reeve writes

mute button

2013-05-08T05:30:00.000-04:00

I love TV. It shuts off my brain. It allows me to press the mute button on my self-hating-narcissistic brain. It lets me exhale. But, since I've been hanging out a LOT lately in my new condo which has no TV or internet yet, I'm learning other ways to "press mute". Mostly I'm daydreaming of different ways to bring character to my cookie-cutter new home. But I'm also reading more AND have absolutely loved the company of the birds outside my window. It's lovely and quiet and perfect. I am realizing that this quiet also helps me exhale. It doesn't completely mute the self-hating voices but it does turn them way down. I'm so thankful for my new retreat of a home and now I'm thinking up ways to keep it feeling retreat-like even when I put all my stuff in. I hope you don't mind seeing a bit more room inspiration posts here - cause I'm thinking there may be a few:)

inspiration for my bedroom...

{source}

Clearly I'm very inspired by dark walls and light bedding. There is something really peaceful feeling, to me, about dark and light meeting together. Can't wait to make this a reality in my life:)

In other news - I'm going on Friday to master the record!! Ya'll, it's sooooo very close to being in my hands all beautiful and shrink-wrapped! I'm so excited:)

#66

2013-05-07T05:30:00.000-04:00

two exciting records come out today. Well, at least it's exciting to me! I hope maybe you will be excited too after watching these videos...

lighting issues

2013-05-06T11:36:00.001-04:00

I'm sure this issue doesn't effect most of you - but I have it BAD! I cannot stand light fixtures that look like these...

I mean, come on?! doesn't anyone else think they look like boobs? :( Clearly a man designed these. I'm sorry if you have them all over your house and you never noticed before, sorry!! I've lived with them before but that was in a rental. Now that I have the ability to change out light fixtures I'm even more annoyed by these lights. So, I've started looking at light fixtures. And Good Gravy! The light fixtures you see in the stores are usually either waaaaay too expensive or just plan ugly. Or, look like a boob :(

I have my eye on a few that aren't too expensive and hopefully I'll eventually have a boob-light free home:)

this one is my favorite idea for my kitchen... BUT, it's price tag will keep that light in my dreams.

{source}

and I also started a pinterest board...

"for those who hate the boob light"

{come join me on pinterest!}

just for a laugh

2013-05-02T05:30:00.000-04:00

cause sometimes you just need one...

#65

2013-04-30T17:33:00.000-04:00

Seriously. Jill Andrews. I'm pretty sure the girl could just hum and I would be moved. In fact, I know I would. Her voice is one of my all-time favs. And then to top it all off, she knows how to write a fantastic sad song. Anyway, I love her and wanted to share some new songs I found on youtube with you... happy tuesday!

keys

2013-04-29T12:31:00.000-04:00

well folks, I shared some BIG news on instagram the other day...

I bought a condo with the help of my parents. I haven't said anything about it here because I was so afraid I would jinx it. I'm so in love with my new place. But I sorta still feel like it's not mine. I'm not actually moving until June but I've been hanging out at the condo a lot lately. It's nice to have a place to go with no internet or tv. I sit in my chair and daydream about wall colors and gallery walls and color coded books.

I brought over some books and some games, my favorite blanket, and some pillows for the couch. I made up the guest bed and brought over my suitcase with some pajamas and some other necessities - like gold dino, matryoshka doll magnet, and glass owl. I love being there, I just never want to leave. And sitting in the emptiness is making me want to get rid of a LOT or stuff. I'll start packing up my apartment soon but I have a feeling that my packing will lead to a big yard sale of some sort.

Anyway, I thought I would finally tell the world my big news since I actually spent the night there last night ;)

HAPPY MONDAY!

here's some news for ya

2013-04-26T05:30:00.000-04:00

also, here is a little video of gogoPilot and me at the Wilco tribute. Happy Weekend!

music room inspiration

2013-04-24T05:30:00.000-04:00

Someday, hopefully sooner than later, I will have my own music room/studio/office. I have a running list of ideas for that someday space. Here are a few of my favs from pinterest.

oh my, this is my fav.

{source}

I love the matryoshka dolls on top of the piano.

{source}

love the "ah" on the wall. Except I might do a "la" instead:)

{source}

swoon.

{source}

love the bright colors

{source}

and clearly, I have a thing for a painted piano

{source}

love the happy wall color and the red guitar!!

{source}

Constant Reminder at The Muse

2013-04-22T09:58:00.001-04:00

Good Monday Folks. My good friend Shelley took a video at the last full-band show at The Evening Muse. This song is semi-new and I think this is the best we have played it so far. Hope you enjoy it. And - Thanks to Shelley for making it:)

My Favorite Kitchen Items

2013-04-18T05:30:00.000-04:00

Today I thought I would share my favorite Kitchen items. The things that I'm not sure I could ~~live~~ cook without. I mean, I could but I definitely wouldn't enjoy it as much. I'm also doing a little linkup at the bottom in case you want to share your fav's. I would love to see yours.

#1 A Good Dutch Oven. It should be cast iron with an enamel coating. My Mom bought me a Martha Stewart one from Macy's when it was on sale. I have yet to christen it...but, soon...soon! Someday I will own a Le Creuset, but it's a bit too pricey for me right now. BUT - if you have the $ then by all means go for the best (which is by far, Le Creuset!).

Le Creuset Signature Soleil Oval French Oven, 6 3/4 qt. (Google Affiliate Ad)

#2 A good Food Processor. For the past two years I've been using a crappy, small food processor. GRRRRR! It's important to get a good one, otherwise it really doesn't save you much time or energy. I LOVE my Cuisinart. Plus, it'a a hand-me-down from my Grandmother. It's old...and it's still amazing. Quality is key.

Cuisinart Elite Die-Cast 12-Cup Food Processor (Google Affiliate Ad)

#3 A KitchenAid Mixer. I am now a believer. I have my grandma's old stand mixer and it works just fine. But after living with my roomie's KitchenAid, oh...my...goodness! Nothing can compare. I've bee looking at ones at walmart and target (because they are so, so, cheap there!) but I've found that most of those come with a bowl without a handle. That might not make a difference to you, but with my EDS hands, I need the handle. So, I'll be having to pay a bit more.

KitchenAid Empire-Red Artisan Stand Mixer (Google Affiliate Ad)

#4 A comfortable vegetable peeler. This is my fav peeler. It feels right in my hand and I can peel very fast with it. And I am definitely safer with this one. I have yet to cut myself with this one. And ya'll...I'm constantly cutting myself on things:( Today I cut my thumb on my juicer...ouch!

Chef'n Green Palm Peeler (Google Affiliate Ad)

#5 Vintage Pyrex Mixing Bowls. I have a little too many pyrex bowls. BUT - they are just the best. I especially love the Cinderella bowls because of their little spouts - perfect for batters and doughs. Plus, it double as a handle. The only downside is, in order to keep their paint from chipping, you have to hand wash them. In my book - it's worth it.

{source}

#6 Measuring Bowls. I'm not really sure why I love these soooo much more than regular measuring cups, but I do. Maybe it's because they fit in draws so well, maybe it's because I love the way all my chopped ingredients look in them. I got mine at home goods. They usually have a set or two hanging around.

{source}

#7 A Good Chef's Knife. I have come to believe that you really only need one knife in your kitchen. Okay, maybe a serrated knife for your bread. But for everything else - just a good sharp chef's knife will work. My dad has provided me with many handmade knifes over the years but I defiantly use the chef knife the most. It doesn't really matter what brand or how much money you spend (in my opinion, others would highly disagree) what matters is the sharpness. So get yourself a knife sharpener and keep your knifes sharp...AND HAND WASH THEM!!

#8 I LOVE my Twist Sponge Cloths. Ya'll!!! They are AMAZING. And they have lasted me over a year now. AND you just put them into your dishwasher and wash them with your dishes.

{source}

Now it's your turn!! I'd love to know what your fav's are or maybe even see that we have the same and could easily cook in each other's kitchen. I've never done a link up before here so hopefully I've done it right.

messy

2013-04-17T05:30:00.000-04:00

I don't have many words today. Yesterday was all kinds of crazy and messy and today. Well, today I need to start over in sooooo many ways. I need to rest. And rest assured that it will all work out. It's going to be fine. I hope your day has a little rest too.

{source}

#64 and thoughts on worry

2013-04-16T05:30:00.000-04:00

When days like yesterday happen your brain goes into shock. Even if you weren't close to the incident or even knew anyone there. You can't help it, your brain can't begin to understand. You can't justify any reason why some people do bad, bad things. Bombs and war and shootings they confuse us and anger us and sadden us. They make us question our safety. the volume on our normal worries get turned waaaaay up and then we end up not living in the moment but instead, living in the "what if".

{source}

Life in today's world is confusing and scary and way too often - sad. But we still need to live in the moment. If we don't, evil wins. We can't do anything about these crazy people. We just can't. There have been shootings in rural areas and planes have flown into buildings in big cities. There is no real safe place. But, we shouldn't spend our days worrying about what might happen. What might happen will either happen or it won't. We can't control it. What we can do is give our worries to God. He can take them, he his big enough and wants to take all our worries away. If we do this then we can really appreciate each moment we live. Each conversation, each hug, each beautiful cadence, each magnificent sunset, and each bite of chocolate.

I'm asking God to take my worries away. Because it's hard to have to send email asking a church "what is your shooting/bombing procedure?"all for a class that I teach children music. It's hard to hear that preschools are not just doing fire drills anymore, nope they are also doing lock down drills. It's a hard world but I know that my God is big enough to put my brain at ease. Do I know why He allows things like this happen in the first place, no. But I do know it was not His choosing or His plan.

If you are like me, and need to numb your heart and brain for a moment. May I suggest turning the volume up all the way and closing your eyes and listening to this record. It's a beautiful record, that I believe, was MAAAADE to be listened to LOUD! And for me (along with prayer) there is nothing more therapeutic than loud music. "It's so loud I can't hear myself think!" Exactly. I remember driving to see my Grannie on her death bed and the entire hour drive I had the music turned all the way up in my car because it was the only way I would make it there without crying and probably having an accident. I realize that this may not be for everyone and seriously - don't turn it up so loud that it hurts, but there is something to be said for drowning out the questions in your head.

God Bless you all and I pray that your worries get lost in this beautiful and dissonant music too...

#64 - Metals by Feist by Reeve Coobs on Grooveshark

have you done a reboot?

2013-04-15T12:16:00.002-04:00

First I had a melt down. Then I watched Food Matters. Then Hungry for Change. and then Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. All in 48 hours. It was a crazy-emotional weekend. I've been doing the paleo thing for over a week now. And my melt down was mainly because I ate some glutton the night before and then been very sick the next day. Really? Just a week without glutton and I already can't take it? ugh. I'm tired of having to cook everything. Yes, I know it's only been one week. But, it brought me right back to the place I was in a few years ago when I had gone a year with cooking almost every single meal. It broke me. I had lost about 50 pounds and was feeling better than I had in years and then I broke. And I gained it all back and more.

Now I find myself back to trying new diets and old diets again because I feel like anything has to be easier than that. My biggest issue is that I'm still in a lot of pain with the different diets. None of them actually give me more energy or deal with sugar addictions or help relieve pain. They are all just calorie counting or point counting or whatever.

After watching these movies this weekend and also eating the paleo diet for a week and a half now I think I have found my solution, possibly? hopefully?

Here's my takeaway from the movies...

The most important thing is that we shouldn't do diets. We should instead make sure that the high percentage of what we eat should be raw vegetables, then raw fruit, then nuts and seeds, then animal products. This isn't saying you can't have anything. Although I know that a lot of the folks talking on the show are vegan or vegetarian or raw or whatever. They aren't pushing their own personal beliefs they are talking about what our bodies are craving. Our bodies are really craving nutrients and the best place to find those nutrients are in fresh, organic, raw vegetables and fruit. Now, this is nothing new to me. But to hear all these stories of people loosing weight and going of medications and battling cancer with just what they are putting in their bodies - well, it inspired me.

I don't like raw vegetables. Maybe this has been my problem all along. I need to teach myself to love raw vegetables. I need to eat them like they are medicine, because they are. They contain so much good stuff that my body is lacking. I was especially in love with Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. It follows two guys that "reboot" their bodies by doing a 60 day (medically monitored) juice fast. If you haven't watched it before - please do! It was inspiring, thought provoking, and entertaining. AND it's streaming on Netflix!

My other takeaways from the weekend of food documentaries...

- Right after you wake up and before you put anything into your body (including coffee) drink a liter of water. This makes so much sense to me.

- Our bodies are built for feast and famine. The problem is most Americans do not ever go through a fasting time. Our bodies naturally store fat for the fasting periods yet we don't ever have them. We are in a constant state of feast. AND to top it off we also are not as active as we used to be. Even people to exercise an hour a day are usually still sitting the rest of the time. We need to be more active and eat foods that our bodies do not see as "storing" foods but foods that are "fueling foods".

- Your attitude towards your self and body can effect your health. I've known for many years that my lack of self love has effected my relationship with God and relationships with people but I never thought about it effecting my health. But it makes total sense. If I don't love the body I have I will not have the motivation to take care of it. They suggested putting a note on your mirror that reads "I accept myself unconditionally, right now."then repeating it to yourself throughout the day. I think this is good but I think I would also add "My God Love me unconditionally, right now." because, for me it's not just about my body it's also about my soul.

Alright, I guess that's all for now. I will let you know how this goes. But I'm really, really interested in if any of you have done a juice reboot? Or a juice cleanse? I'm thinking I will try it but super interested in your thoughts on it.

reviews and critiques

2013-04-11T05:30:00.000-04:00

My friend Emily wrote some beautiful words on critiques and reviews. I am soaking them in as I'm in the final steps of putting my record out. I know FOR SURE that everyone will not love it. It's pretty impossible to make something that everyone that hears/reads/sees it will love every single choice you made as an artist. As I've said before, I made this record for me and me alone. But I know that reviews can either validate your feelings or hurt your feelings.

So, Emily - your words came at such the right time for me, thank you! I need to remind myself daily that it only matters that I like the record. Some will agree with me and some will not. BUT - I did not make this record for stellar reviews or even to sell a million copies. I made it because it's my art and I think it's beautiful. I'm proud of my work for the first time ever - and that's the only review that really matters in art.

Now, go read Emily's beautiful post...

For When You're Taking Your Work Too Seriously

Happy Birthday Friend!

2013-04-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's Caroline's Birthday today!! I am so bummed to not be with her and crossing my fingers that my goodies get to her today or tomorrow.

Caroline, you bring joy into the lives of all that know you! Seriously...everyone is just happier when they are around Caroline. You are a blessing to my life and thank God daily for you. I pray that this year will be even better than last year and I'm also praying that I get to see you really, really SOON!! Love you friend.

This is my fav photo of Caroline and I (and Karrie!!)... I'm laughing too...even though it looks like I'm sneezing - I'm not:)

{photo stolen from Maria}

Also, Ya'll...She is the most generous person I know! It's her birthday today yet she's hosting a giveaway on her blog today. go check it out!

#63

2013-04-09T05:30:00.000-04:00

here are some tunes to brighten up your Tuesday!!

#63 by Reeve Coobs on Grooveshark

Fun Gift Wrap for Men

2013-04-08T05:30:00.000-04:00

So, if you love to create beautiful gift wrap for your friends and family you know how frustrating it can be to wrap presents for men. I want to make a craft out of wrapping but I know that a man isn't gonna appreciate it enough to spend the time on it. Okay, most men - some would love my glitter and buttons and yarn poufs and flowers. But, lets face it... most men are probably just gonna feel weird receiving a cutely-wrapped gift.

At Christmas time - I don't care, I go all out and the men in my life get lots of ribbon and glitter and they just have to deal with it. But on their birthdays I also wish I had some way to give them a well thought out gift as well as wrapping that makes them smile when they see it. So...

I decided that I would try out making my own stencil and making my own wrapping paper. Here's what I did...

Get some "manly" colored paint, a foam stamper, brown craft paper, and tape.

Make your own stencil... you can hand draw it or use your computer to help. I googled images for the dodgers, found the one I wanted, and then hit print. I printed it out on card stock. Make sure you use an image that will work as a stencil - you need to be able to easily cut it out, nothing too fancy or frilly. Once you have your image ready - cut out the image. And don't forget you the shapes for the holes - ala the triangle inside the A.

Tape down your brown craft paper so it doesn't move around. Then do a practice run to make sure it looks the way you want. Once you are ready - place your stencil down where you want it - I used a little double stick tape to make sure it didn't move around.

Then put any of the inside shapes in place. I used double sided tape to help with that part you. A few times I put the triangle down first and then added the stencil around it. Use whichever method feels easiest to you.

When you are ready to stamp your paint on, squeeze some paint onto a pallet and dap your foam stamper in it. BUT DON'T START STAMPING YET!! Stamp your stamper (say that a few times ou tloud cause it sounds funny) a few times on a scrap piece of paper. Then tap your stamper all over your stencil. Don't worry too much about the paint being evenly distributed or some of it seeping under your stencil. All those things give it a handmade-letterpress type look.

Once you are finished stamping take your stencil off first and then either use your nail or tweezers to pick up any shapes in the middle.

Once your paper is dry, wrap up your gift and add some twine if you want. And if you are wrapping up a gift for your Dad and you want to torture him a bit - use a whole roll of tape on the back and then tie on the crazy twine:)

Then hopefully the man who is receiving the specially wrapped gift will make this face when they see it...

and then this face when they turn it over...

and then have to use a butter knife to get in...

and finally this face when they open it...

for more gift wrap ideas and DIY's click the photo below...

caveman

2013-04-04T14:12:00.001-04:00

Yep, I'm gonna try the caveman diet. I'm going paleo for a month or so. I'm just intrigued. So, I figured trying it out would be the best way to have an opinion on it. I always love finding new healthier ways to make foods so I'm excited to try it out. These are the recipes I'm looking forward to trying...

{source}

So - have you tried the paleo diet? What did you think?

my real job

2013-04-03T12:51:00.000-04:00

warning: I'm on my soapbox again:)

I was talking to my friend Angela the other day and we were commiserating together about people ask us often what our real job is. Why is it so crazy to believe that being an artist or songwriter or actor or anything out of the box can be a real job. Yes, some of us wait tables, teach lessons, play awful cover gigs, etc on the side to help make ends meet. But that is not our real job. How is that anything different than a teacher or firefighter or nurse or any job "in the box" having a part-time or second job. You would never ask your child's teacher ... Hey! What's your real job? We all know that the only way you would chose to get paid that little is passion.

Now, I know that the intentions of most folks asking this question is not to offend me or to make me feel like I'm not doing a professional job. They are usually just intrigued with how I make money being a song writer. The truth is, I'm still trying to figure that out. It's hard and a lot of time it's awful. But I thought that I would do a little public service announcement for ya'll. When you ask an artist what their real job is or "so what do you really do all day?" it hurts us. We may not say so and we might even laugh it off or make a joke but it actually hurts a bit. It makes us feel like you don't think we are a contributing part to society. We know that in most cases you don't actually mean, but if I was saying something that was unintentionally hurting someone else - I would want to know.

(most gigs look like this...no stage, now fancy lights, no real audience, and sometimes no respect)

So, here are some facts (from my life as an artist)...

- Writing is a very taxing process for me, even though I don't actually complete songs often, when I do it's an emotional time that can keep me from sleeping for weeks. I don't get to leave my job at work...it follows me everywhere.

- Being an artist is not all creating and fun. There is a whole heck of a lot of business work. And to top that off - most artists SUCK at business stuff. But we have to promote shows, update websites, book gigs, schedule practices and recording sessions, keep an accurate account of all the cash you made and cd's you sold and things to deduct so that you don't want to kill yourself when tax season comes up, respond to countless emails, maintain relationships with other artists, venues, promotors, and fans. For example - right now I am researching ISRC codes and trying to decide if I need them. Yesterday I didn't even know what they were, and honesty I wish I still didn't - they are boring. Most of this paragraph is boring and not anything I would ever chose to do. And some of it I pawn onto others now, those people are my angels!!

- Being on stage is hard for me. I deal with stage fright every time I walk on stage. It shows up most of the time in a physical way. I tense up, a LOT. I don't realize it at the time but the next day I am in extreme pain all day long, it's weird.

- more than half the gigs I do are to small crowds of people who are not even slightly listening, in fact they are talking over us and complaining that the music is too loud even though we can't turn down anymore and the few people that are there to hear us keep telling us they can't hear us over all the talking. That my friends it demoralizing.

- sometimes I have gigs that don't end until 2am and then I have another gig the next morning at 7am. That means I get home no earlier than 3am and then have to be up no later than 6:30 am. So, you can bet that after I get home I am doing nothing for the rest of the day. I usually have to force myself to stay up so that my schedule doesn't get completely messed up.

- I do all this PLUS a part-time job. When I do sit down and watch tv and relax - I am usually blogging or booking shows or reading up on ISRC codes:( Now, don't get me wrong there are days when I do absolutely nothing and I treasure those days but most days are not that. I may be working at home in my pj's but that doesn't mean I'm not working.

so, to sum up... Do I have the worst job in the world? Absolutely not! I love my job and I'm so thankful that I get to do it. But, it IS A REAL JOB and it's not a walk in the part.

this is one of my fav songs (warning the song as a few cuss words in it so don't listen if you will be offended or if little ears are near by)...

blunt by mieka pauley

take the schedule of a bus driver, truck stops, and highways

and add all the perks of minimum wage

i work my ass off on stage and off

and you're really gonna ask me what my real job is

#62

2013-04-02T11:49:00.000-04:00

Never-Ending Etsy Love

2013-04-01T05:30:00.000-04:00

I don't let myself browse on etsy much anymore. And here are some reasons why...

{source}

click the photo below if you want to see more of my etsy favs:)

order

2013-03-28T05:30:00.000-04:00

oh my goodness. and Oh how I hate writing set lists, I always feel this HUGE pressure. I feel like the order of a set could make or break the evening. Silly right?! I know, yet I still always put it off and then stress about it for days before the show. Now that I've told you this about me - you might understand how stressful picking the order of songs for my record has been. OH MY GOODNESS!! It's like the ultimate set list. It's possibly the most important set list I will ever write. OH THE PRESSURE!!

I knew the deadline for the order was approaching soon. I knew that I had to do it. It took me about two weeks to get two options. I asked my friend to come up with one. And then after a meeting with my producer and engineer we finalized an order that was different than all three of them. OH RELIEF!! It's done. Exhale. One more check mark. One more step closer to a shrink-wrapped CD in my hand.

Not that you will even know all these songs, but here's the order... it makes my heart happy.

when you don't have the words...

2013-03-27T09:47:00.000-04:00

hard days come to us all. we are never prepared. today was a hard day. not really for me, but for my dear friend. the kind of hard day than once I was with my friend my mouth when dumb. I had no words, no answers, nothing to give except my hand. I knew there was nothing I could do to change things and nothing I could say would bring her the comfort she so desperately wanted. That comfort I knew would not come for weeks or months or years.

{source}

Two things came to mind in this moment that gave me words. They were childlike words but still words. "I'm so sorry" and "yes, it does suck". I thought of the chapter from Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist called "Say Something". You can read an excerpt of it HERE!! I highly encourage you to read it. She talks about the importance of saying something in a bad situation. Even if you say the wrong thing - in time, the person will at least remember you tried and that you meant well. Then my might immediately jumped to Paralyzed by Sixpence None the Richer. It's always been one of my favorite songs, and yes... it's sad. My favorite line kept running through my head "it's hard to say a healing word when your tongue is paralyzed".

That was today. Hard and raw. We will all experience these days and we need people to be around us. We are not built to carry everything ourselves. I am very thankful that God put me at the right time and the right place to be able to be there for my friend. To say my sheepish words and hug her tight and help her break a bunch of plates. Will any of this change anything? Probably not, but I hope she knows that I love her and that I am there for her. It wasn't that long ago that she was there for me. And I know we will both need each other again and again.

Today was hard but it's made me very thankful for my friends and for all the people that have been there for me and allow me to be there for them. I am feeling very blessed today even amongst the ugliness of this day. I pray my friend will feel the blessings of all her people as she goes through this hard season.

"Paralyzed" by Sixpence None the Richer

I look out to the fields

Where blood is shed upon the ground

I breathe in, breathe out

Change the channel, mute the sound

I take a match, a cigarette, and a walk to clear my head

Stomach's reeling at the thought of all those human beings dead

I breathe in, breathe out

I'm going to an interview

About a song, three minutes long

I just need something to do

Especially when my dearest friend

Was sent to cover Kosovo

His last assignment brought a bullet

And now he's gone, he's gone

Feels like I'm fiddling while Rome is burning down

Should I put my fiddle down, take a rifle from the ground

I need the Ghost to breathe a Northern Gale tonight

'cause I'm paralyzed, I'm paralyzed

I packed his books up, left the office

Went to tell the wife the news

She fell in shock, the baby kicked,

And shed a tear inside the womb

I breathed in, I breathed out,

Soaked the gound up with my eyes

It's hard to say a healing word

When your tongue is paralyzed

Feels like I'm fiddling while Rome is burning down

Should I put my fiddle down, take a rifle from the ground

God give me strength to pray that You will set things right

'cause I'm paralyzed, I'm paralyzed

#61

2013-03-26T05:30:00.000-04:00

I was so happy to stumble upon a new youtube channel of great live music. This one is called Cardinal Sessions and what makes this one even more special is that it's recorded live in a old church. Let me tell you from my experience - singing in a old church is an amazing and spiritual experience. These beautiful sanctuaries have the best acoustics you will ever experience. They could make a mouses voice carry to the rafters. But even more amazing than the acoustics is the feeling you have while singing. You can almost feel all the generations of voices that have sung there in the same exact place you are standing. It gives me chills just thinking about it. You can feel the presence of the people who sat in every single pew around you.

Singing in the Dunblane Cathedral in Scotland (check out the cathedral HERE) was one of the most worshipful experiences of my life. After the group I was with finished singing we toured around the town of Dunblane but my head was still in the cathedral. So I went back back to the cathedral and just sat in a pew and breathed in the history and prayed and just kept still. It is one of my favorite memories of my life. So, you can see why I would instantly fall in love with this youtube channel. Can't wait to delve in more.

I have my friend Desmond Myers to thank for turning me onto it. Here is a video he recorded with them. I'm only slightly jealous.

and moving away from the Cardinal Sessions, here are the two songs that have been playing on repeat in my head the past few days...

since i'm sick... a repost

2013-03-25T05:30:00.000-04:00

this is from may 2011. I'm hoping to have another post like this soon. I miss writing. I feel the words coming but they just aren't ready to come out yet. But I'm crossing my fingers and hoping they will soon.

Words...Finally
(May 2011)

After about a year and a half of a writing dry spell I've finally finished two new songs. Thank you GOD! I was so worried that I was done writing. It seems strange but every song I write I feel like it might end up being the last one. I think I scare myself into not writing. Playing the songs for my close musician friends was even harder than picking up the pencil again.

I think I forgot what it was like to play a new song for someone not knowing if they are going to like it or not. It felt like I was 16 again and playing my very first song for my mom and dad. I know I'm a "professional" singer-songwriter but I don't feel like it, I still feel like an insecure little kid that is so hoping you won't laugh at my song.

Then there is the nervousness of teaching it to your band - what if not everyone likes it, or understands the feel of it?! And then finally the most nerve-wracking is playing it in front of a live audience for the first time - what if there is complete silence after?!