Greetings fans and friends. My new album is in its beginning stages and I have the feeling as if I'm in the ocean watching a huge wave come towards me. I know all I need to do is dive in and swim, but still there's a dizzy sensation in my tummy. This is my fifth full-length release and I'm hoping to use all the lessons I've learned from past projects to make this one the most successful yet. With your help, I know it can happen. In a few weeks I'll begin a fund-raising campaign through Pledgemusic.com but until then, I need to gather as many fans as possible to convince Pledgemusic that I have a good chance of raising my goal. Every day I will offer a new song for download in exchange for things like sharing my facebook page, providing an email addreess, etc. I have so many new songs and stories to share with you.. Thanks for your help and enjoy the music!
Happy Springtime!! I've just finished completing my Yoga Teacher Training with some amazingly beautiful and talented people. This is one of many journeys I've taken this past year as I reclaim myself as something more than a schoolteacher, more than a thirty-something old spinster, more than another chic singer-songwriter waiting for a break... more than something I've ever been. The one thing my teacher said that stuck out the most was "The most important thing is to stay juicy..". When we spend day after day in the same routines, worrying about the same problems, seeing smelling feeling the same things we dry up. Add this to lack of excercise and healthy diets and we simply become machines, moving through the motions, forgetting to care about anything as we try not to go stark raving mad. Our happiness withers, our sense of aliveness fades and our ability to create becomes stuck. Climbing out of the desert can feel as difficult as escaping a high security prison.You may find yourself alone, you may escape with little more than the clothes on your back and you will be punished in more ways than one for challenging others to examine their own life choices more closely. Once you are out of the woods though, you will realize it was the most important journey you ever made. You will jointhe ranks of others who have shed their lizard skins for a glowing inner light that can finally eek its way through the body, making everything warm and beautiful and..JUICY!!
Needless to say, I am getting juicier every day and the path continues to unfold. I have two
workshops coming up where I'll expand more on escape routes from prison to Juicedom. THEN I have a sneaking suspicion a new album is going to begin production in April and hopefully released by the end of the summer. THEN..I keep having visions of a European tour in the fall....praying that juice is the color green and flows to me in great abundance soon. You can help by coming to my workshops and performances...and by searching for ways to find juice in your own life. I highly recommend yoga, road trips, organic home-made meals, watching the sun rise, doing headstands, hiking in the jungle and laying naked on the beach in a rain storm. Godspeed and Namaste!
March 31 4-6pm 3 OMS Yoga "Stoking Creative Fire with Yogic Principles and Practice"
March 31 10pm The Redlight in Bellingham with The Ames
May 3-6 YAMCamp in Austin with Melina Meza and Havilah Rand
And a new song...
Hello friends, family, fans..First of all I just found out I am a finalist in another contest. The prize is 75 hours of recording time at The Recording Conservatory of Austin so please click HERE and vote for me. On to the blog...Eating breakfast on the front porch of India's Coffee Shop in Terlingua, TX. Heading back to Austin today after an amazing two week tour that spanned Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico and West Texas. Some noteable moments include recording a video with Casey Friedmann in his amazing studio space in Oklahoma City as part of his Acoustic Oklahoma project. He has over 400 videos posted already of singer songwriters from all overthe world. Check it out HERE.
In Denver I was able to connect with my friends and of "Leading Ladies" film makers Erika Randall and Daniel Beahm who just welcomed baby Ezra Randall Beahm into their lives. He is a beautiful and sweet bundle of love and enormous amounts of talent no doubt. I literally hovered over the audience at The Walnut Room Pizzeria, the stage was actually a platform built over the bar about 50 feet in the air. SCARY but I managed to make a few new fans while simultaneously overcoming my new found fear of heights.
A two day personal writing retreat in Taos, NM was next. In between hours of stoking a roaring fire andwriting as the snow fell I perused the over 80 art galleries and museums that make Taos one of the most inspiring places I've ever been too and Iook forward to returning in the spring. The adventures continued in Pinos Altos where I played The Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House. The owner Thomas gave me the grand tour of
this incredible artifact of American history, ghost stories included! I even got to stay in a beautiful cabin he had just remodeled. I spent the morning watching the sunrise and trying to get the Keurig coffeemaker to work! When it finally did I had about five then hopped in the car and sped to Las Cruces.
After New Mexico I made my way to Marfa where I stayed in one of the oh so cool custom designed airstreams at El Cosmico owned by the restaurant/hotel superstar Liz Lambert. I opened for country band Horse Opera at Padre's and ate some delicious gumbo. Then I drank the beer the owner of the High Desert Brewery in Las Cruces had given me and tried to learn some Townes Van Zandt songs. I failed miserably and laid in bed reading Keith Richard's biography till dawn.
My tour ended in Terlinga, TX. I played the beautiful Starlight Theater and was once again treated like the princess I was born to be. I drank many delicious magaritas and slept in the El Patron suite. I guess it was my lucky weekend because I also managed to get in to Jimmy Lafave's Songwriter Roundup at the Lajitas Resort just in time to see Malcolm Holcombe smoke everyone in the room with his provacative stage presence and incredibly raw, cut to the marrow of the bone style of songwriting. Aterwards, one of the locals tried to kiss me in the cave at La Kiva..and I let him. I was in a cave for Gods Sake! On the last night of my tour..in Terlingua!
Now I'm safely back in Austin and writing even more new songs. On Monday I take off for Nashville to play at the famous Bluebird Cafe as part of my prize for winning the Austin Songwriter Group Bluebird Cafe contest. In December I play at Romeo's in Austin a few times (the 10th and 14th) before heading up to Bellingham for the holidays and a show at the Bluehorse Gallery on the 23rd. As for 2012.. more yoga and creativity retreats with Melina Meza, the Be An Artist Program with Darden Smith, touring, recording..sky's the limit! Actually I haven't a clue. Stay tuned though:)
Howdy! So Y.A.M. Camp was a huge success, SWRFA was a blast. Tonight Billy Masters and I tore it up at Romeo's in Austin where I'll be spending the next month writing and preparing for a trip to Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico and West Texas in November. I've posted a video of a brand new song that Billy and I tried out tonight. It was inspired by and is dedicated to four close friends of mine who have all lost a brother to suicide at some point during these past two years. It's strange times folks, time to be open minded, compassionate, forgiving and grateful. In this moment, we can embrace peace while still expressing our convictions. The protests on Wall Street are inspiring, finally we are participating, standing up for what we want and what we believe in. I feel myself doing the same thing in my own life. Refusing to spend time doing anything except what I know wholeheartedly serves my true self and the world around me...the loss of so many brothers hurts my heart. I am reminded to offer a kind word or smile more often. You never know when someone has reached their threshold for confusion and pain. Anyways, enough late night rambling. Thanks for your support. I'm living in paradise these days, spending every minute of every day on the things that mean most to me. I wish the same for you.
Hello from Wimberley, Texas where I am in the juicy thick of Yoga Art Music Camp with Melina Meza. We have lovely guests, delicious food and today even Susan Gibson was here to check out all the fun healthy, creative activities we got going on. On Thursday I head back to Austin for Southwest Regional Folk Alliance, my schedule of showcases is below. Also got a few Austin shows coming up in October that I hope all you Austinites will make it out to. I can hear thunder, it could be the bellies of our guests so I'm gonna run..hope to see you soon!!
Friday Sept 30 Midnight North Texas Venues Room 915
Friday Sept 30 1:10am Puffbunny House Concerts Room 804
Saturday Oct 1 10:30pm Jubilant Bridge Get Over It Room 721
Saturday Oct 1 12:30pm Lost Pines Good Bookin Room Room 816
October Shows
Wednesday October 5th Romeo's with Billy Masters 8:30pm - 10pm
Monday October 17th Whip In with Billy Masters 8-10pm
The emerald green and fresh air of Washington State is seeping in, new music and journeys are brewing! Here is the schedule for this week's mini tour with fantastic back-up musicians Phil Sottile and Dave Vaughns..
Thursday June 23 The Blue Horse Gallery in Bellingham Washington 8-10
Friday June 24 Tastebuds in Wenatchee, WA 6:30 and 8:30pm
Saturday June 25 Sapolil Winery in Walla Walla, WA 8-11pm
Monday June 27 Alberta Street Pub in Portland, OR 9pm
Tuesday June 28 Egans Ballard Jam House 7pm
In other exciting news, Leading Ladies has been picked up for international distribution and will be available on Netflix beginning September 13. You can help out a lot but adding them to your queue now!!
Finally, I will be co-facilitating a Yoga and Music Retreat (YAM Camp) retreat with Yoga Goddess Melina Meza September 25-30 in Wimberley, TX. This is the first of many opportunities for me to share my experience and expertise in the worlds of creativity, music and yoga. Click on the link for more details and to sign up:)
More from the road soon..
The last few weeks have been sublime. Been hanging out in Bellingham, WA playing every Thursday at The Blue Horse Gallery with my boys Phil Sottile and David Vaughns. We went on a little tour to Eastern Washington and had a total blast..so much so we are planning on an extended version in December. In the meantime, I have one more show at the Blue Horse on Thursday July 14. Then I head to the east coast where I will play in NYC and CT, then on to California and West Texas in September. The calendar will be updated accordingly. Below you will find info about the first yoga/music retreat I will be co-facilitating which will happen in Austin, TX September 25-30. I'll be collaborating with yoga goddess Melina Meza and vocalization wizard Will Hewett. It's going to be SO FUN. Please join us and spread the word!! See you round the bend..
What happens to your music and your art when you come to it through the doorway of daily yoga practice? How does your embodiment fuel your creativity?
If you’re interested in exploring the dynamic synergy between yoga, art, and music, come join us for YAM Camp 2011. Inspire your transition into autumn at this fun and supportive week-long workshop held at a beautiful hill-country retreat only ten minutes from the artsy eclectic village of Wimberley and less than an hour from the live music capital of the world – Austin!
Whether or not you consider yourself a yogi, musician, or artist, we will provide you the basic tools to discover your hidden talents, passion, and inner wisdom. Melina will bring her enthusiasm for leading retreats and facilitating daily yoga, nutrition, and cooking classes. Havilah will share insights from her years songwriting, performing and touring. Will, an experienced facilitator, vocalist and improviser, offers the wisdom he has garnered working with singers and other artists to explore the connection to their own music. It is our desire that you will leave the retreat with a balanced mind, a healthier body and a clearer channel for renewed creativity in all aspects of your life.
On retreat, you and your fellow adventurers will enjoy:
-Daily meditation and yoga classes
-Creativity warm ups
-Vocal explorations for the shy and experienced alike
-Guidance in singing, guitar playing and song writing
-Open time for solo work and relaxation
-Performance night where you can share what you've been working on
-Delicious meals, including Iron Chef night
-Evening song circles
*Our week will culminate on Friday with a night out on the town in Austin where we will enjoy dinner and live music.
Included in your retreat:
Daily classes with Melina, Havilah, and Will; lodging; delicious organic meals; and transportation to and from your Austin hotel to Lotus Ranch.
How to get ready for YAM Camp:
1. Book your flights to arrive in Austin by Saturday, September 24, if you are flying in from out of state.
2. Send you deposit or full payment including room preference and roommate.
3. Book your hotel room for the nights before and after the retreat -- Saturday, September 24 and Friday, September 30, or stay as long as you like!
4. Email Melina your hotel information for shuttle pick-up there on Sunday, September 25 (a few unique Austin hotels are listed below).
To Register:
Name:
Address:
Email Address:
Phone:
Roommate Preference:
Cost per person, inclusive of retreat lodging and meals:
Cost per person:
Single: $1,250.00 (space is limited)
Shared (2-3 people): $1,000.00
Payment Options:
1. Pay in full via check or *Pay Pal
2. Send a deposit of $300 to reserve your space. (Balance due September 1, 2011 via check or *Pay Pal.)
*3% user fee added to Pay Pal purchases
MAIL TO: Melina Meza, 5539 39th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105
PAYPAL DEPOSIT: $309 (includes 3% credit card fee)
PAYPAL SINGLE: 1287.50 (full price, includes 3% credit card fee)
PAYPAL SHARED: 1030.00 (full price, includes 3% credit card fee)
Cool Austin Hotels:
$$$
San Jose Hotel, Driskel, W Hotel
$$
Austin Motel
Please email any questions to Melina Meza at: melinameza@comcast.net
Meet our teachers:
Melina Meza: www.melinameza.com
Havilah Rand: www.havilahmusic.com
Will Hewett: www.vocata.com
Cancellation Policy:
Refunds minus $150 up until five weeks before the retreat begins. No refunds for canceling within five weeks of the ret
April 1 Romeo's in Austin, TX 8pm
April 9th Romeo's in Austin, TX 8pm
April 15 and 16 Songwriter Serenade in Halletsville, Texas 6pm
April 23 The Coffee Pot in San Marcos, Texas 8pm
April 30 Dunn Brothers Coffee in Spring, Texas 8pm
Spring is here and I can hardly believe it. The year is passing with lightening speed and I am wondering where I will find the time to put into motion all the ideas I have for the coming months. As some of you may know, when I am not singing and wandering the streets of various cities around the world, I teach young teenagers, mostly from Mexico, how to use correct grammar and write a decent composition. They are hilarious and infuriating and I both dread and long for the last day of school. This year in particular I have connected deeply with my students. Every day I learn patience, acceptance and to not take myself so seriously. I learn forgiveness, as every day is a new day with children, every moment is another opportunity to start again, no matter what mistakes have been made in the past. This is not always the case with adults. We have such well-formed pictures of ourselves and who we are in relation to the rest of the world. We react to one another and hold onto material attachments, insecurity and resentment as if they were some sort of life-line. And they are, but only to an illusion that prevents us from ever discovering of how capable we truly are of making our dreams come true. And to be happy. And to feel loved. Which is my next big adventure.
June 2nd I will end my career as a public school teacher and begin this journey back to myself. I am envisioning myself traveling, singing and teaching others how to tap into their own well of creativity using tools I have discovered from my own healing and creative evolution over the past ten years. While I will continue booking performances throughout the Texas and Pacific Northwest regions, I will also begin offering one-on-one and small group workshops centered around cultivating creativity through yogic principles and body/mind/spirit alignment.
One of my goals at the beginning of this year was to seek out teachers and mentors where and whenever I could. Here are a few examples of people I have run across so far who are inspiring me and confirming that I am indeed moving in the right direction. To start, Melina Meza is a yoga practitioner and teacher with over twenty years of experience. She has recently published her second book on seasonal vinyasa and ayurvedic nutrition. At the moment she is entered in a contest to be on the cover of Yoga Journal Magazine. Vote for her by clicking here!! She is also super passionate about music and has been spending a fair amount of her down time here in Austin, TX soaking up live music and sharing her expertise at various yoga studios around town. We are planning to collaborate in the fall and present a seven day retreat during October where we will practice yoga and creative expression through the voice and song. Campfire song circles with secret special guests and even a night out on the town will all be part of the fun! Contact me to learn more as space is limited!!
Another incredible person I have discovered is Darden Smith. An award winnning songwriter and recording artist, Darden has also created a program called "Be An Artist" in which he travels to schools over the world and teaches kids that creativity lives in everything and in every person. Then, he writes and records a song ON THE SPOT with the kids. I am hoping to offer something similar to groups of young people, or at least be Darden's roadie! Check out the link and support his program in any way you can because it is awesome and kids deserve to be encouraged to express themselves artistically as much as they are encouraged to become athletes and doctors.
Next on the list of Havilah's Inspiritor of the Year Awards is Jeffrey and Christine Smith who run the David B, a small cruise ship out of Bellingham, WA. They take small groups of people on cruises through the San Juan Islands, up the Inside Passage to Alaska and various other stunning hidden corners of the Pacific Northwest waters. They are wonderful friends of mine who are a perfect example of how creative vision, determination and hard work are all you need to live life straight from your heart. Conversations about offering a Singing and Songwriting cruise in 2012 have occurred!
The final award (for today anyway...) goes to Erika Randall and Daniel Beahm, super duper husband and wife team who wrote, filmed, directed and produced a full-length feature film on virtually nothing but raw talent, determination and a shit ton of LOVE. I am blessed to have several songs in this film entitled "Leading Ladies" including the opening credits which I am offering as a free listen right here for the first time. Having created quite a buzz among the independent film festival circuit world-wide, a distribution deal is right around the corner. Help out by going to IDMB and rating them a ten. I also heard a rumor that the soundtrack will be released by the summer which includes my song "All Night" and the opening credit song "Sister, Sister" which you can listen to right now!
Ok, this is turning into a book instead of a blog so I will save more for later. Please stay in touch and by all means contact me if you are interested in participating during any of the afore-mentioned events or collaborating on something similar. I am so excited for the new directions my life is taking. I encourage you to find new inspiration in your own life and to follow the quiet voice in your heart. Most important, be happy and compassionate to yourself and others. Namaste.
And here is a little something live for your listening pleasure:)
