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& Time to Kill Film

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September 13 , 2005

Danielle French ~ Piece now Available through Digital Distribution

In order to keep up with our ever-evolving technological world, internet CD distribution company CD Baby has given independent artists the opportunity to make their material available through various digital distribution outlets. Physical copies of Danielle's latest CD Piece have been available for purchase through CD Baby since it's release in 2003. But now, for the first time, the material from Piece is available through the following digital distribution outlets: Apple iTunes, MSN Music, MP3tunes, MusicNow, LoudEye, BuyMusic, and Bitmunk. Best of all, you can buy by the song or download the entire album! As an added bonus, a few of digital distribution outlets also offer an opportunity to purchase a hard-to-find song which appears on Danielle's first CD, me, myself & i and also appears on the Grrrls with Guitars Volume I Compilation CD. Danielle co-wrote a song called Worthy with now-famous songwriter Matthew Good and with a bit of searching, Worthy can be downloaded through selected digital distribution outlets for under $1.00! The number one digital download to date is Danielle's version of the Kate Bush song Running Up That Hill.

July 18, 2005

Danielle Joins the Fabulous Carolyn Mark on Stage during her Main Stage at the South Country Fair in Fort MacLeod, Alberta this Past Weekend

West coast honky tonk queen Caroyn Mark performed a stellar set on the main stage at the 2005 South Country Fair Saturday night. Danielle was priviledged to be invited to join Carolyn's gaggle of back-up singers, filling out a lushious trio of girls who "ooohed" and "aaaahed" along in perfect harmony after a short parking lot rehersal an hour before the performance! Any future collaborations in the works you ask? When it comes to Carolyn Mark, anything can happen- spontenaity is her middle name.

May 27, 2005

Danielle Receives a Recording Grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts recently announced the grant recipients in their first round of arts funding for 2005. Danielle has been awarded a grant to begin recording her third full-length CD to be titled Shadows and is thrilled to have the resources available to develop her latest material. Veering left of centre with her most recent songwriting explorations, Danielle has been uncovering strange and wonderful melodies- her new material has has been described as "beautiful strangeness" and has garnered comparisons to Jane Siberry, Tori Amos and Tom Waits. In 2000, Danielle recorded a four-song demo EP titled foreshadow that she always intended would evolve into a full-lenth recording. To get a taste of what's to come, visit multimedia section of this website to hear a couple of the demo tracks from foreshadow. Danielle gratefully acknowledges The Alberta Foundation for the Arts for their support.

May 26, 2005

Computer Animator Art Curry Receives a Bravo!FACT Grant to Develop a Short Film set to one of Danielle's Songs, Yellow Boat

Having met through mutual friends several years ago, singer/songwriter Danielle French and computer animator Art Curry quickly realized that their common interests could converge in a unique way and they began brainstorming on how they could collaborate. Danielle gave Art a copy of her latest CD Piece and he immediately expressed an interest in creating a animated short film to a song of hers that was inspired by the writings of Kahlil Gibran, called Yellow Boat. In the meantime, Art received his first Bravo!FACT grant to produce his own short film called Pen Pals, which has recently been seen on the Bravo! channel and at various film festivals across North America. Now with his second Bravo!FACT grant application approved, Art will begin working on Yellow Boat and although it could take up to a year, Danielle is very excited to see the results!

May 14 , 2005

"Time to Kill", a New Song by Danielle French WINS Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Contest "Best Original Song" Category, 2nd Runner Up . Even more Impessive since she is on Tour in Reno, Nevada at the Time!

Danielle was selected as one of fifteen finalists in the Calgary Folk Festivals' Songwriting Contest in the "Best Original Song Category" with a brand new song 'Time to Kill'! Finalists in this category performed their song live in front of judges at the Ship and Anchor Pub on Saturday, May 14th, but since Danielle was in Reno, Nevada at this time, she called in another local singer/songwriter Chantal Vitalis to pinch hit for her! Chantal obviously did a fantastic job as 'Time to Kill' was selected as the 2nd Runner Up in the "Best Original Song" category~ thanks Chantal!

April 14, 2005

Danielle is Announced as a Finalist in the Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Contest "Best Original Song" Category ~ THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW!

Danielle has been selected as one of fifteen finalists in the Calgary Folk Festivals' Songwriting Contest in the "Best Original Song Category" with a brand new song 'Time to Kill'! Finalists in this category are performing their song live at the Ship and Anchor Pub (534 17 Ave SW, Calgary) on Saturday, May 14th between 2:00 and 6:00 pm. As Danielle will be on a week long tour to Sacramento and Reno during this weekend, she is teaching her song to another local singer/songwriter Chantal Vitalis who will perfrom it on her behalf~ thanks Chantal! Come down and cheer Danielle's song! Winners will have the opportunity to perform at the Calgary Folk Festival!

April 4, 2005

Danielle's First Short Film, Avalon to be Screened at the 2005 Herland Film & Video Festival in Calgary, Alberta and she will also Perform Live at the Gala Event with her Band.

Avalon will be screened as part of the "Local Motion " program at this years' Herland Feminist Film and Video Festival on May 8th, 2005 at 8:00pm (venue TBD). A true multi-disciplinary work, Avalon blends the artistic realms of music (set to one of Danielle's original songs), dance (choreographed by Calgary dancer Anita Miotti) and film (filmed by nationally renown visual artist Allan Harding MacKay). Visit the multimedia section of this website to hear Avalon.Danielle will also perform live with her band at the Gala Event for Herland on May 4th, 2005 at the Auburn Saloon (at the base of the Calgary Tower).

March 1, 2005

Danielle French is Announced as the Opening act for Spirit of the West

Living in Banff, Alberta at this time, Danielle has been offered the opporunity to open for eternal Canadian Celtic rockers, Spirit of the West at Wild Bills Saloon on March 15, 2005. Danielle will be bringing in a few players from Calgary to join her this evening. Danielle had the pleasure of working with Spirit of the West members Geoffrey Kelly and Hugh MacMillan almost ten years ago now on some of her early demos and although their paths have crossed throughout the years, she is looking forward to this upcoming reunion!

February 25 , 2005

Danielle makes a guest appearance singing on the new Agriculture Club CD - The Horse Always Gets it FIrst

The Agriculture Club are a cowboy punk band from Calgary and they invited Danielle to join a chorus of girls to sing a spagetti-western flavoured bit on their latest CD The Horse Always Gets it First. She will also be joining them on stage on March 4, 2005 for their CD release party at Broken City.

January 6, 2005

Danielle is Featured on CBC's ZeD Website ZeD is a CBC television program and online community for artists of all genres. Danielle has made a few songs available for download at ZeD.cbc.ca and was chosen as a feature artist on ZeD website today.

October 7, 2004

Danielle signs a Publishing Deal with Digital Bear Entertainment

Upon hearing the song To the Death from Danielle's latest CD Piece, producer Jordan Tishler approached her to sign a one song deal to represent this "perfect, quirky song" and attempt to place it in film and/or TV. Danielle is extremely pleased with this deal and hopes this will open the door to future opportunities with Digital Bear. Visit the multimedia section of this website to hear To the Death.

September 25, 2004

Danielle's First Short Film, Avalon to be Screened at the Calgary International Film Festival and the Seven Minute Film Festival in Canmore this Weekend

Avalon will be screened as part of the "Musical Shorts" program at this years' Calgary International Film Festival on September 25 and will also enjoy a locals screening at the Seven Minute Film Festival in Canmore the next day. A true multi-disciplinary work, Avalon blends the artistic realms of music (set to one of Danielle's original songs), dance (choreographed by Calgary dancer Anita Miotti) and film (filmed by nationally renown visual artist Allan Harding MacKay). Visit the multimedia section of this website to hear Avalon.

August 15, 2004

Danielle Performs at the Huckleberry Festival at Castle Mountain near Pincher Creek, Alberta

Danielle was invited to perform at the Huckleberry Festival at Castle Mountain, avery quaint little community. They welcomed Danielle in and made her feel right at home! Danielle also met up with fellow musicians Jasmine Whenam, Dave Taylor and Rob Ursel and the House Doctors and had an all round good time. "Thanks to everyone at the Huckleberry Festival for your hospitality." ~ Danielle

August 3, 2004

Danielle Spontaneously Performs at the Canmore Folk Festival.

In her own words:"I had the most amazing and synchronous day. I have been living in Banff, Alberta this summer and decided to take a quick trip into Canmore for groceries- I just felt like a drive that day. I got my groceries, packed my car and thought I could hear music. I completely forgot that the folk festival was that very weekend! I decided to see if I knew anyone and poked my head backstage. Well, I knew almost everyone! They gave me a pass to hang out and the next thing you know, they threw me on stage to perform a 'tweener', which is one song in between acts on the main stage. I brought up my old friend Steve Mitchell of the Paperboys to accompany me (I used to play drums for the Paperboys in Vancouver a decade or so ago!). Thanks to John Wort Hannam for lending me his guitar! Needless to say, I went MIA for the remainder of the weekend hanging at the festival and after parties and had the best time. Thanks to all at the Canmore Folk Festival!"

July1, 2004

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) Supports Danielle's April 2004 tour of the United States.

Danielle applied for an AFA grant in February to support her month-long US tour, however generally takes several months to hear back from granting agencies- usually well after a tour is over. It is always a pleasant surprise to have funding approved after the fact and Danielle is extremely grateful to the AFA for helping her makes this tour intiative a success.

May 10 , 2004

Danielle French Composes Music for Vertigo Mystery Theatre's Production of Innocent Blood

Artistic Director John Paul Fischbach and playwright Nicole Zylstra approached Danielle to compose music for Vertigo Mystery Theatre's upcoming production of Innocent Blood after hearing Danielle perform her song To the Death at a local fundraiser event. Danielle has adapated her existing material for this production and is looking forward to opening night to see the finished product. Innocent Blood runs from May 15 to June 13, join Danielle May 20 @ 7:30 pm for the opening night celebration! Vertigo Mystery Theatre is located at the base of the Calgary Tower at 9th Ave and Centre Street S.

March 10, 2004

Tune in this Week to CKUA and CBC all Across Alberta to hear Interviews with Danielle

On her recent trip to Edmonton, Danielle caught up with CBC's Dan Cherwoniak for an interview on his program The Key of A) and CKUA's Luka Symons, host of Friday Night Take Out. You can catch these interviews on air all across Alberta this week by tuning into CKUA on Friday, March 12 at 12:30 am (technically Saturday morning) and CBC's Radio One (AM Radio) from 5 to 6 pm Saturday, March 13.

February 8, 2004

Danielle French is Chosen by the CSIF to Participate in the $100 Film Festival & Film Music Explosion

Each year the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF) invites submissions from local musicians to produce a short film, set to one of their songs. The chosen acts perform live with their film aired behind them during the $100 film festival screening. Danielle was chosen to co-produce and co-direct a short film to her song Fade Away from her latest CD Piece based on a full storyboard she submitted. The live performance and screening of the completed film for Fade Away is scheduled for March 20, 2004 at 7:00 pm at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).

January 11, 2004

Danielle is Invited to Perform in Several Shows at One Yellow Rabbit's High Performance Rodeo

Aside from the launch of her first short film, Avalon, as part of Mutton Busting at this year's High Performance Rodeo, Danielle has been invited to be part of several other theatre and performance art shows throughout the festiva. On January 12 ~ Danielle will contribute her musical skills and join theatre company Obscene but not Heard as they frantically write a musical play called Udder Madness in 24 hours as part of the 10 minute play festival! January 17 ~ Already anticipating that she will not quite feel herself this night, Danielle has been invited by Denise Clarke to perform at the annual Sky High Cabaret in the Men's Washroom (yes, the washroom- those crazy rabbits) at the Calgary Tower. There will undoubtably be many surprises to delight and enthrall, you'll have to come see for yourself what this night is all about! Local artist Chris Cran has also invited Danielle to perform in his Camera Obscura installation at various points throughout the High Performance Rodeo. To tell you any more, would be to give away the punchline- this is another show you have to see for yourself! However, feel free to visit this link if you want a little more of an idea of what this is all about.

January 6, 2004

Online Distribution Now Available for Piece

Danielle has signed up with CD Baby- an internet distribution company in the US. This means that you can now purchase a copy of Piece with a credit card online! Check out their site anyway as they are doing a great job of helping independent artists get their music out there. Write a review of Danielle's CD at the bottom of her CD Baby page! For Canadian orders through Danielle's distributor, Festival Distribution and mail order purchases, visit the Shop section of this site.

December 31, 2003

Avalon ~ World Premier of Danielle French's first Short Film

The World Premier Screening of Danielle French’s first experimental short film, set to one of her original songs, is announced as part of the Mutton Busting Festival at One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo. Screening dates are January 9, 2004 at 8:30 pm and January 10, 2004 at 10:30 pm.Set to one of her original songs of the same name, Avalon represents a true collaborative effort, blending the artistic genres of music, dance and film. Danielle approached local dancer/choreographer Anita Miotti and well-known Canadian artist/filmmaker Allan Harding MacKay, who she met during his involvement with One Yellow Rabbit’s production of Somalia Yellow, to contribute their individual talents to this project. Avalon was masterfully edited by Neil Evenson. The resulting film is a hypnotic journey into an alternate universe.Stay tuned for future screenings. Visit the multimedia section of this site, where you can download the song Avalon.

September 15, 2003

Danielle French's second full-length CD Piece is Released

The long-awaited follow up to Danielle French's debut CD me, myself & i, is now available and proves well worth the wait! Piece (now distributed by Festival Distribution) documents Danielle's growth and maturity as a vocalist and songwriter and features a stellar cast of guest musicians, including Burton Cummings, Paul MacLeod (the Skydiggers), Luke Doucet (Veal), Don Kerr (ex-Rheostatics, Ron Sexsmith) and Jonathon Lewis (the Plaid Tongued Devils). Piece was mixed by engineer John Sorensen (The Rolling Stones, Beck, The Red Hot Chili Peppers...) at the prestigious Banff Centre.The official CD release party for Piece took place on March 29, 2003 as part of the Solocentric Festival (co-produced by One Yellow Rabbit) at the Big Secret Theatre in Calgary, Alberta. Danielle performed for the first time live with a full band and this show turned out to be the most successful show of the Solocentric Festival! Since the release of Piece, Danielle has been featured in local newspapers and magazines such as Ffwd, the Calgary Herald, the Calgary Sun and Calgary Magazine as well as receiving airplay radio stations such as CKUA (Alberta regional), CBC (national), CFUR (Prince George, BC- charting at #25) and CJSW (University of Calgary- charting at #8)!

Danielle would like to acknowledge Andy Sharp of Slivers Enterprises for his support and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, who awarded a music project grant to support her CD release party as well as the construction of this website!

Have fun browsing the site for information, such as tour dates, downloading music and videos, perusing the photo gallery, or ordering copies of Piece.

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