Category: Uncategorized
Tiny Desk Concert
Officially submitted my new single “Cycles” to NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest. The criteria to enter is to record an original song sung at a desk – simple! The winner gets to perform their very own Tiny Desk Concert on NPR. Wish me luck!
Strange Day (If I’m being completely honest, not that strange)
I went to a really fun birthday party last night, met some very cool people there. I finished nearly all my errands yesterday and had a pretty productive day as well, so the evening was completely pressure free. I was worried the introversion dragon (an undeniable part of my soul) was going to surface and demand its needs be met, but it was quiet.
I felt fresh and sprightly this morning. I worked out, then went to my voice lesson which I enjoyed. I dressed up for a birthday barbecue in the afternoon and as I was working up the energy to leave my place for the party it hit. 15 minutes before the party was going to start, I called my brother confessing that I desperately needed some alone time and was thinking of flaking out on a good friend. Feeling extremely guilty, I kept trying to beat myself up. I’m not a flake, I try hard to show up when I commit so not showing up was rough. But my brain wasn’t having any of it. My brother’s one of my closest friends, and can usually separate need from laziness on my end. “Say something came up and you can’t make it.” But I haven’t seen my friend in a long time, and he’s just gotten better from being really sick. “Send him a gift.”
As I realized what I was going to do (send my friend a deeply apologetic note asking to meet for dinner some other time, and stay home), I said with a note of glee, “I bought a bottle of white wine for the party, and I’m going to crack it open over lunch and Netflix.” I spent the afternoon watching the Jem and The Holograms cartoon series from the late 80’s, and experimenting with different food and snack options to complement the Sauvignon blanc I had just opened. Some takeaways from this: my lunch of tomato and cheese sandwich paired with an arugula, strawberries and walnut salad worked extremely well with the wine. Luna bars don’t. Swiss cheese with Dijon mustard, lemon juice and really tangy and hot pepper sauce also works.
A part of me wants to judge myself as being lame and childish, but my afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable.
New Song! Deep Blue
<Drum roll> and here’s the new one: http://www.reverbnation.com/q/63eek1
Here’s the Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/samayaformusic/deep-blue
I hope you like it! I’m SO excited it’s out!! 🙂
Red Bull? Really??
I hate the drink with a passion, but I can definitely get behind Red Bull’s support for independent musicians: http://www.thefader.com/2014/11/20/social-anxiety-red-bull-independent-music. I came across this article while I was getting my music fix off The Fader. I kept expecting a catch until the end of the article, but it looks like the company is actually trying to help artists. They do get brand awareness out of it, but I would be truly grateful if someone helps me manage shows and handles the business side of things. I could then spend a lot more time doing what I really love to do: be an artist, and work extremely hard at producing the best music that I can. I would be more than happy with that. 🙂
Evolution
I think of all the music I’m working on right now for my new album and I really feel like it’s me. It’s very strange to remember how my first album felt so fitting and perfect when I finished it a year and a half ago. My style has changed completely, and though all the songs I’ve ever written are a strong representation of me, it’s funny how the old album seems so alien now. The concepts are still the same, but I’ve evolved as a songwriter. When I first wrote Porcelain Doll and actually finished it as my first completed single (ever) nearly three years ago, I thought it was the best song I would ever write in my entire life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e_r10Nli-o. I was truly concerned I would never be able to write something more meaningful and emotionally involved. Then I finished an entire album. While I still think Porcelain Doll is one of my favourite songs on the album, I wrote Curtain which I thought was at least as good, and in some ways, maybe even better.
The new series of songs I’m working on, however, have genuinely surprised me. I never thought I would be shift in the direction I have, but I’ve really been able to test and push myself because of it. It’s opened up a lot of creative space in my mind as well, and I’m deeply grateful for it.
Wishing everyone an amazing Friday. 🙂
S.
Left Hand Free
I’ve loved Alt-J for a while now, but this version of Left Hand Free had me dancing in my room for quite some time today: https://soundcloud.com/alt-j/left-hand-free-lido-remix
Spinning Wheels
Max just finished up the mix for “Impossible,” and we’re going to ship it out for mastering soon. Can’t wait to hear the finished product!
Vocals Done!
Max and I recorded the vocals for Impossible Friday night. It was amazing being in the studio again. We did enough takes to give Max plenty of material to work with, and we then experimented with different harmonies. I always feel like I’m a kid playing with friends when I’m in the studio. It’s so much fun, and we really get the chance to push ourselves and test our creativity. Really hope we can get the song out within a few weeks.
I finished writing the lyrics for another song today. I need to finish up the chords this weekend as well, and maybe I’ll start writing my third song for the next set at Martuni’s.
Hope you’re all having a fantastic weekend as well!
Blueprints
It’s time once again: my goal for the next month is to finish writing three more songs. I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the past couple of months on production and finding people to play with for a longer show, but song ideas have been collecting dust as a result. Before I start worrying about running out of new ideas (I wonder if this is something all creative people deal with??), I need to finish the ones I do have right now.