Spool•tacular

In honor of Halloween, I give you a quick video of Ellen scaring the crap out of Taylor Swift. I'm still laughing.

Stop. m o t i o n

An awesome video a friend of mine posted. Thought I'd share it.

a little bit about the video-----> [This is the PEN Story in stop motion. We shot 60.000 pictures, developed 9.600 prints and shot over 1.800 pictures again. No post production! Thanks to all the stop motion artists who inspired us.]

Electric Candy

Kryptonite is to Superman as Cotton Candy is to Me. Though, I wouldn't say it weakens me as much as I have a weakness for it.

Who knew that building a moderately effective 'home studio' took so many chords??? About every 5 days I've come to the conclusion that I'm finally able to start recording again, only to find myself on the phone with Guitar Center, discussing the crucial piece of equipment I'm missing. Soon I say. Soon.

Tonight was the craziest lighting storm I've ever seen. I'm only writing because in all seriousness, my mind's still holding onto the imprints of some of those bolts. I drove to a town away to grab some VERY delicious take-out. I thought, why not take the dogs along, as it's nearly their most favorite thing in the world. On the way home, the lightning started. Loud thunder, bucket-sized rain drops, and the sudden parade of visible electricity. Up here in the mountains, thunder & lightning is typical. This, however, was something spectacular. There I was, driving cautiously home, suddenly aware of my gratitude to car engineers and the manufacturing of non-metallic interiors. To my surprise, I screamed out, with a voice like that of an excited child... "WHAT IF WE GET STRUCK BY LIGHTNING!?" My dogs sat still in the backseat, suddenly less enthusiastic about the outing, slightly cowering with every strike. Movie scenes started flashing through my head - first the old guy from "Benjamin Button," except this time I was the oldie reminiscing... "Did I ever tell you about the time I was struck by lightning?" Then it was "The Ice Storm," and I was trying to remember the tragic ending where the kid died by a power line dropping on the metal guard rail he was holding on to, right? Right, I thought, that was a power line, and this is a storm. Then I remembered the movie "Powder", and I started to wonder if I would loose my hair, have it turn platinum forever, or, inherit super abilities. With all of these extravagant possibilities racing through my mind, I found myself at home quicker than I realized. I went to the back yard, secured the deck furniture, and came inside to enjoy my take-out, try to get through HBO's "Grey Gardens," and soak in the wafting Pumpkin Spiced candle I grabbed at the store. The End.

Now, I'm contemplating sleep. Notice, contemplating. The more I think about it though, I start to wonder if there's any purpose in trying to dismantle a lifetime of horrible sleeping habits. I'm a night owl, I always have been, and I don't want to say I always will be, but it only seems logical. In fact, I remember a night when I was 4 or 5. My parents had put me to bed, and after what I thought had been hours, I quietly got out of my bed and snuck into the kitchen to grab a Granny Smith apple. Right as I turned around to leave, SURPRISE, my not so amused father was standing at the door, inquiring about my late night escape.

What do I do so late in a town that has NO night life? Nothing of consequence, I can assure you. For example, I just drew a 'beau'. Yes, the creepy men drawings I have had a 6+ year fascination of drawing. So I'll leave you with it/him, say goodbye, and try to find something slightly more stimulating to do for the rest of the evening. In reality? Probably watch Anne of Green Gables and fall asleep to my dogs snoring on my couch. Tomorrow I'll tackle water colors and basket weaving ;).

Thanks for reading. Stay close, new music to come soon.
(cross your fingers)
All my love,
Audrey Ebbs.

Tooth Aches

Sit Tight.

If you haven't had the pleasure, let me introduce you to Cafe Britt. A very tasty coffee roaster I discovered years ago in Costa Rica. To my great delight, I discovered I can order bags from them online. (Of course! This is the age for it.) Now I spend most of my mornings (late mornings) nuzzled up to a cup of coffee out of my favorite mug. That's not really why I'm writing though.

Currently I'm listening to Ingrid Michaelson's new album: "Everybody". SERIOUSLY? Get it. Or at least go to her page and check it out. Listen to Ingrid. She's had several hits from previous albums, including "Keep Breathing" off Grey's Anatomy, or "Be Okay," but in my personal opinion, her new album is something to be excited about if you're into this kind of music.

Well. I survived Alaska.
And, I even saw a polar bear. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a freaking huge white bear. I watched it at about 100yrds away from the safety of a security truck, but none the less, it was a sight to see. Massive beast. The last day I was up there (remember, above the Arctic Circle) it snowed. Which, despite the shock of snow in August, was perfect. I always love experiencing 'the first snow' of the year. Something about it makes me feel special, like it's some big secret that I get to be in on. Thank you for the snow. As for Colorado, it's still pretty warm here. I'm getting excited for fall!

I think I do this nearly EVERY year, but just to emphasize my adoration towards the months Sept-Nov, let's discuss the perks:
nº1. Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte (caution: if made incorrectly = diabetic coma)
nº2.Fall leaves. 'nuff said.

nº3.More frequently worn scarves.

nº4.Weather that makes you crave the company of a nice warm fire.

nº5.Season premiers of shows like Fox's Glee.

I'm sure there's a larger list somewhere in the back of my mind, but those will suffice for now.

Well, now that I'm done with my strange summer job, and back in the middle-of-nowhere Colorado, it's time to get back to the music. HOORAY. I ordered a mic (finally,) and as soon as I can get the cable I need I can start recording again. It's been like a toothache, my desire to record. Ever present, always throbbing. I think we all have one of those in our lives though, right? At least one. Perhaps hundreds. Hundreds of little throbbing words needing to get out of us. And words... not necessarily actual words, but tools of communication. Beyond dialects, there's a human language set in our hearts that expels itself through the power of expression. We're all resonating. Please, don't ever underestimate the power of communication in your life, and as a result, in this world.

Well. There's more to come. Going to go eat a waffle, check the mail, apply to random jobs ( only as a means to support my music :) ) and who knows, maybe finish the day by watching Adventureland - which, by the way, I find thoroughly enjoyable. Well, as always, thanks for reading. And, if you happen to find the idea appealing, write me a message on myspace, or use the contact form on my website.

With Love,
Audrey Ebbs

P.S. If you, or someone you know (particularly any rich benefactors,) desire to help a girl out, I'm currently trying to save for the Apogee Duet interface to really step up my recording as I hope to put a CD out relatively soon.

Found a Reason

I make the best of friends with strangers.

I've been meaning to write one of these for a WHILE now. It's 10:24 pm. Whoa. These days that's rather late. These days being my weird Alaskan work schedule. I'm not there right now, but while I'm up there working, my bed time reads about 9pm. What am I even talking about? Well, I have this random summer job up in Alaska which I believe I made mention of in my last blog. So what that means, is that for two weeks I am up in Alaska, working 12hr days, living up in a camp near the Arctic Ocean, and then the other two weeks I'm off. So, I flew home to Colorado, and have the next week and a half off. It's been a great summer so far. Really, it has FLOWN by, but I'm sure most people feel that way about their own.

My feet, well, boots in the Arctic Ocean.

[Oh dear, I can hear my dogs HOWLING into the night - most likely some wild beast out there has antagonized them yet again.]

So what am I doing whilst in Colorado this time around? Resting really. I've been playing music a lot. 1. Because I've missed it like CRAZY, and 2. Because I'm playing some songs at my friend's wedding Saturday. Been having a lot of fun trying out some songs on a new classical acoustic guitar lately. I mainly play an electric/acoustic, but a friend of mine (okay okay, who am I trying to fool, my mom) just recently got a classical and it sounds so purdy.

Can I just say that I am itching to record some more. My dilemma is a lack of a microphone. The one I used to record the songs you hear on my myspace and such was in fact borrowed. Now I am without, and longing for the day when I'm able to purchase one that will be suitable for what I want to do. I've written quite a few songs since I recorded my last, however, I fear until I have a mic they'll stay a bit hidden. For me as well, I find that I haven't fully written a song until I start recording it. As I'm the only musician on all of my tracks, while writing, I really only write to one instrument, but as soon as I start recording and adding new tracks, a song is really able to take shape with different instruments and etc. I can't wait to do more. The sooner the better I say. If you or someone you know would like to donate to my microphone fund, please get in touch with me. ;)

I realize this blog is ALL over the place, as are most, but I thought I'd just try to recap this lost span of time through bullet points. So read below to see some of the highlights: •Alaska •Traveling •Trip to San Francisco •Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince •Hotel upgrade •Picking up the tundra (in Alaska) •the end of So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 •Wedding Show •Lots of wildlife sightings •New friendships •Nearby tornado in CO •Mercedes-Benz Mixed Tape 27

On that last one, let me take a moment to share about Mercedes-Benz. (sorry if you're already aware) So Mercedes-Benz TV online puts out a bi-monthly Mixed-Tape. Currently they're on #27, and I've been chosen to be featured on it. This means that myself along with 9 other artists appear on a 10minute video, introducing us. As well, you can download a song from each of us from the website. My track "It's Not For Us" is the first one on there, so if you haven't already, you should go check it out: http://www.mercedes-benz.tv/mixedtape Yay. Onward. I find this exciting as I'm still really in that 'new musician' category. I'm finding more and more opportunity to develop and grow, branch out and connect with important people, and I know that this is just a huge step for me to get some recognition and increase my fan base.

Speaking of which - if you like what I do, please let me remind you that 'word of mouth' is one of the most powerful forms of advertisement. Tell your friends, pass along my links, and encourage people to give my stuff a listen. And for all of you who are already on the bandwagon, already listening, and in fact, reading this... right now.... I want to THANK YOU sincerely for the support. It really does - no generic thank you's here - mean a lot to me. A big hug your way.

I promise you there has been SO SO SO much on my mind lately, but I fear I'm relatively unable to articulate the vast majority of it. Maybe I'm still more tired than I'm aware. Though I'd find that hard to imagine after my epic 13hrs of sleep last night. I'm going to leave you with the beautiful lyrics to Cat Power's "I Found a Reason"... I've been playing it all day as I'm going to perform it during my friend's wedding ceremony Saturday. Oh Cat Power. One cool lady.

"Oh I do believe, in all the things you say/ What comes is better than what came before/ And you'd better come come, come come to me/ Better come come, come come to me/ Better run, run run, run run to me/ Better come/ Oh I do believe, in all the things you say/ What comes is better that what came before/ And you'd better run run, run run to me/ Better run, run run, run run to me/ Better come, come come, come come to me/ You'd better run"

Well Friends, I thank you and bid you a good weekend.
P e a c e & L o v e.
Audrey

Blondy and Barcelona

Look Out town, I'm using Blondy tonight. (that's not true, I don't think anyone's used blondy since 1988)

Did you guess correctly? I'm dying my hair. Well, redying the roots. This may come as a surprise, brace yourselves... but I'm not naturally blond. Well, who is!? Scandinavians & Australians, and a large handful of women across the world - surely not me though. Now that that's settled, let me just share my DYING desire to scratch my scalp off. There is NO professional hair care over here. At my house, right now, probably not even in nearby towns really... remember, I'm temporarily living in a small town in Colorado. We have farmers, and mountains, and sheep herding contests, but after that you're stretching it. I'm aware that's neither true nor fair.

I found one of my favorite rings I've been missing for a few months. It was buried under books below my night stand. Strange. How did I happen upon it? Well, I found myself in a cleaning frenzy. That happens a lot - random cleaning frenzies. They more commonly occur when I'm either a. on the phone, or b. I've had something to drink. Now which was it tonight, a. or b.? That's just a question that will have to haunt you for the rest of your life. Okay, I cave, it was a.

Well. I leave for Alaska VERY soon. Alaska? What? I got a summer job up there, doing random work like picking up trash in the tundra, etc. Why would I want to do that? Spirit of adventure, that and well, it pays well. Why not!? So leaving: I've been here, in this state of life for nearly 5 months, and although I wished ever so often that I was somewhere completely different, it feels strange to be leaving. It's like that awkward pause, not here, yet not there. Change. Change is exciting, but in the face of creature comforts, a little taxing. I feel like so many parts of me contradict - I'm pretty sure most people feel like that. I mean to say, on one hand, I love routine, dependability, organization, comfort, yet on the other hand I crave diversity, change, different things from one day to the next. Yes.

Sadly I am not going to be bringing my guitar with me? ABSURD, YOUR NOT A REAL MUSICIAN. It is heart breaking, but honestly, I NEED to pack light, and my guitar, as close as I am to it, is just too much extra. Really though I work in shifts, 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, and on one of those 2 weeks off I'm going to return to the BEAUTIFUL San Francisco to see all my friends. Guitars are plentiful in those parts, I'm sure I'll be able to borrow should the opportunity present itself.

What is it about music? You know, that unapologetic force that invades our hearts? It seeps into the deeper parts of us until before we know it we've been taken over by something bigger than ourselves. Maybe not bigger, maybe just a truer form of human connection. You know, the raw expression of emotion from one life to the next. The way a single note played in a specific way can make you feel something entirely profound. It's almost as if music helps parts of us speak when the rest of us can't, or does not know how. Hmm. My abstract moment is ending now.

New Topic ----> So, I just read up on the French band Plastiscines in Nylon, and have to confess I like them more now that I know they're a 4-girl band. I won't lie, I've only heard their single Barcelona, but given I've had it on repeat for the last half hour, chances are I'll enjoy other stuff from them. I would not be surprised if we don't see an emersion of all girl 'garage rock/pop' bands in mainstream. Well, three cheers to that.

the ladies themselves: Plastiscines

Well. My head has stopped itching, or I got properly distracted. Either way, it's about time I get off this contraption I spend FAR TOO MUCH of my life on, and take care of the toxic waste on top of my head. Danger.

I thank you for your interest.

Please remember to check out my new website (audreyebbs.com) as well as make sure you grab the widget in the blog below and start sharing my demo with friends. It's a competition, and I WANNA WIN! I'm pretty sure that's assumed. Again I thank you & truly wish you and yours well.

Love.
Audrey Ebbs.