Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

I never enter competitions. Vote-to-win contests make me nervous.

I entered The Recording Conservatory of Austin’s Singer/Songwriter Competition on a fluke – on my friend’s recommendation. I’ve been chosen as one of the top 15 of over 400 entries. Go figure. And now, I want to win.

Voting is simple and takes 12 seconds (I timed it. twice.) Top four compete live next month for over $20,000 in recording, gear, and prizes.

Click here to vote for me.

Sending love from Frankfurt International Airport,
Aly

What the heck is it?!

It is NOT the title of my second album.

It IS – however – the title of my Kickstarter Fundraising Campaign to pay for my second album. Why? Well…I couldn’t think of anything better.

I have 25 Days left to raise $3,800 to pay for half of my album. The other half – I’ve funded out of my own pocket.

Two years after launching my first album, “Things Worth Keeping” – I am back in the studio and wrapping up my sophomore release.

The experience thus far has been nothing short of magical. Yes, magical.

So Aly, where’ve you been all my life?

On the road, silly pants! Since releasing that first album, I’ve been busy. I’ve toured across the entirety of US four or five times, the eastern seaboard of Canada, and Europe three times. I’ve played in tree houses, tiki huts, theaters, bars, and living rooms across several continents in support of the album. Needless to say, I have a short attention span and will use just about any excuse to travel and play music.

So why record now?

Did I mention I have a short attention span?

Why Kickstarter?

As any good ol’ Southern gal will tell ya, I’ve always relied upon the kindness of strangers. You, oh internet stranger you, are the reason I get up and do this every single day. I steadfastly believe art is a two-way street in which we walk across hand in hand skipping into the sunset. Without your guidance, I might walk straight into a parked car. So please, take my hand.

So you want $5,000 to hold my hand?

Exactly.

My hand, and the hand of every musician, producer, graphic designer, and fan holder involved in the making of this album. After saving up from the road, I’ve managed to pay for half of the album. So, metaphorically speaking, I need you to lend a hand, and get me to the other side of the street. So I can continue creating.

Also, kidding about the fan holder. He was double booked.

And if you don’t reach $5,000?

Check back on Day 29, and if I haven’t reached the goal by then, I will be on the first plane to Thailand to sell my right kidney on the black market (at this point it’s a little wonky anyways).

This is a leap of faith for me. Basically, I get nothing – and you get your money back.

I have questions!

Please write aly@alytadros.com.

Do you really love me?

Yes. More than my wonky right kidney.

Be well,
Aly

Oh, international travel. How I loathe thee.

That was, until I realized the dude sitting behind me had just got out of prison – after 3 1/2 years – without seeing his wife. Yes, my friends. I am on a Greyhound.

After what appeared to be an endless comedy of errors, our previous travel plans, and backup plans, fell through – and in leu of paying an extra $150 for plane tickets, we settled into taking the bus on a two day journey to Ontario. Doug and I set out for our 39hr trip in the wee hours of…well I don’t remember what day it was anymore just that at some point we were told we’d be in Canada. An avid adventurer and thrill-seeker at heart, I told myself it would be a new and exciting way to see the continental United States.

First off, Greyhound, whatever you are paying your drivers, it’s not enough. They are unhappy – every last one of them – and doing everything in their power to make sure we know it. Not yet knowing this, Douglas made the mistake of approaching our driver last night. He politely asked if our baggage would make the next transfer – to which our driver replied “Don’t question me – I’m driving this bus.” A few minutes later, a woman approached him with a similar question – to which he answered “I’ve done my job. I’m driving this bus to Nashville,” just before revving the engine and speeding off into the Memphis night. This afternoon our driver to Buffalo welcomed everyone onto the bus by proclaiming “Do not come and talk to me unless someone is hurt, dead, or dying. If they are dead – leave them alone until we get to Buffalo.”

This all seemed completely bearable to me after reading that Greyhound had recently upgraded their buses to carry free wifi, outlets, and more leg room. Being the work-a-holic that i am, I saw the 39hrs ahead of me as an opportunity to hit the web and get some serious work done.

Well, I was wrong. First 30hrs of the trip – we got this:

Just kidding mom! The bus was fine. No WiFi, until now – but I quickly cooled my complaining after remembering I did not spend the last three years in jail. And I’m about to spend the next four days with over 600 of the most polite Canadian folk musicians in North America.