The Secret Passage

"Is not the poet bound to write his own biography? Is there any other work for him but a good journal?" Henry David Thoreau

My first ever documentary/video is the secret passage into life as a grass roots musician and has been released! "An entertaining and engaging look at "life on the road" for a working musician. Independent artist and musician, Norine Braun shares her heart and her humour with a refreshing honesty of what it's like to get the music out there in this DIY documentary". About 95% of the video was filmed this past year, mostly in the summer while touring. Check it out on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEZ19oNlk2Y

PLUS great news this morning!! I am super ecstatic to announce I have been nominated in 3 categories for the RightoutTV 2014 awards today! Lightning Strikes Twice for Best Spiritual/Blues/Jazz Song, Boy Best Lyric Video and I Found You for Best Folk/Roots/Country song and the fan fave award which is the only award you can vote for if you feel so inclined. Truly an honour and a joy to be among such great artists! This feels very auspicious on the day I launch my documentary! http://www.rightouttvawards.com/2014Nominees.html

We had so much fun at the first webcast that I booked another live webshow on Concert Window. The webcast starts at 8:30pm PST on Saturday October 25. Wherever you are in the world, you can tune in! I’ll be taking requests and answering your questions. You can purchase online tickets right now on a pay-what-you-want basis starting at only $1 athttp://www.concertwindow.com/shows/9477-norine-braun-from-my-laptop-to-yours.  It's really a great way to connect musically from a laptop. I hope you can join me! 

In addition to the music, these past few years I have been working on completing my Bachelor of General Studies degree online bit by bit. I am happy to say I attended my convocation at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops last weekend. I feel young at heart and like I am just beginning with so much yet to do WOO HOO! 

With love and gratitude, Norine  B.G.S. 

www.norinebraun.com 
"Finding that beautiful space of unity between the body and mind can be a life-long journey, but for now we have Braun's newest release, Conventus The Eye Of The Heart"  -Unhinged Reviews

From My Laptop To Yours This Thursday!

Dear friends,

I will be doing a special live webcast on Concert Window at 10pm EDT on September 25. I'll be playing songs, taking requests, and answering YOUR questions in real time! Wherever you are in the world, you can tune in. You can purchase online tickets starting now at http://www.concertwindow.com/shows/9219-norine-braun-from-my-laptop-to-yours. The webcast will not be taped – it's offered in real time. I hope you can join me!

- Norine Braun

Help Me Select A Submission!

Rightouttv Music and Video Awards has opened up submissions.
I need your input to help me decide upon which videos I should enter. Message me or post your fave of any 12 videos from my latest album. Thank you so much!

Lightning Strikes Twice!

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." Meister Eckhart.

My video, "Lightning Strikes Twice" is currently being promoted down south in the USA and is attracting attention from all over the music video programming spectrum such as: The Cool TV, reaching 12 million homes and R n R TV, which reaches 1.1 million viewers and one regional outlet Video Hits, seen throughout upstate New York,  video on-demand (PCMusic), multi-market H2o Television & HomeGrown Video, together connecting with 4 million+ potential viewers, retail pool/content provider ScreenPlay, which services music video reels that go to over 25,000 prominent retailers, nightclubs and restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, including Macys & Ikea and internet (ArtistDirect.com, Zuus.com, Muzu.tv and more).  

   The video is also performing extremely well on the social media front! My current ranking locally on Reverbnation is #2, Nationally ranking #3, Globally at #6 and All Genres we are #172…Remarkable! So far we have accumulated 25,219 song plays, a phenomenal 7,456 video plays on reverbnation, and my total fans are at 9402 including Twitter followers at 4083 and Facebook ‘likes’ are at 2525 WOW!! Thank you so so very much for being part of my musical family!!

UPCOMING DATES:
SUNDAY August 31  3:00 pm Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre Nikkei Matsuri Festival - 3pm Nikkei Matsuri: Burnaby’s family-friendly Japanese festival in the heart of Metro Vancouver August 30 and 31  ALICE AND I ARE EXCITED TO PERFORM AS A DUO!

Saturday Sept 6  Earthwise Farm Tsawwassen Market 9-Noon

Sunday Sept 7 BCSPCA Paws for a Cause Benefit Register at 9:30am Crescent Beach Park Surrey Alice and I play a 45 minute set at 10:15 We adopted our sister cats from  the SPCA and gave them a forever home. Our cat before them was also a shelter cat. We adopted him at age 3 and he lived to 21 and brought us so much joy!  Please spay and neuter your pets and adopt a pet from your local shelter if you are thinking of expanding your famiy. These animals need your love and care! 

Wednesday Sept 17 2-4 pm Langley Community Market Kwantlen University Campus

Saturday Sept 20 Earthwise Farm Tsawwassen Market 9-Noon

Saturday  Sept. 27 VFM 9 -11:30 am Westend Comox and Thurlow

Saturday Oct.4 UBC Farm 9 - 11 am

Sunday Oct. 5 VFM Kits Community Centre 10-Noon

That is the latest I hope you had a wonderful summer and it continues into a magnificent autumn!

Much Love and gratitude,

Norine

www.norinebraun.com 

One of the many good things about Norine Braun’s Conventus The Eye Of The Heart is it’s heartfelt lyrics which you can hear on each track of the Canadian singer/songwriter’s latest album. An artist of much acclaim, Norine Braun gives us a good mix of blues, rock, and jazz on Conventus The Eye Of The Heart, which will absolutely be a hit with old and new school audiences alike. It’s opening track, the honky tonk inspired “Lightening Strikes Twice” immediately captures your attention, long enough to steer you to the funky, danceable “Dizzy.” The sharp guitar riffs on “No More Reprise” will have your fingers playing air guitar before continuing onto the reflective, powerful “Boy” where Norine’s lyrical prowess is at its best. This versatile artist, already a veteran of the stage and road, is bound for a big breakthrough with Conventus The Eye Of The Heart. - Rob Perez The Music Universe

Indiebeat Feature on Voice of the Shuswap

My feature with host Mae Wandinger will air this Friday, August 15th on 93.7 CKVS in Salmon Arm and will stream at http://stream.voiceoftheshuswap.ca/ . The program starts at 4 and my segment will be at 4:30 PST. The episode will also repeat Sunday, Aug 17th at 10 am and Tuesday, the19th at 9 pm PST. Tune in online! Here's a song we enjoyed playing at Salmon Arm's WOW.

Vancouver Fanclub 1st Annual International Blues Music Day

"Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.”
–Charles Dickens

Hi  

I had to let you know about a short notice gig I am playing this weekend if you are in the city. Saturday, August 2nd, 2014 Vancouver Fanclub 1st Annual International Blues Music Day - 1050 Granville Street A blues music fundraiser for the Nighthawk Arts Festival, taking place in Vancouver August 28-31, 2014.
I'll be having a full band for this show and we will be blues rocking the night away! Pat Darcus joins on bass and Sandy Bone on drums with Huggybear Leonard on blues harp and the lovely Alice Fraser on keys.
TWO SHOWS!
Early Show
Doors 7pm - Music 7:30
Jerry Doucette
Kathy Frank
James Buddy Rogers
Christine Best

Late Show
Doors 11:00 Music 11:30
Dalannah Gail Bowen
Norine Braun
Honeyboy Wilson
Gerald Charlie & The Blackowl Blues Band

Tickets $12.00 in advance available at northerntickets.com
$15.00 at the door

Celebrated in many cities around the world, International Blues Music Day was created to acknowledge "the people's music" and the contribution and influence that it has made in the world of music as well as to the many musicians that pioneered and paved the way with their ground-breaking style.

Join us for this celebration!

 

UPCOMING DATES:

Aug 10^th Music in the Park Concert Duo at Pacific Spirit Park 3 -4:30 Family All Ages Free event. Walk the west coast trails as Vancouver musicians are featured alongside the path to serenade you.

August 31 DUO 3:30 pm Nikkei National Museum & Cultural CentreNikkei Matsuri Festival - 3pm Nikkei Matsuri: Burnaby’s family-friendly Japanese festival in the heart of Metro Vancouver August 30 and 31

 Keep having a wonderful summer!

Love,

Norine

www.norinebraun.com 

"Many can learn from Braun’s story. Her vocals are pierced with the passion of a new union, the freedom of glaring death in its ugly black eye, to new beginnings and to disabling grief. In a time when many are afraid to speak of the white elephant in the room, Norine Braun’s gritty lyrics and loving vocals convey hope and inspiration while helping the listener discover the light even if they had not realized they had sought it." Word Krapht - Raven Elenah

STREAMING LINKS

http://norinebraun.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/norinebraun   

Recipient Canada Council for the Arts!

"Dreaming is believing in yourself" Hi there Ecstatic and grateful would be an understatement to describe my feelings about receiving a prestigious Canada Council for the Arts grant to compose my next album. For the first time in my life I will have an opportunity to completely and totally focus soley on my songwriting to create what I hope will be my best work yet. This is no small undertaking I have been thinking about this project for almost 20 years now and believe I am finally ready to begin the work of composing this vision. I am truly honoured and humbled that the Canada Council agrees and believes in my past work and my new ideas and so the journey begins. I wanted you to be the first to know of this tremendous news! UPCOMING DATES:  July 30th Music on the Wharf Concert Series 7-9 pm Free ALL Ages TRIO with Alice Fraser and Huggybear Leonard Salmon Arm BC  Marine Gazebo. Indie beat with Mae Wandinger on Voice of the Shuswap CKVS FM 93.7 is interviewing me in Salmon Arm and I will post on my site when you can tune in. They have been playing my music all month getting ready for our show! July 31 Gallery Vertigo Vernon BC 7 to 9pm $10 - 20 suggested donation TRIO with Alice Fraser and Huggybear Leonard. Limited seating get there early! Conventus the Eye of the Heart has charted again on Outvoice this month coming in #19 on the TOP 20.Thanks for making it happen!  http://www.outvoice.net/votechart.htm   Well my dear I must get started writing that new album, stay tuned. I hope you are having an amazing summer! Love, Norine www.norinebraun.com  "Many can learn from Braun’s story. Her vocals are pierced with the passion of a new union, the freedom of glaring death in its ugly black eye, to new beginnings and to disabling grief. In a time when many are afraid to speak of the white elephant in the room, Norine Braun’s gritty lyrics and loving vocals convey hope and inspiration while helping the listener discover the light even if they had not realized they had sought it." Word Krapht - Raven Elenah STREAMING LINKS http://norinebraun.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/norinebraun

Invincible Summer Solstice

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. ~Albert Camus" Summer is upon us, I hope summer brings you great joy and relaxation whatever you have planned. The longest day of the year is Saturday summer solstice and National Aboriginal Day. Come celebrate it with us as we play. Saturday June 21 Aboriginal Day Celebration Trout Lake Vancouver Noon to 5 Free All Ages Norine’s stage time 12:45 for 30 minute set.  Trio with Alice Fraser and Huggybear Leonard  CONFIRMED SUMMER DATES: June 30 Café Koi Calgary  8 pm to 10 pm No cover, Trio with Alice Fraser and Huggybear Leonard WOO HOO!! July 6 Kits Farmers Market Vancouver 10 am to Noon  DUO with Alice Fraser   JULY 6 SURREY PRIDE Holland Park Noon to 5  Duo with Alice Fraser on the mainstage, we play at 2:30 pm for a 45 minute set. July 16 Langley Community Market Kwantlen Polytechnic University Campus 4-6 Duo with Alice July 17 Thursday Royal City Farmers Market New West 3-7 Duo with Alice Fraser  July 19th West End Farmers Market 9 -11:30 am Duo with Alice Fraser July 20th Music in the Park Concert 1-3pm Free sponsored by MetroVancouver Parks Cleveland Dam North Vancouver DUO with Alice Fraser on keys. The most beautiful setting wow is right beside us. Bring a picnic, sit back, listen to the tunes and enjoy the gorgeous mountains!  July 30th Music on the Wharf Concert Series 7-9 pm Free ALL Ages TRIO with Alice Fraser and Huggybear Leonard Salmon Arm BC  Marine Gazebo Can't wait!! July 31 Gallery Vertigo Vernon BC 7 to 9pm $10 TRIO with Alice Fraser and Huggybear Leonard. Limited seating get there early! August 10 Kits Farmers Market 10 to Noon DUO August 16 Trout Lake Farmers Market Vancouver 9-11:30 DUO  August 23 West End Farmers Market Vancouver 9-11:30 DUO  August 30 UBC Farm 8:45 am to 10:45 am DUO   August 31 Nikkei Japanese Festival Burnaby stage time 3 pm half hour performance Duo with Alice Fraser on keys. MORE DATES TO COME! SORRY to say the Revelstoke gig on June 26 was cancelled, the venue lost their liquor license. But...the Vancouver Island Tour was a great experience and we met so many beautiful people, thanks to everyone who came out!  STOKED that Conventus the Eye of the Heart has charted on Outvoice this month coming in #20 on the TOP 20 just by a whisker.Thanks for making it happen!  Vote athttp://www.outvoice.net/votechart.htm  Love, Norine www.norinebraun.com   "Her signature funky folk-blues sound simply cannot be matched. Best listened to as loud as your neighbours will tolerate."  Scott Alexander Abort Magazine STREAMING LINKS http://norinebraun.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/norinebraun    Norine Braun Schedules Calgary, Salmon Arm and Vernon Appearances       Award-winning bluesy artist with a siren’s voice, Norine Braun has scheduled June and  July shows in Calgary and the Okanagan/Shuswap with her trio to introduce Braun’s newly acclaimed album “Conventus the Eye of the Heart”.  On Monday, June 30, Norine will appear at Cafe Koi, , 8 p.m. All Ages,  No cover.  Touring as a trio, with the dark and silky vocals of Norine who also plays guitar, joined by Queen of the Trills Alice Fraser on keys, and the electrifying Huggybear Leonard on ukulele, penny whistle and blues harp. Cafe Koi is a blend of passionate people pooling their skills to provide urban Calgary with a forward-thinking environment, serving delicious and nutritious food, creating unique communities, and supporting local art, music, and culture.    On Wednesday, July 30, Norine will appear at Salmon Arm's Music on the Wharf Weekly Concert Series at the Marine Gazebo,  6:45 p.m. All Ages Free Event and on July 31 Gallery Vertigo the North Okanagan Arts Incubator in Vernon Doors 6:30 Showtime 7-9 $10.       Norine Braun’s awards include the Los Angeles Music Awards and Artists for Literacy. She has appeared at many clubs and festivals and the new full-length CD “Conventus the Eye of the Heart” is her ninth album. It follows Norine’s songwriting journey through life-threatening illness, a death in the family, new beginnings and the celebration of life. The songs are as honest and lyrically strong as roots and blues-rock gets. “Norine Braun’s signature funky folk-blues sound simply cannot be matched. Best played loud as your neighbor's will tolerate.“ Abort Magazine     Information on Norine Braun and her work is available at www.norinebraun.com with more about her music  on www.reverbnation.com/norinebraun.

Home sweet home

Home sweet home from our beautiful little island tour, Alice Fraser andHuggybear Leonard rocked it, the trio is really flowing now, the music stellar , great sounding venues, made lovely new friends and fans and sold those cds  Definitely still recovering from the bug but thankful my energy and vox held out and we managed to even take in a few sites. Heartbreakingly though I got word on the road that a dear old friend lost her battle with cancer Friday. On Sat. night we played for our angel Linda, who I know was there in that beautiful old church listening in. 

Norine Braun schedules May 14, 15 and 17 Vancouver Island appearances

Norine Braun schedules May 14, 15 and 17Vancouver Island appearances   
      Award-winning bluesy artist with a siren’s voice, Norine Braun has scheduled three May appearances with her trio on Vancouver Island to introduce Braun’s newly acclaimed album “Conventus the Eye of the Heart”.
  

 On Wednesday May 14 at the Copper Owl, $10 @ 9 pm a historic bar located in downtown Victoria, sharing the double bill with blues rocker and 2014 Vancouver Island Music Award winner, Dave Cormier.
   

On Thursday May 15 the Norine Braun Trio plays the well loved and newly resurrected Duncan Showroom, in Duncan 133 Station Street Doors 7 Show 8pm  $12 advance $15 at the door
   

On Saturday, May 17, Norine will appear at Char’s Landing, Port Alberni, 8 p.m., $12 cover, this 100-year old church has been converted into a popular showcase for the arts. Touring as a trio, with the dark and silky vocals of Norine who also plays guitar, joined by Queen of the Trills Alice Fraser on keys, and the electrifying Huggybear Leonard on ukulele, penny whistle and blues harp.
     

Norine Braun’s awards include the Los Angeles Music Awards and Artists for Literacy. She has appeared at many clubs and festivals and the new full-length CD “Conventus the Eye of the Heart” is her ninth album. It follows Norine’s songwriting journey through life-threatening illness, a death in the family, new beginnings and the celebration of life. The songs are as honest and lyrically strong as roots and blues-rock gets. “Norine Braun’s signature funky folk-blues sound simply cannot be matched. “ Abort Magazine
    Information on Norine Braun and her work is available at www.norinebraun.com with more about her music  on www.reverbnation.com/norinebraun.
      

Her May 14 appearance is at the Copper Owl, 1900 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC, 778-265-1774, 9:00 p.m.  $10 at door and May 15 Duncan Showroom 133 Station Street, Showtime  8 pm advance tickets $12 and $15 at the door. See Norine Braun on May 17 at Char’s Landing, 4815 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, BC, phone 250-730-1636, 8 p.m. $12 door