11.23.08
The band is planning their next album. One more gig scheduled
for 2008. See ya!
10.30.08
The 2008 Vail Fall Festival was definitely a success, with kind
people, local art and food vendors, a variety of musicians
performing, and a healthy crowd of grateful and happy
Arizonans ready to partake of the beautiful fall sunshine.
Jenn Grinels from California started us off with a gentle guitar
and an impressively experienced, smooth and versatile voice. We
were lucky enough for Jen to perform several times throughout
the day as fellow musicians scrambled on and off the stage.
Tucsonian Amber Norgard followed with her 5-piece band and
a mixture of originals and cover tunes reminiscent of artists like
Shawn Colvin, Ani Defranco and the Indigo Girls. And from
Nashville, Tin Cup Gypsy closed out the day's events with a
long awaited set of bluegrass-infused original and cover tunes
that were perfect for the cooling air and the setting sun.
Thanks to Jeff Daniels for initiating and coordinating the Vail
Fall Festival at none other than the beautiful Hacienda del Lago
in Vail, Arizona.
09.19.08
One of our favorite venues is Hacienda del Sol. It's a small,
intimate spot in the Catalina Foothills on the north side of
Tucson, AZ. We have played there regularly for over a year
now. During the summer they were renovating so we took a
few months off. Now that the work is completed we will pick up
where we left off. The great thing about HdS is when the
weather starts to cool the staff employs their heating umbrellas
and gigantic fireplace to heat the outdoor venue. Do what you
can to join us.
09.03.08
Next up - the Tucson Racquet Club on September 12. Outdoor
BBQ open to the public. See you there!
08.03.08
A new song is in the works that we are currently calling "Feel
for Real". The lyrics evolved out of a joint effort by Kristen and
Michael. After the performances in Phoenix this weekend we are
anxious to get started recording some of the new stuff.
Hopefully we will be getting some new videos online soon, and
we hope to return to the Desert Ridge Marketplace soon. See ya.
06.22.08
We are working on more new material while the desert sun
continues to cook the Earth. We have begun arranging Ryan's
song titled "Day of the Dead". (Read about this song on his
weblog here). There is a recording of this tune on his MySpace
page also: myspace.com/thesmithproject
We are about to start working with Jenny G while she records
her second album. She is a good friend and a new addition to
the singer/songwriting world. Samples of her work can be
heard on her MySpace page here.
06.12.08
Dear internet user:
Please continue to browse the world wide web with careless
abandon. I would be most distressed to think that these updates
were in any way infringing upon your unadulterated browsing
fancy. Carry on, as you were. -Upda Temas Termind
05.15.08
Michael here.
We are working like dogs in the real world...well Dan isn't. I
suppose what we are hoping for is a break. Music is our
passion, our love, our gift. We are playing in Tucson, Phoenix,
Albuquerque--you know regional gigs. It seems that we are
merely lacking label support. I know, typical story. The
question we have been bouncing around is, what should our
next step be? We have potential to be moving to Nashville, TN...
If there are any others out there that feel like giving us some
direction/feedback feel free to Email us at admin @
kristenchandler.org
*Rant over*
04.14.08
Kristen and the band performed for the first time a song called
"To Be Had". This song was one of Michael's compositions from
the Honeybeegroove days. The song back then was more of a
jam tune that featured solos on sax, trumpet and guitar. The
lyrics only included a single verse and a hook refrain. When
HBG disbanded the song dropped out of Michael's repertoire. As
with many of his compositions, this one received an overhaul:
the lyrics were changed, the key was transposed up a fourth,
the chord progression altered, and drum/bass parts were added
by Metal Man (Ryan) Smith and Dan Kruse. The resulting
creation was performed on April 12 at Hacienda del Sol to a
packed house. The reaction was amazing, and "To Be Had" has
finally become a real song with power and soul--thanks to
Kristen's amazing vocal range and the band's developing ability
to collaborate and arrange as a cohesive team.
Another feature worth of noting was that Smith utilzed the
most recent addition to his instrumental arsenal: the
MEGATAR (by Mobius). This instrument is designed to be
played with a tapping technique, and includes strings for both a
bass and an electric guitar. This allows for multiple layers of
individual notes and chords to be played on a single
instrument. Ryan played the Megatar on several songs
including "To Be Had" and "Spirits in Babylon". Now all we
need to do is get him to bring his mandolin!
02.15.08
It felt great for the band to get back on stage with the new
sound system on Feb 8. Everyone agreed that the music was
locked in and sounding great. For the first time the band was
asked to turn the volume down slightly! Thanks to the Otto
family for making it to Arizona, and thanks to that party of 20
that danced and helped us finish another amazing evening.
12.11.07
The band was in New Mexico last weekend. Over 1000 miles and
two gigs in 4 days. Performing at Savoy was an excellent
experience, and we will probably be there again in March 2008.
The friends we stayed with in Albuquerque were kind enough
to offer their home and hospitality. Windito and Phillipe -- we
love you!
Hacienda del Sol has invited us to perform twice a month on the
weekends. This is a great opportunity to see the new material as
it develops, and the venue has some of the finest food in town.
12.03.07
November is done! Several performances were excellent, and a
couple were learning experiences that we will not repeat. The
air is finally getting colder in the desert, and we are looking
forward to next weekend in New Mexico.
10.29.07
Hacienda del Sol was a blast. Thanks to everyone that came out
and spent the evening with us under the clear Tucson sky this
weekend. We have performed almost every weekend this month,
and that will continue until the middle of December. After that
we will be taking a break from public gigs for a while as we
work on the next album. Call it hibernating if you must.
10.13.07
New photos of performances, studio sessions, and promos are in
the photos/media section.
09.28.07
We had such a wonderful time at the Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro
in Albuquerque last weekend. We had what was called a family
reunion; old friends, good food, lots of children, late night
moon ceremonies. The night at Zinc was an intimate yet soulful
event, and we want to extend our thanks to all those that made
it out! Love to Windy and Mika, Kevin Roesler, the staff at Zinc,
and everyone that made our first performances in Albuquerque
memorable.
09.13.07
There are a few digital music sites that claim to have the bird
album but are actually hosting someone else's music. The name
Kristen Chandler, the bird album cover, and song titles are
correct on these sites, but the audio is from another person's
album entirely. It is a mistake our friends at CDBaby have made.
Their staff is working to correct the problem. The good news is:
CDBaby has the correct audio on file:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/kristenc
08.05.07
Visit the Kristen Chandler Store for the new "Sweet Inside"
4-song CD.
07.13.07
Kristen and Michael just returned to Tucson after a
tour/vacation in the Pacific Northwest. The "Sweet Inside"
single will soon be available online.
06.14.07
The new single "Sweet Inside" is going out to radio stations this
week. Call your favorite stations and request Kristen Chandler's
"Sweet Inside".
05.01.07
Kristen and Michael are currently composing and arranging
songs for their next album. If you are interested in sponsoring
or investing in their upcoming project please contact:
admin@kristenchandler.org