Song Sharing: Survivor's Song

This is a snippet of a song I wrote called "Survivor's Song." I wrote this song in response to the devastation that women in war torn countries/ cities/ homes are subjected to daily. I aspire to have my song snippets posted more regularly in the future. May this find you well.

GaBrilla

Inspired by: Julie Dash

"Daughters of the Dust" has by far been one of the most inspirational films of my life. 

I have seen it at least 50 times and each time I watch it, there is something else that I leave with. 

Here is an interview with Writer and Director of "Daughters of the Dust," Julie Dash.

Everyday Blessings

This life of an artist and a parent is work when you want to do it with care and mindfulness. (It's work regardless.)  Lately, I have been finding it more and more difficult to be present and not be carried away by my negative and self-depreciating thoughts about how I have been approaching both mothering my child and my craft. At times I have been impatient with my son and myself and imposing unrealistic expectations on myself; scolding myself for "missing the mark."  I believe in accountability, but accountability can not come from blame, shame or guilt. 

I find that when I am in this space and allow myself to get centered, I am led to something that holds just the words that I need to hear or read in order to assist me in pulling myself up, dusting off and starting anew. One of those serendipitous sources is "Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting" by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn.

This book  has been very helpful in me recognizing that,  being a parent or an artist in NOT to be done from a space of reaction and blame, but an every unfolding awareness that I can do better next time.

(Next Posting: a snippet of my song for the week)

In Greatness/Grace,

GaBrilla

How I built my studio for less than $5,000

I can remember the first time I set foot in a DIY music studio. It was filled with all types of equipment that, at the time I was ignorant to. Equipment that gave could give you vast opportunities to create wonderful music, if you allowed yourself the time and learning curve. Upon leaving, a sense of longing to record more stayed with me. The longing to have access to this technology. It would be many years before I could build my own.

Years later, I got a small taste of having recording capabilities in my living space when I lived in Oakland. A friend of mine, who was also a musician, let me borrow her 4 track recorder. This is when another shift occurred in me regarding arrangement, harmony, and some basic recording elements. It also put in me the desire to want to record my music in a more polished way.

I currently have what I consider a modest home recording studio. But it serves its purpose. A place where I can record, mix, work out concepts and ultimately share my music with the world, for the fraction of the cost that it will cost me at a professional studio. At the end of the day, it is not about how fancy your studio space is, but what you're bringing forth. Technology is Technology, period. It is what we do with it that matters. I am so grateful for it. No doubt I would continue to record whether I used GarageBand or a small handheld tape recorder (which I still use from time to time).

Here is the ingredients that make up my studio:
Shure PG58 Microphone

M-Audio StudioPro3 Monitors
M-Audio 61-Key MIDI Keyboard
M-Audio Fasttrack Pro Inteface
Apple iMAC

This does not include all the instruments that I have, nor the 300 GB external hard drive that I purchase (which I highly recommend as music files are BIG.) But even still, it came to less than $5,000. This is good start for those of you who need something that can give you a good sound for a small price. I plan to upgrade at some point. I would like another interface, a workstation, more monitors and more instruments, but as I let my ego go on and on, I give thanks for what I have.

A great site that helped me figure out the things i needed is www.tweakheadz.com.

More later,

GaBrilla

Inspired by: Abbey Lincoln

The first time I saw Abbey Lincoln, was with my mother, here in New Orleans at Dillard University. I had been introduced to her through a mentor mine who has an extensive Jazz Collection. Abbey Lincoln's performance left me awestruck with tears in my eyes. The place she sings from is ancient and filled to the brim with soul.  It has been at least 10 years since then, but I am always brought back to that place whenever I see/hear her sing. Enjoy

Song-a-Week (and my weekly goals)

Fear grips me. I am bombarded by feelings of thinking I don't know what I am doing or want to do....but I do. I snap out of it and give myself one of those crazy " What the hell are you talkin' about?" looks. I take a deep breath and face myself and my fears and passions all at the same time. I face the fear of failing and the passion that songwriting and singing and music brings to my life. I face the fear of  procrastination and its "rewards" and the drive within me to plunge forward with my dreams. 

So now here I/ we are here, at the beginning of the first week of my Song-a-Week adventure. I have compiled a list of agreements for what I am now calling " an experiment in commitment." It is said that it takes 21 days to change a habit. Well, we will see where I am in three weeks. :-)

• I agree to write a song per week
• I agree to record and share snippets of my songs on here at urbanmamasong.com
• I agree to stretch beyond my comfort zones by using other instruments besides the guitar as songwriting tools
• I agree to allow myself to write crappy songs
• I agree to do this for the total of 12 weeks then decide if I am going to go any further

One other thing I didn't mention as an agreement, but which I find to be of great importance is Community. Having someone or a group of people to go to, to hold you accountable to your agreements is vital (I will talk about that more in detail in a later posting). So, in addition to the agreements I have set, I will consult a friend (s) to check in with me weekly about my progress. To hold me accountable. To get in my face if need be about standing in my creative power.

...and my weekly goals:

• Write a song (of course)
• bike for a full day one day this week (btw, I met my goal of for biking last week)
• Gardening 
• Consult a friend regarding Song-a-Week support
• Rehearsal (gotta a show coming up next Saturday)

In Greatness,

GaBrilla

Inspired by: Seu Jorge

I love, love, LOVE Seu Jorge. He sings from a place of such deep emotion and conviction. 

Enjoy!