Friday, June 18, 2010

BLOG PARTY: Pt. 2


11.) Jim_Fern: At what point would you feel that you were totally successful in your singing career?

A: Jim this is a good question, I don't think I have a good answer. Success in this business is kind of like a mirage... you're walking in the desert for miles and miles... you're tired, thirsty... there it is, you can see it... it always seems like it is just beyond your fingertips, just a few more steps and then...

Point being, I am not sure what success is, I am trying to re-define that for myself with some kind of non-mirage-ish expectaions, I've had success, but I figure it's not like a final destination... more like lots of stops along the way, the trick is taking a second to stop, appreciate the view from where ever your standing, acknowledge how far you've come, take some pictures and then keep moving. When will I ever feel "totally successful"... knowing me? Probably never...


12.) Beth Winslett Fontenot: What do you do when you hit a creative block? What gets you through it? I'm having that problem with my art right now. :-(

A: Sorry to hear you're stuck Beth, creative blocks are not my favorite either. How do I get through it? Truthfully? Not very well... usually it just results in me pulling out the scissors and cutting my bangs. Sometimes, I just give into it, I stop trying, I walk away, take a break, let it be, do something else... like vacuum. And then there are times that I just suffer through it with persistence and pound my forehead on the keys, scribble a bunch of nonsense on a pad of paper until I finally stumble onto something semi worthwhile, sometimes hours later, days later, months later even. Another thing I do when I am feeling completely drained or uninspired is try some other artistic medium like painting a bedroom, doodling with sharpies, photography or even re-organizing a closet. Just get up and dance, turn up the music, or turn it down... whatever you do, do something that makes you happy. There is a great book you should read if you haven't already, "The Artists Way" there are a plethora of good ideas in there to get you back on the path of creativity...


13.) Justin Shekleton: Which famous person did you first have a crush on?

A: so my parents have told me that when I was at the age of 3 I had a thing for Peter Cetera, as in the lead singer of Chicago... whenever one of their songs came on the radio I would scream "Peter Cetera Peter Cetera!!"... true story.

As well, my favorite song was "Bad Boys" by Gloria Estefan.


14.) Ben Perez: What is your favorite song on the radio right now?

A: Generally I listen to oldies or Classic Rock, but I still try to flip through the stations just to stay up to date with whats playing on the airwaves... I am super in love with "Free" by the Zac Brown Band and "Bulletproof" by LaRoux is perfect for dancing in the mornings, both are on my Summer playlist:)


15.) Alexandra_121: Would you ever consider writing a book?

A: I dunno, perhaps someday, I could use some more experience first, a lot more experience. Seems daunting, I am just trying to write one blog post a day for the month of june right now... it's tricky. Seriously, Props to my good pal Archie for writing his first book "Chords of Strength"... he is however, a super human:)


16.) Mary Ellen Carney: Name one thing you miss about being a kid. Name one thing you love about being an adult?

A. One thing I miss about being a kid... Summer Vacation!! When you're little it never occurs to you that when you grow up you don't get three months of the year off. Enjoy it kids while it lasts!! One thing I Love about being an adult... DRIVING! I still love to drive... there are some days I am driving down the California Freeway in my car listening to music with the windows down and I think to myself "am I really driving? am I an adult? is this for real?!" I still can't believe my life sometimes.

17.) mattyg1297: Whats the most exotic thing you've eaten??

A: I have been told that I have a very "uncultured pallet" and it's true. I love pizza, steak, in and out burger , cupcakes and mashed potatoes... sorry, I just like to stick with what I know is very delicious. When I was 18 I remember going on a date with this guy, he insisted that I try sushi... he was very attractive and charming therefore I did try the sushi, and I did not like it. I still don't. Dave doesn't like it either, basically we are the only 2 people in Los Angeles that don't partake of the sushi...


18.)Milo Fagar:

We all know you love cupcakes... but I was curious, what food do you really really dislike?
A: Other than Sushi? Mayonnaise is frightening as well as miracle whip (eeby jeebies), sour cream, cottage cheese, tuna in a can is definitely not allowed in my house, egg salad, bologna is bad news and then of course, as I've mentioned on numerous occasions, sandwiches are also a non-favorite. With the exception of grilled cheese, BLT and PB& honey.


19.)Jehan_J i think u should answer a question of a brazilian fan: What is ur favorite song on the album and what it means to you?

A: I have always said that i don't have a favorite, but now I realize that I do... "Hold Up My Heart" is my favorite track on High Hopes and Heart Break (a lot of H's). Why? It was the first track that I recorded for the record, I can remember how I felt when I first heard the playback... I can't explain it, it was everything I wanted it to be, it was reminiscent of the music that I listened to as a kid... it had a melancholy happiness, the fuzziness of the recording, the loose yet natural rhythm of the band, it wasn't glossy or overly modern, I knew there was nothing like it on top 40 radio, I knew it was a risk, but I knew it was what I had to do, I couldn't stop listening to it, I still can't... it set the tone for the record.


20.) realdetective: I loved seeing Kris wearing the California Song shirt. But which Kris shirt did he send you? Was it the Elephant one!?

A:

Thursday, June 17, 2010

BLOG PARTY: Pt. 1


This is taking a bit longer then I expected... so I am going to break it up into 2 parts, 10 questions today... 10 questions tomorrow! Thanks for partyin'...

1.) MLEwritergirl Q: written any new songs lately? and will we get to hear them?
A: I've written a few, I've got a writing session tomorrow... eventually you will hear them... well, at least the good ones:)

2.) kcgeek4vocab : Is it discouraging if only few people show up for show? Or are you just happy that anyone shows up?
A: Great question... Honest Answer... Yes, it is discouraging... embarrassing, awkward, humbling, yet a necessary experience . The truth is, it's going to happen, and it has happened, to me, to Billy Joel, to anyone who has taken the risk of performing, and when it does happen you have to remember that those few people did show up! They deserve the best show you can give them. The stage requires a great deal of mental toughness, something I am most definitely still working to acquire...

3.) Makinsey : favorite tv show when you were a kid?
A.

4.) flyingtonowhere : if you were offered a guest starring role on the show of your choice, which would you pick?
A: Hmmm... comedy VS. drama... 30 Rock or Friday Night Lights both are my faves.

5.) John Cecchini:
What's your favorite song by...The Carpenters, James Taylor, and Carole King?
A: How about top 2? Carpenters-We've only just begun or Close to You/ James Taylor-Shower the People or Something in the Way She Moves/ Carole King- So Far Away or It's too late.

6.) asparklechick: Are you going to upgrade to an iphone 4 or stay with the one you have now? (I love mine, but I'm undecided) Thoughts? :)
A: iWant

7.) LauragraceN: Do you have a theme song??? You know, a song that psyches you up before doing something nervy! Mine is Pressure-Billy Joel
A: uh huh, on idol I used to listen to "make it happen" by Mariah Carey and pace up and down the hall on show days... some people thought it was hilarious. When I met Mariah I told her:)

8.) ElizabethThe: Who are some of your style inspirations? Whose closet would you love to raid? Feel free to include pictures. :)
A: Zooey: fun, vintage-y and feminine
Sienna: bohemian, laid back... effortless. and i love j.crew this year

9:) avarix98: In your opinion, what are the three things that make up inner beauty?
A: Just 3? Humor, Compassion, Optimism... for starters:)

10.) live_free_319: Who would be your ideal dinner guests if it were you and 3 people you've yet to meet?
A: My kids...



Wednesday, June 16, 2010

TUMMY ACHE...

I've got one and it's super no bueno:( I am going to call it a night and go to sleep and hope I wake up in the morning feeling brand new...

goodnight

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

GIANTS, BABY PIGS & DOO DOO MALUBY...

THE BEST PICTURE EVER...


HAVEN'T SEEN THIS LIL' LADY IN A LONG TIME, RAMIELE IS HILARIOUS...

WOKE UP... BRAVED THE LAX AIRPORT... YIKEES... HOPPED ON AN AERO-PLANE... SAT NEXT TO THIS BAND... HAD A LOVELY DAY IN SAN FRANCISCO... SANG AT THE GIANTS GAME... SAW A BABY PIG AT THE PETTING ZOO THAT LOOKED JUST LIKE WILBUR IN CHARLOTTES WEB... WANTED TO TAKE IT HOME BADLY... HAD A GOOD LAUGH WITH A GOOD FRIEND... PLAYED WITH HER YORKIE... GOING TO BED... SWEET DREAMS:)



Sunday, June 13, 2010

BEHIND THE CAMERA...

Being a performer means that generally you would find me in front of the camera... however, truth be told, sometimes I much prefer to be behind it, for one it's not nearly as nerve racking. I love Seeing the world... finding people... experiencing a moment, through the view finder. I've been asked a handful of times "if you weren't a singer-songwriter, what else would you do?" Well, I know for certain that it would have to be an occupation that utilizes the Right side of the brain, the "artsy fartsy" side, because I am convinced that the left side of my noggin is pretty much just vacant space, hollow, nada, nothing... "hello... is there anybody in there??" No, sorry, there just isn't. For instance, I was hopeless at math, needless to say I decided to retire my mathematical ambitions not even a hot second after Algebra 2 was over, my last required math class. Nope, no aspirations or yearnings for Pre-Calc and beyond for me...

Anywho, I've thought about what I would do if music didn't exist in my life (the thought brings sadness) and there are a few other things that I could see myself doing "when I grow up"... IF I ever grow up...

I'd love to be the one that gets to design and create those elaborate window displays at Anthropologie, That store is seriously one big arts and crafts project goin' on, and you know how I love a good project, there is almost nothing that I love more then being up to my elbows in craft supplies, everytime I walk in the store I feel the urge to get out the glue gun. I would also love to open a cupcake shop, perhaps a gluten free one with my sister, the Katie Boo, who has celiacs, therefore can not have anything with gluten (btw, pretty much EVERYTHING has gluten in it) which means generally she can not eat cupcakes, it's a real bummer...

Well today I re-decided I would also love to be a photographer, this weekend a few friends asked me if I could take some family photos for 'em. Well they are beautiful people, with adorable children that have got character and charm oozing out of their ears, so I said yes! I could have taken photos for hours... completely loosing track of time when I'm snapping away, it's only when i'm out of space on my memory card or I am halted by a dead battery that I finally am forced to put the camera down. Like pretty much everything else I do, I have very little technical knowledge of how to actually use my Nikon D-60, but I know a few simple functions and then just get lost in the lens...

this is what I found:

Saturday, June 12, 2010

AT THE CAR WASH....

Today I went to one of my favorite places... a magical place... the car wash. I love the car wash... why? Because while my car gets a bath, I get to sit in the warm California sunshine on an old chipped yellow bench while eating a delicious strawberry shortcake ice cream bar and listen to the oldies radio station playing over the loud speaker. It's the little things in life :)

what are your "little things"?


PS - I can't believe it, Jack Bauer got caught, got shot and ran out of bullets!?