Little known facts about Mistletoe

(Thank you fount of all wisdom, the Internet)

Phoradendron, the scientific name for American mistletoe, means "thief of the tree" in Greek. Although not a true parasite in scientific terms, mistletoe comes close, sinking its roots into a host tree and leeching nutrients from the tree to supplement its own photosynthesis.

Hmmm... I think I've rambled on enough about mistletoe!

I hope that my email finds you happy and well, enjoying this celebration of the birth of a child who would grow to a King who would rule hearts, conquer evil and divide nations. Love him or hate him, Jesus is the reason for Christmas. What's all this Santa and mistletoe business! ;) x


The EP

My EP is coming along nicely and will serve as an hors d'oeuvre to my album which is the 'main course'. David Skeet, my producer, and I are working hard to make everything sound beautiful and speccy (Aussie slang for 'spectacular' ;) which is why it's taking some time. Good things come to those who wait, so thank you for waiting my lovelies! x

The EP release is scheduled for March 2012. The album will be released some time after the EP in 2012 ... Hurrah!


New Logo

The more observant of you will notice my new 'Jade Diary' logo. It took many back-and-forth emails and tweaks by talented Artist, Rebecca Morgan, and my very patient and lovely French Graphic Designer, Anne-Alexia Louarn (Alex for short ;) before we arrived at the final logo. Another Hurrah!


Music Video

My new music video shoot was a success and shot over two INSANE days with Giovanni C. Lorusso as Director and my lovely and talented 1st Assistant Director, Erin Kujda. It involved a crew of many extras, make up artists, smoke machines and hard-working crew. It was not without drama and incident (including difficulties with a smoke machine which was not churning out smoke in a consistent way). In spite of that, it was a fun shoot and we are really happy with the results. Giovanni is still cutting and prettying up the video while he is in Sardinia, so I am still eagerly awaiting the final video which will be released as the first single of my EP in March 2012.


I want to wish you and all of your family and friends a very happy and wonderful Christmas and New Year! Thank you for your ears, hearts and minds. I am deeply thankful for your friendship and support!


Love lots xox

Cupcake anyone?


Welcome to my never-ending tea party...

This is a photo from a recent photoshoot and you can see more of the 'tea party' shots we took that day at listn.to/JadeDiarymusic. My sis-in-law, Annie, made those tasty cupcakes by the way... thanks Annie! Remember to invite me 'round to the house for a few more for din-dins ok? ;)

The photo-taking spree has not ceased, because I am preparing for PHOTOSHOOT Part Deux this Saturday! This time it'll be a different theme and I'm not telling what it is ....sssh. I think I'm just trying to re-live sad, old un-realised childhood dreams of becoming a model and fashion stylist haha. You can ask my shrink!


Behind-the-Scenes: Recording 'Start Over Again'

I've put together a short video of my behind-the-scenes fun in Sydney this past April. It's a recording involving cello (I LOVE Cello) of one of the 12 songs, 'Start Over Again'. This one's a ballad. The album is very diverse though, and you'll find a song for almost every kind of mood you might think of... :)  Click on the link or image below to have a squiz... Media




New Facebook Page

The more observant of you may notice that I have dropped 'The' from my name.... now JADE DIARY. Facebook (double grrrrrrrrrr) would not allow me to change my facebook fan page name to 'Jade Diary'. Therefore I have had to start a brand new Facebook Fan page: listn.to/JadeDiarymusic. I would mighty appreciate you having a look and 'LIKING' my new page! x


That's all for now my sweets!

Love,

Jade Diary

Hellooooo!

If this is the first time you're reading my blog... WELCOME! I'm Cheryl from Jade Diary and I write bittersweet singer-songwriter pop with touches of folk thrown in, intermingled with soul-revealing lyrics. Some say my music sounds like Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Dido, Taylor Swift or Andrea Corr... well truth is, I sound like myself. Go to http://www.jadediary.com and click on the music player at the bottom to have a listen. 

I'm co-writing some songs with David, my producer, for my upcoming debut album and coming up with some really irresistible tunes! Can't wait to present them to you but you'll need a wee bit of patience! :)

In the meantime I have a fun competition for you to participate in ... (drum roll please)...


"Jaded and lovin' it!" Competition

Prizes:

- All who enter will be able to receive 2 FREE EPs to download (7 songs in total).

- You also go into a draw to win an $80 AMAZON Gift Card (buy books, CDs, DVDs) or $80 STOP STARING voucher so you can look like a 40s movie star with their glamourous vintage fashion... where I got my green dress in the pics and where Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Rihanna shop!


To enter all you have to do is:

1. Subscribe to my Jade Diary letters at http://www.jadediary.com/freesongs .

AND

2. Share this blog on your Facebook profile (just click SHARE below this blog) OR  email at least 10 of your friends encouraging them to read this blog. Please cc me at cheryl@jadediary.com if you are emailing your friends and include your friends' email addresses in the bcc section so you protect their privacy.

OK, time for me to get back to songwriting and for you to start emailing some friends/family members!


Closer Video

I created a video of 'Closer' from my Girl With No Name EP that you can watch right here:




Twitter and Facebook wars

Facebook vs Twitter ... I used to dismiss Twitter as nothing but a vehicle for John Mayer to quip about his life and Hugh Jackman to get excited about the 'Sydney Opera Center' ;) but I recently realised that it's really not as bad as I once thought! I'm celebrating the fact that I now have over 100 people following me on Twitter! Woohoo... http://www.twitter.com/jadediary. If you are already on Twitter, show me some love!

My Facebook page has had a recent makeover. If you have already 'liked' my FB page, then when you go to the page, you'll have to click on the 3rd tab which is 'BandPage' to see the changes. But if you've never 'liked' it before, then you'll see it in its full glory immediately :)


Favourite ice cream flavour?

By the way, if you have any questions you'd like to ask me from my favourite ice cream flavour to what is the overall theme of the album, feel free to reply to this email and ask them... your questions and my answers will be featured in an upcoming email :) I always love hearing from you!


A Song about You

Ever wanted to have a song written about yourself, or a person you love? Or have a burning topic that you want expressed in a song? Imagine how your girlfriend would feel if you had a song written especially for her and you asked for her hand in marriage in the song? Ever wanted to sing the song yourself?

Well, now you can :) I am offering to write a song of your choice about anything or anyone, as long as the topic is one that I am comfortable writing about. Example: if you wanted me to write you a song that Hitler was a wonderful person and everyone should become a Ku Klux Clan member, then I couldn't do it! But you get the picture :)

Just go to http://www.indiegogo.com/jadediary and contribute $1100 and I'd be most happy to write and record the song for you! If you have a burning desire to perform on it or sing, then this could be arranged too! If you want more information about this, just email me back and I'll answer any of your questions.

All my best to you,


Cheryl

Hey romantic people (everyone's a romantic at heart;)

Happy 14th of Feb whether you're single or not! If you're attached, then it's time to celebrate your love for your partner. If you're single, then it's time to celebrate your singledom!



Pre-Production

As many of you know, I have a big 2011 planned and am currently working with producer, David Skeet, on the songs which will feature on my album. We've got some fantastic songs for you (aaaaah.... PRESSURE!)!! No really, I'm looking forward to starting work on these beauties ...

I have a few rabbits up my sleeve!

There will be songs about good ol' fashioned love, heartbreak, fairy tales, mythical creatures, strange lands, joy, pain and peace. A roller-coaster ride of emotions ... just the way I like my albums.

Pre-production will start mid-March where the songs will be started. I guess you can say we'll be 'drafting' up the songs during these sessions.



Recording the Album

The album will be recorded in Sydney! My bags will be packed and I'll be leaving in late March. Pretty exciting! My apology for the gratuitous use of exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!


Pre-Order the Album

You can pre-order my album now at http://www.indiegogo.com/jadediary for only $20! And there are only 57 days left for you to do this so what are you waiting for?



Who is David Skeet?

(See the copy and paste queen at work ;)

You can hear some of David's excellent work at http://www.shelleyharland.com and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arFl_MfdULg

David Skeet is an English born producer currently residing in Sydney. His formative years were spent in the UK where he developed a broad and eclectic taste in music. On his arrival in Sydney, he made his mark as an original and unique guitarist primarily with highly regarded band the Venetians who released 12 singles and 3 albums over a 6 year period and this, combined with Skeet's collaborative nature as a songwriter/arranger and skills as a multi-instrumentalist, cast the die to embark on a career as a record producer. Skeet lived and worked in Los Angeles for eight years as a producer/composer/recording artist with his own project God no.9 with singer Cassie Giles as well as working with other luminaries such as Dave Stewart, Andy Prieboy, Mark Goldenberg, Concrete Blond and worked extensively on soundtracks and artist developement.

Since returning to Sydney he has produced the critically acclaimed album Trigger for Sony artist Sandrine, produced recordings for Brooke Fraser, Kate Miller-Heidke,The Church, George Byrne to name but a few and has completed production for albums by New York artist Shelley Harland, Wons Phreely due for release this year. Currently working on albums for The Falls, My Idle King, Merise and have just completed tracks for Tiare Helberg's Zephyresque and whose critically aclaimed Limited Edition EP, The Iconsolable Isolation Of Intimacy can be heard playing here.


It's time for some zzzzzzzzzzzzzs!

Have a wonderful week ahead :)


Cheryl

Hello!

Hope you are having a great start to Christmas... only a few sleeps away! I'll be having a hot Christmas here in Perth... traditionally it gets up to 40 degrees Celsius... still dreaming of a white Christmas!

Since I hit 100% on Sellaband, it's been a bit crazy. Working on songs, demos, organising recording... busy!

All along, I have wanted to record a full-length album, however because of the uncertainty surrounding finding the funding on Sellaband for a full-length album (it would have taken much longer to reach my goal and there was a deadline), I had to settle on raising money for half an album (about 5 songs). Therefore I am now seeking an additional amount of money to record a full-length album.

Please go to http://www.indiegogo.com/jadediary or click on the image below to find out how I am going to record a full album and how you can pre-order it!





You can go ahead and share my indiegogo link with your friends through facebook, myspace, email, twitter!

And by the way, why does youtube always have to pick the most awkward looking image to freeze on?! Looks like a fishy face :-o

Anyway, it's all pretty full on and exciting... looking forward to 2011 and I hope you are too!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!



Cheryl