tag:adriennecowan.com,2005:/blogs/the-captain-s-log?p=1The Captain's Log2018-07-06T08:58:46-04:00Adrienne Cowanfalsetag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/47957132017-07-28T15:21:10-04:002023-12-10T13:09:10-05:00Seven Spires @ MetalDays, and other European delights: 28 July '17. DE/IT/SL<p>Greetings from Hamburg, Germany, where I am currently in Lorenzo Hotel waiting on room service and generally resting my poor body. The initial plan was to go out to Kunsthalle Hamburg, an art museum, to witness Friedrich’s “Wanderer at the Sea of Fog” in person, but after the last week I’ve had, I’m absolutely exhausted and have elected to stay in and recuperate. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/07c865ebac01a67fbac9e3eaf4f231c6151444b3/original/20464805-10212009168257457-1342273977-o.jpg?1501267903" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Travel face.</em></p>
<p>Seven Spires was invited to headline the NewForces stage at MetalDays 2017 in Tolmin, Slovenia! Since my original travel plans were compromised several times, it ended up that I met up with Jack in Venice, IT for two nights, before taking a shuttle to MetalDays. But before that, I went to Boston for a couple of days to rehearse with the guys and also finish the “Solveig” pre-order packs...</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f770e9dc30ba31ab09c73d337bdd52f813d18e44/original/19667612-870747843063413-1427213479669053214-o.jpg?1500751098" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7bde701eddb6c1cc91ab963009b4067475bec1e6/original/20495583-10212009159577240-1859183989-o.jpg?1501267966" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7279a3cb3ec78c550b1c2389ac2566af93aee210/original/20472455-10212009168217456-762135928-o.jpg?1501267907" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b76579c0c8d31fbb621534e84bec88cead7128f1/original/20502993-10212009159697243-1942611417-o.jpg?1501267970" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Sigh.</em></p>
<p>Then it was time to get on the long flight… Or should I say, flightS, haha. It’s a little complicated and there were a LOT of delays and missed connections, but I flew Boston – Frankfurt and then grabbed my bag, checked it in again, and went back through security to get on a plane to Venice. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/6fc3c6e51afc9d525cda23b41e231d50ab8288b5/original/20502614-10212009168297458-1070268533-o.jpg?1501267905" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c53e66e69d22e004e2d29c730405907a7c1a5a94/original/20464823-10212009168537464-1870917951-o.jpg?1501267952" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Good old Germans have their shit together in their airports. </em></p>
<p>It was worth it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/041ef87ef3e24fe38bea8058333e3ed451982c6b/original/20472580-10212009169937499-1334873330-o.jpg?1501267955" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/5d8634325897b2fa7140114b75e393028afcb127/original/20524183-10212009170097503-636796891-o.jpg?1501267958" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/e301af8e985d873479428d831aecc36ae0f2ff9b/original/20465118-10212009168777470-2036482731-o.jpg?1501267953" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Happy hour at a Jazz club - Kir Royale for the vampire twins</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d761a908021eb50612c37d8af9eee7cb8ec74d61/original/20464805-10212009168577465-1370069862-o.jpg?1501267952" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>Caffe Lavena: Where Wagner, Liszt, and so many others spent much time. <3 </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/2da3dfefbdbc9cc5b5b7ad9e07e9af83cb380d0b/original/20472498-10212009169777495-142290185-o.jpg?1501267961" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a9be406747dca85071294c7275ca2d47346765a2/original/20472769-10212009169977500-1973911628-o.jpg?1501267957" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>We took a shuttle to MetalDays from Marco Polo airport. It was long and the delay was hilarious – it turned out that the driver had taken the average of the times people needed to leave. We left at 16h00 after making a reservation for 13h30, and there were some passengers with us who had made reservations for 11h30 and 18h00. What a mess, haha. But, the ride was beautiful; Tolmin is an adorable town and the scenery is unmatched. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/163eba9b9ae670a0e484521c114e9885b4caed77/original/20472703-10212009170137504-625009941-o.jpg?1501267957" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/766bf24945239039d7018da2934ca3913ae2fabb/original/20495390-10212009170337509-132322548-o.jpg?1501267958" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Emerald waters <3 </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/861248ff091a2a9c8e75c37e292348bebf27da5c/original/20495487-10212009170617516-2032969612-o.jpg?1501267960" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/4a1b0e7b297a3c55e47b64fa4d1c75cc8f3dbc82/original/20495447-10212009170297508-1357412478-o.jpg?1501267957" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><em>We woke up to this every morning. Incredible. Like something from a fairy tale. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>At MetalDays, aside from the set we played (I’m sure there will be talk of that in upcoming interviews, so I won’t spoil anything :)), we had an amazing time meeting and making new friends from all over Europe! It was wonderful also to meet the people we’d been exchanging emails with while working on the EU release of “Solveig”. We also had a lot of interviews the following day. Really thrilled to be working with our amazing EU partners. I also caught a handful of bands, including Mgła, Warbringer, Abbath, Iced Earth, Shining, and Overtures :) AND I had a chance to work on my tan! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/063a1f5a16cfc759a5c9f30759368d3c261eeed8/original/20472535-10212009170977525-1334382804-o.jpg?1501267961" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/69c411a0e495b72677f32ddaf00ad527699167b6/original/20464367-10212009171537539-929427952-n.jpg?1501267970" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d53c7507b9c20150db80e6235f30848fc3237fd2/original/20464970-10212009171017526-1626768888-o.jpg?1501267961" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f102ce2adeb6edf1cb03c4e39c5c8ee92204f611/original/20464793-10212009170657517-1622664141-o.jpg?1501267959" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/626c9ae1904947220d2a970a440490f4a8f09c29/original/20472430-10212009171497538-1209466653-o.jpg?1501267962" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>It was quite warm and things got a bit melty, but this was coconut and chocolate flavoured rolled ice cream. AMAZING.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f943a7d74300e100bfdd2e326197d30ced48bff0/original/20495628-10212009171097528-1217140531-o.jpg?1501267960" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></i><em>Mgla</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ba18a59629286fbe9ed63031d5cc4fb8cfe536d9/original/20472290-10212009171617541-1559844586-o.jpg?1501267966" class="size_l justify_center border_" />They were rad. </em></p>
<p>After I left MetalDays, the reviews and photos of the arriving pre-order packages began rolling in. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I cannot begin to express how happy this makes me. This album has been so long in the making, and to have this kind of reaction is beyond fulfilling. So, thank you for warming this cold heart. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ee637e7626555ac7c75824cbe20f10064e02a336/original/20472430-10212009168337459-1130365731-o.jpg?1501267905" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I suppose that is all for now. Yesterday was Tolmin - Venice, today was Venice - Hamburg (VCE airport is stressful as shit, by the way), tomorrow is Hamburg - Zurich - Boston, and Sunday is Boston - Houston. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>HOME SOON. That means teaching slots open up again! :D </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also I covered "The Serpentine Offering" by Dimmu Borgir: </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="TCwDlmiudp0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/TCwDlmiudp0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TCwDlmiudp0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/47133642017-05-18T06:35:51-04:002023-12-10T13:09:20-05:00I'm Back, Six Packed Months Later: 18 May '17. Everywhere. 3:56 AM. <p>Hello. </p>
<p>This is going to be a long one, and chances are if you're reading this then you've been following my social media, so you've seen most of these updates or been part of them! Still, I've been urged to update this more often, so I will begin again. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The highlights: </p>
<p>-November:<span style="color:#c0392b;"> </span><a contents="China tour" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9piOkl9aFD0" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0392b;">China tour</span></a> with FirstBourne (<a contents="photos" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://adriennecowan.com/photos-videos" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0392b;">photos</span></a>)</p>
<p>-December: Recording in Germany with Mr. Kosto and Sascha Paeth and my family, Christmas</p>
<p>-January: NAMM, I turned 22</p>
<p>-February: USA tour with Winds of Plague (<a contents="photos" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://adriennecowan.com/photos-videos" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0392b;">photos</span></a>)</p>
<p>-March: Came home to MY DEGREE! And Breath of the Wild! + More Spires and FirstBourne shows and a REALLY cold photoshoot</p>
<p>-April: Announced the new Spires record "<a contents="Solveig" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.gofundme.com/sevenspiresband" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0392b;">Solveig</span></a>", <a contents="announced Metal Days performance&nbsp;in July," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.metaldays.net/Line_up" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0392b;">announced Metal Days performance in July</span>,</a> played the <a contents="International Portuguese Music Awards with FirstBourne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/mike.kerr.167/videos/10211196361360346/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0392b;">International Portuguese Music Awards with FirstBourne</span></a><span style="color:#c0392b;">,</span> more Spires and FirstBourne shows/radio appearances. Recorded an acoustic EP with FirstBourne. Yes, really. </p>
<p>-May: In<a contents=" Revolver magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://adriennecowan.com/home/blog/revolver-2017-hottest-chicks-in-hard-rock" target="_blank"> <span style="color:#c0392b;">Revolver magazine</span></a><span style="color:#c0392b;">,</span> released the<a contents=' new Seven Spires music video for "The Cabaret of Dreams"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qshRajbTjek&t=8s" target="_blank"> <span style="color:#c0392b;">new Seven Spires music video for "The Cabaret of Dreams</span>"</a>. Marco from Light & Shade is also chatting with me about our next album.<span style="color:#c0392b;"> </span><a contents='New YouTube cover "Ghost Love Score" by Nightwish!' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuZj3l1VekI" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0392b;">New YouTube cover "Ghost Love Score" by Nightwish</span>!</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>January in photos: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a5fefe7de989f6e7ea47e964c8ad0733350a6831/original/18575371-10211341157237599-2025527022-o.jpg?1495100105" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a520f0ee79e2759d4111e40ff987226f39f13c17/original/18597011-10211341158477630-628750335-o.jpg?1495100109" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d3cc1f0ac7b3f15515521f798dd52c97ad8086a2/original/18596682-10211341157277600-1769610105-o.jpg?1495100103" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c2c7fe0f53d137f58275e6d5e10d486cb6254c44/original/18553645-10211341157357602-1057961791-o.jpg?1495100102" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a9d21ec478ba8bf6b7a6386573a73dd54f932c31/original/18553784-10211341157677610-1971405891-o.jpg?1495100096" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>I screamed internally. Per Nilsson is one of my favourites. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/bb6d07de5b392a3738681350f030b8785d301e63/original/18554041-10211341157997618-572858131-o.jpg?1495100092" class="size_orig justify_right border_" /></em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f5d5c6d34bcd9f09f757f5e12cecf4a4ebe30750/original/18575873-10211341158077620-1803073555-o.jpg?1495100090" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ed3a5290edbd511c59b5a9828f24baeda952f350/original/18575152-10211341158197623-331502524-o.jpg?1495100087" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><u><span class="font_large">FEBRUARY</span></u></strong></p>
<p>How on earth did I end up playing keys for Winds of Plague? Hilariously, Art (the drummer) found me on Instagram via #metalkeyboardist and messaged me right before I went to NAMM. It was a very professional "We are looking for someone, can you be ready in three weeks?" and after a little back and forth about my previous engagements, it was settled. </p>
<p>I also saw a lot of gross toilets, and got to spend two nights in a hotel bed <3</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ecf565a6a1a6fc148aeb84f86df84489b8cdded0/original/18596636-10211341166197823-1542897254-o.jpg?1495100068" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Yes, those are bloodstains. Ladies. Really? </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0f697d90da623314b88477e7d6a7d0bb48fdce82/original/18553912-10211341168557882-701592148-o.jpg?1495100075" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></em><em>Hooray for hotel-sized mirrors and cleanliness!</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong><u>March</u></strong></span></p>
<p>I FINALLY RECEIVED MY ACTUAL, TANGIBLE DEGREE. </p>
<p>And played Breath of the Wild. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0762c633c6ca8b3f2249278d1cb1f483f6910ecd/original/18553228-10211341176918091-1395207336-o.jpg?1495100054" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Wow this game is so pretty - WHAT IS THAT?!</em></p>
<p><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ac3f61052cffe37e30d738d0ba23f0c5244d3fef/original/18553786-10211341171517956-90539746-o.jpg?1495100057" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Hung out with Trudy. At 15, I am thankful for every day she is with us. </em></p>
<p><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/de8491c96c70315fbd8f8d965efd0128cae3caf2/original/18575490-10211341176878090-1971432217-o.jpg?1495100053" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Our photo editor had to take quite a bit of redness out of our faces in the actual shots. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>We were worried about frostbite. The wind chill was brutal but the photos came out great!</i></p>
<p><i><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f2e298ba09cdbfbafa8c8a1a228d2e92006c539f/original/18553855-10211341184758287-359552339-o.jpg?1495099992" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Did some laundry</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/fd85f3fbe480baa1329ec290fe50f7d8e95348e6/original/18575548-10211341184198273-818905130-o.jpg?1495099988" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></em><em>Cleaned my room haha</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a33f17d3047a6aad514865ee777281aad938d5dc/original/18553794-10211341176718086-470952942-o.jpg?1495100048" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></em><em>Played some Spires shows</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9a157b2e04a3f6cd65f31243f4d41c013027edbf/original/18575482-10211341176598083-1092089517-o.jpg?1495100043" class="size_orig justify_center border_" />Went too hard and hurt myself. Stairs sucked for a couple of weeks. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><u><strong>APRIL</strong></u></span></p>
<p>I got sick. Like, really sick, sick-in-bed-for-two-weeks, cancelled-shows-due-to-poor-health sick. </p>
<p>AND THEN WENT BACK TO BOSTON FOR THE IPMAS, MORE SHOWS, AND ANNOUNCED THE NEW SPIRES ALBUM</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/20e1fbf5d46f91eea0bd9f185a267b4fa4b2df72/original/18596663-10211341184678285-763165928-o.jpg?1495099999" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/141561eb92a2580d20c0404f1cca70dcfe5065b5/original/18405456-10211341185318301-606173930-o.jpg?1495100005" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/5da8f4206d5af939d993c39464c72f31b039f536/original/18553743-10211341186478330-510635378-o.jpg?1495100020" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Attended a performance of Howards Shore's works from "The Lord of the Rings" with Mr. Kosto. It was a truly beautiful experience. We dressed up, of course. </em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/63e5807c567f957a95fa8c456aba79dd14acbbee/original/18077078-1341023862652428-6211276785510458451-o.jpg?1494699707" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>FirstBourne!</em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9ea174b68f345a90c38924edbce4590a84fc25c8/original/seven-spires-solveig-album-cover-for-web.jpg?1494696660" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/07a93ec20c906faab4de16929e4e0170e16ae250/original/18575819-10211341185518306-1113861445-o.jpg?1495100004" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ha...</i></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/4f53149e357692e4ef30ee766e2ff15b9368d5da/original/18596274-10211341184998293-1790460787-o.jpg?1495099998" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Neither Chris nor I speak much Portuguese. We took funny pictures when we didn't know what was going on. </em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/2730c237e50f53b76ebd4f31937ea6561406888f/original/18575389-10211341185038294-1201679446-o.jpg?1495099998" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b4aff86ffaf185004b3409637d7b9b69655aa8f2/original/18575883-10211341185638309-302514663-o.jpg?1495100005" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>My mother ensured I ate well at least while she and my dad were in town.</p>
<p>And then, I went back home and immediately got sick again - vomit, fever, oversleeping, not sleeping, headcold, the whole shebang. I am still coughing up phlegm every morning. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><u><strong>MAY</strong></u></span></p>
<p>Flu for way too long. Filming videos like a madman. Sleep is back to its normal crap self :D</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9738ebd8098c9bae4532e5cdc5f4bc4f46b20c0b/original/18553976-10211341191958467-794384818-o.jpg?1495099974" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Three generations of food comas on Mothers Day <3 </em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c4ca739de69a4bf7991df7f84afafbedc7d00239/original/18596458-10211341192558482-2053845068-o.jpg?1495099982" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ecaa8be5de561a358ee4325aabd80c20bd091276/original/18575001-10211341184158272-2063706288-o.jpg?1495099984" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Trudy has figured out that I get munchies around 10pm. Usually it means ice cream for her, too. </em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f19746f9f416cc7570101d6c66838ef61893843c/original/18553854-10211341184638284-837818298-o.jpg?1495099991" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f5b74a0c225a6d18bc11f92170a537501a837f90/original/18575068-10211341191998468-199480484-o.jpg?1495099976" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>I am often astounded by her energy - in human years, she is over 100. Now and then, I catch glimpses of the puppy we adopted 15 years ago in her face :)</em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/1558250719ea9c47e11fa2d87fdf9cfec8527baf/original/18575465-10211341192118471-1981508934-o.jpg?1495099975" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Like a true Texan.</em></p>
<p>My non-work life has included a mess of increasingly negative self-talk. I don’t know where it is coming from, but I definitely miss exhaustedly going to sleep in an RV after playing in a new city every night. I suppose the good is that I am writing proper songs that mean something again, instead of emotionless fluff/angry black metal. I try to remember in these times to treat myself like I would a small child - you would never tell a five-year-old, "you don't deserve to be happy," or "you are a burden". You would put a sad child to bed with a warm drink and a nice blanket :')</p>
<p>Funny – everything else is going super great though, and I try to keep a smile on my face and focus on the good. Like always, it’s the wolf you feed that wins. Still, the travel and chaos has already begun to take a serious toll, and the amount of stress makes noticeable changes in and on my body, particularly in my appetite. </p>
<p>On that note – I STARTED EATING MEAT again in December ’16, and it has taken me this long to be able to eat a decent portion of steak without enduring any repercussions. I was tired of not enjoying food (how many days can you really eat a black bean burrito/burger or assorted nuts and sautéed veggies in a row?) and a lot of people had begun commenting on how skinny I was getting. Plus, it makes things much easier when your whole band wants to go for BBQ and therefore your options are a salad or a salad AGAIN. Damn, I sure missed chicken fried steak. :D </p>
<p>I love you for reading this. Thank you. Be good to yourself. </p>
<p>Back soon, </p>
<p>Cap </p>
<p>PS – I went into a Barnes & Noble for the first time in forever and picked up a collection of HP Lovecraft’s works. 1) I forgot how much I FUCKING LOVE BOOKSTORES. 2) Why has it taken me this long to read Lovecraft?</p>
<p> </p>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/44582522016-11-08T20:26:35-05:002018-02-23T07:40:50-05:00I LOST MY PASSPORT: 8 Nov 2016. Boston, MA. In a window of about 15 minutes on Saturday afternoon, I lost my passport (with my Chinese business visa) TWO DAYS before I was meant to leave the country. <br><br>It was somewhere between finishing rehearsal and entering the apartment with an armful of CDs. Believe me, I searched EVERYWHERE, took everything out of my bag, searched through puddles and looked under cars, retraced my steps, called the practice space, called the MBTA office, called the police... you name it, I looked there. I still don't know if someone found it, or if it was stolen. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/790d2f551c37429fb43fcf64fd365681a2d85d75/original/15008097-10209609940038251-68589688-o.jpg?1478653668" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>What a mess. </em></div>
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<br>After reaching the point pictured above, I realised there was nothing I could do, so I went through with my original plans for that night, and went to Worcester with some of the Seventh Brigade to catch Dark Tranquility, Swallow the Sun, Enforcer, and Starkill at the Palladium. I've been a fan of Swallow the Sun since '12 and never had a chance to see them live, and they're one of the few bands that still have a certain *magic* about them for me, so it was all very exciting. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/1e487772af32c1d88622f06355976db997ce1204/original/15034428-10209609939998250-2027019358-o.jpg?1478653667" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>In the face of international travel-related emergency, I smile with Aleksi Munter <3 </em></div>
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<br>Sunday was spent frantically on the phone with my bassist, Ven, researching new flight options and expedited visa services. I also tore apart the flat again, searched through puddles again, asked every single cafe, bank, and restaurant along the path I'd taken the day before if they had a passport turned in. <br><br>NOBODY HAD IT. <br><br>So I went to CVS and got some new photos taken. My mother flew with my necessary documents to Boston - we met her at Logan airport at 10:17 pm. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/933de2ba7c8e4f0ede7f51522bcf5a87f95f6300/original/15045286-10209609939878247-1052467782-o.jpg?1478653666" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Attractive. </em></div>
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<br>Monday, I had the earliest possible appointment in Boston to have a new passport printed. They were FANTASTIC. I was out of my appointment by 10:30, spent two hours in the cafeteria taking care of Spires-related business with Sascha and Jack, and then by 12:30 I had a brand new passport. <br><br>Ven picked me up at 1pm. We rushed to his house, printed out all the necessary documents to apply for the visa with same-day services and overnight Fedex services both ways. It came out to about $900. <br><br>Before we left for the post office, Ven had to let his new puppy out. Her name is Luna, and we matched <3 <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/3a5e586f99edfbb4105c2bcbe0ca92610b40c040/original/15007926-10209609939558239-1787801941-o.jpg?1478653659" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0ee8aeafbd33c40a77c533b0b45c320b1db5c006/original/14976121-10209609939798245-1789971717-o.jpg?1478653662" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b2227af0c3277594c17a34b1dab2e73226d5f545/original/14975804-10209609939678242-1332997486-o.jpg?1478654378" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Ven found a new flight for me (thank you so much Ven), so now my passport and visa will arrive tomorrow morning, and I'll hop on a plane to LA at 6pm local time. From LA, I'll fly to Hong Kong and arrive at 8 AM, go through customs etc, and then make my way to Shenzen. Soundcheck in the evening, show at 8pm. <br><br><br>PHEW. <br><br>Also, Harman Munon drew me with a Jack Sparrow beard, and it's the best thing I've ever seen: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/6cf474bf3da05f8dfbb9b4fab97aa68eb75ed3b6/original/15007911-10209609939598240-1655531240-o.jpg?1478653664" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><br>The moral of this story is this: even if you take super good care of your things (my passport rarely leaves my sight), it's still good to have an emergency fund. Also, life is expensive. <br><br><br><br><br>Bonus: I work AMAZINGLY under a lot of pressure, so after the passport-related ordeal was done, I used the "get shit done" high and caught up on a backlog of a month's worth of schoolwork and wrote a song today :) </div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/44496532016-11-02T22:41:03-04:002022-05-24T08:18:24-04:00Espresso at 8 PM and Other Necessary Decisions: 2 Nov 2016. Kingwood, TX.The short version: <br><br>I drank a lot of coffee, did a lot of work, wore myself down too much, did the shows (sang my ass off!), went home and slept it all off. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/3219e2a42567e51ff1691a642717c71111f2bbf7/original/14971573-10209554673176614-48735796-o.jpg?1478137743" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Zzzzz.</em></div>
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<br>The long version: I announced some festival dates in China with FirstBourne after we were announced to play the 2017 International Portuguese Music Awards, Queen Boudicca: A Metal Opera premiered in Providence, RI, I drank a lot of coffee and ate a lot of sushi, I made some videos with Joe Atlan, sang and recorded piano on a friend's project at 4 in the morning, and fell very behind on my remaining schoolwork. <br><br>FirstBourne stuff: <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/6e2333d9956458d41941848a9cb5c4a644e3eb16/original/14971644-10209554673536623-159438555-o.jpg?1478137749" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>No pleasant faces for me, apparently</em></div>
<div><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/aaaca13c9d93b0808318c9cb0c7d53acab6b7346/original/14963605-10209554673216615-1183385710-o.jpg?1478137746" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b561e2e7ed846b465b6ccf106fb9c6f593395888/original/14975716-10209554673856631-436092249-o.jpg?1478137755" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Chris (drummer for pretty much everything I sing in besides Light & Shade) and I split this sparkly-ass cupcake,<br>which is definitely not to be confused with a sparkly ass-cupcake. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/50f73fc11c0a5e6a4ca896ce17498f9ebeb5c7d8/original/14875198-10209554673136613-1034850331-n.jpg?1478137742" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>Too funny to not share: Mike ALMOST convinced me that he had this tattooed in a strategic place on his mortal<br>vessel. I can't believe I almost believed him, hahah.<br> </em>
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<div>Boudicca stuff: <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c6a9d97e56fcf9ace4f286872f366e4af3861d68/original/14958248-10209554673816630-2039749092-o.jpg?1478137757" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b3deb4a31c590ceb46cf3da81d81a611159c1b3b/original/14971594-10209554673056611-791078147-o.jpg?1478137738" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7d98a4223ceba0e4b846b603ed3e2da6a40331fb/original/14923100-10209554672536598-231198429-o.jpg?1478137737" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<em>From L to R, B to F: Lily Marsden (cello), Peter de Reyna (bass), Chris Dovas (drums), Jack Kosto (guitar), Jose Aranda (keys), Colin <br>Jenkins (guitar), Elizabeth Kumaki, Darren Domingos, Jennifer Kim, David Benites, Cameron Earnshaw, Ava Gaudet,<br>Bob Schlink, some random lady, Alex Hart, Haydee Irizzary, Sara Jackson, Eddie Shifflet, Alex Suggs, Anthony, Jackie (violin)</em><br>The dream team! <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f8f672889d4d55913f582cc275433d3f3768e4c0/original/14963622-10209554673016610-729304332-o.jpg?1478137740" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>Obligatory backstage cast picture</em><br> </div>
<div>Extras: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ec7a3d8bb7862fbaa468d10e5b7084b350cb0b02/original/14975876-10209554673776629-1512426074-o.jpg?1478137754" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Another photoshoot with Chris. Wait, what band is this again? <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/47a969e1db0b6caa0636380ec5cdce664beed849/original/14971714-10209554673256616-152214530-o.jpg?1478137744" class="size_l justify_center border_" />At 2 AM, she was so beautiful, and sang like an angel. The piano, not me; I screamed like a demon clawing through<br>the earth's crust. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/8d2bdfeb2031650a030962dc17b0ab374dd4b5e7/original/14963506-10209554673096612-1150848151-o.jpg?1478137741" class="size_l justify_center border_" />These blog posts aren't complete without a sushi picture. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d3de6b73d211a595c82810607790901c61652836/original/14923030-10209554673616625-1975895343-o.jpg?1478137750" class="size_l justify_center border_" />"What's that smell? Oh, just another $80 dropped at the Apple store this week."<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f1b2192522f0cf4a877449b05d2d37e0a2c6383b/original/14964046-10209554673296617-779084807-o.jpg?1478137747" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Am I a wood elf yet? <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/17acf8df47e0ea19c397ad6a09250cad366aaa09/original/14937954-10209554673896632-1432999712-n.jpg?1478137758" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Jose also force-fed me toast when I forgot to eat (read: every day) and talked me through a lot of deep-rooted<br>dissatisfaction with life and personal goals and such. He and Jenn are really wonderful people and I am glad to<br>call them friends. </em><br><br> </div>
<div>Home: <br><br>I taught in the early afternoon on Sunday, bid Cam farewell that evening, then headed to a 12-5 AM recording session. Shortly after, I packed my bags and Ubered to the airport for a 9:30 AM flight, and proceeded to sleep for a grand total of 19 hours. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a72d7b76cc19f910dfa7d4ae37b5508d56238613/original/14923120-10209554672456596-1030140001-o.jpg?1478137733" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0bbaa39434ab933d597620d20cc5e3ee8ac4e9ba/original/14975927-10209554671776579-2136751207-o.jpg?1478137731" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/089b9383f8f99630f02e0349dc88078318d4a76d/original/14964226-10209554671816580-333030782-o.jpg?1478137730" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0f0fc9eba5e6d1b535446203d21da5223858b59c/original/14971544-10209554671496572-623859785-o.jpg?1478137731" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br>There is much to be done still. Tomorrow, I pack my bags again, and on Friday, I'll go to Boston for pre-tour rehearsals. Then, it's off to China for a week! I am really hoping I can find even a couple of hours to write some Spires songs. It's one of the things that brings me the absolute most joy, and finally I feel that the creative fountain has begun to refill. </div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/44158902016-10-12T12:48:10-04:002018-03-24T07:30:48-04:00Closer to Rehearsals, Further from Death: 12 October, 2016. Boston, MA.<u>The Important Stuff</u><br><br>1) Light & Shade's first single dropped on Monday. Click the photo - it'll link you to the song and preorders :) <br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lightshadeofficial.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7b84e2a8fcaf937b7ecce5f980740a509c2c80b2/original/14643091-10209345154778785-1492976818-n.jpg?1476288778" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/74b713f673fb23f4e5f1e435f9040eda61627744/original/14618765-10209345155218796-1530766746-o.jpg?1476288783" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Light & Shade: Luca Negro (Temperance), me, guest drummer Alex Landenburg (LT's Rhapsody),<br>Marco Pastorino (Secret Sphere). Cool!</i><br> </div>2) FirstBourne now have signed albums ready to go. Mike shipped some off to China yesterday!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ca39655e6fd339fdf15e677c6d5bedd519f59e5c/original/14559996-621775818027097-2829858801594309381-o.jpg?1476288944" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>"Keep calm and let a guitarist handle it." Thanks, Mike! </em><br> </div>
<div>3) Spires has a big show on Friday at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston. We rehearsed together as Spires (and not as Queen Boudicca's band) for the first time in what felt like months. All went well, save for some small technical difficulties with my gear which fixed themselves halfway through. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c72b8952e0f92e83da00b69499d734a75183e743/original/14724097-10209345154898788-1885974950-o.jpg?1476288778" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>I really love these guys. </em></div>
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<br>4) Queen Boudicca premiers in 17 days.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/3ebed6c7c055fe5a2b1be70a8ebe40c4c7bcbeb5/original/14689723-10209345288142119-1019469376-o.jpg?1476289661" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Rehearsals are going well. There are a lot of them. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/042b6b72efb03c8171a58aafb8957be7943eade7/original/14672715-10209345287902113-561187713-o.jpg?1476289662" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>We have fun, though. There's never a dull moment. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/71aebe1d32e4183b94f1d42e856876e3c5ac42f7/original/14699402-10209345288102118-2082641891-o.jpg?1476289663" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>We are all busy, and sometimes it can get a little tough. But, we have fun, and it's going to be a good show! <br><br><br><u>The Other Important Stuff</u><br><br>I am a full time musician. I teach vocals (and lyric/song writing, now!), do guest vocal sessions, write toplines for people, and of course am in three bands and an opera. I am also still finishing the last nine credits of my degree. <br><br>So, I'm forever looking for fun ways to stay sane...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/00eb6296d4cf267ab8aaa4f6747d80b7ae4cbcbb/original/14689780-10209345155138794-1587061764-o.jpg?1476288783" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<i>Hot chocolate and matching outfits with Jack AGAIN <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/174ce066d97114b4cfbbeed331d8970ca48088d4/original/14618822-10209345155178795-658365270-o.jpg?1476288780" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Taking arty farty photos. In case there was any question, that's Jack and not me. :')<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a88f6aad79ac4397084e78ce4d9ae36b49e2642c/original/14672739-10209345155258797-73119940-o.jpg?1476288785" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Laughing and marveling at the contrasting architecture in Boston. This is from my Instagram - if you're interested, <br>I'm<a contents=" @Adrienne_Cowan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/adrienne_cowan/" target="_blank"> @Adrienne_Cowan<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ce7c21cb88ff4b0ac2849c4832f0e24bd03ca050/original/14689154-10209345154978790-471592207-o.jpg?1476290239" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a>Playing Subnautica with Jose and finding terrifying/awesome alien creatures in the deep<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/38fbf0fd231fef37e9df5f07648bec2e3a1fed8e/original/14646850-10209345155378800-180912723-o.jpg?1476288805" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Doing laundry in Jenn's tiger onesie<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/8e806104eb2ec18f7461c215509845121f69ad86/original/14689030-10209345155018791-340828291-o.jpg?1476288810" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Jose bought a Sonic Blanket and now it looks like I sleep in a little boy's room<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/859e0d1bef405da2b64193e5ba5a0c1707d65374/original/14697185-10209345150658682-451099454-o.jpg?1476288784" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Laughing at Cam's terrible/awesome photoshops of Jose. There's one with his face on a stripper's body somewhere.</i><br><br> </div>
<div>Busy, busy, busy. Cool stuff brewing! </div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/44036162016-10-05T14:00:31-04:002021-05-13T06:59:51-04:00Somewhere Between Rehearsals and Death: 5 October, 2016. Boston, MASo here's a thing: I left Berklee in May for a plethora of reasons (mostly because I travel like crazy and Boston makes me unnervingly grey), but have continued my studies online so that I can finish my degree. This means that including the two summer semesters I've taken, I am now in my 10th semester, and have been in school full time since Sept '14 without more than a week or two off in between. AWESOME, I'm so happy to be finishing up the last 9 credits. <br><br><br>Anyway. I'm back in Boston because I'm working on this: <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c9cdf5142fa2d1d90e929e5d727a636ec23eb628/original/14380141-1778752349034479-909213430939336773-o-1.jpg?1475607549" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Info: <a contents="https://www.facebook.com/queenboudiccaproject/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/queenboudiccaproject/?fref=ts" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/queenboudiccaproject/</a><br>Tickets: <a contents="https://levelexchange.ticketleap.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://levelexchange.ticketleap.com/">https://levelexchange.ticketleap.com/</a></em></div>Rehearsals are about 12 hours of my week, plus some extra work I do for the MD and director. For example, a handful of us dressed up and paraded around Providence last weekend to promote the show: <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/84999bc4487fce7a1e5c1e8703e3ebc95a828635/original/14466303-10209233459586475-950886504-o.jpg?1475607553" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I learned some basic chords on the Warrior's Lyre, so I'm basically Jack Kosto now. </em><br> </div>
<div>I met the composer's dog, Hamlet: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/2732ab92886e0579a6a10476b22477ddd08d2eea/original/14467084-10209233459506473-472585024-o.jpg?1475607584" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<em>I'd post a photo of Hammy and myself together, but the only one I have is blurry. He's a sweet and energetic little thing <3 </em><br> </div><br>Being in Boston for an extended period of time like this wears on my spirit a little bit, and it absolutely destroys my sleeping schedule. I'm not sure why, but it has always been this way, I think. Writing for Spires is one of the few things that keeps me happy, but I've been a little creatively dry, too... So that's a bit of a drag. Still, I'll try most days to write SOMETHING, even if it's small, or just thoughts and details on the concept. Yummies and good company help, too. Otherwise, I kind of box up all of my grey and put it in another box and tape that up and put it in the back of my mind so that I can continue to get up and kick ass in the morning. It's probably not healthy, and I'll have to look at it eventually, but right now I just don't have it in me. <br><br>So, BEHOLD: Photographic evidence of fighting off the grey :D <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/eff8386772260add3cc1b1bd73b294994021c06d/original/14488939-10209233459386470-1712475898-o.jpg?1475607582" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Pumpkin Spice pretzels<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/6a3874e99aace028570a5140b4073f857307e527/original/14466188-10209233459786480-574835930-o.jpg?1475607558" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Breakfast meetings and accidentally wearing the same outfit<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f40857691e6ed88ad2b1b950207e4a978fcbd36d/original/14513678-10209233459706478-200409195-o.jpg?1475607556" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Writing<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/895ce2747bc51845d84ce5372c9697fdda691fbf/original/14466220-10209233459906483-2121592431-o.jpg?1475607573" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><em>Clothing that is not black (it's forest green hehe)<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f874de302c6d4bb7e787a06835941c6a868cc94b/original/14513815-10209233459826481-298361597-o.jpg?1475607559" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Evening walks by the Charles River</em><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d4d4340840f187a21ba856eb5889b77e9ffed0f8/original/14518740-10209233459666477-1922190230-n.jpg?1475607556" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>I laugh every damn time I see this <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/8f2615d04242cfebbd39769373e8f6af3ba1690f/original/14467069-10209233459546474-1070707929-o.jpg?1475607551" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Joe Atlan turning me into a mermaid</em>
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<br>That's life right now. :) <br><br><br>Much love xxx<br><br><br><br><br><br>PS: <br><br>1) This is finally out: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c4b49f0fb49dd8a992beacfdeda214102e60ae29/original/14593773-10209279789224687-221628420-n.jpg?1475609219" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Lots of clean singing from yours truly</em></div>
<div>2) This is happening soon: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b17359fd86b779dab1d98e39a9264e6253cda826/original/14470466-1263860923644855-6447896523034886498-n.jpg?1474930562" class="size_l justify_center border_" />3) This happened and it's kind of fun: <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/590664c950c8470e74773197df785c78d2bdab54/original/14593167-10209279800104959-822921035-n.jpg?1475609352" class="size_l justify_center border_" />4) You need to go and listen to the new Insomnium. "Winter's Gate". Go. Now. </div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/43741122016-09-15T15:56:52-04:002023-12-10T13:08:29-05:00Dog, Bed, and Coffee: There's No Place Like Home (+ProgPower USA XVII): 15 Sept, 2016. Kingwood, TX.<p>ProgPower USA XVII stuff at the end! ;) <br> <br>A brief catch up—I’ve been staying with friends in Boston for almost a month (Jenn and Jose, I can’t thank you enough) while teaching metal singing and doing Spires/FirstBourne/Queen Boudicca stuff. <br> <br>Life is good there, but I am SO happy to be back with my bed and my dog and my books and my coffee and my maps and my candles. <br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b9f5caf111d1e808adae379df911b6f64cc1fa47/original/14374825-10209126142543616-1692272083-o.jpg?1473967298" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dearest bed, in your burgundy and silver glory, envelop me in your comforts and do not let go. Also, black semi-brocade<br>pjs ftw. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c0d96bd1b7fdc0aa2d513c30ca3f0c978f062547/original/14359830-10209126141663594-1403149386-o.jpg?1473967297" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></i><em>Moosh moosh moosh. Trudy <3 <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/fb0e02d08c75dd14c118f82c3be71d6ea32daf3d/original/14339794-10209126142663619-1192707693-o.jpg?1473967292" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><em>My quiet and happy place.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/94d9754765652077dfb23e1a79e4d4e422f69668/original/14341872-10209126142503615-230191166-n.jpg?1473967294" class="size_l justify_center border_" />He keeps me company while I orchestrate. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/632845f583de8746a20404bf112115380fb8f5d8/original/14374708-10209126141903600-2115709384-o.jpg?1473967297" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Inspiration.</em></p>
<p> <br>Lately I have felt a little deflated and directionless, and until yesterday I was unable to figure out why. Here is what I've deduced: Last year around this time, I was in a business class with a teacher who had us make a “Things List”—a giant list of things to complete, to stop, to start, to prove, to be acknowledged for, to accumulate, to be, to build, and to do. As it turns out, I have since crossed out almost all of the things that I could possibly do at this time from that list, and this is why I felt like I didn’t know where I was going! So, I wrote up a new list with short and medium-term goals (up to 5 years from now) and have been reunited with what I call the September Fire—the ignition of passion and determination that fuels me each fall and carries me partway through winter. <br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f21fd6e0376bb99bcfbd4b1b0a6e3b71cb349711/original/14339307-10209126142823623-746987461-o.jpg?1473967670" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>This also tends to help. </em><br><br> </p>
<p>In other news, more information about my new record with Light & Shade was announced yesterday: <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.scarletrecords.it/light-shade-debut-album-details-revealed/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ef69ac11c770e8d818a746788cc8915fd99750a7/original/14333138-803927653081911-3906153675222814036-n.jpg?1473956891" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Click through for tracklisting and release dates :) Si vola!</em></p>
<p> <br>The final FirstBourne masters appeared in my inbox the other day. I can be pretty hard on myself when it comes to creations, but they actually turned out quite well! I'm really pleased with them. And, I’ve been in contact with Sascha Paeth a bit over the past couple of days… there is more news brewing, but of course, good stuff takes time. <br> <br>By the way, in case you haven't been keeping up with the <a contents="Queen Boudicca" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/queenboudiccaproject/" target="_blank">Queen Boudicca</a> Metal Opera stuff, it's actually pretty cool. We're working on a handful of Fall/Winter '16 dates in addition to the ones on Oct 29 in Providence, RI and Dec 2 in NH at the Strafford Opera House. This is my character, Asceawa (uh-SHAY-wuh): <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7637700c9f532ec3b5044b2b1b2a7f2dbbce39fd/original/14242431-1773869799522734-5335091195392243656-o-1.jpg?1473957152" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Queen Boudicca's second in command. Also secretly in love with her Queen. Hate it when that happens.</em></p>
<p>To clarify: it's a touring theatrical production! An actual staged opera with metal singing! We will also make a record, but right now we are focusing on the show :) <br><br><br>ProgPower USA XVII was just as great as last year—each year I feel that my metal family in Atlanta grows! A lot of highlights—a lot of wonderful people. I’ll be back next year, almost certainly.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d1161a9ca0f87be0bf0378df11a03b9cf0da9425/original/14329193-10209126140423563-1595924225-o.jpg?1473967289" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Early in Thursday's afterparty at the Artmore Hotel. A magical place!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/54971f6bef2ce6e1647716333c9b8bdab5ab6e28/original/14360262-10209126140343561-833738278-o.jpg?1473967297" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Dragonforce killed it, of course. Nice to see Marc Hudson back on vocals, though I am a fan of PelleK, too.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/78010392e7dc6b4d7f371a75ca7b09fda11c18cb/original/14359827-10209126141703595-2104855479-o.jpg?1473967296" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Great to see the Ghost Ship Octavius guys again! Definitely one to check out, if you don't know them. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/8d12d61ce878bf639cbd78695671eac7f394106e/original/14359740-10209126140903575-1637233008-o.jpg?1473967292" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Scar Symmetry, ft. an American flag shirt. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/535d26c82cd8123438fffe55119c3a04bc5a39e7/original/14285772-10209126141143581-1075936253-o.jpg?1473967287" class="size_l justify_center border_" />I learned to love singing in modes and other strange scales by singing their (Scar Symmetry) songs when I was younger. <3<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/389c57e97ecaa5ccd730c58e7d82efcfcdddab5d/original/14315683-10209126141823598-1666676478-o.jpg?1473967289" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Devin Townsend and Anneke from the photo pit! Thanks for the VIP pass, Lars :D <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/8dc1abacddeda465568900b9d8c20bb1e1ecc9f7/original/14303671-10209126140463564-714097641-o.jpg?1473967286" class="size_l justify_center border_" />The bullet belt crew.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/908878ca77a07e19acb8da30b4b2cb13c4b7151c/original/14375164-10209126141063579-1599083116-o.jpg?1473967299" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Vanishing Point were a happy discovery for me this year! </em><br> </p>
<p>And lastly...<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ebce8a777888f773dec706a790042fe3145907d7/original/14394035-10209126140263559-1503620569-o.jpg?1473967301" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Seven Spires on a full page in the festival's program<3</em></p>
<p><br>That's all for now. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9e3f9f106ef6823b479d8fa9b20c037be75a30b8/original/14315644-10209126140943576-1736435633-o.jpg?1473967288" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/43604052016-09-07T07:39:28-04:002020-11-06T05:31:17-05:00The Calm Before the Storm: 7 Sept, 2016. Boston, MA.<p>It’s been a bit of a quiet week—mostly I have spent it getting my affairs in order before ProgPower! This means lots of filming #PracticeRoomCam videos (lots of power metal: <a contents="Dragonland" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/adriennecowanmusic/videos/1352586824759371/" target="_blank">Dragonland</a> and<a contents=" Dragonforce" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/adriennecowanmusic/videos/1349485731736147/" target="_blank"> Dragonforce</a>), working on school, teaching metal voice lessons, and eating and drinking yummies with my friends. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9d9d81770696adab7206e8f7ce4739f6df3cf122/original/14233387-10209058835620985-1460891429-o.jpg?1473247795" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>For example: Cold brew coffee at Barismo in Cambridge, MA. Effervescent, with hints of hops and gin. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0e77b74117f40a8a3e80b1d0ea3a9c93a18bbd92/original/14285714-10209058835540983-604603625-o.jpg?1473247795" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><em>Went back to Hi B3ar (the rolled ice cream place in Allston) with David and Cam. I really love these two! <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/166755fe60737d10494bf3dfd0730dc14fc9cc19/original/14285117-10209058835580984-807802423-o.jpg?1473247796" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><em>Boston Beer Works has become something of a tradition. They have seasonal specialties, and this is one of them.<br>The Pumpkin Caffe Noir: "Deep Obsidian | Spiced Coffee Stout | Roasted Flavour | Nutmeg + Vanilla | Full Mouth Feel".<br>What a delight. </em></p>
<p> <br>I’m in a couple online marketing classes right now, and the final project for one of them is to write a marketing plan for an album release. It’s… well, I’m glad I’m not in marketing full time, let’s put it that way. But, writing a theoretical marketing plan for the new Spires record has been interesting, to say the least. <br> <br>I’ve also been working with some new vocal students! There are two in particular that have been really great experiences—one is a high school girl, and the other is a grown-ass man. <br> <br>What’s most rewarding (for me, anyway) is seeing a growing vocalist become comfortable with what they do, and watching the sparks fly when they start slaying. Whether it’s fully accessing their own power or nailing high notes that their anatomy should normally limit them from, there remains the constant of the light—that “f*ck yeah, I just did that and it was awesome!” fire— that kindles in them. These two have it, and it makes me smile. <br> <br>Every vocalist is limitless, in my opinion. <br> <br> <br>Now, I am waiting for a plane to Atlanta, GA, where I will spend the next four days with my extended metal family at ProgPower USA. Inspiration is about to hit in a big way, I think! My sleep and dreams have been utter trash, but I'm happy :) <br><br><br>Until next week! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0db20660f38e10339041675de1d8f0e69da98c12/original/14273456-10209058835660986-526348469-o.jpg?1473247795" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>My name is Adrain and I have an ice cream problem.</em></p>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/43518782016-08-31T23:08:01-04:002018-07-06T08:58:46-04:00"I swear you're the Energizer Bunny" : 31 Aug, 2016. Boston, MA. It probably goes without saying that I am a tired lady, haha. BUT, as I always say... better to be busy and productive than bored :D <br><br>Lately, I've spent a lot of time in rehearsals for Queen Boudicca, which will premier on Oct 29 at RISD's theatre in Providence, RI.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b78576492ca31949ffa142a45a89309d96f8105b/original/14151885-10209004730868400-524324489-o.jpg?1472697100" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the crew: Me, Pete (bass), Eddie (Agricola, Caitus), Haydée (Heanus), Chris (drums)<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/acb9abcb7aaa3eb7cbe34aea1048d32484058e0b/original/14151774-10209004731028404-1612373173-o.jpg?1472697095" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>Ava Gaudet (Boudicca) looking fierce on our promo posters.</em><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/42b5ed46d0a0f2280cbbfc3810599a1f00a78ca5/original/14163841-10209004731068405-732984758-o.jpg?1472697093" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>More of the crew: Jack (guitar), Cam (Suetonius), Pete again, Colin in a really excellent shirt (guitar), Chris again<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7de2471b4ba794cb769f5e88c238162559e4309b/original/14152279-10209004731148407-1814737287-o.jpg?1472697090" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><em>Pool breaks with David "NICE DICK, DUDE" Benites of Buried Electric (The King), Cam again, Eddie again</em><br> </div>I've also been Captaining about with Spires a lot lately-- two shows this last weekend, some pre-production for the next-next album at the Dovas's home, and some really really cool calls from Sascha which I WISH I could elaborate on right now...<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/2b99f8b23ebe05983ebee8775b9c9b79611159ae/original/14202895-10209004731468415-1125406045-o.jpg?1472697075" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>We were so productive that I forgot to take pictures haha. Of course the only photo I took all weekend was of food.</em></div><br>This weekend in Cambridge, MA, one of Jeff and Casey's fans was at the Spires show (Hi Kyle!) and it super awesome to run into him again after RTX. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/ae00b352f191a0bf636273474653a895e79ec9dc/original/14172089-10209004730908401-689644142-n.jpg?1472697096" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Unknown photo credit, but it was a good time! </i><br> </div>Speaking of RTX, I did a little recording for Jeff Williams' new band? Company? Project? Called Black Science on a song called "Freedom (Or Die Trying)". The song was used on last weekend's end credits for Rooster Teeth's "Camp Camp".<br><br><br>In my very little time off, I've just been sharpening the saw with food and excellent company. Lots of smiles, these days! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9341378ec28a0379969ac4549e8a9c54fe9701c0/original/14215775-10209004730788398-1130843900-o.jpg?1472697104" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Thai rolled ice cream in Allston at Hi B3ar! So yummy. I ordered their Matcha Lady: Green tea ice cream with red <br>bean chopped in. Topped with coconut flakes and chocolate chips, perfection!</em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/90363cbb8a15048dc6063542546eb3de00d3aa86/original/14202900-10209004731188408-2142958174-o.jpg?1472697083" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Heaven. Nespresso can have my soul forever <3 Jack and I paid them a visit and it was the best way to spend a<br>morning. </em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/5e9b2609ceb1c550d0a2581f46a8b0b2498f8262/original/14203465-10209004731108406-1887850980-o.jpg?1472697087" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Excuse me, I need a minute here... So many sheaths of espresso <3 </em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/3316f697d020882e4f1fa37d06a8e5b60765309c/original/14202912-10209004731268410-2066560784-o.jpg?1472697081" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>This watch was like $20 and it makes me happy every time I look at it. I've been thinking about a really nice one,<br>but for now this is a practical way for me to see how feel about it :) </em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7723c8ef8a48bd4a54bf8e216ddc464cdcaa9ca5/original/14203406-10209004731348412-437517437-o.jpg?1472697080" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Jenn PK and I went for 11PM sushi at a place maybe 5 minutes walking from her home. DELICIOUS AND<br>BEAUTIFUL, and they gave us lots of free samples and extras!! <3 <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/30afc2f41b90f3fbf2eab0f057d4d9189be9d7d1/original/14199521-1625656581059116-895500818163092200-n.jpg?1472698702" class="size_l justify_center border_" />I also engineered some of Cam's demos! Prog stuff, think TesseracT meets Shades of Black. Not my style, usually,<br>but he loves what he does and that joy is contagious. I wrote some doom metal afterwards, haha. </em><br> </div>
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<br><br>Coming soon: <br> </div>ProgPower USA next week!! I am excited :)<br><br>AND, <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/bc8d737de46e6aeca0ed6529b32acbcfb755cb4f/original/14163713-10209004731308411-436882225-o.jpg?1472697075" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><br>Until next week, <br><br><br>xxxxx<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/cf999acfc74d8f66922e6bf77d1fc8cc611f7b8f/original/14215641-10209004731388413-1345779050-o.jpg?1472697071" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/43314822016-08-18T17:33:20-04:002018-06-12T14:48:45-04:00Once More Into the Unknown: 18 Aug '16. Houston, TX. Tomorrow, I leave TX, without any real idea of when I'll be back. Again. That's fine :) I've had some lovely quiet days! <br><br>Being home means: <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/33a85e0f628cfde9b91ca8acfeb62609efd1209b/original/14044936-10208887252011502-674988371-o.jpg?1471555266" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A pitcher of green juice and Xenoblade<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="FTjlBbVt3yU" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/FTjlBbVt3yU/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FTjlBbVt3yU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>I am so excited to finally have a Skell #werk<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/1fb4408ad817f850f6998537bdc8f0e2d21c5eab/original/14075175-10208887273332035-1686178402-o.jpg?1471555271" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Parking like an asshole<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9b26775ab01d0070b0ce2814bab8cf9a8380aa5c/original/14037493-10208887273812047-2091577583-o.jpg?1471555271" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Mom's excellent cooking: Salmon, zucchini noodles, other asian-y noodles<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d5e5a387c59de594b700a9ed9b07f0403073616a/original/14012743-10208887273292034-964504865-o.jpg?1471555270" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Maghm also made rum balls with Kraken :D<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/cdb75cd086103c47973330430c0a402c9b6f345a/original/14080957-10208887263371786-679696445-n.jpg?1471555267" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Seeing my dog, Trudy <3 She is almost 15 years old in human years. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/3f51f82733af0e6d09371c7bf2c79a0bad09b79d/original/14012888-10208871398055163-608042595-o-1.jpg?1471555265" class="size_l justify_center border_" />And of course, being back at my command station!</i><br> </div>
<div>The blonde/silver streaks also made a brief appearance during warrior prep for Queen Boudicca: The Metal Opera stuff...<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d23e4c9ddabb5e598a01aa48ddd4eb915f1b02ee/original/14060221-10208887254011552-548232676-o.jpg?1471555269" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f79730d5d017b9d448511fe8f8a03b067248a756/original/14037714-10208887252331510-151569459-o.jpg?1471555266" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Iceni supposedly had red hair and blue warpaint. Reminds me a little of Arch Enemy, with Michael Amott's and<br>Alissa's hair.</i></div>
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<br>Aaaaaaand then I found out that they're talking about FirstBourne in China, so who knows what that could mean ;) <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/afd4eb6b7d57c95a8765a6b9847f366246130071/original/14037467-10208887271011977-801066422-o.jpg?1471555268" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Pardon my crude screenshot</em></div>
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<br><br>And lastly, Spires were finally able to announce a really cool show with Epica, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Arkona, and The Agonist!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/1bc776bef913df6056b268f5373b5534a5e79aa0/original/epica.jpg?1471555272" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>It's a busy week coming up. Four days of Spires pre-pro with the material that Jack and I worked on a few weeks ago, then three days of Boudicca rehearsals, and lastly, Spires will play with Hibria on Saturday at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. <br><br>I have another photoshoot tonight, and I need to pack a lot of clothes (and probably my espresso machine). Then it'll be back to Boston, then Atlanta, Boston again... :)</div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/43151122016-08-08T15:28:08-04:002017-01-14T10:22:39-05:00"Take Some Time Off," They Said: 8 August '16. Cambridge, Ontario. Hello from Cambridge, Ontario, where I went between Queen Boudicca rehearsals in hopes of indulging in some R&R. Classic Adrienne: I've still logged 4-5 solid hours of work every day, but I suppose that's the nature of showbiz haha. <br><br>I have a draft of a post I was supposed to put up last week, but hahaha it was so depressing that I decided to give it a miss until I had some more positive things to say (the wolf you feed is the wolf that wins, as they say). So, here are some good things: <br><br>1. <a contents="Queen Boudicca: A Metal Opera" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/queenboudiccaproject/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Queen Boudicca: A Metal Opera</a> rehearsals are coming along swimmingly! We have a dream team including all of the Spires guys (Jack, Pete, and Chris), Cameron Earnshaw (who guested on the record we're waiting on), and a bunch of our friends including <a contents="Joe Atlan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFKswPaxDtA" target="_blank">Joe Atlan</a>, <a contents="Jenn PK" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFfPGnqM8-o" target="_blank">Jenn PK</a>, <a contents="Haydée Irizzary" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/AVERSEDmetal/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Haydée Irizzary</a> (Aversed). Our rehearsal space is this enormous studio-- big enough to fit a six piece metal band, a handful of actor/singers, aux percussion, and a string section.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b4ac3619b7cb1bb79234fbf89da544c20659b877/original/boudicca-rehearsals.jpg?1470681916" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And it's delightfully moody, too. </em> </div><br><br>2. The new FirstBourne single is out! You can check it out <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6CJeXrNcmE" target="_blank">here</a>. It's called "Home". <br><br>Lyrics: <br><br>Country roads and city lights stretching out into the night<br>Isolation is the path I know <br>Some regret in choosing life, though now and then I found delight<br>as a poet in a traveling show<br><br>Then you gave me a place that I could call my home<br>I never felt so alive<br><br>Even far across the sea, you're always on my mind<br>I was born forever free, but I'll always mourn what's left behind.<br> <br>Til you're standing here with me, I'll keep a heart that's full of stone<br>Until carried on the breeze, my soul will find a way back home. <br><br><br>3. ProgPower USA is coming up!!!<br><br>4. My insides are eating themselves with nerves and caffeine. In a good way. <br><br>5. I actually am managing to enjoy some quiet hours in Ontario! There are a lot of good people here, and by extension, there are a lot of good animals. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/c6fce185cfe398ba66b5e9837d1f10da5be84713/original/img-1095.jpg?1470681925" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Abby (in white) and Murphy (below), and a happy happy Adrienne!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/fa29d786b701a7a2f7d0e9aa873ba58c3fbf01f7/original/img-1096.jpg?1470681921" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><i>They said he normally hates people except for his family. It took some hours, but we got along fine :) </i><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/3d6a89a3423ee99a7fef1f7846095982e8371412/original/img-1062.jpg?1470681927" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><i>Went for a stroll through Kensington Market in Toronto and found my people.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/56546dc68b1fcc86d86daccff8b349d14c0c6ec2/original/img-1063.jpg?1470681926" class="size_l justify_center border_" />"Moonbeam" was a childhood name of mine, given by my mother. Also, repping Kraken. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/bf496f330675006e961fb664277528dcc63a03f5/original/img-1097.jpg?1470681928" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></i><em>As seen from the passenger seat of last night's sushi run.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/98b37deca9a7db800a9ac3fff992c6674033b519/original/img-1094.jpg?1470681931" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><em>This handsome creature joined me for coffee in bed this morning. Shadow is his name.</em>
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<br>It's been really nice to get out of the city, and away from hordes of people and giant buildings. Everything feels lighter and more peaceful.<br><br><br>I'll be back in Boston on the evening of the 11th for Spires rehearsal the day after and a show in Providence, RI this weekend. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7fba2bb442a6947fffb556c9f93d04cb55b7732b/original/13987772-10208806241506290-154516489-o.jpg?1470681846" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>See you soon!</em></div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42978162016-07-27T19:39:06-04:002017-01-14T10:22:39-05:00A lot of Spires: 27 July '16. Houston, TX & Boston, MA. Really exciting potentials brewing in Spires camp. In the meantime, Jack and I wrote 11 songs for the following album for two weeks. We also took a day to explore Space Centre Houston :) <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/445afa86a0bb4aa7adb2d54af99d195307f1f6e5/original/spires-space-centre-houston.jpg?1469660296" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Spires nerding out.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f86303769000e10b154de71d60402d3e5d8b1b6a/original/pilot-shit.jpg?1469662337" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7265abaeb11a87928723ffab1f0359bce3a90c70/original/build-a-fire.jpg?1469662338" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>And I built a fire.</em>
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<br>I am now in Boston-- we played with Holy Grail, Exmortus, and Spellcaster last night at the Middle East. Our guest vocalist from "The Cabaret of Dreams" EP, David Benites, joined us onstage for "Cabaret" and "Closure". <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/31f52f1aed053c914fec2519394abb27da8f0f67/original/spires-holy-grail.jpg?1469660992" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>There have been some <a contents="new photos from the RTX show here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.connormacraemedia.com/RTX-2016/Jeff-Williams-Freelancer" target="_blank">new photos from the RTX show</a>.<br><br>And coming up next will be a lot of rehearsals for <a contents="Boudicca" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.queenboudiccametalopera.com/#queenbouddica" target="_blank">Boudicca</a>. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/debc6e116d104782b8db7490eeb185be9f3d25b1/original/el-tired.jpg?1469662337" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<em>Photoshoot selfies.</em><br> </div>
<div>Absolutely going to bed early tonight. Throat is a bit swollen and tired-- maybe from overuse and lack of sleep, or something. Gotta take care of myself!</div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42779832016-07-13T22:27:23-04:002017-01-14T10:22:39-05:00Beachstock and Spires: 13 July, 2016. Providence, RI. Beachstock in Providence, RI: Playing with Seven Spires again felt like coming home. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/50037ecbfe3b49d7472b8585e630b5c5077190e1/original/13680365-1781082058793598-9199906539255539616-o.jpg?1468462235" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The way it's meant to be.</i></div>
<div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/2fb16a5907a5993e9aa83caf511cbcbb6f265a42/original/13668864-1781081808793623-3665640442255695532-o.jpg?1468462232" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Pete's glorious hair. </em></div>
<div>I also brought my favourite shirt/jacket back: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/e510d8b109c47856edd7378a6cb71637864cff6e/original/img-0619.jpg?1468462759" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>The original Spires jacket, a love-at-first-sight find from Camden, London in '13.</em></div>
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<br>Now Jack and I are in Texas for two weeks, writing new Spires material. He also tried on my elf ears and commandeered my desk. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0c078a8c934429d143de74f34b0919f05b78829d/original/13606519-10208592149154115-5334225340518691591-n.jpg?1468462240" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
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<em>Look at that elegant bastard. </em><br> </div>
<div>In other news, we're still waiting on the last of the mixes from Sascha, and we have a very cool show in the works for December, but aren't allowed to announce it yet. It will be a night to remember, though. <br><br><br>I am on-and-off grey, and plagued by nightmares again. Slow and unfocused progress can be frustrating, but I know these feelings are temporary. Doing what I can to fight it with enough sun, water, protein, and remembering to work out.</div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42666432016-07-06T21:06:11-04:002023-12-10T13:09:09-05:00RTX and Jeff Williams: 6 July, 2016. Austin, TX. This week has been absolutely insane. I've lived and breathed Jeff Williams' music for RWBY for about a week, which culminated in a grand performance at Austin City Limits' Moody Theatre during RTX. It was one of the biggest and most fun shows I've played to date. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/93ecf69d477c4fca552186e2225702d385746b38/original/13537526-10208524327498616-8360574245678920040-n.jpg?1467854202" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>More importantly though, I made some new friends with some incredible musicians, not to mention Jeff and Casey's AMAZING fans!! Such well-mannered, interesting, and respectful people. It was truly a pleasure to meet and talk with them after the show and at the String Quartet's booth at the con the next day. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/e4aabe7c89cde1cf4e220e53a89448978329aff8/original/img-0391.jpg?1467851386" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Case in point: He gave me milk chocolate digestives!! My favourite, second only to the kind with caramel in the<br>middle <3 </em></div><br>Some behind-the-scenes thoughts...<br><br>I received these songs a few evenings before I left for Italy. Three of them I learned before I left, but I couldn't spend very much time on them while in Milan because every moment was spent there on completing Light & Shade's record.<br><br>The vocalists had two rehearsals together during the week before RTX. I went back to Boston and practiced all the songs like a mad motherf*cker for two days after that, with the sudden weight of realising I had the entire set of backing vocals and a few other leads to memorise. <br><br>On 1 July, we flew to Austin and went straight from the plane to the rehearsal space, where I met the rest of the band and strings, and practiced for a few hours before heading out to the RWBY music panel (how did I end up on that?? I've no idea but it was a great time, thanks Jeff!!).<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b6b6006ee2d57be6bb0f719b6ed1ab6774fe6d05/original/img-0349.jpg?1467851780" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Unexpected RWBY Music panel is unexpected</em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/6ddf5a6a86b5a9ab0f29d356ecdb058a0b09e9fb/original/img-0467.jpg?1467851386" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Rehearsal space: home, sweet home. </em></div><br>Then it was back to the rehearsal space until 22:30, then groceries, drinks, and bed. <br><br>2 July, show day:<br>13h(ish) Show up to the venue and realising <a contents="it looks like this" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208512827011111&set=a.2955414857353.138238.1620905671&type=3&theater" target="_blank">it looks like this</a> <br>14h-16h Sound check:<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/213717f8577e1c1040977c3a09f7236094f96880/original/img-0366.jpg?1467851432" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>16h-18h Finally actually rehearse with the string section hahaha<br>18h15 Let out. Realised: HELLO, the line for the show snakes around the building. Run out to get a kale and quinoa salad and green juice to combat the previous days' pizza, Guinness, and coffee. <br>19h Back to the dressing rooms to get ready. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/af1ff7f7c2d8ffe3c14d8ec0964d7d753ad38b15/original/img-0392.jpg?1467851406" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Thanks for the photo, Julian! </em></div><br><br>Talk about a last minute production, but damn. What a show. <p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uGy8pEU958A" width="853"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>A clip of me singing "I Burn" from RWBY. This really gives you an idea of the incredible energy in the room. </em></p><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/9db057cd7f9b109cc248ac961d62515ea75a2c14/original/img-0393.png?1467851392" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/4834e3e37b80d9de958f4467db93f66d6f77747d/original/img-0396.jpg?1467851390" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/dbd5d908f193ac95d18c6ef5dbf507407522fbfd/original/img-0469.jpg?1467851381" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Lamar Hall, me, Blaize Collard, Eren Basbug, Jeff Williams, Casey Williams, Louis Ochoa, Alex Abraham</em></div><br><br>Kingwood for two days was a beautiful recovery of sleep and clean eating: <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/faa91eb95809aed226995eb7cae8f9cad1f16e1b/original/img-0468.jpg?1467851384" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Zzzz. The smell of productivity: Vanilla, caramel, apple cinnamon, and Nespresso. And yes, I love the Spires<br>guys very much. <3 </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a49dbdf6208b0615e58f977a89b18600d3ba7d78/original/img-0437.jpg?1467851786" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Dinner with my family: Zucchini fettuccine and salmon, and vino from Marco Pastorino's father's vineyard.</em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/fb890983914782d2669cb3b13ba8e6776231fcb8/original/img-0407.jpg?1467851783" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Breakfast in bed.</em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/73e872b2a21ebb352b1200622db2089536eba3f0/original/img-0438.jpg?1467851791" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Tan the booty. </em></div><br>And now I am back on the East Coast for Beachstock with Seven Spires on Saturday!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/51aef2521b8f7ca07bc8fc73b89fc3ca780082c5/original/13590505-1759230514361840-3719141261974602106-n.jpg?1467853535" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br>Phew. <br><br>See you soon! Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42556092016-06-29T14:20:33-04:002017-01-14T10:22:39-05:00No Rest for the Wicked: 29 June, 2016. Boston, MA. 1) I have been rehearsing with Jeff Willams's Freelance Orchestra for this weekend-- we're playing RTX and performing music from RWBY at Austin City Limits! Jeff and Casey were kind enough to let me stay with them for a couple nights while I was there for the super intense rehearsals. I slept AMAZINGLY on this: <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/47f7d27c257a72e4018d9a858684cc61d8513e0a/original/img-0252.jpg?1467223658" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Went for a Dunkin Donuts run in this: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/0451ce42215a8080cd68c9f3a31fbb92bd6a39ec/original/img-0282.jpg?1467223666" class="size_l justify_center border_" />And met Stan, this sweet puppy: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a8f8262826f20998c2790a35b5eb1dc3a19dd238/original/img-0220.jpg?1467223732" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Instant crazy friends <3 </em></div>
<div> </div>2) Scarlett Records finally announced it: I am singing in a new band called Light & Shade with Alex Landenburg from Rhapsody, Marco Pastorino from Secret Sphere, and Luca Negro from Temperance! This is the band I was recording for in Italy a couple of weeks ago. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/7919d57784310a38a30e433cae38812144f32b79/original/img-0290.jpg?1467223663" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Fantastic photography by Lisa Berg, though I still giggle and think that somehow, this photo doesn't really look<br>like me. Maybe it's because I'm actually wearing trousers. </em><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/073691e66a912a7f787c0e15fa7f682a1fe9ef05/original/fullsizerender.jpg?1467223932" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><em>Cool logo by Titian Graphic Arts</em>
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<br><br><br>No sugar-coating: I'm very, very tired. But, I guess the plus side is that because I crash every night, I don't have any problems sleeping right now, which is a nice change. Just trying to remember to drink enough water and eat enough protein so I can keep functioning, working out, and smiling. I'm well aware that this is only the beginning!<br><br>Si vola!</div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42436352016-06-22T18:29:34-04:002017-01-14T10:22:39-05:00Dream City: 22 June, 2016. Venezia, Italia. Let's start by saying this: While in Italy, I recorded an entire album, worked on a photo shoot and video session, and did an interview for Seven Spires on Linea Rock radio! I was actually not there for vacation, but I can't say what the album and photo/video sessions were for until 28 June, when it will all be announced :) <br><br>Anyway, after finishing the album in 5 grueling days (we worked until my voice literally broke EVERY SINGLE DAY), I had three days off before I needed to be back in Milan for the last video session. Cam, who did the guest vocals on the new Spires record, had been backpacking through Europe with his family and some friends from Berklee for the last month, so he and his mother met up with me and yes, we all ran away to Venice for three extremely refreshing (and much-needed) days off!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/e4a67214cbb43cb3dd1d4ee6af759ac70ddc27d4/original/13493217-10208437524928606-659344866-o.jpg?1466632608" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Happy Adrienne!</em></div><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/fcbf74869d2e8c912acc55c024464b22dae7e27c/large/13499954-10208437525248614-977225176-o.jpg?1466632617" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Above: Metal vocalists enjoying a beverage whilst waiting for a train. </em></div>
<p>We all stayed in a fabulous hotel with a balcony overlooking Piazza San Marco. The square flooded up to people's knees the first night. Apparently this is unusual for June, and normally only happens in colder months.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d1614a73a09ccc2290625b1bd40d1612554ba4cd/original/13514501-10208437524648599-336724964-n.jpg?1466632608" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/4b8ba3e1a75cfb093c7abb398e660afbedb0fba1/original/13434828-10208389845736656-5645705774215993105-n.jpg?1466633264" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/90a49f05a62cab48434c2207bc73a3cb0049996c/original/13493379-10208437524688600-2113064249-o.jpg?1466632612" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>We got lost and ate a lot of pizza, and I drank a lot of wine and made some purchases, including this ring. It's a garnet set in sterling silver (my skin is quite sensitive to base metals) and fits like a dream:<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/539f20bf726a18cc67eb544e4cc489f3fd3612bf/original/13493741-10208437524488595-275752874-o.jpg?1466632617" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f275f03ccc0a64fe26fec3868b6373a3c865fb3a/original/13499603-10208437524848604-1189137396-o.jpg?1466632612" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Lunch by the Rialto Bridge was gnocci with a smoked salmon sauce. AMAZING. </em></div><br><br>I fell in love with the city even more than before. The locals sang about love being trash, and told me that the city was grey and melancholy in the cold months, and that the sea air became misty and very damp. This spoke so deeply to me-- never mind that the architecture is gorgeous and everything is rich with history. It's a perfect place for artists, they said.<br><br>We made several friends including the awesome girl/fellow Dimmu fan who worked at the mask shop where I made a rather large purchase (Hi, Jessica!). There was also Luna, who runs a jewelry shop where some purchases were also made, and her friend Luciano, who knows just about everyone in the theatre industry around there and offered me an in to a potential 9-month conducting gig in Venice. Twist my arm, how awful, hehe. <br><br>We took a gondola back to the train station on Saturday afternoon. I loved the way the boat sits quite low in the water, but is so incredibly comfortable and feels so safe. And, the views... <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/34cfd2559c6a9318d90946ca5c871a344dbd2a67/original/13423840-10208406987965201-4971798620305230666-n.jpg?1466633264" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Happy, happy Adrienne. </em></div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/472a2cf0440acb3a36ccefb05b131aaa2529da54/original/13509864-10208437524608598-1904391312-o.jpg?1466632612" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Don't be fooled by my grey life-filter! The weather was absolutely gorgeous. </em><br> </div>I also chatted with Sascha Paeth on the phone a bit about the new Spires record, received more good news about future FirstBourne stuff, and then went back to Milan for one more day of working on new stuff :) I also met Alex Landenburg from Rhapsody! We all had some friends in common, so it was all quite cool. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/8fa62b048c5020dcd1904b79604becebaf6594be/original/13530824-10208437524568597-1152315608-n.jpg?1466632612" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Back beneath the lights of what I sincerely hope will be my destiny.</em><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/65fa1f05e60e7109db7338bbc1fd41bc4a6d432a/original/13518039-10208437524528596-492357802-o.jpg?1466632615" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><i>The last night! Unwinding in my favourite hat with some alone time (see: catching up on work and enjoying<br>a new book) and a bottle of wine from Cam's mum.</i>
</div><br>Now I am back in Texas for a few days, before flying up to Boston to rehearse for Jeff Willams's Freelance Orchestra-- I am performing at Rooster Teeth's convention in Austin on July 2nd, singing songs from the anime RWBY. Should be a lot of fun; I've got a handful of the more metal tunes, and I really love Jeff's writing style. <br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/a76b9f50c05991eb6477884815e9c008934aa5fc/original/13523811-10208437524448594-281026950-o.jpg?1466632615" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Home, sweet home. </em><br><br><br><br><span class="font_large">Cheers!</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/1a758d6201cf070392c115e098d0068a92c4fad6/original/13514426-10208437524408593-1193278339-n.jpg?1466632618" class="size_l justify_center border_" />
</div>Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42309772016-06-15T05:57:08-04:002018-05-10T02:59:51-04:00Chiaroscuro: 15 June, 2016. Milano, Italia. Ciao! I am in Milano, Italia from 5 June - 20 June, recording vocals and orchestration for an album with a soon-to-be announced, really cool metal band with some members that you may recognise! I am proud to be amongst these musicians. <br><br>Yesterday was day one of video shoots; mostly the acoustic parts of the single, and some closeup shots of vocals. We'll finish this up on Sunday and take care of the photoshoot as well. Today is day five of recording vocals, and I suspect we'll be able to wrap things up here by 4pm today. Thank you, universe! I am so tired ahahah. Today at 2-4 PM EST (8-10 PM here), I'll be doing a radio interview to talk about the upcoming Spires releases! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f4c70bb88d318735ef42952569a795bc7dc70e9c/original/13417637-10208374471792317-5891255981674850729-n.jpg?1465984540" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>There is a grand piano here, and although it is horrendously out of tune in places, sitting down and playing a little instantly felt like home.<br><br>In regards to actual Milano:<br><br>1) The lake is so damn pretty. Apparently you can take a boat across and you'll end up in Switzerland in about 40 minutes. Hopefully next time I am back, we'll have a day that we can do this. <br>2) The food here is delicious, but as someone who eats a LOT of protein (gotta get those gains brah), it's very difficult to stick to the diet that my body is used to, since I don't eat meat! There are, however, a lot of all you can eat sushi places, which my party has frequented on many occasions in the last week and a half. <br>3) The coffee. THE COFFEE. OH DIO, THE COFFEE. <br>4) Sto imparando l'italiano lentamente haha, it's actually going decently. I can order and find my way around, and express my opinions on things in musical settings. <br>5) I am hoping to make a day trip to beloved Venice while I am here. Last time I was IT in '13, I spent a week there and absolutely fell in love. <br><br>That's all for now!Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42210602016-06-09T08:02:23-04:002017-01-14T10:22:38-05:00Here is the Wonder, Here is the Awe: 9 June, 2016. Roma, Italia. Having something of a grey soul is something that I've accepted and embraced. However, the burnout that plagues me for months at a time sometimes hangs like a terrible fog, dampening the spirit and obscuring the vision. <br><br>But, now and then, there are the nights where the fog is completely burnt away, and my passion is reignited. This was one of those nights; there is no doubt in my mind that this is where my heart calls home: <br><iframe class="justify_center" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="4rATyeIZ-7I" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/4rATyeIZ-7I/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4rATyeIZ-7I?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>I attended Rock in Roma with a crew pass, courtesy of Marco Pastorino, guitarist of Temperance (thank you!!!). It was an interesting glimpse of what I feel is not so far in my future; both eye opening and also confirming. The lineup was Temperance, Apocalyptica, Epica, and Nightwish. My schedule went something like this: <br><br>8 June<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/38036b1d62a0fae88026bf4cae663a7c712b7286/small/img-9600.jpg?1465473563" class="size_s justify_right border_" /><br>3h30 Wake up, shower, clothes, pack bag<br>5h00 Marco picked me up from my hotel just outside of Milan<br>5h40 Espresso stop<br>6h00 Arrive at studio to meet Giulio (drummer) and load the van, also pick up Chiara (vocalist)<br>7h50 Pick up Luca (bassist) and fill in sound man<br>10h00 Espresso stop, "sleep"<br>12h30 Foccatia and tea and pick up Lisa (photographer), "sleep"<br>15h00 Arrive finally! Park and find dressing room<br>16h00 Randomly met Marco Hietala (Nightwish) backstage<br>16h20 Spires interview with a cool Scottish guy named Ryan. Happy to speak English!! Haha (Mi dispiace, sto imparando l'italiano lentamento)<br>17h15 Watched Temperance slay from backstage<br>18h30 Dressing room. Watched some of Apocalyptica's set, but I am jetlagged and ready to pass out. Someone brought beers to our room. <br><br>Next hours were something of a blur, but there was a lot of espresso and listening to people speaking Italian. I found some wifi and checked out a new Spires mix from Sascha, and also spoke with one of the cellists from Apocalyptica ("You played with us in Massachusetts?? But what are you doing in Italy?"). Of course, I watched Nightwish for the third time-- but the first time to see how the show runs from backstage. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/e243f4272edfd3f523b26a93144f68b47a2b544d/original/img-9597.jpg?1465473563" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br>1h00 We met Tuomas and Emppu. By now, it was approaching a 22 hour long day and I was so exhausted, all I could barely manage was to shake their hands and thank them. Still, it meant a lot to me; Tuomas's creations are half the reason I decided to study Composition at school in the first place. I hope our paths will cross again. <br>1h05 Begin the long drive back. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/56a9e691762e2ab66ee92d41033b23a275ad9567/medium/img-9603.jpg?1465473562" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><br><br><br><br>4h50 Stopped a few times. No idea where. Marco drifting off a bit in the front seat, I think. Dropped off Lisa. <br>6h?? Coffee/food stop. <br>9:30 Drop off Luca.<br><br>Made it back to the studio, unloaded the van, and crashed into my hotel room finally at 12h30.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>And now, here I am writing this post, soon to go back to orchestrating some new songs. <br><br>Life is funny. <br> Adrienne Cowantag:adriennecowan.com,2005:Post/42029802016-05-30T03:53:58-04:002017-01-14T10:22:38-05:00The Outset: 30 May, 2016. Kingwood, TX.<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/f451ba27506b09ecf04769b3be34d37140e40d07/original/12208778-1689802941254844-8481916409905406568-n.jpg?1464594106" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Life has not been normal at all.</strong> </span><br><br>Happily, it looks like it will continue to be in flux, and full of adventures and amazing people to learn from. There are some potential tours and opportunities on the horizon, and I plan to document them here. And so, to begin… <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/b12654add76022880d42d0227ee4c825e20db221/medium/6839-1197234600294595-3192011645416838990-n.jpg?1464594137" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><br> <span class="font_large"><strong>Where I am: </strong></span><br> <br><a contents="Seven Spires:" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/sevenspiresband" target="_blank"><span class="font_large"><u>Seven Spires</u></span>:</a> Vocalist, principle composer, orchestrator, storyteller. <br><a contents="FirstBourne:" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/FirstBourne-559291297608883/?fref=ts" target="_blank"><span class="font_large"><u>FirstBourne</u>:</span></a> Vocalist, lyricist, some orchestration. <br><span class="font_large"><u>Italian Band TBA</u>:</span> Still unannounced (more info soon!!). Vocalist, lyricist, some orchestration. <br><a contents="Queen Boudicca" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/queenboudiccaproject" target="_blank"><span class="font_large"><u>Queen Boudicca</u></span></a>: The Metal Opera: Ascewa (extreme vocals, female lead) and interning with management etc. <br> <br><br>Currently sleeping in Texas while not in Milan or Boston for work. Finishing my Composition/Music Business degree from Berklee remotely. 4am is an old friend, and we rendez-vous regularly. Espresso eases me into every morning. Kraken is excellent company. <br> <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/3e73da69d63ae04be0cab05007a00727c421fdd8/medium/29446-1354920085984-4741864-n.jpg?1464592847" class="size_m justify_left border_" /> <br><span class="font_large"><strong>Where I came from: </strong></span><br> <br>As a kid, I loved to read and draw. I skipped recess to build clay dragons and go to piano lessons. A lot of time was spent with my dog, and in art and science museums. <br> <br>Life changed at 12, when I moved to southern England with my family. I loved musicals and Middle Earth (elves are obviously still a favourite). <br> <br>At 14, we moved to the Netherlands and I played piano in a Jazz band for a year. After this, I left high school, earned a GED, and began full-time studies in music. <br><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Where I’m going: <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/d2ef280b307e0cec82c3be67bb4d1e1c675e97b3/medium/12319555-10206950841842458-1537969529-n.jpg?1464594090" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong></span><br><br>This remains to be seen. Ideally, there’s a tour bus with my name on it and flat in Venice in the nearer future, and a castle with a dungeon and a recording space in the farther future. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><strong>My brain</strong> is brimming with ideas, worlds, ventures, stories, and plans. <strong>My heart</strong> is both full and empty, <strong>and that’s okay with me</strong>. <strong>My soul</strong> is searching. Perhaps <strong>“questing”</strong> is a better word. It finds comfort in the boundless majesty of space, and the feeling of insignificance inspired by attempts at fathoming these depths. <br><br>Ah, well. One day, I'll find happiness and peace. For now, the excitement of the journey is wonderful and satisfying enough. <br><br><br><strong>Thanks for reading, and welcome aboard. \m/</strong><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/34848/166bb80f25779b85f835baabe1328d39b35e93ec/original/img-5531.jpg?1464594151" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Adrienne Cowan