It certainly has been a June filled with pride for Sami Grisafeon multiple levels, in multiple fields.
Jump back to Friday, June 1, which started with an interview that aired on WBEZ Radio about the Chicago Force, a football team in which she is the standout quarterback.
As the favorable emails started hitting her inbox about the interview, she also received a text message from a friend who said she heard Grisafe's song, "Hooky (in Chicago)," in the background of a local commercial on TV.
Next came The Huffington Post, which posted an online story about a parody song Grisafe made with Force teammates Albi Zhubi and Stephanie Precourt.
Their video instantly went viral.
Finally, the biggest piece of her fantastic Friday was the release of her new album, Atlantis, and also a glowing review from the blog The L Stop.
"It was a great day," said Grisafe, 27, a lesbian who lives in Evanston and whose business card would read: musician, songwriter, co-owner of Vicious Muse, LLC record label, bartender and amateur football player.
"It's not easy [balancing my schedule], but luckily everybody in my life is very flexible with me. I couldn't have the life I do if Rose and Judi weren't so flexible with my schedule at The Closet, and if the management and my sisters of the Force weren't so understanding and supportive of my dreams and the time I need to take to pursue them. Kathy, my manager and co-producer of Atlantis, is equally understanding of my love for football and the Force. I am eternally grateful for the people in my life and the love and support they give me."
Grisafe has already shared her music once in June on a high-profile stage. She was the closing act on one of the stages at the Andersonville Midsommarfest June 10.
Grisafe will be back under the high-profile local music spotlight when she performs at 8 p.m., on Friday, June 22, at the Back Lot Bash, leading up to Chely Wright.
"I am thrilled," to perform at the Back Lot Bash, Grisafe said. "Christina Weisemore and Amie Klujian have put together an amazing, eventful weekend. This is going to be the greatest Back Lot Bash to date and I am more than thrilled to be a part of it. I am so honored to be opening for Chely Wright. She is extremely talented and I am inspired by her strength in coming out. We have been rehearsing to make sure we will rise to the occasion in opening for such a prolific, talented woman. I am thankful for the opportunity that Christina and Amy have given us. I believe this show is a big milestone in my career and I am excited for the experience."
Grisafe said her musical career has, "escalated very quickly," thanks to many who believe in her talent, skill and sound.
"It has been a lot of hours of hard work, and [it's] worth every second," Grisafe said. "We are in an interesting time, because the public has the opportunity to build a career for independent artists of all kinds. Music is accessible to everyone with the Internet. We are no longer in a world where our only option for music is what the radio stations play or what the major [record] labels spoon-feed us. That being said, I ask that if you like this [new] album, please share it and write a review. Our success is driven by the people's opinions. Every review, comment, 'Like' and 'Share' matters.
"That goes for all local musicians; if you like an indie artist, please let the world know. Believe me, when you take the time to appreciate our work we couldn't be more grateful."
Grisafe's new album, Atlantis, came about when Tellofilms.com and King Is A Fink Productions needed a soundtrack for an original play/web series, I Hate Tommy Finch. Grisafe met Kathy Kurasthe music supervisor/co-producer of Atlantis/CEO of Vicious Muse, LLCbriefly at The Closet in Lakeview during one of her bartending shifts. A month later, Kuras contacted Grisafe and asked if she'd like to be involved in the development of the soundtrack.
"Obviously, I agreed," said Grisafe, who was told she'd be working with another artist on the soundtrack development, Shannon Nicole, "who is an amazing vocalist and wonderful person."
Ultimately, Grisafe and Nicole were able to find seven songs that they could placeand only had to write a few more.
"I finished writing 'Atlantis,' the title track, over a two-day span and then wrote 'Two of Hearts' later," Grisafe said.
The last track added was "Lost on Lincoln," written by Jackie Rada. "We were realizing we needed some instrumental pieces for the web series and both Kathy and I loved this piece that Jackie wrote, so we added it," Grisafe said. "It's just beautiful. Jackie also wrote a wonderful instrumental for 'Will She Remember.'
"What we thought would be a weekend in the studio turned into four months," Grisafe said, laughing. "The overlying theme of the album is the journey we all take alone, the discoveries we make about ourselves and others, and how our relationships develop in the process. I guess it's a bit of a coming-of-age theme.
"The album came about in a most interesting way, and developed into something much bigger than we initially planned. I am so excited [for the album;] I can't even tell you."
Grisafe said about 98 percent of the instruments on the album were played by a musician in the studio. "I know that sounds silly, but most of the stuff being played on the radio is all synthesizers. This album is organic; there are no hormones added and a very small percentage of preservatives.
"The other thing that makes it special is the collaboration that occurs when you have a large group of talented artists get together and tell a story. From Evan Ryan, the drummer/percussionist on the whole album, who was in the studio for almost every session, to featured artists like Sugar Blue and Viper, who came in for a few hours. Everybody created and collaborated so effortlessly; it was truly magic."
Her album also has high-profile individuals who assisted. Take, for instance, Ricciano (Ricco) Lumpkins, a Grammy Award-winning producer.
"During our studio sessions, we had been talking about maybe wanting a rapper featured on one of the songs," Grisafe said. "Ricco contacted a longtime friend of his and sent him the rough studio cut of "Hooky (in Chicago).' Viper was then on board. Viper has been in the music industry for years and has worked with everyone from Snoop Dogg to Adele. He is also part of a trio called, F.Y.I., and their new album will be releasing soon with so many A-list musicians [involved.]"
Sugar Bluethe harmonica-playing legend famous for writing the hook to the Rolling Stones hit "Miss You"was, ironically, in the studio when they were recording "Hooky (in Chicago)." Ultimately, Sugar Blue and his bass player, Ilaria Lanteri, contributed to 'Two of Hearts.'
"It was a humbling experience to watch Blue and Ilaria work in the studio. They were so professional and beyond talented," Grisafe said. "These are just a few of the folks who created the identity of this album. Everyone who came in through those studio doors created a piece of the personality of this project. People who have played with Eric Clapton, Guns N' Roses, Prince, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra mixed in with young, hungry musicians.
"This album was such a huge growing experience for me. I learned so much from everybody involved and the album represents all of that. Atlantis makes a statement that is very important to me: collaboration. I believe collaboration is the only way that we are going to get better as a society. If we can all get over our own egos and learn to create together, in every aspect of our lives, we can change the world for the better. I know that's a large statement, but I believe in it."
Grisafe is a co-songwriter, vocalist, ukulele player and co-producer on Atlantis.
"Atlantis has kind of a mixtape feel," she said. "The more I talk to people about the kind of music they like, the more I hear, 'I like a little bit of everything.' This album has just that. There are 11 tracksthree primary artists and seven different genres. From pop/rock to instrumental, country to soul; it has something for everybody."
Grisafe is now in her sixth season with the Force, and this finally could be the team's championship season. The Force open the playoffs on Saturday, June 30. Gametime is 5 p.m. at Evanston High School.
"I love this team so much," Grisafe said. "I have really grown up with the Force; they are my extended family. This 2012 team has a lot of heart, drive and talent. I think this could be our year. If everybody gives their all, we will be victorious. I am confident in that."
Grisafe likely will continue singing the national anthem before Force playoff games, as she's done during the regular season.
"I love singing the national anthem," she said. "I believe all great songs tell a story and have an arc. When I perform the national anthem, I feel a great responsibility to tell the story. It is always an honor and I thoroughly enjoy it."
Grisafe and Force teammate Albi Zhubi released a parody earlier this month, too, transforming Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" into "Gayfriend," which was profiled on the Huffington Post.
"We both rewrote the lyrics; she did the majority of the verses and I did the majority of the chorus' and we collaborated to fill in any holes that remained," Grisafe said. "We asked Stephanie Precourt, a rookie on the Force, if she would shoot and edit it, [and] she jumped on board.
"We really only intended it to be a fun way to kick off Pride Month for our friends and never intended it for commercial use."
But, in three days, the catchy "Gayfriend" video went viral, "which was never expected," Grisafe said.
"It was a lot of fun to make and I really believe in the message. Although it was funny and farcical, the message is about inclusiveness," she added. "In a world where the media pits gay and straight people against each other over this gay marriage issue, the song talks about how great it is for gay and straight people to be friends. The truth is, I think most gay and straight people get along swimmingly, the media just shows the extremes of either side. As long as we keep battling each other, progress will remain at a stand still.
"We decided to take the video down because we didn't want to step on anybody's toes. The song was never intended to be a knock at Justin Beiber, [who] is a very talented artist. It was not a commentary about him [possibly] being gay, [not] at all. We were simply inspired by his work and thought it would be a fun video for our friends, gay and straight alike."
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