I finally finished the video looking back on all the fun times we had this year.  Hope you enjoy!

We did this interview back in November, but I just got them up on youtube.  I am having a lot of problems with youtube at the moment, but that's a topic for another blog.  ;-)  I PROMISE the Little Things video will get up soon, but I have no idea how soon.  SO for now, here are the interview videos from KSER 90.7 FM in Everett.
(Check them out, btw, you can listen online or on your radio in the Seattle area, and it is a completely independent radio show so they have neat alternative music selections, including the Celtic Harvest show with Kathy Johnson.  That's the one that we appeared on.)

Video #1: 

Video #2: 

Aaaaand video #3: 

We had a great time with this show, it was also pretty neat to take a look at all the Celtic music they have on the shelf - lots of great music in that room!  Hope you enjoy the interview - see you next time!
:-)
Greta 

Well, she's out!  Story Girl has been released, and we are so glad that you all love it so much!!  Like I said, today we're releasing the third video off the album, this one is actually the first one we filmed and it was filmed in our hometown of Edmonds, WA.  
There's a little bit of a gypsy flair to it and we did a lot of scrambling through the beachwater and climbing through the forest to get the wide shots!  You also may spot a majestic blue heron that was hanging out at the beach at the same time as us.  ;-)

Well, here she is! Story Girl is officially on iTunes. Head on over there and download all the new songs for only $9.99!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/story-girl/id476144608

Or, you can still buy a real CD (because the artwork is really pretty) on our website right here:

http://www.gothardsisters.weebly.com/store.html

Thanks!
Greta 

Well… Here we are sitting in the studio, without instruments (which is a rather odd feeling) and listening to our finished songs without critical ears for the first time in 7 months.

Tonight we are doing the final mixdown of the cd. It’s amazing how many hours of life and energy and inspiration mixed with trial and error and learning can fit on a little tiny skinny disc. That little disc is pretty awesome though- send it out into the world and thousands of people can experience the same things, practically in the blink of an eye. That is why I love making music; so I can share it! Because music is an experience.

Anyway, before I go and wax too poetic on you, here is what happens now. Once we have our final mixdown, we head to a different recording studio ( and a fresh set of ears, very important!) and get it mastered. What mastering does, basically, is make all the songs “finished” by adding space before and after them and then filling out the sound so the songs sound good on any kind of cd player, radio or stereo.

Then it all gets sent off to New Jersey and we wait…and wait…. And wait…. Until UPS pulls up at the door with the boxes of CDs and we can ship out all our pre-orders and listen to the cd again.

So… Speaking of preorders, have you gotten yours yet?

http://www.gothardsisters.weebly.com/story-girl.html

The rain is coming down outside, “It’s the Little Things,” with it’s soft violins and vocals and mandolin is playing inside, Willow and Solana are both reading books on the couches… I can’t believe we are nearly done. I love this album. I hope you do, too. 

Signing off for now,
Greta 

We’ve been really quiet the last few months (haven’t had a live show in nearly a month as well) and this is because we’ve been spending all our time writing new songs and working on recording for our new album. The songs we’re recording now have been in the works for several years now ever since we finished Celtic Rainbow in 2009, and we can’t wait for you to hear the new sound. However, for now here is a little glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work going on in the recording studio and in the writing process.
Enjoy! 

Over the Summer, we played our “unnamed song” for audiences all over the country, and many people came up and generously suggested titles to help us out with our dilemma!!

We have now officially decided on a name for the song. It is from the list below, and we thought that it not only described the sea-faring feel of the song, but also it gave us an idea for track artwork!

The official new name of the song is…. *drum roll, please!*

“The Sailor and the Mermaid.” 

But I thought I would post all of the names we have collected so you can read them all! It’s quite an astounding list!
Now, without further ado and drum roll, please….
The many names of the unnamed song:

- The Battle of Gamor (James)
- The Dance of the Matador (Dan)
- The Journey of Three Sisters (Thelme)
- Escape to My Heart (Mark & Karen)
- Queen of the Beehive (Lauretta)
- Dancing in the Rain
-Break away from the Storm
- Fairyland Jamboree (Krystal)
- Dance of the Fairies (Krystal)
- Rainbow Colors (Kayla & Ella)
- Storm o’re the Isle (Carl)
- Thunder and Lightning
- Earth, Wind, and Rain (Lexie Pearson)
- Wind Chime (Rebecca Salinas Oliveros)
- Sailing West (Bob Mcbride)
- The Flight of an Eagle (Mary Schavec)
- Gothards Anthem (Ken Roper)
- Heavens Anthem (Ken Roper)
- Ballad of the Gothards (Ken Roper)
- Spirit of the Gothards (Ken Roper)
- Gothards Mountain (Ken Roper)
- Serenity Triumphs (Linda Hart)
- Going Home to a Love (John Nestler)
- Maiden Voyage (Chris)
- Irish Jig #1 (Cindy Sanders)
- Celtic Sounds (Cindy Sanders)
- The Journey (Mary Kay)
- Gypsy Road (Julie Wells)
- Celtic Call to Battle (Marcie)
- The Mermaid’s Lament (Jennifer Matson)
- Celtic Spirit in Motion (Randy)
- A Warrior’s Journey (Linda)
- Celtic Moods (Trudy)
- The Land is Mine (Steve)
- Kelpie’s Secret (Nancy R.)
- Stormy Battle (Malcolm)
- Aria’s Rose (Aria)
- Irish Aria (Aria)
- Shannon’s Aria (Aria)
- Ode to Aria (Aria)
- Irish Storm (Rico)
- The Storm (Anthony)
- Journey Around the World (Anthony)
- Irish Mystery (Justin)
- Battle of the Storm Sisters (Sarah & Haylee)
- Storms a Brewing (Sarah & Haylee)
- Revenge of the Gothard Sisters (Sarah & Haylee)
- The Eye of the Storm (Autumn)
- Withering Hearts (Joey)
- The Irish Road (Joey)
- Celtic Rage with Love (Pam)
- The Irish youngins’ (Wes)
- Shilo Civil War Battle (Pierce Schmaus)
- The Sky Cry (Keith Nicholos)
- Battle in the Rain (Mike)
- Sailing the Seas (Henry)
- Galloping Horses
- Celtic Thunder
- Viking Thunder
- Solana’s Here! (Alison Reagan)
- Kaela’s Dance (Kaela)
- Thunder
- Flower Song
- The Irish Lament
- Different Worlds
- Journey through the Forest
- Thunder in the Mountain
- 1,000 Mile Journey
- The Unknown Song
-Robbie’s Gone Away to the War
- A River’s Journey
- Too Good to Title
- The Monarch
- Bewildered Barnacle
- The Gothard Jig and Reel
- Emerging Spring
- 3 Coins
- Spring Joy
- Love’s Journey
- Slip Stream
-The Battle of Gamor
- The Rising Sun
- Celtic Fandango
- The Sailor and the Mermaid
- Maria in the Field
- Journey to *blank*
- Celtic and Beyond
- Gray Harbor’s Storm
- Ciara’s Lament
- Broken Dreams
- Haunted Dreams
- Red Rain
- Bridget’s Tears
- The Giving Tree
- Sweet Melody
- Awakening the Sun
- Sun Shining Down
- The March to Gray’s Harbor Storm
- Crashing Water
- Minstrel’s Journey
- Celtic Warriors
- Pounding Waves
- Starving Waves
- Princess Warrior
- Thunder and Lightning
- Blustery Morn
- Marching *blank*
- Changing Seasons
- Celtic Storm
- Heart’s Passion
- Wind, Rain and Fire
- Siren Song
- Beautiful 
- Storm of Minstrel’s
- Flight of the Ravens
- Running in the Storm
- The “Aha!” Song
- The Ocean Wave Shoves (Sophia)
- The Reivers Ride
- Painted Storm (Lisa Murphy)
- Independence Night (Teegan Loette)
- Last of the Gaelics (Drew D.)
- Starletts in Harmony (Darlene Eowman)
- Romantic Thunder (Larry Rogers)
- Thrice Thunder (Diane Bailey)
- Bonnie’s Blues (Bonnie Kuntz)
- Winds of Fair (Rudy Rohrbaugh)
- Call of the Maiden (Judy Landis)
- Good Vibrations on the Wind (Sam Dolheimer)
- Rumble in the Hills (Buck Enders)
- Trio of Rhapsody (Kink Alexander)
- Ahead of the Storm (Suzanne Kirkland)
- Mystic Trio (Lynn Dodd)
- One Summer Day (Kassidy & Lauren)
- Meadow Voices (Abby)
- The Last Days of Summer (Kathy B.)
- Midnight Dance (Arielle)
- Celtic Splendor (Mike T.)
- Splendor of Ireland (Mike T.)
- Gypsy Battle Jig (Harold)
- Wind in the Willow (Nancy)
- Solana’s Song (George Hake)
- Enchanted Rhapsody (Brenda Hancock)
- Walking through the storm (Nancy B.)
- Celtic Wind (Tom A.)
- Danube Express (Randy Dallmefe or Dallmefa?)
- Native Bonfire (Linda Dallmefe of Dallmefa?)
- Celtic Waltz (Henry)
- Irish Waltz (Henry)
- Sonnett for a Stranger’s Love (Michael Pahl)
- Shenandoah Spring (Michael Patton)
- The Moors of Ireland (Michael Benedict)
- The Wild West Gold Mine (Millard Rexrode)
- The Wild West Gold Find (Millard Rexrode)
- Battle for the World (Lauren)
- Stomp of the Drums (Katie)
- Siren of the Storm (Jane)
- The Cost of Freedom (Anthony Greel)
- Passion Rose (Bob Frey)
-Angels in Paradise (Helen W.)
- My Sweet Dream (Helen W.)
- Farewell Good Friend (Joan S.)
- Tennessee Cliffs of Monair (Jack M.)
- The Ballad of Seamus Mcloud (Jim)
- The Native’s are Restless Tonight (Raymond Kurtz)
- Seattle Rain (Dan)
- Tacoma Rain (Dan)
- The Voice of the Wind (Amy)
- Battle of the Goddesses (Olivia)
- Irish Wind Running Wild (Doug Etter)
- A Night with the Irish (Lana)
- Gaelic Love Storm (Erin)
- Yorkshire Fair (Eileen M.)
- Ride off to Battle! (Jackie)
- Gypsy Lore (Donna Dull Felton)
- American Civil Celtic (Lynn L.)
- Remember Me at York (Bill M.)
- Battle of York (Bill M.)
- Scottish Dance (Beth)
- A Fairy’s Dance (Susan)
- Shannon Go Bragh (Rev. William Welsh)
- Come Hither the Sounds of an Irish Lass (Barbara Ann Taaffe)
- Summer Breeze (Kay L.)
- Sounds of a Waterfall
- Waterfall
- The Mystery of Enchantment (Cliff D.)
- The Gothard Tribal (Janine)
- Butterfly’s Robe (Masumi Jenks)
- Call of the Wind (Robert Serra)
- Siren Song of the Sea (Kim Sorenson)
- Soul Release Dream (Bryan Jenks)
- Sea Storm (Claire)
- The Lightning Leaf (Sophia)
- True Talent (Ron)
- Horses of the Fall (Fall)
- Summer Faire (Jean)
- Mermaid Gypsy of the Sea (Cheri Hanay)
- Doublin Rain (Gary)
- Gothard Road (Ernest Currie)
- Gothism Rising (Ernest Currie)
- Celtic Festival (Hannah)
- A Blizzard Night Flight (Abby Iblings)
- Wind through the Mountains (Jean Kelley)
- Selkie Soul (Nancy Clark)
- Tempestuous Siren of the Sea (Nina Hipperson)
- Sea Sirens Three (Nina Hipperson)
- Battle of Wilgretsol, Wilsolgret, Gretsolwil, Gretwilsol, Solwilgret, or Solgretwil.
- County Fair Blues
- Gone Before
- Fairy’s Fury (Maryanne)
- Gothard’s Lullaby (Jesilnik)
- Wild at Heart (John Eldredge)
- Sailor’s Mistress (Dennis)
- Gothic Pride (George and Chichi Trout)
- Gothard Pride (George and Chichi Trout)
- In Celebration of Bluey’s Life (Jordy and Terry Albert)
- The River Orr (Bill A Miller, he wrote lyrics)
- Gothard Jig
- The Legend of Dirty Red (Mark)
- Dirty Red (Mark)
- Prelude to a Revelation (Michelle Andres)
- The Quickening (Michelle Andres)
- Journey through the Forest
- Pondering Indian
- Storm Maiden
- Thunder Mountain
- Battle of Love
- Battle for Love
- Wandering
- Secret Kelts
- Unnamed Battle
- The Irish Kelt
- Three Battles
- Clarity
- Thundering Serenade (Arletta Clarke)
- Water Dreams
- The Journey
- Astoria; Diverse and Beautiful
- Sirens
- Rocky Road of Love (Kathryn Burr)
- Westerly Waves (Jane M. Geogeson)
- Journey back from Lisdoonvarna
- Journey to *blank*
- New Love (Josce Peper)
- Speechless (Josce Peper)
- Celtic Blood (Tim Wilker)
- Just for Astoria (Sherry Wright)
- A Special Place (Sherry Wright)
- Celebration (Sherry Wright)
- The Gypsy Angel (Barbara Kraler) – I Dream of My Ride to Heaven (Brandt Apiki)
- Changing Changes
- Leprechaun King
- Awakening the Sun
- Sun Shining Down

There you have it!! Now you know everything that we know. This has been so fantastic to have everyone suggest names- you all are very creative. 

Even though we can only pick one name from the list for THIS song, there are a lot of great names here that are just asking for songs to go along with them… so your name could also be included on the CD or have a song written about it! We shall see.

Greta
www.gothardsisters.com 

Yesterday we performed at the waterfront in Kirkland as part of their summer concert series for several hundred kids and their parents.  The place was beautiful since it was right by the water in a little gazebo (with a nice sound system run by two awesome guys, Chris and Chris!) 

and we got some new name suggestions for the "unnamed song," including "thunder," "different worlds," and "flower song."

Afterwards we met a lot of the kids and their parents.  There were a lot of aspiring dancers and violinists in the audience - who knows which member of the audience will be the next performing group at the Kirkland Concert Series!  We had a great time and are now revving up to our show in Edmonds at City park.  If you would like to come to that show, check out the details on the schedule page.