THE PROMISED LAND
The Gospel Train's a comin' on September 26th!
August 12, 2011
HAMMOND'S FIRST EVER INK 4 PINK
So, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote an editorial for my local paper talkgin about how great it is to live in Hammond, but how much greater it would be if the local businesses supported the arts scene here. Then I came from Girls Rock Camp Houston to an invitation from a local tattoo artist who wanted to put on an Ink 4 Pink event ($50 tattoos for breast cancer research) here in our town with The Shiz as the featured band. Hell's yeah! So the fundraising has already begun at shizrock.com/ink4pink. Chipin if you have an extra dollar or two!
April 19, 2011
UPCOMING APPEARNACES IN ATLANTA
We'll be hitting the road again soon with three exciting events in Atlanta coming up in May.
First off, I'll be giving a full concert hosted by ZAMI NOBLA on Sunday, May 15th from 4-6pm with the phenomenal Charles Coad joining me on percussion. There will be a sliding scale admission of $5-$10 for this event.
While we're in town, Liz and I will be representing The Shiz at the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) celebration on Tuesday May 17, 6-10pm.
I've also been invited to sing opening and closing selections for a Conversation on Art & Activism with esteemed authors Pearl Cleage and Nikky Finney on Friday, May 13th at 7pm.
I look forwad to seeing you all there. Please check the calendar for locations and directions.
March 22, 2011
BIRTHDAY BASH @ NGT
This year I'll be holding a birthday bash love fest for all of my favorite original Louisiana musicians including none other than Anna Byars!!! The other bands on the bill are Polly Pry and the mesmerizing Daniel Lee. The big show will take place at the Northgate Tavern in Baton Rouge on Thursday, April 14th at 10pm. Check the calendar for more details.
March 21, 2011
African American Women's Arts Symposium
Congratulations to Eric Thomas of Elevate The Quest for a mgical evening last Saturday where I had the honor of joining the band on ET's arangement of "Nature Boy" and CALVINPAYNE on his breathtaking rendering of "Kisses." What a dream!
Upon my return home I received an invitation to perform a few of my looper tunes next Friday as part of the African American Women's Arts Symposium. The week long event features powerful and dynamic voices from a myriad of disciplines with Friday night highlighting music. The events are being held at The JuJu Bag in New Orleans, check the calendar for more information. I'll be joining a number of fabulous local talents including Monica Dillon. Friday evening, April 1st, 7-11pm.
March 15, 2011
THE SHIZ Goes to Camp (GRCH 2011)
It's Official! Liz and I will be coaching at Girls Rock Camp Houston again this year. Last year was so inspiring thanks to Anna Garza and her amazing crew of volunteers and lady rockers.
Last year, Liz's group's song landed a spot on the Girls Rock Camp Alliance: 2010 International Camper Band Compilation. Proceeds from the sale of these songs will go directly to supporting GRCA’s mission, mainly bringing camp organizers from all over the world to an annual conference where we provide training and networking opportunities fo our many and varied camp leaders.
March 11, 2011
Smiley & West Update!
The podcast is up! I'm honored to be on the same broadcast with the legendary Marian Wright Edelman. Listen now at www.smileyandwest.com.
March 8, 2011
Catch Lilli on PRI's Smiley and West
If you wanna hear Tavis Smiley take Lilli to task, tune in to Public Radio International's Smiley and West this Friday. Podcast is available at www.smileyandwest.com.
September 16, 2010
There's still time to make your "The Promised Land" donation!
July 20, 2010
Girls Rock Camp HOUSTON!
Girls Rock Camp HOUSTON is a one-week summer day camp formed in October 2009 to offer girls (ages 8-18 years old) music and art based workshops dedicated to empowering girls and women of all backgrounds and abilities through musical education and creative expression.
This year I'm so excited to be volunteering as vocal/piano instrcutor from August 9th - 13th.
[more]
July 12, 2010
New Album Launches on Kickstarter.com
I've officially kickstarted my new CD Project, collection of folk arrangements of Spirituals that I'm co-producing with Liz Hogan. We're using kickstarter.com to raise the funds and already have our first 2 backers! (Thanks Josiah and Allen!!!)
We're trying to reach the funding goal by my mother's birthday, September 26th. That's 74 days and counting! I'm looking forward to sharing the ride with all of you!
[join us!]
June 9, 2010
New Blog on Wordpress.com
I'm following my mother's advice, I've launched a new blog on wordpress.com called "Lilli's Life and Music Corner."
I'll be taking questions and seeking discussions on all things life and music, and intend to be as self-indulgent as possible!
[read more]
June 11, 2010
On the Road to Oberlin
looking forward to a great time this week as we hit the road tonight on the way to Oberlin, OH. We're recording an album for my new favorite band Backbone. The Shiz did a show with Backbone on our Midwest tour back in April and their set was amazing. We cried, we danced...much better than Cats! Briliant, soulful lyrics by Nancy Boutilier and Kris Surovjak (aka NBoot and KDog). I'm honored to have the opportunity to help them get their music in the can.
[read more]
April 27, 2010
ACA Nomination - Favorite A Cappella Solo Project
I've been nominated for an ACA (A Cappella Community Award) for Favorite A Cappella Solo Project! I'm in a category with the Big Bobby himself! If any of you are CASA members (or need an excuse to become one) you can help me win by voting for me before May 15!
[more]
6/1/10 UPDATE!!! - What an honor! We got runner-up!!! Thanks to all my beautiful supporters!!
March 3, 2010
Music With a Conscience
Lilli's song "Wrecking Ball" as performed by The Shiz will be featured on the new "Music With a Conscience" radio show by Women of Substance Radio.
This show tackles many issues: war/peace, homelessness, morality, the environment, domestic violence, aging and more. You won't want to miss this lineup that will air EVERY WED, SAT & SUN from 3-7 PM EST (noon-4 PM PST) throughout the month of March.
[more]
March 1, 2010
Lilli Completes 2nd RPM Challenge
The Shiz recorded 10 songs in one weekend in their home-based studio last weekend to complete a 2010 RPM submission. The marathon session yielded demos 9 our of the 11 songs they intend to include on their upcoming album.
[more]
January 12, 2010
Helen's Hands ALL FOR LOVE Benefit Concert
Lilli's New Orleans based band The Shiz will join her in Atlanta on Valentine's, February 14th, to raise money and awareness for Helen Lindsey, the first African American Woman to receive a bi-lateral hand transplant.
Read more about Helen at www.helenlindseysstory.com.
September 5, 2009
2009 SOJAM A Cappella Festival
Lilli will present at this year's SOJAM A Cappella Festival in Durham, NC on Saturday, Nov. 7th. She will lead a seminar on A Cappella Activisim on the Duke University Campus and present a Showcase performance featuring vocal percussionist Matt Murphy from Denver, CO.
September 1, 2009
Where We Stand CD Release Party Announced
The Shiz will be celebrating the release of our Debut LP "Where We Stand" with a Back to School Block Party at Hammond's Organic Planet with a slammin' opening set by The Black Polka Dots. This is an all ages, no alcohol event. Saturday September 12th, 7-10 pm. FREE!!
July 29, 2009
I took the Vow
July 28, 2009
The New Shiz Album Finally Arrives
Where We Stand
, the debut LP from The Shiz is finally available through mail order only. It should be up on iTunes soon so stay tuned.
[itunes]
May 27, 2009
The Shiz finishes tracking for Debut LP
The Shiz recorded it's debut LP at Island Music in Merritt Island FL. It's crazy good and we can't wait to share it with everyone. Stay tuned! The LP is in post production now and will released later this summer on Elysium House Records.
[official website]
April 6, 2009
Out From Yonder Wins 2009 CARA Kudos
Out From Yonder, the self-produced a cappella debut, tied with De vill att vi bugar och niger (They want us to bow and curtsey) by Riltons Vänner for runner up in the 2009 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards. The Winner in the category was Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu. Ladysmith has been an inspiration for me for over 20 years and it is a *thrill* to find my name next to theirs in this category.
[more]
February 21, 2009
Lilli's Newest Band the Shiz Debut's at the Indy
"The Shiz" is Lilli's first venture into indie rock. It started as an acoustic duo with Liz Hogan and has now grown into a slammin' all woman quartet featuring Anna Byars on lead guitar and Melinda McElveen on drums. The Shiz made its debut in Hammond, LA at the Indy Coffee House. Thanks to all who came out. It was a damn good time! Check back here for audio and *video* from the show.
[more]
February 17, 2009
Lilli Reviewed on Okayplayer.com
Okayplayer.com reviewer Jeff Harvey says of Lilli's contribution to the Dream On! compilation "A riveting a capella opening to Lilli Lewis’s “Coretta’s Song” brings to mind a Negro spiritual, and pulls the listener in for a taut, acoustic beacon to the resilience of black women."
[dream on]
February 4, 2009
2009 RPM Challenge - A Song a Day
As a participant of the 2009 RPM Challenge Lilli is recording a song a day for the entire month of February. The results will be consolidated for a full LP to be assembled at the end of the experiment. You can follow her progress on her blog.
[more]
February 2, 2009
Coretta's Song Featured on Women of Substance Radio
Women of Substance Radio is proud to introduce a series of new weekly shows featuring "Coretta's Song" from Sleepers Wake
. The shows air every Thursday evening from 7-8 PM and include the best songs they play by Indie artists in the Folk genre. The show includes some old favorites from their previous Folk show along with some great new artists to WOS Radio.
[listen]
January 26, 2009
Dream On! Compilation Now Available!
Thirty artists representing various genres -- from heartfelt folk to cool jazz to indie rock and more -- contribute to this tribute project, dedicated to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A portion of the proceeds go to charity...
The overall message conveyed by the songs in the Dream On! compilation is positive and uplifting yet thought-provoking. It is at once a celebration of the progress we’ve made and a challenge to recognize and stand up to continuing injustices in our society and in the world at large.
Now that this project has been birthed, we're working on getting the word out. You can help us by telling your friends about the site, blogging about us, and linking to our site.
[more]
January 22, 2009
Out From Yonder Receives Highest Rating from The Recorded A Cappella Review Board
RARB published an interesting if somewhat contreversial review of "Out from Yonder" with at least one reviewer offering a highest overall ranking. Not bad for my self-produced first venture into the genre, though I have no idea what they'll think of my looping project which is even more "elemental."
[more]
January 2, 2009
Happy New Year!
On January 6th, Lilli competes in the Uncommon Ground SHURE sponsored Open Mic Finals at the Uncommon Ground, Devon location in Chicago. Show starts at 8:30.
December 12, 2008
Lilli to perform in International Live Looping Festival
Performing acapella music with non but her voice for accompaniment, Lilli and her conscious circles will present at the Y2K9 INTERNATIONAL LIVE LOOPING FESTIVAL October 14-18 Santa Cruz, California.
[more]
November 17, 2008
AACI SING V Compilation - GROOVUS
Sanguine Song has been selected to be included in the AACI SING V compilation.
Other artists include The Clusters, MTV's Next Top Pop Group Mosaic, and the incredibly talented Naturally 7. Check out their performance on Ellen here.
September 16, 2008
Lilli wins Uncommon Ground SHURE sponsored Open Mic - Hosted by Kat Fitzgerald in Chicago
Finals will occur in January 2009. Many thanks to all who came out!
September 14, 2008
Catch Lilli's Alternative Perspectives on WRFG, 88.9 FM Atlanta
At 7pm on Tuesday, September 23rd, Lilli will be appearing on Alternative Perspectives, hosted by Betty Couvertier. Alternative Perspectives is Atlanta radio's best source for news and interviews dedicated to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) communities. This is Lilli's first time appearing on the show although her voice is heard every week on the show's theme song "Less than Holy."
September 7, 2008
Lilli's back on the road.
After nearly two years of self directed retreat, Lilli hits the road again with her first ever midwest tour which will include events in Lincoln, NE, Chicago, and Toronto among others. While on tour, Lilli will be raising money for the Shambhala National People of Color Scholarship Fund.
To learn more about Shambhala Buddhism, visit shambhala.org or learn more about the scholarship fund here.
August 17, 2008
"Out from Yonder" now Available on iTunes
"Out from Yonder" is now available on iTunes. Behold the beauty of digital distribution. Download yours today!
[more]
August 4th, 2008
"Mountain Lady Woman" becomes Mountain Stage NewSong Regional Finalist
I submitted "Mountain Lady Woman" to the Mountain Stage NewSong competition on a total whim. I was feeling like a tree in the forest and bitter about not having any money so I just started submitting random tracks to random listings on Sonicbids using my high interest PayPal Buyer Credit. I was feeling so rebellious that I actually entered the song, an a cappella track from my latest CD "Out from Yonder" in the "Pop" category.
Well, life in all it's weirdness returned on that whim and now I'm heading to Austin, TX at the end of the month to play in a second round with other talented songwriters from the Southeast Region. Good times.
July 31, 2008
"Coretta's Song" (Sleeper's Wake, 2006) Selected for Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Compilation
Dream On! Is an international creative collaboration with a big heart. This compilation project seeks to honor the memory, the work, and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with his message of peaceful empowerment. Dream on constantly challenges the world not only to dream, but to act.
The Compilation will be a two disk project featuring all types of genres. and a documentary to accompany the compilation.
[more]
July 27th, 2008
The new CD "Out From Yonder" is now available on CDBaby.com.
It's by far my favorite yet and I want you all to hear it! If you don't already have one, you can still check out the samples. You can even download ringtones! A great way to support the project is to visit my page and leave a review.