Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thursday, April 07, 2011
kristengraves shared an Instagram photo with you
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Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Friday, April 01, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
To iPhone or not to iPhone...a serious question.
Hey everyone!
As a lot of you know, I spend a lot of time on the road, and this year, will be logging more miles than ever. Amazing, and super fun, yes. Time-consuming and sometimes exhausting, also yes.
After a phone call with my father today - where I could barely even speak, and was completely in a cloudy brain-fog, I decided it was time to make life easier on myself, and take the iPhone plunge. To be honest, it was that or get rid of the dog. So...the iPhone is here! I can sign people up for my mailing list right from my phone, take credit card orders, and even write this blog! (Though I haven't figured that one out yet.)
Plus I got a sweet case.
I held out for a long time, and I think it was a good call, but the time has come, and I'm so excited about it. I'll be taking extra photos from the road, and I'll see you with my new phone and my dog! (I kept him. He is cute after all.)
As a lot of you know, I spend a lot of time on the road, and this year, will be logging more miles than ever. Amazing, and super fun, yes. Time-consuming and sometimes exhausting, also yes.
After a phone call with my father today - where I could barely even speak, and was completely in a cloudy brain-fog, I decided it was time to make life easier on myself, and take the iPhone plunge. To be honest, it was that or get rid of the dog. So...the iPhone is here! I can sign people up for my mailing list right from my phone, take credit card orders, and even write this blog! (Though I haven't figured that one out yet.)
Plus I got a sweet case.
I held out for a long time, and I think it was a good call, but the time has come, and I'm so excited about it. I'll be taking extra photos from the road, and I'll see you with my new phone and my dog! (I kept him. He is cute after all.)
Umm...photo taken with the iPhone!
Talk to you soon!
Kristen
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Crazy.
If you had pulled me aside 8 years ago when I met Bryan, and told me that I had just met the man I was going to marry, I would have called you crazy. Or maybe something else less PC. But anyway, I had no idea that when he and I met for the first time, it was going to be the first of many meetings.
It always amazes me how our lives take different paths, crossing state lines and even country borders! Tonight is another one of those crazy nights - not as intense, as it didn't result in a marriage - but a story worth telling, anyway!
When I was at St. Olaf College, I went to go see a concert on campus. The girl's name was Tracy Howe. I found out she was coming and had been a touring musician for a few years, so I showed up (e-mailed her before the show first, of course) and asked her if I could speak with her after the show with a few questions on how to become a touring musician. She was really kind and patient in answering everything I asked, and she offered to stay in touch with me in case I had any other questions later on.
In the spring semester right before my graduation, I had a few more questions for Tracy, and not only did she reply with great answers, but she offered me an internship. She invited me out to Colorado to shadow her and her band through the summer - learning how to book shows, how to promote shows, how to divide time between songwriting and performing, etc. And of course, we all just had a lot of fun because we were musicians living in Boulder. Who wouldn't want to do that?
She and I have stayed in touch here and there, mostly through each other's mailing (go to www.restorationvillage.com for more info on her music) lists so we knew about each other's travels, marriages (now she's Tracy Wispelwey), and even dogs (she has two, and they are AWESOME, and well, you all know about Chip.)
A few years ago - I moved out to Connecticut, and a few years after that, Tracy and her husband, Seth moved out to Boston. So a few weeks ago, we started e-mailing about shows and different venues, and it turned out that tonight - I was playing at Bloc 11, just a few miles from her house! So I just got to spend some time catching up with an old friend, hearing about her new life (she's in the process of getting her masters at Harvard), and now I'm sitting on her couch! (Not the same one she had in Boulder.)
Crazy. Or something else less PC.
Back in '04!
It always amazes me how our lives take different paths, crossing state lines and even country borders! Tonight is another one of those crazy nights - not as intense, as it didn't result in a marriage - but a story worth telling, anyway!
When I was at St. Olaf College, I went to go see a concert on campus. The girl's name was Tracy Howe. I found out she was coming and had been a touring musician for a few years, so I showed up (e-mailed her before the show first, of course) and asked her if I could speak with her after the show with a few questions on how to become a touring musician. She was really kind and patient in answering everything I asked, and she offered to stay in touch with me in case I had any other questions later on.
In the spring semester right before my graduation, I had a few more questions for Tracy, and not only did she reply with great answers, but she offered me an internship. She invited me out to Colorado to shadow her and her band through the summer - learning how to book shows, how to promote shows, how to divide time between songwriting and performing, etc. And of course, we all just had a lot of fun because we were musicians living in Boulder. Who wouldn't want to do that?
She and I have stayed in touch here and there, mostly through each other's mailing (go to www.restorationvillage.com for more info on her music) lists so we knew about each other's travels, marriages (now she's Tracy Wispelwey), and even dogs (she has two, and they are AWESOME, and well, you all know about Chip.)
A few years ago - I moved out to Connecticut, and a few years after that, Tracy and her husband, Seth moved out to Boston. So a few weeks ago, we started e-mailing about shows and different venues, and it turned out that tonight - I was playing at Bloc 11, just a few miles from her house! So I just got to spend some time catching up with an old friend, hearing about her new life (she's in the process of getting her masters at Harvard), and now I'm sitting on her couch! (Not the same one she had in Boulder.)
Crazy. Or something else less PC.
Back in '04!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Back from Mexico (with photos!) and ready to sing.
Hey there...
To try and describe my trip to Mexico is going to be a challenge, but I'm going to do my best! I had an incredible visit, got to see people that I haven't seen since August, and finished the week by passing out a lot of food to a lot of people. (Well, I was actually working the door, so I didn't pass out much food, but I shook a LOT of hands.)
Anyway, our week started at the Center of Operations in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is where Simply Smiles has committed to working. This is the poorest state in Mexico, and Oaxaca is the biggest city, so it makes sense to have a facility there. I couldn't believe how much construction had been done since I was there last summer! It was amazing.
The first part of our week consisted of working in Oaxaca as well as preparing for the upcoming food distribution we were going to be hosting down in the jungle. On Wednesday, we took the super long road trip down to the mountains, and it was as gorgeous as usual, and Wednesday night we arrived in Santa Maria Tepexipana, a village in the mountains of Mexico, and a place that I love to be!
Right away, we felt at home thanks to all of the little kids that always come up and greet us. They helped us get ready for the distribution by preparing the food, cleaning the property, setting up the fencing, etc. I felt like I was working hard, but those kids put me to shame every time! In addition, they also spend a fair amount of time trying to teach us to speak Zapotec, but I'm afraid I may be a bit of a lost cause. :)
On Friday, we passed out food to every single person that was there. No one left empty handed, which is always a great moment. Many of the people you've heard about were there, the little girl with no name (who is now named Mariella by the way!), Rigoberto, the little boy with one arm featured in Bryan's presentations, and a single mother, named Socorro, who I sing about in one of my newest songs, "Lay it Down."
Talking with Socorro this time, was my big experience this trip. A single mother, Socorro, does her best to provide for her children. As a homeless family, they move from house to house staying with friends and family, and some nights end up sleeping on the streets. As she and her children were waiting in line (they were some of the last ones there) 15 or so other families moved aside so that they could go through first, because they wanted to make sure that she and her children would make it through the line. It was an amazing thing to witness, and I couldn't believe how caring everyone was towards this family. What little they could give, they gave that day. And Socorro and her children? Incredibly gracious and kind to those that were helping them.
I've met this family a few times, and am looking forward to not only continuing to get to know them, but getting to finally see some of the opportunities that they'll get to take part in as Simply Smiles becomes more and more involved in this community.
I came home incredibly moved, a little irritable (it's a little annoying to watch politicians whine on the news when you've just experienced a week like this one) and ready to get to work. Songwriting is my job, and I'll do my best to honor my new friends as I write.
Enjoy the photos,
Kristen
ps...all photos were taken by my friend, Josh Dufresne. He's good!
Loading up the truck to head to the jungle.
Daddy longlegs. They can be kind of pretty, I guess.
The barbed wire that helps guard the property. Don't worry, everyone has it.
Our bathroom! Now we have a toilet that you can flush!
Out after eating some tacos.
Ana Christina.
Chucho...these kids should be models.
A shy cutie!
Denise...this trip she learned 'the repeating game'. Even with a face that cute, the game is still annoying.
Elias, sitting on our huge stack of beans.
The Nurnberger/Graves/Watts family photo!
These little girlies worked with us all day to help prepare and bag the food!
Jungle tree.
Mountain sky.
Little men.
Big smile on food distribution day!
Waiting patiently in the hot sun.
The line of people.
Everyone gets some candy at the end!
My friend Pete, the new Simply Smiles VP making a new friend!
Simply Smiles!
One of the first families we met, coming through the line.
Sometimes waiting in line can be a little frustrating.
My brother-in-law, Timothy. He worked so hard!
Some of the many beautiful faces we got to meet.
With a few girlies at the end of the day, Veronica & Jazmin. I heart them.
Beautiful sunset on a beautiful day.
Trust?
Bryan and Nayeli.
Baby Wicho!
To finish off the day, I sang, Keep Hope Alive.
To try and describe my trip to Mexico is going to be a challenge, but I'm going to do my best! I had an incredible visit, got to see people that I haven't seen since August, and finished the week by passing out a lot of food to a lot of people. (Well, I was actually working the door, so I didn't pass out much food, but I shook a LOT of hands.)
Anyway, our week started at the Center of Operations in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is where Simply Smiles has committed to working. This is the poorest state in Mexico, and Oaxaca is the biggest city, so it makes sense to have a facility there. I couldn't believe how much construction had been done since I was there last summer! It was amazing.
The first part of our week consisted of working in Oaxaca as well as preparing for the upcoming food distribution we were going to be hosting down in the jungle. On Wednesday, we took the super long road trip down to the mountains, and it was as gorgeous as usual, and Wednesday night we arrived in Santa Maria Tepexipana, a village in the mountains of Mexico, and a place that I love to be!
Right away, we felt at home thanks to all of the little kids that always come up and greet us. They helped us get ready for the distribution by preparing the food, cleaning the property, setting up the fencing, etc. I felt like I was working hard, but those kids put me to shame every time! In addition, they also spend a fair amount of time trying to teach us to speak Zapotec, but I'm afraid I may be a bit of a lost cause. :)
On Friday, we passed out food to every single person that was there. No one left empty handed, which is always a great moment. Many of the people you've heard about were there, the little girl with no name (who is now named Mariella by the way!), Rigoberto, the little boy with one arm featured in Bryan's presentations, and a single mother, named Socorro, who I sing about in one of my newest songs, "Lay it Down."
Talking with Socorro this time, was my big experience this trip. A single mother, Socorro, does her best to provide for her children. As a homeless family, they move from house to house staying with friends and family, and some nights end up sleeping on the streets. As she and her children were waiting in line (they were some of the last ones there) 15 or so other families moved aside so that they could go through first, because they wanted to make sure that she and her children would make it through the line. It was an amazing thing to witness, and I couldn't believe how caring everyone was towards this family. What little they could give, they gave that day. And Socorro and her children? Incredibly gracious and kind to those that were helping them.
I've met this family a few times, and am looking forward to not only continuing to get to know them, but getting to finally see some of the opportunities that they'll get to take part in as Simply Smiles becomes more and more involved in this community.
I came home incredibly moved, a little irritable (it's a little annoying to watch politicians whine on the news when you've just experienced a week like this one) and ready to get to work. Songwriting is my job, and I'll do my best to honor my new friends as I write.
Enjoy the photos,
Kristen
ps...all photos were taken by my friend, Josh Dufresne. He's good!
Loading up the truck to head to the jungle.
Daddy longlegs. They can be kind of pretty, I guess.
The barbed wire that helps guard the property. Don't worry, everyone has it.
Our bathroom! Now we have a toilet that you can flush!
Out after eating some tacos.
Ana Christina.
Chucho...these kids should be models.
A shy cutie!
Denise...this trip she learned 'the repeating game'. Even with a face that cute, the game is still annoying.
Elias, sitting on our huge stack of beans.
The Nurnberger/Graves/Watts family photo!
These little girlies worked with us all day to help prepare and bag the food!
Jungle tree.
Mountain sky.
Little men.
Big smile on food distribution day!
Waiting patiently in the hot sun.
The line of people.
Everyone gets some candy at the end!
My friend Pete, the new Simply Smiles VP making a new friend!
Simply Smiles!
One of the first families we met, coming through the line.
Sometimes waiting in line can be a little frustrating.
My brother-in-law, Timothy. He worked so hard!
Some of the many beautiful faces we got to meet.
With a few girlies at the end of the day, Veronica & Jazmin. I heart them.
Beautiful sunset on a beautiful day.
Trust?
Bryan and Nayeli.
Baby Wicho!
To finish off the day, I sang, Keep Hope Alive.
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About Me
- Kristen Graves
- Kristen Graves is a folk/pop singer & songwriter with a voice that commands attention, lyrics that catch your heart, and melodies that stay with the listener long after the evening ends. Kristen’s songs have a coziness to them like a well-worn winter blanket, but don’t underestimate her; she can pack a serious emotional punch at a moment’s notice. Picture an energetic Sarah McLachlan, or Tracy Chapman with a pop edge, and you’ve found Kristen Graves. For more information, please visit: www.kristengraves.com.