arjuna greist
odd numbers
© 2003 Arjuna Greist (653496106925)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
SPECIAL: 20% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!
Love, sex, loss, the joys of the open road, addiction, the internet, liberation from the status quo, people over profit, creation over destruction, feminist ecoporn, homophopia challenged with the power of the word, spoken & sung.
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odd numbers is a collection of songs and spoken word manifestas focusing on feminism, queer pride, religion, body issues, politics, love, loss, ethically slutty travel, environmentalism, and your mom. arjuna's guitar & vocals provide the core of the album's sound, while guest artists (Chris Pureka, Marty Helly, Gail Hegeman, Ellen Greist, Dana Astmann, Anna Levitt) mix things up on a few tracks with bass, drums, cello, violin, harmony vocals, and organ.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll discover a whole new reason to recycle.
*upcoming shows*
May 28 2008 6:30P
Evolution Cafe Florence, Massachusetts
Fundraiser for New England Trans Pride
Jul 27 2008 9:00P
The Elevens Northampton, Massachusetts
With Hey There Cowboy & others
Indiegrrl Tour in planning stages... give a shout-out if you'd like to help with a show!
Aug 15 2008 8:00P
TBA Northampton, Massachusetts
Aug 16 2008 8:00P
TBA New Haven, Connecticut
Aug 17 2008 8:00P
TBA New York, New York
Aug 18 2008 8:00P
TBA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug 19 2008 8:00P
TBA Baltimore, Maryland
Aug 20 2008 8:00P
TBA Washington, Washington DC
Aug 21 2008 8:00P
Indiegrrl Conference at the Spencer Penn Center Spencer, Virginia
Aug 22 2008 8:00P
Indiegrrl Conference at the Spencer Penn Center Spencer, Virginia
Aug 23 2008 8:00P
Indiegrrl Conference at the Spencer Penn Center Spencer, Virginia
see http://www.myspace.com/arjunagreist
for updates.
join the mailing list by sending a request to somechicksings@yahoo.com
*Biography*
In her acceptance speech for the 2004 Just Plain Folks International Songwriting Award in the spoken word category, arjuna enthused, "I am so honored, and so joyous... the fact that my queer-happy, anti-establishment, freakazoid, punk-ass manifesta passed the muster of my peers to win an award lets me know, in an official way, that messages of peace, and change, and hope, and non-violent revolution are both wanted and needed in this world... we just need to keep getting louder."
A performer since before she can remember, arjuna spent her formative years singing in choirs and at open mics before graduating to professional gigs during college. In 2000, arjuna answered fan demand for an album with a six song demo CD, "some chick sings," which she supported with her first nationwide tour in 2001. She continued to expand her performance horizons, singing solo as well as sharing the stage with such lovely folk as Pamela Means, Edie Carey, Trina Hamlin, and Adrianne. arjuna has been getting louder every year, criss-crossing the continent to bring her deeply personal music and poetry to appreciative audiences at women's festivals, pride events, colleges, coffee houses, and living rooms from Southern California to Toronto.
arjuna moved to the Northampton, MA area in mid January, 2002. Since then, she has played at area performance spaces such as The Elevens, The Ironhorse, The A.P.E. Gallery, and Diva's Nightclub in Northampton, P.A.C.E. and Flywheel in Easthampton, The Open Square in Holyoke, The Java Hut in Worchester, and Earthdance in Cummington. She has been a featured performer at area college events, including various benefits, Queerfest 2003, concerts at Mt. Holyoke, and rallies for National Coming Out Day. arjuna has appeared regularly at feminist poetry happening Sisiter Spit Northampton, and one of her songs was chosen for a compilation CD of the 2002 Northampton Music Festival.
The collection of folks she has shared the stage with has been growing happily, and now includes Ember Swift, Lyndell Montgomery, Erin Smith Band, Meg Hutchinson, James O'Brien, Chris Pureka, Laura Love, Aisha Ayers, God-des, Tribe 8, Shelly Doty, CommonbonD, Juha, Ferron, Alix Olson, and Michelle Tea. arjuna joined forces in 2002 with gooselove, Lenelle Moise, and Chris O'Carroll to form The People's Poetry Theater, a spoken-word troupe presenting what is best described as "the Vagina Monologues of social justice poetry." They can be found performing in theaters, presenting programs in schools, and sharing the stage with poetic luminaries such as Saul Williams. The Springfield Journal featured arjuna as their cover story in October of 2002, citing her as "one of the up-and-coming politically charged folk musicians in the valley."
arjuna is a performing member of indiegrrl, Outmusic, Just Plain Folks, and People's Music Network, Songs of Freedom and Struggle.
'odd numbers,' arjuna's 2003 release, has garnered accolades from fans and media alike, as well as airplay on college, community, AAA and internet radio in the U.S. and abroad. arjuna plans to increase the volume with several tours in 2007 and into the new year, as well as another full-length album to be released in late 2008.
some recent show highlights included:
3/26/05 8pm gooselove's book/cd release party
APE Space & Gallery 3rd floor Thornes northampton, ma
4/2/05 CLPP Reproductive Rights Conference Amherst, MA
4/8/05 Trenton Q-Nite, the queer coffeehouse.
5/11/05 Night Owl Records, with Aerin Tedesco, Andrea Bunch
6/9/05 Apollo Grill, Easthampton MA
6/11/05 Beatles Tribute at PACE, Easthapton MA
8/6/05 The Elevens, Northampton with Lenelle Moise, Addie Brownlee and Athena Reich
8/7/05 Live on the Valley Free Radio first broadcast
9/25/05 Peace Rally, Amherst MA
11/1/05 northampton, ma - Bishop's Lounge on Pearl St.
GRRRLS ROCK THE NORTHWEST 2005 TOUR
fri & sat, nov 11-12 olympia wa - The Manium
sun-tues, nov 13-15 eugene/portland
wed, nov 16 tacoma, wa
fri, nov 17 bellingham, wa
thurs nov 18 seattle, wa - Seattle Center, Center Stage
Saturday Nov 19th vancouver, bc
the butchershop, 195 East 26th
2/27/06
Smith College with Chris Pureka & Alix Olson
4/22 2006
Voices from A People's History
7/27 2006
1794 Meeting House, New Salem, MA Indiegrrl Showcase
3.17.07 Echo Lake Coffee House Leverett, MA
opening for Jamie Anderson
4.28.07 Echo Lake Coffee House
co-bill with the amazing Lenelle Moise
7.19.07 1794 Meeting House, Salem MA, Indiegrrl Showcase
8.25.07 Bishop's Lounge, Northampton MA
9.2.07 UUSNF, Northampton MA
9.15.07 Capitol District Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Albany NY- Progressions Concert Series
11.3.07 Boston Architechtural College
3.1.08 PACE
3.8.08 Simon's Rock College
4.11.08 Queernivale at Boston University
for booking, please contact somechicksings@yahoo.com
thank you!
reviews
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odd number soundtrack
author: liseOdd Numbers Soundtrack
author: Cindy SteinthorsonI stumbled across Arjuna on Myspace and her poetry and music has been a staple in my life ever since...I recently did a lot of traveling by car and Odd Numbers was my summer soundtrack....every time I thought that I couldn't drive not another mile, I would listen to Freebird and it gave me the energy to persevere...Arjuna is an amazing talent that leaves me longing for more...
touching & thought-provoking
author: Amethyste Rahi really enjoyed this CD! listening to it is even better when reading along with the lyrics, which are wonderful poetry and fired-up activism-inspiring rants. thanks for being so confident and for sharing the energy, Arjuna. i can't wait to see you perform in person! ARah
Totally inspring!
author: Cassendre Xavier, CD Baby ArtistThis is totally passionate and inspiring feminist poetry and woman-loving music that *doesn't* make me think, Oh, I liked this the first time when Alix Olson or Ani DiFranco did it. I can't wait to read her books, too!
enticing folksiness, powerful voice
author: Squidbag RadioWhile I was in Madison, Wisconsin, for the Turkey Day weekend, I chanced to see Arjuna Greist in performance at A Room of One's Own feminist cafe and bookstore. This was the second time I have had the good fortune to see her perform, though I must confess I have worn out her album between those two times. Odd Numbers is a record that draws you in, through the enticing folksiness of the music, and then keeps you there with Arjuna's sweet and powerful voice and the strength of what she has to say. Her show at Room was better than the album, mostly because of its inclusive nature. Arjuna doesn't just play at an audience, she plays to it, and with it, and is kind of among the people who are enjoying the show. Indeed, Arjuna gives the distinct impression that she is very much enjoying herself, and the overall effect of her in concert is uplifting and somewhat spiritual - even if you have no spirit and are determined not to be uplifted. This is never more powerful than on Arj's spoken word pieces, when she seems to be talking directly to you, exposing herself to you and forcing you to look at yourself reflected in the mirror of her words. Arjuna has recently won the Just Plain Folks Spoken Word Award for her piece, "normal is..." So listen up - go get as many copies of her album as you can, support her, and go hear Arjuna Greist!
Enjoyed it
author: JasraShe's got a lovely voice and an interesting style. I don't agree with all of her politics, but she does seem to get her point across very well. I'd probably buy more music by her.
Sooooo Talented!!!!!!!!!!
author: PamI had a taste of this cd when I heard normal is, and I was sold, I knew I needed to hear some more. I'm thrilled with the cd, Arjuna is such a talented woman, with thought provoking lyrics, and the voice to go with it. This cd is full of versatility, unique styles, and impacting words, which exemplifies her talent so well. I can't wait for another cd, I will definately buy it. I'd love to see her in concert! Come to NH!!!!
WOW!!!!
author: Margaret KisnerThis cd is incredible! I'm so very impressed. Arjuna Greist is fearless with her lyrics as well as honest. I love her upfront style and there's nothing more beautiful than a girl and her guitar! I love this cd, I am soo happy I bought it!
"Bluntly honest and real, Greist is worth getting to know".
author: Jennifer Layton, indie-music.comArjuna Greist has a voice like the sea sirens, pulling you in with its sweetness and pure angelic tones. But there’s a sharp mind and wicked smile behind that voice. Once you’ve succumbed, she hits you with strong opinions and brutal scenes and other truths as she sees them, and if that voice is too irresistible for you to pull away, you’d better strap on your helmet and protective padding and brace yourself.
Arjuna Greist has distinguished herself
author: Windy City Times- Chicago, IL 8/20/03Cut from the same Ani DiFranco cloth as many other young, female singer/songwriter/spoken word performers, Arjuna Greist has distinguished herself by employing a sense of humor on her album Odd Numbers (Apple Fall). Tracks such as “Free Bird” (the best musical response to audience requests for “Free Bird” since Aimee Mann and her band broke into “Sweet Home Alabama”), “Talkin’ Anniversary Blues,” and “Suck & Blow.” There are also plenty of serious moments, including “Mariana,” which makes reference to Rose Polenzani’s “Olga’s Birthday” and the Matthew Shepard tribute “Song For Matthew.”
Blew me away
author: LouSaw Arjuna live and bought the CD on the spot. So many highlights, Bad Little Soldier, Suck and Blow and Talkin' Anniversary Blues are my favorites. See her live if you can.
better read loudly
author: Manou Joassaintthis is a CD for cross-country road trips, for calm coffee shop silence and reflection, for spoken word compilations, for attentive and gentle ears, for vehement debates over the dinner table, for shocked laughter, for the politically-minded who need the right music to keep them mobilized, for miscellaneous mixtapes for a significant other--- just keep it in your stereo. Odd Numbers is raw. Greist's words are on fire, and you can't help but listen. I'm not a folk music person, but the few 'folkish' music CDs that I own (Melissa Ferrick & Ani DiFranco, and now Arjuna Greist's: "Odd Numbers"), I keep in circulation and treasure, especially for its lyrical content. The lyrics of Odd Numbers must be listened to. "Song for Matthew" is my favorite track (it's chilling) I've listened to it on repeat since I got it. "but underneath the subtext, we're all just feeling hungry looking for a greasy frame of mind that's never closed." - 'emoticon', track #12: Odd Numbers, arjuna griest
Amazing, just amazing
author: Laurie ChristofanoI absolutely love this cd! Arjuna is incredibly talented, and she has a great way of conveying her message to the listening audience. I definitely recommend this cd.
Arjuna is awesome!!!!
author: Emily MArjuna rocks. the cd is smart, witty, honest, and pretty. i love it.
What an AWESOME album!!!
author: JoeWell, i first knew of Arjuna from her posts on the Dar-list, and when she mentioned that she had recorded an album and it was available at CD Baby, well i bought it to hear what she sounded like, and WOW! i am SO glad it did, the album is amazing! The songs are really well written and thought provoking, and Arjuna has a wonderful, beautiful voice, both when she is singing, and talking on the album. A couple of songs kinda remind me of Ani Difranco, a couple remind me of Dar Williams, one of them reminds me of Jewel. Now just try to imagine someone with the combined talents of all three, plus unique talents of her own!!! Now BUY THIS ALBUM!!! You won't regret it! My only regret is living here in the UK, i will probably never get to see Arjuna perform live, but at least i have this album!
Just listen to the clips!
author: Jesse BaykerI never met or heard Arjuna until she did a show in Salt Lake City a month ago and I got her CD. Since then I have been listening to it a LOT and, I tell you, it is amazing! Arjuna has a way with words and a sharp sense of humor, not to mention her great voice. "Song for Matthew" really touched me, in it Arjuna sings "but I'm not blessed with sight divine/the only story I really know is mine/and each word is a small step in my journey to be free". I think these words are a perfect description of her work. The subjects of her songs - from love to oppression to recycling - are not new to her listeners, the world she sings about is the one WE all live in, yet she tells her story in a very unique way, bringing something quite personal into her work, freeing herself and others along the way. Listen to the clips and you'll see why it's a CD worth getting.