Hey guys!

Sunday, the 4th of October, 2009 was the final day of mixing the new album titled What You're Getting Into. We started recording this album on February 13th of this year at the old Flyte Time studio (Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' former studio) which is now Masters Recording Institute. The A room is beautiful and sonically perfect. It really was a joy to work there for the first time and even have a few of their students in on the session. After we put down the basic tracks which consisted of drums, bass and one guitar Justin, Paul and Wade came back to Minneapolis to tighten up some of the bass and guitar parts and start putting down vocals. Starting in late Spring Jason, the co-producer and engineer, and I took it easy. Sometimes I need time to sit on a decision and make sure it feels right. During that time I kept going through the songs making sure they all fit and decided whether I wanted to add or change any songs. After all those decisions had been made Spring had sprung and the beginning of Summer had approached. I figured if I ever wanted to experience summertime in Minnesota it would be now or never. Summer is usually my busiest season with playing so many festivals. We still played a few shows most weeks but I took Mon-Wed back home to casually work on the album, garden and hang with my family in the warm weather. Once Aug/Sept hit we started getting back into the swing of focusing on the album. To be honest, this album is far less produced than Fast Lane Addiction and all of the songs consist of only drums, bass, a couple guitars, vocals and a few of the tracks have organ. We recorded it the same way we recorded Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions. Once we are done with the artwork, which should be by Thanksgiving, we will have the album in hand. We will have the album for sale at a couple of our shows this year but the album's national release date for stores will be Tuesday, February 9th, 2010. I really love the new album and think it is very representative of our live show. One of the things that made it quite fun was it being my guitar player Justin's first time ever recording. He did a great job and it was really fun watching him grow into the process of making an album.

Also, Sept 28th was the 10th Anniversary of the the release of Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions. It is crazy for me to think only 10 years has gone by since I was 14 years old. I feel like I've lived 20 years since then! From moving to L.A to Detroit and back to Minneapolis... from Arista to J Records to Epic/Sony to starting my own record label... from one relationship to the next... from being a child to raising one... it has been quite the ride! I couldn't imagine my life any other way and am so grateful for not only my friends and family but even for the people that have been nothing more than an acquaintance. I've been blessed to have collaborated with so many of my biggest influences and have had the pleasure of learning the business, music and family sides of this kind of life from the best of 'em. I've learned that for every 100 people that say will watch your back maybe only 1 will. I've learned that you never eat at a thai restaurant while on the road in Small Town, Iowa. I've learned that as much as I love being home I miss being on the road just as much. I've learned that standing up for yourself and your music always seems to be the most important choice you make in this business. And most of all I have realized that nothing can keep me away from continuing to tour and make records.

I love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for continuing to support me which makes every album and show possible.

Cheers to ten years!

Shannon

 

Sunday, February 15th, 2009

STUDIO UPDATE

Hey y'all!

We are in our third day of recording basic tracks (bass and drums) in the studio. We have been trying to get video blogs up here for quite some time but with our new handy dandy camera we're having some problems figuring out the upload situation. So, for now we will try and update you with pictures and blogs. We have six original songs recorded from this weekend as well as three covers. We will also be recording three or four acoustic tracks which will possibly consist of two Robert Johnson songs and a John Prine song as of now. In our arsenal of studio helpers we have 11 guitars, a plethora of Paiste cymbals brought in by Paul's dear friend Ed Clift, our trusty manager Nigel, our mascot Jenna from Iowa, my trusty co-producer extraordinaire Jason Miller, plenty of coffee, Rockstar energy drinks, a few photographers and videographers wandering around (our hired paparazzi) and our musician-sitter Lucy. We have many assistants that we will be introducing to you after these sessions as well.

This has been quite an exciting weekend and a lot of pre-production has gone in to making these few days run smoothly. As of now we are ahead of schedule but of course that status will probably change daily between now and completion.

We will get more pictures to you over the next few days from these sessions and maybe we'll drop some hints as to the cover songs we have recorded throughout the pictures and what not. There are some great guest artists that will be included on a few of these tracks as well. We will announce such information as we are able.

Also, we are going back to the basics and recording this album much like people recorded back in the day. We are all much more comfortable recording together as opposed to doing tracks one by one so it has a much more live feel.

We can not wait to get this album out for you to hear and tour this year with all of these new songs. To sum it up we're so excited and we just can't hide it! Woot.

Please help us give this album a good launch! If you can get other friends of yours introduced to our music please get them on the mailing list and signed up as my friend on Myspace (www.myspace.com/shannoncurfman) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/shannoncurfman).

Peace & love,
Shannon C.

10-11-08
Shannon will be singing the National Anthem tomorrow at the Metrodome for the Minnesota Vikings/Detroit Lions game. She will be singing at 12pm. The anthem isn't televised (that's when they make their money with commercials!) so make sure to listen on the live radio broadcast or come to the game!

10-10-08
Shannon has an unreleased song that she wrote with Marti Frederiksen called "What You're Getting Into" that will be released on Suzie McNeil's album titled "Rock-n-Roller." It is scheduled for release November 4th, 2008. Suzie was the last woman standing on CBS's Rockstar: INXS. Go to www.suziemcneil.ca for more info on where to get the album.

10-08-08
Rumor has it Shannon's getting back in the studio working on a new album with some very special friends! I hear sneak video and pictures are coming our way soon...

10-01-08
Now booking for 2009 festivals! Shannon's back and available for new dates. Shannon is also available for corporate events and private parties! For more info email Dave at bluesummerbooking@yahoo.com

9-28-08
September 28th, 2008 - Happy 9th Anniversary to Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions!