2009 newsOn the RadioDecember 2009Esthema is on the radio…locally, nationally and internationally. We are being picked up by some very cool radio programs that play World, Jazz, New Age, Progressive Rock, Fusion, and of course, World Fusion music. If you haven’t checked out our Links page recently, click right HERE and scroll all the way down to the Radio section. Top 20 for World Fusion RadioDecember 2009For weeks ending December 4 December 26, the Hereness and Nowness of Things was in the Top 20 at World Fusion radio station Latch Music. Check out who we are alongside (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Herbie Hancock, Stanley, Clark, Return to Forver, and more…). Voted on by the people who listen to Latch Music Radio Read the Latch Music Blog HERE. Make sure you go to the right week ending blog entry. And if you happen to listen and you hear Esthema, make sure you vote ;) The First AccoladesNovember 2009For November 2009 Esthema’s the Hereness and Nowness of Things becomes Editor’s Choice
at Indie-Music.com.
“Boston’s Esthema may be one of the most original acts we’ve come across.”
“…and once again, Esthema dazzles.”
“…the band shows on the cd that it is talented enough to be a player in the world music scene—and not only in Boston, but anywhere. ”
“Esthema really takes you around the world. ”
Complete reviews with links are available on our reviews page. And this is just the beginning the Hereness and Nowness of ThingsNovember 3, 2009Today is the day; the release of the Hereness and Nowness of Things And as if you haven't seen it before, one more time (we love it!!!)
A sincere thanks to the following people, in no particular order for their participation and contributions to this recording. Karim Georges for his contibution on Doumbek on Four Colors, Change of Season, and Eastern Dance
And to everyone else - family, friends, and fans, a sincere thanks for your continued support and love. Coming November 3…The Hereness and Nowness of ThingsOctober 2009Mark your calendars. The official release date for the Hereness and Nowness of Things is November 3. You can now listen to excerpts of each of the compositions on our music page and at our MySpace and Facebook pages. While you are there don’t forget to become friends and fans and leave a comment. The new CD cover looks like...
Look familiar... As you can also see, we gave our website a little facelift. A huge thanks to Rebecca over at Fagan Design for both print and web design and art direction. To usher in the new CD, as many have already heard we will be having two CD release parties, one in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island. Make sure to check out the details on our shows page. More to come...check back soon!!! The Hereness and Nowness of Things News and MoreSeptember 2009All the members of Esthema hope that all is well with you and that you had a great summer. As everyone settles into the new season, school semester, classes, clothes, shoes, job, TV programming, sports, etc…we wanted to update you on our happenings. For those who are following us on Twitter and/or Facebook you have seen some updates as to what’s been going on in our world. If you care for more... Esthema spent the better part of summer 2009 in “The Hereness and Nowness of Things” mode. Between recording in June and July, mixing in August and early September, mastering in September and throughout that entire process, getting the artwork put together and contacting magazines and industry people, things have been quite eventful. Needless to say, we can’t wait. The official release date is November 3. However, for those eager to hear and see what The Hereness and Nowness of Things is going to look and sound like, by the end of September, sound clips and artwork will be available on Facebook, MySpace, SonicBids, and of course, RIGHT HERE. Once released, you will be the first to know. For all those interested in purchasing the CD, it will be available on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby, as well as a host of other on-line distributors. To kick off the new CD and welcome it into the world, we figured we would have to give it a party or two. We have scheduled two CD release parties, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Check out the details on our shows page. More news and events will be coming soon, so check back soon. Until then, stay well. The Hereness and Nowness of Things Sessions, Part IISummer 2009Things have been progressing nicely with the recording of The Hereness and Nowness of Things. Since our last post we have finished recording and overdubs for all pieces that will be featured. The compositions that have made it onto the CD, in no particular order are… Illusion of Truth Final mixing will occur in mid-August so you can expect the release in late September early October. Once we have finalized some more dates we will know for sure, but from the look of it the CD release party will be sometime in October….we will definitely keep you updated. Hope you are all having a great summer and enjoying your friends, families, and significant others. Until next time, be safe. The Hereness and Nowness of Things SessionsJune 2009And we are off...we started recording on June 21 at mix one studios with engineer extraordinaire Ted Paduck. The first four tunes tracked were Eastern Dance, Change of Season, On and On, and Arrythmia. We performed them live and over the course of the next week or so we are going to clean them up and make them nice and pretty for everyone. Next weekend, June 21 we are heading back in for the second of two major sessions where will will lay down the last four tracks: Place To Rest, Illusion of Truth, Forward Motion and Four Colors (working title). Our goal is to finish recording and mixing before July 4 and then mastering. So if all goes as planned, by August we have ourselves a new CD. See below for just a few pictures from our first stint at the studio:
I think Onur likes it!!!
We wouldn't let Tery out until he played the part right.
Hey Ignacio, cool bass!!!
Mike Portnoy would be proud...go Bruno. We will be in touch again soon. Till then take care.
Esthema @ Waterfire ProvidenceJune 2009
Esthema’s composition Distance from our CD, APART FROM THE REST was chosen as one of the pieces for the soundtrack of
Waterfire Providence starting Saturday, June 13 and then used
periodically throughout the season. For those not familiar with Waterfire Providence…
If you are wondering how the music fits into the sculpture…
For more details about Waterfire Providence, please visit www.waterfire.org. This is a spectacular event, whether you are listening to Esthema or not and if you have a chance you should definitely check it out. Number 5 in the OurStage Semi FinalsMarch 2009March was an exciting month for us. First, Esthema made it through the Quarter Finals and into the Semifinals for March 2009 at Ourstage.com. Out of 231 entries in the World/New Age category, we got the number 5 spot. The cool thing about this is, Esthema Ourstage fans cannot vote for Esthema. It is people that don’t know us and most likely have never heard of us, that voted for us. Sites like Ourstage are an invaluable resource for Indie bands and musicians. If you get a chance, make sure to check it out. There is some great music out there. Secondly, the preparation for our next CD, The Hereness and Nowness of Things is coming along quite nicely. Arrangements are coming together and some very cool things are happening. We are in the process of checking into studios...the release date is slotted for late Summer with a CD Release Party coming in September. More details to come. March was also Esthema-getting-off-their-asses-and-getting-some-Merch-together Month...with help from friend and designer, Rebecca Fagan of Fagan Design Esthema tshirts will soon be ready and available at all gigs. Finally, we want to thank everyone who made it out to our gig at Ryles on the 18th. We had a fantastic time and want to sincerely thank you all for coming out and packing the room on a Wednesday night. It was the first time esthema got to work a bill with COPAL and it will definitely not be the last. Be good to yourselves. Esthema Chosen for OurStage Quarter FinalsSpring 2009Today, March 25 Esthema was notified that we were “selected by our large group of cool music fans and musicians to represent your channel in the OurStage March Quarter-Finals.” The Ourstage Channel is World/New Age. The song is Finding My Way. If you get a chance check out our ourstage profile at www.ourstage.com/fanclub/esthema. Listen to some great new music, become a member at Ourstage.com (while you’re there make sure to become an Esthema “fan”) and then click on the JUDGE link at the top. From there select the category (World/New Age) and your off and running. VOTE FOR ESTHEMA!!! Esthema Hits The Top 10 @ OurStage.comMarch 2009Check it out…spring is almost here and things are feeling great. Last month out of 730 entries Esthema was voted in the Top 10 (Number 10 to be exact) in the Instrumental category at Ourstage.com for our composition Finding My Way. Check out our ourstage profile at Ourstage.com. If you want to check out some great new music, become a member at ourstage.com (while you’re there make sure to become an Esthema “fan”) and then click on the JUDGE link at the top. From there select a category and your off and running. The other day we got a call to perform at the 2009 Boston Turkish Festival. Our performance date will be May 9 and will be taking place at the Mass Art Tower Auditorium. The start time will be 8:00pm. Concert details can be found here. The Boston Turkish Festival is a month long event that presents movies, art exhibits, music, and more throughout Boston in various venues. Make sure to visit 8th Annual Boston Turkish Film Festival for all Festival details. Have a great end of winter and early spring. We hope to see you soon. Until next time, make sure to be kind to yourself and to each other. Esthema Street TeamFebruary 2009Last month, Onur (violin) was interviewed by on-line Turkish e-zine, Stereo Mecmuasi. The interview touched upon everything about Esthema, past, present, and future. For all of our Turkish speaking friends, you can check out the interview at Stereo Mecmuasi. Coming Soon, a translation of the interview will be posted here on this site. We’ll let you know when and where once it is posted. This month it is an abbreviated version of the interview. Stereo Mecmuasi will be publishing the entire interview in their March 2009 issue. So make sure to check back. This month we are starting the Esthema Street Team. Members of the Street Team will help members of Esthema get the word out about events and happenings. Some of the things that members will do is help put up flyers (provided by us of course) in the surrounding area and provide local coffee shops with CDs, send out the Facebook Events to all their friends and if so inclined, create an Esthema Street Team Facebook page and maintaine that page for fans and Street Team members alike to post events, pictures, etc… Always open to suggestions, basically Street Team members will be an extension of Esthema. Unfortunately we will not be able to monetarily compensate Street Team members, but compensation will come via merchandise, free CDs, Guest List at gigs, listening to future recordings before they are released, and more things like that. You will never be obligated to do; this will be on a purely voluntary basis. Going forward at all shows when signing up on the mailing list people will also be able to sign up for the Street Team. Those that want to be a part of the Street Team can send an email exclaiming their interest to streetteam@esthema.com. Hope we'll see you at one of our shows. Until then, take care of yourselves. Happy New Year...looking forwardJanuary 20092008 was a spectacular year for us with amazing reviews for our first CD, APART FROM THE REST and gigs throughout New England, some at venues we had already performed in and some at new venues. We met so many new people (you) that signed the mailing list, became fans on Facebook and Friends on MySpace, that helped spread the word about our music, came to the our shows, and shared all of our successes along the way. And to top it all off, as 2008 was counting down, we were informed that APART FROM THE REST was voted in the Top 25 Best CDs for 2008 at Indie-Music.com. All of this is thanks to you, that came to our shows, reviewed our CD, told your friends about us, listed us on your blogs, bought our CD at a show, downloaded our mp3s from iTunes, listed a comment about APART FROM THE REST on CDBaby. We can’t express how grateful we are for the love and support we have received from everyone. 2009 promises to be another great year.
Since the last time you heard from us, Esthema has been fervently working on the arrangements of and putting the finishes touch on the compositions that are going to be the make-up of The Hereness and Nowness of Things. We have the line-up pretty much cemented, of course that doesn’t mean that there may not be some last minute changes. Not all the compositions are going to make it on to the recording, but it has been fun trying to figure out which ones will. We are going to keep our performance schedule light and our rehearsal schedule heavy this late winter and early spring to concentrate on the recording and the compositions. If you can make it out to one of our shows, we promise you that you will hear new compositions and new arrangements. And if you can make it out to our gig at Ryles on the 18th of March, there is a great chance that you will hear The Hereness and Nowness of Things in its entirety. Also, those that can make it out to this show will be able to pre-order the CD at a discounted price. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other. |
