Holiday video 'n gifts, interviews, & free shows

Hello wintry folk, I'm staying warm tonight sipping tea with a candle on, hope you're cozy too!  Here's the latest, just in time for the holidays...

.Gifts.

I know it's that last-minute mad-dash, help-what-do-we-get-Uncle-Joe, ack-my-budget-is-fried part of the holiday season.  So between now and 12/25, I've dropped the price of my music for your gift-giving pleasure!  CDs are $10 and if you get another, its 50% off (ooh ahh), while digital downloads are down to $7.99.

Or, If you want t-shirts, posters, stickers, punchcards, or what-have-you (especially what-have-you, one can never have enough of that--), the super official merch box is stationed under my bed.  I can send those at elftastic prices too, plus shipping. ;)

It's also time to give YOU gifts from me, as a thank-you for being so supportive of my indie music!


Check out my holiday giveaway at juliabarry.com.

And if you're in need of a laugh or want to feel cool, watch this embarrassingly goofy video I made to get the word out about my mad merch deals.

.Interviews.

Looking for some reading to curl up with?  I just did a written interview on Harmony Avenue. 

And if you're more of the listener podcast type, I've got an interview coming up on Indies in Motion this Monday 12/13  @ 1pmPT/4pm ET.


.Shows.
If you're in New York or know people in town for winter break, here are the newest and grooviest details.  These shows are all FREE and will feature some new band members, yahoo!!

*Next week* Tuesday, December 14 · 7:30pm
w. the talented (and secretly very funny) John Lenis on bass

Banjo Jim's, 9th St. and Ave C.,  NYC
Facebook event

Monday, January 3 · 8pm
w. bassist John Lenis + new surprise folks on drums and cello!

Googie's Lounge above the Living Room, 154 Ludlow (btwn Stanton & Rivington), NYC

Facebook event

Sunday, February 6 · 7:30pm
w. everyone and their mom on drums, bass, cello, and guitar!

Banjo Jim's, 9th St. and Ave C., NYC
Facebook event


Well, a little cold air doesn't seem to stop New Yorkers, and it certainly won't stop my warmth and appreciation for you this seasonally seasonal season.  Enjoy your Julia Barry holiday goodies!  I'd love to see pics of you wearing the t-shirt or Grandma Vicky opening my newest album next to the tree (or yule log or menorah or ecumenical potluck or candle seance or whatever you're up to).

Ooh yeah, post those to my Facebook page.  That'll be priceless.

Yours,
Julia

Adult Recess

Yesterday I walked by a playground full of kids going crazy at recess.  Aside from a few pick-up games of something involving a ball and a box, everyone was just, well, going nuts.  Or hanging out.  Just doing what they do.  Kids were talking to each other, trying out ideas, playing made-up games, running around and getting their energies out and taking energy in.  In short, it was a totally insane and powerful scene.

And then it hit me.  Adults don't really do that.  What would adult recess be?

Moments of creativity to me seem like the only times when we let loose, let ourselves try things (hopefully) without criticism or ulterior motives (like financial success, fame, networking, viral marketing).  Later we come back to think, discuss, revise and polish.  But that moment of adult recess is vital to making art, to saying what you're trying to say. 

This is probably true with close friendships too, which is the only thing I can think of that even remotely resembles the ecstasy and challenge of creative pursuits.

What do you think?  What's your adult recess?  And how can we have more of it?!

Open Internet is key to indie music - speak up before Dec. 21st!

Free Press writes: "FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski just announced plans to issue weak regulations that give just about everything to giant phone and cable companies, and leave Internet users with almost nothing."

This rule goes to a vote on Dec. 21, so now's the time to sign the Free Press petition!  

I think this is *the* issue of the moment.

With a privatized internet, I wouldn't be able to share music tracks with you on sites like MySpace and @SoundCloud.  I wouldn't have the budget to blog.  I wouldn't be able to fund albums and tours with your loving support on @Kickstarter.  I wouldn't be able to gather community on Facebook, send emails about my upcoming shows, or be interviewed on podcasts and radio stations free to listeners.  I wouldn't be able to throw giveaways, be part of a virtual songwriter's club with members across the country, stream live shows, or use free websites like @ArtistData and @Nimbit that help musicians with everything from booking to performing.

I could go on for pages about how the internet helps real art connect with real people, but I think you get the idea.

We don't need one more venue where companies troll for profit and indie efforts are shut down.  We need a venue where people can speak freely, connect with each other, and make media that reflects the diverse face of our nation.

Sign, Tweet, post, stand on chairs and shout about it.  This is our last chance.  For real.