LiLi Roquelin

Interview on French Radio Zd83: en version originale

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:53:45 +0000

— VOTE FOR MY SONG ON THE RADIO’S HIT PARADE—
— VOTEZ POUR MA CHANSON SUR LEUR HIT PARADE!—

http://bit.ly/yjUWmM : CLIQUEZ- SUR LE LIEN POUR VOTER POUR MA CHANSON- CLICK ON THE LINK TO VOTE FOR MY SONG, SEARCH FOR ME IN THE “ZD83 HIT PARADE” AND CLICK +5 POINTS EVERY 60 MINUTES (lol) it’s free

Happy New Year… Let The Sun Shine In

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:28:15 +0000

I hope that you had wonderful holidays!

Let the Sun Shine In for the New Year!!!

I was invited to sing at Merkin Hall Lincoln Center for my friend That Guitar Man from Central Park David Ippolito‘s concert and you can see me doing back-up vocals on this old tune “Let the Sushine In” at the last 3rd of the video:

My song “I Saw You” is in the soundtrack of Matchstick Productions’ latest effort: Attack of La Niña (2011)

admin — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:38:40 +0000

My song “I Saw You” is in the soundtrack of Matchstick Productions’ latest effort: Attack of La Niña (2011).
World Premiere of the extreme skiing documentary was in Boulder, Colorado. I will post the excerpt of the film where the song was placed.
So cool!

About Matchstick Productions: they have produced 22 films, created the HDTV series “Focused,” which was broadcast on DISCOVERY HD, received Powder Magazine’s “Movie of the Year” award seven times out of eleven, and were nominated for three Emmys in 2006 and 2007 for Outstanding Cinematography. MSP’s diverse resume includes an illustrious variety of top clients, including RushHD, Nissan, Budweiser, MTV, Nike, Subaru, Roxy, and many others.

New Photos and more…

admin — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:08:47 +0000

New Photos by Ken Arcara!
-> Ken Arcara is a very talented and artistic photographer that you can find taking spontaneous shots at a lot of New York City’s events.
I had the chance to meet him through JT Talent Agency that I am with since early this summer. Ken also takes professional studio head-shots.
He was also recently chosen to take photos for “An Evening with Ralph Lauren” hosted by Oprah Winfrey, a high profile gala at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and for the ceremony where ABC’ News Bob Woodruff received “The Friars Journalistic Achievement Award”.

Click on the image to see the gallery “part 1″. More photos to this gallery will be added later.

Also, this week I figured out “How to carry a compact digital piano such as M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61” on the subway in New York City!
I really wanted to post this blog because I searched so much online and NOONE has posted any insight on this.
Most pianists have tried many different keyboards, and bags. I actually found lots and lots of forums with many pianists discussing their set-ups and the different ones they’ve had throughout the years.
If I’m driving to the gig’s location I have no problem loading my car with my M-audio 88 Prokeys (using the yamaha p-120 soft case) with the X-stand in the trunk and that’s it. If it’s an important gig and I can get there by car, I’d take my full digital piano- Yamaha p-120 which weighs 38lbs, and its double-X-stand and get some “Male Help” (lol) for the loading. If it’s a rush-hour gig in Manhattan, the best way to get there is ALWAYS the subway. If the venue doesn’t have a piano, I have used many times the 88 Prokeys and its stand attached with bungee cords on a foldable dolly (from Lowe’s). I’ve done this by myself but I can tell you that those subway stairs definitely greatly welcomes some “Male Help” and I am very grateful for having received that many times.
But I prefer to be independent. This M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61 is quite fantastic- full-sized half-weighted keys (with a soft comfortable spring), neat sound and light. It is 61 keys but has octave buttons easy to reach on the left, and any -especially female- pianist knows that to compromise the carrying weight of a piano, you have to let go of something. Thank you to M-Audio for releasing this and changing my life- lol!
There are absolutely no custom-made soft and light carrying case for this keyboard, the only custom-made case are Air Flight-safe ones, they cost $300 and weigh more than a keyboard like this.
So first I got a cheap (well made) basic “Groove Pak” bag with back-straps. To prevent the keyboard from moving inside (it’s smaller than the bag) and getting the keys damaged, either you saw in some padded Velcroed straps or an inside sleeve to snuggle it. I got some talented help on the sawing and it works great….
Then if you’re someone with a strong back (a guy!) you just carry it on your back and hold the stand in one hand and your gig’s stuff in another bag…. I tried that and it just didn’t work! I work out but I’m not THAT strong, lol!
I finally figured out how I wanted to carry it, with wheels! No bag exists with wheels… so I just got the idea of putting both the keyboard stand and the bagged keyboard upright inside an zipped-open well-made small carry-on size bag that was stored in my closet… I tighten the keyboard bag using its back-straps grabbing the carry-on handle. I tried it on the subway and it works! It rolls great, I can either use the handle of the carry-on or the shoulder strap to its full extension to pull it, or push it depending on the sidewalk’s curbs. To go up the stairs I can just lift it (this keyboard is only 11lbs) using the carry-on bag’s hands straps. Much better than a dolly which is heavier and doesn’t roll great. Plus, I can put my gig’s stuff (CD’s, mailing list…) in the front pocket or in my little back-pack.
It’s only when you love something so much that you find a real solution!
I hope this will help many other (female) pianists to go around the city!!!
I will post pictures that will demonstrate this subway carrying set-up!

My latest Video Blogs:

DANCE MOMS “SINFUL” – Season 1: Episode 9 (From Ballerinas to Showgirls) “Sinful” Original air date on LIFETIME: 09/07/11: MY SONG “RENEW” ON LIFETIME NETWORK TV SHOW, THE KIDS PERFORMED ON IT!!

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:50:25 +0000

BIG SURPRISE! So I was in FRANCE until the 22nd…… and NOONE contacted me about this…… I guess I don’t have Madonna’s manager? (yet? lol)
Many thanks to my team of music supervisors that worked hard and presented my song to the show’s producers!!!

THEY PICKED MY SONG “RENEW”, CHOREOGRAPHED ON IT AND THE DANCERS DANCED ON IT on NATIONAL TV SHOW DANCE MOMS Season 1: Episode 9 (From Ballerinas to Showgirls) CALLED “Sinful” Original air date: 09/07/11

You can see the ENTIRE EPISODE HERE BELOW and see how the teacher EXPLAINS to the students how to interpret my music….
FULL EPISODE WITH REHEARSALS ON myLIFETIME WEBSITE

I must say that I am SO flattered that my song was picked for the “Sinful” Theme, and the way the teacher instruct the emotion that’s in it. Did bring tears to my eyes!!!

GET “RENEW” ON iTunes NOW!!!

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW!!!

NEXT SHOW IN NEW YORK CITY!!!

Thursday October 27th 2011: 7pm, Gizzi’s Cafe, 16 West 8th Street, West Village NYC, suggested donations – will be Premiering my new songs!

What are you doing?

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:40:22 +0000

So what have you been doing this summer?…

I have some insightful experiences to share with you:

- About The New/next Album: Piano tracking is done on all the songs. I have been doing some programming now and peeparing the compositions and instruments arrangements for the other studio and musicians. Line-up: I can’t wait to start working with the line-up of people I put on my list, we all seem to have a chemistry and I hope it will come out in the studio process. Dark Strings player, guitarist that works on TV projects, and 3-time Grammy winning engineer. Collaborations: I signed a collaboration with Sam Scozzari who co-wrote “Come and hear my story” on my last album… I am very excited about this song.

- I got a New Keyboard. M-Audio came out with what I have been wishing for, a light shorter full-sized keys digital piano and I am so excited about being able to go around with it on the train in a more comfortable way!! Which means, shows in different venues and different places in Manhattan than previously, on top of those outside downtown. Playing the piano isn’t like the guitar, but I’ve been so attached to this sound that I could never let it down… Patience pays off.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! NEXT SHOW IN NYC!: I will be premiering live some of my new songs that will be on my upcoming record, in the West Village:

Thursday October 27th 2011: 7pm, Gizzi’s Cafe, 16 West 8th Street, West Village NYC, No cover.

—-> Did some live Broadcast a few times this summer exclusively for everyone abroad, but gotta love the New-Yorkers

- If you follow any of my social networking sites or video blogs you might have read that I was in an accident in July… a “walking” one, I fell on a pothole on the street in the city and ended up in the ambulance, emergency room. At the hospital I focused on a positive outcome and I got out of there without a fracture and a sprain diagnosis… The next 2 weeks were quite interesting because for 6 days I couldn’t walk and then for 2 weeks I had to wear braces…. and walk SLOWLY: I must say that running around like a crazy person rushing in and out of the train was really making me miss things in the landscape, may it be in the Park or in the city. Also I wasn’t allowed by the doctor to play the sustain pedal on my piano for a few weeks, which was frustrating, I realized that 1) you can’t play it properly with the other foot unless you like being twisted on the waist (lol) and 2) Music is so important in my life that I would let down any activity around me to make sure I would play with that foot for the rest of my life! It lives so deep in me that my heart can only listen to it.

- I’ve been feeling so much better, and I must say that sometimes doing One Thing at a Time is worth it. A little bit of that feeling went into my creativity for the composition of my new songs. Been filling them in with other instruments. Also isn’t it so funny how it is really when you start recording your music that you get a realistic feeling for what might come around i? You gotta always try your ideas out.

- My US Landing Anniversary: August 13th was my anniversary of when I moved to the US several years ago. Living in NYC makes you forget how HARD it was to do something like this… because it seems that everyone comes from a different country… You gotta congratulate yourself sometimes and celebrate! . The first year I was here (in northeast Ohio) was very difficult, I was homesick, culture shocked, far from my sweet family (I rarely get to go there for the holidays and they never visit), I was looking for a job/school to get visa sponsorship, had to deal with immigration services, I packed my suitcases twice… but guess what kept me here? Music. I had a band before having anything else, bought my first guitar, played to pass the time and fill my soul, and one year later I had it all figured out and could stay… Sometimes I regret that I had to spend time in an intellectual “day job”, but hey I couldn’t be a part-time sales girl or waitress for there is no Visa to be a waitress (lol)… When you REALLY want to do something you’re naturally hard-working and passion gives you this energy… that I think my days sometimes were 20-hour busy, and thinking about music everywhere all the time still made it THE ONE THING that I am. A friend told me the other day it isn’t bad to have a day job because he doesn’t and he struggles… I think that being in trouble financially can kill your Inspiration so be careful. But at some point you do need that extra time and when you can, just take it and be grateful for that time.

I’m going to France!!!!!! This week-end for a few weeks, I will playing at private parties, enjoying my family, and the Smell of my home pine trees and Mediterranee.

A fan-photo that got around on Facebook:

I think that’s all I wanted to share, hope to see you soon!!!!

They’re talking about me and my Music in Los Angeles!

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:34:32 +0000

Yes!

(…)Who is LiLi Roquelin and how did she warrant such high praise from the harshest pop culture critic in the Los Angeles area?(…)

Read the Article HERE!!!

Bring back the Musicians in Central Park!

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:19:27 +0000

Some Press mentioned me last week, and here’s the story:

“Singer-songwriter LiLi Roquelin wants to bring attention and support to what has been happening to the legendary acoustic music in Central Park at the Bethesda Terrace, location where unplugged music has been popular to the local or tourist listeners for a century, even advertised on the official Central Park website. As mentioned in major news media such as the New York Times (read the article here) and the BBC, musicians have been banned from the spot since May. It is a real scandal, especially that some of the plans for the beautiful gathering place are to set up… a Bar!

Civil liberties attorney Norman Siegel is on the case and negotiations are difficult but moving forward.

LiLi Roquelin is deeply attached to the inspirational place, she even had the music video for her smashing-track “I Saw You” filmed there.

She encourages everyone to sign the petition at this link (click here to sign it).

LiLi is currently working on her 3rd solo release (actual 5th). Visit her website for music, tour dates, press, all music videos and list of awards at her official website.”

ALSO!!!

My song “Should you get mad” (title for another of my music videos) was licensed to a Youtube video editor for a ……Wrestling video! You can see it here:

On Fire!

admin — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:28:11 +0000

I have a lot of updates to share from the past month I’m not sure where to start!

***First of all THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU that are on my mailing-list and following me on Facebook and Twitter and that voted on the MicroPoll to give me an idea of a good time for me to stream a LIVE online Concert for my friends and listeners that live far from the places where I perform live…. and thanks for watching the show! I will announce another one soon, after I figure out a better live internet streaming microphone tool.

***I’ve been quite absorbed with piano arrangements. I opened up to play “with” the piano and not just “the piano”… It comes from the heart and provides such great feelings. I am so grateful. Here’s a video of me talking about arrangements at one of my piano lessons:

***Youtube loves me, and I love them too! I did a “SILLY cover” of one of my own songs (“I Saw You” originally) and Youtube themselves commented on the video:

***I signed with another Music Library (the 6th so far). Music libraries provide songs with specific criteria for music supervisors, who are the people that place songs for TV shows, movies, commercials, ect… So I hope to get a big spot soon!

***Within one week, I signed a non-exclusive agreement with a Talent agency, was booked for national TV network abc’s red carpet and V.I.P. for one of their TV shows; and got to appear in the music video filming for an up and coming hip-hop artist (under Sony Music). Yes, been gathering cards and distributing mine and CD’s!

See some photos of that red carpet here (more to come)

Photo credit: Andrew Kaen

***Also a possible Fashion sponsor coming my way, and a possible “surprise” music video shoot for a song off my last album, more and detailed stories on this soon.

***The new songs are polished enough to start tracking them and looking at them under the microscope. I always really hear better once a few tracks on a song are recorded…

***Remember to CONTRIBUTE TO MY NEXT ALBUM WITH MY CAMPAIGN “MAKE MUSIC WITH ME! All info by clicking HERE !!!!

***Finally it’s not because that guitar at the top is on fire that there won’t be any on my next album.

I THINK THAT’S ALL!!!

Kickstart my next Album & get autographed Prints of my New Photos!

admin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:20:31 +0000

(traduction en Français plus bas)

I will probably repeat this a few more times haha!
“MAKE MUSIC WITH ME” is a campaign I launched to help and support the make of my next album. Yes making an album does cost $ and I have had the immense opportunity to receive the help of my fans, friends and listeners previously for the make of my 1st EP and then for my last music video that accompanied my last album. With this campaign, you will receive a pre-order of the album and tons of exclusives with your donation . Some artists use sites like Pledge, Kickstarter and others but I find the % that they keep a bit too much so I prefer doing it myself and let my creativity flow! Isn’t THE FLOWER pretty? View this Video below & Click on the FLOWER TO THE RIGHT to find out more———–>

Je répèterai cela encore plusieurs fois haha!
“MAKE MUSIC WITH ME” est un campagne que j’ai lancée pour aider et soutenir la production de mon prochain album. Et oui faire un album coûte de l’$, €, £ et j’ai eu l’immense opportunité de recevoir l’aide de mes fans, amis et auditeurs précédemmemt pour mon 1er EP, pluis pour mon vidéo-clip qui a accompagné mon dernier album. Avec cette campagne, vous recevrez une précommande de mon nouvel album et beaucoup d’exclusivités avec votre don! Certains artistes utilisent les sites comme Pledge, Kickstarter et autres mais je trouve le % qu’ils gardent trop élevé et je préfère le faire moi-même et laisser ma créativité s’en occuper! Ne trouvez-vous pas la FLEUR jolie? Visionnez la vidéo ci-dessous et cliquez sur la fleur pour en savoir plus.———->

Some of the exclusivities in this campaign are several Autographed photo prints of different sizes!
I just did a new Photo Shoot, so pick the photoS you like and let me know which ones you like in your order!

CeRtaines des exclusivités dans cette campagne sont: des photos signées de différentes tailles!
Je viens juste de faire une nouvelle Photo Shoot, alors choisissez la photo que vous voulez et dites-le moi dans votre commande!

The New Photos

It was Noon, windy, chilly, bright sun trying to make my eyes blink (lol) and we got awesome shots. Thanks to Pacifico Lopez at PacPhotosINC!
Click on the photo to see the gallery of more than 40 pictures. Enjoy!