So I am writing to you now from our little station wagon as we zoom over the pass and head out to Eastern Washington to workon a little bot of secret stuff for the new album release. Were listening to an old cassette that we used to listen to when we were kids- it’s called Frank Mills’ Sunday morning suite… Mmm piano and Hawaii guitar and string orchestras. It does tend to remind one of Southern California, web though were driving through the sunny, wild, craggy mountains of the Cascades.
Solana is reading in the backseat, Willow’s staring out the window (no doubt coming up with some more song ideas!) and we have another 4-5 hours of driving left.
Coming up on Friday were going to be performing at the Puyallup fair! Did you hear about that?? Were excited!
Last night we performed as the first group in the lineup for the Hiawatha Park kids’ concert series in West Seattle and we had a great time. The weather was perfect and we had a huge group of wonderful dancers in the front who were very energetic and also great listeners.
The crowd was great, thanks for coming to watch the show!
Next we are off to Ferndale, then Bonney Lake, and then back to Wisconsin for the state fair. In the meantime Willow and I have recently become re-obsessed with English Country Dance tunes and what we like to call “Mona Lisa” tunes that bounce between major and minor chords – so that they sound happy, sad, beautiful and mysterious, all at the same time. So we’ve been working on a set of those for the new album.
Recently we’ve been working on a lot of material to be released ahead of the album in the next few months that we are REALLY excited about you seeing/hearing/experiencing, so stay tuned! I wish I could tell you what they are NOW, but I can’t!
See you down the road sometime soon! Oh and don’t forget to check out the handy-dandy CD baby store that I added to the site. It’s very easy and quite pretty, too: Gothard Sisters CD Baby Store
I just wanted to let you know about a new contest that is being held on our fan page by the wonderful Rick Shears. He has put together some questions for you to answer, which will then result in you being entered in the prize drawing for a CD collection of all five of our CDs.
This is a great deal- even if you have one of the CDs already, they make great gifts so you could get all your Christmas shopping done early! Go here to enter the contest:
Well, I woke up awfully late this morning, although I think I have an excuse after this weekend. We got back into Seattle early this morning (5 AM EST) and I’ve been spending the whole day wrapping up stuff from the Celtic Fling.
So, about the Celtic Fling. It was AWESOME. This was our first time at the Celtic Fling after hearing about it from a bunch of people at the York fair last year when we were performing there. So we decided to contact them about performing there and ended up in the lineup and had a blast this weekend.
We were on the O Malley’s Pour House stage, a nice little stage surrounded by trees and near lots of good food. One of the highlights of the weekend was getting to share the stage with the Srour family and Noreen Hughes in Irish Blessing, who are all very talented dancers and musicians who we know from our competitive Irish dancing days.
Another highlight was getting to perform alongside and then jam with the other bands in the festival at the Ceilidh later on in the evening. What a fun and insanely talented group of people! And now I get to the most important highlight of the weekend….
The biggest highlight of this festival was definitely the people we met after each show. Seriously, I am not joking when I say so often that the people in Pennsylvania are really really friendly. We found this out in York last year and now in the neighboring county the trend continued. Everyone was so nice and appreciative and welcoming, and we met a ton of new people who I hope we can stay in touch with.
Here are some photos of us with the people we met after the shows:
And now that we’re back on the other coast, it’s back to work on the new tracks for our CD which will be released in the early Fall. There are some really great songs on this CD and I can’t wait for you all to hear it! Keep checking the website (www.gothardsisters.com) or our facebook page (www.facebook.com/gothardsisters) for information on the album’s release.
Thank you thank you for the wonderful time this weekend, we’ll see you again soon!
Greta, Willow and Solana
The Gothard Sisters
Well, we’re just about ready to make our first big trip for a show for the Summer, out to PA for the Celtic Fling this weekend!
The last few days have been quite busy for Willow, who is quickly trying to finish our new Summer dresses, which are *hint hint* white lace! We’ll put up pictures at the Celtic Fling for sure, but it’ll probably be on our facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/gothardsisters
Or on our twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/thegothardsisters
Yesterday I (Greta) stood still for several hours while my dress got finished (by a very hardworking Willow) and read books, while Solana crammed on her schoolwork in the house.
We had several fun shows over the last few weeks in downtown Edmonds, including a great group of people at the Arts Festival. I didn’t think that anyone would show up to a show at 11:30 AM on a Friday morning, but we had a great crowd and the weather was wonderful. Thanks for coming, if you were there!
And until the fling this weekend- stay safe and enjoy this awesome weather!
Greta
We had a great time at the NW Folklife festival for our third year as a sister act (before that we would appear every year as a part of the Comerford school of Irish dance.) This year we just barely got in because I (Greta) forgot to apply and got a call last week asking us to fill in for a band that canceled.
So we frantically sent out emails and facebook messages to let people know we would be there so we would *maybe* have an audience even though we weren’t on the schedule and lo and behold it was a packed house. Or courtyard. Or whatever you call it.
Anyway… we’d just like to thank everyone who came out and supported us at this local festival and hope you enjoyed the show and some of the new songs and numbers!
We’ve been really quiet the last few months (haven’t had a live show in nearly a month as well) and this is because we’ve been spending all our time writing new songs and working on recording for our new album. The songs we’re recording now have been in the works for several years now ever since we finished Celtic Rainbow in 2009, and we can’t wait for you to hear the new sound. However, for now here is a little glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work going on in the recording studio and in the writing process.
Enjoy!
A few months ago we were contacted to be featured on a PBS TV show called “Biz Kids.” It is like Bill Nye the Science guy, except for kids in business, who earn money and keep track of it and spend it wisely. The episode we’re on won’t be coming out until May 1st, but until now, here are some sneak peek pictures:
Our interview about the gear that we bought after planning carefully:
The interview on the TV monitor (look closely)
With Jeannine, who invited us to be on the show:
Our violin collection (goes back a few years, lol!)
More interview:
The crew filming Willow:
Performance spot:
A video clip of filming (sorry it is a little shaky – I mean a lot)
The episode will be airing on KCTS 9 in Seattle or your local PBS station on Sunday, May 1st at 10:30 AM. Tune in and see it live!
You can see the part of the episode that features us online right here
We had so much fun last week. Meeting everyone in Plant City from all over the country was so cool and all of our shows were fun and exciting! We’d especially like to thank all of the devoted people who would wait 45-50 minutes for our shows to start in order to get the seats near the front – it means a lot and it was a blast getting to know you.
Anyway, here are some pictures from our experience at the Strawberry festival. 5 days was not long enough to enjoy everything at the festival, so we hope that we will be back to perform for you next year! You can see all the pictures we took and posted on facebook right here:
Morning crowd
Up early for a TV spot… yay!
Late night crowd
The new costumes that Willow finished in time to wear in Florida
A beautiful picture drawn by Kaley – she even got the jumping up in the air part right, wow!
Signing CDs after the last show of the day
Us with Paul Davis, the festival manager. It’s thanks to him that we got to come to Florida in the first place!
Thank you again for the wonderful time. We’ll see you all again soon!
Greta
Over the Summer, we played our “unnamed song” for audiences all over the country, and many people came up and generously suggested titles to help us out with our dilemma!!
We have now officially decided on a name for the song. It is from the list below, and we thought that it not only described the sea-faring feel of the song, but also it gave us an idea for track artwork!
The official new name of the song is…. *drum roll, please!*
“The Sailor and the Mermaid.”
You can listen to a 45-second clip of the song right here:
But I thought I would post all of the names we have collected so you can read them all! It’s quite an astounding list!
Now, without further ado and drum roll, please….
The many names of the unnamed song:
- The Battle of Gamor (James)
- The Dance of the Matador (Dan)
- The Journey of Three Sisters (Thelme)
- Escape to My Heart (Mark & Karen)
- Queen of the Beehive (Lauretta)
- Dancing in the Rain
-Break away from the Storm
- Fairyland Jamboree (Krystal)
- Dance of the Fairies (Krystal)
- Rainbow Colors (Kayla & Ella)
- Storm o’re the Isle (Carl)
- Thunder and Lightning
- Earth, Wind, and Rain (Lexie Pearson)
- Wind Chime (Rebecca Salinas Oliveros)
- Sailing West (Bob Mcbride)
- The Flight of an Eagle (Mary Schavec)
- Gothards Anthem (Ken Roper)
- Heavens Anthem (Ken Roper)
- Ballad of the Gothards (Ken Roper)
- Spirit of the Gothards (Ken Roper)
- Gothards Mountain (Ken Roper)
- Serenity Triumphs (Linda Hart)
- Going Home to a Love (John Nestler)
- Maiden Voyage (Chris)
- Irish Jig #1 (Cindy Sanders)
- Celtic Sounds (Cindy Sanders)
- The Journey (Mary Kay)
- Gypsy Road (Julie Wells)
- Celtic Call to Battle (Marcie)
- The Mermaid’s Lament (Jennifer Matson)
- Celtic Spirit in Motion (Randy)
- A Warrior’s Journey (Linda)
- Celtic Moods (Trudy)
- The Land is Mine (Steve)
- Kelpie’s Secret (Nancy R.)
- Stormy Battle (Malcolm)
- Aria’s Rose (Aria)
- Irish Aria (Aria)
- Shannon’s Aria (Aria)
- Ode to Aria (Aria)
- Irish Storm (Rico)
- The Storm (Anthony)
- Journey Around the World (Anthony)
- Irish Mystery (Justin)
- Battle of the Storm Sisters (Sarah & Haylee)
- Storms a Brewing (Sarah & Haylee)
- Revenge of the Gothard Sisters (Sarah & Haylee)
- The Eye of the Storm (Autumn)
- Withering Hearts (Joey)
- The Irish Road (Joey)
- Celtic Rage with Love (Pam)
- The Irish youngins’ (Wes)
- Shilo Civil War Battle (Pierce Schmaus)
- The Sky Cry (Keith Nicholos)
- Battle in the Rain (Mike)
- Sailing the Seas (Henry)
- Galloping Horses
- Celtic Thunder
- Viking Thunder
- Solana’s Here! (Alison Reagan)
- Kaela’s Dance (Kaela)
- Thunder
- Flower Song
- The Irish Lament
- Different Worlds
- Journey through the Forest
- Thunder in the Mountain
- 1,000 Mile Journey
- The Unknown Song
-Robbie’s Gone Away to the War
- A River’s Journey
- Too Good to Title
- The Monarch
- Bewildered Barnacle
- The Gothard Jig and Reel
- Emerging Spring
- 3 Coins
- Spring Joy
- Love’s Journey
- Slip Stream
-The Battle of Gamor
- The Rising Sun
- Celtic Fandango
- The Sailor and the Mermaid
- Maria in the Field
- Journey to *blank*
- Celtic and Beyond
- Gray Harbor’s Storm
- Ciara’s Lament
- Broken Dreams
- Haunted Dreams
- Red Rain
- Bridget’s Tears
- The Giving Tree
- Sweet Melody
- Awakening the Sun
- Sun Shining Down
- The March to Gray’s Harbor Storm
- Crashing Water
- Minstrel’s Journey
- Celtic Warriors
- Pounding Waves
- Starving Waves
- Princess Warrior
- Thunder and Lightning
- Blustery Morn
- Marching *blank*
- Changing Seasons
- Celtic Storm
- Heart’s Passion
- Wind, Rain and Fire
- Siren Song
- Beautiful
- Storm of Minstrel’s
- Flight of the Ravens
- Running in the Storm
- The “Aha!” Song
- The Ocean Wave Shoves (Sophia)
- The Reivers Ride
- Painted Storm (Lisa Murphy)
- Independence Night (Teegan Loette)
- Last of the Gaelics (Drew D.)
- Starletts in Harmony (Darlene Eowman)
- Romantic Thunder (Larry Rogers)
- Thrice Thunder (Diane Bailey)
- Bonnie’s Blues (Bonnie Kuntz)
- Winds of Fair (Rudy Rohrbaugh)
- Call of the Maiden (Judy Landis)
- Good Vibrations on the Wind (Sam Dolheimer)
- Rumble in the Hills (Buck Enders)
- Trio of Rhapsody (Kink Alexander)
- Ahead of the Storm (Suzanne Kirkland)
- Mystic Trio (Lynn Dodd)
- One Summer Day (Kassidy & Lauren)
- Meadow Voices (Abby)
- The Last Days of Summer (Kathy B.)
- Midnight Dance (Arielle)
- Celtic Splendor (Mike T.)
- Splendor of Ireland (Mike T.)
- Gypsy Battle Jig (Harold)
- Wind in the Willow (Nancy)
- Solana’s Song (George Hake)
- Enchanted Rhapsody (Brenda Hancock)
- Walking through the storm (Nancy B.)
- Celtic Wind (Tom A.)
- Danube Express (Randy Dallmefe or Dallmefa?)
- Native Bonfire (Linda Dallmefe of Dallmefa?)
- Celtic Waltz (Henry)
- Irish Waltz (Henry)
- Sonnett for a Stranger’s Love (Michael Pahl)
- Shenandoah Spring (Michael Patton)
- The Moors of Ireland (Michael Benedict)
- The Wild West Gold Mine (Millard Rexrode)
- The Wild West Gold Find (Millard Rexrode)
- Battle for the World (Lauren)
- Stomp of the Drums (Katie)
- Siren of the Storm (Jane)
- The Cost of Freedom (Anthony Greel)
- Passion Rose (Bob Frey)
-Angels in Paradise (Helen W.)
- My Sweet Dream (Helen W.)
- Farewell Good Friend (Joan S.)
- Tennessee Cliffs of Monair (Jack M.)
- The Ballad of Seamus Mcloud (Jim)
- The Native’s are Restless Tonight (Raymond Kurtz)
- Seattle Rain (Dan)
- Tacoma Rain (Dan)
- The Voice of the Wind (Amy)
- Battle of the Goddesses (Olivia)
- Irish Wind Running Wild (Doug Etter)
- A Night with the Irish (Lana)
- Gaelic Love Storm (Erin)
- Yorkshire Fair (Eileen M.)
- Ride off to Battle! (Jackie)
- Gypsy Lore (Donna Dull Felton)
- American Civil Celtic (Lynn L.)
- Remember Me at York (Bill M.)
- Battle of York (Bill M.)
- Scottish Dance (Beth)
- A Fairy’s Dance (Susan)
- Shannon Go Bragh (Rev. William Welsh)
- Come Hither the Sounds of an Irish Lass (Barbara Ann Taaffe)
- Summer Breeze (Kay L.)
- Sounds of a Waterfall
- Waterfall
- The Mystery of Enchantment (Cliff D.)
- The Gothard Tribal (Janine)
- Butterfly’s Robe (Masumi Jenks)
- Call of the Wind (Robert Serra)
- Siren Song of the Sea (Kim Sorenson)
- Soul Release Dream (Bryan Jenks)
- Sea Storm (Claire)
- The Lightning Leaf (Sophia)
- True Talent (Ron)
- Horses of the Fall (Fall)
- Summer Faire (Jean)
- Mermaid Gypsy of the Sea (Cheri Hanay)
- Doublin Rain (Gary)
- Gothard Road (Ernest Currie)
- Gothism Rising (Ernest Currie)
- Celtic Festival (Hannah)
- A Blizzard Night Flight (Abby Iblings)
- Wind through the Mountains (Jean Kelley)
- Selkie Soul (Nancy Clark)
- Tempestuous Siren of the Sea (Nina Hipperson)
- Sea Sirens Three (Nina Hipperson)
- Battle of Wilgretsol, Wilsolgret, Gretsolwil, Gretwilsol, Solwilgret, or Solgretwil.
- County Fair Blues
- Gone Before
- Fairy’s Fury (Maryanne)
- Gothard’s Lullaby (Jesilnik)
- Wild at Heart (John Eldredge)
- Sailor’s Mistress (Dennis)
- Gothic Pride (George and Chichi Trout)
- Gothard Pride (George and Chichi Trout)
- In Celebration of Bluey’s Life (Jordy and Terry Albert)
- The River Orr (Bill A Miller, he wrote lyrics)
- Gothard Jig
- The Legend of Dirty Red (Mark)
- Dirty Red (Mark)
- Prelude to a Revelation (Michelle Andres)
- The Quickening (Michelle Andres)
- Journey through the Forest
- Pondering Indian
- Storm Maiden
- Thunder Mountain
- Battle of Love
- Battle for Love
- Wandering
- Secret Kelts
- Unnamed Battle
- The Irish Kelt
- Three Battles
- Clarity
- Thundering Serenade (Arletta Clarke)
- Water Dreams
- The Journey
- Astoria; Diverse and Beautiful
- Sirens
- Rocky Road of Love (Kathryn Burr)
- Westerly Waves (Jane M. Geogeson)
- Journey back from Lisdoonvarna
- Journey to *blank*
- New Love (Josce Peper)
- Speechless (Josce Peper)
- Celtic Blood (Tim Wilker)
- Just for Astoria (Sherry Wright)
- A Special Place (Sherry Wright)
- Celebration (Sherry Wright)
- The Gypsy Angel (Barbara Kraler) – I Dream of My Ride to Heaven (Brandt Apiki)
- Changing Changes
- Leprechaun King
- Awakening the Sun
- Sun Shining Down
There you have it!! Now you know everything that we know. This has been so fantastic to have everyone suggest names- you all are very creative.
Even though we can only pick one name from the list for THIS song, there are a lot of great names here that are just asking for songs to go along with them… so your name could also be included on the CD or have a song written about it! We shall see.
Greta
www.gothardsisters.com
