Tuesday, January 31, 2012

First TV performance

Yesterday I was on Expresso, this was my first TV interview and performance. I couldn't sleep properly the night before (nerves). We had to wake up super early because the show starts at 05:30. Call time was actually at 04:45... WHAT?! Yes.

I performed Butterflies and Today Is The Day. Below is me performing Butterflies.






Monday, January 23, 2012

Woza Album

For the past 2 weeks we have been sending out promo packs. Because I am releasing this album in the year of my 29th birthday I decided that 29 is the magic number. This album and turning 29 are both quite a big deal (for me). So we sent out 29 promo packs and have received such lovely feedback.



Some of the ladies who received the packages took pics and said how much they loved them. Ladies shirt is white and the guys shirt is charcoal. I will get a nice shot of me wearing the guys shirt. WOZA ALBUM!

Friday, January 20, 2012

All Black Everything

Once when I was at the convent school I drew a garden and in the garden I added some black flowers. One of the nuns made me go outside and find black flowers. She then told me there were no black flowers. Seeing this, I suddenly felt such relief. Dont ask why I held onto that for such a long time lol.


Via Serious wapanese


Lesson of the week (Pick up the phone)

I'm sure you are familiar with his journey and how long it took me to start looking outside of South Africa (for opportunities). When I started out I was being told by record label execs, small time producers, people with no industry knowledge, radio presenters and their grandmothers that I couldn't do it. I'm a middle child, proving people wrong is what I do for fun, so none of that BS got to me. My manager (and everything) Marcee eventually got tired of hitting her head against a brick wall and decided to approach radio stations outside of South Africa.

Immediately we were struck by how open and accepting they were of the music. Not because the music was shoddy but because rejection had become the norm. So Marcee got music playlisted in 36 countries. At this point we thought it was safe to try at home again. We sent out CDs and every time Marcee made the follow up calls, she got excuses about the CDs never arriving or a million other excuses as to why they hadn't listened to the songs.

This morning I was so fed up with how difficult it was becoming, so I decided to call the 'culprits'. I don't feel entitled to airplay in SA, but expecting to be treated is something I do think I deserve. By the time I had gone through all the phone calls I realised how tough it is in some regions (for SABC radio stations). One music compiler told me that the post office is far away from where they are. They have to go pick the packages up themselves and they don't even get all of them most times. Another didn't even have access to email. They were all really patient with me as we worked out systems that would ensure that the music arrived when it was supposed to arrive. Until I had spoken to these compilers I really had no idea how 'broken' the systems in place are. It put the entire (South African) music industry into perspective for me.

Lesson of the week: Don't get mad. Pick up the phone and find how YOU can make the situation better. Sometimes that's all it takes.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Truth!!

Via KC Art Director

They WHAT?!

This hangs in the ladies bathroom of one of my favourite restaurants (don't judge me, its a lovely place despite what they hang in the bathrooms). The first time I read it I was like 'women who do WHAT?!'.

Its LOVE folks


So last time it was Lady Killer. I'm happy to say that I am in love again. This time it is with the most unlikely album: Cole World (Sideline Story). I am but a hip hop seedling so sometimes I don't connect with hip hop like most people do. Yesterday while I was working I came across an album that sweet Marcee had. I put it on and I'm finding it hard to listen to anything else. Oh yeaaaah. I'm actually listening to the album right now.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Tea Time!

One of my favourite things to do is find nice places to eat or have tea. Weird because I am not even crazy about 'warm drinks'. Marcee and I were having a busy morning, but we decided to stop somewhere and have tea. Goooooo TEA!

Makes me wanna sing 'Teacup'

Teacup by BlackPorcelain

Pot of Rooibos (the good stuff)

Marceeeeeeeee!!!! Nail polish matches her earrings. Nice :)

Flash Bright

I keep finding more of these. Click here to find out the story behind 'flash bright'. Sometimes I close my eyes and sometimes I look away. Flash bright mayne. Flash Bright!

Way Back When (Nonchalant)

5'o clock in the morning, where you gonna be?! I really wanted to be a rapper when I was younger because of women like this. You were not cool if you did not know this song mayne. Ha ha ha.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Happy Birthday (to the greatest)

Via Mona Made (source)
Such a beautiful man. I love that he stood up for his beliefs and was not apologetic for being himself.

Only A Mother

I heard this song (Only A Mother) late last year and I've wanted to share it on the blog for a while. I don't know why I didn't just go onto Soundcloud *slaps forehead*. I don't believe in describing songs, but I will tell you how it makes me feel. It makes me feel like all my anxiety is evaporating and that I am floating. Weird. But true :)

Its by a band, from England, called Cherry Ghost . Their's is another one of those albums that I NEED to have NOW!



HVN222 Cherry Ghost - Only A Mother by heavenlyrecordings

Every day

I wake up every single morning and do something that terrifies me: living my dream. Sometimes its easy (like when I write songs all day or am in studio recording) and sometimes not so much (when bills need to be paid and when people think that I need to justify my life choices). My life has become one big balancing act.

I am no longer on the pursuit of happiness. I've had joy in me all the time. Now I am learning to enjoy the balance. Dr Demartini said you cannot want the coin (in this case my dreams) and not accept both sides of the coin. Some days are easy and others are really tough.

I'm learning. I'm growing. Every single day.

Chillin'

Via Zulu Dancer (source)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Coming Soon

Video shoot day feels like it was AGES ago


The video for 'Today is the day' is on its way. I'm hoping I will have something to share this week *crosses fingers*

Today is the day by BlackPorcelain

Lana

Sometimes you're up. Sometimes you're down. Always keep your head up.




I watched only 1 min of both the songs she performed on SNL. I think it was just nerves. She definitely gave a better performance on Jools Holland *shrug*. I am not a fan, but I think that she will be fine.

Truth

"You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody"
-Maya Angelou

Friday, January 13, 2012

In a perfect world

via Art of Kawaii (source)

Cheers!

Last night I finished writing the last 2 songs for the album. I cannot wait to go into studio and record them. The project feels complete now. For a while it felt like there was something missing. I am happy now. Marcee will use this post against me when we are 'done' and I start faffing again. Yay!!

I'm posting a pic of a glass of wine because I cannot have any alcohol for the next 4 weeks.



P.S I am not as angry as I was yesterday. I'm still disappointed that the album won't be released in March

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Sitting. Waiting. Fuming!

I wish I could properly express how bloody pissed off I am right now. Have to change the album release date to April (instead of March). Aaaarrgghhh!!

I don't belong to a label, so I have not been assigned a deadline. I took my time with this project (almost 3 years on and off). I wanted the music to be to my satisfaction. Everything is almost done and I have to change the date because of something that has absolutely FUCK ALL to do with the music.

I need a time out...

Monday, January 9, 2012

Party gifts

A friend was having a  dinner party and gave us these. They are from Charlys Bakery, so there is no need for me to tell you how yummy they were. Aaaaaah!


I'm still on Facebook and Twitter, I think I am just enjoying the blogging a little bit more. I am trying not to have a contact stream of (often) useless and (sometimes) useful information. I need to finish the album and focus for the next 6 months.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Natural Grooming


Firelei Baez from Natural Grooming Series (via Black Contemporary Art)

Whaaaat?!

I cannot get over her voice and that dress. I heard this song once and feel in love with it (and her).



Can't stop singing that chorus *dancing*

Love


Via MonaMade (source: eva jeanongoco)

Lesson of the week (Potential)

Marcee often says to me "don't listen to what people say. Listen to what they do." This week I learned to listen and let go.

I have always been a people person, but not in a conventional way. I thrive in social situations; getting to know people has always been fun for me. My mom says my parents took me along when they went to register me for creche. While they were being given the tour, I stayed behind in one of the classrooms and started talking to the other kids and learning the songs they were being taught. Ma only realised that her daughter was missing when they reached the office. When she eventually found me I asked her if I could stay in the class while they were busy. So you see how much I love new experiences and people.

My love for other people stops when I have to work. I do not work well with others... Well this was until I decided to pursue my dreams. I quickly learned that there were many other people involved in the making of an album and I would have to grow up (just a little). I am less of a pain in the ass to work with, but somewhere in the back of my mind there is a voice whispering 'that person is gonna fuck up, so don't take your eye off the ball'.

This week 2 people 'left' the project (reasons don't matter) and I was not surprised. In the pursuit to be a 'team player' (I dislike that word), I started putting a lot of emphasis on potential and ignoring everything else (including results). 'Surely if that person had potential then I would be a 'bad person' if I denied them an opportunity to develop it?' Obviously I now know how ridiculous (and arrogant) that is.

Potential (n): a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
  
Lesson of the week: A person's potential is NONE of my business. I should instead be focusing on what that person is DOING.

P.S I am not mad at the people who 'left the project', that would be immature. They were both very honest with me and I really value honesty. This post is not about them, but about the lesson that I have learned form the experience. I cannot grow if I do not learn from my experiences. I am grateful for the experiences and the lessons.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Yep


via fran-cophonecountry

I LOVE my community




Abed & Troy are EVERYTHING! My brother introduced me to this show a week ago and I am addicted.

Pics via zap2it

Truth

Via e-pic

I laughed out loud when I saw this because I am one angry woman when I am hungry. I heard the word 'hangry' from my friend Semenya and I thought it was PERFECT! I suddenly thought, how did I not know this word before? What did I use to describe the madness that occurs when I am hungry? LOL

Via e-pic (source)
My birthday is in 2 months... This pillow will make me very happy. Just saying.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Perfect Timing

Was checking out some of my fav blogs and found this quote:

This is an important lesson to remember when you’re having a bad day, a bad month, or a shitty year. Things will change: you won’t feel this way forever. And anyway, sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones your soul needs most. I believe you can’t feel real joy unless you’ve felt heartache. You can’t have a sense of victory unless you know what it means to fail. You can’t know what it’s like to feel holy until you know what it’s like to feel really fucking evil. And you can’t be birthed again until you’ve died.

Kelly Cutrone
  

Off my chest

I can't sleep. It seems that when I take a step in the right direction, something else goes wrong. I am in a boat and people are poking holes in it. So now I am 'plugging' holes and trying to steer. I wish this was a journey that someone had already taken because then I would have instructions on how to do this. I am in completely unfamiliar territory. Been prescribed meds for anxiety (stress is causing near-blinding migraines), but I will rely on food, meditation and exercise (to get me through this).

Putting on my Samurai face.

I LOVE Samurai Champloo

 Image via Nerd Locker

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Sending out stuff



Promo stuff... Album release in 3 months and I'm fairly calm (where is that damn sarcasm font when you need it?).

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

I see you baby!

My dearest, sweetest Marcee has been growing her hair. A few weeks ago she trusted me enough to let me dye her hair. Isn't she lovely?

If this music and writing thing doesn't work out, I might just open up a hair salon.

Quick One

Back in Cape Town and I have just seen, the ungraded version of, the music video for 'Today is the day'. I am both excited and nervous. I am excited because it has taken us so long to get to this point. I have wanted to shoot this music video FOREVER and now it's (kinda) done. I am also nervous because up until now I have been able to 'hide' behind the music. Very people know what I 'look' like, when I am 'performing', so this is something new. I guess you could say that I am shy in my own weird way.

Gonna leave you with the song, while I wait for the video to be graded. It is available on iTunes and Rhythm Music Store.

Today is the day by BlackPorcelain

It's Summertime



I used to LOVE this song. Its summer time and its all-shorts-everything type of weather. I used to love Smooth, also loved her song Mindblowing. I used to own that album (Smooth). Aaaah good times!

Just believe

via melody's blog