APRIL 29. 2010

...Differenter...
Hello reader!

I'm sitting in our tour van, the one we've been in for ages now and thought I'd write you a little blog. Not much of a blog writer these days, can't particularly explain why, I just pulled back on it is all. I don't do much with the internet these days bar check a few emails. Ah well.

The tour is so far in my opinion, the best one yet. We're playing to wonderful responsive crowds that were often much much bigger than we expected. The cities across europe are blindingly picturesque. I feel so lucky to travel and have a few hours to spend my day experiencing vast culture and beautiful architecture. Imagine that parred with seriously uplifting gigs. I'm very happy right now.

I miss home (of course I would!) i miss my piano (i just bought one- deliverey and tuning, and all to the tune of £100 from a lovely fellar called Desmond, who i cooked a vegetable curry for while he played me Rachmaninoff, Bach and sang his own songs for me as he tuned. It was a lovely event. I had my 3 friends and new flatmates help me bring it up to the third floor (...I'm a lucky girl to have such men and women in my life!) I miss my london kisses and my bed. But that's just me reminiscing, I feel well fed on this tour, I'm content and nourished by each gig, each conversation, everything.

I bought a German magazine called Guitar and Bass because it was a four page interview I had about gear and my guitar style. I don't get those kind of musician type interviews about my actual guitar playing, so a proud part of me was delighted to see myself being noted as a 'guitarist'. Also, It was a nice interview as I remember so I was interested to read it.
But alas, it drove me to contemplate why I always think I'm trying to sell my talent? Why do I feel these days that I am really trying to sell myself? I've spent a long time proclaiming myself, that I'm a serious guitarist "as good as anyone else" ("any man"- I remember once saying to my distaste to find I would ever allow for such bigotry). Feels like forever that I'm screaming that I'm likeable, that I'm this down to earth woman without the need to be aloof because of what I'm capable of....but to be honest, I've lost the need to justify myself. I know who I am and I don't care for shouting it any more.
I've always been pushing my personal capacities to the limit. I know what I'm able for and and I know I have miles to go and many more I want to travel. I've lost the need to play myself down,or- depending on who was annoying me- play myself up. Or on a handful of occasions, play them off the fucking stage...

...and in this newness of me, I'm loving deeper but I also feel myself becoming more curt. I'm quick off the draw to put someone in their place, to question, to be blunt about my opinions or knock some people off their high horse when I feel they are out of line. I mostly shock myself with this somewhat coldness. Feels like my naivety from my early twenties is turning into late twenties inertia. Like i've never felt so awake or in motion, and finding myself getting stuck in my ways. Think I've moved into another phase of my mortality. I'm gettin' differenter! Ain't no bad thing, interesting is all.

Thankfuly I haven't forgotten to write every once in a while and explain why I don't like writing about myself (!).

these are little confessions. the real confessions are the ones I'll never come to tell....nah, I probably would anyway.

wallis

March 31, 2010

LaLaLand single out in Ireland

..LaLaLand is now out as a single in Ireland! Get it on iTunes here:
http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/lala-land/id352803510

You might have heard Wallis on the Tony Fenton show on Today FM last week, where she and the band played a live acoustic version of LaLaLand, plus a cover of Tina Turner's Nutbush City Limits. In case you missed it, you can view it here:

http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Tony-Fenton/Interviews-and-Sessions.aspx

Ciao for now!
the bird team

March 12, 2010

Album in Germany and Benelux Today!
Helloooooo to you all!

I write to you on a train from Frankfurt to Berlin, the setting sun on my right hand side, Liz to my left, Shawn Colvin "A Few Small Repairs" in my ears, a full Belly of Butterflies cos I get to see my bandmates after weeks and weeks and today is the day that New Boots is RELEASED IN GERMANY, LUXEMBOURG, BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS!! Whoop whoop whoop!!!

YEAAAA- TOUR STARTS TOMORROW!!!!

Happy Days all round. All I can say to all of you is.......... finally!

I think now is a good time to show my true appreciation to you all who feel that the wait for the album was aggravating, or long winded. I know it was, sure isn't it my album and don't you know that I would want everyone to have it at the same time? There's been countless times I waited for an albums release in my territory months after it's release in another country, but my thinking is to release it in each country so that I can call that country my own. I want to take time on the separate countries and release it right- not just release it all together and fly in to play, fly out, fuck off and not give it the time it deserves. but to do that takes time and energy and planning and myself and my crew and my label, we're only human and there's only 24 hours in the day!

So for the wait I've added 4 bonus tracks onto the album that the other release doesn't have, and you're getting around 30 dates and more to be added... I cannot, I repeat, cannot wait!

... so, thank you for waiting. thank you for generally being there this whole time, or if you've just joined us, then welcome to the coolest family of fans and friends you're never going to forget!

I'll be writing albums and songs my whole life, so I'm not going anywhere if you're not.

Many millions of all good things to you
wallis x

March 5, 2010

Album out in Switzerland and Austria today!
....

Here me be, sitting on Liz’s bed writing to all you good looking people, cup of coffee beside me, happy as Larry!

....

So maybe you do know or maybe you don’t know, but (Drum Roll!) Austria and Switzerland see the release of NEW BOOTS TODAY!!!!! Annnnnnnd Germany, and Benelux see the release of New Boots NEXT WEEK!!!! God I can’t believe it’s finally come around! There’s some nice differences between the Irish/English CD and the European release. You guys had to wait longer so there’s a little present on it for you:

4 Bonus Tracks:

Lalaland Acoustic Version

An Idea about Mary Piano Acoustic Version

Measuring Cities Live Version

To My bones Live Version

....

Tell you what though, I’m really looking forward to gigging with you guys soon, I’m sorting out my equipment today to see what needs to be brought, new guitars, new amps, new bits and bobs, new inspiration, new happiness and a whoooole lot of new countries to freak out in….. We’re all fairly excited about it! Berlin kicks us off on Saturday 13th……..WHOOP WHOOP!!

....

Enjoy the album, we can’t wait to see you (… and warm your voices up cos we’re going to sing our little hearts out!)

....

With many loves,

Wallis x

February 17, 2010

Be Part of A Wallis Video!!
As you all know, we love making silly videos to make you laugh. But now we want to turn the tables and ask you guys to join together in helping us create a video for the song ‘An Idea About Mary’

Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to create a full-length masterpiece on 35mm film! We just want you to submit short clips of footage – perhaps even just a few seconds to accompany your favourite line of the song, or a section of the chorus, or the intro for example. You can hear the whole song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-jMp5LTKEY

You can be as creative as you like – maybe you want to have a few seconds of stop-motion animation using a plasticine model of Wallis; or perhaps you and your friends want to do a dance routine to the chorus; maybe you want to do something abstract like film the sky. It’s really up to you, although of course it goes without saying that we can’t use anything dodgy. And by dodgy, we’re talking soft-porn, violent images and general grossness. You get the picture J

OKAY, NOW THE TECHNICAL PART

We can accept clips shot in the following formats: iphone, .mov, .avi. We will also accept JPEGs if you would rather send some still images or a painting. Please don’t send us imovie files or final cut files. If you have a question about formats, you can email us at the address given below and we will try to answer your query. The clip can be with or without sound, BUT please bear in mind that we will be replacing your soundtrack with the original song, so if you’re karaoke-ing your heart out to the song, or talking over it, it’s unlikely that we will use the sound – sorry!

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CLIPS

We’re accepting submissions until Friday March 5th. You can send them to : wallis.video@googlemail.com or you can use www.sendspace.com to easily upload your submission and forward it to the googlemail address (this is often easier, especially if your file is quite large)

Don’t forget to make sure to tell us the name you want to be credited by (for example, if you would like a pseudonym to be used rather than your real name – nothing dirty please! - or if you just want your first name only used etc)

THE BORING SMALL PRINT

We can’t guarantee that every clip will get used, but we will do our very best to try to get as many as possible in. In submitting a clip, you automatically authorize us to use the clip, or any portion of it, in whichever way we feel is appropriate, and you acknowledge that you understand you will not receive any money for the use of it. We reserve the right to not include any clips or material we deem inappropriate or unsuitable for whatever reason. You agree that any clip sent by you is owned by you, that you have the right to submit it for the purposes described here, and that it does not infringe on the copyright of any person or entity whatsoever.

THE LYRICS

V1: A sailor, a sailor did drown my heart

because of your thunderous wave goodbye

and I never saw you sleeping

in your matching shoes

So a part of me still thinks you're alive

and if my mam is feeling better

we'll take some sandwiches for the road

and we'll drive into the lights on the way home

and my dad talks about the weather

says 'the arse is falling out of the sky'

the day that mary died

CHORUS: Oh lover! I've got plenty so why do I feel

like I've got nothing

oh lover! i'm so empty - who am I now?

tell me who i'm going to be

or just give me back me

V2: My saviour is braver than I can be

taking all the weapons out of my mind

and I sing for my supper but I sing for me

so a part of me is aching to survive

(Someone put a shape on me)

CHORUS: Oh lover! i've got plenty...

why do i feel like I need something else

then give me something else

Or give me back me.

Happy movie-making!

Wallis and the whole team

January 26, 2010

Long Time No Hear!

How have things been going? I've been having long holidays and family visits and plenty of good times over the last few weeks....the new year. God how time flies, It's almost the end of January. I have another little time off to relax and prepare myself for all that the next couple of months have to offer. I cannot wait for the tour to kick off and spend time with my lovely bandmates and Bird Crew. I've missed them terribly.

So there's a few fresh countries and cities on the tour line up, which is wonderful news, it's always good to try something different and spread myself out a bit. Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria here I come!

What have I been up to? Well, I went to watch Anaïs Mitchell and Erin McKeown fuckin' blow my mind in the Luminaire last saturday. I was so deeply inspired by their set and felt that I had witnessed a resounding moment in musical history, one of those gigs where you say "I was there!". And gleefuly, myself and LIz got to have a drink with Anaïs before the show and gush over how incredible her new album "Hadestown" is... (I got an advance copy cos Liz publishes her- whoop!!) so I was a delighted little kitten and still am.

other news:
I'm nominated for Irish Female Of The Year in the Meteor Music Awards, absolutely fucking delighted about that I can tell ya...I don't want to think about it too much ('cos those kinda things can often drag too much emphasis onto winners and losers and competition and all that shite) but to be honest, It would be sooooo nice to get it! (Don't be greedy wallis!)

Lately I've been writing loads of poetry to music under the name "Duirt Bird". It's got a double meaning: Duirt is the Irish word for Speak and I am a complete dirt bird in everyday life, so it suits me! I'm working away on that just to please myself, so I'll have to see if anything comes to fruition. Ah sure, it keeps me off the streets anyway!

Nursin a hangover today, sick kitten, rotten jellybelly! Aoife is partly to blame, we were jammin' last night and drank too many hot whiskeys...which were initially to cure an impending cold!

I've been jamming with loads of heads, Fiach, John Byrne, sound heads and enjoying myself an awful lot lately, so life has generally been good. It wasn't there for a while but it seems I've stepped back into my own skin again...whoop!

Other, other news!
I'm sure I have loads, but it's just a little long hello! I'm ordering a sexxxxy mamma Heritage Cherry Gibson SG electric guitar and Engl amp tomorrow....so excited I need a towel!

Also, Michael, Aidan, Aoife, Christian......I can't wait to see ye and play again!

smell ya later crocidators!
wallis x

January 13, 2010

Hey!!!

Great news, (I sent a mail as soon as I found out, but it never posted- boo!)

I've been nominated for an Irish Meteor Music Award in the Best Female category!!!!

I'm so excited and delighted I can barely type!

I'm working on more information but for the moment, here's a link you can click on to vote for me..........go ooooon, vote like a good thing!!!!!!

http://meteormusicawards.meteor.ie/voting/best-irish-female-wallis-bird/

To text vote...
text: VOTEFEMALE1
to the number: 085 7114444
**please remember the '1' after votefemale, and Only one vote per nominee from a given mobile or URL
will be counted on a daily basis....

January 11, 2010

Hey!!!

Great news, (I sent a mail as soon as I found out, but it never posted- boo!)

I've been nominated for an Irish Meteor Music Award in the Best Female category!!!!

I'm so excited and delighted I can barely type!

I'm working on more information but for the moment, here's a link you can click on to vote for me..........go ooooon, vote like a good thing!!!!!!

http://meteormusicawards.meteor.ie/voting/best-irish-female-wallis-bird/

To text vote...
text: VOTEFEMALE1
to the number: 085 7114444
**please remember the '1' after votefemale, and Only one vote per nominee from a given mobile or URL
will be counted on a daily basis....

Thanks a million ladies and gentlemen, fingers, toes, eyes and everything else crossed!
x x xx wallis x x x x

December 15, 2009

Halloooo!!

I'm sitting listening to Christmas song after christmas song, it's the first time I've realised that it's near that time again as I've just been touring with Rod Y Gab for the last 2 months straight......I only have two more shows to do in Athens and then unfortunately, and I stress unfortunately, I will be finishing up my tour with them- it's been so beautiful. Thank you everyone!

Whoop Whoop all round though- I've booked my own tour around EUROPE!!! I'll be playing in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for 2010!!!! Plus a date in Ireland too!!

Exclamations everywhere!!! 11!! 111!!!!1!1! (got a little excited there!)

smell ya soon,
Wallafull Butterfly x

Get your tickets: http://www.ticketonline.com/de/de/site/111000599/production/94154-Wallis+Bird/

13.03.10 Lido, Berlin, GER
14.03.10 Scheune, Dresden, GER - Early show at 5 pm!
16.03.10 59 to 1, Munich, GER
17.03.10 Die Röhre, Stuttgart, GER
18.03.10 Schlachthof, Wiesbaden, GER
19.03.10 Gebäude 9, Cologne/Köln, GER
21.03.10 Übel & Gefährlich, Hamburg, GER
24.03.10 Academy, Dublin, IRE

12.04.10 Gleis 22, Münster, GER
13.04.10 Jubez, Karlsruhe, GER
14.04.10 Jazzhaus, Freiburg, GER
15.04.10 Switzerland - TBA
17.04.10 Switzerland - TBA
19.04.10 Museumskeller, Erfurt, GER
20.04.10 Moritzbastei, Leipzig, GER
21.04.10 Posthalle, Würzburg, GER
23.04.10 Flex, Vienna, AUT
26.04.10 PPC, Graz, AUT
27.04.10 Rockhouse, Salzburg, AUT
28.04.10 E-Werk, Erlangen, GER
29.04.10 Halle 02, Heidelberg, GER
01.05.10 Hundertmeister, Duisburg, GER

Samstag, November 28, 2009

Ah....touring....
Ah….. touring!

....

It’s so far been a very fulfilling and inspiring,

drink and food over-consuming,

belly laughing,

back breaking,

miles walking,

joy loving,

light strop throwing,

absolutely NO strop throwing,

savage people meeting,

proper loony people meeting,

more eating,

good crazy playing,

sound-checking,

people screaming,

flyer giving,

CD selling,

smile having,

smile receiving,

major pooping,

minor pissing off-ing,

family meeting,

friend stoning,

window blind breaking,

almost out of window falling,

mental stage managering,

Rotterdamaging,

car renting,

good sleeping,

roadside station living,

phonecalling,

joy missing,

parents joking,

sight seeing,

more sight seeing,

CD player blasting,

train traveling,

more drinking,

hotel room staying in,

peep show visiting,

more walking,

bag carrying,

“Where are we?” saying,

“Brilliant” saying

listening,

loving,

hating,

not listening,

shagging,

kissing,

more laughing,

more and more laughing,

video making,

………….. just fucking, FUCKING good fun!

....

And we’re not even bloody finished yet!

Freitag, November 20, 2009

onward bound

Hello, Bonjour, Hallo, Ola, and other such hellos’ in different languages!

....

I’m having an enormous can of Carlsberg on the train with Liz! I was just playing guitar in between carriages working on a new riff when I met a lovely fellow called Jamie who comes from Paris who was in Lausanne performing a play. We sat and sang together, improvising and having a great laugh.

....

I’m glad I didn’t bring my kilo of heroin over the border from Switzerland to Paris as there were drug police and sniffer dogs patrolling through the train with their unnecessary guns and bad moods…. We arrived with two guitars so they obviously thought “musicians= drugs” so they kind of picked us out! Ah well, they have a job to do as well so fair play, I just can’t stand the fact that they have guns ‘cos it makes me feel no more protected- If anything- the opposite.

....

Traveling from Switzerland to Paris cost us €23……whoop!!

Now I’m going to purchase another Carlsberg, relax, perhaps play a little more guitar, and set myself up for a lovely and cultural day in Paris!

Yesterday in Lausanne, we stumbled upon the exquisite ‘Le Cite’ cathedral where an orchestra and choir were practicing for their grand show of Brahms and other wonderful composers the following day. What a trip! Sitting, watching such an ensemble practice was truly an aural and visual treat I’ll never forget. And we found it by accident- I love when things like that happen!

....

Another inspiring Rod Y Gab show yesterday- my favourite one yet- I’ve been working on my own guitar skills and have found them come along ten fold. Whoop!

....

....

So, Au revoir mon aime, Mo Chara, My Friends (Forgive the spelling mistakes!)

A verrrrry happy and relaxed wallis x x x

Sonntag, November 15, 2009

France!

* call it a time-warp / time zone difference / or lack of regular internet, but in case you wonder, this blog is a couple of days old now

- they are also being posted up at www.globalcool.org so why not pop over there too where they are probably being posted faster :-)

YEY!!
I write drunkly, not disruptively to you all from a lovely evening in Nantes on the first leg of the european tour with the infinitely and incredibly effortless givings of Rodrigro Y Gabriella! A lovely crowd here tonight, thank you for the kind welcome.

Getting here was kind of hilarious! We arrived in Kings Cross St Pancras' impressive train station and that travel tingle immediately kicked in. It's just myself and Liz, our luggage and 2 guitars to carry for this tour, and it was our first experience with the Eurostar so I made jokes about "when are we going in the hole" and "tunnel of love" and other such childish things, only to realise that by the time I finished my jokes, we were already through to France! Zoom- we were booting it through the countryside in comfort, space and tranquility. Lovely start.

AND we arrived 4 minutes walk away from our hotel- whoop- that never happens on a plane!

Right now I'm on the train back to Paris, passing by lakes and oddly shaped trees and lush countryside with my laptop in front of me and a buffet carriage a few steps away. People are relaxed and pleasant faced, I'd forgotten how nice train travel was.

Anyways, we ordered a taxi last thing tonight to bring us back after the gig, but the taxi arrived at the far far far end of the venue at another entrance which is locked by a 5 foot gate and angry type fencing surrounding the gate, so we had to get a laugh out loud foot boost over the gate from one of the lovely guys working in the venue. I got over relatively easily, but not as nimbly as i would like to have thought I could get over it, and Liz started laughing half way through her jump over the gate and got stuck on top of the gate! I love the imagery of her leaning on some fella's clasped hands, pissing herself laughing while the fella was like "Come on! come on!'

Getting here was a doddle, being here was lovely- Good times!

talk to ya

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

stories from the resting "you look like shit" gurl!

Up and down, up today.

Yep, me have love in me heart, and me happy and surviving, new flatmates in, old flatmates out, new room, new guitar, new stories, new songs, new music, new boots is already old 'cos i've moved on, moving in moving out moving on. And old memories swim and sail through me. I am me sometimes. the stage was becoming tiresome and boring, that is because of me and no one else, so I pour myself differently.

bags under my eyes and less smiley than normal, but that moves away- naturally, but with work.

generally a little tired, but feeling good today and am resting resting resting. Don't much feel like going outside after a show because it was a bit strange for me how everything had become rather "Starry". I am me and am a little scared!!

so I'm writing my shite away, all good, some shit, some bad, some lovely, some soothing....so soothing to sing to myself, and to think that I had forgotten to do that. Never step from what makes your cogs turn and move you. Learning that. Writing without proper punctuation because I am excited to say these things. And why write? well////////// suppose I always did that, now i'm a little differenter! I'm growed.

my language is mostly in my head right now so am spilling it out in pointless ways, with touches of fear, cos you laugh at me, but if I can't be me then i can't be.....so laugh laugh laugh, it's the best medicine

anyways, getting well. working on it

love

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Global Cool Ambassadorship announced

Hi Friends

Wallis has just been announced as an Ambassador for the climate change charity Global Cool. The charity had first met Wallis at T in the Park during the summer, where they interviewed her about using public transport as a means to reduce your carbon footprint. (You've probably seen this from a previous blog Wallis wrote). Ever since then, Wallis and Global Cool have been keeping in touch, and they recently asked her to become an Ambassador for them. Wallis is delighted and honoured to be involved with them in this way. You can see their announcement here, together with an interview with Wallis: Global Cool Announces Wallis as new Ambassador

In a couple of weeks, Wallis is embarking on a European tour with Rodrigo y Gabriela, where she'll be taking the train rather than planes. She'll be blogging for Global Cool as well as on here as usual about the experience of touring by train. Stay tuned for her updates from the road (or rather, tracks).

And keep an eye on www.globalcool.org for further updates and information.

Bye for now,
The Wallis Team

Thursday, October 22, 2009

greetings from the road

Hi there horses.
....
It’s myself from out of the blue, I haven’t written in a good long while, I keep writing blogs on my laptop and forgetting to post them. I’ve been busy like a mad thing these days, and feel I might have run out of steam to find time to write to you, cos when I get a minute to myself I just wanna flake out and do nothing. Ya know what that’s like. The German tour was brilliant, a touch surreal because things seem to have stepped up a notch or two from the usual tour etiquette, so having any kind of smoother ride becomes a cinch and therefore sails right through.
....
Apologies though. Here I am, and I’ll try keeping you updated more.
....
How are things? In my end we’re in the middle of The Irish tour, gigging away, fighting off constant sore throats and slightly tired heads ‘cos of the change in weather. But we’re really enjoying ourselves and having the craic as always- actually, a little bit more than usual these days, it’s the best on tour group we’ve ever had.
....
I have my brother Edgar doing guitar tech so that’s been a lovely piece of home with me. He’s doing a great job and we’ve really enjoyed having him with us! Sarah Horgan is joining us from today onwards doing support, so that’s another good friend with us. Aidan has been the brunt of jokes on one of our most wiped out days of the tour. We had serious giggles and changed the setlist to songs with his name: When we Kissed the World fell in Aidan, Measuring Aidan, Blossoms in the Aidan and so on! Fun Fun fun!
....
It was my brother’s wedding not so long ago. That was beautiful, congratulations John and Johanna, a truly beautiful couple! What else? Wow too much has happened!
....
Now I gotta go, doing radio promo in a few mins, so I have to sign off. Sorry if this is a little bit jumbly…..I am in tour mode after all!
....
Smell ya later crocidators, wal x

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Ireland, Here We Come!!

Hi Irish Fans

Wallis is about to hit a town near you as part of her October Irish tour. It's going to be the first full tour of Ireland that she's done this year, and we are all excited about it and looking forward to some great shows. We hope you're going to be able to join us somewhere along the way, so here's a little reminder of where Wallis is going to be playing.

Thursday 15th - Hugh Lynch's, Tullamore
Friday 16th - The Academy, Dublin
Saturday 17th - Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda
Sunday 18th - Cyprus Avenue, Cork
Wednesday 21st - Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Friday 23rd - Auntie Annie's, Belfast
Saturday 24th - Dolans Warehouse, Limerick
Sunday 25th - Sligo Live Festival, Sligo

Hope to see you there!
The WB team

Monday, September 07, 2009

New Boots' England Release, News and Gigs Galore- WHOOP!!

Whoop! Album's released in England today! A good feeling all round, seeing your record being released in any country is a satisfying feeling. I know you people in England have been brilliant for waiting, and there is a reason for the wait. I can't release in all the same territories at the same time, I'm only one person so I can't throw myself around the world promoting the album properly in loads of different countries so hence the wait... and thank you for that! I hope you enjoy it... NOW GO OUT AND BUY THE BLEEDIN' THING!!!

Of course you can download it, which is brilliant and handy, but then you miss out on the effort myself and Maxxi put into the beautiful artwork (well, I love it anyway!). You'll also miss out on the lovely photo collage and the inlay personal photographs, the lyrics, the illustrations I drew, the personal notes I wrote, the feel of a CD in your hand and the smell of new packaging fresh off the press... you can't hold a download and I believe the artwork to be just as important as the music itself. Whatever way you buy it or receive it, I hope you give it time to grow in you. It's kisses for you! x

The single To My Bones is also released, so if you're a collecter, then you can get your hands on that and laugh about the brilliant picture of myself and the crew dressed gorgeously(!) in 1930's total messer style! We had a lot of fun on that shoot! Happy Days!

London gig!! You know that the venue's changed right? I would hate to think that anyone turns up to Borderline and we're all up in the Underbelly in Hoxton. I know that I'm always generally excited about gigs, but London gigs are always a riot, so see you there for the usual good vibes, singalong and after the gig I'll be selling the CD at the stand. See ya there? Don't miss it x

I'm playing my arse off over the next few months, so this might be your chance to catch a gig with the full HAPPY HAPPY lineup: Myself, Christian, Michael, Aidan aaaaaaaand drum roll please, Aoife is back with us for permanent! I know a lot of you missed her so you'll be happy to know she's with us again. WHOOP!!! It's my favourite lineup yet, my best friends on stage, so a lot of messing and love and harmonies galore is what's in store for you. So if you miss these gigs, you miss out....until the next one! But do try make a gig if ya can, we've been havng the time of our loves and everything is really fresh so we're constantly excited! WHOOP!

Whoops all round these days!

So, that's all from me,
Happy albuming. It was made with love and I hope you feel that too.
wallis x

Monday, September 07, 2009

NEW BOOTS OUT NOW IN THE UK!
today is a big day...because.... :-)

Friday, September 04, 2009

New Bootique Shows!
Hi Peeps!
Hows your lives treatin ya? I'm just sending out a little mail to say that I'm doing a few in-store gimmicky gigs this monday to promote 'New Boots' in, you'll never guess it, shoe shops!
It's called 'NEW BOUTIQUE TOUR!'
It should be plenty of fun to play in front of the shoe shoppers, I'm already working on the shoe/footwear jokes and puns- well, I don't want to get off on the wrong foot now do I?! As far as boot links go, I admit it’s tenuous. But putting puns aside, I love the idea of doing something unusual and connecting with a whole group of people who might not normally come to live shows. SO... come along and singalong with me in these shops at these times
1:30pm @ Laura J London, 114 Islington High Street, London, N1
and
5:00pm @ Poste Mistress, 61-63 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H
They're both free so if you're not up to anything, pop along.

Smell ya later gators x

Sunday, August 30, 2009

GLOBAL COOL!

Global Cool

What do you know about the environment? Well you might not know statistics or hard facts concerning precipitation or ecosystems, but what everyone does know is that the environment surrounds us, feeds us, helps us breathe or not breathe, is the source of all our materials that we use to make anything, can scare us to death with an erupting volcano or something as simple as make us happy as a pig in shit on a sunny day. Obvious. I know, but our world is all connected to itself and to us. We have to realise that connection more and more today.

Just look around you. Have you ever seen a town when the heroic Street Cleaners and Binmen go on strike? Disgusting. To think that we accumulate so much waste with plentiful, little or no interest as to where it goes makes my skin crawl. Have you ever been to a landfill site? What happens when you throw your rubbish in the bin... "that dirt get's taken out of my life so I don't have to worry about it". Well it has to go somewhere. Some people across the globe live off our waste in the western world.That's a sight.

Have you ever been in a garage when a car was engine was running? You wouldn't last long in there, so how does the ozone layer feel when millions of cars unnecessarily drive to and fro to somewhere within walking distance. Have you ever put a penny into a glass of coca cola overnight? It'll be as shiny as new. how does your underdeveloped childs inner body feel when you give them a glass, or feed them absolutely nutritionless fast food/ cheap meals?

Type something as simple as "litter" into google images and be prepared. We are a filthy race, we consume and we disregard. Sometimes because we just want to ignore our waste, and for some just because we have no other option. Me, you, everybody can make tiny, tiny, tiny differences to the world, and imagine if every single person made one tiny little difference in one day....how much of an enormous difference it would make to everyone that day; because whether you believe it or not, whatever you do to and for the environment (be it throwing litter on the ground or picking it up off the ground) somewhere along the line it will have a catalytic effect on even just one other person's life.

Everybody knows about the tiny domestic changes we should make. Things like: turning the lights off, not leaving the tap running (massive pet hate of mine!), filling up the washing machine and using it on a short wash or low temprature, using essential appliances communally, meticulously recycling, quick showers, reusing plastic bags, not driving to the shops down the road, generally using public transport or car sharing. The key is to look upon what you're doing and revise it, thinking "less energy waste" all the time..... these are tiny things, but they make a difference. A massive difference.

I believe heavily in nature, that if you are good to her, she will be good to you. I believe in how every action has a consequence and how I live and my consumerism and energy expenditure is all connected to the grand scheme of our environment, so I have to also admit my failings. My carbon footprint is sick, I completely understand that, and I am ashamed of it. But I'm in the process of trying to change my work transport mode of choice from flying, to anything else. But I have always tried to offset my carbon footprint in other ways, such as reusing everything I possibly can, taking public transport as often as possible, consuming as little as possible and getting involved physically in litter picking, or community cleaning projects as often as I can. I'm naming and shaming myself first, cos I'm not preaching. I'm in the process of trying to change my ways. I will always be.

Anyway's, I have a lot of links that I want to send onto you, but here's where I'd like to start:

www.globalcool.org

Global cool is an environmental organisation that I'm getting involved in that is simply trying to ease the younger generation into a better understanding of environmental issues. Many would agree that one of the hardest trials of mankind is to change an opinion, or change your ways. But to change the world, you can't start by bombarding people with information, because people just switch off... so you may have noticed a sort of 'gently, gently' approach to finally raising the heinous environmental issues facing us today. And knowing that I'm sounding cliched, kids are the future, so we need to teach them most.

Some of Global Cool's incentives is from recycling old mobile phones to trying to make the ordinary Joe reduce their carbon footprint by just one ton. They are aiming from the littliest achievements a human can do, to having a huge impact on the political world as their voice strengthens. Go online and see how you can do that. This may be a little juvenile for some of you hardcore environmentalists out there (and I understand that the name dropping would be enough to put a lot of people off, including myself), but I believe you have to start somewhere and as long as anyone, and I don't care if you are the the most famous person in the world or not, is doing something beneficial for the world. Let's try do something today, too.

For instance, I'm going to write to the Irish board of transport, again, and ask them why the fuck it's cheaper to fly a plane from Cork to Dublin than it is to take the train or the bus. Little things like that are what's confusing us into making more unnessary emmission of carbon. So, it might seem like a little complaint, but it is a voice at least. And EVERY single voice matters.

Start small, it builds and builds.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

LONDON VENUE CHANGE!
Hi All - please note we've had a venue change for the upcoming London show on September 8th. It's now no longer at the Borderline, but instead will be at UNDERBELLY which is a cool new venue in Hoxton Square in the swinging east end of London. Sorry for any inconvenience but hope you'll like the new venue just as much!
Thanks,
the Wallis team

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Happy Days and new Rod Y Gab shows!
Oh What A Wonderful Morning........Oh What A ..Wonderful Daaaaayyyy!

God, It's been a lovely few days, the weather has been great, gigs have been great, been playing here and there, and going out to mic nights, meeting absolute nut jobs and stars and having loads of fun in the sun, a few trips to the beach to play and to skinnydip under the stars.....

Wowee. I'm so happy I'm annoying people!

Ya know when everything is going well, that you forget where you've been, who you've seen and what month it is...well, I'm there now, just enjoying life and giving myself smiling pains!

I'm sitting working from home (sounds good!) still in my curtains pulled, sheets a-strewn bedroom environment, middle of the day... sounds a bit weird, but I'm comfy and will go for a lovely walk soon.

God, look at me ranting!

Whoop! I'm supporting Rodrigo Y Gabriela on their English tour in October! Delirah! I'll be in London, Brimingham, Glasgow, Manchester, and Bristol.
they're playing beautiful venues, so I'm very excited by it all! Ever since I supported them on the Irish dates, I've been testing out different ways of playing, and will hope to get a few lessons from them on the road....so, mashed up wallis/ flamenco/ trad- Here I come! Here's a link to the dates:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=55558842 might see you there!

So, I'm off to do some more work, smell yiz laters, mind yourselves
x

Monday, August 03, 2009

NEW VIDEO, CHARTS & SWINE FLU
GOOD MORNING

Whoop! On the road again! I’ve made the official video for ‘To My Bones’ with a wonderful man; Philipp Kaessbohrer I tell ya what, I wrote to him explaining what the song was about, where it was written, the stories behind the lyrics and people and emotions that it involved, and I only gave a few little ideas… and look at what he invented! He ran away with it, and made it a very special piece.

There was an awful lot of time, artistry and immense love molded into this. It’s old school stop animation that can take hours to produce 30 seconds of film… so try imagine if you will, the incredible amount of hours and labour that went into the making of it. Watch it a few times and notice something new every time. Layer after layer after layer.

Serious Respect and thanks to all the crew. What a beautiful present you gave us all…. Thank you, we love it!

In other news, myself and Liz have been fighting off swine flu for the last week and are waiting on an impending bastard of a cold when we get a few days off. We’re too busy to be sick. Know that feeling?

Whelans gig was Fantastic (as Always!) and Cyprus Avenue gig was fucking fucking fucking WILD!! (as Always!)

I’ve been having really beautiful days lately, and now that August is upon us (my god!), I’ve been reflecting over the last month, and it’s been incredible, lots of personal Joy!!

ENTERED THE IRISH CHARTS AT 14!!!!

Holy jaysus…seriously ecstatic about that! Will say very little as I’m just enjoying it and not gonna fix too much attention to it (I’m just delighted though, thank you for the support!

Supported Rodrigo Y Gabriella in Limerick and Cork and in will do so in Koko Clob, London in a few days…. Uh-mazing! Kind of speechless and lerned about the whole thing. If you’ve never seen them live, I implore you to.

Now I’m going to bed, swine flu requires sleep and sexy dreams

ZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzzz!!

With Love and poops, Wallerina

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

JOIN WALLIS ON TWITTER
Dear web 2.0 friends!

The word on the street is, that twitter is the new mikroblogging thing, where you can read frequent updates from Wallis. A definite must have! So please follow her on

http://www.twitter.com/wallisbird

Thank you very much!

cheers
Wallis & Team

Friday, June 26, 2009

'To My Bones' out now! Upcoming shows Eire, UK
Oh It's all happening!

'To My Bones' Is released in Ireland today!!! (I exclimate like a mad thing!) It's a good day, the beginning of 'New Boots' living itself for you all. That means on one month from now you can buy it in shops and internet and other places that haven't been invented yet... someday.

'To My Bones' is for everyone, for a group of people, one person. I wrote it to tie people together (inside themselves and to others, and the things they love!). I want it to uplift you, so I hope it does. Tell me what you depict from it, tell me how it makes you feel. If you see colours, tell me what they are. If it gives you a smell, describe it. If you hear hidden instruments, what are they? You can also tell me it's shit... that's half the fun!

Most importantly, get used to singing the lyrics, 'cos it's all happening now... the gigs are coming in:

IRELAND:
Oxegen Festival 12th July
ALBUM RELEASE--- "YOU'LL HOLD IT IN YOUR HANDS" GIGS
Whelans, Dublin 24th July
Cyprus Avenue, Cork 25th July
(Yey!)

ENGLAND:
Hard Rock Calling, London 27 June
Borderline, London 7th July
Korova, Liverpool 8th July
Dry Bar, Manchester 9th July
T In The Park, Scotland 11th July
(Yey!)

Be there or be a triangle. It feels like a bloody age since I last did a gig in Ireland, they're always seriously memorable and I haven't played up round England in ages, so I cannot, cannot wait! Come along and we'll, as always, get naked!

A thousand sunbeams of lovely white light to y'all
wallis x

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Manchester, Liverpool, London, T in the Park and Oxegen!
We've just confirmed dates in Manchester and Liverpool for July, as part of a run of dates that also includes London (the Borderline), T in the Park and Oxegen (see the live area for venue details). We're looking forward to coming back to Manchester and Liverpool, as it's been a while since the last shows up there - and all these dates will be with the full band.