Remember December- Dallas show this Friday

First, I want to thank everyone that’s downloaded a copy of Paper Snowflakes. So far there have been 33 downloads (which rocks) but I know we can do better than that! After all, it’s free : ) . Some have said that the NoiseTrade widget is a bit confusing, so I’ve also added the album to my PayPal store and you can purchase it directly from their website by clicking here. It is still a digital copy, so after you purchase the album for $3.99 I will email you the mp3’s. Don’t forget that you can still purchase my EP, Forget Subtlety, as well. It makes a great stocking stuffer!

Get ready for things to look a little different in a month or so. I’m getting organized and that means there will be a little more method to the madness. Less of the clutter and more of the music. Fewer random emails and more blog entries and concise emails. Thanks for sticking things out this year as I’ve been getting my feet wet with my music career. You’re helping me work out all the kinks!

I’ll be performing a couple more times this month and I’d love to see you out at one of my shows, so if you can make it, please stop by.

Friday, December 12^th at 8:30pm

White Rock Coffee, 10105 E. Northwest Hwy. Dallas, TX

8pm- Lynn Grayburn 8:30pm- Ashley Gatta

Sunday, December 20^th at 2:00pm

Advent Celebration, 1812 Linden Dr. Denton, TX

2pm

Saturday, January 30^th at 6pm

Custer Road UMC, 6601 Custer Rd. Plano, TX

Texas CSA Church Partnership

6:30pm- Ebenezer and Ashley Gatta

Hope you’re enjoying this season of Advent and staying warm.

Part 1 of Paper Snowflakes- View it now!

Today I’m releasing Part 1 of the Paper Snowflakes story. You’ll have the opportunity to hear the songs from my holiday album before anyone else by checking out these videos. Check it out!

I’ll be sending out links to these videos every day so make sure you’re checking your inbox.

Today I was in the studio recording vocals for “Where the Humble Go” and things are sounding really great! I think my favorite so far is “How Will They Love” which we all played and recorded live- old school style. It was fun and sounds really raw and genuine.

The year is coming to an end so if you’re planning on coming to see one of my shows before the new year, here’s your chance!

November 24^th- The Bridge

11am

1818 Corsicana Dallas, TX

Performing during lunch time at Dallas’s homeless shelter.

November 29^th

December 6^th &

December 20^th- Advent Celebration

2pm

1812 Linden Denton, TX

Singing worship songs and Christmas Carols at The Fronczek’s home.

December 3^rd- Holiday Tree Lighting

5:30pm

Corner of Elm and Oak St. Denton, TX

Singing Christmas Carols and original holiday songs while The Hydrant passes out their wassail for the Holiday Tree Lighting.

December 12^th- White Rock Coffee

8:30pm

10105 E. Northwest Hwy Dallas, TX

With Brekkewall.

More songs about Texas. I just can't resist!

Hey Friends!

I hope you’re all getting pumped about the holiday album that is coming out because I’m really excited about it. I’m going to forwarn you, it’s kind of bootleg. I mean, I recorded it on my mac, and it’s just just me and my guitar, with some keyboard and background vocals on a couple songs. With that said, I still think the songs are all really great. They’re definitely not your typical Christmas songs. In fact, they’re not even all about Christmas. There’s one song called Autumn in Texas which is about the fact that such a thing doesn’t really exist. I’ve just got one more song to record and once that is finished, as well as the artwork, I’ll be posting the album on Noisetrade.com/AshleyGatta where you’ll be able to either pay what you want for the album or get it for free by suggesting 5 of your friends check out the music, too.

I entered a contest with Austin’s local Christian radio station, The River, and made it to the top 25 for an indie artist showcase. The winner gets…an interview, I think. The prize is kind of just bragging rights, but either way, it’d be cool to get some publicity from it, so if you get a chance, go vote. I’m number 6 in the contestant lineup, and I’m pretty sure you can vote as often as you want. In fact, tell all of your friends about it and ask them to vote, too. Just copy and paste this link to share it with your friends: http://www.theriver1023.com/pages/riverpages.html?feed=139053&article=6240204

Things are still underway for “Where the Humble Go”, my first full-length album that is currently in production. Nearly all of the instrumentation is finished so before long I’ll be in there recording vocals. Everything is sounding really great so far and I can’t wait for it be finished! Also, I’ll be touring next year to promote the album. Send me a message telling me if I should come to your hometown! I am down for going anywhere, even it’s the most random town ever. All I ask is that you get a ton of people to come to the show….and that you let me sleep on your couch. No, seriously.

As usual I’m busy playing a bunch of shows so I hope you can make it out to one soon. Most of them are at cozy little coffee shops, which is the perfect way to spend a fall evening with your friends. Also, if you’ve come to one of my shows in the last month or two, you may notice that I’ve been accompanied by my friend, Taylor, on percussion. And yes, he is playing a box, it’s a Peruvian drum called a “cajon” (pronounced ka-hone). This week we’ll be in Denton on Thursday, Dallas on Friday, and Hurst on Sunday.

Thursday, Nov. 5^th, 9pm

UNICEF Art Show and Benefit

Art 6, 424 Bryan St. Denton, TX

Also playing: Aaron Purdy

Friday, Nov. 6^th, 8:30pm

Opening Bell Coffee

1409 S. Lamar St. Dallas, TX

Also Playing: Disco Hate, The Truth About Moviestars, and Careflyte

Sunday, Nov. 8^th, 6:30pm

TexasCSA Church Partnership Outreach Concert

Word of Love Church, 1860 Precinct Line Rd. Hurst, TX

Also playing: Ebenezer

Monday, Nov. 9^th, 7:30pm

Song & Story: singer/songwriters share their music and the stories behind it.

The Hydrant, 424 Bryan St. Denton, TX

Also playing: Aryn Michelle, Matt Terrill, and Julian Pastrana

Tuesday, Nov. 10^th, 7pm

Spin 180 with Drue Mitchell of 89.7 Power FM

Spin Lounge, 2901 W. Irving Blvd. Irving, TX

Also playing: Jenn Petersen

Friday, Nov. 20^th, at 7:30pm

Roots Coffeehouse, 9101 Hwy 26, Suite 101 North Richland Hills, TX

Also playing: Summer Ames

Saturday, Nov. 21^st, at 7pm

The Venue, 13851 FM 548 Forney, TX

Also playing: TBA

Thursday, Dec. 3^rd, at 5:45pm

Christmas caroling, street corner style w/ wassail from The Hydrant

The corner of Elm & Hickory Denton, TX

Also playing: Chase Johnson, Jenn Petersen, Jon Ladner, Mark Apel

Saturday, Dec. 12^th, 8:30pm

White Rock Coffee, 10105 E. NW Hwy Dallas, TX

Also playing: Brekkewall

Video for "Don't Need Mistletoe" available for viewing!

So this is exciting…the writing portion of my holiday album is almost finished! I have looooved reading all of your stories and memories and ideas for songs. Thanks SO much for your responses. I’d love for you to take a minute to check out this video of “Don’t Need Mistletoe”. The suggestion for this song idea came from Wendy Clark and I loved it so I wrote a song about it right away. I’ll post more songs as soon as they’re all polished up and ready to go.

The full-length album is still under-way, word on the street is that guitar and keys will be layed down this Saturday. Next comes vocals and then it’s off to the mastering guy and then the CD replicators! Oh, and did I mention Dana Tanamachi is doing my album artwork? I’m sooo excited. She did the design and photography for my EP, Forget Subtlety and she’s come up with some really creative and beautiful ideas for “Where the Humble Go”.

I hope to see you at Dunn Bros tomorrow night, or at one of my upcoming shows. I added a couple new ones so make sure you look for your city…Forney, I’ll be headed your way in November!

October 16th- 7pm, Dunn Bros Coffee, Live Music Festival

5040 N Tarrant Pkwy # 600

Fort Worth, TX

Free

October 23rd- 7:30pm, Thunderbird Cafe, Ashley Gatta/MaryAnne & the Shaky Hands

2200 Manor Rd

Austin, TX

Free

Ocbober 24th- 7:00pm, Dunn Bros. Coffee, Ashley Gatta/Tquan Moore

6825 S. Fry Rd. Suite 100

Katy, TX

Free

October 30th- 7:30pm, Crooked Tree Coffeehouse: Ashley Gatta/Jenn Petersen

2414 Routh St

Dallas, TX

Free

Come in Costume- Prize giveaway for the best dressed!

November 8th- 6:30pm, Word of Love Church: Ashley Gatta/Ebenezer- Texas CSA Church Partnership

1860 Precinct Line Rd.

Hurst, TX

Free

November 9^th- 7:30pm, Song & Story at The Hydrant: Ashley Gatta/ Aryn Michelle, and more!

208 W. Oak St.

Denton, TX

Free

November 10th- 7:00pm, Spin 180 Lounge: Ashley Gatta

2901 W. Irving Blvd.

Irving, TX

Free

November 20th- 7:30pm, Roots Coffehouse: Ashley Gatta/Summer Ames

9101 Hwy 26, Suite 101

North Richland Hills, TX

Free

November 21^st- 8pm, The Venue: Ashley Gatta

13851 FM 548

Forney, TX

$5.00

December 3^rd- 5:45pm, Corner of Elm and Oak St.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Free

December 12th- 8:30pm, White Rock Coffee: Ashley Gatta/Brekkewall

10105 E. NW Hwy

Dallas, TX

Free

Holiday album in the works and I need your help!

With an album project in the works there is a lot of “hurry up and wait” that goes on. So in between weekend gigs, practicing, and promoting, my creative juices are looking for an outlet. The blogging helps a bit, but frankly, sometimes I just don’t have anything to say! I want to write music. I want to create something, and I want to create something that you want to hear. When I started brainstorming on what that would look like, I couldn’t help but think of the holiday season that is fast approaching. Yes, this time of year has it’s downsides, but there’s something really wonderful about the twinkling lights that start sprouting up, the increase in hot chocolate consumption, and the general mood shift that happens all around us.

I’ll be writing 5 songs for this album and it will be available just at the time when you have to break out that winter coat. I’d like for you to help me with this album by giving me ideas as to what to write about. It could be anything at all. Like, maybe a song about buying no gifts this Christmas, or about shooting your eye out with a BB gun, or maybe about how you’re single again this Christmas and slightly bitter. It doesn’t even have to be about Christmas specifically. I could write a song about how winter is the best season or how you love the Campbell’s soup commercials where the snowman melts into a little boy. The point is, I am up for anything : ) I’ll be recording and producing everything myself, which means it will be all acoustic and perfect background music for cuddling up in front of the fire.

Shoot me a reply with your ideas, or come tell me in person at one of my shows coming up.

October 16th- 7pm, Dunn Bros Coffee, Live Music Festival

5040 N Tarrant Pkwy # 600

Fort Worth, TX

Free

October 23rd- 7:30pm, Clementine Coffee Bar, Ashley Gatta/MaryAnne & the Shaky Hands

2200 Manor Rd

Austin, TX

Free

Ocbober 24th- 7:00pm, Dunn Bros. Coffee, Ashley Gatta/Tquan Moore

6825 S. Fry Rd. Suite 100

Katy, TX

Free

October 30th- 7:30pm, Crooked Tree Coffeehouse: Ashley Gatta/Jenn Petersen

2414 Routh St

Dallas, TX

Free

Come in Costume- Prize giveaway for the best dressed!

November 8th- 6:30pm, Word of Love Church: Ashley Gatta/Ebenezer- Texas CSA Church Partnership

1860 Precinct Line Rd.

Hurst, TX

Free

November 10th- 7:00pm, Spin 180 Lounge: Ashley Gatta

2901 W. Irving Blvd.

Irving, TX

Free

November 20th- 7:30pm, Roots Coffehouse: Ashley Gatta/Summer Ames

9101 Hwy 26, Suite 101

North Richland Hills, TX

Free

December 3^rd- 5:45pm, Corner of Elm and Oak St.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Free

December 12th- 8:30pm, White Rock Coffee: Ashley Gatta/Brekkewall

10105 E. NW Hwy

Dallas, TX

Free

Sooo you're not trying to get signed?

Since I’ve started truly pursuing a career in music, people often ask me if I’m trying to get signed. When I tell them no, they’re usually pretty surprised. What a lot of people don’t know is that the music industry is doing some serious overhauling right now, and it doesn’t operate the way it used to. There was a time when talent scouts went to all the underground music hot spots and looked for a band with a lot of potential, or a singer that they could groom into a real diva, but record companies can’t afford to take that risk anymore. Now they’re looking for people who’ve already got a legitimate career going and a solid fanbase. They are then willing to sign this act because there is no risk involved. It’s a guaranteed profit.

The good news is that there is now no “middle-man” for independent musicians, like myself. There isn’t any label taking away 95% of my profits, or anyone cranking out songs that I have to agree to sing to. I get to have creative control. I can also release my records on my own timetable. I don’t have to sit on the backburner for months (or years) until someone else gets around to releasing my album. Most importantly, I get to have direct artist to fan contact! I get to send out emails like this, straight from my fingertips into your inbox. And guess what, when you hit reply, it goes straight into my inbox and I actually read it! Me. With my very own eyes. This means that you get to have a huge part in the way that I write, perform, present, and promote my music. While music is an art, and I am the artist, essentially the driving force behind what gets creative, I create based on what people like. I want to better serve you, the audience. It is a good time to be an independent musician, but also a great time to be a fan of music.

Updated Bio

Ashley Gatta’s music blends the soulful sounds of blues and Motown with clever and poignant lyrics formerly found only in folk and indie rock. Her Texas roots run deep, inspiring the songs Big Enough State and Slower in Texas, and contribute to that slight southern lilt that presents itself in her unique vocal timbre that has been compared to the likes of Norah Jones and Amy Winehouse. Ashley’s love for music began long before she had a reason to write. Singing and creating has always been in her blood, and her prominent vocals found complimentary chords when she began playing the acoustic guitar at age 15.

After being denied admission to University of North Texas’s prestigious school of music, Ashley studied Sociology and Nonprofit Management, settling for a minor in music. It was through her coursework in Sociology, coupled with internships and mission trips in poverty stricken areas of Miami, Chicago, Denton, and Mexico that God began to stir in her a passion for social justice, racial reconciliation, and joining the poor as Christ himself did. This overflow of ideas left Ashley with a notebook full of hooks and a voice that finally had a story to tell. Knowing that the gift of song is meant to be shared, she started performing her original songs at local coffee shops, bars and gospel concerts. Ashley’s first EP, Forget Subtlety, was released her senior year of college, 2007. Its success encouraged her to continue plugging away in the local music scene, after graduation, while working a nine to five at the same time. After two years of balancing music and work, she has decided to pursue music as a full time career and ministry.

Ashley is currently in the studio working on her first full-length album entitled “Where the Humble Go” with producer, Branden Petersen. It’s expected to be released in early 2010. The title was inspired by many of Ashley’s songs that point to the theme of Christians being visitors, or temporary citizens of this world. “The meaning of ‘Where the Humble Go’ is twofold. The humble submit to the Lord and lay down their own plans that they had for life, and the humble go to heaven,” Ashley says.

“Where the Humble Go” is packed with songs about life, relationships, loving God and loving people. Ashley’s love for the “least of these” emanates through her music in songs like How Will They Love, where she addresses believers, saying “It’s not hard to sleep at night when he don’t have a name/you try resting easy when you call that man your friend/it’s up to you now, child of God, injustice needs to end.” Or in A New Song where she promotes stepping out of one’s comfort zone to get to know those that appear different, saying “Confident to call it like we know one another/but if we’re being honest are we really that aware/and you can secure safety while you drown in the familiar/but I’m coming up for air.” Ashley also doesn’t shy away from telling stories of her own struggles and personal relationship with the Lord in soulful ballads like No Sir which says, “If the fight were one on one I’d quickly forfeit and be done/but I ain’t goin’ at it alone/you can tempt me I’m not bending/I hope you’re comprehending/I’ve decided to move on” and in more funky tunes like Grace Face which says “When I think I’m headed nowhere/eye is the prize but I’m running on the treadmill/I look back and see the way that/even though I’m slow He helped me pick up the pace.”

Despite the sometimes-serious subject matter of her songs, Ashley’s live shows are always full of energy and audience interaction. Ashley’s sunny disposition and quick-witted lyrics have the crowd clapping along at the least and joining her on stage to dance on a really happening night. Ashley says, “I want every show to be a party, a memorable experience for the fans. I want them to walk away feeling like they know me better, know God better, and are inspired to do something good.” Ashley has been invited to play at numerous venues such as Prophet Bar, Hailey’s, Opening Bell, The Hydrant, Crooked Tree, Clementine’s, The Aardvark, Tobacco Road, and many more.

To hear Ashley’s music, read blogs, or connect with her and other fans, visit her Myspace or Facebook fan page. For booking please send an email to AshleyGatta@gmail.com. If you’d like to sign up for Ashley’s email list to receive updates on future shows and news, send an email to AshleyGatta@gmail.com with email list in the subject line.