Getting back into the swing of it...

Its been a busy summer with my children. I have not touched the piano in weeks. Yesterday I took some time out to play the piano.  I was able to get an hour in.. but it was not enough time.  I am doing some things this weekend that will keep me from the music, which I am a little out of sorts about, but its fun stuff!

Its so hard to stay balanced all the time, and I am really out of balance. My goals for the coming new week is to spend as much time on the piano and also finish up a project I am working on for a friend of mine. 

I also wanted to share a podcast I had the opportunity to be a part of.  A few years ago I traveled to Imaginary Road Studios to tape a radio interview with John Diliberto of Echoes.  I had the opportunity to perform with Will Ackerman, Scarlet Rivera, Jill Haley, David Cullen, Jeff Oster, Derrik Jordan.  We recorded a Holiday program, as well was interviewed. It was super cool.  So if you need something to listen to while doing the dishes, homework or just need to relax, check it out:

Echoes - Kori Linae Carothers  ( This is on iTunes)

If you can't find it there you can listen here via my website:
 
Echoes  

For more information on Echoes, please visit their website at:

Echoes.org

Messages I am receiving..

The Steinway B at Imaginary Road Studios 

This is what came in my messages today… I am SO grateful for all of you that message me. Fire in the Rainstorm was and IS a very personal, intimate look into my life.. because this is just me and the piano..

From Tom Foth:

"I have just found the right time to listen to the album. I actually NEED to listen to the album tonight, if you know what I mean. Thanks for sending out the track with Jeff Oster… that’s how I came to find you… from a song by you and Jeff on Pandora.

A great pianist (like you) always surprises me by the expressiveness they can get from a keyboard.

I’m listening to NuNu’s Sunrise… and I can actually feel your heart… your soul… through your arms to your hands and fingers… out through the strings of the piano. It is a very intimate connected feeling to have with you. Sacred.

I wonder how many people realize how you have opened your soul to this level of intimacy?

Thank you for being brave and being so generous with… you.

It was an honor to have a small part of this.

-Tom

p.s. Tidal Rift is playing now…. wow… tears… thank you.

Just listened to Liberty… are you kidding??? Wow oh Wow… Amazing.”

I am speechless.. thank you VERY much Tom.

 

 Reblog

I love flowers and cooking

I wanted to tell you about something I love to do other than compose music.  I enjoy gardening AND cooking. 

If I owned a Bed and Breakfast, I would have a garden there with lots of herbs, and especially roses and gerber daisies.  I love the beautiful colors.  A few days ago I went to Trader Joes and they had scores of these awesome gerber daisies.  Sometimes I like to pick some up for my friends. They are sitting on my table as I type this.  

                                                                       

Gerber Daisies

I also enjoy cooking! I like to whip up a batch Beef Stroganoff using fresh sour cream and gravy. Fresh scallions, mushrooms and ground peppercorns, with a dash of sea salt. I use rice to pour the stroganoff onto it.  Then if I have frozen broccoli I steam it, or get fresh broccoli and steam that.

Lately, I have discovered flavoring my water too, with a slice of lemon and cucumber. SO delicious to drink on crazy hot days.  I like to cook on the grill, and prepare paleo meals for myself, and for my family they like the breads I bake. I know whats in the breads, whether it is a zucchini orange bread or a regular homemade loaf of fresh bread, I feel better about them eating that instead of the grocery bought breads out there.

Don't feel too threatened... I don't bake bread all the time, there are some great breads at Trader Joes that I love to buy and the kids will actually eat. 

There is a bed and breakfast in Southern Utah that I've been just thinking about what it would be like to buy it and run it.  What a HUGE change of pace it would be.  On the one hand, would I be consumed by running a place like that and it take over my musical life? I don't know if I would really care for it messing with me .. BUT I could buy a grand piano and place it in the dining area, and play it for the guests and have my musical friends come and perform.... hmmm what an interesting thought....

klc

How has hearing loss affected me and my music?

Come and read all about it at PledgeMusic.com 

Love you!

Kori 

Major distributors and labels... my thoughts. *Warning rant*

Here is some advice for those of you wanting to get major distribution: 

DON'T go with a label.. period.  You want full control of your music rights AND you don't want to go with major distribution.  They take a huge cut, your label takes a cut, and by the time you get any money from your sales, its so pitiful that its a joke!! IF you choose to do it.. read the below before you sign anything: 

I've had 3 really bad experiences with label and major distribution. Partially my fault on account I didn't want the hassle of keeping track of what I sell AND I didn't understand how it all worked, also I thought "ooo if I get my music into some big distributor I made it into the big leagues." Man what WAS I thinking? This whole mess was a HUGE misconception on my part. 

Nowadays we have the ability to distribute our own music via CD Baby.  I've never had any problems with them. Unfortunately for me, I made a bad business decision and took two of my albums off of CD Baby, and go with a distribution label.. which promised a lot but became a dud. How you may ask? My name was misspelled, and the sales reports were dismal in the fact they were never detailed like: who sold my music digitally/physically, where etc. There were other things, that really bothered me, but I don't have time to go into them. When I complained, I was told "oh I was so EVER lucky to be with the two biggest distribution companies ever."  Don't be manipulated by that kind of talk.  

Watch out for the middleman because they have NO interest in you... just the dollar signs.  The attitudes these people have are so condescending, I decided it was time to part ways. 

The current business model with these guys is the 20th Century way of thinking.. its the 21st century people.. lets do something different and out of the box!! 

Now I am free to do whatever I want.... WOO HOO! 

k

At last....

FITR is off to Disc Makers to be manufactured... YAY.. read more about it here:

At Last - Fire in the Rainstorm update

Have a Happy 4th!!  Love.. k 

My mind won't be quiet... Pledge post

Fire sunset

Check out new Pledge post! Will you come and help? I would love it if you could!

FITR - Pledge.com 

Love,

Kori