Breakthrough: Watch the New Music Video

“Breakthrough” is the first track on the album. When composing it, the music came before the lyrics. The percussion is a field recording of a HUGE fallen tree in the woods. The resonance of the decayed wood had some serious natural bass. I set up a zoom recorder, and with a mosquito net on my head, pounded my fist on the tree. You could feel the sound waves through the ground as it echoed through the forest. I’m sure I confused some bears, moose, and grouses.

I apologized.

The psychedelic sound in the intro is a field recording of a wilson snipe, a bird I didn’t know existed until this trip. I was fascinated by their sound. I only heard it at night while trying to sleep. This swirling whooshes circled my yurt and sounded like a natural phaser. I learned it’s called winnowing, and it’s not a bird call but rather the sounds of its feathers as it swoops! The specialized tailfeathers create a whirling buzz as it flies to defend its territories and attract mates. I never saw the bird but I heard what I assume was a dozen+ snipes every night.

Nature.org says, “The hollow winnowing of the tail feathers seemingly echoes off wispy cumulus clouds. The faintness can make you second-guess that you’ve heard anything at all. Researchers have determined that peak winnowing happens when snipe are traveling 25 miles per hour.” (And this guy says they can fly up to 60 mph!)

The video features time-adapted footage from Lake Clark, Alaska. Qizhjeh Vena, also known as Lake Clark, is the ancestral homelands for the Dena’ina Athabascan people. These compositions were greatly influenced by the the area. The album is named Alaska as a tribute to the spatial collaboration. This album is dedicated to the incredible artists at Chulitna Lodge. Thanks for watching. 

I had a melody before I landed on these specific lyrics to sing. I’d written the words before, in a different context, but they only existed on the pages of my songbook–until coming together for this song. 

Being a songwriter is vulnerable. Sometimes trauma turns up in verses. Hypervigilance is a coping mechanism. As a mighty worrier, in a misguided attempt to keep me safe and ready for anything, I unwillingly predict and anticipate unknown dangers. My mind conjures up images of tragic events that will never happen to prepare me for the worst case scenario(s). For example, I have grieved many false deaths, including my own, and vividly envisioned myself experiencing natural disasters, accidents, goofs, and falls, all that which never took place. These distressing thoughts can happen at any time and seem to come out of nowhere. 

In my youth, I would be incredibly upset by these intrusive thoughts; they still irk me, but mindfulness and labeling them has helped me loosen their emotional impact. The lyrics to BREAKTHROUGH label the intrusive thoughts for what they are: 

False future fantasy 
Augmented reality
Scenes that were never seen 
Dishonest daydream
Two-timing treacherous thoughts untrue
Breakthrough

On the bright side, real life is a lot better than my worry brain predicts. 

It’s challenging to write such personal things. When I learned that distorted thoughts are a phenomenon experienced by many people, I felt less isolated. I share in case you need to know you’re not alone. 

Please share with friends you feel could use this message too.  

I hope you like the song and album. It’s my favorite yet. Thanks for reading. Sending you love! 

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Here’s a link to all the streaming sites.

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https://unolady.com/alaska-the-new-album-is-out-today/

 

Alaska, the New Album, is out Today!

I’m so excited to share these songs with you!

Alaska is released in partnership with Softseed Music in British Columbia on limited edition cassette tapes (32), each with one-of-a-kind swirl art made by Dave Norman of Softseed Music. The tapes are available at Softseedmusic.bandcamp.com and UnoLady.com.

Dave asked about collaborating on a tape right after my Alaskan adventure. The Wax Mage Records, Single Rider release was how I was introduced to Dave. He runs Softseed Music and Zegma Beach. Red Spade Records created a limited run lathe cut 10” and Dave hand dipped the swirl art.

 

ALASKA, Uno Lady’s 9th release, was recorded at an off-the-grid solar-powered arts fellowship at Chulitna Wilderness Lodge in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, Alaska. 

These songs were written in the moment and inspired by the landscape. You can hear the tranquility of the place within the songs. The percussion was made by drumming on trees and the beats are comprised of bird calls I recorded.  These nature sounds pulse along with layers of vocal harmonies. These truly unique compositions are atmospheric and mesmerizing.  

The album artwork is a photo I took on summer solstice. Taking advantage of the 22 hours of daylight, we zipped around by boat visiting different islands within Lake Clark and sipped on sun soaked teas made from flowers we foraged. 

The art fellowship in Alaska was life changing. I was as enthusiastic as an eight year old over new plant discoveries. I didn’t anticipate creating an album. Being disconnected from social media and online distractions allowed me to absorb and be influenced by the atmosphere. I would record when I felt inspired, which was often. At the end of the 6 week adventure, I had 10 recordings and a new album. All the songs on ALASKA were a product of this once in a lifetime experience. Thank you Chulitna Lodge for sharing your space, good company, and delicious food.  This album is dedicated to you and the artists involved (Here are related posts about my experience at the fellowship if you want to learn more 1 & 2).  

In these coming weeks, I’ll share stories from each song and videos.  Subscribe and follow to see.  Here’s a link to all the streaming sites.

Thanks for reading and for your support! 

Photos by Christa Ebert. Lake Clark, Alaska

Press 

“Not confined to a single genre, UNO LADY draws from minimalism, avant-garde, art rock, and experimental indie on new album “Alaska” IDIOTEQ.com 

Uno Lady’s Video Album, LE FLUX, is Live

I’m delighted to share the songs and videos from Le Flux with you. For the last 3 years, I have put a lot of time and love into these tracks and look forward to telling the story behind the music.  More blog posts coming soon (subscribe at UnoLady.com)

“Le Flux” is a 9-song video album created in a flow state in France. The songs are spellbinding, ambient arias, mostly lyricless. The film, taken across Europe on the same trip that spawned the album, follows Uno Lady through France, Switzerland, and Germany.  All songs were composed at an artist residency in the small town of Orquevaux, France at Chateau Orquevaux. The footage is from the same trip and features scenes from Switzerland and Germany. The compositions, videos, and editing involved following flow.

The short film airs at 9am EDT 11/22/22

I picked this release date because it’s my lovely mother’s birthday. Happy birthday, mom. You’re the best and I love you so much. You made me so you indirectly made this album! Great job! This album is dedicated to you. 

November 22 also is the 15-year anniversary of my first Uno Lady show!  (RIP Pat’s in the Flats and the incomparably tough and supportive  Pat Hanych). Time flies! Thanks for your support all these years. 

Thanks to Imperial Emporium Sound Options for releasing this album with me and mastering the music. You can buy the limited edition tapes (50) through  Imperial Emporium Sound Options.  The digital release is available through Uno Lady’s bandcamp and all streaming sites.  

Thanks to Chateau Orquevaux for providing me with the opportunity and a truly unique place to create. I am forever inspired by the atmosphere and the other artists who attended (Miss you!) Huge thanks to The Ellis Beauregard Foundation in Rockland, Maine for providing me a residency and the opportunity to spend last winter editing, mastered, and making the videos. Thank you all for your support.

I’ll share more soon. Sending love!  

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Uno Lady’s Le Flux, a Video Album + Tape Releases 11/22/22

“Le Flux” is a 9-song video album created in a flow state in France. The songs are spellbinding, ambient arias, mostly lyricless. The film, taken across Europe on the same trip that spawned the album, follows Uno Lady through France, Switzerland, and Germany. 

Imperial Emporium Sound Options is releasing a limited run of CASSETTE TAPES! The digital release will be available on Bandcamp and streaming sites (11/22/22 too!)

SATURDAY 11/19/22 at 7:30pm  @ The Happy Dog for the Panza Foundation benefit is a watch party for Le Flux. Get to the benefit when the doors open at 7:30pm and see the video before anyone else. The Panza Foundation supports local underground music through grants and I’m lucky to be on the board. Every year we have a benefit where the awardee bands perform and we announce the bands for the following year. It’s a lot of fun and there is an awesome raffle with lots of gear prizes. Here’s the event page

I’ll be posting stories about the album Le Flux at UnoLady.com soon.


Thanks for your support.
Love,
Christa, The Uno Lady

CREDITS

All songs and videos were made by Christa Ebert, the Uno Lady. The tracks were mastered by Jeff France and the cassette tapes released with Imperial Emporium Sound Options. The compositions were recorded and written at Chateau Orquevaux, France, September 2019. The songs were edited, mastered, and the videos created at the Ellis Beauregard Foundation residency in Rockland, Maine, December 2021. Thank you for your support.

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Illicit Hymns Pt 3: Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne, Paris, France

Illicit Hymns– uninvited, improv cathedral performances.

Here are two more videos from the series in the Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne.

In Paris, a few blocks from where I was staying is the Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne. I entered an empty place and started singing. A priest or parishioner arrived and was setting up for a mass. I asked if it was okay to sing. He said something in French but I am naive to the language. Through tone and body language it seemed ok and friendly.  I am not sure if I had permission but it seemed like I did. I hope that I conveyed gratitude to him. Singing in the church brought me much joy. 


There is one more cathedral performance to share. Stay tuned. Listen to the recordings on Bandcamp and wherever you prefer to stream. Thanks for watching.

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