mom and dad
These boys have been by my side for a few years now, helping me play shows and adding to my music and compositions. 
They’ve always been there to throw creative ideas at me and inspire me to work on my craft. I love you two, and will miss you dearly!! ONE day, we will play again together!Happy End of August guys! Let’s all go to the EX!!
xo – AJB
What do you want to do before summer is over? I’ve created a personal list of goals to accomplish before the fall.
1. Write 2 new songs
2. Lock down new band members (interested? E-mail me!)
3. Finish designing my album cover
4. Make my own ice cream 
5. FINISH a book – I’ve started a few recently but have yet to actually finish a single one!
6. Sell 25 more EPs – contact me if you would like me to bike one to your house!
7. Exercise before 8am
9. Learn to cover 4 new DMB tunes
10. Cycle to Burlington and Port Credit to visit my Grandparents
11. Re-connect with friends I haven’t seen in over a year
12. Cut my wardrobe in half and donate the clothes that I haven’t worn in months
13. Work on my killer “Loon-call”
14. Go swimming at least 3 times 
15. Start up my daily journal/dream journal again
16. Spend more time at the Beach – I mean, I live in the Beach(es) right?
17. Go see at least 2 more live shows
18. Go sailing
19. Go wakeboarding again 
20. … Accomplish this list?
I feel like it’s easy to get overwhelmed with ideas and activities, and one of the easiest ways to feel a little more settled is to write them down and check them off! Go out there and enjoy summer before it’s too late!!
xo – AJB
I will be playing 2 solo acoustic shows at the end of this week. I have some new material to showcase and can’t wait for you to hear it!
Thursday August 11th
Slacks: 562 Church Street, Toronto ON
http://www.slacks.ca/
8:00pm start
Ft. La-Nai Gabriel, Michelle Willis, Joanna Mohammed and Marla Walters
Saturday August 13th
The Tranzac
292 Brunswick Ave., Toronto, ON
7:00pm start
Cheers!
xo – AJB
I frequently get asked, “Who is your biggest musical influence?” and without a doubt Dave Matthews comes to mind. If you’re close to me you’ve probably heard this a thousand times over again. 
I truly believe that he is such an inspirational musician and songwriter. He writes personal material and performs it with passion and honesty. He leads an incredible band that plays exciting, feel-good music. I just got back from another week up north in Halliburton and for some reason there was something so nostalgic about this particular visit. I was first introduced to the Dave Matthews Band at my cottage about 10 years ago by the boy next door and since then I don’t think a week has passed where I haven’t listened to “Crash” from start to finish, (for real!). Maybe it was because of the particular time in my life (finding yourself and where you belong in the world as a 12-year-old girl) but I felt that I was introduced to this music for a reason. 
A year after memorizing all of Dave’s lovely lyrics I was given my first guitar. From that point on, my personal goal in life was to write songs that would mean as much to someone else as his songs meant to me. The fact that hearing even seconds of his songs can bring me back to some of my greatest memories in life is something else. In the summer of 2001 I figured out a lot of things, most importantly that I needed to play music and write songs.
Now almost everybody who listens to the radio or follows popular music has at least heard of the Dave Matthews Band, right? How many of you have actually taken an afternoon to listen to some of their albums from start to finish? Yes? Amazing! If not, please do this as a small favour to me. I promise you’ll learn a thing or two out of the experience, and in return I’ll check out any band of your choice.
If you’re not into buying whole CD’s of artists you’re not too sure about, I would recommend buying these particular songs.
AJB’s DMB favs playlist:
#41
Say Goodbye
Stay or Leave
When the World Ends
Crush
Two Step
Captain
Big Eyed Fish
Everyday
What You Are
Sleep To Dream Her
Grace Is Gone
Grey Street
Crash Into Me
Happy Listening! xo – AJB
Can you believe it? I’ve had the absolute privilege of spending the past few weekends up North, escaping from the city’s heat-wave. I love the sun but am not a huge fan of the humidity. With a bike as my vehicle of choice, the humidity makes it nearly impossible to arrive anywhere without looking like you’ve just competed in a triathlon. 
I’ve never been fond of long car rides. They make me feel a little woozy, have a horrible impact on the environment and I don’t eat fast-food so unless I pack ahead (rare) I end up hungry and cranky. Since I’ve been making the commute back and forth between Toronto and Halliburton a few times recently I’ve decided that my solo road-trips would be my chance to listen to new albums I’ve recently purchased but haven’t gotten the chance to hear from start to finish. My favourite album so far is Bon Iver – Bon Iver. It’s kind of like (new) Sufjan Stevens meets Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear, in the best way possible. His spooky harmonies, nature inspired lyrics and warm super-reverby sounds makes for the perfect road-trip. Enjoy! xo – AJB
PS: album’s going great!! It’s too nice outside to sit here in front of a computer screen. ‘Til next time…
Can you believe this amazing weather? Toronto sunshine has been unreal this summer! I decided to take a mini vacation up north and spent the past few days in Halliburton at my cottage. There’s something about that place; man… I never want to come home! Luckily it’s only a week until I’ll be back up for the famous Brown-Family-Weekend festivities. Since I’ve been back in the city I’ve been (surprise-surprise) working on my album singing some backup harmonies and working on arrangements. After we’re done with the strings and gang vocals it’s off to mixing! Stay cool guys, and wear your sunscreen please! xoxo-Lan
Can you believe it? It’s already the middle of July! I’ve been spending more time in the east end lately getting ready to move back to the Beaches at the end of August. This past weekend was full of sunshine and smiles. I wasn’t kidding when I told my girl Erin “This is my favourite day!” when we were having a great time at the Beaches Volleyball Tournament. Although I’ve only participated as an observer so far, next year will be the year that I finally pull together a team with my friends to compete!
I’ve also been busy in the studio tracking backup vocals for my album. We’re getting closer and closer to the end of tracking, and even though I’m SO excited to have the finished tunes to show everyone, I will truly miss the process of creating these songs and building harmonies, guitar overdubs, and string layers. I guess that means it’s time to write more songs for the next album, right?
xo – AJB
Hey everyone! Thanks for tuning in to Breakfast Television yesterday morning. I’ve gotta say, 5am is for sure the EARLIEST I’ve ever had to perform. Good thing it was sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee! The experience was amazing and I highly recommend heading down to Queen Street East in the Beaches to check out the Optimism Cafe for free coffee/kool-aid/cookies and fantastic staff who are guaranteed to brighten your day.
If you’re a night-owl and missed the show, click here: http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/1039127339001.000000/tuesday-8am9am/ and check out the BT video vault.
On another note, how was your Canada Day celebrations?? I had an outstanding day with my sister and friends. We started off in the Beaches where we were given FREE BEER (4 tallboys each!) from Molson. Then we headed down to a friend’s condo rooftop patio for drinks and snacks before heading to the Tragically Hip show at Downsview Park. Getting my foot totally crushed in bus doors due to the thousands of people sardine-ing on the TTC didn’t stop me from having a great night!
Well I’m on my feet again and ready to get back in the studio this evening with Derek Ullenboom to track some sweet spacey and dreamy guitar overdubs for my album!
xoxox
Hey everyone! I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather and sunshine. On my time off from the studio I’ve been busy biking around the city, paddle boating in Ontario Place and I even tried SUPpin’ (Stand Up Paddling) in the Beach! 
I also have FANTASTIC news!! I’m going to be featured on BREAKFAST TELEVISION this coming Tuesday July 5th at 6am. Maxwell House Coffee asked asked me to be a representative of their Optimism Movement. They’re trying to make the cup half full for Canadians every day with a feel good top-up. From 6am-9am on July 5th, Breakfast Television will be interviewing and participating in one of their Optimism Breaks in the Beach, Toronto, where I will be playing and singing my original tunes. I will also have a 2 minute feature of my new single “Accelerate” where you can hear an acoustic solo take on the soon to be released tune.
So many exciting things are happening this summer, and I am a lucky girl to be taking part in them!
Take care guys, and WEAR SUNSCREEN (please!).
xoxo
What’s up!? I hope you’re all enjoying the summertime. I’ve been a busy-busy-bee tracking lead vocals for my album every day with Jeff, and things are sounding pretty sweet! I met up with Jonathan Goldsmith who is producing Sarah Slean’s new album this summer. He’s taken on the challenge of writing string arrangements for my tune “Tuesday’s Coming”, and I couldn’t be happier about it, and for those of you who’ve been itching to hear the original spooky harmonies, they’re back and better than ever! I’m also super excited to have Derek Ullenboom back in the studio this weekend to lay down some killer electric guitar and mandolin tracks.
My band (sans Rich) played at the El Mocambo last night for Music Counts Canada, a charity that provides kids with musical opportunities.
We also have a new show announcement… in Mel Lastman Square!! My band will be performing outdoors at 7pm for the Coltura International Street Festival in August! Hope to see you all there!
Hey guys! Thanks so much for visiting my new website! We’ve been busy working on the design and functionality for the past few months and couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
Check out the different pages and make sure to follow me on Twitter – @alannajbrown for daily updates on my up and coming album. I’ve been in the studio almost every day working on these tracks with producer/engineer Jeff Wolpert and we are so excited about the release in August, 2011.
Also I have a brand new Youtube page which can be found at youtube.com/alannajbrown where I’ll be posting sneak-peak videos of the studio sessions all summer.
Lastly, I’m starting up a cover-request page on Youtube, so feel free to let me know if you have any favourite tunes you’d like to hear me sing and play!
Thanks so much guys; your support means the world to me! Get out there and enjoy this beautiful sunny weather!!!
To wrap up the end of May I played a set at The Cameron House with Tristan Drysdale and Miles Jones. The house was packed, so thanks to those who came out and braved the heat. Check out some photos from my set.
I’ve spent many days and evenings over the month of May at the recording studio in Toronto with my band laying tracks for the debut record. With any luck it will be due for release in August. Jordan Elgie joined us in the studio one afternoon and took these great photos.
I played a short set at Clinton’s Tavern on Sunday May 15 with my band, and then caught up with old Humber music classmates after the show. Check out some photos from the set.
A sneak peek of Alanna and the band in the studio during the May 2011 recording sessions. Captured by Jordan Elgie.
