Diana Rein's Blog

Diana Rein and Bonnie Raitt!

2008-07-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! The Taste show was a freakin' blast!! I had such a great band and the sound was amazing. The weather was unbelievably beautiful and the crowd was enthusiastic and totally present......I couldn't have asked for a more memorable show!!
Afterwards, I heard a few comments from people that I reminded them of Bonnie Raitt which is a huge compliment. I have adored her ever since I was in high school. I would always listen to her and sing her tunes. Now I guess you could say that my sound is a bit of mix between Bonnie Raitt and Jack Johnson.
My family and friends all mentioned that they could hear passers by and their great comments upon hearing my music. I intentionally didn't play any covers at my show at The Taste. I have so many songs that I have written that I coudln't wait to expose in this awesome setting with my awesome band that I just wanted to keep it focused on originals. I am happy that I did!! Even though people may not have known all of my tunes, they were still getting into it and enjoying it which tells me a great deal about the fact that my music actually touches people. It was really cool for me to experience this.
Afterwards, I found out that Bonnie Raitt was playing the main stage at The Taste that night!! I was sooooo excited! I had to pinch myself!! We were able to get into the seating area in the 7th row! Can you believe it????! It was such an awesome night, other than my birthday present this year which was fifth row center at Alpine Valley to see Jack Johnson. That show was just unreal, the amount of people that were there. It is such a great arena to play I bet. Anyway, Bonnie kicked some serious butt. The amount of soul in that woman is so palpable and what a guitar player! She is such a major inspiration. I am very happy that I was able to hear her and see her play live!!!
That is about all for now. I am looking forward to writing some new material and getting some video of the show at The Taste up on the site as well. Hope everyone is having a great summer!!! ~Diana

Taste of Chicago and the Shift........

2008-06-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Hi! The Taste of Chicago show is coming up so soon!! I am really looking forward to it! Being outside in the sun and playing my acoustic guitar and having a band back me up too. The date will be Saturday,July 5th at 1:30pm. The stage will be on Columbus North Of Balboa. I haven't kept up my blog here so much because I have started a blog on NirvanaIsland.com. ]

It might seem completely unrelated but it has actually been my salvation. I am not going to lie, I have needed to take a step back, I got pretty burned out. My music was suffering, I was not having fun and I was not finding enough time to create. I started doing yoga daily and things are beginning to fall into place. My creative vision has become more focused and the whole grandeur of the Industry has lost its appeal. I have had to ask myself: "who do I play music for?" I play it and create it in order to soothe my soul. I would also like for my music to spread positivity, love, gratitude and good vibes! So taking this step back is helping me to form my new round of material. I don't know if I will record it, or if I do, it will be really basic, maybe I will just do it on my own, without any fancy equipment or studios and just have it find it's way to my fans. Finding it's way=Free because I want it to be!
That will make me the happiest. I am sick and tired of people telling me that if I don't put a price on my music that nobody will respect it. You know what? In this day and age, people get their music for free anyway and I would rather let you have it than be buried under mounds of cd's sitting in my house just waiting to be coasters!

I can acknowledge now that I was doing my music all for the wrong reasons. In doing yoga, a shift occured that changed my whole way of being. It wasn't an accident, it was in the making for so many years and I finally saw how it was all connected and how it all made sense to me. In any case, I would rather you hear my songs as they sound when I write them, as they sound when I am playing them in my room, when I am alone. I don't need all of the bells and whistles. That is not important when sending out a message. If you can understand my music in its simplest form, then I have done right with the Universe. Then maybe if I feel like it, I will get some songs together and add some instruments and record live, really basic. I am also going to simplify my website as well. I just want to break down all of the smoke and mirrors and let it be. I had all of these perceptions of what I was supposed to be, how I was supposed to sound, how I was supposed to dress and it's all a bunch of horse sh*t. This pretense goes completely against everything that I am.

Who am I you may ask? I am just a person, who has a creative outlet and who wants to share it once in awhile. Who needs time to nurture the art and not get weighed down by rules and the "industry". I am modest, humble, am super grateful for everything that I have and do not have. I have many interests such as writing, photography, singing, playing guitar, piano, acting, health, wellness, reading a ton, yoga, helping animals, being with family, friends, my darling pets, sharing goodness, love and enjoying life.

I have been playing the game for too long under someone else's rules. It's time for me to do things the way "I" think is best. I am grateful for my shift and all of the truth that it will continue to offer me.
I will probably keep this blog up for awhile. I think it can help others as well, or at least I hope that it does. The new website will probably take some time to build even if it is going to be basic, so bear with me. Nothing comes easy and I don't ask it to either. Everything is the way it should be.......now and always.
Peace and love,
Diana

Check out my new blog! Nirvana Island.....

2008-05-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I just started working on a new blog about Inspiration and all that is great, which is one of my passions. Passing on good information to you and good news that will lift you up. Everyday, other than weekends, I will be including a daily inspirational photo, a daily quote, a daily meditation, dailys musings and universe happenings and my own personal yoga journal! Have fun reading it everyday and allowing it to relax you! The link is http://www.nirvanaisland.com
See you on Nirvana Island!!

Diana

Seashells, Sand, All Inside

2008-04-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

I went to the beach yesterday.....the first time this year! I was wearing a coat and a scarf and boots.....but once I got there I took my coat off and pretended that it was 80 degrees.
The day before, I bought this awesome countertop clay vase...the thing is huge! I filled it with sand pebbles, seashells and polished rocks and candles. It's like a little beach oasis indoors! Coupled with the sound of water splashing from my little homedics fountain and I am a happy girl! If I have grass, a body of water, some sand, I am the happiest girl alive. Going to the Lake yesterday was the best therapy for me. The fact that I can have my window open today is the best gift in the world too. I know I sound like a cheese ball, but I am so appreciative of the time that the Green comes around in Chicago since we live for so many months in the cold. Some people really appreciate the winter, it makes them feel alive. I feel most alive when I can smell Spring in the air, when I can take long walks with my dog and I can see her smiling face as she prances next to me, when the breeze is blowing my hair in my face and it's warmth wraps itself around me. I am in a beach state of mind always. That makes me happiest.
I have some exciting shows coming up! My friend Aaron Weistrop is going to be joining me at Lucille's this Saturday night. I am also still doing my weekly gigs at Suite Lounge and Cortland Garage. Recording is still in the works for next month, I am working on pre-production right now. This weather is definitely inspiring me!
My mind is all over the place right now.....maybe I should straighten out my messy desk area to get my thoughts in order too. It really works!
See you soon!
Diana

What would it be like?

2008-03-04T14:50:00.001-08:00

6am alarm
the sun
flirty, transparent curtains billow
the breeze brings in ocean air

caffeine? no, oxygen. pure.
eyes half open, sand under toes,
stretch to the blue blue sky and
twirl in circles through the warmth.

gym? no. nature.
run through the water.
swim through the sand.
swing on the trees.

tv? no. space.
space to not think.
space to be.
space to create.

internet? no. time.
time to read.
time to understand.
time to live.

money? no. happiness.
happiness in smiles.
happiness in stillness.
happiness in unity...love.

simple. things. in. life. freedom.

Downtime/Sleep/Shows

2008-03-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

I have become a night owl. Getting to bed at 3/4am. Crazy. It's so hard to wind down after shows. I am so "on" when I am singing and playing for 2-3 hours at a time, how can I possibly shut down? Not a robot. I have been reading the book A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle to try to get my mind to slow down a bit which had been helping.

My weekly shows have been awesome. I performed for a benefit presented by Artists for Harmony to raise money for Chicago Public Schools last Friday. The turnout was amazing. I shared the stage with the bands: Danger is My Middle Name, State and Madison and the Urbanites and Lukas From Lift Point. All acoustic, we had a great time. Suite Lounge was completely packed, we had to turn people away because we were at capacity!

Other than that, I have been gathering material to start recording songs...in a new way....more on that later, can't divulge my plans yet! But it'll be fun, exciting and always fresh AND intimate. Internet Intimate. Just takes a lot of work to get all of the pieces of the puzzle in order. Being an Independent Musician Rocks!!! So thankful that I have this forum to bring my music directly to you.

Peace,
Diana

Diana Rein in Red Eye 2/21/08

2008-02-21T10:34:00.001-08:00

The Red Eye has written an article about me in their issue for 2/21/08. It's really awesome and I wanted to share it with you! You can either go to the link below that will take you to their site or click on the pic below to see it in a new window.
http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-chitunes-dianarein,0,793309.htmlstory
Otherwise, things have been going really well. I just got back from Nashville where I did a songwriter night for Livin' the Music. Had a great time participating in that event and look forward to contributing to that more this year. I am really enjoying my weekly gigs at Suite Lounge and Cortland Garage too, it has been hard with the weather to carry all of my gear, but it's totally worth it!!!
Talk to you soon!
Diana

Fitzgerald's Show Feb. 15th Diana Rein Opening For Anthony Gomes MUST SEE!!

2008-01-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Fans,
I have a REALLY important show coming up at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn and I need to get you there! I will be opening for Anthony Gomes , who if you haven't seen before, you will be blown away with his songs, his guitar skills and his wonderful band (The New Soul Cowboys).
This is going to be a night to remember! I promise! Here is the info that was on the Fitzgerald's website:

Go to my Shows Page for more info, or to the Fitzgerald's website at:
http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/listings.html
[where:60402]

Nashville Road Trip.....one of many to come!

2008-01-14T12:08:00.000-08:00

In Your Business Interview Posted!

2008-01-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
I wanted to let you know that the host of In Your Business, Tim Scales, kindly gave me the permission to post the interview and live songs that I did on his show In Your Business. So now I can share them with you! This was filmed at Indiana University East on my performance day there in August 2007. In the player that I have embedded below, you will find a two part interview and then three of my songs, so five videos all together!
I hope you enjoy them!
As for other news, I will be going to Nashville this week. I am looking forward to meeting some great people and enjoying the music scene there. I'll be back on Thursday for my first show of many at Cortland Garage every Thursday night at 8pm. I will also be starting an acoustic show every Wednesday night at Suite Lounge starting on January 30th!!
2008 is starting off with a bang!! Enjoy the vids!!

New Look, New Year

2008-01-02T10:03:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone!!
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and fun time welcoming the New Year! The website has a new look now as well. A frame was added at the top with all of the places where you can find me and connect with me on the Web. It's pretty cool, like a one-stop shop! We are also working on building my fanclub page and Reinmakers Street Team page next. I get impatient sometimes and want things done right away, but it's going to take time and it's going to be well worth it!
The Holidays were fun, I ate a lot, a lot, a lot!!! But New Year's ended the food celebration and I was back to boring, I mean healthy eating on the 1st. ha! I have the biggest sweet tooth so it takes extra discipline to not go to the cookies!
I am featured in Campus Activities Magazine for the months of January/February for Hot Music to watch out for in '08!! That was really cool when I found out that I was chosen!! I will post up the article below. It will also be online on the Campus Activities Magazine Website.
I have a really cool gig starting January 10th and going on every Thursday after that from 8-11pm at Cortland Garage here in Chicago. It's going to be an acoustic gig. Hope to see you there. I will be playing originals and cover tunes, including some of my youtube covers :-)
This is going to be a great year! I am putting on my seatbelt now because I know it's going to be a fun and fast ride!!

New Video On Youtube

2007-12-12T15:04:00.000-08:00

Hi there~
Just really quick....I posted a new video up on youtube...actually two new videos and here is one of them!! This one is really special because my cat makes an appearance, just wait until the end to hear her little voice!!

Patrick Swayze.....in the neighborhood!

2007-12-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

So, I was out and about yesterday and I came upon some serious looking film trucks and equipment. It's been awhile since I have witnessed some film activity in Chicago, so I stuck around to see if I could spot anyone that was famous. There were all of these men with ear muffs on, I knew they had to be from around the West Coast because it looked a little too cold for their liking. Then one of the men stood up and it was Swayze! Good 'ol Patrick Swayze. I REALLY had the urge to start singing "Now I, had the time of my life..." and I did start BUT my fiancé's eyes grew huge with embarrassment so I decided to spare him and everyone else. Wouldn't that have been fun though? Just get all FAME on everyone in the street and start dancing "the dance" with the Swayze. ha! My mind goes in weird places sometimes. Anyhow, I did a little research on the net and I guess they are filming a TV show called The Beast for A&E and his character is an FBI Agent named Charles Barker. Travis Fimmel plays his trainee and he is known for being in ABC's Tarzan as......Tarzan! I am really happy that they are bringing some filming action to Chicago again! About time! If you live in Chicago, you never know when the Swayze will be around the corner, so have your dancing shoes at the ready! God that would have been great! :-)
[where: 60622]

Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

2007-12-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to hear me on Chicago Acoustic Underground. A well respected Chicago Podcast that is heard in over 28 countries in the world and gets 70,000 hits a month! It was a great experience!

Diana Rein at Joe's Bar This Saturday!

2007-11-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!
Have you ever been to Joe's Bar in Chicago?! First off, they always have great National Music Acts that come through there, they have awesome food and beverages in the front area, they always host sports events and have big screens everywhere you look AND I, Diana Rein, will be performing there this Saturday December 1st with my full band!! We will be opening for Infinity, they are a Journey Tribute band.

This will be my last full band show for 2007 so don't miss the fun! I am excited to play some new originals for this show!! See you there! Show starts at 10pm.
I have included a link to Google Maps for your convenience. :-)
http://maps.google.com/
maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=
&q=Joe's+Bar&near=Chicago,+IL&ie=UTF8&z=
11&iwloc=A&om=1

Street Team Supreme

2007-11-21T21:48:00.001-08:00

Alright, I am feeling very candid right now and I am not ashamed to say "I need your help!" I am going to be working on adding a Street Team section to my site. I'll set up missions and goals and hopefully get street team representatives from different States to help and spread the word. I sent out an email to people on my immediate newsletter list (if you are not on that list click here to get on that list! )
Anyway, I am asking people to email me with ideas for what the Street Team's name should be. The person with the best name will win a prize! A cool prize!
I am also on purevolume.com now. A friend told me about it and then I started noticing other artists that I know who are on it, so I thought what the heck? Could be another good way to get out there! Here is the link for that site: Pure Volume
All I know is that I am not going to stop until I am heard and I want everyone to know that if I get help from you, I will never forget it and I will take care of all my devoted fans! I have a memory like an elephant! Ask my fiancé, I remember EVERYTHING!!! haha!!
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!
OH! Ps. If anyone is interested in keeping and updating a myspace street team page for me just email me and let me know and we can talk more about that!!
D

Zip your fly!!

2007-11-18T20:58:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
I was in Portage, IN on Friday at an awesome coffee house called Higher Grounds Cafe. I did an acoustic show there and I had a blast! The owners are absolutely the best and the food is great. I had the California Turkey on Focaccia bread and that was seriously the best sandwich that I have ever had!!
I want to thank everyone that came out and made it a night to remember. I was a little embarrassed when after I had finished my first set I was politely told that my fly was open! ahhhh!! It was like that for the whole set! Luckily my guitar is big enough to cover me up for the most part!
I am looking forward to being back in Portage, but next time I will be careful about my zippers!
It's Sunday night and I had rehearsal tonight with my band for our June 1st show at Joe's. It's going to be a blast and I am really looking forward to it. Hope to see you out!
Pretty soon, the show that I did for Chicago Acoustic Underground will be available online. I will write with info as soon as I find out that it's live! Till next time, keep checking my youtube channel because I update with new videos often. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel while you are there! www.youtube.com/dstar781

Rein in Spain!

2007-11-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!
I just got back from a trip to Europe, it was so beautiful! My first stop was London for an overnight stay before taking the first flight in the morning to Barcelona, Spain!
I had a great time walking along Las Ramblas everyday. The gelato was amazing, the sights were unbelievable, the hotels were so sleek and modern. I walked/was on my feet for 10-12 hours a day. You can pretty much walk to most places in Barcelona if you like to walk. The weather was holding in the 60's during my stay so it made for really nice walking weather. I was really impressed with the churches, buildings and the advanced thinking that architects had hundreds of years back. I also had the opportunity to visit the Picasso museum and to see a large collection of his work. Very inspiring!
The last hotel that I stayed at had a beautiful aquarium in the lobby with huge gold fish. I made good friends with one of them. Everytime I would go by the aquarium to give it a kiss, it would rush towards me and bounce it's little nose on the glass in an attempt to kiss me too. It melted my heart right away! It made it that much harder to leave!!
Before coming back to the States, I stopped in London for three days. Stayed in the Holborn area, rode the tube, checked out Buckingham Palace after riding on the London Eye, walked around Oxford Street and I got inspired to get a new haircut! Fringe is all the rage in London and I suppose it was my way of taking Europe back to America with me since I had such a great time.
The toughest thing about being away for so long was missing my cat and dog. Zoe and Zuzu were being taken care of while I was away by my folks but it was so difficult not to have them be around me for that long! I am super attached to them.
But I am back home now!! Had to get a new video camera because the old one is malfunctioning. Needless to say, more Youtube videos will be going up soon!
I also just did at a show at The Store this past weekend and it was a blast! Thanks to everyone for coming out for that.

I do NOT belong to a record label...should I be :-) or :-(

2007-10-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone~
Since posting some videos up yesterday on YouTube, I am currently in the #11 spot of most viewed musician videos!! So exciting!! I just wanted to clarify something since it has been mentioned a few times on my video comments. I do NOT have a recording contract with a Record Label. I am through and through an Independent Artist. I released an album this year that my friend Ted Wulfers and I recorded in my house!!! I like to call it The Cave!! I also started my own label called Rude Mood Records to sound more official. But it's just me, myself and I from the time that I wake up to the time that I go to sleep (around 2am lately), trying to get more shows, get the word about my music. I don't have the assistance of a multi-million dollar label to distribute my music, so I am trying to do it day by day on my own and I am having a blast doing it!!!
I love YouTube! When I was little, I used to use my family video camera to tape myself singing and acting and just being silly! I feel like a kid again being able to record videos for YouTube!! Thank you to everyone who has watched my videos and who has left me such wonderful comments!! I look forward to doing more soon!
Till next time,
Diana

YouTube Mania!!

2007-10-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks~
I have joined the ranks of youtube, not only with my own original songs, but also with my take on some cover songs....including cover songs that you would never think of for acoustic guitar like "Stronger" by Kanye West. For Reals!!!
Let's just put it this way... I LOVE MUSIC!!! Whether it's hip-hop, pop, rock, blues, if I like it, I am all about making it my own and trying it out on the guitar.
If you would like to view the bunch of videos that I posted yesterday and today (fyi...I recorded them all yesterday and today) you can view them at :
Diana's YOUTUBE PAGE http://www.youtube.com/dstar781
I am so excited by the additions! It's so fun to sing untraditional acoustic covers!!
I will most likely be playing some of these at gigs as well....requests are welcome!!!
All the best,
Diana

Chicago Acoustic Underground Tonight!

2007-10-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone~
I had such a fun experience tonight!! I just did a podcast called Chicago Acoustic Underground with Michael Teach! We just had fun and talked about the album, life, stealing candy bars!! I was able to sing four tunes live, including a new one that hasn't even been released on a cd yet! What is really cool about this podcast is that it reaches 28 countries and is now getting about 70,000 hits a month! They have just started videotaping the sessions as well, so when it's all said and done, you will be able to hear the hour long interview and then visually see footage as well! So you can see and hear LIVE music! Isn't that the point? Who was the person that thought that people and fans would be entertained by a recording that they could hear at home? I just don't understand the concept. Never did and never will. I remember long, long ago when I had pigtails and would watch cartoons every Saturday morning...even at that age, I made a vow that I would never lip synch...EVER!
Keep your eyes peeled to find out when the Chicago Acoustic Underground interview will be exploding on your computers!! Yay!!
Diana

Around the Coyote 2007...Art, Art and more Art!!

2007-10-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

This pic is of me playing an acoustic set for the Around the Coyote Fest yesterday. I had never been to the gathering before and was surrounded by such creativity, color, textures, expressive pieces that represent a moment in time.
My stage was set up at The Around the Coyote Gallery. Jim and Carlo of Curium Studios were gracious enough to come out and tape the acoustic side of my life. Remember the video that I posted on this website of my cd release? Well , Curium was also responsible for that. We are working on a documentary that gives you an insiders look to what my life is like everyday. I do acoustic shows, full band shows, try to market myself, nurture a growing fan base, give back to my community, reach out to people that feel me and my music. There are so many sides to what I have to do in order to keep this ship running and running into bigger and better opportunities. It's close to 1am right now and I can't turn my brain off. The mere fact that I even fall asleep amazes me nowadays. Ever since I left my day job, I feel like the wheel started turning and instead of eroding, it is getting bigger and bigger and more weighty and evolutionary! Things are really starting to happen and my willingness to take it far is really a big part of that! Wonderful people have come into my life that genuinely want to help me and that includes that one new fan at shows who hears something that they like and decides to give my cd a shot and purchases my labour of love. The glass has to be half full for more of that good stuff to come my way, none of that half empty crap. I have tried to be really professional in all past blogs and that's just the way I always try to conduct myself. But we are only human and I wouldn't mind if this blog was also a place for me to share any hardships. If I can help others in the process, why not? I happen to be on a good streak now, but it's inevitable that there is always an ebb and flow to things. Right now I am in the mindset that anything is possible and believing that I can maneuver my way into any situation that I choose to be in. It'll take time, hard work, perseverance, but when it's something that you love to do, you'll stay up till the wee hours of the night to get to the next step. Looking forward to sharing my reality with you. Peace, Diana

CD Release Party Videos...

2007-10-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

Diana Rein @ Joe's Bar CD Release Party Pt. 1

Diana Rein @ Joe's Bar CD Release Party Pt. 2

Diana Rein @ Joe's Bar CD Release Party Pt. 3

Diana Rein @ Joe's Bar CD Release Party Pt. 4

Indiana University East- Richmond

2007-09-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

I did a show yesterday in Richmond, IN. I left Chicago at 8am and got to Richmond at 11am/or noon Indiana time. While there, I was able to tape a show called In Your Business about entrepreneurs pursuing their dreams and having success that will air in six counties in the area!! Pretty exciting!
The people at Indiana University East were so inviting and gracious. I can't say enough about the wonderful experience that I had there. I am looking forward to going back to Richmond and playing out there.
I got to sing a two hour set outside on campus and entertained all of the passers by and students who had a break to listen to my music. At one point, there were about 20 two year olds that came out to dance and clap and it was the cutest thing in the world!!! I couldn't help smiling and loving every minute of it!
Then, I packed it all up and headed for home. I ended up in a torrential downpour for 40 miles where I was going 45mph. It was brutal...I couldn't see a thing in front of me. Lightning kept on illuminating the dark sky and the rain was just coming down full force. Finally, I got through the tough part and the rest of the ride was smooth. I love how the speed limit is 70mph in Indiana. That way you can go 75mph and you are in the clear. Gets you home a lot faster!
I will be getting a copy of In Your Business in the next few weeks and am looking forward to posting it on my site!! Keep coming back to check for it! Hugs, Diana

New Video on Video Page and YouTube!!!!

2007-09-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks,
I have finally been able to join the YouTube ranks! I did an awesome show at Uncommon Ground for the Estrojam Fest 2007 and was able to assemble a sampling of some of my original songs! Come out to a show to hear them in their entirety!!
Here's the vid: