Saturday, January 19, 2013

Stage It Recap

StageIt
photo by Scott Bennett

This is my first post of the year -- woah!!!  Where have I been?  Oh yea... working in a studio everyday.  Apologies for the silence until now.

Eating a sandwich in Tokyo
photo by Hiroshi Matsushima
It felt so great to get to play an online StageIt show this past Thursday night for so many of you!  Gosh.... it was so much fun.  I totally wore my comfy pj pants, with popcorn and "special tea" in hand (see recipe below).   Everyone couldn't have been sweeter.  Some of your comments were really funny.  I liked seeing what everyone was up to that night.  Some of you were cooking, others studying, some had popcorn, one person had a glass of Moscato (a personal fave of mine).  The only downside was how quickly time flew by!  I feel like I hardly got to play anything!  So many requests that I flubbed.  It was quite overwhelming at times when the requests came flooding in.  And I am the worst at quick decision making --argh!  But here are the songs I would really love to play for next time:

Find My Way Back Home
Nothing
Are We Different
Willow Weeping
Rain
{a cover}
{a new song}

And maybe I could do a short Q&A at the end, or in between?  Some of your questions and thoughts were really great!

Your donations were so generous all around!  One thing I made a HUGE mistake on.. is someone mentioned that they hoped stageit didn't take too much of a cut on the money that was donated that night.  And I quickly replied that they don't take anything, which is why I thought the site was so awesome, etc... But I completely got my facts wrong, and found out, quite shockingly the next day, that they do indeed take a cut of the donations.  I was a bit disheartened by this... especially since so many people were probably under the impression that all the money would be going toward the My Sandy Hook Family Fund and to the making of my record.  :(

But at the end of the day, after many deep breaths and a long walk, Stageit is still a wonderful online venue, and I was still able to come away with an overwhelming sum of money (!!!).  A lot of which will go directly to the Newtown, CT charity, and the rest towards the mixing of my album (which I have been making on my own).  I have to think, without StageIt, I wouldn't have been able to reach out to so many awesome people from all over the world in one night, from the comfort of my very own living room, to theirs.  And so I'm very thankful for that -- and I still had an amazing + memorable night! Anyway... I just wanted to apologize if I misled anyone.  That was completely my bad for not having my facts straight.  But in the end, it's all good, and I hope you'll feel that way too.  
Conan, watching the show.
Photo by Erika Crane Ricketts (+Conan)

I have to say, it was so weird to finish playing a show, and have this nervous after-show jittery feeling, that I usually have at a venue somewhere in the world, in my own home!  And then to put on my coat and shoes and leave my house after the show, instead of the other way around (I walked over to my neighbors' house where my husband and them were watching the show).   

Thank you all again for contributing to the show, for the charity and for my album (which is almost finished!).  Perhaps last night, together, we were able to change the world with our collective positive energy and generosity for healing and art.  I truly believe that, and love you all for it.

In the meantime, I have a few new fun projects under way.... I'm keeping it a secret for now, but hopefully you'll get to see it by next month!  

Until next blog/StageIt/album/tour....

G'nite!
photo by Paul Jun Lee
love,
priscilla

***

Umeshu Oyuwari
aka "Special Tea"

1 part plum wine
2 parts hot water

Put them together in your favorite mug and voila!
(not much of a recipe, huh?)

30 comments:

  1. Thank you for doing my request (I was the person who kept requesting " Are We Different")! I really enjoyed seeing you perform again (I saw you in Ann Arbor but I live in Philly now). Can't wait to hear your new album!: )

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    1. Philly! Love it... Yes, next time! I totally know that song of course, but I get nervous on the spot. >.< Next time for sure!

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  2. I agree, the show seemed fleeting yet magical. (Conan looks riveted). I bet everyone was pumped, as you were, post broadcast. Can't wait to double the fun when you perform that planned set list.

    While it can make donors feel uncomfortable, I think it's reasonable for StageIt to recoup their costs as hosts. And I'm sure grieving families in Connecticut are grateful for the contribution.

    Love the new song that's partly set in Ohio. A feeling lots of us can relate to.

    Will try the recipe akin to instant glühwein.

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    1. Thank you for seeing it that way. You're completely right. And so glad you like the new song!

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  3. Oh I wish I'd been able to watch! Unfortunately, over here in London it was in the early hours of the morning! I have seen you live the last time you were over here and it was fantastic, so I hope I can get another chance! :)

    It was really great of you to donate a portion to the Sandy Hook fund!

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    1. Thanks Kat! I really need to do a show that caters more to Europe's time zones next time! ;)

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    2. I was up at 3 am in Scotland to watch! The alarm went off and I was just all "bleurgh"! But was totally worth dragging myself out of the warmth of my bed for! Cannot wait for the next one. Thanks Priscilla, you are my favourite artist and a huge inspiration :-)
      Katrina

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  4. Can i just say you inspire me. You are a unique and humble individual. I love your style of music. very clever and comforting. xx -Danna

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  5. My 10-year old twins, my wife and I all sat around the computer just mesmerized. The performances were just lovely. And since my kids love your music but have always been too young to come see you in person when you've come to Chicago (that show at SPACE was *amazeballs*), it was really great to be able to enjoy that altogether as a family for once! We all love Priscilla Ahn! That said, I'm still pissed you didn't play Freebird. ;)

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    1. Ha! I'm such a jerk... ;) I LOVED playing that show at SPACE. Thank you for coming to that. And how cool that your kids got to watch too! I did my best to watch my language! >.<

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  6. Firstly thank you for a wonderful set (believe me it was certainly worth getting up at 3am for here in England!). The new song was a lovely treat.

    It's a really great cause and I'm sure the funds passed on will be hugely appreciated by the grieving families. You do so much for your fans, and I really hope you treated yourself to a few more cups of your special tea after the show!

    Really looking forward to the new album (and any future cozy living room shows).

    p.s. I loved the very serene-looking whale painting on the wall. More of your creative handiwork I assume? :-)

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    1. Oh my goodness! Rob -- you're a trooper! And yes... that was a painting of a picture from the movie "Ponyo". I love all things Miyazaki. ;)

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  7. I fully enjoyed the concert, and you kicked it off with my favorite song "red cape" so thank you for sharing your talent and art. Your music and musical journey is so inspirational.

    Also you should totally do a Kickstarter, i don't think its asking too much from your fans, it will let us all get more personally involved in your budding music career!!! (plus if you put one of those cool cloud pillows up as an incentive the possibilities are endless)

    -Bryan

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    1. Bryan,

      You're probably right about Kickstarter... you know what. I'll start thinking about it! I would love to make more cloud pillows for everyone! :)

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  8. I love that your dog is named Conan! I'm hoping it's after Mr. O'Brien, but.. is it? :) Looks like I missed out on a great show. Can't wait to catch the next one! -an admiring (slightly out of the loop) fan

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    1. Oh -- haha, that wasn't my dog -- I wish it was, he's so cute! I think you can catch the show here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-r8bjO62zE

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  9. I'm sad I missed it but as someone else said it was in the early hours of the morning in England. Hopefully you will come over here to tour, I'd love to come see you play. You're such an amazing artist for raising all that money for Sandy Hook. I also agree with Bryan you should do a kickstarter I'd gladly donate money to help you with your album.

    I look forward to hearing the new album.

    Gemma xoxo

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    1. Yes.... the timing wasn't very UK friendly. :( Perhaps next show we can work that out! Thank you for your kind support! xo

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  10. Though I wasn't able to catch you live due to prior commitments, I was excited nonetheless that you were able to pull this off. Let me thank you for your magnificent work and for taking up so much of my playlists. Is there a way to catch a replay of your performance?

    -Juan

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    1. Hi Juan,

      I'm honored to be on your playlists! I think you can watch the show here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-r8bjO62zE

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    2. Awesome, thank you. watching it now!

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  11. That was sooo nice! When saw in your website that you were going to do a show on internet I started to jump in my chair (I was at my job). Then I realized that I didn't had a computer to watch it. Because of the time zone the show for me it was going to be at 1 am! Then my mom said that she was going to give me a computer and I bought it!
    I loved your peformance and one of my dreams came true (I sang with you!!! <3) Not in a record or with many rehearsals as I wish, but it was as good as it could be.

    Thanks <3

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  12. It was an amazing performance! I'm glad to have been a part of it. If you ever find yourself in China, send me a message on my blog! : )

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    1. I hope to soon! We'll see... your blog is beautiful!

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  13. Hi Priscilla,

    I tuned out the regular crappy tv programming and tuned into your concert last night (on youtube) and it hit me this morning-I felt lighter and my spirit was at peace. Then, of course, life being the way it is-I got poked, prodded and knocked about until it was lunchtime yoga-sigh.

    Thanks for a lovely time and the good vibes!

    Sunny

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  14. Absolutely enjoyed it.Your voice is nearly perfect. Your picking was great too. Can't wait for the next show, and cd.

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  15. Amazing performance on Stageit, Priscilla! I was so glad that you played Living In a Tree - one of my favorites. So EXCITED about your new record - I loved the new song you played. Your music is just amazing... xo Terez

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  16. Darn it! I can't believe I missed it! (Well, completely my fault for channeling my attention elsewhere...away from the blog world!) I hope to catch the next one =)

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  17. I got to catch your stageit show till my connection crashed. So thankful Firestarter put it up on Youtube. A life highlight for me.The net has changed a lot of life. You've sung me to sleep so many times along with two others, and their careers, I've followed and love with all my heart. My missing bits and pieces.I was encouraged by their continuing efforts to get back into guitar and voice.Been pushed since a kid to sing on radio but am too reclusive. Being able to get some interaction with your missing bits and pieces extends the relationship.I don't envy having to try and interact with everyone that gets to know your music or wants to say hello.Guilt and feeling the burden of not being able to cater to all.
    I lost everything to illness a couple of years ago. What didn't float out in bills was stolen while I was alone in a caravan unable to walk a hundred yards for 2 years.Even my clothes. Slept with a knife in case I chose to leave and a laptop.The choices were very comforting. Had no others or say in my life. Music, voice and lyrics won.
    My old mum cried when she first heard your voice. She thought you were her mother. My grandmother use to sing on radio and clubs and shows and won Australia wide contests from well before the war till mid 1950's. Amongst making guitars and ukes and doing pearl and abalone work on them,I'm polishing my voice and playing to take the bigger public step. A bottle of plum wine may help a recluse :)
    Thanks for all your sharing and Stageit etc. The art of your music, voice and heart is and has been a big part of my life. I will repay you for the hours as time goes along. Perhaps a few more albums could be coaxed out of you:)
    Do you feel you could handle Thinking Of You acoustically for a stageit?
    lots of love and thanks Priscilla.


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