CONSTANT CLIP RECORDS

2011-11-16T18:25:00.001-08:00

hello people of the web. elam writing from the paris of the south to tell you. that lying on the floor next to a green tomato is all its cracked up to be. driving from town to town. meeting people and finding them where they are. singing in a closet was fun. i am on the road with annie crane. as the creator of constant clip records i am writing to let you know we're exploring who we are. we are working on a dialogue. checking in with ourselves to make sure you get the best music and friendship you can from us. we need you and we are glad you visit us and follow us. simply put we need you and we will be looking to you for our solace and inspiration. come be our friend. get to know our artists. get involved. please write me elamis@gmail to join in on helping us grow. we're looking to figure this all out. the paradigm of business in the country is off the rails. especially in the music business. so how can we serve you best? tell us what you love and what can be improved. come out to shows. invite us to play in your basement or treehouse. we like doing unconventional shows. buy records for friends. help us make records with friends.

thanks for your support and helping us discover why we make music

Elam Blackman

2011-10-30T21:05:00.000-07:00

Hunter Paye has a new video

2011-09-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

Dave Dersham's new album is here! Listen to and buy it.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://davedersham.bandcamp.com/album/gilding-the-lilies"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Gilding the Lilies by Dave Dersham&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

New Releases + Northeast

2011-09-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

We at Constant Clip Records are hard at work to bring you great music. You are Constant Clip Records. We thank you for your support.

OCTOBER 4th + Annie Crane
+ Jump With A Child's Heart

Annie's latest release is a beautiful collection of songs. It is her first release with us and we couldn't be prouder. Find out why SSG Music says "Annie Crane is one of New York City’s promising folk acts. 'Jump With A Child’s Heart' is a time capsule left from traditional folk to re-acquaint itself with the once prominent NYC folk scene. Between the sincerity of Crane’s lyrical content and her ability to write the sort of tunes to back them, Annie Crane is an artist to follow"

OCTOBER 11 + Gabrielle Papillon
+ the currency of poetry

Our first Canadian Act, Gabrielle Papillon, delivers a great CD full of rhythmical songs. This is Gabrielle's first album with us. Chalk full of engaging simplicity. Kicking off in Edmonton on September 16th, Papillon will embark on an extensive national tour – her third cross-Canada tour to date – alongside Kim Wempe. She will perform at Halifax Pop Explosion Festival with members of her backing band, The Mighty Oak, before ending at home base on November 29th for her Montreal CD release show. Over 22-dates, bringing her sweet harmonies and guitar plucking to a city near you in Canada!

SEPTEMBER 20 + Dave Dersham
+ Gilding The Lilies

Dave Dersham delivers an album with inspiring lyrical prowess. A long awaited second release from one of Massachusetts' finest songwriters. Not to be missed for those of you out there who are into literature and breaking the mold of the expected.
"Dersham taps hopeful, bluesy melodies and reverses lyrical expectations at every turn...exudes a brand of humane charm that sets him apart from every other songwriter you'll see this year. - Passim, Cambridge MA

OUT NOW + Elam Blackman
+ Friend

Elam Blackman releases his 3rd album with Constant Clip records, available only on vinyl via a limited edition of 300 - and can thereafter be scooped up digitally. Elam's music, as well as Elam the man for that matter, defies categorization. Friend is fantastically imaginative and touching, like Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. It is melodically soothingl and will make you smile large and open yourself to hope and happiness. Internationally acclaimed songwriter Jonathan Byrd says, "It's a nearly perfect album". Elam will soon begin touring the US in support of Friend.

elam.bandcamp.com

2011-09-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Constant Clip artists and friends were invited to 2011 Fayetteville Roots Festival in Arkansas. Hunter Paye, Raina Rose, Andrew Pressman and J Wagner performed alongside many good friends such as John Elliot, Jack Wilson, Wilson Marks and Bayard Blayne (in the big pic.) Word on the street is that the times were good and the nights were long.

Annie Crane: Vol. 6 artist on The Family Records Singles Club

2011-08-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Annie Crane had the special pleasure of being the featured artist on the sixth installment of the Family Records Singles Club (a series of digital singles, each single by a different artist). She recorded a very special version of her song "Copenhagen Heart" at Rola Pola Studios in South Brooklyn... and it turned out absolutely lovely! Follow this link to listen.

“Copenhagen Heart” is a true story of Crane’s first European tour - a trip unexpectedly extended due to the volcanic ash from Iceland which closed down all air travel in Europe for nearly a week. Stuck in Paris with time to kill (which would usually have been a dream) Crane longed to return to the US where a month or so later she was due to be married. "Copenhagen Heart" is a beautiful song that captures the unique longing for home.

The cover art was designed by Jose and Edwin of ILoveMisery.

Photo by Ana Cabaleiro.

2011-07-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

Gabrielle Papillon is re-releasing her album The Currency of Poetry as a solo project with 3 additional new songs and a new version of the track Years in Our Bones on Constant Clip Records. She is the first Canadian to join and this will be her first project to be released with us.

The album will feature contributions by some exceptional Montreal artists: Simon Honeyman (Honeyman and the Brothers Farr), Corinna Rose, Lisa Malachowski (Mind That Bird), Ram Krishnan (The Unsettlers, Bad Uncle), Kristina Koropecki (Marc Berubé), and JS Brault-Labbé (The Blue Seeds). The new tracks are being recorded at The Treatment Room (Timber Timbre, Stars, The Acorn, Plants and Animals) and mastered by Matt Connell at Northwood Studios.

She needs to raise funds for CD production and design, mastering, and producer fees for her co-producer. The album is due out in early September just in time for Gabrielle’s Cross-Canada Tour with Kim Wempe.

All contributions will be rewarded with her undying love and gratitude and ANY contribution is welcome.

Contributions of $15 or more will be rewarded with gifts of music! All albums will be autographed with individual messages from Gabrielle.

Here’s what folks will get for their contributions:
$10--Personal postcard sent from somewhere in Gabrielle's travels right to your door.
$15--Advance copy of the new album.
$30--Advance copy of the new album + a download card for Gabrielle’s 2010 album The Wanderer.
$40--Advance copy of the new album + copy of Gabrielle’s 2010 album The Wanderer.
$50--Advance copy of the album + copy of Gabrielle’s 2010 album The Wanderer + copy of Gabrielle’s debut album (limited copies remain) Songs for a Rainy Day (2001).
$60--Family Pack: 4 copies of the new album for you and your friends and family OR two copies of the new album + two copies of the Wanderer for yourself and a friend/family member.
$100--Family Pack w/perks: 4 copies of the new album (OR 2 and 2--see above) + four tickets to a show in your area.
$150 or more will receive a postcard, copies of all 3 albums, 2 tickets to a show in your area, and credits in the liner notes of the new album as associate producers--provided the contributions are made before the album goes to press on August 12th.

Alexa's song " Secrets"

2011-06-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

Alexa's song "Secrets" has been making the rounds in film and Television. It is featured as the closing credit song on National Geographic's internationally broadcast show "Departures", an Australian drama series called "The Wall", the Cartoon Network's trailers for it's program "Mongo Wrestling Alliance", and now in the trailer for the new film "Griff The Invisible":

The making of Annie Crane's new album!

2011-06-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

SNEAK PEAK of the making of Annie's new record, "Jump with a Child's Heart" due out for release in October.

The Making of Annie Crane's album "Jump with a Child's Heart" from Annie Crane on Vimeo. Or watch on YouTube.

Over the winter months of 2011, with co-producer and star roots musician Frank Hoier, I recorded a new album titled "Jump with a Child's Heart" due out for release on October 1st of this year. This video, shot on my crafty iPhone, documents the weeks spent in our dusty little corner of speaker making factory. It captures the wonderful friends/musicians who came in to play on the record and the title track, "Jump with a Child's Heart". Thanks for watching & enjoy!

CD Release Show - Saturday October 1 at The Living Room in NYC, 154 Ludlow Street. Doors 7:30/Show 8:00. Cover: $10 gets you entrance + a copy of the new CD

2011-05-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

We Are Growing

Constant Clip bolsters its roster and signs Gabrielle Papillon! A fine songwriter out of Canada. We are a big family and we welcome our newest member. She's a good'n. Make her feel welcome say hello.

"Gabrielle Papillon's voice is a major key haunt, a moment to bask in sadness, then move into the light."
-Jon Thompson, The Kenora Daily Miner

We'd also like to congratulate Dave Dersham for a successful fundraiser. We can't wait to put out his new CD. Elam Blackman's new project Friend is just around the corner only available on vinyl and download. Annie Crane drops a CD in the fall. Man, we're busy.

Dave Dersham and You

2011-04-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends
Dave Dersham is making a CD! Please support him. No ammount is too small.

Listen to a song from the forthcoming CD
Dave Dersham - Tuvalu by constant clip records

Listen to /buy Dave's first record

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://davedersham.bandcamp.com/album/the-burn-of-summer"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Burn of Summer by Dave Dersham&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Thanks for your continued support of our artists

Elam Blackman
founder of Constant Clip

Burning Heart

2011-04-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

BURNING HEART: songs for the gulf

A Constant Clip Compilation

100% of the proceeds sent to the Greater New Orleans Foundation's Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund

On the one year anniversary of the gulf coast disaster, please consider making a donation by purchasing this album. Your money will go to support the restoration of the gulf coast shoreline and livelihood of its inhabitants.

http://www.songsforthegulf.com

"This is such a powerful compilation. For anyone who cares about the Gulf Coast, or hell, the United States of America, listening to this heartbroken album is a brutal emotional experience. But it's also beautiful, and even inspiring, throughout. If Woody Guthrie were alive, this is the album he'd put together to lament and celebrate the state of our country. His spirit courses through every song."
-Dave Eggers, author of Zeitoun.

"..all of the artists on this record are coming from the same generous place. They just want to help. May compassion, decency, and grace guide them as they use their resources to tackle one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time."
- Mary Gauthier, musician and activist

Track listing:

1. I Can't Leave - Kelle Jolly
2. Black Tide - Elam Blackman
3. Bully's Lament - Shakey Graves
4. Southland - Louis Ledford
5. Katie On The Railroad - Kevin Scanlon
6. The Dead Of Deepwater - Ashley Erin Mayne
7. Stand - Teneia Sanders
8. Working Offshore - Jonathan Byrd
9. Au Revoir Tuvalu - Dave Dersham
10. All This Sugar - Alexa Woodward
11. Black Blanket - Hunter Paye
12. Hell's Gate - Annie Crane
13. Your Horizon - Forest Sun

Constant Clip Records

About the Greater New Orleans Foundation:

The Greater New Orleans Foundation is one of the oldest and largest philanthropic organizations in the region. Every day, the Foundation joins other foundations, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and government officials to address the needs of the community and build consensus for solutions.

They continue to monitor the effects of the oil spill on local communities and to make strategic grants. Some grants already funded to The Tulane Institute on Water Resources and Policy, The Alliance Institute, The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF), Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association (VAYLA), Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and The Seedco Financial Southeast Louisiana Fisheries Assistance Center.

http://www.gnof.org

cover art donated by Patrick Haemmerlein. design by Aaron Monroy.

Alexa visits PS 22Chorus!

2011-04-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

The PS 22 Chorus, seen most recently performing on the Oscars, are world-famous for their Grammy winning youtube videos, and they invited a Constant Clipper to record with them last Friday in Staten Island, New York.

Recording a collaborative version of Alexa Woodward's song, "Down", the chorus showed their heart and commitment despite staying late after school on the last day before spring break. Way to go PS 22 Chorus and Mr. B!

To donate to the PS 22 Chorus, visit: https://www.nycgrads.org/ps22

Annie Crane's Deliriously Thrilling Dilemma!

2011-02-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

I have entered the studio and begun recording my second album and it is sounding incredible, but I need your help.

My good friend and co-producer for this project, Frank Hoier, and I have begun recording at his studios in Red Hook, Brooklyn on an old reel-to-reel machine (as opposed to digital, giving it a warmer, more natural sound) and we’re producing a more pared down version of my music. These recordings are going to be minimalist yet intriguing with hints of cello, electric bass, trumpet, slide guitar and harmonies throughout.

In todays music world, musicians need all the help they can get from those who enjoy what they produce. The internet has changed everything leaving independent artists to figure out the path to a stable, healthy living (otherwise known as success) on their own... which has proven to have many pros & cons. It’s wonderful because an artist now can maintain near complete creative control and is able (drum roll!) to keep a fair monetary percentage of what their work brings in. It’s bad, however, because their work needs capital to be produced and this requires project funding... which, with a now topsy turvy music industry, is absent.

This is where I’d like to ask for your help. I’ve launched a fund raising campaign to cover the cost of this record. The campaign is being hosted at Kickstarter.com and is titled “Annie Crane’s Delirious Dilemma!” (make sure to watch the adorably hysterical campaign video in 1920’s silent film fashion). My goal is to raise $3200. Recording a record is not cheap - here is a breakdown of my project costs: $1400 for recording, mixing & musicians. $500 for mastering. $1500 for CD production & duplication (this does not include things like album artwork, publicity & promotions, radio campaigns and postage for mailing hundreds of press kits to radio station, newspapers, magazines, etc which is all done and paid out-of-pocket by the artist).

For every donation, there is an amazing prize. Prizes include: a signed pre-release copy of the record, a personalized song about how YOUR grandparents met and fell in love, a sketch of your favorite President by an acclaimed NY based presidential portrait artist, my entire discography, special poems and letters written thoughtfully by me to you, etc. Go to “Annie Crane’s Delirious Dilemma!” to see what other rewards there are.

This campaign lasts for only 40 days and if I don’t reach my goal in that time, I get none of the donations. That means if I raise $3199, $1 shy of my goal, I get nothing. You can pledge any amount you like; even as little as $1 will be a tremendous help. Please help me meet my goal and by doing so, you will be supporting independent music.

At its best, art is created to connect with, to move, and to better humanity. This can not be done without help from those who value this expression. Thank you so much for supporting me over the last few years! Please continue to do so with a donation to this project.

Click here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1084613070/annie-cranes-delirious-dilemma

Love, Annie

Let's Make A Record!

2011-01-03T19:55:00.001-08:00

New Releases!

2011-01-03T16:43:00.001-08:00

J Wagner has released his new album. If you've never seen J. you're missing out on somethin' special. Produced by Bruce Chandler whose credits include Alexa Woodward's Speck.

Happy December

2010-12-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

It's been an exciting 2010 and things are shaping up to be an equally exciting 2011.

I have plans to record my 2nd album with the wonderful Frank Hoier at his studio in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It's been a year and a half since my last record and I couldn't be more ready and ecstatic to have my next one under way. We plan to record on a reel-to-reel (as oppose to digital, giving it a more warm & natural sound) and to produce a more pared down version of my music. A lot of you have asked me for a recording more similar to how I perform live and I am very much in a place where I would love to do just that! I hope for these recordings to be minimalist, yet intriguing with hints of cello, electric bass, trumpet, slide guitar, possibly clarinet and harmonies throughout. I don't yet have an estimated release date for you, but will let you know soon.

I'll also be heading to Europe again in March. I'll be hitting France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and possibly Sweden. Dates are almost all booked (!), so stay tuned for the official tour schedule coming soon. And after Europe, plans to tour the USA even more in 2011 and hopefully a cross-Canada tour the later half of 2011.

Lots of exciting things :)

In the mean time... if your in NYC, I have a few shows in your hood coming up:

Gizzi's Coffee House
Wednesday, Dec 22, 2010, 7-9pm
16 W. 8th St., btwn 5th Ave. & 6t Ave.
I'm joining my good friend from NC, Paul Cataldo, at this West Village coffee house for a set each. Come out for a hot chocolate & fabulous Nashville-esque tunes from Paul and Indie Folk from Annie.

Sidewalk Cafe: "Bernard King Presents Venus Fly Trap"
Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, 8pm
94 Ave. A @ E. 6th St.
Bernard has put together a night of amazing music! Venus Fly Trap is sure to please at NYC's home of Anit-Folk.

Lots of love and Happy Holidays!
Annie Crane

New Hunter Paye Song

2010-12-18T20:40:00.000-08:00

Here's one of many new ones in the works; Here's a blueprint for the studio; Here's a new Vermont sound:
The Hammer and the Sky by Hunter Paye

2010-07-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Compatriots. It isn't often I run across something that I instantly love but when I heard Songs Of Boda I gave a geeky grin to the computer screen. Songs of Boda has a knack for harmonies. I really enjoyed hearing the songs he's written thus far. And I thought what the heck and asked him to join us on Constant Clip. So it is with great pride that I say we've gone international. We're not even two years old and now we're in Sweden!

There Is A Sky by songs of b.o.d.a

Here's what Boda aka Daniel says about himself

As a guitarist and sometimes songwriter in various swedish bands as Rambling Nicholas Heron, My Closest Friend and Children Come On, I felt I´d might try to sing my songs on my own. Therefor I founded Songs Of Boda as a platform for my music. My heart as always been with the American music, from the early kind to more contemporary. First release was the self-titled EP "Songs of Boda" (2008) recorded together with a bunch a friend of mine. It was a heartfelt collection of songs due to relationship-breakup and I feel it has a very "open-chested" feel to it, even to me. Right now Im working on a new EP and you can here two songs from it on my bandcamp-page. The workname of the EP is "Junk And Solid Angel". Hopefully released during the autumn of 2010.

more good to come I assure you

but for now you can buy a few songs at
http://songsofboda.bandcamp.com/

Elam

On This Day

2010-07-19T12:57:00.001-07:00

Hey there,
As the founder of Constant Clip Records I am proud of what we have accomplished thus far. We have some great albums out. Many of the artists tour together and share resources. Our commitment is to music of a high caliber. Please continue to support independent music.

We are currently working on a benefit CD for the gulf region and are looking for financial backing to pay for the pressing. All proceeds will go to the region.

I just got off of tour with Hunter Paye who has an amazing new CD out. It was his phone call to me that set this in motion. He has a song for the gulf and encouraged me and many other artists to write one.

It is my hope that Constant Clip will continue to be a spring board for great ideas, innovation and freedom. And I hope we can be of help for communities in their struggles.

Listening is an art form. I hope you enjoy these lyricists as much as I do.

thanks
Elam Blackman

Hello Constant Clip Blog, I'm happy to be here.

2010-07-18T16:46:00.001-07:00

New artist member Annie Crane

www.anniecranemusic.com

www.myspace.com/anniecrane.

"Looking Out" by Annie Crane

In Berlin, Germany with fellow Clipper, Alexa Woodward on banjo.

"Pennsylvania" by Annie Crane

Music video by Across the Bridge Productions.

Alexa Woodward's song "Secrets" featured on Australian TV

2009-09-18T14:00:00.001-07:00

Australian TV series about life in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall features Alexa's song "Secrets" in its trailer. See it here:

Alexa Woodward's "Secrets" from alexa woodward on Vimeo.

Alexa Woodward on NPR

2009-07-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to our NPR studio performance in Oregon ... pictures to be posted soon:

Alexa Woodward Review, Eugene Weekly

2009-07-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

Eugene Weekly
July 16, 2009

I have a new theory: All you really need in life is a beautiful voice and a banjo. Alexa Woodward has both, and as she’s leaving behind her law career for music, her rise to fame should be as meteoric as that of Vienna Teng — who gave up her software engineering career for piano pop — if the universe has any sense of justice.

Woodward is touring the country in a 1984 Westfalia to support her new, sophomore CD, Speck. There’s something totally disarming about the way Woodward sings, with a roundness to her voice that plainly bears the mark of a Southern upbringing. But unlike delicate chanteuse Gillian Welch’s sepia-toned obsession with a bygone era, you don’t get the sense that Woodward needs a vintage dress to create authenticity.

She surrounds her voice with plucky banjo, singing saw and wistful mandolin, which give her songs a gothic quality, as on “Spoon,” a song with lyrics as cryptic as those of Joanna Newsom. But to Woodward’s credit, her music is nowhere near as indulgent. For all the spare arrangements and spacious melodies, it’s her voice that takes the stage.

Woodward played at this year’s Country Fair, and if you happened to catch her enchanting voice and want more — or missed out — you’ve got a couple more chances to see her in person. She is also making an appearance this weekend at the Saturday Market. Brian Cutean and Alexa Woodward play at 8:30 pm Sunday, July 19, at Sam Bond’s. 21+. $5. — Vanessa Salvia

http://eugeneweekly.com/2009/07/16/music1.html

Texas to Tulsa

2009-07-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

Laura Gibson Sang. I drove. Bird on a wire with a tail longer than its body. Red Rocks. Route 66. Tulsa a ghost town. Emptied out. spiders on the windshield and camera. holes in the dash. wires. hanging on to the knowing that this is the calling. being where i be.