movement

I've been in a little bit of a holding pattern here in Tucson for a month or so, trying hard to book the next 3 months of my life. I'm not sure it makes a whole lot of sense on paper, but I'm headed up through Utah in early March and then landing in New England at the end of the month. Then snaking my way back through Iowa and the midwest before landing in Tucson in early May, and heading up through California to the the Pacific NW for the rest of THAT month. Somewhere in there I have plans to record another Live CD, either from a single performance or from a whole bunch of different shows stitched together. I am still sticking by my plan of having no permanent residence, unless you count my P.O. Box, in which case I live in Tucson. But really, I feel like I live in a few different places, Tucson AZ, Decorah IA, Portland OR, Elgin TX - those are a few places where I've spent more than a week of my life over the past few months. For some reason, in spite of the discomfort and groundlessness that goes along with it, movement feels like the right thing for me at this time. But I sure do miss some things, like cooking in my cast iron pan, my favorite wool rug under my bare feet, and having a bed that that doesn't feel new and unfamiliar. The buddhist in me thinks that all of this is good for me, and great practice for dying, as morbid as that might sound. But we do all have to let go of everything eventually, so maybe it's not such a bad idea to try it out now while we still have some free will about it. These are some of the thoughts that run through my head while I'm driving for 8 or 10 hours. 

the neverending tour

Just about to wrap up a 13,000 mile, 2-month-long tour, wow! That's about the longest stretch I've ever done and it's weird, you'd think it might be tiring, but somehow I just got used to it and now it feels pretty much normal. Kind of makes me want to keep moving, although I don't know just yet in what direction. I've been getting really good response to my new CD, We Were Born to Rise, and I have been enjoying the bejesus out of playing these songs night after night. Some interesting highlights: replacing my transmission in Austin, and driving 6 hours in a snowstorm between Salt Lake City and Boise without snow tires. Some trivia: Hottest day, 92 degrees in Elgin, TX; coldest day, -4 in Laramie, WY. Cheapest gas: $3.15 in Phoenix, AZ; most expensive gas: $4.09 in Los Angeles. Most frequented hotels: Comfort Inn, Super 8 and Motel 6, in that order. 

If you're looking for some cool and FREE music for the holiday season, I have a bunch of stuff recorded that I like give away every December: Namoli Brennet Holiday CD/download My favorite is "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming", but I'm kind of a sucker for that old medieval stuff. 

It's been a REALLY great year filled with lots of touring, lots of shows, lots of new friends and a brand new record. I hope the universe sees fit to use me even more this coming year, because I sure do love traveling in the service of the muse. Wishing you all a beautiful and bright holiday season and an amazing and lovely new year, and thanks to you for the many ways that you have supported me and made this journey possible. Bless you all. 

New CD Available NOW!

 It's here! My new disc, We Were Born to Rise, is available as of today! You can order a CD through my website for $15 which includes postage, or if you're feeling impatient and want it NOW, you can get a digital download right here. I'm super-excited about this CD, it's being really well received  - check out this review from Greg Armstrong at the Tucson Weekly: 

Tucson singer-songwriter Namoli Brennet's impeccable ninth album places her firmly among the best folk-rock artists in the country. It's sophisticated, witty, well-written and beautifully recorded. Brennet recorded almost every instrument herself in her home studio; drummer Todd Chuba sits behind the drum kit on three tracks.It's a gorgeous, adult album, with rich emotions and insightful lyrics, at times not unlike the work of, say, Rosanne Cash or Mary Chapin Carpenter, but with a perceptible edge.

The opening track, "Adeline," is a midtempo charmer with atmospheric guitar and an assertive organ escort. "Isn't That Enough" and "Better to Grow" exert a lush folk-pop vibe not unlike that of Fleetwood Mac. Here, it becomes obvious that Brennet's voice actually recalls the sublime middle harmonic sound created by the intertwining vocals of Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham.Her intoxicating spin on urban folk includes the funky rapport of organ, handclaps and bass on "Settle Down," the burbling keyboards of "Flightless Birds," and the brisk, chiming guitar part in the impassioned "Just to Be Loved."

"Fall Away" builds up to rockin', neo-bluegrass-influenced sweat, with a slight French-café effect thanks to jabs of melodica. If you doubted Brennet's vision, it's clear here as she sings: "I am just a messenger / it is my blessing and my curse / to see these things before they come to pass."

Cinelan 3-minute short

A really cool 3-minute short filmed by Joe Wilson & Dean Hamer, who made the emmy-award winning documentary Out in the Silence. Check it out! 

New CD Video Blog - Day 7

CD Preorders

Hey, just wanted to let you know: If you'd like to help me finish up this CD, I set up a page to take preorders to raise money for the graphic design, mastering and duplication. Basically it starts out at $10 for an advance digital download once the CD is done, $15 for a signed copy as soon as I have them, $25 for a signed CD and poster combo...you get the idea. You can click here for more info, and if you'd like to donate you can do so via Paypal using the email namoli@namolibrennet.com. Checks can also be sent to P.O. Box 85881, Tucson, AZ 85754. REALLY looking forward to finishing this album, can't wait for you to hear it!
 

Video Blog - Day 6

New CD Video Blog - Day 5

New CD Video Blog - Day 4

New CD Video Blog - Day 3

New CD Video Blog - Day 2

New CD Video Blog

 Hey all - I've just started recording a new CD and I'm posting a video blog that has recording footage as well as previews of some of the upcoming songs. This is the first one! 

Still driving

 In the middle of touring the west coast with my great friend Eric Himan! We've been having a great time and some amazing shows, many thanks to everyone who's made it out to support us. Just a half dozen more dates this week in the Northwest, Colorado & Oklahoma before I head back to Tucson and then hit the road again in June for some Pride shows in CO, NM, OK & OH. Really excited to start recording this summer, lots of new songs and instruments and cool new sounds! I'm going to try blogging my way through this one to give you a little insight into my crazy creative process. Look for a new CD and lots more tour dates this fall!

Upcoming shows & New CD

Hey folks! Lots of stuff in the works here. I just posted some New England dates for a short tour in April, and will be posting some west coast shows pretty soon.  I Don't know if I mentioned that my amazingly talented friend Eric Himan from Tulsa, OK came to Tucson to record a CD with me in December? But we're going to be touring the west coast together in May so look for shows in Tucson, Phoenix, LA, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and whatever else we can pull off. Also wanted to mention that I am midway through writing for new CD which I hope to record this summer and release this fall, super excited about that! I'll keep you posted as things come together, hope to catch up with you on the road!