June/July 2008

Hi all. Well…after months and months of writing it and thinking about it and playing it and imagining it and jamming it and talking about it…I am finally recording the ukulele record of my dreams. My new baritone Kala arrived about a month ago, and she and I are getting along rather famously now. Thomas, Ian, Jorn, Justin, Andrew and I spent 3 days in the studio last week laying down bed tracks for 14 new songs to add to my quiver. It was a wonderfully alive 3 days. Unfortunately the ukulele disease is fully upon me, and I can't seem to stop writing on the damn thing. Hopefully spending the coming weeks working out the ridiculous horn arrangements for this record will curb the flood of new songs. I need some sleep.

In other news…last Friday I went to the Tranzac to see my all time favorite band of all time 'st. dirt elementary school'. They just keep pumping out the hits people! The kind of hits that make you feel like space and time just collided about 6 inches from your 3rd eye. Insanely beautiful and warped like looking at the world through a 100 year old pane of glass. If you live in the Toronto are and haven't seen them yet, you still have a couple of chances this summer. Check out the Tranzac calendar for more details.

Thanks for stopping by.
-AK

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March 28/08

Hello everyone. It’s almost April and the giant mountain of snow on my front yard is dwindling to reveal memories of perennials below. Makes me breathe a hopeful breath. It also makes me want to sing and dance while walking down the sidewalk, which I do with great aplomb these days. I’ll never understand why people dis musicals…it seems like the most natural thing in the world to burst into song.

And speaking of bursting into song, I have a few gig’s coming up that are very special to me in my home town of London ONT. If you’re around those parts, please come out and say hello. On May 4th I’ll be performing at the annual Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Spring Sprint in London braintumour.ca/sprint It’s a cause that’s been close to my heart since my 8 year old nephew was diagnosed and treated for his brain tumour a number of years ago. He’s absolutely giant now…just about to begin an undergrad at Queens apparently…but none of us will forget him as a wee fella soldiering along a very difficult road. The straight goods is that the Brain Tumour Foundation does important work and I am happy to be supporting them with music this year. (I’m such a lousy runner.) Come to the sprint, or make a donation online if you are so inclined.

The second event I’m delighted to be taking part in is a fundraiser for the London Home Country Folk Festival. I’ve played a lot of festivals in my short time on this planet, but let me tell you, this one’s special. (I think it actually has a soul.) homecounty.ca The concert is on Friday May 9th at the Aeolian Performing Arts Centre in London, and will feature 3 chick singer songwriters: myself, the marvelous Kat Goldman and the award winning yet totally down to earth Catherine McInnes. We’ll be celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell and it’s going to rock hard in a rapid notes sung falsetto kind of way. (Only a tiny bit intimidating.)

I’ll be pulling a few uke tunes out of my quiver at both of these shows, so you’ll have a chance to hear where this insane new record of mine is headed. Will it be a bullseye? Wait and see.
-AK

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Feb 20/08

Hi everyone!

It’s a cold cold day here in TO but I’m feeling awful good. Thought that I’d share my latest myspace blog with you all for this update. And for the record, you can check out regular blogs, concert listings and music on my myspace any old time, just go to… myspace.com/andreakoziol

Today is a really good day. Why? Well I'll tell you…

- I'm off to Calgary tomorrow with my Jeans and Classics friends to sing some Brian Wilson songs with the Calgary Philharmonic.
- My wonderful long time musical cohort (and drinking buddy) Bill Brennan, came to town and we had a short but sweet conversation filled with dreams, schemes and visions…of music yet to be written and dinners made by many hands.
- My beautiful kids put on their snowsuits all by themselves this morning!
- I have fallen in love with Petite Syrah.
- I got a new pink gig bag for my uke that makes me feel like a rock star.
- I started my day with a perfect joe from Manic Coffee…the best coffee in the world. (The only place in Toronto that drew hearts on the top of the lattes for Valentines day.)
- I've been fully regaled with stories of the exquisite Oliver Schroer benefits at Hugh's Room this week. Oliver makes beautiful music filled with compassion and humanity. He is the great giver of inspiration…and I am filled with hope when I see what communities can do.
- I have 3 new songs to add to my upcoming CD of tunes for the ukulele and horn section.
- I have asked the universe for a tour in Japan.
- My iPod shuffle is stacked with Sufjan Stevens.


Glorious! I hope you are seeing the beauty in whatever kind of day you're having.
ak

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Oct 19/07

Hello everyone! Thanks to all the people who have gently been nudging me to break clear of my reverie and get a current update on the site.

What’s been happening with me? Well…I played a bunch of summer shows that kicked butt with my friends Kevin Breit and Ian de Souza. I also had the great pleasure of reacquainting myself with the frighteningly delicious Jorn Andersen on drums. Let’s just say that we had an awful lot of fun, and I’m currently cooking up new evil plans that involve an imminent live off the floor recording with these fine fellas. Any Toronto area fans interested in participating in a studio audience kinda way should just shoot me an email. It is guaranteed to be an exciting listen. I’m picturing all the music as playdough and if that makes sense to you then I think you should be there.

Stay tuned for more details on upcoming shows (of which there are a number in the works) including a fall/winter collaborative residency at my favorite Toronto listening joint the TRANZAC.

In the mean time…thanks for dropping by, and don’t forget to feel lucky.
ak

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May 04/07

Hello all! Thank goodness for May I say. All that’s been dormant and cold finally feels the warmth of the sun, and makes a commitment to living again. What could be better really? All that intention, all that possibility…

I’m feeling rather pregnant with intention and possibility myself right now. Looking forward to playing a bunch of summer shows with my good friends Ian de Souza and Kevin Breit. One of the many things I love about making music with these two is that I never know what it’s going to sound like…I never know how it’s going to end. I only know that it’s going to be really really fun. For the month of June you can catch us playing an early (7:30pm) casual set every Monday at the Tranzac Club in Toronto, but stay tuned to the gigs page for more concert announcements. Why aren’t we playing on the 11th you ask? Well that’s because my other great musical love (possibly my first) Mr. Bill Brennan and I are going to take the tiny stage that early evening and reunite for a very special journey through some Chesterfield Inlet repetoire. Special guests? Hell ya! Terrible Bill jokes? Uh huh! Easter Bonnets? Perhaps…

All these shows threaten to premiere snippets of my yet untitled musical in progress, and my very darling ukelele. (Both things that scare the living daylights out of me!)

Oh and one other tidbit of news. There’s been an astonishing number of requests for lyrics to songs from “Songs” lately – must be a bunch of you buying em on iTunes. Well that makes me really happy…thanks! The lyrics are now available on iTunes by right clicking the song title and choosing ‘get info’. You can also go to the CDs page of this website where the complete liner notes to “Songs” are now at your fingertips. Sing along. Sing loud. Sing often.

To all the eyes and brains and hearts reading this right now, thanks for checking in.

To be continued…
ak

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February 10/07

Hello everyone. The deep freeze days of winter are here in Toronto. But I must admit that I'm focused on warmer days ahead. I'm working on my touring schedule for summer 07 and it looks as though I'll be spending a wee bit of time crossing the country heading to Beautiful British Columbia. Can't tell you how happy I am about that! Keep you eye on the gigs page of the site...I'll update it as bookings are confirmed. I'd like to also say thanks to the folk djs and CBC producers/hosts that have been playing songs from the new record. SONGS has had a warm welcome and I am grateful for that.

For those of you who have been asking what I'm working on right now, well here's an update. I'm midway through writing my first musical. I'm calling it an opera actually, and it's my dream that one day I'll be able to convince Ronnie Burkett to stage the damn thing and Bill Brennan to lead the band, but that's another story! I'm also working on an array of exceedingly sad little songs written very late at night on baritone ukulele. Will the ukulele make an appearance in the opera? Will the sad songs say so much? Time will tell.

Till then, stay joyful. And for the love of the planet, stay out of your cars!

ak

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December 15/06

Hi everyone! A new year is upon us and I couldn't be any happier actually. First off 2006 kinda sucked and according to Rob Brezny '07 looks high and mighty for Virgos. I'm also looking forward to a couple of rocking Toronto shows in January. (Check the gigs page if you've got time.) The new little CD is thriving...some very interesting things happening with it that I can't discuss here! If you haven't got your copy yet, get yer butt to CDbaby and ask them to send you one.

So as I sign off I should mention that I am grateful to be a music maker. I am grateful for your ears and your feedback. I am blessed with so much joy and I only hope that I'm sending enough of it back out into the world.

Peace, love and strength.

andrea

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October 13/06

Hi everyone. Well the launch for "Songs" has happened and what a night it was. The band kicked some serious ass and the audience was full of folks who felt like yellin! Thanks to everyone who came out to hear this bunch of new music. More thanks to Kevin (for his gorgeous solo opening set), Justin, Ian, Gary, Ron, Lis and Sue for their beautiful musical contributions. Even more thanks to Holmes and all the staff at Hugh's for their hospitality and impeccable attention to detail. Even even more thanks to all of the folks at CBC radio, and the wonderful Folk Music DJs across Canada, the US and Australia who have been spinning the disc! I am the lucky one.

But...most importantly, I need to say thank you to a few people who I neglected to call attention to that evening at Hugh's. I was completely remiss in thanking a couple of people who have improved my quality of life greatly in the weeks leading up to the show.

Kai Koschmider - helped me with everything from web design to stuffing envelopes and his bizarre sense of humor and massive brain sure came in handy in stressful moments. Actually so did his beautiful wife Michelle Richea N.D., who had not only herbal pick-me-ups but she's unbelievable at assembling press kits! Thanks you guys...and sorry for not doing it sooner.

Colin Puffer - did sound for the show at Hugh's. I, the seasoned singer songwriter, broke the cardinal rule of the club show...I didn't thank the sound person. How dare I? I'm not sure how it happened really. I stared at the guy all night, you'd think I'd remember to shoot him a wee thank you. Oh well. What's done is done. But I am planning on going to Colin's show at the Transac on October 24th in case anyone wants to come along!

And finally Dugg Simpson - thank you for wearing that hat. I'm in touch with my own inner Cossack now, but I think that Thomas has been changed forever...

Stay tuned for more shows and exciting news to come. And stay joyful.

ak

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September 12/06

Hi everyone! Well I can’t believe it…I’m finally opening the cage door to set this wonderful new record free. It’s been a long time coming and I hope it spends some time on your player of choice. I’m beyond happy about the way it’s turned out and once again I’m grateful to every hand that helped bring it into being (and there were many many joyful hands.)

The release concert is going to be a fantastic show, and will feature most of the talented folk who actually played on the disc…Kevin Breit & Justin Abedin (guitars), Ian de Souza (bass), Ron Lopata (keys), Gary Craig (drums), Rique Franks/Sue Patrick Breit/Lis Soderberg (vocals) and maybe even a special guest or two! There’s also going to be a mini solo opening set by none other than Kevin Breit playing and singing tunes from his CD Burnt Bulb on Broadway.

If you’re in Toronto, get your butt down to Hugh’s!

ak

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June 22/06

I walked home along the greyest pavement
Placed my feet between the cracks.
I smiled at a bald guy in a lid-less Chevy
And he smiled back.
The simplest things give us wings.

You make war and you make profit
And you make deep shit.
Well I make dinner and I make music
And I make love and I believe in it.
The simplest things give us wings.

ak

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June 1/06

Hi everyone!

I need to say thank you to everyone who has been sending me email asking about the arrival of the new CD.  Please know that your letters are fantastic to receive, even if I don’t always manage to reply to them promptly.  Truth be told this new CD has taken a bit longer than expected...but I know it's been worth the wait!

Well to begin with, the record isn’t called Waving (as was originally planned) because after it was born, it asked to be named “Songs”.  How could I say no?  It’s probably the brownest record you’ve ever seen, and I hope it will spend some time on your player of choice.  Once again I worked with the sweetest and most talented musicians in Toronto… Ian de Souza, Justin Abedin, Kevin Breit, Gary Craig, Gary Breit, the wondrous singers of LUSHUS, Ron Lopata and that’s just to name a few.  The disc was produced by my beautiful husband/producer Thomas Neuspiel and let me tell ya, we packed a serious amount of JOY into this one friends.  I’m elated with the way it’s turned out and I can’t wait to share it.

There's a gonna be a hell of a release party this summer and everyone’s invited.

Stay tuned.  Stay joyful.

ak