Writing Christmas songs

It's probably too early to talk about the Holiday Season with the sun shining so brightly out and the fact that we haven't even gone past Labor day yet. However, A project has come up for me to either write an original Christmas tune or cover a classic. In the moment I responded with, "Yes, I'll write my own." I knew exactly what I was stepping into. A big writing challenge. What may come about might be the biggest cheeseball song of them all, but I hope not.

I have tried once before to write a Christmas song a few years back but it didn't stick. It is about as difficult to write for me to write a Christmas song as it is for me to write a traditional love song. I mean those really sappy songs too that you hate to admit it but are really good. It runs the risk of being uber cheesy (snow, reindeer, mistletoe) or being oddly too contemporary where basically a pop song gets the word love changed for Christmas (wink-wink). There is a small...very teeny-tiny window where it can work; where the melody and lyrics harmoniously find a home together. So I am throwing down Barney Stinson style and said "Mission Accepted!"

In the meantime, I am digging up some old Christmas pics and videos from my childhood for inspiration. This one scene from "Frosty the Snowman" always gets me. I think it has something to do with the little kid who cries out "Oatmeal!" when trying to think of names for Frosty. I can't help it. I had to share.

Teaser #3: "Cowards"

My friend Toni Wong visited me from Hawaii this week. She has played music with me a bunch and it was nice having her in town to talk about music, go camping and try out new restaurants. She constantly had her camera with her and took a few clips that have been mashed together with part of the song "Cowards" from the upcoming EP. So here you have it...teaser #3. Enjoy and pass it on! xx

Teaser #2: "The Shift"

I've held onto this footage of the swifts roosting in the Chapman School chimney for two years now. Seemed like a good time to combine it with a clip from the song "The Shift." Track #2 on the EP and teaser #2 for you all. That lovely male voice you hear in the background is the one and only Nate Ashely. I hope you enjoy it.

An 'Alternative HI'

After some back and forth of my new tracks they are FINALLY, OFFICIALLY, getting mastered. No really...they are. I promise.

In the meantime, one of my first songs that I ever wrote called "Over-rated Town" was recently released on a compilation called 'Alternative HI' (Mountain Apple Co.), put together by some of my friends back in Hawaii, Brandon Apeles and Shawn Livingston Moseley. It is available on iTunes and includes 18 Hawaii bands that are working hard to raise the awareness and appreciation for independent alternative music in the Islands. I am so proud to have been a part of such a wonderful group of musicians...and my song is track #1! Extra bonus!

I recorded it last May at Soul Sound Studio in Kaneohe, HI with Shawn and Brandon, and musicians Elija Oguma and Toni Wong on accompaniment.

To be honest, I was skeptical about recording this song at first, because I had tried to record it about three different times (and studios) prior and it never seemed to translate well as a recorded track. I found this video taken by Eli (Oguma) the night I recorded the song. It's not the greatest lighting or take, but it was the first time I went over the song with Shawn who helped me arrange the song to what you hear on the recording. I am not going to include the final track...because you are just going to have to check it and the 17 bands tracks here.

Over Rated Town

This over rated town

Lifts me up to drag me down

Got memories of better days when

All you said would make me stay

Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh yeah

Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh yeah

But it's not enough to

Set me free of this

Over rated town that rests on me

From black and white to shades of gray

I'm struggling to make my way

Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh yeah

Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh yeah

Wasted dreams that I live to tell

In the only place that I know so well

I'm feeling restless, and careless

Pretending that I like this

Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh yeah

Oh yeah, Oh yeah, Oh yeah

And I won't be held back by you

No I won't be held back by you

Oh yeah, Oh yeah

Oh yeah, Oh yeah

'We Grew Wings'

We Grew Wings/ Fall Teaser from Ellen Schmidt-Devlin on Vimeo.

Good news! Three instrumental tracks from my last release "The Hawk & The Hunter" are in the documentary "We Grew Wings" about the University of Oregon women's track and field teams. I haven't seen it yet, but I can't wait. Love love love when my music meets film.

The Sea

There is nothing better than hearing a cover one of my songs. Stumbled on this video when I was looking for something else on YouTube. My friends from "Wait For It" put their own spin on "The Sea" and completely made it their own. Love <3 it.

There Is No Finish Line

Even though this is from my last album "The Hawk & The Hunter," I wanted to share the trailer for this lovely documentary that was created by some great people and scored by an awesome person (John Askew). The film has two of my songs in it. So proud to have music put together with a film, especially one about such an amazing woman.