kristindiable-blog

[kristindiable-blog]

Give the gift of MUSIC, with an exclusive song written and recorded, signed, sealed and delivered by recording artist Kristin Diable. The new album “Create Your Own Mythology” has been critically acclaimed and covered by NPR, American Songwriter, Southern Living Magazine and beyond. Now, we are opening up the opportunity to be a part of a living music tradition with a personal song commission. More info below...

Dear friends,

On occasion, I open up the songwriting process to create an even more special and one-of-a-kind way to share music. For the next month, I will be accepting commissions to write and record a song just for you. Is there someone in your life who makes you sing? Or do you have your own words you'd like immortalized in a song? You tell me your vision (I can help you if you're not exactly sure) and I will write, record and deliver an exclusive composition of your very own. One-of-a-kind, based on any lyrics, person, or inspiration you wish.

By commissioning music—paying an artist to write a new piece for a specific purpose or event—you become active participants in the creation of a legacy of music for the future. A song is a gift that will truly last forever. It can't be stolen, lost or destroyed and it lives with us and our loved ones for a lifetime and beyond. Songs are the soundtracks to our lives and play a such wonderful role in creating meaningful experiences and memories to carry with us forever. I'm looking forward to sharing this process with you in such a special way.

Anyone can commission a new work. You don't have to be an artistic director, or a well-established performer—it can be anyone who is motivated to enrich the world with a new piece of music.

Song are delivered in a special care package including an individually packaged CD, handwritten and signed lyric sheet, optional dedication and performance video of the song, and additional inspirations around the song, unique to your project. And for all your modern folks, the song will be delivered digitally as well.

Commissions are accepted on a case-by-case basis, as I want to be sure I'm able to give my full attention and inspiration to your song. Due to the amount of time, juju and creativity involved in creating these pieces, I only accept a few commissions. Very limited availability. Commission rates vary depending on scope of song writing and recording process. 

If you are interested: please email speakeasyrecords@gmail.com and let us know more about what you would like to create, ideas, your budget, timeline and any other details you would like to share.

Much Love,

KD

Keep in touch:                                                    http://www.instagram.com/kristindiable   http://www.facebook.com/kristindiablemusic   http://www.youtube.com/kristindiable

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Very official #Jazzfest schedule. Looking forward to the week ahead friends. See you out there, at my house or at some stop in between. XxKD @jazzfest #neworleans #dontstoptilyougetenough #Jazzfest2015

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American Songwriter: Writer of the Week: Kristin Diable

Really enjoyed digging in to this interview with American Songwriter. xxKD 

Writer Of The Week: Kristin Diable

Written by Patrick Filbin

February 23rd, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Kristin Diable is on a mission - but not one aimed at commercial success or airwave dominance necessarily. She’s in it for the love, so to speak. We talked to Diable about her journey as a musician, her songwriting habits and who she considers to be an underrated songwriter.

How are you creating your own mythology?

What we’re conditioned into thinking is “security in life” is just not true. Your boss can fire you, your leaders can swindle you, your doctor doesn’t always know how to heal you, etc. I felt that growing up the prevailing culture was to listen to people in power, your government officials, the rich guys who were “successful” in life, etc…. but it’s all just a myth anyhow. Those power structures aren’t real, no one holds the power to uplift your own life but you. Now, friends, family, community… you need all those people in this life and without love to back it all up, none of it’s worth anything. But ultimately, no one can give you power but you. It’s internal not external. And when you find the internal form of it, the external starts to fall in line as well. I’m learning how to keep this all in mind and making choices that put faith in these truths.

How did living in New Orleans affect your songwriting for this album?

New Orleans is a liberating place. It’s the last hold out in American of wild-west style freedom of spirit. Things are a little off-kilter, no one really cares what you’re doing, as long as you’re happy and not causing any harm. That culture instigated not censoring any of the songs on the album, not cutting ones that I didn’t think fit in a certain “genre.” I just went with what felt right and moving.

You said, “It takes a person to write an album, but a good album writes a person too.” How does that relate to this album and this stage of your life?

Songs often come to me with more insight than I thought I had to write them. A good song comes from some other universal place beyond a person’s ego and consciousness. They are great teachers and help inform me of the world around me and myself within it. Often they seem to come from the future, of some place of understanding I’d like to get to… and sure enough, the song paves the way to get there eventually.

When did you start writing songs?

When I was 5, but they weren’t any good. As a young kid I’d listen to the radio, Michael Jackson, Madonna, superpop brilliant pop songs, and I was seriously concerned about the fact that by the time I “grew up” all the songs in the world would have been written already and I wouldn’t have the chance to write any. That I would have missed the boat. It’s strange that at such an age I could care about it so much, but I guess I just always loved great songs. Perhaps all the songs have been written, but I still seem to find some truth in new ones.

What’s the last song you wrote or started?

I’ve been so committed to putting out Create Your Own Mythology all the other song ideas and bits along the way have been archived in notebooks and audio notes for full exploration when I have the space to really dig down. But, a new line I keep returning to is “The deeper the darkness you know, the brighter the light that you seek.”

What is your approach to writing lyrics?

Say something. Mean something.

What sort of things inspire you to write?

Opposites and evolution. I’m always deep in the dark and light and feel they both are equally as useful, valid and create all motion, evolution and progress in life. We often think of darkness as negative but I don’t see it that way at all, there’s a lot of beauty in there and it gives contrast and definition to the light.

What’s a song on your album you’re particularly proud of and why?

Many of them hold different meaning and sentiment for me, but the one that just hits me is “True Devotion”. It’s simple, it’s straightforward, it’s salt of the earth and that is what Devotion is. It’s not fancy, it’s sturdy and unadorned.

What’s a song on your album that you struggled with?

“True Devotion”. The title, the idea of it and the melody sat with me for a while. I had it in the ethers, but it just couldn’t come to fruition. Some time passed and I found myself on an adventure in Tangier during Ramadan (on accident). It was an intense experience. I stayed in the heart of the Medina with a family and all throughout the day and night, with no break, people were chanting, praying, drumming, singing, in the streets, in the houses, in the mosques… it was unavoidable and beautiful. I didn’t sleep much but the full capacity of devotion and what it meant really hit me in a way I never knew before. The song was done by the time I crossed back over the Straight of Gibraltar.

What do you consider to be the perfect song (written by somebody else), and why?

“A Change Is Gonna Come”, Sam Cooke. Man… where do I start? From the first chord string swell this song engulfs you. It does all the things: the melody is incredible, it hooks you from the start. The lyrics are for everyman, it’s not too precious, it’s salt of the earth, but poignant. It is profound, epic, cinematic, tremendous in it’s sound, which gives light to the possibility of getting through the muck of life. The juxtaposition of grandiosity in the production/arrangement against the lyrical content of the stark tribulations of life is brilliant. It’s a triumph of an anthem for civil rights and to human capacity. At this time in our sordid American history, a black artist like Cooke risked loosing his mostly white audience by putting out a song like this. But he did it anyway. Fifty years later, this song speaks to all humans, regardless of background, it transcends our perceived divides and brings us all closer, as we should be. This dude knew all about what it means to create your own mythology. His power moved the world forward in sound and spirit. And that VOICE! Nobody sings like Sam.

What’s a song of yours that’s really touched people?

“Honey Leave the Light On” from the new album is really resonating with folks it seems. It’s about how all things in life come around, keep that light on.

Do you ever do any other kinds of writing?

I write very heated letters of complaint to my insurance company almost monthly. Never to any reply. They make for a lonely pen-pal relationship.

Who do you consider an underrated songwriter?

Well, he’s not underrated, but I feel like he should be a household name because he just can’t write a bad song. John Fullbright. No bullshit, straight shooting. Songwriting has gotten so precious these days, but this guy just calls it like it is, in a way no one else does. He’s stunning.

If you could co-write with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

I’m going to be greedy on this one: Bruce Springsteen, Nina Simone, Big Bill Broonzy, Lindsay Buckingham and I guess I can’t leave out Sam Cooke.

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Have you tuned into my weekly playlist on Spotify? Here's today's new mix: It's Sunday Service, week two. Updated the playlist with some new music from the road, including tour-mate Anderson East's new single, Leon Bridges and a few from my new "Create Your Own Mythology" rekkerd. It's raining in Little Rock and there's an empty bottle of whiskey on the hot-tub outside. We're sure enjoying this day off and I'm feeling much closer to all that is Godly. Hope you are too. Cheers from the never-ending road. xxKD 

http://open.spotify.com/…/k…/playlist/7MtxS9mofn5wQc71rzFGTu …

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Full article: http://t.co/sGphDsTsGp Thanks Boston Globe for the chat on inspired places. We playing tonight at Cafe 939 at Berkley. Tickets at www.kristindiable.com. Xxkd

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Checkout our YouTube page for some behind the scenes video of making the new "Create Your Own Mythology" record. I'm on tour around the US with the band & @andersoneast all month through April...Come say hi in real life. All dates on kristindiable.com. Xxkd #createyourownmythology #illmaketimeforyou #ontheroad #spring #tour

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Create Your Own Mythology is HERE!

"It’s still early in 2015, but with a release this powerful, look for Kristin Diable to be one of the year’s breakout artists." - American Songwriter 

The past few days have been a whirlwind. 

February 24th the new record, Create Your Own Mythology, was officially released. We kicked it off with an in-store at Louisiana Music Factory in New Orleans and the press has been kind to us on all accounts. 

NPR gave the First Listen feature some wonderful praise (http://www.npr.org/2015/02/15/385041070/first-listen-kristin-diable-create-your-own-mythology), American Songwriter followed with a generous 4 star review of the new record (http://www.americansongwriter.com/2015/02/kristin-diable-create-mythology/) and the local cover stories in Offbeat Magazine and Gambit allowed the record and story to reach even further in it's debut. 

Thanks to Keith Spera at The Times Picayune, who's been paying attention for the last few years and was kind enough to give the new album his vote of confidence (http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2015/02/new_orleans_kristin_diable_ste.html). 

Tonight we bring the new record to you live, with the full band for the official record release show at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans. Tickets and info here: http://www.oneeyedjacks.net/event/kristin-diable-record-release-show/. We'll be doing a pre-show listening party and meet & greet at 6:15 for those who purchase that ticket package. Then, doors are at 7pm. Kick ass band Baby Bee starts the night at 8pm and we're on by 9pm. 

Can't wait to share this record with you. Tremendous thanks for your support and kindness then and now. Let's rock. 

xxKD

"Kristin Diable is a singer-songwriter whose voice writes her autobiography. In her unabashed delivery, she's got the ambition and self-awareness of a New Yorker, testament to the years she spent there as a young adult making contacts and a name for herself in the music industry. In the rhythm behind her and the twang of her long vowels, she's got the easy, yeah-you-right swagger of her Louisiana roots. At the soundboard of producer Dave Cobb, her bluesy Southern rock, largely unadorned on prior releases with her band The City, gets the slick '70s-schooled Nashville sound for which it was meant. To show for the bookoo lot of it, she's got a rollicking throwback of a new album, Create Your Own Mythology. Diable has the same grit lining her throat that Amy Winehouse had, but sings from a place of levity that Winehouse never found...." - NPR First Listen

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John Lee Hooker forever and always. Some blues to ease a troubled mind... xxkd

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For the past four years, photographer Brandon Stanton has documented people he encountered along the streets of New York City for his popular blog, “Humans of New York,” but it was a photo last week of a teenager in Brooklyn that has taken the world by…

I found this story so inspiring. These kids and their school principal have broken through the old mythologies they’ve been told and are embracing and nurturing their true potential, holding themselves to high standards despite of the odds and the old stories that surround them. They are killing the old mythologies and creating new ones, ones they want for themselves. This is the idea of “Create Your Own Mythology” in pure and brilliant force. Congrats to these tough and hardworking folks. The world is better because of you. 

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Thanks everyone for kicking off this campaign! Our first goal is to reach 25% of our total goal by Monday. We need just $3500 to make it happen. The larger exclusive packages offer you some really rare & special things, like a song exclusively commissioned for you. I've written songs featured on HBO True Blood, Treme, and many commercials (Jeep) and films. Now you can have your very own song, we'll collaborate on what you want and I'll compose and record a song you'll have for a lifetime (and beyond). The lagniappe is that the proceeds will also go direct back into putting the band in the road, buying a van and bringing more music to you and many more people. Xxkd. Pledge now at: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kristindiable (link in profile) #newrecord #createyourownmythology #insong

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"Gentle words will break the hardest of hearts, so you better think twice, before speaking your mind.....about anything" - About to pull the old catalogue from digital land. We made this in Baton Rouge when I was 18 and I'm still proud of it.

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New York City: you once called to me as a child and I ran to your freedom, your unknown, your great wide world to unfold. You grew me up, you broke me down, and taught me, most importantly that while concrete cities and infinite oceans can serve as guideposts and mirrors, evolution is ultimately an internal and eternal state of movement. It's good to be back and feeling so grown up in your cold arms. See you tonight at Pianos (upstairs) on the #lowerEastSide. Me & the band are on at 7pm, sharp as can be.... Xxkd #nyc #createyourownmythology #tour (at PIANOS)

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Southern Living Track Premiere!

Many thanks to SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE for premiering "Time Will Wait" from the upcoming CREATE YOUR OWN MYTHOLOGY album out February 24th. Check it out here: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2015/01/12/exclusive-premiere-time-will-wait-by-kristin-diable/

xxKD

[kristindiable-blog]

On The Blues of old and new

Many times I have searched for the last living bluesmen of this world. The real acoustic, unplugged, delta, salt of the earth stuff (don't care much for the electrified version). Their memories and spirits have haunted me since I was a teenager and have always whispered some kind of knowing that is so eternally familiar to me. I have looked for the last living heros and true blue juke joints, I've driven most of the lost highways I could find.... but we live in a changed world and the blues of son house or big bill broonzy cannot be today's blues. Clarksdale is more tumbleweeds than you'd believe, as are most of the joints along Highway 61. They are ghost towns with the last embers of such a spirited culture withering away (in the shadows of the casinos and fast food chains and diminishing jobs). The world is different, we are less our own men and more an amalgamation of each other, inadvertently influenced and changed by the corporate and commercial world we now live in (even those of us who don't subscribe to that channel are affected by it). My heros could get lost in the grain of some spirit side of this real world... it seems a lot harder to get truly lost in the context of our modern world. I once found one of my heros along a dusty upstate new york road... I saw Honeyboy Edwards at a little coffeeshop listening room that was filled with a lot of average amalgamated people in awe. His eyes had already started to turn blue, the way living does a man. He was gracious and took nearly an hour after the show to tell me about his days on the chitlin circuit with big mamma thornton and all sorts of other real deal souls in real deal times long passed. I treasure this experience so much. RIP Honeyboy. These lost heros knew how to Create Their Own Mythology and I look up to them to no end. Here's a beautiful portrait of what's left of the delta blues torch bearers: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/lou-bopp_n_6445360.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

 xxKD

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Animal instincts. Sunday feeling just about right. Day of the lord indeed. Sending irreverent love & light from #neworleans. #chihuahua #espresso #love (at Pagoda Cafe)

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It's happening. I'll make time for you music video. #createyourownmythology going down... With many badass talented folks bringing the vision to reality. #dreamworld (at One Eye Jack's)

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Visions of a world beyond words and daily constructs. #createyourownmythology #illmaketimeforyou #musicvideo