noisetrade.com

We're SUper excited about the launch of Noisetrade this week! If you haven't heard the buzz, you can go to my myspace page and download Gravity | Love for free. You can share it with your friends, or donate a few bucks in support. Then, you can even post the widget on your own myspace page (or blog or wherever you post your happenings). Forget payola radio, forget big corporations, this is a win win for music lovers and artists. As an indie musician, I want the songs I make to find their way out to people. That's the big idea. I can't wait to see where this might take us next. Visit noisetrade.com to discover new music and to see it firsthand.

All the best,

Sandra

1:46 PM - 2 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Ampersand EP

Hey everybody!

I just realized that I never took a moment to officially tell you guys here on the myspace blog about Ampersand EP. Derek and I finally carved out a little space to make room for a few collaborative projects, first and foremost, the baby...and a duet recording. The name Ampersand is just a fancy word for the & sign (above your 7 key). It is made up of 5 originals and a Dylan cover.

If you haven't heard it yet, you can visit either of our websites to buy or download the EP (www.sandramccracken.com or www.derekwebb.com). It's also available on iTunes (with no DRM). So buy a copy and burn one or two for your friends!

I'm currently finishing a new record of my own (Red Balloon) and planning for a full season of touring in the fall. I hope to have some more details in the next few weeks.

Best to you all,

Sandra

Currently listening : Indiana By David Mead Release date: 2004-05-04

8:37 AM - 1 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

the stone age...

...as I was saying, is the place where I live. TEVO is apparently not spelled TEVO at all. Welcome, Sandra, to the 21st Century, it's such nice place to visit. It is spelled TIVO, so my husband tells me from the other room. (haha) I stand corrected.

8:38 PM - 3 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Webb’s Anatomy

Well folks, I just have to say two things. First of all, I want to thank my son for his cooperation with the scheduling of dinner, his bedime, and the viewing of Grey's Anatomy tonight. This is especially significant because we live somewhat in the stone age here in the Webb Casa and do not have TEVO (although this is voluntary). We are the kind of people who get to wait through the commercials, and ssshh all phones and distractions if we want to watch something. No rewinding or pausing allowed.

So in related news, my primary report is that I am so ecstatic to have had a song featured in such a beautiful episode of Grey's Anatomy tonight! Caedmon's Call, and especially Derek Webb's vocals make for a stunning performance of the song. It is underneath the final 5 minutes of the show if you're on the lookout.

If you missed the headline on the main page, you can download the original version on my myspace page or on my website. The song's called Ten Thousand Angels. Kudos to Allan Heinberg for writing such redemptive and thoughtful dialog between the characters. Somebody said recently that we might be in the golden age of television but we won't realize it until we look back. (It was likely the quotable Cason Cooley.) This episode is certainly evidence in support of that statement. And I'm proud to have a been a small part of that.

G'night all.
Love,
Sandra

7:45 PM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Back Home

Two days after thanksgiving, my almost 5 month old son woke up and immediately put his arms up to reach for my face. He had done lots of practice reaching, but it always felt more like a walk-through, and this time was for real. From that morning on, it was like riding a bike, and all of a sudden he was coasting downhill in the breeze. No more brow furrowing concentration, just the fun of reaching out for something new to explore. I can relate to this exhilaration. One day you wake up and realize, "Oh yeah, I can do this. " It was like that for me on this fall tour, like coasting downhill. With no worries about chords and cables and capos, I was just able to walk out and enjoy playing music with the guys. Maybe it was enhanced this time around by the contrasts of motherhood? Either way it's a great feeling to know that I'm still able to do both. I don't ever want to take for granted that I have the two best full time jobs anyone could wish for. So, thank you all for coming out to the shows, and for being part of this tour.

We're back home now writing, recording, and planning for 2008...a duet record (EP) with Derek, another solo project, and a few collaborative tours to boot. Thanks again for a great year and for all your support. Have a Merry Christmas!

Best,
Sandra

1:22 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

The Land of the Living

Hey everybody! I'm back in the land of the living, and just played my first show since May. Actually, I believe that I am now in the land of the living more than I ever knew was possible since the arrival of our first child on July 4th. And yes, there were indeed fireworks. I am speechless to describe the changes in how I see the world since meeting and falling in love with this new little person. Everything I could say has been said before. But I suppose that's how the greatest human experiences are. You don't really know what those cliched phrases mean until they come out of your own mouth and you sheepishly try to replace them with new words, but there are no new or better ones to be found.

So, I've been home these few months sipping decaf tea, reading Dr. Suess, writing quietly or recording demos during naps, and dangling my feet off of the front porch swing. I hope to have a couple new projects finished for you by next summer at the latest. I'm planning to record this next one much like we did The Builder, with sparse performances. I still like the close-up, homemade sound of that record. But I'm also hoping to experiment more with the arrangements, to see where it takes us. Maybe we can find a fresh sound for this batch.

I'm really looking forward to the upcoming fall tour with Derek and the guys, and want to say thanks for all your kind words and congratulations these past few months since the baby was born. Since I'll have a chance to try out a few tunes with a full band every night, send me your song suggestions. I'll see if I can work them into the setlist, full band or otherwise.

Hope to see you on our travels this fall!

Best to you guys,
Sandra

Currently listening : Seven Swans By Sufjan Stevens Release date: 16 March, 2004

4:15 PM - 5 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

No more cartwheels...

Hey folks! As some of you know, we are now 9 months pregnant and in the last days of waiting. No more cartwheels for me for a while, and I look as though I may have swallowed a bowling ball. I can sense life slowing to a stall just before the new adventure begins. I've been off the road now since the middle of May, and am enjoying the change of pace and time at home in the neighborhood. In recent weeks we have assembled such portable baby-contraptions, as we never imagined we would need, celebrated the smooth stylings of our new all-terrain stroller, and cleaned out drawers to store the bottles and blankets that will soon be in high demand. It all feels a little surreal, as we are wondering what he will look like, or how everything will change. For the record, I am resolved not to write a record of sappy lullabies. Or at least not to pawn them off on my gracious listeners without warning. I have been writing a little, but more of my creative energy seems to go straight to eyes and ears and the makings of this little person. After we settle in a bit, I am looking forward to a fall tour in October/November, co-billing with Derek, and with the boy in tow. So keep on the lookout for dates. If we're really on a roll, we may squeeze in a bit of home recording between now and then. I will keep you posted on the happenings, arrivals, and anything else of note, as I am able. And we'll see you on the other side! Thanks for your kind words and prayers.

Cheers,
Sandra

12:58 PM - 8 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment

Scott Miller and some things I've learned

I've been on the road with Scott Miller for these last couple weeks. They've been great shows, and I'm so glad to have met and gotten to hang out Scott and with many of you guys along the way. I had a bit of a fight with a head cold, which didn't start until I left home, of course. But, thankfully my voice held out just enough to make it happen at the shows. So here are a few insights that I've learned.
First off, Virginia is for lovers. Second, I'm still trying to sort out the genealogy of a son born to a father who has no father and only one son. (I love the song by the way, and for the record would be happy to sing harmonies on it next time.) Third, who knew, but the Statler brothers were actually and sometimes secretly good songwriters, especially Don Reid.
Fourth, I always love an artist who begins an album title with the word "thus." In fact, to punctuate this theory, I married one who titled an album, "She Must and Shall Go Free." Long live the King James verb-ology.
Thanks to Scott and Al for having me along, and for all you guys for coming out to the shows. I hope we can join up again for more shows soon. I can't stay away from Tupelo Honey in Asheville for long! I'm sorely addicted.

11:41 AM - 6 Comments - 13 Kudos - Add Comment

Paste Readers Poll

OH! And speaking of last year's records and people's favorites...I wanted to say thanks to everybody who voted for Gravity | Love in the Paste Magazine Top 20 Records poll. We made it to #9! Pick up a copy of the current issue at news stands today to see the full listing.

Many thanks for your votes. This is a great honor.

Love,
Sandra

8:15 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

My Top 10 Records of 2006

I must disclaim by saying that some of these are EPs and others did not officially release in 2006, but for all intensive purposes, these are the albums I was most inspired or shaped by throughout the year. Actually, there are eleven. And they are in no particular order. And I reserve the right to have forgotten some that I will add in later. Clearly, I'm making these rules as I go. :) --Sandra

1. Modern Times -Bob Dylan
2. Avalanche-Sufjan Stevens
3. Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case
4. Mockingbird -Derek Webb
5. David Mead -Wherever You Are
6. Tom Waits - Orphans (Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards)
7. Loose Fur - Born Again in the USA
8. Feist- Let It Die
9. L.E.O. -Alpacas Orgling
10. Katy Bowser-All Of My Friends
11. Love -The Beatles

7:43 AM - 3 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment