July 26, 2010

Dear SoulBirds,

I have been working on NEW MUSIC, and I want to share it, and MOST OF ALL get back to ENJOYING MUSIC AGAIN!

Last year was a hard career year for me, and I learned so much about myself and about what I want out of my life … and of course, my music is at the top of that list. SO! I decided to take the year off and re-group. It’s been a sometimes painful but ultimately empowering process of looking at my miss-steps and weaknesses as well as committing to RIGHTING And WRITING MY COURSE.

I have spent the last few months looking with an open heart and un-limitless expansive mindedness to who I want to be NOW, honoring and working towards my vision for my future. I have learned that counting on any one else to create the life I want only makes me feel weak. Knowing it’s in my hands to create my life makes me feel strong, simple as that.

It is in the spirit of renewed commitment to living the life that my soul intended, the fulfillment of my destiny, well-being, authenticity, and joy, that I write these words today. I've had to let go of certain people, worn out ideas about myself, and MOST OF ALL, I've had to let go of MY image of ME, ... my EGO surrounding my view of myself as a musician.

I had PLENTY of opportunity to do that in the touring season of ’09 (that’s a whole “nuther” conversation,) and although it was one of the most PAINFUL experiences of my career. I am thankful for that time because it was HUMBLING, and it brought me to where I am RIGHT NOW. I can actually look back and laugh at it now. LOL!

So I came into this year exhausted and with the intention to live in perpetual recreation in hopes that by not trying so hard to find the answers, that clarity would come. And Clarity DID come - instead of recreation. I have been blessed to live in perpetual
RE – CREATION!
Re-creation of how I see myself, my goals, my life, and my music. The gift in ALL OF THIS, is that my internal work has manifested musically as well! A beautiful surprise indeed!

Going back a little bit …

In October of 2008 I traveled (not for work, just exploration) to Israel. While there I met a “Musical Soulmate”, artist and producer from Israel named Idan Raichel. Together we have written songs that are the MOST authentic musical expression of my life so far.

After writing a few songs and joking about it as many times, Idan and I finally looked at each other and said, “let’s make an album together,” and for the past few months we HAVE been.

THE ALBUM is Called “OPEN DOOR”. When you consider two young musicians - American and Israeli - sharing a music expression, an “Open Door“ goes both ways, an OPEN DOOR is being open to let the world’s influences IN, as well as being open to let yourself OUT to influence the world. An open door is an open mind.

The INTENTION of “OPEN DOOR” is to remind people of the ONE-NESS of us ALL, the inter connectedness of all people and all things, the beauty in cultural diversity, mutual acceptance, and LOVE!

The SOUNDS of “OPEN DOOR”, are a combination of (what I describe as) Idan Raichel’s special, high spiritual, high emotional, piano playing, and chord voice-ings, classical middle eastern melodic sense and very open simple production - at times just piano and vocal, and others- featuring middle eastern percussion, strings, wind instruments and inspirational lyrics, PARTNERED with MY philosophical and personal lyrics with R&B, Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and Folk inspired vocals. The lyrics are mostly English with some Hebrew, which is fun. Remembering back to the vision I had for my career 10 years ago to sing in different languages with people all over the world. I am FINALLY doing that and enjoying it .... A LOT. A LOT! LOT! ..... LOL!

Look for “OPEN DOOR” to be released Spring 2011