I've only been back for a week after touring Europe with the always amazing VNV Nation (and the completely insane Straftanz). I haven't really even had time to recap how awesome it was to be on tour with those guys (<3) and how much we all loved the shows in the UK, Holland, Belgium and Greece! Now, I'm already preparing to leave for Germany again! I'll be flying back into Hamburg two weeks from today to embark on my next European adventure supporting The Cruxshadows! I've toured with them extensively in the U.S.A. in 2007/2008 so it seems fitting to make the journey together over the Atlantic this time. I'm very excited for this upcoming tour, and hope my European friends and fans can make it out to a gig to support and say hi to me! It isn't often that I get to Europe (before this year, we made it over in 2007 for a short tour with Angelspit and Ego Likeness) so come out and please share these tour dates with all of your friends! NOTE: if you saw us last month, our set length will be longer on this tour so we'll be playing more songs!

Tickets for German dates only: www.ticket69.de (check the local venues for other ticketing information)
The Cruxshadows Pages:
http://www.cruxshadows.com/frame.html
http://www.myspace.com/cruxshadows

The Cruxshadows & Ayria (Presented by Sonic Seducer & musix)
20 Nov 2009	Dresden, Germany	Strasse E
21 Nov 2009	Magdeburg, Germany	Factory
22 Nov 2009	Bremen, Germany	Tivoli
24 Nov 2009	Osnabrck, Germany	Lagerhalle
25 Nov 2009	Aschaffenburg, Germany	Colos Saal
27 Nov 2009	Sheffield, United Kingdom	Corporation
29 Nov 2009	Leeds, United Kingdom	The Cockpit
30 Nov 2009	York, United Kingdom	York Fibbers
1 Dec 2009	Sunderland, United Kingdom	Independent
2 Dec 2009	Liverpool, United Kingdom	Masque
3 Dec 2009	Manchester, United Kingdom	Moholive 1
4 Dec 2009	Birmingham, United Kingdom	Eddies Rock Club
5 Dec 2009	London, United Kingdom	O2 Academy Islington
8 Dec 2009	Nrnberg, Germany	Der Hirsch
11 Dec 2009	Rome, Italy	Black Out Club
12 Dec 2009	Florence, Italy	Siddhartha
15 Dec 2009	Zrich, Switzerland	Abart
18 Dec 2009	Saarbrcken, Germany	Festhalle Saarbrcken-Brebach
19 Dec 2009	Leipzig, Germany	Theaterfabrik
20 Dec 2009	Erfurt, Germany	Centrum
21 Dec 2009	Berlin, Germany	K17
22 Dec 2009	Hannover, Germany	MusikZentrum
23 Dec 2009	Hamburg, Germany	Logo
28 Dec 2009	Bruchsal, Germany	Fabrik Bruchsal
29 Dec 2009 (New Date!)	Dortmund, Germany	FZW
30 Dec 2009	Regensburg, Germany	Alte Mlzerei

(More dates to be added)

Memories: December 2008 with The Cruxshadows, Ayria & I:Scintilla in Atlanta, GA

[caption id="attachment_548" align="alignleft" width="435" caption="The Cruxshadows, Ayria, I:Scintilla in Atlanta, GA, December 2008"][/caption]

Hey guys!

I’m preparing for my trip over to Europe which is quickly approaching! We will be joining a leg of the Faith, Power and Glory tour with VNV Nation and Frozen Plasma and we are really excited to get to play Belgium, Netherlands, U.K. and Greece! Please come out to these shows EARLY and please spread the word about them!

- October 13, Hof Ter Lo, Antwerp, Belgium
- October 15, Metropool, Hengelo, Netherlands
- October 16, Effenaar, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- October 17, Academy, London, UK
- October 18, Corporation, Sheffield, UK
- October 20, Classic Grand, Glasgow, Scotland
- October 22, Eddie’s Rock Club, Birmingham, Middlands
- October 25, Gagarin, Athens, Greece

I’m just finalizing the set list today so let me know what requests you'd like to hear, but more importantly, let me know if we see any of you at these shows in October? ;)

One week left of work.. counting down the days!! ;)

So yeah, I'm officially back home from the 5 week long North American tour with the legendary VNV NATION! Best tour ever. For so many reasons. Seriously. I'm too exhausted for stories right now and I'm just getting over this ridiculous chest infection coughing thing that we all caught on the tour bus.. but I'm re-inspired to start new music, etc.


Next up...

Help needed at Dragon*Con:

Ayria will be performing at Dragon*Con this Labor Day weekend (September 4 - September 7, 2009) in Atlanta, GA.(yes, I'll be there for the entire weekend to have fun and meet people and no I don't yet know the night of Ayria's performance). Dragon*Con is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the US and I'm honoured and excited to get to be a part of this event. Plus, look at the list on the website of the actors and authors that will be there! It's going to be an insanely fun weekend.
Full Details are here: http://www.dragoncon.org/

I'm actually looking for helpers for DragonCon willing to do one or both of the following:
1. help at the merchandise booth (I'm looking for people that can do a shift(s) that fit their schedules - as little or as much time as you want to help for)
2. help promote Ayria's performance by passing out/dropping off flyers around the Con.

All helpers must have their own badges and already be attending the Con but everyone will be compensated, with loads of merch from me (including new items I'm getting made up), plus maybe it'd be a good idea to do a lunch or dinner with everyone that wants to hang out so I could show my appreciation? So,if you can help out in any way, shape or form, please email me directly: jennifer@ayria.com so I can coordinate this all.

Muchly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Jennifer
AYRIA

I'm backstage at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square NYC! This place is absolutely insane. We have our own fuschia pink dressing room. No joke. I'm a happy girl today and can't wait to play tonight :)

TOMORROW:
IN-STORE SIGNING EVENT! VNV Nation + Ayria + DJ Johanna Constantine!
From 5pm- 6pm

FREE! Come hang out, meet Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson of VNV Nation, meet Jennifer Parkin of Ayria and the band, and get things signed by both bands before they play at the TLA that night! DJ Johanna Constantine enhances the atmosphere. FREE!

Digital Ferret
732 S. 4th St (3 blocks south of South St.)
Philadelphia, PA
19147

VNN NATION - FAITH POWER AND GLORY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2009
With special guests WAR TAPES and AYRIA
Presented by Hot Topic


NOTE: I suggest you get your tickets ASAP! I've posted the times that the doors open for each show so I recommend you GET THERE EARLY!! If you don't, you will miss our set since these are all early shows!

Please help us spread the word about this tour to your friends and come out and say hi to us after the show as Mike, Jeff and I will be hanging out afterwards. It's going to be a great time and we are really looking forward to these shows with VNV Nation!

Much love & hope to see you soon! So... who's coming to what show?? Let me know ;)
Jennifer
AYRIA


06/27/09 Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:30 pm

06/29/09 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Center @ The Grand Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

06/30/09 Portland, OR @ Berbatis PanGet Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/01/09 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:30 pm

07/03/09 Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theatre Get Tickets HERE all ages

07/05/09 Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre Get Tickets HERE 16+. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/07/09 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 6:30 pm

07/08/09 St.Paul, MN @ Station 4 Get Tickets HERE 16+. Doors at 6:00 pm

07/10/09 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 6:00 pm

07/11/09 Detroit, MI @ St.Andrews Hall Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/12/09 Cleveland, OH @ Peabodys Down Under Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/14/09 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre Get Tickets  all ages. Doors at 8:00 pm

07/15/09 Montreal, QC @ Le National Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/17/09 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 6:30 pm

07/18/09 New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre Get Tickets HERE 16+. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/19/09 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre Of Living Arts Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/21/09 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/23/09 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 8:00 pm

07/24/09 Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:30 pm

07/25/09 Ft.Lauderdale, FL @Culture Room Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 8:00 pm

07/27/09 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:00 pm

07/28/09 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 8:00 pm

07/30/09 Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre Get Tickets HERE all ages. Doors at 7:30 pm

New Photo Shoot posted on MySpace! These photos were all taken by Alas Vera in Montreal while at the Kinetik Festival, May 16th, 2009. The Awesome dress is by Plastik Wrap http://www.plastikwrap.com/

CLICK FOR GALLERY

last minute show pimp: Ayria in London, Ontario tomorrow night at Pandemic Club!!! Spread the word and come out if you can!!

I've been working 11 hour work days this week. My vision is blurry. It will continue from Sunday to Wednesday.. I have no life at all. I can't even complete sentences... Drained.

I'm in a hotel in Montreal, just went for breakfast at my favourite place (Cora's). Tonight is the last day of the Kinetik Festival and it's been nothing short of amazing. I've met so many coolios people and seen some amazing performances this weekend. The venue rocks and this city rocks. Back home tomorrow to prepare for the Canadian tour:
http://www.ayria.com/2008touring/ayria-canada-tour-web.jpg


I announced this on stage when we played but now that I have a moment online, and it's been officially confirmed I can start spreading the word (and I'll ask that you feel free to do so too!) Ayria will be on the North American leg VNV Nation tour this July (all dates)! I'm obviously very excited for this opportunity and looking forward to getting out there again! I haven't had a chance to post the dates on myspace since I just got the itinerary, but here's a link to Ronan's post about the tour which includes all dates and ticket information:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=6066468&blogId=487715936

Much love, I hope to see a lot of you out there at the Canadian and U.S. dates?
<3
Jennifer

Ayria is officially confirmed to play Dragon*Con 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia this Labour Day Weekend (Sep 4 - 7)! That is all ;)

Hey! I'm so excited that it's May. My favourite month (go Taureans!) ;)

I wanted to send a message to tell you about the upcoming AYRIA Canadian spring tour dates! I'm going to finally see more of this big ol' beautiful country of mine. So, we're kicking off with Montreal's Kinetik festival in 2 weeks, there are also dates in Thunderbay, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary (all places in Canada I've never been before!!) and hopefully, were adding 2 more shows in Ontario too. Let me know if you are coming to any of them? Don't worry if these are too far from you, we'll be touring other countries later this year too ;) If you have friends near these cities, help me spread the word about these shows (the link to the flyer is: http://www.ayria.com/2008touring/ayria-canada-tour-web.jpg )


Thanks & Much love,
Jennifer

2 Live shows coming up in the next month:

- Live show in Toronto TONIGHT! Ayria plays the Dark Rave @ the Reverb (Queen & Bathurst) and hits the stage at midnight. This is an all ages event. The theme is Psycho Circus. 800+ people expected to attend this event so don't let your fear of clowns stop you from coming out. There's free cotton candy for eveyone plus a giant bouncy fun castle! Full details can be found here: http://www.djlazarus.com/ I'm actually super nervous because my mom and brother are coming and my family has NEVER seen Ayria live... eeek.




- Ayria Plays Montreal's Kinetik Festiva with bands like Icon of Coil, Project Pitchfork, Grendel, etc. Full details: http://www.festival-kinetik.net
Here's a video to promote this appearance (I know I'm a big nerd! ;)

Yeah. I got a twitter account. I wanted to try it out so follow me if you want: http://www.twitter.com/ayria I promise not to post every time I sneeze, change my socks, brush my teeth but you never know.. Sometimes those are the highlights of my day. So far I've posted about my wisdom teeth, and how I whacked my lip with my headphones last night. This is all very exciting stuff I tell you! ;)

So, I had my wisdom teeth out on Friday plus one filling done which was not fun. Still a bit sore and mostly just relaxing, watching t.v. and movies. I've been out of commission since Friday but it's been nice just doing nothing. I've started back on semi solid foods again despite loving my: Gingerale, ice cream and sherbert, apple sauce and yogurt diet. Anyways. I'm a big wuss and I hate going to the dentist but it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be.

In January, I finished an Ayria cover version of Depeche Mode's "In Your Room" from their CD "Songs of Faith and Devotion".

Ayria - Cover of Depeche Mode's "In Your Room" (mp3 Clip).

Order the Compilation, see more details about it and hear clips from all the bands involved here: http://www.depeche-mode-tribute.com

I wanted to cover this song for nostalgic reasons. I remember loving this CD when it came out it was my favourite track off the CD so I'd blast it while in my bedroom. I connected with the lyrics in my own way with my room being my favourite place in the universe to be. When I was in my early teens, Depeche Mode came in concert and it ended up being the first "gothy" concert I had been to. I didn't even know that Depeche Mode were "goth", but I remember being overwhelmed by how many girls in stripped tights were there and the experience of seeing Depeche Mode live and them performing that song was overwhelming and amazing. Anyways, the memories of that song and how it reminded me of my old room and how much time I spent there has inspired me to post pics and show a piece of my world. I still spend lots of time in my room. It's the space that I write in, record in, surround myself with the stuff that I love plus the rest of my crap:

NOTE: I'VE POSTED THESE PICS BEFORE BUT APPARENTLY POSTED ABOUT THE COMP PRE-MATURELY. HERE'S THE CONTEXT NOW, AND WHY I POSTED THESE PICS. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DUPLICATE PICS ;)

Here's my space where I write my songs (messy desk):



Here's me recording the Depeche Mode cover in that space:






Just for fun, here's my "Bling Shelf". Yep, I have a bling shelf in my room. It's important to surround yourself with things that make you happy ;)






This is a print that I bought. It called out to me and also makes me happy:




OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
AYRIA is featured on massive "Alfa Matrix re:covered - a tribute to Depeche Mode" 2CD "Alfa Matrix re:covered - a tribute to Depeche Mode" is the title of a brand new massive double CD DEPECHE MODE tribute compilation which will be released in May 2009. AYRIA covered the track "In Your Room" for this release !

As the title suggests already, the compilation unites the electronic sounds from the Alfa Matrix label artists with some of the best songs pop history has ever heard from one single band. All electronic music genres have their very own ambassadors on this double CD compilation. 32 tracks in total!

IMPORTANT: On top, the first online orders for this compilation will receive a FREE promo only 7-track EPCD featuring alternative versions. This EP is not available on the market! On top you get a free 18-track label compilation. 4CD's for just 20 Euro. Tracklist and ordering at http://www.depeche-mode-tribute.com

You can take this opportunity to get some more synth pop related releases together with this compilation at a reduced price. Check the options right
here: http://www.alfa-matrix.com/shop_comments.php?id=1668_0_8_0_C

I just posted my February playlist on my MySpace. It's only about 8 songs that have summed up my last month. I'm trying to do this monthly and I may add a few more songs.

http://www.myspace.com/kittenflug

Sorry I didn't actually answer some of the questions you guys asked me! I got caught up in family Christmas stuff but I found a different meme and just did it on New Year's day. This seems to be 2 different ones smooshed together to make up 100 questions. Kind of long and but I wanted to do it! :)

1. Was 2008 a good year for you?
Yes, It actually was! After 2007 being one of the worst years of my life, 2008 was a welcome change. The year started out kind of slow though. I went full time at my job here in Toronto in January, saved up some cash over the winter by working while Seb and I also finished production, Joe and I finished up the vocal recording and Amelia and I finished all the design of "Hearts For Bullets". 2008 started slow in comparison to 2007's touring attack with 53 shows that we played in the U.S.A., Poland, Germany and the UK. Basically, In 2008, I vowed to not book any shows (they take a lot of work to plan) until my CD "Hearts For Bullets" was finished so I could focus. Seb and I nailed it shut in May 2008. So, "The Gun Song" EP was released in March 2008 and the full CD on September 12th 2008. I don't really remember summer, for some reason. I guess I was busy searching for a keyboardist (Jeff! YAY!) and was prepping the release and merc for the upcoming Immortal tour USA leg where I was gone from September - Mid December.

( Read the other 99 questions with not as long of answers.... )

Part 2 from Destroy X on her graphic design process for "Hearts For Bullets". A very interesting read for those of you interested in design or Ayria :)

Just sharing a link to a blog from my close friend DestroyX (Angelspit) who was the mastermind behind the artwork for both of the 2008 Ayria releases: "The Gun Song" EP and "Hearts For Bullets" CD. It's really cool! She explains her artisitc process for creating the art work for "The Gun Song" EP based on some inspirational material provided by me, the overall image of Ayria, and of course,the music. I feel she was able to combine and capture all elements so perfectly through her art. I'm waiting for part two, where she deconstructs the elaborate design for the full CD "Hearts For Bullets".

Sorry for the purely promotional posts lately. I guees I'm in a bit of a weird mood since getting home. I'm trying to tie things up and get back into the work groove but it's not coming easy this week. Anyways, for anyone interested in spending some monies....

New Merchandise Update!! (Hoodies, Tank Tops,.. etc.)

Being back home from tour means that I've brought all the new merchandise back with me that was previously only available on the road! Now you can purchase Ayria 'Hearts For Bullets' Hoodies (Girlie pink designs and Regular silver and white), plus new tank tops, and the popular 'Gun Shooting' T-shirt design. All are available directly from my website (and make for great Christmas gifts!;). If you purchase 2 or more items from me, I'll send a big glossy signed 'Hearts For Bullets' poster too ;) (as always, I want to thank you guys. Those of you who purchase my music and merchandise help me by allowing me to continue doing music and tour!! xo).
SHOP NOW:http://www.ayria.com/ayriaclothing.html

 

After 3 long months through the entire U.S.A. with the Cruxshadows and I:Scintilla, I arrived back back home last Thursday night and then finally went to sleep. I don't remember much of Friday, then I went out on Saturday to Queen Street and also braved the mall just to get out. I bought myself a post tour/Christmas gift which was an iPone and I absolutely love it! It puts my 3 year old crappy (pink) Samsung to shame ;) Being back for 3 days still hasn't been enough time to mentally and physically prepare myself for my first day back to work today but I somehow managed to get through. I thank the coffee. As for the tour, pics are starting to surface. I didn't actually have a camera so I rely on everyone else sending them to me, and they are being big slackers about doing so ;) I haven't done a full city by city recap but the last 3 weeks of tour got really fun actually, so much so that I didn't want to leave Florida or the Cruxshadows after our big group farewell dinner in Tallahassee last week. It was so bitter sweet to end the tour. Favourite cities from the last month of tour included: Cincinatti, NYC, Charlottesville, Raleigh, all of Florida and the big winner: ATLANTA!! Where did all you people come from! Huge crowd. There were other really fun cities in there of course but these ones are sticking in my head right now.

For pics, there's a newly created Ayria group on FLICKR that's starting to grow quite rapidly with pics if you want to check out or add pics it would be muchly appreciated:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/ayria


Lastly, one other "news" thing I wanted to mention on here about a problem with the "Hearts For Bullets" CD on iTunes for those of you who like to purchase music digitally:

Unfortunately, for reasons I'm not totally clear on, there has been a problem with the encoding of the recently released Ayria album "Hearts For Bullets" specifically on iTunes for digital download. This was brought to my attention recently by fans attempting to purchase the CD through iTunes. The first 5 tracks are pretty much all static both in the preview of the songs and when you purchase the songs or full CD (obviously not how they should sound!). I'm really sorry for this guys! It's a problem out of my control at the moment BUT, my label Alfa Matrix has contacted and are working with iTunes to resolve this issue to get the songs fixed. Unfortunately, the turn around time isn't that quick for things like this so it could be another week or so. I appreciate everyone contacting me and my label about this, and again, I apologize if you've had issues trying to get a refund from iTunes. You can contact my label at info@alfa-matrix.com for further general questions or issues.

Thanks again for everyone's continued support of me and my music and for purchasing my music legally so that I can continue doing what I love. Making the music.
Much love,
Jennifer
AYRIA