Life Lately

Me_singing_live_on_RADIO_RABE_in_Bern

This past week has been amazing and I have been really feeling the LOVE from many new fans and musicians alike. Some times I go through less play time and more computer/creative time. I have always been able to control my emotions on this. BUT I REALLY LOVE to play for YOU the most (providing it's a good room with a good sound system, nice venue owners and happy music Lovers - am I really asking for too much?? Hahaa!) It can't always be like this, I can't always be on the road to the next performance,  I have to write new songs, book new gigs, practice guitar etc etc. It can't always be the "pay off" (which I consider to be the act of playing music for -and connecting WITH- the people.) This past week, however was SO THE PAY OFF!! I think I will be happily prancing on Cloud Nine (or Cloud Seven as they say over here in Switzerland!) for quite some time. I met many new music makers as well as new (magical) rooms, which remind me of WHY I chose this life... sometimes I wonder (what with so many deaf ears, judgement and rejection.) But today I could care less about that and I feel great! 

Happy_Lindsay_Face

I would like to introduce to you some new musical friends whom I met and shared shows with in various Lovely places... Ishantu and I became fast friends even before we were privy to each other's music. We sat at a large table and feasted on Veggie Coconut Curry and delicious Rioja, thank YOU Pillow Song! I was so happy to see when after she played that she was GOOD!! Yes!! I Love new and GOOD music. You can find some of her deep and dreamy vocals here: ISHANTU MUSIC. Next I  will introduce to you some LUSCIOUS SOUL-FILLED sound, who because of them I may be changed forever...Peter Finc and Nicole Johaenntgen were THE most STELLAR duo I have ever come across. She is a CRAZY sax player, heavily influenced by SKILL!! Holy smokes. Peter can sing like an old Blues-Filled Soul-Man and his guitar playing makes me want to put mine in the corner and let it get dusty. Wow. These two. I don't really have the words but FOR SURE sharing a stage with such talent is both humbling and BEEautiful  Soon after I was privy to a concert in the neatest room somewhat like an old school house from the 1800's, with fabulous acoustics featuring an Austrian Singer-Songwriter from the "Americana" genre. Harry Marte played unplugged with his trio, featuring another new musical friend (SWEET!) Beth Wimmer and stand-up bass player (AWESOME) Claude Meier. Just when I most needed new musical experiences (There's no 'easily accessible' BLACK SHEEP INN in these parts!) Ahhhh... sweet musical states of bliss. Thank you, thank you, thank you.... 

That is it for me. Just checking in!! STOKED to play a house concert THIS WEEKEND in my teeny little village of Rüschegg. Then the following weekend in Luzern... Yes... Life is good when you have music... So we ALL have new music now!!! AWESOME, WONDERFUL!!! xoxoxox

"Shut-Eye" *NEW SONG*

Hey folks, since I am a musician first and foremost, I figured I should add some musical material from time, to time...right?? Well here is my latest song "Shut-Eye" The lyrics are pretty self-explanatory but I challenged myself to write a song last week as part of a group I am a member of over on Facebook called "Adventure begins at OM." It is the brainchild of friends of mine who created "My Five Acres" a wonderful blog page I have been reading for quite some time. They challenge the FB group members om Monday to do something for the week and I decided to write a song. I have heaps of started songs, and I really need to commit more to those, but here is a fresh one for you! 

"SHUT-EYE"

Nighttime, you got my full attention. Whisking me away like that, from a dream I never knew I had. Over-Drive, my imagination. Turning all the 'right side up' in direction upside-down.

It is all quite concerning all this tossing, all this turning and I can't seem to find a reason why. There's a big fire burning and I fear my fear's returning and I can't seem to catch me some shut-eye.

Shut-Eye

Hollywood, see this as a piece of fiction. Movie in my mind won't stop and I gave it everything I got. Sunrise, you're so pretty in your deep blue sky, but I'm not ready for the finer things, only wishing on what dreams may bring.

CHORUS

It is all quite concerning all this tossing, all this turning and I can't seem to find a reason why. There's a big fire burning and I fear my fear's returning and I can't seem to catch me some shut-eye.

Shut-Eye

BRIDGE

Feeling like I'm crazy, I got all this stuff inside but can't do nothin' about nothin' when it's 3.45 Hunted, I'm the hunter, I'm the zombie, I'm the ghost but can't do nothin' about nothin' in the mornin' I'll be......

CHORUS

OUT

Open Letter to BONO

Photo_of_Lindsay_on_stage_taken_by_Steve_Gerecke

It was at Summer camp in Backwoods, Ontario, Canada, when I was about 13 years old, where your music would touch me for the first time. There was this camp counselor who would play guitar by the campfire, strumming and singing "All I Want Is You" all the while we would star-gaze, listen to the crackle of the fire, thinking about what kind of adventures tomorrow would bring.  Maybe it was his voice, I have always listened for slight intricacies in a persons voice (and in his voice there were an abundance) but in the end it was the song that stood out and the song that I connected to.  Your song.

Anyone could sit here and write about how your voice is rich in colour (burgundy) texture (winter honey) and beauty (sunset/sunrise) but that would be stating the obvious, so I won't go on about that. Your stamina is wildly fascinating and unbeatable. The ideas and dreams that you pursue and live out are epic in nature and clearly heartening, these, too, are obvious. What isn't obvious is how you have touched individuals, and how you have inspired them (us) to grow. There is no way you could know how deeply you have moved so many people, individually. But today I will share with you one story, my story.

From as early as I can remember, I would sit on the floor in my bedroom, at ear level with my ghetto-blaster, listening to and singing along with many, many a song.  My introduction to recording a song was most likely me pressing record on my boom-box and singing along with some top forty radio song enter "Ebony and Ivory."  You have no idea how badly I wanted to be a "Mini Pop," singing "Video Killed the Radio Star." A musical life just had to be!

My first real stage performance occurred in a High School talent show, where I would showcase my voice away from the stereo, under lights and in front of a red velvet curtain, holding a microphone for the first time, singing Sinead O'Connor's "Black Boys on Mopeds."  Years later I would understand the meaning of the song. But as it stands, melody and vocal sounds are what grab me first. Then lyrics. This was the song that gave me my first dose of musical confidence.

Ten years on I would buy my first guitar in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada and on that first guitar, I would write the song that I asked you to listen to. It was the first proper song that I would record, and I took that song with me, everywhere. Introducing once more, "Wide World."

After leaving St. John's, I moved to the Wesht of Ireland, a couple hours north of Galway City. I worked at an old and beautiful hotel on the Sea with a far off view of Croagh Patrick called Renvyle House Hotel. It was here where you and your Loved ones would attend a weekend wedding. I was so excited to be scheduled to work that weekend,  I brought my Discman with me, praying for the courage to ask you to lend your ear and so curious to see your reaction to my music. In all honesty, I missed the staff meeting telling us NOT to approach you or any of your family unless it was work related. I am SO glad I missed that meeting otherwise I would never have heard your encouraging words in my ears at the darkest of times.

I will never forget the way your face lit up to the sound of my very first song, to the sound of my voice. I will never forget the smile that grew upon your face and the choice words of encouragement that you gave to me. It was my first recorded song and it was all I had. You gave me the strength to continue, when those around me just didn't get it, and were unable to offer up the things I needed to hear. It was your sentiments that kept me going in and among all the rejection. Whenever I started to feel supremely down in the world that makes up the music industry, I would see your bright eyes smiling to my music. Meeting you would change my life for the better and cause me to continue on, over and over.

Most likely I was just a blip on your 'filled-to-the-brim' schedule and perhaps you never thought about that short moment again, but in case you DID wonder...         Well, my musical story continues...

Today, more than ten years after that Sunday afternoon in the courtyard under an Irish sky, I have continued on in my pursuit of music, and have just released my third record. It would (obviously) be an honour to me if you would have a listen to this newest Labour of Love "Chameleon." Also a  few weeks ago we filmed a video featuring music from said record,  which you can watch here: "Donal Og/Apologies."

Clearly it would be amazing if you Loved this new music and found a way to help me get it out to more music Lovers. Truthfully, with all the death happening around us,  I wanted to inform you that there is a girl out there making cool stuff happen because you took the time to listen and share, all those moons ago....I wanted you to know, today, how grateful I am because of it. So, Bono, I thank you.

Love,

Lindsay xo

Exit David Bowie

When I was about fifteen years old, I heard David Bowie for the first time, courtesy of my big brother Jeff. Jeff was (and still is) introducing me to new music. Thank you brother, I will never forget your generosity, I just Love you so much!! Well, in comes Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes and it does exactly that. I am changed forever. A new window to my life, which had been closed and covered (but there) since the day I was born, had been unshut. It was the first time that I had a soundtrack to my life which gave me confidence. Listening made me feel like I was a part of something super amazing. His music didn't make me feel the same as my idols Cyndi Lauper or Madonna, but rather more grown-up somehow or like I was finally connected to or made more aware of the music stream that was flowing within. David Bowie gave me my first taste of inner-enlightenment. So I will thank you, Starman, for sharing your humongous gift. Here is his latest video released just days before his death... I have woken up with the song and images from the video for the last few days... It gets right in there!!  Introducing "Blackstar." Warning, this is a true piece of art, featuring extreme ARTISTRY.

Hand-drawn-black-and-white-David-Bowie

What were your earliest memories of his music and the way he made you feel? The out-pouring of LOVE that is being shown by SO many different types of people  all over social media.. the array of lives he has touched... I am Loving reading the stories from people who have had the incredible fortune to meet him in real life. Alas, his music lives on, his art lives on. Lucky us!!

In other news, well.. That will have to wait.

Pressing pause to think about and listen to a little Bowie.

Join me?