I like to keep my band small and tight. Vocals, guitar, and bass. That way if we are playing to a jazz crowd we can pull out the hard chords! Robert Walsh is my main collaborator because he is an amazing guitarist and producer, and the best songwriter around.
Influences
Music - Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, and Lyle Lovett for their storytelling. The music of the 1930s and 40s, whether it is Billy Holiday or Hank Williams.
And melt your heart voices: Ella Fitzgerald, Eva Cassidy, Brandi Carlisle, and Michael Buble. Film - Ewan McGregor, Laura Linney, Julie Walters, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Meryl Streep, Jack Black and Gerard Butler.
I’d Like to Meet - Brothers and sisters, from all over the globe, who know their purpose and allow their voice to uplift humanity. Interests - Movies, my dogs, peace and quiet, nature. I need to breathe fresh country air at least once a day. Television - "Slings & Arrows" – every theatre actor has to see this television show, "Heroes", "Flight of the Conchords" Books - Every kind of book crosses my nightstand. Heroes- Any and every person who has conquered their biggest fear and moved on to live their best life.
Sounds Like
The creative spark inside Andrea Menard has caught fire on her third album, a multi-genre original work that celebrates the glittering winter, but also embraces the beauty of summer. Sparkle is a Christmas release, but it encompasses roots and jazz songs for all seasons.
“I called this album Sparkle, because that is my prayer for the winters ahead — to allow the spark within us to burst into flames and ignite a grand illumination all across the globe,” says Menard. “So sparkle, my friends.”
Menard, an acclaimed singer, writer and actor, is travelling a new path carved out by her understanding of a universal consciousness and a deep desire to defend the planet.
“I dedicate this album to Mother Earth, our blessed mother who is awakening and inspiring me in ways beyond description,” says Menard. “And that means awakening my ability to laugh at myself as well.”
The original songs, written with long-time collaborator Robert Walsh, cover a wide spectrum. Sparkle describes the crisp, clear winters, “full of icicles, stars, snow, tinsel, and crackling fires,” she says. Yet it also contains songs for all seasons including Evergreen, which will be released as Menard’s first music video. The name of the song is appropriate, since it describes Menard’s own talent – fresh and evolving, with roots that run deeply into her Métis heritage.
Menard's second album, Simple Steps, produced by Walsh, won many awards: - 2006 Western Canadian Music Award for “Outstanding Aboriginal Recording”, - 2006 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for “Best Folk Album”, - 2006 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for “Best Single – 100 Years”, - 2006 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for “Best Album of the Year”, - 2006 Indian Summer Music Award for “Best Folk Album”, The album was also nominated for two Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.
Menard's debut CD, The Velvet Devil features songs from her hit one-woman show that has been taking Canada by storm. In 2003, The Velvet Devil earned her several nominations as well:
" Best Aboriginal Recording, Western Canadian Music Awards (2003)
" Best Female Artist, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (2003)
" Best Folk Album, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (2003)
"Her warm, burnished alto at times recalls Linda Ronstadt and Patsy Cline, and she can sing an a cappella tune like The Mother Song with an instrumental purity that keeps the audience riveted and utterly silent. But she can also belt and wail a bluesy tune with roof-raising power." - Steven Mazey, The Ottawa Citizen
Andrea Menard is a Metis actor, singer/songwriter and playwright . One of Andrea's crowning achievements is The Velvet Devil, a one-woman critically acclaimed musical stage play that she wrote and stars in. She has performed the hit show at the National Arts Centre and all over Canada as well as a national broadcast on CBC Radio One and Radio Two. The music is co-written with Robert Walsh.
In 2006, a television version of the Velvet Devil premiered on CBC's Opening Night. Andrea co-wrote the screenplay with director Larry J. Bauman. Produced by WestWind Pictures, The Velvet Devil aired on APTN and SCN in 2007. Andrea's performance garnered her Best Actress Award at the American Indian Film Festival, a Gemini nomination for Best Performance in a Performing Arts Category, and the film won a Silver Chris Award at the Columbus Film & Video Awards.
Andrea's Gemini nominated performance as Amanda Strongeagle in Moccasin Flats, Seasons 1, 2 & 3 (on Showcase and APTN) is important to her because it is the first Gemini-nominated drama to be created, written, produced and performed by an Aboriginal production team.
Fans will be thrilled to know that Andrea also recreated her starring role in the supernatural crime drama Rabbit Fall for another 8 episodes. Season II will air on Space TV, and APTN in November 2008.
Stoppin by to say...pilamiya for the friendship, and the positive vibes. Wishin you a wonderful week! much luv and respect, your sisters on the four winds tour
OK you'll like this but you'll need to follow these directions EXACTLY to get perfect results. Put the following into the address area of your web-browser. Type a random number between 1 and 100 then a dot and then type your favorite food and then a dot and then type your current mood and then a dot and then type "retwistic" (without the quotes) and then a dot and then type com and then hit enter. Let me know how it works out!
Yes and your dream... is a beautiful dream at that indeed!
Leave no doubt you have a hand at play already with that by sharing your gifts & music with the world.
You also indirectly affect change just by being who you are. Being a role model of someone who is in touch with her inner self & spirit...being able to channel that energy into your art of music & acting with inspiring (in-spirit) & successful results!
We are all looking forward to see what you come up with your dreams and manifest next...
Hello from the amazing windy plains just outside Calgary , Alberta(weather subject to change on the 1/2 hour with out notification) Wonderful music in your space.Many discoveries made at your space, very nice indeed to be m8s.Cheers ! (mO:) moreno
In a act of Kindness endorphin levels are elevated in the Giver, the Receiver and the Observer, how nice is that.
"do not seek happiness .. but .. do rid your self of unhappiness = Zero Negative thoughts"
"Share knowledge ,it is a way to achieve immortality"
InNeR PeAcE ,LoVe and JoY ..mO
Electronica side of things at www.myspace.com/shaubyaella
Please visit our good friend at www.seasidepeddler.ca
hey!!! I miss you soo much!! :D♥ I've been meaning to text you or talk to you some how but I don't have your number in my phone! I have to up date you on all sorts of things hehe i miss you and love you lots! ♥ Jay Bird :)
Hey Andrea... I saw you very briefly at Leela's last show in Van ...I was in for a short vacay w/ her, then headed up into the mountains for the rest of the week. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. If you're ever in Toronto send word, would love to finally meet ya....
Une petite pensée: Un rayon de soleil habite mon cœur. À mon réveil, je vois les arbres en fleur... Si tu penses que ta journée a vraiment mal commencé, pense à ceux qui ne voient plus le soleil briller, pense à ceux qui n'ont plus de libertés, et vois la chance que tu as, celle de pouvoir vivre une nouvelle journée, et le pouvoir d'en faire ce que tu en voudras...
Tu as besoin d'un peu de peps', une bouffée d'air frais, viens sur ma page.
Online Now!
