I’m going to Alaska! I have been awarded a fellowship at Chulitna Lodge, a historic Alaskan landmark in the center of Lake Clark National Parks and Preserve, one of the largest parks in the U.S. Chulitna Lodge is 180 miles southwest of Anchorage and is an off-grid living community. The property primarily runs on solar power.
My fellowship begins in May and is completely self-directed. I applied with a new idea that focuses on old-growth forests. I will spend my time developing a project that tells the tales of trees. I’ll also take videos and compose music inspired by my stay.
The fellowship covers my lodging and food expenses. I have to pay for a portion of my travel, cover my home expenses, and variation in income. I’ll come up with creative ways to help fund this incredible opportunity and keep you posted. You can always buy music through Bandcamp or pledge on Patreon.
Thanks so much to the Chulitna Lodge Research Institute for providing the time, space, and facilities for creatives to make and meditate. Some text and photo are from Chulitna Lodge’s website.
“Washed Away” was recorded by Christa (Uno Lady) Ebert January 2017. Song written by Christa Ebert, Anna Jo, and Marcus Trana during Dark Songs at the Holiday Music Motel, Sturgeon Bay, WI, October 2016.
The Holiday Music Motel is a magical place that invites songwriters from around the world. Musicians travel to Sturgeon Bay to take part in the three songwriting festivals at the Holiday Music Motel (February’s ‘Love On Holiday,’ is happening this week! June’s ‘Steel Bridge Songfest’ and October’s ‘Dark Songs’). You can listen to the songs recorded at the Motel, year round at www.steelbridgeradio.com/listen
For the last three years I have participated in Dark Songs and a favorite from the last trip is “Washed Away.” It was co-written by myself, Anna Jonson who is a Wildland Firefighter and simultaneously the nicest and very badass, and Norway native Marcus Trana, recording engineer, entrepreneur and all around swell guy.
Escape the RNC and travel to near by Pittsburgh (aka Pizzaburgh) for LADYFEST! Ladyfest is an annual three-day festival featuring female-fronted and female-dominant acts. Ladyfest showcases the contributions women musicians are making in various genres. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.
Ladyfest is July 15-17. Uno Lady performs Saturday @ Spirit around 9:30 pm.
Saturday, July 16th /// 4pm /// 21+ /// $10
Spirit 242 51st Street Facebook event
90% of the fellowship funds were spent in Cuyahoga County
16 people were hired to help
A bunch of cool stuff was purchased
1,700 hours were spent researching developing and planning; creating and producing; promoting and implementing.
Uno lady had 30 public performances
Over 4,000 people experienced the work
With the fellowship funds I met the goals proposed in my application: I increased my capacity, developed my knowledge, and expanded my marketing efforts.
Contribution to the community
As promised, I spent 90% of my fellowship funds within Cuyahoga County. If there was an option to shop locally, I did. I hired Cuyahoga County artists and paid them a fair wage. I considered diversity when selecting the artists and also chose equally among the sexes.
Nick and Tony Cross lent their musical talents on a few of the songs. Adam Boose, audio engineer at Cauliflower Audio, mastered the music. Album artwork was created in collaboration with graphic designer, Angela Ruland, and photographer, Ryan Poorman. Professional seamstress Margaret Ruble of Senjiva Studios created the custom woodgrain dress used for the cover art. Ron Kretch authored my press-kit. Megan Elk gave me a voice lesson. Mike Rodemann designed and screenprinted the t-shirts with the help of his son, Milo. Ian Charnes, director of CWRU’s Think
(pictured below), crafted my custom made podium. The list goes on. I couldn’t have accomplished all that I have without the help of fellow artists.
I had records pressed at Gotta Groove and my pal Heather Gmucs artistically manipulate the vinyl. I had hundreds of CDs made at locally based AtoZ Audio.
In September, I improved my 2009 tape release for the 5-year anniversary, I Really Like Genetics But I’d Rather Have a Good Time, and made it free to the public (unolady.com/download). Download cards were printed at Jakprints. Another freebee was released on Christmas, when I covered “Auld Lang Syne.”
Capacity
With the fellowship, I was able to turn an empty space in my house into an office/ modest studio that meets my recording needs.
I bought much needed equipment including but not limited to: A new Fender 300 Portable PA speaker system, a Boss RC30 loop pedal, an Apogee ONE microphone, KORG Volca Beats drum machine, MicroKORG Vocoder synthesizer, Yamaha Mixer, cables and power supplies, computer speakers, mic stands, and a handful of smaller instruments such as a Melodica (keyboard air), Tibetan singing bowls, thumb piano, and a musical saw and bow.
Knowledge
I bought a GoPro camera to help with future music videos, and took a film editing class at the Cleveland Institute of Art (taught by the lovely Lauren Voss). I took classes at the Beck Center for voice and piano. I learned the basics of music theory, how to sight-read, and how to sing this creepy/ amazing Italian Aria Lascia ch’io pianga.
Marketing
My marketing efforts were enhanced by the fellowship: unolady.com is up and running. I am now registered as both the writer and publisher of my songs on ASCAP and secured licensing with CD Baby. My songs are finally on itunes, can be purchased on Amazon, and in the review process for Pandora. I now have a youtube channel with 10 videos posted in the past year.
I sent hundreds of emails and 70+ packages promoting the record and booking the tour. Each package contained a personalized, handwritten note in addition to professionally made publicity materials. Despite hours of sleuthing, I couldn’t find Wes Anderson’s address to send him a record.
In October, I went on tour, performing in eight towns never played in prior. I also was lucky enough to participated in an invite-only songwriting workshop and was on five recordings made during that week. It was the first time of my life I spent focused on music and nothing else.
The Creative Workforce Fellowship was a life changing opportunity. It continue to be a catalyst to my creativity and I am very thankful to CPAC and CAC. Thanks for making such an innovative and supportive program for Cuyahoga County artists.
I encourage all artists who are passionate about their city to apply to this year’s fellowship. On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 @ 12 noon, I’ll be speaking at the Foundation Center Cleveland (1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300, Cleveland) about the fellowship and grant writing basics. Register here. Stay tuned for more updates. I’ll be posting more about the fellowship (click here to subscribe).
I wanted to share Uno Lady’s video as well as highlight a few of my favorites. All are worth watching. It is a short two minutes focusing on some of the most creative talents in Cuyahoga County. Watch them here
Here I am- Christa Ebert, expert nerd, music connoisseur.
Fellowship friends
I have been lucky to call RA Washington a friend prior to the fellowship. RA is the co-founder of Guide To Kulchur, a bookstore (and then some) located on W65th and Detroit. GTK also acts as “an incubator for emerging and marginalized voices within the print medium. Main projects include Cleveland Books 2 Prisoners, GTK Press, The Cleveland Zine Archive, and The Sally Tatnall Black Box.”… http://guidetokulchurcleveland.com/
I also made some new pals thanks to the fellowship and developed a fondness for Cleveland Public Theatre. Cleveland Public Theatre’s mission is to “raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking performances and life-changing educational programs.” There programs and plays are unique, and quite frankly, badass. They host my favorite annual concert, and throw the most action packed fundraiser that has ever existed.
Raymond Bobgan is the Executive Artistic Director or CPT and a 2014 fellowship recipient for music composition. His compositions may be the closest to Uno Lady’s musical style that I have come across. I love this because we make similar music in opposite ways.
Last but not least is my new feisty friend, Faye Hargate! Faye is a performer, installation artist, educator and director at CPT. Check out her video below.
