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Elke Robitaille (New CD Available Now!)

Last Updated: 12/2/2009

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City: Portland, OR & Los Angeles, CA
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Flowers in the City - Blog Reviews!
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Category: Music

7:30 PM

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Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Vote for Elke: Taylor Guitars Test Drive 2009
Current mood:

determined
Category: Music

Hi Everyone,

I recently entered the Test Drive 2009 contest with Taylor Guitars and Elixir Strings.

The contest is to win a Taylor Endorsement, along with many other amazing things like Studio Time, a Guitar, Strings, and much more!

As many of you know... I've always played a Taylor. I first got my Taylor 912-CE when I was only 17. I also have a Baby Taylor. I love their guitars more than any other... so this contest really means a lot to me. I would love to be sponsored/endorsed by Taylor.

So... I'm asking all of you... very nicely, with a cherry on top... to PLEASE: VOTE FOR ME!!!

All you have to do is visit my direct page:

http://testdrive.taylorguitars.com/BandProfile.aspx?c=7870&p=325

Cast a vote. You can vote once a day until August 31st. We are in Round 1... and I would love to advance to Round 2. Only the Top 25 Bands will advance, and it's based on number of votes!

So please... Vote today. Vote tomorrow. Keep voting. Tell your friends to vote!

I am so grateful for your support and encouragement.

Thanks a million,
xo Elke
http://testdrive.taylorguitars.com/BandProfile.aspx?c=7870&p=325

3:56 AM

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Friday, June 12, 2009

Exciting Press for Flowers in the City
Current mood:

ninja
Category: Music

Press & Reviews:

My new CD, "Flowers in the City" has been released for just under 2 months now.

It's already gained some nice press in the form of interviews and reviews.

I wanted to share a few cool articles.

Review by Wildy Haskell ~ Wildy's World Blogspot (June 12th, 2009)

Flowers In The City opens with My Own Way, a decent folk/pop love song that's heartfelt but not syrupy. Out Of My Life meanders its way out of the speakers with a gorgeous cello part complementing Robitaille's voice, but the energy level keeps the song from ever really getting off the ground. By the time she reaches I'm Doing Fine, Robitaille has settled in nicely and is ready to show off her songwriting chops. This relationship song is all about what's gone wrong. It's highly melodic and very well written. Bright Lights is a personal look at life in the city; all that it has to offers and the hidden moments you can find there. The song is poetic and full of real ardor.

Interlude is self-explanatory, an instrumental break that shows perhaps a whimsical side to Robitaille; slightly bouncy and possessed of interesting sonic components, Interlude provides a glimpse of another aspect of the artist as well as perhaps a chuckle or two. Move is my favorite song on the disc; a perfect mix of dark, furtive tones and Robitaille's voice. Gravity is also very well done; a song about having two destinies. The first is career oriented and the second is all about a person. The protagonist here tries to protect the former while holding on to the latter. Gravity represents the sometimes opposing pull of each destiny, and the strength and the character needed to balance both.

Elke Robitaille is a nuanced and subtle songwriter with a unique perspective; she's able to deliver her thoughts in enigmatic fashion without coming across as bizarre. A talented lyricist; her arrangements are fitting to both her subjects and voice. Flowers In The City is one of those albums you keep around forever and pull out once in a while. It probably won't be your top listen after your initial courtship, but will also likely never make it into the trade-in pile. A nice effort.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Elke Robitaille athttp://www.elkemusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/elkemusic. You can purchase a copy of Flowers In The City atwww.cdbaby.com/cd/elke3, or you can download the album through iTunes.

Interview with John Price ~ Freelance Writer, VA (June 9th, 2009)

I recently came across an artist on MySpace that caught me off guard. I get requests from many artists and I try to be fair and listen to them all. I got a friend request from an artist that had a very unusual name: Elke Robitaille. Now, with a name like that, she definitely had my attention. So, I went to her page and honestly wasn’t expecting much. Blame it on the rain, blame it on the lack of sugar in my diet, but I wasn’t expecting much. Boy, was I going to be in for a major surprise!

I started to listen and by the second song, I could actually feel my mood changing. I’m sure most of us have a favorite pair of sweats that we change into after work that have a sense of comfort to them. They just make you feel good when you put them on. Elke has a rare quality in her voice that most artists lack. She projects so much emotion and sincerity when she sings it’s almost as if she enters the listener and enables them to feel what she feels.

Elke began performing at a very early age, “I have always loved to sing, ever since I was very little. I mean, I knew this was what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted a guitar instead of a car. My parents were very supportive and enrolled me in guitar and voice lessons. In high school I participated in musicals and all the various choirs. My parents had a big vinyl collection and I remember listening to the Beatles and Dylan and Fleetwood Mac growing up. Those have all been influences for me. Some of my latter influences would have to be Ani DiFranco, Indigo Girls, Sheryl Crow and Jewel, to name a few. I just love female songwriters,” said Elke in an interview that I conducted with her.

Now, it seems like if you are a female artist and you pick up a guitar, that you will draw comparisons to certain female artists. I asked Elke how she would describe her sound to me if I were deaf. “That is an amazing question. How would I picture the feel of my music? Well, it’s mellow and laid back and very relaxing. Other words to describe it would be happy, calm and peaceful. You know the feeling you get when you wake up early on a sunny day and you just know that it’s going to be a great day? You don’t really know why, you just get that peaceful feeling that it’s going to be a great day. That’s my music.”

Elke just released her third CD entitled “Flowers In The City” and it is a mix of styles ranging from bluegrass to folk to pop/rock. “Home” is a prime example of a song leaning a little more to the country side. “Bright Lights” is an up tempo song that’s a lot of fun to listen to. It just makes you want to get up and dance! I think my favorite songs on the album would have to be when Elke slows it down. The very touching and heartfelt “Out Of My Life” is a prime example of how you can feel the emotions pouring out in her vocal delivery. “I’m Doing Fine” is another example of this. Elke’s voice has such a sexy feel when she slows it down and really connects on an emotional level with her songs.

She also told me that her song “Home” was about touring. “I love to travel and I am so lucky that I get to do so regularly. I have met so many amazing people and I have seen so much of this beautiful continent. Also, being on the road helps me to write. It’s very inspiring. I also love performing live. I have played some incredible shows to very large crowds, and I’ve also had shows with only two people in the audience. It’s hard playing out of town sometimes because you don’t know how many people have actually heard your music.”

I asked Elke if she had any guilty pleasures that may surprise her fans and it actually let us into the story behind one of the songs on her new CD. “I just love the entire Twilight series. I have read all of the books! One of the songs on my CD is entitled “Out Of My Life” and was actually inspired by the movie.” I have to add to it and say that song is actually my favorite on the CD.

So what goals does she have that she is shooting for? “My long term goal? Well, I’ve never really cared about becoming famous or being a rock star. I just want to do this full time. I want to be a musician who doesn’t have a day job. Other than that, I always strive to continue to grow and develop my craft and become a better musician and performer all around.”

My last question was my “what if you were stranded on a desert island with only one CD?” It has to be store bought and not a burnt CD. What would you want to have? “Well, it would probably have to be a Beatles album. Maybe the ‘White” album since it’s so long. I would have plenty of songs to choose from. That or “One” because it had so many hits on it.”

Elke is a truly gifted artist, not only vocally but lyrically. There are way too many artists in our industry who are like paper dolls or mannequins and are made by the industry. Elke has been blessed with an amazing voice and the gift to write a great song that actually tells a story. “You have to know what you believe in. My style doesn’t go for the popish image, I just have to be myself,” commented Elke. And that is what she truly is: herself. You can learn more about Elke on her MySpace page, www.myspace.com/elkemusic or at her official website which is www.elkemusic.com. Her music and other merchandise can also be purchased through those sites.

Interview with Immanence Magazine ~ Canada (May 15th, 2009)

CD Release Story by The Powell River Peak ~ Canada (May 13th, 2009)

3:55 AM

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Twilight Song & Lyrics
Current mood:

inspired
Category: Music

Hi Friends,

I have to admit it's true.

When I first read the Twilight Saga (all 4 books in one week) I was totally drawn in and inspired. I became a fan instantly and have been following the movies and all the other excitement ever since.

I was inspired by the deep love story throughout the entire series, to the point that a song just flowed right out of me.

Take a listen to "Out of My Life" on my myspace page. If you like what you hear... please download the song below! (It can also be found on iTunes)

The banner below is also being featured on www.hisgoldeneyes.com (a Twilight fansite) Very Cool!

Out Of My Life

Written by: Elke Robitaille

if i ran away

would you come looking for me

at night when i sleep

it's nice to know that you're watching over me

and all the bad dreams melt away

and i can't wait for the break of day

you are my life now now

you're my dark angel

please don't go away

i can't imagine you out of my life now

tell me your secrets

and i'll promise to keep them

if you could hear my thoughts

then you'd know that you're all i'll ever need

and then maybe we could be

together for all eternity

i'll stop at nothing

i'd sacrifice anything for you

i won't fight this feeling

i'll never let anything happen to you

you are my life now

you're my dark angel

please don't go away

i can't imagine you out of my life now

words and music by Elke Robitaille

6:06 PM

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Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Links to the New CD: "Flowers in the City"
Current mood:

animated
Category: Music

PayPal: (Physical CD Copy - Mailed from Me to You!)

DigStation: (Digital Download Site - Download Individual Tracks for $0.99 cents each or Entire Album. You can also download the Artwork!)

CD Baby: (Physical CD Copy or MP3's - They will mail you a CD, or you can download just your favorite songs! You can also shop their website for tons of other great music)

iTunes: (Download Individual Tracks for $0.99 cents each or Entire Album) Simply visit the iTunes Store and search for "Elke Robitaille" or "Flowers in the City"

10:05 PM

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

CD Release News & Save the Date(s)!
Current mood:

accomplished
Category: Music

Hi Everyone,

I have some exciting CD Release News to share.

"Flowers in the City" is currently in duplication at DiscMakers, and I should be receiving my copies back in about 2 weeks.

The new album is going to be available for purchase through my Website and Myspace via PayPal, as well as CD Baby, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, DigStation, and many more online retailers. And of course, the best way to pick up a copy = Live Shows!

I'm incredibly pleased with the way this new album has turned out, and I hope you will enjoy it too!

You can hear a sneak peak of one of the songs "Bright Lights" on my myspace page www.myspace.com/elkemusic and you can also watch the video "The Making of Flowers in the City" at www.youtube.com/elkerobitaille

Now for some Live Show Info!:

We have 2 CD Release Parties planned, and a couple other shows to announce as well (more to come!) Mark your calendars and Save the Date!

Women Who Rock PDX Showcase
April 16th @ White Eagle Saloon
836 N. Russell St.
Portland, OR
8:00pm
Free / 21+

CD Release Party - Portland
April 26th @ Mississippi Pizza Pub
3552 N. Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR
8:30 - 11:00pm
$3 / 21+

May 8th @ Coffee Cottage
808 E Hancock St
Newberg, OR
8:00 - 9:30pm
By Donation / All Ages

CD Release Party - Powell River
May 23rd @ McKinney's Pub
6251 Yew St
Powell River, BC Canada
9:00 - 11:00pm
By Donation / 19+

7:52 PM

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Look Back on 2008
Current mood:

accomplished
Category: Music

Hi Friends,

2008 has been a truly amazing year for me. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to have spent the majority of this past year fully pursuing my musical goals.

The first few months of the year, JP and I were musicians onboard the Diamond Princess. We performed nightly in the Wheelhouse Bar and traveled around Hawaii and Mexico for 4 months. We met a lot of amazing people onboard, that I am happy to say still keep in touch, and I hope that our paths will cross again - perhaps on another ship contract. It was an incredible experience to play music and travel on the high seas.

After we signed off the ship in March, we travelled up to Canada in our super-loaded van. We spent a month of rest and relaxation in my home town of Powell River and had the chance to catch up with a lot of family and friends. This was also the time that we were incredibly focused on booking our North American Tour. We knew that after the cruise ship gig we wanted to invest in a national tour, and we knew it wouldn't be easy. We spent a lot of time researching, mapping our route, bookings shows, mailing posters, writing songs, practicing, and promoting as much as possible. In April, we hit the road and didn't stop until September. We traveled through 35 States and 6 Provinces... playing a total of more than 50+ shows. It was an incredible adventure, and I can hardly wait until we have the opportunity to do it again. It was amazing to play for so many different audiences, receive great press, visit so many wonderful places, meet some very cool people, and catch up with a lot family and friends along the way.

The Tour finished back on the West Coast and we felt happy to finally have a place to call 'home' once again. We didn't rest for long though. Very quickly we got into the recording studio and started work on our new CD. ("Flowers in the City") We are still currently in production and hope to have the CD finished by early 2009. This is a very exciting project for me. My last CD came out in 2004, so I am very happy to finally be releasing a new CD.

Thank you to everyone (all of our family and friends out there) for making 2008 a wonderful and memorable year.

I wish for everyone to have health, happiness, and great adventures in 2009.

Here is a Video Picture Montage that I created to recap some of the great memories of 2008. Click Here to Watch Video in High Quality or simply click on the embedded video below.

(*note: for some reason, the embedded video does not play in a very good quality. If you click the link above, and then click on 'watch in high quality,' the pictures will look much better. Either way... enjoy!*)

Cheers,
Elke

10:54 PM

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Monday, November 24, 2008

New CD Update!
Current mood:

artistic
Category: Music

What can I say... I love being back in the studio!

There is something very different about recording compared to performing live. They are like two entirely different musical disciplines.

Being in the studio gives an artist the chance to break everything down into it's most raw and basic elements. There is so much room for creative interpretation. This is the time where arrangements are created, lyrics are perfected, instruments are layered, and things are totally polished. It takes a lot of focus and ability to see/hear the bigger picture. My favorite part = being creative and getting a song just the way I want it to sound. My least favorite part = playing to a click track! eeek.

The new CD "Flowers in the City" is coming along very nicely. We've finished recording all the 'scratch tracks' and next week is Drum Week! Yay. After the good drum tracks are complete, we can start recording all the other 'keeper' tracks. I'm very happy to announce the addition of Beak Wing on drums. Other instruments that I'm very excited to record include Cello, Piano, Didgeridoo, and possibly some Banjo and Glockenspiel! (oh yeah!)

We played a show in Portland a few nights ago, where we gave the audience a taste of some of the new songs that will be on the CD. The response from people was great. There are also a few other songs that have not yet been played live... and they won't be until the CD Release Party!

The Track Listing is also complete now and includes the following songs:

(no particular order)

Brights Lights
I'm Doing Fine
My Own Way
Slip Away
Move
Song For a Friend
Gravity
Home
Out Of My Life
*Untitled (Jam/Interlude)

So all in all, I'm totally amped with this new project. Aside from the musical aspects and recording, I'm also very excited to get the photography and graphic design under way.

Info about the CD Release Party and Mini Promotional Tour should be announced after the holidays!

xo Elke
www.elkemusic.com
www.myspace.com/elkemusic

5:26 PM

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Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Exciting News: Getting Ready for CD 3
Current mood:

excited
Category: Music

Hi Friends,

I'm very excited to announce that starting this month I will be in the studio in Portland, OR, working on my Third CD - which will be released in early 2009. (Available online and at Live Shows)

JP and I will be recording throughout Nov-Dec, with post-production (mixing, mastering, duplicating, etc) in January... So hopefully the Album will be available in February 2009. There will also be new merchandise (t-shirts, etc) coming out alongside the albums' launch, and plans for a short West Coast - Spring Tour.

The New CD is called Flowers in the City and will include the following tracks:

Slip Away
I'm Doing Fine
Move
My Own Way
Song For a Friend
Bright Lights
TBA
TBA
TBA
*And a New Full Band Arrangement of Gravity!*

So far, the album will include myself on Acoustic Guitar and Vocals, JP Downer on Bass Guitar, Ryan Walsh on Piano/Keyboard, and Adam Pike - Engineer/Producer.

We are still looking for a few talented musicians in the Portland area to join us on this project. I'd love to include some cello and banjo in a few arrangements, and we're also seeking a drummer for all tracks. If you, or anyone you know might be interested in working on this project, please contact me!

More info to come as things get under way! Stay tuned.

Cheers,
Elke

www.elkemusic.com
www.myspace.com/elkemusic

8:57 AM

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

So Many Venues!
Current mood:

accomplished
Category: Music

I first started playing live shows (me, my original music, and my guitar) back in 1999. I started off playing in my home town of Powell River, BC at little coffee shops and festivals. As I began to write more songs and develop my live act, I also began to branch out more with performing live. Now, with 2 National Tours of the US and Canada behind me, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of the various venues I have performed at over the years! Hopefully this list will continue to grow and spread out over even more places!

*VENUES PERFORMED AT: (alphabetical order)

Acoustic Playhouse ~ Los Angeles, CA
Ashland Beanery ~ Ashland, OR
Alley Cat ~ Fort Collins, CO
Apollo ~ Thunder Bay, ON
Backstage Lounge ~ Granville Island, BC
Bass Line Station ~ Ottawa, ON
The Boro ~ Murfreesboro, TN
The Baggott Inn ~ Greenwich Village, NYC
Bazaar Cafe ~ San Francisco, CA
Bonk's Bar ~ Philadelphia, PA
Boondogglers ~ Thompson Falls, MT
Brainwash Cafe & Laundromat ~ San Francisco, CA
Bullseye Coffeeshop ~ West Linn, OR
The Cat Club ~ Hollywood, CA
Cafe Americano ~ Trail, BC
Cafe Bon Bon ~ Lewiston, ME
Caffeine ~ Nashville, TN
Cantina Caverna ~ Chelan, WA
Coffee A La Carte ~ Sherwood, OR
Coffee House ~ Powell River, BC
Crane's Tavern ~ Hollywood, CA
Cup Of Joe ~ Salt Lake City, UT
Denato's ~ Vancouver, BC
Dragon's Den ~ New Orleans, LA
Dulcinea's 100th Monkey ~ Denver, CO
Easy Alibi ~ Regina, SK
Elephant & Castle ~ London, ON
Finnegan's Wake ~ Pensacola, FL
First Street Pub ~ Newberg, OR
Flying Yellow Bread Bowl ~ Powell River, BC
Genghis Cohen ~ Los Angeles, CA
The Gig ~ Los Angeles, CA
The Good Hurt, Los Angeles, CA
The Grind ~ Kamloops, BC
Gulu-Gulu Cafe ~ Lynn, MA
Higher Grounds ~ Bridgeton, NJ
Hog's Breath ~ Penticton, BC
Hot Java Coffee House ~ Long Beach, CA
Hotel Cafe ~ Los Angeles, CA
House Concerts ~ Various Locations (US/CAN)
Imbibe ~ Portland, OR
Jazz Cafe ~ Wilkes-Barre, PA
Joe Reads Internet Cafe ~ Courtnay, BC
Juggling Gypsy Cafe & Hookah Bar ~ Wilmington, NC
Karma Local Art's House ~ Calgary, AB
The Knitting Factory ~ Hollywood, CA
(Alterknit Lounge/Main Stage/Front Room)
Koerners ~ UBC, Vancouver, BC
Langdon Street Cafe ~ Montpelier, VT
Lava Lounge ~ Hollywood, CA
Leah's Playhouse ~ Los Angeles, CA
Local Loco's ~ Powell River, BC
London Bridge ~ Jacksonville, FL
Lydia's ~ Saskatoon, SK
Madhouse ~ Thunder Bay, ON
Masquer's Cabaret ~ Los Angeles, CA
Maude Carrin Boutique ~ Los Angeles, CA
McNally's ~ Regina, SK
Mermaid's Mug ~ Nanaimo, BC
Mickey's Pub ~ Madison, WI
Molly Malone's ~ Los Angeles, CA
Mondragon Coffeeshop ~ Winnipeg, MB
Muddy Cup ~ Catskill, NY
Muddy Cup ~ Kingston, NY
Namaste Cafe & Hookah Bar ~ Amarillo, TX
Naughty Pines ~ Trout Creek, MT
Old Town Coffee Station ~ Sherwood, OR
Opening Bell Coffeeshop ~ Dallas, TX
Otto's Shrunken Head ~ New York, NY
The Passage ~ Hollywood, CA
Perfect Cup ~ West Linn, OR
Pete's Candy Store ~ Brooklyn, NYC
Pick A Cup ~ Evanston, IL
Pig 'N' Whistle ~ Hollywood, CA
Quacks Cafe & Bakery ~ Austin, TX
Queens ~ Nanaimo, BC
Rainbow Bar & Grill ~ Hollywood, CA
ReJavanate ~ Las Vegas, NV
River City Coffee ~ Powell River, BC
Rock 'N' Soul ~ Boulder, CO
Room 5 Lounge ~ Los Angeles, CA
Salt Spring Coffee Co ~ Salt Spring Island, BC
Seedy's ~ Edmonton, AB
Skylark Cafe ~ Seattle, WA
The Slammer ~ Portland, OR
Solstice Cafe ~ Victoria, BC
Spark Cafe ~ Manhattan, NYC
Spiral Cafe ~ Victoria, BC
The Springwater ~ Nashville, TN
Starving Artist ~ Powell River, BC
Stewart House ~ Athens, NY
The Stone Bar ~ Hollywood, CA
SYNC @ Nettwerk Music Group ~ Vancouver, BC
Synergy Cafe ~ Cheyenne, WY
Tangier Lounge ~ Los Feliz, CA
Thirsty Pagan Brewing ~ Superior, WI
Tin Angel Cafe ~ Salt Lake City, UT
Tonic Lounge ~ Portland, OR
Trixies Coffeeshop ~ Roseville, MI
Twin Paradox ~ Portland, OR
Twisted Vine ~ Derby, CT
Unitarian Church ~ Thunder Bay, ON
Verity Room ~ Canoga Park, CA
Weed's Cafe ~ Calgary, AB
Wheelhouse Bar ~ Diamond Princess Cruise, HI
Wild Nectar Cafe ~ Nelson, BC

*FESTIVALS & EVENTS:(alphabetical order)

Blackberry Festival ('07, '02, '01) ~ Powell River, BC
Canada Day ('02, '01, '00) ~ Powell River, BC
Cruise Ship ~ Priness Cruises (Hawaiian Island Cruise 11/07 - 3/08)
Farmers Market ('99, '98) ~ Powell River, BC
GoGirls Music Festival ('07) ~ Los Angeles, CA
Pacific National Exhibition ('00, '99) ~ Vancouver, BC
Sea Fair ('00, '99, '98) ~ Powell River, BC
Sunshine Folk Festival ('00) ~ Powell River, BC
West Linn Farmer's and Artists Market ('07, '06, '05, '04) ~ West Linn, OR
Women & Music Showcase & Seminar ('08) ~ Thunder Bay, ON

*RADIO STATIONS & ONLINE PODCASTS: (air play & interviews)

ArtistFirst Radio Network ~ 2 Live Online Interviews
CILU ~ Air Play & Live Interview on "Paradigm Shift Cafe"
CJMP ~ Air Play & Live Interview on "The Blender"
KOZI ~ Air Play & Live Interview/Performance
Nette Radio Podcast ~ Air Play Rotation

12:20 AM

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