valentines day picks from Houzz

Here are some great VD idea's from Houzz. 

tulle is kulle

I have to admit i love sparkles, i love glitter and i love tulle.  We have some tulle skirts that we wear for our events (see Ariana below) and I've found it is best to put a corset on top that covers the waist so that it doesn't look too bunchy. 

I think it's a really fun & economical way for the bride to change dresses for dancing and you can find all kinds of tutu's on http://www.etsy.com/.  

It's also a gorgeous way to dress flowergirls and junior bridesmaids.  They come in peices and who wouldn't wear this over and over?  I also love the wings for a whimsical garden wedding and even little sparkly venetian eye masks

martin luther king, jr

It's already been a busy start to the new year, but it is always meaningful to put on the breaks and reflect on the profound words of MLK as we celebrate his life today. 

My favorite speech of his still remains "a knock at midnight".   I have a cherished out of print copy of the book "A Knock at Midnight" that I keep nearby in my library when I need a little extra grounding, but please take a moment to revisit his timeless words with this link below.

We heart you MLK.

http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/kingpapers/article/a_knock_at_midnight/

Turntable Tuesday

~ Ted Ganung

For this edition of Turntable Tuesday I bring you a video clip of my most recent House Record "You Send Me," an uplifting blend of deep and tribal house. The release is set for early 2012 forthcoming off "Open Bar Music," one of the stables to the New York City Deep House Scene. The EP will also feature a vocal mix with Afro-Cuban Singer "Tesa" and a Re-Mix from The Open Bar crew. The video was recorded a few weeks back when I played the Wobble Party at Cielo. Wobble Music is one of New York City's top electronic music events with an uncompromising focus on Musicality.

Chelsea Boys

My friend Jonathan Spottiswoode and his band "Spottiswoode & His Enemies" have a gorgeous holiday CD & video CHELSEA BOYS.  It features the yummy Tony Lauria on accordion (also a member of my band ILA'S DRESS as well as a guest on our debut release KYRIE) 

To purchase "Chelsea Boys": http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/chelsea-boys/id274861760?i=274861880

Video & illustrations by Maria Eugenia, http://www.mariaeugenia.com/


Anytime you can check them out on tour or locally, you will not be disappointed. 

Enjoy. 

Turntable Tuesday

~ Ted Ganung

For this edition of Turntable Tuesday I bring you my latest production work "Weight of the World," set for release next Monday off the label Liquid Brilliants! A smooth and soulful Drum & Bass track that was a huge collaborative process inspired by the current global situation. The guitar and keyboard parts were originally recorded in Honolulu by Blaise Nako of the band Dirty Genes. The beautiful & sultry vocals were recorded in only a one hour improv session at The Sound Machine Studio, with engineer Mike Machinist. Mariella literally came into the studio after coming back from an out of town gig tired & worn out and some how came up with this beautiful idea on the spot that she executed perfectly!



www.facebook.com/tedganungmusic
http://www.facebook.com/mariellamusic
http://www.facebook.com/dirtygenes

Debut Release of our CD Kyrie is now on itunes!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pilley-bianchi-musica/id484817509

Our commercial CD "kyrie" is finally released today on itunes. It is the organic result of the search to redefine my musical self after the demise of my last record deal in 2001. It was a bloody battle and I needed some time off.  It was the perfect opportunity to have a baby, (my beautiful son Aidan) and buy the last available house in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  The Gods were throwing me bones. I was very happy being a mom, decorating my house and completely ignoring music.

Then, through a willy-nilly way, I wound up in the event industy.  (Too long a story to share)

I had a bride approach me that was getting married at the Four Seasons in Miami.  She wanted something totally different for her ceremony.  So I immediately thought of my friends, violinist Deni Bonet who was touring with Cyndi Lauper, cellist Stephanie Winters who was touring with Richie Havens,  Evan Toth on guitar/vocals from  "Tony & Tina's wedding" with myself on piano.  This client loved each element and gave me complete license to produce the music for her ceremony.  We brought our experience as soloists and contemporary performers to her wedding ceremony, which allowed us to create the ultimate"goosebump" moment for her entrance as she walked down the aisle.

Bingo.  My musical happy place. 

Such was the birth of "Bianchi Musica".  Combining my classical roots with my love of popular music & fashion.  For the past 2 years, I have been gifted with performing private events with my gorgeous & talented string quartet; Ariana Rosen, Kate Mollica, Hannah Hens-Piazza and Lauren Riley-Rigby. As a constantly working chamber ensemble, we have learned to aniticipate each other's musical moves and breath together. It's been an extraordinary experience.

Kyrie is a hybrid of classical music, pop & southern rock.  There are 11 pieces, 7 covers and 4 originals. The title track kyrie is an original composition and the Greek word for "lord". It appears in countless sacred works ranging from Bach, Beethoven & Mozart, all the way to contemporary composers. We have been fortunate to play in some of the largest and most renown cathedrals, churches and synagogues in the world, being inspired by all things heavenly and ethereal.

The repertoire on KYRIE has grown organically out of unusual requests from our clients, many of whom have granted us creative license to push the envelope for chamber music in private settings. However, the most courageous and greatest collaborative influence has been Jung Lee at Fête in NYC. (www.feteny.com) She is flawlessly fearless in her design and vision and has allowed us to take great creative leaps whether they were on a beach in St. Barts, a garden in New Orleans, or the alter of St. Bartholomew's Church. Her support has been formidable in developing our signature sound. A romantic mixture of fairydust & drama.

Additional players are the uber talented & handsome Tony Lauria on accordion and the beautifully gifted Christiana Liberis on violin. My husband & partner in crime Jay Bianchi produced & co-arranged this work. Sometimes wrangling 5 estrogen driven musicians was like herding cats, so we love and thank you Jay!

We hope that you enjoy.
xox Pill

Liner notes:

Pilley Bianchi - Piano/Vocal
Jay Bianchi - Producer/Arranger
Ariana Rosen - Violin
Kate Mollica - Violin
Hannah Hens-Piazza - Viola
Lauren Riley-Rigby - Cello
Tony Lauria - Accordion
Christiana Liberis - additional violin

Songs:

Kyrie - written by Pilley Bianchi
Boys of Summer - written by Don Henley & Mike Campbell
I feel Like Someone Else - written by Pilley Bianchi & Maria Gentile
Hallelujah - written by Leonard Cohen
Pretty Good Year - written by Tori Amos
Not Gonna Think - written by Pilley Bianchi
Iris - written by Johnny Rzeznick (GooGoo Dolls)
Can't You See - written by Toy Caldwell (Marshall Tucker Band)
Lipstick & Cream - written by Pilley Bianchi & Nancy Magarill
On Golden Pond - written by Dave Grusin
Moonlight Sonata - written by Beethoven, arranged by Pilley Bianchi