Last night I played for audience members in Greenwood Cemetery before we watched a brilliant biopic comedy about Emily Dickinson. "Wild Nights with Emily" was written and directed by Madeleine Olnek, and stars Molly Shannon. I've been wanting to play in Greenwood for a while now, and am so thrilled that I got this opportunity. It was a great night!
Hello Fellow Travelers
My name is Thistle. I have been called to sing and play harp, for you.
Finally, recording this Hans Christian Andersen album!!
Wow! So much has happened since my last post. Among those things was some extended European travel, wherein I got seriously sick from some Transylvanian vibes. Love you, Romania, but omg, I almost died this winter.
I am happy to say I've been in the studio since January, recording this album of 11 tunes based on Hans Christian Andersen stories, and it is sounding good. Here is a pic of me and percussionist Rich Stein taking a selfie break during one of our rehearsals.
Stay tuned for more deets on the album.
Germany tour with Pook was a blast!
I returned last week from a 6 date tour in Germany with violinist Carolin Pook. We played Wuppertal, Cologne, Moers, Hannover, Berlin and Haverland. I rented a car and a harp that both turned out to be brand new. Here's a pic of me playing in a DIY shopping cart throne at Platz Project, the super progressive co-working shipping container community in Hannover. Half way during the show I looked up and there were so many people gathered! I have to say that was my favorite show. Another great moment was when an elderly gentleman at the Berlin concert told me I was strange, but that the world needs strangeness, and that my music touched everyone's hearts.
Booking for THISTLE with Pook in Europe this spring
photo by Dwayne Michael CampbellUpdate! 2/10/17 concert has been moved to San Damiano Mission
Hello! Our booking was not honored at the Park Church Coop. Unfortunately due to the last minute cancellation, in the face of the unlikelihood of finding a new venue in 12 hours, the Nouveau Classical Project let their musicians have the night off.
We have moved to San Damiano Mission, 85 N. 15th St., Brooklyn NY
And we are playing with Kelly///Moran! Starts at 8 xoxo
We have moved to San Damiano Mission, 85 N. 15th St., Brooklyn NY
And we are playing with Kelly///Moran! Starts at 8 xoxo
Nouveau Classical Project to play with THISTLE 2/10/17
I am so pleased to announce that THISTLE and the Pookestra will be sharing a bill with Nouveau Classical Project on February 10th at the Park Church Coop.
"...bringing a refreshing edge to the widely conservative genre...NCP's work makes a stage for finding nuance in rigid categories." - VICE
"Classical music’s got an edge these days, and we have the Nouveau Classical Project to thank for that." - MILK MADE
New Salvi Harp Ordered!
I made it to the Salvi showroom in Los Angeles over Thanksgiving, and I chose this Salvi Ana model as my new harp! (This pic features some other lovely harpist's harp, thanks internet!). These are made to order, so it will be 3-4 months before this bad boy comes over from Italy to be mine. Meanwhile, I'll be tuning and retuning and tuning my Merlin R Harp and playing for you at a few shows in NYC--January 6th with Carolin Pook on violin at the Park Church Coop, January 7th solo at Pete's Candy Store (4pm) and February 10th at the Park Church Coop with the six piece chamber orchestra conducted by Pook! yay!WINTER IS COMING
Here I am playing for the second time with the chamber orchestra at October 22nd, 2016 at the Park Church Co-op. Bala Skandan joined us for a couple of songs on mridangam. And we tried out Carolin Pook's new arrangement of The Nightingale--see the vid below!
I'm booking shows and I have a few lined up for winter time. Some of them will be solo or duo, all in NYC for now.
I will begin applying for grants for the chamber orchestra in December, as well as booking another solo/duo European tour for next spring.
I can't wait to play my harp all day inside with the shades drawn this winter...oh wait, I do that anyway!
Currently working on writing The Wild Swans.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
xo
I'm booking shows and I have a few lined up for winter time. Some of them will be solo or duo, all in NYC for now.
I will begin applying for grants for the chamber orchestra in December, as well as booking another solo/duo European tour for next spring.
I can't wait to play my harp all day inside with the shades drawn this winter...oh wait, I do that anyway!
Currently working on writing The Wild Swans.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
xo
Rehearsing with Bala Skandan
I am making this guy learn my odd meter, odd measure tunes! So thrilled to be playing with mridangam again!!
October 22nd--Playing with Pookestra at the Park Church Co-op!
Hi there!! I am so excited about the next show I will be playing. Bala Skandan, an exceptionally talented and renowned NYC-based mridangam player, will be joining our all female chamber orchestra as guest artist. Mirdangam is a double headed drum played in Carnatic (Karnatak, or South Indian Classical) music. I used to sing in this genre and I LOVE this instrument. When played well, it is quite stimulating and awe inspiring. Carolin Pook will be conducting her own arrangements of my songs in the vein of her Pookestra work, which includes whole-ensemble improvisation. My dear friend Niabi is opening up for us with her solo electronic project Searmanas--a hypnotic and canonistic ritual that is not to be missed. Jesse Gelaznik shares the orchestra with me this evening, adding a few more members as well, to debut yet another freshly written classical piece for us. I am very excited about this show, and I hope you are too! xo
Picasso Machinery is a fun little salon event that happens every last Friday of the month under the Williamsburg bridge at Picasso Machinery's loft space. It's a fun little variety show for artists by artists. Come through for a tiny set by moi, nestled in the work of poets, burlesque dancers, clowns, actors, etc.