I’m very excited to be performing on Friday, January 17 at Wood, Wire, and Voice in Plattsburgh. Benjamin Pomerance wrote an article featured in Lake Champlain Weekly to promote the event and to promote me as a songwriter. Please follow the link to read the full article. Lake Champlain Weekly
News
Planning for studio recording
At the beginning of March, I reached out to a small boutique studio located in Burlington, VT about recording an EP, possibly an LP. I will be working with recording engineer, Ryan, at Robot Dog Studio located on Flynn Avenue. This is a big step for me for many reasons. I will finally be putting down tracks to songs new and old that have been sitting in my songwriting vault hidden away. I’m doing this project solo. In my past recording ventures, I’ve always had help from top notch musicians. I’m working in an unfamiliar environment, with a person I don’t personally know in a space that is foreign. Lastly, it’s a big commitment creatively, personally and financially. At times, I question myself – why am I putting all of this time, effort, money into recording my songs? Why is this so important to me? I second guess my ability to do this on my own, without the help from other musicians. I’m going to put the second guessing aside and keep moving ahead. I’m hoping that I will get the results I am looking for. There is so much to do in preparation for my first session scheduled on May 11th. I am still working out which songs I want to start with. Currently, the list is: Please Take Care; Thank You; Are We Safe; I’m Done; Tell Me It’s Over; I’m Truly Lucky
Trying new things…
I’ve always been uncomfortable with the open-mic platform. I felt I needed the safety of my own equipment, control, and the back up of the talented musicians I surrounded myself with. With the isolation of a new environment, I took a long break from performing. In the past year, I’ve begun to take control of my creative songwriting side and my desire to perform. As part of this new chapter, I have decided to step up and try some local open mic settings. It’s funny that I first felt comfortable playing 3 hour solo gigs BEFORE stepping foot in front of an open mic. This clip is from Hex and Hop musician’s night – this is a weekly event on Thursdays from 5-8. It is a great atmosphere and it is a familiar spot. There are some other’s locally that I want to check out – when my time frees up a bit, I will. Until then, I’ll focus on polishing up new material and putting my pencil to paper for new ideas. This is one of the first songs I wrote – The Water’s Edge. You can hear the full band recording on Spotify.
I want to write ALL the music
I love all the music! I’m drawn to creative songwriting – no matter the genre. I’m sure I’m not alone with this feeling. I am in awe of the creativity of people. Today, I woke up and listened to an NPR Tiny Desk Concert (I love this series but only listen occasionally), I heard for the first time, classified as a singer-songwriter in the synth pop genre, Chappell Roan. The performance was captivating, visually striking and the music was creative; something I wouldn’t typically listen to, but I find myself saying “WOW” – I want to write this. Then I turn to a local open mic video recording from Saranac Lake, called the Hootenanny, and I hear this beautiful singer-songwriter from Syracuse alone with her acoustic guitar and voice and again, I’m captivated. I want to write ALL the music!
Claiming artist ID on Spotify
I’m trying to claim my artist ID on Spotify. It hasn’t been an easy process. I need to prove that I am the artist. To do so, I needed to submit my artist website, and social media accounts showing my email address. Now I need to post about my album. I’m doing this because I plan to release newly recorded material in the near future. Who knew it would be so difficult to claim yourself. Here’s my post about my album on Spotify. In 2005, I released an album called “Adirondack Rail.” The album is distributed through CD Baby. All tracks on the album are available on most streaming platforms and available for purchase. Featured on this album are some of my original songs, including the title track “Adirondack Rail”; other originals include – 1923, Back Home Where You Belong, The Water’s Edge, Lead Me Lord, Darling This is Goodbye. Take a listen! https://open.spotify.com/artist/1zJfFi58nvNZhXlxb0B0Wu
Navigating solo performance and self promotion
I am currently navigating the world of solo performance and self promotion. I’m updating my website and linking all of my social media accounts. Stay tuned for “what’s next.” I’m excited to say that I’ve been busy writing new songs and recording rough demos at my home. I also announce that I’ve booked studio time at Robot Dog Studio in Burlington, Vermont. In May, I’ll begin to lay down some tracks for an EP which may turn into a full length project. I am also actively booking performances around the area. For more information, you may contact me at marjoriekelting@gmail.com – here is a link to digital promo. https://www.canva.com/design/DAF8he7B7n0/kifj2Ha5T5FIo0SJf1r-KQ/view
Night Bloom
Flowers of the evening primrose open in the late afternoon and close at sunrise. The flowers may open in under one minute, making it one of the fastest blooming flowers. This recent composition is written for four C flutes. Night Bloom, is a one minute soundscape intended to capture the image of the blooming evening primrose.
Forgiven
“Be like the flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it.” Ali bin Abi Talib (7th century)
Quoted by Sir William Jones (18th century) from Persian poet Saadi (13th century)
The falling Sandal-Tree sheds fragrance round,
Perfumes the axe that fells it to the ground;
Some through their tortured trunks a balm supply,
And to give life to their destroyer—die;
A Rose Geranium Sings – Sophia May Eckley (19th century)
You may crush us and break us at will,
But forgiveness may hide in a grief;
Forgiveness! sweet unction of fragrance,
Bruised from a geranium leaf.
Marjorie Kelting 