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How does time fly by so fast, that I haven't blogged now since June!?? Really?!?!?!? Well, I guess we've got some catching up to do.
Last summer and fall-- after spring tour was over-- I spent most of my time painting and writing-- writing what appears to be the beginning of a book. The last time I checked it was about a 1,000 page manuscript... but since it's double-sided, would I say it's a 2,000 page manuscript? Who knows. Details, details. ANYWAYS, I also travelled a bit. I got an invitation to come work production for Blue October, and so I met up with them for a few weeks on their National tour-- Omaha, Denver, Dallas, Houston, El Paso & on to Florida... Living on a 'real' tour bus was groovy. I did a number of different things for the band, including selling merch a few different shows. That certainly put things in perspective to see & help a band sell as many T-Shirts & Koozies in one night what would be equal to a half-a-years' salary to most middle-class American families. Wow. Rockin. It's good to be Multi-Platinum!
Having another winter in Ohio sucked. When it feels warm when it gets up to 20 degrees, something is wrong. Enough said. However, my SAVING GRACE that I looked forward to, was the INVITE that I got to play an ACOUSTIC TOUR IN ITALY in December with Austin Dame Ginger Leigh. I'm not sure how I've seen most of continental Europe without ever having been to Italy, but with the opportunity handed to me, I decided to spend a few extra weeks there seeing the country. First of all, Ginger and I had a great time. Second of all, the shows were a smashing success. Third of all, their food and wine really is "THAT GOOD." Fourth of all, seeing Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Reggio Emilia, Genova, San Remo & Bussana Vecchia on the Italian Riviera was FREAKING AMAZING. Life-changing, even. Holy Cow. You guys ALL need to go see ITALY. ITS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! A far cry from the grey Cleveland winter. That's for dern-sure! It was also fun that I back-packed it by myself, other than the week I was with Ginger doing shows. What an adventure. Especially because I don't speak a LICK of Italian. Woo-Hoo!! Someone told me I get "balls points" for going alone. Hooray! (LOL)
Then, January was pack-it-all-up month, and *POOF!*.....I've moved back to Texas. I'm living in my new, beautiful house-- it's in the east Texas woods on a lake-- a few hours outside of Dallas. It's quiet and peaceful here, except when I'm in the music room, which is complete with grand piano, 5 guitars, 10 mikes and a digital recording studio. I'm also thrilled to have an art space to paint in as well. Then there's the windows that are floor to ceiling along the entire back of the house. The view is of the woods. The lake is about half-a-mile away. I went fishing the other day and actually caught a 5 LB wide-mouth-bass! It was a RIOT!! I threw it back, though, so he could go back to his fish-world. The 50-degree winters here ROCK. I'm loving the sunshine!! I started running every day again, too. Things are good, and I can't complain. I mean, things really, really, really are good. Maybe for the first time in my entire life. Is this what feeling happy and content is? Hmmm. I could get used to this!
So, I've been writing & recording songs again, really for the pure love of the art. I'm pretty happy with a lot of the tunes. Haven't really considered whether or not to make another official album or anything, though. Also haven't really put together another official Texas band, either, as my guys are all busy with other projects. We'll probably jam together from time to time, but, I've gotten used to playing solo, and will be continuing to do so now that I'm back home. I'm thrilled to have several shows booked in D/FW and at SXSW in Austin... I look forward to seeing all of you again! Ciao, Bella! XOXO Tiff
Wow. We had an AMAZING time on tour! Thank you all so very much for coming out to show us the love... you guys are awesome. I was shocked that so many of you showed up after we hadn't played in a year. Just fantastic. To me, it felt like home in a million different ways... the road, the band, the stage-- I just love it! Playing with the whole band again was mind-blowing fantastic. It made me want to come back full force! Hmmm... I guess if the Stones and Kiss and all those other guys can retire and come back, so can I... right?! I think it's time. I miss it so very much!
And thanks to Tommy Dempsey & SMUG (Pedro Silva, Gary Rand and Pete Abdou) for making the trek from Boston to rock with us. It was wonderful to spend time with you, and I look forward to the next time we tour together! You guys are great... on stage and off!
Well, I am looking forward to a bright music-filled future, so now that I am out of my "Burn-Out Phase" I guess I am declaring today my Official "Not Retired Anymore" day. Hooray! Pop some champagne! woo-hoo! Game on, everybody... Game on.
Keep yourselves posted on what we'll be pulling out of our sleeves!
Ya JUST NEVER KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxo... Tiff
So I know I haven't written in... forever... but hopefully you guys will be cool and like me anyways... So.. on my much needed hiatus, I actually haven't really written songs in about a year. Holy cow. I can't believe it's been so long. But back in December, I started co-writing with some really cool cats (Derek Dixie and June Roseboro) and am thrilled to have found a fresh sound and inspiration, as well as great new friends... it felt amazing to get back in the studio and discover what it was about the last 11 years that kept me going... the creative process... it's such a beautiful thing... I love it so much. I can't wait to let you guys hear some of the stuff we've worked on. I've posted some of it on my website and the myspace page. Download "February" and "Rewind" for $.99 to get a taste...
Maybe I'll surprise ya with some more new stuff this summers' shows. Can't wait to see everyone again. Can't wait to play with the band guys again. I have missed you all on my extremely needed break. But now I am in love with my art again, and ready to roll with the opportunity to use the gifts that I've been trusted with. Diligence to my creativity is alive again... and so am I. See ya real soon. xox
If you haven't checked the tour dates page lately, you should. WE'RE COMING BACK OUT, PEOPLE!! Starting in Dallas with our friend Tommy Dempsey in tow... Its gonna be a blast. Starts first weekend of MAY. SEE YA SOON!!! XOOXOXOX
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So I know I did some farewell shows a while back, announcing my retirement from the circus (I think people call it the music industry??!)
In the light of the Rolling Stones who have done about 50 million farewell tours, I am announcing that its possible that I am writing another album... I can't seem to get away from the creative side of it all... which I think may have gotten lost a little bit in the last many years that I have been managing everything myself (writing, book shows, produce albums, do the accounting and all the logistics, dealing with all the industry people, etc.)
I think it's what they call "Roadburn"
...when it's just time to take a nice long hiatus. I mean, I don't blame Alanis at all for disappearing in India for 2 years after the whole "Jagged Pill" album blew up and she toured her ass off for 3-4 years or whatever... Anyways, I have also recently gotten back in touch with just being a fan. I've started going to concerts again (which I never had time to do before), I've also started scouting music-makers online and ordering their records and dvd's-- just to discover something new...
I know you guys all know what I mean. You probably can't imagine NOT doing those things as a regular part of your life, right?! So as I've seen AMAZING live shows like BUTCH WALKER or BLUE OCTOBER and discovered some cool cats from Canada: MATTHEW GOOD and BUTTERFLY BOUCHER (2 different artists). I have gotten inspired again. There's nothing like a magical yet brief romantic encounter that makes you question your entire existance to start writing again, I suppose. What kind of stuff is coming out? Well, there's a line from a new tune that says, "If I could have known back then what I know how different things would be..." and stuff like that. There's another tune called "Echo" that sort of explores the idea of trying to embrace a shadow instead of the person... y'know. Just regular stuff I think about everyday.
Anyways just wanted to hey to everybody. Hope all are well. XO TS
Saturday, June 3rd, 2006 I am having a moment-- and need to say "Thank You" in no particular order:
Chris Copeland, Gary Batts, Greg McCormack, Amil McNally, the collective Darby-Jered-Jessica-Angie-Liz, Andrew Davis, Cole Freeman, Tim Roberts, Chad Allen, Jace Bersin, Neil Schnell, Brandon Bumpass, Johnny Saxophone, Rich Stitzel, Dave Karnes, Gabriel Martinez, Miguel Fair, Pete Abdou, Frank Coffey, Mark Sessions, Frank Ojeda, Chris VanTassel, Gary Dowell, Denise Calinda, Chris Devaney, Dawn Allred, Kristen McAfee, Dawn Dudley, Milton Adams, Bill Ellis, Steve Browne, Kathleen, Dave White, Thomas Radzavich, Clyde Brooks, Cheyenne and Shannon Kimball, Rebecca Horton, Peggy McAfee, Kim Thore, Tina Foss, Mia Bissette, Dorothy Browne, Jerry and Jeanne Cormier, Ben at the Chicago Music Exchange, Michael at Club Dada, Russell at Trees, The Aardvark, The Granada, Mom & Dad, and all the people who sent for tour support, and everybody who's ever let me sleep on their couch!!
I can't believe we are half way through 2006... I successfully finished my first year of art school, and even made relatively good grades! Hooray! I really learned a lot this year about design, composition, art history and painting technique, and am better for all of it. Having not played very many shows this year, it was wonderfully fabulous to go home to D/FW and play Mayfest, as well as return to my second home, Boston, and play a show with Pete in the last month... So, what do I have planned for the summer? Nothing in particular at the moment. I am enjoying sleeping past noon and just chillin out...I do have a few cool things in the works, but am nothing concrete quite yet. Will definitely let everybody know when the next exciting thing happens on this crazy journey of mine, but for now, let's just keep on being cool like Fonzie and enjoy life however we can... Hopefully I will see you all again sooner rather than later, and as always, thank you all for your continuous love and support!! xoxo Tiffany
Well, the beginning of my second semester of art school has started and I am looking forward to another busy and creative semester! Hopefully it will only mildly kick my... anyways, things in Ohio are good-- I have been hitting some area 'open mike nights' and candidly doin' my thing-- the House of Blues has been my only show up here, which was a wonderful way to introduce myself (and my new record "Timeless") to the locals! Now if I can just figure out how to dress groovy in sub-zero tempuratures, my life will be perfect! (...definitely still trying to figure that one out, but other than that, I am doing great!)
Thanks again to all who made my Christmas show at Poor David's in Dallas so wonderful! It was great to see you all again, and I look forward to doin' it again this summer! Until then, try and stay MOSTLY out of trouble, and make sure you are honoring your creative self in the mean time! xox, Tiffany
Hola from Ohio everybody! I am missing you already and look forward to seeing you on THURSDAY, December 22nd at Poor David's Pub in Dallas for your (massive demand) Christmas show!! Its gonna be awesome to play with Jace, Miguel, and Gabe again in an acoustic style musical treat!! Art school is treating me well. Did you ever do craft-type stuff in summer camp? It's kinda like an extreme version of that every day...I do most of my homework with scissors and glue and paint brushes!! I got an "A" on my first paper, and did "The Evolution of the Styrofoam Cup" as my first design project, which ended up being a topic of discussion in class for almost an hour! I am loving it here. It is an environment without pretense or prejudice... and lots of cool funky hair-styles walking around!! I have missed rock-n-rollin... but overall my hiatus here is allowing me to find balance between the 'loud' and 'quiet' sides of life... Anyways, I hope everyone is doing great, and YOU HAVE A DATE WITH ME IN DECEMBER!! I can't wait...XX Tiff
ps: I hope everyone is doing what they can for the hurricane victims. I am part of a group here in Ohio that is setting up a donation center on campus...Please contribute however you can!! It is our duty!
Hi Everybody...It's me, Tiff.
I would like to announce to you all that I am officially quitting the music business.
The last 10 years have been an amazing adventure and I cannot express my gratitude for all of the love and support you all have shown to me and the band. When I was 20 I decided to drop out of the University music program to pursue my dreams, promising myself that I would give it everything I had until I was 30. I never thought in a million years that I would still be an independent "starving" artist at this point in my life, but as I have taken June off to "process" what this journey has been, and how it has changed and affected me, I noticed that in all the difficulties of the business stuff, I lost sight of why I started in the first place... which was the sheer love of music.
There is an infinite list of amazing memories-- like playing with Ani DiFranco, BB King, Barenaked Ladies and Natalie Merchant, touring England, and playing in 25 states...
As I asked myself this past month what my vision is for the next 5-10 years, I found myself wanting to have an education, and start a family, and actually having money to invest in my life, instead of putting everything I make back into a project... a project that I have loved and nurtured with everything I am for my entire adult life...
I am happy to announce that I have been accepted and received 100% funding to attend what is considered an "Ivy League Art School" in Ohio. I plan to move there at the beginning of August, and stay for the next 4 years. I guess you could say that I am kickin "Plan B" into action. I will be covered in paint for the next 2 years and then study design for the 2 years after that. I am sure I will still pick up a show here and there, but my focus will be graduating in a few years with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art and Design.
I hope you all aren't mad at me, and I also hope that you truly know that I will cherish the memories we have made together forever and ever.
A heartfelt goodbye to you all.
Please try to catch a show or two before the end of the month to send me off and hear us play together for the last time. Special thanks to the best band ever: Jace Bersin on Guitar (6 years), Miguel Fair on Bass (3 years) and Drummer Pete Abdou (3 years), who will be flying in from Boston for a week to jam with us and be a part of the END OF THE ERA....
XOX Tiff
I am looking forward to having a wonderful year, and I hope to see you all really, really soon! XO, TS
 Also check out a cool photo slideshow from when the band was in New England for the Holidays 2003! Click Here Tuesday, October 12th, 2004 (4:22pm) The band completes the 5 month sojourn with massive success. They sell the very last copy of Phoenix at the very last show of tour. They are currently in the Boston area working on some new tunes that Tiffany wrote on the road, and starting pre-production for the next album. The official "Tour Wrap" show will be this Friday at Johnny Mac's in Attleboro. They will also have a brief 10-day tour run from Boston to Texas in November so keep checking the site for those dates. Many exciting plans are being made for 2005 that may require passports(!?), and the "Live from Tour" CD should be finished this week and available for the first time this Friday. Thanks to all who made this tour a smash success! We love you all and look forward to seeing you again in 2005! Thursday September 2nd, 2004 (1:30pm) Check out new reviews on the reviews page and also at www.strutteronthetown.com More to come.................. Tuesday, August 10th, 2004 (6:30pm) The band has covered 20,000 miles and 25 states so far. The road has been great for them and they have had a wonderful response from audiences of all ages and all walks of life everywhere they have gone. Without any major set-backs except a few van repairs, the band is having a wonderful time and building a strong following on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Click HERE! to read Tiffany's latest journal entry about their summer travels. Wednesday, April 29th 2004 To all my fans, friends, and family: I have to send a GIGANTIC "THANK YOU" to you for all of the love and outpouring of gifts--verbal and monetary-- that we have received the last few months in support of the upcoming "Phoenix" tour (that starts this coming week!) I have been moved to tears more than once in the last few weeks, as I have never felt so loved and supported in anything I have ever tried to do. I feel as though I am embarking on not just a tour, but a new amazing chapter of my life, that guarentees nothing except that life will never be the same. I also feel as though a thousand angels are lifting and holding me up. So thank you-- thank you for listening to the music and loving it as much as we do... thank you for continuing support over the last several years... thank you for telling me all the ways this music has effected your life... thank you for believing in this project. I will be diligent to the abundant gifts that have been given to me-- both internally and externally. We could not be doing this without each and every one of you. All my love, and until next time... Tiffany Shea Thursday April 15th, 2004 So May is all booked , you can check out "Phoenix" tour dates HERE! Also we have a new review of Phoenix you can check out HERE! We still have some dates left in Dallas so be sure to come out and see us while you can, we plan on being on tour till we drop, or till the van drops, whichever comes first. Wish us luck and see ya on the road!!!! Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Tiffany has some great new artwork for sale on the website as well. You can view it in the gallery. Friday March 5th, 2004 Ok TSB is finally coming to YOU!! Tsb will hit the road on their first full U.S. tour in May 2004! You can help by giving them tour support! To find out details on how you can help, click HERE!!!! December 16th, 2003 You can now buy TSB merch like, shirts, mugs,calenders,lunchboxes and much more at the new Tiffany Shea Band store!!! Just click HERE! Also, the Tiffany Shea Band will be heading to Rhode Island to do one show only at the Blackstone Club on Dec 27th to release the new cd "Phoenix" on the east coast!! November 28th, 2003 Check out the 97.1 Eagle interview taped on Nov. 2nd with Tiffany HERE November 26th, 2003 You can now buy the entire TSB catalog on CD!!! Just click HERE for the new Merchandise page! November 23rd, 2003 Check out the latest reviews!! New pictures of the 2003 "Phoenix" tour are posted HERE The Album "Phoenix" available in stores!!!
October 31st, 2003
The Tiffany Shea Band has had great success over the last month with shows throughout TX in support of the recent release of Phoenix. We thank all who came out and supported us and we look forward to seeing you at future performances. TSB drummer, Pete Abdou returns home to Boston on Monday November 3rd to continue his East Coast endeavors, but don't worry, he will return for a more permenant stay in Feb. of 2004. - Want to read a new interview with Tiffany!!! Go to www.bringonthenight.org/tiffany.htm - An interview with Pete Abdou www.bringonthenight.org/pete.htm |
