Love is a Spark...

Sally created a new fanvid of one of my Song Sketches.  And it is gorgeous! Dreamy, delightful and romantic.
Thank you so much, Sally!

You Wouldn't Have Me Any Other Way

My husband showed me this song the other night and I've been completely obsessed with it since.  I absolutely love the video with the vintage-inspired images and her cute collection of butterfly wings and it has a hot air balloon (always a good thing in my world).

The song itself is so beautiful.  I love the lullaby piano and her harmonies.  The words are so visually vivid while still so sweet.

  You know how there are quotes you wish you'd said or ideas you wish you'd thought of?  Well, this is a song I wish I'd written.  

Let's Make Some Noise...

So, as you can see in the above video that I've casually posted pretty much everywhere I can post a video,  I am learning (or is it okay to say, "have learned?") the ukulele for some songs in my next record.

It is one of the most exciting things ever to learn a new instrument.  On my want-to-learn list (at the very, very top) is accordion.  I would like to learn the drums too, though.  And the viola would be awesome.

How about you?  Any instruments you've always wanted to learn?  Or, maybe even, are currently learning?

Caught!

Here is the feel-goodingest way to start off the week I can think of!  Hope this week is your best yet! 

Now I Don't Care, I Could Go Anywhere With You...

Musically, I tend to drift towards old jazz standards and 80s men (hello, Sting and George Michael!) with some Celtic or French women thrown in.  However, I saw this video years ago and whenever I need a little pick-me-up, I watch it.  It is SO sweet and lovey, it makes me eternally happy.  

And I sing it to my baby every morning... <3

I Do Plenty More than Sit or Stay

Here is a fan vid of one of the songs from my album, A Reason to Stay Up All Night!  She used clips from Midsummer Night's Dream (the inspiration for this song) which I thought was appropriate for this time of year!


P.S. Maggi from Just Add Glitter and Stir is hosting a giveaway for my latest c.d. on her blog!  Be sure to go by and enter!

What Songs Make Me Happy!

I've been so enjoying reading what songs make you happiest! In all honesty, I'm glad none of you posted that question because I would never be able to narrow it down to three! But I thought I would post up some that make me happy - even if I'm not committing myself to them being the top three...

Well, this one is my very favorite ever. In fact, I really do put it on when I'm feeling cranky or low.

For some reason, I just have to hear the first ten seconds of this song and I get all, "See, Emma,

everything's okay."

Ahem. I realize this song is sung by 'N Sync. In my defense, I'd like you to just try and listen to this song

while frowning or being pessimistic.

There have been more than a few comments that have included some of my favorite happy songs. So that's a hooray, I think!

If you haven't entered, be sure to click here and enter to win a cover of your favorite happy song.

Two Awards and A Movie...

First off, thank you to the creative commenters of my previous post regarding stocking stuffers! Such inventive and helpful ideas. My gift-recipients will be amazed by my (ahem, your) brilliance...

Secondly, I've been lucky enough to receive two new blog awards!

One from the beyond-delightful Kori at Blonde Episodes! She writes wonderful posts, including background info on favorite films from Some Like it Hot to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. She gave me this lovely award (that she made herself!):

Thank you so much, Kori!

I nominate:

Jaime from La vie... J'aime

Risti Megan from Just a Dollop

Lenore from Lenorenevermore

And then marvelous Betsy at Gingerella's Corner gave me the Vintage Style Award. Gingerella's Corner is such a fun read! I've discovered so many films I'd never even heard of through her great blog.

Thank you so much, Betsy!

I nominate:

Jessica from aspen tree

Emily from Resplendent Tranquility

Sher from Beneath the Crystal Stars

And this wasn't quite an award, but someone made a movie to my most recent Song Sketch with old Christmas movie clips! How perfect!

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

Your New Favorite Band...*

...is Pomplamoose. When I was doing La Vie en Rose last week as my blog song, I was looking for other versions of it on YouTube and ran across this delightful version. And then I saw their others - they are beyond entertaining. One of my favorites is My Favorite Things in 5/4 time (which, several years ago, another musician was trying to work out with me. True story. And I couldn't figure out how to do the lyrics that way but, there you go). Her version of Nature Boy is gorgeous as well.

Here is their Mrs. Robinson. Although they begin sparely, they begin to layer and it becomes such a lovely, melancholic masterpiece.

*I am not really a band - just one person - so you're not being disloyal if you consider them your new favorite band. Don't worry.

Legs. Need I say more?

"She was such a lady."

(There are those that would argue Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley, but I think Sammy Davis, Jr. does the very, very best version of this ever.)

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.

!Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

My most prolific fanvid creator just published another of her lovely fan videos to one of my most Latin-flavored songs!

I am in awe of the way she gets the dancing so perfect in the instrumental section.

I Got Rhythm, I Got Twitter...

I'm now on Twitter! You can follow my incredibly enlightened and witty sayings nonstop if you follow my screenname- @iamemmamusic.

You should also check out this youtube video made by a listener in Mexico- a little more noir than my typical lollipops and rainbows style, but very artistic!

Be Mine

First off, Happy Valentine's Day! I hope it's filled with love and candy...

I have a gig!

Hooray!

This Thursday, February 19, I'll be at Virgin Megastore in Downtown Disney. I'm playing with a fabulous artist, Emma Jean Branch (recently featured in Orlando Weekly) so it will be the show of the century!

Or at least of the week.

Emma (Jean Branch) goes on at 8 p.m. and I'll be on at 9 p.m. I can't wait to see you there!

As you know from my last blog entry, I have posted several videos up on YouTube. What I didn't know is that my music is available via AudioSwap. I guess YouTube is cracking down on copyright protected music so through a deal with one of my music libraries, they're supplying other songs (including mine) as substitutes. It's pretty random- a family reunion video, in a "Police Academy" tribute and several Harry Potter fanvids- among others.

Sooooo, if you have a video up on YouTube and are just aching for a brand new soundtrack, check out AudioSwap! If you do use one of my songs, email me and I'll feature it in a newsletter!

Hooray for the New Year!

 

Hello all!

I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday!  I truly enjoyed mine but am now (like many others, I'm sure) happy to begin a brand new year.  So, I wanted to wish you and your loved ones a prosperous, music-filled and delightful 2009! 

 

My music videos are up on YouTube!  Visit my page (http://youtube.com/iamemmamusic) and make kind comments and high ratings!  While you're there, check out Vespersaw's channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/vespersaw); she has posted several fan videos.  If you're a YouTube account holder, you can even subscribe to the channel and be alerted the instant a new video is posted.  Whew!

 

I'd love more friends!  If you are a MySpacer or Facebooker, be sure to look me up and, if you invite me as a friend, I promise I will cordially and graciously accept.   

 

Lastly (but not leastly, of course) I want to extend my appreciation to you for your support throughout 2008!  The only way that I am able to thrive as an indie musician is by your word of mouth, by you buying cds to give to friends and by your attendance at my shows through the year.  

 

Thank you tons and tons!

 

 

 

Summer arrives (although, if you live in Florida, it came around two months ago)!

First off, I want to thank everyone who came out to my May shows!  They were successful, more fun than words can describe and I am duly grateful.  

AAAaaand, I have been voted as one of Axis Magazine's 20 Coolest People in Orlando.

I kid you not.

Hooray! 

So you can read the interview of me at http://www.axismag.com (I'm on page 28) or pick it up at select locations (comment if you want to know where).  

I also have several enlightening shows this month so please take a break from beaches, barbecues and TVLand reruns to come by!

Thursday, June 19, from 7 - 9 p.m., I'm playing at Urban Think for Third Thursday.  For those who may not be familiar with Third Thursday, it's a monthly celebration of art in Orlando partaken by art venues from the Orlando Museum of Art to independent galleries.  There's wine, there's witty conversation and, this Thursday at least, there's me!  

Friday, June 27, 7:30-8:30 p.m., I'm back at my favorite haunt, Infusion Tea (1600 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32803).  They have iced tea too (and air conditioning), so don't let the sultry weather dissuade you.

Saturday, June 28, 11 - 2 p.m., I'm playing at the Winter Park Chamberlin's for a Health Fair!  How fun is THAT?!

Last of all, one of my fan vids (featuring Nick and Nora) on YouTube has had over one thousand views!  So, it must be good.  Check it out at http://youtube.com/watch?v=lVO4IcLuLLQ .  

I hope you have the very best June ever (so far!) and that I see you/hear from you soon.

Emma

So many things to talk about, so little time...

I hope you're enjoying your Spring, everyone!   I have several delightful things to tell you all:

First off, I have a very talented fan who has created several fan videos on YouTube!  I'm featuring her first video on this entry: a delightful homage to Fred and Ginger with "Support for My Argument" as a soundtrack.

Also, I have two shows and April and both of them are this week:

April 17, 7 - 9 p.m. Infusion Tea at Urban Think

April 18, 7:30 p.m. Infusion Tea in College Park

I'd love to see you at one of those shows this week!

One last thing, I have a whole new series of t-shirts (designed by Sarah Wallace) available at Cafe Press so check them out here!