And if you don’t know…

I think it’s safe to say that back in the early naughties I missed the boat on the r’n’b craze. Blink 182, Sum 41, Yellowcard and P.O.D were the bands I connected with and I think my childhood friend Chris is to thank/blame for that one. Me and a few exclusive friends (Fliss, George, Sam and Sof) bought skateboards, hung out in moshpits and wore sweat bands to school. We dressed our folders in pics of said bands and when we started going to parties we called “gatherings”and all the other girls were wearing skirts that showed off their pre-pubescent butts, we were wearing Sum 41 tees.

I’m not ashamed of this phase at all. Because I wasn’t even mildly appealing to the eye of a 16 year old boy, I worked on other things my personality and got to know boys from the inside out. This brings me to biggie smalls. At a hen’s weekend not long ago, amongst a tribe of Kiwi’s, the old time classics made a severe comeback. At first I resisted the unfamiliar sound of Biggie, and the way the other girls got low. They were astonished I hadn’t heard of Biggie Smalls. Notorious B.I.G? Nope. Just to check, I asked Fliss. She doesn’t know if Biggie either. However, now a few months after the Hen’s weekend, Biggie’s song has made it’s way to my Spotify playlist. How? I’m not sure, but that Juicy song’s like crack.

Another cracker, more my style..

The band, Yanto and I have finished recording at Oceanic and Airlock and three songs (Boat, In The Clouds and Serendipity) have been mixed and sent to be mastered. Two remain (Get High and Writers’ Block) and I’m getting pretty exciiiited. I have had some beautiful artwork made by Laura-Louisa Betts who won the design comp I ran. CONGRATS! She is so talented and lovely to work with, so I can’t wait to get them out there for you to see. One poster she made is below.

Boat will be the first single off the EP and will be released in June.

I did a little photoshoot with photographer, Jocelyn Nguyen, Rhiannan Atchinson and Lauren McKay on Styling and Kim Kindratt on makeup and hair. Thanks for making it so much fun guys and getting some good pics out of me. You were all so lovely to work with.

I’m parting with the parentals and moving out with my besties Fliss and Sof. We have found a mad pad and move in weekend after next. Should be good fun and can’t wait to start this next chapter. Mum and Dad are pretty good to live with and I will miss walking in the door and seeing their and Lenny’s faces each night. But they’re only round the corner, literally.

I have a few gigs coming up while I am organising the shizzle out of this EP release so would love to see you there!

Next gigs are:

Sunday June 30th 7pm – Coogee Bay Hotel.

Sunday July 14th 4-7pm – Stowaway Bar, Freshwater.

Cheers & get ready to hear Boat in a few weeks!

Larissa x

April 11, 2013

Recording The EP

Hi guys,

There’s six days remaining for my campaign on Indiegogo to help fund my EP. It’s going so well! Drums, bass and guitar are done and I am up in Brisbane recording vocals and keys. It’s sounding great and I can’t wait to share the tunes with you. We’d love to put a string quartet on In The Clouds and get a video done, so any contribution you can make will go towards that aswell as what’s listed on the campaign.

Click here for the campaign site!

Thanks again for all your support and I will have some video to share with you soon..

Larissa x

April 4, 2013

A Very Newsy Blog Post

Hi all,

I played Rihanna’s song, Stay, at The Round in Brisbane last week and got a great response. Cheers guys! So thought I’d record it for you. Beautiful film clip – you should check out the original.

The trip to Brisbane went so well except that I have a dent in my keyboard – thanks Jetstar – but now it reminds me of touring, so that ain’t a bad thing! To the mole who was so rude to us and charged me a bomb for the keyboard to return to Sydney. You’ll get what’s coming..

The gig at The Round was so much fun and I can’t believe the response. To everyone who came along you are beautiful people and I’m glad you enjoyed the show. I honestly couldn’t have done it without the roadies from heaven – Laur & Jake. And special thanks to Jared who showed us around Brissie and picked the keyboard up to take to the gig. I will definitely be back to play again!

The band and I have had our last rehearsal before we lock ourselves away in the studio over the next week and a half. I’m so excited to record my latest songs and share them with you. For some songs I have no idea how they will turn out and it’s pretty exciting!

My Indiegogo campaign is going really well – thank you so much for donating and I am working my ass off to show you all that you have invested in a worthy cause! I have started getting the perks together and am especially excited to cover a few songs, make some t-shirts and get the secret gig happening. If you haven’t checked out my campaign click here. If you are short of funds, I would love if you could pass it on to anyone you think may like my music..

This past year has been tricky with surgery and planning this recording and I just wanna thank those close to me who are forever supporting me, giving me advice, rocking up to gigs, carrying my keyboard, spreading the word and singing along to my songs. I love you and you keep me smiling and loving what I do.

And finally… to all those designers out there I have a comp going for you to design the EP cover! See the poster below and get creative.

Upcoming GIGS:

Tuesday April 23 – 8pm

Four Pines, Manly

SYDNEY

Sunday April 28 – 3pm

Manly Skiff Club, Manly

SYDNEY

Hope everyone had a nice Easter!

Love Larissa x

Jakey, Laur and Jared riding round Brisbane

Laur, Me & Jakey at Ben's Onesie Party - pretty cold — Laur, Me & Jakey at Ben’s Onesie Party – pretty cold

March 15, 2013March 15, 2013

She Maketh Me Itchy

As I write this, the woman sitting next to me on the bus continues to scratch her head, pick the skin on her hands, blow her nose, switch positions every three seconds, rub her forehead and cross and uncross her arms.

My first instinct is to smash her in the face, but instead of getting angry I’ve cranked up Katy Perry and put myself in her shoes.

She is obviously suffering from some serious physical or mental discomfort and I kind of want to help her.

It must be horrible not being able to sit still and be content, absolutely horrible.

Thought I’d share this torturous bus trip as someone who reads this could be like this woman. If that’s you, I will say one thing. Start meditating.

Peace and light to all..

Larissa x

March 8, 2013

My EP Campaign

Hi guys,
I would love your support if you have a sec to check out my campaign and donate if you wish. I have been working so hard over the past few years and the time has come to work with a great producer and make an band EP that I’m really proud of.
Please spread the word & thanks as always for your support and interest in my music! xx

CLICK HERE!

March 6, 2013

Sunny Serenades Me

I had a two hour meeting on Monday where I sat with my neck turned constantly to the left for two hours. As I got up and left it felt all pinchy and come Wednesday I’m googling last minute massage parlours to try ease the pinch. My regular doesn’t work nights and a recommended one doesn’t answer so I try a newie.
When the other end picks up, a weird automated voice says, “You have been entered into a group call”. That’s funny I think, and I hang up and try again. I end up booking a 7:30 with a man named Sunny.
I walk into the shop which is behind another shop and up some stairs and there is a little Chinese man in a white coat waiting. I say hello and tell him about my pinchy neck and he replies in very broken English. I have only $60 cash on me, so we agree to a half hour sesh.
I get Chinese massages fairly regularly but this was different, more a wholistic view on health and he begins to treat my whole body rather than just my neck.
“Ohhh so much gas in here” says Sunny as he points to my head, tummy and rib cage. Gas in my head? That’s funny I think.
Sunny continues to massage and tap my “gas” and at the half hour point he says he doesn’t want to make me sad so he will do an hour session for the same price. My body is a mess and he couldn’t let me leave without helping me more.
So it continues and he says he can do his best but I won’t be completely fixed, it may take more time. “That’s okay, you’re not a magician”, I say and we both laugh.
“I am not Jesus” says Sunny, “But I channel god”.
I am all for spirituality and mediation and I give him the benefit of the doubt.
“You have God?” He asks.
“No God”, I reply.
Sunny is shocked, I’m fairly uncomfortable, he stops massaging and starts to explain in very broken English how I need god and Jesus is number one. I think to myself, a normal person would leave now. I stay.
The awkward moment passes as I agree I now love God and Jesus. Sunny keeps massaging and tapping my “gas”.
We get chatting again and my occupation comes up. He can’t fathom that I have taught myself how to play piano so I agree when he says I am a teacher. He is very happy when I say I am a singer. “Ohhh I am singer too!” Exclaims Sunny. “You opera or pop?”
“Pop”, I reply.
“No, opera better, you must sing opera”.
I dislike opera a fair bit but I nod and smile, and he says, “I will put opera now”.
Sunny walks over to the CD player and puts on some Chinese opera. The woman’s voice has the squeakiest most awful tone I’ve ever heard but I nod and smile.
An hour and fifteen clocks over and Sunny is still ranting about opera and intermittently massaging and tapping gas. I’m starting to get a bit edgy and hungry. He says ten more minutes and I will be less sad and he will sing along with the male opera singer who is Pavaroti’s student.
For the last ten minutes I lay awkwardly on my back as he massages my stomach with oil, to get the gas out, and sings along to the Chinese opera very close to my head.
The following day I wake up and my neck pinch has gone. Sunny has asked me to book an appointment for next week.. I am undecided on whether or not to go back for more.

Larissa x

P.S: I hope I haven’t offended anyone. I aim to express my opinion, but it is all it is. To each their own.

February 15, 2013February 18, 2013

Everything In Excess

Two pre- ep shows have been booked and deets are as follows. YAY!

SYDNEY
Wed. Feb 27 – 8:30pm
Old Manly Boatshed
The Corso, Manly

BRISBANE
Wed. March 20 – 8pm
The Round at Dowse Bar
155-157 Given Terrace, Paddington

It’s my first QLD show so I’m pretty excited. While I’m in Brisbane I’ll be catching up with some friends, meeting Yanto Browning, the producer, and checking out the studio where I’ll be recording vocals in April.

I’ve been working with another producer called LDRU, writing some dance tracks and it’s pretty fricken fun. Might have something mixed in the next few weeks so standby.

Valentine’s Day is a little bit of a wank, but Jakey and I cooked three tapas each and had a really nice night. We made broccolini with balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese, ceasar/hybrid salad, San chow bow, minute steak with mushroom sauce and dessert extravaganza- cookies and cream ice cream, sprinkled twirl, meringue, strawberries, a real cookie and then garnished with ice magic. I have a slight sweet tooth.

Went to Laneway Festival the other week. It was so much fun! Alt-j, Jessie Ware, Of Monsters and Men and Divine Fits were my faves. Great, chilled festival.. Sound was a bit quiet at times though. In their defence the weather was shocking, so the wind might’ve been blowing the tunes towards Parramatta instead of my head.

While I’m on the topic of loud music- the inventors have invented a cure for tinnitus- hearing damage cause from loud music – and I am so stoked. Well done, incredible news for our generation.

My friend Jordan Millar released his album today and it is wonderful. Please head to his launch tonight at The Beresford in Sydney or buy/ Spotify his music.

While I’m on that topic, if you haven’t got Spotify yet, you crazy! If you haven’t heard James Blake’s new single, Retrograde, you crazy.

Bye for now,

Larissa x

January 16, 2013January 17, 2013

Sort Your Sinus Out

Been a while. Sorry about that. I had probably the most horrific week of my life post sinus surgery. I won’t go into the details but I will mention a few things. Nose packing. Nose bleeds. Colon cleanse and throwing up in a plastic bag with a hole in it.

I am on the mend and although I still have a headache 24/7, hopefully I have a healthy, headache free life ahead if me.

I have acquired a new bassist, Oscar, who is the most beautiful soul and a killer bass player, so I am so happy to have him part of the team. We played Upstairs Beresford last week for our first gig together with guitarist David playing this one too. Was great fun and hopefully there’s plenty more to come. Mad venue, mad audience.

So I have been a crazy woman as of late trying to organise and plot recording the next EP. Wooooo. The EP will feature the band and new songs and I am lucky enough to be plotting this craziness with producer, Yanto Browning. What appealed to me about Yanto’s work is his use of dynamics and layers which I think is very important for the band’s sound at the moment. He knows how to convey emotion through recording which is so important. You gotta feel something or what’s the point?

I’m also booking some Brissie shows for March so stay tuned for confirmations.. And always playing in Sydney.

Chrissy and the holidays were lovely. Rode bikes, played music, went to the beach, rinsed scabs out of my sinuses and planted flowers. Life’s good my friends. I also fed a goat grass at my cousin’s place, went snorkelling and saw Two Door Cinema Club live.

I am forever grateful that I have a beautiful connection to music, for no matter how bleak things look or how empty I may feel about something in my life, I always find escape and joy through music and I can’t be thankful enough. Cheers for the genes Mr and Mrs McKay.

I have started doing yoga every morning and I really think it is making me more nimble and happy. I do a homemade version, but none the less I feel I’m compensating for the ridiculous workload, emotional load and late night boozing.

I hope you are enjoying 2013 and feeling as positive about what the year will bring as I do.

I listen to this song a couple of times a day at the moment. LOVE the clip, the band, the song.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=kiqIush2nTA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkiqIush2nTA&gl=GB

Larissa x

November 21, 2012

Calm Before The Storm

Had a nice time playing at The Empire for some new young fans – the two Sophia’s and their families. Glad you guys liked my singing and I hope you’re enjoying my cds.

Now I have a few weeks off in prep for my surgery and recovery. The doctors have told me I will be rest bound in between flushing scabs out of my head. Charming. A friend has promised Season 5 of Gossip Girl so hopefully I can smash that, along with 30 Rock and not be too sad faced.

I have written a few songs lately which I think my appear on the EP planned for April 2013. Getting very excited thinking about it.

I’m obsessed with Spotify. Get it if you don’t have it. It is the best tool for discovering, sharing and listening to music. I pay $11.95 a month and have discovered more cool music in the past few months than I have in ages.

Went to a 60th as Amy Winehouse. See pic

Till next time,

Larissa x

November 5, 2012November 21, 2012

Spring Has Sprung

I’d not been to FBi Social before Jordan Millar asked me to support him for his single launch. It’s now my favourite Sydney venue. Thanks to those who came out last night, bought CDs and listened to us play. It was a pleasure to play my music for you.

So I go under the knife in a few weeks and they are cleaning out and reforming the sinus tunnels in my forehead, cheeks and at my request, any other orifice in my head that may be constructed causing my headaches.

So The Boatshed gig with the band next week will be my last show for a little while so please come join us!

Wed. Nov 7 – 8:30pm – free
Old Manly Boashed
The Corso, Manly, Sydney

The Four Pines and The Empire gigs will hopefully be moved to Dec/Jan so stay tuned. Apologies for anyone who was planning to come.

I saw Aussie band, The Rubens and Aussie songstress, Lisa Mitchell last week and have to mention how impressed I was with the latter. I saw Lisa Mitchell play years ago and she has come forward in leaps and bounds. She was confident, engaging and cute.

I also have to note that The Rubens need a style overhaul. The private school boy look just didn’t do it for me, but they sounded great – as does their new record.

Hopefully see you Wednesday!

Larissa x