Using all the tools - Reverbnation

At E's suggestion, I'm making another page out here in cyberspace.  So far so good. Reverbnation pulled in all my Facebook fans and MySpace friends into the site.  Now,  how do I move up the charts?

I'm going through a bit of personal dilemma.  What else is new?  But, seriously, do I want to start doing local gigs, which would entail adding LOTS MORE COVERS to my act?  Or, do I want to retain my "ARTISTE" status?  I'm working with new musicians all the time, who knows what opportunities may arise? Trusting that the universe will guide me in the right direction.....

I'm proud of the work I've done so far and extremely grateful to my awesome collaborators and supporters.

Please check out John Apice's  Review  of Crazy Wisdom on No Depression.

Much love from Catbird Lake,
Laura

Comix

Everyone on facebook is posting comic characters for their profile picture.  I just can't decide....

Call me crazy!

I'm pretty damned excited to share that I accomplished a major life goal.

I completed CRAZY WISDOM, my album of all original music, which has been in the works a long time.  It's getting out there, slowly....  The response has been heartening.

Just wanted to share some crazy wisdom and love <3

Also sending out gratitude for all my collaborators:
Bru Rossman for seeing the vision early, adding hooks, arrangements, vocals and all kinds of guitar; Mike Ferrara for sound advice from the beginning, adding the twang, vocals and assorted guitar; Billy Karcher for angelic support, adding a new spin, guitar, mandolin and vocals; Gerry Griffin for catching the fire early and his bravado and bass; Dave Moore for coming in and being a rhythmic monster on the drums; and Don Sternecker for sound magic and masterful mixing - for "getting" the music and for his Hammond B3. Shout out to Gene Paul for the incredible mastering and to Delaynie Rudner and Meg Beattie for their support and angel choir.

Kicking the Habit with a Headache

Migraine Blues:

Cider vinegar didn’t touch it

The prescription made me ill

Now I’m sucking on a tootsie pop

And trying to get my fill

I’m not an alcoholic.  I like alcoholics a hell of a lot (especially those in recovery) but I’m not one.  I thought I might be one – I tried the 12 step program and loved it – but I’m not one.  I stopped going to meetings because I realized I’d be lying if I said “Hi, I’m Laura, I’m an alcoholic.”   I also stopped going when I started working full time.  I live in a beautiful place and I want some hours at home.  Come visit, you’ll see.

I am addicted to cigarettes though.  As far as I am concerned alcohol is a gateway drug to nicotine.  So there’s a reason to stay away from alcohol.  I picked up cigarettes again this summer – after publicly swearing never to smoke again.  I said to myself I’d stop when I finished my album.  Well my work (on the recording) is done, just waiting to have it mastered and printed.  I emptied the ashtray in my car this morning.  I will not buy anymore.  I’ve got some Tootsie Roll Pops to suck on. 

Cigarettes have a lovely connection for me to creativity.  Back in the early seventies, when I was in college, we were allowed to smoke – in class.  I took mostly studio art classes.  My favorite teacher, the late, great Robert D'Arista, used to inhale deeply on his cigarette as he critiqued our work.  This led me to taking my paintings out in the hall, and enjoying a cigarette as I decided how next to proceed with any given work.  I started going out of the recording studio with a cigarette over the summer after listening to any given track.  Same thing, all over again, but I’m sooo much older now.  I’ve reached the age Bob D’Arista died at of an aneurysm in 1987. That year I was busy as a young mother, newly separated from her artist husband.  I wasn’t thinking of anything but doing the best for me and my daughter.  I looked up Bob when I started a drawing class in Warwick last year.  I miss him.  He gave me a huge shot of much needed self confidence back in college.  He said, “Don’t worry what anyone thinks, I told you that you’re good – that’s all you need to know.”

Writing and reminiscing, my migraine seems to have finally subsided. 

And I can add recording artist to my list of qualifications.  There will be a CD release party soon at Tierney’s in Montclair, NJ and, by the way, I will be showing a few drawings at the Seligman Gallery in Sugarloaf, NY.

Gardening at Night

The first red tomatoes have appeared on the vine in my patio garden.  This is mundane stuff, but damn it makes me happy. The happiest song I ever wrote was not about love, but about how "the sun will shine and the garden's going to grow."

It's not always sunshine, I love to do a little gardening in the cool of the evening.  The REM tune has been accompaniment to the task since the mid 80's - which is when I started gardening on a regular basis.



Living here closer to nature than I've ever been has its rewards.  The slogan of Sussex County is, appropriately, "people and nature together."

Sunday I saw a hummingbird moth sipping nectar from my monarda (a/k/a bee balm).  That was surreal  -- I didn't even know that hummingbird moths existed. None of the stock photos I've found online captures the experience or the colors I saw.  I'm going to have to keep my camera near and hope it returns.  It's very freaky that an insect and a bird should share so many characteristics. Wikipedia attributes it to convergent evolution.  Live and learn..... 

Meanwhile, the music is coming along wonderfully.  I'm going into the studio on Sunday to do more tracking.  The plan is to have a finished, sparkling CD in hand by the time the Montauk Daisies (late bloomers like myself) are opened. That will be something.

xoxo

Reflections of a Red Winged Blackbird

Okay, males can be dumb. No offense boys, you know I love you, and not one of my friends could be described as a bird brain.  But, this bird has been having a territory war with it's own reflection since Sunday! Here you see it sizing up its own reflection in the first image and then smashing into the mirror in attack mode in the second image. Maybe it's cruel of me to have the mirror out in the yard.

Reflect on that.

This Jersey girl is going to pick up her guitar now.

Peace, love and music.... That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

So tired, but inspired....

I slept a few winks today. The days merged together.... Had too much fun Friday night with the crowd I moved an hour away from in Montclair.  The music was great.  I danced and I sang along.  The musicians were awesome.  There were three bands, and each of the bands had at least one member that I've recruited into my own project.  Share the love!

There were times they were so in the zone.  The Fabulous Flemtones - man they have been playing together for over thirty years....  I've been following them for a while, but I heard them do something that I hadn't heard before. They did "I'm a Believer" with a "Wipe Out" jam.  If that didn't evoke adolescent rock and roll memories....



They are so eclectic in their choice of material. They do an amazing cover of "Bodhisattva" by Steely Dan. That alone won me as a fan.  Okay, I'm in awe of them, but what's even more amazing is the feeling is mutual.

I jammed with friends at an after party. The music gives me energy I can't get anywhere else.  At about four a.m. I drove my friend and former roommate, Ilsa, to her apartment, crashed on her couch for a while, got up, drank a little coffee, played "Two" by Ryan Adams on Ilsa's guitar (yeah, that song's become a new obsession) and drove back up to the lake to my sleeping dog, Cocoa.  Thank God, she was okay and hadn't soiled the house.  The rest of the day consisted of a little posting on Facebook (including a few moves in Lexulous), catching up with several friends on the phone, soaking up vitamin D outside and snoozing.  Tried to watch a little boob tube, but just crashed on the couch.

Now it's early Sunday and I'm a little nervous.  I could use some real sleep in my bed, but I've got chores to do. This afternoon, I'm going to meet with a woman, a producer, to go over a song or two and get her input.  I'v been doubting my ability to self-produce my own album, so I'm open to suggestion.  Although, since my brief meeting with Don from Mix-O-Lydian studios, I'm confident I will be able to make a very nice album with what I have.

After the album is made, I will be, God willing, be gigging more.  I have met some awesome local musicians and there are more collaborations in the making.  I want to act locally, but damn it if I'm not thinking globally! We'll see where the touring band comes from.  I just know, for now, I'm going to record with the project I've got.  (And when it comes down to it, I can present my stuff solo just fine - the only time I got a standing ovation, I had put it out there solo.)  Ah, but the luxury of having guitar support and leads thrown in -- and harmonies and a back beat -- and then, when people get up and dance....

I just wish I didn't have to work.  (Do you hear that, Universe?) The hours are preventing me from getting out to open mics and rehearsals.  I'm going to have to plead with my guys to come to my place on my schedule.  And that's when it's like herding cats - even if the cats are cool.  If my guys didn't have their own jobs, other bands, wives, and responsibilities (or in some cases a penchant for partying), it would be much easier to get together on a regular basis.  I'm grateful for them, nonetheless. Well, there are three gigs, a taping for a cable show and a session at the recording studio all in the near future.  Where are my shades?