Journalhttp://www.serenapostel.com/journal/en-US2008-11-23T13:44:55ZSquarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)some of the other things I'm working on...http://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/11/22/some-of-the-other-things-im-working-on.htmlSerena2008-11-22T02:02:18Z

]]>November Update...http://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/11/18/november-update.htmlSerena2008-11-18T21:37:18ZShoot, reviewing my last entry, I don't know what I was thinking that I would've had time in Ottawa to write... OCFF (Ontario Council for Folk Festivals) too much to take in - anyone into music should go every year!! I was able to connect with some really special artists, saw some exceptional showcases that were so incredible you either go find a rock to live under, or work your ass off to get to that level - keeping in mind we should never compare ourselves, or our craft to anyone, we're so different but to instead celebrate and embrace any magic that stirs us up, that each amazement is reminder that we should fully immerse ourselves in what we do... for then we see the magic that is each of us... how lovely is that now? I'm regularly amused that the more I am freely what I feel inside, that people will applaud that... lol... who knew!

As it stands right now, working on the next record... working on so many projects... working, but who can really call it work when it's something you enjoy so much. Music and Art has given me a new set eyes, if you will, and there is so much more to it than putting out my own material, but helping others tap into their potential... I'm regularly inspired and so badly want to give those gifts back... and it's happening.

I recently, along side two artists I'm very moved by (Nathan Rogers and JD Edwars) facilitated a song writing workshop with some students in Winnipeg. I don't know who came away more inspired, them or us, or the teachers. I don't remember exactly when I became the 'grown up' but I'm floored by young peoples enthusiasm and gifts - I'm helping some young people carry out a youth open mic night here in Winnipeg the last Tuesday of each month - if you know of any young people that could benefit from this, bring them down to the Edge Gallery, 611 Main Street, November 25th... they can borrow my guitar if they don't have one :)

Many cheers (making eye contact so that you mean it!)

]]>Anxious Thank Yous!!!http://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/10/22/anxious-thank-yous.htmlSerena2008-10-22T18:54:52ZI still haven't had time to thank everyone for all their help with the concert last Saturday!! Guuusssssshhhh! Thank you - I'm in awe of the support, love and enthusiasm... wow! I don't have time but will write from Ottawa later this week... for now, for those that reading this and haven't seen... here's the video (youtube doesn't have the best play back quality, but soon we'll have a better stream posted on the site...) Biggest thanks to Jane for believing I'm worth investing in, and James Meagher for making this so beautifull!! You are a treasure to work with and know!! xo

]]>Download NOT MY WAVEhttp://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/10/14/download-not-my-wave.htmlSerena2008-10-14T17:15:03ZOops! So I let everyone know they could download the new single, but we seem to have encountered some bugs, initially! But, that being said, it seems that for a while a live version of Have A Great Day at the London Music Club was up there.... ooops wrong file. So some of you have a special extra song (I cringe though, it had a lot of babbling - surprise - that makes me wince every time I hear it... why do I forever go on and on... lol) Oh well, thanks for humouring me... and loving me! Man oh man I get a lot of love!

Thanks as well - I was overwhemled with all the messages (emails, comments on the various sites, texts, messages) sending me birthday wishes. I was pumped to offically be 30, but somehow, I still managed to get emotional... again big surprise :) LOL I had a really sweet day with my band though - our four hour rehearsal carried over to an informal, loose fun-time jamm... (8 hours of music, not bad for a special day!) I know I'm repeating myself but I'm friggin' lucky to have those guys in my life! (Thank you for reminding me there is more to life than dwelling on the miserable self pitying stuff!) For those of you able to come out Saturday, I'm looking forward to sharing some of the magic that I daily encounter with these people.... I think everyone should be so lucky to have so much love!

Have a super great day!

]]>Tickets on Sale Now!http://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/10/7/tickets-on-sale-now.htmlSerena2008-10-07T15:44:47ZTickets are on sale now (thanks to everyone that has been writing looking to get them - I'm jazzd up to receive so much enthusiasm for the show!) Available at Music Trader (Osborne) and at the Gas Station Theatre.

Rehearsing with the band last night was hilarious! Bruce mentioned on his way that he heard the djs at Kick plugging the show and had a chuckle at the obvious pause following the name 'funderwearpants club' - no kidding! FPC consists of four members, one of which has been out of the country and who I only met last night. In honor of his return, I thought we should celebrate by rehearsing (them not me) in their funderwearpants... and in the charming spirit that is them, they rose to the ocassion and dropped their jeans!!! I stood there cradling my guitar in fear that I too would have to partake and considered how I could eat the words of my suggestion - then it dawned on me... I was standing their with four men undressing and I didn't have to do anything!! That I get to create and play music with some seriously talented, incredibly outstanding creatures of the human species is truly more than a gift! Over this last year, these guys have really enlightened my sense of humor and helped me to not take everything so seriously... I joked later saying how many girls could say they had the experience of a room full of half naked men - of course new for me, not for them. ooooh I love each of them dearly!!!

They'll of course be in full dress for the concert, but perhaps they could be convinced to have a show soon in their fully (or fully undressed) style ;)

]]>The big 3-0http://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/10/2/the-big-3-0.htmlSerena2008-10-02T19:07:16ZLOL - I've been telling people I'm 30 for a while, and really once I turn '30' I'll be in my 31st year so really... (how many times has the discussion seen life whether you're not until you are and you are until you're not... undersand? Neither do I ;) I was born on a Friday, the 13th (aaah, it all makes sense now doesn't it!) and this year, it falls on Thankgiving Monday. Im thankful to be alive, to be who I am, and for all the very special people and opportunities that are in my life... we always want more though don't we (I only want two more). Yes this is on of those times I'm half delivering the conversation in my head, I digress.

The tickets for the Oct 18t concert are being printed and will be on sale in days - did I mention I was excited? No? Ah man, I'm hopping more than normal (I've been told that I hop or skip a lot... huh? Didn't see any of that in the video.) The following week I'm heading to Ottawa for a showcasefor OCFF- Ontario Council for Folk Festivals. This month has a lot of really positive things going on, lots of opportunity for learning - perfect for someone who can't sit still much longer than any five year old... but I'll be 30, so hopefully I'm near grow up... lol. Enjoy the leaves falling (if you're in fall, if you're in Oz, enjoy your sping :) Cheers!!

]]>The Video....http://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/9/11/the-video.htmlSerena2008-09-11T14:53:05ZSo, last night I picked up a copy of the video... my first gut reaction, I @#%$#ing hate it... wow... I was vile and ripped myself apart, not the video... I took a few breaths and watched it a few more times all the while telling my censor, ego and vanity to take a flying f@#$#... now I love it!!! My reaction had nothing to do with the video filming, the lighting, the amazing color and texture of the film that was hand processed... it had to do with seeing myself in that context for the first time - now there's an interesting head spin. My lovely neighbor invited me to watch it on his flat screen - even more reeling. It's taken me years to learn how to listen to my own voice during play back when recording and I think I'm at a place where I can be fair and kind to the process - watching this video is a whole new learning of being decent to myself - it's funny, no matter how hard we try and shed our life long programmed state, we never really finish reprogramming those default settings that messed us up are we? I know exactly where they come from, this wanting to sabotage myself - but I realize that doesn't come from me, I learned to hate myself very young... now, through creating and sharing my music and my art, its teaching me a new set of tools for unlearning that self-slashing... I'm not a fan of tough love, the trick is to stop using it on myself... I love learning!!! Seriously... the more we investigate the bruises and their slow changing color, the more opportunity we have to make beautiful differences in our lives (that's how I see it anyway).

Oct 18th folks - at the Gas Station Theater... a little concert, a little video spying... I believe tix will be on sale next week (but thankfully I'm not in charge of that!!) Hope you'll be there (if you're local) - otherwise, it'll be online following the concert... cheers, and of course, continued havings of great days!!!

]]>oh-so-smiley!http://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/9/7/oh-so-smiley.htmlSerena2008-09-07T23:36:31ZThis past week has been overstimulating in the make-you-smile-stupid kind of way. Two really terrific rehearsals with the band (they always have so much love and wonderful nrg!!) Also worked on the final mix for the song Not My Wave with Lloyd - which we shot a video for with James Meagher (if I didn't mention that already) back in July. I'm revved up to play in Oct at the GST where we'll also releasing the vid, I'm getting anxious as I'm not getting enough live playing in these days (I miss it sorely!) but to know that playing on one of my favorite stages (cuz they have kick-ass people running the show!!!) Makes for an overall magical concert setting... will sustain me.

Also though, I've been so graced with so many beautiful new people in my life - the reflections and learning we can share with our new friends is priceless, the people that we spend time with that get what we're saying so we're not so crazy, or maybe they're crazy... maybe we're all friggin' nuts - so soul stirring and calming. I'm surrounded by so much love - the stuff that hurts is hugged a little by this good stuffs, so I am grateful despite the uncontrollable variables that are still sour, for my friends who help my sanity remain within reality... you are all so beautiful!

]]>Summer Updatehttp://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/8/15/summer-update.htmlSerena2008-08-15T04:46:51ZGotta admit, I'm not a huge fan of writing these journals - mostly because I'm censoring myself and wondering if what I'm saying is... pfth! Life seriously is a virtual classroom and the most annoying teacher is the mirror... of course that kinda lesson can really stick some good stuff up the asses of our egos... aahh, I'm doing it again, leaking every thought out - focus.

NXNE was freaking ridiculously fun! Got to see some old friends while out in TO as well and that really gave me a boost (especially their energy there at the showcase itself!) Lots of beautiful people came to support me, and lots that I've never met before - it was an absolute honor to stand on that stage and play to cram packed room, with people peaking over people at the door... I appreciated so much the NRG in that room, and the interactive playing with everyone - one of my most favorite audiences (Red Lake still places pretty high for me though :)

Since then I've been working with my growing loving team (I prefer family as that's what each one of them has become to me!) to get things going for this next record (all the while writing a third!) I shot a video recently with James Meagher - just today was able to see one of the reels as it was processed to digital - super badass is the grit of the supr8 reel!! I love it's textures and the color... it's a huge head spin to see myself making those expressions and... I enjoy it, but something still makes me feel weird about it - still, super excited for it to be finished.

So we gots some things cookin' some simmerin' and lots of stirrin' - I'll try and be better on the updates - as things start really moving ahead I won't be able to contain myself I'm sure... Cheers!

]]>NXNEhttp://www.serenapostel.com/journal/2008/5/15/nxne.htmlSerena2008-05-15T01:03:22ZI recently received notice that I'll be showcasing at North by NorthEast (NXNE) in Toronto this June. Since the Eastern tour this will be my third trip down that way - because of the people and friendships that have developed I'm even more excited to go back before I had anticipated! If you're not familiar with NXNE, check out the site - if you're out that way, I hope you'll come out to my showcase - Free Times Cafe, June 14, 11:00pm (tickets are on sale now!) This last time I was down there I happened to play the Free Times, a sweet intimate room... maybe pick up a ticket soon, I really wanna see ya and would hate for you to miss if it were sold out;)

Thanks for your contiued support and feedback!!! Have a Great Day!

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