8:14 PM - Band coming in this Thursday

Just checking in. HI! Rhythm section is coming into the studio this Thursday, and we will add Smokey Hormel on Friday. I am so excited. Ken Rich and I have been compiling tracks for them to play to, as well as getting some demos for them together (like the one you can hear here "In The Moonlight"). Lots of violin on this record. My new songs are very much influenced by the music I have been listening to, either on my own accord or by being present when my husband is listening to music he is researching. I am married to a wonderful man who is a music editor and journalist and he has been listening to a lot of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Lefty Frizzel, etc. I have fallen in love with this early American swing and I hear a TRACE of it in my new music. Also, by spending so much time in Woodstock, NY... and even by hanging out with folks on Rounder Records, it all has opened my eyes to a kind of music that is somewhat new to me. You know, musicians need to change and grow. I have definitely grown as a musician and as a songwriter. Some folks don't appreciate it. They would rather hear the old rough and tumble stuff. And I definitely still have that going on. But I left out an entire side of me on my earlier recordings. I remember, because it was the 90's, I felt strongly NOT to put any piano on my first record because it wasn't "cool". Growing up is good. That's all I can say. There are so many kinds of music and they are all good. It's all music. I am so happy to have access to it. We are all so very lucky. Anything that sounds authentic is good enough for me. It can be Blues, Country, Rock, Classical, Swing, Soul, R & B, anything. As long as I believe who and where it's coming from. Tbo

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6:44 PM - check out my new song (demo!!)

Check out "In The Moonlight" - a new song that I will be recording for my record. This is a home demo, so keep that in mind. It's a basement tape. Only found here. It's about the long drive my mom and I would take coming home from my first years of college (University of So Cal in LA), going back to Eugene, doing my homework in the car while drinking Bartels and James wine coolers. True story. Tbo

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3:42 PM - having a blast recording album 4

Making a new record and having a blast --
Hey dooods.
I am having fun recording in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Also did some recording up in New Paltz, NY. I will start posting behind the scenes photos in the studio. First one posted is Ken Rich playing the TUBA!! I can't believe I have never recorded with a tuba before. So much fun. This is when we were recording basics for the new song "Josephine". I am really excited about this record. I have the pleasure and honor of recording with a wonderful guitar player, you may have heard of him, his name is Smokey Hormel. He and his band will be playing on my record in Brooklyn!!! WOW. My upstate boys are playing on it too - Jason Sarubbi and Seth Moutal. I am so lucky. I have a really good feeling about this record. It's going to be very cool, warm, soulful, organic, AND rocking. All of the above. HEY, I just thought of adding a demo version of one of the songs I will be recording. It's called "In The Moonlight" and it's a more mellow acoustic one. Check it out here on the front page. It's about my mom and I driving back home from my college (USC in LA), to Eugene OR, at the beginning of summer. I have a lot up my sleeve so stay tuned. Now, can we just get this election over with so Obama can start leading our country??? I got a few gigs in NYC and New Paltz coming up. Will post soon.

More later. Tracyb

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9:21 PM - Thank you HOLLAND

Amsterdam. Sept 7, 2008. I am sitting at Marit's dining table. The tv is on. I hear the noise from the cars on the street down below. Marit is not here. Marit lives in a part of Amsterdam that I have never visited. I am not sure what the neighborhood is called, but I like it. I will sleep here and then go to the airport in the morning. Back to Brooklyn. The brief tour is over. Marit, Anne Maarten, and I parted ways today and now I sit alone in this quiet, cozy apartment. I can't begin to tell you all how wonderful I feel about this whole trip. From the very moment I started playing with Marit and Anne Maarten I knew I was going to be fine. More than fine. And then, the icing on the cake..... we became very close friends. Spending 9 days together in a van can be trying. But we had a great time. I love these two people. We played beautiful music together. They added a special element to my songs and now they will never be the same. This has been the best tour of Holland so far. It's much better than playing alone!!! And the company was better than just having bodies on stage with me. I come home richer in friends, great musical experiences, funny memories. And..... to Gerry the grasshopper: Gerry, hope you are ok out there!!!! Write soon! A big shout-out to Karen for organizing the entire thing. Thanks to Noblues for having the initiative to bring me over and for asking me to be a part of their wonderful music. And thanks to Bert at CRS records too. I am very content. And a note about last night's show: how much fun can a girl have? That was truly awesome. The crowd made it extra special. The venue was amazing too. From the moment we walked in the door we knew it was going to be a good night. It makes such a difference when you are treated with kindness and respect at a club! Thanks to Paard in Den Haague! Also, another standout venue with good people is Nieuwe Nor in Heerlen. All of the shows were great, but those two stand out because of the venues and the wonderful crowds. THANK YOU HOLLAND. We will see you next time with a new cd in hand. P.S. to anyone who bought my newest EP "In The City In The Woods" I am embarrassed to say there is a mistake in the text on the back of the EP. Some of the song titles are out of order! However, when you put them into your computer or ipod the song listing and titles are correct! OOPS. My sincere apologies!

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2:26 PM - Here in holland!

Hi all. I am in Deventer, Holland.. Right now, Noblues is rehearsing and I have a quick break to write about it. Noblues is an eclectic group of musicians presently living in Holland, some heralding from far away places such as Sudan and Israel. They come together with a love for American roots music. It begins there. Then they add a Middle Eastern element with an Oud player, who is an Arab originally from Israel. He also sings traditional melodies in Arabic. The percussionist is from the Sudan, so there adds an African flavor. The music is blended together to make a rich and beautiful groove. I love it. I get to play violin and sing the occasional back ground vocal. Maybe they will let me post a little bit of the rehearsal here. I will ask them if it's ok. I can't even remember how I got hooked up with them. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work with so many different kinds of musicians. This situation kindof reminds me of singing with The Wayfaring Strangers because of the blending of different kinds of music, and everyone is a great musician. It's interesting to be playing with people who are so heavily influenced by American music even though they live in a far off land. Not surprising I guess. My Dutch is getting better. I have been here for two days rehearsing. I speak a few Dutch words and can follow a conversation at this point. And..... another VERY COOL THING: I am playing my own shows in Holland for the next week and a half and I am playing with two Dutch musicians who I have never played with before. The bass player is Anne Maarten from Noblues, so I did know him a little bit (got to know him when I recorded with Noblues 2 years ago). The drummer is someone with whom I had never met!! Her (!) name is Marit. She came highly recommended by my West Coast drummer (what else do I call you?) Butch (love you Butch!!). We had our first rehearsal yesterday, where I got to meet Marit for the VERY FIRST TIME. She blew me away. She is a fantastic drummer. And she will sing back ground vocals with me as well! When she plays, she kind of reminds me of Georgia from Yo La Tengo. But Marit hits much harder. She rocks. I am so lucky, once again. This could have been a bad scene. What if we didn't get along? What if there was a taste difference? She is perfect. I am so happy. I think the three of us are going to have a great tour here in the Netherlands. So so so happy!!!

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7:08 PM - HI again

Hi again,
I say "Hi again" and then realize the "again" part can be construed as if I was here recently. But it's a lie. I have not been on here for quite a while. Life is incredibly busy. All is well. Just put together a 3 day rock camp here in Brooklyn (I helped put it together with my friend Josh Margolis). It was a smashing success. So much fun to get to know these 12 kids and rock out for three days. We will be doing more of that so if anyone is interested, keep on the look out or go to gowanusmusicclub.com and check it out. Anyway, the record making process is slow. Funds are way low. That makes it more slow. See, I can still rhyme. And I can still spell rhyme. Got some shows coming up. Tomorrow in Boston. That will be fun! outdoor events are always fun. Aug 21 at Union Hall in Park Slope. Another Brooklyn Campfire show. Always fun. Then a tour of Holland and I realize I have to put the exact dates and venues up on the Myspace. Oh Myspace..... Anyway, hope everyone is great. More later and love to you all!!! TBo

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7:43 AM - Hey everyone

HI there. I have to apologize from the heart of my bottom. I have not been on myspace much. OK, at all... for a while. A long while. Here's what's going on: Lots of fun exciting stuff: i am currently studying to be a yoga instructor. This is a 6 month training course. So it's a big part of my life. ALSO, I am starting to teach music again. AND... very exciting.... I am involved in the beginnings of a SCHOOL OF ROCK in Brooklyn. We are in the development stages, but I tell you, it's going to be really great. We are looking for young peoples ages 8 - 18 , right now, for a 3 day rock camp this summer. Then the school will open sometime in 2009. There will be individual lessons ..ed instruments, group lessons, band rehearsals, ear training, performance and recording. Go to: www.gowanusmusicclub.com for a look. And... I am also trying to make a record in all of this. So.... again, I do apologize for not be around. Hope everyone is great. Lots of love to y'all. Tracy

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10:49 AM - Life imitates art imitates life imitates art

OK, so if you have heard my "Dear Myspace" song... it’s true, it’s true. I really can’t keep up! If any of you have noticed, I am sorry. I think I have too many things that I want to do. It’s a good thing. I am starting to teach music. I am learning yoga, and am going to become a yoga instructor, as well as writing and making a record... SLOWLY. It’s all coming together. Life is wonderful. So, I apologize that I don’t come around too often. I appreciate you guys muchly!!! Tbo

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11:02 AM - LAST SHOW in Series - This WEd Feb 6

Guys and gals, just want to invite you to the last show in the Wednesday Night Music Series at the Living Room. THIS WED FEB 6 AT 10 PM. 8 bucks at the door. Living Room is at 154 LUDLOW STREET BETW STANTON AND RIVINGTON.

It's been a lot of fun playing every Wed night at the Living Room in NYC. I realized I hadn't played on the isle of Manhattan for a very long time. What a snob. And it turned out to be an eye opening experience. There ARE actually people who will come to my shows. I love that! I have been writing thank you songs for the folks at my shows and sending them via email - the email list I have been passing around at shows. I will also post them on my site TRACYBONHAM.COM for all y'all to hear. 30 second dittys.

Also, would like to post my set lists for the last 4 shows as per a friend's request.
Here they are - if my memory serves me:


Wednesday Jan 16th:
JOSEPHINE (brand new song)
DAN DAN SAYS HOLD ON (brand new song)
ONE HIT WONDER
DUMBO SUN
YOU LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU (brand new song)
WONDERFUL (brand new song)
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
NAVY BEAN
WE MOVED OUR CITY TO THE COUNTRY (brand new song)
MY WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
THE EARTH DIED SCREAMIN' (Tom Waits cover)




Wed January 23:
WILL YOU SING WHEN YOU'RE 75? (brand new song)
JOSEPHINE
DUMBO SUN
YOU LAUGH AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU
WE MOVED OUR CITY TO THE COUNTRY
ONE HIT WONDER
WONDERFUL
RECIPROCAL FEELINGS (brand new song)
WHETHER YOU FALL
RIGHT OR WRONG (Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys cover)

WEd January 30 with Jon Darling on guitar and bvs, Bones Hillman on bass and Ethan Eubanks on drums:
TRIAD SONG - instrumental (brand new)
JOSEPHINE
EYES
SHINE
IN MY OTHER LIFE
DID I SLEEP THROUGH IT ALL?
NAVY BANE
WE MOVED OUR CITY TO THE COUNTRY
WHEN YOU LAUGH THE WORLD LAUGHS WITH YOU
THE IDIOT IN ME
WHETHER YOU FALL

Wed Feb 6:
Who knows? I usually write a new song the day of. Let's see what happens. I may do a medly of my thank you songs. You can hear them on tracybonham.com

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7:27 PM - New Music Series

Starting January 16th I will be playing every Wednesday at the Living Room in NYC (154 Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington). I booked this residency for the purpose of showcasing my new work. I will have guests artists and musicians for each show. {Please come and show your love. 10 pm. I will post here after each show to let you know how things went. Photos and video to follow. Hope to see you ALL there. Love, Tbo

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