We have been entered in the Hard Rock Rising 2012 Global Battle of the Bands. The winner gets to play Hard Rock London. Hell yea! We’ve only done one other battle of the bands type thing, which was Emergenza. It was actually a pretty cool experience for us and we did really well.

YOU CAN HELP US!! Voting begins online January 25—February 6

It’s soooo easy, here’s how it works:
This link will take you to Hard Rock Rising Facebook page.
1. Our song will be right at the top, click ‘Download’ and follow the instructions.
2. Tell everyone you know to do the same!! That’s it!!!

XO
THANK YOU!!!!

Please like the LuLu’s Ascent Facebook page, if you haven’t already. There will be special tracks and more coming down the line soon!

2011 marks a new path for LuLu’s Ascent. Our last show at Oasis in New Paltz brought in a new player for a couple of songs, JWhy, of Beacon, NY. He is a multi-instrumentalist/composer/producer who sat in on an impromptu jam as well as an extended version of The Light. He played bass clarinet and ‘blew’ the room away. We had a chance to chat a few days later and found we have a mutual admiration, to say the least, for Charlie Mingus.

I look forward to the possibilities of working more with J and other players that compliment the explorations of this new phase. Steve, Tom & I have spent time reworking and rearranging the established material as well as adding a couple of new songs. We’re ready for anything. Our focus now is on expansion, of the songs, ourselves and our reach into the creative/world community. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s gonna be a great ride…xo lulu

LuLu’s Ascent took off from playing together for about 3 years. Late last year we decided to reconvene with a whole new attitude and just let things find their own way. We were all a bit astounded that it seemed as if things were flowing better than ever, and it was almost as if no time had elapsed. Over the last 6 months we have been giving our material a complete reworking. We have 2 new songs, new rough live rehearsal tracks that have been edited, along with some footage we had from a show at Revolution Hall in Troy NY. Here’s where we’re at, possible shows are in the works…enjoy!

The General Clinton Pub was a good time last night. My tequila induced mutterings must have offered up our t-shirts for the taking and gone they were…right on. Ascend. We recorded the show and that oughta prove mighty interesting…many thanks to Eric Margan for hanging through the night and helping us out with his mighty laptop. (Check out his new band, The Red Lions.)

Steve & I saw a million stars and a bobcat on the drive home…it’s the little things.

I’m back at my post at the Woodstock Film Festival. Getting a chance to see some pretty interesting indie films and documentaries that will most likely never be seen elsewhere. Dark Matter is a must see if it makes it out on the street, Meryl Streep and Aidan Quinn in a supremely well done comment on human frailty in all it’s splendor.

See you in Beacon this Friday at Tonique.
peace-LuLu

What do these guys have in common? Well, besides being among my favorite artists of all time, they have all sidled up next to each other this evening thanks to Pandora.com. Wouldn’t that be a show to see!!! I have some rare down time tonight and have been reflecting on a myriad of subjects. My gratitude to Pandora for one. Music in general for being a constant companion throughout my life, and my folks for bringing me to it and it to me. My Mom and Dad are the first musicians I ever knew. Not bad eh? I was listening to a recording they did before I was born. I have to say I’m a fan. My dad, Mike Arena, plays sax and composes big band charts to this day. My mom, Rosemary, sang with him and in her early 20’s sounded just amazing. She only got better over the years. She hasn’t been public in a while and I’m trying to devise a plan to get her out there again. You never know.

This Friday October 12, LuLu’s Ascent is playing the General Clinton Pub in Oneonta, NY. We’re doing a live recording of this show and I get to play with 2 of the greatest guys this side of the Mississippi. It’s ’round midnight now so I’m turning in with a book til the next time…namasté…LuLu

That’s how Nicky from Benji & Jakes described us last night. I like it. Thanks Nicky. And the pizza was classic. We got to hang out on the dock after the show and enjoy the lake…could all our shows be on the water? Sweet.

Next up is The Perfect Wife in Manchester Vermont. Friday September 21. I hear they like to party in Vermont. We’ll see what we can do.

ciao for now.
LuLu

oh yea. I’m really looking forward to our show in Vermont but in the meantime we’ve booked a couple more cool little shows right in New York State. September 7 we play Benji & Jake’s in Whitelake. I have no idea what this will be like but it’s always an adventure. I’m thinking we need to get a van soon. I’ve had 2 and loved every mile. (well, except for the miles in the side of the road). I had a 1986(?) Ford Econoline, it was dark blue and I tinted all the windows. In my spare time between gigs I painted the inside, the walls, the ceiling-anywhere there was space to doodle. It would be cool to look up at my art while I was going to sleep at the end of the night. Yep. My second van was a 1992 Ford Econoline that was an old Sears Fleet van. It was standard Sears white and it even had one of those beepers when you were backing up. I traveled all over the US when I was playing solo. Coffeehouses and clubs, street corners, you name it. It was an amazing time for the chick with a guitar. Wow. I guess I rambled on. Anyway keep in touch. We’ll be coming to a town near you any day now. Lookout!!!
LuLu

Next Friday is our CD release party at The Rosendale Theater and we have very special guests on board as well as special prices on CD’s and brand new Ascent organic cotton t-shirts!!! If you haven’t been to a show in a while or you haven’t been to a show yet-don’t miss this one or else you’ll have to come to Vermont to see us next!!!

to the site to buy tickets!!!

Check out the Ulster County Press this week and The Daily Freeman next week.

peace-see you soon-lulu

Hey all…our CD release party at The Rosendale Theater is taking shape and is definitely going to be a blast. We’re gonna take you places you ain’t never been, so come along….Friday August 17.
Then in September we’re heading to Vermont to play at The Perfect Wife in Manchester. The show is Friday September 21 and is in conjunction with WEQX. Come hit the road with us…more info to come.
Peace.
LuLu

This Saturday night after we play at Rhino Records in New Paltz we’ll be playing at 8:30pm at Keegan Ales in Kingston. Keegans has expanded this year and in addition to their great beers they now have a full bar and restaurant, and now, US!!! So take your pick-2 chances to come out and roll with us…

Also more good news!! Friday August 17 will be our official Hudson Valley CD release party!!! The CD arrived in January and we were so busy with Emergenza, the party kinda got put on the back burner but we’re ready to celebrate with you now at The Rosendale Theater. Working with Michael is awesome and we are planning a very special evening. More details to come-stay in touch and don’t let your feet hit the ground…

peace
LuLu