Like All Good Parties...

My album release party is lasting for four days!  

So please go by Amber's blog, The Girly Bird, for a fairy tale fashion-inspired post and album giveaway!

AND the wizard (witch?) behind my site revamp, Kate Gabrielle, has done an animation on her blog, Scathingly Brilliant, to one the songs from my latest album!  How awesome is that?!


And, visit the other great posts that feature interviews, video and more!

Christianna from The Girl With The Blue Bow:  Album review + video by me!

Laura from The Blog Of Worldly Delights: Q&A with me and a giveaway!

Erica from Sweets and Hearts: Fashion feature with me!  

Ruth from A Miusmie: Interview with me about the literary and philosophical angles of my music.

Happy Fourth of July! Song Sketch

Happy July Fourth, fellow Americans!

And happy Sunday to everyone else!

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

I've Been Waiting for You... Weekly Song Sketch

I hope you all have had a marvelous start to your new year! I thought I'd celebrate by releasing a never-before-recorded original, Rapunzel. Hooray!

So, as always, if you want a copy, just let me know in a comment (if it's your first time requesting, please leave your email). And please feel free to pass it along to friends and such.

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

An Interview with artist Brian Demeter and my First Giveaway!

I am so excited to be able to interview a local artist here in central Florida, Brian

Demeter! He has also agreed to do a giveaway of this 5x9 Owl print!

Details of the giveaway are at the end of his interview...

(Q): Your art has such a fantastical and whimsical style - what other artists are your inspirations?

(A): Thanks. I’m a big fan of other illustrators. I’ve always loved the work of Larry Moore, Michael Whelan (Sci-Fi book cover legend), Drew Struzan (Star Wars poster fame), and Mary Grandpre (Harry Potter covers). Jimmy Pickering, Lane Smith, Peter Brown, and Oliver Jeffers jump to mind as well.

(Q): Anything else that's been inspiring you lately?

(A) Believe it or not I’ve just gotten into comic books. Only took me 34 years. I've always been a late bloomer. I’m a fan of many different artistic interpretations of iconographic imagery and well known stories so I dig how you can find that a lot in the world of comic books and graphic novels. I'm presently loving the artwork of Frank Quitely, Tim Sale, and Phil Noto.

(Q): I know you do a lot for animal causes. Do you have a favorite animal? And why?

(A): Yes, hawks. Hard to say really. I've always been attracted to birds of prey and felt a strange connection. I once found a Red-shouldered hawk's wing feather lying right in front of the driver's side of my car, like it was just miraculously placed there. I had raptors at my wedding. When I asked a spiritual guru friend what the hawk symbolized he said: "Hawks are the link between the animal world and the human world." Instant goose bumps (check out my artwork repertoire).

(Q): How can just anyone help out animals?

(A): When helping with anything in life I'm a fan of finding your own unique way of doing so. I do a lot of charity artwork for different animal related organizations for both conservation and rehabilitation... and even education. Use what you're good at as a tool to guide you.

(Q): What is a day in the life of a freelance artist/illustrator?

(A): Every artist is different so I can only speak for myself. I now have a toddler son so each day is different but before he was born I'd usually start the day with a 3 mile walk to get the blood flowing. Then once I got home a showered I'd begin work on whatever projects were going. I can usually only paint straight for about 4 hours at a time before my eyes feel like popping out of my skull. So I'd take a break and check e-mails or work on other business related items. Sometimes run errands. Then come back and work some more. If you have a rep, like I do there's a lot of juggling a bunch of aspects, like providing new samples and designing promotional materials. Plus, there's always websites, blogs, etc to maintain. Being seen is key!

(Q): What is the process that takes place when you create a new piece of art?

(A): It all begins with my favorite part: The Challenge. Once either the client or myself come up with a concept I love the spark of adrenaline that hits me. I'm usually the most creative within the first few minutes of conception. I'll create a pencil sketch and then look it over for any logistical problems. I tend to not be an over thinker in this stage which can be a double edged sword. However I prefer to maintain the initial emotion in the final piece so I don't re-visit the sketch much. Once the sketch is good to go I transfer it to which ever support I choose to work on for that piece. Could be pre-primed board, panel, wood. Then the painting, scanning, varnishing and... finished!

(Q): What would you say to other artists/musicians/creative types that want to have their dream job and work from home?

(A): This is an extremely personal decision for each artist to make. I still consider my self a beginner student in this arena but I did learn one valuable personal lesson recently. It may not be for everyone but may help some. Before taking the leap ask yourself: "Is doing art (or any artistic venture) something I enjoy more as a hobby, one where the most amount of joy comes from personal fulfillment (and perhaps a few bucks here and there, charities, contests, etc) or do I want to turn "fun" (your soul release) into "work". Is there a gray area? Of course. Is finding it easy? Not for me.

(Q): You are an amazing supporter of other independent artists and musicians (thanks!). How can people get involved in their local creative community?

(A): Response is key. If you take time to respond to other artist's work then others will take time to respond to yours when you present it. Whether you're the most famous artist in the entire universe or a child who just made art for the first time, what you truly want is a response. Simple as that.

(Q): Describe your perfect morning/evening/day.

(A): Perfect day, as an artist: George Lucas calls me, says: "Brian, I've have you and four other artist's in mind for a personal commission to hang in my office. Please get me a sketch of your favorite character to me in two hours. Whoever wins gets to be a Jedi Knight in my next production." I frantically tell my wife. She offers to take our son with her to 711 to buy me a Arizona Energy Tea and a Zone Bar (and Fig Netwons). When she gets back she drops the goods and takes our son for a out-and-about day so I can focus. Before they leave she hands me a Papa Johns gift card (for lunch). Hugs. Kisses. I'm OFF to the drawing board. My heart is pounding. I'm searching for reference. Posing in the mirror. Singing theme songs and I have it, the image! I'm sketching. Inking, Eating pizza, Painting. Scanning, E-mailing. Finally George calls me: "Sorry Brian, I've selected another artists." No worries." I respond. "I've already won a perfect day as an artist." :)

(Q): You and your lovely wife have an adorable baby boy. Has your art changed at all since you've been a daddy?

(A): As he gets older (He's 17 months now) I can see his influence coming through more prevalently. It's subtle now though. I foresee him having a big influence as he (or we) grow.

(Q): What are some ways to find art/inspiration in everyday situations?

(A): Take wisdom from a hawk. Seek it. Wait for it. Let yourself, float, glide, and soar within creativity until you spot inspiration... then dive when the time is right.

Thank you for your answers and inspiration, Brian!

Now that you all are crazy for his art and want a print yourselves, all you have to do is click here, sign up for his monthly enewsletter and come back here and comment that you signed up. The giveaway will be open until midnight, December 17.

Good luck!

Divinity and Sass

Okay. The location? Best Buy. The year? Not too sure, sometime mid-90s. I had a Best Buy gift card and purchased my first c.d. ever. The c.d.? The Essential Sarah Vaughan. I actually picked it out because she was the prettiest girl on the album cover (definitely a "book-by-its-cover" girl).

And I have to tell you, it's still one of my favorite albums. I do love Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, but Sarah Vaughan has a special place in my heart. She has an amazing virtuoso range and the sexiest little lilt to her voice! She was nicknamed both "the Divine One" and "Sassy," and the fact that Sarah fit both those names sums up her appeal; the perfect combination of talent and personality. Few singers as effectively use their voices like an instrument but Sarah is... well... just listen to Lullaby of Birdland (particularly beginning at 2:16) and you'll see!

How cute is she in this song?

And Misty still gives me goosebumps.

If you get hooked, try to find her My Man's Gone Now for heart-wrenching passion and Broken-Hearted Melody for pure fun.

So, what was your first c.d./mp3/tape/record you ever bought? Do you still listen to it?

*Feel free to follow this blog! I promise only to lead you to bright, sunny places.

Shopping and Helping the World at the Same Time

I just found the perfect seasonal discovery for us online holiday shoppers: iGive.

How it works: you search for a store you at which you want to shop and then once you make your purchase, the store donates a percentage of their profits to the cause of your choice (and there are a lot of choices from animal rescue to schools to the rainforest). How marvelous is that?!

It doesn't work with Etsy, unfortunately, but it even works with Ebay (Ebay gives up a portion of their cut). The hard part is remembering not just to go directly to Amazon or L'Occitane without first visiting through the site. But I'm sure that once I get in the habit, I'll be racking up donations in no time. So for all my non-Etsy purchases this holiday season, I'm going to try to shop through iGive.

Saving tigers while finding that ideal gift? I'm in!

If You're Going to Be Packing a Lunch...

Why not pack the happiest lunch in the whole room? I saw these boxes at I Love Obento! and was just amazed by the design and colors. I can only imagine the joy it would add to my peanut butter and jelly and applesauce lunch.

And it seems like the perfect gift for just about anyone. What do you think?

Another Reason Life is Delightful

I discovered Tina Tarnoff's gorgeous papercuts on Etsy while browsing through one of my chief addictions - stationery. I love silhouettes anyway because there is an old fashioned feel but also a timelessness. The simplicity of the form is made even more surprising by Ms. Tarnoff's ability to capture a moment of action and energy; many of her papercuts are of dancers. Every single piece of art is hand-drawn and cut by her so you would truly be getting a one-of-a-kind treasure. Visit her shop and be enchanted!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

This is one of the happiest things I have ever seen. Inspiring blogger, Blair, has several marvelous blogs and one of them - http://abrownpaperpackage.blogspot.com - connects girls around the world so they can send each other packages of delight. She says that her program "was started in hopes of connecting girls throughout the world through handwritten letters and little gifts."

You must go to her page and sign up for this purely perfect opportunity. Even if you don't sign up, you can now go through Life more happily knowing that a site such as this exists.

An Interview with Brian Solomon from Standard of the Day

Clockwise from top left: Anita O'Day, Nelson Riddle, Everyone Says I Love You, Hoagy Carmichael

I had the wonderful opportunity to interview the brilliant mastermind behind one of my very favorite music blogs ever: Brian Solomon blogs at Standard of the Day and highlights a different song from the Great American Songbook almost every day. I've loved reading the history and lyrics behind some of my favorite songs and learned about songs I'd never heard. It was tons of fun to pick his brain about his (and my!) favorite period of music.

1. What do you think sets the songs in the Great American Songbook apart from other songs? Tunes? Lyrics?

I think it's the combination of both, really. Since the days of the Songbook ended, the emphasis seems to have shifted heavily to the importance of lyrics. The concept of melody has unfortunately taken a backseat. What made those songs so memorable was the gorgeous melodies, first. Then the lyrics, which were so often rather simple, yet so expressive without being pretentious.

There has been such a stress on the concept of autobiographical songwriting since the dawn of the era of the singer/songwriter in the 1960s, that we've lost the concept of beauty in music. It's all about telling people about yourself instead--rather narcissistic, if you ask me.

2. Okay, I know that the second you answer this question, you'll think of another answer but, as of this very moment, what is your favorite song and why? Who performed this song best?

I have always been partial to If I Had You by Irving King & Ted Shapiro. Although it hearkens back to the 1920s, I actually fell in love with it from when it was used in the 1996 Woody Allen film Everyone Says I Love You. I remember singing it to my newborn daughter as I held her in my arms for the very first time in the hospital on the day she was born. Sinatra does a fine version of it on Great Songs from Great Britain, but I think my favorite version may actually be Sarah Vaughan's rendition from The Benny Carter Sessions.

3. Which standards do you think get neglected? Which songwriters? Which interpreters?

Well, the one I just mentioned is definitely one that does. There are so many songs off the beaten path of the recognized greats like Berlin, Porter, Kern, Rodger & Hart, etc. that get neglected. Arthur Schwartz & Howard Deitz are a great example of an often overlooked songwriting team--these guys wrote Dancing in the Dark, I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans, and so many others. I also think Hoagy Carmichael doesn't always get the credit he deserves anymore, because he was someone who wrote strictly in the Tin Pan Alley tradition, which was considered less presitigious than writing for the stage. He's remembered for Stardust of course, but there are so many others, like I Get Along Without You Very Well, for example.

As for neglected interpreters of popular song, I've always thought that Joe Williams was one of the very best. And Dinah Washington really deserves to be right up there with Billy, Ella and Sarah. On today's scene, there's a magnificent singer named Maude Maggart--who happens to be Fiona Apple's sister--who is absolutely amazing.

4. Describe your ideal morning, afternoon or evening (I know it doesn't have anything to do with standards, but I always want to know what people's ideal days are like).

My ideal evening would be watching a great old Universal monster movie with my kids, then reading to them before bed--I'm in the middle of reading The Iliad to my five-year-old son, believe it or not, and he loves it! After that, my wife and I curl up together on the couch with our books (God Is not Great by Christoper Hitchens at the moment), with some fine old LP recordings playing in the background, perhaps a glass of merlot. And there we stay, until we can no longer keep our eyes open.

5. What are some singers/musicians you can recommend to those who want to broaden their standard-listening beyond Frank Sinatra?

I'd definitely recommend Mel Torme, who may have been the second greatest male pop vocalist of the postwar pop era. You can never go wrong with Ella Fitzgerald, of course, but beyond her I would recommend Anita O'Day and Nancy Wilson. Chet Baker is another amazing vocalist and instrumentalist who is a joy to discover. Outside of vocalists, I happen to be a big fan of Fats Waller's instrumental recordings, as well as the collaborations of Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli.

6. What lyrically, melodically, arrangement-wise makes you love a song: what grabs you and makes you stay beyond the first several seconds?

I am such a huge proponent of the importance of a great arranger. As great as he was, Sinatra was in part MADE great by the efforts of men like Axel Stordahl, Gordon Jenkins, Billy May and most of all, Nelson Riddle. I enjoy an arrangement that is strong enough to play with the melody without obscuring it, and which frames the singer while also allowing the band to have its fun.

I wish I could articulate better what melodically draws me to a song, but I think I lack the technical knowledge of music. There are just those enthralling chord progressions that draw you in--Berlin was a master of this, for example, in songs like Always.

Lyrically, what I love about the great standards is that they had such an unassuming charm to them. Some of it may have become cliché over the years, but we forget it became so because it rings so very true. I also love a lyric that deals in specifics rather than generalities, which is why I adore Porter stuff like You're the Top and Ira Gershwin's They Can't Take that Away from Me.

7. What song immediately makes you happy when it starts to play?

The first one that comes to mind is Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler's I've Got the World on a String. What a pure expression of joy and enthusiasm that song is! And I mean song, and not recording, as just about any recording of it can bring a smile to my face--obviously Sinatra's and Crosby's stand out in particular.

Dot Day!

One of my favorite contemporary visionaries is the artist/author/entrepreneur Peter H. Reynolds. He is a champion of embracing creativity and following your dreams (your North Star). One of his books, The Dot, is celebrating its 15th birthday today** and so he (and classrooms around the U.S.) are celebrating creativity through Dot Day!

The author, Peter H. Reynolds, wrote this about Dot Day, “Spread the word… Dot Day.. read The Dot*, wear dots, eat dots, draw dots, frame dots, connect the dots, splurge on art supplies, try a new medium – a new instrument, write a poem, rearrange your furniture, reconnect the dots with an old friend, make something, make something with a friend, share your creativity with the world. No strict rules on how to celebrate!”

Hooray for creativity!

*If you haven't read The Dot yet, you really should. It will make you happier.

**I know it's late on the 15th, but you can celebrate Dot Day tomorrow too. It's like when you get that late birthday present in the mail.

It's Easy to Be Optimistic When...

Goodwill gives back! When they received a sculpture by acclaimed sculptor Sterett-Gittings Kelsey worth half a million dollars, they contacted the donor and returned it. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy...

Welcome Back!

Welcome to my new and improving blog! You will soon be privy to the marvelous inner-workings of my mind and, in return, I want to know the marvelous inner-workings of yours as well. Many people come up to me after shows (millions, perhaps) that say "I'm not a musician, I just love music."

To that I say, without music lovers (be they musicians or not) music is the proverbial tree in the forest- is it really music if it doesn't entertain/irritate/illumine/titillate?

So leave comments and feel free to email me if you have a specific question of something you want to know about songwriting, music, etc. Looking forward to hearing from you!

The Girl With Two Red Shoes...

As I mentioned in my last post, I've had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Red Shoe Project- a campaign that raises awareness for the charity, My New Red Shoes. The Red Shoe Project takes photos people have sent in of themselves in red shoes (all my vintage-blogging friends - I know you have some!) and puts them in a video to a song (why, yes, the song is mine, actually!). So here are some photos of me in my red shoes and here is the new July video. Visit the site and you too could be published in all your red shoe glory!

Tap Your Heels Together...

Several months ago, Michael Long, the founder of the Red Shoe Project (which brings awareness to "My New Red Shoes," a charity based out of San Francisco) contacted me about letting them use my songs in publicity for their campaign. Of course I wanted to do it! And here is a video about the project with my song.

Adolescent Charm

As an insane Disney/Pixar-phile, I have always wanted to write a song for an animated film (anyone with connections to John Lasseter?). I got a chance a couple years ago to compose a soundtrack for an animated short, Adolescent Charm directed by Matthew Tardiff. After coincidentally typing my name in Google, I discovered that this film was posted on YouTube!

Heard it on the Radio

I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by the delightful Nora Manca, DJ of Sunday Standards in Chicago. She'll be playing the interview along with some of my songs on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. CST. Have a listen at http://wonc.org!

If Bare Limbs You Like...

I recorded another cover, this one of another favorite songwriter, Cole Porter. I love so many of his songs, picking one was very difficult. I chose Anything Goes for three reasons:

1. One kind listener/reader in Chicago said she would like to hear my take on it. Maybe, because I chose her favorite song, she'll send me some of those fabulous Chicago chocolates...

2. I have a thing where I can't seem to write a song unless it is a love song. This song is a perfect example of a song that has really nothing to do with love and yet the final line of the song is romantic (ish). So perhaps Mr. Porter shared my weakness.

3. A friend informed me that this song is the opening sequence in the second Indiana Jones movie which kind of makes the song summery. In a blockbuster, popcorn, no school kind of way.

Photos in the Afternoon Light

I played a gig at the University Club of Winter Park a couple weeks ago and my mother (make-up artist and stylist extraordinaire) dressed me up all glamorously. Then, since the afternoon light was so beautiful in the apartment, my photographer (aka: sister - I keep it in the family!) took some photos.

Festival of the Earth (and sun)

As I promised, here are some pics from the Central Florida Earth Day Festival! Thank you to those who were able to come out because, let's face it, it was easy to believe in the urgency of global warming that day- it was soooooooo hot.

Seven extra o's-worth.