January 18, 2012
The reason that freedom of information and the dispersal of that information is critical to, and among other things, is the fight against injustice, oppression, and violence. In my eyes, The future of sharing intellectual property online is no different than making a mixed-tape in the ’80s or printing a flyer to share ideas or recent news. How and what you share has become another form of expression in itself. Don’t let the government call freedom of speech “Piracy”. In honor of supporting free sharing of information, I will be making all of my digital albums free for 24 hours starting at noon today! As a creator of such intellectual property that is being made available in digital form, I can argue both sides, especially since I know that every album that is purchased outright makes it possible for me to afford continuing my path of creation, but I cannot argue against Freedom Of Speech which is the fundemental basis for all art that that exists for more than it’s entertainment value.
You can learn more here and funny enough, I wouldn’t be able to share this link with such a bill in place.
January 1, 2012
Happy New Year Everyone! It was the warmest New Year’s Day I can ever remember and I enjoyed every minute of it while walking through the forest and taking in all the sights, smells, and sounds. It will truly be a wonderful year and I cannot wait to share “Hope From The Forgotten Woods” with you all. It is nearly finished! Anyway, as I promised at the end of last year, I was giving away hand-made tote bags filled with cds, posters, buttons, and other hand-made items worth $115 to 2 people who ordered anything from my site from mid-November until Now… well, I put all of the names in a hat and the 2 winners are… Tatsuru Sakurai and Stephanie Adams! Congratulations and I hope you like all your new gifts for the new year!
December 15, 2011
For my European friends and fans – There is a supersale of my Heartwood cd/lp going on right now! So cheap it is almost insulting! Get it this cheap while you still can. It makes a great holiday gift. If you spend more than 10 Euros, you can get an extra 10% off using the code “AMANDA” from now until January 9th. Cheers!
Big Cartel Sale Here!
November 14, 2011
As a giant THANK YOU, from now until January 1st, 2011 – everyone who purchases anything from my store, including digital downloads from my music page, will be entered into a raffle to win one of two handmade one-of-kind RMH tote bags, heart made by me and filled with CDs, buttons, patches, posters, and other goodies worth $115! There are 2 chances to win. I have done a limited repress of my 2004 album, Daily News, and everything is fully stocked for the Holidays. Also, if you have not yet done so, if you “like” my artist page here! on Facebook, you can also get a promo code for 10% off! Much love and many thanks from The snowy studio in Vermont!
November 6, 2011
Today is the secret digital release of GreatApes! Meaning, it is only available through my website and ditrecords.com! 22 unreleased and rare recordings from 1998-2006 for $12. It was a limited pressing of 100 copies signed and numbered, but for all of you who could not be at the secret solo concert dates in Germany, i spent all day making sure it was available to you digitally! Enjoy!
October 28, 2011
I just returned from Europe for The Pleasants’ month long tour there and my 8 secret solo concerts. We had a great time on the road and are now ready to stay put in the studio in Vermont for recording our upcoming releases. Thank you to all of the wonderful people we met on this tour and thank you again to all of our old friends and acquaintances for another nice tour! November will be a productive recording month for completing “Hope From The Forgotten Woods (FINALLY!!!) and The Pleasants’ Sophomore release (title not yet decided).
October 6, 2011
What an exciting day today is! Today not only is the 1 year anniversary of the marriage of The Pleasants, but it is the first day of my 8 secret solo concert tour and the secret release of GreatApes, a 22-song collection of rare and unreleased recording, demos, and tapes from 1998-2006. I will be selling this limited pressed collection for 10euros, signed and numbered 1- 100. Once they are sold out, this album will only be available digitally which I will make available as soon as I return home.
July 25, 2011
2011 Solo Dates have been announced for Europe! 8 Secret Solo Shows. Go to the tour page for more info or click on the poster.
April 1, 2011
The Pleasants U.S. and European tour dates have been announced. We will be hitting the road from April until August in the U.S. and September and October in Europe. You can see all tour dates on the events page on FACEBOOK HERE or The Pleasants Tour page HERE. There will be more dates posted everyday, so keep checking back in. Also, if you want more information for a show or city, or are interested in booking us, please contact James at ditbooking@gmail.com. We look forward to see you all soon!
March 2, 2011
Late discovery, but I learned that my cover version of Radiohead’s “No Surprises” was included in Esquire Magazine’s list of more than 1,800 best cover songs. Check it out HERE!
On a different but similar note, I lent my voice to a song written by Uphill Racer, “Heaven Knows I did My Best” for the Album How It Feels To Know There’s More. Take a listen HERE. Every song on the album is beautifully composed and arranged by Uphill Racer with different guest voices on each song. Check the album out HERE. It will be available this summer!
January 26, 2011
Check out The Pleasants’ New Website HERE!
January 3, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Starting this year off right, I donated my hair to Wigs For Kids. My head feeling light, I may float off to space, but I will hold on tight to my keyboard and stay grounded while I work on my recordings for “Hope From The Forgotten Woods”.
November 10, 2010
Some projects I have had a hand in recently that you should all check out!
DriftDivision – My good friend Andrew Jordan (formerly of Matchbook Romance) has released his first solo album which I could not be more excited about! It is a 6-song Masterpiece! I played piano and co-wrote track 6 – The End.
Arms & Sleepers – Expect Candy label mates, and fellow Northeast area band asked me to do a remix of a song from their latest album Matador. It was a fun project and I remixed their song “Simone” for the Matador Remix album. Take a listen HERE!
Uphill Racer – I contributed my voice for a new and fantastic album written by Uphill Racer that has many guest vocalists, called “How It Feels To Find There’s More”. You can get a sneak peak of some of the songs (including mine) by watching the video trailer HERE!
October 14, 2010
European tour dates with my new project The Pleasants have been announced! ~ see you soon!~
27.11.10 D-Offenbach, Hafen 2
28.11.10 D-Berlin, Lovelite
29.11.10 D-Dresden, AZ Conni
30.11.10 CZ-Babice, KD
01.12.10 AT-Vienna, Rhiz
02.12.10 IT-Auer/Ora, Piccolo Teatro
03.12.10 IT-Arceto di Scandiano (RE), La Salumeria del Rock
04.12.10 IT-Cuneo, Jazz Club
05.12.10 IT-Torino, Maché
06.12.10 TBA
07.12.10 IT-Bolzano, Theater im Hof
08.12.10 day off
09.12.10 AT-Hoechst, Kultursaal
10.12.10 D-Munich, Highlight @ Kranhalle
11.12.10 TBA
12.12.10 D-Leipzig, Conne Island
13.12.10 D-Giessen, MuK
14.12.10 D-Duisburg, Steinbruch
15.12.10 D-Karlsruhe, Jubez
16.12.10 D-Hannover, Feinkost Lampe
17.12.10 D-Bielefeld, AJZ
18.12.10 D-Hamburg, Hasenschaukel
19.12.10 D-Kiel, Prinz Willy im Maritim Kiel
October 4, 2010
The International Association of Independent Recording Artists, recognizes and honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in sound recording by monitoring chart activity in various reporting charts from around the world. According to their research, on 7/28/2010 the release;my song Cabin Muse, from Heartwood, had attained The Number 82 Position, and on 10/02/2010,Cabin Muse,had attained The Number 100 Position on at least one of the charts monitored and verified by iaira. On the basis of that research, iaira has qualified my release as eligible for Certification as an International ‘Top 100′.
July 28, 2010
The Pleasants (my new recession rock project) are hitting the road for some adventures this August. Secret shows,Not-So-Secret shows, House concerts, Camping, Hiking, and Packing for our Fall and Winter tours.
We have many Northeast Dates for September, and we head down the coast in October. We have some shows in New England and Virginia with some great friends,The Momentary Prophets. Then The Pleasants head to Europe in December to introduce all of the lovely people in Germany, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, and Czech Republic to our music! Our Record “Forests And Fields” will be available in Europe through Make My Day Records in November. Upon our return, it is back in the Studio for me in January for “Hope From The Forgotten Woods”!
June 1, 2010
Gearing up for some summer and fall touring around the Northeast! Along with that comes SPRING CLEANING!!!! I am hoping to sell of all of my hand-made items from my Etsy shop before I hit the road. Also, one of my T-shirt designs (the piano logo) will no longer be printed so I can start making room for a fresh new design! Please check out my store for the GOING ON TOUR SALE!!
May 31st, 2010
At Midnight tonight, I came in FIRST PLACE for the Lilith Local Talent Search in Boston. Thank you for voting for me on Ourstage! I may get the chance to play the Lilith Fair in Boston with some of my favorite artists! I will keep you all updated!
March 30, 2010
Right now there are so many records on the way! This Spring, my new project, The Pleasants, debut album “Forests And Fields” will be out on D.I.T. records. We will be touring Extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada this Spring and Summer. I hope to see all of you then! There are also some records I will be guest appearing on (more info coming soon). I have 2 top secret and unconventional releases on the way, and my long awaited “Hope From The Forgotten Woods” is on hold! Don’t worry, I will have it finished soon… it just takes time and money…both of which is hard to come by as an independent artist!
Got Questions? amandaspiano@gmail.com
January 25,2010
Hello Everyone! Welcome to my new website! I have been quite busy in the studio with the many new releases I have on the way, so there hasn’t been much touring. To make up for my absence on the road, I decided to crawl out of my earthy roots for a bit and enter the 21st century with the rest of you cool cats. So, here I am with with a bloggy-blog website to keep you all up to date on all of my projects and adventures!
Do you have any questions? I am friendly and self-managed, so email me at: amandaspiano@gmail.com
also visit D.I.T.records
