Artist Activist Award & SFSR Concert Window Music Fest

Song Finalist & Award Winner!

I am incredibly honored and excited to share with you all that I have been awarded the Artist Activist Award for the National Social Justice Songwriting Competition! I was invited to perform last week at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, CA as one of the 12 finalists. Then it was announced that I was given the Artist Activist Award, which honestly felt like a dream come true. The award grants the winner a fund that goes towards any social justice project of their choice. My dream project is to work within our homeless community and create a music program...and I will definitely be sharing more on this as it develops. As of right now I am meeting with many folks to get the ball rolling and really could not be more excited about all of it.

The entire festival was just beyond inspiring and I learned so much from other artists and felt deeply moved so many times. I also got to sing "If I Had a Hammer" on stage with Peter (of Peter, Paul and Mary) which was the first song I ever performed live at the tender age of 5, and heard Peter and Paul sing "Blowing in the Wind". The final closing show was absolutely amazing and just blew me away. Poets, activists and artists all coming together to make a beautiful statement of how very important it is to keep fighting for peace and justice in our world today. I know I came home feeling empowered to use my voice for good in this world.

 
 
 

Playing a show this week on Wednesday in your home

This Wednesday evening, I will be performing in my home and will have a live recording going so that you can attend from YOUR home wherever you are! It will be a one hour long performance from 8:30-9:30pm CST, and you can tune in at https://www.concertwindow.com/5217-vanessa-lively

I will share some new songs with you and look forward to hearing from you too, since you can chat and comment the entire time! It's pretty neat and if you have never experienced a Concert Window show, this would be a great time to start! Feel free to email me with any questions you might have...and tell your friends too! If it is something you all like, I will set up more of these online concerts to sing to you wherever you are (while you are in your PJs sipping wine and I am in my house with my babies fast asleep).

https://www.concertwindow.com/5217-vanessa-lively

About this show: This online performance will be part of the Songs for Standing Rock CONCERT WINDOW FESTIVAL. Artists worldwide are uniting on Concert Window to raise funds and awareness for the Standing Rock Film Festival which will be held in North Dakota June 2-4th. This #SFSRFest celebrates the release of the 6th "Songs for Standing Rock" album and serves as a reminder that this struggle is not over. Throughout this online Music Festival, the water protectors will be hosting a Treaty Convention, which is Oceti Sakowin Independent traditional meeting adopted at the Vienna Convention. 

These funds will aid in supporting the Standing Rock Film Festival in South Dakota June 2-4th, and additional funds will support legal fees.

Here are some lovely pictures from Ojai, CA / Natalie Gelman's East Eden Permaculture Commune Heavenly abode where even the spills make hearts...

Well, I hope this finds you well. Sending lots of love from Austin!

Love,
Vanessa

Hello friends-

I am writing to you from my studio/study/garage space when all is quiet here in South Austin. Fall seems to have officially arrived and the air feels fresh & cool. This is my favorite time of year...

I have been quite busy with various projects these days (besides motherhood!) and would love to share with you some of what has been going on. Recently, one of my friends & fellow songwriter Miranda Dawn invited me to be a part of this great workshop that she created. I facilitated a song healing circle with her, and we connected with people who were grieving the loss of loved ones, which was the theme of this particular event. As part of the workshop, the participants were led to freeform write and together we wrote a song for each person using their words. The amount of love and support that was present was just incredible. I left the circle feeling uplifted and renewed. It was such an honor to be a part of this.

Miranda and I will be giving another workshop this Sunday in South Austin. If you happen to be in town, I encourage you to come to the event. The theme is Family Connection and Communication, but is really open for anything. There will be a new moon in the sky, and our focus will be on renewal, hope and new beginnings. Visit http://www.redwolfhealing.com/ for more info.

Me & Miranda after the Song Healing session

Singing "Circle Game" with Shawnee Kilgore

This past weekend I was a part of a great lineup for a Joni Mitchell Tribute Show. I sang the song "Circle Game" with Shawnee Kilgore. The event was a fundraiser for Kerry Polk, who is a fellow songwriter dealing with some health issues. It was such a beautiful show with so many amazing voices singing Joni's songs.

As some of you know, I am also a painter. I have been teaching painting classes and have some really fun events coming up soon. I give lessons at schools, homes, breweries & more! If you would like to attend one of these classes, or want to host one of your own, please email me back to chat.

Sending you all lots of love,

Vanessa

New Music Video for "Unleash the Words

Hooray! The video is ready and I am so excited to share it with you. We filmed this in South Padre Island, TX this past summer (big thanks to Jason Fry, Jason Lively, Sherrie Gomez & Carolyn Reilley!) then sent it off to our talented friend Paul Curreri to edit (thank you Paul!) - he also produced the album, so it is very fitting...

Watch the video "Unleash the Words" now

You can also click this link:  https://youtu.be/hZQCo63yjvE

HAAM Benefit Day 2015

Hello friends!

As some of you might know, there is an AMAZING organization here in Austin that takes care of the many musicians living here. It is called the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, otherwise known as HAAM. Today is a very special day where we raise lots of money for this organization that gives us health care for the entire year. So Austinites - get ready for a fun filled day of music, free activities and so many cool things to check out!! Just visit http://benefitday.myhaam.org/ for the day's events. I will be performing at Whole Foods and Metropolis in the evening.

I am truly grateful for all that HAAM has made possible for me, and I try to make this day special every year. For those of you that don't live in Austin, but would still like to learn more & maybe even pitch in a donation, just go here: http://www.myhaam.org/

"Agave at Big Bend" by Vanessa Lively


"La Voz Latina" by Vanessa Lively

My little family recently moved houses here in Austin. It has been lovely to settle into our new home, paint new pictures in this space and start jumping back into musical adventures. Two of my painting are currently being featured at the National Art Show exhibition held at the Dougherty Arts Center in Austin. They should be up for about a month, so feel free to pop over and take a look at the exhibit. It is really neat.

This past summer, we went to South Padre Island and filmed a fun little music video that I will share with all of you as soon as it is ready. The filming was done by Jason Fry and the editing is being done by Paul Curreri (same talented guy that recorded, produced & mixed Return to Waves!) I'm excited to see how it turns out...!

Well, I sure hope everyone is doing well.

Lots of love-

Vanessa

Online CD Release show broadcasting LIVE on March 15th! Join us!

Hello, hello!

I just want to let you know that on March 15th, we will be broadcasting a LIVE show (from Austin, via Concert Window) on the internet that you can tune in to! It is pay what you want, so you just login, pay as little as $1 and watch the show from the comfort of your home...what a deal! There will also be an online chat room you can participate in, run by my good friend Carrie Elkin, and I hear she is a hoot in the chat room! So mark your calendar and get ready to pour a cup of tea or a glass of wine, grab some snacks, sit in your favorite chair (in your PJs even!) and watch the show.


A BIT MORE ABOUT THE SHOW - CONCERTS IN THE GROTTO & CONCERT WINDOW

So this will be our second CD Release, but the first one to get broadcasted all over the world. We will perform all the songs from the album Return to Waves, and will be a full band. Who is in the band? Well, all the fine folks who played on the record!

Paul Curreri on keys
Devon Sproule on lead guitar & harmonies
Andrew Pressman on bass
Matthew Shephard on drums
Vanessa Lively on guitar & vocals

The actual show will be hosted by Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin at their music series Concerts in the Grotto. If you live in Austin and would like to attend in person, please go here for more info and RSVP as soon as possible toconcertsinthegrotto@gmail.com

Show details:
Sunday March 15th
7:30pm (CST)
Concerts in the Grotto (East Austin)
Broadcasted online at Concert Window

Click here to watch the show online:
https://www.concertwindow.com/5217-vanessa-lively


I hope you have a lovely day. Sending hugs from Austin!!

Vanessa

CD Release Show + New Website!

Well it's really here. The day has finally come to celebrate the release of Return to Waves - hooray! I am so excited to play these tunes live with the artists who were such a huge part of the record: Paul Curreri, Devon Sproule, Matthew Shephard and Andrew Pressman. It will be a fun time for sure. If you live in the Austin area, please come join us. It's an early Sunday show at Strange Brew in South Austin. Here are the details:

Sunday February 8th
6-7:30pm
Strange Brew Lounge Side
5326 Manchaca Rd.
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 828-7636
http://www.strangebrewloungeside.com/

New Website for Music & Art
We just lunched a new website for my music & art! The art section is coming very soon, and you will be able to see my oil, acrylic & watercolor paintings. A big thanks to my very talented husband Jason for doing all the hard work to create it!

www.vanessalively.com

I hope your February is off to a great start. Please feel free to write back with some updates on what is going on with YOU! It is fun to hear from everyone...

Lots of love,

Vanessa

Whoa, 2015! You came in with quite a BANG!

Well friends, my New Year started out quite differently than most! I was on my way to play a New Year's Day show at Radio Coffee in South Austin, where I was excited to share the stage with many friends & welcome 2015 with open arms...but sadly, two young fellows blew through a solid red light at a very fast speed and our cars collided, all in a split second. It was surreal and shocking, but I was so incredibly grateful that everyone involved was okay. The cars didn't make it, but all people were alive and well - just banged up a bit. So these past days I have been healing up and taking it very easy. I can't stress enough how very grateful I was to walk away from this and go back home to hug my husband and my little baby boy. Things like this really make you stop and appreciate life and not take it for granted. Oh, and I am feeling better & better every day! I should be fully recovered in just a couple of weeks.And coming soon...Return to Waves CD Release party FINALLY!

In happier news, I am so excited to celebrate the release of Return to Waves after all this time. CDs are on their way out to radio and such, and the band has been jamming in preparation for the fun event. It has been a blast playing these songs. If you are in the area & would like to join us for the Austin show, come out to Strange Brew Loungeside on Sunday February 8th at 6pm. More details on the show coming soon!

Also, another great album review just came in from Europe for Return to Waves! You can read it here:
InsurgentCountry.net

I hope you all have a beautiful year ahead of you. Happy 2015!

With Love & Gratitude,

Vanessa

Well hello...it's been a while!

Since I last wrote, quite a lot has happened. We had a successful Kickstarter campaign (thank you all), then we finished the album and had it sent of to press. Right after all that, I had a baby! Jeremiah James Lively was born on April 14, 2014...I am including a few pictures of him below. It has been a wild adventure ever since. It feels like it has been forever & also just the blink of an eye at the same time...


I have been sending out all the Kickstarter packages, and we are finally at the very last ones (whew!) It took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I know everyone was expecting that and has been wonderfully patient. Now that the CDs are in y'alls hands, it is time to start thinking about the release. I am planning for a Fall release and will send the details as it gets closer. Until then, if you don't have a copy yet and would like to get one, just let me know and I will send it your way!

This weekend I will be going to Topeka, KS for the Last Minute Folk Concert Series at UUFT. The show is on Saturday August 16th at 7:30pm. If you are in the area and would like to attend, you can purchase tickets here: http://lastminutefolk.org/next-up-for-last-minute-folk/

I hope that you are doing well. Send me an update or just write back to say hello! I would love to hear from you...

Have a great day!!

Vanessa

It's a New Year with exciting new adventures!

Happy 2014!!

Wow. We are already 14 days in the the new year of 2014! I hope that everyone is doing well and feeling inspired for the year ahead. I haven't written in a while, but we have been busy continuing to work on the next album and also getting ready for the new addition to our band (well, if he is into music that is...)

It has been a little crazy trying to do it all at the same time, but we are working hard to move forward and see about getting things all ready before the baby comes. We really will be needing to reach out to our community for support in this project now more than ever. We are keeping the budget low, and will be launching a Kickstarter campaign in just a few weeks to try & help offset most of the cost. If you all can help us to spread the word when this happens, it will help us keep it short & sweet. We just really would love to meet our goal and be able to move forward & release these new songs into the world, and share them with all of YOU!!

In the past couple of weeks, we have had an outpouring of love and support coming our way from all our friends, family & community. I am feeling so very grateful for all of you and feel excited to enter this new chapter bravely. Having so much encouragement really makes a huge difference in our lives and I only hope that I can give back to you all in some of the ways that you are giving to me. All I can do for now is send LOVE, say THANK YOU and continue to create songs & art and put it out there hoping it will have a positive effect in the world in some small way...

I wish you the best in the year ahead.

Love,

Vanessa

North Texas Shows / Baby on the Way / Recording the Next Album

BIG NEWS...
Good Morning friends!
As some of you may already know, Jason and I have a baby on the way! We just found out it is a little boy, and he should arrive late March. As we were walking along South Congress this past weekend, Jason's dad found this gold bling with the male symbol on it, so I sported it all day in honor the boy.

...and so the album recording begins!

With this news, we decided to go full speed ahead in the recording of my next album. I am so excited about this project. Jason Lively will be co-producing & co-engineering with the wonderfully talented Paul Curreri who is a great singer-songwriter, producer and arranger, and also a great friend of ours! We start this Monday, and will be launching a crowd-funding campaign in the near future.

Heading to North Texas today for some shows

Tonight, Jason and I will be performing in Fort Worth atWoodshed Smokehouse from 6-9pm, then tomorrow night atThe Dallas Museum of Art at 9pm. Then on Saturday morning, we will perform at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market. We hope to see some of our North TX friends out there!

I hope that you are having a great week. Thanks again for all the love & support...we couldn't do it without you!!

Have a beautiful day,

Vanessa

We are going to Europe today!

...and off we fly!

Hello friends,

We are heading out on a plane today to go to Europe. Jason and I are really excited to see some familiar faces and also meet many new ones! This tour is going to be a lot of fun, and also a whirlwind. We have show after show zig-zagging across Belgium, The Netherlands & Germany for almost three weeks straight. It will be a wild adventure...and we'll also hop over to Spain for a few days of paella eating & seaside lounging!


Uncovering Stones (US Version) is sold out!

We have completely run out of copies of our last album Uncovering Stones. We will have download cards available from here on out for a while in lieu of reprinting the physical CDs. Also, CD Baby still has a few in stock, so those will still be available.

I am hoping to get back into the studio for another album later this year, so we will have that in hand sometime in the near future...but don't worry, if you are in Europe, you are in luck! We have plenty of European copies to go around and will have them with us at all our upcoming shows.

I hope that you have a wonderful September...

Sincerely,

Vanessa

2013 European Tour - Heading to Belgium, The Netherlands & Germany!

Next week we will be heading over to Europe again for another tour. This time we will be performing in Belgium, The Netherlands & Germany. Here is our full tour calendar:

::: 2013 European Tour Dates :::

Thursday 12 sept 2013
CHAPEL FOLK concerts - Tilburg, NL
Venue: PARADOX
20:30 uur
Tickets: 10 €
www.paradoxtilburg.nl

https://www.facebook.com/Chapelfolk

Friday 13 sept 2013
CHER`S, Bornheim - Bornheim, DE
20:00 uur
Tickets: 9 €
http://chers.de/

Saturday 14 sept 2013
Huisconcert - Nieuwerkerk ad IJssel, NL
20:00 uur
Tickets: donation requested

Sunday 15 sept 2013
Het Keizerzhof - Turnhout, BE
16:00 uur
Tickets: Free
www.het-keizershof.be

Tuesday 17 sept 2013
The Blue Border Folk Club - Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, NL
22:00 uur
Tickets: Free
https://www.facebook.com/BlueBorderFolkClub

Wednesday 18 sept 2013
Barrensteiner Whiskeybar - Grevenbroich, DE
19:30 uur
Tickets: 12,50 €
http://barrensteiner-whiskybar.de/

Thursday 19 sept 2013
Grolsch Song Night - Osnabrueck, DE
20.00 uur
Tickets: 6 €
https://www.facebook.com/songnight

Friday 20 sept 2013
Folk@22 Huisconcert - Landgraaf, NL

19:30 uur
Tickets: donation requested
http://www.folkat22.com/

Saturday 21 sept 2013
Where the Birds Fly - Düsseldorf, DE
20:00 uur
Tickets: donation requested
www.wherethebirdsfly.com

Tuesday 24 sept 2013
The Crossroads LIVE - Bergen op Zoom, NL
Vestzaktheater Het Zwijnshoofd
20:15 uur
Tickets: free
http://www.dutchrootsradio.com/nieuwe_pagina_4.htm

Saturday 28 sept 2013
Dendermond Huisconcert - Dendermonde, BE
20:30 uur
Tickets: donation requested
--

For more information on these tour dates, visit http://vanessalively.com/tour.html

FRANK, Kansas Road Trip, Casa Mariposa & Lively Productions NEW WEBSITE!

Hello friends,

I haven't written in a while, but things have been going really well. I have been busy finishing the final touches on our upcoming European Tour that will happen in September. We will be heading to Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany & a quick trip to Spain! More about that as it gets closer, but if you would like to see our tour dates, visit our website

In a couple of weeks - on Thursday July 18th, 10pm - I will be performing in downtown Austin with the band at Frank. The lineup will also feature Roland & the Roots Riddem at10:45pm along with KP and the Boom Boom at 11:30pm! It will be a night full of dancing & lots of energy. Please join us for this event. We will have a few new songs to share with you too...I also have some performances coming up with La Guerrilla where I'll be dancing, singing, and maybe even rapping - oh my! (The dates are also at my website)



The following week, I will be joining my good friend Devon Sproule on a trek up to Topeka, KS where she will play the Last Minute Folk Concert Series held at UUFT. The concert is on Saturday July 27th. I'll most likely join her with some harmonies, and will be there to say hello to all my friends in Topeka!

Then after I get back, Jason and I will head south towards the border and play at an amazing venue called Casa Mariposa on South Padre Island. This will be a really beautiful night of friends, family and music. If you are in the area and would like more information, contact Sherrie at casamariposapadre@gmail.com.

Lively Productions has a brand new website...finally!

As some of you may know, Jason and I have our own design company called Lively Productions. We work with small businesses, independent artists and musician to help with graphic design, websites & more. We have been waiting to create a new website for Lively Productions for some time now...and it is finally here! So please go check it out and let us know what you think: www.livelyproductions.com

Latest European review for Uncovering Stones

We just got in another great review for Uncovering Stones! The text is in Dutch, but here are my two favorite quotes from the review:

"Vanessa Lively's Uncovering Stones exudes quality, but is also one of those albums that you never get enough of."

"All in all, I dare say Uncovering Stones by Vanessa Lively is one of the most underrated singer-songwriter albums of the past year."

- Erwin Zijleman, De krenten uit de pop (The Netherlands)

To check out the full review and listen to selected tracks & videos, visit http://www.dekrentenuitdepop.blogspot.nl/2012/12/vanessa-lively-uncovering-stones.html

I am so happy to see the continued excitement and praise for the album!

I hope everyone has a wonderful close to this year and a great beginning as we head into the next...

In gratitude,

Vanessa

"La Voz Latina" will be featured in The Blue Rock Review!

I am so excited to share with you the news that my latest painting "La Voz Latina" has been selected to be featured in The Blue Rock Review, Volume 8, VOX! This is a wonderful book that is put out annually by Blue Rock Studio. Other artists featured in this year's publication includeDanny Schmidt, Paul Curreri, Jonathan Byrd, Mary Gauthier & Tom Prasado-Rao. It is a compilation of poetry, essays, paintings, photographs and more. The release party will be held on Saturday November 24th at Blue Rock Studio in Wimberley, TX.

For event information, visit http://events.bluerocktexas.com/coming-soon/detail/the-blue-rock-review-book-release-viii/



For more information about The Blue Rock Review Vol. 8 & to purchase the book, visit http://www.bluerockfoundation.org/



Here is an image of the painting. I did this one this past summer while listening to the inspiring voices of Latin American female singers including Lhasa de Sela, Violeta Parra & Mercedes Sosa. I tried to capture their energy and bold, uninhibited voices in this piece. The emerging flower is a symbol of their brave lives full of creativity, breaking out of the box that is supposed to define the role of Latina women. I hope you enjoy it.


After a year full of shows & tours, I am taking the next couple of months to really focus on making some new creations. Since coming home from the European & South Texas tours, I have poured my energy into the creative process and have really been enjoying this quiet reflective time. I have been busy writing & finishing some songs that have been waiting patiently all year, and I am also taking time to paint. This week and next, I will be doing some co-writing through the House of Songs. I look forward to sharing some of these new creations with you soon....



Love,


Vanessa

10 Questions for Vanessa Lively - Austin Post

AUSTIN POST  |  10 Questions for Vanessa Lively
By Gabino Iglesias, Austin, TX

Writing a song is no easy task. Writing a good one is even harder. Writing a good song that has purpose, is in touch with the life experiences of others and makes people cry tears of joy is absolutely beautiful and rare. The songs that Vanessa Lively writes are in that last category. Her travels, pains, concerns, truths and joys are all in the songs that she puts in her records. With "Uncovering Stones," her latest effort, the singer is doing that one more time. We sat down to ask her ten questions so that you could get to know this bilingual chanteuse a little better.

1. When and why did you start your music career?
I started my music career in early 2007. I had just come back home to the US after having lived in South America from 2005-2007, and upon returning, wasn't sure exactly what to do next. I had recorded my first album while living in Ecuador, so after I came back I decided to just go on tour right away and see how that went...and it was great! I have been going down this road ever since.

2. How would you describe your sound to those who have never heard it?
Eclectic folk music with pop and world music influences. My vocals have been likened to Edie Brickell and Stevie Nicks, but my delivery is softer than those artists. Most of my songs either have a strong rhythmic pulse or go the opposite way to be very light and airy.

3. Who are your influences and why?
I have been influenced by so many artists, it is hard to name them all. Early on, my musical influences were The Beatles and Michael Jackson. As I entered my teens, I began listening to Bob Marley, Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, The Indigo Girls, Counting Crows and Ben Harper. Each of these artists really touched me in a profound way and made me want to write my own songs. Probably the two most influential songwriters in my life have been Tori Amos and Ani DiFranco. They both had such a unique way of expressing themselves with music and voice and it really spoke to me.

4. How was the process of putting Uncovering Stones together at home? How does it compare to your two previous records?
Recording "Uncovering Stones" was such an amazing experience! We camped outside in the backyard while our house was turned into a studio for a couple of weeks. It was the best thing to just wake up, make a pot of coffee and get started on the recordings. We had everything so well organized ahead of time that by the time the actual recording was taking place, folks just popped in, recorded their parts and then made way for the next people to come over.

Working with Keith Gary as our engineer was so wonderful. He was incredibly fast, full of positive happy energy and a hoot to be around. We had a blast from start to finish. We would even eat all our meals together, take breaks together, hang out and laugh, and the whole album just unfolded before our eyes. It was beautiful. I actually cried during the recording of "The Lost Boys" because I was so moved by how the music came together exactly how I had envisioned it and it took me to the place I was when I wrote the song - my heart was crying for all of the Sudanese refugees who had to flee their homes during the long Sudanese Civil War.

My two previous records "Canto y Cantera" and "A Chain Unbroken" were also both recorded in a home studio environment. "Canto y Cantera" was done in our same house, but my husband Jason was the engineer and we recorded and mixed that one ourselves from start to finish. It was a fun project too. And "A Chain Unbroken" was recorded in England over the course of two months with our friends in the Manchester area. All of the session musicians were friends of theirs and so the textures were unique to the place we were recording and it was a very fun experience as well. Each album is very different and I feel that they are all acting as a snapshot into that time in our lives.

5. What made you decide to record "Canto y Cantera," a record in Spanish with songs by some of the best voices in Latin America? Why did you put two songs in Spanish on the new record?
I was gearing up to do another full length album and starting to do the initial idea work for it, but then Mercedes Sosa of Argentina passed away. This was on October 4, 2009 (which is also the birthday of the late Violeta Parra). I remember it vividly. She had become such a special musical influence to me over the past few years. I was introduced to her music in 2005 before moving to Bolivia, and when I arrived in Bolivia, I soon realized that she was one of the most popular artists in the country. I checked out her CDs from the library and began listening to all of her recordings. I loved her energy and passion, especially for justice and human rights. So when she passed, I knew that I needed to put the full length album on hold and record a tribute to her life, her music and her passion. I sang a song called "Todo Cambia" throughout all of my changes that I went through in South America and felt it was a soundtrack to my time there. That is why I put that song on the album along with my other favorite songs.

With "Uncovering Stones," I put two songs in Spanish on that album simply because I had written them and not yet recorded them. They are two of my favorite songs to sing and I feel that when I sing in Spanish, another side of me comes out. I lived in Laredo when I was very young and then grew up spending almost all of my summers with my grandparents in Brownsville, TX. My grandparents' families both moved to the US from Mexico. My grandfather was Portuguese and my grandmother was Mestiza - a mix of Spanish and indigenous.

6. The songs on "Uncovering Stones" seem very personal but they ask to be shared; how was the writing process for this album?
My songs are always very personal, even when they are not about me! Sometimes I see friends and family struggling and I feel it so deeply, I end up writing songs about what they are going through, but in the first person. And the songs that are about me always have a big story behind them as well. That is how my writing process works - I journal every day and then when I am really moved, or seeing something clearly, I sit down and write a song about it. And I want nothing more than my songs to be shared. I feel like the highest calling for a song is to really speak to someone and touch them in a way that helps them through whatever they are going through. When I hear my songs have done that for someone, my heart jumps with joy! I love it!

7. What feedback from fans/critics regarding your work has touched you the most?
There has been so much said that has touched me. People say my music inspires them to live life fully, follow their dreams and be bold, honest and open. That to me is so awesome! I also have had people call me crying tears of joy and saying that my music moved them so deeply and they had to tell me...those moments are so precious to me and I feel grateful to be able to share my art in this world and have a positive effect on people.

8. Tell me a little bit about how we can save the world with your t-shirts and bag.
Haha! I had to go look up my website to see if that is where you got that idea from, and in fact it is there! Okay, so the reason that buying my handmade t-shirts and tote bags will save the world is as follows: I handpick barely worn, quality t-shirts from the thrift store, then I bring them home, screen print my own hand drawn design onto the shirt and bag, then turn around and sell my art. Barely any new material has been used in the making of these products and with the canvas shopping bags, you can save the earth one grocery trip at a time! I think it's all pretty green and eco-friendly, don't you?

9. What would you like for people to take from "Uncovering Stones"?
I would like people to feel joy, inspiration and compassion when listening to these songs. I think our world can use more of all this and so I hope that my songs have a ripple effect of love and goodness in the world to bring about more peace, understanding and beauty.

10. Could you describe the Austin music scene in one word?
Thriving!

Vanessa Lively's music sounds like smart world music, which makes a lot of sense coming from Austin. It's music that needs to be heard, shared and experienced. To get your hands on a copy of "Uncovering Stones," or her two previous efforts, visit her website here, where you can also get one of her t-shirts. You can also connect with her on Facebook here to stay updated on upcoming gigs. In "Uncovering Stones," Lively asks you to follow your heart; her music comes from her following that advice, go check it out.
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To see the original article visit:
http://www.austinpost.org/music/10-questions-vanessa-lively

Continental Records in Europe will be releasing Uncovering Stones this summer!

I am very pleased to announce that we will be officially releasing the latest album Uncovering Stones in Europe this summer with Continental Records (formerly Rounder Europe)! Jason & I will go to Denmark, Germany & The Netherlands in August for the CD Release Tour. If you are in the Austin area and would like to join us in a celebration / send off show, mark your calendars for Thursday August 9th at The Cactus Cafe. Thanks to all of you who are listening to the album and continuing to support this lovely musical journey...

Sincerely,

Vanessa Lively

May Happenings...

Jason and I recently came back from our Spring Tour throughout the Southwest. It was so wonderful. You can check out some of the photos I took here. Now I am working on finalizing our European tour calendar & an upcoming tour with Nicolette Good supporting her new CD Monarch. There is a lot of fun on the horizon!

All the amazing scenery that we saw along the way inspired me to come back and paint again. I am actually hoping to have an art show this summer, so stay tuned for more info on that! Here is a sneak peek at one of the pieces I am currently working on:

As for some upcoming shows & events, I have a show this week at a new Whole Foods Market opening up in Bee Cave. I'll be performing a solo set starting at 5pm. Come join me in celebrating the new store! Then later this month, Jason & I will be performing as a duo at the Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair held in Kerrville, TX on Sunday May 27th. Next month I'll be joining Claude Butch Morgan at the NeWorlDeli in Austin, TX on Wednesday June 6th. All the details for these shows and more can be found at http://vanessalively.com/tour.html

Have a great week!!!

Love,

Vanessa

Acoustic Sampler CD / Tour with Nicolette Good

Jason and I spent a few days in January recording some intimate & raw acoustic tracks for a new 2012 Acoustic Sampler CD. Two of the songs are co-writes with female songwriters from Denmark that were written recently.

In just a couple of weeks, I will be playing some really fun shows between San Antonio, TX & Memphis, TN with the very talented Nicolette Good! Nicolette has been featured recently on the new TV series Troubadour, TX. If you haven't heard of this series, you should check it out. It follows Texas singer-songwriters on their musical journey. (I made an appearance on one of the early episodes as well!)



Our Austin show is called "Songbirds in the Round" and is happening on Friday February 17th at Flipnotics. It features Laura Marie, Tara Craig, Nicolette Good and many other talented guest artists throughout the night (nine to be exact!) It is going to be a lot of fun...

I have shows in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, New Orleans & then many showcases at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN. I hope to see you somewhere along the way!! Visit my website at www.vanessalively.com/tour for all the dates & info.

Have a lovely February,

Vanessa

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KUNC in Northern Colorado has Uncovering Stones as #5 on their Top 10 Albums of 2011 list!!

2012 is here!!

So we are officially into the new year of 2012! I hope that it is going well so far. Jason and I have had a few shows this past week and I have a feeling that this is going to be a great year full of music & fun...I am really looking forward to the year ahead. I have some exciting tours on the horizon starting next month, but until then, I'll be playing shows around Austin, co-writing with a couple of artists from Denmark and preparing for the year ahead!

I want to express my Gratitude...
The positive feedback and support continues to flow in from all directions. I feel uplifted by my family, friends, community & fans in all that I do. I am grateful for so many things in my life. The fact that I am able to live a life as a musician, artist & designer continues to fill me with happiness.

In December, we heard that KUNC in Northern Colorado had put us on the Top 2011 Picks list! And all last year, positive reviews were coming out left and right about the new album. I am glad that Jason & I were able to put that record out the way we wanted to; and it would not have been possible if it weren't for all the support & encouragement that everyone gave to us along the way! So in looking back over the past year, I feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the people in our life that continue to make this path possible.

As a thank you, we are sending everyone a 25% coupon to use for Vanessa Lively CDs & music products at Bandcamp. This will expire on January 31, 2012. Visit vanessalively.bandcamp.com and enter this code for your discount: gratitude

I hope that this next year is filled with peace, love, new beginnings & inspiration!

Sincerely,

Vanessa