Heather Kropf: News & Notes

Hi all. The Americanos now has a myspace page. We've also got a nice line-up of free, outdoor shows this summer. Come on out and hear what we're up to! _ Heather

Well, with the advent of spring I'm constantly drawn to the garden, transplanting lavender, weeding out the poison ivy (again!), and choosing what veggies to pot in large containers. I've decided a variety of tomatoes will be the garden theme this year.

Upstairs in the home studio Randy and I continue to edit and record the songs for the album. We've decided cello on 2 songs would be perfect so we'll be working on that over the next few weeks.

Just thought I'd post the list of songs that will make their way to this CD:

joy comes like the morning
madrigal
come around
red sky
kite
edges of the day
devolving
shine
our lady of constant motion
downtown

I'm still on the fence about adding "the letter song" and "eva".

As we're about 2 garden-filled months behind my earlier timeline, look for something out this fall when the leaves are turning and a good home fire will be great companion to "hestia".

Last night Randy, Vince, Keith and I went over to George Heid's studio to track some songs for my next album. We did the new song "Joy Comes Like the Morning" and also re-recorded trio & duo versions of "Shine", "Edges of the Day" and "Kite" as live performances. It's such an intuitive, honest, and refreshing way to record, where the vibe matters much more than perfection -- an aesthetic I'm kind of into right now. It's about presence.

But I could go on and on.

I'm heading back tonight to track two new songs, "Devolving" and "Our Lady of Constant Motion". We'll also do a re-make version of "Madrigal" on rhodes with Vince on pedal steel.

Last but not least, I hope to post a version of one of these songs once we get a rough mix. Check back in a few weeks!

I really enjoyed playing with my band last night for all of you who turned out in the snowy weather. I just wanted to express my thanks. I keep on being amazed at how lucky I am to play with such fine people & musicians, and how great it is to perform for a listening & appreciative audience. Thank you ALL!!

- Heather

Press Release:

AcoustiCafe, a volunteer promotional organization for the regional music community, has partnered with Robert Morris University to present "AcoustiCafe LIVE at the RoMo Cafe." The weekly show, hosted by singer-songwriter J. Shields, is slated for Fridays from 5pm to 7pm in the RoMo Cafe, located in RMU's Nicholson Building, and will feature behind-the-music interviews and performances by select AcoustiCafe artists. This Friday's guests are Heather Kropf and Paul Tabachneck.

Local singer-songwriters interested in being considered for a future AcoustiCafe LIVE are encouraged to sign-up to perform at the AcoustiCafe Open Stage held every Monday at Club Cafe on the South Side.

AcoustiCafe LIVE at RoMo Cafe is for all ages, admission is free and the public is welcome. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/acousticafeorg

I had a blast doing some open stages in the Boston area this past week: Club Passim and Amazing Arts in Framingham. There's something jolly and democratic about the pace and undulating skill of open stages. You really never know what's happening next. I'm hosting an open stage on Monday at Club Cafe. Come on down and be amazed and horrified! It's comedy, it's poetry. It's a trip.

Chris Smither had me blissfully lulled by his low gruff voice and his easy guitar style. I sat up on the balcony against the back wall after my opening set. His words and rhymes are masterful; his harmonic variations stunning. If someone would've given me a blanket I would have drifted to sleep and dreamt the sweetest dreams....

Calliope Folk Music Society invited me to do a 4-song set for Chris's sold out show at the Carnegie Lecture Hall. Vince joined me on pedal steel and Keith played guitar and did some fine back vocals on "Wish" "Edges of the Day" "Shine" and "Kite".

What a treat to run into friends and meet new people during intermission. If you have a chance to catch Chris Smither on his endless tour schedule, I highly recommend it!

Tracy Drach, Eve Goodman and myself all performed live at the Children's Museum as the Riveting Rosies on January 5 for the Saturday Light Brigade. You can hear the show by visiting the Saturday Light Brigade online.

PRESS RELEASE

Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café, widely regarded as the best listening room in the city, is pleased to host the return of AcoustiCafé’s Open Stage starting Monday, January 7th at 7pm. This kickoff event will feature all three of AcoustiCafé’s regular rotating hosts – Paul Tabachneck, Heather Kropf and Joel Lindsey. The open stage intends to create a supportive environment for artists to network with their peers, test new music or haul out old favorites, and most importantly, extend their reach in the local scene. The open stage will also welcome talented touring artists.

AcoustiCafé is a volunteer promotional organization founded in the late nineties by Pittsburgh songwriters Mark Willson, Jerry Baum and Cherylann Hawk. During its heyday, it sponsored as many as five ongoing open stages, numerous concerts and other special events and served as a hub of information and support for local and touring musicians. For the last several years, AcoustiCafé has been on hiatus, but January’s open stage marks the first phase of the organization’s re-emergence. “There is a wealth of talent in the region," remarked Wilson. "We want to do all we can to support it.” AcoustiCafé’s plans include sponsoring music showcases to highlight the most popular open stage artists.

With free admission, drink specials, an early time slot, and the state-of-the-art sound and ambiance of Club Café, AcoustiCafé organizers expect this to become a popular open stage in the region, both for the artists and music lovers. For more information on AcoustiCafé, or the open stage, please visit www.acousticafe.org or www.clubcafelive.com.

I was invited to return to Anthony Frazier's Acoustic Hour Radio show in Indiana, PA. The show is now available on-line.

Heather Kropf joins the IonSound Project on Friday July 13th at 8:00 pm, in the Virgil King Atrium of the Union Project for an evening of contemporary classical, rock, and folk music. The IonSound Project is a Pittsburgh based sextet comprised of flutist Peggy Yoo, clarinetist Kathleen Costello, violinist Laura Motchalov, cellist Elisa Kohanski, pianist Rob Frankenberry, and percussionist Eliseo Rael. For this concert they will collaborate with popular Pittsburgh singer-songwriter Heather Kropf to add a new dimension to some of her original works. The group will also perform works by Michael Torke, Pittsburgh composer Patrick Burke, and new rock arrangements by Benjamin David Plesic. The Union Project is located at 801 N. Negley Ave. Tickets will be sold at the door and cost $10, $5 for students and seniors, and under 15 get in free. Reception to follow. For more information please visit: www.myspace.com/ionsound. The Union Project does not endorse the views of the organizations, groups, or individuals that rent space at the Union Project.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the song survey last week. Your responses were intriquing and helpful.

I'm heading into the studio, armed with 4 songs I wouldn't have done without your input. Your top 2 choices from each of my albums were: Downtown and Come Around, and Kite and Edges of the Day.


Heather

I'm taking a survey of which songs I should include on my next recording, which will be a piano/vocal solo project called Hestia.

If you've got some ideas for what songs you'd like to hear, now's your chance to tell me. The survey closes on Monday evening, April 16.

Take the survey.

A few years ago I met an amazing bead artist in Cleveland, Jennifer Whitten. I've asked her to create a piece for my next album using the Greek Goddess Hestia as inspiration.

Check out Jennifer's work!

Pittsburgh Independent Public Radio, WYEP, honors my album What Else is Love with a mention as a notable Pittsburgh release in their Year in Review publication.

They've been enormously supportive over the years and I've been introduced to lots of great artists through their station, so I'm glad to be part of the mix!

Heather Performs Songs at JONI TRIBUTE on DEC 2

Point Breeze, Pittsburgh - On Saturday, December 2nd, a great line-up of local and out-of-town artists will gather at the area's newest home for live music, the Make Your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse in Point Breeze, to pay tribute to a music icon who has had a major influence on their songwriting, Joni Mitchell. The show's title, "It's Comin' on Christmas..." ~ A Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert is a reference to Mitchell's song "River" from her classic "Blue" album. Featured will be local artists Brad Yoder, Heather Kropf and Clark Slater, and making their Pittsburgh debut will be Baltimore's Joanne Juskus and a duo from New Jersey called Folk By Association.

"This show is not the typical tribute show," reports producer Maree Gallagher of TR Creative Services, "It will not be a marathon of Joni covers, but rather a showcase of each artist's originals while incorporating a few of their favorite Joni songs.Each of these artists cite Joni as a major influence on their music, and the best way to demonstrate that influence is by sharing their own works."

The Make Your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse, a cozy, non-smoking, vegetarian cafe, has been hosting live acoustic music once per month since May. Owners Hemi Braunstein and Amy Siebert, both Joni-philes themselves, are excited to host this special all ages show. "Admission is free, but tips are encouraged and go directly to the artists." remarked Braunstein. "We'll have our delicious food available by advance reservation and those over 21are welcome to BYOB."

The concert runs from 5pm to 10pm and seating and space is limited, so Joni fans are encouraged to get there early. Starting things off will be emerging local artist Hayley, whose sound is a mix of Sarah McLachlan and Natalie Merchant, but whose writing is strongly influenced by Joni.

For more info, please contact the Make Your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse, 412-365-2117.

View an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review with an inteviews of Heather Kropf and Brad Yoder.

Heather performed "Downtown" at KDKA's Today Live show this morning to announce this weekend's Calliope Local Artist Showcase at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Tune into The Saturday Light Brigade on Saturdays at 10 am to hear exerpts from Heather Kropf's and Art From Chaos' "Songs for the Asking: A Simon and Garfunkel Tribute" as recorded 10/19 at
ModernFormations.

That's on 88.3 FM Pittsburgh, 1550 AM Pittsburgh, or 91.1 FM Grove City.

I've been thinking lately about the Greek goddess Hestia, ruler and keeper of the hearth. A friend of mine in college named me Hestia. I never heard of this goddess before but 10 years later she is emerging in my consciousness and naming my next recording project. I am paying attention.

After the big, shiny bustle of making "What Else is Love" I've been going inward. What is the essence of my songs? What is the least I can put on the page and still create art? What is my hearth?

People have been asking for the solo album. And now I want to make one.

I want to make the record I probably should have made first -- a very simple piano, vocal project with the occasional duet, the occasional stringed instrument. It'll be relatively brief, with songs from my first two records re-arranged, a few songs that have never made it to tape yet, 1-2 cover tunes, and perhaps 1-2 new ones. I think it'll be hard, but good.

Right now I'm exploring places & settings in which to create this album. The setting has to be focused and beautiful and close to nature. I'm hopeful that I can find a building in Chautauqua, NY, that has a good vibe and a good piano. Randy and I can take all our gear up there and stay at a friend's cabin for 2 weeks this fall and lay down some tracks and see what happens.

Until then, I'm working hard in Pittsburgh, falling in love with this town all over again, enjoying the basil that's growing in pots on my front porch, struggling to figure out how to have a voice of compassion & reason in this storm of political and religious zeal that's totally freaking me out these day.

I hope you are well. Don't forget that what you do every day matters. Your choices matter. Make them count.

Heather

p.s. If there are songs that you think I should be sure to try to put on this collection, join my mailing list. I'll be sending out a e-survey later this summer.