Launching.......into the great beyond

Ok.... So the decision was made that I would pursue my music as a full time gig for a little while to see what would happen.  In the last 5 months I have made that decision, and found myself in the thick of trying to understand how this music business works.  From what I can tell so far it is, (of course) actually a business......and you have to run it like one.  I have said countless times over the last few months and I quote..... 

"I don't know how anyone does this and works full time on the side"  Wild head shaking....arms up in the air.... "I give huge amounts of credit to anyone trying to get their music out into the world"  Wild head shaking again.....palms slapped down on the counter...."Its a full time job that you work hard at.....hope to get paid for....its such a crap shoot!!" Even more wild head shaking.....probably explains my mild vertigo. 

"I humbly bow down to all working musicians trying to do this business on the side of a full time job and family life"

I humbly bow down to all working musicians trying to do this business on the side of a full time job/jobs and family life.....I did not account for the number of hours I would be staring blankly at the computer screen writing, writing, writing and thinking.......contacting and asking.......introducing, designing.....asking some more.....planning.....collaborating and listing....(making lists....not Vanilla Ice)...blankly staring at the walls thinking about more writing and contacts, and then actually recording the music, getting the album set up and ready to go......

This blank staring at the wall and screen has become a little concerning as I am not sure if it is anxiety creeping in.....small seizures.......or my way of getting in the Zone......my very large white board has been in constant transformation as I make lists and add to them and scrape off the old stuff to make room for the new....  

I find myself so entwined in the paperwork that I often will be going for days before I think about actually picking up my guitar and allowing myself to go back into the music.  Slowing down just enough to get in a good jam.  I did that tonight and it felt really good to play!

Is it all worth it?? Absolutely 100% Yes it is and I wouldn't change a thing......I am deeply falling in love with the process....teaching myself the ins and outs of the business, Im pretty sure I am just scratching the surface of what there is to know.

I think of it like I'm back in school....but I don't get student loans, and I don't seem to party like I used to....well....not fully.

(You know those "study nights" where you go to the bar with your best gal.....because naturally, that is where your brain will take in "ALL of the Information".......over wings and beer......MANY BEERS.....and many wings later.....(books tossed to the side hours ago) stumbling back to your friends house to crash on the couch and wake up with a crusty old bowl of KD resting on your chest (yummers) and a faint humm of the DVD home screen running in your ears) ahhhhhhhhhhh those study dates were my fave.....Good Times......Good Times.....

"So Now I am ready to Launch my debut album"

So Now I am ready to Launch my debut album and.....well......here I am again hunkered down in the old space pod that is about to toss me out into the abyss.......it launches me into what??? I don't quite know yet.....but I keep getting the call to "Just Do It Anyway" these four words are a touchstone for me when I feel unsure......"Just Do It Anyway" 

These four words allow me to move through things as if they are my heart call and I really don't have a choice....they somehow lighten the load of being in the arena.....regardless of the outcome.....

"Just Do It Anyway" It may feel kinda scary for some.......but for me these words hold the truth......I feel in my heart, and by doing it anyway......I will never have a regret.....no matter how successful or unsuccessful the outcome........

So here I am....."Just Doing It Anyway"......

Below is my album cover!!  

Dean Pickup from Canada Book Design created it for me and I am over the moon about it. If you are looking for a highly skilled and talented person to do your cover art for.....anything.....Books, Album Jackets....Publications....Incredible pen/pencil sketch and watercolor art...Dean is your Man!!  

Dean Pickup 

dpictcom@telus.net

on Facebook as..Dean Pickup Art

Parts of Me Album Cover created by Dean Pickup of Canada Book Design/ dpictcom@telus.net  

On it Dean has taken bits of my own hand written original songs and placed them on the background.  Crows are present because they hold little bits of all my stories I feel very connected to this bird, so it made sense for me to have them on my first Album Cover. 

This is the T-Shirt design made by the very talented Keenan Kosolowski.  Again I am loving on this hard.  Keenan is a talented freelance Graphic Designer and his designs are smokin hot! If you are looking for a great design for all sorts of groovy things Keenan is your guy!!  

Keenan Kosolowski

www.keenankosolowski.com

or find him on Facebook @ Keenan Kosolowski Design

T-shirt Design by Keenan Kosolowski

The t shirt design also feels very connected as the crows (my story holders) are present again and there are all of the elements of our great home here in Thunder Bay. Dark night sky with stars, mountains, and trees.   

Now for the nitty gritty

I Am having The Album Launch Party on May 6th at 7:30 in the Branch 5 Legion in the ClubRoom.

tickets are 5$. And I am inviting all of you to come out!!

I will be playing my entire Album "Parts of Me" Live on stage from 8:00 to 10:00pm. T-shirts and Albums will be available for purchase.

Tickets are 5$ you can get them from me.....I will have others selling them as well.....if you miss out on the ticket sales.....it will be 5$ at the door....so no worries!!

Albums will be 20$ 

T-Shirts will be 30$

(Your sweet generosity towards this venture will help support, and lift me into the next project) Thank You in advance for supporting this local gal follow her dream.

Last but Not Least......CITY WIDE SOUND KARAOKE!!!!!

from 10:00pm ish to close Amanda and Lauren from City Wide Sound will be rolling out the rest of the night with awesome dance tunes and Karaoke that will bring the house down!! These Gals know how to make a night glow with their amazing duet/solo singing, and creating space for everyone to show off their best shower, car and professional power songs!!! 

Come out and celebrate with me!!! My first ever album feels like it needs to be surrounded with a bunch of love from friends and friends of friends. 
 

So bring all of your people and lets sing and dance together and send this little baby out into the world Thunder Bay style!!

I can feel the energy already........