9 posts tagged “madeline wright”
Anyway, with my current system there shouldn't ever be too long of a wait between new songs, unless I just stop writing for the next ten months. And I won't do that right now because... well, this is February Album Writing Month (FAWM)!
Click the picture to listen to a sample. I threw the full song up on my virb, along with some others that have previously been posted here. Virb.com is the only place that will have full versions of my songs for the time being, because I... I can't put my finger on why, but I still don't trust them to myspace.
Like the other original clips, the playback may be on the quiet side. I'm about to break down and install some mixware tonight so I can make future songs louder. GaRAGEband (ha, I almost wrote Garbageband), as of today, you are no longer my only friend.
What's your dream career?
Submitted by Something.
A successful entrepreneur turned philanthropist. The opportunity to leave a legacy drives me more than anything else. I want to make someone feel the depth of my gratitude as deeply as if Oprah pointed right at you and said, "You get a car!"
One day, I want to be able to write someone a thank-you note that says something along the lines of:
My dear friend,
Remember that act of kindness you showed me so long ago? That was a really special thing for me and I want you to know that I have never forgotten. Oh, by the way, your kid now has free tuition to any college they choose.
Have a great day.
Madeline Wright
For me to be financially independent and have the ability to do things like that whenever I felt like it would be pure w00t-sauce.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
Submitted by princesskasren.
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Madeline Wright
I know it's not original, but it gets the job done. I have enough trouble these days thinking up a good name for my new fictional novel for NaNoWriMo. I have enough trouble writing my new fiction novel for NaNoWriMo. If only I was able to live to 110, like Miss Jane Pittman, I would definitely be able to resolve both of those issues, because I'd have enough trouble being incredibly old.
Ok, here we go. I just thought of a title. Madeline Wright for Dummies.
No? Ok. Maybe you're right. What about Madeline Wright for Strangers.
Do you like it? I like it. Except after reading it over about three times it sounds like I'm all pro-stranger. Hello there, stranger. I'm all about strangers. Please, buy my book. *cheesy grin*
Click the picture to hear a sample of my song called "Pioche".
Pioche, NV, is a tiny town about three hours north of Las Vegas. Twelve miles away-- eight miles down a paved road, and four miles down an unpaved one-- was the location of the geology summer field class campsite where I lived for four weeks in the summer of 2002. Every three days or so, we would head into Pioche to stock up on basic supplies like water, food, and gas. We'd also use the electricity (and refreshments) of the local restaurants & saloon at night to finish up work on our field area maps. The weather was ridiculously hot at times, granted we were in the desert during the middle of summer. Between 7 and 8 AM each day, we were forced from sleep and out of our tents because by that time of morning it was at least 90 degrees. In the shade of our tents.
The field work was all right and the hiking was bearable most of the time. Some days it got so hot that it inexplicably started to thunder and pour rain. Though the rain tended to evaporate well before it actually reached the ground, we were always grateful for the cloudy respite. Somehow the lightning never had a problem reaching the ground. There were fires somewhere or another every day, all relatively far away from us, but we could see the billowy clouds of smoke all the way from our field area. One day a cloud of smoke billowed into our little valley and there was talk of packing up early and ending summer field early. We ended up staying put and simply heading to Pioche for the evening, where we discovered that the lightning storm we witnessed had knocked out most of the power in the whole town. Pretty scary.
There were fourteen students in my class plus three instructors. Between seventeen people we had just three department vehicles, so for logistical reasons there were commuting rules established for traveling between our campsite and Pioche. One of the big rules was to always make sure we had a carful of people, so as not to strand anyone some place. A precaution against a Titanic-lifeboat-shortage-like disaster, if you will.
Driving down both portions of the road we encountered animals that had apparently never before had to deal with SUVs. Unfortunately, some of these animals, particularly the wild rabbits and deer, were a little too curious for their own good. They would hop or mosey into the road just as we were passing through... at 55+ miles an hour. I was fairly traumatized after we hit the first couple of critters, but then I learned to not look at the road through the front window of the vehicle. It's not like we could actually feel whatever it was that we just ran over in a Suburban...
This was the summer they learned that a zig-zag escape pattern may work just fine for a coyote chasing behind but not a vehicle. Say the critter zigged and escaped an approaching SUV. Critter then inexplicablly zagged back into harm's way, rarely outrunning the wheel.
Upon my return home, I took some time to reflect on that experience and came up with this song while sitting in my living room just after I completed my big project for the class. It was only few weeks ago that I attempted to make a halfway-decent recording of it.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I also play a little bit of piano, tambourine, xylophone, harmonica, the kazoo (anyone remember that from elementary school?) and the baritone horn (a low-brass instrument that resembles a tuba, but sounds an octave higher). I would love to learn to play the drums, but as far as hand-foot coordination... Let's just say I choose not to drive a stick shift for a good reason!
Click the picture to hear a clip of my new song called "So Lovely".
I hauled my guitar to Karma Coffeehouse last night and I was selected to play during the bi-weekly one-hour live webcast. I enjoyed the other musicians there immensely and it was lots of fun to play, except for one thing. Whenever I play guitar standing up I naturally move around while I play. This movement, in turn, shook the entire little wooden riser (A.k.a. the stage). I watched the mic sway back and forth in front of me while I sang and my little game of 'chase the mic' kept me amused enough so that I wasn't nervous. Also in the back of my mind, I began to formulate the best way to jump to safety should the stage have collapsed (though l felt completely safe on that stage and don't think I weigh enough for that to happen). Oh the random thoughts I have while performing. I could write a book(let).
If you didn't happen to listen online between 9 and 10PM last night, tune in this Sunday starting at 8PM (PST) for a re-broadcast, right here:
http://www.nextbighit.com/indieairplay/
I am not sure exactly what time you will hear me play, but it's likely going to be after 8:30PM.
What albums are in heavy rotation for you right now?
Missy Higgins is a young Aussie singer-songwriter who plays keys and guitar. I've gotten to see her three times in LA. She's a great songwriter and knows how to wow an audience. I think she's over in Europe or Australia these days.
Regina Spektor is a New Yorker by way of Russia who plays guitar, piano and has a very attention-holding vocal style. I heard all of her songs on the website and became a fan. Then I happened to score tickets for her sold-out show, thanks to what_she_said (thanks a million!). Regina is very impressive live. She's touring in Europe now, but you need to go see her if she comes to your town. You won't be disappointed.
You may think American teen singing sensation JoJo is going to be the next big thing, but Canadian vocalist Aselin Debison here is my pick. I've been listening to her stuff since she was 12. I first heard her on a plane to New Orleans in 2002. She sang "Driftwood" and the "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" medley and I was hooked. After I flew back home, I quickly bought her CD and a DVD of her PBS concert special, taped from her home town in Nova Scotia. That CD is mostly Celtic and folk inspired music, but pictured is her newest CD which reflects more of what she likes to listen to as a teenager. Sadly, I don't think she's ever performed in LA. When she does, I'll be there! But not all stalker-like as I probably sound. I'm really not creepy in person... moving on.
An unpictured CD I'm listening to is one by a couple of musician friends of mine: Phil and Jimmy A.k.a Philippe Luchansky and James Adams. I played several open mics with them last year at Karma Coffeehouse and at Synergy Cafe, which they also hosted. They are great guys and wonderful performers. I'm listening to their second EP as I type this.
A final "album" to shamelessly promote is my own acoustic demo, except I don't have a link to it yet because I'm still working on it. I haven't gotten sick of the songs yet so I will take that as a good sign! If you want to hear a couple of low-fi acoustic tracks check out Madeline Wright's EPK.
