Gratitude and Grammy winners

I get so caught up in keeping up that sometimes I forget to take a moment to reflect. The past two weeks have been an incredible ride.

Ukefest was bigger and better than ever at its new home. The stunning ‘Hook and Ladder’ theater. We raised $1,200 for both Arc GTC and The Minnesota Music Coalition and had a really sucesful Open Mic! Lots of great stuff to build upon next year. Thank you to WCCo morning news crew for always supporting this show and huge unrepayable thanks to all of the perfomers.

Then the week after that I was able to achieve a couple of music dreams, one of which I have had as long as I’ve lived in MN!

Last Saturday night I was invited to play a house concert and I initially turned it down as it was the night of my Brits ABBA show. But then the host told me it would be with Dan Wilson! Grammy winning writer of hits with Adele, Dixie Chicks, and more. I couldn’t turn it down and rearranged my schedule. Big shout out to the ABBA crew for being patient with me and huge thanks to Tomy and Shaun for making it happen. It was a magical night. Sadly I had to run out of there like ‘Disco Cinderella’ to make it to Brits, but Dan was so kind and said he loved hearing me sing!! Swoon!

The Abba show was amazing. I just adore playing these songs and I guess practice pays off because I am now able to sing and dance like a loon without totally collapsing : )

Then on Sunday I opened a show for my longtime musical influence and all round impressive songwrter, Adam Levy! I have listened to his records on repeat for as long as I’ve lived in MN. The entire weekend was a lesson in how to control my nerves and step up to the moment.

This business is always about the next gig, the next record, the next big thing… but I never ever want to forget to take a moment to look at what I have been able to do and savour and appreciate that moment.

Thank you for taking this ride with me.

Katy xx

 

 

Receiving and giving!

As of this blog..

196 people have already pledged support so that I can make my next record.

That is mind boggling and my favourite part is that the majority of them are $10 or $25 pledges (more is amazing too of course) which means people are pre-purchasing the music by allowing me to make it, and THAT is the new music industry!

No record labels are kicking down the doors of middle aged mothers in the burbs. Singing should not be a reality show, contact sport.

Songs come from real life experience, and the fact that there is an audience for that makes me feel like everything I’m doing has some small meaning in this crazy world.

The last two shows I have played I told people about this project. I let people take CDs home and pledge on their own time and hopefully feel inspired by the music they heard to help me make an album that will expand upon the songs and make something truly special.

The campaign took a huge leap after each show and i want to thank you all so much for that!!

I have been asked to play a show the night of Sept 23rd and that will wrap up this time in my life so nicely. Instead of it being anything to do with my big ask, it will actually be a fundraiser for Hurricane relief.

I can’t think of a better way to close this campaign than by focusing outwards on others.

Thank you all for the kind words, the social shares, and every single pledge. All the best, katy

SEPTEMBER 23rd. 7:30pm @

 
329 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454

To Hell With Harvey! Texas Hurricane Relief Fundraiser

 

It’s time to make another record… so I’m launching a Kickstarter!!

It’s been five years since I did a Kickstarter and I still feel huge gratutitude to those early backers and the people that believed in me even when I doubted myself. Many of you are still here online, coming to shows, and have become friends!

So….. here goes. Let’s make a record..

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/katyvernon/katy-vernon-needs-help-to-make-new-album-suit-of-h

So here we are, 100’s of shows, a full band, two records, and an international tour later!!

Most of you know I wear my heart on my sleeve. Possibly too much. It’s the way I am, and this year I felt like I turned myself inside out exposing all of my sins, struggles, fears, and dreams.

Instead of hiding that struggle, I want to celebrate the journey and the strength that can be found in honesty. I want to wear my ‘suit of hearts’ and face the world on it’s own terms.

2016 was rough. After a few crushing years of physical and mental pain, I really had to take a break and hit reset. A chance arose to play two huge ukulele festivals in the UK, and I decided (With the encouragment of my family) to take the plunge and go for it.

This meant 6 weeks alone on the road (My family joined me at the end) and the hard work of booking shows in another country. Train rides, flights, hotels, house shows, and many, many emails, phone calls and leaps of faith later, I had a tour booked. For someone who gets nervous about taking the wrong turn when driving this was a big deal : )

I had never spent time completely alone. As a wife since my early 20’s and a mother all of my 30’s, it was time to reconnect and to where I came from and what I wanted to say.

So I literally travelled all over the UK. To many places I had never been, and back to places I hadn’t seen since I was a child. In one 24 hour period I sang to patients at the London Hospice my mother spent her last days in, tand then travelled to her childhood home and favourite beaches in Wales.

I learnt about the strong line of Celtic women that I came from. I have spent so much of my life grieving that I never allowed myself to truly learn about my roots.

I let the waves wash over me in Brighton, where I spent 9 days on a self imposed writing retreat.

I learned how to get lost, and then find myself again. This isn’t an album about pain or mistakes. This is an album about getting caught in life’s undertow and making it out the other side. Learning to let go.

I think these are some of the best songs I’ve ever written, and I want to make an amzing album that will showcase them.

The amount I am asking for is for recording costs and musician expenses only. I have always paid my band, even if I wasn’t getting paid. I sincerely value their time. I am also going to utilize the incredible Kevin Bowe again. We will be recording in the next few months and I hope to have a record by next summer. (Maybe sooner!)

I self funded my last record, but in order to tour and gig as much as I am currently being asked to I am only working part time. I am already pouring every amount of money I can into this deeply personal project but I need help.

I appreciate the best wishes of you all and with your help I can make this record a reality.19149473_10154422696852257_2900589848615928986_n

Going home

KatyredstickerIt’s been a while since I blogged here. I have actually been writing more for other outlets. I wrote a blog for ‘Dissonance’ online community (http://www.dissonance.website/) and then ‘Savour’ magazine (http://www.presspubs.com/savour/article_ef1441c0-0845-11e7-a272-4f98c5ed1918.html) asked me to write a quartlery series of articles about mental health, recovery and creativity! Phew. That’s been a lot to take on and has made me think a lot.

I have always written music as a way to express myself in a way that I never felt I could simply talking. It’s hard to open up and share sad stories, but set them to an upbeat tune, and people listen : )

I also get a little tired of feeling like I’m complaining all the time! I’m not, and I would hate for anyone to think I’m just mining my past and digging things up to be sad about.  It’s not a complaint, it’s a release of love, grief, appreciation, and a tribute to my loved ones to sing about them.

People often say I sing like an angel! I totally blush at that, but it is a spiritual feeling for me to sing. It’s such a natural relief for me to sing. It’s always been my play, my companion, my escape. I feel my heart and my body opening up and it’s like taking a huge breath in and releasing it all out. When people listen to that and feel a connection, it is magical.

I have spent so many years trying to navigate my feelings and my place in the world that mental health issues crept up on me. I always had a million reasons to feel sad, and I didn’t know that depression had taken hold. It was probably always there and I’m grateful for the coping skills and the loving people in my life that helped to keep it at bay.

I am now on medication for depression and can feel the difference between sadness and depression. Its a profound difference that I am still getting acclimated to.

I know that going home will have highs and lows and I am ready for them. I always do best with goals. My goal is to write my next record during this trip. I have carved out a week break in my schedule so I can have quiet time to write.

I’m excited to see where the new songs will take me, and I’m grateful that my music is literally taking me home.

Better new year

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the support last year and prior to that for some of you. It’s hugely appreciated.

This was a tough one personally and I am grateful to have had music as an outlet, my band as an escape, friends and family’s love, the mental health and recovery communities resources, and all of you. You are my community, and I am so happy to be connected to you all.

New music has been percolating all year and I wanted to take the lessons of last year and make something beautiful. Not just sad songs, and certainly no self pitying ballads or rants, but hopefully something that gets to the heart of how to pick yourself up and carry on.

My immediate goals this year are to play new venues and find new ways to connect.

That includes my new in home concert series. I was inspired by the incredible Shannon Curtis to push myself out there with my own events instead of waiting for others! I have already booked a couple of shows under the ‘Present-Together’ banner and I’m looking for more. This is a donation based event and has no cost to the host. Let’s chat if you’re curious.

I also want to expand on Uke Fest this year and find more ways to support other artists.

In other news, I decided to reprint my sold out first album! I’m celebrating that with a two for $15 special for both records!

See you soon xxx

A new chapter..

I decided to use my blog as a starting point for more than just my musical musings and updates.

These will be mostly reflections of my upbringing as I start to collect together ideas to share or not share as more of a collection with my children, friends and community.

 

As way of an intro…

I only have a few memories of my mother.

I remember the Pirate costume she made for me. She pinned an old necklace to an oversized hat and showed me how to wear it tilted on my head, just right so I’d look badass.

She came in to school and berated a mean teacher who told me I was going to sing backstage as my prettier friend sang along out front of the audience.

She told my friends that our dogs hair was permed just because it made her laugh.

She always burnt toast and said she preferred it that way anyway. She didn’t.

She loved the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bobby M.

She was an advocate for the disabled, starting with the fierce love she had for my brother Peter and she went on the BBC to speak up for disability rights.

I remember her telling me the songs she wanted to be sung at her funeral.

I remember sitting in her hospice bed and eating strawberries rolled in sugar.

I don’t remember the sound of her voice.

For all the things I remember and the lifetime of memories I will never have I decided to write as much as I can think think of down.
Before I forget.

 

Eat, Drink (or not) and be Merry (or not)…

It’s time to talk…

This has been a year! Instead of wallowing in how tough it’s been for me personally I am looking ahead. I didn’t even know how bad I was feeling until it became unmanagable. That led me to ‘Dissonance’, an organisation that supports people and opens up dialog between the arts and mental healh.
So here I am doing an event with them. I’ve navigated a lifetime of feeling awkward, lonely, different, and just plain sad around this time of year. It brings up a lot of feelings but I’m still here. I love watching my kids put up a tree and I love the songs, the movies, the food! We are all stonger when we recognize our weaknesses and prop each other up. If you’d like to come please check out the link. Donation only event, free for those that need that.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dissonance-presents-unhappy-holidays-tickets-29196687077

UK Tour!! Next Summer. More details to come, but I’m so excited! If you know of any venues, radio, press, and even just have friends in the UK please let me know about them. I have some big plans already but want to make more.
To help celebrate my UK tour I have made new necklaces. Avaible now because you don’t need to fly to the UK to look this cool ; ) $10 each. Handmade by me.
Shows to come to…Tuesday, December 6th. IDS Music Under Glass. Lunchtime Holiday music series. Katy Solo. Noon.

Wednesday, December 7th. Aster Cafe. Singer Songwriter night. Katy solo. 8:30pm. Just a couple of tunes. No cover.

Wednesday, December 14th. City Center Lunchtime Holiday music series. Katy Solo. Noon.

Thursday, December 15th. Dissonance presents: Unhappy Holidays. Panel discussion and performance. Open Book, Minneapolis. 7pm. Katy solo. Free.

2017

January 4th 2017 at 7:00 pm, Sample Night Live. Landmark Center, St. Paul. Katy solo.

Friday, January 13th.ABBASolutely Fab headlining at the Turf Club. 9pm.

UK tour dates to announced soon.

Thank you David Tanner for this great shot from the Turf Club. In the past month I have been lucky enough to play The Cedar, and the Turf (Replacements tribute show). Two of my favourite Twin Cities venues. Here I am playing Skyway’ and I loved it so much I’m going to add it to my regular shows.
Looking ahead to next year I have a couple of Abba shows in the works. First up is the Turf Club. We’re thrilled to be headlinging another fab night of bands.
Friday, January 13th. ABBASolutely Fab headlining at the Turf Club. 9pm.
Thank you for the support this year. It means a lot.
Buy music, support art, be kind, unwind : )

2016 wrap up!

Looking Ahead

This was a challenging year. Not just for me, but for a lot of friends and folks in general.
I have learnt a lot and I’m feeling better than I have in a long time. I already have some amazingly exciting things in the works for 2017 (Picture below is a hint!) and look forward to being able to share that soon.

Last 2016 Katy Vernon Band Show!!

One of my goals next year is to play with my amazing band more. They are SO awesome and I would gladly play every week with them if people wanted us to! Your last chance this year is a week from today.

Friday, November 4th at the Aster Cafe. 9pm. The lovely Natalie Lovejoy opens the show.
This will very likely sell out so please call to reserve a table. Walkins can still be seated at the bar for those procrastinators we know and love : ) Aster Cafe. Minneapolis. Call # 612-379-3138

Abba Show!!
Our last show of the year!! Tomorrow night (Saturday, October 29th) We play Brits birthday bash. Kinda Kinky (Kinks band) play at 8:30 and we play at 10. No cover, drink specials, and come dressed up!! You know I’ll be rocking my blonde wig xxx
Brits Pub. Minneapolis.

Full to capacity Uke Fest crowd!!!
Thank you to everyone who came to Uke Fest. I wasn’t sure if switching venues this year would work. You packed the place!!! Wow.
We raised over $700 for both of the charities and from a musical point of view I really think it was the best one yet!!
Thank you to all of the perfomers.
Dean Johnson, Anna Lee Roberts, Daniel Nass, Mark Olsen, Mary Bue, Dave Randall, Caiti Allison, Lauren Ashiem, Corey Mohan (Hula peppers), Dave Kapell, Simon Husbands, Christian Erickson with Janey Winterbauer, Nikki Becker, Jake Rowan, Eric and Nora (Hot Date).

Thank you all for the encouragment and support. Katy x

 

9690-union-jack-soprano-ukulele-uke-2

Out of touch… Real life

imageI feel very out of touch with you all and I’m sorry about that! This summer seems to be flying by and every week seems to bring challenges that have frankly been a little overwhelming.

I am hoping that some creativity comes out of all of this worrying and anxiety, but more importantl I just trying to learn from it!

My brother, seen here on the right, is doing well and some of you may know that he was the inspiration for my song Peter. I have always tried to use writing to connect and process how I feel. I Skype with him monthly and the words of that song ring true every time. “When you see my face you smile, Do you know me, can you show me” He can : )

Sometimes I don’t even know how I feel until I sing it back to myself and realize how wise I am! lol.

This year has seen a couple of job changes, and I’m still not sure if the choices I have made will turn out to be the right ones but I’m plugging along trying to make the best of things. I also broke my toe a couple of weeks ago. I kicked my guitar case at band practice, accidently! Very annoying, but I’m on the mend.

I have also decided to stop drinking. I don’t think anyone would call me a big drinker, but it’s been a crutch for me emotionaly that I realize does more to make me sad that it does to make me happy. Not a good solution!

So I’m starting fresh with things, writing again and turning down those free drink tickets that come with every show! Hot me up on the right night and I’ll give you one : )

Hope to see some of you at the Aster. It’s this Sunday night. July 24th. Despite my emotional roller coaster, we always put on a great show : )

 

Thanks for the support and love. I feel it and I appreciate it.

Katy