Zetti’s debut EP is finally out!

I’m SOOO proud of my lil’ sis! Her first EP is now out for the world to hear and I have to admit I’m pretty proud of the work I put in it as well. She has titled it “Easy Does It” and explains why on her website (check it out). She has books and books of original songs but due to recording costs, was only able to afford recording 4 so her goal is to sell enough of this first release to fund getting back in the studio for a full album next year – so please go download it through ITunes, Amaon or CDbaby via any of the links here:

1. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/zetticarnell1  
2. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/easy-does-it-ep/id548291484
3. http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Does-It/dp/B008PNU72U/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343616056&sr=301-1

Back in January, one of my first blog posts was my trip with Zetti to Nashville to record this album at IndieCove Studios. I made a sneak peak video of tracking the background vocals for “My Favorite”, which is the first track on the EP. Check out the video below, and then listen to the finished production of the song afterwards to see how it comes together in the end. As a bonus treat, there’s a video at the end of us listening to the unmixed playback before calling the song “a wrap” – it was late…and sometimes when it gets late, I gets stupid….lol. I decided to give her a music video….of sorts.

And here’s the final mixed, mastered recording of “My Favorite”!!!

New site launched!

So I am graduating from the WordPress blog to a .com site…..not sure how long this wordpress.com site will still be up and running…but I am officially moved to:

www.dezdonnell.com

Unfortunately, I can’t transfer my subscriber list and followers so please PLEASE go and subscribe to the new site and drop me a comment and let me know what you think about the look of it. I am still tweaking and making small changes to it but wanted to go ahead and get it up and running.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 – Dez

This Is How We Do It…..songwriting ORB style

It’s Saturday. My brother from another mother (he has the EXACT birthday as my sister) came in town to get a track written with me and discuss some music biz. So excited. It’s been years since we’ve put pen to paper and I had plenty on my mind to write about. He had a track about a 4th finished and we got to work…….man…this track is FUN-KY. Can’t wait for to share it – sadly, it can only be heard through our headphones since we were in writing mode…..we ALWAYS end up arguing….lol. Guess that’s the fun of collaborating, ha

 

Here’s another sneak peak of a song almost finished…listen in the background. This is our song “Bad Love” which will be on our Out Roun’ Back album that we are working hard to finish by the end of this year. Hope you like the little snippet….apparently I like to lipsync to myself, ha! Dork.

In other news…..up and coming this week. Singing with The Inspiration Band on the 28th at a private function and got MUUUUCH rehearsing to do for “The Voice” audition next Sunday. Think I’ve narrowed my songs down to Summertime (jazz standard) and/or We Found Love by Rhianna. I’m working on a new website and hopefully later this week I’ll switch to dezdonnell.com!! Will keep you posted. And one more thing……new videos posted on my video page and my youtube channel! If you subscribe on youtube PLEASE go to my channel and subscribe…I would be forever grateful….you can suggest repayment via comments Post your youtube channel and I will subscribe to yours…how ’bout dat. Here’s my channel link:  http://www.youtube.com/dezdonnell

This is how we doooo it……

It’s Saturday. My brother from another mother (he has the EXACT birthday as my sister) came in town to get a track written with me and discuss some music biz. So excited. It’s been years since we’ve put pen to paper and I had plenty on my mind to write about. He had a track about a 4th finished and we got to work…….man…this track is FUN-KY. Can’t wait for to share it – sadly, it can only be heard through our headphones since we were in writing mode…..we ALWAYS end up arguing….lol. Guess that’s the fun of collaborating, ha.

Here’s another sneak peak of a song almost finished…listen in the background. This is our song “Bad Love” which will be on our Out Roun’ Back album that we are working hard to finish by the end of this year. Hope you like the little snippet….apparently I like to lipsync to myself, ha! Dork.

 

In other news…..up and coming this week. Singing with The Inspiration Band on the 28th at a private function and got MUUUUCH rehearsing to do for “The Voice” audition next Sunday. Think I’ve narrowed my songs down to Summertime (jazz standard) and/or We Found Love by Rhianna. I’m working on a new website and hopefully later this week I’ll switch to dezdonnell.com!! Will keep you posted. And one more thing……new videos posted on my video page and my youtube channel! If you subscribe on youtube PLEASE go to my channel and subscribe…I would be forever grateful….you can suggest repayment via comments 🙂 Post your youtube channel and I will subscribe to yours…how ’bout dat. Here’s my channel link:  http://www.youtube.com/dezdonnell

 

Opening Act – new tv show discovering YouTube talent

Have you guys caught this new show on the E! channel, Opening Act? I caught a re-run episode last night and really enjoyed it. There is a team of industry experts – not sure if they change or are the same team from show to show, but this one had Martina McBride, Jason Derulo, Pete Wentz, and a vocal coach I’m unfamiliar with, the executive producer Nigel Lithgoe (from So You Think You Can Dance), Rock Mafia (songwriter/producers) and I think one or two others I can’t remember right now.

Anyhow, the premise is that they scour Youtube and find talent and match them up to headlining acts and get them prepared in a weeks time to open for artists like Rod Stewart, Lady Gaga, and LMFAO. Yeah, MAJOR players. So the first episode they show the Youtube videos of the artists they like and were finding an opener for Rod Stewarts show in Las Vegas. They surprise their pick in their hometown and whisk them away to LA to record, meet with the team, get all dolled up and then perform as an opening act. Pretty cool, huh?

A girl named Arielle from Allen, TX was the feature I saw and I really loved her voice – very reminiscent of one of my favorite artists, Ingrid Michaelson. She was super humble and so grateful to be chosen for such a huge opportunity, which made her even more endearing! Just a sweet person, you can tell. Here’s the video from youtube that awarded her this huge opportunity:

You can check out more info about the show online at http://www.eonline.com/shows/opening_act/ . Now, I need to get busy recording some videos for youtube with the songs they are looking for!

APPROVED MUSIC:
Your video must contain you or your favorite local singer or band performing one of the songs listed below. You can sing a cappella or perform the music using your own instruments, but entries featuring pre-recorded background tracks will be disqualified! Read Official Rules.

If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys

Rehab – Amy Winehouse

Goodbye Earl – Dixie Chicks

Cry – Faith Hill

Lips of an Angel – Hinder

Big Star – Kenney Chesney

Don’t Let Me Get Me – P!nk

My Girl – The Temptations

The Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston

I Want You Back – Jackson 5

Lady Marmalade – LaBelle

It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday – Boyz II Men

I’ll Be Loving You Forever – NKOTB

Ain’t Nothin Like the Real Thing – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me – Culture Club

Free Your Mind – En Vogue

Hold My Hand – Hootie & the Blowfish

Always On My Mind – Willie Nelson

Straight Up – Paula Abdul

Be Near Me – ABC