Here are a few photos from the recording session with my mom Louise and my brother Jonathan. Click on the thumbnail images to view the larger format.

All photos taken by MrSchultz.

Yesterday morning, I went to another studio with my producer (Daniel Cinelli) to record on an upright piano. It was 100 years old!! A few squeaks here and there but with a bit of oil, we were able to get a take with a sound that adds charm and gives such a great feel to the song.

In the afternoon, we had a last session with cello and violin played by Catherine Gazelle Le Saunier and Émilie Rabaraona. They brought quite a few ideas to the table improvising parts and recording on the spot! Two very talented women.

So now step one is done in my building up an album project. I feel like an architect!! The next layer to add will be me with piano and vocals…but it won’t be before a week or so due to scheduling at the studio, which will give me some time to practice all the key changes - the grand piano does not have a transpose button!!! lol ;-)

Recorded with mother (Louise) and brother (Jonathan) live on the floor yesterday at the studio…. it was a very special moment for us. Many emotions running around and about… subject matter in consideration and having the chance to play together made it all the more intense.

A moment engraved in time…

Here are a few photos from the violin and cello recording sessions. Click on the thumbnail images to view the larger format.

All photos taken by MrSchultz.

Started tracking the cello and violin tonight. Usually, these would be the last instruments to track… but we had to do them now due to scheduling. It sounded divine. I just love these instruments… they make the hairs on my forearm rise!!! We will be tracking strings for the next 2 days. My mother and brother arrive in Montreal tomorrow night from Prince Edward Island (where I grew up). They will be recording a song with me on Saturday and I can’t wait to spend some time with them! :-)

Here are a few photos from the bass and drum recording sessions. Click on the thumbnail images to view the larger format.

All photos taken by MrSchultz.

I am writing at the end of our 3rd day in the studio - didn’t blog yesterday because I was totally exhausted!!

Yesterday was very intense. We tracked a first song which went very smoothly and then in the afternoon, we started a second one, one which we all thought would be a piece of cake,.. but it turned out the be the hardest number to get so far. We ended up changing a bunch of patterns for the drums and even cutting out some lines as well. My producer is so full of great ideas and so we try every one of them to see which works best. Towards the end, the musicians charts weren’t readable anymore because of rewriting so many times!! lol It was quite a challenge and my drummer and bass player nailed it all in the end - they are soooo awesome!! What focus!!

Today we tracked two more songs… we are getting lots of video footage so we will share some of that we you soon…

It’s after 7pm and I am starving so… better get something in my belly. I shall eat then write out a few charts for the cello and violin which we will track after tomorrow.

…I still feel I’m going cross-eyed!! ;-0

That’s it my friends, the ice has finally been broken: Today was the first official day of recording in the studio for my Sellaband album… and what a day it was!!

In the next few days, we will be tracking “bed tracks” with drums and bass and today, it sounded sooo awesome. “Une tonne de bricks!”, said my drummer Gordon Wood (he speaks french yes). We set up the drums today which took a good 2-3 hours, tested the bass guitars (my bass player Jean-François Dery had 4 today in the studio!! He’s such a maniac lol), and then tracked 2 songs; When I Fall Asleep and Turn Around.

With such a great start to the whole recording process, I am so eager to hear what we will do next. Until today, my producer (Daniel Cinelli) and I had only worked out ideas on paper… so if was so exhilarating to hear the musicians who brought everything to life… and with a big bang!

I am honestly very exhausted from the long day of staying focused all the time (I think I am going cross-eyed!) but that is not stopping my cheek muscles from working overtime to say how happy I am with how things are going. :DDDDDDDDD

Tomorrow is another big day so… I better get some rest.

xoxzzzzz

So this Saturday (July 5th), I will be in the studio with my musicians to officially start out the recording of my debut album.

This week, my producer (Daniel Cinelli) and I are working out the last details of pre-production. In the next few days, I will be frantically writing out last minute changes to the lead sheets - key changes, chord changes, arrangement ideas,…

We will be in the studio for one full week to lay down the bed tracks and then the vocals will be done in early August (the sessions got separated due to conflicts in scheduling).
After the vocals (including harmonies) are done, we will start the mixing process.

Ok, I better get back to work now!

I’ll be back soon to give you all another update… ;-)

Hello my friends!

I am so proud to say that I am now an official Sellaband recording artist!!!

I am so excited about starting to work on making a fantastic debut album and thank everyone who has helped me attain this incredible milestone in my music career.

Here’s my 50K Sellabration video…

Updates on the recording process will be given here on my website and on my sellaband page at www.sellaband.com/angiearsenault

Angie
xox

Things have gotten very exciting for me on Sellaband in the last few months. Not only am I raising funds to record my album and meeting new people on this great platform, but I am also discovering some very talented artists as well!

There are so many great artists on Sellaband. These are a few of my favourites:

Julia Marcell
Ellie Williams
Alexx Calise
Kaitee Page
Civilized Tears

I am also a proud member of “Team Angels 2008”, sharing the spotlight with some very talented Sellaband artists.

Lori Greco
Gisel De Marco

I’d like to introduce you to my one of my wonderful voice students. His name is David Marino, is incredibly talented, not to mention a real sweetheart,…and only 9 years of age! He has already performed in front of thousands and thousands of people and has a dream to one day sing on stage with his idol, Michael Bublé.

Here is the letter David wrote himself in the hopes that his words would somehow reach the eyes of this Canadian singer who has inspired him in so many ways:

Dear Mr. Michael Bublé,

My name is David Marino and I am a great fan of yours. I am 9 years old and am a singer myself. I sing most of your songs and have won first prize in 3 competitions. Last summer I had the opportunity to meet Sass Jordan and sing for a crowd of over 10 000 people because I won the Lift Off Idol Competition. I absolutely love jazz music. Frank Sinatra and you are my idols. My dream is to one day sing with you on stage. Tonight part of my dream is coming true because I get to see you perform on stage live. I want to give you a copy of my recordings and I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for singing such wonderful songs and for inspiring me so much. I hope that one day I could sing for the world and make them smile the way you do!!

Your greatest fan,
David Marino

David singing New York, New York before thousands of people:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3jH0v1Njx4
David being spotted in the crowd by his idol, Michael Bublé:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAMXJ9Wi50c&NR=1

Check out this video montage put together by Olivier Nade (from France).
He shares with us some photos of a phantom city in California which was the second city back in the 1880’s.
Do you recognize the song he used for the presentation?!!
Thank-you for sharing Olivier (toi qui aime faire rêver les gens!) ;-)
Angie
xx

At my last show, I had the opportunity to meet one of my fabulous Sellaband believers Serge Des Côteaux… talking with him made me realize again, just how wonderful is the concept of Sellaband.

Serge wrote me this lovely message the day after my show:

Angie!!
Had the priviledge to meet you last night as you were performing your “Once upon a Dream” concert…
It was just that…
A dream!
I’ve always believed that we see the true nature of the artist once he/she gets the opportunity to perform…
And what a performance…
It was theatrical… It was magical…
Orchestration was tight…
How about a cellist which can back vocals as well!
Lovely…
I was basically floating around for ninety minutes from one frame to another, always experiencing new blends of captivating melodies…
Incredible vocals filled the room, always on tune…
Angie, you were shining magically…
Proud to believe!
The song that caught my ear first, “Merry Go Round” actually dropped a tear as you sang it!!!
Just one final thing…
Meeting you quickly after the show, and the friendly feeling I had found from dealing with you in the last two months took a reality leap…
I think SAB brings that new type of relationship between the artist and the fan, and it’s culturally … sorry… french… “enrichissant!!!”
Rewarding?
indeed….
Kudo Angie… I’m priviledged to have crossed your path!
Hope to see all your shows now! I’m a fan!!! :-) Cheers!
Et merci!
(Serge Des Côteaux)

Thank you for these very kind words Serge.

Please lend your ears to my Christmas song by clicking on the button below:

At this time of year, it’s important for me to stop and think about how fortunate I am. Unfortunately, many do not get to feel the real joys of Christmas and be surrounded by family and friends. The soldiers, for example, who are away from their loved ones; May they be spared from harm and may there be peace and not war.

… Can you count how many times I mention the word “amazing” in this video? ;-)

1. In Raibows – Radiohead
2. Combinations - Eisley
3. Ghost Opera - Kamelot
4. Neon Bible – The Arcade Fire
5. Storm EP – Julia Marcell

I was a bit hesitant when I heard the first radio single from Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”, but after downloading the album, I fall more and more into the traps of the groups’ latest masterpiece. Full of ear candy and emotion (and I love the strings!), the album shows us yet again the originality of this energizer bunny of a household name; Radiohead.

Need I say more? Yeah - do like I did and go download “In Rainbows”!
And by the way, I did pay for it too… ;-)

Angie
xx

Well I was definitely moved by some kind of contagious energy just this past Wednesday night at Le Medley here in Montreal during a concert given by the talented musicians of Kamelot. What a night!!!

Amongst the adoring fans chanting and cheering for this melodic metal band that has become one of my all time favourites, I realized the incredible power that can lay in the hands of 5 people, united together to rock the soul! Note that not all bands out there have musicians that really play together!

The show was spectacular from beginning to end with a blinding light show and forceful stage presence… and sounds that can make an entire hall of people’s heads bop up and down in unison.

I was on the floor just two lines away from the “mosh pit” and I kept my distance in fear of getting thrown in and being trampled on as I am not a very big girl…hehe! But the funny thing, was that these fans who enjoyed the dance of slamming into each other, would soon after have their arms around each other in a loving gesture while singing in perfect harmony to the lovely ballads belted out by Khan, the likes of a singing God.

It was all quite moving… and it’s very hard not to be inspired by these amazing musicians and performers. They are all quite gifted and the lead singer had the crowd melting in his hand by the first note of the show.

I had such a blast and the intensity of it all, including the energy of the entire room with all the hands up in the air, felt like a spiritual experience to me. Much more than going to church anyway…!!! I shall pray that they return soon to nourish us again with their beautiful melodies and powerful metal beats that have awaken something inside me…

First of all, for those who have never heard of Sellaband, here is a short description to get you “in the loop”:

Sellaband is a concept that allows artists and fans to be in business together! Each Artist that puts their profile on Sellaband issues 5,000 so called Parts and gets to record and album once all the parts have been sold. Parts cost $10 (plus transaction costs) each and Believers receive a Limited Edition of the CD once the album is recorded.

To all of my “Believers” on Sellaband, I want to say a big THANK-YOU for sticking by me and for supporting my music!!!

Angie
xx
To know more on how Sellaband works or to become a believer, please click here:

www.sellaband.com/site/how-it-works.html

Hi everyone! :-)

I just wanted to take a few minutes to say a big THANK-YOU for all of your wonderful comments and emails. The response to my 5th video, an interpretation of Abandoned by Kamelot, is simply amazing and I appreciated all of your kind words.

That said, I thought I would address a few things. First of all, I am happily married…! Second, I assure you I am not the secret new singer for Nightwish, and third, I am no goddess (although it’s very hard not to be flattered by that one as well!). However, I do have a vision and maybe you can all help me with making one thing become reality. You see, when I first recorded the Kamelot song, I thought to myself; wouldn’t it be amazing to perform live with them one day?!! Some of you have suggested this so if you do believe in the idea, why not send comments to the band suggesting they ask me to perform with them in there upcoming Montreal show…!? Hey, you never know, miracles do happen!

www.myspace.com/kamelot

Whatever takes place, you have all been really great to me and I will keep working hard, and at the best of my abilities, at making songs come to life. ;-)

Yours truly,
Angie
xx

I while back, I mentioned in one of the episodes from My Shattered Windows a new bracelet that I had purchased from a site I found on the web; it was from a handmade jewelry store called Rose Flash.

Rose Flash is a colorful and original handcrafted jewelry and fashion accessories line jazzed with a playful spirit which is both fashionable and ethical.

Valérie Parizeault is the visual & graphic artist behind it all and her moto is to bring an eco-friendly fashion line to women who wish to please both their green and pink side.

You can find the online boutique at www.roseflash.ca

Oh wow, I am so going to dance like a crazy nut when I get my copy of Tori Amos’s lasted album!!!

I heard a few songs off of her myspace site and boy-oh-boy, she’s rockin’ on these recordings. I’m hearing some Britt rock sounds… she is, after all, living in London! Maybe I’ll actually hear her music play at La Tulipe (a dance club here in Montreal) someday soon … yeah right, and if a frog had wings it wouldn’t bump it’s ass when it hops…!! I know, I know, too many reruns of Wayne’s World for me !!!!

Anybody feeling the same?

www.myspace.com/toriamos

I finally got the chance to see Al Gore’s Documentary on the devastation of our planet and global warming. It is simply a must see for every human being on this earth who cares even just a little bit about someone other than themselves!!

That’s all I wanted to say about this topic at the moment.

www.climatecrisis.net

I just want to say a big thank-you to all of you who took the time to come out and see me perform this past Friday at Le Petit Medley. Your presence was greatly appreciated. I hope you had as much fun as I did! ;-)

Je ne pourrais pas demander pour un meilleur système de support. Je vous remercie du fond du coeur!!! À la prochaine mes amis ☺

Meilleurs vœux – take care everyone and hope to see you soon,

Angie
xx

Sunny day sweepin’ the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet…can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street ?

Can you tell me about a show that really beats this one I cherished so much during most of my childhood?! Sesame Street and The Muppet Show where two very smart and entertaining shows for kids… and kids of all ages! ;-) I have yet to see something on current children’s television that even compares to this variety show of talent and educational comedy.

One night last week, I sat in front of my computer for a considerable amount of time laughing out loud, by myself, from the song and dance of these hilarious puppets.

Here are some of my favourite scenes:
Sesame Street Aliens: Phone
Sesame Street - Grover the Waiter - Big Hamburger
The Muppets Show intro
Sesame Street News Flash: Ideas for games

Am I the only one who feels this way?! What say you?

Ok, I admit, I sadly missed the first half of “The Hour” last night… but it was for a very good reason. Last night, I went to the Café Campus here in Montreal to witness the incredible talent of Serena Ryder. Wow, she can really wail!!

There were a few moments during Serena’s performance when I was working very hard at remaining completely still so that the extra amount of water that had accumulated in my eyes would not leek down my cheeks. These moments were me witnessing a very talented singer express herself with her heart on her sleeve and I was definitely 100% convinced!

The crowd also had the chance to discover Kyle Riabko as the opening act of the evening playing alone on guitar and I have to say, this guy does not need a band!! With such energy and musicality, he takes you on a roller coaster ride filled with nuance!

Serena’s latest album is a compilation of covers chosen with extreme consideration and they are very suiting to her style (although she could sing the phone book and it would still be amazing!). It is, however, her a ccapella numbers that remain her trademark and always leave the audience astounded by her impressive, natural, vocal abilities!

www.myspace.com/SerenaRyder
www.myspace.com/KyleRiabko

There is something I have been needing to get off of my chest for a while now… actually, to be specific, since October of 2006. It has been eating me up inside and now I need to express my frustrations towards those responsible for my anxiety.

Here goes:
“George Stroumboulopoulos, … I RESENT YOU! CBC and The Hour,… I RESENT YOU! I RESENT ALL OF YOU for keeping me up so late every single week night!! Since it has been on air, I have not been able to get to bed before midnight because I’m afraid to miss a single episode of The Hour! Why does the show have to be so awesome? Why can’t it be on earlier? Why do they have to have the most interesting guests? Why does Stroumboulopoulos have to be such a cool, savvy, knowledgeable, funny (the list goes on…) host?!!”

There! I got it out!! Now, I shall go wash off all the make-up I have been putting on to cover up these dark circles from under my eyes that keep getting deeper and deeper, and try to get some sleep!!

So I enter into this new dimension, a new means of confirmed existence and write my very own blog !!

Ok, I admit, I’m a bit behind on these things as I seem to always be somewhat dependent on my computer savvy friends for keeping me “in the loop” or “up to date” when it comes to this revolutionary device of zeros and ones!

Honestly, I came here with some apprehension only to find that this newfound world of internet journaling just may be a very liberating tool for me! I’ve always found it easier to write down my thoughts then to actually express them verbally unless in a song with the everlasting support of my cradle called music.

So I welcome you to my online journal of inner thoughts, my moments of, at times, agonizing but refreshing truth, my casual passing ideas and comments on ever changing or ever constant surroundings, my blog.