If I told you how my 2010 ended I have no doubts there would be those amongst you who would shake your heads in disbelief. I think I can safely state that the year 2010 has been the biggest and brightest in my collection of 30 years yet and, incredibly, it somehow continues.

Just yesterday I received an email from Kevin McCarthy of the Blarney Bulletin proclaiming me as the official winner of the 2010 Rebel Yelp Competition. This comp is for protest and rally song submissions and I feel honoured to accept 1st place with my song Matilda's Waltz (attached)

2010 came at me like a bat out of hell with opportunities and friendships to activate my music career in a massive way. I made the move to Byron Bay Australia where I met the enigmatic and lusty Kathryn 'Cougar' Jones, a massive musical entity in her own right. Together we launched our acoustic duo 'The Swingin' Cowgirls' and proceeded to hold the whole Northern Rivers at ransom with our "Look at moi, look at moi" approach to showbiz. Wahoo! It worked a treat and together we performed a huge amount of gigs in just four intense months before the year was through.

I am also stoked and proud to have launched not only my 2nd album 'Einey Meiny Miney Mo', but also my offical http://www.annavanriel.com website where I now sell my albums online and keep all of the incredible people who support me up-to-date on my ever changing story.

Other than the brilliant music venues and musicians, Australia's East Coast has also handed me a bunch of awesome opportunities such as the Annual Dolphin Music Awards where I received 6 nominations and took home Children's song of the year for my kids conservation song Mr H20 (also attached). I made it into the 2nd round of judging int he Australian songwriters competition and got through to the heats for the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition in Brisbane where I performed two of my originals.

Good friends Graeme Woller and Jordan de Senna activated the start of my new EP Whistle and Hum which is a ukulele based 6 track EP that I aim to release in 2011, along with Raw As, a raw, stripped back guitar and vocal EP of some really emotive tracks recorded with stunning guitasrist and audio engineer Pete Jaksic in his Byron Bay Studio. I'm super excited about both of these albums. I also hope to put together my children's album and then create a box-set for all 5 CD's. I am also currently looking for a talented children's storybook illustrator to work with towards a collection of illustrated stories and songs I have written.

The other massive event in 2010 was the discovery that I was up the duff. It hardly came as a suprise to discover I was pregnant just 6 months into my life in Byron. These are fertile lands and historically known as the birthing place for many Aboriginal woman who birthed in the tepid teatree lakes that surround the province. My, now, husband Locky and I had hoped to break the family tradition of a shot gun wedding but it was apparently not to be.

The sad news is that, on our trip home to NZ for our wedding, we discovered that our wee baby has a very rare and serious condition called a giant omphalocele. After loads of research we have discovered various other cases of babies born with this condition and feel hopeful that there will be a positive outcome for us. Only time will tell, and until then we aim to remain in the moment and grateful for all the wonderful blessings that are upon us right now. There is nothing we can do, or could have done, to change this situation and have concluded that unnecessarily stressing wont help anyone, least of all bub.

With this new discovery about baby however, we have made the decision to move back to New Zealand so can take advantage of the outstanding maternity care that has already been bestowed on us from the very moment we found out about our baby's condition. It feels sad and confusing to be leaving Byron so suddenly, especially when everything has been rolling so well here, but as supportive as Byron is to musicians, NZ is to pregnant women and our priority right now is to offer this baby the best chance possible.

2011 is destined to be another incredible year and is quickly proving to be with the events that have already taken place. New Years Day marked my 30th birthday and two days later I married the man of my dreams. Yahoo! We're now back in Byron packing up our life here although taking time to enjoy the gorgeous weather that is currently upon us, the lush beaches and the super warm waters as well as a string of upcoming gigs for me and Kathryn Jones before temporarily leaving these lush shores. I can't wait to return with a fat, healthy baby and float around in the ocean and squish fat toes in the white tropical sands (baby's, not mine).

Thank you once again to all of you for the ongoing love and support. I know I say it every time but it still blows me away. My albums are selling steadily which is so awesome and I receive a constant flow of supportive emails and encouragement that keep me surefooted on this musical journey. All the sale funds of my albums are going towards the new projects mentioned above.

I also have to make a note of saying a really special thank you to both my parents and Locky's parents. With motherhood upon me I could not have been blessed with more loving, dedicated and inspiring parents than these two couples. They blow me away with their love, compassion, empathy and unfailing support under any circumstances. They have definitely set the bar in defining the meaning of unconditional love and I hope to be as much a role model to my children as these amazing people are to me. Thank you! xxoo

On this note I wish you all the most fabulous 2011 ever. Live for the moment, be in the here and now and have gratitude for the blessing upon you for there is always much to be thankful for.

All my love

Anna xooxox

{image_1}

{mp3_1}

{mp3_2}

Photo by Annelie Hansen Photographer http://www.wix.com/anneliehansen/anipictures

On this trip to Monaco the circumstances had changed somewhat and my boss seemed pre occupied with the challenges of the economic downturn and had little time for foreign accessories like me. I treated his wife and son regularly, but that still gave me ample time to fluff around in the heart of Monaco, lay on the beach, play and sing at the local cafes and dream of returning to the magical town of Byron Bay some day. Well strike me down with a bendy carrot! Talk about manifestation. From February to May 2009 I found myself set up in my boss’ awesome holiday pad in Lilli Pilli, with a car, bike, job, and pretty much no expenses. I went to work and then came home and wrote music. I attended every jam night I could and very quickly made a collection of wonderfully talented musical friends. I definitely felt like I was supposed to be here, even if the six weeks of solid rain did try to deter me.

During my stay in Byron my Mama came over to visit. We had a wonderful time and did all the usual touristy things including a visit to the Crystal Castle. Now, my Mum is a real star gazer. She’s a painter and a singer and a writer and has one foot on this planet and the other is finely tuned into the cosmos. She decided to get herself a tarot reading on that visit to the Crystal Castle while I patiently flicked through books in the library and waited. An hour later she emerged with a happy tear stained face. “Oh Anniekins (my mothers loving name for me), it was amazing. I asked her about you, and OH! You have to see her”.

And so it was. Mum paid for me to see the tarot reader and I went some days later to this woman’s home, expecting incense and planetary mobiles hanging from the ceiling. Instead I found a much centered lady, in a very fresh and professional space, sporting a business card emphasizing that she was a psychologist, naturopath and tarot reader. This appealed to my highly practical Capricorn temperament and I settled in a little easier. “Now, you must understand”, she said, “I’m just reading what the cards say ok?” “Um, uh…ok, sweet”, I said. I concentrated and asked a question. Am I supposed to live in Byron Bay and make music? “Ooooooooooooooh wonderful”, she exclaimed as she drew the cards and laid them down in some cosmic order. “Look here”, she said. “This is the Emperess sitting right in the middle and around her is blah blah, blah blah, and whatsizhoozy. This is very good! The answer is YES. Definitely and utterly yes”. She went on to tell me that as much as NZ was a good place to come home to, the understanding was not there for me and my music and that I would find my mojo, the support and the creative energy in Byron Bay. I didn’t need any more convincing. Her final reading shocked me somewhat though. “There’s a man I see. He’s behaving like a boy, but don’t worry. He’ll come round. He’s your soul partner. Oooh, and look. There’s a baby close by”. I gulped and thanked her for her time, literally flinging the cash at her after her last comment and fled.

At the end of the Byron contract I flew back to New Zealand to tour again with my band. I was amping and chomping at the bit. “Come on you guys. Let’s all move to Byron Bay. It’s incredible. There’s music on every corner. The people are colourful, there’s a dolphin on every wave, and most importantly…they support what we are and what we do. What do you say?” How could they say no? What a convincing argument. In fact…what argument? I’d roped them in. We were going to Byron to make beautiful music together. However, touring can take its toll on a band and this was our 2nd experience being trapped consistently in one van together for an extended period of time. It became clear that the expectations and dreams of us all individually were taking different roads, and one-by-one the Byron Band dream ended. Bugger it! I thought to myself. My heart’s in Byron. I’m gone!

By July we had finished the tour and had sorted all of my things and narrowed them down to one backpack, a guitar and a ukulele. I’d gained a slot in the Himalayas at the Confluence, the world’s highest music festival, and had planned to meet my on again, off again boyfriend of 12 years Locky in Delhi and ride an Enfield together to get to this festival. It was great to see him after a year apart and traveling together was easy riding. He’s my favourite journey buddy and reconnecting confirmed that he is indeed my best friend. The rest of this story can be found in other blogs and articles, and to cut a long story short we now find ourselves in Northern New South Wales, living the Byron Bay dream.

Since being here we’ve had the most incredible experience. After growing up in the southern most city in the world with sub-Antarctic winds rattling your bones for at least six months of the year, Byron can be juxtaposed (is that right Martin?) as the absolute opposite. At least when it rains here you’re not confined to 17 layers of Nana’s home knitted underpants.

We joined the Mullumbimby Toast Masters club a few months back to get savvy on our public speaking. My aim was to learn how to articulate myself better on stage as I’m known for rambling utter nonsense for whole gigs and not even being able to recollect what I’d said by the end of it. A talent in itself I’m sure, but perhaps one that could use a bit of honing. Since joining we have had our club speech contests and I was certainly overwhelmed when I took home two trophies, one for my humorous speech and another for table topics. I’ll be competing in the local comps this month and if that goes well I’ll be working towards the nationals. However, even if I don’t make it any further in this comp I feel that I’ve already gained so much. For those who aren’t aware of what Toastmasters is and what it’s about check out http://www.toastmasters.org/, and also know that you are welcome to drop into your local TM meetings and sit in as a guest and participate if you like. It’s a fabulous experience and I encourage you to try it out.

{image_1}

So much for cutting a long story short! Somehow my objective here was to explain to you how the tarot reader was right. Well…… Besides winning two trophies in my club competition at Toastmaster I have, since moving to Byron, received six musical nominations in the local Dolphin music awards and gained an award for Children’s song of the year. I made it through to the Brisbane heats in the Telstra road to Tamworth competition. I also made it through to the 2nd round of judging in the Australian Songwriters Competition. I’m still waiting to hear the outcome of that. I’ve found the music partner of the CENTURY Ms Kathryn ‘Cougar’ Jones who I am performing with- with the vengeance of a tornado- and perhaps my almost biggest news to date is that in less than two weeks I’ll have received the delivery of both of my newly mastered and packaged albums Solar Panel and Einey Meiny Miney Mo. Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

AND….. to cap it all off….I have one more massive piece of news….I’ll give you a second to guess…any takers….? Lox and I are having a baby. We heard a heartbeat yesterday that sounded like a manic butterfly trapped in a sock drawer. It was awesome! I’ll be working on my kids song now no doubt!

So the tarot reader was right. I am supposed to be here. “That boy”, is the man of my dreams after all and yes, there is a baby on its way. Wooh! I might have to take a wee lie down. Even I’m finding it hard to keep up so good luck to the rest of you.

In conclusion to this seriously epic edition to my other seriously epic editions, I would like to once again thank all of you for the amazing ongoing support you have given me. A few folks in particular are Kathryn Jones who is not only a super mum with four boys of her own, but a woman who has the most positive attitude this side of the Tweed Valley. Thenks Keth!

{image_2}

Also Locky, my gorgeous man who reminds me that I can do this whole musical thing and that dreams are not only free, they’re achievable. Good man that one! My cosmic arty Mama, for being my biggest fan (self appointed) and for backing me every step of the way. Dorien Itjsma, my fabulous graphic designer and awesome, awesome friend. Geoff Burn and Leon McElhinney for their tireless work on the mastering of my albums.

And as corny as this sounds, I want to thank all my fans. I have received an overwhelming influx of supportive cards, comments and calls over the past eight months, to the point where it’s left me teary. And I wasn’t even up the duff then. You people are fantastic! You remind me every day that I’m doing the right thing and it’s incredibly humbling from my end. So thank you!!! If you’d like to catch a show with me and the fabulous Kathryn Jones look out in your local gig guide for The Swingin’ Cowgirls, and also check out http://www.myspace.com/theswigincowgirls to see our gig calendar. I’ve also attached an incredible article written about me by Matthew Haggart from the Otago Daily Times in New Zealand. Thanks again Matt. You’re a legend!

{image_3}

I’ve been a little complacent on the updating of my website due to feeling like I’ve had a bass-ass hangover for the last two months, but vowel to amend that from this day forward. Any day now you will find a link on my website http://www.annavanriel and my myspace http://www.myspace.com/annavanriel which will allow you to purchase a digital copy of my albums online. WOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOO! For those wanting physical copies (signed, oh but of course) please email me at anna@annavanriel.com and I will put you on my orders list and will inform you the moment they arrive. And now, since half of your day has now vanished, I will sign off.

Peace, Love and Mungbeans from the glorious Byron Shire

Anna xoxoxox

So, in this latest update I'm pleased to announce, that after all that hard work writing and creating songs, recording and mastering, applying and failing, all my hard work is finally starting to shows some fatter fruits. Woohoo!

On August 11th after recieving six nominations in folk, jazz, protest, children's, urban/funk, country song in the NCEIA Dolphin Awards, I was awarded with a shiny glass Dolphin trophy (that is NOT shaped like a Dolphin) for the Children's song of the year.

I have to tell you a little bit about how my winning song 'Mr H20' came to be.

I wrote the song late last year after I journied over the Himalayas on the back of an Enfiled motorbike with my guitar and ukulele. I was headed to the highest music festival in the world, The Confluence, to perform as an artist. The setting was amazing. I was immediately very humbled to be part of such an incredible event. While up there I met a fellow 'Enfielder' from San Diego named Donovan Bailey. We became great buddies straight away and he went on to tell me about his incredible journey. Donovan had been treking high in the Indian mountains, and on his descent an overwhelming epiphany hit him, causing him to fall to his knees and cry. Before this moment he'd felt as if he hadn't found his full purpose in this life, but during his trip to India he's come across so many remote villages full of beautiful families and children and a shocking shortage of one real necessity. WATER!

From that moment on Donovan vowed to spend his life commited to bringing water to those who needed it most, and ceated the non-for-profit organisation 'Global Clean Water' (http://www.globalcleanwater.org).

His objective was to educate our younger generation all over the globe on the importance of water conservation and with any money generated he would use it to install wells in those remote villages around the world that need it most.

I immediately jumped on board and offered to take on the role of musical director, and put together a compilation album of children's songs about water by artist all over the world. I flew to the deep south of New Zealand and went on to record a series of fun and educational songs to kick the album off. One of these songs was Mr H20. I had the studio producer Geoff Burn put on the entertaining voice of Mr H20 and we used sound effects like toilets flushing, water gurgling, sinks draining and babies laughing.

Earlier this year I sent my favourite song 'Mr H20' off to the Dolphin awards as well as entering it into the Australian Songwriters Competition. You can imagine my delight when I won a Dolphin Award for Childrens song of the year, and even more so when I discovered the song had also made it through to the 2nd round of judging in the Australian Songwriters Competition. I'm so happy that it's a song that was written with so much purpose. The Global Clean Water album is coming along amazingly, and we are now looking for about four more song contributions to finish it off. These submission can be sent to anna@annavanriel.com

My other exciting news is that I have just found out that two of my songs have made it through to the 2nd round of judging in the Australian Songwriters Competition. This is super exciting as it's quite hard to get acknowledgement in this competition so to make it this far is massive.

On Friday I recieved a package in the mail that has been a very long time coming in this whole musical journey. It was from my good friend Geoff Burn at Flame Studio's in Invercargill, New Zealand and inside was a collection of discs containing the mastered versions of 17 of my tracks from my debut album Solar Panel and my latest 6-track EP Einey Meiny Miney Mo. I can't explain just how monumental this is from a songwriter and musicians point of view. As a musicians I now have quality merchandise to sell on tours and at gigs, and as a songwriter I now have a product that really offers a professional showcase of my lyrical and arranging abilities. I am now in the process of listening through for any fine tuning that may need to happen and then will finally put them into a physical album form which I am excited about distributing to so many of you.

I have so far raised half of my goal amount of $2,500 for the replicating of these albums and want to thanks you again so much for the support you have given both financially and emotionally. After my last blog I had several more deposits go into my album fund which took yet another step closer to the goal. I aim to put together a double album launch and will keep you posted on that.

In other news I have been performing more and more with my dazzling music partner and super duper promoter Kathryn Jones in our new band called the Swingin' Cowgirls. We perform often as a duo and also as a four-piece band with fiddle player Anna O'Donnell and percusiionist/guitarsit/songwriter Vikki Grant. Gig offers have been coming in thick and fast and our audience response has been fabulous. We featured in two newspapers just this week and will be on Byron's Bay FM between 6 & 7pm this Tuesday Australian EST if you're keen to tune in http://www.bayfm.org/tuesday.html

The Swingin' Cowgirls (http://www.myspace.com/theswingincowgirls) will also be the feature artist at the Months Mullumbimby Folk Club on Wednesday the 25th of August.

Last night I performed with our djembe player Vikki Grant at the infamous Bangalow Hotel and can't remember having more fun at at gig since I can't remember when. Vik cranked it out on guitar while I charged on percussion and my spanky new stomp box which I just bought from my good friend Peter Woolnough who makes the official world's best ever stomp box. I drove out to his last weekend where he showed me how he makes them and how to best use mine. My oneis a stunner. It's made of rosewood and have a heel/toe ability that allows me to add a grunty bluegrass bass beat to my songs.Vikki and I had so much fun we've decided to do a duo tour of NZ at the next most convenient time. If you'd like us to come to your country, just book us a tour and we'll be there. Wooh!

I've just entered an international songwriters comp and this week I apply for uni. I'm going back to Music School gulp. My vege garden is florishing and the girls are laying four eggs a day. I found them today rolling around in a dust bath under a big old tree. They looked so cute and happy I could have kissed them all at once if they had let me.

I've attached my Mr H20 song for your listening pleasure and look forward to sending out copies of my album to those of you who have been waiting so patiently

Take care

Thanks for all the great email replies. I love hearing from you.

Big love

Anna xoxoxo

{image_1}

{mp3_1}

I spent the 2nd last week of July in WA and had 10 glorious days spent dawdling around the wineries and olive grove of Margaret River, fishing, writing music on the rugged beaches (new song-Whistle and Hum) and generally having a very relaxing and highly overindulgent time, topped with an afternoon listening to Mumford and Sons, Angus and Julia Stone and Band of Horses at Perths 'On the Bright Side' festival organised by one of my beautiful friends Sarah Flynn. I wrote my speech on that trip and being my icebreaker it is supposed to be about yourself. Writing that speech was a really interesting process and a very strong reflection of just how you look at yourself and how much you have (or perhaps haven't) grown. Of course I concentrated my speech on my love of music and life in general, and at the end of writing it I was really taken aback at the awesome life I have been blessed with. You know, it's so easy to take it all for granted, but when it's all there on paper in front of you, written by your own hand you can't ignore it. I felt so energised by the process of recollecting all my journies and acheivements.What a great confidence booster.

Perhaps it was the speech, or maybe even the time on holiday to rest and defrag my brain, but after that speech something happened. I got a call from the NCEIA (North Coast Entertainers Industry Association) who hold a yearly event called the Dolphin Awards. I'd entered into 10 different categories and was delighted to learn that I had be nominated in the folk category for the song I wrote for my Mum in Monaco called 'Lil Folk Song'. The next day I had an email in my inbox confirming I had made it into the Brisbane heats for the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition which can win you a slot on a big stage at Tamworth Country Music Festival in January. If any thing I'm alt-country-folk but hey, who's complaining? Kath and I got confirmation of some new show bookings an performed two shows with the delightful Anna O'Donnell on fiddle this weekend past.

The Dolphin awards called again to say that I had also be nominated in the country section for my song 'Maybe Kinda Love' with James Stovin. Then they called again, and again and by the sixth time I had been informed I was in the running for awards in the categories for folk, country, funk (go figure) jazz, protest and kids song with my Global Clean Water song Mr H20. Holy moley!

The daily trouble I have is s-l-o-w-i-n-g d-o-w-n. Seriously! I go hell for leather from sun up till sun down and run on excited creative energy that fuels each waking minute. It's quite the juxtaposition of my time at Vipassana meditation retreat earlier this year, but I tell myself that there's zen in the mix (somewhere) and I balance it all out with yoga, digging in my vege garden and eating copious amounts of vegetables...and singing. Singing is my release.

I've attached a dodgy wee home-made rough up of my new track Whistle and Hum which is the basis for my new concept album. I spent last nigth in the SAE studio's with my good mate Jordan de Senna, who is working over here to finish his audio degree. I should be able to offer a slicker version of the song, perhaps before the year is through. Stay tuned on this one.

I've currently raised $1,000 dollars towards my Album fund and want to thank everyone who have opened their hearts and wallets to this plight so far and offerd so much support in the form of finances, empowering words and supportive messages. Thanks team! The albums are now fully masterd. They arrive over a month ago and I had to send them back to the studio for a few amendments in levels and volumes of things. I have been told it now sounds better than ever and I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands on them and get them printed and out the public. I'm still trying to raise the next $1,500 to bring this dream to fruition and would be honoured if there are any of you who were keen to submit donations and haven't had a chance to do so yet. Those details again are:

Australia Anna van Riel Westpac BSB: 733120 ACC: 614750

New Zealand Anna van Riel National Bank ACC: 06-0943-0081475-00

Also, Paypal is another option. The email address I use on paypal is anna@annavanriel.com

Once again, I would like to conclude that there is no way I would have reached this awesome place I find myself now if it weren't for the support you have offered me so far. That in itself is worth it's weight in gold and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You are truly magic!

With love

Anna

{mp3_1} Whistle and Hum

{image_1}

For those of you who didn't get my last email, I wanted to let you know that I am giving away a free download of my new single 'Einey Meiny Miney Mo' from my new and soon to be released six track EP of the same title. If you would like your own copy please email me at anna@annavanriel.com and I'll email you right back with your copy of the track.

Thanks so much for all the great support you've been giving. I've currently raise $1,000 towards the $2,500 I've been working towards for the release of this new album. This is an awesome achievement and I really appreciate all of your contributions. I've even had some who haven't been in a position to pledge much and have given $20. This is a awesome and it's amazing to see how quickly it all adds up.

I have some great gigs coming up with my talented and highly entertaining friend Kathryn Jones. We've been supporting each other in our individual gis as well as performing as a folk/bluegrass/roots duo called 'The Swingin' Cowgirls' (http://www.myspace.com/theswingincowgirls). We've been having a blast and have recently been joined by another local singer/songwriter Vikki Grant who is a talented singer, guitarist and djembe player. Collectively we've been likened to The Andrew's Sisters crossed with Pat Benatar. Awesome! There's lots of energy and dynamics involved which creates a great vibe on stage. Of course we are also loving it when we have the added magic of Anna O'Donnell on fiddle. Kath, Anna and I will be performing on the 29th of July at the Treehouse on Belongil so if you're about we'd love you to join us.

Stay tuned for lots of exciting new events and be sure to email me for your free copy of 'Einey Meiny Miney Mo'.

With love

Anna x

{image_1}

Just a quick update on the Red Deer Festival that was held for it's 1st year on the 18th and 19th of June. What a fantastic festival! The weather was perfect, the crew were sensational, the location was absolutely stunning and the stage was awesome. I felt very honoured to open the first ever Red Deer Festival and got a great reception from the audience. I performed with my fabulous band consisting of Dylan O'Donnell (banjo ad vocals), Kathryn Jones (vocals and guitar) and Anna O'Donnell (fiddle). It will be running again next year with another really groovy, alternative and entertaining line-up and is destined to become a legendary festival.

Kathryn Jones and I also performed in our Bluegrass-folk duo The Swingin' Cowgirls last weekend at Bangalow's 10th year of Cabaret Da Desh. What a night. 29 performers, all of excellent quality, entertaining 300 locals packed into the A&I Hall. Once released over a month ago, tickets sold out in 15 minutes to this outstanding event. If you can get in next year you wont be sorry.

Those of you who keep asking will be pleased to know that my 2nd album Einey Meiny Miney Mo is in the final stages of mastering and the album cover is currently being reviewed in a 'Flowers or Stars?' thread by everyone on facebook with suggestions for tweaking. What a hoot! I hope to release this by early August. Thanks to everyone for all the support I've recieved so far in raising funds for the release of this album. I have currenty raised $800 of the $2,500 needed and it's rising. This is a great effort and I really appreciate all your support.

In other exciting news, I have submitted to various categories in the NCEIA Dolphin Awards here in the Northern Rivers. I need to you all to collectively visualize me with a whopping big trophy. Woohoo! I'll keep you posted on this one.

All my latest performances can be found on my website or on myspace http://www.myspace.com/annavanriel, so be sure to check them out and come along to any gigs if you can make it.

With Love

Anna x

{image_1}

{image_2}

Fruition! I feel like things are falling into place. I moved back to Byron in early March with wild hopes of following the music dream and finding a place where I could practice and create and eventually just share and share and share. Hasn't it been a journey? Bloody oath,as the Aussie's so aptly put it. My photo albums on facebook are a fine example of all the musical dabbling I've done over the past months.....years....lifetime. Man! It's been intense. The thing with being amusician you see, is that it can be such a challenge to find like-minded music folks to collaborate with. The disappointment I've experienced so far.....huh. The ups and down have been overwhleming at times. I've cried this years like a little kid who's been told they can't go to their best mates place on a boring Sunday afternoon when it's deemed to be the coolest Sunday ever, yet in saying that I've had some ups that've had me spring boarding all over the living room like a wild chicken (I have a thing for chickens these days if anyone hasn't noticed). Scotty 'Cosmic' Templeton moved to Oz to make music with me after an increidble month of collaborating together late in 2008. We dreamt of this magnetic reincarnation for over a year, yet when we rejoined it was almost as if the memory and the idea of it has created a pressure that was fit to overcook at the point of contact. Does that make sense? Anyway, that's what perhaps happened and Scotty ran for the hills while I sat through a 10 day silent meditation trying to find solace and a balance for all the manic music and idea that wrestle each other in my head sigh. Somethings gotta give. Scott and I made some magic music and memories during our short reuniting, and I'd like to thing that some day soon we can meet and rock it out again. He's off to hunt the Himalayas and is destined to come home with some overwhelming food for thought, not to mention food for awesome new music.

I moved here especially to be close to the enigmatic and genuinely spiritually talented Anna O'Donnell, fiddle, piano, cello, mandolin and singer extrodinaire. I worked so hard at not getting myself too highly revved for musical time with Anna, while I chomped at the bit and waited for her to come to me. And eventually she did. And when we're together and working together lighting flashed and sparks fly and everything lines up and all is well in my world. I think it's during those moments that I trasmit some super powerful frequency that magnitizes like-minded others and I'd like to thing that's how I found Kathryn Jones. Kathryn Jones emits one of the most open and loving hearts I've met to date and works her music with a passion and love that's so genuine and true-of-self that you know that when you're making music with Kathryn Jones you're getting the real thing. She's coming from a heart place and the coolst thing for me is that she's willing to share her love and time for music with me. I put an order in to the Universe canteen for a super wopper delux music partner and she gave me Kathryn Jones. The trouble Since then the Swingin' Cowgirls have taken form and this humming bird has taken flight. It's like I've just found the coal for this bog old steam train and now we're humming down the tracks.

Two weekends ago (18th June) I opened the first ever Red Deer Music festival in Brisbane with Anna O'Donnell (fiddle) Kathryn Jones (vocals and guitar) and Dylan O'Donnell (Banjo and Vocals). It was such a brilliant feeling to stand on that stage with such great and talented friends and to feel so supported. What a rush! I feel like the trouble with me at times is that I want everything to happen ....NOW! I mean now for Gods sake and I feel at such a loss if I'm working at something and don't see the results immediately. This new mediation experience is teaching me about being in the present and enjoying the moment while it's here instead of pushing for something that has yet to even arrive. How silly and complex we humans can be. I see what I do, yet do it again and again.

So now, my challenge is to try and remain present and work at being in this very precious moment because....see....it's already gone!

The Sydney Song Summit has soaked me in a gazillion tonnes of valuable information tha I am still trying to get my head around while I attempt to remain present and not get overwhelmed by the hurdels to come. It's all good news. The hurdles are all part of this exciting adventure and I'm stoked to be living it and feeling like it's all building the dream.

Thanks for being a part of it...truly!

Bit of a star gazer entry but I know you get it.

I love hearing from you so keep writing.

Thanks for all the support. My Album release fund has reached $700. This is a great feat so far. Still need to gather another $1,800. I've applied for some grant and entered at least 712 competitions I reckon. At least it feels like it.

Love to you all

Your mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.

Love Anna x

{image_1}

{image_2}

{image_3}

As of today I am the proud creator of two fully mastered original albums. Solar Panel and Einey Meiny Miney Mo have been my labours of love over the past 3 1/2 years, all done on a barter system and all an honest and heart felt expression of my thoughts and experiences over the past few years. Geoff Burn of Flame Studio's has just finished the final master and I would like to thank him for his time, and particularly my Mum Willie for funding this massive process of mastering and for believing in me wholeheartedly.

The last four years have been a great musical adventure and I am excited to say that after all the hard work I have finally reached a threshold and now find myself constantly involved in musical endeavors. Amongst some of my achievements since 2005 I have toured New Zealand twice (2009/10), both tours self managed. I have ridden over the Himalayas on an Enfield motorcycle to play at the worlds highest music festival The Confluence (2009), Performed twice for Prince Albert of Monaco (2005/08), gained a certificate and the first year towards my bachelor of contemporary music and most recently, launched my official website. I am now based in Byron Bay where I am establishing my new band and submerging myself in the abundant music culture of this region. I am also headed back to University next year to finish my degree. So many wonderful things are flowing my way and I feel exceptionally blessed and closer by the day to being a full-time, self sufficient, independent original musician.

The pivotal point I have reached now is one where I find myself with a fabulous product (my albums) but no means of financing the replication of them. Most of my performance are currently community based and voluntary. All shows are excellent profile strengtheners and it is at these shows that I sell my merchandise e.g, CD's, which is where I make the money that finances my music career. On tour in NZ for example I sold close to 150 albums in 10 weeks. This is excellent considering I am an independent artist and collect 100% of the takings on album sales opposed to a signed artist who gains $0.50c-$2.00 per album.

The objective of this email is to reach out to my supporters and strive to collectively work to raise the $2,500AU I currently need to print my two newly mastered albums.

The process of creating quality copies of these albums is called replicating. The difference between replicating opposed to duplicating (where albums are simple copied like you can do on your home computer), is that each album has the highest quality edition of the data pressed into the disc, therefore offering listeners the highest quality sound. Replication costs substantially more than duplicating but for obvious and worthwhile reasons. I have two magical ladies on the case of designing my album covers (Daan and Dorien @ driven by dreams) and this time I would like to print my album covers as cardboard sleeves as a more environmentally aware option to the plastic cases. I have researched the most affordable printer and have sourced a company in Melbourne that will reproduce my albums for $1.81 per copy, all printed and packaged and ready to hit my listeners mailboxes and stereos. Hooray! This is the most affordable option I have found as all other were above $3.00 per unit. I feel that by raising the funds collectively with small contributions by many I have a good chance of reaching my goal, rather than competing in the funding arena with so many other artist, as I have done for so long now.

I write to you all in the hope that you may be in a position to sponsor, if only a small amount, the evolution of my greatest musical achievement yet. If you think you are in a position to help or perhaps know of someone, whether it's a friend, associate, business or organisation, who might be willing to support creative original New Zealand/Australian music (and Dutch too I suppose as I am a resident of all three) then I would be most grateful for your encouragement to them in supporting my dreams.

I have included my account details in both NZ and Australia. Aussie is better as it will save me the conversion rate but all contributions to wherever are hugely appreciated. If you feel that you would like to support the printing of these two great albums then I would be so incredibly grateful. If you include the reference CD FUND with your deposit and in another box YOUR NAME then I will know it's from you and that it is for my music. You can also send me a reply email with your postal address so I can post you off the two albums once they have arrived. You can find a running commentary on this exciting event on my website http://www.annavanriel.com

Australia Anna van Riel Westpac BSB: 733120 ACC: 614750

New Zealand Anna van Riel National Bank ACC: 06-0943-0081475-00

Also, Paypal is another option. The email address I use on paypal is anna@annavanriel.com

I would like to conclude that there is no way I would have reached this awesome place I find myself now if it weren't for the support you have offered me so far. That in itself is worth it's weight in gold and the fact that I feel that I can approach you, regardless of the outcome, is a gift in itself and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You are magic!

With love

Anna van Riel

http://www.annavanriel.com http://www.myspace.com/annavanriel

{mp3_1} (the newly mastered) Einey meiny Miney Mo

{image_1}

Yesterday I had a rehearsal with my fabulously gorgeous friend Kathryn Jones for a performance at the Mad Hatters Tea Party variety show this Friday. Kathryn asked me to play and sing with her during her set which I feel so honoured to do. She's a cheeky, naughty, sultry, quick witted hunk-a-va-woman which I connect with entirely. I love that about her and enjoy our music sessions. I met kathryn at a folk night in Mullumbimby when i first moved back to Byron Bay a few months ago. She was performing with a local friend and something about her reminded me heaps of another super talented woman I know in NZ, Gilly Pugh. I had to tell her how much I enjoyed her energy on stage, not to mention that she has a Kiwi twin. We hit it off right away and began talking about touring and I mentioned NZ. She said she'd always wanted to tour NZ so I caught up with her at her home to eat cake and share my knowledge on that.

Yesterday was the first time I've caught up with Kathryn, other than email, in about two months but the chemistry was there right away. She's so much fu to be around and her songs are fabulous. She even has a naughty cowgirl song. Awesome! I always wanted one of those!

During our session I shared some new musical and event ideas I have been brewing up, mostly at places like a Vipassana meditation retreat where the aim of the game is NOT to let your mind wonder but to remain equanimous and present. Anyhow, the quiet environment enticed a plethora of creative ideas for me and I've been dying to share them with Kath ever since. To cut a long story short Kathryn concluded that she is super keen to be a part of all my crazy antics as am I with hers and we are talking about a New Zealand tour in January 2011. Woop! I love NZ in January and would love to show Kath around. So! If anyone has a van they want to lend or give us that works and is reliable that would be unreal. If it doesn't have inbuilt subs and DVD players with a jacuzzi in the back we understand. You support will still be much appreciated.

I'll keep you posted. Stay tuned....

So I'm back to square one and looking again at my options. There's a music degree at the university in Lismore. Ironically it's the exact same degree that I started back in my stomping ground of Invercargill NZ. I couldn't make myself finish that course for various reasons including the sub antarctic weather and my resistance at the time against authority in general. Ooooh, what a renegade. But seriously, in the last three years I feel like I've really come into myself which is guiding me into the far more relaxing existence of doing things because they feel right, opposed to doing things because I feel like that's what I have to do to be someone, or becasue society says it's the 'right' thing to do. You have to learn to follow your heart on this path and do, as one of my favourite lecturers Susan Jeffers recommends, Dance with life'. I'm getting there but often still trip over my own feet and generallyl on the simple stuff like the box step sigh.

What's really flowing for me right now is my little mobile massage business. Go figure! I put little hand written signs up on notice boards all over town with a funny little cartoon of a nudie lady on a massage table with a towel over her bum and me smiling and massaging. Mobile masseuse, right to your door. Woop! I've got a base clientele now and they're all calling me a healer which is pretty humbling. One client told me that after his treatments with me he feels full of love. Cuuuuuuuuuuuute! Please note that there is no 'special' techniques involved in my massage. The only love I share is love from the heart, although it's becoming clear that if I were so inclined I could make a small fortune if I were to consider adding a happy ending to my treatments. One bloke called up and was dead serious when he asked if I did any massage that shifted sexual energy around. Ugh! He kept asking if I did Kahuna massage. "Ya do any kahuna? Huh? Ya know, where ya shift around sexual energy?" I reply, "No sir, I'm not familiar with kahuna and I don't do anything like that. The best you'll get from me is an elbow in the groin". Dead silence from the potential client until I laugh a 'just joking' kinda chuckle and recommend he looks in the classifieds. Oh man! Perhaps these enquiries come due to the fact I have on my poster Previous massage therapist to Prince Albert of Monaco. Who knows? The good news is that most of my enquiries are from people wanted to release tension in places I'm willing to touch, like the neck and shoulders. Remind me to dig up my old diary entries from Monaco and the time I massaged Prince Albert and walked in on him in the nude sitting on the toilet. True story.

My most exciting news lately is that I have put together a winning band for the Red Deer Festival that's happening in Brisbane on the 26th and 27th of June. My old uni buddy Julz de Maria has put together a great crew and is launching this spanky new festival. It's an overnight camping adventure and the line up is looking awesome. You can check out details at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=290843834197&ref=ts. Tickets are $50 which is a steal. My band consists of Anna O'Donnell on fiddle, Dylan O'Donnell on slide guitar and banjo, Ben Allen on lead guitar and me doing my usual thing. This talented crew all sing amazingly and I'm buzzing about performing my songs with the emphasis and energy I've always dreamed of for them.

Anna O and I have been rehearsing as well as a duo. We've been calling ourselves Anna Squared for lack of a better title and spend our rehearsal sessions eating chocolate and drinking cups of tea and really jamming out. It feels unreal to play with her. Today I'm on the blower booking us gigs around the shire. I'll keep you posted on that.

The other breaking news is that I have chickens. There's four which are so far called Henny Penny, Henrietta (how original) Hendrix and...well, we need one more name. I might have to facebook that one and get some suggestions. It feels good to be giving all the food scraps to them and I'm looking forward to collecting the first batch of eggs. Come on girls. Start layin! Oh and that's right....I'm FINALLY getting my albums mastered. Solar Panel, which I recorded at Flame studios over 2006/2007 is currently reopened and is being all vamped up with the studio's talented engineer Geoff Burn. He's also mastering my latest album Einey Meiny Miney Mo which I have yet to launch. Can't wait. All the songs have done laps around the block and have been entered in competitions, played on indie and internet radio stations around the globe, sold online and as merch on tour, and I'm finally getting htem mastered. I'm so pleased about this. I'm aiming to have them ready and all packaged up by mid June so if you'd like a copy email me at anna@annavanriel.com. Albums will be $20 +p&p.

I have my tiny neice Tasmin with me from NZ. Her Mum and Dad have shot off for the day so we're building huts and gonna eat fish n chips at the big prawn in Ballina. Ahhh, good times.

My love to you all and love to hear from you via facebook, myspace or twitter.

Take care kiddlywinks.

Love Anna x