BOSTON BOUND!

Liz here. Truth be told, the bounding has been done. We made a 36 hour jaunt to the City of Champions. You wouldn't believe how much we accomplished in that time.

Here's the breakdown:

First things first, dinner at Giacomo's. Our first exposure to the Boston accent as we feasted on some of the best ravioli the world has to offer. If you're ever in the North End, the Darns highly recommend it.
Giacomo's was followed by Canolies - Canoli heaven, and I don't know how to pluralize. Have you ever had a canoli? I was surprised at how delicious it was. A giant pastry filled ricotta cheese. I ask you, can you think of anything more tantalizing? Apparently the whole of Boston agrees with me because it was standing room only in Mike's Pastry Shop that night.

Annemarie's good friend Chris took us around the north end that night - we saw the home of the Boston Celtics, every radio tuned to the game as we walked around. Saw some of the gorgeous apartments, an old cemetery, all the while walking along the freedom line. We were SO CLOSE to Paul Revere's house but didn't quite make it. I bet it's cool.

NEXT DAY:

The day of days. I have never accomplished so much in one day as I did on Sunday, May 27, 2012. I think the other darns would concur. First, we woke up to a beautiful Massachusetts's morning and made our way to Harvard Square.

 After a stop at church, we spent the morning exploring all that Harvard Square had to offer. Harvard's pretty cool I guess and much smaller than I would have imagined. Veritas, nevertheless. It was graduation day, so we got to see all of the geniuses walking around. Somewhat intimidating, to be honest. Makes me want to take out giant loans and go to a fancy school and learn stuff.

We ate sweet potato pancakes at Zoe's and continued to walk and walk and walk. We were attempting to find a guitar shop to take care of some instrument business. Thank you Lacey for allowing us the opportunity to see more of Harvard Square than we ever thought possible (following the wrong dot on the iPhone map is not recommended). Because of this and the nature of new shoes, Annemarie experienced a setback of sorts. I know it's not a kind thing to laugh at someone's pain but I really couldn't help it. She bled right through her shoe. It was an exorbitant amount of blood actually. First aid kits were necessary. It was bad. Laughter was not appropriate and yet...Annemarie said she only had herself to blame, but we still felt very sorry for her. I wish I had a picture.

Next stop: FENWAY PARK!!!!

I know that before the trip I was technically a fraud - I have never cared for sports and the only information I had about the Red Sox was learned by watching Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore in "Fever Pitch". Which was actually quite informative. I sounded a lot more like a fan than I really was. But after one afternoon in Fenway Park - I am converted! I have never felt more American, more connected to a group of people than I did sitting in those stadium seats. Singing "God Bless America" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" with my fellow Red Sox fans. Hearing the fans scream "Buchholz!" and "PD!". The roar of outrage from the entire stadium when the referee ruled the hitter from the Tampa Bay Rays as safe. The guy behind us shouting in his thick Boston accent, "Why are you sucking?!" and after a failed attempt at a crowd wave, "Saddest wave ever". Oh, how I loved it. I think everyone should go to a Boston Red Sox game before they die. No joke.

FANS

I think the Boston Red Sox game was my favorite part of the trip. I would fly back to Boston just to go to another game. This is for real.

Then onto the real reason for Boston - the gig at Club Passim! First off we'd like to thank everyone who was back home watching the show on the Concert Window. This crazy world we live in. All the folks at home who have offered their support are simply the best! The show went well, and we were warmly received by the folks in the audience. Booyah! And we learned some valuable things about flying and then playing our instruments. So the trip was educational as well.

Our sweaty selves after running to the gig from the Red Sox game (luckily you can't tell):

CLUB PASSIM SET LIST:

Brand New Day

Wendy and Peter Pan

Sad Truth

Old Fashioned Morphine

Confessions

Sinner's Sea

Wake Me Up in Winnemucca

Trouble

The gal who played after us had a beautiful voice, check her band out: www.hannahandmaggie.com

After the show, we ate pizza and gnocchi at Cambridge 1 (you really can't go wrong with the food out there) and went off to find our Ghost Tour. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Ghost Tour did not happen. Which was a bit sad, but instead we took our own tour, led by the magnificent Chris. Boston Commons: The Memorial Day flag garden, the Robert McCloskey duck statues (personal favorite, don't know why), the statue of George Washington and the swan pedal boats. Could there be anything greater?

And then I didn't realize we were so close to CHEERS! I was a tourist for a moment. We drove by MIT (more geniuses) and entered the Berklee School of Music. Lacey has been working on a degree online with Berklee and one of my musical heroes attended the school for a year or so. John Mayer. Haters gonna hate. We roamed the halls and used the restroom. Magical!

We also hit up Bunker Hill (Don't Fire Until You See the Whites of Their Eyes) and the USS Constitution (Oldest Navy Ship...maybe?). History rocks, kids.

And how could I forget Dunkin' Donuts? Easily the best part of anything east of the Mississippi. Easily.

What a great trip, productive day, great tour guide and hostess (Leah, thank you for everything!), gig and place. If you ever have the chance to make it to Boston, DO IT. You will not regret it. We certainly didn't and we can't wait to go back!!

BOSTON WE LOVE YOU!

Love, love, love,

The Pretty Darns

P.S. More pictures and videos to come. Stay tuned.

Merry Christmas from the Pretty Darns! A New Year & New Shows

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Love,

The Pretty Darns

As you can probably tell the blogging has been sporadic. But today, as Annemarie has been known to say, is a NEW DAY!! And soon it will be a new year, and we have new shows coming up! It's just a whole lot of newness.

On January 5th, we are pleased to be joining funk band TURBOPHONIC and the folk/bluegrass group THE LUCKY CRICKETS at the URBAN LOUNGE in SLC.

Location: 241 South 500 East in SLC

Time: Doors open at 9, Music starts at 9:45

Check out this poster Ty Mortensen (tymortensen.wordpress.com) made for the event:

On Thursday, January 19 we've got a LOGAN show (it's been awhile) at Why Sound. It's Benyaro with the Pretty Darns and Sarah Ann Olsen! It's going to be a lovely show.

Location: Why Sound (30 Federal Avenue in Logan)

Time: 8:00-11:00PM

The third show we have coming up is on January 20 at a new venue for us, the Muse in Provo, UT. The first Pretty Darns show in Provo, come one come all!!!

We've written some new songs since you heard us last, and we can't wait to be gigging once again. Come on out for some great music and have a happy and safe holiday!

The Darns Days of Summer Part 2 - TOUR!!!!

I’m at it again! And this time I am consulting my personal journal, a rare treat for those of you in blogworld. But I won’t be dishing, I will merely be referencing. And overviewing.

And no pictures today because I CANNOT FIGURE OUT BLOGGER.COM. Seriously cannot.

After driving through the gorgeous country that is Wyoming, we made a stop at the Terry Bison Ranch in Cheyenne. Camping! My favorite thing! And, wouldn’t you know it, when you go camping these days, you can surf the web from anywhere in the campground. We have certainly evolved.

The following day we drove to Olathe, Kansas. Oh-Lay-Thu. I think. After getting out in Nebraska and nearly choking to death in the humidity, we took a two hour detail around Missouri because apparently the highway was floating away with the river. Which is really too bad for Missouri. We didn’t try the famous BBQ in Kansas City but instead drove to St. Louis. Have you been to St. Louis? It is an impressive city, with that arch welcoming all who enter. Truly lovely. But somehow we made our way into the south side, whereupon we were the only folks speaking English. It’s cool, we’re men and women of the world. And we were too deliriously overheated to notice much of anything. That evening we played to 4 people, but a devoted audience they were. And the man working the counter was none other than up-and-coming lead singer for the band Union Tree Review.

We stayed with our good friend Heather Bosshardt and her husband Greg, who were all too kind to put us up for the evening. (Shout out: Heather is also a fine musician, both classical and jazz. You can check her out at http://heatherbosshardt.blogspot.com/).

This is the part where I talk about how great it was to have friends to stay with all along the way and how grateful we are for their hospitality including: The Players in Olathe, The Bosshardts in St. Louis, Drew Becker in Nashville, Jessica Watson in Knoxville and The Gardners in Ohio. How can we ever thank you???

Then we get to Nashville Part 1 – we had a gig in (Franklin) Nashville! It was really, really great. Our first time around in Nashville (Franklin), we didn’t see much. We went to our gig, we played a rousing set at the Bunganut Pig, we feasted on “southern food” and hit the sack. What? We were in Nashville and didn’t even go to a honky tonk? Patience, blog friends. Notice I said Part 1. Actually Nashville Part 1 was brief and uninteresting. Don’t get me wrong. You can’t possibly go from the desert of Utah to the lush greenery of TN and call it “uninteresting”. Because it is so gorgeous, and the hills just roll, and you can’t see anything but trees everywhere. How can that be bad - - - from the inside of an air conditioned car? Perhaps this is biased. Perhaps Lacey, Annemarie and Kelin had no problem with the near-heat-stroke humidity and temperature. But I am in charge of the blog.

I’ve reached my blogging limit for the evening. Part 3 to come….

The Darns Days of Summer

Wow...has it been 10 months already? Time flies.

It has been a summer of epic proportions according to us darns. Really, I think it's safe to say that all of us couldn't be happier about the leaps and bounds we've made and the awesome things we have been able to do (you may find throughout this post that one of my favorite words of all time is "awesome". It is just so ... descriptive).

Let's talk about a few of those, shall we?

1. ALBUM RELEASE

Yes. It has finally arrived - two months ago. The Pretty Darns debut album, aptly named "The Pretty Darns". If you haven't bought it yet, and we recommend that you do, here are some tidbits about it.

Cover Art Revealed:

We're so pleased with the work MEGAN BELL did for us on the album art.

And the photographs that LEVI SIM

(http://SDesignsPhotography.blogspot.com) took for us. And the recording engineering brilliance of Tim Moes at Why Sound Recording Studios in Logan.

I could go on and on about who to thank for this album, but I'd probably miss someone. So, you should just buy the album and see for yourself.

And for those of you with a favorite song which will make or break a deal (and because this will further satisfy my need to make a list) here is the track listing on this album:

1. Senseless

2. Crooked

3. Manless Woman

4. Wendy and Peter Pan

5. Lullaby

6. Spring Chicken Inn

7. There's Nothing I Want More Than You

8. I Never Will Marry

9. Confessions

10. Wake Me Up in Winnemucca

We had a CD release party at my residence in

Logan (as a side note, this is Liz balaaaauuuggghing) and we were pleased as punch at the turn out and the reception. What a remarkable thing to have so much support and, dare I say, fans!

We will be putting the album up on iTunes shortly but if you'd like a CD before we do so, contact us at theprettydarns@yahoo.com and we'd be all too happy to get you one!

2. SUMMER GIGS

This is just a bulleted overview.

• Summerfest (see photo, thank you Jen Allen) in Logan UT. I tried my first funnel cake. Gotta say, I wasn't all too pleased. I'm not one for those fried fair foods (corn dogs excluded) Perhaps I need to try that fried butter stick they were boasting about in Iowa (no, I really don't).
• SLC Arts Fest, Downtown SLC - what an opportunity! We were chosen out of 300 bands or something. We played a short set, but we stopped those fest-goers in the street and I saw some of them shaking their hips and clapping their hands. Yes, to our music! What a treat!
• The Annual Fountain Green Lamb Days - Ah, sweet mutton fry. Ah, lemon greek rice (of which I am now the proud owner of the recipe). Lamb Days is one of my favorite parts of the year. I know a dear friend that joined in the festivities this year has some trepidation about the size of the town and the freaky things that can occur in small towns. But there are very few places that I love to be more than Fountain Green, Utah. It's such a nice getaway and the mutton is to die for. If you will.
• Fourth of July in Ruby Valley, NV - I also love Ruby Valley, and it's neighboring Valley, Clover Valley. A house concert in Clover Valley (A BIG thanks to the Midaughs and Ken Grandjean), The Annual Fireman's Picnic, the dance at Woodpecker Hall, decorations courtesy of the 4-H-er's, not to mention the BUGS. I love the bugs. Seriously, so so much. (no) And even if Lacey and I did get home at around 4 AM after the long long drive from Ruby Valley to Logan, it is always a pleasure to play for the citizens of Ruby Valley.

Oh, I'm sure there are more. There was a whirlwind of gigging activity throughout June and July. Summer seems to be a good time of year for us Bluegrassers.

3. NEW BASS PLAYER!

We were lucky enough to have Eric Thorin play on our album, but we needed a bass player a little closer to home. And what a friend we have in Kelin Gibbons. He can do it all. If you think I am exaggerating, you are mistaken. Lacey and I know him through another band we play with, The Dry Lake Band. He plays the banjo in that group and just "picked up" the bass for us. And what an addition! Come see us live and see for yourself, we are complete!

I think I must be done blogging for now. On our next post, you will hear many tales from our SUMMER TOUR. Yes. Summer tour. I could go on about that for days. Which means I should stop now, because I've been at this for a long while already.

I hope all of those who were just itching for a blog post (and since we have all of 5 followers...) feel like this will suffice for now. Ahhh...there's nothing like putting our history to electronic pen.

LOVE,

the pretty darns

P.S.

Please notice that I only actually used the word "Awesome" once in this whole thing. I should do this more often, as it serves to expand my vocabulary. And who doesn't want that?

ALSO, I really don't understand blogger.com. It turns out so differently in the preview than it does in the compose box. If any avid bloggers have some advice for me, help a sister out!

If you haven't seen us live yet, here is your chance!

We have a couple shows coming up and we'd love to see you there!

November 6 - Red Cliff Ranch Cafe in Monte Cristo, UT from 6:30-9:30 PM
Have you ever had a T-bone steak from the Red Cliff Ranch Cafe? No? Well get yourself to Monte Cristo for deliciousity and some fine live music.

November 19 - Logan UT, Location and Time TBA (Probably 7:00 at the Eccles Conference Center on the USU campus) Opening for the lovely and talented Honey Don't

http://www.honeydont.net

Let us know if you're interested in hosting a house concert - we've done  a few so far and they have been a hoot and a half (as they say). 

The Pretty Darns/Andrew Sisters

Halloween has come and gone but not without the opportunity to don the apparel of one of the greatest girl groups of all time, The Andrew Sisters. Please enjoy some pictures from a gig at the Red Cliff Ranch Cafe in Monte Cristo, UT where the owner (aka Hugh Hefner) delighted us with his harmonica skills.  Happy Holidays from the Pretty Darns!
Love, Liz


All of our eyes are closed! Not just mine.





All of these pictures are suspiciously similar but ...don't care! It was a fun evening.

Upcoming Shows!

Blogging World: The Pretty Darns have several shows coming up in the near future in various areas of Utah

Friday September 24 - Red Cliff Cafe in Huntsville, UT from 7:30-10:00 PM
Saturday September 25 - Whysound in Logan, UT @8PM
Julia Mecham is opening the show for us and she is simply fantastic.
www.myspace.com/juliamecham

Friday October 8 - USU Blue Aggie Bikes event details TBA

Saturday October 23 - Smokin' Blues BBQ in Providence, UT 6:30 - 9:00

That should do it for now. Stay tuned and come see a show! We've got new tunes, new covers and would love to see you there!