So it’s about 3 weeks after the fact and here’s whats up. I went back to the Doc after the 7 days of silence and had a laryngoscopy done. (This time, she just stuck a tube down my throat. Not quite as painful but still very uncomfortable). After not speaking for 7 days, things looked much better and I was cleared to start talking again. As for singing, I’m safe to gig in a couple weeks but will be taking a few speech therapy classes before that.

Although the problems are better, I’m not completely out of the water. I have to practice  a “soft and breathy” speaking technique, which officially makes me sound as if I’m trying to seduce every individual I encounter. Slightly funny

Thanks for the well wishes, and I will be back gigging on June 2nd. The shows will be minimal so that I don’t overdo it. But check event calendar for details!

~peace

Hey!

So I obviously haven’t blogged in a while. My apologies! But I figured I would update ya’ll on recent happenings. I’m sitting in my sisters living room in my hometown of Pittsburgh, and I’ve been practicing complete silence for 5 days straight. Honestly, I haven’t uttered a word,….not even a cough (orders from my doctor). Last Monday, I had a Nasoendoscope done. If you’ve never heard of it, its when they stick a tube up your nose and down into your throat, to observe your vocal chords.  (I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy). I went in because of recent vocal chord problems. To make a long story short, I had a severe chronic cough 2 months ago that lasted 6 weeks and wrecked havoc on my vocal chords. That, mixed with acid reflux caused some issues that have put me out of the game for a little while. SO! I was ordered 1 week of silence and I’ll be going back in to the docs office next Monday for more testing.

I’ve learned a lot of things in my silence. I’ve discovered that you can have a very meaningful conversation with a series taps, sighs, and percussive mouth noises. Not kidding! I’ve learned that people automatically think you’re deaf, slow or rude….if you can’t speak. I’ve learned humility in my silence. Not everything that can be said, should be said. I’ve learned that smiling and waving can relay quite a bit. It’s been hard but I would recommend that everyone try absolute silence for at least 24 hours.

So, for now,….no singing. Hence the empty calendar. But I plan to return very soon, as long as I’ve gotten clearance from my doc.

That’s all for now folks!

Afternoon folks!

A great friend shared this article with me and believe it’s a MUST READ for any fellow musicians and club owners out there! Never had anything make so much sense

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78468650/La-Club-Owners

Enjoy!

So my days have recently been filled with random jam sessions in my dining room (with my roommate)! I’ve been finding out that my moments of inspiration have been as random as the patterns on my bedspread. Typically when I am working my 9-5 (being a physio nerd), I shut off the creative side of my brain so that I can think scientifically. But today at work, I had to escape into the bathroom so that I could record a spontaneous melody into my smart phone! (hehe) Usually I suffer from writers block so I ‘aint complaining! BUT I find that when I’ve had successful performances (thank you to ALL who came out to Club House and Chris’ Jazz Cafe last weekend!) I draw from audience response and it spawns creativity. So, its cyclical! When an artist creates, they feed off of the response of their consumers, which causes them to create more, which spawns more feedback, spawning more creation! Yes, the world desperately needs creators AND consumers; it transcends an economic principle.  And….yes, I guess you could say I had a lightbulb moment

Silence is golden I’ve had the house to myself for approximately 2 weeks now (my roommates moved out) and….I never realized what an introvert I am! First off, the perks are amazing. No long waits to shower in the morning. No crowded kitchen when I’m trying to cook dinner. I can stay up jamming to my music as late as I want…..which usually isn’t late because I’m an old lady and can’t hang past 11pm(truth!). I can even play my drum kit past 10. (So far, my neighbors havent complained).

I used to think I needed social interaction to survive. But I think for  people (like me) who spend their time being social allllll dayyyy lonnng (the life of a physical therapist and musician), you need some time to recharge. Ya feel me? So outside the doors of my house, I’m my usual chatty self. But lately I’ve been living in silence and I feel live I’ve been given a new lease on life. Try it sometime!

Btw, played an awesome event last night at the G-Lounge for an organization called RAW. Press to come!

When you listen to a song, what are you listening for, the lyrics? Or the music? If a song has a really good beat, but the lyrics suck, do you still like it? It’s actually kind of a lose-lose situation. If I hear a song that does’t sound appealing, I’m not even going to stick around to see whats it’s talking about. But if I start listening to a song that sounds good, and then the lyrics are disappointing (ex: ‘gettin paid’, ‘gettin drunk’)— well then…. I automatically lose respect for the artist.  Which makes me think…why doesn’t every musician write about stuff that matters. Seems like a simple solution, doesn’t it? At least they’ll have the lyrics part down. Then… all they gotta do is make it sound good. Nite!

Hey, new video from the latest show at Dawson’s Street Pub is now here. Click here to watch now!

Just played the best house show out in Norristown, PA. I think house shows may be my favorite type of gig. This poses a problem because I’m secretly petrified of playing solo gigs. I’m guilty of wanting to hide behind my band mates.  That way no one hears my mistakes, lol. But the beauty of a house show is that you have undivided attention of your listeners and you reeeaaally get to communicate with them. This was good stuff…..more to come!

Ps. Click ‘Videos‘ to watch a recap of the night!

Oh, and the new song is going to be called “For the Radio”, in case you were wondering. I’ll let ya know when its done!