Open Mic, Sound Musings and the Complete Package...

Hostessing this past Tuesday night's open mic at Mangia, I took a slot to debut my new song. 

When I was in Canada, I heard a friend of mine's voice echoing through my mind as I picked up the guitar to practice, I started messing with an Ab, Eb and Db chord.  That progression reminded me of a sound I often heard in the streets of Madrid a number of summer's ago.  And so was born "Goodbye." I tested that song out in Lynchburg a week ago and was so glad that it was as well received as it felt in my life.  So naturally it became something that I wanted the Muse audience to hear the following Friday. 

Now...it has been nearly a month since I had done my piano set live (I wasn't going to cart my 50+ lb keyboard downtown TO to play a song or two); making it the set that I could REALLY have used the keys clearly pumping through my monitor.  Somehow, they had been displaced, and I could catch it out the speakers at times, but it left me muddling through the first 6 songs.  It bummed me out for a minute, because some of my favorite songs are on the keys; but when I moved to guitar and had the sound crystal clear, I saved the best for last.

After the end of the show, whose final set belonged to the very talented Jacob Russo, I was informed that my "niche" might be Latin stylings...but I'm waiting for my sound to settle, as I'm sure it will do so on its own one day.

I think the comment that stuck with me the most was made by the owner, largely because it is a comment I've heard a number of times in the past few months.  The phrase that's been repeated is, "complete package."  I'm not sure what comprises such a phrase, but what I do know is, I love sharing my music, my passion and will play as long as I'm given the time to :)

Dear Norva and Ocean View Pier

Ocean View: I had no clue that when I called you, you would answer with such enthusiasm.  It was more than I could have ever expected, especially since I have been swamped with real life things like grading, studying, reading and the like.  But you welcomed me with open arms and gave me 20 minutes to share a bit of my soul.  Thank you for making me smile.

 Norva: If I had any clue just how great the talent that would play your stage on Sunday night, it might have kept me off the stage Friday night at the Pier.  Imogen Heap can make music out of anything she touches and literally breaths life into anything she touches.  It was humbling to watch a brilliantly talented musician orchestrate a night of lyrical and musical bliss.  It took a little courage to pick up the guitar Tuesday after that show, but I learned something.  For every exceptionally talented musician that has found success in music, there is a musician that has ability, a strong work-ethic, and with a little effort might find herself graduating from the Pier stage to the Norva stage; and then, maybe she won't.  Either way, she loves to play!