"Alternate
Faith was founded in the summer of 1994. I have been going non-stop since,
hopping from one studio to the next, from one live concert to the next,
from one deadline to the next, without ever catching my breath. I felt it
was time to stop, take a big breath and take a step back from it
all." says Faith with a smile. "Working so hard can be draining,
and a drained artist will soon be one with nothing more to give. This
year, I have taken the time to stop and replenish my artistic
juices."
Artistic
juices that are still flowing quite strong, judging by the new material
Faith is currently working on. But this time, no pressure, no deadlines,
no compromises.
"I feel
liberated. I have chosen my path and it has set me free. No longer shall I
worry about anything. This is a time for harvest, a time to savor it all.
A time to be who I am to the fullest. I don't need to please any
executives, I am not signed and I am loving every minute of it. No
corporation has its grip on me and I can basically do whatever I damn
please. A good place to be artistically wise."
Gearing
herself toward getting started on her new album, Faith is looking forward
to performing live a few more times before heading back to the studio.
"Even
though I did enjoy my break, I am very much looking forward to getting
back on stage. Playing live is what it's all about! I never feel as alive
aswhen I am on stage, sharing my music with people."
For a listing
of scheduled events, click here.
Acoustic and intimate, this will be the flavor of ALTERNATE FAITH's new
album, which the band aims to start recording this summer and complete by
year's end.
"No fluff, no icing on
the cake, no extra baggage. Nothing but the core and essence of each piece
The new acoustic album will
be a long play and will include unplugged versions of the band's most
popular songs plus several new cuts and instrumentals never before
released. This album will be the third release for ALTERNATE FAITH.
"I have always loved
unplugged version of rock bands songs. I am a firm believer that if a song
sounds great 'unplugged', then it is a great song in deed. As of late, I
am leaning towards an acoustic world sound more and more, so recording
this unplugged album was the next logical step. I look forward to sharing
it with all of you very soon..."
As for a title for this
exciting new record, Faith smiles and adds:
" Usually the album
title is the last thing to fall into place. But this time, I have a title
before the album is even started! This word just 'came to me' and when I
heard it I thought "this is what my next album will be called".
Just one word, but I think it fits the concept very well. So our acoustic
release will be called CHARISMA ". Currently there is no
target date for the album's release, so come back for updates.
This is ALTERNATE FAITH's fourth year performing on the acoustic BORDERS
BOOKS AND MUSIC stores circuit, and the band is more popular than ever.
With more live shows booked this year than ever before, 2003 promises to
be a very "live" year for the band. Addition of new exotic
instruments, such as the Tampura and the Middle Eastern Oud will
undoubtedly gather the crowds.
"We had an incredible
show last week in Santa Barbara. People were standing everywhere to catch
a glimpse of the exotic pieces. The chants seem to hypnotize them. And we
sold lots and lots of CDs. I can tell I am onto something, big time."
comments Faith
Many of the stores book the
band several times a year, but now some are wanting ALTERNATE FAITH to be
a regular event, due to demand. Thousand Oaks BORDERS will now have the
band perform every third Saturday of the month year round.
"The key here is that
we offer something that people don't get to see and hear. The music also
touches them deeply and they respond. Now we have to get back in the
studio and capture the magic of those gorgeous ethereal exotic pieces on
tape. We hope to add 3 to our existing LP within the next two
months."
It is official, the first ALTERNATE FAITH promo video has officially been
completed. It is now available to music industry representatives both in
VHS and DVD formats. The video aims to give a good overview of what
ALTERNATE FAITH is all about, complete with live footage of concerts,
songs excerpts, press quotes, radio airplay / charting and live feedback
from the audience. All in a short, to the point, potent 6 mn video.
