http://julieannmusic.com/news.html Julie-Ann: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sun, 20 May 2012 02:28:57 -0700 http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#3 A Big Hug and thankyou to -
John "Willow" Williamson" - Electric Guitar
Peter Fahd - Bass
Ivan King - Drums and
Wayne Rigby on Sax, for contributing what they did to Gypsy Rose. We did some great gigs together, made a record and took the songs on a beautiful journey. I really enjoyed the experience. Thanks guys.X]]> http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#3 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 - Julie-Ann - News http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#5 I have never seen so many stars in my entire life, I felt completely drenched under these twinkling little lights, vibrating with energy, sending pulses accross the sky and shooting their way to a new destination.

This place is rich and intoxicating, it fills me with a yearning for something I have not yet found, that I know, but don't remember. There is a familiarity that I don't yet understand.

I reconnected with my brother again after 15 years, which was the most important part of my journey to Africa. It was so beautiful to see him again and spend time just hanging out and getting accquainted with the special people in his life, including the little ray of light, his 4 yr old daughter. It just so happened that every day in that magical land was such a unique and enriching experience.
He took us to a place in the Drakensberg mountains, where we stumbled accross a ranch, that offered to take us on a 2 day horseriding journey. Trekking through uninhabited wilderness - up, over and accross mountains, gorges and valleys of pristeen waterfalls and running streams. The most stunning landscape I have ever experienced, it was like a scene from Lord of the Rings or Brokeback Mountain. Our trusty steeds did a fine job of carrying us over the most dangerous of terrain, on the very edge of civilised and uncivilised worlds.
We rode from South Africa accross the border into a country called Lesotho. When we arrived, we made our way down into the valley where we were greeted by goat hereders and their children wearing nothing but blankets made into ponchos to keep out the cold and wind. No electricity here, very little but the bare necessities for their day to day survival. The sun set in the valley and with it brought a large, bright full moon, casting an emotional glow on our weary travellers.

We were paddled down the Kavango River at the entrance to the Okavango Delta, in small Mokoros's.. Past pods of Hippos and crocs - up close, but thankfully, not too personal!!
White-water rafted the Zambezi River and climbed an enormous sand dune in the desert, to watch the sun rise over Souessvlei.
I also rolled a "rhino buggy" in a German coastal town called "Swakopmund".

All of these adventures have given me huge perspective on everything in my life, including my music. Travelling - valuable life experience - you can't beat it!! Jules.X]]> http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#5 Sun, 14 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 - Julie-Ann - News http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#6 From Hong Kong to Prague - Turkey to Africa, the adventures were extraordinary, and the inspiration I have sourced from this, is the fuel feeding my new material. These songs will complete the record I plan to have done by the end of this year.
Although there was a bi-polar tone to this tour, the extremes of high and low only added to the adventure, and helped me to also explore the depth of the experience.
So much beautiful music in Turkey. I sit - intoxicated and entranced by the "saz" music. The movement and progression, so unique to the sounds of the Middle East. I fell in love, and felt so comfortable with this foreign instrument - a member of the long-necked lute family. And as I picked away, I was carried off with its beautifully hypnotic sound. Regrettably, I was unable to carry the saz home with me. But will be picking one up on the next trip.
And Africa - the energy of the people, the vibration of the land, the music and rhythm was really intense, and so uplifting and inspiring. It creeps into your soul and steals your heart! More about Africa later......X]]> http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#6 Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 - Julie-Ann - News http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#4
ps. More tales from far-away places to come!!]]> http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#4 Sun, 07 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 - Julie-Ann - News http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#2 May 2007 be filled with magic moments and wonderful adventures for you all, and may your spirit be enriched with beautiful music - always!

2006 slipped by way too quickly, but not without taking me on a wildly exotic journey, to some of the most amazing places I have ever encountered.
It was a bit surreal with all the flying, which really put me into a dream-like state. The experiences though, have brought me to new place within myself, and it is here that I will be sharing with you, my songs and music.
My new website has been up and running now for a while, but I have only just started feeding and updating it again since I arrived home last month. Lots of adventures to share!!]]> http://julieannmusic.com/news.html#2 Fri, 05 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 - Julie-Ann - News