Online Journal

And so the real fun begins...

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:02:48 -0700

I am sitting at my iMac, typing up this new OJ (Online Journal, so you’re not confused) entry, enjoying what is one of the first weekends of summer.

I could get used to this.

Waking up when you feel like waking up, being able to make a nice, cooked meal for lunch, and deciding how you want to spend your day- without the monkey of school on your back, stealing all the good hours of the day.

It is very, very nice.

I’m only two days into my summer break, but I’ve already made a conscious effort to not waste it away. Every day is precious, and will be treated that way.

I still have one exam, this Tuesday, so I still have to set a little bit of time aside to study. It’s socials, there are two essays. I don’t want to bomb it. But I’m pretty much there, and I’m ecstatic about that. :]

This summer will be one for the books- at least I feel it will be, and I will do everything in my power to make it that way.

I’m stoked. and very, very, uncontrollably happy.

The first morning when I realized it was summer break, and I didn’t have to go to school, I legitimately almost cried. The good kind, of course. (HA, that’s the band The Wreckers [with Michelle Branch] reference! If you know the band well enough, you’ll get it).

^^ TEE HEE

Well, I just wanted to let you know where I am mentally. And that is super SUPER ready to attend to my album with undivided attention, busk like crazy, go to the beach, soak up the sun (....Sheryl Crow reference- okay I’ll stop), and have all around amazing times.

3... 2... 1...

GO!

;) Karly

Am I dreaming? No. But my dreams could come true.

Sat, 1 May 2010 13:28:56 -0700

This morning has been a roller coaster ride, and it will remain this way, up until May 24th. On May 24th, online public judging for the Lilith Fair Local Talent Search is over, and all of the Top 20 artists continue on with the possibility of playing a 30-45 minute opening set at Lilith.

I must be one of these artists. O_O

At first, when I heard about Lilith Fair coming back this summer, I was ecstatic to buy tickets and see the show. Then, when there was talk, and later confirmation, about a contest I could enter to perform in it- I just passed out.

Okay, that’s not exactly true. But my actions were something similar to that effect.

I can’t even express how amazing it would be to have this opportunity. For one, Sarah McLachlan is my musical inspiration (this is her fair), and two, well, this kind of venue is what my dreams are made of. To get to play at an event like this at such an early stage in my “career” would just be... insane.. ridiculous... amazing.. AAAHHHH!

This is why it’s been insane all morning. You see, I entered into the competition through OurStage last night, beginning at number 158 as my ranking, with no expectations. Being down the list that far, it seemed like an impossible possibility. I even had a dream I made it to 70, and was freaking out with excitement. To wake up this morning, and be bombarded with the reality that I was now number 18- well, let’s just say I couldn’t believe it. I was sincerely surprised- pleasantly surprised of course. :)

Ever since then, it’s been this obsession. Checking the computer to see where I rank, and judging other artists to hopefully come across mine and vote myself up (since you’re allowed). I’ve been sending messages to all of my friends to help me too and vote as well.

I’ve just been consumed with it!

When I made it to the number 1 spot for two rounds, I went running downstairs to tell my mum and take a picture of it for evidence!

This contest is the most important contest I’ve ever entered in. Thus, it will be my main focus of attention for the next 23 days.

If you would like to help me hold my position in the Top 20 so that I have a chance at playing for Lilith (SHRIEK), you can judge other Vancouver talent by clicking HERE. This helps good artists go up, and not so good artists go down. When/if you get me, be sure to rank me as “Best” to help me move up.

I just have to be in the Top 20 to qualify.

I need all the help I can get. Please help me do this :)

You can keep voting until May 24th.

Until then, I’ll be an emotional wreck!

Singing off,
The certifiably insane ;)

Recording Again! :)

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 22:21:01 -0800

Hey you guys!

I probably say this in every entry, but sorry it’s been so long since I wrote last! Just remember, I only write in this blog every few months, or when something especially amazing happens (like this weekend). =D But just before I get to that, don’t forget to read my blog that I update quite frequently (a few posts a week probably) at www.karlysummers.blogspot.com :)

So anyway, I am SO FREAKING EXCITED RIGHT NOW! =DD I really can’t hide it! It has been so long since I’ve recorded, and this weekend we finally got to record the vocals to Rewind, which is a song that’s going to be on that CD I’ve been talking about. aka - My first fully produced album! ;) It’s probably my favorite one so far. I really went crazy with producing it, had a lot of fun. And hearing the vocals on it today just made me SO MUCH MORE excited about it, and the album. =]

I’m quite thrilled! ^-^ It sounded AMAZING!! :D

I’m really gonna work hard these next few months on this record. Were talking blood, sweat and tears. That’s what’s going into this album! =P ... Actually no, more like passion, dedication and fun. :-) lol

Type to you when the next noteworthy event in my music life occurs!

Best Wishes,
Karly <3

Summer’s coming to an end.. but some thing’s have only just begun. :)

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:09:58 -0700

Hey you guys,

Thanks for reading my not-so-periodically-posted-in blog. =P
A lot of things have been going on lately, and also since the last time I blogged on here. I’ve learned quite a lot in these summer months I’d have to say. I went to the Vancouver Island Music Business Conference, and learned A WHOLE BUCKET FULL there. Met some very cool, talented, and sweet, sweet people, and had a lot of fun. :)
I went to the Vancouver Island Music Festival. That was also a blast. Shorter, but possibly more hectic? - No way, the conference was crazy! Running from building to building at different places scattered all across Comox, not even having enough time to eat a decent lunch. Nothing could be more hectic than that! =P I guess I spit out “hectic” because I performed at that one, a few times. And once, on a very big, and very intimidating stage.
My first year at the fest and I get to play on THE stage. The big one. O_O *GULP*
Thankfully I didn’t go into complete panic and shock (key word “complete”), I held my own while on stage. People seemed to like it. :P
I met a lot of awesome people there too. Like Shamik, the beat-boxer! And James Kasper, the CFUV Radio Interviewer/ musician himself! As well as Chris, and all the lovely people who bought my CD and came up to my signing, and talked to me. :) They were great.
I also got to speak with Doug Cox for just a few moments, because I had to thank him for choosing me to be a part of it all. I was the youngest performer this year, and that’s pretty crazy, and cool. ;)

So again, thank you Doug. :) It was a great experience.

My family came out this summer too. That was a riot. =) We certainly had a full house on our hands. But it was great, lots of fun. :]

I busked a lot too actually, and performed a ton. Bastion Square was a big reacquiring gig that I had going. If you pay attention to the NEWS page, you would have noticed this as well. :P I’d play there every weekend Thursday - Sunday. Two hours every time. Now, THAT’S a lot! But people I met there were fantastic. I’d even get e-mails from people saying that they saw me and wishing me luck and so on and so forth. I e-mail them all back. Their all amazing! =)

So, that leads me to the end of my summer story, and the title of this blog..

“Summer’s coming to an end, but some thing’s have only just begun.”

:)

Like what you ask?

Like, I still have two performances left on my... “tour” HAHA. ^.^
And were always booking more. I’m now filming cover video’s for YouTube, and have something REALLY special coming up.. Your gonna have to stay tuned to find out about that. :D

The new year is coming up, and with it comes many new things.

So keep your eyes peeled. ;)

Much love and appreciation,
(especially since you’ve read this whole blog entry, kudos!) =]

--Karly<33

REJECTION.

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:53:32 -0700

So today I sat down with my family and one of my best friends to listen to the Top 20 finalists in the Peak Radio competition. It was a contest looking for artist’s from British Columbia. Sounds perfect doesn’t it? I was feeling pretty good about it too. I was so nervous, shaking, teeth chattering as they were listing the first 10. During which, is when I realized that it was to good to be true. By the time the commercial break was playing I was already trying to make myself feel better because I knew that my name wasn’t going to be called. You probably guessed already by the title of this Journal entry that I didn’t make it. And, you know, I’ve watched American Idol for years and always wondered how people would resort to tears when they didn’t get picked. But, you really don’t know what it feels like, to be rejected on something that is so close to your heart, until it happens to you. People go into these competitions and put everything out there. They give all that they have into their music, it’s their passion, it’s their dream, it’s what they’ve been working SO hard for. To have that love destroyed is actually, quite heart wrenching. So now I understand those people. And now I understand why everyone says to me “You gotta be able to take rejection in this business.” Now I REALLY understand. ._.
It’s character building, I suppose.
I’ve been rejected twice now in the music business, but I know that this is only the beginning. And you know what?

I’m ready. ;)

-K <3

Blogging about my other Blog, and other miscellaneous things.

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 18:13:56 -0700

Well hey there!
I haven’t blogged on this account in to long, I thought it was about time again.
I think I’m going to start a new system. I want to keep my main home on the web (karlysummers.com) updated the most. So, as the school year comes to a close yet again, I will work on that. Until I reach this newest goal of mine, you can read my other blog that I update almost daily at www.karlysummers.blogspot.com
Things are pretty hectic and confusing lately, I have to say. I’m not exactly “complaining” BUT I don’t really like it this way the best. Some of the things that are going on currently (well, upcoming of course) are A LOT OF GIGS. Which is awesome, but I’m quite of a perfectionist, so the more time I have to practice before a performance the better. Right now, I feel like I’m not getting any. =( Things that are keeping me from practicing for these bunches of gig’s coming up very soon, are school. That’s a given. School keeps me from many things, but it’s something you just have to do in life. And I’m enjoying it for the time being, you know what they say “these are the best years of our lives.” Jeeze, I hope that’s not true. =P Noo, I’m kidding. But I think, if I do get what I want out of my life, than these few high school years won’t be the BEST years. But they won’t be the worst either.
So, there’s school, and there’s also a bunch of random events. Like our Garage Sale this Saturday. ALTHOUGH, it could technically count as a gig because apparently I’m playing in our front yard. I know THAT sounds weird, but it’s gonna happen. People like the idea, and if that’s what they want than I’m gung ho for it. It won’t be a big thing, but there will be a stage. ^_^ You’d have to see it, but I’m not lying, lol. I’m really excited for it actually. I love having Garage Sales and community things like that. Were gonna back a bunch of goodies and sell them along with Lemonade and Iced Tea. =) Tomorrow (Friday) I’m going through MY ENTIRE ROOM, and completely de cluttering it. Then sell and give away all of the clutter at the Garage Sale on Saturday. It’s gonna be a ton of fun! And the weather’s perfect for it. It’s as hot as summer already, which is crazy, but also pretty great! :)
A couple of weeks ago we started recording a new song and I got the lead vocal’s down, but the next day when we were going to record the Harmony’s to it I got really sick. (cold and fever) The cold part hung on for a while but I think now I should be ready to try it. I’m really excited for this song, it’s completely produced by.. me :D Of course my dad mixes it, but I created all the tracks, all the instrumentation on Garageband. I’m psyched to hear it finally finished!!

Anyway, I think that’s a good amount of bloggage for you to digest. =P
And, right after I finish typing this I’m going to update different area’s of the site. Like photo’s, enter page, as much as I can. AND I’ll post all of my upcoming gig’s on the News page.

Until next time!
-Karly. =)

It’s Been A While...

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:23:16 -0800

It’s about time I typed up a new entry for my Online Journal. Thanks for being patient with me. It’s just after (well about a month after) the Christmas holidays which were nice and relaxing, besides the huge snowfall we had! =P I had a bit of a break from performing, seeing as the weather isn’t as nice, and I get most of my gig’s in the summertime. So I spent a pretty generous amount of time during the holidays writing and recording my music. It just dawned on me that I haven’t recorded since almost a year. =| So, it was certainly about time I did again. And I’m talking about recording as in with my dad, professionally. Songs that I will release, apposed to the usual rookie recording in my room.
(I do those all the time). I’ve been recording with my dad two days in a row. Yesterday and today, and so far it’s been going great. The first song we recorded (yesterday) is called “I Can Hear You.” If you’ve ever seen me busk in the summertime, you’ve heard it before. I wrote it when I was 12 or 13. I’ll probably say thirteen just to be safe. I’m really excited to release it to you guys and get some feedback, it’s been way to long since I’ve put out a new one. The song we recorded today is called “Burnt Out.” It’s one of the newer ones I’ve written and it’s more personal. Although, all my songs are pretty personal.
We’ll be continuing recording this coming Tuesday, and the songs we’ll record then are different then any other songs of mine that you’ve heard. They have a different sound. Why? Because I wrote them on piano, and I’ll be recording them with piano. One of them, called “Rewind” will continue the live sound of recordings, but “You’ll Never Know” is one of the songs I was working on with Garageband over the Christmas break, and well... you’ll see!
Keep checking back soon for more updates!
-Karly Summers. =)

Finally Fifteen =]

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:57:08 -0800

Okay technically, I’m not fifteen YET. But tomorrow, November, 17th, 2008, I will be at precisely 7:00 AM. It feels pretty good! I’m always the youngest, and now I feel a little bit less young. =] I had my Birthday party yesterday with all my friends. It was a blast! We went bowling in Sidney at this tiny little bowling alley, it was so cute, retro almost. I haven’t been bowling in years! So it was about time. After that we headed down to the Peer. It was cool to go down there at night, and it was DEAD QUIET. Except for us of course... =P
After that we headed down to the only restaurant in town that was still open, Boston Pizza. There, I opened my presents (which were amazing thank you <3) and had the best desert ever... Good ole’ Brownies and Ice Cream, oh and of course some yam fries too! ... lol
Twas a night to remember, even if I forgot the candles.
... (I did)... *cry* lol.

The Sidney Stage/ the day of my interview with BuyVi.

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:26:21 -0700

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of the interview that day, TOTALLY SPACED. But, after the interview my friends (also my neighbors ^_^) Emily and Lil Carley (we call her little Carley because for one, she’s smaller than me, and two she’s younger... I’m Big Karly =P). Anyway, after the interview was done, we left Sidney’s Serious Coffee and wondered down to the peer. I love Sidney, and I had to go to the ocean before we left. So when we got down there, we saw the stage. They have this stage set up all year round, it’s not very big but it’s still a stage none the less. It’s placed on a big grass field (where the audience would sit and watch). I don’t know if anyone actually uses this stage, I’ve never personally seen it done. But we decided to make use of it that day.
So, I went into the trunk of our van and pulled out my guitar, we walked to the stage, AND WE ROCKED OUT... to walking on Sunshine. ^_^ , and a few other summer tunes. Even though it was October, we wanted to bring back the bright sunny attitude of July. My mum had the camera NOW, so she whipped it out and started snappin’. It eventually turned into a photo shoot, and we got a lot of good, funny pictures. They really captured the “essence” if you will, of that day. So, I made a picture page just for all the photo’s we took. It’s called “My Photo’s.” That’s where I’ll be posting all my personal photo’s, that don’t really have to do with my music. Just the experiences that come along with them!

FernWood Inn’s Open Mic.

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:14:54 -0700

My friend Stewart, who I know through the Organics Festival, recommended the FernWood Inn. for great Open Mic’s. He said I could come on the next Thursday and he’d put me on the list to play. So, of course I agreed. I play ANYWHERE I can. I need as much experience as possible. So my mum, my friend Emily (also my neighbor) and I drove downtown to the FernWood Inn. that Thursday night, and I was surprised to come across a very nice restaurant indeed. It had all the equipment hooked up very nicely, and it even had a stage! It was so great, and I met some awesome people there that night. By far, one of the best Open Mic’s I’ve ever played at and I’m planning on going again soon. =)