http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_GB6Ux48KE

Help me finish raising money for my new recordings!  Click here !!!

**************************

I've been meaning to write and catch ya'll up on all the great stuff that has been happening, but I've just been busy as hell living it.  It's half past midnight on the 1st of June.  I've spent the last 12 hours at the studio.  And I'm sipping bourbon.  Here goes.

Recording has been a mind-blowing experience.  I am learning so much from the folks I'm working with and am having sooooo much fun.  I have grown a lot since Race the Light and it feels good to hear evidence of that in the recordings.  I feel so much gratitude to Rachel, Barrie, and George for offering so much of themselves and for bringing out the best in me, which is no easy feat.

It would appear that I am not making an album, but really creating a trio of ep's that will  be released a few months apart. 

There are a bunch of reasons for this. 

The first is that I am working with 2 different producers who are taking me on very different journeys in terms of sound and speed of process. I don't know if it would do either of them proper service to smoosh their respective creations together.  Since nothing is done, I don't know that for certain, so don't hold me to it... but that's how it FEELS when I listen rightthismoment.

Reason number 2: I'm not sensing a thu-line.  I am a huge fan of the album as a medium and, as a listener, I always want a record to take me on a journey. I feel like I accomplished that on Race the Light, but this group of songs that I am recording doesn't feel entirely unified.  Not that they aren't great songs, but I don't think grouping them together will tell any kind of story or really have an arc.  And that is important to me.  These 3 eps each feel really tight in and of themselves, and I am going to go with my instincts on keeping them separate.

Another reason is money.  I don't have any.  Fundraising has gone well and I hope it continues to, but the reality of the financial world is a little dire at the moment and, understandably, support comes in fits and spells.  I don't want wait to release new music until I have scrimped and pinched enough to finish 10-12 songs.  It has been 5 years since Race the Light and, if I'm being honest, it would be 6 before I had the money to finish a full album and financially set myself up to properly launch and promote it.  Do you want to wait that long?  I don't.  Releasing an ep is a totally different type of effort.  I have been out of the game for a bit, and I think the JulyOctoberJanuary plan would give me a chance to build some momentum.  And perhaps THEN record a full length album.

It has taken me a while to grow comfortable with the new plan because, as I said, I am a fan of the 'album' and have been attached to that as the next step on my journey...  But assessing the whole situation, I am actually really excited about all of the possibilities. When I think of the year of touring that would accompany the boomboomBOOM of 3 eps, I have a hard time containing myself.

But, of course, I am smack dab in the middle of this whole proccess and I might be talking loony.  As I said, don't hold me to it. But you have all been so generous with your support of my tunes that I wanted to keep you in the loop with my thoughts.

Ok... It seems it's time for whiskey dreams. G'night

with love and gratitude,
cjd

*******

Want to help?  Spread the word about contributing at cjdmusic.com.  Every little bit helps!

I have strep throat. As diagnosed by Dr. Patricia Cho, who wore a floor length black leather matrix-style trenchcoat over her scrubs and only smiled when delivering the bad news.

I've been stuck in my house for 3 days. I've watched enough Golden Girls and Roseanne to rival my childhood TV viewing habits. I can't bring myself to play Nintendo Wii. I have apparently forgotten how to read. I have a half-written a new song.

It's totally irritating to be sick right now because it has happened smack in the middle of a huge period of motion and I hate to be lampooned in stillness.

Ahh, well.

Recording is going well. I often find myself on the brink of tears because of the gratitude I feel for the people I'm working with and the comfort I feel in their presence.

I've basically got two different recording situations. The first is with George Stanford, a singer-songwriter I urge you all to check out immediately. I met George through my friend Sean Akers. He took me to see George play at Crane's in Hollywood and I was so totally blown away by his voice, his songs, his quiet strength, and the way that he managed such a full and beautiful sound with just him and a guitar.

I work with George Thursday nights at his place in Hollywood. We record my voice and my guitar and then he adds the most wonderful overdubs... Keyboards, bass, guitar... He is incredible and makes so much with so little-- such an organic, homegrown sound. We have done two songs and plan to do two more. And then maybe more if I can convince him :-)

The other peeps I'm recording with are Rachel Alina and Barrie Maguire. Rachel is a light. I don't know what else to say about her, except that were it not for her, I would be standing still, as I have been doing for the last few years. My gratitude to her is endless and the more I try, the less justice my words seem to do to her energy and our bond.

Barrie was the bass player for The Wallflowers and Natalie Merchant in the Tigerlily years. He produced Supply and Demand, arguably the best record that the amazing Amos Lee has released yet. He's the shit.

We record at Redstar Studio in Silverlake and it's going great. We have layed down the basic tracks for 2 songs and will get moving on 2 more when the studio frees up a bit.

I don't know if I'm making an album or a bunch of EPs or what. But I'm excited to be working with such talented and lovely people on new music that I'm proud of I'm excited to be capturing a sound that more in line with what I sound like LIVE. I'm excited to feel like part of the world again.

Thanks for hanging!

All my love,
cjd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOyLnHEsjQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFIgTUzND-Q

Live from my Living Room. More to come :-)

I'm enjoying a quiet morning listening to my Patty Griffin Pandora station.  So far, it has played Brandi Carlisle and Allison Krauss, both of whom I already know, of course, but I hadn't heard these particular songs.  I'm such a lesbian.

It's busy time in CJDland!  I started pre-production on the first 4 songs for my next album or EP (not sure where it's headed yet!)  Rachel and I worked with Luke Tozour in his Venice Beach studio and had a blast. 

We recorded rough sketches of Ghosts, Count the Shadows, Hasbeen, and Little Bit of Blue.  I tell ya, collaboration is amazing.  Luke and Rachel brought out elements of the songs that I wasn't even aware of.  Because I wrote them, my vision for them was so singular.  Not that the songs have really CHANGED, just that they have been somewhat elevated.  Love it.

I'll post pictures from Venice in a couple of days.  Look for those!

Rachel and I head to Redstar Studios in Silverlake on the 18th to start tracking with the drummer and Barrie Maguire, who is doing double duty producing and playing bass. 

I'm so blessed to be working with these people.  After 5 years away from the studio, this is the warmest friendliest environment I could imagine.  This is a situation that I couldn't have found if I went out looking for it.  So grateful that it just came to me!

Stay tuned and if you haven't already pledged and want to, you can still do it at the website.  Every little bit helps!

xoxo,
cjd

Help me raise funds for my new album!

For 1 week only, download my first record 'Race the Light' for only $5!

Visit cdbaby.com/dallman and look for 'Add MP3s to Cart' on the left side of the page beneath the album cover art.

Feel free spread the word and 'invite' your friends to this 'event.'

If you already own 'Race the Light' and would like to make a contribution, visit cjdmusic.com to donate!

Infinite gratitude for your support in making this happen!

xoxo,
cjd

S P R E A D T H E W O R D . . .

Hello Lovelies,

This is has been quite the immune-deficient 2009!  I don't have enough fingers to count the number of times that I have been sick this year.  The most recent is this awful flu from which I am now currently recovering.  My fever is gone but sadly it looks like I have passed it on to the fella, who is laying in bed as I type.  Sadly, it puts the final shoot for the 'Over My Head' video, which was to be this weekend, in question... But if not this weekend, it will happen sooner or later.  The test shoot we did a few months ago looked so great that I just wanted to go ahead and release that, but Kevin Thompson the director has higher standards than my non filmic self, so I defer to him.  Can't wait.

Lots of fun stuff happening!  At the end of this month I am FINALLY heading to the studio to record the follow up to Race the Light.  There are a million and one reasons why it has taken so long, but I'm gonna let go of those and look to the future.  I'm working with a great group of people-- Barrie Maguire has done production for Amos Lee and was the bassist for the Wallflowers and Natalie Merchant during the Tigerlily years.  Rachel Russell and Luke Tozour have worked with Mika, Pink, and Katy Perry.   I can't wait to see what we all come up with together.

I'm working hard to raise funds for the record.  I'm throwing in every penny of my own, but am accepting help!  Click here if you would like to contribute!

I'm going to try and let you guys into as much of the process as I can with blogs and vlogs (shudder) and the like... so stay tuned here for those updates.

I have two more shows before I go off the gig grid to record.  Both are with Gregory Douglass and Syd, two EXCELLENT singer songwriters.  First, we are at Lestat's in San Diego on Sunday, April 5.  The next day we head back to Hollywood for a show at Hotel Cafe.

These are going to be really great shows with (hopefully) a bunch of cool collaborations, so spread the word and help up fill the room!

Hope you all are well!
much love,
cjd

Here's the fundraising widget right on the page! Help me spread it around!

Dearest friends, parents, colleagues, former lovers, and old babysitters

Nearly
5 years after completing my first album, Race the Light, I am at long
last in preparation to begin recording its follow-up.  I finally now
feel like I have assembled the right group of songs and have
organically found the right people to work with to make something
really special.  I am excited.


This time, I am operating with fewer resources than in the past.  I
have a much smaller budget and no little indie record company helping
steer the ship.  So this is a call to ask for your assistance to help
make this record happen.


I have a whole slew of fund-raising plans that I will unveil in the
coming months, but the first thing to get the ball rolling is this: 
I'm asking you to chip in whatever you can to help just to get the ball
rolling.  I know this is historically and economically the absolute
worst time to ask for money, but whatever you can toss in-- however
small--  will help.  And if you feel comfortable, please forward this
on to your friends.  If enough people chip in, it won't matter how
small the donation!


If you are unable to help at this time, please know that I understand and love you just the same :-)

Following this link
will bring you to my website which has a widget that allows you to
donate via paypal.  You may receive this note again on Facebook or
Myspace... just trying to reach as many people as possible.  Feel free
to press the 'share' button on the widget to post it on YOUR Myspace
and Facebook.


Thanks a million for all your love and support!
cjd
--
http://ww.cjdmusic.com

I'm on it.  Wanna follow?

I'm going to have some great news to announce soon!  Hopfully early next week!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Got a shout out on the Ripple Effect for ‘Nighttime in the City’,
my contribution to Rachael Sage’s ‘New Arrivals 3.’

Purchase it here and read the kudos here.



xoxo

Hallelujah!  At long last I have a brand new website! 

If you ever visited christopherdallman.com (R.I.P. and tears) you know that I was no good as a web designer.  And that I was poor.  Both of those things are still true, so I'm thankful to know Sean Akers who designed the site under the umbrella of his company.

So, please visit cjdmusic.com and return often!  I will be posting live trax and videos exclusively on the page.  And make sure to let me know what you think!  But only if you like it ;-)

I can hardly wait to go to bed so I can wake up, grab my bags, and head to the airport.  2 1/2 years since I was last in NYC and I am soooo excited.

My gig is Friday and I will be joined by the lovely Lisa Piccirillo.  I can't wait for her to lend her voice to my tunes.  Hopefully she'll bring along a few copies of her amazing debut album for ya'll to check out.  Make sure you get to Rockwood early.  It's teeeeeny.

I'll also be performing the next night at a house concert hosted by the famous B.J. Barrett!  B.J is a great friend and fan and always shows me a great time.

I will be Twittering throughout my trip.  You can follow me here.

I've put a bunch of shows on the schedule, so it's shaping up to be a busy winter and spring!  First up, I have a double bill with Keeley Valentino.  She has sung back-up for my last few shows in LA and I can't wait for everyone to hear her own amazing songs.  She's an amazing back-up singer and even BETTER on her own. Look for that on March 5th @ Genghis.

Then in April, I'm teaming up with Gregory Douglass and Syd. for a pair of in-the-round shows.  The first is April 5th at Lestat's in San Diego. The next night we are at Hotel Cafe in LA.  We have pretty diverse styles of songwriting and it should be a pair of really special nights.

I have a new website coming-- maybe as soon as next week-- and it's looking GREAT.

My nerves are going overtime now! 

See ya tomorrow, NYC!
 

Hey everyone!

For those who didn't get to listen live, you can download the podcast here:

http://isgoodmusic.podomatic.com/entry/2008-12-10T16_39_39-08_00

Also, please check out the website: www.isgoodmusic.com

They are doing some pretty cool things. I invite you to sign up and check out the great music that Jon has grouped.

You can also hear the interview on the website! I had a great time. I love the first two songs. I lost focus a bit in the second two ;-)

Much love!
cjd