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Update #15: Album Update and Upcoming Show 2/17
Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 is off to a good start...
I'm writing with an update for you. This past month has been amazing: we recorded the last song on A Bird Will Sing, my new album, on December 30th! I felt very strongly that the song belonged to this project, so we went back in the studio to finish our work. We had a magical day, just me and my esteemed Producer Anton, with infallible Yohei engineering. We are now done with recording!
In a few weeks we'll start mastering the record (audio post-production). This is the last step before it's ready for listeners like you. And before long, you will get your album/digital tracks and long-awaited prizes, too (music! songbooks! baked goods!). I am now also looking for the best ways to manufacture, share, distribute and sell this music.
2) UPCOMING SHOW
xoSerena
Update #14: A Bird Will Sing is nearly done!
I'm so excited to be checking in after awhile to say that we are on our way to finishing my new album A Bird Will Sing!!! Here’s what’s been happening:
At the beginning of October, I tracked my lead vocals with Producer Anton Fier and our ace engineer, Yohei Goto. I really love singing in the studio — and working with these guys is amazing! I’m really thrilled with the music we made and how the songs have come together.
After we had the lead vocals, my good friends and fellow songstresses Amanda Thorpe and Greta Gertler laid down sumptious back-up vocals on a few songs (including gorgeous harmonies on A Bird Will Sing). Last weekend we were in the studio for three long days of mixing and adding more details. Anton, my producer, has amazing vision and astonishingly keen ears, and Yohei has great technical prowess and musical agility. Together we got four songs mixed!
This past Sunday, some of my very favorite people (band mates Julian Maile, Rob Jost and Robert DiPietro) and special guest Michelle Casillas (Ursa Minor) sang back-up vocals. Rob also put down a horn part on the song In The Garden, which was inspired by my Swiss grandfather's antique rotary flugel horn. It was a packed and wonderful day...
This coming Friday, after a few days break, I'll be heading back to the studio to add some finishing touches and then we'll mix the remaining songs - which means we’ll be all done with the recording! Then we’ll let the tracks settle a bit before we head into mastering - which is the final step of the audio - before the artwork gets made and I decide about how to reproduce the new CD.
Throughout the recording, I've really felt the wind at my back — because of each of you, my backers — and soon we will have done this together! I'm so excited to get you the music and your prizes, and to get A Bird Will Sing out into the world.
I'll check in again after our last days - and meanwhile, am attaching some studio photos for your enjoyment. Thanks again for your amazing support ~
xoSerena
Update #13: Album Update! Upcoming Show 5/25!
I'm writing with an update about the album. It's been going really well, and at the beginning of the month we tracked percussion overdubs with the incomparable Robert DiPietro. Just last week, Producer Anton Fier and I returned to the studio and had a wonderful session with amazing keyboard/organ player Thomas Bartlett (Doveman). These musicians bring so much to the songs...
I'm very excited about this next phase and how the album is growing and evolving. It won't be too long before we get there. And, I am very thankful to you who are making this possible.
Update #12: Almost-Spring Update!
Hello Dear Backers,
I'm writing to fill you in on what we've been doing with the new recording. Things are going really well...
Last week, Julian Maile put down some incredible guitar tracks ~ me and Anton and Yohei and Julian had a great time in the studio! We caught a big wave and the tracks are sounding fantastic. It's very exciting and I'm feeling quite inspired.
This month, I'll be writing string arrangements for the record, which we'll record in April, and then before long we'll add some organ, percussion, and lots of vocals. We'll be picking up the pace a bit and working hard these next few months. It won't be too long before you hear something (I promise).
It's wonderful to know as we do this that you Backers are out there...
Hope you are well, sending songs and kisses ~
xSerena
Update #11: Studio Round One!
Hi Dear Backers,
I'm excited to report that the Band and I spent last weekend in the studio in NYC! Yippee!
We spent three fantastic days recording as a team of seven: The Band (Julian Maile, Rob Jost and Robert DiPietro) and I, guided by Producer Anton Fier and our fierce engineer, Yohei, plus awesome assistant Matt...much music was made, and we had a great time!
So far, so good!
We will be heading into the studio these next few months to build upon this great "basics" foundation as we make and complete the record. Please know that I am thinking of you all as we do this - your support is making this possible. I'm so excited about our incredible sessions last weekend!
I'll be sending this missive via regular email along with some photos of us at work, from the night before the first pre-pro rehearsal to our time in the studio. Check back with Kickstarter for more updates, too.
Here's hoping you are well, thanks again
and until soon ~
xSerena
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 17, 2010.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
THE FLOATING LEAF: Receive an advance, digital copy of the album (environmentally gentle)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
THE REAL DEAL: A hot off the press CD, which will come to you signed, sealed and delivered. Something real in your mailbox!
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
THE COLLECTOR'S CACHE: An advance copy of the signed, new CD, plus a copy of my previous album, Closer Than Far, produced by the great Brad Albetta.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
KISS THE WIND: A signed, advance copy of the new CD, a copy of Closer Than Far, plus a Limited Edition Handmade Songbook (chord charts, lyrics, session photos).
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
TRAILBLAZER'S AWARD - SWEET MYSTERY: The signed, new CD, Closer Than Far, a signed Songbook, and--Robert, drumroll, please--if it’s June 21st-25th: a Manhattan Cherry Pie, my piece de resistance, made of fresh sour cherries picked from my Chelsea garden. I climb the picnic table to get to them, and hope they don’t stain my white skirt. These cherries are most amazing and make unforgettable pie. (Cherry Offer good only for NYC residents or NYC visitors, cherry pies cannot be flying around or getting upside-down.)
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
HEARTS CAN TELL: A signed, new CD, Closer Than Far, a signed Limited Edition Songbook, AND a 200-count batch of my Lemon Heart Cookies (people just eat ‘em up)!
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
"‘LIEBLINGS GUETZLI": A signed, new CD, Closer Than Far, a signed Limited Edition Songbook, AND a hefty portion of Linzerschnitte (Hazelnut-jam cookies, you can share these with your friends, or just keep them for yourself).
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
SPECIAL DELIVERY: The signed, new CD, Closer Than Far, a signed Songbook, AND Serena Jost’s Almond Carrot Cake, as featured in Molly O’Neill’s column in the New York Times Magazine. PLUS, I will sing a song for you in person or over skype so you can really have your cake and eat it, too.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
BIG THINGS GROW TALL (Executive Producer Level): The signed, new CD, plus your name will be included in the “Executive Producer” section of the album credits. You will be on our permanent “Guest List” for all shows, forever. Plus, you will be invited to the final listening party for the album.
Pledge $2,000 or more Pledge $2,000 or more
JUST FOR YOU (Tour Promoter Level): Private House House Concert for you and your friends. 500-mile radius of New York City (either we will be on tour already and perform at your place along the way or we will drive my trusty 1992 Toyota to your doorstep). If you’re outside of the radius and have a private jet to fly us in, that would work, too. Also available as a concert in my Manhattan apartment.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
WALK WITH ME: Write and record you a song. You could choose the theme or subject or give me something to work off of ~ a photo, a word, a question, a dream ~ or I will find something for you.
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Singer-songwriter and cellist Serena Jost was born to Swiss parents and raised in The Midwest. Her debut CD, Closer Than Far, was produced by Brad Albetta (Martha Wainwright, Teddy Thompson).
Time Out NY lauded Serena’s “rollicking take” on Iris DeMent’s bittersweet Our Town and “catch(y) vocal hooks” and noted: "Jost writes gently eccentric songs and sings them in an elegant alto, often accompanying herself on cello, but it isn’t quite right to call her a singer-songwriter. The term art song—normally tied to 19th-century concert music—usefully characterizes Jost’s carefully arranged pieces and succinct lyrics, neither quite rock nor folk..." (Bob Bannister).
Serena’s music has been compared to 70s English folk artists like Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention—and also to the Canadian artist Jane Siberry—but is still entirely her own, “seamlessly merging classical and pop melodies” (Lucidculture). An original member of Rasputina, the well-corseted cello group, she has toured the United States and Europe extensively and also collaborated with numerous poets, dancers and visual artists.
Yay! Have fun at your upcoming shows...