FerronOnline Email List Archives
Blow away the cobwebs and see what has been sent out in the past.
Sun, 6 Apr 2008
FERRON! The making of Boulder / from Short Story Records
Hello everyone,
You may not know me, so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bitch. I'm a singer, musician, poet and activist. I have been a huge fan of Ferron's since I first heard her music. She is someone who has inspired me beyond words, with words, and without words. I love her and her work, and we have forged a beautiful friendship in the last few years.
I am proud to announce that her newest release, 'Boulder,' was produced by me, and will be coming out on my own label, Short Story Records, in June. I set out to make an album that would make a listener feel how it feels to be in the same room with Ferron. I wanted it to be simple, modern, and focus on what is most important to me about her workÑher words. I have been begging her for years to let me do this. After making countless 'plans' to either have her come to my apartment in NYC, or us meeting somewhere in some beautiful studio, halfway between our lives, to no fruition, I took the bull by its horns: I booked in a four-day lay-over in the middle of one of my own tours to come to her house to begin the process. As I said to her, "you can run, but you can't hide."
My band and I camped out there, turned one of her bedrooms into a make-shift studio, and started the process of recording this idol of ours. Ferron resisted and moaned. She was sick of her songs, and thought they had no relevance. I tried to ignore her, coddle her, harass her, encourage herÑanything to guarantee that we could record this genius for the young generations to hear. I was convinced that they needed to hear her in a 'stripped down' wayÑcatching her at home, with years of a well-worn road behind her, felt like it just may have been the way to accomplish this.
Those four days were magic. Not in a 'wow, what a great time' way, but in a way that when we drove away from there, we all knew that something huge had happened.
In hindsight, it had. We had gotten two incredible performances out of those four days. The rest of the stuff was a bit of a wash, because we had made a mistake in how we were recording it, so the other stuff had to be scrapped. I went back out on tour, and did not revisit the material for another few months.
In the meantime, (pun intended), Ferron and I got booked to play a music festival in Michigan together. This is something we've started doing, as our on-stage banter and song-exchange seems to move a lot of people. We played that festival, and again, something huge happened. We left them banging on the stage and up on their feet in a fury of inspiration. We knew, leaving that stage together, that we were in fact on the right path, and should continue the recording project. Well, to be real, I always knew how special what we were doing was, but it took that festival to convince her.Ê
We went back to her house from there, and I parked my RV outside her place for the next three weeks or so. She was running one of her amazing workshops at the time, so I gladly participated. Each participant in the workshop was told to bring with them any creative project they were or wanted to be working on. What I brought was the recording that would someday be called 'Boulder.' I would stay up way into the night in my RV, recording violin parts or back up harmonies, trying to let her songs speak to me and tell me where they wanted to go. I had no fancy gear, just a laptop and one crappy microphone. But my heart was SO in it. I would track Ferron down when I could, giving her song titles that I wanted her to play for me. One of the biggest challenges, as there were 13 or so people milling around the house and the land that is the Fen Sanctuary, was finding a quiet place to record every day. I had to plan around where everyone was going to be at what time, and probably broke down and set up my homemade studio twice every day. It was exhausting and fun!
From there, I went back out on tour, then back home to NYC. I reached out to people who I wanted to hear on certain songs. The enthusiasm was overwhelming. The words would barely be out of my mouth before people would say "yes, I have loved Ferron's songs for so long, it would be an absolute honor." Stuff like that. People like Amy Ray and Emily Sailers from the Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, Jd Samson (Le Tigre), Samantha Parton (Be Good Tanyas), Tina G (God-des and She), Lyndell Montgomery (Ember Swift band), Ulali, Julie Wolf, and so many more.
One night, while on tour, I heard this great band, Midtown Dickens, who is a duo that switch between all sorts of different folk-y instruments. One of the women, Catherine, played a mean saw. I had been living with Ferron's songs for so long. All I thought was, "that saw would sound so good on Already Gone." We had a long drive ahead of us that night, but had been offered a house to stay in, which we weren't going to take, but instead, I asked Catherine if she would be willing to do some recording after the show. It ended up happening at about 3am. We set up in a basement bathroom, the quietest room we could find in the house, and put saw down on "Already Gone" and "Souvenir."
This is an idea of what an act of love and inspiration the project has been.
And the record label, Short Story Records, was started by my manager, Amanda Stark, and myself, because we are both so impassioned about Ferron's work and wanted to see her in "fair and loving" hands for this release. We have found a new sense of purpose and energy through this project, and have been working tirelessly to spread the word about "Boulder."
That's what it's calledÑ"Boulder." In reference to lyrics from Girl on a Road --"if music be a boulder, let me carry it a long while.." (Yes, Ferron, we are so glad you have carried a long while!)
And from Misty Mountain, "Force will wear those Boulders down." Which is true, of course. But I'm glad I forced her a little, because sometimes boulders need to be re-shaped. And this is what we hope to do.
Boulder is an intimate album, and is basically all of my favorite Ferron songs on one record, plus a cover of one of my songs!
We, meaning Ferron, Amanda and I, hope that you will support us in this endeavor. All of our information can be found at www.shortstoryrecords.com
You can listen to four of Ferron's newly recorded songs from Boulder there, plus see where she'll be performing in the coming months. You can also help support Ferron on the road by volunteering to promote shows Ð we have a street team link on the site.
~Pre-order a copy of Boulder now for yourself, your friends, and their friends! Thank you to those who have already done so! We are taking advance orders now Ð the record will be in our hands April 18th and soon after in yours! It will be available in stores in June...
~ Let us know if there is a local radio station/dj we should know about that may be interested in playing Ferron's record. We'll send them a copy!
~ Come support us at our live shows! We will be touring together all summer and fall, so come out and spread the word! Go look at our tour dates here.Ê
~Volunteer with our street team to be a 'flyer fairy'Ñsomeone who will help hang up posters or pass out flyers in your town if we are coming there. Send us an email if you're interested in helping to flyer by writing promo@shortstoryrecords.com put the name of your city/town in the subject line and we'll get right back to you!
~ Let us know about shows or promoters or festivals or colleges that may be interested in booking us!
Thank you for being who you are, and being the people who most directly support Ferron and her work. I hope you all are as moved by this record as we are.
Lots of love,
Bitch
xo
Tuesday, September 26th
NINE MUSES WORKSHOP RETREAT FOR WOMEN
NINE MUSES WORKSHOP RETREAT FOR WOMEN has now passed its first summer of workshop retreats.
We held 3 separate workshops over the summer and as word got out the workshops had larger and larger attendance. Maria and I have agreed that 9 women is the most comfortable number of women to have at one time and because of this, next year we will be offering more workshops.
Let me say this: what wonderful women we met! Several came from Australia, the others from US and Canada. We had a classical guitarist, poets, storytellers, painters, knitters and songwriters, a couple of novelists, photographers and a chef or two. One of the women wanted to try her hand at stand up comedy and rap and one of the women showed us a kind of body talk poetry. We even had a carpenter, which came in very handy, I must say.
We have a 'found objects' art day and a day of creative silence. Some women were absolutely clear on what they wanted to do and others discovered what they wanted to do.
We created a closed groups page for the women who have come to the workshops, and the women continue to contribute their work and successes to each other after the workshop is over.
Friendships were made. And this is why I love women... all this can happen in a week of eating Maria's great food, spending time together in one of the most beautiful places on earth and feeling ourselves in a quiet state of worship as we try to make something beautiful every day.
I had suspected that it was important that we do this but I have to say I was amazed at the changes and shifts some women went through. And that includes both myself and Maria. It's the stories and the step-by-step moves that can change our world experience and I found facilitating these workshops all summer softened our edges.
If you have any interest in these workshops please contact us at NineMusesWorkshopRetreat@gmail.com, or phone us. In the USA our number is 360-733-3936 and in Canada our number is 250-539-9852.
Watch the Ferrononline.com page as that's where the dates for the workshop will show up.
We are considering a workshop between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1st,, which of course means a wonderful new years eve dinner sitting by a wood stove on a beautiful island but it will depend if enough women are interested.
For the holiday workshop we need to hear from women by November 15th.
So again, thank you for all your love and support and if you have any interest at all for next year please let us know so we can plan accordingly. Love and blessings to all of you.
Ferron and Maria
Friday, March 11th
Greetings from FerronOnline.com
It has been a long time since any announcements, and I am here to tell you that there is a lot going on.
Ferron has been on the road for awhile now, and many of you have already had a chance to hear her in your town. There are still more venues to come, so keep watching the tour schedule for updates. More are being added all the time. This year, she will even be making a trip to Hawaii for a show on Kaua'i. Now that is one I would not mind attending myself.
Ferron's is going to be in Eugene, Oregon and there will be an article published in the Eugene Weekly before that date. So if you are in that part of the world, keep an eye out for it.
I am sure you are all wondering, so, here now is a word about Ferron's new CD. This bit of news is not even on the site yet. Ferron wrote to me just the other day and had this to say...."..... the great news is that the CD (now called "Turning Into Beautiful") will be available by the end of the month..."Those of you that have put your orders in early can be expecting to get your copy by the end of the month. Please be sure to check on the website before you worry about the package being lost. We will be getting them to you as soon as possible.
I want to thank all of you that have taken part in the survey we have had online. At some point, I may publish a bit of a summary if you are interested. The survey will soon be taken down and replaced by a new one.... And I am sure you will all be happy to hear this bit of news.
Ferron has decided to re-release one of her "out-of-print" recordings. And most of hers are out of print now. She asked me what I thought... Well I have gotten quite a few emails requesting different ones, but covering the gambit of her entire collection. So, here is what we are going to do. Soon there will be a new survey asking which one you would most like to see released again. We would love to hear from you and hope you will spread the word around so we can get a good measure of what way to go on this. However, please resist the urge to "stuff the ballot box" so to speak. Along with your vote will be a place to enter email, name, etc. It will be checked to try to sift out duplicates. Survey should be up within the week, maybe sooner, so check in and see.
Two more things....
We are still looking for any photos you may have of Ferron. Recent or ancient, well not ancient, but lets say, from the earlier years. Ferron would like to get some for the documentary and I would love to see some to maybe use on the website. We cannot promise you they will be returned unless you include a SASE with the package. Let us know at photos@ferrononline.com
And the last thing is, I am looking for input on what you might like to see added to the website. I am curious about what section you to see added to the site. If you have any ideas, please fill out the feedback form and let us know.Till then,
See ya in cyberspace.
Barbara, Lucille Design
Monday, August 16th 2004
For all those interested in tour updates, the list has just been updated. Check it out.
We also wanted to give you an update on Ferron's new CD, "SONGS FROM A GOATPATH." It is coming along and if you want the first copies that are out there, then reserve yours today, and at the same time, you are being a supporter of the making of the CD.
Order the CD in advance and get a $3.00 discount off the price of the CD. You'll get your CD first before it goes public. All this for only $12.00 and that even includes shipping. If you are interested, send your check or money order for $12.00 to:
Ferron
General Delivery
Saturna Island, BC
CANADA VON 2YO
And be sure to check in to the "What's New" section of the site. This is where we will be posting all the news as the release date gets closer.
See you all online.
Lucille Design
Tuesday, August 31st 2004
Hello everyone.
I'm thrilled to say that the new CD is coming along and we're planning to record it the last 10 days of September right here on Saturna.
Getting to the next CD has been a long process. CD's are expensive to make and so I have an offer for you. If you order the CD in advance I will knock 5 dollars off the price of $17.00 (includes shipping and handling) and your name will go on the top of the list and you'll get your CD first before it goes public. For $12.00.
If you are interested in this send a check or money order to
Ferron
General Delivery
Saturna Island, BC
CANADA VON 2YO
The money that I can collect this way will go toward paying the musicians. This does not preclude anyone who would like to sponsor a musician, or sponsor a song. Sponsoring a musician costs about $2500.00 and sponsoring a song costs $4000.00. yep, that's right...each song costs $4000+...shocking but true. I will have the musicians I had on Driver except the drummer will be the drummer that was on Testimony.
I hope your fall is sweet. I hope you find this offer attractive. Oh, I just found out that I have been invited to sing IT WON'T TAKE LONG at Jane Fonda's keynote closing speech at the Women in Power III conference that is happening in NYC during the Republican Convention. I wonder if any of you will be there.
Feel free to send this note on to your friends should they want to order the CD in advance.
My very best. FerronPS from Lucille Design
We have added a few new sections to the site. There is now a FEEDBACK form and a WHATS NEW. Also, we are soliciting stories from our visitors about their first encounters with Ferron's music. And last but not least, we are putting the word out looking for pictures or video footage you may have of Ferron. We are very interested.
All this and more.. come by for a visit again, and pass it on.
Bb
Monday, August 16th 2004
Hello Everyone. I'm very excited to be able to say that a new CD is coming out. It's called SONGS FROM A GOATPATH and will be recorded this fall. Making CD's is expensive. I need your help but also have something to offer in return. If you would like this CD and order it in advance I will take 3 dollars off the price of $15 and sell it to you for $12. (It's really $10 but I have to include shipping from Canada which is expensive. If this is of interest to you, send a check to Ferron at General Delivery, Saturna Island, BC Canada. VON 2YO and your name will be put at the top of the list and as soon as the CD comes out you'll get your copy in the mail. You'll have to be patient though and I have to be patient but it is coming together. I have decided to record the CD in an old house on Saturna Island where I first started out, in fact wrote Ain't Life a BRook there! This is going to be a clean, clear CD with the drummer I had on the Testimony CD, Shelley Jennings, my touring mate, back on guitars, db benedictson is the bass player and producer and you would have seen him with me on many tours and darryl havers who has played keyboards since before the Driver days.
This offer does not preclude anyone who would like to donate money to the next CD. Perhaps you could sponsor a musician! each musician will cost about 2500 dollars. Or you could sponsor a song. Anyone sponsoring will be identified in the credits if they so wish.
What else?...Soon I'll be in New York City over the weekend of the Republican Convention as a part of Women in Power III. Women from all over the world are meeting and having panel discussions about our power and of course the powers that be. I have been asked to sing IT WON'T TAKE LONG before Jane Fonda's keynote closing speech. Won't that be fun...? Susan Sarandon, Gloria Steinhem, Debra Winger and lots of poets and writers from all around the world will be there to try to reach young women voters. There also will be a Rock the Vote Concert September 14 which I'm slotted to be in.
Finally, just to remind you that the tickets for the writing workshop and concert in Indiana are going quite well and there are a few more slots open. If you are interested in a weekend free flow writing workshop and a small concert at the lodge where we'll all be staying ( which I understand is quite beautiful) get back to me and I'll direct you to the promoter. The dates for that workshop are Oct. 1st weekend. Tret Fure and I will be in Kansas Oct. 9th and some other shows are building up around that...maybe in Ann Arbor. And in November I'll be back at the Freight in Oakland, CA.
Wishing you all the best this fall. FerronCopyright © 2004 - 2008 FerronOnline.com, All Rights Reserved