Exciting News! The total raised for the making of my next CD is now up to $1200! Thanks to each of you who have made a contibution or pre-ordered the CD. With this money, I’ve been able to record the vocals and guitar for 3 of the eventual 10 songs. I made a sampler CD of this work so far, which is entitled “She’s Not Waiting”. You can hear these songs at the LISTEN/BUY MY MUSIC section on this site. You can also purchase each song as a digital download at DigStation, which is a site run by DiscMakers, where you can purchase downloads all sorts of music. I still have more money to raise for making the CD, so if you are able to make a contibrution or pre-order the CD, you can do so right here. Many of the donation levels include getting goodies such as RLW t-shirts, private house concerts, and spots in upcoming videos that I make.

I’m continuing the process of raising funds to help make my upcoming full-length CD. I’m offering some additional incentives to those who pre-order the CD or make a donation to my fund raising efforts. First, I’m holding a raffle in which the prize is a gift certificate to D’Mai Urban Day Spa, an amazing oasis here in Brooklyn, New York. The certificate is for a manicure and pedicure ($70 value). All donations/pre-orders are automatically entered. The drawing will be on December 18th. Also, between now and December 31st, I’ll be donating 10% of all the money I raise to HealthGap, a really great organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to global access to affordable medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS. So, you aren’t just helping me make the CD when you donate, but you are helping a great organization with a great mission and you just might win a well needed day of pampering!

This past week, my song “Please Come to Brooklyn” was featured on the podcast, StarvingArtistsGuide.com. The podcast is hosted by local New York City musician, Johnny Sanford and features all sorts of artists, including musicians, visual artists, and comedians. Make sure to check out not only the November 22nd episode I am featured on, but the blog itself. Johnny shares some really great resources for artists, particularly for those living in New York City and he does it all with a great sense of humor and a progressive political perspective, which I thoroughly appreciate!

You can hear the podcast by going to StarvingArtistsGuide.com or by downloading a free podcast on iTunes. Search “Starving Artists Guide” November 22nd, 2009.

This past week I performed at Grand Army Plaza as part of the “Music on Saturday’s” series, sponsored by the Prospect Park Alliance here in Brooklyn. It was an incredibly beautiful fall day outside and I had a great time playing! I arrived early to the gig in time to hear the band before me called “Hip Like Blank” who combined jazz, rock, hip-hop, and pop to create a sound everyone was up and dancing to. During my set, my friend and #1 fan, Jennifer, snapped a few photos of me playing while people listened attentively under the beautiful arch. We also did a little shopping at the nearby farmer’s market right after the show! What a nice way to usher in the fall season!

Rachel Lee Walsh

Rachel and Amber

This week I did a totally fun podcast interview with HeyBrooklyn.com, a really cool blog which features interviews of all sorts of creative people living and working here in Brooklyn. The podast is hosted by Amber of The AmberShow.net, who I just loved immediately. She’s super spunky and is doing some great creative things herself! Be sure to check out her sites. We met at her studio in Brooklyn, which is in an old loft warehouse space in Brooklyn. The space is aptly called BlattCave Productions, run by our sound guy, Rob Blatt, Amber’s Husband! Quite the dynamic duo! We spoke briefly about my new EP, my fundraising for my upcoming full-length, and my work. I also performed 3 of my songs, including “Oh Lord”, which is a brand new song! The interview is up on the HeyBrooklyn.com site as of today and Amber will be posting some pix and words about our meeting on her blog, TheAmberShow.net in the next few days. Take a listen and let me know what you think! Click on the player below to listen to the segment.

Grand Army Plaza

I will be performing a solo show on guitar and vocals Saturday September 26th at 2:30pm as part of the “Music on Saturday’s” Series at Grand Army Plaza/Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The series includes a diverse line-up of singers, musicians, and bands from 12-3pm on Saturdays. The event takes place right under the arches of the Plaza, which is the round-a-bout at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Park West, and Empire Boulevard, directly across from the Brooklyn Public Library. Other musicians playing that day include Alan Friend and Hip Like Blank. In addition to the music series at Grand Army Plaza, the Brooklyn Public Library will be hosting a free outdoor concert on their steps as well, so it’s an afternoon of a lot of great music outdoors, which is a great way to enjoy the start of the fall season!

Rachel Lee Walsh

This week I will be recording an interview with HeyBrooklyn.com, “a podcast about creative people living and working in Brooklyn, New York brought to you by Amber of TheAmberShow.net”. Amber interviews some really fascinating people from around Brooklyn, including musicians, inventors, small biz owners, floral designers, and even candy makers! Speaking of this wonderful city we call Brooklyn….Amber has asked that I play my song “Please Come to Brooklyn”. If you haven’t already heard this song, take a listen by clicking on the music tab at the top of my site. I’ll be giving you head’s up soon about the airing date of the podcast so you can take a listen to the interview!

I had an amazing time performing at the various showcase stages and rooms at the 2009 Indiegrrl Conference. I gained some new fans, received some really great responses to my performances and songwriting, and learned more about what performing at conferences entails. The flip side of the fun performing is the amazement and fun I had discovering new artists when I went to hear other showcases. I’ve listed some artists below that I think are well worth checking out. This is only a small sampling of the cool musicians that I heard at the conference. Stay tuned for info on some projects I’ll be doing with a few of them in the near future.

Pantera Saint-Montaigne, Amy Campbell, Regina Sayles, Hudson K, Erika Carey and The Calamities, Rachael Sage, Sonya Heller, Jamie Sue Seal, Linda McCrae, Michelle Monte, Stark

Below are some more snapshots and a video from the conference!

Click here for a video of me playing the Women’s Radio Guerrilla Room Showcase. Video shot by Brian Ball.