In-Person Show, a First-Listen and More! - May Newsletter

 

Hello all,

I hope this finds you all well! I'm excited to send this newsletter to you, as I have shows (including an in-person one) to tell you about, and a first-listen to one of the songs from the new album!

Show details are below, and I am so looking forward to swapping songs with my husband Tim Foley at the Salem, MA VFW outdoor dining area on June 17 - an IN-PERSON show! And the Sweet Janes had such a good time at our virtual show in April that we are doing another one on June 13. Information about these shows is the in next section.
 
Speaking of the Sweet Janes, MaryBeth and Lori are helping me out on one of my songs on the new album, Family. For a first listen, click below.  This is not a final version, but I am excited with how the album is coming together so far, and wanted to share a piece with you. And if you didn't see our virtual band version of our cover of Pistol Annie's Hell on Heels, click on the photo.

                                             


Finally, I updated my website! This is kind of hold-me-over until I revise the whole website when the new album comes out. But I think this feels more modern, fresh, and it is easier to find things. Check it out if you like. 
 
As usual, thank you all for your support of and interest in my music and other creative pursuits! I appreciate it more than you know.

:) Kirsten

Upcoming Shows

The Sweet Janes Zoom Show - A Virtual Evening with the Sweet Janes
Sunday, June 13 at 8 p.m. (Zoom Room and will be streamed on FB)
Pre-register here.

The Sweet Janes (MaryBeth Maes, Lori Wadkins and  me) are putting on another zoom show. We are excited to swap songs (originals and covers) and hang out together. The show is free, but pre-registration is required if you want to be in the zoom room. 
 

Kirsten Manville & Tim Foley (Outdoor, In-person Show)
Thursday, June 17, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Salem VFW
95 Derby St. Salem, MA
 
Tim Foley and I will take turns playing our original tunes, and will help each other out on a few songs. The VFW has really great food, and they have put together a nice outdoor dining area in their parking lot. Come out and join us!

Creative Musings - Staying Inspired, Tips, Tools, and Tricks

I have a songwriting notebook - I have had many over the years - and the first couple of pages of each one is just filled with words and phrases. I might hear someone say something in a conversation, or read something in a newspaper or magazine and the phrase will hit me in a certain way. I will write it down somewhere in the front of the notebook. I won't pay attention to page lines and I use different pens and pencil, so I just end up with a mish-mash of words and color.

This is one of the places I go when I feel stuck. If I can't think of an idea for a new song, I'll go to these pages and see what strikes me. Or if I am stuck in the middle of a writing a song, I might see if there is a phrase that will take the song in a new direction. Sometimes a line I have written stay in a notebook for years before I find the right place for it.

But this is a trick I have learned over my years of songwriting. Sometimes, I am just not inspired. At all. And when that happens it is good to have a "savings account," so to speak, that I can draw from. And most of the time that is all I need to get excited and feel inspired again.

Good Stuff and Mining Country Music's Past

I found a CD in my car the other day that I had totally forgotten I had bought this past year. It was Lindi Ortega's Tin Star. She's a Canadian singer/songwriter. I stuck it in the CD player and remembered what a great album it is. Standout tracks for me are the title track Tin Star and I Want You, but the whole album is great. Check it out!

As for country music's past, I was talking to my Sweet Jane bandmate Lori about Linda Ronstadt, and I remembered a song of hers I hadn't been familiar with until a few years ago. My friend Paul asked me to sing it with him at a Linda Ronstadt tribute show. It is a beautiful song, and has become one of my favorites by her. Listen to You Tell Me that I'm Falling Down. 

If you have good stuff you want to share with me, please do! I would love that! :)
 

 



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