November 18th/08

Album update (posted a few minutes ago on my myspace profile):

Hey there,

Yes, I had planned on having a November release for my debut album, ...but the editing and mixing process is taking much longer than first estimated.  My team is working hard to make sure my listeners are getting top quality sounds so a little more time is needed to finish things off the right way.

I will give more news when potential release dates become more concrete but I am guessing early 2009.

I must- We must be patient for just a little while longer.

Thank-you for sticking it out with me...



November 17th/08

I love Sellaband!!! ... but I guess you already knew that. ;D


November 14/08

This is not about me but I am very excited to announce that my young voice student, David Marino, will be featured on Oprah this Monday, November 17th singing "New York, New York" on video tape.  The show is titled "Oprah's Search for the World's Smartest and Most Talented Kids"!
 
Check it out!! :D


November 06/08

My dear believers,

I'm afraid we will have to wait just a little bit longer before we can have my Sellaband album in our hands.  Nothing to worry about... it's just that there was a lot more editing time needed than first projected.  We recorded so many tracks that it has been quite an intense task of choosing the right ones.  So far, things are sounding really good... my team and I just want to make sure we get everything right and to the best of our abilities. ;-) 

Thank-you so much for your patience and support... I'll keep you posted.


October 31/08

BOO!!!! ;DD


October 20/08

Had my very good friend Chantal Blanchard sing on one of my songs this morning... she has such a beautiful voice and I am so happy it worked out to have her on the album (which was a bit difficult with our schedules).
That said,... the recording is ALL DONE!!! :DDD
The editing and mixing is about to begin...
 

October 13/08

Just got back from the studio and I am pleased to say that all the main vocals are done.  Wednesday, I shall have a full day at the studio to do harmonies.  I smell the end is near...


October 09/08

The last studio session ended up being about redoing a piano track as my producer and I thought up a better part for one of the songs... But tonight I had another few hours in the studio and recorded to more vocals.  Sooo tired now.  Tomorrow night I'm in again to finish up the 2 remaining lead vocals.  Goodnigh....zzzzzz


October 08/08

Got some studio time tonight!  We'll see if I have 2 vocals in me...


October 6/08

I am honored to be on board The Dream Team as an artist consultant.
Please check out the artist roster... and believe!


October 5/08

The recording phase is coming to an end now my friends...
Last week, we brought in Simon Godin, the talented guitar player who is also featured on my demo songs (currently in my player).  He played over 5 of the album songs on Monday, putting the final touches as far as instrumentation for the album. 

Tuesday night, I recorded the main vocal tracks for Turn Around and the song you will soon know as "Once Upon A Dream".  Wednesday, we reworked the lyrics of Something To Believe In and then I laid down the vocals.  Thursday night was the most recent session and 2 more songs were recorded... the two most difficult ones emotionally for me.  After my last take, I thought I was going to fall to the ground.  My whole body felt heavy and weak... it was probably the most intense experience I've had recording a song so far.  Hopefully, this will shine through in the vocals. 

What's left?  4 more songs to sing along with all the harmonies.


October 2/08

Sorry for being out of touch these last 2 weeks... yes JW, I'm really overdue for a blog update!! I'll stop in again this weekend and give some news... ;-)


September 18/08

My collaboration song with Chris Fullam from "Conflict in the Sky"(vocal duet) along with MR-10 and Kostek has just been posted on the Collaboration Project profile...

Check it out!  It's called: "Dear Life"

Hope you enjoy. ;-)


http://www.sellaband.com/conflictinthesky/
http://www.sellaband.com/mr-10/
http://www.sellaband.com/kostekandreev/

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Congratulations Sellaband for making the shortlist for the Best Digital Service award!!! ;DDD


September 17/08

Just posted my first behind the scenes video... more to come very soon!! ;-)
PS-the music you hear in this video is not mine - it's just background music taken off the web... but in my next video, you will here little clips of my album recordings... I promise. ;-)


September 14/08

Oops! Forgot to log in my last sessions!
Umm....last Thursday did some crazy recordings with the cello (plugged into a guitar amp!!). Pretty wild!!! Friday, I recorded 4 more grand piano tracks so only one song left for my fingers to perform.  Still have many vocals to lay down and a few electric guitar parts (did I mention I would have a bit of that too?). Even though some of the recording process has been delayed (which is usually to be expected with crazy studio schedules and trying to get everyone together at the same time!), things are still going well for a November release.

Mr Schultz has been at some of the sessions doing his thing and my husband/manager Jocelyn has been filming quite a bit of studio time ... Videos and photos will be posted very shortly through my Shattered Windows series so STAY TUNED!!! ;-)


September 10/08

Finally had my first session of vocals in the studio today.  Only did about 90 minutes of tracking but got the first song done along with all the harmonies and other creative stuff... My producer even played the bubbles (you know, that plastic stuff with air bubbles to protect objects in transportation)!!! lol  He got really creative and used this to add some percussion in the track.
I shall now call him "Dan the bubble man"!!
I hope nobody is reading this stuff!! ;DD haha


September 8/08

Another productive day at the studio today.  Had a short session but recorded some Rhodes and grand piano (3 songs).  Decided to get an upright piano for 2 other songs on the album... there will be a nice variety of sounds that's for sure!

Wednesday I begin to track vocals... always the most stressful part for me... I tend to be so careful in the studio.  But that's my personality as well.  Maybe I should have some red wine before tracking!! lol
I just want to make the best record I possibly can...

Just hope I won't be too hard on myself...


September 4/08

Wow, it has been a while since my last blog!

Just wanted to pop in and say that me and my team are still hard at work and today, I received the final version of what my CD jacket will look like and... I can't even believe that this is actually going to be MY cd cover!!!!  It is so beautifully designed... it brought me to tears! (sniff)

Thank-you so much Mr Schultz (photographer), Nicholas Bourges (additional graphic art), and a special thanks to Sebastien Malherbe for his dedication and many, many hours of hard work to make a piece of visual art with the design of my cd.  What a wonderful team this lucky girl has with her. :-)

I can't wait to share this with all of my believers...

xox


August 21/08

Helloooo people! ...Wake-up!!!


August 18/08

Last night I had my photo shoot for the album along with my partners in crime - Mr Schultz (photographer), Sebastien Malherbe (art director), Chloé Comte (visual assistant).  We did the shoot in a very nice hotel in Old Montreal.  Finished at 3 in the morning!!  So if I look like a zombie on my album cover, you will know why...lol!! ;-)


August 4/08

A little update (or maybe not so little!):

Wow, I can believe it’s already been 3 months since my big Sellaband day!  Time really flies and right now, I’m getting ready to start a second round of recording in the studio.  As I have mentioned before, the first tracks with drums, bass, cello, and violin have been recorded for all of the songs along with a very special recording with my mom (Louise – who says hi back to you JW!) and brother (Jonathan).  

Due to studio scheduling, the remaining tracks will be recorded in shorter spurts here and there throughout the month of August.  I have to say that so far, I am very happy with the results and excited about hearing everything once we are at the mixing stage of the album.  Daniel (my producer) and I along with my talented musicians have been working very hard on what you could call a labour of love. 

Since achieving the 50K on Sellaband, I think my story has made every newspaper in my home province of Prince Edward Island!!  I’m afraid people are going to get tired of seeing my face...because this is just the beginning of my musical journey – just wait and see when the album is out (which should take place late this Fall by the way)!

My Sellaband album will contain twelve tracks; ten songs which will be a part of a concept, plus two songs as bonus tracks.  I have also started working on the visual concept with visual art director Sébastien Malherbe for the album photography and design along with graphic artist Nicholas Bourges who will also be lending his talents to this project in the post production phase.   Mr Schultz will be doing the official album photo shoot and has kindly been helping me keep a photo journal of the recording process so feel free to visit my website to have a peek (angiemusic.com).

As for the limited edition copies,... only those who have one will have access to the key that unlocks...

Angie
xx

July 21/08

Just posted photos from my last studio session on my website...
(All studio pics can be found in the blog section there).

July 18/08

JayDoubleYou said "hi".  ;-)


July 14/08

Yesterday morning, I went to another studio with my producer (Daniel Cinelli) to record on an upright piano.  It was 100 years old!! A few squeaks here and there but with a bit of oil, we were able to get a take with a sound that adds charm and gives such a great feel to the song. 

In the afternoon, we had a last session with cello and violin played by Catherine Gazelle Le Saunier and Émilie Rabaraona.  They brought quite a few ideas to the table improvising parts and recording on the spot!  Two very talented women. 

So now step one is done in my building up an album project.  I feel like an architect!! The next layer to add will be me with piano and vocals...but it won't be before a week or so due to scheduling at the studio, which will give me some time to practice all the key changes - the grand piano does not have a transpose button!!! lol ;-)


July 13/08

Recorded with mother (Louise) and brother (Jonathan) live on the floor yesterday at the studio.... it was a very special moment for us.  Many emotions running around and about... subject matter in consideration and having the chance to play together made it all the more intense.

A moment engraved in time...


July 9/08

Started tracking the cello and violin tonight.  Usually, these would be the last instruments to track... but we had to do them now due to scheduling.  It sounded divine.  I just love these instruments... they make the hairs on my forearm rise!!!  We will be tracking strings for the next 2 days.  My mother and brother arrive in Montreal tomorrow night from Prince Edward Island (where I grew up).  They will be recording a song with me on Saturday and I can't wait to spend some time with them! :-)


July 8/08

All done the drum and bass tracks!! Yaye!! :DD
I'm sure Jeff and Gordon are going to sleep like babies tonight because they have worked very very hard in the studio these last 4 days... the results will show how it was all worth it.  They are so talented.

Just posted some photos from one of the studio sessions taken by none other than Mr Schultz... hope you enjoy!

http://www.angiemusic.com/blog/?p=187


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July 7/08

I am writing at the end of our 3rd day in the studio - didn't blog yesterday because I was totally exhausted!!

Yesterday was very intense.  We tracked a first song which went very smoothly and then in the afternoon, we started a second one, one which we all thought would be a piece of cake,.. but it turned out the be the hardest number to get so far.  We ended up changing a bunch of patterns for the drums and even cutting out some lines as well.   My producer is so full of great ideas and so we try every one of them to see which works best.  Towards the end, the musicians charts weren't readable anymore because of rewriting so many times!! lol It was quite a challenge and my drummer and bass player nailed it all in the end - they are soooo awesome!!  What focus!!

Today we tracked two more songs... we are getting lots of video footage so we will share some of that we you soon...

It's after 7pm and I am starving so... better get something in my belly.  I shall eat then write out a few charts for the cello and violin which we will track after tomorrow.

...I still feel I'm going cross-eyed!! ;-0


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July 5/08

1, 2, 3,...GO !!!!

That's it my friends, the ice has finally been broken: Today was the first official day of recording in the studio for my Sellaband album... and what a day it was!!

In the next few days, we will be tracking "bed tracks" with drums and bass and today, it sounded sooo awesome. "Une tonne de bricks!", said my drummer Gordon Wood (he speaks french yes).  We set up the drums today which took a good 2-3 hours, tested the bass guitars (my bass player Jean-François Dery had 4 today in the studio!! He's such a maniac lol), and then tracked 2 songs; When I Fall Asleep and Turn Around. 

With such a great start to the whole recording process, I am so eager to hear what we will do next.  Until today, my producer (Daniel Cinelli) and I had only worked out ideas on paper... so if was so exhilarating to hear the musicians who brought everything to life... and with a big bang!

I am honestly very exhausted from the long day of staying focused all the time (I think I am going cross-eyed!) but that is not stopping my cheek muscles from working overtime to say how happy I am with how things are going. :DDDDDDDDD

Tomorrow is another big day so... I better get some rest.

xoxzzzzz


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July 1/08

Happy Canada Day!!! ;DD

So this Saturday (July 5th), I will be in the studio with my musicians to officially start out the recording of my debut album.

This week, my producer (Daniel Cinelli) and I are working out the last details of pre-production.  In the next few days, I will be frantically writing out last minute changes to the lead sheets - key changes, chord changes, arrangement ideas,...

We will be in the studio for one full week to lay down the bed tracks and then the vocals will be done in early August (the sessions got separated due to conflicts in scheduling). 
After the vocals (including harmonies) are done, we will start the mixing process.

Ok, I better get back to work now!

I'll be back soon to give you all another update... ;-)


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June 17/08

I will be in the studio in July to record my Sellaband album! :D

This pas month has been about getting everyones schedule to work together which has been quite a challenge.  I am happy to announce that I will be working with Daniel Cinelli  (Producer/Engineer) again here in Montreal with my tried and trusted musicians.  I have met a few times with Dan at his studio and in the next few weeks we will be working on the songs, getting them ready and getting the musicians ready so that all goes as smooth as possible in the studio. 

I will keep you all posted of how things go in the studio... recording my debut album!!   xox


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May 29/08

Mr Schultz posted his pictures from my last show here.  Don't be shy to tell him what a good photographer he is.

There are quite enough to show all the funny faces I am capable of making during a performance...!!! Enjoy! ;-)


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May 12/08

Today, I finally used my gift certificate for a relaxing floating session in what looked like a gigantic egg filled with sea salted water (like the dead sea with its relaxing and healing benefits I guess).  My good friend Jayne had offered me this gift certificate for my last birthday... which was June of last year!!

I was starting to feel guilty about not using it (not to mention it was to expire in a month!).  Hmm..  I think I am beginning to understand why my friends call me somewhat of a work workaholic!! lol  Anyway, it was nice talking some "me" time.

Ok, this blog has nothing to do with my album... but I did think of some great recording ideas while I was trying to clear my mind, relax my body and... well, float.  I imagined myself being an astronaut, floating in space with zero gravity and wondering... "where the hell is my piano?"!!


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May 2/08

I still can't get over all the excitement from yesterday.  I did have butterflies in my stomach, but I am glad to say that I was still able to really enjoy this incredible milestone.  Had a great time performing last night...it was very magical  The audience was full of positive energy and it was bouncing back and forth all night! 
Today, I had to go to Canadian Tire to get a few things for the kitchen... that sorta thing sure keeps this diva grounded!! haha ;DDD

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May 1/08

The day I will always remember as my Sellaband 50K day!!!! :D
... I just wish I would have been awake to witness the frenzy!! hihi!!
WOOHOO!!!!! So excited to start phase 2 of this wonderful journey.  I will keep updates here to keep you informed on the recording process and everything else surrounding my debut album. ;DDDD
Again, I thank all of my believers for putting their trust in me and my music and for supporting me and making this journey a wonderful experience.
xox

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PHASE 2 BEGINS...!!! :DD

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April 28/08 - I realize that I have raised over 5K in one week!!! :-0 That is so amazing!!! Working on getting things ready for the recording of my very first full length album now... I can't believe it's actually going to happen!!! :DDD
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April 27/08 - A beautiful sunny day... spent the afternoon with my friends/believers Jayne, Nikko, Seb, Chloé, Jean-Pierre, Benoit (MrSchultz), and Serge.  What a great bunch! ;-)  Thanks guys - you are all real stars!! ;D xox
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April 25 - Old School Weekend Is On! Check it out and support the talented artists that have been here since 06.
 
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April 19 - There is so much great talent here on Sellaband.  Every week, I discover more and more artists and some really make an impression on me.  One with huge potential for world success in my eyes is Alexx Calise.

So where are you Alexx believers???!    ;-)

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April 13 - "Stay" is featured in TalentCast.

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April 8 - These are exciting times for Sellaband! I just read today's Tribune...!! :-)

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April 6 - My awesome believer Stephen now has 250 parts in my music!!! That's crazy!! Thank-you for your generous support Stephen... can't wait to thank-you in person at my Montreal show!! ;-)

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One of my believers posted a video of his 9 year old son David singing "New York, New York"... he's one of my voice students and he's such a little sweetie.  Please take a listen and comment! ;-)

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April 1 - Wow, no april fools jokes on me this year... must be a first!!! hihi
I am featured in the Tribune today as one of the top 5 artists on Sellaband...(no joke!!)
See what my lovely believer, Phil, had to say in this weeks Tribune.

Wow - I think I'm actually #4 right now!!! YAYE!! :D

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Mar 24 - Hola! Back from my sun vacation.  Had a great time in Mexico and now my nose is starting to peel...!!

The media here in Montreal is starting to pick up on my Sellaband story... I even gave 2 interviews during my holidays!!! You know, a woman's work is never done...  ;-)

For you french speaking peekers, check out this article in the journal found in all subway stations here in the city. 

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Mar 11 - Wow, how lucky am I to have all this support.  My lovely believer Serge DesCôteaux did a wonderful thing for me and my music.  Thank-you Serge for working so hard and thank-you everyone who participated in giving me a big boost towards the 50K...and towards the recording of my very first full album.

I will soon have a 50K plan up for everyone to see... I am so eager to get to work on this wonderful project... :-) xox

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Mar 6 - Dear Diary, I am challenging myself and my believers to help me get to my 20K goal by the end of the month!!  I have sent out a press release and a few journals have already responded... Let's take the Sellaband fever to Canada and beyond!!! ... Ok, gotta stop eating too much sugar!!!! hihi...

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Feb 25 - Dear Diary, sorry I do not update you as often as I would like... Can you believe it - over 17K!! 2 believers with over 200 parts!! Thank-you Phil AND Stephen AND all of you for believing in me. 

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Feb3 - Dear Diary,
$15k !!!!!! 30% of budget raised.  I am in awe... luv you believers!
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My shining star.

"Can you "Phil" it up now, this void, ...this black hole?
 Can you "Phil" it up now?
 Come find me, cross the sea...
 For maybe, you may be, ... just what I need." ;-)

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Wow!! #15 out of over 6 thousand artists!! Sooo awesome!!!
If things keep going at this rate, I will be recording some new songs for you all to enjoy in 2008!! (fingers crossed!)  ;-)  xoxox

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Results from Sheet Metal's competition (December 2007):

• 1st: Cris Tanzi - Your Friend
• 2nd: Angie Arsenault - Lie soft
• 3rd: Caya - There's No Time

Thank-you Sheet Metal !!!!! xx

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I do believe in Santa:
Santa Stephen and Santa Sommersby!!!!

Thank-you so mush for making my Sellaband xmas wish come true.
Over 10K!!! Wow! I'm am so excited!!!!  ...and almost on page 2!!!!!

Next wish: To record an album with Sellaband in the first half of 2008. ;-)
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My song "Where Are You Christmas" finished in 8th place in Sommersby's xmas contest. :-)

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Check out Vincent's blog (my friend and believer).


Tuesday, November 27th
#4 in Nearfields competition - Congrats GD Allen! :-)


Tuesday, October 23rd
#7 in the Charts this week! :-)

Monday, October 22nd
A special thanks to caseb for the generous contribution!
Who are you?? ! ...answer: very nice person by the name of Jean-Marc. ;-)

Also want to send a shout out to my friends Stefan, Fernando and Jean-Pierre for wanting this as much as I do!!! Thanks guys! :-)

Wednesday, October 10th
100 wonderful believers!!!!!! :-)

Tuesday, October 2nd
#5 in the weekly charts

Tuesday, September 25th
#3 in the weekly charts!
Wow - 5K !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angie's believers are the best! :-)
(can we just add a zero to that number?...;-)

Wednesday, September 19th
Over 4K!!  Thank-you!

Tuesday, September 18th
One of the biggest gainers today (for a moment anyway! ;-)
And look who's in The Tribune!  All thanks to you faithful believers.

Monday, September 17th
Check out my new video!!

Tuesday, August 7
# 6 in the charts this week !!!!!! :-)
Thanks everyone... xx

Sunday, August 5
Over 3K and in the biggest gainers today!!
A special thanks to Phil (Sommersby) for his generous contribution ;-)

Wednesday, July 25
2K!!!  Vous êtes formidable!! ;-)  xxx

Tuesday, July 24
Wow - # 8 in the charts this week !!!!!! 
We did it guys ;-) ... no stopping us now!

Monday, July 23
I've just spotted my own name amongst the biggest gainers today...!
You guys are FABULOUS!! A special thanks to Hans Van Nuffelen for his generosity and Thanks to everyone for believing in me :-)
Angie
xx

Ok, now that I've hit the first milestone here, I'm gonna jumpstart my next goal and visualize 5K!!! ...THEN, it will be 50K!! ;-) :-) hihi
Who's with me??
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I'm supposed to be in bed now but I just wanted to check in before I turned of the computer... and I have come to find out that I'VE REACHED 1K!!!!!!!!!   YAHOO!!!!!
Thank-you sooo much to all my believers to have stuck by me and have shown their support... and I'm not talking just money here - true support and I value all of your comments and suggestions... and kindness.
Now, I have to try to get some sleep and calm down this little adrenaline rush...!! ;-)
Yours truly,
Angie
xx

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Hi everyone!
Just wanted to tell you that my show in Toronto went really well :-)
I had a great time at The Cameron House and the host, singer songwriter Amanda Bentley, was a sweetheart.  It will surely be returning to play there soon and next time, it will be with my band!! Can't wait ;-)
I also wanted ask you all to stay tuned for my next video which will include clips from my trip to Toronto along with some live performance shots.  There is still lots to do before it's ready, but it should be up within the next week or two.
Take care,
Angie
xx

UK visit has been DELAYED until the release of my Sellaband album. details coming soon...


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May 1rst (Thursday) 2008- Montreal - Le Petit Medley - 20h

Presenting "Once Upon A Dream" again with my wonderful band:

Believers get in free!!! ;-)

Cello - Gazelle-Catherine LeSaulnier
Bass  - Jean-François Dery
Drums - Gordon Wood
Piano and Vocals - Yours truly! ;-)

Invited artist: daniel iorio (unplugged)
www.danieliorio.com

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At my show Montreal on January 14th, I had the opportunity to meet one of my fabulous Sellaband believers Serge Des Côteaux... talking with him made me realize again, just how wonderful is the concept of Sellaband.

Serge wrote me this lovely message the day after my show:

Angie!!
Had the priviledge to meet you last night as you were performing your "Once upon a Dream" concert...
It was just that...
A dream!
I've always believed that we see the true nature of the artist once he/she gets the opportunity to perform...
And what a performance...
It was theatrical... It was magical...
Orchestration was tight...
How about a cellist which can back vocals as well!
Lovely...
I was basically floating around for ninety minutes from one frame to another, always experiencing new blends of captivating melodies...
Incredible vocals filled the room, always on tune...
Angie, you were shining magically...
Proud to believe!
The song that caught my ear first, "Merry Go Round" actually dropped a tear as you sang it!!!
Just one final thing...
Meeting you quickly after the show, and the friendly feeling I had found from dealing with you in the last two months took a reality leap...
I think SAB brings that new type of relationship between the artist and the fan, and it's culturaly ... sorry... french... "enrichissant!!!"
Rewarding?
indeed....
Kudo Angie... I'm priviledged to have crossed your path!
Hope to see all your shows now! I'm a fan!!! :-) Cheers!
Et merci! 
(Serge Des Côteaux)


Montreal shows:

Monday, January 14th 2008 - "Once Upon A Dream"
(with band at Le Petit Café Campus)

Find me on myspace for more details...
http://www.myspace.com/angiearsenault