Passport to Candice Land ;)

Another year rollin' in!

2012-01-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

Happy new year all!!

Well this is just a quick update for you all. I'm busy planning another busy year gigging, writing, and recording so the forecast for 2012 is looking quite sunny :)

Take a peek through website for the latest updates:

- NEW bio (learn what I'm all about)

- NEW performance dates

- NEW video clips from my youtube channel

- NEW interviews & news

And don't forget to check out the store if you are looking for a copy of the debut album "Behind the Mic" OR simply download it on iTunes ;)

Most of all, best of wishes to all of you this coming year! My goal is to continually finding ways to fill my life with more and more of the things that make me feel alive... music, travel, friends, family... find out what's important to you and give yourself more of it! :) It's the only way to live.

A most sincere Happy New Year!!!

Candice

The real me... Entirely :)

2011-11-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

So for those of you that have read my updates and my tweets, you may have noticed that I'm changing my name. After some careful consideration, I've decided to go back to my real name... Candice Sand :) Now for those of you who are wondering why, allow me to explain...

This has been a very interesting year for me in terms of making some big decisions towards my future. I've done a lot of self examination in terms of my music, but also... my life. I've thought carefully about what really keeps me in the music industry. Basically, from time to time I make an effort to check in with myself and ask serious questions: do I believe in my ability? can/should I keep going? am I doing this for my own fulfillment and happiness? Its not always easy to be honest with yourself and ask these meaningful questions. Questions that need to be asked to make sure you’re being true to yourself. Well, I made myself do it and... the answers were “yes”.

Soooooo furthermore, in regards to my first album (Candice Chantrell: Behind the Mic), I am so very grateful for everything I accomplished. Sincerely. I reached my little girl dream of hearing myself on the radio and so much more :) I learnt a ton about myself and the music industry through promoting the album, singing my first singles, and living my new life as a solo artist.

Now that I've started making new music and working towards my next album, I've made a point of taking a step back to figure out where I want to go next... And that’s where the name change kinda comes in. It’s a “movement to honesty”. I’m going back to the real me: my real name and refocusing the style of my music to the styles that influenced me most throughout my life.

Now, don’t think I wasn’t being honest before... because I was. But my real name just feels like home :) When I think of the music I want to make, I want it to come from an honest place. I want it to be an honest exchange between me and the listener. That being said, it just feels right to use my real name :) Chantrell came from an idea that most artists face... "Does my real name have a good ‘ring’ to it?" I didn’t think so and others agreed (later I had people disagree, to my surprise lol). I still wanted to have a name that had some sort of meaning to it and one day I came across Chantrell (meaning: a bird, a bell, one who likes to sing). It all seemed fitting at the time, but now... I just want to be me: Candice Sand. I want my audience to know me THAT way.

And don’t think that I’m going to go through an image/style overhaul either lol. That’s not what’s happening here! :) I’m tweaking my musical style to be more focused. It will center more closely around styles of music that have influenced me most in my life.

So there you have it kiddies... The rhyme and reason behind my own evolution :) Stay tuned for new songs! And for those of you living in Toronto, check out the live shows listing and come on out... You’ll hear some brand new material before anyone else :)

You can still follow me on my same twitter account @cchantrell... And on my facebook fan page www.facebook.com/candicechantrell. However, I do have my new facebook fan page up under “Candice Sand” so feel free to ‘like’ me ;)

I’m really excited about this change and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the music I plan to share with you :)

Cheers to new beginnings (how I love thee)!

Candice SAND ;)

The tide is high, but I'm holdin' on ;)

2011-04-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!!

Well another year is rolling on by and I've been doing some more scheming in an effort to bring you more performance dates and just plain more music! Check out my 'Live' page for a listing of venues I will be playing around the GTA.... which will be constantly updated :)

On a side note, I now will be playing Bistro 243 (243 King Street East, Toronto) every 1st Thursday of the month as their featured artist, starting June 2nd!!! However, come on out on May 5th for this live music kick off party which will feature myself and 3 other artist sharing the stage!

Also, new footage of live performances will be posted shortly!!! Keep your eye on my twitter (@cchantrell), youtube, or facebook page for those videos!

Aside from all this, creative minds are at work... we are writing new music to bring to you! Also, some more tricks (up my sleeve) are still under development... but stay tuned... there is ALWAYS something happening ;)

Candice

The Tricks Up My Sleeve

2010-10-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hey again everyone... Just wanted to give you a little update to let you all in on the excitement :) So much going on! So, here we go:

* Worldwide Distribution!!! That’s right. VERY pleased to announce that “Candice Chantrell: Behind the Mic” is available digitally worldwide through all the major digital download distributors via Sound of Pop (amazon, itunes, etc.). So wherever you are, you can get the album now :)

* Music Video is in the works! Creative minds are coming together to plot and plan my first music video :) More details will be available concerning the video at a later date... at the moment, you will be kept in suspense!

* Two shows are left for 2010... so come out, come out, wherever you are Toronto. Check out the Live page for dates & details!

* Writing towards a second album is about to commence... you will find me in coffee shops across Toronto reading, writing, and exploring my own evolution as a solo artist.

* Mailing List has been launched! If you haven’t signed up yet, do so now and receive a FREE track from the album! Also, there is a chance to win an autographed copy of the album. Sign up here: http://candicechantrell.fanbridge.com/

So there you have it! Thanx for reading and don’t be afraid to drop me a line with any questions or comments you may have :) I would love to hear from you.

Cheers & Happy Halloween!

Candice

That was then... Now THIS is me :)

2010-09-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Hello party people :)

So I'm here again and with a new website! (get all your oooo's and ahhhh's out now) As the virgo I am, you will find everything nicely organized here (yay!)... blog, bio, video, purchasing info, performance updates, the whole kit and caboodle! So explore my lovelies :)

www.candicechantrell.com

So with the launch of this new site, what better time then now for a new blog? As I have stated in my previous blogs, it's really important to me that my listeners know who I am and what I'm about. You already know my story (see the blog "They say everyone's got a story.... here is mine!) So here we go... what I want you to know about me :)

Who am I? Someone who...

- was lost and is now trying to find her way through life... and happy to do it!

- is a believer in positive thinking and being a TRUE optimist.

- strives for indulgence in "the good" life has to offer: love, adventure, culture, and continually learning.

- has started her life over a handful of times and always tries to focus on "no regrets". To me, life is about your path and the lessons your learn. Each event in life is placed there for you to grow and learn (and I don't care how airy fairy that sounds).

- believes in honesty and forgiveness... "we are all doing the best we can, with what we have been given" ~ Louise L Hay.

- constantly tries to move towards personal empowerment and strength.

- tries to hold awareness close.

- is fascinated by how beautiful basic human conditions really are and wants to express that through music and life.

- wants to make music that matters: music that is honest and relates to the experiences of life (good & bad).

- has found her escape in life to be a coffee shop... reading, writing, sipping a latte, watching traffic roll by, and taking time to feel truly grateful for life.

So there you have it... a little closer look into my mind and my beliefs. Why does this matter to you? Maybe it doesn't and maybe it does. I simply like feeling connected to people and this is all a part of the steps it takes to let you know who I am :)

Thanx for taking the time to read... and I WILL be back with more. Until then, explore the website and don't be afraid to drop me a personal hello if you have any questions or comments! info@candicechantrell.com Lots of stuff in the works... stay tuned :)

Until then, enjoy life :)

Candice

I'm movin' on, I'm groovin' on... got to be true to myself

2010-01-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

2 weeks ago I was home for the holidays... sitting in my mother’s kitchen. As her and I chatted and sipped our coffee, my single “Beautiful Music” came on the radio. It was a nice moment. Thinking back to a year gone by... I would almost put money down to say that a year ago, on that exact day, I was: home for holidays, sitting in my mother’s kitchen, sipping coffee and chatting, and the only difference was.... a year ago I hadn't even started my journey with this album yet.... Let’s make a correction: hearing the song on the radio was a GREAT moment!

Oh New Year’s reflection... we meet again... what an AMAZING year 2009 was?!?! See, I’m very big on the whole “new year’s resolution” thing... FYI. I’m a true Virgo and I always continually set goals throughout the year but when January 1st is nearing, I always take extra time to reflect on how far I’ve come in the last year, be thankful, and plan my next steps forward.

On New Year’s Eve I did one of my favorite things to do... all by myself, I walked down the street to my favorite coffee shop, ordered my favorite latte, read a few pages of a good book, and then took time to just sit there, sip, and think. I thought about how blessed I am... for my family, friends, health, adventures, and for the courage to go after the things I want in life. I just sat there and let myself truly and deeply feel gratitude for my life :)

So in that nice moment, I let go of 2009 :) Where to go next? I’m making plans (don’t you worry), but this thing we call “life” keeps fascinating me with it’s ability to surprise me... But I’m a firm believer in serendipity and that everyone really can live the life of their dreams. So that’s my plan... to follow this path that leads home... to the life of my dreams. Along with this, I’d like to pledge for 2010 to stay true to myself in everything I do... always trying to surround myself good people and experiences :)

As for 2009, it’s been a slice ;) Thank you to everyone who purchased the album, attended a show, or signed up as a fan... you help make my “little girl dream” continue to come true and your support is beyond appreciated!!! On personal note: thank you to everyone in 2009 who has touched my life with love and kindness... it’s people like you that make me feel whole... and make me feel safe!

Cheers to a new year everyone!!! Let’s all go after what we TRULY want in life and practice persistence... in the words of Ziggy Marley: “I’m movin’ on, I’m groovin’ on... got to be true to myself.” ;)

Love always,

Candice

They say everybody's got a story... and here is mine!

2009-09-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

Okay... so I’m sitting here in my apartment, in Toronto... nervous about telling you my story. lol Funny world blogging is... so self exposing. Not that my story is sooooooo scandalous lol but it’s just one of those things. Inviting friends, family, and fans to take a closer look at my personal life/thoughts... it’s definitely an interesting decision to make. But I feel it’s necessary. So everyone reading this will listen to my music with new ears and a new understanding. So hold onto your hats... here we go... my story (in as much of a nutshell I can put it into):

How did I get here?

Well my first meeting with singing happened when I was 8 years old. I sang a solo in the elementary school play (the song was “Puff the Magic Dragon” lol) and yes... there is a video of it out there somewhere. Who knows... maybe one day it will wind up on YouTube or something, not by my hands though lol
After this event, I was encouraged by teachers and parents to take singing lessons. I started competing in local music festivals and star searches. I sang classical and country music... quite the mix I know, but typical for a girl in the prairies. I kept this up all through my years of growing up and until the day I graduated from high school... I was known in my small town as the singer in the family... I can’t remember a time when people didn’t differentiate me from my other two sisters by calling me “the singer”.

After leaving high school, it’s the classic scenario... I left the safety of my small town in Saskatchewan and went out into the world (with the general hopes of trying to find my place in it). I jumped around a bit... studying music all the while - determined to keep it in my life. I first moved to Manitoba, then back to Saskatchewan, and then Edmonton, Alberta. It was in Edmonton that I studied contemporary styles of music at Grant MacEwan College and graduated from the Vocal Performance program.
So after graduating from the program, things became a little bumpy for me. I was still in Edmonton and I was lost. Lost in life and I lost myself... quarter life crisis? I think so. Like so many, I left school feeling educated and accomplished, but at the same time not knowing what move to make next... being in the true “driver’s seat” of my own life. Scary. And a froze... yes, like a deer in headlights.

After so much strict musical education, I was at a point where I questioned my own ability as a singer and even questioned if I had fallen out of love with music. I was confused. I've always loved music and wanted it to be a prominent part of my life, but I started to wonder about having a “normal” life. So instead of moving forward, I stepped back... and away from music for a while. For almost a year and a half, actually. I hopped around trying different jobs, dedicating myself to them completely, and inevitably finding them unsatisifying. Lost, lost, lost. It was a very unhappy and awkward time of my life, but luckily I’m blessed with absolutely AMAZING friends and family that helped me untangle the mess and bring me back to... well... me :)

In Fall of 2006, I sat down in a coffee shop with my very good friend, Travis Switzer, and told him about how I was stuck. By the time that conversation ended, the idea of returning to music and recording a debut album as a solo artist had been planted in my head. And yes folks, that album is the album you are listening to on my page :) Thank you Travis! I remember feeling “safe” with my decision to record the album. It felt good to go back to something that I held so much love for. I realized quickly how much I missed it.

So, charged with a new goal and direction in my life, the project began. A project that took 2 1/2 years to complete. The production of the album was done in COMPLETE secrecy. That’s right, I bit my tongue for 2 1/2 years people!!! I only told a handful of people (my mother, sisters, and a couple close friends). Why? Well, there are a number of reasons, but most importantly: to me this was a project that I cared deeply about and although I knew a lot of people would be supportive, I also didn’t want any skepticism/doubt from outside sources to shake my ambition to just go for it.

In summer of 2008, recording was complete and I started to wondered if I was in the right place to promote the album and myself as a solo artist. After careful consideration, I decided I needed to be closer to Canada’s thriving entertainment scene. I made the decision to move to Toronto. Funny enough, right after making this decision, this is basically what happened: I woke up one morning, checked flights, saw a seat sale to Toronto, and booked a one way ticket.

On August 31st, 2008, that plane touched down in Toronto and I had officially thrown myself into a new life. Slowly I found my way in establishing myself, in the biggest city I have ever lived (that’s the small town girl in me speaking)! lol and let me just say... this was NOT easy (but that is a whole other story that I shouldn’t even get into). For now, all I can say is that moving here was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through.

Of course, all the hardships were worth it because in December of that year there was a knock at my door and my CDs were delivered... and I held my finished album for the first time :) It may be cheesy to say it, but I will always say it was “my little girl dream come true”.

Phew... Let's stop there.... That pretty much sums things up lol... how I got here/how the album got here... and after only a few months I’m grateful to have released the album, released two singles to radio, received great reviews, and most recently, I’ve signed a publishing and distribution deal with the indie label “Sound Of Pop”... I’m currently planning all sorts of exciting things to come... including the album’s national re-release through Fontana North/Universal Music Canada!

Thank YOU for sticking around and reading my story! It wasn’t easy to post this, but I hope that everything I post will let you see who I am and let you hear my true voice when you listen to the songs on the album... and who knows... maybe my “tales of a solo artist” will inspire some of you to follow the road to your own true happiness :)

Stay tuned for more and have an amazing day everyone!

To sign off, cheers to every one of you reading this who is pushing fear aside in order to find, and have, true happiness in your life!

xo
Candice ;)

Welcome to my world ;) the passport to Candice Land

2009-08-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

Alright peeps... listen up! I’ve decided that it is time for I, ‘Miss Chantrell’, to join the wonderful world of blogging... why you may ask?

Well, obviously anyone that decides to blog believes on some level that they have something important to say... as do I, but also... I want you to know who I am and what I’m about. Not so much for the simple ‘hell of it’... but so that you might listen to my music with different ears... a different understanding maybe.

Plus, on a very basic level... we’re all human right? and we’re all wanting to relate... to each other, to thoughts, to experiences... to me ‘relating’ is comfort. Comfort in knowing you’re not alone in those thoughts and experiences. I want you to relate to my music and my words because if you do.... then we relate to each other. Then, in a sense we keep each other company... Isn’t that a nice thought?

Visit again soon because there is more to come... including “my story” :)

Candice ;)