My Latest Thoughts

CD Release Party - Nov 25th, 6:45pm @ Annex Live

Hey Toronto! My CD is nearing completion and you are all invited! Bring your friends, significant other, and even your mother! 

Full band. NO COVER. Free hugs!!

Sunday November 25th, 2012.
Doors: 6:45pm
Show: 7:00-9:00pm 

@ ANNEX LIVE
296 Brunswick Ave. (@ Bloor St West)

Out of Time

Your hands push me forward but I pull away 
While my feet try to run from yesterday 
I’m always stepping out of time 
I’m tripping and falling, sometimes behind 
You can never stand still 

At times I find myself ahead for once 
But then it seems I miss out on the fun 
‘Cause my mind is always on overdrive 
Yet somehow I leave my heart behind 
You, I’m counting on you 

You’re the only constant thing I know 
Always moving and on the go 
You stay on track 
And never look back again 

While I’m in a tug-of-war 
With myself. And chasing what came before 
And so I find 
I’m out of time again

I’m always stepping out of time 
No matter how you try to keep me in line 
You, I’m counting on you 

— Noella Choi

B-Sides

I wrote this song a while back, and even though I like it, it just doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the songs on the EP. I haven’t quite decided whether or not to record a fuller, more arranged demo version and put it up on Soundcloud or Bandcamp and offer it just as a free download. Until then, here is a one take version with just acoustic guitar. This is the first time I tried recording with the Aura Spectrum DI to add some fullness to the guitar sound. 

If You Want Me (Original Song) ~ Noella Choi

Being a musician can be a lonely existence

I often talk about this with a good friend. He knows all too well about the sacrifices he has made in order to succeed, and he has. But at the end of the day, how happy is he when all he does is work pretty much all day and only goes home to sleep? And forget about any semblance of a normal relationship! What girl can handle those crazy hours?

You have to sacrifice a lot—friends, family, social life. It’s not for everyone. 

That being said, I still continue to do my thing. The “alone” factor probably helped me write a number of songs. I realized a long time ago that I could never be one of those people with their names in the big lights. There are things in my life that I can’t give up or give into. Because to make it, you have to do whatever it takes no matter what and you often have to do it alone. 

The question is whether the sacrifices are worth it. 

My love-hate relationship with Social Media

Can’t live with it. Can’t live without it. Social media is a necessary evil. Everyone and their moms and kids are on facebook. Kudos to those of you who have resisted. I know that I’m so integrated to the online culture that it’ll be impossible to get away from it.

On the one hand, it’s great for keeping in contact with people, especially if they are in another town or country. On the other, the TMI oversharing factor. I am guilty of doing that too. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I had another cupcake and here’s a picture of it on instagram. And I’m going to cross post that to FB and Twitter! Do you really care??

But here’s the thing, for a singer-songwriter-photographer-designer hybrid person like me, it’s an important tool. Posting pictures from photo shoots or behind the scenes or design project samples is part of marketing myself.

And especially as a singer trying to get her material out to people, it’s ever so important to have fresh content constantly even if the updates are not music specific. People want to know that I am real person and not a “Noella-bot.” And you have to reply to Twitter @’s in a timely fashion.  

It also can’t be one sided. You can’t just be putting out content only. You have to take the time to read other people’s posts and add your 2 cents. It’s about creating a conversation and engaging people so they want to know more about you. 

So here’s my social media plug:
FOLLOW ME on TWITTER: @noellachoi
STALK ME on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/StoriesByNoellaChoi

Confessions of a Hot Chocaholic

It’s no secret that I love hot chocolate and other chocolate related drinks. Chocolate Martini? Yes please! I’ve been trying different brands at home trying to find my favourite one. So far, I’ve tried 7 different brands:

• Ghirardelli (overrated)
• Camino (nice packaging)
• Silly Cow (tasty!)
• President’s Choice Sipping Chocolate (also tasty!)
• Niederegger Marzipan (not a fan of the Marzipan with the Hot Chocolate, but when I add Baileys to it, it’s divine!)
• Cows (too bad we don’t have it here in Toronto =( )
• Trader Joe’s Sipping Chocolate (my friend sent me some one Christmas and I loved it. Again, no Trader Joe’s here in Canada)