News.
07.31.10 : Chicago loves music, and I love the road!
Today has been amazing so far… tons of people heard about G,NA and came to watch the set; everyone is willing to stop and put on the headphones to listen to a song; and I’ve already met two people who books shows within three hours of Chicago, and they are going to help me on my Fall tour! I wish every scene was like this.
Speaking of tour, I’m getting really excited about the routing that Adam (UO Booking Agency) and I are putting together. And I’m blown away by the emails I’m getting from everyone, offering to help book, flyer, promote, and let me sleep on their floors. It’s so encouraging!
Ya know… I thought Warped might make me want to take six months off to rest and regain my sanity, and maybe settle down for the first time this year. But, when I think about working on booking a two-month tour, and then driving around North America in a little rental car during my favorite season, playing little shows and getting to hang out in all these cities for a night, my heart starts to flutter — like when someone you have a crush on walks into the room.
I guess I have a crush on touring…
Love,
Sarah
07.31.10 : Feeling inspired…
Got this letter from a new fan in Florida and had to post it. This is what music is all about, and it makes me all mushy! xoxo
“Hi Sarah!
I met you at the Warped Tour in Orlando. Got your CD. I find it to be Epic.
The 2010 Warped Tour was the second one I’ve been to. The first Warped Tour I went to was the *1997* tour-
At the 1997 show I discovered Reel Big Fish, Royal Crown Revue, and officially fell in love with Less Than Jake (it was the first time I saw them live). That day was just as hot as 2010- so I left fairly early- before a band I had never heard of played- The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. That was a mistake.
Over the past 13 years, I forgot the reason behind going to the Warped Tour. You don’t go to see certain bands, you go to see bands you’ve never heard of. It’s a day of entertainment, yes, but it’s also a day of personal discovery. You reminded me of that. And I’m very appreciative of that incredibly important reminder. I sincerely hope I’ll get to see you again at next year’s Warped Tour, or whenever you happen to make it to Florida next.”
07.30.10 : Detroit Rock City
Just got off stage in Detroit. We are playing directly in front of another stage and all their sound is drowning ours out like a big fat tsunami. Not the best day to try out two different/slower songs in the set, right? Well, thanks to my friends in Tip The Van, I redeemed myself on the last song: they came up and played it with me, and we totally blasted that tsunami into submission! I kinda really love my Kevin Says Stage family.
Tomorrow: Chicago!
Love,
Sarah
07.30.10 : On The Road
Sitting on the bus, headed to Detroit, testing out this mobile posting thing that SonicHaus set up for me. Also putting a tentative routing into the EIY tour planner for the Fall! Teaming up with the amazing Adam Kreeft / UO Booking Agency again, this time State-side! We will be booking together and I want venue/band suggestions! Email me. See: Contacts page!
Love,
Sarah
07.16.10 : Redecorating the Garden
Gardening, Not Architecture is not just a solo project, even though I am the only one people meet as the face of the project. Since the beginning, when a mutual friend suggested that I record my song ideas with Beau Sorenson back in Wisconsin in 2004, a lot of people have offered their help in making this project possible and moving it forward. Without these people, I’d never have been able to record, play shows, have a light wall, make music videos, book tours, have websites, print merchandise, make flyers, have professional photos, and more. It’s always been a project that a lot of people have invested their time and energy into, because they believed in it, and most of all because they were my friends.
This brand new website is another example of a friend stepping in and offering to bring something to the G,NA table. My dear friend German (whom you may remember form the Layer23 remix contest we did back in January) came to me with the idea for a new and improved website that would encompass all the things I’m doing, under the G,NA umbrella. Whenever someone has an idea, I let them run with it and give them creative control — because it’s so much more fun that way, and I always end up being totally blown away by the creativity my friends possess. German showed me the layout for the new site about a week ago, and now here we are at launch day, and I couldn’t be happier!
Take a look around, join the email list, follow the links, peruse the online store, check out the media, and enjoy! This is a world that my friends have helped me build, and you are a part of it just by being here. I love watching this project grow on its own, into something that is real and honest. This is gardening, not architecture!
Love,
Sarah
