I am excited to share some big news with you… we just released the official music video for my first single, “Oceanside”!  Directed by the talented duo of Lawrence Chen and Hagan Wong and featuring Mexican rockstar (and my touring keyboard player) Ximena Sariñana, the shoot took 5 days over 9 locations and involved hijinks such as jumping fully clothed into a swimming pool, diverting traffic at 2am so we could pull off crazy driving stunts, and occasional bribery.  But it was all worth it and I am so impressed with the brilliant work of the directors and crew.  I’m thrilled to be able to share this visual treat with you.

I really hope you guys like the video, and I’d be very grateful if you would post, tweet, retweet, blog or otherwise spread the link far and wide!

In other news, the record was released last week and is currently featured on the front page of the iTunes Singer/Songwriter section!  Thank you so much for supporting this new project, it means the world to me.

Dear Friends,

Last May, I came home to NYC after being away for three months to find a letter from my landlord unceremoniously informing me that they are demolishing my studio to build (yet more) luxury condos in Williamsburg.  Man, I remember the good old days when I was the annoying hipster artist pushing out the real neighborhood with my kind… the circle of life is now complete.

For several reasons, both professional and personal, I have decided to move (back) to Los Angeles.  I will miss New York something awful but am grateful beyond words to have gotten the chance to create so much music with so many amazing artists at Angelhouse over the last eight years… and I’m excited to continue the tradition in a brand new (top secret!) location on the West coast…

Now then, on to some REAL news!

‘A CITY ON A LAKE’ ALBUM RELEASE JULY 17TH ON BEVERLY MARTEL RECORDS / PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW!

I am beyond excited to announce that my solo project, A City On A Lake, will finally release its self-titled debut album next month!!  The album will be released on Beverly Martel Records (www.beverlymartelmusic.com) on July 17, but you can PRE-ORDER it right here, right now:

http://acityonalake.com/acoal_preorder

Why pre-order you ask?  So far, I’ve funded this record entirely out of pocket, from recording/mixing/mastering to the artwork… but now I really need your help to get to the finish line.   Pre-orders will help me IMMENSELY to defray the large looming expenses of manufacturing the record, shooting the video, and promoting and touring the record as an independent artist.

Here is a quick rundown of the exclusive goodness you will get with your pre-order:

$20 – SIGNED CD (W/ MP3′S EMAILED TO YOU 2 DAYS BEFORE RELEASE), INVITATION TO PRIVATE STAGEIT CONCERT*

$50 – ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS INSTRUMENTALS OF ALL SONGS, MUSIC VIDEO, REMIX BY THE SHANGHAI RESTORATION PROJECT, AND ORIGINAL LIMITED EDITION POSTER BY DIANA HO

$100 – ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS HARD COVER HANDWRITTEN LYRIC BOOK WITH ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY MANUEL BUENO, AND LIMITED EDITION, NUMBERED RELEASE POSTER FEATURING ART BY RENOWNED ARTIST BRIAN DETTMER (www.briandettmer.com)

* I will be performing a private show live from Angelhouse Studios through Stageit.com on July 17th ONLY for people who pre-order the album.  It will be my last chance to invite you all into the space that has meant so much to me and helped support my development as a producer and artist over the years.  I will be performing with my touring trio of Ximena Sarinana and Kevin Rice, plus Ward Williams on cello and a surprise special guest or two…

NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE

The official ACOAL website is now live!  Please check it out and let me know what you think.  And if you see anything amiss or anything that could be improved, please let me know as it’s 3am right now and we’re still working on it

http://www.acityonalake.com

EAST COAST TOUR DATES

Right after the release, I will be embarking on a two week tour of the east coast in support of the album.  I will be touring as a trio  with my mega talented musician friends Ximena Sarinana (synths, bass, vocals) and Kevin Rice (drums and effects).  A few other special guests will also join us in New York and Boston shows… details below.

JULY 17 – PRIVATE STAGEIT.COM SHOW LIVE FROM ANGELHOUSE STUDIOS (*get access code with pre-order purchase)
JULY 18 – ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL STAGE 2, NEW YORK NY - FREE ALBUM WITH TICKET! (Get tickets here)
JULY 19 – CLUB PASSIM, CAMBRIDGE MA W/ KAT GOLDMAN (Get tickets here)
JULY 23 – JAMMIN JAVA, VIENNA VA W/ GOLD MOTEL (Get tickets here) 
JULY 24 – THE GRAPE ROOM, PHILADELPHIA PA W/ BEN ARNOLD ($5.00 Cover)
JULY 25 – THE NIGHT CAT, EASTON MD W/ DAVID WAX MUSEUM (Get tickets here)
JULY 27 – CAT’S CRADLE, CARRBORO NC W/ DELTA RAE (Get tickets here)
JULY 28 – HOUSE CONCERT, HENDERSONVILLE NC (email alex@highceilingsmusic.com for info)
JULY 29 – SMITH’S OLDE BAR, ATLANTA GA (Get tickets here) 
JULY 30 – 12TH AND PORTER, NASHVILLE TN 

Aaaand for all you Left coasters:

SEPT 8 – CAFE DU NORD, SAN FRANCISCO CA W/ MEGAN SLANKARD (Get tickets here)

More West coast tour dates to follow shortly, promise…

“OCEANSIDE” OFFICIAL VIDEO SHOOT

Last weekend, I shot my very first music video with directors Lawrence Chen and Hagan Wong (of awesomely spooky Delta Rae video fame: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bimam2j2gEg).  It was an amazing experience and their (epic) concept and footage looks absolutely stunning.  The video will be released soon, but here is a small teaser video for you to check out now: http://acityonalake.com/wp/?cat=26

You rule for reading this all the way to the end.  I’m so grateful to get to share all of this with you.  Thank you for all your amazing support.

Much love,

Alex Wong