Everything Is Material
I woke up totally devoid of my plot. Couldn’t write a note or a word. But an invasion of house-flies gave me purpose. It’s no wonder we lose the plot once in a while. Especially at the 7-month mark of isolation in our respective bubbles...yearning for some OPB (Other People’s Bubbles) and the state of our Democracy is in peril and not everybody believes that Black Lives Matter and we’re throwing water on our roofs in California.
I Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way
What do you do when the industry shuts down for the summer and you had your heart set on filming a video to support the release of your latest single, “Bitch 2.0”? You cry. And then you call your friends and ask for HELP!
Wet And Gushy
I offered up some lyrics last week in a co-write. My collaborator asked if I’d dirty them up a bit. (I didn’t disagree. I can be a little vanilla sometimes.) He suggested I reference “WAP” (Aka “Wet Ass P***y”), Cardi B’s new single which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke the record for the largest opening streaming week in US history. I just wasn't sure I was that girl for the job.
“I Hate The World Today” 🎸🎶
I think of “Bitch” as the love-child conceived by 2 mothers who were complicated in the same way. Meredith Brooks and I knew that other women were complicated too. People of all genders for that matter. This song is their megaphone. Without further ado I give you "B**** 2.0." If you loved it the first time, I’m hoping you’ll love it again. 🎸
Taylor’s New Album
Taylor conjures language that beelines for (and captures) hearts and minds…language that taps into the coulda-beens, the lost summers, the unexplained good-byes, the incurable romantic, the insecurity, obsession, desperation and hope of young love. And for those who aren’t so young any more but remember ‘it’ all too well, she speaks to us too — to our inner 20-year-old with whom we get into bed at night and still wonder about the one that got away.
Virtual SongSex
All in all, I think that “order” is necessary when co-writing virtually. I like order on my bedside table and inside my refrigerator. But for me writing is messy and spontaneous and disorderly. This will take some getting used to.
Human
When we write things down we’re more invested in them compared to when we record a digital voice memo. Napkins (and receipts and the like) are physical. They have energy. We find them the next day in the bottom of purses and pockets. The words become lyrics. Lyrics become songs. Songs have lives of their own. Some die a quick death. Some live long and prosper. Today, I give you “Human” 2.0, a song I started on a napkin in a ladies room; made famous by The Pretenders 20 years ago.
#TheShowMustBePaused
Music Industry Black Out Tuesday — Due to recent events The Music Industry is taking an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change. As gatekeepers of the culture, it's our responsibility to come together to celebrate the wins but also hold each other up during a loss. Please join us on Tuesday June 2 as a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community.
It's All Right There, Don't Forget...
On May 1st I’ll be releasing my next single — “Notebook” — a song about a journal I started 22 years ago. The words sprung to life when Layla called me from a semester abroad and said she kept dreaming I was dying! 😟 I wanted to reassure her that I was more alive than ever but…when the day comes when I AM gone (hopefully not any time soon) she can flip through the pages and feel my love. When we got off the phone I picked up my guitar and got started.
6 Stages Of Isolation 😱😩🤪😞🙃😬
I’m not a scientist. But you know that! And I don’t know this for a fact (it’s JUST my opinion) but...I suspect that, just like the five stages of grief there are also (at least) five stages of coping with the emotional changes we’re going through right now because of social isolation and distancing. Furthermore, I believe we’re all more or less going through the stages together! Here’s why…
Who’s Zoomin Who
Suzan Koc, my long-time-work-wife, the ultimate song whisperer, teacher and mentor to hundreds — wanted to use this time to give back to creatively-starved songwriters who are feeling isolated from their community. Understandably, there are a multitude of virtual creative online offerings right now. Suzan's Zoom Songwriting Camp is one I can vouch for. She’ll make a more mindful songwriter out of anyone. She told me all about it over our virtual dinner.
Remaining Calm
Here I sit watching a sunset and an ocean that has no idea that Time Square is Empty. Yes, I’m ok but I’m not some asshole broadcasting from a yacht tone deaf to the majority of humanity living paycheck to paycheck and now they don’t even have a paycheck. I may enjoy my bubble but I’m not oblivious to what’s going on outside of it or to those who caught the damn virus or might still. Maybe me!
Songwriters Taking it Online
I do believe there will be silver linings to this hermetically sealed existence but until then, as a mother I’m beside myself being so far away from my daughter who’s in the city that’s been hit hardest. If I wanted to get to her I couldn’t. It’s unnerving. But as a songwriter I’m grateful that I can still work and try to keep my mind off the separation. That said this has been a game-changer for creativity too.
George & John
Thankfully Paul & Ringo are still with us. But it’s the magical combination of Paul, John, George & Ringo together that’s left an indelible imprint on my DNA and a gash in my heart where they once existed as a whole. In honor of these feelings I returned to London to revisit and fine-tune an original demo with Phil Thornalley. I can’t thank him enough for sharing the desire to turn this loss into art.
Songwriter (Sadly) For Hire
“Topliners” have been doing it for years…without any guilt or second thought. I held my ears. I didn’t want to admit it was something we have to consider: Charging for sessions. It makes me sad. But not sadder than how I feel when I’m the only one in the room not getting paid.
Song Critique. Do You Really Want One?
Constructive feedback is invaluable when trying to measure the strengths and weaknesses of our work. But be careful what you wish for because if you’re looking for reinforcement and accolades only, you may be disappointed.
Holiday Parties: Tips for Surviving The Season🎄🎅
If you’re anything like me after about 5 celebrations I start experiencing “holiday-party-fatigue.” And then I start considering skipping one — staying home and binging on Mrs. Maisel. But people…Mrs. Maisel can wait. I’m going to share with you some secrets to maintaining stamina while enjoying yourself so you can make it over to the other side: 2020. Ready?
Truth Hurts
"Truth Hurts" came under fire recently when a British singer claimed that Lizzo lifted the first attention grabbing line from one of her tweets. But times have changed. It’s a bold new viral world out there. So is a tweet copyrightable?
