tag:nancyrost.com,2005:/blogs/news?p=3News2023-10-16T09:56:24-05:00Nancy Rostfalsetag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337972019-06-07T19:00:00-05:002022-08-16T10:35:12-05:00Making an EP with Eric Agner!
<p>I'm really excited about this project. Eric's a songwriter and bassist I've been co-writing with since 2008, almost entirely online, since we live across the country from each other. We are finally making an EP of some of our music -- including some written specifically for this recording project. Currently we're refining arrangements of the songs, and in late July we will record at Tonal Park Studio. </p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337962015-01-14T18:00:00-06:002021-04-05T14:19:05-05:00Songs still come first<p> </p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>What&#39;s the biggest factor determining the sound of your music: Recording, mixing or mastering? <a href="http://t.co/v8CbVLIVxG">http://t.co/v8CbVLIVxG</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/CNET">@CNET</a></p>&mdash; Blast House Studios (@blasthouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/blasthouse/status/555770547737722880">January 15, 2015</a></blockquote></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<p>Interesting interview with mastering engineer Dave McNair. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="line-height:23.7999992370605px">"When I asked McNair what are the 'ingredients' of a great-sounding album, he said, 'Starting with the most important, it's the songs, the musicians, the production, the mixer, the recording engineer, and in last place, the mastering.' "</span><span style="line-height:23.7999992370605px"> </span></p>
<p>http://www.cnet.com/news/whats-the-biggest-factor-determining-the-sound-of-your-music-the-recording-mixing-or-mastering/</p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337952014-07-22T19:00:00-05:002023-08-22T10:29:29-05:00Songwriting Classes
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/08f1566485924b40c582ebccbd571cda93c0b4a4/original/stephen-telford-nancy-rost-2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDU4eDI1OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Stephen_Telford_Nancy_Rost__2_.jpg" height="258" width="458" /></p>
<p>I'm excited to be offering songwriting classes at Madison Music Foundry this autumn and winter. We're keeping class sizes at 5-10 people -- small enough for everyone to participate and get feedback, while large enough to get stimulated by a variety of approaches to the craft.</p>
<p>On the second Sunday of each month, starting September 14 from 2:30-4:30, I'll be doing songwriting classes for individuals. Each class will be a stand-alone workshop where everyone will write a complete draft of a song. It'll be very hands-on, using inspiring exercises for each step of the process. I'll cover all the basic tools (idea generation, lyrics, melody, chords, structure) using different approaches each time. For example, in one workshop we might start with a riff; in another, lyrics; in another, melody. Sometimes the lyric writing will start with a story; another time we might develop it using rhyme columns. I'll take student input to shape each class.</p>
<p>On the fourth Sundays I'll have collaborative songwriting classes. Geared to people who want to co-write with another person or with a band, these classes will delve into the special issues of the co-writing process. Similar to the songwriting workshops for individuals, participants will do a lot of writing at the workshop itself. We'll do exercises for keeping the ideas flowing, and participants will try on different roles with each other to master creative negotiations. Bands can also enroll together to start or finish songs. (I recently did one of these workshops as a band coaching session. We had a blast, and came out of it with a full song and a good chunk of a second song.)</p>
<p><a title="Songwriting at Madison Music Foundry" href="http://madisonmusicfoundry.com/education/programs/songwriting" data-imported="1">http://madisonmusicfoundry.com/education/programs/songwriting</a></p>
<p><span style="line-height:16px; background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6)">2nd Sundays, 2;30-4:30pm</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);"><span style="line-height:16px; background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6)">Sep. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height:16px; background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6)">Songwriting gives you all the tools you need to create your own songs. In this hands-on workshop, we take you through the songwriting process from start to finish. You’ll learn and practice techniques for generating song ideas, developing lyrics, crafting melodies and chords, finding the right structure and putting it all together.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://madisonmusicfoundry.com/education/programs/collaborative-songwriting" data-imported="1">http://madisonmusicfoundry.com/education/programs/collaborative-songwriting</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; line-height: 16px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">4th Sundays, 2:30-4:30pm<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sep. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; line-height: 16px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Think Lennon & McCartney, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Jagger & Richards. Some of the most highly regarded music of all time was written collaboratively. This class will cover the often delicate task of sharing ideas and critiques while encouraging creativity. Participants will practice different songwriting roles and experiment with "creative negotiations."</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337942014-06-21T19:00:00-05:002022-08-29T13:36:59-05:00Student Stars<p>Rock Camps and Student Jam and Recital -- oh my! It's shaping up to be a summer of student performances, and I can't wait.</p>
<p><strong>Girls Rock Camp</strong> starts tomorrow. I spent yesterday hauling drum kits, testing guitar amps and sorting keyboard parts, setting the stage for the kids to start learning their instruments and practicing with their peers. I'll be co-teaching the keyboard class with Barbara Chusid, a fantastic musician and teacher I've known since we sang in Womonsong back in the '80s! I'll be co-coaching a band with Rin Q. Ribble, a talented violinist and composer who shares my love of improvisation. I'm very excited to work with both of them. I'm also excited to meet the campers, particularly the students I'll be working with. If I can catch a moment at lunch, I'll let you know how the band bonding, songwriting and keyboard classes are going. By Sunday, <strong>the campers will perform their newly written songs at The Loft</strong>. (See my calendar for details.) </p>
<p>Then, on July 20th, <strong>Madison Music Foundry students take over the Monona Farmers Market</strong> for the morning. This is the cooler, summer version of a recital. You can hear my students playing parent-child duets, Cuban dance music, and a suite of original songs -- along with a wide variety of other instruments and styles by my colleagues and their students.</p>
<p>Later that afternoon, head over to The Loft for the <strong>Girls Rock Camp Session II Showcase</strong>. I'll update you with more details about that performance once the week starts.</p>
<p>And finally, July 27 is <strong>MMF's Student Jam and Rock Workshop Showcase</strong>. We announce the songs a few weeks ahead of time and work with students to learn their parts. Then they jump up on stage with each other for the first time and play together. The jam songs are interspersed with sets by the Rock Workshop bands. This summer's student jam contains some great classic rock tunes with a sprinkling of indie and jazz.</p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337932014-03-09T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:28-06:00Couch by Couchwest
<p>Here's my first performance of one of my 22 songs written this February. I'm kicking it off at Couch by Couchwest, with "The Nasty Man".</p>
<p>http://couchbycouchwest.com/nancy-rost-the-nasty-man/</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/9dbc563cad891131b1a3ce7906388d3710b9c7e6/original/screenshot-2014-03-10-15-09-12-2-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Nzc0eDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Screenshot_2014-03-10_15_09_12__2__resized.jpg" height="600" width="774" /></p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337922013-11-29T18:00:00-06:002023-08-29T04:52:42-05:00Songwriting Workshops<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/08f1566485924b40c582ebccbd571cda93c0b4a4/original/stephen-telford-nancy-rost-2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDU4eDI1OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Stephen_Telford_Nancy_Rost__2_.jpg" height="258" width="458" /></p>
<p>Get an intensive introduction to songwriting, or learn the art of co-writing. I'm offering workshops in both next week at Madison Music Foundry.</p>
<p><a data-imported="1" href="http://madisonmusicfoundry.com/education/classes/songwriting/" target="_blank" title="Songwriting Workshops">Enroll here.</a></p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337912013-11-19T18:00:00-06:002023-04-01T05:17:59-05:00Two Johns & A Nancy Photo Shoot!
<p>Kris Hammargren, an amazing photographer who happens to be married to one-third of Two Johns & A Nancy, told us we needed some new pictures. We agreed, and found a field in which to catch a golden autumn afternoon -- just a day before snow fell.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/e13aa539f40ef130b4e3277745d20428021fc6d0/original/1456726-10202247503409758-1757703283-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzIweDU3NiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="1456726_10202247503409758_1757703283_n.jpg" height="576" width="720" /></p>
<p>There are more photos over at <a title="Nancy Rost music page" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Rost-music-page/90665723061" data-imported="1">my Facebook page</a>. Give it a "like" to get occasional updates or just to show support. Thanks!</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337902013-11-05T18:00:00-06:002020-01-07T01:07:28-06:00November Brain
<p>One of the highlights of my summer was a long weekend in Emlenton, Pennsylvania. This little town (Pop. 615) was overtaken by songwriters from across the US, Canada, Netherlands and Norway. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/be8ad7aa14f700dad8685ea6bf65c3fab34eff2c/original/998738-10200267826473582-1116660822-n-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDUzMiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="998738_10200267826473582_1116660822_n_resized.jpg" height="532" width="800" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#222222; background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.901961)">Above: Writing a four-handed piano duet with Kristian Børresen of Oslo.</span></p>
<p>Paul and Nancy Newbury of the Emlenton Mill kept us inspired with local history and vast amounts of ice cream. Music was composed on glockenspiels, dulcimers and smart-phone apps. I saw old friends, made new friends, got very little sleep and was glad for it.</p>
<p>Another highlight was teaching Songwriting 101 at Middle School U. We had a lively group at Jefferson Middle School. The kids wrote songs about ice cream (pattern here? Must be a summer thing), school janitors, discombobulation and dragons, among other things. Many of the students were from South Korea, and I got introduced to some new K-Pop. (I was told in no uncertain terms that they were all tired of "Gangnam Style". As with my young piano students, my songwriting students keep me current!) I'm looking forward to teaching some classes to adults this December -- see my Calendar Dates for details.</p>
<p>MAUI has been very active, with shows including the New Glarus Summer Festival and Reedsburg Fermentation Festival. I'll be singing, tinkling and plunking (perhaps all at the same time!) with this merry band of ukesters again in a couple of weeks at The Gardens on Madison's West side.</p>
<p>Now I'm getting back to doing songwriter shows, both solo and showcase, and working on some new stuff for Two Johns & A Nancy.</p>
<p>Finally, I have a blog now. Link is to the left. Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337892013-06-29T19:00:00-05:002023-04-07T19:34:40-05:00Real Girls and Artificial Flowers
<p>This week I've been teaching keyboards to 45 girls ages 8-15, and coaching a band of third- and fourth-graders to write a song together and record and perform it. Most of these kids are new to their instruments and to songwriting. It's been exciting and inspiring to see what they can accomplish in such a short time. This afternoon they take the stage. I can't wait to do it again!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/32fb3f54fe0de04627befd26e07bb2a3038b764a/original/girls-the-great-and-powerful-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mzg5eDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Girls_The_Great_and_Powerful_resized.jpg" height="600" width="389" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Last night was Jim Barnard's "Artifical Flowers" EP release, and the final product sounds fantastic! Jim's signature bluesy fingerpicked guitar style and fun and philosophical songs, which sound great alone, really pop on this production. Featured artists include Dan Kennedy on lead and bass guitars, Michael Brenneis on drums, Amy Curl and John Crossman on vocals, and me on piano. It should be up on the usual online outlets soon, or you can contact Slothtrop Records or Jim himself for a copy. <a title="Jim Barnard" href="http://jimbarnardphotography.com/bio/" data-imported="1">http://jimbarnardphotography.com/bio/</a> <a title="Slothtrop Music" href="http://www.slothtrop.com/" data-imported="1">http://www.slothtrop.com/</a></p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337882013-03-20T19:00:00-05:002020-12-31T09:38:49-06:00New strings, no bow<p>I've been rather quiet lately, but lots of good stuff has been going on.</p>
<p>I've been playing bass guitar and loving it. Here's a shot of the Two Johns and a Nancy show where I debuted on <a data-imported="1" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashbory_bass" title="Ashbory bass">Ashbory bass</a>. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/a18483e0c9d94c4e5d19a84da5bac1f359663f66/original/397561-10200224693160766-1137828321-n-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="397561_10200224693160766_1137828321_n_resized.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></p>
<p>I've also started accompanying local group of ukulele enthusiasts known as <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.mauimadison.com/" title="MAUI">MAUI</a>. These folks have a mind-boggling repertoire and a great attitude. Join us if you're into it, or come see us in the park in New Glarus in August (and possibly popping up in your neighborhood -- check my calendar dates for details.)</p>
<p>On the songwriting side, I had a fruitful February Album Writing Month, finishing 19 songs, including collaborations with Stephen Wort, John Das Binky, Phil Norman, Paul Dreifus, Scott Martin, Aaron Nathans, Tim Budziszewski, Helen Robertson and Paul Hoopshank Turrell.</p>
<p>I'm big in New Zealand! The aforementioned Stephen Wort, of Wellington, NZ, is including our co-write, "Trying On An Alphabet" on his forthcoming album. (And previous NZ collaborator Rose Duxfield has been including our co-write "When The Fire" in her set for five years now.)</p>
<p>Speaking of albums, I'm starting to plan for one of my own. If you have any suggestions for songs you'd like to hear included, I'm all ears.</p>
<p>Summer plans include teaching keyboard classes and being a band coach for <a data-imported="1" href="http://grcmadison.wordpress.com/" title="Girls Rock Camp">Girls Rock Camp</a>, teaching two sessions of Songwriting 101 for <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.middleschoolu.org/" title="Middle School U">Middle School U</a>, doing the 50 Songs in 90 days challenge, and attending Fawmstock IV in Pennsylvania, among other things. And updating this website more faithfully!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337872012-10-01T19:00:00-05:002023-10-16T09:56:24-05:00A few words I've been using in my songs<p>This summer, I wrote songs at a retreat in Dodgeville, with my friends the Two Johns, and with my middle-school-aged Songwriting 101 students. Lyrical highlights are here:</p>
<pre id="embed"><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5802773/Nancy_5090_2012_lyrics" target="_blank" title="Nancy's 5090 Wordle">http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5802773/Nancy_5090_2012_lyrics</a></pre>
<h1 id="embed"><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5802773/Nancy_5090_2012_lyrics" title="Wordle: Nancy 5090 2012 lyrics"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/5802773/Nancy_5090_2012_lyrics" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Wordle: Nancy 5090 2012 lyrics" style="padding: 4px; border: 1px solid #ddd;" /></a></h1>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337862011-11-07T18:00:00-06:002023-03-13T10:06:40-05:00Accordion Crimes<p>Or maybe just a misdemeanor? I'm working my squeezebox on "My Country 'Tis of Me", the opening track of Das Binky's forthcoming debut album, <em>Divide The Storm</em>. I also play piano on the title track. And yell my head off on the closing track. I'll probably be doing all that and more in support of Mr. Binky's album release in January. To stay in the loop, go here: <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.dasbinky.com/" title="The Das Binky Experience">http://www.dasbinky.com/</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/6906a41909bcaeef60a6f036196a0f9a066d4561/original/strangely-moving-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDQ1MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Strangely_Moving_resized.jpg" height="450" width="800" /></p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337852011-08-14T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:28-06:00Piano lessons
<p>Autumn is coming, and with it comes a new piano teaching schedule. I'm accepting new students now.</p>
<p>I work with a wide variety of ages, musical tastes and learning styles, with special attention to creativity and enjoyment in playing. Individual lesson plans include repertoire, technique, theory, ear training, reading and improvisation as appropriate. Lessons take place at <a title="Madison Music Foundry" href="http://www.madisonmusicfoundry.com/education/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Madison Music Foundry</a>, which also offers some great group classes and performance opportunities as part of your lesson fee. If you or your child are interested in learning piano with me, you may contact me directly - <a title="nancyrost@nancyrost.com" href="mailto:nancyrost@nancyrost.com" target="_blank" data-imported="1">nancyrost@nancyrost.com</a> - or via MMF to discuss scheduling a trial lesson.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337842011-07-02T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:28-06:00Songwriting season
<p>In four hours I'll begin my now-annual three-month songwriting marathon. Want to watch my progress, or perhaps join me in the challenge?</p>
<p>http://www.fiftyninety.fawmers.org/</p>
<p>In Banned Wagon news, we now have a Reverb Nation page. Do stop by and check it out from time to time.</p>
<p>https://www.reverbnation.com/bannedwagon</p>
<p> </p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337832011-05-30T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:28-06:00Back on the Wagon
<p>No World Tour of Iowa this summer, but Banned Wagon is getting around in 2011, playing anything from the local VFW fish fry to the big Midwest Renewable Energy Fair up north. We'll be doing our first studio recording this July and stepping up our booking. Check the band dates on my page - come see us if you can and suggest other places we should play. If you're too far away, check my YouTube channel for some videos. Here's a photo from Tyler and Adrienne Applegate's farewell party at Talula. Wish you were there.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/26671fcf146a28a2c1eb710cb461ea0f9f8136e5/original/248217-2096537417091-1355030714-2484085-3525972-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzIweDU0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="248217_2096537417091_1355030714_2484085_3525972_n.jpg" height="540" width="720" /></p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337822011-02-04T18:00:00-06:002020-01-07T01:07:28-06:00For the sixth consecutive year ...
<p>I'm taking part in February Album Writing Month, the annual challenge to write 14 songs in 28 days. If you're interested in songwriting and aren't already fawming, come check it out! <a title="FAWM.ORG" href="http://www.fawm.org" data-imported="1">http://www.fawm.org</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/ec37bc32f63d01eb14253f2f01c03ff6813eb688/original/barscalegoofy-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDUzNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="BarScaleGoofy_resized.jpg" height="534" width="800" /></p>
<p>(Making a video with fellow fawmers in 2008 - like the hairbrush microphone?)</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337812011-01-06T18:00:00-06:002022-05-23T02:55:58-05:00Anthologized
<p>I'm honored to be included in Phil Norman's fantastic new album "Four Februarys" with our co-written song "Changed My Name". <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/a21be652de7434fbf41c94c450910696c910b08c/original/philnorman-fourfebruarys.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTIyeDEwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="PhilNorman-FourFebruarys.jpg" height="100" width="122" /></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">You can download the album at <a title="Phil Norman - Four Februarys" href="http://rockstarphil.com/fourfebruarys/" data-imported="1">http://rockstarphil.com/fourfebruarys/</a>. If you like, there's a handy donation link there for February Album Writing Month, our songwriting home.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337802010-12-11T18:00:00-06:002021-02-21T08:59:21-06:00New videos up
<p>I've been adding some videos from the "Two Johns and a Nancy" show we did on December 10, 2010. You can check some of them out on my YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/nancyrost.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/89c4157ebf0d0317196823e114988961f9bf3976/original/nancyaccordionbinky.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzYweDUwNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="NancyAccordionBinky.jpg" height="504" width="360" /></p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337792010-08-14T19:00:00-05:002022-11-03T17:12:50-05:00Back from the Tour<p>Yes, the Banned Wagon tour happened, and it was great fun. For now I'm going to link you to this blog: http://www.msa-ps.com/?pid=273 More to come soon, I hope -- including some awesome video we shot around Iowa. We have a couple of parties coming up on the autumn calendar, and are in the process of figuring out what's next for local gigs and future tour dreams. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/43cad861b447ddf28a8c9733276b027d003e1158/original/nancylivinghistory.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDIyNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="NancyLivingHistory.JPG" height="225" width="300" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm also rediscovering the joy of being a singer-songwriter, and after returning to solo performing, it's also time to get back to writing. Look for some new music here on this website and working its way into performances as soon as I can ....</p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337782010-03-24T19:00:00-05:002021-03-28T13:33:55-05:00Jumping on the Bandwagon
<p>Thanks to the initiative of my friend Andrew Nath, I've joined a band. We've been calling ourselves Bandwagon, or, more recently, Banned Wagon. It's a six-piece, performing a variety of covers (Americana, reggae, pop and rock) and originals by several of the band members. We're playing every other Thursday at the Washington Hotel Coffee Room, and sharing the stage with a bunch of musical friends. This is in preparation for our July tour of Iowa, which we'll undertake on a flat-rack pulled by an old-fashioned tractor from Andy's dad's farm. The Washington Hotel gig itself has been fun and suitably quirky. This week mandolinist Huck Gent accompanied one of my songs on banjo while a conga line of young children danced across the room; bassist Dan Higgs led guitarist Jeremy Higgins and me in a yodeling song; and drummer Chris Marr brought some fantastic Caribbean rhythms to our rendition of "When Doves Cry". I'm looking forward to the next one already.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/2ea86a68965ee57951e3132b02bc9a9cfd00b3af/original/banned-wagon-june-3-2010-003-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6ODAweDYwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Banned_Wagon_June_3_2010_003_resized.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337772009-11-19T18:00:00-06:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00Mad Toast Live podcast
<p>I had a blast at my guest appearance on Mad Toast Live on November 10. Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines were fantastic hosts, fun to talk with and to jam with! I got to try out a couple new songs and play some older ones with a new ensemble. The podcast of the show is now streaming at http://www.madtoastlive.com. It will remain in the archives, and can be downloaded, at http://madtoastlive.podbean.com/page/9/</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/b1857bb4ac74263fe3eabf58bd90cf34ce023d85/original/madtoast3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDM3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="MadToast3.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337762009-11-08T18:00:00-06:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00Cerebral Surprise
<p>You never know where you're going to find yourself online. New Music Express has posted a video of my song "I Fell Into a Giant Brain" in their very special Giant Brain edition. Context, such as it is, here: http://www.nme.com/artists/giant-brain</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337752009-10-31T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00Likely Stories reviewed on Indie Music
<p>By Dan MacIntosh The Likely Stories trio makes intriguing chamber folk music. Surprisingly, there is a lot of variety contained within this relatively limited genre categorization. Although Dave Schindele sings lead on "A Matter of Time", this is mostly a female-led outfit. Chimes, however, make Schindele's rare vocal track a memorable one. Sonic moods range from dramatic, with "American Gothic", to gently contemplative, as on "Yellow Bike" with its acoustic piano and guitar. "My Own History" even incorporates blues elements. Obviously, chamber pop and blues are at opposite sides of the musical spectrum. Therefore, Likely Stories are brave enough to throw in a few relatively unlikely aural elements, which makes them a story well worth the telling.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/434319/a72c8704d92b9f984be533d02da3a6965dfc6dac/original/likelyanimation.gif/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMiJd.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="LikelyAnimation.gif" height="332" width="500" /></p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337742009-10-06T19:00:00-05:002022-01-14T03:28:45-06:00"American Gothic" on WomensRadio Music Review<p>Details here! http://www.womensradio.com/content/templates/?a=4111&z=8</p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337732009-08-19T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00Likely Stories reviewed in Isthmus
<p>Isthmus is running this review of the Likely Stories CD in tomorrow's edition:
Likely Stories: Self-Titled
(Porch String)
Rich Albertoni on Friday 08/21/2009
Tracy Jane Comer, Dave Schindele and Nancy Rost have teamed up to make the most creative concept album to come out of Madison so far this year.
Likely Stories is a collection of nine musical tales making up three rounds of sonic turn-taking by the songwriters. It's a structure that highlights the stylistic breadth of the record.
Schindele's acoustic piano is dreamy, rumbling with restlessness on "A Matter of Time." Later, he employs Comer's brooding cello on "Nicole." That track is an odd but gorgeous prayer for Nicole Kidman: "Hope there's a there for you Nicole / Without a role, it's just you and your soul cast together."
Rost's jazzy arrangements are featured in "Golden Gate," about San Francisco suicide jumpers. Comer's "Yellow Bike" is pure folk charm, looking back on a poor but happy childhood in a seaside town.
The album's execution ultimately fulfills the ambitious concept, making Stories a local release to be reckoned with.
http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=26696</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337722009-08-13T19:00:00-05:002022-03-29T06:48:35-05:00New songs, styles and projects
<p>I've added some new songs to the music page. Included are:
- The Nancy Rot EP, my "compost punk" project
- The Misusing Telekinesis EP, an acoustic journey with frequent collaborator Helen Robertson
- Cardinal Tetra, a 5/4 harmonized Gregorian chant cum fish tale, co-written with New Zealand lyricist Stephen Wort
- Alas, Poor Gidget, a jazz/metal collaboration with Peter Watkinson of Holland and John Argentiero of Madison
I'm writing and posting regularly these days, so check back for frequent updates!</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337712009-07-14T19:00:00-05:002023-12-10T10:41:56-06:00Rondofeast
<p>Wrote 51 songs in 24 hours with a couple of friends. Check out the results of our marathon at
http://5090.fawm.org/fawmers/rondofeast/</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337702009-06-17T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00New videos up
<p>Fellow fawmer Matt Pierce has been kind enough to videotape a couple of my coffeehouse shows. I'm starting to post excerpts as they get edited. The latest is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJpPsiYNfFU</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337692009-05-26T19:00:00-05:002021-03-27T13:38:46-05:00Please vote for my songs on Songvault.fm
<p>Two of my songs, "Artichokes and Emeralds" and "Welcome to Boscobel" are charting well in the Vocal Jazz and Alternative Country categories, respectively, of Songvault.fm. If the songs continue to do well, they will earn a permanent place on this internet radio station's rotation. If you'd like to help, then go to songvault.fm and sign up for an account, then put my name in the search engine to find and vote on my songs. Thanks in advance for your help!</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337682009-04-21T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00Airplay
<p>The Likely Stories CD just had its radio debut (to my knowledge) on LG73 in Vancouver, on the program "21st Century Schizoid". http://www.lg73.ca/
Watch this space for more radio and internet play, as we've begun receiving requests for the CD from stations in Australia, Germany, and around the U.S.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337672009-04-07T19:00:00-05:002021-06-18T16:19:49-05:00Madison retailers selling Likely Stories CD
<p>Our CD is now available at the following Madison, Wisconsin retailers:
A Room of One's Own Bookstore
B-Side Records
The Exclusive Company
and more to come!</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337662009-03-25T19:00:00-05:002021-06-18T16:14:56-05:00Likely Stories CD available on CD Baby<p>The Likely Stories CD is now available in physical and digital formats at CDBaby.com. Go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/likelystories to order.</p>Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337652009-03-16T19:00:00-05:002021-06-18T16:17:56-05:00Likely Stories CD release!
<p>The Likely Stories CD is coming out this week! It's now available for order at http://www.likelystories.us/audio.htm If you're in the Madison area, come join us for a CD release concert and celebration at Prairie Coffeehouse, at the intersection of Highways C and DM in Keyeser (near DeForest.)</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337642009-03-04T18:00:00-06:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00Mad City Chickens
<p>COMING SOON! Three years in the making! Mad City
Chickens on DVD with over 60
minutes of extras. RELEASE DATE MARCH 24TH 2009!
This is an informative and very entertaining multi-genre film about urban chickens and their people. Part fact, part fiction, all fascinating. I play the part of a Chaplinesque ragtime piano player. This is my cinematic debut!
For more details: http://www.tarazod.com/blog</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337632008-07-22T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00Auto-Pseudo-Mondo CD out now!
<p>"AUTO-PSEUDO-MONDO"
is now available on Compact Disc at this address:
http://www.lulu.com/content/2161025
"Auto-Pseudo-Mondo" was conceived by Nancy Rost, Tim Wille and Paul Turrell as a way to expore the core of songwriting. From earlier experiments, they had discovered that lyrics and chords alone do not make a song what it is. There is a third, vital ingredient, they found: the interpretation of these harmonies and words. This third ingredient is what brings a song to life, and this is very much in the hands of the individual artist.
To illustrate this, the three songwriters came up with a lyric and chord sequence to a song called "Auto-Pseudo-Mondo" and asked 18 talented songwriters to add their own third ingredient. The result is 18 songs - all with the same words and the same chords, but they couldn't be more different. From acoustic ballads to pop, from dark and athmospheric to up-beat and life-affirming, from very simple to highly produced and complex, the variety of the songs is immense. Hearing them all in sequence is a remarkable experience: as the words and chords become more and more familiar, while the new songs still surprise and entertain with new novelties. "Auto-Pseudo-Mondo" is an inspiring and fascinating listen for all songwriters, and an eye-opener to the untrained ear who thinks that a song is done once the words and chords have been written.
The contributors to "Auto-Pseudo-Mondo" are (in order of appearance):
Marie Tueje
Mike Skliar
Nancy Rost
Phil Norman
Tyvek Buddy
Tara Craig
Max Vanremmerden
Matt Westcott
Peter Kaarle
Mixtapes and Meltdowns
Tim Wille
Adam G
spinhead
Sean Brown
Erin Maeflower
Kiffa
Paul Turrell
Charlie Cheney
---------------
"Auto-Pseudo-Mondo" is a non-profit project. The CD is priced at $9.95, which includes a revenue for the producer of the CD. This revenue goes towards covering incurred for cover art, including costs of rights for photos and CD mastering costs. The revenue is not expected to cover the actual costs of the project (after all, it is a labour of love), but if the CD goes on to sell more copies than expected, any and all profits from the project will be donated to RIME, Renovation in Music Education, helping young people succeed through innovative music-partnership programs. (http://www.rimemusic.org/).</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337622008-07-15T19:00:00-05:002020-11-26T01:25:08-06:0050 Songs in 90 Days
<p>I'm participating in a songwriting marathon this summer, writing 50 songs in 90 days. So far I'm on track: I've written ten songs since the event began July 4. I've been demoing the songs as fast as I write them - a brand-new experience for me! The songs include piano instrumentals, experimental spoken-word readings of cowboy poetry, and a track feature scissors as the primary percussion instrument. I'm writing more singer-songwriter fare as well. I look forward to sharing the results of this challenge as I practice and refine my favorites of these songs. Stay tuned ....</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337612008-06-05T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:00In all likelihood ...
<p>The Likely Stories CD will be out this summer. Last night we finished the final mixes and set the track order. We'll probably wait until we have the CDs in hand before setting up a CD release party - but I may have copies at gigs sooner than that. Meanwhile, come check out the band's first full show in awhile. We'll be co-billing with Amy Curl & Dan Kennedy at the Project Lodge, one of Madison's newest venues. As always, see the gigs page for details.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337602008-04-20T19:00:00-05:002021-04-21T12:02:10-05:00Exploring the Core of Songwriting
<p>Last year, I took a challenge to write some song lyrics with some very specific time and content restraints. Danish songwriter Tim Wille then set the lyrics as a jazzy piece in 7/8 time. English songwriter Paul "Hoopshank" Turrell then did his own jazzy 7/8 piano-based setting of my lyrics, without listening to Tim Wille's version. The resulting pieces are called "Turkey Juice" and can be heard on the Music page of this website.
Tim and Paul were fascinated by the results of this challenge. They built the Wille-Hoopshank Song Challenge Generator to allow songwriters to take random songwriting challenges, alone or with others.
This year, we did a similar challenge on a larger scale. I wrote lyrics using a very narrow set of constraints, Paul and Tim gave people a set of chords to work with, and 23 different songs resulted from the challenge. Writers from all over the USA, UK and Europe participated, and a wide mix of genres is represented. We're working on a compilation CD.
You can hear a few of those songs on the Auto Pseudo Mondo MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/autopseudomondo.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337592008-03-17T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:27-06:0025 Songs in 29 Days
<p>This was my third year participating in February Album Writing Month, and it was the best ever. I wrote 25 songs during the month - almost a song a day! - and I think a lot of them are ones I will be playing for a long time. I have been posting the songs on the Music page of this website, and I will be adding more, and upgrading demos, as the recordings are completed.
Many of these songs were co-written with musicians in Madison and all over the world via internet. Working with all these talented writers has been great fun and a great learning experience - I look forward to sharing with you what we've made.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337582007-12-15T18:00:00-06:002020-01-07T01:07:26-06:00The FAWM CDs are here!
<p>I now have the February Album Writing Month compilation CDs in hand. They sound fantastic! The music is wonderfully diverse -- and just plain wonderful. I'll have CDs available for purchase at shows, or feel free to contact me to arrange an order.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337572007-12-02T18:00:00-06:002020-01-07T01:07:26-06:00New recordings
<p>Likely Stories is working on a collaborative CD due out in 2008. I'm having a great experience getting to record my own songs with my bandmates' cello, guitar, backing vocals and drum parts -- and am loving my first foray into recording piano parts for others' songs. You can preview several of our songs at http://www.likelystories.us.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337562007-10-12T19:00:00-05:002021-02-03T10:32:32-06:00Forthcoming FAWM CD
<p>My song "Golden Gate" will be included on a compilation CD to represent the diversity and quality of this year's February Album Writing Month output. The official release date is February 2008, but I'll have copies in hand by early December 2007 for anyone who might want to buy one then. The compilation includes an amazing array of artists from many genres. The physical CD has a special Strangle Disco megamix bonus track. (See my links page for more info on Strangle Disco.) This year, there will also be an online version of the CD with seven excellent bonus tracks. I'll let you know when that's live!</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337552007-08-22T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:26-06:00Likely Stories
<p>Check out Likely Stories, my new project with Tracy Jane Comer and Dave Schindele, at likelystories.us!</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337542007-07-17T19:00:00-05:002020-12-04T02:01:53-06:00Typecast
<p>I will be appearing in a feature-length documentary film about backyard chickens. My role? The piano player. More as this develops.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337532007-07-11T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:26-06:00Radio show postponed
<p>Just a quick note to let you know I won't be on Her Infinite Variety this Sunday, due to circumstances beyond our control. We will be rescheduling, so do check back here for details.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337522007-06-18T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:26-06:00Midwest Song Contest
<p>Two of my songs are among the winners in the 2007 Midwest Song Contest. "The Path", co-written with Seattle composer/performer Becca Palm, placed third in the pop/rock category. "Golden Gate" earned an honorable mention in the jazz category. I know some of the other winners so I know I'm in talented company and am all the more honored. Congratulations, friends.
http://www.midwestsongcontest.com/winners.html</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337512007-05-26T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:26-06:00WORT archives
<p>Beth Kille and I appeared on WORT-FM on Friday morning to promote the FAWM showcase. We did a brief interview and played Beth's song "Red" with me on WORT's seldom-used studio piano. An archive will be up on the station's website for another month and a half. To hear it, go to http://www.wortfm.org, click the archive link in the upper right-hand corner, and select the Friday 8 O'Clock Buzz for May 25.</p>
Nancy Rosttag:nancyrost.com,2005:Post/61337502007-04-20T19:00:00-05:002020-01-07T01:07:26-06:00MAMAs voting
<p>Although I had no hand in the February Album Writing Month compilation CD, "14 Songs in 28 Days", I'm asking people to vote for it in the Madison Area Music Awards. Voting deadline is April 30 - to vote, go to www.themamas.org, and vote in the compilation category (and as many others as you want.) Voting costs $5, all of which goes directly into school music programs. FAWM, the challenge to write 14 songs in 28 days, has meant a lot to me as a songwriter. This CD documents some of the great musical creativity that comes out of this challenge and community. I'd love to see it recognized in this way. (I'll be at the MAMAs in case I need to pick up the statuette on producer Burr Settles' behalf, as he'll be out of the country awhile longer.)</p>
Nancy Rost