https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tret-f...2s9i4URMpQYMMZFT7sFFf43dZLlC1sI_N8BAhdisWe will explore creative songwriting, musical arrangement, and rhythm.
About this event
Tret Fure
"Tret has a way of treating each student with kindness, respect and encouragement that propels us to safely dig into the inner reaches of our creativity in order to open and release the music and poetry which yearns to be heard. " Diane Bloom - student
Erin Corday
“at once fierce and tender… she treats the guitar like a drum, other times like a Koto, even mbira.” - Bob Redmond, concert promoter (Bill Frisell & Erin Corday at the Triple Door)
We will explore creative songwriting by working with lyrical exercises. Drawing from the right side of the brain, we will do a series of 'small window' writing exercises that are fun, inventive, and spirited. We will do a series of rhythm and harmony exercises. These exercises will help you find your song, be it just lyrics or music and lyrics. We will look at chord families and how they work and then you will have the opportunity to write or at least start your song! We will also explore arrangements for original songs or your favorite “cover” songs. You don't need to be a songwriter or a musician to take this class. Songwriting is a learnable skill. Bring a writing journal, and your instrument, even if it is only your voice.
Tret Fure began her career at the age of 16, singing in coffeehouses and campuses in the Midwest. At 19, she moved to LA in hopes of obtaining a record deal. Within a year she was performing as guitarist and vocalist for Spencer Davis, touring with him and penning the single for his album "Mousetrap". She went on to record her own album “Tret Fure” in 1973, on MCA/UNI Records, with the late Lowell George of Little Feat as her producer. With the success of that release, she opened for such bands as Yes, Poco, and the J Geils Band. A prolific artist in the contemporary singer-songwriter arena, Tret Fure has released 17 albums and CDs over the course of her 51 year career. In addition to being a gifted songwriter, Fure has engineered and produced countless recordings by a variety of artists, including her own work.
In the early 80s, Tret moved to the independent side of the industry discovering the blossoming genre known as Women's Music. She recorded with and produced some of the best of women's music including mixing the legendary "Meg & Cris at Carnegie Hall" (1983). She worked as a duo with Cris Williamson throughout the 90s, producing, engineering, and releasing 3 CDs together. Now after 9 acoustic releases on her own label, “Tomboy girl Records”, she has re-established herself in the folk world
Some highlights from Tret's career include:
1990 - Voted both Best Guitarist and Best Engineer in a Reader’s Choice poll in “Hot Wire: The Journal of Women’s Music & Culture”.
2004 - Winner of the South Florida Folk Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition in 2 out of 3 categories, Best Overall and Best Up-Tempo Song.
2004 - Winner of the Women in the Arts “Jane Schliessman Award” for Outstanding Contributions to Women's Music.
2009 -Voted "Pride In The Arts” Favorite Female/Lesbian Musician.
2009 - Winner of the Women in the Arts “Janine C Rae Award” for the Advancement of Women’s Culture.
2011 - Winner of the Women in the Arts “Phyllis Roark Memorial Award” for Philanthropy.
2015 - "Rembrandt Afternoons" (2015) was chosen by the acclaimed folk music show 'Midnight Special' as their album of the week.
2017 - 2nd place winner in the “Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay” songwriting contest for her song "The Fishermen of Bristol Bay” (2015).
2018 - #1 song ”Lessons From Home Plate” from the CD “Roses in November” (2018) for the month of June in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2020 - 1st place winner in “A Still Small Voice 4U” songwriting competition with her song “Monuments”.
2021 - 2nd place winner in “A Still Small Voice 4U” songwriting competition with the song “Louder Than the Guns”.
2021 - #1 song “Monuments” from the CD “Stone by Stone” (2020) for the month of February in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2021 - #1 song “Roses in November” from the CD “Roses in November” (2018) for the month of November in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2021 - #14 Album for the year with “Stone by Stone”. #9 song for the year with “Monuments” and #25 artist of the year.
Wanda A. Fischer from WMAC Northeast Public Radio has this to say, "Roses in November is yet another masterpiece from Tret. Exceptionally crafted songs delivered with passion, conviction and, yes, soul. Tret weaves magic both in the lyrics and between the lines. This will certainly be on my "Best of 2018" list.”
In addition to touring and recording, Tret teaches guitar and songwriting individually and in workshop settings. She paints pet portraits on commission and, an accomplished cook, Fure has also published a cookbook, "Tret's Kitchen", featuring her own recipes. Along with bridging the marketing, production, music and art worlds, Tret served for 6 years as President of Local 1000, The Traveling Musicians Association--a union geared toward helping traveling musicians find security and longevity.
Tret is truly a Renaissance Woman!
Erin Corday is a guitarist, composer, producer and instructor with 20 years experience performing, recording and teaching music in the US, Canada and Mexico. Erin has headlined at premier concert halls (500 - 1,200 seats) with Johnny Cunningham, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, and the Flying Karamazov Brothers as well as solo at the Seattle Mercer Arena. The top-selling hit of the ’98 Mission Music Festival, Erin's festival credits include Bumbershoot and main stage performances at the Ottawa Folk Festival, High Sierra Music Festival and the Festival de Verano in Mexico City. She has appeared on festival panels with Martin Sexton, Patty Larkin, Bill Bourne (Tannahill Weavers), and co-billed with Rose Polenzani, Blame Sally and the Paperboys. Notable club dates at Freight & Salvage, Rogue Folk Club, Largo and the Triple Door. Erin has opened for Bill Frisell, Donovan, Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, David Grisman, the Story, Richard Thompson, British guitarist Martin Simpson, and Brazilian superstar Milton Nascimento.
Erin’s fourth LP and national release Painted Door reached #28 on the Top 40 Folk‐Roots nationwide (Crossroads). Recorded live at the Seattle Mercer Arena and other venues in Washington State, the album features Erin’s vocal percussion and a Portuguese version of Frágil by Sting. Recommended by national publications including Dirty Linen, Option Magazine and Folk Roots, Erin’s previous release Secret about the World also made several Top 30 lists, with stations from Boston to Seattle reporting to CMJ and GAVIN. Her debut album Butterfly Tattoo was named “Best Northwest Release” by KBCS and was chosen one of the “Top 12 DIY Releases” by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Nationally syndicated airplay has included The Country Eastern, Acoustic Café and CBC Radio.
Reviews of Erin’s Live Shows:
"Percussively powerful... unforgettable. " Boston Phoenix
"Lilting acoustic magic" Ottawa Sun
"Corday electrified a Port Townsend audience that filled McCurdy Pavilion last year... she could have stayed all night." The Leader, WA
The lineup is awesome... including David Grisman, Beusoleil, Richard Thompson, and our favorite singing wonder Erin Corday. Summer Solstice Festival, CA
Brilliant... she rocks a few lines of delicate haiku into a soulful bit of acoustic Motown... Erin Corday has got the goods. Keep an eye on her. The Herald, Hartford CT
A Northwest Folksinger Diva... now is the time to check her out so you can say "I saw her way back when.” Pacific Inlander Magazine
The real highlights came from Spain's Basque country Tapia et Leturia, from Nightnoise, and from Erin Corday— a songwriter whose influences extend to Brazil… expect to hear more of her in the near future. Steve Edge, Rogue Folk Review
Corday Held the House in the Palm of her Hand at Madison's last week. Every seat was full, every eye and ear eager…You could not only hear a pin drop, but you could hear every nuance in the sound, which was exquisite. Sandy Bradley, Seattle Weekly
The gentler -- yet powerful -- strains of Seattle-based Erin Corday gave the audience a chance to catch its breath and settle into a set of haunting songs fueled by a massive voice. Along with a solid percussive backup, Corday touched with her bossa nova spin on Blue Moon, a magical Chilean folk song about a man and his horse, or the tasty dramatics of Land Of Sweetness. Corday's another one of those unknown treasures we've discovered and won't forget anytime soon. Rick Overall, Ottawa Sun
Album Reviews & Honors
One of the “Top 12 Indie Releases” (Performing Songwriter Magazine), Erin's debut CD Butterfly Tattoo was also named “Best Northwest Release” by KBCS.
Disc Respect listed her underground release "Concert for the Cat: The Living Room Takes" as one of the "Top Ten of 1994." After signing with Waterbug Records, Erin’s third LP and national release "Secret about the World" charted widely in the Top 30, with radio stations from Boston to Seattle reporting to CMJ and GAVIN. Nationally syndicated radio airplay included "The Country Eastern" and "Acoustic Café."
She's not your typical songwriter....her songs are insightful. Dirty Linen
Corday's music is at once personal and political, powerful and fragile, fierce and tender… she treats the guitar like a drum, other times like a koto, even a mbira. Bob Redmond, former program director, KBCS
Butterfly Tattoo is a truly lovely showcase. Tom Phalen, Seattle Times
Erin Corday, who will perform tonight at Seattle's Backstage, is just such a performer. Her "Secret About the World" CD is unpretentious yet intriguing in both its music (driven by her guitar playing) and its words (delivered by an attractive voice that suggests untapped power). Rick Nelson, Tacoma News Tribune
“Editor’s Choice Top 12 DIY Release of the Year” Performing Songwriter Magazine Issue 30, May/June 1998
COVER: Interviews with Marc Cohn, Gillian Welch, Peter, Paul & Mary, Behan Johnson, Peter Case, Danielle Howle, Michelle Malone, Leon Russell, Chris Stills, Kate St. John, Jules Verdone, Erin Corday and Barbara Higbie.
Amazon User Reviews of Erin’s Recordings
Fantastic CD! Alex, Hood River OR
An absolute fantastic artist! You will love her music! Amazon customer review
Tri-lingual acoustic feast of vocal melody and rhythm— every song is a jewel. R.J. Tuggy, Georgia
Corday is a walk on a foggy night; she's a Mexican fiesta… and, thankfully, she's like nothing you'll encounter on pop radio. Buy the CD. You'll enjoy music that can be fun, sensual, and complex. M. Miller, Bay Area CA
We are listening to your music right now - so beautiful! Your voice is unlike anyone else....absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your incredible talent. A. Froderberg, Rochester NY
Erin Corday's Secret About the World like a life story all in one CD . . . I pulled this CD out a few months ago after not hearing it for years, and now it on constant shuffle.
She is like an alien from another planet who had never seen the guitar played and was just told to make pretty music. She does things that no one else does, and no one can figure out, and it is just astounding and beautiful. Student at Old Boise Guitar Company
Erin’s main concert guitars are a Gibson ES-355, Fender Telecaster, Martin D-28 acoustic, 1974 Traphagen custom flamenco hybrid, Martin 000C-16SGTNE acoustic-electric crossover, and custom 8-string jarana veracruzana. ErinCorday.com
