Hey, how are things?  It's something we say, even when we may know the answer already.  I believe that I can speak for many when saying this. 

My last blog revealed a list of "things in the pipeline for She's Got Claws" so to speak.  I feel I need to write a blog just so you know that I'm not reneging on my pledges and promises for 2021.
Firstly the promised video for Lithium.  This has been postponed. I have two dilemmas with creating a new video, with the most obvious being that we are unable to shoot on location, especially where we would like to create this particular video, due to the present lockdown rules.  
Secondly, when the video is finally completed after spending many weeks of rehearsal, shooting and then weeks of editing, will this video receive enough plays online to warrant all this hard work?  
Maybe my energy needs to be put to better use? She's Got Claws has an amazing fanbase, however when it comes to sharing and inviting friends it is a little lacklustre.  We do however have amazing people who do share and we truly appreciate all their support, but unfortunately I wish this was enough.  
I'm not the kind of person who will force people's arms up their backs to help by sharing on social media, so I guess I am partly to blame for not being pushy, I was brought up to be polite so maybe this is my downfall.

Of all the album releases, we have had the most response with Doppelgänger, with many amazing comments, emails and messages saying "I'm not sure if you know how good this album actually is!" Many DJs have said this too, it's a pity that the clubs aren't open to give this album the chance it truly deserves and needs.  It is receiving a lot of attention on BBC Introducing, so at least this is something very positive.  

Anyway, onto one of the other promises for 2021.  My Debut album has been requested on numerous occasions by many lovely people.  Being my first outing as She's Got Claws it is an album which gives you a glimpse into the core sound of SGC and yet hasn't come into fruition, it's what you call 'feeling around to discover your sound and identity'.  I know that this is hugely appealing when you are a fan of SGC, so I can proudly announce that this album will be available later on in the year, possibly looking at the summertime.
We asked for a promise from you by adding your name to a list of support for this album to be re-released, so we can assess if we could cover the costs of the artwork printing and duplication, plus my time of creating the artwork and re-mastering the songs, this promise has been fulfilled, thank you to everyone who's sent a message asking to be added to this list.  
My second album 'War Torn' was purchased through pledging your support through Pledge Music.  Since they are no longer in business, I'm going to look at other possibilities with the Debut album to be financed.  Go Fund Me seems a good place to start. 

My third promise is a remix album.  There is a name and a photo shoot will be arranged with Chris (www.otenphotography.co.uk) as he is part of my lockdown bubble, which will make this remix album a strong contender to be released before any of the above mentioned.  
I have begun remixing the first song, I Die For You, which is taken from the EP, Synthetic Emotion (Rewired).  I created a poll on the private SGC group on Facebook asking which song you love the most from this EP and this was undoubtedly the winner.
The name of this album will be announced when the artwork is completed, with a thank you to James Gentry for his fabulous suggestion for the title. The name we feel is highly appropriate and has inspired the vision for the artwork. 

My aim for this remix album to be completed is just after Easter with the completed artwork too. I'm sure Clive, admin of SGC Group, will have a giggle at this announcement lol, because I mentioned a release before Easter.  The Doppelgänger album's release date was pushed back quite a few times, it took literally one year for it to be finally announced with an official release date.  I would like to think that the lateness of this release was all worth it for the listener.  Sometimes songs just need an extra tweak or needs to be remastered.  It's very common for this to happen to many artists.  I'm sure Clive understands this, he just likes to wind me up sometimes lol! 

I need to have a clear head to be able to focus on writing or remixing, this year has thrown up many highly emotional challenges, but I shall endeavour to fulfil my promises to Clive and to everyone who's chomping at the bit to get their mitts on more of SGC's music. 

If I have missed anything, which was promised, please let me know.

Thank you for reading this blog.  If you would like to get in touch, questions and/or interested in purchasing hard copies of any of the available releases, please inbox/dm me on Twitter, Facebook or direct from the official SGC website - www.shesgotclaws.co.uk

Stay safe and healthy,
Much love

Micci xxx
She's Got Claws.

#shesgotclaws #shesgotclaws1 #shesgotclawsuk #synthpop #electronicmusic #bbcintroducing #wartorn #twitter #facebook #website #remixalbum #debutalbum #albumreleases #syntheticemotion #lockdown2021 #gofundme #doppelganger 
​

Onto the plans for 2021...

​1.  A new video in the making.  We will be collaborating with a fabulous friend, Maria Metheringham, who is coming on board to help choreograph the new video for Lithium.  I have been deeply inspired by a live performance by Kate Bush in the 1980s and feel that this performance will help create the visuals for our song Lithium.  Maria is experienced in choreography and is also an actress and film maker who's featured in many horror movies, a few of which are now on the Horror Channel. So we believe that the visuals are in safe hands, note that there won't be any horror movie influences.  Plans for this video will begin in January.

​2.  Go fund me.  Because of the uncertainty around the creative industry, She's Got Claws is also feeling the pinch.  To make the future a little brighter, we will be opening a Go Fund Me page to help fund 2021, so we can carry on and give you new music, physical CDs and potential performances.  We've thought about this for a while, it's a case of swallowing our pride or we won't be able to carry on and we believe that we have a lot more to offer you.  We truly hope we can count on your support, as this is a tough decision to make.

3.  Remix album... We have made a list of songs, taken from every release (War Torn, Debut, Synthetic Emotion, Doppelganger) which we feel would make fabulous and exciting remixes.  This will result in a brand new album!  We haven't made a remix album before, so this is a very exciting venture which will dust off the cobwebs in the studio since the release of Doppelganger in September 2020.

4.  Debut album... With lots of interest in this first outing of She's Got Claws and the fact that this album is no longer available anywhere online, we would like to be able to give you a physical album with full artwork.  This is something which this album has never had, as it was only available as a promo copy (no artwork) and as a download/stream in 2012.  
​For this to happen, we need to have a list of wonderful supportive people who will pledge that they are interested in owning this physical album.  When we have received enough people on this list, then we will announce a release date.  All costs will need to be covered, including CD duplication and printing.  
Please add your name by sending us a quick message to: shesgotclaws@hotmail.com

5.  Online performances... We have been asked by many to perform live online.  This is definitely possible, so we are seriously considering this for 2021.  It will be myself and Chris on bass with a little help from my trusty workhorse laptop, as I would need to grow many extra arms for it all to be live.  
The only way to make our music completely live would be to form a band, we've been there before with our previous band.  We would need trustworthy people to join who purely want to perform our songs with us. That is all we would ask from potential band members. It's a thought to put into a melting pot of ideas for performing in the very near future.

What has happened in December...

I put together a video for the radio edit version of Lying in the Dust with lyrics and uploaded the full version to You Tube, Facebook Page and the SGC website. This song was exclusively edited so it would be a lot snappier for radio play.  It is now exclusively on the playlist of BBC Introducing. They broadcasted this song for the first time on Saturday 12 December.   

The last day was announced on Facebook and SGC website for sending out albums and EPs on 15 December.  This includes within the UK, the post is unbelievably slow, slower than it has ever been in the festive month.  I hope everyone has received their items safely.  If you haven't, please contact us.  Please rest assure that we have sent all packages out in the UK, Europe and the US.

We have, during 2020, been more active on Bandcamp.  Most of our releases are on Bandcamp for you to download. Don't forget that the first Friday of every month, Bandcamp waver their fees, so the artist receives all the money you give!  In December I have received an email saying that Bandcamp will carry this on into 2021 as it has been a massive success.  Thank you to everyone who's bought our songs and albums from Bandcamp, your support is hugely appreciated.

Red Bubble... there is now the opportunity to get your mitts on She's Got Claws merchandise, courtesy of Red Bubble, who take our artwork and photos and individually print them onto many items at your request, including t-shirts, mugs, dresses, phone covers, framed prints... you name it they will print onto almost any item!  
We are receiving sales in December, we would love to see your photos of you wearing your t-shirts/dresses or posing with your items!
If we receive enough photos, we shall create a new Blog and also add your photo to our Merchandise page on our website, with a personal thank you.
 
The prices for all of our albums will be assessed in January 2021. Special offers and bundles will be added too.   Please check out our Music page in January for more details. 

A surprise... On 23 December we will be uploading a special Christmas message to you onto Facebook and other social media sites.  Please keep checking on this day.  

All that's left to say now is thank you.  Thank you so very much for all of your valuable support throughout 2020, and we hope we can count on your support in 2021 too. 

​Have a very merry Christmas, please stay healthy and safe and have a very prosperous New Year!

Much love,

Micci xxx
She's Got Claws

#blog #newsletter, #shesgotclaws #shesgotclawsuk #newmusicfriday #december #facebook #uk #europe #festive #christmas #newyear #2020 #2021 #bandcamp #bandcampfriday 

"Classy, sassy and a little bit bad ass!  She's Got Claws' new album Doppelgänger is definitely an album not to mess with, a sound which took me back to the 80s and then thrusted me with great pleasure to 2020.  
Just love the sound of SGC and with Andy McCluskey producing Adulation and Love Lies Bleeding, it all adds up to an incredible album!"
- Susie Hemmings (Dancer for OMD in the Telegraph video)

​"Punchy and passionate, true synth-pop with attitude in velvet gloves" -​
Julia Kneale (Lyricist to 'Julia's Song' OMD)
​

Hello all!
Just to let you know that there is a competition to win a signed copy of Doppelgänger by Andy McCluskey (OMD), who's produced two songs on this album! This will be the only CD hard copy which will be signed by Andy, so this is an absolute exclusive!

Andy will be judging the best video he feels is in keeping with the song, Adulation,  and which represents the production of the song.  
So if you are a budding film maker or videographer, all you need to do is create a brief video for the one-minute clip of Adulation (which you can find on the Home Page of SGC website) and send it over to us.  
You don't have to be a professional to enter, just a keen enthusiast for video making is all you need.
We will choose the three videos which represent She's Got Claws the best and then send them over to Andy, then it will be up to the synth icon to choose the best one in his opinion.
 
Good luck!  We hope to hear from you very soon!

Below are the instructions to how you can enter.  

Micci xx
She's Got Claws
www.shesgotclaws.co.uk

#videomaking #filmmaking #adulation #shesgotclawsuk #doppelgänger #andymccluskey #omd #orchestralmanoeuvresinthedark #electronicmusic #competition  
​

Hello

I hope all is well with you wherever you are in the world?

Sitting here eating chocolate (as usual lol) and thought I should put together a blog with the story so far this year with regard to the new album and the studio.

Firstly, the album is now completed!  It has taken exactly one year to complete from the first song last September 2018 which was Doppelgänger, the name we have also chosen for this album. 
It has been a rollercoaster of a year with lots of peaks and troughs, but as 'they' say "It isn't how you get there it's the final results which matter."  Or something like.
​  
At the beginning of September I lost my fur companion in the studio, Katey.  She was my everything and used to sit with me looking so serene and patient as I sometimes battled my way through the emotional turmoil of creating a song from silence.  I fought for her and the vets did everything they could to help, unfortunately her kidneys failed suddenly, she stopped eating on the Thursday and the following Wednesday morning she was gone.  I felt so helpless not being able to help her, making me feel like I would make a terrible parent. She was 18 years old.  A good age many would say, we rescued her from a rotten life when she was 3 years old and gradually she let her guard down to allow me to show her how much I adored her.  
​You have no idea how it feels until you allow a kitty into your heart, I know it's painful but I cannot imagine my life without all the love and joy they bring while they are here.
I sat in the studio with my youngest kitty, Poppy who was inseparable from Katey, and wrote the words to 'Smoking Gun' which expresses how I was feeling at the time and how many do not want to see how unhappy you are feeling and want you only around for the good times.  So a brave face I adorned with a huge smile just to please others, when inside I was in so much pain due to losing my Katey.  I'm sure many people can relate to this song and how it hurts to lose someone you love so dearly.
We are going to dedicate Doppelgänger to her.  It has been a struggle to find a way through this and to keep focused, I love her so much and always will <3   

Chris is also a photographer (O-Ten Photography) so we did a photo shoot for the promo shots to promote Doppelgänger and also the album artwork.  We brought ideas to the table and then went with the flow of the shoot to create the album cover and photos which express more of an edgy look, all in black and white, as Chris loves to shoot in this format with his Leica M8 and film cameras.
My two faces in the photo express two main emotions, happy and sad.  I would love to know what you think of the album cover, it is intriguing to know how you see this image... dark? edgy?  emotional?  disturbing?  Comments please ... ​

The album is called Doppelgänger as initially we had older songs we wanted to add to this album, so it was a way of saying that there are 2 versions to these songs, now there are more new tracks than old.  If you purchased the debut album, you will be familiar with 'Blind', this has been renamed 'Musik' and instead of being a song about my mother abandoning me it is now a very positive subject on how music uplifts and gives you a good feeling, unifies people and date stamps your experiences.   ​
Now one year on and the album is complete.  Chris and I will be listening to each song and making sure we are both happy them, a little tweak here and there, then Doppelgänger the album will be ready to master. ​

The studio somehow seems bigger, maybe getting rid of huge unwanted looms and sorting through books and throwing out old manuals has decluttered the place?  I think the room is encouraging us to be more creative, there are curtains now at the windows as the bright light was something I wasn't used to and often distracted me from working.  Also laying down vocals in the bright sunshine was off putting too, but it nice to have the choice of daylight or a more subdued light.  

At this stage it is difficult to have a set order for the songs, we have however decided that the first track will be 'Love Lies Bleeding'.  When my previous album, War Torn, was released and pledging was underway for the hard copies on Pledge Music, there was the opportunity to grab a hard copy of the demos and also on there was an embryonic version of LLB.  It has never been released other than on this demo album, exclusively to Pledge Music at the time.  It has had a huge facelift and we are so pleased with the results, it is very catchy and makes you stomp around the room!  Considering the subject is very dark it is very uplifting and we feel it gets you into the album instantly.  Chris has laid down fretless bass throughout this track with overdubs on his fretted ESP, playing a Peter Hook style bass riff, which personally is my favourite riff in this song from him.  

Chris and I cannot wait to tell you more about this album, we are bursting at the seams to release this and for all the radio and magazine interviews to begin!  
Please be a little more patient for a little while longer... it won't be long now!! 

Much love,
Micci xx
She's Got Claws
www.shesgotclaws.co.uk

#newalbum #newmusic  #cats #shesgotclaws #Ilovecats #doppelganger #Doppelganger #electronicmusic2019 #songs #bassdriven #synths #synthpop #electropop #UK #UKmusic #PledgeMusic #studio #musicstudio #loveliesbleeding #bassriff #peterhook #neworder #wartorn #espbass #blind #musik #debutalbum #albumrelease #vegan #musicbyavegan #20yearsvegan #catsareforever #syntheticemotion #dancemusic #popmusic #music2020 #facebook #youtube #twitter #instagram #GaryNuman #ShesGotClaws #Kraftwerk #TheWombats #Royksopp #OMD #electronica #UKelectronic #UKelectronicmusic #shesgotclaws2011 #shesgotclaws1 

Hey,
Here's an update to how the new album is going.  I have 6 songs 'in the bag' with song no.7 in the making.  It takes around 3-4 weeks to complete a song so I'm on schedule for this album to be released in summer 2019.
In my last blog I mentioned Pledge Music and how you will be able to pledge for items via their website, unfortunately this is not possible for the Doppelgänger album, as Pledge informed its artists that they are having a few problems, so financially it would not be wise to submit a new pledge page.  I did submit a pledge page for Doppelgänger, however Pledge have decided that they aren't accepting any new projects at present, which is so disappointing.  

​So after having many discussions with my partner who is also involved in the Doppelgänger project (playing bass and co-producing)  the album will be available directly from the She's Got Claws' official website.  If anything changes and we open a pledging page from another website we will happily let you know <3 

Below are a few clips of songs which will be included in the new album.
This week I'm working on recording the vocals for the latest song - 'Dreaming With My Eyes Open' and completing the arrangement.
I especially enjoyed recording the piano and the synths in the chorus.  I shall upload some studio footage soon of me recording these soon.  

If you are on Instagram I have just uploaded a new clip in my studio of a 30 second demo of the song 'Dreaming With My Eyes Open'.  

My Instagram is:  shesgotclawsuk

Thank you for reading this blog and I hope you enjoy the clips.  If you would like any further info on She's Got Claws please add yourself to my Facebook Page - shesgotclaws2011 and Twitter - @shesgotclaws

​I would also like to say that my last album 'War Torn' is still available to purchase from iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and can be streamed from Spotify and Apple Music.  So if you haven't checked out my recent projects please feel free to and I hope I can count on your valuable support of my music <3 

​Please share this blog, your support is truly appreciated xxx

Much love
Micci xx
​