So it’s been a long time since I updated this blog. It’s been more busy than it’s ever been, not just in the music world but in my non-music life too (wait, I have one of those?) There was so much going on with Chelsea Carlson & the Black Dogs as well as our acoustic duo, and it all fell in at the same time as finals at college and starting my new job teaching “Girls Rock Too” at Valley Music Center.
April was a big month of stuff - from the band’s NYC debut to performing at the legendary Stanhope House, and May has followed in its footsteps.
We began May with a big announcement - Chelsea Carlson & John Graham, the acoustic duo, just recorded an original EP. We recorded the EP at the end of April with producer Manny Kallins in Califon NJ. In addition to my recording of “Lost in Love,” the EP includes two new songs called “Cherry Blossom” and “Like Sheep.” Photographer Jean Fordyce of Fordyce Studio in Long Valley took the cover photo. We received the final distribution of the CD’s last Tuesday, and began selling them this weekend at two back-to-back music festivals.
After a long week of practice and preparation, John and I left for Long Island on Thursday to perform at the Montauk Music Festival. For those of you who don’t know, Montauk is at the very tippy top of Long Island - and it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. With ocean water on both sides, beaches as far as the eye can see, an awesome lighthouse, and a friendly vibe, neither of us wanted to come home.
On Thursday night we attended the opening party of the festival, met some great musicians, and heard a lot of cool bands. After enjoying the scenery on Friday, we performed our set at the Last Hope Lagoon down on the beach. Right after our set, we packed up the car and headed back for New Jersey.
Why would we do this in the middle of the night you ask? After all, Montauk is a four hour drive from Morris County.
Well - it was because we were playing at the greatest little singer-songwriter festival around, Groove in the Grove at Vasa Park in Budd Lake. I performed at Groove in the Grove last year, but only at the open mic. This year, John and I were up on the mainstage, and performed a half hour set of all-original music.
Groove 2012 was so great. I think the audience enjoyed our set, and we received so much support from everyone around. The day was gorgeous and the people were awesome, and the talent from all the great musicians who performed throughout the day was tangible. We want to shout out a big thanks to Clark and Renee Paddock for having us perform at the festival, and hope very much to do it again next year!
We also have some great news! John and I will be appearing on Homegrown Radio, an internet radio show, this June to promote CC&BD’s upcoming show at the Black Potatoe Festival! Stay tuned for more information.
So now come the preparations for CC&BD’s show at the Black River Barn this Wednesday, and a lot more shows after that. Summer is off to a great start!
