We’re back with more new music and live shows – This Friday, April 19th at 8 pm, we’re be performing at the charming Trinity House Theatre in Livonia, Michigan, 15 minutes from Detroit, with ultra-talented fabulous artists Mary McGuire, Laura Rain & George Friend, and me and Scott Dailey – this is a big night! We are performing a singer/songwriter rave up showcase, together and separately – so you’ll have to be there to see it in person! Details and a few tickets remaining at https://www.trinityhousetheatre.org/events/
Thanks to Ann Arbor writer Lori Stratton at The Stratton Setlist for the splendid article about our new song “14 Miles of Bad Road” and the show at Trinity House, too. https://strattonsetlist.com/
Also, we will be opening the downtown Detroit NFL Draft Festivities. Scott Dailey and I are performing on Thursday, April 25th from 11 am to 1 pm – come on down for our set and the party downtown at Capitol Park near Campus Martius! Ron Wolf is joining us on percussion and the details for Draft Day in the D – Opening Day – are right here https://downtowndetroit.org/event/draft-day-in-the-d/
Scott Dailey and I are also debuting another fresh, brand new song on Friday April 26th on all digital platforms with another new lyric/imagery YouTube video – stay tuned for “Blue Ridiculous Love!” It’s a hot one, also recorded at Inner Door Music and Pearl Sounds Canton, Michigan. The song and video are all ready shortly with even more new music coming.
And finally, there is a new release retrospective from Detroit Energy Asylum on Orchide Records Detroit, too, featuring many song I wrote or co-wrote and sang – some never before released! It features me on vocals/guitar/keys with Dave McMurray, Randy Jacobs, Luis Resto and many more called “Landslide of Life” – more soon on that.
And if you are still reading, Scott and I are debuting a new CD/album with many of the songs we are now releasing. Whew – a big year of new music. Thanks for listening, sharing and downloading and purchasing “14 Miles of Bad Road” released last month, we’re grateful. Available on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and Bandcamp and of course, right here to watch/listen on YouTube:
Hi! Happy September! We’re missing many festivals we have played, including Donne in Musica in Rome, Italy, The Isle of Wight, U.K. Rhythmtree Festival, many years at Arts Beats & Eats, The Detroit Jazz Festival, Earthwork Harvest Festival in Lake City, Michigan, Dally in the Alley in Detroit, The Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, and the Michigan State Fair and more! But we did a new Facebook livestream fundraiser with the Soaring Eagle Arts Beats & Eats Festival. Arts Beats and Eats is raising money for musicians impacted by covid-19. For every dollar you donate to us at PayPal.me/carolynstriho1 for our virtual show by October 1st, Oakland County, Michigan will match that amount up to $500,000 and donate it to the Arts Beats Eats Musician’s Fund for Michigan musicians who have lost over 50% of their income due to COVID-19. Thank you for caring! https://www.facebook.com/striho/videos/10222355425450182/ More info at https://artsbeatseats.com/virtual-showcase-supporting-local-musicians
The Audio Book for my “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” is coming this Fall. In the meantime, you can order the hard copy from me directly or through many Detroit and Michigan music and bookstores, including Book Beat, Horizons Books Traverse City, Nicolas Books Ann Arbor, Dearborn Music, Flipside Records and more! You can also order it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Aquarius Press. If you buy it from me at paypal.me/carolynstriho1, I offer a discount, too! Let me know in an email or DM to me and I’ll get it over to you! Also at https://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Maiden-Energy-Carolyn-Striho/dp/1733089837
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 – check it at https://lightintheattic.net/releases/6628-detroit-punk-archive-presents-the-end-of-the-night-1976-1983
Also, 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
While I miss playing at festival times, we are working on many new projects, have rescheduled the U.K. tour and some recording with more good surprises.
Thanks again, please stay safe and well, and Vote! Love, Carolyn xx
It’s Thursday, August 27, 2020 as I write this, and while there is much to say, I know you are bombarded with many of the tough times we are in right now in this country and world! Prayers and good health and peace. Good news – my paypal is up and working at Paypal.me/carolynstriho1, and if you would like to buy any merch from me, including my book “Detroit (Maiden Energy),” any of my recent albums or CDs, or t-shirts, please send me a note in here at my website, and I’ll get it mailed off to you in a timely fashion. You can buy my book or our CDs for $12.00 with postage included through September! T-shirts would be $15.00, postage paid! Thank you!
My Audio book is finally coming out in September, too! It will be on Findaway Voices and Audible/Amazon and hopefully also Google Play https://findawayvoices.com/. Details shortly – so you could also order an Audio or Kindle version of “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” street princess poems & lyrics. I’m grateful for all the nice reviews and articles regarding my book, and hope you get a chance to check it out on Aquarius Press. In other news, last month I was honored to announce that some of my music is on new compilations that have gotten great notice. And The Congregation Cafe in Detroit was a great, distanced live show – thank you!
We’ve recorded a new single “I Will Rise” that’s coming out soon, too!
It’s summer and I sure miss performing! Postponements are now going into 2021 and remote teaching this spring was sure new for teachers and students. I was proud of my students. Now summer is here with so much anger, outrage, illness and lives in danger. It’s hard to write with gushes of emotion then silence.
There’s good news in that I’m about to record an entire new album which surprises me. But it’s been a very strange year and I’ve written new songs that are in demo form now. I’m excited to be able to record even without an entire band. The restrictions with covid 19 are so necessary and yet people still want to “break out of them” and go against wearing a mask or caring about each other. With the virus of racism and police brutality against Black people, too, these have been sad times.
Carolyn at home going out on the street! May 2020
And in recording the new album, I thought it’s time to finally get “I Will Rise” done, which I had started to write after The Women’s March in early 2017 (and 2018). We knew from the start that getting that so-called president out of office would be best. I felt like I had an idea which came to fruition last year with The Pink Fund and PBS’ Those on the Front Lines of Cancer. Molly McDonald from the Pink Fund encouraged me to continue finishing “I Will Rise,’ and filmmaker Keith Famie also used the demo song for his PBS special in Detroit both in 2019.
Carolyn at Max Fisher Music Hall in Detroit with Scott Dailey and Amp Fiddler on Don Was’ Concert of Colors
So I premiered the song live with my husband/guitarist Scott Dailey at The Pink Fund’s Dancing with the Survivors in October just before my new book “Detroit (Maiden Energy) street princess poems and lyrics” came out. It was a great time, and inspired me to record a final version now of “I Will Rise.” I’m also updating my website to include some poems in my blogs and also, photos of my retrospective of posters and Bands I’ve had. Also, I’m doing a new Zoom or Facebook Live event of music and poetry. I’ve been writing, singing and recording for years, working with some of the best musicians in the world for years, and am proud of my recordings and shows and bands.
Photo from The Pink Fund 2019 Dancing with the Survivors – Scott Dailey and Carolyn Striho – (credit: Stacey Sherman)
In other record release news, Orchide Records Detroit released an album with Detroit Energy Asylum which was my band for many years. Featuring Dave McMurray, Luis Resto, myself and many well-known and wonderful Detroit musicians, Patti Smith also makes several appearances. “Recreation” is available on Orchide Records Detroit and for those who liked “Secrets and Space,” “Recreation” features new mixes of several numbers and a never-before-heard lead vocal on Smokey Robinson’s song (sung by The Marvelettes) “The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” by Patti Smith. Patti and I duet on The Four Tops’ “Reach Out.” Produced by Freddie Brooks, it’s a gem! https://orchiderecords.bigcartel.com/product/dea-recreation
Luis Resto, Carolyn Striho, Dave McMurray – by Gary Graff/Oakland Press, photo Bill Schwab and Freddie Brooks 2000
And another record release! I’m featured on Detroit Punks Archive entitled “End of the Night” compiled by Rob St. Mary and distributed by Light in the Attic Records (Seattle) with Record Store Day 2020 U.K. My song “Rockin’ Right” is included with one of my first bands The Cubes. The album includes Don Was’ first band The Traitors and also Hiawatha Bailey and The Cult Heroes “Amerikan Story” with much more! Check it here at https://lightintheattic.net/releases/6628-detroit-punk-archive-presents-the-end-of-the-night-1976-1983
Detroit Punk End of the Night double album Record Store Day U.K. 2020 Photo: Bookie’s Club Sue RynskiCarolyn Striho’s “Detroit Maiden Energy” with Kate Parker’s “Strong is theNew Pretty”, HorizonBooks 2019 Traverse City, MI
And it looks like we have several new livestream shows in late July at Detroit’s Music Hall, Otus Supply in Ferndale, Michigan, and even a new book/Audio livestream show! So that is cheery news in these times. The Audio Book for my book “Detroit (Maiden Energy)” is also coming this summer. My book is at many Michigan bookstores and soon to be in Milwaukee, Chicago and in England. You can buy it on Amazon, too, Aquarius Press, or directly from me https://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Maiden-Energy-Carolyn-Striho/dp/1733089837
Begin Again
All the confusion couches the coast
rocks, rain, ruin return again
inside, harder, happens to me,
but happens to be the one quick avenue of alive in the pain
Birds floating, singing loud, sun shining, seems so rude to leave Detroit’s beginning so fast
hurtling hurdles of hard crunch as shoes hit pavement near the river again
again and again the city won’t end just begging to begin again
scatters our blood and only pretends to not care,
when it’s very soul depends on our love
through the hate we consider,
watching the dove spread its wings over water
and splash as it flies away from the smokestack,
away sunrise… away from rocks, rain, ruin, return again
again and again the city won’t end just begging to begin again
Detroit Energy Asylum w/Patti Smith (Carolyn Striho, Kenny Scott, Pam Marcil, Dave McMurray, Lenny Kaye pictured) Industry, Pontiac, MI 1995
Thanks for the support. Love, and stay safe! xx Carolyn
Carolyn Striho, Sinead O’Connor and Tori Amos, 2005 Royal Festival Hall, London England2005Scott Dailey and Carolyn Striho, Hope and Anchor Islington, London, U.K. 2018
Detroit December 2018. At the holidays, we miss so many who have passed away. It can be really hard. We want to thank Donne in Musica and Patricia Adkins Chiti for all our shows/tours in Italy. We were honored to perform in Rome, Frascati and Fiuggi in 2006, 2011 and 2014 with Donne in Musica. Patricia was a huge proponent of women’s music, women’s rights and woman musicianship throughout Italy and Europe and a great artist. Donne in Musica is a multi-cultural Italian and European music foundation of which we were really honored to be a part of – they are continuing on the work. Patricia and I last talked early this year, and I’m sad to hear she has passed away. We had a beautiful stage every time, where we performed and were cheered on by beautiful crowds and by Patricia and the outstanding organization, Donne In Musica. Also, on request, I sang “The Song of Fiuggi” in Italian on one of the shows. Thank you, grazie, for everything, hope to meet up again when we play back overseas! http://composeralliance.org/in-memoriam-patricia-adkins-chiti/
This year has been a fast one. With much airplay for my previous catalogue and our recent album “Afterthought,” which was again nominated for several awards and also on The Grammy Awards First Ballot 2018 for Best Rock Album (thank you!) I’ve begun checking out my new songs and recording for a new album with Scott Dailey. The first song which is getting closer, “14 Miles of Bad Road,” is the beginning of a new adventure.It really is an unusual album and the songs are taking on new personalities and changes as we’re finishing up several more. Scott and I are readying up for the studio again soon.
January started fantastic! As mentioned, we were honored to be on the Grammy Awards First Ballot 2018 for Best Rock Album for “Afterthought.”And I was in New York City for the RoundGlass Music Awards, which were magnificent. There were so many great performers, including Grammy winners Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman. My sister and I were at The Edison Ballroom party in Manhattan and throughout Greenwich Village, where I used to be quite a bit. There are many memories of so much there to be included soon. Grammy Weekend 2018 was great in Manhattan.
In February, Scott Dailey and I were back with Detroit Unplugged at Ferndale, Michigan’s Otus Supply with Barbara Payton, Mary McGuire and Ron Wolf – what a great night at Valentine’s week at Otus Supply – a great club with big sound adventure.
In March, the Detroit Music Awards called for us to perform at The Music Stand Detroit at a DMA Acoustic Showcase with many great artists – a good time. And I was nominated for Outstanding Rock Vocalist at The Detroit Music Awards – it was another big time in May at The Fillmore Detroit.
And in May, I also met with a publisher for working on my book in Detroit. It’s a big undertaking to be writing a book, and with new poetry and lyrics, some of the memoir is getting closer.
We also performed at PJ’s Lager House in May, which was a cool Memorial Day Weekend in Corktown, Detroit. Then moving to June, Scott Dailey and I were invited to perform at Detroit Music Weekend, where the beautiful Aretha Franklin had performed on the main stage the year before. It was pretty wild hearing The Jackson Five over on the stage as we walked out from our show at Music Hall Detroit. Aretha passed away in August, and it was an emotional time for everybody here in Detroit. We will miss you, Aretha.
In July, the new film by Chicagoan Mary Sommers (and former Detroiter) was brought to Detroit “Tough Luck: Detroit Stories” premiered at Cinema Detroit and also screened in Chicago. Featuring our song “Honesty” and interviews with playwrights, writers, artists, activists and musicians, including myself, it was a great opening.
In July, we were invited to perform back in the U.K. and it was a stellar trip! An honor always to be asked to perform in Europe, Scott and I performed in the U.K., where we had played before, but this time new venues! We were at Isle of Wight’s Rhythm Tree Festival in July and also in London, and at Hope and Anchor, the legendary punk rock bar in Islington, London where The Police got their start! Amazing shows, and we had good times onstage for our shows and off. We may be back in the U.K. performing next summer and are also looking at New York City and over in Eastern Europe. We’re so grateful to The Isle of Wight and Rhythm Tree – performing with such great bands as The Brand New Heavies, Morcheeba and more – and to London’s Loud Women, and Hope and Anchor. See you soon again!
Coming back to Detroit, we just missed our favorite, The Concert of Colors this year, but we had a great show with Detroit Unplugged’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at 20 Front Street with the fabulous Barbara Payton and marvelous Mary McGuire again. A sold out night at the magnificent 20 Front Street -thank you.
In August, I was on the Cranbrook Art Museum and Third Man Records Detroit’s Punk Rock Panel with Robert St. Mary – an honor to be at Third Man, with my previous (vintage) music possibly being re-released on a Third Man Records’ compilation album next year.
August brought us to performances at the new Motor City Muscle Festival in downtown Detroit at the Spirit of Detroit Stage, and then a return to a fresh Arts, Beats & Eats show with guest violinist Leslie DeShazor – an eclectic Saturday in Royal Oak, Michigan.
In September, I also performed at the State Fair Michigan Mega Jam with Nadir Omowale, The Gasoline Gypsies, Laura Rain and so many more Detroit artists. It was so hot and the carnival was in full swing! With Three Chord Bourbon sponsoring our shows there, it was a goodbye to summer State Fair day in Michigan. It was also the start of a new school year and radio DJ shifts at Ferndale Radio at The Rustbelt Market. My students went on great field trips this year with me, including the Detroit Auto Show, Little Caesar’s Arena, the Detroit Zoo and MCTI near Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In November, I performed at 20 Front Street again for their 2nd Anniversary show with Mary McGuire, Abigail Stouffer, Nick Piunti, and Jeremy Kittel, among others, a super time.
I’m also honored to be included on the WHFR FM Radio’s Vinyl Detroit Compilation Release with my song “Ocean” and then a new album/EP vinyl being released shortly which is a surprise, coming soon. (Other news is coming shortly, including a Detroit Energy Asylum limited edition special vinyl coming out soon)
This December and once into January 2019, I’m back on the air with two Ferndale Radio DJ Shifts coming up Sunday, Dec. 16th from 1 to 3 pm and Saturday Dec. 22 from 5 to 7 pm – tune in if you’re in the Ferndale, Michigan area to 100.7 FM, broadcasting live from the festive and vintage Rustbelt Market. With a mix of songs from punk to reggae, to classical, jazz, soul, funk and some surprises, including local music, I’m excited.
More music news, shows and recording shortly, and a belated Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happiest New Year. Please take care of your health, and each other.
