Below are the archives form my original blog. Some interesting reading?
Audio Magazyn (in Poland!) - March 15, 2009
Well, it has been (a busy) while! I promise I will post more news soon, along with pics, to let you know what I have been up to.
Meanwhile, excitingly, if you are in Poland, you can pick up this month's copy of Audio Magazyn, where my song 'Stranger Lurking' is featured on the compilation album!
If you're not in Poland, you can still get the song... just
CLICK HERE!
New York Album release - January 15, 2009
Thank you so much to everyone who came out on a REALLY cold and snowy Thursday night to celebrate my album launch! We packed the place, and had a really awesome time... My friend Airlie (who is an awesome children's book illustrator - check her out at www.airlieanderson.net) took these pics which she describes as blurry, but romantic - a perfect fit for some music on a winter's night in a prohibition-era jazz joint, my favourite place to play - 55 Bar, I think. Thank you so much to Ed, Joe, Mat and Danny - who played for the launch - you guys rocked!! I will miss you on my travels, but look forward to seeing you all again soon.
So, it's official! Musings of a Telescopic Tree is released! Buy it, enjoy it! Tell your friends!
And, as always, thanks for your treasured support...
Limited Editions are finally finished! - January 9, 2009
FINALLY!
The limited editions are finally all done (well, ok - I do have 10 left to do because I ran out of binding thread and I can't seem to find any in Iowa!) - but they are all done in spirit. Sitting in a box, wrapped in their plastic sleeves and waiting to head out to some lovely homes. I feel like quite the entrepreneur with all these nicely packaged products to store and sell!
And just in time for the album release next week - I am so excited about the release. I hope you'll come along if you are in NY - the details are on my gigs page.
Oh, and happy 2009! I hope you all had a safe and rested holiday season.. I spent mine with my family in Iowa, which was just what I needed. We stayed on a little longer and I have been busy sending out packages to a zillion radio stations and magazines and blogs... but this weekend I am ready for a rest. Phew! But, busy as I have been, I am also very content with the work, as I am determined to make 2009 a year of singing ONLY! I have been singing professionally for 10 years now (I can't believe it has been that long since I graduated from WAAPA) - and there have been times that I could have simply survived on gigs, and also a lot of times where I couldn't have - but regardless of my gigging status and ability to pay/not pay my rent I have always had a full-time job. I love working, and have had some really awesome jobs and bosses and have learnt so much along the way. The learning has given me the ability to now throw in the full-time working towel, and give this, MY career, the attention it deserves. I am a little apprehensive, but very focused - and will need all the help (and luck, which really translates to hard work, doesn't it?!) I can get. But 2009 is off to a good start. I have some savings, some gigs, cd's by the hundreds and I don't have to pay any rent because I have no fixed address and an airline ticket that will take me around the world.
Yeeha!
Here's the link to buy a limited edition (also available in the SHOP section)
Brooklyn Holiday Designer Sale - December 6, 2008
I am performing at The Bell House as part of this (most awesome) Holiday Designer Show. It features a bunch of Brooklyn designers - all who make a wide range of the best products! I have been saving my money, as this is where I am going to be shopping for my holiday gifts (yes! for myself too!!)...
I will *hopefully* receive my ZILLIONS of copies of Musings of a Telescopic Tree just before the event, so will have them available for sale! I even got myself a credit card swipey machine, so can accept credit cards... hmm, moving up in the world!!
I will *hopefully* receive my ZILLIONS of copies of Musings of a Telescopic Tree just before the event, so will have them available for sale! I even got myself a credit card swipey machine, so can accept credit cards... hmm, moving up in the world!!
Paint Me Orange is officially SOLD OUT! - October 25, 2008
Wow! I can't believe all the copies I had pressed of Paint Me Orange are gone and out there in the world with you all!! It feels great.. And it comes at such great timing - when the next cd is just at the final stages of being done. Perfect!
I decided after much thought that I am not going to press any more Paint Me Orange's. They will always be available as digital downloads though! As much as I love the tangibility of physical cd's (and records!), I also like the fact that there is a limited and exclusive amount of them, and once they're gone, they're gone. Maybe you'll have a collector's item one day!! (hehe, I like that thought!)... In a world full of materialism and saturation of 'things' it makes me feel good that I can choose to make something in a way that is not only somewhat socially responsible, but so that you can feel excited about having something that there isn't much of....I don't know about you, but things are moving more and more that way for me, - I am becoming more and more particular that I buy things that are unique, well-made and that I know I am not encouraging corporate overload by buying!!
Speaking of corporate overload, I took this photo in Brooklyn - I can see it from the awesome huge windows of my work, with lower Manhattan gleaming in the background! It always makes me feel good, (and wonder how people got UP there!)
I decided after much thought that I am not going to press any more Paint Me Orange's. They will always be available as digital downloads though! As much as I love the tangibility of physical cd's (and records!), I also like the fact that there is a limited and exclusive amount of them, and once they're gone, they're gone. Maybe you'll have a collector's item one day!! (hehe, I like that thought!)... In a world full of materialism and saturation of 'things' it makes me feel good that I can choose to make something in a way that is not only somewhat socially responsible, but so that you can feel excited about having something that there isn't much of....I don't know about you, but things are moving more and more that way for me, - I am becoming more and more particular that I buy things that are unique, well-made and that I know I am not encouraging corporate overload by buying!!
Speaking of corporate overload, I took this photo in Brooklyn - I can see it from the awesome huge windows of my work, with lower Manhattan gleaming in the background! It always makes me feel good, (and wonder how people got UP there!)
Lotta Jansdotter surface printing workshop & learning patience - October 12, 2008
Another class! This time I was lucky enough to work at and participate in Lotta Jansdotter's surface printing workshop. It was just fantastic, and again I am inspired! Hmmm, our little apartment is really get a bit overrun with all of our fun things - keyboards, guitars, books, videos, fabrics, papers, pens and paints .. and it goes on. I was reminded of how much I love lino cutting and using inks (getting messy!) and can't believe it has been so long since I have printed. There's always something to amuse (and sometimes distract!) yourself with, isn't there? Meanwhile, I read this quote "You must first have a lot of patience to learn to have patience", Stanislaw J. Lec (1909 - 1966), and had to laugh! I have been waiting patiently through some unforeseen circumstances for my album to be finished, and keep telling myself that I am learning patience - and if I tell anyone that, they say that I seem so patient already. I guess I am the epitome of the quote! In any case, sitting in my patience/impatience I have been getting to make those limited edition artist's books and am having fun making & being distracted with them. Can't wait for everything to be finished and out there in the world... Patience, patience!
Little, Little Just (a love song) - August 29, 2008
Days we keep on breathing in
The waves of beauty
You give to us with open arms
Although the truth fades through
We will come to you
To see
Who you helped us to be
I am living beyond you
Saya cinta kepadamu
Nights of gentle laughter
As we sit and feel your arms
Fold around our weary hearts
A moment flows alone
We will come to you
To see
Who you helped us to be
I am living beyond you
Saya cinta kepadamu
copyright NC08
Metro Elvis - August 20th! - August 10, 2008
I am gonna be on tv! I was chosen to be a part of the weekly show Metro Elvis - which is a showcase of musicians and artists in the NY area.
So, for all of you out there who don't live in NY, or haven't had a chance to come to a live gig, you can see a gig of mine on telly - er, I mean your computer! And if you were there, then maybe you'll hear your fabulous clapping and my appreciation for your support (that's harder to hear in real life, but it's there!).
So, for all of you out there who don't live in NY, or haven't had a chance to come to a live gig, you can see a gig of mine on telly - er, I mean your computer! And if you were there, then maybe you'll hear your fabulous clapping and my appreciation for your support (that's harder to hear in real life, but it's there!).
Bookbinding and being creative - June 28, 2008
I have been taking a fabulous class on Monday nights called Artist's Books, which is a great mix of bookbinding techniques and artist book techniques. I have been having an absolute ball. I have been both drawing and making books and photo albums for quite a while now, so this class feels perfectly catered to me! I am learning some great new things and my creative juices are quite literally overflowing - which I just love! I feel that one of the most frustrating things for me as a musician is that I am on a 'high' musically for a while and everything is going full-speed and then I hit a wall, and I lose the inspiration. I don't know where it goes, but I am always left feeling like I am maybe being lazy that I should force myself to get in there and write and practice and KEEP GOING! But I have come to realise that I just don't work that way. I really need those peaks and valleys - it's almost like a rest at the top of the mountain. Still, I am always sad at the times the musical well has 'dried up', so to speak. And then I start drawing more. And making things. And then I get inspired by those things which I just love doing, that I give no credit to as a talent, I just do them because I love to. And so the inspiration does actually keep going around in a circle - to use the mountain analogy again - the stopping is actually taking in a magnificent view! I've been thinking a lot about this lately, and have wondered about making a (very) limited edition of hand-bound, hand-drawn books that will come with Musings of a Telescopic Tree when it comes out. I think it is high time that these inspirations that help me through the dry spells got a little credit.... don't you?
Recording! - June 21, 2008
I am *finally* going into the studio to record my next album, Telescopic Tree. It has been so long in the coming that I have even started 'nicknaming' the title!! For ages I have had the title "Musings of a Telescopic Tree", but in the many months of preparation (procrastination?), it has been shortened to simply, Telescopic Tree. I like it! I don't know quite what it means, but I like what it conjures up.
So, July 2nd is the big recording date, and I have some really fabulous people onboard to help me out with it. I am so happy to have enthusiastic and encouraging people to work with and share my music with!
I will keep you posted on the release date (and the party that goes along with it!) - I am thinking it will be a little later in the year - maybe September. But I promise I will post some 'sneak peaks' before then!
And if you are in NY and want to hear the band first-hand, we will be performing at 55 Bar on July 1st as our last gig before the big day... (details on the gig page).
So, July 2nd is the big recording date, and I have some really fabulous people onboard to help me out with it. I am so happy to have enthusiastic and encouraging people to work with and share my music with!
I will keep you posted on the release date (and the party that goes along with it!) - I am thinking it will be a little later in the year - maybe September. But I promise I will post some 'sneak peaks' before then!
And if you are in NY and want to hear the band first-hand, we will be performing at 55 Bar on July 1st as our last gig before the big day... (details on the gig page).
Singapore! - August 2, 2007
Just got back from a very glamourous few days in Singapore - where I was invited to perform with the Singapore Jazz Orchestra as part of Singapore's National Day Celebrations. It was in their botanical gardens, which are just divine and the audience were just as lovely!
My sister flew over (also very glamourously) from Australia to meet up with me, which was an extra special treat.
Thanks for having me, Singapore! I hope to see you all again very soon, la!
Going Home! - June 5, 2007
"Some say that to get a great gig you have to be willing to sing if a light goes on in a toilet, and while jazz singer Nerissa Campbell didn’t quite have to go to these extremes, she really worked hard to make it in the New York market. But when it comes to playing in some of the most famous and atmospheric jazz clubs in the world, it’s worth the effort. Nerissa’s back in Perth on a holiday and just can’t resist the chance to perform at her old stomping ground."
Where is home nowadays? Before I was going back to Australia to visit my family, I kept saying that I was going 'home'. Once I was there, I then referred to NY as home..! What a muddled up thing home becomes when the things that make home 'home' are spread out across the world.
Well, here's to you all in my Perth Home! Thank you all so much for your support at my Perth Jazz Society gig on the 21st May. It was so much fun!! (And weren't the guys totally awesome??!!). I really can't wait to come back and do it again soon...
720 ABC also made a podcast of my interview with them! They choose a feature per day to podcast, and they liked me that day! I am really honoured that I can share this with everyone now, whenever you want to listen! It probably came up when you came to this page, so maybe you've had a listen already!!
Meanwhile, back in my NY home (which I am excited to be back in!), I am inspired to get back into the writing and performing. I have a couple of gigs coming up at the 55 Bar and a Sweet Rhythm gig at the end of July. I hope I'll get to see you soon!!
Until next time..
Where is home nowadays? Before I was going back to Australia to visit my family, I kept saying that I was going 'home'. Once I was there, I then referred to NY as home..! What a muddled up thing home becomes when the things that make home 'home' are spread out across the world.
Well, here's to you all in my Perth Home! Thank you all so much for your support at my Perth Jazz Society gig on the 21st May. It was so much fun!! (And weren't the guys totally awesome??!!). I really can't wait to come back and do it again soon...
720 ABC also made a podcast of my interview with them! They choose a feature per day to podcast, and they liked me that day! I am really honoured that I can share this with everyone now, whenever you want to listen! It probably came up when you came to this page, so maybe you've had a listen already!!
Meanwhile, back in my NY home (which I am excited to be back in!), I am inspired to get back into the writing and performing. I have a couple of gigs coming up at the 55 Bar and a Sweet Rhythm gig at the end of July. I hope I'll get to see you soon!!
Until next time..
My Top 10 - April 7, 2007
I got asked to compile a list of my top 10 Favourite Jazz Albums for the PJS magazine 'Jazz Review'. I chose 10 albums that have influenced me musically (and it was a hard task to narrow it down!).
I thought I'd share them here, in no particular order, too!
1. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
2. Nina Simone - A Single Woman
3. Miles Davis - Relaxin'
4. Joni Mitchell - Mingus
5. Patricia Barber - Companion
6. Rickie Lee Jones - Pop Pop
7. Cassandra Wilson - New Moon Daughter
8. Holly Cole - Blame It On My Youth
9. Ella and Louis
10. Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch
www.perthjazzsociety.com
I thought I'd share them here, in no particular order, too!
1. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
2. Nina Simone - A Single Woman
3. Miles Davis - Relaxin'
4. Joni Mitchell - Mingus
5. Patricia Barber - Companion
6. Rickie Lee Jones - Pop Pop
7. Cassandra Wilson - New Moon Daughter
8. Holly Cole - Blame It On My Youth
9. Ella and Louis
10. Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch
www.perthjazzsociety.com
taking a chance! - February 5, 2007
When I was 8, my Mum was my age. I have vivid recollections of her teaching herself Indonesian. (This was just after she mastered the sewing machine and before she mastered jewellery making!).. She used to sit in the middle of the lounge room, knees out and legs behind her bum, with her tapes - talking the same lines over and over. She never seemed scared to give it a go nor minded if people laughed at her, and for that she has been a constant source of inspiration and courage for me. Now, 20 years later, you would never know that at one point she couldn't speak Indonesian - but I remember.
It is for my Mum that I am (slowly!) embarking on playing gigs where I accompany myself on piano. The time will never be right, and I know I will never feel 'good enough' - but life is about so much more than that, don't you think?
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