Dearest Webjournal,

Just wanted to say hi.  It's been a while.  Thanks to all those who went out and bought my album the first week it hit stores.  I really appreciate the support there!  Makes a perfect Christmas gift!  ;)  And of course, if you're not into the hard copy (I'm not really anymore)  ...there's always itunes as well. 

AnyWHO, ...so, is anyone else fighting a nasty cold these days?  I always look forward to the Christmas season only to be fighting a cold every year.  Man, ...it's no fun!  Good thing I am not in the middle of touring or recording, ...that's always fun.  But I have had some live performances here and there, and I swear, the people that hear me sing during the winter months will never really know what my true voice sounds like because I am always fighting some kind of sickness!  Haha!  That's just the way life goes sometimes I guess!  I've almost kicked it though, ...so wish me luck there.  I want to enjoy my Holidays!  ...speaking of which, what is everyone doing for the Holidays?  I am spending it with family of course and I think this New Year might be the first time I am NOT performing anywhere, which is kind of a breath of fresh air.  Or wait, ...nope, ...last year was my first year, ...and yes, I DO remember it was refreshing.  ;)  So, I look forward to that again this year.  Next year, my tune might change though.  I plan on doing a lot of my touring during the Summer months though, ...because I really do enjoy having Christmas and the New Year off.  We shall see though.  Performing is always a good time!

What about your favourite Christmas traditions?  I know for me, my family would always do a big dinner on Christmas Eve, and then we'd all participate in the nativity, ...and do some kind of talent show or presentation of sorts.  When we were really young, it was more about a brother struggling through a trombone solo (very cute, ..have that one on tape), ...or magic tricks, ...and of course Christmas singing.  Good times.  In my teenaged years, we started to make it a tradition to do music videos all night until Santa came.  We would laugh our heads off all night.  Good times.  Good times....  Anywho,  ...I think I've written enough for one day!  I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas this season!  Remember what it's all about!

;)Maren

Dearest Webjournal, ...and friends,

So, the release of Pretty Things has an official release date!!  Yeay!  Next week it will be in stores all over Canada!  Nov. 21st is the actual day, and my manager tells me that I need to "encourage" everyone I know to buy a copy of it that first week that it's out so that the stores will continue putting my CD on the shelf.  I guess everything depends on how well sales go that first week!  So, it's up to you guys!  Thanks so much already for the support you've given me!  And those of you not living in Canada, but still interested in getting yourself a copy of the album, it's available on itunes, ...or you can wait until the New Year for the American release.  Too bad CDs couldn't just be released all at once!  Oh well.  Such is life! 

Thanks again for the support!  ...And for all the music video ideas.  I am so pumped to get this video filmed.  Should be good times.  I'll make sure to keep you all up to speed as far as when we start recording and the release of it, etc.  Of course, that won't be until the New Year as well.  But I DO promise to keep you posted as things start coming together.

Until next time...

;)Maren

Dearest Webjournal,

So, how was everyone's Halloween?  I must admit, the highlight of my Halloween was when a trick-or-treater dressed as a cowboy came to my door, ...probably no more than 2 years old and just walked right in!  His Dad was like, "Oh no!  Sorry." and grabbed him.  I didn't blame him, ...it was minus five out lastnight!  He was the cutest kid ever!  I guess if that was the highlight of my night, that probably means I am pretty lame.  I think it's kinda fun handing out candy to cute kids.  Now that I am too old to trick-or-treat myself (although, I COULD probably pass for a 16-year-old), it's kind of a fun change.  I DID, however, throw a pretty rockin' party lastnight though.  ;)  It was actually for the youth in my church, and since I'm a youth leader, we all got to hang out at my place and make caramel apples and eat a ton of candy.  I feel disgusting today though.  It's funny because I'm STILL eating all this sugar!  Haha!  Where's my self control?  ....hmmmmm, who cares, it's Halloween!

Until next time,

;)Maren

Dearest Web journal, ...and of course all of you wonderful people that read this,

Just wanted to pop in and let y'all know what I've been up to these days!  Well, with the release of Pretty Things, I've been swamped with show after show, ...so being busy is a good sign!  Also, ...it's being really well received on itunes which is fabulous!  Thanks to all those out there supporting me through itunes!  The hard copy will be officially released IN STORES November 21st.  So, ...good times.  I am super pumped!   ...and what a great Christmas gift, right?  Eh?  Eh?  ...okay, it's bad when I'm pumpin up my own album!  lol

Also, ...cool news number two:  I am planning on releasing a music video for one of the singles (hopefully in the Spring), but I am having a hard time deciding which one to release first.  It's between Who Am I, and American Loser.  So, ...let me know what you think, and of course if you have any cool music video ideas for the songs, go at it.  However, ...in my writing right now, if I end up using your idea, I can in no way pay you or give you royalties for your suggestions should you have any to give.  So, there's my legal documentation right there!  Ideas are welcome, ...but I just can't pay you for them, ...so if you're not interested in that kind of drama, then don't give me your suggestions.  ;)  Otherwise, feel free!

Hope all is well!  It's off to Cold Lake for me this weekend!  Except not only am I giving a full on concert on Friday, but I have to give a speech of sorts the next morning about being your own kind of beauitful!  I get so nervous talking in front of people, ...singing?  No prob!  Talking?  I have occassional brain-farts, ....so this should be interesting.  Wish me luck.

Well, ...until next time!

;)Maren

Hello Friends!

So life just seems to get crazier and crazier.  The most exciting thing going on is preparing for the release of my new album.  Yes, I said it and yes, it's finally going to be released!  I am so pumped.  My official CD release party is October 16 in Edmonton at the Starlite Room, ...and all are invited!  Please come and hang out with me on this exciting day!  I plan on doing some shows of course in and around that time, so check out my tour schedule if you're interested in coming to a show near you!  I'm afraid most of them will be in Canada (as I kind of already did my States tour over the Summer), ...but I will be hitting Portland in October, ...so hope to see you guys come out to this! 

Anyone been following hockey?  I am so pumped for this new season.  I just went to an Oilers exhibition game on Monday and it got me so pumped for the new season of Hockey!  Woohoo!  It brought back many-a-memory of last season when I spent a lot of time in front of the TV following all the Oilers games.  I hope they do well this season.  They've been kicking butt so far in their exhibition games, ...so lets hope that's a good streak for things to come!  Go Oilers GO!!

Well, I think that's it for now!  Hope to see you at my CD release partay!!

Until next time...

;)Maren

Dearest Webjournal,

For those of you wondering what's going on with the release of "Pretty Things" ...here's some info!  The album will soon be released on itunes in a matter of weeks.  I will give you the exact date and make a proper announcement once everything is in order, ...and the hard copy will be released early in the Fall.  Pretty much VERY soon after the itunes release.  So you know that when you start seeing the album on itunes, ...the hard copy will be not far behind!

Also, I have a radio interview for those interested here in Edmonton on 630 CHED radio tonight at 6pm.  I plan on doing some live stuff from Pretty Things, ...so listen in if that's your thing.  Or of course, I am sure they'll have the lines open if you care to ask questions on air and be heard on live talk radio!  ;)    ...Otherwise, you know you can always ask me questions here.  Should be good times.

One more thing, ...for those of you who are like, "What happened to Maren's Website?"  It's undergoing some construction right now, but the new one should be up and running in a matter of days, ...so check it out when you have a minute.  There will be some newer photos as well as some tour photos of this past Summer.  Not to mention various links to watch my music videos and whatnot.  Let me know what you think of the new site once it's up and running!  www.marenord.com

Hope you guys have been having a great Summer!  Can't believe it's almost over!  Noooooooooooo!

Until next time,

;)Maren

Dearest WebJournal,

I just wanted to give a shout out to my fans that came out to support me this past month on my tour!  Thanks for coming and making this Summer memorable.  It's been a while since I've done any shows in Idaho, so I was happy about the turn out of fans and their support.  I'd love to come back again.  As for the places I haven't hit yet, ...many apologies.  I can only be spread in so many directions.  The Las Vegas show was good times as well.  It was an outdoor venue, ...a very cool venue I might add, ...and the other bands that played were really cool guys, ...so thanks for letting me join in!  Orange County was good times as well, ...although private and intimate, it was fun to have another opportunity to travel Cali again.  Love that place.  Who doesn't?

I apologize if it looks as though I haven't been responding to people's emails.  It's because I haven't been.  ;)  I have literally been gone all month and have just set foot back in my house.  It'll be an interesting next couple of days where I tare my hair out trying to get my life back in order.  That's what happens when you travel away from home all month!  Oh well, ...such is life!  It feels good to be back. 

Let me know how your Summer has been going!

Until next time....

;)Maren

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Canada Day and to our fellow American friends, a Happy 4th of July!  I will be on the road on the fourth in the States, so it should be a good time!  And as for my Canadian friends!  Hope to see you at the concert in Sherwood Park tomorrow to celebrate Canada with me!

;)Maren