Lauren Zettler

Thank You

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:13:31 -0800

When

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:12:12 -0800

So Much Here

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:10:31 -0800

Running Away

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:08:56 -0800

Over My Head

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:06:49 -0800

Shame

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:04:51 -0800

Call Me Out

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:03:10 -0800

openmic 012

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:44:13 -0700

bemyfriendlogo

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:43:51 -0700

brandi2

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:43:47 -0700

luckycatopenmic1

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:43:32 -0700

theband

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:43:25 -0700

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:11:50 -0800

I've set up shop elsewhere, folks. I don't think I'll really be posting as much on here anymore, as I've been Tumbling for a while and really like it. You can follow me more frequently HERE: http://allthegoodstuff.tumblr.com

Come join me! It's pretty fun.

Goodbye, 2008. I'll miss you.

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:36:57 -0800

A lot of people treat the New Year as a time to look forward...all the things they want to do better, all the things they would like to accomplish in the future. WELL. All my New Years plans fell through at the last minute, and I am sitting on my couch. I ate a really huge and yummy Thai dinner. I watched a movie. Maybe I'll even bust out the bottle of Prosecco I bought with the intention of sharing. Right NOW, though, I am going to reflect on what an awesome year 2008 was.

It was the first year of being fully self-employed.

In January, I received the master copy of my EP. Actually, as I am typing this I am realizing that I don't know where that is right now. That makes me kind of uncomfortable. Anyway, this was a big deal for me. It was the first project I really set into motion and completed, 100% on my own, outside of school and work. This was MINE. It still is.

I started playing shows in NYC. In 2007, I was working a 9-5 and getting sick with nervousness, trying to play an open mic every week. I'm pretty amazed at how far I've come since then. Not to pat myself on the back, but ... well, yeah, I'm patting myself on the back.

So I went on this really incredible vacation in February '08. It was called the Cayamo Cruise, put on by Sixthman. It was the best vacation I have ever been on, because people like Lyle Lovett, Patty Griffin, and John Hiatt were there. And so was this lady:

(Brandi Carlile)

On the boat, I performed at an open mic, and even gave Ms. Carlile the first copy of my new EP. I'm going on the cruise again in 2009, but more about that when I get to the month of November's happenings.

March was equally great. I took some promo pics and built a website. I also volunteered at SXSW, spent a few weeks in Austin, and fell in love with it. I could really see myself with a house there someday. I got to play a show, too:

In April, I continued to play shows and write songs...my EP landed in the hands of someone at MTV, and I licensed my music to them in hopes that they would place it in one of their programs.

They haven't used it yet, but it'll happen! I know it. I'm looking at you, 2009.

In May, I opened for my friend Johanna Stahley at Baruch's Performing Arts Center here in New York. It was the largest show I had played at that point, in a really cool venue.

I was also gifted a stylist, who took me shopping and helped me find some pants that fit really well ? I hate to admit it, but you always get what you pay for.

I went to Boston to play at my friend Joe Kitsch's art show. He did the beautiful artwork for my EP, and created all of these incredible pieces inspired by the project. I wanted to pay him a lot of money and buy them all.

In June I dyed my hair red. I love it and I think I'll keep it for a while.

I also added a band member, Cameron Mizell. He teaches me new guitar chords and quizzes me on string names. He also makes my songs sound awesome. We rehearsed and wrote and got ready for one of my biggest accomplishments of 2008: my show at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles.

Yes, in July we ventured out West, and I accomplished this dream of mine. Naturally, it's now a dream of mine to return. And I know I will. Again, I'm looking at you, 2009 ;)

August brought some pretty terrible storms to Indiana. I organized a benefit concert for Indiana Flood Relief later that month, and we raised over $1300 for the Red Cross. I would definitely call it a success, and am planning on doing something similar in 2009! I had so much fun performing for people from my hometown.

September and October were full of friends and shows, family and more shows. I kept pretty busy. November brought the holidays and a songwriting contest for the cruise I spoke of at the beginning of this post. I wrote a theme song and made it to the top ten. Then I begged and pleaded for as many votes as possible, with hopes of winning first place and a spot to perform that song on the boat. I ended up getting third place, which I still consider awesome.

That brings us to the end of the year. I've been recording with Cam, and SOON SO SO SOON I will be able to share it with you!!!!

I am so grateful and blessed.

This is the longest post EVER. Happy 2008!!!! Here's to a really awesome 2009.

xo

Lauren

happy holidays!!!

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:29:01 -0800

BROOKLYN WEEK 2008: Push It To The Max!

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:51:19 -0800

BROOKLYN WEEK 2008: Push It To The Max!

What's that? Yes, every. single. day. I am taking the subway to way-the-hell-out-there-Bay Ridge, to record what will become my NEW EP. It's an hour each way. I have a 600-page book that I am already half-way through.

I wanted to update yesterday, but I forgot.

SO, day two...the day without water: Cameron and I "officially" finished tracking and mixing Persevere, and started tracking Call Your Bluff. Cam's building turned the water off "for repairs" from 9-2, so we did all this with little to no nourishment, trying to avoid any reason to use the bathroom. That was fun.

We also had to deal with a bunch of latency issues because Cam's equipment is old and over-worked. We pushed it to the max with the 35 tracks we had going at one point. Another reminder to try and keep things simple.

So, so far the tunes lined up for this project include the two previously mentioned, as well as Small Town Love and Killed A Man....ideally, I'd like to record two more. I'm pumped. Especially because I am doing this all myself! (myself meaning me and my bandmate, Cam). I'm really excited about it....I've learned a lot since recording my last EP.

Yay.

low-fi and feeling fine

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:53:03 -0800

highlights of this picture include:

1) pantyhose / wire hanger pop screen
2) wash cloth drum muffler
3) $.99 twine holding kick pedal and harmonica rack to snareless snare drum w/ vintage sparkle finish
4) my rainbow socks.

Cam and I have been busy recording this month, and it looks like we'll have something to show for it early in the new year (I can't believe 2008 is so close to OVER!). I know, originally I was thinking we'd have it ready for you by the end of December...but I should have known; I spoke too soon!

Anyway, I say "low-fi" in the title of this blog, because these recordings are the definition of home-grown. If any money has been spent at all, it's been on inexpensive instruments needed to create different textures, or subway passes for me to haul my butt to middle-of-nowhere Brooklyn, where Cam lives :) I wasn't really sure what I wanted this project to turn into when we started, but it's starting to take shape, and I know that at the very least, it will be released for all of you to hear. And I can't wait. It's been over a year now since I recorded my EP, and I'm really proud of the growth that's taken place. I'm excited to share it.

So stay tuned, chippies.

Lauren

PS, "chippies" is totally an inside joke that just slipped into real-life. i'm going to leave it there.

youuuuuu did it.

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:29:52 -0800

today felt like it was about 72 hours long. and i think that's how thanksgiving usually feels (for me, anyway). you wake up and you start cooking (er, your mom starts cooking...you watch...i'm not sure if the domesticated part of me will EVER awaken) and it takes forever and then you finally eat. eating usually takes about two minutes. but today we spent a solid amount of time around the table....my mom, dad, brother, his friend from college, my uncle, my grandparents. the conversation covered anything from the slaughtering of animals in pakistan (where my brother's friend was from) during celebratory events to corrupt government spending to arranged marriages to Obama and his blackberry. Haha, which after typing out all seem to be pretty heavy conversations, but in actuality it was quite light and humorous.

anyway, long-winded way to get to my point. and actually, i'm not sure what that is yet. oh yeah, 72 hours. after we eat, we watch football and nap (duh). then we watch Christmas Vacation because it is a tradition. We also watch this movie on Christmas Eve. It is Our movie, and I know thousands of other families love this movie too, but it still feels special to me. Clark (Chevy)=my dad, and not necessarily because they are actually that similar, but just because. I can't explain it, but I'm sure there are other people out there who understand what I mean. Sidenote: are there any other people in the world with the name Chevy?

i found out today that i am in the top three for that contest i kept writing about. so thank you to everyone who voted - honestly, thank you thank you thank you. we find out on monday who the winner is, but i am grateful for being in the top three, and being a step closer to winning, and it is all because of the awesome people i know and the awesome people who like my music.

it is easy to feel disheartened as you're trying to follow a dream that to the rest of the world seems really far-fetched. it's hard not to see it as far-fetched, yourself. it's kind of a battle, every day, against doubt. when you start to pay attention to exactly how often you doubt yourself, it's really frustrating. anyway, that's not what i'm trying to get into. i'm trying to say Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for all of your support this year....I'm getting really excited for 2009.

Love

Lauren

i still <3 taylor swift.

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:25:52 -0800

finally edited this together. and it's kind of sloppy. i decided to do something productive with my recent taylor swift crush...so i covered one of her songs!

also, tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last day to vote for the Cayamo/Sixthman contest. If you have a heart (which, if you're reading this you certainly do), PLEASE cast a final vote for me! and pass it on to your friends!! (That's if you have a big, warm heart).

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

thank you thank you thank you

Lauren

shoot the freak!

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:29:38 -0800

I've got Cayamo on the brain. (VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! CLICK HERE)

I know I should sit down and think of a legitimate reason to blog, but I can't. I'm watching "The Girls Next Door" right now....lots of blonds and lots of boobs. They're searching for a new playmate, apparently. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I don't know why I'm telling you all that. They're in NYC right now, which is why I started watching it, I guess. They're at Coney Island, playing this game they have where there's actually a dude, in a yard full of garbage, basically, and you have to shoot him with paintball guns. It's called Shoot the Freak. Haha. here:

That's "the freak." I'm not kidding.

K, that's my update. Haha.

xo

Lauren