Since Spring is taking its' sweet time, I'll just have to pretend

To assuage my winter doldrums, I've been listening to a lot of bluegrass and folk- sounds that tend to transport me right into the sun- sitting on a grassy hill...with loads of wildflowers in my hair. I recently discovered Blue Highway, a 5-man-banjo-pickin bluegrass band from the Tennessee area. They've been around for 17 years...same 5 guys as when they started. They are extremely talented instrumentalists AND singers. The video I've attached highlights their sweet harmonies...its an a cappella song called "Someday", written by an old woman right before she died. Its a sad song..but so pretty and it somehow makes me really happy. Darrell Scott is another one I've been listening to a lot of. His voice is pretty amazing...definitely has its roots in soul and blues, while his music is very country. I've also included a video of one of my favorite songs, Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison..who's voice makes me think everything's going to be ok. Also complete with a killer sax solo by Pee Wee Ellis. . Hope you enjoy. Positive thinking. Positive singing...and May Spring come RIGHT NOW.

A Night of Soul at Copperfields

Last night at Copperfields, The Tasties, The HeartSleeves & The Erinn Brown Band performed in A Night of Soul. We had a blast, and feel honored to have played with these guys. This was our first time playing with bands of similar style music...it was so neat to hear their sounds and we hope to collaborate with some of them soon. Thanks to everyone who came out to hear us and I'll keep you posted about our upcoming shows. With Spring's arrival, The Tasties are hoping to get in the studio and start working on our first album! Cant wait to start! Happy Spring!

Woodcuts old and new

At work, I've been designing a lot of materials for the CSA that will be opening this spring at the Moose Hill property, where my office is at The Trustees of Reservations. We've been using a lot of woodcut designs for our ads and flyers...more rustic typefaces, and in general-a more earthy/grittier feel then the standard Trustees brand. We've implemented a lot of woodcut vegetables and farm-focused imagery, but in my search for these graphics, I've stumbled upon some of the coolest woodcut designs..that I find quite inspiring. The woodcut technique dates back thousands of years and I love how even designs done more recently-look extremely primitive.. varied weights of carved lines, imperfect marks and simple..but telling- shapes.

A Tasty Valentines

Show poster I made for our show at O'Brien's Pub this Valentine's Day!

A year ago today.

It's been exactly one year since I went to Switzerland and the February chill makes me nostalgic for travel again and for the beautiful Swiss scenery that encapsulated my experience there. My dear friend Amanda, who came to visit me while I was living there, took this video of one of our adventures in my little town of Gais. I wrote this song on the tiny guitar that I scored from the free table down the street from my apartment in Cambridge. The song, "Long Time" has since changed and now I play it with a full band, but I am excited to have documentation of me singing it in its birthplace..in its' raw and original state. I hope you enjoy.

A civil connection

I can't stop listening to the Civil Wars. Not only does their music make me swoon..I am obsessed with their connection when they sing together. When they start a song, you can see them sink into this other world...far from viewer..far from themselves even. I feel like I'm peering into something really personal of theirs that I shouldn't be watching. They are fantastic. Too bad they are no longer a band. I would be a groupie for sure. These are two of their most beautiful videos.

mmm Tasty

Our Tasty set list for our show last night. We had such a great turn out and the crowd rocked. We had so much fun...once again. Keep checking for upcoming shows! the Tasties on Reverbnation Tasties on Facebook

My new baby

My new car! With the start of my new job in Sharon, MA, I needed to get car to commute. I'm so excited, as this is my first car ever. I so look forward to driving my little fireball to work every day! In other news, I will be starting as the Junior Designer at the Trustees of Reservations. The Trustees is a wonderful organization and I look forward to my start on the 14th. More news to come.

Heyy, Alex

Its been soo fab having have Alex back in town for a visit. Its been a week and my stomach is permanently achy and I look like I have pink eye from laughing so hard. What a perfect way to bring in the New Year!

Soulive

Rang in 2013 with Soulive at the Paradise!

We do food

If my family had an album cover...

NH

Woke up to beautiful snow

Subtle Holiday Funk

Poster/e-vite I designed for our Holiday show tonight at the Plough with the Clippertones!

Moving right along

Hello! Its a shame that time escapes me in my busy days...as has been quite a wee bit of time since I've been able to sit down blog and share my stories. But alas, exciting things are happening and I intend to keep you abreast of this exciting time as I navigate my winding way through the start of my career and the onset of an exciting musical journey with my band...as well as any other activities and adventures that arise. Most recently, was our show last night at the Plough & Stars. Felt great to perform back at our home base...where we first began performing about a year ago. And last night was our first Saturday show! Great turnout and the set went super! Our friends, JJ and Kevin from Bangarang Productions in Newton, filmed the show and I hope to get something online soon. Billy Dodge opened for us and I was able to accompany him on some of his songs as well. Tomorrow night we will play at Charlie's Kitchen, a brand new venue for us. Pictures and posts to come!

Hocus Pocus

Tonight Emily and I settled on the couch, ordered Thai food and watched my favorite Halloween movie of all time, Hocus Pocus. (Bette Midler and pre-Sex and the City Sarah Jessica Parker). Here on Erie street, Halloween is officially in full-swing.

The Filming of "Illusory" music video

Last weekend my friend Billy Dodge and I traveled to Westport, MA to film a music video for his song Illusory-under the direction of Kevin and JJ at Bangarang Productions. It could not have been a more perfect and crisp October day. We got to spend some time filming on the beach as well as on Billy's porch, which looked right over the water. Filming was a lot of fun.It was awesome to share creative visions about the song and to capture the song's narrative on film. While on the beach, a black lab ran up to us from out of no where...no owner to be seen. The dog stayed with us throughout our filming and we were able to capture some great scenes with him. I thought this was particularly special, as one of the lyrics in Illusory talks about Belle, Billy's black lab. You can check out the song here: http://soundcloud.com/billy-dodge/illusory and when the video is done, I will be sure to post about it! In the meantime, here are some photos

Finished Recordings!

Last night Andrew, Bryan and I finished up our recordings! Yay! Many long hours went into these and I want to thank Andrew Will for being the hands and the brains behind making these sound great. Enjoy! And keep your eyes and bananas peeled for more music! www.reverbnation.com/eleanorandthetasties.com

Rigoletto

The San Francisco Opera performed the opera Rigoletto and projected the show live at AT&T Park! We brought some wine and a picnic and bundled up to watch an amazing performance.

Sebastopol