Lizanne Knott: Journal

I am home, finally. I can look out my window and see trees.. open land and some far away hills. I can sit under a shade tree and write, romp with my newest addition, Aspen - a Great Pyrenees puppy and spend time riding...again. I can breathe.
I'm taking a hiatus of sorts from a heavier tour schedule to help build a new studio - more to follow on that. I hope that Summer finds each of you doing something you love and loving the things that you do. Life is to short to do otherwise...

I had a strange conversation with an interviewer last night. He asked how I came to find success as both a studio partner and artist. As I was getting ready to argue his perception of "success" I thought about how absurd a question to begin with as I am where I am in life by sheer accident, or actually a series of them. If not for them happening, I would probably still be slipping onto the backs of untrained horses (as I did for years until my bruises and broken bones outweighed the thrill) or trekking thru war zones to get a story for the next world news feed (what I had always aspired to do) Instead I stumbled through life, a series of ill fated relationships and an assortment of un-doings. Each left it's mark, each made it's statement. Truth is I don't remember when music became my center, just that it did. I don't think it was the answer he was looking for.
I am thankful today, for the daughters who somehow managed to find permanence with me, for my father, a German Human Rights Advocate who instilled a sense of decency and compassion ~ and to all of you, out there, for your support and listenership ~ without you, there would be no music. I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with Peace, Prosperity and a Never Ending sense of Giving.. Thank you for sharing the ride.

Pick of the Day 11/20/09:

Lizanne Knott

Singer-songwriter Lizanne Knott boasts one of the most impressive résumés of Philadelphia’s music scene. As a managing partner of MorningStar Studios, Philadelphia director of the New York Songwriter’s Circle, and a member of groups such as the Americana Music Association, ASCAP, NSAI, and the Recording Academy (the organization that organizes and decides on the GRAMMY Awards), Knott seems to have hands in all the right places to put her on the path toward a wildly successful music career.

Known for a depth and warmth usually characteristic of singers and songwriters much more established than the budding musician, Knott has been receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from both audiences and the music press.

Her reputation has steadily been building in both the United States and England, where she is regularly featured on the Bob Harris Show on BBC 2. The iconic DJ Harris has said of our hometown hero: “We've rarely had as big a reaction to any artist in recent years that we've had for Lizanne Knott.”

Catch Knott live tonight or tomorrow night at one of the following concerts:

Kimmel Center, Philadelphia
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Free

Delaware Institute of Science, Media, PA
Arts Against Abuse
7:30 pm
$20

If you can’t make it to these shows, hear her live on the air at 8:00 PM on Sunday ....right here on WXPN .

http://www.thealternateroot.com/index.php/features-mainmenu-27/featured-artists-in-the-alternate-root

Lizanne Knott has a vocal delivery that makes you turn around. She is talking to you. Her voice is conversational and intimate. When she comes through with her laundry list of what coulda been on ‘Why Baby Why’, the result for the listener is “what could I have done better”. When she opens ‘Sunday’ with the words “hey baby”, you are listening over the phone with hushed breathes, allowing her promises to wash over, sink in and light the future. Her minute by minute overviews on ‘Wonderful Day’ are streaming directly from one’s own thoughts. The loop is complete and connection is made. The personal tone and texture of Lizanne’s voice takes hold on each track of ‘South of Graceland’, her third including her self-titled debut (2003)‘ and ‘Under the Burning Sky’ (2006). Musically, the album relies on the purity of an acoustic performance mixing blues, folk/rock and jazz chord patterns and rhythms with those soul touching vocals and harmony convergences.
Lizanne has made her mark both musically and in actively expanding on the presence of independent artists. She is the Philadelphia host of new york Songwriter’s Circle on World Cafe Live as well as managing partner of MorningStar Studios. Her travels take in both the U.S. shores and the U.K., where her presence has gone beyond venues and found her a repeat visitor on the Bob Harris show, BBC2 and other BBC stations.

I am feeling so very thankful right now, to all of you for supporting my music. It's amazing to have so many people respond to your art. For me, that's what it's all about, knowing you have touched someones life in some small way, making that one moment somehow better. We've all had our trials and hard times, God knows I've had a lions share, could be more waiting just around the bend, I don't know. But I'm starting to truly believe in the rainbow at the end of the storm...that faint, colorful ghost of a promise that keeps dreams alive and drives you to another day.

Thank you all.

Lizanne

Spring is sprung ~ almost! It's been a helluva winter here in Pa and I am biding my time until it's official, not that it makes it any warmer, still it's something to look forward to.

On the music front:

"South of Graceland" made it to a "best of" compilation for Americana OK which encompases a large string of radio stations from Nashville to the UK and "Shadow in This Town" from my "Under the Burning Sky" cd will be featured on a "best of" New York Songwriter's Circle compilation. It will be distributed nationally by a soon to be named label. It's an absolute honor to be included in these collections. I've got some great shows coming up including a little tour run - south to Nashville with my long time friend, Antje Duvekot. Check out her new CD: www.myspace.com/antjeduvekot It's amazingly beautiful. Other than all of this, I've been in unrelenting writing mode. Once I start I cannot stop... I suppose I'll be back in the studio soon and a new recording will be in the works

I wish you all a warm and happy Spring and to my friends in Alaska, I hope the thaw comes sooner than later..

much love ~ Lizanne

2009 is finally here! New days, new songs, new haircut ;-)
Lot's of good things on the horizon, a South of Graceland release with Proper RD London, a compilation CD with the New York Songwriter's Circle, a song on a Starz movie soundtrack and a UK tour including a live session on Bob Harris BBC2 and more..
I'll be updating this soon with more news and little tidbits of stuff. In the meantime, feel free to send me a note with how YOU'RE doing! And by all means, come out to a show and spend some time, it's always great to see old friends and new faces..

love and best wishes to all,

Lizanne

I don't know why it takes me so long to update this, but I hope you all are well and having a wonderfully great summer. My newest CD "South of Graceland" will be released and available in the next couple of weeks. You can hear some of the tracks on my myspace page: www.myspace.com/LizanneKnott
The legendary Bob Harris has been playing a track on his BBC2 show "Too Much Love" which gives mention to a friend or two across the pond.

I've got some cool, fun shows coming up in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. If you are going to be in the area and are reading this - come on out, introduce yourself, take a seat and stay awhile. It's always a good time! John Conahan often joins me and he is talented beyond words. On another front, the New York Songwriter's Circle is going strong, with dates in Philadelphia at World Cafe Live. There are some very great artists on these bills, check 'em out!

Stay tuned for more news.. including a movie on Starz and Encoure featuring 'Under the Burning Sky" and an upcoming 2009 UK tour ..

So that's about it for now, feel free to write if the mood strikes ~ I try to answer all e-mails, if you have a little patience I'll get back to you.

Much Love ~ Lizanne xo

I wanted to first thank everyone for their concern and well wishes and to answer a few questions here as I can't respond to all of your e-mails. I've been recently diagnosed with a medical disorder which causes my blood to clot up without rhyme or reason. I am currently on treatment therapies and will be undergoing diagnostic testing to find out what the underlying cause is. I have had to cancel my UK tours for 2008 but will continue to play throughout the Northeast US. I am still recording my new CD and plan for a late Spring release. I have tenative plans to return to the UK 2009. I am very happy to be alive. I will bounce back. I have amazing daughters, a wonderful man in my life, blue skies, moonlit nights (chocolate in my pocket ;-) ~ and a cast of friends that are out of this world. ** AND a new president forthcoming (that in of itself is a powerful medicine!)

Much love and Happy Spring to all, thank you for being you.

Lizanne

What an incredible two nights of music at the Bitter End! I am honored to be one of the top twelve finalists out of thousands..

Thanks to everyone who made the event possible, I have never been surrounded by so much talent and good will.

Much Love ~ Lizanne

..Just wanted to put a note of thanks here for the amazing warmth and hospitality bestowed upon me in England this Fall. The BBC2 was an incredible stop, I'll be posting some live recorded tracks from the show. The house concerts and venues were lovely, great sound and amazing audiences. Needless to say, I will be coming back 2008.

Thank you ~ Bob Harris (Phil Swern) Simon Holderness, Tony Spellman, Mike Trotman, Peter, Gregg and Dr John Barrows ~ and all of you who attended the shows.

Much Love ~ Lizanne

Life is fragile and swift, we go for the most part unnoticed..unremembered, save for small kindnesses. We squander our time and money on temporary comforts, while half way around the world we are dying for a crumb of bread. Children are crying, people are dying, wars are being waged without reason and drugs are replacing compassion when nothing is left.
KINDNESS matters in these times. A smile where there are tears ~ a hand where there is loneliness ~ a blanket where there is none. KINDNESS matters. Pass it on.
~ Lizanne