Last night I went to see Rosie Thomas with my husband, and my two friends (newly engaged!), Carolyn and Bennett.  You know when someone is put in your path at the just the right time to say just he right thing, or to remind you of your path.  That was my experience the first time I saw Rosie in 2009 with another group of friends.  At that point I hadn't even heard her music before, but my friends paid for my ticket and took me out to cheer me up. 
     Even then, she was hilarious, cheerful, and so heartfelt.  This second Rosie Thomas concert was that and more.  There was a time in the middle of the show where she sat down with us, like we were her friends, she told us she loved us, and she knew God had a plan for us, and she was excited about it.  Like a mother duck building up her nest for her ducklings to rest in... I could not stop from crying. 
      After the show there was a discussion time.  I didn't get to ask my question, but I stopped her after the show to pick her brain about music and PR and her experiences.  She looked at me and said, "First, you have a calling, God has a plan for you and you can't mess that up.  Second, you just do what you're doing, play everywhere and anywhere" (paraphrased).  There was a lot more we talked about PR work, getting the word out about music. And she said, "You know we're in the same boat.  I'm right there with ya, some shows have a packed house and some it seems like there's hardly anyone there, but you play with your whole heart." 
    What a great reminder that I'm not alone.  Thanks Rosie. 

Love,
Kelsey

       Forsythia in bloom, birds chirping while they sit on the feeder outside my dining room window, and taxes are almost finished.  It's like it's spring or something (crossing fingers for weather to stay this way). 

     So, what are we doing this spring?  Writing an EP about sex trafficking, recording said EP, getting T-shirts, and gigging our brains out!  Check out the Calendar to see when you can join us at a show near you!

Like this Saturday, I'll be playing solo at One Trick Pony here in Grand Rapids!

     While you're online, and you probably already have your facebook open in another tab (as I do at all times), have you liked us on facebook yet?  Our music relies on fan support.  We'd love to have your support, and meet you at a show sometime soon.  When you come to a show introduce yourself to us!

     Once you've done that, GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THIS WEATHER!

with love,
Kelsey

     I wanted to share with you upcoming projects that I will be working on.  In continued persuit of raising awareness about sex trafficking I am currently working on writing "WAR songs".  This is a loose/ working title.  Many of you have heard our latest, Bear Hope.  If you haven't, check out the video below.  So, it is my hope to continue along that path and to write and record our next EP in coming months (can't say when) of all songs about sex trafficking like Bear Hope.  I have three out of what I hope will be 5-7 songs written and will continue to keep chipping away at them. 
       I've titled them "WAR songs" (this probably won't be the title of the EP) because I've recently been made aware of a local store called the WAR Chest Boutique.  They do much of what the Red Thread Movement does in rescuing victims of sex trafficking, put them in safe houses, give them counseling and train them for a trade so they have an alternative lifestyle to live on.  The difference is WAR helps companies like Red Thread Movement all over the world.  They take the products these women and children make and sell them for a fair price.  The majority of the money goes back to the women and children who made the product and a small portion is reserved to help keep the store going.  I'm so excited to be a part of this, and can't wait to share these new songs with you! 

     After hearing about the Red Thread Movement, I wrote this song, Bear Hope.  I believe there is a God who is not only patient and kind and gentle, like what we heard about in Sunday school, but who is also ferocious, jealous, and will rescue and avenge those who are victimized. 

Okay, so the past several weeks have been rather busy.  But today I feel like I've got a handle of things... if only for a little while. 

There are plans in the making. 

Don't get too excited, though, it seems like once I say these things out loud there are inevitable un-see-able hurdles to tackle, which postpones and prolongs the process.  So I'm saying this in confidence.  We are planning some recording times for the near future (near meaning sometime this year), along with some touring dates for... I can't really tell you.  But they will be soon, and I will disclose all information when and if I can. 

Derek and I have played several shows raising support for the Red Thread Movement by selling their bracelets.  We just got a shipment last week of 100 bracelets and after a Women's Banquet last week we are down to 19!  We get so excited when people share in what we love, and supporting companies like the Red Thread Movement is one of those things. 

If you get excited like we do about helping companies like this, you NEED to check out Women at Risk here- http://warinternational.org/ 
They have tons of hand made products by women all over the world who have been rescued from various forms of slavery, mainly sexual slavery. 

We appreciate your help and support.  Don't forget to like us on facebook and subscribe to the e-mail list. 

       Had a great weekend on the east side of the Mitten.  Friday night Derek and I were back at the District for a round of open mic battling.  We shared the stage with Laura Jean, Nights of Astoria, and Vince Dynamic.  Congratulations to Laura Jean for winning popular vote!  The District strives to be an artist Hub in the Lake Orion area partnering with musicians, artists, photographers, comedians, and now recording studios to provide quality entertainment for the public while connecting those involved in all forms of art. 
      Saturday I was a solo act heading down to Ferndale, MI to the Rust Belt Market for the first time.  If you've never been to The Rust Belt Market, you need to check it out!  This is a hub for the arts as well, attracting bands to provide entertainment while vendors sell their art to the public.  Everywhere you look there is something bright and artsy drawing your attention.  I love being surrounded in atmospheres like this, it creates the perfect foundation for music.  If you didn't get the chance to come to any shows this weekend, keep checking the calendar, there a PLENTY coming up in the month of December.  Including one this coming weekend on December 10th.  We'll be sharing the stage with Doug Mains & the City Folk and raising money for the Red Thread Movement at the Mack Ave House!  Check out the calendar for more details.

May your Christmas preparations remind you of the real reason for the season. 

Kelsey (& Derek)
    

       

      Last Friday at the Traffic Jam event, I debuted the new song.  One of many I've been working on for whatever the next recording project will be (unsure).  But I wrote this one specifically as a response to all I've been learning about human trafficking and especially sex trafficking with my connections to The Red Thread Movement and now, Traffic Jam. Please support companies like this as much as possible, they are really doing good work, saving lives, rescuing innocent women, children, and men from slavery of all kinds. 
      This new song is called Bear Hope, and as I said, it was a response to the human trafficking crimes, but also, displays an image of God as a protector.  I think the public views the idea of God as this weak, old man, who's been around a long time, and is possibly, losing his touch.  Anyone familiar with the Biblical representation of God would disagree with this depiction.  One of my favorite images of God is as a ferocious beast who will defend the innocent and rip apart the bad guy.  So here it is: Bear Hope.

This Thursday evening we will be opening for the Rock and Worship Roadshow (Mercy Me, Jars of Clay, Matt Mahar, Haek Nelson and more...) in Saginaw at the Dow Event Center.  The show starts at 7pm with me AND Derek Turcsanyi will be coming all the way back from his internship in Kansas City for this show!  Hope we can see you there!  Price of admission is $10 at the door, and doors open at 5:30pm. 

            Have you taken a look at our Calendar lately?  It's packed, which is good!  I'm not complaining, but I just thought you should know that it'd be worth checking out to see if we're going to be in your town in the next couple of weeks.  We'll be visiting places like Lansing, Ann Arbor, Millington, Grand Rapids... so many opportunities to hear our tunes or pick up a copy of the new album!
            Oh, AND, in case you haven't heard, we're doing a new campaign, if you will, called "Pay What You Want, Just Leave Us Your E-mail Address!".  We're working on the title.  Same deal for Noise Trade applies to the live shows.  We really just want you all to have a chance to hear this no matter your expendable income, so come to a show pick up a CD and give me a hug.  It will be great. 

Check out the Calendar below and plan the next FREE show you and your friends can make it to! 

See you there!
love,
Kelsey

            So, yesterday a couple of friends and I went over to Wilcox Park for a free Yoga class.  I don't go for all of the transcendental, one with the earth, worship mother nature stuff, but I do go for low-impact exercise that doesn't make me want to die. 
            I was blessed by this experience, and I hope to do more things like this.  I need it.  I have been in such a transitional phase in my life, getting married, moving away from home, it's bound to clog up the writing juices.  Or at least make one (me) crabby... just ask my husband.  I have been walking around my neighborhood singing (in my head) along with Sara Groves (in my ipod), and it is like a night and day switch.  Hormones, lack of sleep, new environment, whatever the reason, I am feeling the need for physical activity more than ever before.  Those endorphins are like magic!
            Back to being blessed.  During the Yoga class, there was the usual "Mother earth is always beneath you, here to support you..." and I started tuning out and just getting into the workout.  But then... to my surprise, I heard the instructor yell, "Let go of your schedule!  Let go of your expectations for this class!  Let go of the idea that you have to be perfect!  If you fall over you just get back up, there are new beginnings every day." and without warning (there's never warning) I started to cry.  Not sobs... I can control myself a little, but there were tears, and it was nice. 
            I brought the girls home to see my new house, and James made us some mint slushies that were the perfect refreshing drink after a 75min workout.  I was in a much better mood, and it even motivated me to get up early this morning and walk for an hour!  Thank you, Lord, for this encouragement with a side of motivation and mint slushies. 

Cheers,
- K