We’re starting more rehearsals, recording and booking live shows. After a very tough year, and many shows being cancelled, and then health issues, now we have some new songs and energy! We will be back onstage, too. And we’ll be doing duos, trios and full band shows soon.
With The Whitney Detroit’s gorgeous Music on the Patio Series, The Scarab Club poetry performance this summer in Detroit, a great upcoming House Concert in a beautiful Barn in Dexter, Michigan, a return of the full band to The Cadieux Cafe in Detroit, more dates are being added. We will also be performing at Arts Beats & Eats Festival 2021, and plan to be at The Lit Fest/Lit Walk at Wayne State University/Cass Corridor, The Congregation Cafe Detroit, along with The Indie Collaborative possibly in Newport, Rhode Island this Fall. We are also returning to the U.K. and possibly Italy again next summer 2022. We can’t wait!
I’m also a teacher, and we finished the year through virtual, in person/face to face, webex/zoom, masks, and everything to have this year work. And it did! Students finished strong, and the high school graduation at Meadowbrook Ampitheatre was beautiful. And I’m happy to say that I’ll be back on the air on Ferndale Radio, which is going to be having streaming services soon at 100.7 FM this Fall.
With many new songs I’ve written, my husband/guitarist Scott Dailey and I continue to record and move toward the new music in the studio. We’re also finally finishing the video for “I Will Rise. I’m grateful for so much! And there is also a new retrospective release coming out on Orchide Records Detroit.
Photo Summer 2021 Charlevoix Michigan bookstore tour for “Detroit (Maiden Energy)”
Also, rest in peace to our friend, Pete Holden, and to Pete’s family and friends at The Isle of Wight where we had a wonderful performance at Rhythmtree Festival in 2018 (and were invited back again). Pete was an amazing, kind, legend and will be so missed.
Thanks for listening and to good health and love,
Carolyn xx
Photo by Lindy Lenk for “Sing it to Me” At Arts Beats and Eats, Royal Oak, MichiganArts Beats and Eats 2021 Rock Stage Design – Freddie Brooks, Orchide Records and Mack Aborn Detroit Photo by Detroit Photography Legend, Leni Sinclair
Finally Spring! It’s been a long year, and hoping for live shows again and better days. I’ve been busy narrating books for audio, and also, teaching and recording new songs.
Also, thank you again for the Detroit Music Award nominations for 2021. I’ve received 4 nominations in the Rock/Pop and Classical Categories, and Scott Dailey also received a nomination. We’re honored and best wishes to all musicians, artists, writers and performers in April and beyond 🙂 https://www.detroitmusicawards.net/2021-nominees
We’ll be booking live shows when the coast is clear, and have some cool venues we’re looking forward to playing. We’re hoping to have the new album out later this year digitally and maybe CD/vinyl formats, too. And the U.K. is calling…our shows are scheduled when everything is a go again.
February is freezing for my funny Valentine… but with stress and rough times, there’s some good music news: Thanks for the nominations in the 2021 Detroit Music Awards. I’ve received 4 nominations in the Rock/Pop and Classical category for Outstanding Instrumentalist for piano (Rock and Classical), Outstanding Songwriter (Rock/Pop) and Outstanding Vocalist (Rock/Pop). And Scott Dailey received a nomination for Outstanding Rock Instrumentalist for guitar. Thank you, it’s an honor to be among such great company. Congratulations to all musicians and artists on creating during the pandemic, too. https://www.detroitmusicawards.net/2021-nominees
Carolyn and Scott performing for “Sing it to Me” and for Italy tour
But stunned and so sad to hear we lost wonderful Patricia Izzo. Patty was magical and we worked together on many photos for my music albums and more. Patty’s friendship, care, artistic vision and warrior charm made Patty, and her art surreal and amazing with wildly original photo shoots! Besides being such a fabulous artist, Patricia’s family was the love of her life and the wonderful River’s Edge Gallery. Patty brought her heart to her art and life with madcap fun. I loved her, we all did – Patty made you feel like a million bucks, and she loved you right back!
From “Honesty” album cover- Patty Izzo
Crime of Passion – Carolyn Striho by Patty Izzo Patt Slack, Carolyn Striho and Patricia Izzo – River’s Edge Gallery Detroit Maiden Energy Book Opening 2019 – photo: Stacey Sherman
So sorry to hear about Chick Corea and Mary Wilson (Supremes). It’s hard to believe we lost these magnificent trailblazers of music. I was honored to have seen Chick Corea up close and personal when playing the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2009. And we were excited to perform “Keep Me Hangin’ On” by the Supremes at the 2019 Don Was’ Concert of Colors. And sad news on Detroit DJ Jerry Lubin, a wonderful man on the air and off. Jerry was so influential when I listened as a little girl to WABX-FM
Union Street Detroit closed! We had album releases, New year’s Eve gigs, birthdays, music meetings, dragon eggs, marvelous drinks, dancing on the bar, the place to stop before/after shows at Majestic, Magic Stick, and C Pop. When John Belushi’s brother, Jim, lost his cell phone there and I found it for him when Detroit hosted the Superbowl. And of course the lunches with Patti Smith and Freddie Brooks and our “Secrets and Space” album release and photo shoots. Sigh…
I’m finishing up my song “I Will Rise” with Scott, with a video, some razor sharp guitar songs on electric, and can’t wait to record more! With shows slowly being booked at clubs late this year 2021 and a return to festivals with a full band., The U.K. festival is back on at Isle of Wight – but that could change too..
Will the Festivals go on in 2021? We’re on another amazing Isle of Wight Rhythmtree festival, July 2021 – fingers crossed!Scott and Carolyn performing for virtual shows and Arts Beats and Eats 2020 – from Facebook Live Carolyn in Snowy Michigan 2021
It has been almost a year since everything shut down, so we’re hopeful this Spring brings good days and nights! Stay warm xx
Merry Christmas! Belated Happy Hanukkah and cheers to the upcoming New Year. The Winter Solstice was just here with Jupiter and Saturn together in the sky. With covid sad news and so much a mess, I was just having hopeful thoughts in a weird time. Praying for the world!
If you might need last minute holiday gifts, don’t forget local books and music. “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” is in some of the best Detroit and Michigan bookstores, music stores and several U.K. bookstores and an Audiobook on Google Play, Scribed and soon to be on Audible. My book is listed on Goodreads. It’s on Barnes and Noble. It’s on Amazon. You can buy it right from me, too or at Aquarius Press. (I ordered another new shipment as the last one sold out!) There’s even singing and music in the Audiobook. https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/480011823/Detroit-Maiden-Energy-poems-and-lyrics
There is more news on the book coming up in 2021 while we start more recording. And thanks for reading a bit more, below..
Carolyn at Boyne Mountain, Michigan – photo: S. Dailey
           New Year’s Eve 2021, our “Promised Land “ video was part of the benefit for Detroit Clubs who have suffered during the pandemic, including Detroit’s PJ’s Lager House, Northern Lights, Small’s Hamtramck, Magic Bag and more for the FEZ Fundraiser with many great Detroit bands. Yes, there has been very little live music this year except virtually!  https://www.facebook.com/events/808235183235076/
           We had a great video for a local television Christmas show which is moved to the next holiday! That’s the usual for this year but we’re now working on a video and new releases for 2021. I’m glad to be writing from my little humble spot here in the world, warm and watching snow with a guitar and piano nearby. We’ve been on holiday break and students and teachers have been so busy remotely/virtually learning. My students are great and I’m thankful to them for their humor and insights!
Carolyn at home recording December 2020 (note: this photo was huge on FB, whoops)
           We have changed some things this year and are still going. The woods and river up north and the city sounds and sights keep moving here in Detroit. I have more new songs I’ve written and Scott’s got some new pieces of music. Our band will be back with us in high energy when live shows come back.
           Love and prayers to good health, music, books, art and you.
Carolyn Detroit
Scott and Carolyn live at The Pink Fund – photo: Stacey Sherman 2019
There is new writing and tracking of new songs we’re recording at the home studio. I’m thinking we may be able to release the new material in late 2021, all willing I’m teaching full time, and it’s hectic virtually.I’ve included some more recent memories on this post for a sense of hope. And here comes winter on the heels of a great, historic election and the spiraling virus. So please wear a mask and stay safe! Love, Carolyn xo
Scott Dailey and Carolyn Striho onstage at Detroit’s Music Hall Cafe/Aretha Franklin Jazz Cafe September 2020 WDET-FM NPR Detroit
T
On stage at the Detroit Music Awards 2010
Cliff Bells Detroit 2008
2019 Detroit Tree Lighting at Campus Martius Ice Rink and on the Big Screen Downtown 40,000 people ABC News Detroit
Secrets and Space Album with Carolyn Striho, Luis Resto and Dave McMurray – Detroit Energy Asylum
Carolyn Striho, Sinead O’Connor and Tori Amos – London, England 2005 after performing onstage
October’s here, and we’re missing playing live shows! Our U.K. tour is moved to summer 2021 now. But thanks to Arts, Beats & Eats for the virtual live show, Detroit Music Weekend and Congregation Cafe for recent gigs in Detroit. And I’ll be featured on The Nooner Show Podcast October 14th with thanks to Jackie Wallace for the live interview! https://www.facebook.com/TheNoonerShow/
UPDATE: The Audio Book version of “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” is finally coming! It will be on Findaway Voices and Amazon Audible Books (Aquarius Press Detroit). You can also order the hard copy from me directly at paypal.me/carolynstriho1 with a note and it will be mailed out, too. My book is at Detroit and Michigan bookstores, including Book Beat, Horizon Books Traverse City, Nicolas Books Ann Arbor, Dearborn Music, Mayflower Books, Street Corner Music, Flipside Records and more! You can also order from Amazon or Aquarius Press. https://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Maiden-Energy-Carolyn-Striho/dp/1733089837
In celebration of my book’s one year anniversary and the Audiobook coming out, I’ve got another great interview being published soon, too! Thanks to writer Lori Stratton for the interview on The Stratton Playlist. The interview will also be in Current Magazine Ann Arbor this winter, coming soon, too! I’ll post the interview here on my Website with more at https://strattonsetlist.com/
New releases! I’m featured on the album “End of the Night” for Record Store Day 2020 U.K. compiled by Rob St. Mary and distributed by Light in the Attic Records Seattle. My song “Rockin’ Right” is included with one of my first bands The Cubes. It also features Don Was’ first band The Traitors and Hiawatha Bailey and The Cult Heroes “Amerikan Story” with much more at https://lightintheattic.net/releases/6628-detroit-punk-archive-presents-the-end-of-the-night-1976-1983 And Orchide Records Detroit released an album with Detroit Energy Asylum which was my band for many years featuring Dave McMurray, Luis Resto, myself and great world-renowned Detroit musicians. For those who liked “Secrets and Space,” “Recreation” features new mixes of several covers with a never-before-heard lead vocal by Patti Smith on “Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” (by The Marvelettes written by Smokey Robinson). Produced by Freddie Brooks, it’s a gem at https://orchiderecords.bigcartel.com/product/dea-recreation ; https://secrets-space.bandcamp.com/album/secrets-space-original-soundtrack-of-transition
Also, thank you NPR WDET-FM’s Ann Delisi for the Detroit Guitar with Gabriel Currie taping at Music Hall Detroit. The link is coming soon with the video – Scott Dailey and I had a blast running through some music on this fine guitar with arwork by Sabrina Nelson for the WDET 101.9 Fundraiser.https://wdet.org/posts/2020/09/09/90016-win-a-one-of-a-kind-echopark-electric-guitar/
So I’ve been teaching remotely, and my high students are doing creative writing. This is a real treat, as they next will also be doing songwriting. Scott Dailey and I have started more recording and with our song “I Will Rise” coming out this Winter or Spring with several other new songs, it’s perfect timing to move back inward to the winter months, leaving the sun and shine to a ruminating cloud of covering snow. I know, I’m dreaming of better times. It’s been a terrible time with the virus, the administration with the over the top, cruel president in office, and then our Michigan Governor’s life being threatened in a major way. So these are times to remember recording with “I Will Rise” and more soon.
Thanks again, please stay safe and well ! And Vote Blue!! Love, Carolyn xx
