Recording!
Thursday, May 15, 2008

Hello my dear friends! I just want to let everyone know that though it seems I've been way out of the music loop lately, it's actually because I've been focusing ..ing the writing of the new album. I've recently begun recording with my good friend Ryan Bohac. We haven't got much done yet, but the album is completely written and will have 13 tracks plus 2 bonus tracks and will be called "Clumsy Seduction." We're hoping to have it ready for release sometime by the end of this year, BUT we should have new songs ready for you to taste sometime in the near future, even if they are just in demo form. I miss all my wonderful friends I've made touring across the country and Portland I know I've been slacking on shows lately, but I'm working on getting a couple of fun ones set up for the coming month. Hope everyone is doing marvelous. Love you all!

xoxoemma hill

Escape the Rain Tour: Week 2!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Hey Everyone! I'm writing from Reno. I'm sitting on my friend Ciara's couch in her wonderful home on Lander street. Garrett and I have had a wonderful week. After Arcata we made our way down to the Bay area and I dropped him off in the city to spend time with friends. I crossed back over the Golden Gate to spend two days with my Aunt Becky and her kids in Fairfax. I had a wonderful visit with them. It was very exciting because we had never met before and I connected with them all almost instantly. The second day I was there we cooked all day and that night Becky had about 25 friends over and I played a show in her living room. The show was marvelous and everyone bought cds and t-shirts which always feels really good. I got to meet some very fun and interesting people as well. I really fell in love with her kids and I can't wait to go back for another visit. On the 21st I drove into the city and met up with Garrett who was staying with Bryan next door to Mary. I stayed the night with Mary and it was a great day and night all around. I played a show at Socha Cafe and even though it was a little slow I had some people come up and express to me how much they enjoyed the show and that made it completely worth it! I also got free food which is always a plus!

We woke up early the next day to head to Yosemite. I cannot put in words how beautiful Yosemite National Park is. I've never experienced beauty like it and I'm from freakin Alaska!!! We spend two amazing days there and sweet Mama Yo took such good care of us! We got our own room in resident housing and ate and drank for free. I ended up playing two shows at the loft and both went really well. We were fortunate enough to meet and play with 3 wonderful singer/songwriters named Jake Hill, Jim Hanft and Tim Mcglow. We had so much fun trading off songs and learning each others music. I know that those two days in Yosemite are really gonna stick with me. Thanks so much Yolanda!!

On the 24th we woke up and grabbed some grub from the lodge and then started to trek up the mountain to get to Reno. We made it up just fine and then made the stupid decision of taking small roads and ended up 7000 feet up the Sierras on highway 88 before we were turned around my a cop telling us it was closed ahead. We had to backtrack our way back to the 49 and take it up to the 50 and crossed the mountains again! 5000 feet twice and 7000 once all in one day. We ended up driving for a total of 9 hours that day because people down here don't know how to handle a little snow. BUT we made it and I was so happy to see Ciara that I forgot all about it. Last night I played a show here at the Holland Project which is a wonderful little art collective based out of a house in downtown Reno. It was a great turnout and I played with two awesome musicians, Yudai and Will. They both really impressed me.

Now it's the 26th and I get to spend the day with Ciara and then Garrett and I will entertain ourselves this evening while she's at work. We plan on leaving for Salt lake early tomorrow morning. I have a show there tomorrow night at Red Light Books. I'm very excited because I continue to hear more and more cool things about the place!

Well that is all I have for you today. I love and miss everyone back home. I've been daydreaming about my new apartment and I can't wait to get back and set it up. Talk to you again soon!

xoxoemma hill

Escape the Rain Tour Days 1 2 and 3
Monday, February 18, 2008

Hello everyone!! So the first few days of the tour have been exciting and unexpected!
The first night we were in Salem and I played at this great little place called The Blue Pepper Gallery. It is a really nice atmosphere and Derek the booker/owner was so kind to us. I didn't have a huge crowd but everyone there was really into it and bought cds and nice tips which really really helps with gas money. My friend Elan came to the show and brought a nice group of friends with him. We ended up going out for drinks afterwards and then they put us up at their house in Corvallis. He even gave me his bed for the night!! How kind!

The next day was hot and sunny and perfect for driving. After about 4 and 1/2 hours we got into Crescent City and from the git-go Garrett and I were wondering about the place. We drove around and called The Pizza King and they had no idea what was going on and said call back later. We went down to the beach and drove around town finding free internet. There were no cool people out and about except this very nice older lady making a fire on the beach. She was awesome and I wanted to talk to her more but I also wanted to run away from Crescent City which had no good vibes. We called The Pizza King back and all the guy could say was "I don't know darlin'" so we decided to head south to Arcata. After another hour and half of driving I decided I wanted to sleep in a bed so we splurged for a Super Motel 8 room. I was glad for a shower and some sleep.

This morning we came into town and started exploring. As soon as we hit Arcata, I remembered why I loved this place. It is FULL of good vibes. Everyone you meet is so nice and helpful. I love the Redwood park full of all the beautiful trees and views. I got to climb up and sit on the stump of a tree that was about 10 feet high and like 6 feet wide! How fun! We checked out the local record shop and played in the Plaza for awhile. We then rode about 5 miles out of town out to the Cape and got to run around in some dunes and see the ocean from both sides. Then we went even further down on Jetty Rd and got to walk along the sea wall with waves splashing up at us. It was very relaxing. I really really love this town and I don't think I would have one problem living here. I think I might make that a goal for my life-spend at least one year living in Arcata.

Now we are sitting in the CO-OP parking lot stealing their internet and waiting for an awesome open mic to start. It's called Menstrual Mondays! I'm super stoked to play it and here all the music Arcata women have to share. We found a girl on Couchsurfers to stay with and she spins fire and is in a circus so her and Garrett will have all kinds of things to talk about! I'll probably drink a beer and go to sleep...all this driving makes me tired.

Tomorrow we head for Fairfax. I found out today that Aaron is going to be in Berkeley this weekend so I'm very excited to see him while we're both in California. I'm also super excited to meet and play at my Aunt Becky's house. It sounds like we're going to have a really great turnout that night. Garrett plans on catching the Ferry over the city a day early to meet up with friends. I'll be meeting up with him on the 21st to play my show at Socha Cafe on Mission St. So if you have any friends in San Fran, tell them to come see me play!!!

Alright everyone, that's enough for now. I miss you all and hope to see a lot of you for the first time on this trip. I'm excited!

Love you all
xoxoemma hill