Christabel Etheriel guest performance

Last night Lily Vizien and Playsk00l joined me for a guest live performance at Mad Club, Athens. We did a cover version of Cocteau Twins’ ‘Garlands’. I also added a beat I made with Nanoloop software on GameBoy.

First poll

I’ve added a poll on this blog.

Please vote for the song you like the most:

Sin

X

The Rapist

Death in the family

or any other you prefer.

Thanks

Lovely…

After 4 months I finally have three pictures from the Playhouse Gotique #4 festival. Even if they are not all glossy and shiny and erm extremely representative, they are the best (and only ones) I’ve got. Many thanks to Slamming Stick for providing me with these! I like gig pictures as they capture the moment (it doesn’t matter which moment) I will never be able to memorize and re-live. Videos do that better but let’s not be arrogant, right? Still pictures embody better the idea of a single second and focus on this, rather than showing a more general centered approach (like video, yeah). Not to forget, video killed the radio star.
It’s always good to bring back happy moments – Playhouse Gotique #4 was one of them. I’m looking forward to the next gig, there are many plans on the way, but since I’m waiting for a reply from the record label I don’t want to book anything. Besides, this is not my duty and as I’ve stated before, some people are better that other ones when it comes to business… I’ll just stick to my job, I can’t talk money for myself, either because I empathize with the “business man” or I feel like swearing at them as they are stupid bastards that want to make money and don’t care about anything else than that. Although, in the end, why should they care about ‘art’ or anything else than their business? I’m not saying they should care, but they must respect the people that bring them their money, that’s artists, and not treat them like lazy dogs.

Again, I’m in the middle of nowhere, stuck here with many things on my mind, tons of stuff to do. I’m only looking for a positive answer…

Mixed, arranged, shipped

I just handed in the CD to the courier service. It will be delivered later at the record company I’ve been talking to lately… I cross my fingers everything will be ok and they’ll like the outcome!

I’ve put much energy on this. Above all, I’m pleased with the arrangement. Mixing is fine, but the arrangement is totally better, and that will make a difference. It’s always really helpful to have people around you for feedback. In my case, these are only few but they did the job alright! 

Now it’s time to rest, and wait.

Mix update

I’ve come home from a long day at the studio. Managed to work for 10 hours. Mike deserves the golden medal of mix. More information on the Mixing studio sessions.

“Sin”, “X” and “Heaven’s Lie #3″ updates

I’ve just added “X” and a proper version of “Sin” on Last.Fm webpage. They are both fresh, just came out of the studio . I also a semi-finished version of “Heaven’s Lie #3″.

I will soon upload them on myspace as well.

I’m waiting for your comments and/or feedback!

Songs overview

Previously on ‘Christabel Etheriel’:

“Shit! The mixing desk has been broken down”, “Oh no! Mixing sessions have been postponed, so much work that needs to be done, so little time”, “When shall we book a gig?”, “I can’t sleep at nights. I keep thinking of the studio”. Pure drama.

Today everything is possible. Mike sent me three rough mixes and now everything is more clear on my mind (I’m only talking about the CD structure). 

I think that so far, “Sin” is the best song. It’s not only because I love it, it’s the music, the lyrics, everything. I especially love the loud guitars and strings at the end. “X” comes second. I believe this shall be more marketed than the rest, it must be the hit. I’m so crazy about this cello rhythmic melody on second verse… “Clink” is way great as a concept. You need to take a close look at it in order to appreciate it. After all, it’s your inner self. I can’t say much about “Death in the family”, I couldn’t find a more appropriate song to come to a conclusion. Death is not the answer, however, it is everywhere. And “Down on my knees” cannot be stimulating… it really reminds me 90s indie rock combined with 80s dark bass lines.

My personal favorite is “The Rapist”. I don’t know if this will be regarded as it should, for many reasons. I only hope it will. Also, it’s the last song I composed for the album. It’s so emotional and cruel, all the instruments are dramatic, I feel the lyrics’ pain into the music’s structure. It’s fascinating.”In your eyes there’s no lust, in my body’s left disgust. I can’t feel anymore, I don’t wonder what I’ve done, I can’t feel anymore, I don’t bother where to go”.

To my ears, my purpose will be accomplished. Eight songs that can be categorized under “Dark Pop” (actually they will be popular music, but that’s for marketing purposes). They are catchy songs which can be easily memorized, but they differ in many ways from other pop songs: dark melodies, dramatic lyrics, hidden musical meanings (something that can be traced by very few people). “Potentially Infinite” hopefully will be pleasant for many: a music enthusiast/lover/elitist; a ’simple’ person ( I hardly believe there are ’simple’ persons, that should be an euphemism, but you get the picture); a musician; a composer; a mother (I know at least one that will love it).

That’s all I can say now…

“Potentially Infinite” preview tracks uploaded

I have the first proper draft mix of three songs, “Clink”, “Death in the family” and “Down on my knees”. I’ve uploaded few minutes of each on myspace and last fm.

It’s Mike’s job this time, I really like the outcome and cannot wait for more songs…

Feel free to listen and if you have to, comment.

Christabel Etheriel “Lasts”!

Thanks to my dear friend Keftedoula I created an account on Last.fm and made things easier! I didn’t use it before, as I had nothing at all to promote (mp3s, pictures, information), but now’s a good time to do so. 

What’s so different with Last Fm? It works as a radio and community tool at the same time. It looks better than myspace (it’s more collective and interactive) and musicians even have the ability to collect royalties from their songs. For the time being, everything is for free. Once I have a deal with a record label, this might change accordingly. 

You are most welcome to add me as a friend or subscribe to my music! 

http://www.last.fm/music/Christabel+Etheriel

Toying with Noizes…

Bloody technology can be a pain in the arse at times. The Fab Liquid Neotek mixing desk is still down. I really don’t understand what’s going with its electronics: the guys have changed several resistors, chips and other electronic material, but it still doesn’t work properly. For the time being, Ottomo’s using a USB external device that has few channels and is bypassing Neotek. 

Unfortunately, the guys’ work has been delayed for everyone. And so did mine.

However… not everything is.. black

On Tuesday, Mike will begin editing the songs at the studio and I will be there to instruct him so that he does his work faster. This should take 2-3 days, and then we will start the production… that should be fun! 

I hope we can finish by the end of January and get on with mastering.

By the way, tomorrow at An club, Mike’s band SUGAH GALORE presents their first studio album entitled “spacecakes”. Most of us will be there…supporting them cause they’re REALLY REALLY good. Plus, Mike rocks!

Also, there’s a chance we might play at Synch Festival this year… We shall see…