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

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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
​

Hi cats, how are you?  (If you are not a cat fan then I apologise for calling you this, although I am called She's Got Claws for a reason ;)  )  
​Happy New Year to you, I hope this year has kicked off with a very positive start for you.

I shall kick start this blog by announcing the official release for my third studio album called Doppelgänger.  
28 June is the date when this album will be released across social media and when pledging for a hard copy plus all the other exclusive goodies on Pledge Music will end.  So please put this in your diaries, there will be the option to pre-order online too if you prefer to buy from iTunes or Amazon etc.
 
I am still in the process of writing this album in my studio so may seem a little optimistic to have this completed and circulating around the radio stations before its released, but I feel confident this will happen.  
I am not alone for this album, I have Chris who's playing live bass throughout and staying very close for when I need a fresh pair of ears when it is being produced.
Chris used to be the bass player for my previous band, Paparazzi Whore, which became as infamous as the only album we released in 2006.  Wow that seems a very long time ago!  We also released a few singles and an EP too as well as lots of gigging and television appearances.  
So it's fantastic to have him back on board to give the songs a bigger edge and angst with his gritty bass playing.

I have 15 songs still to go through which are in demo form and Chris and I will choose which ones will work well on this album.  

The album is named Doppelgänger as there are a few songs which are receiving a facelift which were either never released or were featured on another release, hence the name Doppelgänger.  The opening track which is called Doppelgänger is an instrumental version of a track called Fake which was a single release by Paparazzi Whore in 2008.  We feel it would be a real shame for this track to be put in the archives to gather dust, plus this is Chris's favourite bass riff he has ever written.
 
There are new songs on there too and every month up to the release there will be a snippet of one minute of a new track.  The first has just been uploaded to Pledge Music and You Tube as a video, this is the middle 8 to Doppelgänger.  The next snippet will be released at the beginning of February with another one minute video clip of She's Got Claws.

The artwork for Doppelgänger is yet to be completed.  Chris has shot the photo (O-Ten Photography) and is waiting for me to spare the time to create the artwork, I think I need to find my Doppelgänger! 

Here is the one minute video of Doppelgänger...

So here is a brief summary of what is happening in the coming months up to the official release of the album:
*  Demoes are being chosen to work on to be included in this album release.  A few may be held back in case we decide to release a few singles or an EP;
*  SGC's Pledge page has been submitted to Pledge Music's Admin, who will look through the page and hopefully within the next few days officially launch the page for all to see.  When I have word of this happening I shall announce on Facebook with the live link.  The link above should work but please keep checking Facebook too.
*  Photography is completed and is now awaiting to be incorporated into the artwork.  The artwork will be officially announced on Pledge Music for all you lovely cats who have kindly pledged;
*  Doppelgänger album will be released on 28 June 2019.  Pledgers on Pledge Music will then receive the exclusive items they have pledged for from this date;
*  Press and interviews will be arranged from April onwards to coincide with the release.  Chris will be managing this side and we will both be involved in the promotional appearances.
*  Exclusive video clips will be created of us both in the studio as the album is coming together.  We will talk through what we are doing at the time to give you an incite into what it takes to create this album.  These video clips will be uploaded to Pledge Music so pledgers can exclusively see them.
*  Brief updates including photos will be uploaded to Instagram.  There are a few videos and photos there already so please follow me so you can see these first (shesgotclawsuk)

I think I have covered everything for now.  I shall fulfil a new years resolution of keeping this blog up to date with a lot more updates and links.

Happy new year and I hope to hear from you soon
Much love
​She's Got Claws xx

Hello,
I hope you are all feeling the joys of Spring slowly creeping into our lives and gardens.  This is the time of year when I look forward to planning for the year ahead, including having a pretty garden to inspire my writing and artwork for my new releases.
Presently I would like to bring you up to date with what has been happening since the last blog in January.  I should learn to put some time aside every month as my blogging can be very scarce.  When I put pen to paper (so to speak) it is usually to write down ideas for song titles or lyrics and blogging isn't something which I instantly think of.  I shall in future make a conscious effort to write more blogs.

Pledge Music - well we did it!  We had a goal and we beat it!  It was touch and go towards the end, thankfully lovely people on Twitter came to the rescue by retweeting as the pledging was at 99%, it was so exciting to watch the pledging for the album and goodies available.  Then we hit the 100% mark, only to then hit 103%!  
To my Pledgers - I would like to say a HUGE thank you, it was certainly a fun experience.  All items should be in your hands now, and I hope you are enjoying what you pledged for.  
A special thank you for the lovely messages received from you too, I cannot put into words how much your support means to me.
On a more serious note, you have made a difference with your pledges, not only to me as you are helping an artist to carry on with her writing but to many lives across the world whom are in need of our support and care.  

I would like to personally thank Andy McCluskey for helping too.  He kindly posted onto his Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark Facebook asking for his fans to help and support this album to raise funds for the families in need.  I'm not sure if he reads my blogs, I am eternally grateful for his support of my projects and my many messages I send when I am feeling a little shall we say stressed.  He is a very calming influence, something that I need in my life.  I will however thank him personally with a huge squeeze when I see him very soon xxxx

War Torn - For those who didn't get the chance to buy a hard copy of this album, you can download it from the 19th March.  It is available to pre-order now on iTunes and Amazon, along with many other stores (please check your favourite store, if it isn't there please let me know)  It will also be available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music and many other streaming sites too.  
​If you visit my website there are direct links.

I am riding on a huge roller coaster at the moment with this album, from visualising the concept to writing the album and now with the amazing feedback which is coming in.
The Electricity Club - I am overwhelmed by the fabulous support by this magazine, the review of War Torn is more than I had ever hoped.  I shall allow their words to speak for the album.  Huge thanks to Paul B for this awesome read.
If I hadn't have written this album I would certainly be intrigued to check it out!  
You can read the review - here 

​The Electronic Sound Magazine - A review of War Torn is in the next hard copy  issue of this magazine, I haven't read it yet so fingers crossed they love it too.  
​It should be in our UK shops this Thursday (8th March).

​Video - Due to the unforeseen 'big freeze' the video for Ceasefire has been postponed.  It was scheduled to be shot in February.  It is an outside shoot so we are going to re-schedule when the weather is a little warmer, possibly late March.  
​
Armchair Generals - This song helped to launch the album with it being the first single release in November 2017, along with another track which was especially written for this release called No Justice.   You can still purchase this single release from iTunes, Amazon etc now.  
No Justice has a video too, which was kindly shot by O-Ten.

If you have added yourself to my mailing list either via my website or Reverbnation then you will very soon receive the itinerary for 2018, including a new album release, two re-releases and dare I say there could be a Christmas song re-released too.  This is going to be a very busy year for SGC, so I better get the first flyer created and out to you wonderful peeps this week.

Much love,

Micci 
SGC
www.shesgotclaws.co.uk
Soundcloud - shesgotclaws1
​

Hi,
Happy New Year, I hope this year brings you everything you've dreamed of.  Sending love and happiness to you xxx

So it's another year and another opportunity to work very hard to achieve everything which She's Got Claws has been working towards over the past few years.

Firstly there is Pledge Music and my pledge page, where you can pledge for many items including a signed copy of WAR TORN which you will receive one month before it is officially released.  
You can pledge for the DEMOS to all the songs on WAR TORN along with a couple of tracks which didn't make it plus an exclusive version of NO JUSTICE which isn't available online.  There are 14 tracks in total on the DEMO CD so it is worth pledging for.  There are only a few left and when they are gone there will be no more CDs.
Also on Pledge Music you can get your hands on an exclusive hard copy of ARMCHAIR GENERALS / NO JUSTICE single.  There are only 14 left and the pledging for these begin at £5.00 each.  NO JUSTICE is not available on the WAR TORN album.  
By pledging you are helping to create more new music and you are supporting new artists as they build up their catalogues for you to enjoy.
Pledging will end 19th February 2018, so there is only one month left to place your order for the goodies available.
​Link:  PLEDGE FOR SHE'S GOT CLAWS

WAR TORN is to be released officially as a download from 19th March 2018 on iTunes, Amazon, streamed from Spotify and Apple Music, along with many other stores and streaming sites across the world.  Direct links will be on SGC's website in March.  For more details and to listen to a preview of the album please go to SGC HOME. 

A video for the launch of WAR TORN will be shot on location in February for the song CEASEFIRE.  Hypnotic tribal drums, ethereal strings and poignant lyrics tell the story of finding yourself walking through the dust and debris of your once beautiful city.  Video is to be shot by O-TEN.

Press including features, interviews and reviews of WAR TORN will be featured on many magazines across the world from March. With thanks to MECHANICAL PR for all their hard work.

This is a brief insight into the plans for SGC for the first three months of 2018.  After this there will be an instrumental album available after Easter, Synthetic Emotion is to be re-released online and in Autumn a new EP and did someone mention a Christmas song? lol this may also happen.  

For updates on the above please keep checking out my website's HOME page.

Bye for now xxx

WAR TORN - 19th March 2018 (19th February on Pledge Music)  PRS Registered.

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