Oh, you know, BIG NEWS.

After a rough and wonderful year, half of me is left feeling on top of the world, and the other half of me feels stomped upon.

So, naturally, I'm moving to Ohio.

I know what you're thinking, "Ohio, Hannah? Rubber Capital of the World? But why?"

Well, I think that being around so much rubber will help me find true---

OH WHO AM I KIDDING MY BEST FRIENDS ARE THERE.

When my two very dear friends, James and Amber, left California a while back, I was devastated. I miss them. They've always been such a huge part of my support system and it's hard not having them around. They're getting married and all I want is to be there for the planning and the wedding fun (I'm a uke-slinging bridesmaid!)

So, come June, I'll be shipping off to Ohio for 6-months-ish.
I'll be playing music with James Pequignot, planning weddings with Amber, and just working on relaxing. It's something that I really think I need and that will be beneficial to my music and myself.

I'll always want to live in California, no doubt about it. 

So, in the infamous words of our Governor,
"I'll be back."

It's the new year, bitches.

It's 2011. Wow.

Where did 2010 go? It seems only yesterday that Justin Beiber was vocally molesting 40-somethings and their daughters, and Glee was just starting to take over.

Oh. What's that? That was yesterday?

Well, then what have you been up to this year so far? Make any spicy resolutions? Do some sort of "deep cleanse" to flush out the mythical toxins that are running throughout your body?

Or maybe you've given a hefty middle finger to the new year and taken advantage of the comfort of your own bed, simultaneously sobbing and laughing over old episodes of Friends while you begin Google searches for "things wrapped in bacon?"

Okay, that may just be me.

But when I'm not cursing my Jewish heritage, I'm working on promoting my debut EP, "Better."

Hurry over to bandcamp and download your very own special copy now.

It would make me the happiest little social leper ever.

Happy New Year, everyone. Still.

Sincerely,

Hannah

hannah vs. Hannah

One of the first things you learn about the Deaf culture is the difference between deaf and Deaf.

"deaf" implies the physical handicap. A deaf person acknowledges it as a disability. A hearing person might more often than not see a deaf person; a person defined by a "disability." A Deaf person, on the other hand, from what I've learned, is a person who has accepted who they are and even more so are proud of it.

I'm struggling in a fight against my former self. This year has been simultaneously the best and worst of my life to date. And I imagine that the next year will be the same. And the year after that. It's always going to be a mixture of the good and the bad, it's how you shift it and how you use it to your advantage that matters.

"hannah", if you will, wants to bury herself in delusions. She believes that if you just pick at something over and over again that it will become what you want it to be. She destroys lasting friendships to pursue a singular course of fantasy.

"Hannah", on the other hand, took over a year to completely come to fruition (Well, really, she took about 21 years to complete, but for our purposes--). It took a complete cleanse of everything to get her to that capital letter. To the point where she was proud of who she was and proud of what she knows and proud of what she will do.

I'm proud of who I am. I'm proud that I've had to make difficult decisions in my life. I'm also proud to have so much help along the way. However, the way I used to be keeps popping in for a visit here and there. It's like that relative, that skeezy second cousin who only comes around on a holiday where gifts are exchanged. You don't really have any control over them being there, all you can do is humor them and count the seconds until they go away.

hannah was the worst possible version of myself. And unfortunately I'm seeing her more and more over the last few weeks. I'm single-handedly destroying the most meaningful friendship I have.

Hannah won't let that happen. So, publicly, I am sorry. I am sorry for poking and prodding where I didn't belong. I am sorry for pushing away the well wishes and sympathy of others for the well wishes and sympathy I will never get. I am sorry for not dropping things that ought be dropped.

It took long enough to get me to this point, I can't afford to backtrack now.

In other news, I fainted in the middle of a grocery store, I've regained my addiction to sparkling apple cider, and Tron is amazing.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Fan Friday! (an intro to love.)

Lately I've been spending a bit of time trying to come up with a few weekly blog features to showcase, but coming up blank. Whereas I am the Queen of Rambling and can write for hours on about any subject, I wanted to tie it in to all the She's in the Band goodness you guys know and love. 

So I thought to myself, what makes up SITB?

Well, duh.

Fans.

So starting now, and hopefully not ending too soon, I'll spend Fridays blurbing about some awesome fans that you all need to know about. 

I sure as hell love them, so I'm sure you will too.

I'm pleased to announce that our first F.F. feature will be none-other than Shereen!

Shereen is one of the sweetest girls on the planet. Shereen is always there to spread the SITB love and went on record as the first person to own a limited-edition SITB tie-dye t-shirt! She definitely gets all my love, and she should get all of yours too.

Age: Seventeen
Where you from, girl?: West Covina, California

Tell us a little something-something about yourself:
I play kazoo, my favorite number is eleven, and I believe in unicorns.

How did you stumble across SITB?:
I met Hannah at a EvelynEvelyn slash Amanda Palmer slash Jason Webley show and we talked and I found out she did this and checked it out :)

What is your favorite SITB song?:
"Ways To Die" is always a good song to listen to on bad days.


What would you like to see more of from SITB?:
Webchats are funsies! :D

What other music/bands/artists are you listening to?:
I listen to My Chemical Romance and Ke$ha and Amanda Palmer and Muse and Lil' Wayne and Nice Guys Finish First and my best friend who's in a band with a stupid temporary name and all those silly songs on the radio.

Ukulele or Electric Guitar: you must choose one, or the world will end, what do you choose?:
Uke fer sure <3

Everyone show Shereen some love! Be sure to follow her on twitter @shereensunrise and stay tuned for your chance to be featured on Fan Friday!

Also, don't forget, She's in the Band's deubt EP drops digitally this Tuesday, December 21st! 

Dear blog; Getting to know you.

Dear blog;

I have neglected you for some time now.



The weeks proceeding this have been the most amazing and stressful of my life so far. In less than a week's time, I'll be releasing my debut EP, "Better" (She's in the Band). It has been the most rewarding, exhausting, incredible experience of my life, and even though the album is finished and ready to be distributed, I know it really isn't over. Time to take She's in the Band to the streets, the stages, the soapboxes, and the airwaves; time to make it a movement.

My personal life dangled by a thread for a hot minute, and although some things are irreparable, I believe that everything is just the next step in my scientific process for living. Time to learn form my mistakes, clean out the bad things, and move on a better person. So I cut off all my hair, washed my hands of all the nonsense, and here I am, raring and ready to go.

I have so much to share with you all, but for this particular blog's purposes, I really am interested in getting to know all of you. Tell me about yourselves, tell me what you'd like to see here, tell me what you've seen so far; I'm all ears.


I want this to be more than SITB's space for ukulele news and music updates, but really a place where we can interact on as personal a level as you're ready to be on.

Ready? Go.

Sincerely,
Hannah Sciurba

EXCLUSIVE In-Studio LISTENING PARTY/SHOW/GANG VOCAL SESSION

SHE'S IN THE BAND is sending out an EXCLUSIVE invite to all fans for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

On NOVEMBER 19th we'll be having a special studio session open to just TWENTY guests.

In this little session, you'll get to be a part of lots of fun things:
...
- You'll be the FIRST to hear the "Better" EP in its entirety!
- You'll get to hang out and sing along with a special in-studio acoustic performance, featuring Will Walz and Rick Swanson
- You'll get to be A PART OF THE ALBUM for all time by banding together with all of us and sing GANG VOCALS on "Keeping the Peace", a kickass rock anthem off of the EP!

We're going to have refreshments, good friends, and great music!

We're asking a mere $10 donation at the door, simply to go straight towards finishing the album you've all been waiting for. We'll have stickers and fun things to give away, and most importantly good times to be had.

There are only TWENTY SPOTS available! If you would like to be put ON THE LIST as a SURE FIRE ticket-holder, message me DIRECTLY or email shesintheband@gmail.com and I'll put your name on the list!

It's really important to me that I'm able to share this with you all, and I'm really excited to see all of you there with your party hats and your game faces on!

Bring a friend, and be a part of SHE'S IN THE BAND history!

RSVP TODAY!

She's in the Band Halloween Contest!

 I always feel the need to begin all of my posts with huge incredible thank you's. So thank you so so so much to all of you that have pre-ordered my very first EP, "Better." We've really been struggling trying to raise enough money to meet our deadline and all your support is just so overwhelming. So here's a little raffle to show our appreciation!

What You Have To Do To Enter:

Just go to http://shesintheband.bandcamp.com and preorder ANY of the packages for my very first EP. We hae a $5, a $10, and a $15, easily fitting into anyone's budget! Each package will be one of a kind and stuffed with love, as I will be hand decorating them.

The Catch:

To be included in this raffle you must place your order by midnight, Halloween night. That is 12:00am, Pacific Coast Time, 11/1/10, Sunday night/Monday Morning. I will be hopping on the webcam at a TBD time on Monday night, drawing the lucky winner's name from one of my fabulous hats (and maybe playing a song or two). 

Note: if you have already preordered a package, you are already automatically entered! So keep updated by going to my Twitter and I'll be posting about the winners, the webcast time and place, and other fun stuff!

The Prize:

The winner will have his/her choice of one of the most fabulous following prizes!

- One She's in the Band T-shirt to be added to their package.

- One hardcopy of "Better" to be added to their package.

- One song request to be covered by She's in the Band and posted on the interwebs.

In addition, the winner will get a huge sloppy kiss and shoutout on my next YouTube video!

It's a cool opportunity to get some extra gear in your SITB package for your friends, family, or for another day of the week!

Thank you so much everyone for all the love. I'll be posting this everywhere, so be sure to get your names in quickly for this kickass raffle! You don't want to miss out!

Presale madness!

FIRST OFF-- Thank you to everyone that has already preordered my very first studio EP, "Better". You guys are giving me the biggest face-eating smile, and I can't wait to put together these packages in December and get them out to each any every one of you.

If you haven't gotten on the presale train yet, YOU STILL HAVE TIME! We need all the help we can get so please keep bugging your friends and family to buy you all the SITB goodness you can get your hands on!

http://shesintheband.bandcamp.com

There may have been a slight bit of confusion with our presale bonus tracks, so I'll debunk that all right now:

Upon purchase of ANY of the three presale packages we've set up for you, you receive a download code for three songs off a compilation I put together called "A Stab At Comedy". These songs are our gift to you for supporting She's in the Band, and are exclusive only to those who preorder "Better". These songs are not part of, or the EP, "Better." They are just three humorous songs we wanted to share with you for being so awesome!

If you have absolutely any questions about presale, album info, or anything SITB, please send them to: shesintheband@gmail.com!

Last but not least, I've posted a brand new, original song up on my Youtube, about Facebook and hate. Take that Mark Zuckerberg!

(Hint: This is one of the bonus tracks you get for pre-ordering the EP! ;))

START YOUR ENGINES--PRESALE BEGINS NOW.

Here we are kids. Get your rocks off and preorder my first ever studio EP, "Better."

Plenty of packages to choose from, each one with a special bonus! 

Please tell everyone.

ARE YOU STILL WITH ME? SAY AYE!

I know, I know. I'm a bad girl.

I haven't been around much, and that's not fair.

I promise, we're not breaking up, and I'm still serious about making a comittment.

I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

All of you.

All 23 of you.

(or 533 if you're a Youtube subscriber.)

She's in the Band is getting BACK ON TRACK! After a month of burrowing underground to discuss plans, try and earn more money, and dealing with our pressing, stressful lives, we are back with lots of amazingly fun information:

First and foremost: PRESALE STARTS TOMORROW, MONDAY, OCTOBER 4TH.

We have put together three really amazing packages for you guys, and each and every one not only helps us get back into the studio, but also comes with special surprises from me! :)

Check back here for all the links tonight at midnight, but for easier access to all my nonsense, please follow me on Twitter and get immediate updates and info on how you can get your hands on my first studio EP, "Better".

Also, if you're very good, maybe today if you keep checking back, there may be a new video up on Youtube, just for the occasion. :)

I hope you're all still with me. I'm scared and excited and all sorts of things and I want you all here with me to share the fun times with.

Best freakin' regards,

Hannah

"better" is the word du jour.

After our fourth, highly emotional and extremely amazing day in the studio, we're at just about a halfway point to completing this EP. I'm getting these mingled feelings of excitement for its release, anxiety hoping people will like it, and frustration knowing we have such a long way to go and so much more to earn.

But you know what? It will all be okay. In fact, it will be better than okay.

Speaking of which, for those who haven't heard, the title of She's in the Band's debut EP will be "Better".

To give you a little insight to this; these songs, collectively were the chronological steps I took to becoming a better person. Each one takes you through a different phase of completely making-over my life and how I dealt with it. My hope is to evoke that spirit of "spring cleaning" and to anyone who's having a rough time, or doesn't see themselves being the best possible version of themselves can listen to this and maybe get nudged in the right direction. It's helped me worlds, and still helps me to this day.

Also, we have the album art. Without any gilding the lily...

Tiffany Ford, a friend from high school and an incredible artist was the only person I considered for the album art. Upon our first day in the studio she was the first name to pop into my head, and I was adamant about accepting anything else.

After lots of emailing and brainstorming, some mock up photos (excuse the PJs) and color swatches, she sends me this; and I was floored. 

Go check her out, hire her, tell her you love her, and for that matter tell her I love her too.

We're inching closer everyone. We should have presale up very soon, including some very special surprises for those who decide to purchase one of the packages. :)

We can always use your help to keep us in the studio, so please, donate at Feed the Muse, get your very own She's in the Band T-Shirt, and as always, check out my new videos on YouTube.

Much love, everyone! Be sure to comment, repost, and let me know what you think!

Love,

Hannah

I am not the type of girl...

Let's not kid ourselves.

We all know I'm obviously an emotional person. I have a tendency to "sweat the small stuff" and as a wise person once said (albeit reversed), "it's all small stuff". I am an expert worrier and the duchess of doubt; I try to keep that PMA as much as possible, but nothing will help me get away from my fears.

Me outside Command after Day 1.

I've been a wrecked emotional rollercoaster lately. The idea of finally creating this album is not only exhilarating, strengthening, and exciting --- it is also overwhelming, exhausting and stressful.

I've had many worries since we've started this: what songs will we pick? How will we know they are good enough? How will I write enough? Who is going to play with me?--- but the one absolute Wonder-Worry trumps them all: The ever-challenging, always-present...money.

I knew from the start this wasn't going to be cheap. I knew from the start this album was going to have to mark the beginning of a new Hannah, a frugal Hannah. After missing the "Savings" train early on in the quarter, I, with the undoubtedly incredible/amazing/overwhelming/fantastic help of countless friends/fans/family managed to pull together almost half of the potential cost of this album in only two weeks.

It was a big hurrah, really. No one can express how grateful I am to have a support system that is seemingly unstoppable right there with me throughout all of this. I am constantly meeting new people who want nothing more than to help me make this happen and as wonderful as it sounds---it's put me into emotional ruins.

This is hard to type, as I feel I will immediately be misunderstood. I do not take anything for granted. I do not in any way disrespect or misunderstand the magnitude in which people have been helping me. But I just don't know what to do with it.

Will watching the scratch for "Feels Like Home"

My engineer/producer/mixer-extraordinaire, Will,  is constantly telling me how badly he wants to make this album great for me; he says he's never seen someone put so much heart into an album, let alone the task of self-funding it (or as I've just now dubbed it, help-funding it). For the past month or so (and to add insult to injury it's all happening so fast) I've been running around like a madwoman; collecting donations, making t-shirts, mailing benefits, covering songs. As a barista I make a pittance, but I've taken every possible cent out of every possible paycheck and put myself in some very uncomfortable financial positions because this means everything to me.

I never imagined I'd have to ask for help. I'm not entirely sure where I thought the money would come from (though a tree in my backyard was a nice daydream for a while). Although my producer/lifter of heavy things/business guru/close friend, Joey had been telling me for years I had the potential to make an album and have it be good, and to be able to get people interested, I think the idea of actually getting into the studio was so far-fetched in my eyes, that worrying about how I was going to pay for it was the furthest thing from my mind; I wasn't even convinced it could happen!

Asking for help has been the hardest thing for me. My entire life I have wanted nothing more than to be completely self-sufficient. I have failed miserably in many aspects of that, and each blow is more harsh than the next. While I do think hope I have something genuine and interesting to offer people by way of music and personality and a general thirst for the open road and meeting new friends, as people have been donating and supporting and reposting, I get stuck on the question: why?

Why am I good enough? Why does this mean anything to you? This is my dream, and all of you are putting your love and your support into it.

I know. It sounds bad. I sound bad. But let me finish.

Today at work after speaking with Will, I broke down a little bit in the back room. Money has become the solitary road block to this album's success. It pains me greatly to say that; I've always hated money. Not only the idea of not having enough, as always seems the case, but even the idea of having more than I need terrifies me. I am scraping together recycling and tips and the very last bit of my paycheck before I'm forced to starve just to pay for one more studio day.

Brian "Dogboy" Burwell tracking drums.

As you may or may not know, we've already had two days of recording at Command Studios. I will briefly sidetrack to tell you that these were some of the greatest days I've ever had. In tracking just drums, a few electric guitars, and some beautiful strings, I've been completely floored. I never thought I'd hear my songs without just me and my ukulele. I never thought I'd hear my songs coming out of some fancy equipment that I couldn't even begin to tell you how it worked. I never thought I'd get the chance to stand in an airtight, suffocating, sweltering hot little booth and sing like it was all I had left in life. It was overwhelming. And as my good friend said, I've "caught the bug".

Having said that, knowing that I only have enough money to pay for one more day (when we need at least three more) is the most depressing feeling in the world. I'm spending all my spare brainpower into trying to plan something, organize something, make something, wash something, clean something, cook something, do something just to help pay for one more day. And after that do it all over again and pay for another day. And again after that until I finally have something to give you all.

I am a nervous wreck. But please, don't take that the wrong way. You all are the only thing that keeps me going. Because of the help and time and support and love you all have donated to me in more ways than one, I'm slowly but surely realizing that I may just be good enough. And you do really just want to help. And maybe, just maybe, I can really give you something to be proud of.

Me being far too short for this soundbooth.

I'm constantly blowing up everyone's feeds on here, on twitter, on facebook, telling about all the ways you can help She's in the Band work our way towards this goal. Everything helps; maybe buying a t-shirt, or getting on the list for some gang vocals, or even just telling someone about the cause. I promise that I am personally doing everything I can to ensure that we stay as on track as much as possible.

My biggest worry though, is that it won't be enough.

Trying to stay afloat in shallow water,

but successfully fighting the treacherous the Under Toad,

Hannah Sciurba

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: almost, but not quite, and still so far to go.

As you may or may not know, my goal was to achieve $1500 (1/2 of what the total cost of this record will be) by today, August 1st.

Looks like I just fell short...

But don't worry. I'm still going to do whatever it takes to ensure that we're in the studio in a couple weeks as planned.

Unfortunately, I still have such a long way to go. I hate to ask more of the people who have made this happen (you), but if you're at all interested in helping She's in the Band record it's first studio album, then here are some ways how!

1. Tell EVERYONE. I'm an avid "tweet-er" and I will constantly post links to sites where you can buy SITB t-shirts and other merch. Simply copying and pasting and spreading the word about the cause is one of the greatest things you could do for me. The more people hear about me, and (hopefully) like my music and what I'm about, the more love and support enters into this big ol' family we've got going.

Will "Balz to the Walz" Walz modeling!

 

2. Grab some merch! I've started a store on Etsy recently to sell one-of-a-kind SITB t-shirts! Tie-dye is currently the only design posted but if there's a specific design you'd like, let me know and I will work to give you a kickass custom order!

3. Visit the Feed the Muse page! I'm constantly changing/lowering prices on donation minimums for certain fan benefits as well as adding new ones! JUST ADDED: Be a gang vocalist on the new SITB album! (SoCal only) for just a $30 donation! Grab all your friends and get the opportunity to come into the studio and shout on a SITB track! You can also still get your favorite song covered by SITB for just $15! I'll post it on YouTube and send you the sloppiest e-kiss imaginable!

4. Tell everyone (again)! I can't emphasize enough how much every retweet, every bulletin, every repost means to me. Spreading the word about She's in the Band makes me feel like there's really a shot out there, and you guys are helping make it happen.

SITB and team arranging and rehearsing!

Thanks again for all your help. We've got a long way to go, but I know we can do it, and I know that we're going to have something wonderful for you when all is said and done.

Love eternally,

Hannah

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: I HAVE LOST COUNT, BUT I HAVE SITB T-SHIRTS!

THINGS ARE GOOD, PEOPLE.

After getting my tips this week (yep, I'm an expert barista) and a wonderful $20 dollar donation from an old friend (Dear Michelle, I love you.) I am now past the $700 mark! Yay!

Again, I can't thank you all enough for all the support. Keep donating, I have lots to give you in return! Like Tommy for example; he donated money and in return got to request any song for me to cover and post on Youtube. And I did:

 

Check out my Feed the Muse page to find out more about how to request your favorite song!

IN OTHER NEWS: WE NOW HAVE T-SHIRTS!

(Left: Front - Right: Back)

Yes, they are very DIY, but I love them. This is just the first design I have, but I'm planning a whole series of "that's what she('s in the band) said" t-shirts (and yes, they will be available in solid colors) including such memorable quotes/lyrics as:

"Is that a euphemism for sex?"

"I only listen to Throwdown."

"My heart feels like Hiroshima, I am under attack!"

"I'm in the band."

I'll be creating an Etsy account this week and putting them up for sale for just $10! I'm so thrilled with how many of you have already placed orders, and I can't wait to keep making them! All proceeds go towards the SITB studio time.

We're gonna make it guys. It's going to happen.

Thank you,

Hannah

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: 7 days and the most overwhelming night.

(Hi, I haven't slept.)

Yesterday was a pretty good day! Feeling ignored is so prevalent in my life, and has been for so long that I just couldn't let it get me down.

I counted up the money and did the math and rounded what I had yesterday to $650, and then I received a $25 donation from Tommy!

He put in the donation via FEED THE MUSE and in return got to request any song for me to cover. He's chosen a really cool A Day To Remember song and I'll be posting the video tonight to show my thanks!

(Want She's in the Band to cover your favorite song? Visit FTM to find out how!)

The other night I posted a tweet about making tie-dye SITB shirts, mostly on a whim to see what the response would be. I ended up getting 12 orders! So yesterday I made the first batch of tie-dye shirts, and I'll be creating an Etsy account to display and sell them to anyone who wants to rock one in their hometown!

On top of that, I get tips today! Yay! Another 50 bucks to the total, ideally.

I'm excited, kids. It's all coming together.

 I sent this to my producer last night:

"I'm so happy, Joey.

I mean, I'm stressed and anxious and worried and want to tear my hair out sometimes...but I'm really happy."

That's absolutely, completely, because of all of you.

Thank you.

-Hannah

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: 8 days and it appears we've made a dent, Johnson!

I fell asleep last night before I could blog, but don't worry, I'm on top of it! You know...for all 14 of you. (who I love unconditionally<3)

OKAY SO.

YEP. 600-ISH.

My actual estimate is something closer to $650, however due to the crazyness of the garage sale, some things weren't recorded and it got a little confusing.

Needless to say, the garage sale went pretty well! I sold basically all of my "big-ticket" items and really didn't have enough to do another sale today, so that's gotta be good! It was a stressful day, but I'm always grateful for any progress we can make towards the ultimate goal.

Once again, this week I will be out and about collecting donations for one more garage sale all over Southern California, so if you or anyone you know has anything they'd like to donate, please put them in contact with me and I'll come take it off their hands. (and hug them and thank them obsessively).

shesintheband@gmail.com

IN OTHER NEWS: I'M MAKING T-SHIRTS.

Not just normal t-shirts... TIE-DYE T SHIRTS.

I had a bunch of really fun ideas hit me last night and I'm going to be working with Joey to get everything settled. After I announced the possibility last night I got 10 ORDERS. I'll be starting an Etsy account and offering the t-shirts for sale on there in any combination. I can't wait for you guys to see them, this is going to be fun.

Keep your eyes peeled! Hopefully I'll be posting the designs today or tomorrow!

Like every day, thank you so much for the support. We're inching closer, and as I pull out more and more of my hair, I get more and more excited.

Love forever,

Hannah

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: 9 days and I'll always be nervous

WOOP!

Got two more donations to the Feed the Muse site today!

Big thanks to Joseph and Francis!

Yeah, I know we're still lightyears away from $1500 (or the $3000 I'll end up needing) but I'm amazed every time someone gives just a little. Warms my heart in a way I didn't think was possible.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY: Starting TOMORROW (Saturday, 7/24) I'll be lowering one of my donation minimums on the FTM site from $50 to $15 dollars. That means for that low low donation you can request ANY cover song from me, and I'll post it on Youtube for the world to see. I will also include the mushiest, most lovey-dovey shout out to you I can possibly manage! Tell EVERYONE!

I went out and picked up a couple pieces of furniture from my coworker and good friend Mike, today. Tomorrow's another big garage sale and I'm astounded by the amount of stuff I have to try and sell!

Tell everyone you know in the Los Angeles area! Everything MUST go so just MAKE ME AN OFFER.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/gms/1860190856.html

I'll be playing ukulele all day, and if you give me any donation, I'll play the cover song of your choice!

And now, since I have to be up in 6 hours, I must go to bed. But I leave you with this new She's in the Band cover I did today.

Enjoy!

Love,

Hannah <3

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: 10 days and the mood swings begin...

Today was rough. I hate to say that, but it really was.

I woke up to the most incredible piece of news ever. It didn't necessarily bring my any closer to my fiscal goal, but it is very exciting. Unfortunately I can't share it just yet until everything is finalized, but it draws from what I talked about in yesterday's update, and could mean very big things for She's in the Band.

So here we are.

(Pardon the crazy hair, it's been a long day.)

It's hard to do a daily update, when I'm just not earning money every day, rather lump sums on days where I do garage sales, or hopefully, one of these days when someone thinks I'm worthwhile enough to invest in, or if anyone donates on the Feed the Muse page.

I was talking to a customer today about how exhausting these past few weeks have been. I've been feeling awful because I hate asking for things, and it makes me feel arrogant to assume that this is worth while, and that people care...

And then when you guys came through, and just overwhelmed me with your love and your support it filled me with the greatest feeling of confidence and excitement.

But then when my mind settles on the reality that I have to come up with $1,100 $1,089 in 10 days the anxiety really sets in.

After I finished my venting, he handed me ten dollars and told me to remember that everything counts, and no matter what, this will happen.

Everyone seems so sure that I'll make it. I admire that in you all.

Guess it's just time to keep my head up, and keep moving forward.

Love and rock and roll (with ukuleles and an empty bank account)

Hannah <3

P.S. I also found a dollar while walking back to my car. 11 dollars made.
P.P.S. Big thanks to Erin Bird for donating some more stuff for me to sell at my garage sales this weekend. Lot's of adorable clothing and jewelry, be sure to come snatch it before it's gone!

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: 11 days and counting...

Well, I'll just get out there and say it: We didn't actually raise any more money today.

BUT

I have the most amazing fans and the most amazing friends in the world. I traveled to my old watering hole, the Antelope Valley today to pick up donations from the wonderful Suzey Q, the supportive and generous Engel Family, and my talented engineer, Will Walz.

We filled up two cars worth of donations and my best friend, Steven helped me drive it all back down to my house. 

I'm holding more garage sales this weekend. I'm excited. People have been incredibly generous with their donations (TVs, fax machines, furniture) and I'm beginning to think that even though I am so far away from my goal, I may actually make it with the incredible backup I have in friends, fans and family.

So here's where we're at...

As of today, we're still at $400.

Much against my mother's liking, I've taken to keeping written track of the money I earn over the next week and a half...with sharpie...on my arms.

If we're being honest, I just like drawing on myself.

This weekend I'll be cutting down the donation agreements on Feed the Muse (any donation helps). You'll be able to get fan benefits (including one song request to be posted on Youtube with a shoutout to the "beneficiary"!) for cheaper then their original listing for one night only! 

Keep in touch, a million thank yous and many crossed fingers (and other extremities).

Love,

Hannah

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE: And the countdown begins...

I'm actually scared, kids. That rarely happens happens all the time but now it's something more than a bug, or the dark, or the scary dancing old man from the Six Flags commericals...

This is the dream.

I finally have the opportunity to record my first studio EP, as you may know. You may also know that to make that happen I need to come up with $3000 dollars, half of which needs to be in my hands by August 1st. That's right AUGUST 1st. That's a mere 12 days away.

I've been holding garage sales, and collecting donations of junk and services and money from all these amazing people, and I couldn't be more thankful...

But god do I have a long way to go.

So after thinking about it, and talking with friends, I came to the conclusion that there is nothing funnier than a frazzled Hannah. Having said that, I've decided that I'm starting this blogging project for the next 12 days to document my saving, earning and collecting stories.

Money has always found a way of alluding me all my life; I've never been good at being frugal so it goes without saying that the title, THE ULTIMATE BATTLE is appropriate for the treacherous journey I am embarking on.

So welcome to day one! As of right now, I have roughly $400 dollars towards my $3,000 $1,500 goal.*

Yeah, I know. Ouch.

(*Not including anything I have in my bank account by the deadline and the mountains of change I have in a bucket in my room.)

Anyways, it's been tough the past week. I hate asking for help, especially in the form of money. It makes me feel like a douchebag. Which makes it all the more overwhelming when I find that there are people that actually care, and are really pulling for this EP. It astonishes me daily.

Tomorrow my dad is meeting with a friend of his who has always shown an interest in She's in the Band. Ideally, if all goes well he might be a potential investor (in which case I would send him the most obnoxious, mushy thank-you basket of baked goods known to man).

I also wrote up an email that I'm hoping to send to Eastwood Guitars. It's a fantastic instrument company that has sponsored bands like The Foo Fighters and the Decemberists (two of my favorites). On top of that, though being predominantly an electric guitar company, this year they released the beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous Airline Solid Body Electric Ukulele. 

The second I saw this magnificent beast I squealed with joy. I considered hanging a picture of it on my ceiling, like a teenage boy and his Halle Berry poster (do kids still think she's hot?).

If this letter has any charm or luck attached to it, maybe Eastwood would sponsor me as one of their players. It'd be an amazing gift and a blessing to work with such a cool, approachable company. Fingers crossed.

I think that's about all the stress I can handle for one night. Stay tuned tomorrow for more on the ULTIMATE BATTLE.

And though I know I only have very few readers, if you feel at all like helping the cause, visit www.feedthemuse.net/shesintheband.

That way, if you donate even just two dollars you can receive some sort of gift from me in return.

And please, tell your friends. If you haven't heard any of She's in the Band's music, please visit my Youtube Page or my Myspace for covers and originals.

Thanks for all your help, and support, and love.

I'm trying to keep it with me always.

Love,

Hannah