Its been awhile since I've blogged, 2009 has been an interesting and somewhat discouraging year.... but I'm snapping out of it. I've been writing and recording like crazy these days much the way I did in 2007 the last time my band went kaput. The Twilight books and movies have especially inspired me, hence the new song I just posted-- Vampire Love. Find it here and on facebook, reverbnation. I hope you enjoy it.

I also posted a new recording of an MG oldie that the Oblivion Seekers used to play when I sang with them (what feels like a million years ago) called Sugar Shaker. I recorded it a whole new way, find it on all of the same sites as well. Please enjoy the free downloads on my website and if you are so inclined drop a little something in the tip jar (donations accepted via paypal).
thanks for reading!
xo
Morgan

Day one - I arrived at my very good friend Monica's amazing loft in Chelsea where I stayed for 5 fabulous days. We caught up, i got the tour, we went grocery shopping and we were off to the subway! Rose Live Music was one of the many venues in Brooklyn hosting the Williamsburg Live Songwriter Competition, I was one of 25 performers of the night performing one song. It was a nerve wracking experience....all the waiting, not knowing when they were going to call my name, listening to all of the other songwriters. I was in the wings warming up when my new york penpal Lachlan came backstage to say hello. It was nice to have a friendly moment with a familiar face, then it was time to play. We were instructed to only say our name and the name of our song but there was no way I wasn't going to give a shout out to my hometown. I said "My name is Morgan Grace and the name of my song is Valentine....Can I say where I'm from?" the MC shrugged, the judges frowned, and I shouted "I'm from PORTLAND OREGON!" Needless to say I believe this disqualified me though I have no proof. An example of my nerves: my guitar was plugged into the house system and I walked off stage without unplugging it. A few people cried out "the cord!" The MC poked "they don't have guitar cords in Portland?" They announced the finalists and I was not among them though I felt very much like a winner. Lachlan, Monica, and I walked a few blocks for an after-contest drink. We hopped the subway back to the city and hailed a cab from the 14th street subway station to Chelsea. I stopped in at a deli and had The Best Roast Beef Sandwich Of My Entire Life.

Day two - I walked around trying to find some cheap tourist shopping. I scored some fantastic striped socks and sparkly leg warmers that went smashingly with my pink polka dot dress. Me and Monica hightailed it to the Knitting Factory. These United States, and Scotland Yard Gospel Choir were wonderfully friendly. SYGC asked me and the other bands to join them on stage for a full on hootenanny for "I Never thought I'd Feel This Way For A Boy". I had a fine flirtation with one of the drummers (drummers!!!!) and got some great footage of the door person declaring my appearance to be the best show he'd ever seen at the Knitting Factory.....lies of course but what a great sport. Cab back to Chelsea, I hit the deli again for the second Best Roast Sandwich Of My Entire Life and a slice of cheesecake. I slept fat and happy.

Day three - I met Lachlan my NY penpal on 23rd Street for some breakfast. We walked past the Chelsea Hotel and he told me about his band renting out a room there to write songs. Did I mention Lachlan is charming and handsome and has a thick scottish accent? We tried twice to get psychic readings but the psychic was not there. Didn't she know we were coming? We took the subway to Ground Zero and walked around Wall Street and the financial district. My favorite New York stereotype that is completely untrue is that New Yorkers don't make eye contact or talk to you. complete rubbish! We hit a starbucks, I said "neat" a lot, we talked about stuff, relationships, music, we smoked, and then Lachlan headed back to Brooklyn for band practice.

Day Three - I slept in until 6p. Why did I do this? Because I was tired. I woke up to a note from Monica, she was taking me to a bar in the village to see some art and some bands. We hopped the subway to Avenue A, or B or C or something and went to the Niagara bar. Monica squealed with delight to see that her Favorite New York Band was playing, and they were great - Schocholautte. If you don't know how to spell their name it is a great feat to find them online...holy crap. We met one of her artist friends James Rubio who looks almost exactly like George C. Scott in the Hustler. I ducked out for a smoke and a slice of NY pizza. did I mention I have already gained 10 pounds by this point?

Day Four - Lachlan's band Morgan Avenue was playing Don Hills in the village. This was their first show and they were excited. The show was very different than I was used to. Lachlan's band is a loud rock band, they were followed by a 6 piece metal band, and then an electropop quartet, then it turned into a disco dance party. Very unusual, and very cool. I danced with Lach's drummer to New Order and Joy Division then I cabbed up to the Upper West side for a burger with another New York friend. When we said goodbye I couldn't help but want to just walk all the way home from 71st st to 26th st. Being in NY was just so fucking amazing. It was 3am and I was walking down Amsterdam by myself in my pink polka dot dress (yes I got a lot of mileage out of that dress). the only thing that made me finally hail a cab was the cold but I was nearly in midtown before I started to care and I was still overwhelmed with joy. What an amazing city.

Day Five - More sightseeing with Lachlan but not before I whipped up three of my famous omelets for Monica, Rubio, and myself. delicious! Me and Lach took the subway to the upper west, walked past the Dakota where John Lennon lived and died, walked through the park (holy shit it was COLD) and ducked into the Metropolitan Art Museum. We looked at stuff, had lunch, looked at more stuff, laughed, and took the subway down to Union Square to see Rachel Getting Married. I had a NY hot dog from a street vendor, why are they SOOOO GOOD???? After the movie (where I devoured an entire bucket of popcorn) we stopped in to the chocolate bar/restaurant across the street but it was so packed we settled on a quiet diner down the street for a burger and fries. lachlan marveled at how I could be hungry again, to which I responded with a shrug and a giggle. We hopped the subway back to Monica's and watched Dazed and Confused on my laptop. We were really partying!

Day six - Starbucks, oh how I love you. I sat and did some great people watching for atleast 2 hours, walked to a diner by myself, sat at the counter and had breakfast by myself. This is something I would never do in Portland but it felt great...just listening to the sound of the city, walking around, taking it all in. I think it was around this time that my heart started to hurt at the thought of leaving. I had just enough time to walk back to the loft, pack up, and cab to JFK. Oh NYC I will never forget you....

hey we're putting together a new video blog series where I will, uh, talk about stuff. Doesn't that sound interesting? wow.

If you have any questions you'd like me to answer on camera send them in to morgan@morgangracemusic.com. First one will be online next week (barring any unforeseen crises).

If nobody has any questions I'll just make them up.
"Yes my hair is real!"
"No I'm not addicted to nasal spray!"
"I do enjoy broccoli but of the mustard family I find cauliflower to be a superior vegetable."

thank you
Morgan

couple things -

I'm playing an all day blowout show next weekend in Corvallis. My brother Pete and I graduated last weekend from PSU and PCC. Our awesome friends are throwing us a party at their orchard next Saturday June 28th. There will be BBQing, bands, and lots of fun. Camping is encouraged. Details are HERE.

I entered my song Keep It Loose in a contest at Gretsch for unsigned artists where I stand to win a load of awesome Gretsch gear and other prizes. Voting is now open. it's easy! Just go to the voting site, you have to login with your email but it literally takes less than 30 seconds. My song is right at the top of the voting page. You can vote once per day until July 16th. I really appreciate your help!

The video for Valentine is almost done! I'm hoping to unleash it at the end of the month.

Join the new MG forum HERE!



Pick up your copy of Valentine today!

SHOWS
*************
Thursday July 24th (my birthday!)
Kelly's Olympian w/ the Slutty Hearts
MG3 will do two sets, taking your requests as always :)
http://kellysolympian.com
http://www.myspace.com/sluttyhearts

Thursday Aug 7th (Heather's birthday)
Ash Street Saloon
http://ashstreetsaloon.com

Thank you so much for supporting independent music. We do this all by ourselves!
much love,
Morgan Grace

NEWS NEWS NEWS
I'm so excited to announce the release of my new album "Valentine" this weekend. It's a collection of self recorded demos. As many of you know I had a falling out with my band last year, I started playing in Kleveland for awhile and basically took a break from performing my own music. What I was doing behind closed doors however was diving deep into writing and recording. A year later with the encouragement and support of fans and friends I decided to compile my demos into a limited run EP. We pressed 500, included a full color signed poster, and when they're gone they're GONE. So come out this weekend and pick up your copy. For folks outside Portland OR Valentine will be available for mail order and download off my website starting Monday June 2nd. I'm also happy to announce that Sam Henry and I have made nice and are playing together again. We take the stage together for the first time in almost a year this Sunday at the Doug Fir with Michael Carothers and Howard Gee sharing bass duties.

Shows Shows Shows

Sat May 31st @ 5pm
ALL AGES CD Release and in store performance
*FREE*
http://musicmillennium.com
Music Millennium
3158 E Burnside St,
Portland OR
(503) 231-8926


Sun June 1st @ 9pm
Doug Fir Lounge
CD Release for Valentine
w/ London and the Look
Oh Darling
Jerry from Millionaire Magicians
21+ *FREE*
http://dougfirlounge.com
http://ohdarlingmusic.com
http://myspace.com/lyndseylondon
830 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 231-9663

Friday June 6th @ 6-8pm
Laurelthirst
*FREE*
Lewi Longmire bass, Sam Henry drums
we'll play 2 sets...digging deep into the MG catalog!
http://lewilongmire.com
http://samhenrydrumstudio.com
http://laurelthirst.com
2958 NE Glisan St
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 232-1504

Sat June 7th @ 9pm
Kenton Club
*FREE*
w/ Ellen and the Felons, and more
2025 N Kilpatrick St
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 285-3718


Other News
Morgan Grace Discussion Board is up and running! come check it out at http://bb.morgangracemusic.com. It's brand new!

Here are some links to some nice press we got this week and a clip from doing the Rick Emerson show yesterday. My website just got a facelift too so stop by and check out the new digs, special thanks to Brian Lee/whiteteeth for the design help.


Q&A about the album

Clip from the thursday's Rick Emerson Show

Cut of the Day at Wweek.com

Morgan Grace Discussion Board

As always, thank you for supporting independent music, we do this all by ourselves!
love
Morgan Grace
http://morgangracemusic.com<--new website!
http://bb.morgangracemusic.com <--new discussion board!

First of all-
I was playing with Kleveland and I have decided to not do that anymore, I need to be doing my own thing and my own music. It was fun while it lasted though, thanks to everyone who came out and supported us. Keep supporting Kleveland, I mean, if you have a history of doing it don’t stop now. Don’t be a quitter!

Secondly-
I posted a bulletin and a blog asking for feedback for my demo EP idea. I got 4 pages of emails! thats 40 responses. So I’m gonna do it - I will be releasing a special limited edition pressing of all the demos I did this last year, plus an unreleased version of Freshman from 2004, and a live track from my last appearance on the Rick Emerson show. (Rick, thats okay right??) It’ll be out in May and the release show will be at the Doug Fir date to be determined. It’ll only be available at shows and by mail order through my website. neat right?

Third-
I’ve said it before and I never meant it...and I knew that I didn’t mean it every time I said it but this time I MEAN what I say....it’s the TRUTH instead of me just shining you on. Work on new MG album begins this summer! New MG album out this year! This is a bona fide true statement, where every other occurrence of this announcement was fraud.

Fourth-
I’m playing a special ALL AGES MATINEE show on Sun Apr 27th in N. Portland at the Coop with the Tramps. IT will be fun. I rarely play all ages shows so tell every one under 21 you know. What with the Oscars and Easter behind us you really have no excuse. See you there heathens.

Fifth-
I just bought the most beautiful new guitar, spent the last of my American Idol Underground winnings from 2006. She’s a beauty, I’m so proud. Come check out my new lover this Saturday at the Fez Ballroom where I will perform 3 Billie Holiday songs. If you’re reading this and I owe you money don’t worry, I’m still good for it. You know you can’t be mad at me forever anyway jeez.

Here’s your recap*********************************

Lady Sings the Blues - Billie Holiday Tribute
Benefit for Siren Nation
Sat Apr 12 @ the Fez Ballroon
316 SW 11th Avenue
Portland OR
Acoustic Minds
Reina Collins
Oracle with Keith Schreiner of Dahlia
Midnight Serenaders
Morgan Grace
Malcolm Rollick
Beth Willis
www.fezballroom.com
www.sirennation.com
Doors at 8:00 Show at 9:00
no smoking | 21+
Tickets $12 advance | $15 at the door
Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets and the Siren Nation website

Songwriters in the Round
Thur Apr 24 @ Beast House
1200 SW Morrison ST.
Rob Daiker (Velabonz)
Stephanie Smith (Kleveland)
Joe Davis (Pinehurst Kids)
Morgan Grace
and more....

All Ages Matinee Show
Sun Apr 27 @ The Coop
3535 N Lombard
Music at 3p, $4
The Tramps
Morgan Grace
and guests

more shows coming soon.....

Thats it folks. Thanks for believing and supporting independent music. We do this all by ourselves and oh boy if it isn’t a wing ding.
Be good to each other and yourselves.
Morgan Grace
--
http://morgangracemusic.com
http://myspace.com/morgangrace
http://ladylushrecords.com
http://cdbaby.com/all/ladylush

My real blog is here - http://morgan-grace.livejournal.com/