tag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:/blogs/afln-blog?p=1AFLN Blog2019-03-22T14:53:17-04:00Lucy Kalantarifalsetag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728612014-11-21T01:17:34-05:002019-03-07T21:18:59-05:00Finishing up that songwriting challenge…Week 1 of 5<p>Fulfilling my personal promise to complete a song-a-week project I was involved with in 2013, I’m writing a song a week for the next 5 weeks. This is week #1, with the prompt: BROTHER. </p>
<p>I wrote this song about a man who’s at my local train stop here in Brooklyn. He’s most peculiar. It’s another quirky tune, so the piano part and melody are similarly light-hearted. </p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lUPCbq3lq8I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Man on the Mezzanine</strong></p>
<p>We see his bags we feel his trace<br>
We see the wisdom in his face<br>
He nods his head and waves hello<br>
As we go past and we’re on the go</p>
<p>When we’re whining about our days<br>
He’ll remind us it ain’t all gray</p>
<p>He’s the man on the mezzanine<br>
No need to understand why he does the things we see<br>
He’s a greeter, a receiver<br>
He’s the man on the mezzanine</p>
<p>He reads the news using his head<br>
He’ll use the paper as his bed<br>
He meditates and does tai chi<br>
Knows how to channel energy</p>
<p>And when we’re rushing he’ll slow us down<br>
And remind us that breathing is what life’s all about</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728632014-05-27T08:25:14-04:002019-03-07T21:18:59-05:00Happy Release Day! Pockets Full of Joy is here<p><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PFOJ_300.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="margin: 0 15px 15px 0;" width="250" />Are you ready for some joy? <em>Pockets Full of Joy</em> is here!</p>
<p>This summer album will bring ukuleles and smiles to your day. You can stream <em>Pockets Full of Joy</em> in its entirety today only at <a title="Listen to Pockets Full of Joy" href="http://LucyKalantari.com/Music" target="_blank">LucyKalantari.com/Music</a>, and purchase a copy for download.</p>
<p><em>Pockets Full of Joy</em> is also available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pockets-Full-Joy-Lucy-Kalantari/dp/B00K6RNP5O" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pockets-full-of-joy-ep/id875005396" target="_blank">iTunes</a>, and many of your favorite digital music stores.</p>
<p>And #SpreadJoy! Talk about it on twitter or facebook and tag it with #SpreadJoy</p>
<p>Leave me feedback! I wanna hear from you.</p>
<p><strong>UPDATE:</strong> With a mission to #SpreadJoy Pockets Full of Joy will stream indefinitely. Pass it on.</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728642014-05-26T15:12:36-04:002019-03-07T21:19:00-05:00Lucy Kalantari on Rhythm & Ruffle!<p>A little blurb about the single, “Pockets Full of Joy”. Check it out:</p>
<p><a href="http://rhythmandruffle.com/rhythm-approved-pockets-full-of-joy/" target="_blank">http://rhythmandruffle.com/rhythm-approved-pockets-full-of-joy/</a></p>
<p>Thank you Toni Styles, you’re totally stylin’.</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728652014-05-14T11:01:17-04:002019-03-07T21:19:00-05:00Pockets Full of Joy: May 27th!<p><a href="http://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PFOJ_300.jpg"><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PFOJ_300.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="PFOJ_300" style="margin:0 0 15px 15px;" width="200" /></a>The official digital release date for <em>Pockets Full of Joy</em> is set for May 27th! I’m so pleased with the beautiful design by <a href="http://honeydesign.com/" target="_blank">Rina Miele, Honeydesign</a>. You can check out the first single RIGHT NOW below, and when you <a title="Connect with Lucy Kalantari" href="http://lucykalantari.com/?p=30" target="_blank">sign the Lucy Kalantari mailing list</a>, you’ll get your own copy of the joyful single as a gift. Enjoy and spread joy!</p>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/148118066&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true" height="166" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728662014-03-05T08:58:45-05:002019-03-07T21:19:00-05:00New Album: Pockets Full of Joy<p>6 ukulele tunes coming at you…very soon. The mixes are sounding fantastic, and Darius has been dancing all over our home when I play them, (and gets very angry when they’re over.)</p>
<p>Cover is being done by <a title="Rina Miele: Honey Design" href="http://cargo.honeydesign.com/" target="_blank">Rina Miele</a>, and it’s looking so elegant.</p>
<p>This album will not be released as Luciar. It’s too different–and too happy. It will be my first Lucy Kalantari album. Squeeee!</p>
<p>More later…</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728672014-02-01T17:19:19-05:002019-03-07T21:19:00-05:00NEW SONG: “The Promise” IGNITION LAB WEEK #47<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Week #47 gave us the prompt, LIVE AND LET LIVE. I couldn’t help but think about how I made a commitment [at least to put in the effort] to not kill. I know what this sounds like, but I’m not talking about going all Dexter-on-you, but the everyday bugs and critters we encounter. It’s surprisingly hard. I felt like there was a conspiracy once I made this commitment, where all the bugs decided that NOW would be a good time to invade my house. Did they put out a bulletin board?</p>
<p>Anyway, it’s a quirky song about practicing a little Buddhism. Lyrics below the video.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vofYnKuzQUI" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>The Promise</p>
<p>I made a promise a promise not to kill<br>
It’s harder than you think it takes a lot of will<br>
The ants heard the news and came by for a visit<br>
Hundreds at a time I hope they came to cleanse my spirit<br>
Now they’re in the bathtub don’t they know that’s suicidal<br>
Soon I’ll have to shower and they’ll think that it’s a tidal wave</p>
<p>I can rescue one by one ’til I’m done<br>
I might be here forever<br>
My endeavor is to keep my promise</p>
<p>Next came the moths they’re hiding in my closet<br>
They scramble when it opens, not sure if I can stand it<br>
Maybe if I keep the light off they’ll huddle close together<br>
Why can’t we get along, now until forever</p>
<p>Now came the rats, that’s where I draw the line<br>
I gotta wake my cat ’cause they can’t stay her it’s not fine<br>
The cat got distracted by the moth flying in her path<br>
The rats made a run for it, they knew it couldn’t last</p>
<p>I was rescued from myself one by one<br>
I won’t be here forever<br>
I endeavor to keep my promise</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728682014-01-30T12:15:01-05:002019-03-07T21:19:00-05:00New Song: “Leave Me Be” Ignition Lab Week #46<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The word prompt for week #46 was SELF PITY. I had written lyrics and had a vague idea for this song for many many weeks before I finally sat down and learned how to play it. I wish I were a better piano player to quickly figure out some neat embellishments to fit in around the singing. It has a very show-tune feel, and went a little over the top with self pity. But that’s the point, isn’t it? Walking bass line, diminished chords, seven chords, suspended chords…bring it on. Lyrics after the video.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/H5LFT0RvsEs?rel=0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Leave Me Be</strong></p>
<p>Down underground<br>
Hearing the sounds of my whining<br>
Echoing in the caves of my mind<br>
Playing the same tape over again<br>
Like an endless pool of sorrow<br>
I weep for my tomorrow</p>
<p>Leave me be, leave me be<br>
Swimming in my pool of misery<br>
Leave me be, leave me be<br>
I’ll come back for air when I’m ready to breathe</p>
<p>Too tired to care<br>
About my disheveled hair<br>
Don’t want to talk about it<br>
Don’t want to hear about it<br>
You’ve got something to say<br>
There’s nothing I wanna hear<br>
Don’t want your expert advice<br>
Don’t want to hear that you’re right</p>
<p>Leave me be, leave me be<br>
Swimming in my pool of misery<br>
Leave me be, leave me be<br>
I’ll come back for air when I’m ready to breathe<br>
I’ll come back for air when I’m ready to breathe<br>
Don’t bother me ’til I’m ready to breathe</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728692014-01-29T15:31:52-05:002019-03-07T21:19:01-05:00NEW SONG: “Pile of Possessions” IGNITION LAB WEEK #45<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The word prompt for week was KITSCH. I had all sorts of ideas for this one, but I wound up thinking about a hoarder. One that cannot give up the opportunity she has to purchase things at garage sales. I picture this one being sung by a hipster in a garage where things keep piling up behind and beside her in a fast stop motion. Check out my Pile of Possessions.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rzterevGwoE?rel=0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong> Pile of Possessions</strong></p>
<p>Oh look there’s a sale at the top of the hill<br>
I wonder what I’ll catch to add to my batches<br>
Of worldly collections. They keep me connected<br>
To a world that no longer has my attention<br>
Each thing has a story and I have the conclusion<br>
I can say with assurance it’s not a delusion</p>
<p>Every object has a soul<br>
And they need a loving home<br>
The kind I could provide<br>
And save it from demise</p>
<p>It’s my pile of possessions<br>
You might think it an obsession<br>
But I’m just doing my part<br>
And gathering art</p>
<p>They’ve had many lives, you’d be surprised<br>
All the faces they’ve seen all the places they’ve been<br>
So many stories that you’d only dream of<br>
I have them all at the palm of my hand</p>
<p>What you don’t understand<br>
They’re lives I’ve never had<br>
My days feel incomplete<br>
I need a soul to keep</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728702014-01-29T15:27:11-05:002019-03-07T21:19:18-05:00NEW SONG: “ Make It Through” IGNITION LAB WEEK #43 & #44<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Another combination for weeks 43 and 44. This was posted on November 19th, and things were particularly chaotic at home –little did I know how much more chaos was on its way. But I digress, husband was working a lot, and I was juggling a whole lot, not just the baby. The word prompt was ENCOURAGEMENT and DIGNITY. This is what came out. It sounds very old. Much older than me. I hear it on a record player…</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nAwKF4k00IE?rel=0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Make It Through</strong></p>
<p>Don’t lose my mind<br>
I can’t lose my mind<br>
Gonna make it thru this bumpy road<br>
Keeping it steady<br>
‘Cause things can get heavy<br>
Gonna do what I can to make it work.</p>
<p>Gonna make it through the other side<br>
Gonna come out of this place alive<br>
Gonna be stronger, gonna be wiser<br>
Gonna come out with a sense of pride</p>
<p>When the air gets thick<br>
I feel my breath pass my lips<br>
I know I’m gonna get through this.<br>
Although my body tremble<br>
And I’m unsure if I can handle this<br>
Gonna find a way to make it work</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728712014-01-29T14:42:05-05:002019-03-07T21:19:18-05:00NEW SONG: “Love and Chocolate” IGNITION LAB WEEK #41 & #42<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Weeks #41 and #42 had another combination, because that was the best I could do. But I was doing! Week #41 PROMPTS Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry / and #42, ILLICIT. It only made sense to combine these particular words, I mean “forbidden chocolate!” Could you imagine? Well, I tried to, and it sounds like a drunkin’ fun time, actually. There’s a kazoo solo here. It’s totally silly, goofy and you have to imagine a drunkin’ marching band playing along. And…go!</p>
<p><iframe style="font-size: 13px;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dHLWbCfuc9g?rel=0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Love & Chocolate</strong></p>
<p>If chocolate were forbidden<br>
I’d run a secret mill<br>
I’d gather up cocoa nibs<br>
from around the world</p>
<p>Folks will come from far off lands<br>
And gather for this playful dance<br>
Lick their fingers when they’re done<br>
And count their blessings one by one</p>
<p>Because love and chocolate<br>
Share a common space in my heart<br>
Because with love and chocolate<br>
Life can be so sweet from the start</p>
<p>If you find a nice red wine<br>
To pair your chocolate it’s divine<br>
These tastes will swim in harmony<br>
Your mouth will sing a symphony</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728722014-01-29T14:33:31-05:002019-03-07T21:19:19-05:00NEW SONG: “ At the Seams” IGNITION LAB WEEK #39 & #40<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>For weeks #39 and #40 I combined the prompts, which were to WRITE AN INSTRUMENTAL and the word SEAMS. I didn’t just write an instrumental and called it “seams”, although that might’ve been easier. Oh no, I didn’t go for easy. I went for a Nine Inch Nails inspired industrial, noisy, super-basy, wtf-hit-me instrumental, which segues into a small song in the end, using the same motif from the instrumental. This was posted on October 22nd, and I had just gone to see NIN a couple of weeks before and was still filled with inspiration and awe at my hero Trent Reznor.</p>
<p>This was challenging with time. I had to construct the track on Logic during Darius’ naps which means it was all done on headphones, and done little bits at a time. This is a track I’d love to come back to and release as Elwood Emission. Here we go!</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dE7PfhlLe-A?rel=0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>At the Seams</strong></p>
<p>You can’t break my heart and sew it back<br>
You can’t mend my love<br>
You can’t reinsert yourself like that<br>
With your pushing and your shoves</p>
<p>I can tell you with certainty<br>
You don’t bring out the best of me<br>
Lets just say farewell<br>
Before I come undone at the seams<br>
Lets just say farewell<br>
Before I come undone at the seams<br>
At the seams<br>
At the seams</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728732014-01-29T12:10:43-05:002019-03-07T21:19:19-05:00NEW SONG: “ The Only Thing” IGNITION LAB WEEK #38<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Catching up again. Week #38’s word prompt was BUY. After celebrating a wedding anniversary, I felt inspired to write this song. This was posted on October 10th, and since then has been recorded and will be in my next album. Check it out, it’s super corny and mushy, and has a 1920’s feel. Lyrics after the video.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YMR4hQCWlOc" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>The Only Thing</strong></p>
<p>You can buy me diamond rings<br>
You can gift all sorts of things<br>
But it won’t compare to all the things you bring<br>
You bring love and warmth at night<br>
You make everything just right<br>
This here love is the only thing I’ll need</p>
<p>Celebrating life with you<br>
Grateful for the things you do<br>
Falling in your loving arms<br>
Greeted by your graceful charm<br>
I can’t imagine my days without your magic<br>
And I’m the one you chose to woo</p>
<p>My heart swells with warm delight<br>
Traveling far at greatest heights<br>
I can do anything with you by my side<br>
It’s a joy I just can’t hide<br>
I’ll never take for granted this love I’ve just been handed<br>
Every day is a gift in my eyes</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728742013-10-31T13:22:33-04:002019-03-07T21:19:19-05:00New Song: “Love!” Ignition Lab Week #37<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The word prompt for week #37 was GOSPEL. So I went out on a limb and attempted to write a gospel choir song. Because I don’t have a gospel choir in my pocket, (that’d be cool), I tracked a bunch of my vocals on Logic and sang along to it. I kept the topic very universal: LOVE!</p>
<p>I had a cold during this and don’t really have the type of voice for this genre. But I think you’ll get this gist. Lyrics after the video:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iQ0iJzm9toY" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><br>
<strong>LOVE</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Some days I feel so low</span></p>
<p>It’s like I can’t find my way back home<br>
But I know if I open my heart and let it in<br>
I’ll be swept with love like a whirlwind</p>
<p>Love, love<br>
Love is the answer<br>
Love, love<br>
Fills me with rapture<br>
I love you<br>
Even when you’re down<br>
Love pulls through<br>
To turn things around<br>
Love, love<br>
Love is the answer<br>
Love, love<br>
Fills me with rapture</p>
<p>Without a doubt I was feeling down and out<br>
I forgot what life was all about<br>
And then you remind me of that spark<br>
That illuminates my way through the dark</p>
<p>Imbue me with your loving words<br>
’cause lord knows how much it hurts<br>
Heal me with your peaceful touch<br>
Love like this can never be too much</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728752013-10-29T13:19:00-04:002019-03-07T21:19:20-05:00New (rap) Song: “Waste Away” Ignition Lab Week #36<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>ok. I wrote a rap. The prompt was to write a song outside my genre. So I did. VERY OUTSIDE my genre!<br>
It’s simple. My nephew rapped to a track I built on Logic with me singing the choruses. Thank goodness for nephews who have a sense of humor and are willing to do random musical things for their aunties. Lyrics after the video:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2qfGdqFPgwg" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Waste Away</strong></p>
<p>Can’t get a break<br>
There’s only so much I can take<br>
Before I wake<br>
Realize I gotta make a change<br>
Pave the road to go and know there’s nowhere as low as<br>
Where I’ve been<br>
Where I’m gonna be if I free my mind<br>
In time I’ll see a better life</p>
<p>Don’t live your life in chains<br>
You gotta find your way<br>
Break free from all the pains<br>
Don’t waste yourself away</p>
<p>A new life<br>
I win some I lose some.<br>
I’ve got a knack for falling back<br>
It’s a trap, I know it’s whack<br>
There’s a long road ahead, can’t stop tryin’ til i’m dead<br>
’cause I got will, determination<br>
No hesitation<br>
No trepidation<br>
Don’t give in to temptation<br>
Before I know, I’ll be free<br>
And in a place where I wanna be</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728762013-10-28T16:03:13-04:002019-03-07T21:19:20-05:00New Song: “Lazy Days” Ignition Lab Week #35<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The word prompt for this week was LAZY. So I wrote a song about the LAZY days of summer coming to an end on the ukulele. It’s funny because, I love autumn, so this song is pretty much a lie. Lyrics below the video!</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hPC-lEcIK-8" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Lazy Days</strong></p>
<p>Lazy days are over<br>
Waving good-bye to summer<br>
How will I get through the winter<br>
I guess I will make due<br>
By keeping warm with you</p>
<p>I’ll miss the beach and the sun<br>
When you take my hand<br>
And run across the shore<br>
How I love you a little more</p>
<p>And being kissed by the sun<br>
Jumping in the waves is so much fun<br>
Building sand castles pretending it’s home<br>
Wherever we may roam, oh but those</p>
<p>Lazy days are over<br>
Waving good-bye to summer<br>
How will I get through the winter<br>
I guess I will make due<br>
By keeping warm with you</p>
<p>Reading a book in the lawn<br>
Staying up ’til dawn<br>
Gazing at the stars up in the sky<br>
Oh how time flies by, oh but those</p>
<p>Lazy days are over<br>
Waving good-bye to summer<br>
How will I get through the winter<br>
I guess I will make due<br>
By keeping warm with you</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728772013-10-28T15:59:01-04:002019-03-07T21:19:20-05:00New song: “All the Love” Ignition Lab Week #33/#34<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Here’s a weepy one for ya! I combined two weeks for this one. The words were CLOUDS and THE DOOR. Lyrics below the video.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hrR8Svekj44" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>All the Love</strong></p>
<p>I see your footsteps in the clouds<br>
I know you’re near<br>
As you leave without a sound<br>
Waving to those left here</p>
<p>Oh that last breath’s like a sigh</p>
<p>And when you see your door<br>
And you’re ready to be reborn<br>
Remember all the love you’ve done<br>
Remember all the love you’ve done</p>
<p>You danced with the grace this life has taught<br>
Each foot so carefully placed<br>
You built a home that knowing brought<br>
many close to feel your embrace</p>
<p>Oh good-byes are never easy</p>
<p>And when you see your door<br>
And you’re ready to be reborn<br>
Remember all the love you’ve done<br>
Remember all the love you’ve done</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728782013-10-23T15:31:29-04:002019-03-07T21:19:20-05:00New song: “A Fresh Start” Ignition Lab week #32<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>I can’t believe that my last post was on August 31st. I’ve been writing my songs and posting them on YouTube but while that’s been challenging to time-manage, I also couldn’t fit in blogging about each one. So I’m just gonna post them without the “making of” bits for now.</p>
<p>Except for this one. I just want to say how much I enjoyed writing this song, and how much I enjoy performing it. It’s amazingly positive with a reminder about letting go and starting over. Check it out, A Fresh Start with the lyrics below:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uOXAJ3JPpcY" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>A Fresh Start</strong></p>
<p>You look so tired my dear<br>
Why don’t you rest up right here<br>
You can lighten your load<br>
And finally let go</p>
<p>It’s safe to walk away<br>
And just call it a day</p>
<p>Drop the weight of the world from your shoulders<br>
Move along ’cause those chapters are over<br>
You’ve said your piece and played your part<br>
And tomorrow is a fresh start</p>
<p>When your past knocks on your door<br>
Say it’s not welcome anymore<br>
When you think of what you could’ve done<br>
Remember life has just begun</p>
<p>It’s all a lesson learned<br>
Sometimes you come out with a burn</p>
<p>Drop the weight of the world from your shoulders<br>
Move along ’cause those chapters are over<br>
You’ve said your piece and played your part<br>
And tomorrow is a fresh start</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728792013-08-31T19:01:44-04:002019-03-07T21:19:21-05:00New Song: “Tangled In You” Ignition Lab #31<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The prompt for week #31 was to write a song for TV/FILM PLACEMENT. I chose to write a song for a young adult show in which two friends are conversing with obvious undertones of a crush. So, it’s a secret-crush song. (I’d like to add that I had been simultaneously writing the song for week #32. I had been traveling so I fell behind a bit. I enjoyed the challenge of writing two songs at once. When I ran out of steam on one, I’d jump on the other.)</p>
<p>Once again, strangely, I wrote lyrics first and then added the melody second. What’s happening here? Anyway, I had to recall what it felt like to have a crush as a teenager, (gawd! I’m glad THAT’s over!) and the amount of aching and longing you feel when your crush walks in to the same room you’re in. Then after all that, you get to hold your crush in an embrace…tangled in each other’s arms, etc…”Tangled in you.”</p>
<p>A simple, catchy hook: I wanna be tangled in you.</p>
<p>Longing. Lust. Feeling like I’m 15 again.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KwD3TX3OPF4" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Tangled in You</strong></p>
<p>If you were to look into my eyes<br>
You’d see something new<br>
If you were to read between my lines<br>
You’d know the truth</p>
<p>Something aches for you<br>
Something moves for you</p>
<p>Embrace me<br>
Let me feel the beat of your heart<br>
Tell me<br>
Nothing’s gonna tear us apart<br>
I wanna be tangled in you</p>
<p>When you walk in and I see your face<br>
My heart skips a beat<br>
If you were to move into my space<br>
You’d feel the heat</p>
<p>Maybe you noticed<br>
Maybe you’ve thought of it too</p>
<p> </p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728802013-08-30T16:02:25-04:002019-03-07T21:19:32-05:00New Song: “The Ordeal” Ignition Lab Week #30<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Once again, I have to catch up on my blog posts. The good news: I’m not behind on any songs. Don Darius is now crawling, pulling himself up, exploring crevices unknown to most except for maybe my cat, and is learning things at an extraordinary rate! I’m getting the hang of this new version of my son, and feeling less compelled to cover everything in bubble wrap. It’s been amazing, albeit another learning curve for me as a parent. I know my role is ever evolving as his skills evolve too.</p>
<p>Week #30’s prompt was UNDERGROUND. I immediately thought of my buddy Neil Gaiman’s novel <em>Neverwhere</em>. It’s one of my favorite books. I have read it several times as it takes me to a different world in London’s Underground. I knew I had to write a song about it, and I also knew that it couldn’t just be a song about the whole book. Anyone who wants to know the story should go read it. I chose to write about a particularly moving chapter in which our hero, Richard Mayhew, (who started out as a dull and ordinary guy), goes through an “ordeal” –a test of sorts– to get a key. It’s such an intense chapter and I wanted to capture the emotion I inferred from his dialog and series of events.</p>
<p>I reread the chapter several times, as well as the preceding chapter just once to get my bearings. I have to admit, I felt an enormous amount of pressure to get this right, because I love Neil so much and I don’t wanna f*ck this up. I wanted him to listen to it and at least get an, “ok, that’s pretty cool.”</p>
<p>Usually I write lyrics and melody almost simultaneously, but for this one I wrote the lyrics first. I wanted to get into Richard’s head: What’s it like to be him? He’s going through an adventure with two badass women, Door and Hunter and can’t help but feel a bit unqualified in comparison. In my journal, I wrote a rambling about what he may be thinking. Here’s an excerpt:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I’m pretty sure I’m not qualified. I’m certain that I’m ill-suited for whatever is beyond that door. It will sure prove to be too much for me. Not sure what made me the lucky man. not sure how lucky I am. This is more than what I bargained for. I’m no knight. no warrior…</p>
<p>And from that, I extracted the final lyrics:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Inadequate, incapable, unqualified, coward<br>
I’m no warrior<br>
No knight<br>
I’m just a vague impression<br>
Don’t think I’m worth the fight</p>
<p>There is a phrase in the chapter that keeps getting tossed around that I found so interesting. Richard kept being told how he’s “Closer to reality”, and how this was the closest to sanity he’s ever been. BAM! Chorus.</p>
<p>Later, my husband was getting Darius ready for sleep, and I’m often playing the piano at that time. It soothes him. I was just doodling around, when I landed with the intro you hear in the song, Am7 – F maj7. Darius enjoyed those tones, and my husband commented how he liked the sound of them too. So I tried those first few lyrics with those chords and rhythm, and it felt right.</p>
<p>The most difficult part about this song for me was the rhythm. I kept imagining drums playing a beat I could play along to, and once again, not having enough time to practice it, it might feel a little sloppy, but I hope you get the gist.</p>
<p>I am quite proud of the bridge, for some reason. I really enjoyed singing the melody and the lyrics in this section. Maybe it’s because of the “Mind the gap” reference, and/or the chord changes for when I sing the word “ramble.” It’s the little things. Here’s the video, and the lyrics below.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/P1m7qaZ5FCA" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>The Ordeal</strong></p>
<p>Inadequate, incapable, unqualified, coward</p>
<p>I’m no warrior, no knight<br>
I’m just a vague impression<br>
Don’t think I’m worth the fight</p>
<p>I’m not here, or am I<br>
closer to reality<br>
It’s so clear, or is it<br>
closer to my sanity<br>
Could someone tell me what this means<br>
‘Cause it doesn’t mean a thing to me</p>
<p>Hopeless, helpless, homeless, I need a shave</p>
<p>I’m no hero, no hunter<br>
I’ve fallen hard and lost my thunder<br>
Is this the end oh how I wonder</p>
<p>Things are all gonna go down this way<br>
Mind the gap it’s what they say<br>
Oh I’ll mind if you don’t mind my ramble<br>
Is this ordeal worth the gamble</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728812013-07-26T11:03:15-04:002019-03-07T21:19:32-05:00New Song: “Ode to the Ocean” Ignition Lab week #29<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The word prompt for this week was WATER. I have this funny relationship with water. I love it. I am also terrified of it–specifically the ocean. So big. So unpredictable. So fun. I have had a number of experiences in the ocean that were a little scary: pulled by an undertow; suddenly not having the ability of getting out; feeling the bottom go out from underneath me. My heart is racing just writing this.</span></p>
<p>I only just learned how to swim about 3 1/2 years ago, and even with this new skill, the ocean gives me much pause.</p>
<p>The first set of lyrics I wrote for this song was the chorus, “Beautifully terrifying // Dangerously electrifying” I thought it was only going to be part of the chorus, or maybe even just part of a bridge. But then I did the verses, and it suddenly became clear, I didn’t need to say much here. I had such few words on a page, and yet I felt they were complete.</p>
<p>When you hear the song, there are very deliberate things happening on the piano: the steady thumping of the bass like a heartbeat, and a set of 6ths climbing up and down like the ocean waves rising and falling.</p>
<p>The important part for me was the bridge, or what I kept calling “The Prestige” as sort of a joke. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the movie, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prestige_(film)" target="_blank">The Prestige</a>, but it’s what they call the pinnacle of a magic trick–when the object that was made to disappear comes back and the audience goes, “Ahhhh…” and claps. I knew I wanted this section to be everything the song was building up to. I wanted it to be dramatic and wanted the listener to feel my unsettling love for the ocean.</p>
<p>How did I do?</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t5Bqsye8T0Q" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Ode to the Ocean</strong></p>
<p>You ebb and flow<br>
You come and go<br>
You rise and fall<br>
And take us all</p>
<p>Beautifully terrifying<br>
Dangerously electrifying</p>
<p>You take your time<br>
You soothe my mind<br>
You rock and sway<br>
Keep peace at bay</p>
<p>Beautifully terrifying<br>
Dangerously electrifying</p>
<p>I love you<br>
I fear you<br>
I long for you<br>
I embrace you</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728822013-07-25T15:59:50-04:002019-03-07T21:19:32-05:00New Song: “Sleep/Dormir” Ignition Lab Week #28<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">This week’s word prompt was TIRED. Oh, so many things I can say about being tired. But I directed this one at Darius, who’s a little sleep resister. I’m convinced that he just doesn’t want to miss out, and even as he falls asleep he’s moaning as if to say, “I’m not tired, no…I don’t…wanna…no….zzz…..”</span></p>
<p>I took this opportunity to write Darius a lullaby, and since one is usually not equipped with instruments to sing lullabies to babies, I did it a cappella.</p>
<p>I had been singing a 1-liner song in spanish to Darius for quite some time now, “Ya es tiempo de dormir…”, <em>It’s time to sleep</em>. The song I wrote here was me elaborating on that one line–in english AND in spanish. There’s definitely an art to translating songs, an art that I do not fully understand, but I certainly tried! If you’ve heard songs like Gloria Estefan’s “<a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/g/gloria+estefan/anything+for+you_20060696.html" target="_blank">Anything For You</a>” and the Spanish version, “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXuny2crjOk" target="_blank">No Te Olvidaré</a>” and compare the lyrics, it’s hard not to scratch your head and wonder how they arrived there. (And I cannot believe I just made a Gloria Estefan reference.)</p>
<p>I think I came close to a decent translation. Funny enough, the song started with a 1-line lyric and melody in Spanish, then was added-to in English. Then translated to Spanish. Huh? It was a decent challenge, even with something as simple as a children’s song. I didn’t even know how to say the word <em>rhyme</em> in Spanish, (<em>rime</em> for you curious folks.)</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TtohvjToL8s?list=UU4RbMl-Fje4lvf11vn6AyOQ" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Sleep/Dormir</strong></p>
<p>Another day full of play<br>
Nears the end, it can’t stay<br>
Say good night, hug me tight<br>
And rest your tired eyes</p>
<p>Now it’s time you count your sheep<br>
Let yourself drift to sleep<br>
Dream of all the sweetest things<br>
And the joy they will bring</p>
<p>La la la la…</p>
<p>Otro día lleno de alegría<br>
Llega al fin de ésta melodía<br>
Dame un besito y un abrazito<br>
Y vaya a descansar</p>
<p>Ya es tiempo de dormir<br>
Y tu cuerpo a rendir<br>
Dulces sueños van venir<br>
Te harán sonreir</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728832013-07-24T15:25:11-04:002019-03-07T21:19:32-05:00New Song: “Reckless” Ignition Lab Week #27<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The word prompt for this week was HELP. I had an idea to write a song from the perspective of someone being so careless with themselves and others, and realized they needed help. It felt a little weird to write from this perspective and I had to have a certain level of detachment. While working on week #26, the verse popped in my head: I can choose to be kind // I can lose my mind // Stay awake all night // Take a break, start a fight.</p>
<p>I whispered the melody into my iPhone voice memo app, (Darius was napping), I suddenly heard a groove. A funky groove. <em>I can do this,</em> I thought.</p>
<p>The disadvantages of turning over these songs so quickly is that I don’t get a chance to practice the song much before I have to start writing the next one. Especially with the limited amount of time I have as I juggle caring for a baby. That said, I did have something in mind and I’m not sure if I pulled it off. I think I would take the tempo a little slower if I did it again now, and would definitely work on some piano licks. But for now, you got a groove and a reckless gal who like anyone with any addiction problem, think they’re in control and can stop any time.</p>
<p>Am I in control of this pocket? You tell me! Video below, and lyrics below that!</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9eO6fCXYuIQ?list=UU4RbMl-Fje4lvf11vn6AyOQ" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Reckless</strong></p>
<p>I can chose to be kind<br>
I can lose my mind<br>
Stay awake all night<br>
Take a break, start a fight</p>
<p>In control of my life<br>
So I think it’s alright<br>
If I spin out of touch<br>
You might say it’s too much</p>
<p>Maybe I need some help<br>
or, This is how it’s done<br>
Can’t seem to help myself<br>
‘Cause I like to have fun</p>
<p>Gonna be reckless, useless, careless</p>
<p>What if I care less about you and me<br>
What you say what you think<br>
If I’m right and you’re wrong<br>
I have will to be strong</p>
<p>I can change when I want<br>
I am through with your taunts<br>
It’s all up to me<br>
I can be who I wanna be</p>
<p>I wanna be reckless, useless, fearless</p>
<p>Maybe I fear<br>
To feel how things really are<br>
I don’t wanna hear<br>
How my life is falling apart<br>
What if this is all I have<br>
What if this is all I have</p>
<p>Stop looking at me<br>
I am not what you see<br>
Who am I, I don’t know<br>
Just a tragic bumb lying on the road</p>
<p>Maybe I need some help<br>
or, This is how it’s done<br>
Can’t seem to help myself<br>
’cause I like to have fun</p>
<p>Don’t wanna be reckless anymore</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728842013-07-23T11:06:51-04:002019-03-07T21:19:33-05:00New Song: “Home Is Where You Are” Ignition Lab week #26<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The word prompt for week 26 is TRAVEL. Ah so many things to write about! Trips, sights I’ve seen, places I dream of. But no, I wrote about none of those things. I went in the direction of a love song as performed by either an 80’s hair band or a modern alt-rock band. Depends on how you imagine it.</p>
<p>When I wrote this one I had two goals: a catchy hook and singable guitar motif. I don’t play guitar, so I had to really imagine a (cheesy) scene in a music video of a long-haired electric guitar player playing this melody into the sunset.</p>
<p>A very relatable song of missing someone, I wanted the lyrics to convey heartfelt longing. When you miss someone you think of all the things you’d tell them if they were there beside you. Perhaps I went a little overboard with my heartfelt sincerity in the bridge with, “I don’t need no fancy car…” But, you get the gist.</p>
<p>The first thing I wrote when doing this song was actually the chorus, “Home is where you are.” That kept looping in my head and I wondered if there was more to it, but I guess that statement alone was enough to have an impact.</p>
<p>Here’s the song, with lyrics below. Enjoy!</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yaA5giIjCM8" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Home Is Where You Are</strong></p>
<p>Sitting on the couch turn on the TV and then<br>
Try to kill some time<br>
I smiled ’cause I saw something I knew you’d like<br>
You were in my mind<br>
But when I turned to laugh with you<br>
I remembered</p>
<p>You’re so far away from me<br>
You’re out of my reach<br>
I’m feeling so lost without you<br>
Feeling so cold</p>
<p>Home is where you are<br>
You travel with my heart<br>
Home is where you are</p>
<p>Going out just isn’t the same<br>
Cause you’re not there<br>
Everywhere I go I find so many things<br>
I want to share<br>
No one can replace your smile<br>
Don’t you know by now</p>
<p>I’d travel the world for you<br>
Maybe I’m a fool<br>
Show me where to go<br>
I’ll be right behind you</p>
<p>Home is where you are<br>
You travel with my heart<br>
Home is where you are</p>
<p>I don’t need no fancy car<br>
Don’t need a 5-star hotel room<br>
Why have anything at all<br>
If I can’t share it with you</p>
<p>Home is where you are<br>
You travel with my heart<br>
Home is where you are</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728852013-07-20T17:39:43-04:002019-03-07T21:19:33-05:00New Song: “It’s Halloween!” Ignition Lab Week #25<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The prompt for week #25 was to write a holiday song–ANY holiday. *evil grin* OF COURSE, I chose Halloween!</p>
<p>I wanted to write about creatures living among us who can <em>finally</em> take off their masks for this one day a year. I thought specifically of a medusa-like creature who has glowing eyes, sharp teeth and can float. It was completely fun and totally playful.</p>
<p>This was really all about the haunting melody and calling my inner Danny Elfman…and the bassline. Without prejudice, I’ve included as many supernatural creatures as I could. Simple rhymes, uncomplicated rhythms.</p>
<p>I feel like I need to do something with this song. Any suggestions? Record it with a weird orchestra and release it as a single for Halloween? Arrange it for kazoos? Something…Here’s the video. Enjoy. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.4/72x72/1f642.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="?" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
<p>P.S. Illustrator <a title="Kristina Carroll" href="http://kristinacarrollart.com/" target="_blank">Kristina Carroll</a> did a beautiful sketch of Medusa for this song. Check it out in the video!</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2josSkqKxbU" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>It’s Halloween</strong></p>
<p>Something is stirring<br>
Growing restless inside<br>
It’s counting the minutes<br>
For the hour to arrive</p>
<p>When vampires roam<br>
Mummies moan<br>
Shadows move to this groove<br>
And witches make their brew</p>
<p>It’s Halloween, it’s Halloween<br>
You’ll never know who you’ll meet<br>
It’s Halloween, it’s Halloween<br>
Are you ready for a trick or a treat</p>
<p>The mask is fading<br>
True colors revealed<br>
No longer in hiding<br>
You almost forgot how it feels</p>
<p>To stretch your smile<br>
Though it’s wild<br>
Let your hair do what it dares<br>
And rise up in the air</p>
<p>Don’t hesitate or you’ll be late<br>
To take part in this fun<br>
No need to hide your glowing eyes<br>
People will delight in this fright</p>
<p>Zombies wake, ogres shake<br>
Werewolves dance on moonlit lakes<br>
Trolls under the bridge set up their bait</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728862013-07-19T12:23:02-04:002019-03-07T21:19:33-05:00New Song: “Rainbow” The Ignition Lab Week #24<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The prompt for week #24 was to write a song with a color in it. I decided to take this opportunity to write a song for a couple who were getting married and happen to be Buddhists. Rainbows are very auspicious in the Buddhist tradition. I saw it very fitting to write about love and rainbows. Awww…</p>
<p>I’m quite happy with how this one turned out. I chose to do it on the ukulele to keep it playful and upbeat. There’s a lot of pressure in writing lyrics for someone you know–or someoneS in this case. I had to fill my mind with thoughtful images of them and do a little bit of research. I didn’t want this song to be too serious, but I wanted to touch on some of the significance of the colors. Some things I kept very global: red for love, orange you glad, yellow for the sun… etc. The second half of the rainbow got more detailed: Green for harmony, blue for peace. I tied indigo & violet together with the meaning of purple: magic, majestic.</p>
<p>I cycled through four different variations of this melody before I came to what you hear now. I realized later that I chose a key that’s too low, so I transcribed it a minor 3rd up and performed it for them at their dedication party. It went well! We had other musicians join in on the fun: saxophone, guitars and bass. People sang along and everything.</p>
<p>I was a little confused about whether or not I should keep the rainbow colors divided in two verses or should that just be one long verse. After attending the GoGirls Songwriting Circle and getting other songwriters’ opinions, they all felt it was fun to keep it divided.</p>
<p>So there you have it. Here’s the song in the key of D. Lyrics below the video.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/u0MeaYPGcac" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Rainbow</strong></p>
<p>Our love is like a rainbow<br>
Colorful and true<br>
Feels so brand new<br>
It arcs around the world, dear<br>
I see it in the sky<br>
What beauty fills my eyes?<br>
It’s you!</p>
<p>Red because you la-la-la-love me<br>
Orange you glad we’re in each other’s company<br>
Yellow is the sun to kiss your skin so sublime<br>
But baby you can kiss me anytime</p>
<p>Our love is like a rainbow<br>
Colorful and true<br>
Feels so brand new<br>
It arcs around the world, dear<br>
I see it in the sky<br>
What beauty fills my eyes?<br>
It’s you!</p>
<p>Green we sing in harmony<br>
Blue so kind we give each other peace<br>
Indigo & violet these purple shades give<br>
Majestic magic to the ripples in the air</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728872013-06-26T13:27:52-04:002019-03-07T21:19:33-05:00New Song: “Like A Whirlwind” The Ignition Lab Week #23<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Ok, so week 23 word prompt was MONEY. This made me think of the feeling of perpetual dissatisfaction that comes with never having enough. Given the subject, this song is one of my ‘deeper’ ones.</p>
<p>I wrote the lyrics about people who find themselves victimized all the time, and seem to attract drama everywhere they go. Like a whirlwind. There’s a lot of poetic imagery in this one.</p>
<p>The melody was clear in my head, but I kept tossing whether it should be in between 3/4 and 4/4. I felt I needed the extra beat per measure for all those words, so I picked 4/4. I feel I could’ve done better with the chord changes, but it was the best I could come up with at the time.</p>
<p>Here you go! Lyrics below the video!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PtPj-AX_7C0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Like a Whirlwind</strong></p>
<p>Never satisfied with where you are<br>
There’s always somewhere else to go<br>
The grass looks greener from afar<br>
But shades change when you’re up close</p>
<p>The finish line<br>
Looks so much further away<br>
The harder you run<br>
The more stagnant you remain</p>
<p>Like a whirlwind<br>
Leaving debris behind<br>
Sorting through rubble<br>
Searching for peace of mind<br>
Searching for peace of mind</p>
<p>Is there a calm<br>
Before you come storming in<br>
The weather vane<br>
Can’t keep up with your shifts</p>
<p>Like a whirlwind<br>
Leaving debris behind<br>
Sorting through rubble<br>
Searching for peace of mind<br>
Searching for peace of mind</p>
<p>You’re not gonna find it here<br>
You’re not gonna find it there<br>
You’re not gonna find it anywhere, ’cause<br>
Peace comes from within<br>
Peace comes from within</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728882013-06-26T13:12:29-04:002019-03-07T21:19:34-05:00New Song: “At a Disco” for the Ignition Lab Week #22<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>Apparently, once again, I’m catching up with my blogs posts (and with the songs! eek!) I’m going to post two back to back. The first is my little dance song.</p>
<p>The word prompt for week #22 was an action prompt: Write a song without lyrics in the chorus. For this, I stuck to a little melody with no words.</p>
<p>I was riding the train a few weeks ago, and noticed how the lights in the tunnel were different colors. So I went to a fun place in my head with disco lights, and decided then that this should be the subject of my next song. I looked around the car to find that everyone was super relaxed and chilling, very un-NYC-like. I pictured us all taking a dancing break, and my imagination took it from there.</p>
<p>The verse melody is extremely simple and repetitive. I wanted the focus to be on the bouncy melody in the chorus. I would really, really love to make a music video out of this. I have a vision in my head. I think it’d be simple and fun, but would require a NYC subway.</p>
<p>Check it out. Lyrics after the video:</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3EIfhfbVsrg?list=UU4RbMl-Fje4lvf11vn6AyOQ" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>At a Disco</strong></p>
<p>Sitting in the back of the train<br>
Watching lights as they speed passed<br>
It’s like being at a disco<br>
If I use my imagination<br>
Heads bouncing to the beat of our lives</p>
<p>Living in our little words<br>
No ones keeping score<br>
Wearing anything we like<br>
Bright colors bright lights<br>
‘Cause it’s like being at a disco<br>
if I use my imagination</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728892013-06-17T16:35:59-04:002019-03-07T21:19:34-05:00New Song: “Til’ Mornin’ Comes” The Ignition Lab week #21<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>For some reason I kept forgetting to post this. I’ll keep this brief, since this seems so far away, and I’ve already worked on 3 other songs since. haha.</p>
<p>RESTLESS was the word prompt. And on one of those hot/humid days waiting for the train on the subway platform, I came up with the bass line and the first line of this song, “It’s so hot I’m restless, can’t seem to cool down…” I took it and ran. Lyrics below the video:</p>
<p><iframe style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BaMIKYOaj24" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>‘Til mornin’ comes</p>
<p>It’s so hot I’m restless<br>
Can’t seem to cool down<br>
Search high and low to find ways<br>
To get out of this town</p>
<p>I can go far out and hide<br>
‘Til mornin’ comes</p>
<p>Hurry clock is tickin’<br>
Can’t waste any time<br>
Ready for some changes<br>
Before I lose my mind</p>
<p>I can go far out and hide<br>
‘Til mornin’ comes</p>
<p>The ship has sailed without me<br>
It’s sweltering heat<br>
I’m stuck right here and it’s 200 degrees<br>
Well, I’m being dramatic<br>
Don’t know what to do<br>
It’s a mad race and I’ve got gum on my shoes</p>
<p>I look outside my window<br>
Neighbors’ve gone insane<br>
The streets are filled with madness<br>
The heat’s melted their brains</p>
<p>I can go far out and hide<br>
‘Til mornin’ comes</p>
<p> </p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728902013-06-05T12:09:03-04:002019-03-07T21:19:58-05:00New Song: “Betta” for The Ignition Lab Week #20<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>I’m still catching up on the weeks for The Ignition Lab. Week #20’s word prompt was SUCCULENT. The first thing I thought of was Darius’ need to put everything in his mouth to either suck or chew. There’s teething going on, you see. So I wrote a whimsy ukulele tune from Darius’ point of view. I saw it fitting to add (to the lyrics), that if our problems (as adults) were solved that easily, we would do the same.</p>
<p>Being that it’s a playful song, there’s some spoken/singing parts, that are just silly, “Gimme anything, it’ll go in my mouth…” This song is really all about delivery.</p>
<p>One thing of note, musically, the melody for, “You know you would if you were me…” surprised me as I was singing it. Then I realized it was an augmented chord which I’ve never done on the ukulele. There’s a first time for everything! Enjoy!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_1ikz6sLmhw" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><br>
Betta</p>
<p>Look at my thumb put it in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>Take my big toe put it in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>Is that my bib? put it in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>I can’t help it’s so much fun<br>
Plus it soothes my teething gums<br>
You know you would if you were me<br>
Ease your woes so instantly<br>
Oh yeah.</p>
<p>Is that my fist? Put it in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>Put my whole foot in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>Gimme your hand put it in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>I can’t help it’s so much fun<br>
Plus it soothes my teething gums<br>
You know you would if you were me<br>
Ease your woes so instantly<br>
Oh yeah.</p>
<p>Look I have two hands! Put ’em in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>Oh my god, two feed! Put ’em in my mouth<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>Gimme anything. It’ll go in my mouth.<br>
‘Cause it makes me feel betta’<br>
Betta betta betta</p>
<p>I can’t help it’s so much fun<br>
Plus it soothes my teething gums<br>
You know you would if you were me<br>
Ease your woes so instantly<br>
Oh yeah.</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728912013-05-22T22:55:15-04:002019-03-07T21:19:58-05:00New song: “Perfect Dream” for the Ignition Lab Week #19<p><em>The Ignition Lab is a group songwriting challenge to write a song a week in 2013, using weekly word prompts as a starting point. Follow our work on Facebook: <a title="The Ignition Lab" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab" target="_blank">facebook.com/TheIgnitionLab</a></em></p>
<p>The word prompt for this week was GUILT. In fact, I felt a little guilty that it’s a full week late, but I had been traveling to the west coast. I had good intentions to compose and publish from there, (hey, I had my iPad with GarageBand on it!) but alas, going around town with baby in tow left me with evenings booked only for sleep.</p>
<p>Given those circumstances, I decided to write a dreamy song about indulgence. I thought about a handful of guilty pleasures and selected a few to make an appearance in this song. I think if I were to perform this song live, I would probably modify the song each time to match whatever guilty pleasure strikes my fancy that week.</p>
<p>When I think of songs with dream-like states, I feel like they have to be in 3–a waltz. In the spirit of keeping things simple (and quick), I toyed around with going from the 1 to the 4 chord, and lingered there for a while (as I thought of indulgent things and wrote those down), then went on a descending baseline for the chorus which somehow felt more dream-like.</p>
<p>It’s simple and sweet, and not very serious. Lyrics below. Enjoy.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pDzc248LbGM" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Perfect Dream</p>
<p>If I could float on a cloud<br>
I would<br>
I’d soar like a bird through the air<br>
If I could</p>
<p>Dive down below<br>
And sing wherever I go<br>
Head for the town<br>
Go around and around</p>
<p>Indulge me here as I paint this scene<br>
Gonna play around in my perfect dream</p>
<p>If I could eat all the ice cream in the world<br>
I would<br>
I’d chase it with thousands of chocolates<br>
If I could</p>
<p>Bask in delight<br>
As I take in the sight, of<br>
Cookies and cream<br>
What a dream, what a dream!</p>
<p>Indulge me here as I paint this scene<br>
Gonna play around in my perfect dream</p>
<p>Oh what fun it is to get lost in this<br>
To swirl around in momentary bliss</p>
<p> </p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728922013-05-10T12:07:41-04:002019-03-07T21:19:58-05:00New song: “Possibilities” for The Ignition Lab Week #18<p>Here we are at week #18! The word prompt for this week was TODAY.</p>
<p>After thinking about the Smashing Pumpkins song with the word “today” in it, (“Today is the greatest…”), I set out to write a song about being present and living your life mindfully.</p>
<p>I’ve talked about my yoga and meditation practice before, and I guess it yearned to make an appearance in one of my songs. Funny enough, I had started writing the lyrics on Sunday, and then in Monday morning’s yoga class, Vivekan’s little Dharma talk intro touched on the very subject I was writing about: how to live a life without regret, (actually, that was more of the secondary topic, the main one being about attachment to the body, but I digress…)</p>
<p>I had so much to say about this, it was challenging to keep it concise. In brief, I wanted to say how being present and mindful will allow you to make sound decisions so you have no regrets. But I also wanted to express how everyone is on a different part of their journey, so even if we’re not that good at being present…er, keep at it. See? A lot of stuff. I had several pages of rewrites, and felt like I was treading dangerous “corny” territory. But I had to keep going, and take the risk.</p>
<p>The result is, well, a little sappy, but I think I got pretty close to what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it.</p>
<p>Melodically, this required some rewrites as well! Again, sounding a bit corny, I wasn’t sure how to go from the verses to the chorus. In fact, the chorus had a completely different melody in the first round, but I didn’t like how it was flowing. So I stopped trying and gave it a rest. And after quieting my mind, and breathing (like it was my first time), I gave it another try, and the new melody just flowed out with ease. *cue endorphines* It’s good when I take my own advice.</p>
<p>Check it out…lyrics below the video!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UW63E_AHSS8" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Possibilities</p>
<p>Are you where you want to be today?<br>
If you reflect on all you’ve done to date<br>
Would you feel disappointed?<br>
Would you feel dissatisfied?<br>
Would you feel like you’re missing something?<br>
And your life is slipping by?</p>
<p>We all have our paths to tread<br>
At the pace we set<br>
But we look a million miles ahead<br>
Wonderin’ what’s next<br>
If we slow it down and<br>
Hear the sounds of peace<br>
We open possibilities</p>
<p>Wake up & breathe like it was your first time<br>
Be still, be present & quiet your mind<br>
Do you feel joy inside you?<br>
Do you feel alive?<br>
Carry this in all you do<br>
And everything will feel just right</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728932013-05-01T14:36:18-04:002019-03-07T21:19:58-05:00New song: “Illusion” for the Ignition Lab Week #17<p>Ok, I totally got inspiration for this song through a very geeky source: Jurassic Park. I might have an unhealthy obsession with the movie. Every time I’ve seen it (15 times, or so, and counting: 7 times in the movie theater, and 1 recently for the IMAX 3D 20-year anniversary, the rest of the times on TV), I come out totally believing there’s an abandoned island with dinosaurs in it. Come on! They look SO REAL!!!</p>
<p>But I digress, this week’s word prompt for the Ignition Lab was ILLUSION. There was a conversation in Jurassic Park, that I thought was pretty impactful:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000277/">John Hammond</a></i>: When we have control again…<br>
<i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000368/">Dr. Ellie Sattler</a></i>: You never had control, that’s the illusion! I was overwhelmed by the power of this place. But I made a mistake, too, I didn’t have enough respect for that power and it’s out now. The only thing that matters now are the people we love. Alan and Lex and Tim. John, they’re out there where people are dying.</p>
<p>Sometimes, we get so obsessed with an idea, we have a hard time letting go and keep trudging–at the expense of others. This is not to be confused with putting in extra effort to make things work– but when you need to ABANDON SHIP, or maybe rethink the whole idea altogether. So this is the subject/topic for this song.</p>
<p>Musically, for some reason, I’m really enjoying singing in a lower range. I find it quite dramatic. The beginning “melody” (which is not very melodic) sounds dangerously close to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”, which was a little distracting, but I had keep going to find out exactly what I was hearing. As it was unfolding, I heard bits of lyrics and bits of melody. Sometimes I would just hear a melody (in my head, in case you wondered) and would have to find what lyrics would go there. Other moments, I understood what lyrics belonged and had to find the melody for it.</p>
<p>I really enjoyed playing the descending bass line, that depending on which part of the song you’re in, ends differently.</p>
<p>Here’s the video, and the lyrics below. Enjoy!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/85GW1gyEVVQ" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Illusion</strong></p>
<p>You think you have control<br>
You feel so strong and bold<br>
You think you have a hold<br>
Of this situation<br>
Is this part of your plan?<br>
What you don’t understand<br>
It’s not in your hands<br>
No, it never was</p>
<p>So many lies you tell yourself<br>
And when your shit comes all undone<br>
Will you be the first to turn and run</p>
<p>Oh when, oh when will you finally learn<br>
That all of your plans have taken a turn<br>
Oh when, oh when will you finally see<br>
You can never predict how the future will be</p>
<p>Maybe you’ve met your match<br>
Maybe you’re too attached<br>
Maybe there was a catch<br>
In your documentation<br>
This shit’s gone way too far<br>
You’re acting so bizarre<br>
I don’t know who you are<br>
Anymore</p>
<p>Don’t hid away from your mistakes<br>
And when you hang your head in shame<br>
You’ll be the only one to blame</p>
<p>Let go a little<br>
Just think a little<br>
Adjust a little<br>
Let go of the illusion</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728942013-04-25T15:13:36-04:002019-03-07T21:19:59-05:00(Weird) New Song: “Temporary Fragility” for The Ignition Lab Week#16<p>Ok, I might’ve gotten a little weird. Maybe I just wanted to use my toy piano. Maybe I only heard one line on the toy piano, and decided the whole song should wrap around it. (It’s mostly the latter.)</p>
<p>The word prompt for this week was FRAGILE. I kept hearing this little line on the toy piano, a thematic melody that reoccurs throughout the song. Because the toy piano has a very bright (annoying) sound, I thought it best to add bass and drums to the background so it’s not alone. The aftermath isn’t …TERRIBLE I think, but I probably wouldn’t keep the song like this if I were to fully produce/record it. It’s like toy piano gone wild or something, but fun to do nonetheless.</p>
<p>Lyrically, I wanted to convey an image of being adrift at sea feeling very vulnerable but recognizing that it’s temporary. I wanted to keep the melody really, really simple, and have the thematic melody on the toy piano be the star. The beats behind the track are very trip-hoppy which was sorta fun to play a toy piano to.</p>
<p>Check out the video below, and the lyrics are below that. Enjoy!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OI7MzWxTvw0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Temporary Fragility</strong></p>
<p>I don’t know how I got here<br>
Hanging on just by a string<br>
The wheel was set for me to steer<br>
But I’ve lost sight of everything</p>
<p>Temporary fragility</p>
<p>The moon hangs in the air so still<br>
It casts a glow on half my face<br>
I’ll get through this by my sheer will<br>
And once again I’ll find my place</p>
<p>Temporary fragility</p>
<p>I know it’s temporary<br>
I know it feels so scary<br>
I know I’ll find some land<br>
And keep my hands<br>
From shaking so badly</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728952013-04-25T14:57:35-04:002019-03-07T21:19:59-05:00New song: “History” For the Ignition Lab Week #15<p>I forgot to post this last week, so here you are: Week #15!</p>
<p>The word prompt for this week was HISTORY. I had started writing something and scrapped it all after the terrible Boston events. I felt moved to write something–not directly about it– but sort of a call to action. The days following a tragedy like this is usually filled with so much disillusion over how this world is missing compassion and is just downright cruel. But instead of going down that road of disenchantment, I wanted to remind each of us that we have a responsibility to show our next generation how the world SHOULD be. And what better way to do that than live by example?</p>
<p>The lyrics needs some finessing and the melody more dynamics, but you’ll get the gist. I’m wondering if I should refine this and record it just to put it out there. This world could use a reminder of hope.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bIIry66LMPk" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Lyrics:</p>
<p>HISTORY</p>
<p>How will history see<br>
Humanity<br>
In these moments of need<br>
How long will it take<br>
to learn from our mistakes<br>
In the choices we make</p>
<p>But this is not the time to give in<br>
We can light the fire from within</p>
<p>Don’t stop trying, I beg you<br>
Keep going on<br>
As long as we’re breathing<br>
And keep on believing<br>
This life will be worth living</p>
<p>We have a responsibility<br>
to let our children see<br>
The way this life aught to be<br>
It’s by our reaction<br>
Of love and compassion<br>
That we inspire good action</p>
<p>Don’t wait for the next war to arrive<br>
To set our differences aside</p>
<p>It would be a crime<br>
to not take the time<br>
To look for the light<br>
and set things right</p>
<p>How will history see<br>
Humanity<br>
In these moments of need</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728962013-04-12T15:25:07-04:002019-03-07T21:19:59-05:00New Song: “Wait & See” for the Ignition Lab week #14<p>The word prompt for this week was “Curious”. It was impossible not to write a song for my Baby D on the ukulele. I often look at him and wonder what he’s going to be like when he grows up.</p>
<p>When I wrote the lyrics to this one, I wanted to keep broad strokes with these curiosities and less specific, (staying away from things like, “will you be a fireman…a lawyer…an astronaut…” etc.) since I thought that would probably take me forever to come up with something cool and clever. Also, what if he doesn’t want to be any of those things? Then I’ll just be wrong in 20 years. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.4/72x72/1f609.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="?" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
<p>The melody in the bridge made me switch keys a couple of times. Originally, I was writing the song in C, but that made the bridge so high I felt like a chipmunk singing it. I settled in the key of A hesitant about how I can play the E chord (it always sounds sloppy when I do), but I figured out a way to make it work.</p>
<p>Enjoy the new tune and leave me your comments!</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6fZPeSNqqEI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728972013-04-04T10:22:09-04:002019-03-07T21:19:59-05:00New Song: “No Ordinary Girl” for The Ignition Lab week #13<p>The word prompt for this week is BOUNTIFUL. I wrote this song from the point of view of someone who’s exuding confidence ready to face a change in life. I kinda wish I had her confidence, so for now I’ll live vicariously through her in this song. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.4/72x72/1f609.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="?" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> The ending got a little wonky as I don’t have the time to work out fun vocalizations and tried to and well…Enjoy! and leave me your comments!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XsJ0C4pgg6Q" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728982013-03-31T11:12:02-04:002019-03-07T21:20:00-05:00New song: “Games We Play” for the Ignition Lab Week #12<p>Ok. I admit it: I’ve succumbed to some corniness. But sometimes, you just have to give in. This song makes me think something Abba + Ceelo Green would do. I know. It’s crazy. Enjoy!</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J3Vm2faTZyE" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56728992013-03-22T13:52:12-04:002019-03-07T21:20:00-05:00NEW SONG: “Time” for the Ignition Lab<p>The word prompt for this week is “DILEMMA”. And like many, the dilemma I struggle with most is time. I struggled with this one the most so far. The chorus sorta ‘came to me’ while on the subway. The rest was in so many bits and pieces I wondered if it was ever going to be completed. I kept switching the melody to the verses, and as always, the simplest melody won.</p>
<p>So here’s my song, “Time” which ironically I struggled to record because I had such a limited amount of <em>time</em>! hah. Time’s a funny thing, isn’t it?</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a-GvNTcDOok" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729002012-11-04T12:17:01-05:002019-03-07T21:20:23-05:00UPDATE: Donating November album sales<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">UPDATE: Donating November albums sales to the Red Cross towards their Sandy Relief program. This includes any album in Digital, and hard copy format.</span></strong></p>
<p><img src="https://www.redcross.org/images/redcross-logo.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="70" style="margin: 15px 15px 0 0;" width="211" />We’ve all seen the pictures. I was at my home in Brooklyn counting my blessings for being in the minority WITH electricity and no home damage. (Watching the trees go into a horizontal position and having the house shake in the wind was definitely disconcerting.)</p>
<p>I’m not in a position to volunteer at the moment, and I want to help in a way I know I can. <strong>I’m donating 100% of <em>Feeling A Little Emo</em> hardcopy sales to Red Cross for the week of November 4th.</strong> Please, spread the word. Get music and help our NY/NJ region in dire need.</p>
<p><a title="Visit the Luciar shop" href="http://luciar.com/shop.php" target="_blank">http://luciar.com/shop.php</a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729012012-09-21T16:49:31-04:002019-03-07T21:20:24-05:00Deadly Precious included in Faronheit’s “Pick Your Poison”<p><img src="https://faronheit.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/music-illustrated/img/bannerb.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="500" /></p>
<p>Here’s a neat discovery I just made today: Music blog <a href="http://faronheit.com/2012/08/pick-your-poison-friday-8-31-12/" target="_blank">Faronheit.com</a> included <em>Deadly Precious</em> in their “Pick Your Poison” post. I’m happy to have been featured in this Chicago-based music blog.</p>
<p>Ch-ch-check it out!<br>
<a href="http://faronheit.com/2012/08/pick-your-poison-friday-8-31-12/" target="_blank">http://faronheit.com/2012/08/pick-your-poison-friday-8-31-12/</a></p>
<p>It includes a fun blurb about Chairlift too, which many of you know I dig…</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729022012-08-30T17:41:48-04:002019-03-07T21:20:24-05:00Float (Time Lapse) feat. Elwood Emission’s “Stillness”<p><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/48363106" frameborder="0" width="500" height="375"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://vimeo.com/48363106">Float (Time Lapse)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/scottbakal">Scott Bakal</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p>The music Floats here. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.4/72x72/1f609.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="?" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Many thanks to Scott Bakal for using my track, “Stillness”.</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729032012-07-28T21:09:26-04:002019-03-07T21:20:24-05:00CD Release Party Scheduled: Save the date<p><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/album_cover_emo_300.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" style="margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" width="300" />I’m so thrilled to announce that there’s a date (finally) attached to my album release. Come celebrate and eat some fine food:</p>
<p><strong>Saturday, September 29 at 10pm</strong><br>
Caffe Vivaldi<br>
<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=32+Jones+Street+New+York,+NY+10014+&hl=en&sll=40.7992,-73.970411&sspn=0.008885,0.021136&hnear=32+Jones+St,+New+York,+10014&t=m&z=16" target="_blank">32 Jones Street<br>
New York, NY 10014</a></p>
<p><a href="http://caffevivaldi.com/" target="_blank">http://caffevivaldi.com</a></p>
<p>Schedule your babysitters. Call your friends. Make your arrangements. This will be a very fine night. More details coming soon.</p>
<p><em>The gorgeous illustrations are by the awesome <a href="http://www.needcoffeecreative.com/" target="_blank">Tim Carrier</a>.</em></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729042012-07-28T20:56:25-04:002019-03-07T21:20:25-05:00Interview with Smart to Noise Ratio<p><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toAJBBfdBpc/T9l00d1YHLI/AAAAAAAAAog/tmf8UE_3If8/s200/luciar.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="200" style="margin:0 0 20px 20px;" width="200" />I was thrilled when I got asked to be interviewed for this audio blog by my old buddy, Jon Dayton. Ok, not thrilled. INTIMIDATED. But after a little coaxing, even encouragement from my nephew, I went a head and did it. I even enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it too.</p>
<p><em><strong>SNR:</strong> Hi Lucy, it’s been a while since we both walked the halls on the third floor of the Music Building at SUNY Purchase, but I remember you being a respected musician and engineer back in those days. I expect not much has changed from looking at your website and hearing your stuff on Sound Cloud. I hope all our readers will check out your stuff but just in case they don’t, would you give us the short version of what you’ve been up to musically in the last ten years or so?</em></p>
<p><strong>L:</strong> Sometimes I really miss being on the 3rd floor. I miss being surrounded by constant music practicing and noise-making. Al Improta vibrating the door to his practice room when playing his bass. Many of us hiding from security to get more studio time after 2 am. Good times.</p>
<p>Read the rest here: <a href="http://smart2noise.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-luciar.html" target="_blank">http://smart2noise.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-luciar.html</a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729052012-07-28T20:49:19-04:002019-03-07T21:20:25-05:00GoGirls Interview With Luciar<p><img src="https://www.madalynsklar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/416172_10150461180162914_51797877913_8749750_2065205212_o.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="318" style="margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" width="300" /><em>I realized I never blogged about this fabulous interview with GoGirls leader, Madalyn Sklar. Check it out!</em></p>
<p><strong>What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?</strong></p>
<p>I was itty bitty. Shorter than I am now. The gravitation towards music was impossible to ignore: I willingly put 100% of a $30 gift I got for my birthday to piano lessons, being offered at $10 each by my school. I was 8. I knew I wanted to sing and I wanted to make sounds that moved people.</p>
<p><strong>Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.</strong></p>
<p>My sound is constantly evolving. These days, I’m contemplating a salt & pepper mix of jazz cabaret and baroque. I’m still a rock ‘n roll girl at heart though, so there will always be undertones of rock.</p>
<p>Read more by following this link: <a title="GoGirls Interview with Luciar" href="http://www.madalynsklar.com/2012/02/02/gogirls-interview-with-luciar/" target="_blank">http://www.madalynsklar.com/2012/02/02/gogirls-interview-with-luciar/</a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729062012-03-09T16:19:24-05:002019-03-07T21:20:25-05:00Luciar at Rockwood Music Hall<p><a href="http://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rockwood_flyer.jpg"><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rockwood_flyer.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729072012-02-03T13:50:03-05:002019-03-07T21:20:25-05:00Back to Knitting Factory Brooklyn<p><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Luciar_promo2.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="margin-left: 15px;" width="275" />I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be back at Knitting Factory Brooklyn on Tuesday, February 7.</p>
<p>I hope you can come! I’ll be playing along side Uncles and <a title="At Dawn We Slept facebook page" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/At-Dawn-We-Slept/177444618966313" target="_blank">At Dawn We Slept</a>. Here are the details:</p>
<p>Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30pm<br>
Knitting Factory Brooklyn<br>
361 Metropolitan Ave<br>
Brooklyn, NY 11211<br>
Advanced tickets $7<br>
<a href="http://bk.knittingfactory.com/event/95075/" target="_blank">http://bk.knittingfactory.com/event/95075/</a></p>
<p> </p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729082011-11-19T12:23:17-05:002019-03-07T21:20:25-05:00GoGirlsMusicFest Returns to NYC Benefiting The Red Thread Movement<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
Contact: Lucy Kalantari<br>
<a href="mailto:lucy@afewlittlenotes.com">lucy@afewlittlenotes.com</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" dir="ltr"><strong>GOGIRLSMUSICFEST RETURNS TO NYC BENEFITING THE RED THREAD MOVEMENT</strong></p>
<p>NEW YORK – GoGirlsMusicFest comes to Otto’s Shrunken Head on Thursday, December 1, starting at 7pm. A suggested donation of $5 will be asked at the door. The first 100 people to donate will receive a FREE GoGirlsMusicFest ’11 CD.</p>
<p>This year’s GoGirlsMusicFest will benefit The Red Thread Movement, a student initiative to abolish sexual slavery in Nepal. 100% of the proceeds from donations and Red Thread bracelet sales will go towards the cause. Concerts and fundraisers have already happened in Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, and internationally, in Tokyo.</p>
<p>The evening will feature indie artists ReW, Lachi & Meridian Gold, Inky Glass, Melissa Clark, Luciar, Rachel Lee Walsh, and Tiik, from the Philly-based band, G.U.T.S.</p>
<p>Otto’s Shrunken Head is in the East Village at 538 E. 14th St., New York, 10009.<br>
(212) 228-2240 <a href="http://www.ottosshrunkenhead.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ottosshrunkenhead.com</a></p>
<p>Listen to the featured artists: <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3481595" target="_blank">http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3481595</a></p>
<p>About The Red Thread Movement:<br>
The Red Thread Movement is an initiative that unites voices against the human rights violation of sex trafficking. The signature Red Thread bracelet, which is handmade by an at-risk or rescued girl in Nepal, is a symbol of awareness that helps fund the continuous efforts to rehabilitate victims and eliminate trafficking. Red Thread Music recruits an array of talented musicians to use their voices to get audiences involved in the fight. It encourages people to break the silence by telling others about this injustice and wear freedom to show that they choose to take a stand against sexual slavery. We wear their freedom on our arms! <a href="http://www.redthreadmovement.org/" target="_blank">http://www.redthreadmovement.org</a></p>
<p>About GoGirls Music:<br>
GoGirls Music is the oldest and largest online community of indie women musicians.<br>
GoGirlsMusic.com is a unique organization that focuses on advancing the careers of independent female artists. Founded in early 1996, the organization works tirelessly to help artists through education, networking, and events.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159304944164924"><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/GGMFNY2011-postcardSm.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="GoGirlsMusicFest NY" /></a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729092011-11-15T14:17:09-05:002019-03-07T21:20:26-05:00Wednesday, November 16 at Gizzi’s NYC<div>
<a href="http://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gizzis3.jpg"><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/gizzis3.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="margin: 0 0 15px 15px;" /></a>(post from facebook invite)</div>
<div><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gizzis-Cafe/146620618690116">Gizzi’s Cafe</a> • 16 West 8th Street, NYC • 7pm • all ages, free admission</strong></div>
<p>Luciar, Rachel Lee Walsh, Sonya Heller, and Pantera Saint-Montaigne are playing at Gizzi’s Cafe on Wed Nov 16th from 7-11pm. We will be playing solo sets but also joining each other for a song or two. No cover at the door. Happy Hour from 5-7pm. Cafe menu served. <a href="http://www.gizzisnyc.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.gizzisnyc.com/</a></p>
<p>Check out the schedule and our music below. We look forward to seeing you!</p>
<p>7pm Luciar<br>
“The voice of an angel who is thinking devilish thoughts”<br>
Keyboard/Vocals/Ukelele<br>
<a href="http://www.luciar.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.luciar.com/</a></p>
<p>8pm Rachel Lee Walsh<br>
Folk/Country/Soul Songstress with music that sends “chills that run laps around your spine when you listen to her simple, haunting songs”<br>
Guitar/Vocals, joined by Mark Marshall on Guitar<br>
<a href="http://www.rachelleewalsh.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.RachelLeeWalsh.<wbr>com/</wbr></a></p>
<p>9pm Sonya Heller<br>
“a singing and songwriting Joan of Arc, with a guitar in her<br>
hand and her voice as a weapon”<br>
<a href="http://www.sonyaheller.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.sonyaheller.com<wbr>/</wbr></a></p>
<p>10 Pantera Saint-Montaigne<br>
“Cross-Pollinated Soul – a mixture of soul, folk, rock or whatever spirit hits her at the moment.”<br>
<a href="http://www.panterasaint.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.panterasaint.co<wbr>m/</wbr></a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729112011-10-18T15:25:50-04:002019-03-07T21:20:40-05:00Shows…shows…shows?<p>It is always my most sincere and profound intention to write a post about each of my performances. I can promise that I do write something about it—in my head—every time.</p>
<p>It’s been a wonderful and exciting fall so far, and I look forward to more musical adventures. Here are a few words about my encounters of the musical kind.</p>
<figure style="max-width: 240px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32552299@N04/sets/72157627650329734/"><img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6139102694_b913895699_m.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="161" width="240" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">September Concert at Otto's Shrunken Head</figcaption></figure>
<p><strong>The September Concert at Otto’s Shrunken Head</strong><br>
This show was wonderfully mellow, intimate, and full of love. On September 11, 2011 many were hesitant to come out of their houses and into the city. But those who did, whether it was for the ceremonies throughout the day, or to one of the many September Concerts held throughout the city, made it so very special. We shall not be scared. We shall stand together.<br>
<a title="September Concert with the GoGirls!" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32552299@N04/sets/72157627650329734/" target="_blank">Click here to see more pictures on flickr.</a></p>
<p><br clear="all"><br>
<figure style="max-width: 240px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32552299@N04/sets/72157627759811456/with/6186330369/"><img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6186854476_27c9df0391_m.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="161" width="240" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Lovebettie</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><strong>Dewey Beach Music Conference</strong><br>
This was my first time attending the Dewey Beach Music Conference. At the bottom tip of the tiny state of Delaware, this conference is so rock’n’roll! It’s small enough to remember all the faces of people that you meet, and big enough to create a great network of new friends and music industry contacts. I traveled with <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/inkyglass" title="Inky Glass" target="_blank">Inky Glass</a> (Blues for the Lost Soul,) and she turned out to be a delightful traveling and concert-going companion. One night we gig-hopped to about 6 performances, and it felt sooo good! Highlights included <a title="Summer Osborne" href="http://www.summerosborne.com/" target="_blank">Summer Osborne</a>, <a title="Lovebettie" href="http://lovebettie.com/" target="_blank">Lovebettie</a>, and <a title="Da Rezarekt" href="http://www.darezarekt.com/" target="_blank">Da Rezarekt</a><br>
<a title="Dewey Beach Music Conference" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32552299@N04/sets/72157627759811456/" target="_blank">I went picture crazy. Check ’em out!</a></p>
<p><br clear="all"><br>
<figure style="max-width: 240px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32552299@N04/sets/72157627795489871/with/6256506864/"><img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6256504466_4f40c84c3f_m.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="161" width="240" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Luciar at the Talking Stick</figcaption></figure></p>
<p><strong>GoGirlsMusicFest Kick-off in Venice, CA</strong><br>
This was my West Coast debut! It was a cozy Friday night, and I had to rethink my outfit, since I didn’t account for the warmer temperatures of California when planned. It was wonderful to see Madalyn Sklar, founder of GoGirls Music, for the 3rd time in the same year! (Someone’s been traveling a lot.) I have to give a special thanks to Keri Bowers from Normal Films for donating art from The Art of Autism to help us raise funds for The Red Thread Movement. I hope to be back to the west coast next year, in 2012 (uh oh) to tour. <a title="GoGirlsMusicFest 2011" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32552299@N04/sets/72157627795489871/with/6256506864/" target="_blank">Here are pictures from the event.</a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729122011-09-03T10:15:13-04:002019-03-07T21:20:40-05:00GoGirls Music Commemorates 9/11 With Free September Concert<figure style="max-width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/septemberconcert.jpg"><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/septemberconcert.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" width="250" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">The September Concert flyer by Aleesha Punutieri</figcaption></figure>
<p>NEW YORK – Celebrate peace with GoGirls Music on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in a free concert at Otto’s Shrunken Head in the East Village, starting at noon on September 11.</p>
<p>The concert opens with <a title="Karen Davis on ReverbNation" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/karendavis" target="_blank">Karen Davis</a>, followed by <a title="Inky Glass on ReverbNation" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/inkyglass" target="_blank">Inky Glass</a>, <a title="Allison's Invention on ReverbNation" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/allisonsinvention" target="_blank">Allison’s Invention</a>, <a title="Jackie Sheeler on ReverbNation" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/jackiesheeler" target="_blank">Jackie Sheeler & the WordRock Project</a>, <a title="Luciar on ReverbNation" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/Luciar" target="_blank">Luciar</a> and <a title="Lotus Hill on ReverbNation" href="http://www.reverbnation.com/LotusHill" target="_blank">Lotus Hill</a>, each in 30 minute sets.</p>
<p>The concert is one of several free musical tributes in New York City, September 9th -12th, part of <em>The September Concert</em>, a celebration of peace and humanity through music The initiative started in 2002, inviting musicians of “every genre to come out and make music, anywhere people gather.” <em>The September Concert</em> is a network of 200 concerts, worldwide.</p>
<p>Otto’s Shrunken Head is in the East Village at 538 E. 14th St., New York, 10009.</p>
<p><strong>About The September Concert:</strong><br>
The September Concert was born in 2002 as a small, local grassroots effort and has steadily evolved to be an event of global proportion with a mission to promote global peace. For complete listings of the most current events: SeptemberConcert.org</p>
<p><strong>About GoGirls Music:</strong><br>
GoGirls Music is the oldest and largest online community of indie women musicians.<br>
GoGirlsMusic.com is a unique organization that focuses on advancing the careers of independent female artists. Founded in early 1996, the organization works tirelessly to help artists through education, networking, and events.</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729132011-07-19T21:26:12-04:002019-03-07T21:20:40-05:00Change can be hard…<p>…and can also be so exhilarating. Scary and debilitating…</p>
<p>A lovely person I know is going through some changes of her own, and while she’s sitting on the floor crying, feeling broken, sad and defeated, I told her, “Babe, you gotta take it one step at a time…”</p>
<p>And then I launched into a musical number.</p>
<p>Sorta. I know the feeling…I can see it on her face—that familiar place. I’ve written about it, and she reminded me that it’s there for us when we need to hear it.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.afewlittlenotes.com/one_step.mp3">One Step at a Time by Luciar</a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729142011-06-13T23:34:22-04:002019-03-07T21:20:40-05:00Luciar Interviewed NY Planet Media<p>How did I EVER forget to blog this?<br>
<a title="Interview with Luciar" href="http://newyorkplanetmedia.com/2011/04/17/luciar-tickles-the-ivories-with-song/" target="_blank"> http://newyorkplanetmedia.com/2011/04/17/luciar-tickles-the-ivories-with-song/</a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729152011-03-14T22:56:01-04:002019-03-07T21:20:41-05:00Buttons! Buttons! Get your buttons!<p><a href="http://www.afewlittlenotes.com/images/buttons.jpg"><img src="https://www.afewlittlenotes.com/images/buttons.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Luciar Buttons" style="margin: 0px 15px 15px 0px;" width="250" /></a> As I’m getting ready for Austin, I got to unpack my fabulous new Luciar buttons! It’s nice when they arrive on time.</p>
<p>The Luciar illustration is the familiar one from the Luciar.com web site, done by <a href="http://jounikoponen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jouni Koponin</a> out in Finland. I modified where the “www” began compared to the last run…it hit me that it began over my neck. I was getting choked by dubya!</p>
<p>Anywho, come get your buttons in Austin! I’ll be performing at Austin Java (on Lamar) on Saturday, March 19th at 1:30pm. Stop by, say hi, take away a gift. =)</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729162011-03-14T22:07:14-04:002019-03-07T21:20:41-05:00The Knit Stream…<p>I’ve been trying to get this post live for a while, and here it is finally. Below is a video stream from my show at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, February 1st, 2011.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="340" src="http://cdn.livestream.com/embed/theknitbrooklyn?layout=4&clip=pla_a8fa47f1-d465-4a65-87bf-1b0a65fef0a9&color=0x000000&autoPlay=false&mute=false&iconColorOver=0xe7e7e7&iconColor=0xcccccc&allowchat=true" style="border:0;outline:0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<div style="font-size:11px;padding-top:10px;text-align:center;width:560px">Watch <a href="http://www.livestream.com/?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks" title="live" streaming video>live streaming video</a> from <a href="http://www.livestream.com/theknitbrooklyn?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks" title="Watch" theknitbrooklyn at livestream.com>theknitbrooklyn</a> at livestream.com</div>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729172011-01-29T22:45:10-05:002019-03-07T21:20:41-05:00Luciar live at The Knitting Factory Brooklyn!<p>Can you even believe it? =)</p>
<p>I’ll be making my debut at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn Tuesday, February 1st and I want to pounce with joy! I hope that each one of you will be there to pounce with me. Purchase your tickets online now: <a href="http://bk.knittingfactory.com/event-details/?tfly_event_id=25617" target="_blank">http://bk.knittingfactory.com/event-details/?tfly_event_id=25617</a></p>
<p>They are $8 now, or $12 on the day of (whether purchased on-line or at the door)</p>
<p>The lineup is a splendid array of singer/songwriters from the area.</p>
<p>AND…if you can’t be there because of whatever reason that I’ll find it in my heart to forgive you for, you’ll be able to stream it live!</p>
<p><a href="http://livestream.com/theknitbrooklyn" target="_blank">http://livestream.com/theknitbrooklyn</a></p>
<p>Let’s get this show on the road!</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729182010-12-10T17:41:21-05:002019-03-07T21:20:41-05:00A dark White Christmas<figure id="attachment_121" style="max-width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/whitexmas_cover_250.jpg"><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/whitexmas_cover_250.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Elwood Emission, White Christmas" height="250" width="250" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">art by Kristina Carroll</figcaption></figure>
<p>I’ve done a million new blog posts…in my head. I really should get them out of there and onto a virtual page here. But here’s one at least!</p>
<p>I’ve been a little busy recording, mixing, getting surgery…you know, the usual. I’m healing nicely. I do hope that this is the beginning of the end of this long, mysterious health journey.</p>
<p>This post isn’t about my health, though. It’s about Christmas.</p>
<p>Every year, I hear the same versions of the same Christmas songs done over and over by the same people and the same…zzzz…..so I decided to do something a little different. I took Irving Berlin’s <em>White Christmas</em> and turned it into an Elwood Emission dark, electronic cover. Check it out. Download it. Love it. Be one with it. Show it to your friends. Scare your moms and grandmas. But most of all, enjoy it!</p>
<p>Available on iTunes<br>
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/white-christmas-single/id406832595" target="_blank">http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/white-christmas-single/id406832595</a></p>
<p>and on Amazon.com<br>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Christmas/dp/B004F7BNB4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1292017093&sr=8-6" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/White-Christmas/dp/B004F7BNB4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1292017093&sr=8-6</a></p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729192010-06-17T23:06:59-04:002019-03-07T21:20:42-05:00Away we go!<p><a href="http://makemusicny.org/schedule/venue/profile/100393"><img src="https://afewlittlenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/mmny_bw_logo.png" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Make Music New York" height="205" style=" margin:0px 15px 15px 0px;" width="200" /></a> Make Music New York is around the corner and I’m feeling Soooo ready! Be sure to go outside on the first day of summer to enjoy music all around you!</p>
<p>I’ve arranged a great line-up to perform at the store front of Pasanella & Son:<br>
<a href="http://makemusicny.org/schedule/venue/profile/100526">http://makemusicny.org/schedule/venue/profile/100526</a><br>
My 30 minute set at 7:45pm will be just me and a ukulele!</p>
<p>In the meantime, from 6pm to 7pm, I’ll be at the Battery Park Bosque (Bowling Green Station) where there’ll be an upright piano that I can bang on! <a href="http://makemusicny.org/schedule/venue/profile/100393">http://makemusicny.org/schedule/venue/profile/100393</a></p>
<p>I hear the weather is going to be lovely, so please come on out and enjoy yourselves…listen, sing, sway and dance!</p>
Lucy Kalantaritag:afewlittlenotes.com,2005:Post/56729202010-05-11T22:50:04-04:002019-03-07T21:20:42-05:00Catharsis<p>Saturday’s Pre-Evening Show Episode #8 was a bundle cathartic energy. It had been a rough week with not-so-great and not-so-helpful news. There’s nothing like sitting at the piano to bang and sing my sorrows away. Check it out below, after the jump. Join me again for Episode #9, airing live from my backyard!</p>
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Lucy Kalantari