Go You Huskies!

If you are originally from one of the countries in Trump’s ban and moved to the US, got greencards, and decided to go on a vacation recently, you won’t be allowed back in the US. Permanent residents are being effectively kicked out.

If you are MARRIED to a US citizen and only have a green card and haven’t gotten citizenship yet, you can’t come back if you’re outside the US. You could have kids waiting for you, but you can’t come back.

2016.

What a storm. Since January, we have been plagued by loss, reflection and remarkable events in the news - all underscored by a push to rush, accomplish, understand, keep up. 

In many ways, like you, I have felt it has been too much.

I am once again without a conversational, human place to empty my words, my worries and the spikes and crashes of my heart. I strive to keep a pure heart, use kind words and keep waving my familiar flag of blind optimism. 

Just a few months ago, it was summer and I felt darkness instead of the beautiful Canadian heatwave. 

I thought to myself as I felt like an amateur skier on a black diamond, ice under my feet, throttling down the darkest decline - what do I need? And what would my daughter or my son need if they hit the same difficult place? What do you need, my friends and fans who have been with me for two incredible decades? 

I made “Aonarán” in November. Pronounced AY-nur-awn, the word comes from Old Irish, and means “a solitary person, or loner”. We are all alone and the sooner we know this, the more liberation we can experience. But in our loneliness we can find strength in each other, in the things we create, in the inspiration we offer one another. 

I made a record that is intended to slow our hearts and calm the mind. I’m not an expert on the subject of meditative music but I wanted to create something that is like an ethereal embrace, for ears, for aching hearts, for stressed-out minds. For some reason none of us can put down our phones. 

The lyrics and vocals are intended to be textures. There are no pop songs. What lyrics you can decode, and perhaps you’ll just need to read the booklet, are meant to uplift, to help you - and me - and anyone you else feel needs it - see the crack of light in the cloud cover of what has been an absolutely, unforgettable twelve months. 

I’m offering this album as handmade, signed and personalized because I feel it’s something you need to hold, something you need to reach for if you need it and not have to go flipping through your device or your computer to find it. That’s what I would like to get away from. 

Each album is numbered and there are only 95 copies available. Once they are sold, I’ll put a pre-order page up for a manufactured copy. Thanks to Karen Baer for the artwork, Frank Gryner for mixing and Owen Drumm for some title inspiration.

On a separate note, something new (and exciting for me) is coming in 2017 and everyone who ordered any or all of my last 4 albums will receive an announcement in the mail towards spring. If you have moved or changed your shipping address, drop me a note at [email protected] so I don’t miss you.

Also, thank you to so many of you for your support on the new Trent Severn record, the writing of which has brought me immense joy as well.

UPDATE TUESDAY DEC 6 11:45 EST: Since the handmade album has now sold out, you can pre-order the manufactured copy, (shipping in the new year) here:

http://www.emmgryner.com/store/aonarn-pre-order

With love,