New hair color

Specs Blog

Thank you Adrian for this amazing blog entry!

"Those of you who keep an eye (probably from a safe distance) on the music, photos etc that I place on Facebook, Twitter and the like will probably know the name Janice Whaley already. If I keep posting her songs - and I do - it's because I think she's genuinely extraordinary. And now I have a blog, I can go into more detail about why. (Mu-ha-ha, *twirls moustache*, *ties wife to railway line*...)

I won't include too much biographical detail here, because Janice has written and blogged extensively - and fascinatingly - about how she got started on her highly individual way of making music. Suffice to say, that when she decided to give it a try, she was armed with two key weapons: a gorgeous and heroically versatile voice, along with a devillish way with a laptop home studio.

The voice is crucial, because Janice's speciality is 'a cappella' - that is, music performed without instruments. Some of you may think of barber-shop quartets, others human beatboxes. This is something else entirely. Giving full reign to her genius for electronica, Janice bends, shapes, loops and layers her voice into an orchestra - to the point where, even though you KNOW the sounds you're hearing are all vocals, you just can't quite believe it."

Continue reading article and check out his pics of my music and videos here:
http://adrianspecs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/janice-whaley.html

Housewarming gift for Red Dog Squadron

I was talking with fans of the show Psych on twitter about Red Dog Squadron, Brad Raider and James Roday's theater company in LA (James and the cast of Psych are always so supportive in sharing my music with Psych-os!). RDS recently bought the historic El Centro Theater, they've gone back to its original name, The Circle Theater, and are currently having it renovated. I wondered if anyone had plans to do a "housewarming" gift for the new theater. Everyone jumped at the chance to do something, and here's what we came up with:

Send a small handwritten note of congratulations, (just 2-3 inches like a business card, so there's room for everyone!) I will collect them over the next few months.

No deadline yet. Once RDS announces the re-opening, I'll let you know of the deadline and then I'll get a few Psych fans to affix the notes on a poster that we can send to RDS.

Be as creative as you want with your note! Any kind of paper is fine, just keep in mind the poster might be rolled into a poster tube and/or framed so rigid/textured paper or objects glued on paper might not work well.

Send you note to:
Janice Whaley
P.O. Box 51405
San Jose, CA 95121

I volunteered my po box so that you could post it anywhere you want without worrying about sending out a fan's actual mailing address. Feel free to share this post!

I love watching people come together in a positive way. I'm a big fan of theater and the sense of community that surrounds the art form so am thrilled to be a part of sending some positive juju to RDS, a deserving group of people who are doing great things to strengthen and build up the LA theater community.

XO Janice

Carrot Cake Ice Cream

Many of you know I'm also very passionate about cooking. I developed this recipe yesterday and man, is it good. Not only that, it's vegan and good for you! I'm entering it into the Galaxy Ice Cream contest. I'm so happy with how it turned out, I don't really care if I win, because, according to the fam (even the picky 5 year old!), I already have. :)

Carrot Cake Ice Cream
Creamy ice cream that tastes like carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. YUM.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup raw cashews, soaked over night to soften
2 8-ounces Galaxy Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative
1 cup carrot juice
1 cup of soy milk
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbs lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tsp imitation butter extract

Directions:
24 hours prior to making ice cream, put ice cream maker's canister in the freezer and cover raw cashews with water to soak in fridge.

Next day, drain cashews and put them in a food processor. Process until they turn to fine crumbs. Add brown sugar and half of the carrot juice and process again until smooth and creamy. Add remaining ingredients and blend until completely smooth. (If using a small food processor, blend in half the cream cheese and soy milk at a time, pour the batches into a bowl and stir to combine.)

Place the ice cream mixture in the refrigerator and let it chill for 2 hours.

Freeze the ice cream mixture according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Place the soft ice cream in the freezer and chill 2 hours before serving.

Enjoy!

This one is for all the Psych-os out there! Happy 4th, everyone!