KORG Volca Keys /  by Abigail Press

GAMECHANGER. I NOW OWN MY FIRST ANALOG SYNTH.

KORG just came out with three miniature analog loop synths that are really affordable and pack major punch. Volca Keys, Volca Bass, and Volca Beats. But how to decide between the three when I only have $$ for one? God. I walked over to Control Voltage on Mississippi and literally sat with the three different machines for 2 hours. I couldn't make up my mind. So different, and each one has a special unique knob characteristic about it that makes it note-worthy. I went in thinking I would get the Volca Beats, but there's something really powerful about having those strong synth undertones...

I slept on it and went back the next day. Volca Keys! The tiny little box of gears and lights has an immense versatility in synth sound creation and loop making. I've always wanted to add live instrumentation to my sets! I'll be going in hard in the paint these next four months to add it into my performances and perfect it for my WAVY tour this Fall. Beauty to behold...the possibilities...yesssssss...

RBMA14 - Tokyo /  by Abigail Press

About a month ago I found out from Soulection's FB page that the RBMA14 application was about to hit the internet. I had no idea what RBMA14 was, and upon googling found out that it was an application for an all expenses paid trip to spend two weeks in Tokyo with 30 other musicians from around the world. Say whaaaat?! Access to top studios and top equipment; the opportunity to learn and engage with famous musicians who have mastered their trade... 

Well, needless to say, I printed it out as soon as possible and started scribbling down my answers. The questions go quite deep into the musical sense of self, including questions prompting you to draw maps of where you are in relation to the musical universe. Even asking - 'Your in-laws are coming to dinner. What music are you going to put on (and what are you gonna cook)?': Some Manu Chao, stroganoff with beef chuck, red wine + a salad with balsamic vinaigrette, candied walnuts and blue cheese. 

I also put together a demo CD of select 'Abigail Press' songs. This was particularly fun because 3 of the 5 songs I sent them are unreleased tracks that I have yet to share with the world. Just knowing that they'll be some of the first to listen to the tracks is a thrill.

Anyway, yesterday I finally finished my application and gave it a real big kiss and a hug before mailing it off to the selection committee in Cologne, Germany. One of the requirements was to include a passport-sized photograph so I decided to send them my 'send-me-to-Tokyo' face.

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I won't find out about my application status until June, but I must say that whether or not I'm selected for RBMA14 I'm glad that I went through the process. I've opened myself up to this opportunity and this possibility in the universe. Whatever the outcome, I've grown and I'll keep applying because The Red Bull Music Academy is putting together something for artists that I haven't seen anywhere else.

But let's be real - RBMA14 in Tokyo would be THE BEST THING EVER. PICK ME.

To find out more about the movie, check out http://www.rbma15.com. To find out more about the Red Bull Music Academy, check out http://redbullmusicacademy.com. What Difference Does It Make? A Film About Making Music Featuring Brian Eno, Giorgio Moroder, Erykah Badu and more than 70 other artists, What Difference Does It Make?

WAVY: The European Tour /  by Abigail Press

I recently launched a Kickstarter for WAVY: The European Tour. And let me tell you, this is not just any European tour...

WAVY: The European Tour is a concept that has been evolving ever since I started collaborating with musicians overseas via Soundcloud. I’ve created dozens of songs with people that I’ve never met; communicated and built connections with musicians over sound-waves. What would happen if we met? What new sounds would we create? What would it be like to perform our music together?

This tour will be a chance to connect those sound-waves. Each stop on the tour is a chance to meet my collaborators and perform music that we’ve made together. The money that I raise from this Kickstarter will go directly toward funding the travel expenses during for the trip this Fall. If I am funded, I will fly over ocean waves to meet these talented musicians and create new WAVY music in person. We will make waves.

I will also be planning a WAVY kickoff event for the tour in Portland, OR with Triibe Movement, a creative brand and production company. We are creating a special edition WAVY T-Shirt for the tour as well (the T-shirts are available as one of the prizes for this Kickstarter).

W A V Y - T H E  E U R O P E A N  T O U R - F A L L  2 0 1 4

Portland, Oregon to London, England - Catch up with D/C (https://soundcloud.com/thatdckid), the producer of my first EP “Life Won’t Wait”.

London, England to Leeds, England - Meet up with the two members of Yusin (https://soundcloud.com/yusinmusic), a dream pop band that I’ve been working with online for almost a year. Not only will I be performing at ‘The Wire Club’ (http://www.wireclub.co.uk/), we also plan to create new songs and record while i’m there. We might even shoot a music video for one of our tracks.

Leeds to London to Prague - Meet up with Atomic Electrolab (https://soundcloud.com/atomic-electrolab1) in Prague and perform! 

Prague, Czech Republic to Levice, Slovakia - I will meet up and perform with Melodica Netlabel (http://melodica-netlabel.com/v2/) who released my first internet release ‘Drifting Dawn’ which has more than 35,000 downloads. This performance will include Marino 69 (https://soundcloud.com/marino69) who lives in Slovakia. I have lent my voice to two of his tracks that were released through Melodica Netlabel.

Levice, Solvakia to Munich, Germany - I lived in Munich for a year during college and it was during my time in Munich that Soundcloud featured me as one of the local artists to watch: (http://blog.soundcloud.com/2011/06/16/soundcloud-local-munich/). I will perform and reconnect with a city that I love.

Munich, Germany to Milan, Italy - To finish off the tour i’ll travel to meet up with Peekaboo (https://soundcloud.com/lorenzobadioli), the producer who not only produced “Suddenly”, one of the tracks on my debut EP “Life won’t Wait”, I also sang on one of the tracks on his debut EP, a song called “Growing Up”. 

This project will only be funded if at least $2,500 is pledged by Thursday, Mar 13 2014 9:15 AM PST. If I raise the money then I will be headed to Europe this Fall! Please share this project with anyone and everyone. It's really important to put your dreams out there, and this is one of my dreams. I will get to Europe and fulfill this dream one way or another - this Kickstarter would be a great jumpstart!

Donate: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/642772214/wavy-the-european-tour