Latest News from Siobhan - New CD is here!

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This Newsletter is a bit later than usual because we've been working flat out on getting Siobhan's new album finished and ready for Christmas Sales!

At last, Siobhan's new album "Lilium" is here! We've had a few obstacles and mishaps along the way (including a few broken CD cases sustained during the journey from the factory in Sydney to Adelaide), but are happy with the finished product! Recording engineer, editor and producer Jean-Xerri has done a marvellous job with the sound on the album. He was aiming to "preserve the purity of Siobhan's voice" without using any hard limiting or compression effects or special effects. He managed to do this with the help of industry experts Neville Clark and Quentin Eyers.

The name "Lilium" (Latin for Lily) was decided on for a few reasons. Siobhan's favourite flower is the lily. Also, one of her favourite tracks on the album is called "Lilium". The Lily symbolises Purity, Beauty and Serenity, so is a fitting title for this album which has been produced to showcase the purity and beauty of Siobhan's voice and the serenity of her delicate harp playing.

"Lilium" is dedicated to Siobhan's Taid (grandfather in Welsh), Ken Owen, who passed away in July this year.

If you wish to purchase a copy of "Lilium" you can order online from www.siobhanowen.com. Copies can also be bought at Siobhan's performances or (for Adelaidians) by phoning 0414 295 604. Digital downloads of "Lilium" are available from CD Baby - soon also from iTunes and Amazon.

Of course, Lilium would not have been possible if it wasn't for the amazing generosity of everyone who donated to Siobhan's IndieGoGo funding project! The official figure raised was $6,000, although the true figure was actually closer to $5,500. A couple of people donated twice by error, so we returned their second donations. The money raised paid for recording, editing, mastering and manufacturing the album; photo shoot; artwork; piano accompaniment; hire of Hartley Hall and piano. We are hoping there will also be enough left to help promote the album in the New Year.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped with this project. It has been a very humbling experience.

We were very fortunate to come find a talented young photographer called Tenille Muscat who runs her own business Flare Photography. Tenille's photos were so creative, sharp and crisp. Most were taken in her studio, but she took Siobhan with her busking harp for a short stroll to the local railway line to take a few shots. These were amazing shots. The other fantastic thing about these shots was, although neither Tenille or Siobhan knew this, Siobhan's Taid worked on the railway in Wales for many years. How fitting!

There were so many great shots, it was quite difficult to choose just a few to be included on the album. However, we now have many photos to use for promotions, posters, flyers - and of course we'll have to redo her website now!

Of course, the photos and text needed to be placed in the album booklet in a much more artistic way than I could ever do! So we once again employed the talents of Graphic Designer Lawrence James (who also helped out on Siobhan's "Celestial Echoes" album). Lawrence did a fantastic job with the design of the CD booklet, tray inset and CD face - especially given the short amount of time he had to complete it in! He will also design posters, flyers, business cards etc and give advice on the website design. I'm a web developer so can put the design online myself!
(Album photos courtesy of Tenille Muscat - Flare Photography)

As mentioned in the previous newsletter, Siobhan has been nominated for two Irish Music Awards: "Best New Irish Artist" and "Top Harpist". Voting has now started for the general public. You have to register to vote, and can only vote once per category. Siobhan is leading in both categories at the moment, but it's very close race for the "Best New Irish Artist" (which is the one Siobhan would feel more comfortable winning!). Please vote for Siobhan, if you haven't already done so. Also, pass the word on to your friends, family etc. You can register and vote for Siobhan here. Thank you in advance for your support!

Adelaide's "Carols by Candlelight" in stunning Elder Park is an annual event which attracts crowds of over 30,000. About 12 months ago Siobhan was approached by the Musical Director of this event, Bruce Raymond, asking if she was willing to perform at the 2011 Carols. Bruce told Siobhan he had been following her career and had wanted her to perform there since he first heard her sing a few years ago, but until last year wasn't able to choose who to book. He considers Siobhan to be one of the most beautiful singers around and is so happy to be able to include her in this year's program! We have had to keep this under wraps until it was officially announced a couple of weeks ago on the website. Siobhan will be singing and playing harp for two Carols. "What Child is This" will be her solo, and "Away in a Manger" is the one she will lead the crowd in for their community singing. This should be a magical night and we hope to get a good video recording of Siobhan's performance!

Only a few more weeks and we'll be flying off to Brisbane, Queensland, on our way to Woodford Folk Festival - the biggest festival in the Southern Hemisphere! This annual 6 day festival runs between 27 December and 1 January. Siobhan was surprised to discover her application for the festival was successful - it's a very hard festival to get into - but was thoroughly taken aback to find out she'd been chosen as one of the acts for the Opening Ceremony! Apparently, although it's summer, it's the rainy season up there at that time of year, so we need to pack our raincoats and wellington boots!

Siobhan's performances at Woodford Folk Festival:
Mon 27 Dec, 8pm: Opening Ceremony
Tue 28 Dec, 12.30pm: "Celtic Crossroads" at Folklorica venue
Thu 30 Dec, 11.00am: "Bella Voce" concert at Concert venue
Fri 31 Dec, 12.00pm: "Women Singing the World" concert at Folklorica venue
Sat 1 Jan, 10.15am: "Harp in the Morning" concert at Folklorica venue
Sat 1 Jan, 2.15pm: "Siobhan Owen" concert at Chai venue

A couple of weeks after our return from Queensland we'll be heading off to Tasmania for the Cygnet Folk Festival. We really enjoyed our visit to Cygnet in January this year, so were thrilled that Siobhan was invited back again for 2011! We are looking forward to returning to the beautiful island of Tasmania!

Siobhan's performances at Cygnet Folk Festival:
Fri 14 Jan, 8pm: "Close Up Focus" at St Marks
Sat 15 Jan, 7pm: "Trad Folk" at Drill Hall
Sun 16 Jan, 3pm: "Sunday Serenade" at Supper Room

We had an enquiry about the possibility of Siobhan playing for a wedding at the end of January. The bride and groom were primarily looking for a harpist, but couldn't believe their luck to find a harpist who could also sing and was also an experienced Cantor, so could also lead the Responsorial Psalm. (Siobhan was a regular Cantor in her 3 years in the St Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir). The bride and groom are delighted and very impressed with Siobhan and the booking has been confirmed for January 22nd.

Ade

laide soprano/harpist Emma Horwood (Siobhan's ex harp teacher) has released a beautiful new album "Angel Song - A Christmas Blessing". This CD includes stunning arrangements of traditional carols, cradle songs and lullabies for Jesus. Siobhan received her copy from Emma a few days ago and it is a truly beautiful album with wonderful songs for the Christmas Season. Details of where to buy "Angel Song" are on Emma's website: www.emmahorwood.com.au.

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Siobhan's albums "Purely Celtic" and "Celestial Echoes" can be ordered from her website. "Celestial Echoes" is also available to download at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby.