NEW pixietricks holiday album!

[Jillian Aversa]

Hi guys! I know I haven't been posting as often around here as of late, but OCR is still very much in my thoughts. I'm always lurking... :<

So what have I been up to lately? Well, like a mad scientist I disappeared into the laboratory for a while to work on my masterful new creation! It's true. I locked myself away from the world - shunning food and almost all forms of human contact (with the obvious exception of zircon) - in order to bring you....

Through Sand and Snow

http://soundtempest.net/jill/throughsandsmall.jpg (http://www.jilliangoldin.com)

Release Date: November 25th, 2008
Preorders Available: TODAY, at JillianGoldin.com (http://www.jilliangoldin.com)!
Price: A modest $9.99
Songs Included:

* Prelude (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/prelude.mp3)
* I Wonder As I Wander (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/iwonderasiwander.mp3)
* What Child Is This? (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/whatchildisthis.mp3) (a.k.a. Greensleeves)
* God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/godrestyemerry.mp3)
* Walking In the Air (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/walkingintheair.mp3) (from the classic animated film "The Snowman")
* Silent Night (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/silentnight.mp3)

...Woo hoo! So what are you waiting for? Preorder a copy (http://www.jilliangoldin.com), and ensure that you are among the first to receive the new album! :D

Now for some more good news: in anticipation of the holiday season, I have set up all sorts of discounts and specials offers for both CD releases. With every copy of Through Sand and Snow that you preorder, you'll also receive a complimentary gift card featuring the winter song "Walking In the Air." You can pass it on to a loved one... or even send it out with your holiday cards this year, for that extra special touch. It's a beautiful winter song (non-demoninational), so anyone can enjoy it!

http://soundtempest.net/jill/dlcardsmall.png

This gift card offer also applies if you preorder Through Sand and Snow with a copy of Origins, in the 2-CD Combo Pack deal. :>

And finally, both CDs are now set up to offer discounts in bulk - so you will automatically get 2-4 dollars off each additional CD that you buy!

I know how hectic the holiday season can be, and that is largely why I was inspired to start this project in the first place. For Andy and I, it has been a whirlwind of music-making, track-mixing, and hair-splitting... But the result? A breath of fresh (albeit cold) air. ^-^

[nrich]

PRIMO! never ceases to impress from jill's side of the field

[OverCoat]

* Walking In the Air (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/walkingintheair.mp3) (from the classic animated film "The Snowman")

just fyi you know Sephire (http://www.animeremix.org/remix/69/) did that too? :3

[Jillian Aversa]

Yeah! That one is on one of my Christmas mixes, in fact. He did a great job with it.

[prophetik]

might need to pick this up...you should update your sig now =)

[Jillian Aversa]

Haha, will do... But tomorrow. I's tireds. -_-zzzz

[Bahamut]

Ahh Walking in the Air...I always think of Nightwish when I think of that song now (they covered it early in their career).

Nice to see another album though - preordered!

[Kadosho]

That is some awesome news Jill, I am definitely adding to my must buy list.
I do have a certain someone in mind that would love a cool gift for the holidays ^_^

[anthonium]

You singing Walking in the Air = Instant Win

Beautiful voice.

[jmr]

Those previews sound amazing.
Pre-ordered the 2CD pack. I'm not sure why I held off buying Origins for so long in the first place, so I figured now is a good a time as any to buy it.

[BardicKnowledge]

Pre-ordered! The gift card is a good idea, btw.

[neil]

Ordered! I loved Origins, so naturally this was an instantaneous decision.

[Jillian Aversa]

Ahhh, thanks for the warm reception! I'm glad you're liking the previews, and Wes: yeah, I've heard the nightwish cover of Walking In the Air. It's such a great song that I couldn't resist... :>

[Raziellink]

I pre-ordered it blindly. Don't let me down, Pixietricks! ;).

[neil]

Ahhh, thanks for the warm reception! I'm glad you're liking the previews, and Wes: yeah, I've heard the nightwish cover of Walking In the Air. It's such a great song that I couldn't resist... :>

By the way, who did the cover art this time? It looks phenomenal. You did the art for Origins, correct?

[2Radical]

It might be abit too early for a happy Xmas album for me... but this topic finnaly made me get Origins and I freaking love it!

getting all the remixes right now

[Jillian Aversa]

By the way, who did the cover art this time? It looks phenomenal. You did the art for Origins, correct?

Yes, I did the art for Origins, but my concept for this cover was too advanced for me to pull off on my own, so I hired Daniel Kvasznizca of iNetGraFX.com. :D

[Moguta]

* Walking In the Air (http://www.jilliangoldin.com/%21/ftp/album2/previews/walkingintheair.mp3) (from the classic animated film "The Snowman")
Oh wow, I had no idea that song was from a Christmas movie. The only place I've encountered it is on Nightwish's Oceanborn album; they do a wonderfully evocative cover. Hope your version can stand out after hearing it done so well. ^^

I don't usually buy holiday albums, though, since it's akin to hearing Terra remixed for the millionth time. I'll have to think about it.

[Liontamer]

I don't usually buy holiday albums, though, since it's akin to hearing Terra remixed for the millionth time. I'll have to think about it.
Haha, it's not ANY holiday album. I'd be skeptical too, but the previews sold me. Moneys transferred.

[neil]

Yes, I did the art for Origins, but my concept for this cover was too advanced for me to pull off on my own, so I hired Daniel Kvasznizca of iNetGraFX.com. :D

This guy's done matte painting for Fallout 3 promos! What a great choice.

[Jillian Aversa]

This guy's done matte painting for Fallout 3 promos! What a great choice.

Yeah, isn't he incredible? I really lucked out... Since he works for a big design firm, normally they would charge in the thousands for something like this. But as it turns out, he is a big fan of New Age/chillout music! So after listening to my stuff, he liked it so much that he offered to treat it as a personal project! And of course, he's getting signed copies of all my albums for the rest of his life. :>

[neil]

Yeah, isn't he incredible? I really lucked out... Since he works for a big design firm, normally they would charge in the thousands for something like this. But as it turns out, he is a big fan of New Age/chillout music! So after listening to my stuff, he liked it so much that he offered to treat it as a personal project! And of course, he's getting signed copies of all my albums for the rest of his life. :>

haha, it's good to have strings to pull! :-D

Ahh Walking in the Air...I always think of Nightwish when I think of that song now (they covered it early in their career).

Nice to see another album though - preordered!

When I saw Walking In The Air was on this album, it made me instantly think of this (http://www.amazon.com/Walking-In-The-Air/dp/B000TE0SU4/ref=sr_f2_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1226209527&sr=102-1).

[evktalo]

The previews sound excellent. Considering to order some copies for gifts. If I wasn't broke, I wouldn't have to think about it. :)

edit: Nice touch with the footsteps in snow in Prelude.

--Eino

[Brome]

Incredible !

The samples sound horribly FANTASTIC ! :-)

I am sure to order the CD sometimes !:-P

[Jillian Aversa]

Yeah, I wanted to set up those bulk discounts so that people could afford to get a bunch as Christmas gifts! With the economy the way it is right now, I think we could all benefit from reining in spending... :/

[big giant circles]

WHAT, NO ICECAP? Pffft, well, I WAS going to buy it, but now I'm just disappointed. :<

<3

[Kizyr]

Great! I'll go ahead and pre-order mine this afternoon.

Yeah, isn't he incredible? I really lucked out... Since he works for a big design firm, normally they would charge in the thousands for something like this. But as it turns out, he is a big fan of New Age/chillout music! So after listening to my stuff, he liked it so much that he offered to treat it as a personal project! And of course, he's getting signed copies of all my albums for the rest of his life. :>
After checking his site, I've apparently seen a bunch of his Fallout 3 promotional art already. He's real good... KF

[The Pezman]

WHAT, NO ICECAP? Pffft, well, I WAS going to buy it, but now I'm just disappointed.
Icecap I can live without... but it's still missing something...


Hmmmm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJlhPDs_5fk

[Jillian Aversa]

Wow, coincidentally... Andy and I were just listening to the Mannheim Steamroller version of "Deck the Halls" over dinner tonight!

[Rayza]

Needs a holiday themed remix contest..

[Jillian Aversa]

Needs a holiday themed remix contest..
Haha, remix of a remix...

[Bahamut]

Yeah, I wanted to set up those bulk discounts so that people could afford to get a bunch as Christmas gifts! With the economy the way it is right now, I think we could all benefit from reining in spending... :/

Strangely enough, this holiday shopping season might bring us some incredible deals due to the crappy economy and recent drop in Wall Street spurring on a desire by these companies to pull in quick profits. /offtopic

[Shadow Wolf]

I'm not currently on a pipeline that'll let me load the previews, but I'll be buying it anyways. I wanted to pop in and say that cover is absolutely amazing too. Insane artwork, it looks like the ocean froze in the middle of a storm. (I know it's supposed to look like sand dunes, btw.)

I had another question too. From an artist profit standpoint, does it make a difference where I order this from? Do you make more off a physical copy than you do off an iTunes copy, etc? Because I'll wait for a physical if it gives you more money.

[Sinewav]

I figured I was probably going to get this album anyway, but I just listened to the samples and now I'm definitely sold. Even though I won that digital copy of Origins a while back, I think I'm going to do the 2 CD deal here, just as a sign of support/I liked it enough that I want a hard copy.

[The Mutericator]

Will be buying combo pack tomorrow morning.

[Jillian Aversa]

Hooray!

I had another question too. From an artist profit standpoint, does it make a difference where I order this from? Do you make more off a physical copy than you do off an iTunes copy, etc? Because I'll wait for a physical if it gives you more money.

Yes, I do get the biggest cut from physical sales since I'm set up directly with PayPal. They only charge a small transaction fee, whereas digital markets tend to take a bigger chunk. :3

[relyanCe]

The previews are absolutely amazing. I want this piece of Christmas awesomeness! Expect a preorder from me if it is possible for me to get it!

[Vivi22]

Pre-ordered.

I submitted my order without even realizing I haven't used paypal since before I moved. It's not a huge deal since it'll just go to my parents house. In fact, it's probably better this way since I'm planning on slipping it into my fiancees stocking.

[Clairval]

Preordered. Having a hard copy with a cool cover is still a good deal when you want your friends to take a listening "seriously", instead of messing it with their 5000 leaked songs they don't care about.

[Shadow Wolf]

Preordered. I'm sure it's awesome and I can't wait to hear it.

[chumble spuzz]

WALKING IN THE AIR!!

I heard an instrumental version of this song in the elevator at work a long time ago and instantly loved the melody, but I never figured out what song it was. And now I know.

In thanks, I'll be pre-ordering your cd. :) I was thinking about it anyway, because Greensleeves is awesome, and your version sounds awesome, but this just sealed the deal.

[Bahamut]

I decided to order another copy for a friend of mine...I probably should've ordered two to start. :oops:

[Jillian Aversa]

No problem, Wes - I'll just refund you the difference so you can get your $2 off deal. :>

[Rayza]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR1Ln-ctn5E

Just for reference.. I remember-ish watching this in grade 6 I think.. That melody/chord progression never leaves you..

[Jillian Aversa]

Yeah, my brother and I used to watch The Snowman around Christmastime when we were little. It was so soothing... My mom loved it because it kept us nice and quiet. ^-^

[The Mutericator]

Bump for those interested in snagging the preorder, not much time left! Just secured mine myself... definitely looking forward to listening!

[Shadow Wolf]

Yay it ships tomorrow and it will be AMAZING.

[anthonium]

I'll definitely be ordering it today when I get home. My only complaint...I wish there were more songs even if it cost more. That voice is incredible so naturally I wanna hear more of it. I'm sure my mom will love this cd. She's crazy about Christmas music.

[Raziellink]

So, when could the Europeans expect the CD to arrive?

[Jillian Aversa]

Hey everyone! I take it most of you have not seen my website announcement yet, so I'll post it here:

-----

The original release date for physical copies - November 25th - has been pushed back to December 10th due to unforseen problems on the part of the CD manufacturing company. In the meantime, anyone who has preordered Through Sand and Snow will be receiving a free digital download of the album shortly!

Those of you who ordered additional CDs as holiday gifts, have no fear: all orders will still arrive before Christmas. If you have any other special instructions, please don't hesitate to let me know at mail@jilliangoldin.com. So sorry for the delay!

-----

I know this may be a bit of a party pooper... But at least you will get to hear it even sooner, eh? :< Expect to receive an email with the download info by the end of the day; I'll be working through all the orders.

And for those of you that DIDN'T preorder, remember that digital copies are still available today on CD Baby (http://cdbaby.com/cd/jilliangoldin2)! (They will appear on iTunes as well, but unfortunately there's no way for me to predict when with them.)

[BardicKnowledge]

^That's too bad, Jill! Still, I'm looking forward to hearing the tracks (downloading them now). Thanks for the awesome album, and have a happy holiday season!

[Bahamut]

I'm listening to the album right now, and I'm impressed by the quality. I like What Child is This quite a bit, but that could be because I have a soft spot in my heart for Greensleeves ever since hearing an operatic version as a kid.

[Kizyr]

The original release date for physical copies - November 25th - has been pushed back to December 10th due to unforseen problems on the part of the CD manufacturing company.
Bah! Humbug.

Well at least there's the up-side of an early digital download! I'll give this a listen when I get home. KF

[anthonium]

What is the bit rate on the cd baby mp3's? I see the price is less but I take it that's because you won't have a physical cd nor the cd quality sound? If so I rather purchase the cd even though it's too late for pre-orders. Pardon my noobness in this area.

[Filodemo]

(with the obvious exception of zircon)Obvious! So... this isn't free?

[Shadow Wolf]

Jill... Wow. I finally got a chance to download this. This is the most surreal, unique, and beautiful Christmas album I think I've ever heard. The peace and calmness, the sense of otherworldliness pervading every minute of this album are just extraordinary. I'd try to use words to describe it, but it wouldn't come out right. This is an astounding piece of work, really.

[JaDE ARaN HaRuNo]

Jillian, I was so happy when I read your last newsletter! I got teary when I heard the preview tracks... I was going to buy it, but Jordan beat me to it and gave it to me as a gift just like when he bought me Origins for my birthday. :) Anyway, I LOVE the album! Keep makin' tracks with Zircon! Can't wait to meet the both of you at MAGFEST!

[The Mutericator]

Just got my double pack in the mail, and it's official: pixietricks is awesome. Thank you for the note, and a merry Christmas to you, too!

[ThatPaige]

Just got mine today and its BEAUTIFUL. you guys did an amazing job and i encourage anybody to order--a guaranteed hit for family members, friends, or even to play at a holiday party.

GREAT WORK PIXIE AND ZIRCS!

:-D

[The Joker]

Sooo, I ordered the empetre album. It's awesome, but I seem to like the snowman song best because it friggin sounds epic as hell. So, therefore, this album is epic as hell, & I loves it.

[Bahamut]

I got my two copies in the mail yesterday too, which made me happy (didn't check the mail until this morning). I gave a copy to a friend, who loved your version of Walking in the Air and envies your voice.

[Skullbullet]

I'm posting here very specifically to remind myself to buy this album.

BTW: My mom and I both love Origins. Truly magnificent. :)

[Jillian Aversa]

Glad you guys are enjoying the album! :D Feel free to leave a review on my CD Baby page, as it doesn't have any user comments yet: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jilliangoldin2

[Skullbullet]

Augh! It looks like I won't be able to buy it for this holiday season. Will it be available year-round? I'd like to have some of your music for future Christmas playlists. :D

[Jillian Aversa]

Yes indeed; it'll always be part of my catalogue. :>

[Raziellink]

I haven't got it yet.... :(

[Jillian Aversa]

I haven't got it yet.... :(
The Netherlands is a faraway place! I'm sure it'll get there soon... ^-^

[Clairval]

Well, I'm French and I got them yesterday. Don't desperate, everyone will check them in their mailbox before Christmas.

(Eventually I couldn't resist keeping these copies for myself, instead of giving them as gifts and order a couple more CDs later.)

[Kizyr]

Glad you guys are enjoying the album! :D Feel free to leave a review on my CD Baby page, as it doesn't have any user comments yet: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jilliangoldin2
I just got the album last week. Thanks so much for the card!

I'll leave a review a little later (already left one on your page--I'll leave a slightly shorter one there).

And for anyone who hasn't checked it out yet, it really is fantastic. KF

[Liontamer]

Jill's version of "Walking in the Air" definitely wins, but the accompanying video for this other version is just weird.

http://www.welcometointernet.org/lawnmower/

[Jillian Aversa]

Jill's version of "Walking in the Air" definitely wins, but the accompanying video for this other version is just weird.

http://www.welcometointernet.org/lawnmower/

Rofl - I have been entertaining the idea of making a music video for "Walking In the Air"... but I see no point now. This can't be topped.

[HitoriJaNai]

The video from above is crazy. Simply... crazy... and weird, too.

I recognized the song, and for anyone who wants to know, the song is the same title played by the Finnish band Nightwish. Its off one of their earlier albums, Oceanborn. :D

[zircon]

Haha, yeah, that video is amazing.

Christmas might be another 9 months away, but that's no reason to not pick up this album, especially since it's Jill's birthday!