ILANA LORRAINE

Final plug for the night - Stream or Buy My Album

2011-10-11T17:51:00.001-07:00

Anyone who hasn't yet had a chance to hear my album - pls feel free to listen n stream on spotify n then purchase on itunes (cheeky but hey its only 79 pence a track n they'll bring you a smile n sum positivity) x

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/my-little-tree/id433201802

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

2011-10-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

Get Your Free Download of I CHOOSE LIFE Now (only 500 free)

2011-04-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

I Choose Life by Ilana Lorraine

MY ALBUM WAS BORN AT 2.50am on Tuesday 21st December

2010-12-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

My Album was born at 2.50am on Tuesday 21st December 2010 ♥
at Strongrooms Studios delivered by Duncan Mills

It will be named

"My Little Tree"

I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to every one for your support and encouragement in helping to make this dream of mine come true!!

I CHOOSE LIFE MUSIC VIDEO

2010-02-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, sorry you haven't heard from me for so long!
Anyway somehow my music video managed to leak onto youtube and has already been sent around by a few bloggers including Bighappyvideo ad Londonnet. So i thought that it was time to reveal it to you even though the music is still in production.

So here it is for you.

Just so you know Kevin and I have recorded our vocals and the mix is soon to happen so feel priveleged to be seeing this now ;)

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to KEVIN MARK TRAIL who wrote this with me. We united one morning and I Choose Life was born.

Also a big thank you to Ladybird Productions for making this video.

Also a big thank you to Romain Kedochim, my love, who took some amazing photos on the day of the shoot - these will be up on my blog and his soon. (http://www.romainkedochim.com/blog)

Also for my parents who are my biggest fans. They've have been behind me every step of the way, and they are the reason I ever sang..It was a great inspiration to be born into a singing family who sing round the table every Friday Night and who all have such beautiful voices.

Well here is the video. I hope you like it! Please add your comments on the clip, rate it and favourite it if you like it ;)

The Unsigned Band Review TV Interview

2009-12-24T03:12:00.001-08:00

Flashmob dances 'Thriller' for Michael Jackson's birthday

2009-08-30T04:29:00.001-07:00

What an amazing day....

Follow me on twitter for future flash mobs and happenings:

http://www.twitter.com/ilanalorraine

"I Choose Life" Festival Flash Mob 02AUG09

2009-07-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

what?
SUMMER FESTIVAL FLASH MOB
"I Choose Life"
**To be filmed for my Music Video
featuring Ilana (me), Kevin Mark Trail, the band and all of you!

where?

PRIMROSE HILL
NW1
Nearest tube: Chalk Farm (Northern Line)

when?

Midday to Sunset
on
Sunday 2nd August

how?

Colourful and Festive

The "I Choose Life" flash mob is for you to come in the sun (lets hope) and celebrate life with your friends, family and loved ones. The hill will be filled with music, entertainment and Alcohol (ohh that woke u up)

We will be filming the festivities for my music video for the song "I Choose Life" - so this will be our exclusive preview of the song writte by myself and Kevin Mark Trail for my debut album.

We will be right at the top of Primrose Hill for one day only, a film crew, me, my band and all of you.

Come and help create a Summer Festival with live music, drum circles, dancing and hopefully all of you singing along at the chorus.

So the criteria is to come along with a festive spirit in a colourful costume just simply to HAVE FUN and ENJOY LIFE.

Bring Instruments
a Picnic
Anything Festive
and
we will spoil you with
Crates of Beer,
Good Live Music
and a chance for you to be in my music video with me.

All those attending will be named in the credits!!

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!!!!
WE NEED A FULL HILL TOP AND FESTIVAL VIBE.

*Lyrics for everyone to learn:

“I AM RICH
I CHOOSE LIFE
I FEEL WONDERFUL WITH ME
IT’S ALRIGHT”

Ilana’s music site at:
http://www.reverbnation.com/ilanalorraine
or
http://www.myspace.com/ilanatree

DAY OFF and its a GLORIOUS Day ;)

2009-06-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

Oh what a day what a glorious day

Woke up fairly early feeling the tiredness following nearly 2 full on weeks in the studio.

But all feels good.

Its been doing bits n bobs today from putting on the visiting the doctor, washing, cooking, popping to see Jeff Allen at Sensible Studios, arts and crafts - have been moulding my l'il Fimo Chracters for my Animated Summer festival
FYI FIMO aka Sculpey is a type of plasticine you mould then bake in oven to set
(tell u more bout that one at a latter date ;)

Then we had the pleasure of a visit from Kofi, one of my good friends... he's playin the percussion on the album.

Wow he is one amazing guy! As always we got into deep conversations, lots of laughter, lots of youtubing old skool classic tunes and playin some more tunes through Spotify.

& Roma' got his camera gear set up and took a few photos:

DAY 8 - In the studio Wednesday night with Mum and Dad

2009-06-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

Totally the best parents anyone could wish for!!!

They came along tonight with a bag of sandwiches marked "Tuna and Cucumber" (Such a Jewish Mother ;) )

On a more serious note they have been so supportive and have given me such amazing advice and help along the way.

Hopefully you'll get to hear their beautiful voices on my album too ....

DAY 8 - Dave records Guitar for" Anything"

2009-06-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

Great sounds from Dave today on Nylon string and his Jazz Guitar.

I'm actually really digging the new direction - sweet :)

DAY 7 in studio - "Anything" & "Lessons of the air" reworked and my emotional attachment makes it challenging

2009-06-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

This was a looooooooooong day for me in the studio and probably the most challenging so far with some crucial decisions to be made on whether to "structure" the song "Anything" or keep it as a flow.

"Crazeeee idea" I thought, in my head, to tamper with this song that I had already reformed 6 months back. Bad idea to retrace the past with this one.

Yeah "Anything" used to be quite different when first co-written with Rachel Huggins 3 1/2 years back in my room with my Mac a in my apartment in North London.

The story is that on one chilled night at home with Roma, he had been playing the chords of the song on guitar and I (as always_ I just pressed record, opening a new Logic file on my Mac and just sang vibing whatever felt natural at the time. The funny thing is that when we listened back we felt really attached to the melody and poetry and in no time we had converted "Anything" into what I would call a "flow of consciousness".

So you can imagine that feeling of attachment when Matt confirmed that we need to give it more of a form and work on reshaping it.(You could hear my thoughts shouting out - "AHHHHHHH", "Noooooo", "seriously?", and then how I approached Matt with my comments: "but its meant to be that wa" "but its like my flow of thought", "that to me is my real train of thought and I don't want to loose that" etc etc....

Well after thought, discussion and time, we decided to give the reshaping of "Anything" a try.. ... .... ... ... ... ... and crazy enough IT WORKS ;) (and of cors will be featured on the forthcoming album).

Here's Matt Foster - my producer.
Great guy with Bold ideas - quite unique for a UK producer NICE!

Not an easy job !

DAY 6 A touch of gypsy and touch of Klezmer

2009-06-15T04:53:00.000-07:00

Today was productive in the morning. We had Yaya in playing accordian on one of my tracks - it was a nice change to have some gypsy/klezmer vibes in the studio...

Here take a look Yaya plays here for you:

DAY OFF IN THE SUNSHINE

2009-06-14T05:49:00.000-07:00

Woke up "easy" on this Sunday morning, sun catching me as I arose. Went with Roma' over to Jones and Thalita's to make a picnic breakfast with Tals while Jones had a portrait photoshoot session with Roma' around the area.

On that note check out Roma's blog - there are some classic live music shots there and great portrait sessions: http://www.romainkedochim.com/blog

Weather was on our side totally - Tals and I took our delicious breakfast out to their garden table (scrambled eggs, salad, fruit juice, humous ... you know the kind) . I love these guys, always a festival vibe when we all get together!

BEAUTIFUL DAY ALL IN ALL!

AFTER HOURS DAY5 ...Turns to Twilight

2009-06-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

After a really funny day with Kofi, Kafri, Roma and Matt I decided to hang out a bit in the studio with Roma' and Avivit and Oded, who had called to say they were popping down. Well, It became more of an all night chill out jam session with Jones and Thalita following suit & arriving an hour later with another guitar and some love. ;)

And we jammed...

...and night lifted its sleepy head slowly , and another memorable story was written.
Walking out of the studio doors left me inspired by the twilight ambience:

"This romantic ambient light, at this time
which some may refer to as l'heure bleue, well, it resonates so sweetly with my mood, reminding me of that Summer Sunrise when I was "Blinded By Morning Rays" and sunlight."

And yeah it did remind me of the day I wrote "Blinded by..." but this time with a twist of that peacefulness whilst everyone else in High Barnet still slept we crept out after a musical night, a little sleepy, home to where our beds await ;)

Sweet dreams and LOVE

Ilana x

DAY 5 - KOFI and his percussive life ;)

2009-06-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Its Day 5 in the studio, the day scheduled for Kofi to come in and use his magic percussive hands to add some magic and colour to the tracks. But with Kofi you also get his magnificent pure white cheeky smile and crazy laugh.

This is the great thing about Kofi... there is never a dull moment and he never fails to suprise you with something new. Well this mornings adventure was just getting all his percussion to the studio. And when I talk to you about Kofi's percussion collection - He is no joke. IT IS SERIOUS. I'm telling you my car was loaded up like I was moving house looool, bags and bags and BAGS of various things - drums, (part of a bycicle???), saucepans (yeah you get the picture).

This was a great day and a memorable one with Roma and Kafri hangin' at the studio too it made it a sweet day:)

Catch a bit of Kofi's Set Up here:

DAY 4 The Beautiful Red Wulritzer

2009-06-12T04:35:00.001-07:00

Its DAY 4 and Yaya is in the studio to record keys on the tracks. We are blessed with having a beautiful Red Wulritzer hired in from Jeff Alana's Sensible Studios...will be back later with some video footage xx

Have a l'il listen...

Here's some photos from the day

RED was the vibe of Day 4 ;)

DAY 3 and I'm Feeeeeeeeeelin' Good

2009-06-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

A L'il Piece of todays studio session...

2009-06-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Sharing a li'l piece of todays studio session tracking guitar parts for Magician:

Sounding Smooooth

DAY 2 Recording at EARTHWORKS and I'm Feelin' Fine .. filled with emotion"

2009-06-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

So after lots of searching I decided on Earthworks Studio, a studio that I worked in bout 5 years ago - I actually wrote some of the tracks featuring on my album in this studio years ago when working on a project with Belini (Mr Danny Ladwa)...Its the place where "Refuse to let you go" was written 5 or so years ago. Also the studio where I recorded "Face the Changes" then was inspired to write "Blinded By Morning Rays" with Belini (Danny Ladwa) when I was blinded by the sunlight beaming into my eyes as I opened the studio door 6AM after an all night recording session...

So here we are and it's Day 2 -and Matt's hard at work, focused and working his magic on the bass parts.

Matt, Omer and I start to feel at home here after 24 hours of recording over 2 days !! Its all starting to fell just right - with sweet vibes and and a creative flow in the atmosphere. It's a good space!

So now the most fun part of the album has begun.... with a lock in in the studio for 3 weeks, we are off on our mission to start tracking!

Will be posting some videos and photos each day so stay connected.

Ilana xx

Day 2 in EARTHWORKS STUDIO

2009-06-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

WOHOOOOO RECORDING TIME HAS COME!!!

We have 3 weeks lock in at EARTHWORKS STUDIO in Barnet to record my 12 track album....

THE FUN BEGINS

As spontaneous As One Can Be...

2009-05-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

"Life...what a beautiful thing...it gives me joy"

As you probably know my boyfriend Roma' is a photographer, a great one I must add!!! He freelances with Blues & Soul Magazine amongst other projects in live music, portraiture and weddings.

So sometimes we get a bit creative whilst sitting at home and Roma sets up his gear in the house or outside and we do random photo sessions - taking photos of eachother, of objects, of the moon, you know .. its really fun!

Well we were home last Wednesday night with another photographer friend of ours - Sylvester Nicholson, whom also shoots with a Canon, and happened to have his equipment with him. After discussing techniques they decided to experiment with their gear and set up in out backyard.

It was a funny night, I was the "model" (lol) and we went nuts for about 2 hours just taking random photos.

These guys are super talented and you should totally follow their blogs:

ROMAIN KEDOCHIM:
http://www.romainkedochim.com/blog

(Its great!! You'll see shots he's taken at the gigs of John Legend, Nas, Akon, Alice Russell, Anthony Hamilton to name a few)
SYLVESTER NICHOLSON:
http://takethispicture.com

Well I thought after such a laugh it would be nice to share some of the photos that came out of this night. I really hope you like them.

News & New Summer Song written with dear friend Kevin Mark Trail

2009-04-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Life is GOOD and the sun is shining, my spirits are high and my creativity is flowing ;)

Its a great feeling when things start to really come together ;) My band members have been heads down, learning the songs...They really are soooo talented and the songs are sounding really great...Its all piecing together day by day.

So the project is moving on smoothly and I've also been taking up some vocal coaching with a guy called Kevin Leo. That's been hard work but all in preparation for recording.

I've also been feeling really inspired and creative lately and got together with one of my closest friends, Kevin, one morning and wrote a new Summer song to be featured on the album. Its really exciting and we really vibed together.

You may have heard of Kevin Mark Trail as he is part of "The Streets" and was signed with EMI in a solo project a few years ago. He's currently working SOLO on his next project called "Homework", where everything is being written, produced and recorded by himself in his bedroom.

I'm really excited for you all to hear the song in which Kevin will feature singing with me on the album, btu will leave it as a suprise ;)

Kevin is a really inspiring artist whom I have learnt a lo from over the years. You should definitely check out his music. You wll love it without questions:
http://www.myspace.com/kevinmarktrail

March 17th: Rehearsal

2009-03-17T19:03:00.001-07:00

REHEARSAL March 17th
@ OJ MUSIC STUDIO, 516 Finchley Road
(My old House - now known as The Musicians House)

Meet the Band

2009-03-14T04:14:00.001-07:00

So now i'd love to introduce you to some handpicked, inspiring and VERY talented musicians whom I have chosen to play on my debut album...

This is one of our rehearsals at OJ Music Studio (Run by Ofer Shabi - one of my closest friends and ex-flatmates). Situated at 516 Finchley Road in the garage of the house that I used to live in. This house ("516" as it became known) hold within its walls many many memories and lots of music ;). I lived there for 3 years and held unbelievable jam sessions and crazy parties.. (i'll tell you about that another time). But yeah, inside this inspiring house is the place I wrote many of my songs.

Guitarist and Bassist
Omer Marantz Omer and I met in 2003 when he moved close by. We clicked and wrote many songs together including "My Man", "Me and my Mind".

www.myspace.com/omermarantz

Keyboardist Yair Schleider (Yaya)
Yaya is the musical genious who helped me structure my songs, recording demos in his little home studio. These include "Flowers Floating", "Anything", "I Refuse to let you go" . It was these demo versions that got me through the showcase on slicethepie.com.

Percussionist
Kofi Kari Kari
Kofi and I have known eachother now for over 10 years. Kofi has been there through the years making sure to make me focus on my music and not just my job ;) - He put a band together for me a few years ago and had us rehearse in his apartments. It was with these guys that "Closer I Get" was written.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/music/people/kofi_karikari.shtml

Drummer Oded Kafri
Kafri and I have only recently met but he is one of the most outstandign drummers to come out of Israel.

http://www.odedkafri.com

**All the photographs were taken by Romain Kedochim.
www.romainkedochim.com/blog

Sneak preview of my Acoustic Show

2009-02-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

Hey people .... I just got sent this video by the film company Film25 (www.film25.co.uk) whom apparently were at my last show filming (i knew nothing about it) so i thought i would share it with you!!!

On Jan 22nd I performed a little acoustic show as part of the Replay Live night at Inspiral Lounge in Camden Town.

Have a sneak preview and see what you missed.

I was also celebrating the last day of being 29 years old and so it was a really memorable night.

Anyway, sit back, get comfortable with a nice hot chocolate and enjoy x

New Version of "Share with Me" up on Reverbnation

2009-01-18T14:24:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

so I was lucky enough to spend new year in a beautiful cottage out in the valleys of Wales..and during that stay got the opportunity to have a few hours free in Redkite Studios situated in the middle of the valleys, at the core of natural beauty!!!!.

With Yair Shleider (Yaya) on Keys and Jonny Moseson (AKA Jones) on guitar and obviously me on the mic we jammed out the song testing out the equipment and feeling the vibes in the studio.

Well with the expertise of Martin Levan (Owner of Redkite and Award Winning Sound Designer) and Andy (the engineer) we marked a moment in the beginning of 2009 with this version of "Share With Me".

Check it out and tell me your thoughts...

http://www.reverbnation.com/ilanalorraine

Let me know what you think the track needs - I imagine Bass, drums, guitar and brass section oh and BV's. To keep it real, organic and acoustic but with more instrumentation.

Hope to hear from you soon as I am soon to finalise my decision.

Luv and happiness in 2009

Ilana

My L'il Acoustic Preview & End of my 20's drinks ;)x

2009-01-15T06:19:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know that you can get a sneak preview of some of my songs preformed acoustically

on
Thursday, January 22nd.
At InSpiral Lounge - Camden Town

(part of the REPLAY LIVE night) ...

As I will be celebrating my birthday as the clock strikes 12 that night - I decided to make this a sociable affair as well - so come and have some drinks with me to celebrate the end of my twenties.

RSVP if you can join me x I x

The Making Of My Debut Album - Part 1

2008-12-26T11:03:00.000-08:00

Its now been 2 months since I found out I was the winner of All Genres 9 Showcase on www.slicethepie.com securing £15k to record and release my debut album.

The adventure has begun .... wooohoooo.

I've been blessed with this opportunity and am excited to make this a fulfilling and meaningful journey. Another blessing is having the most incredibly supportive family and friends surrounding me and really believing in me and my music.

- My Mum and Dad have been spreading my music around to friends, family and the community like wild fire and sharing their wisdoms and knowledge .

- Mon Coeur, my darling, my soulmate - Roma', has been there by my side throughout! Inspiring me with every step and standing by, supporting my choices, and he has been the power behind my commitment to focus and see clearly the road ahead.

Then there have been people whom have been a part of my musical journey (co-writing, jamming, accompanying me)

Ofer Shabi

Jonny Moseson

Rachel Huggins

Danny Burne

Kofi Kari Kari

Seffi Carmel

Quentin Collins

Kassia Zermon (Bunty)

Danny Lagwa (Belini)

Omer Marantz

Guy Landao

(I'll write about them in a seperate post)

Multi instrumentalist, Yair Schleider and I decided 5 months ago to work together at pre producing my songs. Finally the chance had come, to collaborate with a musical genious to work on my songs and ideas in his home studio. It was in fact 1 month after we had worked on 4 tracks that I decided to submit 2 into the slicethepie showcase - "Flowers Floating" and "Anything".

Many of these people along the way have weaved in and out of my life, given me messages and advice and sharing their experiences with me to guide me...

Kwame Kwaten - ATC Manager, Member of D-Influence and a close friend to Roma' and I.

We met back in my Sony days too and reconnected a few years ago. He is acting as a Music Consultant on this project - making sure that I don't fall down and ruin this opportunity. He has helped me plan and structure the project and set up meetings with producers for me to meet:

Jonathan Quarmby (Bacon & Quarmby @ Raks Studios)

(Produced Finley Quaye, Oi Va Voi, Yasmin Levy to name a few)

Colin Emmanuel (C Swing)

(Produced Estelle, Beverly Knight, Jamelia to name a few)

Evan Krauss -

A Music Attorney from New York City - crossed paths back in 2000 at the 10 Rooms Monday Night Jam. On my 1st trip out to NYC we fell into writing the song "Lessons Of The Air" in a spontaneous jam at his high rise office overlooking Manhatten. Evan organised a few studio sessions within that week for us to lay down the track whic came back with me to the UK. Lost touch due to busy lifestyles then 8 years later, reconnected by email following news of my success from which point he made time to make sure I get the best deal and best chances to make it happen. Evan put me in touch with various producers:

Chris Robinson (Ruff Diamond)

(Produced Hot Chocolate, Rose Royce, Incognito, Maxi Preist, The Shapeshifters, Corinne Bailey Rae)

Jazzy B (Soul II Soul)

(Produced Wookie, James brown, Fine Young Cannibals, Cheryl Lynn, Alyson Williams)

So far I have also had emails from a number of peopel whom heard about me through my own network and through recommendation.

Brian Michel Bacchus whom signed and A&R'd Norah Jones heard my music and has shown interest in my project. He has given me some great feedback and is putting my music forward to various publishing houses and labels.

Other producers whom I have met through my own contacts include:

Jon Moon (Sensible Studios)

Matt Schwartz (Soho Studios)

Guy Katsav (Soho Studios)

Each and every one of these encounters with such amazingly talented people have been informative, and inspiring making the desicion a really difficult on (By Jan 2009 i'll know !!)

As an artist also on www.we7.com, John Tayson, the Chairman of we7, has also shown interest in helping me and has contributed by connecting me to both Real World (Peter Gabriel's Studios) and Pheonix as two potential studios where I can record the album within my budget. Dave Moore (engineer/producer from Pheonix) has also shown interest in taking on this project adn has dedicated some time to put a demo together of "I Can't Get You", one of my chosen songs for album.

With £15k to work with for both recording and marketing I will need to choose the producer and sources of marketing extremely carfeully to ensure they fit the budget.

There have been more exciting connections I have made for the marketing aspect to this project but this I will tell you about later.

Vintage jeweled Spoon Bracelets For Sale (Recycled Jewelery from 1920's - present)

2008-12-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

Bracelets that tell a story - Made of spoons and recycled jewelry from 1920's until today ...

The range of spoons includes a variety of materials and colours.

Materials range from:
Volcanic Sand from Bahia, Brazil
Healing Semi Precious Stones
Vintage Jewelry
Modern Jewelry
Silks and other materials
Swarovski Crystal

Coloured Glass

For more information please email me at wwcollective@googlemail.com

www.myspace.com/woodenwrapperz

Ilana
Part of Wooden Wrapperz Collective