas I might drift. It's been really good to write with Steve b/c he keeps me focused of what we're writing about. We don't always agree and that's actually a GREAT thing. Sometime's his idea is better and I'm glad we chose that phrase instead of mine...sometimes I come up with the better puzzle piece but in the end we have this creation that is him and me and it makes it really special. Best Friend was the first song we wrote together and it's such a special song b/c it's about our dogs that we adore. Steve wrote the music and we collaborated on the lyrics, I wrote some piano parts and we brought Mike in for drums on the chorus and little percussive sounds throughout the verses. Playing that song live will be a challenge b/c Steve plays bass and guitar on the track so we need to find someone to play bass on it for the CD release show...

Speaking of the CD release show...we are having it November 10th at Siren Records in Doylestown!! We're stoked! Siren is such a cool spot and there aren't many record stores around anymore so it's a special place for music lovers. The last time I performed at Siren Records was in the summer of 2007 when they were in their old 'new location'...such a cool spot, really fun stage with lights and lots of room. It's a shame they had to relocate but their new spot is super cool too!! We are preparing to have t-shirts designed to sell with our new album. We've never done the t-shirt thing before so I'm brainstorming, we all are! If you have any suggestions or ideas, feel free to comment on our Eye To Eye FB page. I love when fans and friends come up with cool concepts, if you're a true fan, you're apart of this band! We'd hook it up to, free T, shout out in the newsletter and every time we mention them during shows ; D 

Well, this day is just to gorgeous to keep sitting here. I'm gonna go on a hike! Have a fabulous week and check back, I plan to blog at least once a week...we'll see :)

I can't believe I haven't blogged in 6 months! Shame on me! I have good reason though, the band has been in the studio since January making our 2012 album, 'Feel'. We finished up the recording last month and the mixing and mastering was finished this month. It's been quite a journey. So much has changed/evolved. We have a new band name...Eye to Eye...and along with the new band name comes an album that has a new sound for us, not SO new that you wouldn't recognize us but different enough, musical growth as one may refer to it. Our last album (Playing With Pendulums) was half instrumental with lots of tap guitar and emotional songs. 'Feel' definitely has emotion hence the title but it's not so heavy on the heart, we have a lot of fun tracks that you can groove & get down to. The title track 'Feel' is personally one of my favorite tracks on the record & I absolutely LOVE playing this one! There's also more electric guitar on this record which I've always played live but not at all on my previous albums. Steve, Mike and myself have been writing and jamming a lot over the last year and it was time to find a name for the band...it's not all about ME! hahaha! I really dig our new project and where we've ended up. I started out as a solo performer, a modern folk singer, delved into jazz & funk and blended genres, adding some rock here and there. I feel it's truly all tied together now...all the flavors have their place and none over power the other. We have found our sound. I guess I say this about every new record...you grow and evolve as a person and you're music naturally goes with you. Right now I'm all about having FUN and rockin' out. So, the CD...we don't have it in hand yet but most likely July or August will be when we release. We didn't want to keep you waiting TOO long so we put the title track & a song called 'Everything' on our website to hold you over! We also have a music video coming out THIS WEEK for 'Everything' & I'm so flippin' excited to release it. We love our supporters and we want to show you just how much...when we release the video, there will be a FREE mp3 download of the song available here on our official website before the actual entire album drops on itunes and everywhere else. 

I have to admit I've been a little behind on my blog! I've been enjoying some time off, can you blame me? I have been writing some new songs and working on arrangements with my band & now I'm really itching to get in the studio and finally start recording the new album. I may get the guys to do a video blog of a new song with me this Friday, we'll see! I'm excited about the new music!!! I'm playing more electric guitar these days but not putting the acoustic down, it will be a nice balance. There's also a handful of songs written on piano and this time I am not going to arrange them for guitar, I'm sticking with the keys! We chose a song ("EVERYTHING") I wrote earlier this year but have only performed live once (recently at the Virago show) for our first official music video, cannot wait to plan this video with our buddy Brad Allen who has shot us live a handful of times. Here are the lyrics to the song (if you have any video ideas, feel free to email them to me!)

"Everything"

Written by Krista Parrish 2011

I watched the seedling turn to green

I watched the waves across the sea

I watched the sunrise in my mind

I realized there’s no such thing as time

I realized that everything was mine

I climbed a mountain in my heart

I watched the fear fall apart

I saw a mirror in my mind

I found all that there is here to find

I realized that everything was mine

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah

Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

I felt the rhythm in my soul

I felt the love I was meant to know

I saw the vision over and over again

Until it became my only friend

Until I could stop asking “When”.

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah

Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

I am the love that I possess

I feel the freedom in my chest

My heart forever beats in time

I realized that everything was mine

I realized that everything was mine

I can't believe it's August! I haven't blogged or updated much this summer and I do apologize for that. It has been a transitional period for us, our music and our careers in general. I didn't book many shows this summer b/c I wanted to focus on writing, recording, a music video and some music related opportunities that are presenting themselves. I've been stepping lightly for long enough. I'm ready to get to work, get out of the planning process and dive into a new adventure. I left Cinderella Records and we are unsigned again which is actually GREAT b/c now we can focus on the best road to take and who to let in the car with us. We're working with a new manager who is really helping us with connections in the music industry, music licensing & publishing and overall direction. Breedlove offered me a sponsorship earlier this summer and though the process has been a little slow, it's official! A few guitars were shipped to me just last week and I chose the guitar that I will endorse-I really love it. This alone has been a huge stepping stone and it's amazing to have them behind me as an artist. I have a photo shoot on Monday with the guitar and promo photo along with a bio will be added to their website under their artist link, how cool?!! We are working on a few things that it's a little too soon to talk about (really exciting stuff!!) so, check in time to time on the website & I’ll be keeping everyone updated through our newsletter, facebook page &  official site. We will be headlining an amazing benefit event at World Café Live (downstairs) Sunday September 11^th…if you’re in the Philly area, stop by, it’s a rockin’ lineup and all proceeds go to the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center, a wonderful place in the city that helps homeless vets. You can read full details in the TOUR link ;) Peace.

I had a blast playing with Trevor Gordon Hall last night. We were special guests for the Stretched Strings Concert Series with Tim Farrell. I finally got to do a show solo, all instrumentals with tap, finger style and percussion except one song (Skywatching). I also got to unveil two songs I've been working on which were received very well. I'm thrilled with the way they turned out & the crowds response. This was also my first time seeing Trevor play and it was INCREDIBLE!!! He plays with a kalimba which was crafted just for him with the help of some people over at Martin Guitars and attached to his guitar, this boy has major coordination skills. It was a great music match so we plan on booking something soon, stay tuned for those of you who missed last nights event :)

I'm planning on doing a video blog, maybe tonight if I can get up the energy. I want to update you on "Never Say Goodbye", the song I planned a snippet of in my first video blog. I played it last night and I'm psyched about it! I also want to do a video of "When Corey Comes Around". I did a video 3 years ago when I first wrote it but it has evolved a lot since then so I want to share it with you. Of course I will include it in my set May 14 in Bethlehem so if you're not busy, come out and see it live!

RECORDING UPDATE: We are making plans to get in the studio to record a new EP and a few singles for other artists consideration. I'm ready to get these songs out there and into your ears! This EP will include PRETTY FEELING, HEAR ME OUT, THIS IS HOW I FEEL & more...

peace