Saturday 2nd December 2006
Hello,Hello,Hello! I haven’t written 4 so long, things have been crazy. This year has come an gone so quickly sometimes I forget what month we're in. Anyways I've spent most the year in New York. I lived out there for 4 months, it was great. I was there for June an July doin gigs all over New York City. I was nervous at first, American crowds are a lot different to British crowds so I felt like I had to learn all over again. But after I did a couple of gigs I was fine. In august I came home for 2 weeks, had my 19th B-day. I spent it doin support in Chester with WestLife. That was a nice present I must say. The day after I went back to New York for 3 days. I did a gig for my peeps at EMI on the EMI roof top, that was great!! Then I went to Hollywood an did another gig there. I love LA so much. I was not very well when I got there so I didn't get to do all the things I wanted to do. I would have liked to of spent more time with my choreographer Tony, He lives in LA. we was gonna go to Melrose do some shopping, hang out. But I was so sick all I could manage was my sessions with Tony an then sleeping in my room. The hotel luckily was amazing. We stayed in The Bel Air on sunset boulevard, My room was bigger then my apartment in New York. I had a balcony a kitchen an stairs leading up to my bedroom area. Oh an the hotel had a pool on the roof, It was beautiful. I spent 5 days there then got on a plane to san francisco. That was amazing we went to haight ashbury. I got a Marilyn Monroe T-shirt, An we had lovely hot wings. I did a good gig in san fran too. But I felt like I didn't have enough time there I only had 2 days then we went back to New York. We only stayed in NY for a day an we came back to the UK.
I went home, managed to get a couple of writing sessions in an that was all. I was back on a plane to New York just 10 days after arriving home. This time I was stayin out there for 2 months straight. when I went there in june/july I broke the 2 months up by going home for my brothers wedding. But this time there was nothing for me to go back for. My album got released 12th of september. We did a great gig with the whole band at Joes Pub it was like an album release party. I enjoyed it soooo much! I spent the rest of my time there doin gigs. Gigs, Gigs, Gigs everywhere. Boston, Philadelphia, Annapolis, Staten Island, Chicago (House of Blues) an we also did some gigs in NYC.
I got back the end of October had a couple of weeks resting up and writing. Then I went into rehearsals for the Beverley Knight support tour. An thats what I'm doin now on my way to Peterborough to do my next show with Bev. This tour has been great. At first I didn't know weather I'd be able to make it through cause I kept losing my voice. But then I realised that it was just because I wasn't warming up properly. Beverley and her backing vocalists helped me sooo much. They showed me loads of great warm ups to do and now my voice is fine.
Well it was great catching up with you guys. I'm gonna try hard to write more often so as you guys know whats goin on. Anyways thanks for loggin on, take care love lou X
Wednesday 16th August 2006
Hello everybody!!!!!!
I'm sorry its been so long since I've written new diary stuff. But I'm here now and I'm gonna tell all. Just before christmas I signed a deal with Bluenote/Manhatten/EMI. So I'v spent most of this year in the States cause thats where the Lable is. In June I moved out to New York for 2 months, Which was great cause I got to do shows all over America. I had a weekly spot at The Side Walk Cafe in Philadelphia. I did a number of shows all over New York City. I also did a gig in Boston too. Now on Monday I fly back to New York to do a gig at EMI, From there I fly to LA to do more gigs then I fly out to san francisco for a show. I'm back in New York after that for a day, Then I fly home! But my album comes out in the States on September the 12th so I'll be back out there to do an Album release show at Joes Pub in New York city. I love that venue!
I must honestly say, so far I've been having a blast. I've met some wonderful people at and outside of the lable. one of them is The wonderful Tony Micheals!!! He's worked with Justin Timberlake, J-lo, Tyra Banks, Micheal Buble and many other great artists. He's tought me so much about myself. And has brought out things within me that I never knew I had. so working with him was amazing. I also started Boxing! Thats been fun and its great for getting Fit and staying in shape.
In November I'm going on tour with Beverley Knight. I supported her at the Shepperds Bush Empire and it was amazing. The crowd response was great they were really supportive. So I can't wait to do the tour, I'm sooooo excited!
I think thats about it for now. But I will keep you all updated as often as possible. You can also catch me on MySpace now - www.myspace.com/louisesetara
I have great info on there about my gigs and stuff so drop by and check it out! It was great talking again, Lou x
Friday 17th March 2006
Just got to New York for my first gigs in the US, very excited, will tell you all about it next week!
Sunday 10th December 2005
Sorry i haven't written to you all for a while, i've been so busy. my manager called me and said "fancy going to newyork". Obviously i said yeah. then i found myself on a plane to newyork 2days later. i was so excited. ive always wanted to go there. china (the chairman of coast music) was already out there so i stayed with him at his mom and dads place. it was amazing, their house was in Connecticut and it was really pretty.
the first day i was there me and china just chilled.he took me around newyork which was so great. i got to see where the twin towers used to be, which was really sad. oh and i got to go over the brooklyn bridge i think thats what it was called. it was really really big. then we went back to chinas parents house. we had home made lasagna. it was great. so that was my first day in newyork.
the next day we got up, had breakfast and then jay newland came over. that was great we had loads to talk about. jay is the guy who mixed my album so i was pretty excited to finally meet him. later that day me and china went shopping down 5th avenue, i loved it, i got some presents for my family and some jeans, make-up and a coat for me. my feet were killing me by the time we finished but it was worth it. the following was a saturday and we went to jersey for the weekend. i had a writing session their with a guy called mark. he was cool but there was another guy as well named john. i liked him best, hes an amazing lyricist. we stayed at marks place the night and went to Newyork the next day.
jersey was incredible, the houses over there was so beautiful. we felt tired when we got back so we watched a little tv then i went to sleep. the next morning we went for a walk, china's parents house wasn't far from the beach so we walked there and back, had breakfast and then went into the city to do some meetings. i was still so excited as ever when i stepped off the train at grand central station. first we met a label called blue note. they have a lot of amazing artists like anita baker, al green, norah jones and amos lee. they invited me and china to the amos lee concert. he was playing that night. we went down there to check him out. im telling you now the guy is something special. he has some amazing songs. his band is tight and hes got an amazing voice. blue note gave me a copy of his album. i haven't stopped playing it. i have a copy in the kitchen, my bedroom and my car.
i was supposed to be going home the next evening which was on tuesday. i had all my suitcase packed but then some people in L.A. wanted to meet me, so i got really excited. again me and china left the following morning. it was a seven hour flight but every minute was worth it. L.A. is gorgeous, very hot with loads of palm trees.we stayed on sunset bulovard street right opposite the house of blues.
when we arrived we checked in and i went straight to bed, i had jet lag. i woke up that evening and me and china went out to dinner with a couple of guys from a label. the spaghetti in the restaurant we had for dinner was amazing too. the next morning i got up used the gym and we had another meeting. that night we went out to dinner again in a really cool restaurant, i had a delicious kuskus dish, china had steak. then we went back to the hotel and i was out like a light. the next day we was supposed to leave earlybut luckily china had a long conference call so i went shopping in the beverley hills centre.
i have to say it was the best shopping centre ive been to in my life. i had a great time. that aftenoon we flew back to newyork. we stayed there that night then i came back to england the following evening. i arrived at heathrow on sunday morning. i was so happy to see my mum and the dogs. i had some of my mums delicious meat pudding and i just couldn't stop sleeping. i had a pillow and a blanket on the sofa for all of the next day and all i did was sleep, sleep, sleep. i had the time of my life and now im writting about it all it doesnt seem real. i have to go now cause im going to sweden in the morning and i need to sleep. thanks for reading love ya loads,
lou xxx.
Wednesday 21st September 2005
Hiya Everybody
I hope you are all well.
I am writing this from Stockholm in Sweden. I am here recording with songwriter and record producer Jorgen Elofssen. He is amazing! I didn’t realise how many amazing songs he had written until I got here and saw the amount of gold and platinum plaques around the studio. He’s written for anyone who is anyone. If I can write a song nearly as good as what he does I will really happy.
Flying here was an experience. It was my first time on a plane so I was really excited. But when we got on the connecting flight it was really bumpy so I got really nervous.
Jorgen is so amazing. He pushes me to do things with my voice that I never knew I could do. I have been stretched like never before.
It’s sunny right now and the studio is so beautiful. It overlooks the ocean. I can see the boats from the vocal booth. I have never recorded anywhere so beautiful, it’s amazing.
I am really grateful that I have had this opportunity to work with someone that is so talented and has been so successful. It is so beautiful and the songs that we have recorded are amazing. I feel really lucky.
Anyway I better get back into the vocal booth now and watch the boats while I sing.
Speak to you all soon
Louise
xxxxxxxx
Wednesday 31 August 2005
Hey Everybody,
Hope you’re all well.
I did a gig tonight at the 12Bar. It was really cool. Well actually it was baking hot. I felt like I was gonna melt what I mean is the atmosphere was cool.
Amy Smith played there, she was lovely. Two other guys played there too, which was great. I really enjoyed it.
I’m doing a gig at Ronnie Scotts on Sunday. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll write again to tell you all how it went.
See ya later
Lou
xxxxx
Saturday 13th August 2005
Hi,
Today I did a gig at Bath. I got there at 1pm had a soundcheck and my performance was at 9.30pm so it was gonna be a long day. It didn’t matter ‘cause there were loads of kids there. They all stayed in tents and had been there all week.
There was a rock concert goin’ on in the grounds next door to where I was singing, there was a big room where you could go and watch films, so there was loads to do.
I performed at 9.45pm and it was so cool. There were loads of kids watching which was great.
When I finished singing I signed some copies of my EP’s as they were on sale that day. I really enjoyed the day. I’m gonna go now, its so late.
Goodnight.
Love Lou
Xoxox
Hi Everyone,
Today I did a photoshoot. It was great! I had to be up at 7am. I had my hair and makeup done, then my stylist helped me with my clothes, she was great. I had so much fun.
I was really nervous at first, as I haven’t had a photoshoot for around 3 years. But China, Kwame, Julia and Ben came down then I was ok.
The shoot finished at 5pm so it was quite a long day but I loved every minute of it.
Love
Lou
Xxxx
Sunday 17 July 2005
Hey Everybody,
Today has been lovely. The Weather is great.
I did a gig at a garden party in Finchley. Now I know it sounds weird, “A garden party gig” but believe me this is a really big garden. There was kids running everywhere, a jazz band, a barbecue, and my personal favourite; African food. But by the time I got there it was gone. So I was left with a hot dog, which was very tasty.
Anyway I sang love me still, Faith Hope And You, Where You Go and Angel. I really enjoyed myself it was great. I’m gonna go now.
C Ya Later
Lou
Xxxxxx
Saturday 28th May 2005
Hi Everyone, Today I had a gig at St Marks Pentecostal Church in Stockwell. It was a really hot day and the church was even hotter. I sang Shine and Where You Go. It was cool cause some of the audience was singing along to the chorus of Shine. I got quite excited about that! Anyway I gotta go now, take care. Luv Lou x
Saturday June 18th 2005
Hi Everyone. Today I had a meeting with my manager Kwame. It was cool because I listened to some of the tracks that Jaye Newland has mixed for my album. I'm really excited ‘cause they sound great. He made every song sound special. Jaye is so talented. I'm really happy to be able to say his work is goin’ to be on my album. Luv Lou
23 May 05
Hey guy's, Today I sang at the Hard Rock Cafe. I've never been there before so I was really excited. It was so cool. They had Elton John's boots, Eric Clapton's guitar and loads more cool stuff in frames on the wall. I sang 'Shine' and 'Where You Go'. I had such a great time; I really do hope I get the chance to sing there again. I'm gonna get to sleep now because I'm all worn out. Speak to you soon, Lou x
22 May 05
Hi everyone, Today was great I did two church gigs and had a really good conversation on the phone with Jay Newland. I was really excited because he is the guy that produced Norah Jones' album. He is going to mix and do some production on my album too. He said that Norah Jones and me have a maturity in our voices that people wait a lifetime for. I felt so honoured that he would say that about me and that he mentioned me in the same breath as Norah Jones. I am so happy that he will be working on my album. I can't wait. The first gig was at Tulse Hill. It was so cool I sang 'Shine' at the beginning of the service and then they called me up half way through to do another song with this guy named Roger. He is such an amazing singer. I was a little nervous at first 'cause I didn't know the song at all, I'd never heard it before in my life. But once I got up there and Roger told me how it goes I wasn't that nervous. At the end of the service I sang 'Where You Go'. I had such a great time. After that me, my dad, my boyfriend Charles and my pianist Ant went to another gig at Deptford. I sang two songs there which was cool, it went really well. Anyway I'm gonna go now I'll be writing again soon. Love Louise xxxxx
Wednesday 30th March 05
Hi, Today I performed at Kensington Temple! It was so cool. I sang 2 songs with my Elevate singers and one with just me and Ant (my musical director). It was great cause when I got there my manager Kwame and A&R Ben was there. My mum said she couldn't make it, but then she called to say she was on her way. My boyfriend Charles turned up which was great. My dad was there too! So I was really pleased. I love when my friends and family come to see me sing. It just makes me feel a lot more confident. I'm really excited cause I have another gig there on April 16th Anyway I'm going now Love Louise xxx
Sunday 27th March 05
Hi Everyone, I just got back from my gig at Wardour Street, Soho. I enjoyed it so much. There was gospel, poetry and rappers. I got to sing a couple of songs. The food was absolutely delicious! My whole family came which was lovely. The guy hosting the night got my name wrong. He called me Louise Setarna or something like that. But it didn't matter I taught him how to say it properly. Anyway had a great time, but have to go now. Love Louise x
Friday25th March 05
Hi Everyone, Today is Good Friday. Its really late, I just got back from a gig at "The All Nations Centre" Vauxhall. It was really good, there was a lot of different artists there. A girl did poetry, a few guys did some rap. I got to sing a couple of songs, my singers Elevate helped me out once again with their wonderful vocals. I was so happy to see them cause its been so long since I saw them last. I have another gig on Easter Sunday, its gospel night at the club down Wardour Street, Soho. I'm so excited! Anyway I've got to get some sleep. Love You! Goodnight Lou xxx
20th March 05
Hi Everyone, Sorry I haven't written for a while, things have been rather busy lately. But don't you worry I'm going to fill you in. I sang at Ruach Ministries. It was really good. I enjoyed myself so much, everyone was really nice, and they made me feel welcome. I performed 3 songs, one of them is called "Shine". I was a bit nervous to sing this song at first because I haven't sang it since I co-wrote it with Nickey Brown 2 years ago. But once the intro came on I was ok. Everyone started clapping before I'd even finished, they all seemed like they really enjoyed listening. So I was a happy bunny. At the end of my performance I saw Nickey Brown. I was so pleased cause it's been so long since I last saw him. It was such a great day. I really hope they like me enough to invite me back cause I would like to sing there again. Anyway got to go now. Love Lou x
June 25 th 2004 (Ladysmith Black Mambazo Recording Session)
Today I recorded ‘Sylvie' with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and it was brilliant. When I got there we sat with each other and we learnt the song because they didn't really know it, within half an hour they were singing it beautifully and then we recorded it. I was so pleased to be working with them. I really hope I get to do it again sometime, it was the most exciting thing I've done so far. The lead singer of Ladysmith was so nice they were all great and very talented guys but I got on with Joseph the lead singer best of all, he's such a sweet person. Time to go…
Lots of love Louise xx
June 24 th 2004 (Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
I went to watch Ladysmith Black Mambazo tonight in St Paul's Cathedral. It was so great and when they finished I got really excited because tomorrow I will be recording with them. As I looked around I could see how much the audience loves them. On the way out I turned to Kwame and said ‘Are you sure I'm working with those guys tomorrow?' I just couldn't believe how great they are. Anyway I'll write again tomorrow to say how my recording session with them went.
Love Louise xx
Sat June 19 th 2004 (Jigsaw Wedding)
Today I sang at the boss of Jigsaw's wedding (if you didn't know Jigsaw is a clothing company in the UK). The wedding was out of this world, they had a fun fair in the back garden and the entertainment was great. A young girl sang outside with her band, inside they had a band playing disco music, as well as all that they had the London Community Gospel Choir there singing a few of their wonderful songs.
I was so pleased because I got to sing there too. I sang a special version of my song ‘Cant Stop The River' with the London Community Gospel Choir. Those guys are so talented it was a pleasure to sing with them, it was just one of the best experiences I've ever had. I really do hope that I have the opportunity to sing with them again.
Love from Louise xxx
Sunday 15 th February 2004
Today was so great I performed in Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club! It was such a pleasure to sing there as it was the first Jazz Club in this country. So many great singers have performed there, all the old black and white pictures of them hang on the walls.
When I first got there I had a sound check, which was brilliant because I had my own little band and it was the first time I had performed with a band, it was a great experience. After the soundcheck I had a little time to chill out, but before I knew it my manager Kwame came to tell me it was time to perform!
I enjoyed standing on that stage and singing my heart out, it had to be my favourite performance so far, and I sang six songs in total. I felt so relaxed, and the lighting was beautiful. Hopefully they will let me come back sometime and sing again.
Louise x