A word about Haiti and Hello Kelly

My apologies go out to anyone who thought the latest Hello Kelly announcement and video were of poor taste. We should all obviously give to the Haiti initiatives FIRST & FOREMOST.

Hello Kelly has always done our very best to be transparent, respectful, respectable and humble. Our vision is to encourage, empower and challenge Kelly (our listeners) to sink their teeth into life ... To think about what they believe, to chase their dreams fervently and to stand up for those who aren't able to stand up for themselves.

If you've been a fan or supporter of the band for a while, you hopefully know that our intention was not to push the tragedy in Haiti out of anybody's consciousness'. It's important that we dwell there and feel their pain and mourn with them, and again, help however we can. That's what I think, anyway.

Hello Kelly has an empty bank account, so we're searching for other ways that we can do our part. In the meantime, Hello Kelly definitely encourages everybody to also do whatever YOU can. If it's giving money, then please give money!

The reason I asked fans and friends to support Hello Kelly financially is simply because if we don't get help within the next month, it's likely that Hello Kelly might have to look at disbanding. I know that, in the big picture, having one less rock band in the world isn't going to hurt anybody. And if it's God's timing for something like this to happen, then that's what needs to happen.

But we made the video because we want to continue helping people. If you feel called to help Hello Kelly financially, PLEASE, only help Hello Kelly after you've supported whatever Haiti initiatives speak to you. I had hoped that this would go without saying, but please forgive me for not being more clear in the original announcement.

Thank you all for understanding!

francy from HELLO KELLY

HELLO KELLY NEEDS YOUR HELP

Hey guys!
First of all, thank you for showing up to read our announcement!

Please watch the following video ...

There's not a lot of money going around these days, and it's true, Hello Kelly really IS feeling the pinch. There are still expenses to be paid for this record and it all takes money - money that we simply don't have right now.

So yes, Hello Kelly nation, we do - seriously and legitimately - need your help!

If our music has ever helped you in some way, or even if you just love the tunes - believe me when I say that I'm begging you to consider donating some money. Usually, it would feel very awkward asking you for something like this - but I know that you guys are very understanding and supportive. When we fell into really tough times and realized we needed a financial miracle, it made all the sense in the world to come to YOU.

The money that you would give won't buy us sneakers or cheeseburgers. So don't worry.
It will help us pay for mixing, artwork, packaging and - most importantly - paying off some existing debts that are holding us back from releasing this new record properly and going back out on the road.

PLEASE consider donating!

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And also, whether you're in a position to donate or not ... We also need your help to spread the word of this like WILDFIRE.

Here's how:

FANS
Tell your friends. Include this link in your Facebook status updates. Tweet this link on Twitter . Pass this information on to your parents, extended family and youth groups.

BLOGGERS
Consider blogging about this and exposing our cause to your readership. Again, Tweet this link on Twitter . Include this in Facebook status updates. Embed the above widget on your MySpace page.

BANDS
Tweet and blog about this to your fan base. HK has always tried to be selfless and promote other bands as much as ourselves. In this time of need, we would seriously appreciate this favour!

RADIO
Consider mentioning this on the air, and pointing your listeners to HELLOKELLYONLINE.COM.

PRINT
Consider running a story about Hello Kelly and the upcoming new record, being sure to inform your readers that they can help us.

NEWS WEBSITES
Repint this post or write your own article, and direct your readers to HELLOKELLYONLINE.COM

PARENTS
Consider how Hello Kelly has potentially encouraged, empowered or challenged your kids to sink their teeth into help - and help us to continue doing that by donating. Mention this in your Facebook status updates.

PASTORS, YOUTH PASTORS
Get your youth groups exciting about serving others by turning around and serving a band that exists to serve them! Blog about this. Tweet about this.

EVERYBODY
Donate by clicking the above DONATE button and following the prompts, or by visiting PayPal.com, selecting "Send Money", entering "helphellokelly@gmail.com", followed by an amount. Thank you!

If you belong to any of the above groups and want more information - or if you'd like to contact Hello Kelly for an interview, please contact us at mail@hellokellyonline.com

If you'd like to embed the above video on your personal blog/website, the embedding code can be found by clicking EMBED in the video window.

If you'd like to link to this post, the best way to do this is to copy THIS link into a site like TinyUrl.com: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=526284485

Hello Kelly does our best to be a positive impact and influence on our fans and have been praying that this campaign would help us get out of the hole we're currently in. If you're a person who prays ... I would ask that you pray for this campaign as well!

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Again, 5 bucks ... 10 bucks ... even 1 or 2 bucks ... everything adds up!

I am SO grateful to all of you in advance for helping us! We plan to include the name of every person who helps us inside the artwork for this new record - because without you, this new record won't be possible.

Sincerely and gratefully,

francy from HELLO KELLY

INTENSITY IN 10 CITIES TOUR

TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT!

In March 2010, we're going to be headlining the INTENSITY IN 10 CITIES TOUR.
The tour will feature 10 exclusive dates across Ontario. Also featured on the tour will be long time buddies of Hello Kelly, To Tell!



The idea behind this tour is to do everything we can to pump up the Ontario music scene! When we first started playing in 2004, there were shows happening nearly every weekend. Bands had no problem staying busy - even sharing shows with other bands! These days, it's become much more of a competition and the scene has deteriorated ... it's so very "dog eat dog" out there!
And that's just not the way a music scene should be! Especially considering how kinetic it USED to be!

So let's break it down. What so special about this tour?

Well, it's going to be the FIRST time Hello Kelly will be showing it's face in Ontario since August 2009. We'll be promoting our new record and playing TONS of new material. We'll have a brand spanking new show, new merch and selling pre-sales of our new record. I REALLY miss playing shows in my home province and I REALLY want to hang out with all of you guys - so PLEASE ... tell everybody about this tour! We're playing 10 shows across Ontario, so there will definitely be one close to you! We'll be announcing the DATES shortly!

What ELSE is so great about this tour?
At every one of the 10 shows on this tour, there will be a different opening band. All of these opening bands are based in Ontario cities and trying to make a name for themselves. What does this mean for you? It means that, when you come to see Hello Kelly this March, you'll also be exposed to new music that you maybe didn't even know existed!

What else?
Every person who comes to ANY show on this tour will be given a FREE download of the INTENSITY 2010 sampler. What's the INTENSITY 2010 sampler? It's a compilation of 10+ FREE tracks from Ontario bands. This will include Hello Kelly and ToTell sure, but also tons of other Ontario bands - bands you might not yet know about! Bands that you may very much WANT to know about!
The great thing about this sampler is that fans in Western Ontario will be exposed to bands in Eastern Ontario. And fans in Northern Ontario will be exposed to bands in Southern Ontario. Not to mention Promoters and Venues!

Imagine if, after this tour is over and done with, every band on this tour played the same 10 venues on their OWN tours over the course of 2010! You'd have a lot of shows to go to, wouldn't you!?

As you've probably gathered, the whole point of this tour is to revitalize the music scene in Ontario as much as we can. We want bands to be helping other bands. We want promoters to take risks and put on shows. We want you guys - the fans - to get excited about going to shows again!

We'll be announcing a list of DATES very soon, along with what opening band will be featured at each show.

Remember - you guys are the biggest influence on the music scene around you. If you don't go to shows, nothing can grow. On the other hand, if you guys support your scene and the bands you love, then they'll have a bigger shot at being able to pay the bills, stay on the road, and keep feeding you with new music!

Thanks for being a part of this new tour and an exciting new stage in Hello Kelly's career. Also, there will be more information about the NEW RECORD coming soon, as well as announcements pertaining to USA touring!

Stay tuned!

--

francy and the HK crue

Our Christmas Gift to You!

Hey guys,
I REALLY appreciate all of the support you guys have been offering over the past couple months.

The record is tracked and now just needs some final touch up work, and then it goes to mixing. Mixing can be a lengthy process - I'm SO looking forward to releasing this record in Spring 2010. More details to come.

BUT - the main reason for this post is that it's Christmas time, and I wanted to shoot a present your way.
Our Christmas singles "Sleigh Ride" and "It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas" are now POSTED on our MySpace page. (myspace.com/hellokelly) AND, as a special gift to you, they're downloadable ... for FREE. Just click and you'll have it.

Burn it to your favourite Christmas music mix CD, put them in all your iPod playlists. Force your family to listen to it on the drive to Grandma's. 'TIS THE SEASON!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM HELLO KELLY!

love you guys,

francy
and the HK crue

from the studio ...

Wow ...

I've been in nashville for 5 days so far and the new hello kelly record is already off to a roaring start. drums were all recorded in 2 days and we start bass today. i can hear adam finishing up the drum comping right now and i can tell you ... i am super excited. wow. this record is gonna be bananas.

i wish i could tell you all about it - the songs, the ideas, the artwork ... but i have to keep all of that from you or you won't be surprised when it comes out!

if you're on twitter, you should follow me at twitter.com/hellofrancy - as i'm tweeting my way through the recording of this record! looking forward to sharing new music with you!

francy

Hello Kelly is in the studio ...

Hello, Kelly,
2009 was a crazy year for Hello Kelly, and, with some exciting things coming up in 2010, I want to make sure you guys are in the loop! So here goes nothing …

If you've been following Hello Kelly for any length of time, you know that there have been a LOT of musicians coming in and out of the band over the years.
There's something magical about a band that sticks with the same guys for a super long time. Even some of my favourite bands, Paramore, Jimmy Eat World and Motion City Soundtrack, have always had the same line-up.

But Canada's a tough place for full-time bands. Let's be honest, I always hoped that Hello Kelly would be one of those bands with the same 5 guys who stick together forever, but for whatever reasons, it never really worked out that way. This past year, my little brothers, Adam & Jacob have been playing with me in the band - along with Mat Lean, who's been with the band for over 3 years. At the end of the summer, they all felt called to head to school. They're all pursuing some really awesome dreams so I'm happy for them!

So the first thing you need to know is that I'm not giving up the ghost.
Hello Kelly lives on! I have some big plans and I really hope you'll stick around with me!

In November, I'm heading into the studio to record the second full-length Hello Kelly record. I. Am. So. Excited!
Recording is one of my favourite parts about being in a band and I can't wait to get these new tunes into your ears!
My hope is to release a couple tunes right after Christmas to give you guys a taste and then the full record in Spring 2010l.

At the same time, I'm gonna be doing some travelling to find a new batch of musicians to bring these songs to ballistic, energetic life on stage. In March 2010, we'll be embarking on the INTENSITY IN 10 CITIES TOUR 2010, featuring 10 exclusive stops in Ontario. In 2010, we'll be touring a LOT more in the USA too! The new show is gonna be everything you've come to expect from us, and so much MORE.

I'll keep everything updated so you know EXACTLY where we're playing!

In the mean time, you might not hear a lot of buzz about your favourite "little band that could" because I'm gonna be working hard on this new record, finding new guys and booking shows. Please be patient! It's kinda like hibernating for the winter! Hello Kelly will be back in 2010 with a rocket strapped to it's back, ready to blast off ...

If you're already a fan of Hello Kelly, then you know that there's a big heart and vision behind the band, and I promise that's not going anywhere. I'm 100% sure that you guys are going to LOVE where the band is going, so PLEASE keep checking back for updates.

I truly and deeply appreciate all of your support and love!

francy of Hello Kelly

NEW SONG ON MYSPACE!!

Hey Everybody!
I don’t have much time so I’ll make this quick!

Zach Havens, my very best friend from the band To Tell, and I wrote a song together called Down & Out. We recorded it together and I think it you’ll love it.

It goes back to the days when bands used to collaborate all the time. Those are my favourite kinds of music projects. It’s not about being competitive jerks and selling more T-Shirts than the other bands ... It’s just about making some sweet rock & roll together.

The song is up on their MySpace and ours so definitely check it out!!

And here’s the thing... We don’t want to make you guys pay for this song, so we’re just gonna let you download it. From MySpace, PureVolume, whatever. Just download it and send it to all your friends. It’s our gift to you!

But this is YOUR side of the deal: If you live in Canada, call you local Christian radio station and request this song EVERY SINGLE DAY! We wouldn’t be anything without you guys and your support! Please request this song and help us make it huge! Thanks so much!

Francy and the HK crue