Desert Goddess Calling!

But first, dig our special Christmas CD sale dealiemabob:

Delight your friends & family with the gift of Vyktoria's music for the holidays! From now until December 15th, 2001 (this is like one of those fabulous "limited-time offers" you hear about on tv), with every CD purchase of This Guardian At Noon or Something About Driving, you will receive a free (you heard right, FREE!) promo copy of Vyktoria's first CD release (the original version, NOT the Prime CD version), Blue Apples! This is one of those "buy one, get one free" deals you've heard so much about! Now, you may be asking yourself, "This is such a great deal! Could they possibly do more?!" You bet we can! Any CD purchased between now and the deadline (including the "bonus" Blue Apples CD) will be autographed by Vyktoria at your request at no additional charge! If you have any questions about our spectacular winter blowout sale, just ask.

How do we do it? Volume, volume, volume. ;)

Alrighty then, here's the latest missive channelled from Vyktoria in Space Rock City!:

Hello!
I know it has been a ridiculously long time since I last wrote anything on this web news page...but it seems as soon as there is new news, it changes, and then it all keeps speeding so fast and before I can pin it down, it morphs again. So, if I went into everything that has transpired, it could take forever (and possibly be quite boring to most people), so I'll just go over the big chunks.

I am now back full time in Sedona. My living excursion in England was jolly lovely, but the desert has a strong pull and so many other things that I missed dearly...the good ole' U.S of A, my family, friends, the sun, my car, FOOD (had to throw that in). Although I have been spoiled rotten as far as good indian food goes and can hardly go into a curry place here, much less order the lime pickle. It's just NOT the same. Anyway...So back I came to Arizona...let's see, that was the end of March 2001, and Sedona was a warm welcome.

After being in the cold and rain for 6 months, there is nothing like stepping out of the Phoenix airport and feeling that hot blast of dry desert air hit you. Aaahhh! So the next day, I went and traded in my sweet car with 315,000 miles on it (still running) and bought a RAV 4. Negotiating with car dealers when you still have major jet lag is quite interesting...but I got the car and a good deal (I think). I hung out in AZ and did some gigs...and then drove cross country to Virginia...did some gigs, saw the family, hiked the beloved Blue Ridge, met with my fellow mystery clubbers...and then drove back to AZ in late July. And I've been here ever since. Sedona is just lovely...blue skies, warm, dry, lovely. Great musicians abound and lately my music has found itself surrounded by a few cushy ensembles. I have a bass and violin trio with Fitzhugh Jenkins and Stephen Sen' Gerni. Stephen is also from Charlottesville...although we never knew each other there. I also have a band "Vyktoria and the Secrets" bass, drums, electric guitar thing. And lately I have been doing some shows as a duo/split bill with Ralf Illenberger, a brilliant guitarist and composer from Germany. Our recent show was seriously one of the very best gigs I have ever done. Ralf's playing really opens up my songs and each one was a unique version spontaneously created in the moment. We also did three totally improvisational tunes, with me making up poetry and doing weird vocalising soundscapes. It was way out there man! We got "gone" as my friend Brian would say.

Wow, well I was gonna make this a brief news highlights and now I am going into copious detail. Anyway...Yes, I have re-planted myself in Sedona and I am having a blast. The desert has become my home and it has taken a while but now almost every day I am in awe that I feel so happy and right here being so far from Virginia. I do miss it there alot and I also miss England, as I had started feeling little roots taking hold over there. I loved the time I spent there, it was just incredibly gorgeous and very dear to my soul. However it is hard to live in two continents at once, and especially as I am not that into flying (like who is). Still, I hope to go back to the UK soon to visit and do some shows. As always, any leads in the gigging, venues, agents direction is helpful and most welcome. Meanwhile...THE CD. Yes, it is still happening, and Andrew Giddings is working diligently on production (when he's not on tour with Jethro Tull or in the pub). I cannot ooze enough about Andrew's brilliant work and the CD is sounding kinda like the CD of my sonic dreams. Fortunately, he is able to do most of the work (or knob twiddling as he calls it) by himself late at night with a Becks beer not far from reach...so I don't really need to be there in person (other than to fetch more beer) ha ha. Really, it could be good to be there...but his sched is such and I live here...and you know...blah blah. So we are sending tapes and ideas back and forth, and much progress is being made. The CD is now about 2/3 finished and soon we will be looking at labels or people with large sums of money to give us or both.

I will be in Virginia for Christmas, however no shows are planned on this trip. It will be nice to just visit my family and friends without being at work at the same time...something new for me. I will take to touring again one day...perhaps when the CD comes out. Til then, ya'll come on out to Arizona!

May you all find your center of peace during these "interesting times."
Namasté
Vyktoria
11-5-01