Synthetic to Organic: Citadel guitarist takes you from distant space to the desert sands!

Citadel guitarist/vocalist Rejyna, offers two more fresh songs from her new CD, IDIO.
‘Mandolian Mirage’ is a mando-laced folk-rock piece that transforms you into a nomad, blissfully roaming the desert sands.  ‘Galactic Projectories’ is an android-voiced rock anthem casting you as the last organic human to narrowly escape from assimilation by thrusting yourself into deep space.

Both cuts are from Rejyna’s new CD, IDIO, available at cdbaby.com/cd/rejyna3   Rejyna is a live-looping artist who uses pedals and effects with her voice, guitar, synth guitar and drums to create lush songs that sound like a full ensemble.  Her work in the band Citadel gives her a prog-metal and folk-world edge that slices nicely thru her solo presentation featuring a diverse palette of song stylings.

GALACTIC PROJECTORIES
Click Here To Listen on ReverbNation
Click Here To Listen on SoundCloud
LYRICS:

“Imagine you are the only human who is not sync’d to the galactic mainframe.  It’s against the law to be an ‘organic’ – to be without cyber implants, nanotech plasma pumps and A.I. i/o – – – and you’re on the run…”

Long are the days
in the dark on the run
Star upon star
rendering dawns with no suns

Outlawed and betrayed
and bountied and shunned
Off-grid genetic codes,
the damage is done –

Gaze into the null of the void
Swim in the slicing silence of space,
last of your kind, last hope for your race

Beyond the stars, beyond the sky
Beyond the earth, beyond the light

Cascading nebula rainbows of light
Outside space, between fire and ice
Endless horizon line, light-speed wave ride
Surfing and sailing anomaly tides

Cold ironsides with arrays of pulse guns
Laser guides, crew AI, replicant sons
Solitude, servitude, sterile and sanctified
Frantic and fraught, fretting with compromise

Wake in a state of delusional dreams
Nothing perceived is as it would seem
Studied and probed, abducted, displayed
Galactic projectories or cerebral charade?

Beyond the stars…

MANDOLIAN MIRAGE
Click Here To Listen on ReverbNation
Click Here To Listen on SoundCloud
LYRICS:

Sand fills the day’s horizon line,
there’s not much time
until the colder nights arrive
and white Winter stars align, a sign…

Enticed mandolian mirage,
safe passage through the tempest

The sky, the silence
The day, no shade
The night wind violently
etches furrows in my face

Gitano gently luring
sweet sounds surround
a solemn sunset in the sands

See what you are
in echoes of an army of guitars
Mirrors from sand,
silvered glass in the nomads land

Dance, dance
Renounce the silence with your hands
Sing, play
Our voices amend night into day

The mind, the vision
The heart in hand
Reflection enduring
Slake essence alluring

The sky, the silence
The day, no shade
The night wind violently
erases footsteps without a trace

Enticed mandolian mirage,
dream salve soothes chafe and chaff
and strums reflect like water flowing…

TECH TIDBITS: All music recorded using multiple memory slots on one Digitech JamMan Solo, vocals sung thru a DigiTech Vocalist Live Pro, loops stitched and massaged in SoundForge.  No midi guitars or synths were used on these songs.  All musical sounds are acoustic guitars (Ovation and Yamaha) thru the Boss GT3 effects board, and drums are played on a Yamaha DD55.  No tape machines, virtual multi tracks or DAW’s were harmed (nor used) in the making of these recordings – this is indie DIY…enjoy.

From the CD, IDIO, by Rejyna

Warning: Live Loops Ahead…

http://cdbaby.com/cd/rejyna3

c. Rejyna Douglass-Whitman  (BMI)

Published by W.E./Citadel of Cynosure Productions (BMI). All Rights Reserved.  Unauthorized duplication, repurposing, exhibition or performance is prohibited by US and international copyright laws.  Citadel is a registered US Tradename, used herein with exclusive permission.

Rejyna tours annually every October as part of the LoopFest concert circuit from Seattle to Long Beach and beyond.  A prolific poet, artist, composer and producer, she also works in the film and print industries and performs regularly in and around Los Angeles.
http://facebook.com/rejynamusic
http://reverbnation.com/rejyna
http://soundcloud.com/rejyna
http://twitter/rejyna
http://youtube.com/rejyna

Citadel’s Rejyna Returns To Treasures Roadhouse!

Saturday, December 21st
Doors Open at 6:30, Show Starts at 7pm
TREASURES ROADHOUSE, 2908 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, CA

REJYNA:
Returning to Treasures following a well-received set at the Y2K13 Live Looping Fest in October, Rejyna will perform solo using innovative technology for a full band sound – NO pre-recorded samples or backing tracks. 

Singing, playing acoustic and midi (synth) guitar and electronic drums; she uses loopers, effects and harmonizers to evoke lush, layered compositions built in layers in front of the live audience. Her exploration of rock, prog, folk, metal and world genres often merge these styles into thematic ‘sonic cinema’ song forms. 

Rejyna sprinkles elaborate vocal harmonies into her lyrics about following our dreams, hyper-awareness, self-reflection and hope as a choice.

Rejyna – http://www.reverbnation.com/rejyna

IAN BELL
Ian Bell was born in 1968 in Hillingdon, West London. A self taught musician, he received his first guitar at ten, and he said it took him until twenty to get it back in tune. Inspired by the singer/songwriter tradition including Tom Waits and early Bob Dylan, he left the U.K for the U.S. in 2002. Recognized for his raw honesty and powerful acoustic performances, Bell is of the philosophy “if it sounds right, it is right.” 

His debut EP, Chameleon Skin, features a selection of five compositions written over a period of about a year. The title track, Chameleon Skin touches on the double edged sword of connection and conformity. Our uniquely human ability to reinvent ourselves to experience a sense of belonging even at the cost of our own individuality. 

Ian Bell – http://www.reverbnation.com/ianbellacoustic

Saturday, December 21st
Doors Open at 6:30, Show Starts at 7pm

Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
http://treasuresroadhouse.com
All Ages, Free Parking

Full Details: http://www.reverbnation.com/show/11981345

Citadel’s Rejyna and The Looptober Tour

Warning: Live Loops Ahead (One of Rejyna’s Looptober Tour pun posters – http://facebook.com/rejynamusic)

Did you know that Looptober is the month that follows Stomptember?

If you didn’t know that already, Rejyna is hoping to get you up to speed with her Looptober Mini-Tour and promo campaign.  Her poster series combines witty wordplay with images that are intended to imbed the word ‘loop’  with pun-infused imagery like street signs, loop straws, Hot Wheels loop tracks and a well-known cereal brand.  (Look in the ‘Photos’ section at http://facebook.com/rejynamusic)

How does the member of a progressive metal/folk rock band migrate to the world of solo live looping?  “Accidentally…“ Following gentle urging from family and eclectic venue owners, Rejyna has re-discovered her solo-performing persona through the i/o of a looper, effects and a vocal harmonizer.

Ironically, Rejyna was surprised to discover there was a new home for her multi-genre style of music.  “When I first started using the looper and harmonizer in my solo acoustic set, I had no idea there was a whole movement centered around live looping.  I was simply trying to make playing solo more fun by adding vocal harmonies and lead guitar parts overtop of the basic chords in my repertoire.  Although I had seen or heard about other artists using loopers, I was only exposed to the ambient, improv, noise and freeform loopists.” 

Contrary to what Rejyna and others may think, the live looping movement is not focused on a particular style of music.  In the ‘about’ section from Rick Walker’s (a veteran live looping artist and promoter) Y2K Loopfest website, it says: “To this day, in that community, there is no style or genre of music associated with the movement. The only thing that links thousands of emerging live looping artists is a strong and supportive sense of community and a love for the concept of looping live in public.”   As one can tell by the ‘archives’ links on Rick’s site, the art of live looping is not a ‘new’ thing:  “The annual Y2K International Live Looping Festival, was begun in 2001 by Rick Walker, himself a found sound/live looping artist. It is the first international live looping festival and longest running one in history.” (http://y2kloopfest.com/about/)

Let’s back up a bit for those who don’t know what ‘live looping’ means. Live looping involves the use of a device (there are many types from several MI manufacturers) that allows a performer to record musical sections in front of the audience and then replay that piece while adding other sound and effect layers to it.  It may involve footpedals (stompboxes), computers, conventional and non-conventional instruments (trash can lids, wood saws, etc.), voice, silence and noise – stacked, layered, stripped, reversed, time-shifted.  Anything goes EXCEPT that the use of anything pre-recorded is not allowed.  This isn’t karaoke…

Being a loop newbie, Rejyna was surprised by the invitation to perform with the other live loopers.  “While I admire those artists tremendously, I did not consider that my song-based approach to looping would fit into their niche. See, I use a looper to build organized musical pieces on stage, and while bridge sections in my songs do allow for freeform experimentation, I was nonetheless surprised, anxious and quite honored to be invited.” 

Resisting her apprehension about fitting in, Rejyna accepted.  “I told myself, they wouldn’t have invited me if they didn’t think my style would fit – so, I accepted invitations to live looping events in Portland, Seattle, Danville and Santa Cruz.  I hope they like what I’m planning to exhibit…  I’m calling this my ‘Looptober’ tour” and while my main goal is to share my songs, my guilty pleasure in all of this is that I will get to be inspired by the best-of-the-best in the looping community.  I am certain that the music I release in the future will benefit immensely from the things I witness from the other artists on this mini-tour.

If you are familiar with the style of music that Citadel puts out, you’ll be surprised to hear how Rejyna takes those songs into the solo realm.  Her set features a few Citadel songs re-done looper-style mixed in with her new compositions.  She will be promoting her CD Solo Sojourn Live and is planning to release a DVD/Blu-Ray disc of the Looptober tour in December.

If you’re in or near one of these cities in Looptober, make sure to attend, unless you don’t mind behind left out of the loop:

Oct. 11^th – J&M Café, Seattle, WA (https://www.facebook.com/events/381359998620826/)

Oct. 13^th – Analog Café, Portland, OR (http://www.facebook.com/events/352601574838095/)

Oct. 16^th – Meenar Music, Danville, CA (https://www.facebook.com/events/432590403522293/)

Oct. 18-20^th, Y2K13 Loopfest, Santa Cruz, CA
(http://y2kloopfest.com/about/)

You can check out Rejyna’s music and videos by simply spelling her first name correctly in your search engine – she’s on CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon, ReverbNation, YouTube, SoundCloud, Facebook, Twitter – and her personal website reveals that music is only one of the mediums she calls her playground – http://rejyna.com

Maybe one of the next blog entries will give us a clue as to how all this solo indulgence has affected the upcoming Citadel CD…ahem?!?

Loop Straws make beverages taste better, so the same must apply to looped music? (One of Rejyna’s Looptober Tour pun posters – http://facebook.com/rejynamusic)

Citadel guitarist to do Southern California shows

Rejyna, guitarist/composer for the indie band Citadel, is scheduling shows in Southern California.  Performing select songs from various Citadel albums and new original compositions from her solo CD, Rejyna will be appearing live at:

February 21st @ 7pm
The Talking Stick Coffee Lounge
1411 Lincoln Blvd Venice, CA 90291

February 21st @ 8pm
Pho King Delicious
9350 Corbin Ave, Northridge, California 91324

Rejyna uses cutting-edge technology on stage to make her solo guitar/voice performance sound like a full band.  Nothing is pre-recorded and Citadel song styles range from folk rock to prog and alternative – with a touch of folk metal here and there.

Rejyna is scheduling shows in the Southern California area while working on her next solo CD and the upcoming Citadel CD.

You can find Rejyna and Citadel on many of the social networks by starting your search here:

Facebook: Rejyna page and the Official Citadel page

Reverbnation: Rejyna and Citadel

For more info, contact: citadel_1@msn.com
Citadel ® is a registered US tradename- all rights reserved – used with permission

Rejyna to offer Citadel songs solo sampler at McConnel Arts

Citadel band member, Rejyna, opens for Jim Volk’s Acoustic Guitar Night at 8:00 p.m. at the Peggy McConnel Arts Center’s Bronwynn Theatre in Worthington, Ohio on Friday, January 13. 

Performing songs she contributed to the band Citadel, Rejyna uses an acoustic guitar, a headset mic and various effects to present enhanced solo renditions of songs from Citadel albums and CD’s.  She presents songs that often stray from pop formula writing, citing lyric-writing influences such as; Yes, Jethro Tull, Rush, Cat Stevens, and even Gentle Giant.  The musical aspect of her compositions also draws heavily from rock-based genres that feature non-conventional song structures.  While Citadel focuses on the harder side of the rock-meter, Rejyna as a soloist strips it down to the acoustic core of the composition.

“Yes, I use a vocal harmonizer, but I turn off the autotune pitch correction.  I use the Vocalist to weave 2, 3 and 4 part harmonies around my own voice and the guitar rhythms that I record live into the looper, and I then layer in solo and harmony guitar riffs.  One of my most requested solo songs is an instrumental titled “Happy Hands” where I use the looper to lay down a rhythm guitar part, then add a lead, then a harmony lead, and then a bass line.  Creating solo-orchestrated musical pieces live in front of an audience is a different adrenalin beast from performing with other musicians.  The sweat and fervor in my live show is proof that trying to do it all correctly in ‘one-take’ in front of a live audience is the endorphin ‘buzz’ I am addicted to…and I hold DigiTech wholly responsible for my gear addiction” (Rejyna)

Rejyna recently released a CD of one of these live performances entitled, Solo Sojourn Live, which is available on CDBaby and their online affiliates like iTunes, Amazon, eMusic and Napster. 

Rejyna will be the opening act for Jim Volk’s Acoustic Guitar Night.

From:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2012/01/08/2-this08-jan-art-grqfg7u6-1.html

“Guitarist Jim Volk will headline an evening of music with warm-up sets from recent International Thumbpicking Contest winners Josh Woods and Shohei Toyoda and singer-guitarist Rejyna.”

From: http://www.mcconnellarts.org/wp/archives/7516

“Jim Volk is a high energy solo acoustic guitar player that thrills his audiences every time he plays.  His performances include a wide mixture of blues, rock, country, guitar bangin’ “modern acoustic” – and, crowd favorite medleys Jim puts together on the fly.
http://jimvolk.com 

 

Out in western Kentucky there is a International Thumb Pickin’ Contest that BOTH Josh Woods and Shohei Toyoda have won – in consecutive years.  Nobody can win that prestigious award without being able to play the guitar VERY WELL:

Josh Woods – is a self taught Kentuckian guitar player, himself.  Thousands of avid guitar players attempt the extremely complicated Atkins/Travis style of playing guitar, yet only once in a millennium does one come along that was born to do so. That would be young Josh Woods. His long fingers on his large strong hands seem to know exactly where to go on the fret board.  And, the rhythm of his accompanying “thumb” is flawless – and, will have you up out of your seat dancing as he plays.

http://www.youtube.com/user/atmahack/videos

Shohei Toyoda – came to finger style guitar from a different direction – he is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he developed a love of finger style guitar from virtuoso guitarist, Guy VanDuser – who arranged Stars & Strips for the late great Chet Atkins.  Since graduation, Shohei has traveled the world over to learn from the Masters of Guitar. He has sat at their feet to internalize their ’soulful’ music. He brings to the world a form of fingerpicking unique and energetic.

http://shoheitoyoda.com/

Rejyna – is a composer, guitarist, vocalist, performer and studio artist who has worked in all types of bands and musical genres. A great bulk of her work can be heard on the releases of the rock band Citadel, who has been releasing their own indie music for the last three decades.”

http://rejyna.com

McConnell Arts Center of Worthington, 777 Evening St.

Tickets cost $15, or $20 the day of the show

Call 614-431-0329 or visit www.mcconnellarts.org

Citadel ® – Since 1979 – The Original Citadel

http://citadelsongs.com
http://citadelband.com
http://citadelmusic.org
http://facebook.com/citadelprog

Citadel songs featured on Rejyna’s solo release!

Citadel guitarist, composer and vocalist, Rejyna, is releasing a solo live CD of a performance featuring her solo songs as well as unplugged versions of songs from the Citadel band. 

“Solo Sojourn live” will be available on CDBaby and affliated digital sites like, iTunes, eMusic and Amazon starting May 1.

Rejyna - Solo Sojourn Live CD Gatefold

The following is taken from the liner notes of the Solo Sojourn live CD:

Using the latest in musical instrument technology, the acoustic folk-rock performance you hear on this CD is created in front of a live audience ‘on-the-fly’ by one person. 

Rejyna plays the rhythm passages while simultaneously recording them live onto a phrase looper.  The looper then replays those parts while Rejyna sings and/or adds guitar leads and harmony guitar leads to those passages.  During this guitar layering process, Rejyna sings into a vocal harmonizer that creates realistic multi- part vocal harmonies based on and mixed alongside her original voice. 

The result is a full, natural sounding sonic presentation that comes across like more than one person is playing and singing.  No pre-recorded ‘backing tracks’ nor in-studio overdubs are used on this recording – all layering or overdubbing is done by Rejyna on stage with the looper and harmonizer.  You can check out Rejyna’s web videos to watch the process for yourself.

Citadel music featured on this solo CD include:
Stygian Barque, Voice Inside, On Life and Living, Another, In Wonder, Standing Alone and Are You Aware.  The CD also includes Rejyna’s solo songs, The Songwriter, Freedom Dream, In Wonder, Dreamworld, and the instrumental songs, If I Cry and Happy Hands.

Rejyna’s Comments:
“I’ve had the pleasure of performing in many venues in my hometown during an extended visit with family and friends. Since it has been such a renewing experience, I’m releasing this CD of my solo live set to memorialize the good fun I have doing these performances with my guitar, looper and vocal harmonizer. 
        I’ve chosen the songs for this CD as a focus on some of the dream phases and life processes we go through when trying to find or rediscover ourselves, i.e., Self Doubt vs. Self Direction, Departures and Escapes vs. Surrenders and Separations, Renewal vs. Retreat, Cowardice vs. Celebration…
       I am thankful for the supporters of original music, for the convivial coffee houses and taverns that give me stage time, and for the technology that enables me to put out such a big sound from one voice & two hands.

You can find out more about Rejyna by googling her name; she is on Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, ReverbNation, and she has an archive creative content portfolio site at Rejyna.com

The photographs on the CD were taken by Rejyna’s daughter, Jazmyn Whitman of AnimeJaz.com.  The compositing, retouching and package design was done by James Eves III of Digipix.Us

All content is © Rejyna Douglass-Whitman & published by W.E./Citadel of Cynosure Productions (BMI) All Rights Reserved.  www.rejyna.com

Rejyna on the Web:

 www.rejyna.com

www.cdbaby.com/artist/rejyna

www.facebook.com/rejynamusic

www.youtube.com/rejyna

www.reverbnation.com/rejyna

www.twitter.com/rejyna

The live CD was recorded using an Audio Technica ATM73a headset mic, an Ovation Balladeer, a Digitech Vocalist Live 3 and a Digitech JamMan solo.

Muzlink now has Citadel

Three new Citadel songs now on Muzlink – Check us Out!!!

Muzlink – music search – Citadel

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