Diva Taunia's Backstage Pass Official Blog

*FREE* ONLINE LIVE CONCERT TONIGHT!

I'll be performing live tonight with my friend and accompanist Brad Smith on piano via www.stickam.com/divataunia. Please stop by to listen and say hello! 8pm EST

♥If you like what you hear, please consider making a donation to the tip jar via paypal! We totally dig generous people who support live music. ♥

IN A VAN, DOWN BY THE RIVER...

Last night, I did one of the coolest/weirdest things in my musical career:  I had a rehearsal in the back of a van, parked on the street in Jamaica Plain.  I was there with Brad Smith on piano, and Anna Fan on drums.  And we had a pretty kick-ass time making music. 

This all came to be because of Brad.  This dude is one of the most creative and craftiest people I know.  He's built an all-inclusive carrying case for his keyboards that packs up and travels, but also doubles as a keyboard and music stand.  The thing just rolls in and out of gigs - it's pretty amazing.

Brad is also a piano technician and tuner, so he needs a van to get around to all his different sites of business, and he needs to be able to move pianos.  He also realized that he had downtime in between gigs, and that he could use that time to practice and play.  So he hooked up his van with some serious electrical power, speakers, the whole kit and caboodle.  This allows him to play pretty much anywhere he goes.  Uh, AWESOME.

So we had the rehearsal - complete with Anna's drum kit - in the back of the van.  My passenger seat swiveled around, I sat next to Anna, and Brad has his whole keyboard setup in there.  We parked on the street, kept the doors closed, and made music.  It was a really fun time, and just made me realize how freakin' happy I am to be making music - ANYWHERE.  (BTW - the three of us will be performing at The Stork Club in Boston this Saturday, March 27th from 9:30pm-1:00am.  Stop by and see us if you're in the area!)

From this rehearsal was born an idea that I'm hoping will turn into something really great:  "The Diva Taunia Traveling Show."  We're going to play lunchtime concerts at local businesses during the spring and summer months, and also play evening and weekend gigs in town - ON THE STREET AND IN PARKING LOTS.  I mean, how fun is that gonna be?!?  We're still looking into permits/restrictions/etc, but we're really excited to be setting up a summer tour of van concerts.  Man, I just love life with music, I really do.

So hey, if you're in the New England area and want to book us for a lunchtime concert, drop me a line at booking@divataunia.com.  If this van's a rockin', you should DEFINITELY come 'a knockin!

NEW MUSIC VIDEO: ♥I'VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU♥

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Wilmington singer hosts Valentine's Day show - Wilmington, MA - Wilmington Advocate

Wilmington singer hosts Valentine's Day show - Wilmington, MA - Wilmington Advocate

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1/18/10 MUSIC FEATURE: JONATHA BROOKE

One of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters is Jonatha Brooke.  She blends folk, pop, and rock in a way that’s accessible for everyone to listen to.   I first heard her a few years ago when a friend of mine let me borrow her “Steady Pull” album, and I was completely hooked.  After listening to her song for the fifth time in a row, I sang along with her and was completely entranced in the song.  She’s right up there with Paula Cole for me in the “musicians I wish I could be” category – with some of the strongest songwriting skills that a girl could envy.  Her voice is meticulous – she has an instantly recognizeable sound,  very different and unique, and I want to be her.

Jonatha’s music has been featured in movie soundtracks like Disney’s” Return to Neverland “and TV shows like “The Hills,” and “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.”  The first song I played on the radio program was the very first song I ever heard from her, “Linger,” and you can hear it on her website at www.jonathabrooke.com.

In 2006, after being completely obsessed with her music, I saw Jonatha live for the first time with my brother at Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, NH.  My  brother Derek has always been a huge music  fan, and very open-minded about music.  Still, he’s also always been more partial to a heavier rock sound, so I wasn’t quite sure how he would react to Jonatha’s music.   His reaction?  He LOVED her, and to this day is a big fan.  In fact, at his wedding this past fall, he played one of Jonatha’s songs “Everything I Wanted”  (from “Back in the Circus”)as part of his wedding music. 

And now Jonatha has that shared connection with us:   I’m also going to request permission to use one of her songs at my wedding next year.  I fell in love with her latest album, “The Works,” and in particular, “King of My Love.”  It’s a lovely piano-focused song that prompts Alice-in-Wonderland-visions of characters dancing.   My fiancée Rob and I are huge poker players, and the card metaphors in this song couldn’t be more perfect for us as a couple starting a new life together.

I could go on and on about my love of “The Works.”  I think it’s a masterpiece for Jonatha.  The lyrics of Woodie Guthrie set to Jonatha’s music with an impressive list of music’s finest musicians (Keb Mo, Joe Sample, Steve Gadd, and Christian McBride).   Every song has magic in it, and it touched me in a way that not many other pieces of music have.   There’s one lyric penned by Woodie Guthrie and delivered musically by Jonatha that particularly comforts me:

“I’ll will never fear the day I will die, because my sunset is somebody’s morning sky.”Those lyrics are from the song “My Battle.”    

In that moment – when she sings this – if it doesn’t prove that there’s magic, peace, comfort and beauty from music, then I don’t know what ever will.  Jonatha is a musical treasure, so I encourage you to stop by her website and purchase many of her CDs.  Buy the works, the whole works.

 

NEW HOLIDAY MUSIC VIDEO: JINGLE BELLS

Many thanks to Michael from Shibboleth Pictures for this new video!

NEW MUSIC VIDEO: "BOOGIE WOOGIE SANTA CLAUS"

Special thanks to Michael of Shibboleth Pictures for producing/editing/filming/everything in this video! Also, special thanks to my guest star, who I love very much. :)

LOOK AT ME - THE MODERN VOCALIST FEATURED PERFORMER!

 

Click on the link and scroll down to see my feature!

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