Tap Your Heels Together...

Several months ago, Michael Long, the founder of the Red Shoe Project (which brings awareness to "My New Red Shoes," a charity based out of San Francisco) contacted me about letting them use my songs in publicity for their campaign. Of course I wanted to do it! And here is a video about the project with my song.

Photos in the Afternoon Light

I played a gig at the University Club of Winter Park a couple weeks ago and my mother (make-up artist and stylist extraordinaire) dressed me up all glamorously. Then, since the afternoon light was so beautiful in the apartment, my photographer (aka: sister - I keep it in the family!) took some photos.

Bare Necessities

Watched Jungle Book last night. It's funny that even though it's been years and years and years since I last watched the film, I could still sing along with the trumpet riff at the end. That's how good that music is. Not only the songs, including Bare Necessities and Wanna Be Like You (one of my favorite songs to do live), but the score (George Bruns) that's both lush and mysterious while tying in the jazzy themes.

The Sherman Brothers write all the songs (except Bare Necessities) and, upon watching their films, I am amazed by how delightful and catchy their tunes are. They are also so diverse- hard to believe the same two men wrote It's A Small World, Feed the Birds, The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers and the perfect Everybody Wants to Be a Cat.

And did you know that the too-fabulous King Louie is voiced by Louis Prima? Craaazy.

!Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

My most prolific fanvid creator just published another of her lovely fan videos to one of my most Latin-flavored songs!

I am in awe of the way she gets the dancing so perfect in the instrumental section.

I Love A Piano...

My songwriting is very influenced by the songwriters that all emerged in a similar era- Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, etc. My piano-style, therefore, has to corollate... As I took a break from trying to record a rough of a brand new song with a complicated stride pattern, I daydreamed about pianists whose piano talents I would love to have:

Harry Connick, Jr.

Many know him as a crooner or leading man, but his first claim was New Orleans piano style. The thing that amazes me about him is his casual touch of the keys, like he's so familiar with every sound of every note, he can play breathtaking piano in the same offhand manner in which we hum while we do the dishes. Check him out playing Sweet Georgia Brown. I love what he does around 1:40. Crazy.

Randy Newman:

His playing is soulful and rich- who needs a backup orchestra when you can play like that? I couldn't really find a song of his on YouTube that did his piano style justice but his Randy Newman Songbook V1 is all just his voice and the piano. I Think It's Going to Rain Today is heartbreaking in the best possible way.

Dave Brubeck: Under his amazing (and quite large) hands, the piano becomes something wild and unpredictable- it can be playful and flirtatious or heavy and percussive. I've attempted arrangements of his and I think I need to add a couple fingers.

Love his Three To Get Ready. Unsquare Dance is delicious too but it actually has relatively little piano.

Thelonious Monk: Monk is to piano what da Vinci is to art, what Pixar is to animation, what Bobby Flay is to grilling. This song is pure joy,

Pomegranates in the Produce Section!

I always get excited when there are pomegranates in the produce section, pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks and cinnamon brooms at the grocery store. It's my very favorite time of year! 
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At the end of August I worked with film guru Corey Morrison on some live music videos. I'm hoping to have the videos soon but until then, check out some behind-the-scenes pics!
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I have two very, VERY exciting gigs coming up in October. Friday, October 3, I'll be playing at the ELLA festival at 8 p.m. The festival showcases local female musical geniuses over two days so it should be a weekend to remember! It does cost a smidgen for tickets ($10 for one night, $20 for both Friday and Saturday), but if you are interested, I have some here you can buy. Just email me and let me know how many you need! 

Also, I'm playing at the Central Florida Veg Fest on Saturday, October 25 at 11 a.m.  Although there won't be any steak served, there will be lots of entertainment and cool booths to buy tasty
vegan cupcakes. It's in Loch Haven Park, which is right next to the Orlando Museum of Art, so you can swing by the museum and make it a whole day of culture. 

I may also be playing at Virgin Megastore again in October but I don't have a date yet. So just check back on my website and I'll have the gig listed! 
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Now, I'm sure that you have several copies of my cd. But there may be those out there in this world who don't have either of my cds- not even one copy! So, CD Baby has made it super easy to link to where people can buy my album. If you are so inclined, you can click here to download a button for your blog, website, MySpace, etc. that will direct clickers to my page. I would definitely appreciate the support! 

I hope you have a marvelous October- filled with cinnamon scones and Gala apples.

Brand New Newsletter!

I just started working with Emma, the email marketing company (weird coincidence with the whole name thing, don't you think?), to design and send out my newsletters.  They have features like "Send to a Friend" and chic stationery.  Now you can stay updated in style! Join my list and sign up here!

I've been featured on a German podcast, Podshots (http://www.podshots.de/) several times.  I'm even on his banner!  So feel free to go on there, listen and write effusive comments about his splendid choice of music!  

I have two gigs coming up in the month of the Autumnal Equinox. 

1.  I'm playing at Virgin Megastore  (http://www.myspace.com/virginmegaorlando) on Monday, September 8 at 6 p.m.  They actually play my music throughout the store so you can listen and browse!  Then, you can take a nice, leisurely walk to Ghirardelli's.  They have the best brownie sundaes.  I am completely serious.   2.  I'll be at Infusion Tea  (http://www.infusionorlando.com) on Friday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m.  It might even be cold then, so you can truly enjoy your tea!  Even if it's not, they have scrumptious orange glazed muffins (does that rule of not shopping while hungry also apply to not writing while hungry?).

I hope to see you all at a show this month and hope, for my Floridian and coastal fans, that the coming storms leave your lawns nicely watered but no adverse affects...

A Summer Night's Blog Entry

Although it's tough to leave the comfort of your home air-conditioning in this weather, I urge you to make your way down (across? up? over?) to Virgin Megastore (1494 E Buena Vista Dr.  Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830) on Thursday, July 24 (Christmas-in-July-Eve, of course).  

For those of you getting the brand-new iPhone, or any new phone, or those who just have an old cell phone and can download ringtones from iTunes, most of my songs are downloadable as ringtones now!  How exciting!  I'm not exactly sure why only some of my songs are downloadable but Mr. Jobs isn't answering my calls.  Alas.

Also, my sister designed some t-shirts on www.zazzle.com/iamemma with her favorite Emma quotes on them.  Check them out! 

And, I have one last fanvid on YouTube. This one, appropriate to the sultry season, features scenes from "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  So, enjoy!  And be sure to have a great summer!

Summer arrives (although, if you live in Florida, it came around two months ago)!

First off, I want to thank everyone who came out to my May shows!  They were successful, more fun than words can describe and I am duly grateful.  

AAAaaand, I have been voted as one of Axis Magazine's 20 Coolest People in Orlando.

I kid you not.

Hooray! 

So you can read the interview of me at http://www.axismag.com (I'm on page 28) or pick it up at select locations (comment if you want to know where).  

I also have several enlightening shows this month so please take a break from beaches, barbecues and TVLand reruns to come by!

Thursday, June 19, from 7 - 9 p.m., I'm playing at Urban Think for Third Thursday.  For those who may not be familiar with Third Thursday, it's a monthly celebration of art in Orlando partaken by art venues from the Orlando Museum of Art to independent galleries.  There's wine, there's witty conversation and, this Thursday at least, there's me!  

Friday, June 27, 7:30-8:30 p.m., I'm back at my favorite haunt, Infusion Tea (1600 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32803).  They have iced tea too (and air conditioning), so don't let the sultry weather dissuade you.

Saturday, June 28, 11 - 2 p.m., I'm playing at the Winter Park Chamberlin's for a Health Fair!  How fun is THAT?!

Last of all, one of my fan vids (featuring Nick and Nora) on YouTube has had over one thousand views!  So, it must be good.  Check it out at http://youtube.com/watch?v=lVO4IcLuLLQ .  

I hope you have the very best June ever (so far!) and that I see you/hear from you soon.

Emma

I'm at the Florida Music Festival! And at Virgin Megastore! Is this shaping up to be a big month (and long title) or what?!

Hello everyone!  Hope everyone's May has gotten off to a wonderful start!

BIG NEWS- I have the fabulous opportunity to perform at the Florida Music Festival on May 16 at 10:30 p.m. at the CityArts Factory (29 South Orange Ave.).  I'd really appreciate your support at this show!  You might want to check back in on my website that morning/afternoon to make sure that there aren't any slight changes because I know that the schedule is still in flux.

If that's not a good night for you, no problem!  Because... I'm playing at Virgin Megastore in Downtown Disney (1494 E. Buena Vista Dr.) on Monday, May 26 at 7 p.m.  They're going to carry my CD there at Virgin's new local section so if you haven't had a chance yet to purchase my CD, you can buy it from them and get a stamp on your frequent CD shopper card!  Hip hip...

Hooray!

I'm also opening for local punk band, the June Cleavers (www.myspace.com/thejunecleavers2) at Austin Coffee (929 W. Fairbanks Ave.) on Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 p.m.   

So, all sorts of different opportunities to see me this month!  Can't wait to see you all!

 

I've been interviewed...

You can read my recent interview at Unsigned, the Magazine's website.  Very lovely!

I'll be in Paris next week hopefully lining up shows for the summer so if you try to contact me during the next week, I won't get back to you.  But it won't be for lack of love- just lack of Internet access.

Check back in because I'll be setting up shows for the end of April.

Marvelous, oh-so-marvelous March

Welcome to the month of March!  Oh so many exciting things happen in March, St. Patrick's Day, the first Day of Spring, Dr. Seuss's birthday, the list goes on and on.  

To add to the list are my many upcoming shows:

Thursday, March 6, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., I'm playing at Infusion Tea in the Urban Think Bookstore(625 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801- 407.650.8185).  It's a marvelous chance to visit this delightful bookstore in Thornton Park and listen to an exciting up-and-coming local musician...

Friday, March 7, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. I'll be at the new Kissimmee center of arts and culture- Café Fresco (3285 Oxford Dr., Kissimmee, FL 34746- 407.709.2136).  Café Fresco just had its grand opening on February 29th, so come by and be one of the first Central Floridians to discover this hot new hangout!  

Saturday, March 22, 9 - 10 p.m. I'll be back at the Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar (444 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando, FL 32803- 407.893.4994).  Let me tell you, they have unbelievably delicious food so if you're kind of on the fence about coming out that night, allow their to-die-for soup and to-cry-for frosted cupcakes convince you.  Yum.

AND, last but most certainly not least, I'll be at my beloved haunt, Infusion Tea (1600 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32803- 407.999.5255) on Friday, March 28, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Ooh! And I had their "Winter Mint" tea last time.  Warms the soul, that's for sure.

Also, I've had a lot of requests for lyrics from my songs so I've started a new blog: http://iamemmalyrics.blogspot.com and I'll add a new lyric once or twice a week.  If you have any specific requests, please be sure and let me know!

I hope to see you at a show this magical month of March!

Happy New Year! Rereleases and shows...

I hope everyone's New Year was everything they hoped it'd be... AND MORE! Mine certainly was.

I've rereleased my first EP (Alice in Wonderland, Bathsheba's Psalm, etc.) on iTunes- still under Emma Wallace- so check it out and write a sweet and loving review!

Also, there are two vegetarian tea houses in Orlando. Two! And, guess what, I'm going to play at the second one this Friday at 9 p.m.! So come by Dandelion Communitea on Friday, January 18 at 9 p.m.! Hurrah! I'll be playing at Infusion again February 22 at 7:30 if, for some wild reason, you aren't able to make the 18th.

Music I'm Loving Right Now...

I am loving Emily Loizeau. Her voice is totally captivating and her style completely endearing. I really like her instrumental pieces and the way she effortlessly merges classical and pop. Most of the songs off her album are in French but that doesn't mean a non-Francophone can't pick up on her delightful humor and sincerity. You can watch her music video here. You should also visit her official site because it is so fun to play around on. Viva la musique de france!

All Hallow's Eve Eve!

Happy All Hallow's Eve Eve to everyone! I recently read that many people don't like dark chocolate when they get it in their trick or treat bags. There will be a solution for this perplexing problem if you read to the end of the post.

A couple updates for you and then you can go on your merry way.

1. I have a show at, wait for it, wait for iiiiittttt... Infusion Tea! On Thursday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. It will be splendid fun for all and I'd love to see each and every person at it.

2. My CD is still for sale online at iTunes (look under 'Emma Wallace') and my website. However, you can also/instead buy it at Park Ave. CDs and the downtown library bookstore (101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801) should you prefer to not get it online. I would appreciate it if, when you go to one of those stores, you clasp the CD to your chest and sigh loudly, "It is just so hard to find this CD anywhere! It's been out everywhere else I've looked!" Then go to each fellow customer and explain your excitement at finding this hard-to-acquire CD. If you remember to, I'd appreciate it.

3. I'm planning my tour for next year so if anyone has a suggestion regarding venues in his/her area, I'd welcome the idea.

4. If you don't like the dark chocolate you get from trick or treating, go ahead and bring it to my next gig (see #1). A perfect solution to a perplexing problem.

Ah... Autumn!

And along with the lovely red leaves (which we don't really get in Florida) and the blustery winds (which are probably too warm to be considered "blustery"), we (well, I, at least) have the desire to feel cozy! And what better way to feel cozy than with a toasty Scotch and soda in your hand! All ye who love late nights and potent brew, I ask to come and listen to me at the Central Station Bar (100 E Central Blvd Orlando, FL 32801) on Thursday, October 25 at 11 p.m. "11 p.m.?!" I hear you exclaim! Yes, indeed, 11 p.m. And a $5 cover. But the proceeds of both attendance and applause benefit the musician so it's a good cause.
I'd really love to see you all there!

In other news, I've been reviewed on two blogs! Both www.musicbyday.com and www.lovethemusicreviews.com have written very cordial reviews. So, you should all read them! And I would truly appreciate those of you who are generous enough to download my CD from iTunes to write a nice review on that as well! Truly, I would. But, remember that you can still buy my CD from www.iamemma.com or from Park Ave. CDs- the store.

I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday, October 25 at 11 p.m.! Happy Autumn!

Tunes and Tea!

On Friday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. I'll be playing at Infusion Tea (1600 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804) so it will be an excellent evening filled with Infusion's delicious tea (or hot cocoa, if you prefer) and my songs. It is a family-friendly environment so feel free to bring anyone you're related to, regardless of age.

In other news, my CD is available locally at Park Ave CDs (2916 Corrine Drive, Orlando, FL, 32803), so if shopping online (via my website or iTunes) is a terror of yours and you won't be available to attend my show on the fifth, I highly recommend stopping by there to pick up a copy. It's a great store and you'll feel hip-er (hipper? hippier? more hip?) just walking in.

I hope to see all sorts of friendly faces on the fifth! Hooray for October!

iTunes... I've arrived!

Is this a day of joy and excitement or what? Not only is it the day that the Beatles were on the cover of Time magazine and the second day of autumn, but my CD is now completely available to everyone no matter what their preference for purchase is! Download? Oui! At iTunes! Hard copy? Oui! At www.iamemma.com (available via PayPal for both credit card and bank account).
So, buy my CD and let me know what you think! And, if you like the CD, please write a review on iTunes. But only if you like it, of course.. :)

Hooray! A Facelift!

For my website that is! Not that I'm making a statement for or against plastic surgery, of course. The redesigned website is lovely thanks to website designer Evelyn Wilkerson of Hybrid Designs (www.hybriddesign.net) and graphic designer/photographer Ben Garcia!

One of the marvelous new perks of my website is that you can buy my newest CD through PayPal. If you want your CD autographed, be sure to mention it on the notes in PayPal and I'll gladly tear off the shiny and professional plastic wrap and autograph it for you or whoever (whomever?) you want it for. My CD will also be available on iTunes in the next week or two so if downloading is your preferred method of music acquisition, just hold out and I'll be sending out another letter when it's up on iTunes.

I also want to thank everyone who came to my CD release party. It was quite possibly the most fun had by anyone in the greater College Park area on September 8. Quite possibly. If you couldn't make it, or did, and want some more, come and see me because I'll be performing at Infusion Tea (1600 Edgewater Dr. Orlando, FL 32804) on Friday, October 5 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Thank you everyone for your fabulous support and please check out my website and tell everyone you know about it! Friends! Romans! Countrymen! Everyone!

Caps for Sale!

Well, not caps, exactly, more like... my CD! I've gotten rave reviews and I don't think it matters that all the reviews have been from my family members! Quite possibly they'd be tougher critics than anyone, I think. If you don't agree, check out some clips of my music at cdbaby.com/cd/emmawallace or at digstation.com/emmawallace or even at myspace.com/iamemma. Enough options? I certainly hope so!