Anthr-O-Tone Records - 2nd Re-Release Announcement!

Thanks to all who have purchased album #1 in the Anthr-O-Tone Re-Release series - Thuli Dumakude's Senzeni Na? (keep it up please!). It's time to announce the second release: Relative by Little Hawk and Ema. The drop date will be midnight on Tuesday Nov 8.

This is the totally improvised album that I did with my Mi'kmaq brother, musician/storyteller - Little Hawk back in 2003. We held a "throw-down" style 3 day marathon session in which we came together at Ikhaya Studios and basically moved in (lol)! We spread out our respective instruments - everything from the traditional to the modern to the bizarre - all over the studio, set up mics everywhere and proceeded to engage in a series of improvised performances - randomly grabbing instruments and "jumping in" as the spirit moved us. It was a session of pure creative joy - totally improvised, technically "quick and dirty" (engineering-wise), musically energizing and spiritually uplifting. I can't begin to tell you how much fun this project was.

There was no stylistic goal or cultural agenda for this project. As I say in the liner notes, we gave a respectful nod to the traditions that informed our musical sensibilities; but then, we just played. So some will hone in on the more traditional elements and occasional lofty soundscapes that evoke holistic worldview spirituality (which is perfect for meditative practices so go ahead, load a few tracks in your smart phone and take it to your yoga session!) And others will be drawn into the magic of the raw interwoven musical parts and the in-your-face production - sometimes simple, sometimes intricate and even sometimes comic - that evoke an intimate and engaging private performance. Or both.

Either way, we're certain the music will transport you to another place. Go to www.littlehawk-ema.bandcamp.com after tomorrow night and get your premium download of Relative. And thanks again for supporting this series. Please spread the word and thank you for supporting original, artist-owned music.

Peace.
Ema

Thuli Dumakude's SENZENI NA? (Remastered): Pre-release announcement and offer!

Here it is kids! I am extremely excited to announce the first in the Anthr-O-Tone series of remastered collaborations between myself and some of my closest long time musical partners in this nutty, vibrant World myoozic realm:

Thuli Dumakude - SENZENI NA?

 

This is the long overdue (!!!) re-release of Thuli Dumakude's and my ground-breaking work from 1992. It is the first project (of many) that Thuli and I worked on together and we *knew* from the minute we hit the first session together, that this album was going to be totally unique and, as Thuli always put it: fierce.

      I'll tell you more about how this all came together as well as the long-time creative partnership this album engendered in another blog, but I want to get this thing MOVING, so I'm just going to give you a few tidbits for now... . 

Ema and Thuli Live 2005

Thuli and I produced and created this work in its entirety - Thuli writing, arranging and performing all of the stunning vocal work, while I wrote, arranged and performed all of the instruments (and programming). For all of you tech trivia buffs: we recorded the whole album in what was the first rather sparse and cramped iteration of Ikhaya Studios in Weehawken, NJ, on a Tascam 388 - 1/4" 8 track machine (!) in the 10' x 13' control room. Thuli managed to create those magically lush and emotionally lofty vocal-scapes by standing in a claustrophobic 3'x3', makeshift moving quilt vocal booth for hours (sometimes days) and singing with a range and energy I had never experienced as an artist...I'll never forget those first chills... . One more little esoteric tech tidbit for you deeper audio geeks: we had to stripe one of the tape tracks in order to sync up the very primitive midi sequencer, so we actually only had 7 tracks on which to record (keep that in mind as you're listening to this)! OK enough trivia for now; on to the subject at hand.

Re-mastering "Senzeni Na?"

The new, remastered version of Senzini Na? will drop at midnight on October 23, 2011. It will only be available as a premium digital download for now. But if we get enough requests we'll consider pressing CDs and offering them up through CD Baby and Amazon. 

RIGHT NOW we are offering it as a pre-order premium download special for $10 at www.thuli.bandcamp.com With the preorder purchase you will instantly receive a download of track 3. Emsebenzini and then when the album is released, you will receive an email with the download link for the entire album. You can use a credit card and you DON'T need a Paypal account

We're working hard to have it prepared for the drop on the 23rd (see "weary engineer" pic above), but why wait?! GET IT NOW and you can be jivvin' to some horn driven mbaqanga right now!!! NCA!

A Pinnochio story: ANTHR-O-TONE RECORDS becomes a REAL label (sort of)

Told you I'd be back soon! 

So let me state for the record (no pun intended), I am NOT (dramatic pause) and have NO interest (another one) in becoming a record "mogul" or "exec" and I have NO plans to eventually take over  and dominate the music industry with my gigantipithicus megacolossus of an art-crushing-extruded-mush-vomiting-uber-media--conglomerate of a "music group" (a laughable term to be sure but I digress). No sir (or mam). Let it be known that I created the Anthr-O-Tone label simply to have an identifiable brand to associate with Ownership and all other subsequent albums that I record and release - something to put down in the "label" category when you're filling out all of those distribution contracts and web forms...quite simply, a label, more in the literal sense ya know? BUT: there's a new development.

     Over the years I have had the good fortune to find myself collaborating with some remarkably creative partners, writing, recording, producing and releasing some really exciting and fullfilling projects (of which I am extremely proud) . These projects have all been reified in different mediums - ranging from vinyl, to cassettes to CDs - and they've all had varied trajectories, levels of success and interesting stories attached to them - ranging from soulfully gratifying to tragically comical. Some of them were released and distributed independently and some actually picked up by record companies (ack I just threw up in my mouth a little bit). Some had a good run but "ran their course" while others continued to chug along over the years, sometimes slowing down and other times picking up steam (an oscillation that manifested no change in the dismal royalty accounting on my quarterly statements...and I use the term "quarterly" loosely...again I digress...).

     So anyway, I frequently get emails from fans, friends and friends of friends (and resourceful esoteric collectors) asking about some of these albums - "are they stilll available anywhere?" and "if yes, where?". The answers up to this point have been either flat out "no" or "yes if you live in South Africa (or a territory where it's been sub-licensed like Norway or something). Well I realized that enough time has gone by now that there's no reason why these albums shouldn't be readily available in the US. All rights of ownership of these works have reverted to me and my creative partners. So all that is needed now is a distribution mechanism. 

     So I'm happy to announce that over this fall (and holiday) season, I will be rereleasing these fine works here in the US under the Anthr-O-Tone label. We'll start with digital downloads and if we get enough of a response for them we'll press CDs. 

     I am now in the process of remastering (where necessary) and will be announcing a pre-release offer of the first album shortly (and I KNOW many of you are going to be verrrry happy about this one)! So stay tuned!

Uxolo,

Ema

Autumn Pre-announcements Teaser

Yeah yeah I know, I know: my "handlers" have already harangued me about my woeful lack of attention to my blog: "You haven't posted since you started the House Concert Tour in February!!!"
Well, I like to think that that indicates how successful the House Concert Tour was! It kept me "chin just above water" busy which meant  some of my other duties in the PR realm were ignored: like blogging (see what I did there bringing it back around full circle?).  Anyway, the tour has come to a close with an "all boosters firing!" show back home in North Jersey (I'd say with a BANG! but that was two shows prior down in VA.), a new season is upon us and all the burners are heating up for some new developments in several categories. Some of it's coming real soon and I'll be making several  announcements and updates over the next couple of weeks; so stay tuned.

Before I sign off, let me say what a huge GAS it was to do the House Concert tour. I just love the format - the differences in spaces; the diversity of audiences; the intimacy... I made many new friends and fans as well as received such gratifying support from "old" ones. Thank you to hosts and attendees alike for making the whole thing so successful and so uniquely exciting. Let's do it again next year. But now I'm anxious to play out with other musos again (oops don't tip that hand yet).

So until the next "announcement"...
Uxolo,
Ema

"ROCKIN' THE HOUSE!!!" : loving the House Concert!

I started my 2011 House Concert tour a few weeks back and I'm just loving the format. I'll share some comments and experiences about some of the gigs in the next blog. But I still get a lot of people scrinching their face and going "huh" when I mention that I'm doing house concerts so I thought I'd "lift" the discussion about it from my website HC page and post it here.

Social networking, viral marketing and DIY technology have fractured the music biz landscape and enabled a more fertile environment than ever for world class musicians slightly outside the mainstream to successfully practice their craft, expand their exposure to a greater, more appreciative audience and simultaneously connect with their fans on a deeper personal level. There is one other element that further advances the indie artist / fan connection: HOUSE CONCERTS.

House concerts are hardly a new concept; indeed throughout history, house concerts have found favor with all segments of society from live recitals in aristocrats' parlors to blues jams in the neighbor's back yard. Today there is a global resurgence of house concerts and they have become a highly preferred way to experience live music by fans and musicians (including me) all over the world.

SO WHAT'S A HOUSE CONCERT?

Quite simply, a house concert is an invitation-only concert hosted by individuals in their own home or other suitable space.* A house concert creates a more intimate and directly engaging environment that enhances the performance experience for all involved - musician, audience and presenter. Think of it as hosting a VH1 "Unplugged" or "Storytellers" show of your own (without the broadcast crew of course). 

THE BASICS - In keeping with the "simple" theme above,  the basic ingredients for a house concert are:

• a willing host
• music fans (25+)
• a space* for them to sit comfortably and experience compelling music.
• oh yeah, the artist (hopefully me)

FORMAT - After the basics, there is no one perfect formula or format. House concerts can take on many different forms depending on the host's inclinations and the level of creative collaboration between host and artist. We mentioned the VH1 vibe above, but a creatively ambitious host with the right space can turn the event into its own unique "happening" - e.g., have you seen this commercial where a group takes over an abandoned gas station and turns it into a performance space? But do remember that it's a concert and not a party with music, so be sure as a host, to control the expectations of invitees as well as the event's basic outline:

• pre-show  - arrivals / socializing with optional food and beverage (or even "pot luck")
• performance period - e.g., 2 sets with an intermission
• post-show - artist "meet and greet", CD and merchandise purchases (unwrap em and get them signed while he's there!)

* SPACE: The host's home is the most obvious space and most living rooms can easily  hold 40+ people (really)! But there are many "unconventional" venues that work quite well: apartments, lofts, club rooms in apartment complexes, community spaces in college dorms, libraries, churches, barns, green houses (!) laundry rooms (!) your office (!) your empty warehouse (!). Again, a creative host could actually make just about any space work (although if you're booking me, make sure there is electricity - I don't literally do "unplugged"). And don't forget to consider outdoors if weather permits!

I have links to "how to" resources for hosting a house concert on my own HC page. They are good general guides that cover planning, logistics and money considerations. They are also full of helpful tips and suggestions. But if you want to contact me for more ideas and suggestions for tailoring one of your own contact me at info@emaworldrock.com

Next blog: notes from the house concert "trenches"!