I've started a new blog to discuss classical guitar, my college course studies, and teaching music. Check it out!

http://amylashley.blogspot.com/

Two out of these three things I actually have! Well, I suppose not technically since I don't actually HAVE the new album in my hands.


Check out the songs I uploaded from the soon to be new album! The release date is scheduled for July 19th. All you Savannah GA folks better be at Sue Finkle's house concert that night! It's gonna get crazy.


The new album is titled "For What It's Worth". It has been almost a year in the making and I can't WAIT to have it in my hands. There are some amazing musicians on it, and many amazing friends who contributed in various ways to it's creation. This is only the first of what I hope are several more albums to come.


Anyway, check out the songs and look for more info on how to order in July!

Thanks,
Amy

p.s- i only wish i had new shoes.
*sigh*..TABLE> ..TBODY>

Wow. So I haven't posted a blog in a while! There's a lot of exciting stuff lurking on the horizon for me, and this is the beginning of it. I just posted a new song, titled "1943". It was recorded at Eddie's Attic this past Monday. I edited out a 2 minute explanation of the song, but I wanted to explain it here instead.  This song will be on a full length album that I'll hopefully begin recording by the end of the year.  Anyway, about the song:

 

It's the story of my Grandparents, who happen to be 2 of the best folks I've ever known.  The story goes like this...

 

In 1943, my Grandma was visiting New York City. She lived in Wisconsin at the time. My Grandpa was in the Navy, and they were docked there (sorry if "docked" isn't a correct Naval term). Grandma was walking by Jack Dempsey's restaurant (she was with either a friend or her sister) and Jack Dempsey was outside trying to stir up business. He told them that there were some sailors inside and that they should go in and meet them. So they did, and she met Grandpa. They were invited to a party that evening at the Stoddard Hotel, for the Navy. They went to the party and my Grandpa spent the entire evening trying to impress her- asked her if she'd like a drink, or a cigarette, or to play a game of pool- none of which she did. But they had a good time nonetheless. As a side note, my Grandpa had bet his Navy buddies a dime ("big spender" as Grandma says) that he'd kiss her by the end of the night. Well, the night ended and Grandma was leaving. He asked for a kiss good night, but all he got was "I do NOT kiss on the first...whatever this is!". :-)  They exchanged addresses though and wrote each other for awhile. I believe they met one more time before they got married. They're still married today!  My Grandpa has dementia now, and my Grandma takes care of him.

 

"1943" is the story of their life- how they met, and where they are today. I hope you enjoy it!  Oh, and there's more where this came from, so keep an eye for the album early next year.

 

I did it! I finished recording a 5 song EP this past week. I've shipped it off (ok...I drove it to the UPS drop box) to the duplication place, and I should have it back in my grubby little hands sometime next week. I've posted the new songs on my myspace profile...so you should take a listen.  They were all recorded at a friend's home studio. It's real basic stuff...just me, my guitar, and the occasional sniffle. :-)  But I'm pleased- it turned out to be exactly what it was supposed to be. Nothing fancy. I'm hoping to get them back by Thursday..in time for Ladyfest South.  Speaking of which...

Come out to Eyedrum next Thursday- Jan 25th. The details are at http://ladyfestsouth.org.  There's also an Art Amok happening this Saturday, Jan 20th at 7 Stages in Little 5 Points (http://www.worddc.org).

That's about it for now.

Ok, so I've been saying forever I'm going to record some songs. Make a demo. Start doing something. And here it is...I have officially started. And so far, so good. Unfortunately for me, and possibly for you, I know a little more than nothing about recording. This demo is being recorded in my bedroom, using Garageband and a pc (or mac rather) interface with a DI, and a less than fabulous mic. But hey, what I've done so far, I'm pretty happy with. And if you know me, you know that's crazy talk! I am a perfectionist (lazy perfectionist...to coin Julia Carroll's phrase). So hopefully if I can maintain some sort of weekend momentum, I'll have it finished in the next month..in its pretty little packaging..all shiny with bows and um, well..not really. But it will have a case or something. Won't that be nice? Yep...thought so.

This is the art of DIY. Or rather, this is DIY art.

An evening at home could not get any better- I'm sure of it. This evening "Between the Lines" on NPR rocked socks. Then, when I thought it couldn't get any better, they play Respighi! All the while I'm making falafals in the kitchen (which turned out perfect). I mean really, what could be better?

I wish I could play my trumpet in here. Well, not really *my* trumpet, but Kris' trumpet. :-) *sigh* I guess I'll settle for the guitar.

*We played Feste Romane in high school...I know I have some Grissom band nerd friends on here. I'm sure you guys remember it. The trumpet section was rockin'. ;-)

I've always been a closet case Pink fan. I mean, cmon...that voice, that attitude. *sigh*  Anyway, I'm coming out. I want to post these lyrics because, well, they fucking rock.

"Dear Mr. President"
(feat. Indigo Girls)

Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why

Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pay the road to hell

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye

Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
Would you

Check out "Young James Dean" by Girlyman if you haven't heard it. It rocks.

That's All.

she sends emails out like this:


Oh, oh, Amy Lashley!  You are B-A-D.  Here are just a few of the things into which Amy has been trying to coerce me:

getting a gmail account
getting a myspace account
getting a catster account
looking at www.stuffonmycat.com
playing guitar
singing
Watching some trashy show called The Simple Life
putting in fluggle bolts or some shit

And now this........Amy, I hear you "heh-heh-ing" over there.

I had to repost this cause it cracked me up. No one else will find it amusing I'm sure. But thanks Ashree!

(Stolen from the top 8 bulletin entry)
whats your fondest memory of this person? Amy used the G.O.D. fraternity at her school as a front for sneaking off to do what she wanted, usually hanging out with older friends. Her parents also nailed her window shut to try and keep her inside, so she just snuck out the front door. Don't try to tell her what to do. She's smarter and badasser than you. And she plays trumpet.