Hello everyone! Wizard rockers, shoemakers, church bell ringers, hat wearers, the barefoot!

I have no real reason as to why I'm writing a blog here and now. It may be due to all the homework I have and wish to avoid, it may be due to all the wizard rock hubbub going on about MTV and jazz, or may be because I just miss all you guys and like to ramble.

Whatever.

Well I'm not going to talk about my homework or MTV's top ten list. I might talk about missing everyone, because I think really need to reunite pangea or something.

Right.

Music. So I am supremely longing for the day the Marauders are a four person band. Right now I will consider us a two and half person band, since there is me, my dad, and Ian, who records and adds extra stuff for recordings, but never actually plays shows. In the not-so wizard area of my life I am working on starting a 'band' with a somewhat ska sound, given the trombone, trumpet, and clarinet players I am working with. I have always wanted to add trumpet or trombone to a Marauder's song(s), but I just haven't yet. Hopefully it will happen. Keep an eye out!

...Haha. I just thought about what I just wrote "Keep and eye out!" and Mad-Eye Moody and how he really can keep an eye out...hahahaha.

Okay. Anywho, regardless of what you might think, I try writing Marauder songs quite often. Quite often it does not work, for I am far too picky with myself. Damn perfectionism! And even more troubling is that I usually still do not like what I write, even when it gets recorded. As we near the end of this year, I keep thinking more and more about the EP we, (Ian and I) made, and how much I think it isn't very good. Yes, yes, you may sit there and be all "Don't be silly! I think you write good songs!" And I truely, sincerely, forever in my heart appreciate that, do not get me wrong. It is simply myself, and my over-critical nature that I put on myself and no one else. I feel like if I could record and EP now, right now, than I could make it better and wonderful and things like that...

But that really doesn't make any sense. Who knows.

Speaking of songs, I will tell you about my most recent idea.

I'm going to stop fretting about this band sucking. I like "Wormtail Soup" haha.

HOORAY!

...It is SNOWING here in South Jersey! ...but this is about songs...

For our Christmas, or "Holiday" song, rather, this year I first got this idea of James singing a song about Sirius thinking he was lying.

Sorry if that made no sense. Plot is: Sirius thinks James is lying about what he told him.

But what did James just tell Sirius? Well, since it is holiday times obviously Lily kissed him under the mistletoe!

"She kissed me, she kissed me, she kissed me!"
"She did not. Start being serious. Like me."
"Oh, come on Sirius Black! If I were lying, wouldn't my pants be on fire?"

So I might have a stole it a little bit from that episode of Spongebob...

"Liar, liar, plants for hire."
"It's pants on fire, Patrick..."

Ha. Great show. That is not the point. I will write this song which a Christmas-y attitude.

Also: Happy Chanukah! I happen to adore Jewish holidays. =)

Hmm...I guess that's really all. The Marauders are not dead. They will continue to thrive, so to speak.

Now I am considering deleting half this blog. Mostly the part where I talk about stuff that maybe you don't need to read in a blog. Well I don't want people to get the wrong impression of me. I don't hate everything I've ever done, and I am really, really, really, REALLY happy about the entire wizard rock business.

Everyone have a great whatever you celebrate! And a great day, great days, great great. =)

Love,

Kristin

PS-The Decemberists are AMAZING.

HELLO everyone. It has been a long time no talk, siriusly. I apoligize for lack of doing things, well, we played a show or two, and then I went to Norway.

Note: Norway is an amazing country. So is Denmark. Everyone rides bikes and plays the accordion. It rules.

In other news, we are still part of this "Wizard Rock Ep of the Month Club" business, and yes, we have written more/new/better songs. At least...we're trying. Does anyone else have summer homework? Like, books to read (well, don't really mind that..) and paper's to write? (okay I do mind that..) Yea. I think summer homework should just not exist. But the point is, I am very happy with a song we just completed...

and I'll tell you what it's called because I like it that much. =)

"Hogwarts Ghost Ballet No. 21 in G minor"

I should have it up on this myspace soon enough. Also we recorded "Furry Little Problem"...but...you see, for some reason I can remember lyrics and chords to other people's songs...but not my own. *smashes head on keyboard* So we recorded it right, with just one wrong chord! Argh. It actually doesn't sound that bad..it almost fits, it's just...a little different. I might keep it that way.

Also I'm trying to be more lyrically creative..sometimes I get stuck in this lyrically not creative bouts...like writers block..but..lyric block. Or I just don't like what I come up with. But this I, we're, working on. Lately "The Marauders" have just been Ian (Wormtail) and I (Prongs) recording in a basement with various instruments. I look forward to the day when "The Marauders" is actually a four person band.

Oh! And we're recording a better/new version of "Chapter 28 (Snape's Worst Memory)" with words and stuff! (Meaning dialouge).

Right. Hmm....I'm not sure what else to put...i think that's all the marauders news for...check for new music, buy the EP when it comes out...um..Rufus Wainwright is awesome...>.>

Happy September!

-Kristin

'Allo, 'allo!

I hope everyone is having a good week/month/day/year/etc. Because mine has been quite exciting! (except for the part where i have a term paper and a history test...bah.)

Back to the exciting part!

I have..three? yea. THREE! New shows to announce to you. Let's go in order!

1. A house show! A STUPENDOUS house show! Because it involves Jason Anderson! And us! That's at my house in New Jersey. Here's the deal--if anyone wants to come/can come you need to email me. Either by a myspace message (not comment) or our actual email which is: marauders12@yahoo.com

This show is on April 9th, which is a Monday. (I know, kind of a weird day for a show. But for most of you this should be spring break). It should start around 7pm, but possibly a little earlier. RAWK!

2. Whompy's CD release show! In Providence, RI at AS220 at 2 pm. This show also features The Whomping Willows (obviously) , Draco and the Malfoys, The Set of Red Things, and Jason Anderson ( I love this guy!) It's gonna rule!!

3. Another Whompy CD release show! This time in Boston, MA at the famous Middle East (upstairs) starting at 1 pm. This show features us, Whompster, and the Dracos. Super HOORAY!

Alright. I'm Soooo0o0o0o0o0 excited about all these things. THINGS! Speaking of, I have more stuff to say that I definately forgot about when I started this blog.

First on the topic of "things" is the Cheap Rent compilation CD! This CD will include all your favorites and more. I promise. Mr. Whompface talked about this in his blog, so you many want to check there for more detailed details. Wizard rock artist include: The Myrtles, DJ Luna Lovegood, The Parslemouthes, Order of Merlin, and The Hinky Punks!

Next up is the EP wizard rock club of the month. ( I don't think I put those words in the right order. ) I've talked about this before, just reminding you. : )

It's charity, it's cool, it rocks...have a party.

And, as for what I remember, that....is...all. A RECAP! (of the shows)

Holy cashews.

Friday was so many degrees of awesome that I don't know what to do. I do know that I arrived at LeSalles U around 7:30 and got home at 2:30 that next morning. Woah.

Story time again kiddos! Here we go! From the beginning! Sort of.

Well, this show was on Friday, which is weird, cause shows are usually on Saturday, so all us (me and meg[remus lupin]) had school. School...eh. Tests...bleh.  But then we got home and rushed around and left for Philly.

Right. So apparently the Marauders are famously bad at finding places. I think we drove by the place where we should've been like fifty times. We asked some kids playing lacrosse on a tennis court if they knew where to go. They got us half way there. Thanks, guys! We got to where they had described...and then had to ask more people because we were still very, very confused. So thanks to all you kids who helped us on our trek! We parked about a mile away...good job.

Yay we get there and we get to see people that we adore with all our hearts and other vital organs! WOO! Now people played songs and we danced like ducks! And other animals as well!

A Lightning Bolt Scar was up first, and they rocked like woah!!! I was so excited to actually get to see/hear them live because last time at the Globe (in November) I had to leave as they started playing. They are wicked cool! I particularily enjoyed the cheese song as well all the others that got my feet wiggling. =]

Snidget! Ohman. Dulcimers are just like...wow. That is so neat! Everyone should go and love Snidget because she is sooo cool! She could be the next American Idol or something. It was great! And the dulcimer! Did I mention it's really cool? Because it is.

Okay..the Marauders were next. They were alright. We had more of us this time! Meg aka Remus Lupin sang with me, James Potter, and Mr. Potter. We had Tim and Mike from Potterdelphia play the roles of Sirius and Peter during "Chapter 28." I think every show I'm going to pick people to randomly act out these parts. It's kinda fun. But yes. During "Proclamation from the Grave" Remus did some interpretive dancing that was apparently highly amusing to the crowd. I saw about two seconds of this and then tried to block her side of the room from my brian because if I had glanced over even once, I can ensure you I would be on the floor laughing.

Oh! We played a new song! Yes yes! I was nervous about playing it because...well, I just was.  I like it, it was Mr. Potter's idea and he basically wrote it. It is entitled "An Inconvient Song." It's not exactly about Harry Potter per se...but more so the decreasing polar bear population in the Arctic. Help the environment everyone! We are very big on saving the earth. Hug trees! If you're a Whomping Willows fan (which you should be) you can do this quite literally. Or just recyle. And limit your carbon dioxide emission.

Okay back to the show.

Thee Whommpinggg Willooowwsss.. Extra letters because Matt is extra cool. Again. And for always. Super hearts to you, buddy. It was highly entertaining with Alex (The Remus Lupins) during When you touched me in that special place.  Whoop whoop! And the guitar solos! They were fun too.

The Remus Lupins rule. Yea. I don't what else to say except use more words like "awesome, cool, wicked, sweet, killer, rad, super, woah, woot, yay, dancedance." More dancing.  More awesome. Alex is definately one of the coolest people ever. BIKE HORN! I think he liked that. It is pretty cool. And Lauren (The Moaning Myrltes) was also super rad doing vocals for some songs and looking all spiffy with her RemusLupin gear. Ha.

Draco and the Malfoy! No "s" because it was just Brian playing acoustic again. Which is totally sweeettt! I like it when everyone sings along real loud and we sound like a childrens choir backing up they artist. Yea. I bet no one knows what I'm talking about. But it's cool. Kazoos are still...awesome. Andrea (Potterdelphia) and I rocked hardcore during Voldemort all I want for Christmas. Hehe.

Sooooo YAY! to everyone who came to LeSalle last night! YAY! to everyone who helped make that show possible! (Emily, Tina, people) YAY! all the bands that played! And...um...yay to everything else that is cooL!  

On the way home we started off with a rousing chorus of "Cedric had it coming" and "Your Flying Car." And then we drifted into JCS again, which also filled our heads on the way there. So all in all, I love everything right now. Especially music, especially wizards, and especially you! =]

until next time,

-Kristin

If I were to sum up the concert at the Globe Cafe on February 10th in one word,  it would probably be "woah."

Not only did I meet people from Washington, Illonois, and other states, but these people were awesome! In fact, everyone was awesome. Everyone was AMAZING. Except for the part where everyone was also sick.

My entire band is sick, everyone at the Globe was sick, and it will be a miracle if do not become sick. How many sickly people have I hugged? Too many.

And now for the story of what happened! Starting from the beginning, I suppose.

Well, we said we would leave at noon.

Two hours later.

Dad: We should leave now.

Me: Yea.

So we got a late start, but this does not stop us! I brought lots of cough drops. We listened to the Malvinas, They Might Be Giants, and Jesus Christ Superstar on the way there. Cool.

There is this place in Bethlehem called "Vegan Treats," so naturally, being vegans, my father and I just had to stop and buy vegan treats. YUMMMY. I had no clue how hungry I was until I ate that cookie.

Okay now we got to the Globe. And we knew where it was this time! My dad said they even got a sign! But it wasn't put up yet...nice. And they even cooked vegan for us! Again, YUMMY. I love yummy food.

The Hungarian Horntails are up first, which is awesome because they are awesome. Darius' friend Rayn sang with him, and I have to say-that was lovely. Except Darius was one of the sickly persons I mentioned. Poor little guy!

Ohsnap! We were next!

Possibly they best idea I've had in a while is to start playing the accordian. Because people seem to think this is totally rad. My dad played guitar as "Mr. Potter" or "Mr. Mr. Potter" since if James were alive he would be "Mr. Potter," but he's not...so my dad is basically Harry Potter's grandfather. Okaycool.

Well, yes, I am James as usual, but Sirius and Remus were sick! AH! And I needed a Remus and Sirius (and Peter) for my first song! So who do I call to the task? The infamous Potterdelphians, of course! Mike enthusiastically took on the role of Sirius, Seth portrayed Remus, and AJ braved playing Peter. Potterdelphia Power!

So...yea. They did the little acting bit before "Chapter 28" where we do the whole "Did you like question ten, Moony?" thing. It was awesome.

I forgot half the lyrics to songs I wrote, I messed up some piano things, my throat was as dry as the Sahara, but overall, I think this was the best performance ever. (Then again, it's only my second.) I think the best part was that when I looked at people (who I could see...it was hard to distinguish faces with the lights so low) they were smiling and laughing...which is awesome. Because that means they were having a good time. I like to make people happy.

And now the weirdest part of the night...after I finished my set people wanted me to sign things! And take pictures! WOAH. That was like...wow. I signed pants, shirts, ribbons, peices of paper...shoes...ha. You actually wouldn't believe the number of pants I've signed in my lifetime...because...well...yea. I won't get into that story. In response to me signing items that belonged to other people, I asked them to sign my cape! I want everyone in the world to sign my cape. So come to a show so you can too!! : )

SUPER thanks to Care and Allise for the wicked cool Marauders Map! It was burned to perfection. HA! You people rule. And more SUPER thanks to Courtney for drawing an awesome picture for me. And...more, more SUPER thanks to Potterdelphia for being totally rad. And thanks to the Globe for awesome vegan food. And being awesome.

Oh..back to the show. Order of Merlin was after us, and much to my dismay, I didn't have film in my camera until after their set! So I have no video of them, but I have memories! The costumes were quite fantastic, Hagrid and what I took to be an angel/gnome thing. Courtney and I rocked out.

Then the Moaning Myrtles, who were, once again, amazing. I got some good videos of them too. I particulary enjoyed them serenading Draco Malfoy. Word.

The Parselmouths! All the way from the west coast! They ruled! It was awesome to see/hear them live, because I love all their songs anyway...and the balloons. House elf balloons....that people kicked. So cool!

The Whomping Willows, again, outstanding. I got awesome footage of this as well.

Courtney had to leave sometime around now, tearful goodbyes!!

And then Draco and the Malfoys, which was actually just Brian playing acoustic. But it was terrific! And the kazoo...ohman. Kazoos basically pwn everything. And I got more cool videos!

Ha. Wow. I feel like I forgot to say a lot of things. I had a lot of people say "European Immigration and Assimilation" to the camera so I can use it for my history project. Because thats my topic. So...it will be relevant to have people say it...umyea. I basically want the world to included in this history project. My project for last quarter I made a video and had my friends in it, and it ruled. But this is new semester, a new topic, and I want new people to be invovled! So if I ask you questions that pertain to Irish immigrants in the next few weeks, do not be alarmed. I'm probably taking a survey.

I guess I'll wrap things up now. I said a few "thank you's" earlier, but I need to say more. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT LAST NIGHT!!! IT WAS THE BESTEST!!! EVER! I LOVE YOU ALL!

really. I do.

I'll try and get the videos up later today when I get a chance. I think I have a few pictures too.

word.

Alright.
Everyone have a spectacular (i'm running out of adjectives besides 'awesome') day/week!

-Kristin

PSS- I will be playing at LeSalles U on the 23 (next next weekend) with the Remus Lupins, The Whomping Willows, Snidget, and...other people? I kinda forget. But everyone should come! Maybe I'll write more songs! (with the accordian!) and stuff.

OH!
PSSSS- The Marauders are part of the EP Wizard Rock Month thing! (that was awfully not descriptive) ha. You can read all about it at http://www.wizardrockclub.com/ You should subscribe! 12 CDs! Charity! It's awesome.

Okay I think I'm done now.

: )

yesyes! Go listen!

But I must explain something. On "Ze Fruitcake" or, what I like to call "The Funeral March about a Fruitcake," you may hear bells. This is normal, but they are not supposed to be there. Because we are experianced and yet at the same time very inexperianced with recording, we must have recorded bells when we didn't want to. Or when we were looping things and changing things...moved it to the wrong spot.

Whoops.

So just ignore the bell sounds. We are going to re-record everything sometime in the near future, and thus, this problem will be fixed. But it's pretty cool for now!

"Proclamation from the Grave" features Kristin on piano and vocals, and Ian on bells. (that actually belong to Kristin and were almost stolen...because of their coolness)
"Ze Fruitcake" features Kristin on piano and vocals and Meg on vocals.

w00t!

have a spectacular week,

-Kristin

PS--Sirius Black just informed me she doesn't hear any bells...but I totally do. Whether or not you hear bells....umm...just...yea. That is weird.

Greetings from the Gryffindor common room, circa 1975!

Alrighty then. I actually have a decent amount of things to say to you all this fine evening.

First: We, The Marauders, as well as The Moaning Myrtles and the Hinky Punks (and earlier The Parslemouths) have signed with Cheap Rent!! WOOO!!! I don't know what else to say about this except that is it totally awesome. Thanks, Matt!

Second: I promised you a Christmas song. And, do not fret, because it was written, it is written, and it will be recorded. Except it wasn't recorded when I said it would be because of an unusual string of events that occured around Christmas/New Years. Two of my closest friends grandparents passed away. In total, actually, it was three grandmoms/grandpops that have passed, and thus resulting in this statement:
"2007 is not a good year to be a grandparent."

Thirdly: I apparently entered us in a book seven songs contest! Which was only slightly foolish, considering my schedule these days. But it's still cool. I'm actually pondering several ideas right now, so it might turn out alright. The deadline is February first....golly.

Fourthly(?): Our Remus, Meg, the artistic genius that she is, is completely in charge of art/sets in this years high school play! She gets to boss people around, (like me) paint things, design stuff, yell at people....all sorts of fun things! I'll be in the pit band again, trumpet-ing, but I'm helping with the set painting too. COOL! Well, cool in sense, but opening night is March 4th, and we have six sets to build, six sets to paint, and practices that last sometimes until 9 PM. It's a stressful time for anyone involved. Gah. But its still fun!

And finally....my dad, a guitarist/harmonica playing/ various odd percussion playing dad, will most likely be actuallly joining this band. Mostly because I've been practicing with him since Remus is always doing something and Sirius is usually far away. So everyone say hi to Mr. Potter!

umm...yea. I think that was all. Sorry if I bored you. I needed to rant about stuff anyway...it's distracting me from my homework...

and its' Snape's birthday. Whatever you do, don't celebrate.

please and thank you,

-Kristinjames

EDIT: Sirius' cousin is getting married!!! In like, er---two weeks? Sometime this month!! Yay matrimony!

I just found a whole bunch of spectacular quotes about music. And I would like to share them!

"All you need is ears" -George Martin

"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." -Billy Joel

"Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius. " -Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

"Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don't understand the language that you're singing in, they still know good music when they hear it." -Lou Rawls

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." -Stevie Wonder

"I start songs all the time. If I weren't so lazy, I would finish them. It's like when I have a deadline I have to meet. I always feel very lucky that I am forced to make records at certain times." -Ben Folds

"It's an annoyance sometimes.You get an idea for a song, a piece of music, a piano piece, an orchestral piece-at the most inopporatune moment." -Keith Emerson

"My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, nor as a leader, but as a reflection of us all." -John Lennon

"The great thing about rock and roll is that someone like me can be a star." -Elton John

"I always love to write songs and just see what I can create." -Rick Davies

"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time." -Leonard Berstein

"Sometime's it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy." -Thelonious Monk

"People compose for many reasons: to become immortal; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; for no reason whatsoever." -Robert Shumann

"When you play music you discover a part of yourself that you never knew existed." -Bill Evans

"I have a nervous energy that needs to be doing something. I can't relax in bed all day and just so nothing. I think it's a waste of time." -Freddie Mercury

"I don't usually wrtie when I'm in a good mood. That's when I want to be out living life." -Daniel Johns

"Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings." -Ed Gardner

"If I ever die of a heart attack, I hope it will be from playing my stereo too loud."

There are more, but I don't want you to explode from reading quotes all day....

go play music!

-Kristin

The show was totally awesome. Best thing ever.

Getting there was a bit difficult, though. My dad and I drove around Bethlehem for almost an hour trying to find t he Globe. Hence, we were late. But we did manage to meet  up with Danii and the Potterdelphia people, so we went to eat hotdogs. (Random fact number 1-James is a vegan.)

Meanwhile, back at the Globe, I got meet everyone, (everyone being the some of the greatest people ever!) and stuff. The Loony Lunas couldn't make it, so I went on later, still first, but later.

I have to say, this was way different from any other performance I've done. I mean, I'm a performer, like I play in the band at school (trumpet) and I've hosted shows, acted in shows, blah blah blah....but I've never played guitar in front of people, I don't even consider myself a guitar player! I'd much rather play piano.

That being said, I'm really happy  I had this oppurtunity and really happy I went through with it, because I would love to do it again! I can't wait to write more songs, learn more things, and work on performing like this even more!

Thank you everyone that came!!! Thank you all the bands that were there, you were marvelous!

And now I have a history test to study for!

-James

SHOW ON SATURDAY!
Featuring a lot of wizard rock bands!
AWESOME YEA!

Bethlehem, PA

The Globe Cafe

If you're able to make it, please attend. I promise it will be fun, really.

Andddd...

SONGS!

Yes, songs! My life, our life, our lives, are probably some of the craziest out there, so I apologize for the random haitus that seemed to happen from when we put up "Thank You Paul and Joe" until now. But within  the next 2 weeks or so we're definately getting all those songs recorded and online, so keep an eye out! I'll post a bulletin when something exciting like such happens, so you guys'll know.

Most of these songs do have titles, so here they are:

Chapter 28

 Wormtail Soup

His Name is Slughorn

A7 Love Song

...and maybe some others.

I think that's all for now...

I think....

crackers, monkeys, and France,

-Jamesssssss