Safe
08 May 2012 Leave a Comment
“The Buddha taught that there’s a very safe place we can come back to, no matter where we are and anytime we want. That place is the island of our true self. Within ourselves there is a safe island we can come back to, where the storms of life cannot shake us. Thich Nhat Hanh”
heart / beat
22 Mar 2012 Comments Off
in Beautiful & Yummy, Connection, General Ji
One of the reasons I really enjoy electronica, especially some of the lush sounds (house, ambient…and then industrial-influenced/darkwave beats, etc.) is because for all of its computerized sonic beats and bliss, dialed-in dissonance or meditative entrainment, much of the works that are produced are riddled with imperfections. Many house tracks (especially the earlier tracks) feature singers that are “out of tune” (according to the western musical scale only), one-take recordings, improvs and mistakes that became riffs, etcetera. I will always cherish that initial spirit, creativity, inspiration and tether that close to my heart. At the root of such improvs, samples, chords, strains, bleeps and runs is a tribal interconnectedness that reminds me of sweet, cherished humanity.
I giggle to myself a little when people ask me to or expect me to sing like Aretha, or Stevie, or the now current/diluted versions of such artistic superheroes, and find themselves a little disappointed when I don’t deliver, never having promised such a thing. Sure, you’ll hear influences. It’s in my DNA. Thank God/dess for that. I love these artists and many others, damn near every artist in *every* artistic medium. Love soul music, love Gospel, sang in Gospel choir as a kid. But I’ve got my own spin, and I’d have to visit a space that isn’t inherently authentic in order to mimic that style, though these artists influence me beyond words. Are we all jukeboxes? Or are we just vibin’ in juke joints? In between? You find the answer for (and ultimately only answer *to*) YourSelf.
Deep house, punk, electronica (pick a style, ya know) makes a lot of room for each artist to rock their own swag and work their own poetry accordingly.
I’ve finally come to see I’m more of a vocal painter than a singer. The more I realize this, the more fellow travelers inquire with me to work on richer and more soulful projects. #TrustYourSoul’sCalling #PickUpThePhone
Then, too, I marvel at the perfectly programmed tracks that are massaged into sounding “organic,” beats, sentiments, otherworldly elements borne of 0′s and 1′s. the same could be said of course about hip hop, etcetera. Drum and bass, pure drum tracks, what have you. Sometimes you gotta listen closely to hear it/remember it. If you like.
<3, jianda
Keep Your Heart Alive
10 Mar 2012 Comments Off
in Beautiful & Yummy, Connection, General Ji
At least once a day, lay your heart down, soft as a feather, for loving. At least, within yourself. Hopefully you have a sweet, supportive tribe, believing mirrors, to share this sweetness with, who are with you, simply, to witness and encourage in courage. Keep your heart alive. <3
the world needs you…e.e. cummings <3
05 Mar 2012 Comments Off
‘To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.’ The world needs you. It doesn’t need you at a party having read a book about how to appear smart at parties – these books exist, and they’re tempting – but resist falling into that trap. The world needs you at the party starting real conversations, saying, ‘I don’t know,’ and being kind.” – e.e. cummings
You Are Loved
24 Feb 2012 Comments Off
“The tears I shed yesterday have become rain.”
- Thich Nhat Hahn
