Deborah Crooks: News/Journal

Raw Revolution, makers of yummy organic live food bars will be supporting my upcoming gigs in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco (April 24-May 15 respectively). Come to my show and not only hear original tunes, you'll get some organice treats. Thank you Raw Revolution! For more information, check 'em out: http://rawindulgence.com/

I'm still digesting my trip to Austin for SXSW (I blogged a fair amount about it at www.deborahcrooks.blogspot.com) which was PACKED with music, music, music. Met a lot of great people, shared shows with the very talented Valerie Orth and managed to go to many events despite some annoying allergies. Thanks again to Green Muse, Austin Java, Rynda Laurel & Patric Doyle for hosting, organizing and playing respectively.
Next up is the RPM Challenge Listening Party here in the Bay Area, in Oakland, to be exact. It's part of a global event & you can tune in by following links on www.rpmchallenge.com. I'll be representing the project I did with Alex Walsh, "Crooks/Walsh Blues" that I hope to revisit more formally in late spring. Stay tuned!

I'm in Austin this week to soak up the music and play!
I'll be sharing several gigs with another Bay Area artist Valerie Orth (http://www.myspace.com/vlomusic)whose super swell. check out the calendar page for details...and let me know if you'll be there!

"Tailbone" from 'Adding Water to the Ashes' Cd added to 'Nette Radio Playlist. http://www.netteradio.com/

I'll talking about my participation in the RPM Challenge, aka writing and recording an album in a month,* on New Hampshire Public Radio , 12:30 EST.
Tune in!
http://www.nhpr.org/node/9519
I'm doing a project with Alex Walsh, working title 'Crooks/Walsh Blues." Check out some quick demos on www.rpmchallenge.com
A track from "Adding Water to the Ashes" was broadcast on Radio Crystal Blue: Radio Crystal Blue. This is a live internet radio show, heard each week on Live365. It's syndicated through Radio Bracknell www.radiobracknell.com This edition will be rebroadcast twice, on Saturday, February 28, at 1pm EST, then on Tuesday, March 3, 7pm EST on Radio Bracknell, a community-based internet radio station in Bracknell, UK.

Twestival SF was a swell time... Me and the band were happy to be a part of the global effort to raise funds for Clean:Water...search @twestivalsf for updates & links to photos.

...in other news, Adding Water to the Ashes is on the playlist for both No Pigeonholes (http://www.kkup.com/donc.html) in late February and in March, Radio Marabu (http://www.radiomarabu.de/).
Thank you Don Campau!

Finally, I'm gearing up for another trip to SXSW. Check the calendar for gigs in Austin that week. Hope to see you there!

Amoeba Records on Haight St. is now carrying "Adding Water to the Ashes" Cds
Find 'em in the Country section (no 'Americana or Folk Rock section so that's where they are) :)
http://www.amoeba.com/store-locations/index.html#san-francisco

I'll be playing twice this week & would love to see you at both shows.

First up, Thursday, February 12, the San Francisco portion of Twestival,
The Paradise Lounge,
1501 Folsom (@11th), San Francisco, CA
6-10pm
Twestival is a multi-media event and benefit for Clean: Water. including auction, djs, and me & the band! I will be playing a short set around 7:30pm.
http://twestival.com/ Get your tickets http://www.amiando.com/twestivalsf.html Be Part of a Revolutionary Event. We're Changing the World Through the Power of Social Media and Twitter!


then the next day
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2009
Socha
8-10pm
3235 Mission
San Franciso CA 94117
Price: $5 suggested

Deborah Crooks (vocals, guitar), Kwame Copeland (lead guitar), John Maurer (drums) Yoon Ki Chai (violin), and Koji Taniyama (bass) plus a special guest or two. Socha is a great cafe with wine, food, coffee drinks and a generally good vibe.

Adding Water to the Ashes on the Radio is getting more airplay. Listen to No Pigeonholes radio, KKUP 91.5FM today 3-5pm

Mark your calendar: Twitter users around the globe are 'tweeting up' to benefit clean water this February. I'll be playing at Twestival SF, @ Paradise Lounge, 1551 Folsom, Thursday, February 12. Event starts @ 7 and goes to 11. More details tba.

http://twestivalsf.wordpress.com/

I hope your '09 is getting off to a great start. After a very satisfying holiday season, I'm pleased to say the muse is back in the house at Bird in the Tree. The band and I are getting ready for shows later this month and next in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, I'm running a series of interviews on my blog (www.deborahcrooks.blogspot.com) with singers, musicians and other creatives, and I've embarked happily upon another project, regular cowriting with Stefan Gustafson. Wishing you well and hope to see you SOON.

I wanted to take this time to thank you all for your support this year & wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.
I’m closing out 2008 writing new songs solo & with my pal Stefan Gustafson (Luminous Family Trust), as well as rounding up the band for ’09. In the meantime, “Adding Water to the Ashes” is continuing to get positive reviews and is now available on iTunes and a slew of other digital outlets in addition to CdBaby. If you haven’t got your copy, now’s a good time! www.cdbaby.com/deborahc3
Stay tuned for new songs & shows next year.
Lots of love,
Deborah

Post Hayes Valley Block Party playing & festivities, I'm hitting the road with Jean Mazzei for a series of shows in SLO & LA. Check out the calendar, come on down or tune in!

Flat Cat Radio: http://www.myspace.com/flatcatradio"

I'm in Mysore, India, for the month of November...and enjoying myself thoroughly. I'm practicing yoga and Carnatic singing and writing some new material. Nonetheless, online my songs "Cafe la Vie" & "Turn It All Red" have been elevated into the site's finals. You can vote on it here:
http://www.songvault.fm/artists.htm?id=7255

I'm gearing up for a month-long trip to India where I'll be studying yoga and generating some new material (check my blog for updates and mp3s). In the meantime, "Adding Water to the Ashes" has received some nice reviews (see Press) and is now available in the iTunes Store. Search me and you'll find the new disc as well as my earlier EPs.
Thanks everyone! Love & peace, Deborah

From Lucid Culture wrote of "Adding Water to the Ashes" CD Oct. 15, 2008:
"'Put me on your ipod,' it murmurs, bleak but resonant. "

The CD is done, and available for sale at my shows, on CD Baby (http://cdbaby.com/deborahc3) and soon via a host of digital distributors.
Featuring 11 original tracks, "Adding Water to the Ashes" was produced, engineered and mixed by Ben Bernstein, and features a host of great musicians including Alex Walsh (guitar), Art Khu (guitar, piano, organ), Ben Bernstein (bass), Dave Tweadie (drums), Eamon Ryland (acoustic & electric guitar, lap steel, resonator), Yoon Ki Chai (violin) as well as members of The Whoreshoes. I look forward to sharing it with you.

The CD is done and about to go to press. In the meantime, please mark September 26 at Socha Cafe (see calendar) on your calendar. I'll be playing a show with my band and CDs will be available. And I'll be sharing the bill with friend, Jean Mazzei, whose also got a very recent CD. Come on down.
Please save the date! My CD should be (cross fingers) hot off the presses and I'll be playing with a band.
I'd love to see you there, Deborah

DEBORAH CROOKS and Jean Mazzei perform at Socha Café, Friday, September 26

Two local songwriters celebrate the release of two new all-original CDS
JEAN MAZZEI " caffeinated Folk Rock, Eclectic and Smart "

DEBORAH CROOKS "Crooks pours stiff shots of brains, soul and guts into her compositions...."-Flavorpill

Date: Friday, Sept 26

Venue: Socha Cafe

Address: 3235 Mission Street (@Valencia), San Francisco, CA

Website: www.sochacafe.com
Time: 8-9:15 Jean Mazzei

9:30-11pm Deborah Crooks Band

http://www.jeanmazzei.com; http://www.sonicbids.com/jeanmazzeimusic
http://www.deborahcrooks.com http://myspace.com/deborahcrooks

The last time I was in Austin, I met up with Mike at Fevered Brain Radio for a chat
http://www.feveredbrainradio.com
He's a huge supporter of music and his radio is a labor of love. To keep it going; however, it will need some donations. Send him some love when you get a chance.

Help me finish my CD by contributing at:
http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2008-08-01.3416409089/

Please vote for me to play the Dell Lounge: http://www.delllounge.com/soundandjury/?id=a9cad681-896d-4c62-a2ce-f2d9b58b2019
And some of my songs are now available on
http://amiestreet.com/artist/deborah-crooks/

Mixing is almost complete on my full-length CD. Featuring 11 of my original songs, I'm delighted by the great musician's who've played on it including Ben Bernstein, Dave Tweedie, Eamon Ryland, Art Khu, Yoon Ki Chai, Alex Walsh and members of the Whoreshoes. I'm aiming for a September release date. Stay tuned!

I'm playing this next Saturday AND they're looking for volunteers.
Come on down!
THE 32nd ANNUAL SF FREE FOLK FESTIVAL
Concerts – Music and Dance Workshops
– Evening Dances – Family Activities
June 21 & 22, 2008
SF City College
easy access to Balboa BART Station
In the brand new WELLNESS CENTER
Noon to 10pm
FREE  
www.sffolkfest.org www.myspace.com/sffreefolkfestival 415 665 9915

I'm off to New York City tomorrow for a spur of the moment trip. Anyone need a last minute opener or gig-sub, lemme know! write
deborah@deborahcrooks.com

well, all the basics are down...now just overdubs, mixing, mastering...here's a little guitar recording action from Eamon Ryland.