MUSIC EVENT

 Audiophiles Like Cupcakes, too... 

Australian Pianist Fiona Joy officially releases her new audiophile recording of  INTO THE MIST amidst a flurry of "pink treats" at this Saturday's LA Audio Show.  The public is invited to enjoy a heightened music-listening experience inside the Sony-sponsored Hi-Res MAGIC BUS.



"Hear to Make Music" is the theme of the LA Audio Show and Saturday, June 3rd will be a special day for piano music fans in Southern Californians. At a special event open to the public, Fiona Joy will greet fans and officially unveil her latest solo piano album, "Into the Mist" and three new music videos. In a nod to her beloved pink dress, the Australian talent will serve pink lemonade and her favorite pink treats (including Yummy cupcakes and Tim Tams) at her "Listening Fest" from 3 to 5 PM on June 3, next to the Sony Sponsored Hi-Res Magic Bus, located near the Sheraton Gateway hotel's main entrance.  

"This is a chance to enjoy piano music on a million dollar sound system; it almost feels as though you're playing it yourself," she says, adding, "I'd really like younger people who've only experienced music in a compressed mp3 format to come and experience this for themselves."

"Into the Mist" is the second album for the acclaimed Australian  musician.  The first, "Signature Solo," was well received and won a number of recording awards.   Both are on the Blue Coast Records, which is also an exhibitor at the Show. 

This worldwide release will include SACD, CD, and high-resolution audio download formats as well as Internet radio. The neo-classical program, a #1 album at Blue Coast Music for high-resolution audio sales, was recorded in and released as DSD256. It may be downloaded in additional formats as 44.1kHz (WAV), 96kHz (FLAC) 2.8 MHz (DSF), 5. 6MHz (DSF) and 11.2MHz (DSF) files . 

Cookie Marenco, founder of Blue Coast Records, recorded, mixed and mastered the album using her proprietary recording technique called Extended Sound Environment (E.S.E.) that includes recording the musicians in the studio without headphones or overdubs onto DSD or analog tape. Into the Mist was recorded in a single take using the E.S.E technique.

Blue Coast will have a model studio set up at the Show and after the official launch of the album, held in conjunction with Sony and the Magic Bus, Ms. Joy and Ms. Marenco will host a tour of the studio.  While the Fiona Joy album debut is set for the first day of the LA Audio Show, other Blue Coast artists will appear during the course of the Show's three-day run.

See event info on Facebook for existing friends and fans, here: https://goo.gl/x9BMDo 

Fiona's Brush-Stroke Reviews

On Eagle Mountain by Todd Mosby

I chose to review this album for two reasons.  Firstly because I love it.  Secondly because while I was in transit from Sydney to LA I watched an awesome movie called Eddie the Eagle – which I also loved and I felt the eagle reference was a sign of semantics to write about Todd’s really stunning guitar album titled On Eagle Mountain.

Produced by the team at Imaginary Road Studios (Will Ackerman & Tom Eaton) this album couldn’t miss.  Not just because of the great people and production but because Todd has his own unique defining style that sets him apart.

As I listen I feel transported to another place, but more than that, I’m drawn into Todd’s world, a clever and well constructed world where I can choose to stay on the surface and listen to his music in an ambient way, or I can concentrate and find depth way beyond the definition of ‘ambient’.  A wonderful combination and most artists cannot achieve both attributes at the same time.  I believe it takes a sense of trust in the artist that they will lead you somewhere – in both instances.

In art-speak I would liken Todd Mosby’s album On Eagle Mountain to French painter, printmaker and ‘intimist’  Pierre Bonnard who was able to capture the spirit of the moment by playing with light and decorative surfaces using impressionist techniques.  He was not interested in obscure symbolist subject matter and was not a mystic. Instead, he was satisfied - even fascinated and delighted by the scenes of simple daily life around him into which, as observers, we are drawn.

Excellent work.  A cut above. 

                                                                                              - Fiona Joy

*Fiona Joy is a composer/pianist/producer/vocalist...and painter. View her work here.

Going Beyond Mainstream Music

ZMR Continues A Tradition of Drawing Top New Age, World, Ambient and Electronica Artists to New Orleans...catch the ZMR Awards Tomorrow Night at The Joy Theater!

Deuter: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016

Zone Music Reporter (aka ZMR) kicked off tonight at The Vacherie!  An impressive lineup of presenters and performers are scheduled for the weekend concert at The Joy Theatre in New Orleans, Saturday May 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. 

Fans of new age, world, ambient, solo piano and electronic music are in The Crescent City this weekend to celebrate the greatest artists in alternative instrumental music at the 12th Annual ZMR Music Awards.  A showcase for legendary and newer artists alike, this year’s ZMR Music Awards will feature performances by Darlene Koldenhoven, Erik Scott, Jennifer Zulli, Jonn Serrie, Louis Colaiannia, Paul Avgerinos, Robin Spielberg, Ron Korb and Terra Guitarra. Biographies of the performers can be seen at http://www.zonemusicreporter.com/admin/performers.asp 

The evening’s highlight will be honoring German born, Santa Fe based composer and multi-instrumentalist Deuter for his groundbreaking career, which began with the release of his debut album D in 1971 and has included over 60 recordings. He is known for his meditative style which blends elements of Eastern and Western music, as well as his mastery of a multitude of ethnic instruments and continued exploration of new frequencies and resonances. 

“One thing that is important for me is that I love dancing on the edge of the unknown- to play around and open doors I haven’t walked through before,” Deuter says. It is this very outlook that has kept him at the forefront of musical evolution for over four decades. Over the years, he has released albums with Kuckuck Schallplatten, Higher Octave Music, Celestial Harmonies and New Earth Records. His most recent albums including the compilation Eternity, an album of nature sounds he recorded himself and his newest releases Mystic Voyage, Reiki Hands of Love and Illumination of the Heart, all released in 2015.

David Arkenstone and your's truly, 2014.

The show will be hosted by renowned music writers RJ Lannan and Bill Binkelman, with Award Presentations by Steven Halpern, Jennifer DeFrayne, Tom Carleno, Ricky Kej, Ann Sweeten, Erik Scott, and Candice Michelle. In addition to the performers and presenters, popular artists – many of whom are also nominees -- confirmed to attend include Fiona Joy, Get Tribal, Hans Christian, Andy Mitran, Al Jewer, Lisa Downing, Wouter Kellerman, Jeff Oster, Neil Tatar, Kori Carothers, Josie Quick, Bruce Hecksel, Bob Ardern, Sensitive Chaos, Jeff Pearce, David Nevue, Paul Speer, Barbara Hills, Catherine Marie Charlton, Cathy McIntyre Oakes, Jim Combs, and more, providing a great opportunity for fans, artists, and broadcasters alike to meet and mingle.

Open to the public, the event welcomes music lovers from across the globe, as well as local residents preferring quieter vibes following the city’s famous Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest events. One of the best-priced concerts of its kind, the show includes hours of live performances by myriad ZMR and GRAMMY® award-winning artists, with the awards presentations in between acts. 

Will Ackerman (Windham Hill/Imaginary Road)
 & friends performing in recent years. 

With the continuous growth of the small, privately owned ZMR Music Chart & Awards, several exciting satellite shows are scheduled around town on the nights leading up to the event. Renowned electronic guitarist Jeff Pearce performs an intimate FREE show at Pete’s Pub at the Intercontinental Hotel on Friday, May 6 at 11 p.m. Electronic artists Sensitive Chaos, allthecolorsofthedark with Mark Louque and Proud Father will play on Thursday, May 5 at the Mudlark Public Theatre at 9 p.m.

The ZMR Music Awards are a hugely popular event amongst music industry professionals. A great many recording artists, performers, radio promoters, producers and a slew of industry executives travel from all corners of the globe to attend the weekend-long celebration, which has joined with InterContinental New Orleans as its official hotel partner this year. 

The 2015 event was an overwhelming success, turning into a four-day triumph, and this year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever, with multiple networking and social events rounding out the weekend. For over a decade, Zone Music Reporter has been establishing itself as the premier resource for the best in New Age, World, Electronic/Ambient and Instrumental music. New Orleans’ Joy Theater has become the spiritual home of the yearly ZMR Music Awards. 

Peter Kater (Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree, 2015) & Tina Malia

Winners will be announced live in New Orleans on May 7, 2016; the awards are interspersed with live concert performances, beginning at 7:00pm. There are thirteen categories voted on by Radio Programmers and DJs this year, including Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Piano Solo, Best Acoustic, Best Ambient, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, Best Chill/Groove Album, Best Electronic Album, Best World Album, and many more. For a complete list of categories and nominees, please visit Zone Music Reporter. A sampling of performances from recent ZMR Award Shows can be viewed here on YouTube. 


Follow the ZMR Awards on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ZMRAwards 

Events: FIONA JOY – Performing Live at T.H.E. SHOW NEWPORT

1. 
   “Fiona Joy takes over from where George Winston left off…" says Cookie Marenco, five-time Grammy nominated Producer, Founder of Blue Coast Music Group. Fiona and Cookie have been enjoying a unique collaboration as they make waves in the audiophile world.
2. This weekend, May 28 - 31st 2015, Fiona Joy will join with other Blue Coast Records artists to put a fresh face on the often lofty audiophile world, which leans toward classical and jazz recordings. Fiona Joy is a classically-trained (yet contemporary) composer pianist, producer and vocalist from Australia who has won over 50 international awards, including the 2013 ZMR Award for Best Instrumental Piano Album. In 2014 she contributed her song “Grace” to Winds of Samsara, an album that won a GRAMMY® Award for Best New Age Album. 
3. Fiona is owner of Little Hartley Records, managing all aspects of her music worldwide, and releasing her work in various audiophile formats, including vinyl. She has ten albums to her name, including her most recent release, Signature – Solo, available in high-resolution DSD and SACD from Blue Coast Records; the album is being produced in additional formats and variations to enchant music lovers at every level. 
4. Fiona Joy's live performances at T.H.E Show (taking place at Hotel Irvine) will last approximately 45 minutes. Since the performances are in the Lounge, there is no telling the level of sound quality, a bit ironic in that Fiona Joy is know to be perfectionistic about the listening experiences she provides her fans.  However, she says, "I loved meeting this community last year...they work hard, listen hard, and play hard...by the time they make it to the Lounge, we'll all be ready to unwind and I can't imagine they'll care too much about the hotel's sound system!"
5. Fiona Joy will also spend a good bit of her show time in Blue Coast Music Group’s Hospitality Suite 546, from approximately 10-2 daily.
6. Attendees are encouraged to drop in for FREE Gift Bags, BLUE COAST Music Sales, Signings...and lots of tasty Goodies!!!!

Fiona's Performances in Hotel Irvine - Lounge

Friday@ 5:00 in Lounge

Saturday @ 5:00 in Lounge

Sunday @ 4:00 in Lounge

Fiona's Artist/Producer Discussions in Blue Coast Recording Suite 547
Friday @ Noon - “Recording Process of Signature – Solo”
Saturday @ 11:00 - “Touring in China”
Sunday @ 11:00 - “Producing & Arranging”

For general meetings, Media interviews, Sponsorships, or Performance requests during THE Show, please text your request and timing/location details to Beth Hilton @ 310-560-8390.

1. 

Dynamic Duo Pioneering in Audiophile World, Highlighted by WomanBizLife

New music is released everyday, but not much of it is recorded in a hi-resolution format by two women to offer to the testosterone-heavy and affluent audiophile world.  Today, such a feat was recognized by Woman Business Life, which was appreciated greatly by pianist/composer Fiona Joy and renowned producer/engineer Cookie Marenco.  

"I'm thrilled that a women's business site would promote us.  Musically, I love that fact that the audiophile market understands the integrity of a single note, and can hear and appreciate the intervening silence as much as the note choices," Fiona said, adding a bit of girl power with, "I also love working with Cookie Marenco, a woman who is breaking new ground in an industry dominated by men."

More and more young women are pursuing music careers, not as performers, but as producers and engineers at every stage of production. Public recognition like this is encouraging to them, says Fiona, who is also a producer; her 2014 project with Jennifer DeFrayne was produced at Will Ackerman's Imaginary Road Studios, and won DeFrayne a Best New Artist nomination in the ZMR Awards race.

SIGNATURE - SOLO was released today by Marenco's new label, Tiny Island Music / a division of Blue Coast Music Group, and is also available in various hi-res and "regular" formats...read the complete piece at WomanBizLife for details, or listen and purchase music at https://tinyislandmusic.bandcamp.com/   

Fiona Joy, an Australian resident, will perform at the esteemed audiophile event T.H.E. SHOW in Newport Beach, CA this coming May, following a tour in China and an appearance at the ZMR Music Awards Show in New Orleans, LA.

LIVE MUSIC

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM

BEING Gets Intimate in Q&A with Aussie Artists Fiona Joy & Trysette 

as their third U.S. tour kicks off in the Southwest.

4 shows THIS WEEK in Albuquerque, Sedona, Tempe and Tucson!

Q:  Hi, gals, it’s great to see you again! So, for those who don’t know your show, is it safe to call it "an evening of contemporary music and storytelling?"  

A.  FIona (laughing): It's been quite a year and there are loads of new stories to tell, so, yes, that description fits nicely.

Q: This is your 3^rd time ‘round the U.S., so can you tell us what new treats you have prepared for this tour?

A.  Fiona: Well, we both have new albums, which is really exciting.  I’m playing tracks from Signature – Solo, which I just recorded in hi-rez digital for my audiophile fans.  It includes “Grace” a version of which just charted on a #1 Billboard Album.  

A:  Trysette: I’ve put together a new solo album of piano and vocals to replace my 4 track EP Neutral Bay Session, which will be available exclusively at the shows.  I’m also adding brand new songs to the show, which I've been recording for my full band album due to be released in March 2015.

Q: Trysette, tell us, how are the two of you getting on these days? We’ve seen your videos, you know, and one might sense a bit of artistic "tension" at times. Any video updates in the pipeline?  

A:  Trysette:  Well, you know, Fiona is back to being “blonde” so it’s very “important” that we capture that (rolls her eyes).  We actually started making a third video on our last tour, so let's see if we can get something out this time around. It’s all on me, as usual.

 

Q. Fiona, are you going to get stuck with all the driving again, or will you make a stand this year? 

A. Fiona: Trysette is actually a really good driver – but I’m happy to drive and let her “help me” be better at it.  She always has the BEST "advice" on the road. (wink wink).

Q. You gals get a lot of credit for boosting the opening acts that you choose in various cities. Who’ve you got for us this year?

A. Fiona: We’ve got TheFinzer/Mahoney Duo in New Mexico and Arizona, and Jeffrey Pine in Colorado.  Both acts are  really terrific, we're excited to share them with our fans.

A.     TRYSETTE - Something we really love to do is invite a bunch of students onto the stage in Grand Junction, CO to sing on one of our songs. These students attend a workshop with us during the day before the show and we teach them the harmonies. It's a thrill for them and their parents. This year, I plan to teach them an indigenous Australian song by the Tiddas. I think they'll enjoy it. We’d love to do this in other cities, too, by the way, if there are any interested music teachers out there.

Q.    What’s next, after the tour ends in December? 

 

A. Fiona:  Quite a lot of globe-trotting, actually. I have an L.A.-area show in early December, then Christmas in Vermont, the Grammy's in February, China in April, presenting at the ZMR Awards in April, and an audiophile show in Munich, Germany to promote my hi-resolution album Signature – Solo.  Then I'll master Signature – Studio with Bob Ludwig in Portland, Maine, and perform at The S.H.O.W in Orange County, followed by a small Aussie tour in September and then Christmas again!

A.  TRYSETTE:  I plan to stay on here in the States to finalize and release my fourth album in March. I’m excited to do some pretty extensive touring to promote it, so maybe I’ll be back soon!

Q.  Sounds good, ladies, have a great trip, we'll see you in December in L.A.!

 www.twograndimyours.com

***

For more info about Fiona Joy & Trysette and local tour dates, visit Songkick. 

Video Links:

Funny TourVideo, Part 1

Grand Junction performance 2013  

Throckmorton, CA performance of Trysette’s “ Silky Fingers” 2013

VIDEO

Fiona Joy and The Blue Dream Ensemble perform at the 10th Annual ZMR Music Awards, where Fiona takes home the #1 Piano Album award for 600 Years in a Moment. Catch her on tour this Fall 2014 in the U.S.   Click here for concert dates & tix online!

WE SALUTE

Good music writers, curators and broadcasters are becoming a rarity, which is too bad for us, as their insights often encourage us to listen to a new album, or think about an artist in a new way. Those continuing the good fight often face imposing stacks of CD submissions, the challenge of funding and maintaining their own blog or podcast, and general burnout in the face of the temperamental artistes and technical challenges that come with the territory.

Hence, our new periodic effort "We Salute."  Launched with these unsung heroes in mind, we will pay tribute and just generally "love on" music writers and podcasters who provide an incredible service to their audience with consistently excellent content. 

We begin with the hybrid writer/podcaster John Shanahan, founder of Hypnagogue. He describes himself as a writer and long-time ambient/electronic music lover living as quietly as possible in a small town south of Boston, Massachusetts.  We find John particularly worthy of salute thanks to his May "Ladies Night" broadcast built around the premiere New Age and Ambient artists such as Fiona Joy, Ann Licater and Michele de Wilton.  Listen to the Hypnogogue podcast here while you read on!

Below, is a sampling of John's honest and in-depth style of reviewing music:

ANN LICATER: Invitation from Within

"Meditative healing music with strong Native American overtones await on the soothing new release from flutist Ann Licater. Her gentle arsenal for this outing includes Native American, alto, silver and Peruvian clay flutes, along with “many sound healing instruments.” She’s joined by several musicians, including Jeff Oster on trumpet, Peter Phippen on bass, and Ivar Lunde on piano, and together they craft a lush New Age ride."    Read the full review of Invitation from Within.

RICKY KEJ: Shanti Orchestra

"You want happy? Ricky Kej has happy. On his feel-good New Age offering, Shanti Orchestra, the Bollywood composer and creator of the Kamasutra Lounge series meshes native Indian music with laid-back club beats and far-reaching world-music influences. The intent is to massage your soul into a state of bliss–which, if your tastes run to very light New Age, it probably will."   Read the full review of Shanti Orchestra. 

FIONA JOY HAWKINS: 600 Years in a Moment

In presenting an “exploration into time and history” to her listeners, Fiona Joy Hawkins employs a broad, global array of instruments and an all-star roster of contemporary instrumental talent. Will Ackerman (who also produced the disc), Philip Aaberg, Eugue Friesen, Todd Boston, Tony Levin, Charlie Bisharat and others accompany Hawkins, who steers the voyage from behind a handcrafted Australian piano. Celtic influences weave through most of the work, but all the world flavors come through clearly, courtesy of flutes, whistles, strings, didgeridoo, a shaman’s dream’s worth of percussion, woodwinds, and guitars from just about every point on the planet. These 12 tracks are washed through with equal parts melancholy and romance; they are vivid, heartfelt songs full of imagery and emotion."  Read the full review of 600 Years in a Moment.

If you're hoping to discover new music, then put Hypnagogue.net on your radar.  John's reviews cover a broad spectrum of  music, from drifting ambient and quiet electro-acoustic to sound experiments and beat-driven grooves, as he says, "Because music is music."