the love of the sun is all i can afford - better than what i *thought* i had before
last week i went to two exceptional shows that i didn't have to pay for (either way, they would have been WAY out of my budget, this whole "paying rent" business is tricky...).
1. "les aveugles illuminent paris" - a blind musician who's been a pioneer in recording african music had a festival for blind musicians. i can't remember his name for the life of me. but there was a photography exhibit of pictures taken by a blind photographer. and apparently the musician's mom is a famous french fashion designer that has defended model's rights against designers and revolutionized the use of the sweater in fashion (big feminist).
2. "bali, les années 20s" - my french producer (the other is still lisa p, from imaginit music) took me to a traditional balinese dance and orchestra performance that were choreographies from the 1920s. the decade was important for showing a break in choreographic style as the songs became less cyclical and predictable and started having buildups and surprises to match the progression of the story told by the dance. the dance became more expressive with the arms and face becoming very important pillars in its presentation.
i've written so much already... i've actually cut this entry and will save for another time... i want to write about how i carpetted my own room the gayest purple carpet ever with my two bare hands. about i have great roomies. about how i cook and bake all the time as a remedy. about furnishing my room and how well it's turning out... about how each of you has to visit soon...
for now i'll say that i'm really proud of the show i played for international women's week when i opened for the one and only susheela raman. the booking agency's been really great about getting me shows opening for strong women musicians i've been a fan for ages. i've noticed that i'm getting more and more comfortable speaking french on stage (despite the french being really critical of my accent, of any accent for that matter) and that i crack way more jokes than i used to. my stutter is not a cripple, it's part of the way i talk sometimes but it never gets in the way of what i have to say. and people get it. most of the time. the best compliment given to me was "don't change anything". which is kinda bad because you always need to evolve. and the worst comment was "why do you wear your glasses? it's esthetically unpleasing for photographers and you don't read anything". at least he liked the show... upcoming dates keep me in paris and send me to zurich and a few dates in poland.
what i love most is talking to women after the show and then i realize that i what i plan to study for master's is often quite related to something they've studied themselves... an option that's opening up to me is perhaps sticking it in france long enough to become a resident and have access to free university... but i really miss home. strangely not my mom - she calls me every other day to tell me i'm a failure because i'm not pulling a céline dion success overnight. which i don't want now or ever anyway. being able to live off of music is good enough for me. and i understand that she's worried - i'm making peanuts and i can't seem to find a part time job to hold me afloat that fits my schedule, my values or my family's (they have a problem with another black woman taking care of rich white people's kids). but the album doesn't come out til september. so extensive touring doesn't even start before that. i am getting a band this week though. i've been trying out shizz with different musicians. soon my music will be played as a trio and my use of a loop box will get better...
more soon. bisoux.
1. "les aveugles illuminent paris" - a blind musician who's been a pioneer in recording african music had a festival for blind musicians. i can't remember his name for the life of me. but there was a photography exhibit of pictures taken by a blind photographer. and apparently the musician's mom is a famous french fashion designer that has defended model's rights against designers and revolutionized the use of the sweater in fashion (big feminist).
2. "bali, les années 20s" - my french producer (the other is still lisa p, from imaginit music) took me to a traditional balinese dance and orchestra performance that were choreographies from the 1920s. the decade was important for showing a break in choreographic style as the songs became less cyclical and predictable and started having buildups and surprises to match the progression of the story told by the dance. the dance became more expressive with the arms and face becoming very important pillars in its presentation.
i've written so much already... i've actually cut this entry and will save for another time... i want to write about how i carpetted my own room the gayest purple carpet ever with my two bare hands. about i have great roomies. about how i cook and bake all the time as a remedy. about furnishing my room and how well it's turning out... about how each of you has to visit soon...
for now i'll say that i'm really proud of the show i played for international women's week when i opened for the one and only susheela raman. the booking agency's been really great about getting me shows opening for strong women musicians i've been a fan for ages. i've noticed that i'm getting more and more comfortable speaking french on stage (despite the french being really critical of my accent, of any accent for that matter) and that i crack way more jokes than i used to. my stutter is not a cripple, it's part of the way i talk sometimes but it never gets in the way of what i have to say. and people get it. most of the time. the best compliment given to me was "don't change anything". which is kinda bad because you always need to evolve. and the worst comment was "why do you wear your glasses? it's esthetically unpleasing for photographers and you don't read anything". at least he liked the show... upcoming dates keep me in paris and send me to zurich and a few dates in poland.
what i love most is talking to women after the show and then i realize that i what i plan to study for master's is often quite related to something they've studied themselves... an option that's opening up to me is perhaps sticking it in france long enough to become a resident and have access to free university... but i really miss home. strangely not my mom - she calls me every other day to tell me i'm a failure because i'm not pulling a céline dion success overnight. which i don't want now or ever anyway. being able to live off of music is good enough for me. and i understand that she's worried - i'm making peanuts and i can't seem to find a part time job to hold me afloat that fits my schedule, my values or my family's (they have a problem with another black woman taking care of rich white people's kids). but the album doesn't come out til september. so extensive touring doesn't even start before that. i am getting a band this week though. i've been trying out shizz with different musicians. soon my music will be played as a trio and my use of a loop box will get better...
more soon. bisoux.