BOX FIVE + newsdiary

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2010-04-30T23:32:00.001-04:00

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2010-04-13T21:06:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow: Box Five Live @ Bloc 11
Good evening gorgeous Boston-type friends! Just a gentle reminder that Box Five will be performing tomorrow, Wednesday April 14th, at Bloc 11 in Somerville MA. We take the stage promptly at 7pm as a piano-and-violin duo, and the lovely Eliza Kopczysnka will be joining me on violin -- she is INCREDIBLE, and will be playing classical works in addition to fun and funky pop tunez. You won't wanna miss it! :D

Here are the details!:

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ BLOC 11 04/14/10
When: Wednesday, April 14th @ 7pm
Where: Bloc 11 (11 Bow Street, Somerville MA)
Cost: free / pass-the-hat
Line-up: Mary Bichner (vocals/piano/guitar), Eliza Kopczynska (violin)
Opening for: Naia Kete (8pm)

Thanks and can't wait to see you!

Much hugs,
BOX FIVE <3

2010-04-09T13:27:00.002-04:00

HELLO gorgeous Box Five friends, it's been awhile! Fondest hopes that you are doing well and life is groovy! Just wanted to send a quick little note with some things that you might enjoy:

New live music video for Box Five's "The Clear"
HOORAY! There is now a GORGEOUS live music video for Box Five's "The Clear", an as-yet unrecorded tune that is becoming a live-show favorite. Give a listen (and a look!) and let us know what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qpc4lEZAC0

This awesome vid was recorded live during the David Ivory Presents concert at Puck in Doylestown on February 19, 2009. Thanks so much to David and his team for both creating AND giving us the go-ahead to post this incredible video!

By the by, "The Clear" is going to be one of the ten to eleven pieces that grace our debut full-length album, Leave the Earth Behind, which will be released with much joy sometime in November of 2010.

Wait...what? Album!? WHAT?!
Yes, yes, really! :D Allow us to spill the beans at long last, even though we already just sorta did that in the previous paragraph!: our debut full-length album, Leave the Earth Behind, will be released with much joy sometime in November of 2010! And there will be a string ensemble! And an oboe! And a trumpet! And back up singers! And a harpsichord! And goddness knows what else!! :D

We'll keep the rest of the details a secret for now, but will be sending out more tantalizing tidbits in future newzletterz!! :D WOO!

Don't forget: Box Five Live @ Bloc 11 (Somerville MA) on 04/14/10!
In other news, we finally have some gigs on our calendar for 2010! Don't forget that we'll be playing Bloc 11 in Somerville MA this coming Wednesday, April 14 at 7pm! Check out the tourdates page for more info, as well as other shows we have coming up in Boston, Philadelphia and New York City this spring/summer. And if we don't happen to be playing in your town any time soon and you'd like us to, do let us know! ♥

Thanks, YOU ROCK! Let us know what you think of the video!! ♥

So much hugz,
Mary and BOX FIVE

2010-03-22T14:50:00.005-04:00

Hey you lovely Box Five friends you!! Here is an update long overdue, because you may have been wondering, "Hey, why has Box Five only been playing one show per month recently? Usually they are extreme gig maniacs playing up and down the East Coast! Did Mary's leg fall off or something!? Have aliens taken over Chris Pires' brain!? I MUST KNOW!!". Well, we will tell you! But first:

NEW SHOW: BOX FIVE [Piano and violin duo], LIVE @ BLOC 11 (04/14/10, SOMERVILLE MA)
Hooray, hooray, and hooray again! Box Five is simply delighted to have been invited to perform at Somerville's sweet and cheeky Bloc 11! <3 Come have a cup of tea and a scrumptious sandwich, and rock out with us in a calm, cafe-like fashion! :) We go on at 7pm, and will be opening for the fantabuous Naia Kete, who goes on at 8pm. Here are the details!:

BOX FIVE [Piano and violin duo], LIVE @ BLOC 11 (04/14/10, SOMERVILLE MA)
When: Wednesday, April 14th @ 7PM (Box Five goes on right at 7! ♥)
Where: Bloc 11 (11 Bow St., Somerville MA)
Cost: FREE/pass that hat type thing :)
Line-up: Piano and violin duo featuring the AMAZING Eliza Kopczynska on violin! ♥
With: Naia Kete

And if you want to RSVP in a Facebook-type way, well, here is the page for that!!!

Thanks and can't wait to see you there! <3

And now the moment you've all been waiting for...

Why so silent, good monsieurs?
So yes, we've only been playing out once a month or so. And yes, our blog, usually brimming with news and silly babblings of a certain redhead, has been pretty empty recently. Perhaps you are growing suspicious, and sense a mystery afoot...

Well, yes, you are right! :) We are working on something big, and fun, and decadent, and neon-colored, and awesome. And it may or may not contain punk rock Paganini violin solos. :)

We can't spill the beans just yet, but rest assured that 1) we are working hard, and 2) we are far enough along that we will be able to make an official announcement about everything quite soon!

So hold on to your hats, and hang in there! Watch this space for further updates... :)

Cheers and hugs!!

BOX FIVE

2010-03-03T16:02:00.003-05:00

New show: Mary of BOX FIVE @ Cloud Club's "Androgyny ORG" Concert!
SO, SO awesome! Did you know?? There is going to be a CRAZY concert over at Boston's Cloud Club, with a theme of Androgyny. And Mary is going to impersonate Thom Yorke, and sing some Radiohead songs!! FUN!!

The show is invite-only, but if you really really REALLY wanna go, send us an email and we'll see what we can do!

Here are all of the details, WOOHOO!

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ CLOUD CLUB
When: Saturday, March 13th @ 7pm
Where: The Cloud Club, Boston (invitation only)
Cost: $10
Line-up: Mary solo...dressed up in army pants and a black sweater, a la Thom Yorke from 1997 :)
Also performing that evening: Mali Sastri, What Time is it Mr. Fox, Molly Zenobia, Gem Club, Clara Engel, Mike Cooper, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys, and in-house megaband Brendan Burns (guitar), Valerie Thompson (cello), and Nate Greenslit (drums)

Looking forward to it, can't wait to see ya there!! <3

HUGS,
BOX FIVE

2010-02-02T21:20:00.004-05:00

Mary of Box Five solo @ MidEast Up 2/7: the last-minute concert of the CENTURY!
Beautiful people of Boston and Cambridge! Hello there! I just wanted to send you a quick note because i JUST now, JUST this second, found out that I will be performing at the Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge, MA on Sunday, February 7th...that's right, this very Sunday! Sure it's a last minute gig, but that's what makes it EXCITING! :)

I'll be performing sans band, as a solo singer/songwriter, because that is how these last-minute shows roll. I'll be playing Box Five tunes both old and new, PLUS I'd love to start a new Box Five tradition, "Play That Tune", in which audience members may challenge my alleged perfect pitch by shouting out any song and seeing if I can play it, right there, on the spot! FUN!

I go on promptly at 8:30 so be sure to get there early! Also performing that evening will be a REALLY COOL band called Light.Sweet.Crude (http://www.myspace.com/litesweetcrude -- I just started listening to their music and I love both their tunes and their listed influences!!) and the fun and funky STEREO FLYS (http://www.myspace.com/thestereoflys) -- should be a BLAST! Come check us out :D

Here are the details:

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ THE MIDDLE EAST UPSTAIRS 02/07/10
WHEN: Sunday, 02/07/10 @ 8pm (Mary goes on at 8:30pm)
WHERE: Middle East Upstairs (472 Mass Ave, Cambridge MA 02139, mideastclub.com)
COST: $10 (18+ w/ ID)
LINE-UP: Just little ol' Mary, playing solo with her guitar!
ALSO PLAYING: Light.Sweet.Crude (9:30), The Stereo Flys (10:30)

Phew! What a whirlwind this has been, huh? ♥ Anyhoo, can't wait to see you at the Middle East this Sunday, WOOHOOOO!!!

Much love,
BOX FIVE

(PS - Just wanted to let you know about three AWESOME non-Box Five concerts happening this week that I am really excited about: Feb 4th @ Cafe 939 - the awesome Christopher Barnes (1pm) AND the same day @ Cafe 939, the Berklee Songwriters "Best of" Concert featuring the snuggable loveable MC What I'm Sayin', aka BEN CAMP (8pm). Then on Feb 5th @ Cafe 939 check out the illustrious Jaggery as they open for Sxip Shirey! (8pm). Dang there are some talented folks in this town, come check them out this week!! :) :))

2010-01-27T21:34:00.001-05:00

BOX FIVE LIVE @ MILKBOY COFFE -- TOMORROW, JANUARY 28TH!!
Hey hey hey what's up Philadelphia! Currently I am up here in Boston packing up an overnight bag for my early morning train to the City of Brotherly Love tomorrow. Current items include toothpaste, a piano AC adapter, and glittery eyeshadow -- all of the essentials! <3

Just wanted to remind you that Box Five will be playing TOMORROW, Thursday January 28th, at Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore, PA. The line-up for this gig is AMAZING - rock band, string quartet, hand percussion...AND a special appearance by clarinet soloist Tina DiCroce, playing two brand new arrangements of "How Should I Your True Love Know" and "Today is the Day" for string and clarinet quintet! Woohoo!

Here are all of the details! It would be SO AWESOME to see you tomorrow, and I know it's a school/work night...but come out and have fun with us anyway!! :) We will rock your socks off ;)

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ MILKBOY COFFEE 01/28/10 (Tomorrow!!!)
WHEN: Thursday, January 28th 2010 @ 8pm
WHERE: Milkboy Coffee (2 E Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore PA, www.milkboycoffee.com) COST: $10.00 (or $8.00 in advance @ milkboycoffee.com)
LINE-UP: Mary Bichner (vocals/piano), Joe Bichner (guitar), Joe Gribbin (bass), Brian Hopely (hand percussion), Chris Pires (drums), Jessica Eves (violin I), Alison Marie Rigby (violin II), Sue Arnold (viola), Steve Duckworth (cello), and special guest Tina DiCroce on clarinet! CO-BILL WITH: Ink and Blades, the new project of Grammy winner (and Ardmore resident) Scot Sax! :D

And if you have Facebook and like being official about RSVPing to things, well, you can do that here!!:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=254327451125&ref=ts

Box Five won't be in town again until at least April, so come out and catch us while you can! :D We're cute! :D We're a hoot! :D We have songs arranged for flute! :D (Disclaimer: there will be no flute at this show...darn it Tina...why did you have to pick an instrument like "clarinet" that doesn't rhyme with anything!?)

Hugs and SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!

Love, BOX FIVE

(PS -- HAPPY FREAKIN' MOZART'S BIRTHDAY!!! THE GREATEST HOLIDAY OF ALL TIME!!)

2010-01-17T17:04:00.004-05:00

New Show: Box Five Live @ Milkboy Coffee [Ardmore, PA] on 01/28/10

Hi again you lovely people you! Hope you are having a fantabulous Sunday afternoon! :)

Just a gentle reminder to remind you gently that Box Five will be rockin' the house at Milkboy Coffee on Thursday, January 28th, in our super-awesome rock-band-and-string-quartet incarnation (see the awesome musician line-up, listed below!). We know it is a school night, so we promise not to keep you out too late! Here are all of the glorious details:

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ MILKBOY COFFEE 01/28/10
WHEN: Thursday, January 28th 2010 @ 8pm
WHERE: Milkboy Coffee (2 E Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore PA, www.milkboycoffee.com)
COST: $10.00 (or $8.00 in advance @ milkboycoffee.com)
LINE-UP: Mary Bichner (vocals/piano), Joe Bichner (guitar), Joe Gribbin (bass), Chris Pires (drums), Jessica Eves (violin I), Alison Marie Rigby (violin II), Sue Arnold (viola), Steve Duckworth (cello)
CO-BILL WITH: Ink and Blades, the new project of Grammy winner (and Ardmore resident) Scot Sax! :D

Also if you are Facebook-savvy, here is the official invite page if you wanna RSVP, woohoo!:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=254327451125&ref=ts

Box Five prolly won't be back in Philly til the spring, so be sure to stop by and dance with us this Jan 28th! We can't wait to see you and love you lots!! <3 So many hugs, Mary and BOX FIVE

2010-01-12T19:23:00.001-05:00

Box Five says, "Helloooooooo 2010"!
Huuugs and hello, Box Five pals! Mary just flew in from Austria, and boy are her arms tired! :) She got to see the Vienna Philharmonic AND Mozart's hair...what more you askin' for?? <3

Just a brief and loving note to let you know that we are busily booking more shows for 2010 (including some very fun festival appearances!), which should be popping up in the tour calendar soon. Our first, Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore PA on Thursday, January 28th is already there -- please click HERE for the details! :D

Since 2010 is divisible by (Box) Five, we have high hopes for a fantastic year! Have a spiffy January and can't wait to see you soon! :)

Many hugs,
BOX FIVE

2009-10-25T15:37:00.003-04:00

Autumn leaves and out-of-town shows
Hello to one and all, Hope you're having a fantasic fall! Sorry for the lack of newsdiary updates, but Mary and Co. have been hop hop hopping all over the darn place, from show to show! October found Box Five performing its firsts shows in Vermont (helloooo to our new friends in Montpelier and Burlington!), as well our debut appearance in Salem, MA! Thanks to everyone who attended these wonderful gigs, and look forward to seeing you again soon! <3

November will find Box Five at Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore PA on Nov 6 (string quartet and rock band, at Bull City Headquarters in Durham NC Nov 7 (Mary solo), The Flaming Pit in Gaithersburg MD on Nov 8 (Mary solo), and a very special performance at Andrea Clearfield's invite-only Salon on Nov 29. For more info on these great shows, simply check out our tourdates page for all of the details!

Thanks and see you SOOOOOOON!

Luv,
BOX FIVE

2009-10-09T17:48:00.004-04:00

Hello Box Five friends! Hope you are having a beautiful autumn! Just wanted to let you know that Box Five is going to be making his debut appearance in Vermont this weekend, with two fantastic shows: Oct 10th at the Langdon Street Cafe in Montpelier, and Oct 11th at Radio Bean in Burlington. We've never hit the VT scene, so if you live in the Montepelier/Burlington area and/or have friends in VT that might be into our sound, please spread the word! <3 Many, many thanks in advance, we quite appreciate it!! :)

Best of all we will be performing with the super awesome Christopher Barnes, who will be joined onstage by amazing cellist Kristen Drymala. Hooray!! :D

Here are all the details!:

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ LANGDON STREET CAFE 10/10/09
When: Saturday, October 10th @ 8pm
Where: Langdon Street Cafe (4 Langdon St., Montpelier VT 05602)
Cost: by donation
Line-up: Mary Bichner (vocals, guitar, piano), Parker Richey (guitar), Matthew McKinney (piano), Kevin Clougherty (bass) and Michael Steigman (drums)
Also performing: The very awesome Christopher Barnes! (www.thechristopherbarnes.com)

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ RADIO BEAN 10/11/09
When: Sunday, October 11th @ 7pm
Where: Radio Bean (8 N. Winooski Ave, Burlington VT)
Line-up: Mary solo
Also performing: Box Five will be opening for Christopher Barnes, wOOHOO! (http://www.thechristopherbarnes.com)

Thanks to one and all, hope you're well, and we'll have more exciting updates for you soon! :)

Big hugs, and write me letters, i love to read your mail!! :D

Cheers,
Mary :d :d
and BOX FIVE :D :D

2009-09-03T18:45:00.002-04:00

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART 09/04/09 (Tomorrow!!)

Hello my Philly peeps! I am sitting here in Boston, all packed up and ready to head to the City of Brotherly Love, my ride should be here any minute! :) But before hitting the road, I just wanted to send you a gentle reminder about Box Five's sure-to-be-spectacular gig at the Philadelphia Art Museum tomorrow, Sept 4th. We'll be playing both originals and classically-inspired covers during this special gig (two forty-five minute sets of pure classipop magic, woohoooo!), and we welcome you to explore the Museum's many galleries, which will be open during the performance. Best of all, the gig is all ages and has an earlier start time (5pm to 7:30pm), so it's a great outing for families as well!

Here are all the details for ya!!:

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART 09/04/09
WHEN: Friday, September 4th @ 5pm ***PLEASE NOTE EARLY START TIME!!***
WHERE: The Philadelphia Museum of Art (23rd St. and Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA)
COST: Free after museum admission
WITH: Mary Bichner (this and that), Steve Toy (guitar and vocals), Joe Gribbin (bass and piano), Brian Hopely (hand percussion and bass), Chris Pires (drums), Eliza Cho (violin I), Alison Marie Rigby (violin II), Sue Arnold (viola), Alfred James (cello), Teri Rambo (vocals), and Molly Zenobia (vocals).

With special guest performances by Boston singer/songwriters Christopher Barnes and Molly Zenobia; check out their Philadelphia debuts!!

And that is that, and I think my ride is here! Perfect timing :)

See you soon!!

Mary and BOX FIVE

2009-08-20T07:49:00.001-04:00

TWO SPECIAL BOSTON SOLO GIGS

Hey you awesome Boston people! Hope you are having a smashing summer. I am currently drinking a banana-and-spinach smoothie, and despite it looking like slime from a 1980s Nickelodeon game show, it's actually pretty delicious! <3

Anyhoo! Just wanted to let you know of TWO special solo gigs I'm performing this month in the Boston area, yahoo!

The first is TONIGHT, Thursday August 20th, at the Cantab Lounge on 738 Mass Ave in Cambridge, MA. I'll be going on at 8pm sharp (just me and a guitar, old skool!), and will be opening for some truly amazing Boston talent: Ginger Ibex (9pm), Jaggery (10pm), and Choose to Find (11pm). It's going to be a fantabulous night, stay up late on a week night with us!! :)

The second is next Wednesday, August 26th at 12:00pm -- that's right, a lunch time concert! I am thrilled to be performing as part of the City of Boston's Arts on the Arcade series, taking place at City Hall Plaza (1 Government Center, Boston MA). I'll be opening for the illustrious singersongwriter Christopher Barnes, so you KNOW it's gonna be awesome!

So, in review, if you don't like reading paragraphs!!:

8/20/09 (tonight!!): BOX FIVE, LIVE @ THE CANTAB LOUNGE (Mary solo)
When: Thursday, 8/20/09 @ 7:30pm (Mary goes on at 8pm sharp!)
Where: Cantab Lounge (738 Mass Ave, Cambridge MA)
Cost: $8.00 (21+ w/ID)
With: opening for Ginger Ibex (9pm), Jaggery (10pm), Choose to Find (11pm)

8/26/09: BOX FIVE, LIVE @ BOSTON'S CITY HALL (Mary solo)
When: Wednesday, 8/26/09 @ 12pm (lunchtime concert, WOOO!)
Where: City Hall Plaza (1 Government Center, Boston MA)
Cost: Freeeee! Free as the wiiiind blowwws, free as the graaassss growwwwss...
With: opening for Christopher Barnes!

Thanks for being dudical and SEE YOU THERE!

So much hugs,
BOX FIVE

2009-08-08T11:28:00.003-04:00

Dear everybody!! Hope you're grand! Some fun things to tell you this time around, starting with the most exciting news of all...

THE BOX FIVE ALBUM EXTRAVAGANZA
The Boston Herald spilled the beans back in July, but finally we bring you the whole scoop: in case you haven't heard, Box Five is gearing up to record its very first full-length album...complete with orchestral strings and woodwinds! Prepare yourself for the lushest pop album in the darn universe! :)

Since recording with a professional classical ensemble is going to end up being somewhat pricey, however, we had to be a bit creative with our fund-raising efforts. So how's this sound?:

You can pre-order your copy of our yet-to-be-recorded album for $15; this includes shipping to anywhere in the world (including your door!). We'll get together 999 fans just like you to ALSO pre-order the album for $15; ending up with $15,000 to record Box Five's sure-to-be-spectacular debut LP! The perks: 1) your credit card will only be charged $15 once we reach our $15,000 goal (if for some reason the fund-raising falls short, your $15 will remain safe and sound in your bank account, never having left your side!), 2) as an official "pre-orderer" you will gain access to special behind-the-scenes studio footage and promos, advance MP3s prior to the album's release, the opportunity to vote on what songs we include, and loads more! Awesome, right?!!

Our promise: if we reach our $15,000 goal we promise 1) to release the album within 6 months of receiving the $15,000 from our fundraising site thepoint.com, 2) to detail how each and every dollar is spent via our website, and 3) donate any remaining funds after recording, pressing, musician and touring fees to charity.

Here's the link for pre-ordering; Box Five album goodness is just a click away!!:

http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/the-box-five-album-extravaganza-1

Ten years ago one would have had to be signed to a huge record label to make an album like this happen -- but in 2009, thanks to the crazy place known as the internet, anything is possible! Your $15 will have a DIRECT impact on bringing this LP to life -- we'll even send you a note to let you know EXACTLY how YOUR $15 was spent, so that you can take pride knowing that the album LITERALLY could not have been made without your awesome help!

So take a chance on your favorite classipop ensemble, and pre-order Box Five's debut LP today! :) Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu!! :)

SPONSORED SONG STILL GONG STRONG - DOWNLOAD YOURS BEFORE IT'S GONE
Several months ago, Box Five was tapped by both Reverbnation and Microsoft Windows to give a brand new demo away for free as part of their Sponsored Songs Program. We're proud to report that our lovely little ditty, "Today is the Day [Solo Version]" has be downloaded a whopping 986 times at the time of this email -- we'll probably hit 1000 in an hour or two!! (And since Reverbnation set our original goal as 50 downloads, we're pretty happy with the results so far!) Best of all, Windows is even featuring a promo video Mary made explaining the program on their YouTube page; check it out right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFEqhACzdw8

And if you haven't already, get your free "Today is the Day (Solo Version)" MP3 right here! (One per customer though please, so our numbers stay fair :))

http://www.myspace.com/windows?homepage=boxfive

PRESS ROUND UP
Lots of press recently so we wanted to give you a list of our recent mentions in the Boston Herald, the Philadelphia Citypaper, and MIT's WMBR radio:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2009/07/16/classic-rock
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1183477
http://pipeline.wmbr.org/archives/pipeline-playlist-june-30-2009
http://pipeline.wmbr.org/archives/pipeline-playlist-july-7-2009

Thanks to one and all, and can't wait to see you at our upcoming shows!! :) We'll be hitting Boston MA, Cambridge MA and Lumberton NC in August, as well as a HUGE gig at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Sept 4...more on that soon!! :)

BIG HUGS!!,
Box Five

(PS - Forgot to mention that if you pre-order our album, we'll send you a digital copy of our "Best Of" CD, absolutely free! What more you askin for?!?!:

http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/the-box-five-album-extravaganza-1

!!)

2009-07-17T21:24:00.001-04:00

7/19/09: Box Five @ L'etage in Philadelphia

Hey you lovely Philly people! Just wanted to remind you that BOX FIVE is playing a gig in Philly this Sunday, July 19th at L'etage (NW Corner of 6th and Bainbridge Sts, Phila PA). We'll be performing as a rock band-string quartet-woodwind quartet super group, yahoo! Tickets are $8.00 and the price of admission includes a FREE mp3 copy of our new digital single, "Unpredictable". Bring your flash drives! (Or if you don't have one we can email you the mp3 instead).

They even wrote about it in Philadelphia Citypaper this week, and interviewed Mary to boot:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2009/07/16/classic-rock

Hooray!! :D

And here are those details for the show:

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ L'ETAGE ON 7/19/09
WHEN: Sunday, July 19th (doors at 7:30pm)
WHERE: L'etage (NW Corner of 6th and Bainbridge Sts, Philadelphia PA)
COST: $8.00 (21+ w/ID) includes a FREE digital copy of our new single, "Unpredictable"
PERFORMERS: Mary Bichner (vocals, piano, guitar, kazoo, etc etc), Teri Rambo (vocals), Steve Toy (guitar), Joe Gribbin (bass), Chris Pires (drums), Jessica Eves (violin I), Alison Marie Rigby (violin II), Sue Arnold (viola), Valerie Thompson (cello), Katie Barbato (flute), Amy Lynn Miller (oboe), Tina DiCroce (clarinet), Krysta Muller (bassoon).
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS: Boston's chamber pop sensation, Goli!

Thanks and SEE YOU THEN!!!

Super hugs,
BOX FIVE!!

2009-07-09T21:35:00.003-04:00

BOX FIVE & CHRISTOPHER BARNES AT THE LILYPAD 7/10: RICH VELVETY CHAMBER MUSIC
Hey Boston fans! I just finished up string quartet rehearsal for tomorrow's gig at the Lilypad, and let me tell you that this quartet -- Stanislav Antonevich on violin I, Madelaine Ripley on violin II, Rachel Jayson on viola and Kristen Drymala on cello -- is pure MAGIC. Literally, like liquid velvet. Like molten sunshine. Be prepared for a rich, beautiful, nuanced performance tomorrow by these talented performers!!

You'll also get to drink in the crystal clear tones of our woodwind quartet: Adric Rosen - flute, Beth Goodman - oboe, Paul Scherer - clarinet, and Frank Casados - bassoon. They are a sparkling silver chandelier of sound, believe you me.

We would be DELIGHTED to have you join us tomorrow at the Lilypad Gallery, where Box Five and Christopher Barnes will be playing their gorgeous chamber pop for all to hear. $10 at the door, and you'll get new MP3s from both Box Five AND Christohper Barnes, FREE! Because it's a CD release party, don't ya know :)

BOX FIVE & CHRISTOPHER BARNES @ THE LILYPAD
WHEN: 7PM-10PM (Get there at 7pm, don't miss any of the magic!!)
WHERE: The Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St, Cambridge MA
COST: $10.00 (all ages) (price includes both digital singles!)
AWESOMENESS LEVEL: Through the roof!!

Hugs and hugs and do NOT miss Box Five's gorgeous classical-meets-pop soundscape!

Hugs,
Mary

2009-07-08T21:05:00.003-04:00

New Digital Single, Release Parties, Boston Herald Article...and a new album??

Hi one and all! Mary has so many great things to tell you this week, that she doesn't know where to start! So she guesses she'll start at the beginning:

STREAM "UNPREDICTABLE" PRIOR TO ITS RELEASE, COURTESY OF WMBR 88.1FM
As we're sure you know by now, Box Five is releasing a brand new digital single, entitled "Unpredictable" on July 10th. Starting this Friday, the single will be available for purchase right here at boxfive.org thanks to the Quidplayer, a pay-what-you-wish music downloading service. Groovy! But, if you just can't wait until July 10th, and need to hear the new single RIGHT NOW...well goodness, are you in luck! "Unpredictable" world premiered last evening on Cambridge's WMBR 88.1FM, during the Pipeline! program with Jeff Breeze, which you can now stream (the whole show, Box Five's tune included!) at the following URL:

http://pipeline.wmbr.org/archives/pipeline-playlist-july-7-2009

Thanks to Jeff and everyone at WMBR for being awesome!!

"UNPREDICTABLE" DIGITAL RELEASE PARTIES: BOSTON JULY 10TH, PHILADELPHIA JULY 19TH
And don't forget, Box Five will be performing TWO special gigs in honor of our new single; one at the Lilypad in Cambridge MA on July 10th at 7pm (a co-bill with the awesome Christopher Barnes, who will be releasing a new digital single of his own, called "Balloon Swallower"); and one at L'etage in Philadelphia PA on July 19th. Both gigs will feature a string and woodwind quartet and the Philly show will feature a rock band to boot, so be sure to visit Box Five's tour dates page to get all the info! <3 (PS - Bring your flash drive to either gig and we will give you the new digital single...FOR FREE! Technology RULES!!)

BOX FIVE IN THE BOSTON HERALD
Also what is cool is that Box Five is in the Boston Herald this week, hooray! They say some lovely things about our upcoming Lilypad gig ANDDDD...they also mention our seeecret plans for a brand new full-length album!! We're not going to make our official album annoucement until next week here at Box Five HQ, but for a tantalizing sneak peak check out the lovely Boston Herald!

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1183477

Have a lovely (if rainy!) summer, and hope to see you sooooon!

Many hugs,
BOX FIVE

2009-07-01T20:26:00.002-04:00

Video spot for our Reverbnation/Microsoft Windows Sponsored Song!

Hey all! Reverbnation asked us to make a 90-second promo video for their sponsored songs program, and we think it came out super cute, check it out!!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVcpLvRNx9k

Our first "commercial", oh my oh my! ;D

And remember now, you can download our new demo, "Today is the Day", for FREE by visiting the following link:

http://www.myspace.com/windows?homepage=boxfive

More fun Box Five stuff on the horizon, including news about the "Unpredictable" single and release parties...and rumors about Box Five's first full-length album!?...will keep you posted!!

Hugs,
BOX FIVE

2009-06-24T15:56:00.002-04:00

SURPRISE! NEW BOX FIVE DEMO, "TODAY IS THE DAY [SOLO VERSION]", MADE POSSIBLE BY MICROSOFT WINDOWS & REVERBNATION
Just wanted to let you know that there's a brand new Box Five demo now available online! It's a solo demo of a brand-spankin' new Box Five tune called "Today is the Day". This solo demo version is a delicious taste of what the LP version of "Today is the Day" will eventually become: while the demo features only voice and guitar (including a kickin' mock-instrument vocal solo if Mary does say so herself!) the eventual album version will also feature bass, drums, Latin-style piano, strings, woodwinds, and trumpet...you can say you knew it when! :)

Best of all, the demo can be downloaded FREE, through Reverbnation's new sponsored song program, made possible by...Microsoft Windows. Yes, THAT Microsoft Windows! Many thanks to both companies for dreaming up this fun and fancy promotion!

To download "Today is the Day (Solo Version)", simply go here!:

http://www.myspace.com/windows?homepage=boxfive

By the way, please download the song only ONCE. They will be logging our download results, and we want to make sure we receive our ranking fair and square! However, if you download the tune and end up totally digging it, feel free to forward the link to your friends, family and colleagues if you think they might like to check it out as well!

We hope you enjoy it, please write to Mary at mary@boxfive.org and tell us what you think!!

*********

NEW DIGITAL SINGLE, "UNPREDICTABLE", AVAILBLE JULY 10TH
And don't forget! We're also releasing ANOTHER new song, "Unpredictable", as a digital single on July 10th! The song will be availble for purchase via a pay-what-you-wish widget called Quidplayer, and we'll even be doing to digital single release parties in Boston and Philadelphia! Check out the newsdiary article here for all the details:

http://www.boxfive.org/newsdiary/2009_06_01_archive.html#4432576036240398394

*********

VISIT OUR SCENIC MISSIVEBOARD
Just in case you weren't aware, boxfive.org also boasts a very awesome missiveboard. It's just like a messageboard, only better because it is a missiveboard. Recent topics have included "Post Elevator" "Yo Boreas" and "How many doughnuts do I need?". Check out the magic here:

http://www.boxfive.org/mb

Thanks for reading, we love you, and we hope you enjoy the new tune!!

Super hugs,
Mary and BOX FIVE!

2009-06-15T15:41:00.009-04:00

Hey there, everybody! Hope you're well. Because boy oh boy, have we got news for you!

New digital single July 10th, release parties July 10th & 19th (Boston and Philly)
Box Five is happy to announce the upcoming release of its very first digital single! The new studio track, entitled "Unpredictable", will become available on the Box Five website July 10, 2009. Box Five hasn't released new material since 2006's EP fen, so this is a super duper big darn deal! :D

Best of all, the song will be made available for download via Quidplayer, a snazzy new technology developed by Jon Darvill, which allows fans to pay what they wish for each track downloaded. Suggested retail price will be 99 cents per download, but you can pay all the way down to 22 cents, which is the amount Google checkout will charge Mary for each transaction. Nifty! For the Quidplayer FAQ, check out this webpage right HERE.

But wait, there's more! In honor of our brand new tune, Mary will be playing a special gig at the Lilypad in Cambridge, MA on the day of the "Unpredictable"'s release, July 10th. She'll be joined by singer/songwriter Christopher Barnes, who will ALSO be putting out a digital single of his own that evening (details of Chris' single should be available on his website shortly). Everyone who attends the gig will receive a FREE digital copy of both singles, just bring your flash drive and we'll download it for ya right then and there!

Here's complete info on the gig, which is sure to be a blast!:

*******
BOX FIVE @ THE LILYPAD
"UNPREDICTABLE" DIGITAL SINGLE RELEASE PARTY, BOSTON
When: Friday, July 10th @ 7pm
Where: The Lilypad (1353 Cambridge Street; Cambridge, MA)
Cost (including FREE copies of both digital singles if you bring your flash drive!): $10.00 (all ages)
With: Co-bill with Christopher Barnes, who will also be releasing a single that evening, details on his website TBA
Notes: Mary will be playing this gig with a string quartet and possibly more, performers TBA! <3
*******

We will also be celebrating the release of "Unpredictable" in Philly on July 19th at L'etage, and everyone that attends that evening will receive a free copy of the single as well (don't forget to bring your flash player for the download)! So awesome! Here are the details for that gig, as well:

*******
BOX FIVE LIVE@ THE LILYPAD
"UNPREDICTABLE" DIGITAL SINGLE RELEASE PARTY, PHILADELPHIA
When: Sunday, July 19th @ 8pm (doors @ 7:30pm)
Where: L'etage (NW Corner of 6th and Bainbridge Sts., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia PA)
Cost (including FREE copies of both digital singles if you bring your flash drive!): $8.00 (21+ w/ID)
With: our new pals from Bostonia, Goli!
Notes: Rock band + string quartet + woodwind quartet = AWESOME
*******

Are you excited? You must be excited! Email us HERE and tell us how excited you are!!

Hugs, and looking forward to all of the digital magic!,
BOX FIVE

2009-06-02T10:50:00.002-04:00

June 2 (TONIGHT!): Mary from Box Five @ Johnny D's in Somerville MA

Hooray, it's finally here! Please join Mary for her first ever public performance in good old Massachusetts. Tonight she'll be participating in the Boston edition of the New York Songwriters Circle for a special "songwriters in the round" concert. It's gonna be pure magic! Also Mary is playing solo tonight and when does that even HAPPEN!? Much fun to be had, hope to see you there :)

Here are the detailz:

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ JOHNNY D'S ON 06/02/09

When: Tuesday, June 2 @ 8:30pm
Where: Johnny D's (17 Holland St, Somerville MA)
Cost: $10 (21+ w/ ID)
With: Kate Sawicki, Kerri Powers, Zac Taylor, and Naia Kete

If you go, don't forget to come and say hi to Mary before/after the gig, she loves talking with you!

Hugs,
BOX FIVE

2009-05-28T15:41:00.004-04:00

New summer/autumn tour dates announced!

Hey there everybody, Mary here! <3 <3 And boy have I missed you!! ;) Now that I'm finally settled down in my new home in Boston, I can't wait to start playing amazing concerts again! WOOOO! <3

Speaking of amazing concerts, thanks to everyone who packed the Cloud Club on May 16th for our set during the "Musicals" party; it was so great to see you! <3 We quite appreciate you letting us slip in an opera tune, a Beatles cover, and even an original Box Five melody along with our chosen showtunes ;) The only sad thing is that by the end of the evening I had lost the golden crown I was wearing during the performance...if you found it, just promise me you'll wear it with style! ;)

ALSO! Box Five has just announced its summer tour schedule (and part of its autumn tour schedule!), check check check it out!!:

06/02/09 - Johnny D's in Somerville, MA - Part of the New York Songwriters Circle
07/10/09 - Lilypad in Cambridge, MA - special surprise connected with this show TBA!
07/19/09 - L'etage in Philadelphia, PA with our new Boston buds, Goli!
09/04/09 - The Philadelphia Museum of Art, we're so excited for this gig! :D :D
11/29/09 - Andrea Clearfield's Salon, always a delight!

For complete info on these shows (times, addresses, tickets and more), just take a gander at the tourdates page.

See you soon, love you lots!

Hugs,
BOX FIVE

2009-03-09T17:20:00.000-04:00

YAY!! April 11th show in NYC has been RELOCATED to Fontana's!! (NOT canceled!!)

Hi again everyone! We were quite sad yesterday to hear that Club Rehab, the New York City venue in Box Five was supposed to perform on Saturday, April 11th had closed down. We assumed this meant our dear little show had been canceled for good, but today we received the great news that the show had simply been MOVED to a different club, called Fontana's. Awesome, we are so excited again!! :D

Here are all of the show details, hope to see you there!!

BOX FIVE, LIVE @ FONTANA'S ON 4/11/09
When: Saturday, April 11th 2009 (doors @ 7:15pm, Box Five @ 8pm)
Where: Fontana's (105 Eldridge St. NYC, NY 10002)
Cost: $8.00 (21+ w/ID)
With: Philly's very lovely Alexandra Day! (7:30), and more great bands to follow!!

Can't wait, see you then!!!

Hugs,
BOX FIVE

2009-02-23T09:58:00.003-05:00

Box Five YouTube channel, videos from the "Philly Farewell" gig
Hello lovely lovely Box Five friends! Just wanted to let you know that Box Five now has its own adorable little YouTube channel, where we've posted a smattering of videos, including THREE videos from our recent "Philly Farewell" gig on February 12th at L'etage! We hope you enjoy Snow Hymn (with string quartet), Exanimi (with woodwind quartet) and Set Me Straight (with string quartet and RAWK BAND!); you can take a gander at them here:

http://www.youtube.com/boxfivemusic

Thanks for coming to our February gigs!
Also, thank you to EVERYONE who came to our shows this past month in Durham NC, Apex NC, Philly PA, Doylestown PA, and Harrisburg PA! It was great to see you, yahoo! Keep your eyes peeled for more concert announcements coming soon... and if you want us to come to YOUR town, just send us an email and we'll see what we can do! :D

Hugs and love!!,
BOX FIVE

2009-02-05T01:12:00.003-05:00

Hey hey there, guys and gals! The excitement never seems to stop these days 'round Box Five headquarters, so here is the news!!

Box Five in this week's CityPaper
Yahoo! The very awesome A.D. Amorosi gave us a very lovely write-up in his ICEPACK column this week in CityPaper. You can check it out HERE; we are in the 8th paragraph. Thanks, A.D.!

New shows added!
Mary may be moving on March 1st, but that doesn't mean she's going to spend February sitting around doing sensible things such as packing! Oh no! She'll be playing lots of concerts!! Here they are:

Feb 9th: Special solo set at A.D. Amorosi's "Monday Night Club" showcase @ National Mechanics in Philadelphia, PA. (Check the tourdates page for full details.)

Feb 12th: Box Five's HUGE "Philly Farewell" gig at L'etage in Philadelphia, PA. This unique Box Five line-up will feature a rock band, string quartet, and woodwind quartet - 13 Box Fivers in all!! Also a special performance by Mali and Daniel of the Boston ensemble Jaggery. (Check the tourdates page for full details.)

Feb 19th: Mary will perform with a string quartet at David Ivory's monthly showcase at Puck in Doylestown, PA. More details on this show will be posted soon!

Feb 21st: Special solo set with Mary at Suba in Harrisburg, PA -- our very first Harrisburg gig! Opening for Alexandra Day. More details on this show will be posted soon!

WHEW, that's a lot of tourdates and magic and fun! Hope you'll join us!

HUGS TO YOUUUUU,
BOX FIVE