Bloggy Wog by Chrissy Coughlin

Sunny Florida shout out!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:30:38 -0500

Well! I am just going to go ahead and say that I am typing this outside in 75 degree weather with the breeze blowing ever so slightly taking the edge off of the heat and sun exposure that my so very white pale skin has been deprived of for so very long. I am in Florida with my family and it is fantastico. I can’t remember the last time I was so excited to walk out of the airport into the tropical air. Don’t get me wrong, I might prefer a tropical island with umbrella drinks being handed to me left and right, but this will do just fine. And as I said, I am with my awesome family.

It is so nice to take a chill pill from the frigid Northeast and kick back and eat my mom’s brownies…you know the ones with butter, graham cracker, chocolate chips (of course), coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and walnuts to boot? I mean seriously. They are good for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack, late night snack, insomnia snack…whenever. In fact, I woke up this morning, poured my coffee, and said to myself, “Oh, I think I will” as I grabbed one off the cookie tray thingy. I thought nobody heard me but my sister-in-law did and laughed at me. Alas, no guilt just bliss.

Okay, enough about the brownies. But I will say that one of my friends/music fans sent me a care package the other day consisting one Tolberone, one Chunky, and one Ferrara bar (I had never heard of that one but it was good.) It was clearly spurred by the Toblerone blog and my not so subtle obsession with chocolate products. I screamed in delight. Who wouldn’t like to get that chocolate fest in the mail? Then I contained myself and went into grateful mode. How thoughtful of him. This is also the same person who bought a whole case of CDs to give to his office mates for the holidays this year. HOW COOL IS THAT? I still like Toblerone the best.

Onto music stuff! I have three shows in January in NYC that I am fired up to play. It’s always fun to report shows at the beginning of the year. I have birthday in early January as well so the New Year takes on a whole double meaning thing of new goals, dreams, hopes, desires - all of which, by the way, I intend to make reality. No pressure or anything. So, January 6th I will be playing at this private arts club called Norwood, January 12th I will be playing at one of my favorite venues in NYC, Rockwood Music Hall, and then at the end of the month on the 30th I am playing the Redhorse Cafe in Park Slope, Brooklyn. All great and very different venues. Good stuff. Check out my Website soon for updated info on those shows.

Alrighty! So, the end of the year has come. It’s been coming a little quicker these past few years but that is fine. It’s just important to wake up every day and do our best. Right!? That’s all we can do. I have to say, I am so damn appreciative of all of my friends, family, and people who I don’t even know who like my music and show their support for me. It’s a pretty great reason to want to keep on making music and get better. I hope this next week is fantastic for each and everyone of you. One more week of a decade that has come and gone. Make the most of it! We will soon be embarking on a new decade together so let’s make it ROCK and ROLL!! Happy Holidays!!!!

Chrissy

Dancing in December

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:14:49 -0500

Hi friends!

It’s Sunday afternoon, it’s getting dark, and I am tired in that good, “I danced until the dawn” way. There’s just something about letting it all go and feeling as free as a bird. I went dancing last night with some friends and it was awesome. That’s the second time in the past couple of weeks where I have cut a rug and it feels pretty damn good. A friend recently told me that he thinks more people should dance. I believe he was implying that we would all be a lot happier. I couldn’t agree more. I mean you don’t have to be a “good” dancer or anything or possess all of the slick hipster moves - you just have to be able to move. And its soooo much fun.

This morning I woke up to a beautiful coat of snow on the ground. Some people around here are unhappy about the arrival of this snow but I love it. What I think is really going on is that a mere 48 hours ago or so it was 70 degrees outside and people were out in tank tops and shorts and loving life and snow now means cold. But snow also means beauty so I hopped in my car this morning and took a drive off the beat and path. It was magical. The snow was clinging to the branches of the trees and the sunshine was pouring through making everything glisten. I was so happy. Once I was in the general location where I wanted to be, I just let myself turn on roads on a whim. I had no idea where they would lead me but one brought me to Walden Pond. I had never been there and I thought that it was pretty fantastic. I stopped and took it all in. Good times and good lyric making.

Well, it’s pretty crazy that we are already into December but that’s okay. I have been so lucky to have recently been able to spend some quality time with family and old friends and new. It has all been pretty wonderful. I am working on cranking out new tunes that I hope to be playing out soon. I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be a pretty good year but I will talk to you before that. Now go out and dance.

Chrissy

We have found Chunky

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:39:39 -0500

My friend/music fan Ralph from Chicago fame has reported to me that Chunky is alive and well at Walgreens. Attached is proof. I thought they said bye bye to those long ago. Although I am happy Chunky is still alive, I would pick a toblerone hands down!

I love Toblerone

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:50:58 -0500

Hello sweet friends and music lovers-

I am sitting here eating a chunk of Toblerone and thinking about all that has transpired in the last couple of months. There is something about Toblerones for me. I bought one of those big huge ones at the store and pretty much every day I take a chunk off and eat it. I had never seen a Toblerone so large so of course I had to buy it. Tonight I decided to eat my chunk as an appetizer. Yum. (Remember Chunky’s as a kid…some of us?) They weren’t as good as Toblerones but that’s a fun random memory. Where did they go?

Anyhow! I am currently hanging in Boston for a time and have been picking up the guitar a whole heck of a lot more which feels good. I have come to realize more than ever that I am truly a gal who needs wide open spaces. Grass, trees, sky, openness. I mean Boston is no Badlands but it is a nice change for now. I will keep you posted.

I am also writing writing writing. I have lots of little songs at this point that will be coming together. I am thinking a new album in 2010 would be nice:) I think if I keep on eating Toblerones, the songs will come quicker. That’s a nice theory as long as I write some upbeat songs and dance the chocolate off the bootie.

Oh and nougat, too. The best part.

Chrissy

Are you a “tobleroner “?

4am

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:33:29 -0400

I am here sitting home on Saturday night because I came home at 4am this morning. People who know me know that I don’t do things like that very often. I was just having too much fun to go home and you know when you get that “I’m so tired that I don’t even know if I am tired” thing going on? Well, that’s what I had. I was hanging out at the very cool Norwood Club with my friend Doug and his two British friends Sophie and Helen. It was fantastic just talking about life and laughing. I hadn’t done that in a long time, which is not good! Norwood has guitars hanging out on the 3^rd floor so they grabbed one and had me play a few tunes in the downstairs bar. It was cool. I got to Norwood at 8:45 and thought I would stay there maybe two hours. We closed the place down. You never know where life is going to take you. (It took me to get a slice of pizza on the way home!)

Last week it brought me to Colorado Springs where I attended the Durango Songwriter’s Expo. It was very cool to be hanging out with people who love music, are dedicated to it, and come at it from all different angles. It reinvigorated me! My friend, Al Moss, of Nashville and Americana Radio fame, encouraged me to go and I am really glad I did. I even got to perform my song ‘Wait for You’ at the showcase the first night. I was sicker than a dog that night but drank ten mugs of hot water and lemon and got up. And to sing at 6,000ft made it doubly as interesting! I felt like all of the cotton fields of Georgia secretly found their way inside my mouth but I made it through the song with decent resultsJ

Then I hit Kansas City to see my bro, his wife Katherine, and my sweetness of a niece Grace, and oh yeah, their awesome dog Stanley, the big black lab. It was awesome.

Now I am back in NYC. Have been laying a little low but am getting back into show booking mode. Gotta keep it real! And it looks like I am going to be up in Boston in November doing some writing and catching my breath but I will keep you posted!! I am excited to create a whole new batch of songs for you!

Big huge hug-

Chrissy

Playing my song ‘Wait for You’ at the Durango...

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:29:04 -0400

Playing my song ‘Wait for You’ at the Durango Songwriter’s Expo!

Photo

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:49:27 -0400

Lots to be happy about

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:36:45 -0400

Hi friends-

Hope all is well. It’s been an eventful few weeks. My brother and his wife just had their first baby and I am a new aunt. I can’t believe how amazing it feels. I was out in Kansas City with them for almost a week and it was so incredible holding this tiny little angel. I love her so much!!! I will attach a picture after this blog. It’s amazing how innocent she is and how she is just taking it all in with wonder and amazement. Ah, I could on:) Babies are pretty cute.

On a sadder note, it is amazing how deeply affected I have been about the Air France flight that went down last week. I guess we all need constant reminders of how fragile life is, but wow. I guess it is because it could have been any one of us…but also that they don’t know what happened. I just hope and pray nobody suffered. I hope they did not really even know what hit them. I just hope all of families are hanging in there and finding some iota of comfort from each other. Go give someone you a hug.

And on the music front, well good things are happening! I am booking more shows and just got this great show at this private club for creative artistic types in NYC called Norwood. I am going to be doing a set there next Tuesday the 16th. Some famous members include Mick Jagger, Michael Stipe, and Prince. I won’t hold my breath that they will be in attendance but just dreaming about the possibility is enough for me!

I also just found out that my song, Do it Out of Love, is being featured on a new podcast called Woman of Substance. This show is going to be playing for the forseeable future Mondays from 7-9pm. Here is the link. http://www.live365.com/stations/breenoble

So I hope everyone is doing great. Say hello when you can and remember to tell your friends about me!! You can be a fan on my facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chrissy-Coughlin/48452827773

Or join my email list by emailing me by going to www.chrissymusic.com and I will keep you posted on stuff!

Wishing everyone the best!

Chrissy

When it rains it pours!

Tue, 26 May 2009 12:42:19 -0400

I have two cool reviews and music show to share with you. It’s always funny how these things seem to come in clumps. In any case, it has made for a very nice weekend and Tuesday:) Here are the links!

Remember to help me spread the word! It takes an army!! And I need your help!

Rebel Riffs:

http://rebelriffs.blogspot.com/ (scroll down)

Feminist Review:

http://feministreview.blogspot.com/2009/05/chrissy-coughlin-look-ahead.html

Woman of Substance Radio
The Modern Country Show
Airs every Tuesday from 7-9:30pm

They are featuring my two songs, Back to You and Do it Out of Love

http://www.live365.com/stations/breenoble

Hope all of your weekends were fabuloso!

Chrissy

Memorial Day Weekend Post

Sun, 24 May 2009 22:47:03 -0400

It has been gorgeous in NYC and I am glad because I decided to stay in the city for the long weekend. It’s been so much fun eating outside at cafes, walking around the city in the cool (er) of the night, and just taking a break. This Wednesday I am heading to Kansas City for the birth of my brother and his wife’s baby which will take place this Thursday. We have no idea what the sex will be so there is double excitement. And I am going to be an auntie for the first time! It’s surreal!

Music is going well, too. Booking shows and hoping to book more. And seeing lots of live music. I love catching shows in NYC…it motivates me to write and I always get new ideas!

I will have more after Thursday and will attach a picture of the new bambino!

Chrissy

Out with my friends at Wainy Days at 92Y Tribeca last week. It...

Sun, 10 May 2009 21:08:00 -0400

Out with my friends at Wainy Days at 92Y Tribeca last week. It was hilarious and we grabbed a picture with Paul Rudd who was part of the show. My cheeks hurt the next day from laughing so hard. It was awesome:)

Cinco de Mayo

Tue, 05 May 2009 18:50:00 -0400

I can’t remember the last Cinco de Mayo where I was shrouded under so much rain. Then again, I can’t really remember any Cinco de Mayos. I mean I am sure I had fun whatever I was doing, but I just don’t remember what that was. I actually do remember it when I was 9 or 10 running around the May Pole at school holding big ribbons that swirled around while my little buddies and I danced through a rehearsed and perfected process of intertwining ribbons. And I remember the music.

The result was the most colorful braid of beauty. And we made it. I mean we danced around like little elves and thought we were cool. We were even nervous because so many people like parents and stuff were watching us. They do it every year and today there are 9 or 10 year olds running around the same May Pole. It’s a good memory. I like thinking about that free and wild feeling we had as kids. It’s key to keep that feeling alive and well as adults. There’s really no reason to stop.

I just hope it isn’t as icky in DC today as it is in NYC for the kids sake.

Rock on my friends!

Soaking up the Sun!

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:33:22 -0400

I am still in Florida and I just typed out a blog that somehow just got erased. Second times a charm!

I came down here for Easter and just can’t seem to get myself back up to NYC quite yet. I am loving the warm breezes, sunshine, and rest. And typing away here outside rather than in my dark apt!! Today is really windy. I love it!!

So, I had a great show at Rockwoods before I left. It was a lot of fun to play in the afternoon there. It was low-key and there was a terrific crowd there to support me. In fact, if you are reading this and you came out, THANK YOU! It was also fun to do a solo show. I debuted my new song, Safe to Stay, and I was happy how it was received. I am pretty psyched about the tune. I will get a copy of it up on my site very soon and would love to get your feedback.

Tomorrow, I am going to be taking part in a beach clean-up down here at this beach I really love to go to. It’s so pretty and I want to do my part to keep it that way! When I was swimming the other day, I came across a huge brown papery product of some sort that I thought was initially going to eat me up. I was happy it wasn’t a hungry animal but it was a bummer that it was trash. So, I will be busy as a beaver from 9-1 manana:)

Let me know if you are doing anything for Earth Day/week! I would love to hear about it!

Okay, I am going to take a walk now. Happy Spring everyone. For us, Northeasters, it is well deserved! Wow, that was a long winter!

Chrissy

Singing away at Rockwood Music Hall!

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:22:06 -0400

Singing away at Rockwood Music Hall!

Morrissey last night

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:18:22 -0400

Hi there friends! Hope all is well with you. It is a beautiful much needed day here in NYC. I am going to get some work done and then head up to Central Park…maybe even hit up the Met. Yahoo!

So, as you can see from the title of my post, I saw Morrissey last night at Carnegie Hall. It was an amazing show. I was in the fourth row and could see the lines in his face, his expressions, his pain, his concentration, his admiration for the audience and gratitude for playing at Carnegie Hall. You could tell he was in awe of the place. It was pretty cool to see. And his band was phenomenal. So so good. It was a very choreographed set but only subtley and everything worked pretty much perfectly.

I grew up listening to the Smiths. I adored them. His voice sent me to a place as a teenager that was pretty special. Yeah, his songs are depressing but they are also beautiful and hold a special place in my heart. They are raw and real. It was cool to see lots of people my age who clearly grew up listening to The Smiths as well as younger folks who know him as a solo career artist. Everyone was so psyched and that’s pretty infectious!

He came out in a full tuxedo (he changed out of that pretty quickly) but it was awesome. And his voice sounds exactly the same. Okay, I could on and on…Okay I will say one more thing.

Something that kind of stuck with me last night was his comment to the audience that he can’t be loved. This was after he handed the microphone to someone in the audience who yelled out, “I love you, Morrissey!!” He had a full house of ADORING fans yet he was on stage saying that it’s not possible to love him. We may all love him from a distance but that is still love and he is a lucky man that we all adore him after all of these years. It was as if the audience was roaring and clapping him out of that fatalistic state that we both love and dislike about him!!! And hey! He doesn’t have to worry about the recession when you are selling out Carnegie Hall!

I hope that you all have an amazing weekend. Do me a favor and smile to someone this weekend who you don’t know. You can do it just once or all day, at night, in the morning…whatever…just do it. You will be amazed not only how it makes you feel, but how it makes the other person feel. It’s a shit time in this world but we are all pretty lucky. More smiles help. :) :) :)

Chrissy

Saturday in the City

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:10:43 -0400

I had an amazing show on Wednesday and I woke up today for the first time since the show, feeling a little off. I got up anyways, of course, because it was time and because it is Saturday and because it is warm(er), and because all of the skim milk was going to be gone from the Farmers Market. Grrr. I figured out what was going down. I was coming off my high from my show. A natural high. The best kind.

I worked hard and in the past couple of days since the show was celebrating my success. Even though I was, in the end, close to ‘poop in your pants’ nervous when I got on stage on Wednesday, I did it. The trick now is to keep bits and pieces of that feeling alive to fuel the fire. It’s amazing the impact a 50 minute set can have. When a room is full of love and support, anything can happen.

It had been a year since I had played The Living Room. Yeah, the band was rehearsed but it didn’t get rid of the “Wow, I am playing The Living Room” factor. The room was full and all of those people were all on my side so I took a deep breath, smiled, and waited for the drums to kick in.

It’s pretty cool to push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s easy not to do. It’s not easy for me to do for sure. So, my goal for the next week is to keep myself so busy being productive that I don’t have time to be fearful.

Now I just need to find my Staples “That was easy button.” Where is it? Oh there it is. Push. Is that a real guy saying that or a robot? Probably a robot.

Get out there and kick some butt my friends!

Now I must practice my new tune.