Galia is a true Midwestern girl -sans her values and domestic abilities. "I hear a way to a man's heart is his stomach. That's why I pretend to cook pies." Although Galia feels weird writing a bio in 3rd person, she’s heard that it looks more professional. Galia Arad is a New York City based singer/songwriter whose classical musician parents and classical voice training steered her directly into the arms of rock ‘n’ roll. She is from Bloomington, Indiana- where her heart really is, but hopes that someday she can say the same about new york city. She is obsessed with her family and she is never ever bored. She hopes you love her music as much as she loves the boys she writes about. She’s kidding about the boys- she thinks bio writing is awkward and just wants to break the ice by making bad jokes. She plays venues all over New York City and has also toured Ireland and Japan (where she not only gigged, but was the first place winner of a sake chugging contest and runner up of a wet kimono contest) As for her less impressive accomplishments, she is the winner of Songwriter Hall of Fame's Abe Olman award for Excellence in Songwriting, and winner of The Great American Song competition. Galia, with much noise, has also caught the attention of one of her music idols, Shane MacGowan (from The Pogues), who wrote the liner notes for her sophomore album "Ooh La Baby", and is featured on two tracks. Also featured on her folk/pop album: guitar legend Marc Ribot (who simply describes Galia as a “fucking good songwriter”), Bashiri Johnson, Elvis Costello's rhythm section, and many other musicians that she loves to brag about. Galia just got back from a UK tour where she opened for (or as the English more eloquently say "did support for") Jools Holland ending at Royal Albert Hall, so you can be sure Galia has been bragging about that as well. Galia will change this bio tomorrow and learn to act more confident and professional, hopefully also by tomorrow.
Hi peeps! So after 45 days of silence, I’m ready to talk about Royal Albert Hall. I made this mini documentary to cope with my post-partum. As some of you know, 4:06 - 4:49 is on endless loop at work (that’s why i have two desktops) and at home, near my framed Jools Holland band pass and hundreds of lit candles. (I only take the pass out of the frame during the holidays to hang on the tree. ) Below it, is a little insider's guide to the video.
1)MANLY WHITE SHIRT SCENE: Yes, two days before RAH, I got sick. This is like getting your period on your wedding day. (i imagine) It’s horrible. Also, not to complain, but here’s something I will never do again : travel Ryan Air with an actual suitcase. When I was coming back to England from Dublin, I had to take things out of my luggage 3 time before it made the weight limit. I eventually was wearing, and I’m NOT exaggerating: 3 sweaters and a coat, I had my camera and video camera, and various phone, laptop, ipad chargers in MY POCKETS, and a carry-on tote (WHO - except my sister and I use a tote as our carry on) that was most certainly heavier than my suitcase. I could not lift my tote bag carry on, so I had to DRAG IT (and kick drag, if you know what I mean..it’s the worst & most unattractive & weird) from check in, to the gate. And when the airport workers asked me to show them my carry on, I had to lift it, casually, as if it wasn’t filled with 30 cement bricks. (Good thing my 8 clothing layers masked my trembling muscles. see, everything does happen for a reason.) Why I’m telling you this, is because the morning after that (and when you see me on the video and I look like an 70 year old man on a couch) is because I could not move my body when I woke up. The soreness was so bad. All that said, I knew my adrenalin was going to get me though. But the fear before hand was unbearable (mostly for my Hero intern Tom who had to deal with me.)
2) PLAID COAT scene : There was a lot more footage from that, because the walk to the stage door was an eternity. and my sister and I were nervous laughing the whole time. The sidewalk was very narrow, so my sister, who was carrying my gig suitcase (yes, gig suitcase.. DIVA), had to walk behind me. It made me feel weird. (slash empowered and like a celeb)
3) STRIPED LONG CARDIGAN scene: Sound check. The white haired man who is SWEET AS A BUTTON and wish he could be with me at every gig is Andy.He had to deal with my questions. (ie "Andy, what do we do if i pee myself or faint?".) This was the first time I was seeing the Hall (yes, capital H) and couldn’t talk. Also, those moto boots I'm wearing are the ones I didn't change out of for the actual show. I was told that if I was going to wear those again at RAH, I should at least clean them. (Oh well you live you learn) I actually had a beautiful pair of heels to wear, but last minute I said fuck it, this isn't me. actually it was more fear driven- of tripping on cables or very unattractive nervous shaking ankles.
4) STRIPED LONG CARDIGAN blue lights scene: This was one of our last songs to sound check. I was so happy I cried. It was as simple as that.
5) BLACK DRESS THAT’S NOT FULLY ZIPPED scene: Did anyone fix that for me before I went on? I don’t think I've apologized to my sister (who literally looks scared of me.. and rightfully so) or Tom for being snapped at and bossed. So I apologize now. My excuse is that suddenly we were on in 20 minutes and I was still in my sweaty old man shirt.. on the biggest night of my life. and where the fuck was my eyeliner and fake lashes? Good thing my sister made us hot toddies, which consisted of hot water (we took the water maker from the hotel, and two little bottles of jack daniels. No time for luxuries like honey or clove.
6) ALL BLUE FUZZY STAGE SCENE: happiness
7) BLACK DRESS LOBBY OF RAH: So what you DON’T see, (though I wish we had it on tape) Is: I really, really did not want to go sign cds, because I was nervous that no one would want cds signed, and I would just be standing there. There wasn’t really a place to stand, but my intern and the women who were in charge of me (if you’re reading, i love you) made me go. So I’m downstairs in the lobby, hanging out uncomfortably near the area where they are selling all merch. People are starting to sift in, and it’s really, really uncomfortable - if you can imagine: Me standing there presumptuously thinking people want my big fucking star autograph, and no one is coming up to me to get it. So I am telling Tom, I can’t do this, this is mortifying, I hate you, I will punish you, etc. until someone finally approaches me, thank GOD. So I’m beaming, taking the lid off my sharpie, confidence starting to build back up, that is, UNTIL HE ASKS ME IF I WORK THERE, CAUSE HE WANTS TO BUY A CD. (i swear if i had been wearing fake lashes as planned, none of this would be an issue. that's why you wear lashes.)
So that's it. That's my big day. Thank you to Jools & his incredible crew for this unforgettable opportunity. His crew was so welcoming and wonderful. Mark Flanagan and Roger Goslyn (both whom I stole from Jools) They are amazing musicians and people, I truly felt supported (musically and emotionally). And my sis for being a saint that day, making our hot toddies, and her beautiful voice. and most of all Tom my intern for being my hero, and for recording all this footage so I can re-live it, even though he had to go through a lot of abuse in order to do so. (physical and emotional)
Really hope you guys enjoyed watching as much as I enjoyed making.
I think I'm an official Takamine artist? This is amazing, I love this article, I seem like such a ho! (well how do you think I landed this feature..) Have I mentioned that I love Takamine Guitars?
So, this was on the back of the seat in front of me on my flight. I just want to make sure no Americans understand these pictures and it's not just me. Can someone explain for future ref?
first of all, this is overwhelming for the back of a seat.
what is going on here?
no glasses, no dentures, no high heels and no ??
I was confused. and my xanax was a placibo I think.
Hey guys, so while in Dublin, I'm going to (try and) do something called the Harding Sessons, where I sing songs to my computer from my hotel room, and maybe explain a little about the song. This is my first one. This song is written by Ryan Morgan, a brooklyn based songwriter (holla) and it's one of the most beautiful & sad songs I know. Here it is, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Oh and you can subscribe them on youtube or my blog by pressing subscribe, and you will be alerted when i post. i think.
(are you britney fans so proud of me re: this blog entry title? you will be.)
I want to talk about the moment I met superstar Jools Holland.
As most of you know, I had a few dates doing support for Jools Holland and his incredible band. Four in the beginning of November, and the last one coming up on the 26th, at Royal Albert Hall (no biggie. I'm only waking up in a cold sweat every night) I had seen Jools around but been too shy to introduce myself. Since I am a star struck person, and emotional to a fault, I kind of had to come up with what I was going to say to him, so that I didn’t get paralyzed or start crying when the moment came. Here were my key points:
-thank you for the most amazing opportunity (SO fucking thankful for real. easy to remember)
-we absolutely love the show. (which we did, immensely. also easy to remember)
OK!! so 4th night rolls around, and I decide that I will find him after his show. I was already so nervous to see him, plus nervous for, oh I don't know, the actual show I was about to play for almost 2,000 people?
About 6 minutes before I was on, I am in the dressing room putting HUGE globs of hand sanitizer/antibacterial gel on my hands (i had just used the mens public bathroom, I couldn't find the ladies), and I hear Roger Goslyn (multi-talented musician that i borrowed from Jools) say “have you met Galia Arad?” and I think that he’s introducing me to someone in the band, and I turn around, hands dripping with a water/gel like substance, and there I see Jools Holland standing there, with his hand out to shake mine. I felt my heart drop to the floor as I extended my MYSTERIOUSLY SOAKING WET COLD NERVOUS HAND, and all I could think was KEY POINTS, GALIA, KEY POINTS, and then I went off- like a dog in a rabbit race, into the most awkward monologue of thank yous. He was incredibly gracious & early on in my spell he had asked me if I had gone on stage yet. Unfortunately for both of us, I was on a roll, and simply pummeled through his questions as I elaborated on/repeated/rephrased my key points. The worst part was, I heard him ask me several times- there I stood (was I still shaking his hand? please god no), fully ignoring his question. And then probably when I was inhaling for the next round, Roger finally squeezed in, “we’re on in 5 minutes”.
And then it was over. Jools left to get ready for his incredible show. And I got to perform for his fans. and the truth is, there really is no way to thank him properly for that.
JH & his band do the most joyous and uplifting rendition of Enjoy Yourself (it's later than you think) and I was lucky enough to see them do it after my first night with them. I was in the audience, feeling grateful and happy and excited, and the energy of the room was uncontainable. Fast forward to the 4th night, when I was weeping way before my bit had even started- bc the 4th gig was about to be over.
I am in Dublin now, working on writing and drinking pints, and having a little bit of a difficult time dealing with the fact that my time here is almost over. I also feel like I'm writing shite. And I'm back to the reception desk on December 1st, and i'll blink and Royal Albert Hall will be over.
But then today I was walking to get a coffee, and I was the only person on this little weird back road. and that's when I saw this graffiti'd on the garage. It was a little moment of magic, reminded me that shouldn't waste time worrying about how quickly time passes and what happens later, all things I can't control. I'm so glad I didn't miss this.
I think it's also a sign to say that it's time for a pint.
