“Illicit Hymns” releases November 19, 2021. The BANDCAMP pre-order starts today. The album and video series are 7 improv performances in 4 cathedrals around France and Switzerland.
This album is called Illicit Hymns because I sang in cathedrals without permission. This trip was about following my intuition. The recordings were unplanned and unrehearsed. The locations were not scouted nor researched, rather stumbled upon.
Maybe you’re wondering why I was singing in these places. It started at an artist residency at Chateau Orquevaux in rural France. For two weeks I lived in a mansion with twelve other artists. During our stay, we visited Eglise Saint André, a church in Orquevaux. Only opened occasionally, I was allowed a last-minute opportunity to sing inside. I winged it. Consumed in the moment the melodies flowed freely. The other artists drew as I sang.
The church was built before electric amplification was invented. The construction of these spaces was meant to carry voices. The sound was phenomenal and the reverb resonated through my body. (View on Youtube. This recording is not a part of Illicit Hymns release because I had permission to sing).
Next we visited Cathédrale Saint-Mammès de Langres in Langres, France. Construction of Langres Cathedral began in the 11th century. The architecture was stunning and the acoustics were amazing.
Another artist from the residency encouraged me to sing. I was hesitant. Her words were along the lines of, what are the consequences? What are they going to do, ask you to stop?
I shook my shyness, took up space, and made some noise.
These are the first two pieces on the album.
After the residency I traveled solo through France and Switzerland, sharing a few performances and scoping out a few cathedrals. On my own, I visited 3 more churches. I’ll be sharing those soon.
I’m excited to share my latest release, RISE, a song that celebrates interconnectivity and biodiversity. It is a call to action. A climate change anthem. Together we can protect the planet, and celebrate and nurture all beings on this earth. The water is rising but so are we.
Rise is a collaboration between musician Christa Ebert (Uno Lady) and artist Clare Celeste Börsch. The song offers a vision for the future where we live within our planetary boundaries, in community and thriving in mutual interconnectedness with the natural world. Inspired by the podcast How to Save a Planet‘s call to action to write a climate anthem, this is our offering to the movement. It is meant to be sung with others, with the clapping of hands and marching of feet. It is a song that is created through movement, in movement, together: through the power of We.
The song has field recordings throughout. The percussion is made of crows, chickadee calls, and hummingbird flutters. The beat is a leaky roof dripping into a metal bucket I recorded in France. There are sounds from streams in Switzerland and waves from Lake Erie. I hope you like it. Be good to the planet and to each other.
I reached out to Clare on IG because I adore her artwork and how she approaches activism. I contacted her to see if she was open to collaborate. I’m delighted for her receptiveness to work together and am excited to share this cross continent collaboration.
Video premiere of Uno Lady’s “WILD CHILD” October 26, 2021 @12pm EDT
WILD CHILD is on the OSMOSIS LP. Get the limited edition green vinyl through Volar Records or Uno Lady directly.
WILD CHILD is about channeling childhood angst into fuel for a better future. Filmed in her bathtub, the video features Christa and the demise of the hand painted tiger mask featured on the OSMOSIS album cover. The dream-like visions were created by projecting video collage into the dark green water then filming those visuals.
WILD CHILD was written, recorded, produced, filmed, and edited by Christa Ebert, the Uno Lady. Thanks to Washmachine Productions for helping as a cameraperson and with direction.
This Friday, September 3, I’ll be singing at the Grog Shop with Herzog & Pharmacy Keys. This is my last show on the books for now, so if you feel comfortable coming, I’d love to see you. The new vaccination policy is in place so bring a photo of your vaccine card or proof of a negative COVID test within 48 hours of the show.
BANDCAMP: A year ago, I set up my recording equipment on the porch and recorded an improv performance. To celebrate the anniversary, I have released Impromptu Loops Porch Performance. You can listen and watch the videos here.
Impromptu Loops: Porch Performance, was recorded live from my front yard in Cleveland, Ohio.
These impromptu loops were the aftereffects of the interview and performance with LaToya Kent during the pandemic. Feeling creatively charged after our collaboration, with equipment ready to go, I hit record and started singing. These tracks are the result. The mosquitos were vicious so pardon my impulsive bug reactions.
In the following weeks, I’ll be releasing the songs LaToya and I made. Watch the interview: A conversation and creation with Latoya Kent & Christa Ebert at https://youtu.be/N42gNjurhJ0
Presented in partnership with Mahall’s. September 10, 2020.
Recorded, edited, and filmed by Christa Ebert, Uno Lady.
Watch the video premiere for “Don’t Break My Heart.” Filmed at the Little Rose Tavern by Diana Hlywiak, “Don’t Break My Heart” features Christa Ebert (Uno Lady) with Cleveland musicians Beth Hiser (Bass), Theresa May (Trumpet), and Roseanna Safos (Drums).
