“What’s new?  What’s next?  What’s best?”
These questions were put to Melissa Reaves. About her new “Holidaze” album released in December 2008, Reaves says with her eyes sparkling,  “I’m proud of it.  It was fun.” The album, her first since the 2006 release of “Rough Cuts,” was recorded over a period of three days just before Thanksgiving. Reaves credits her fellow musicians for its fresh, live sound.  “I got great players in and they’re all friends. I knew they would groove, they were gonna get along. We just got into the room and jammed.”

Reaves admits to her own stumbling block of emotional over-attachment as she prepares for recording. “I learned a lot from it,” she says of this latest project, “About me, about the recording process, and the thinking behind it, more philosophical than technical.”  She brushes her blonde hair from her face and adds, “I can’t say enough about not over-thinking it.”  Fans can log onto Melissa’s My Space page to hear a couple of songs from the album, which can be purchased online through PayPal. (www.myspace.com/melissareaves)

About the next things on the horizon, Reaves reports a busy tour schedule, already with 12 performance dates in the next three months. Fans who have attended her shows know of her impressive creativity, personable style, vocal range, and high energy delivery. She also admits, “I’m really gonna get serious about exercising,” adding, “maybe if it’s printed in a newspaper….” and gives a rueful smile.

Melissa is also looking toward her next recording project, a possible solo album of the experimental work she’s been doing with a digital delayed effects pedal. The audio effects pedal records up to seven seconds of guitar music and then can both store and play back the sound.  Melissa describes the “organic approach” of building fragments of musical lines in the moment.  “I like the idea that I have to constantly be present and create with all these layers.”  The result is a lush, symphonic- tiering of guitar virtuosity. Regarding another idea she has, Reaves confesses, “I’ve kind of secretly been wanting to do Melissa’s favorites.” Selections from Pink Floyd, David Bowie and others would be on her list.

As far as what’s best in life right now, Melissa smiles and says, “My dogs are absolutely the most beautiful, most accomplished A-student dogs out there.” She includes her “step-dogs” in the mix.  “They really bring me joy – they bring it to the center for me.”

She continues, “I’m still always learning, but I feel pretty solid with my musicianship. But I’m always growing and learning.”

The best thus far is “my friends and I feel really connected to the community.”  Judging from her many loyal followers, the community returns the feelings of affection and adds on a bit of prideful ownership.