Do you see Priscilla? She the pretty little thing in between us. You know, the one wearing the pearls. This photo makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it. Hope it makes you laugh too:)
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Common House 5/13
Jason and I played at Common House for the first time last week. What a cool place! I hope we will play there more cause we had a blast. One of our biggest fans made it out too! Priscilla Pendersntach! Here's a picture from the other night with Priscilla.
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Compliments
So, if you know me even a little bit you probably know that compliments make me very uncomfortable. I've gotten much better over the years but it's still a hard thing for me. And when you put yourself on stage you are sorta asking for them. In high school when someone would come up to me after a concert I would quickly find something they were wearing to compliment back. Slowly over the 16 or so years that's I've been performing I've gotten better. Most likely if you have complimented me in the past few years I've smiled and said "thank you so much" or "that means so much to me" which I think is much better than "thank you, I really love your sweater". Don't get me wrong, I truly am grateful and your words really do mean a lot to me, I just never know how to respond. I think it's my shy personality. I know what you are thinking - If you are so shy then why do you get up in front of people and sing? Well, somedays I don't really know why but most days it's because I love singing and I love writing songs and I especially love making music with others. And people seem to want to hear my music and I'm a people pleaser so I give them what they want:) There must be a part of me that likes being on stage because why would I keep booking shows if I didn't like it. It's definitely not the attention. I guess it could be that you have to listen to me because I have the microphone and as a kid I was also fighting my brother to get a word in. Or most likely it's that I like the emotion of it. I like making people feel the emotion of a song.
Last year I sang the national anthem at the Coca-Cola 600. The race was rained out and had to be rescheduled and the folks that had played the anthem the day before couldn't come back. So - I went to do it. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done. But also one of the most amazing. I have sung the National Anthem hundreds of times but this time I was so scared I would forget the words. If I sang the best I ever had no one would really care...BUT...if I sang the wrong words it would be all over youtube. Once they brought me out onto the track it all happened so quickly. Before I knew it I was singing and then people were clapping and it was over. I didn't forget any words but there was definitely a bit more vibrato in my voice that day:) Anyway, I say all this to mention the applause. It was one of the most intense feelings I've ever experienced. To be in the center of a "circle" of about 100,000 people clapping and cheering for the country was amazing and gave my goose-bumps all over. I was completely in the moment then, realizing that most people in the world will never have this experience made me feel blessed.
I have the privilege of singing at Lake Forest Church on a regular basis and have a similar experience almost every time I sing. Although this time it's not the applause it's the voices. When Kyle and I move away from the mic's and let the church sing it gives me that same feeling and of course the goose-bumps. It's so beautiful and powerful to be "sung at". I always quickly remove my in-ear monitors and listen and am led by YOUR voices. It's an amazing feeling and I thank you for letting me experience it.
The other day I was given one of the best compliments I've ever received. Last week I went with Tosco and some of the other TMP folks to sing at local children's hospital. One of the nurses there who also attends LFC said that a few weeks back her boyfriend (who is hearing impaired) said he could hear my voice for the first time. We had done an acoustic version of "Doubt Comes In" by Anais Mitchell which I guess was quiet enough for him to hear the voices. She told me that he had turned to her and said "she really has a beautiful voice". That touched me more than he will probably ever know. To be at church and always have to stare at the sign language interpreter just to know what we are singing and then one week be able to hear enough of us to know he liked it. Beautiful...and here come those goose-bumps again.
Last year I sang the national anthem at the Coca-Cola 600. The race was rained out and had to be rescheduled and the folks that had played the anthem the day before couldn't come back. So - I went to do it. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done. But also one of the most amazing. I have sung the National Anthem hundreds of times but this time I was so scared I would forget the words. If I sang the best I ever had no one would really care...BUT...if I sang the wrong words it would be all over youtube. Once they brought me out onto the track it all happened so quickly. Before I knew it I was singing and then people were clapping and it was over. I didn't forget any words but there was definitely a bit more vibrato in my voice that day:) Anyway, I say all this to mention the applause. It was one of the most intense feelings I've ever experienced. To be in the center of a "circle" of about 100,000 people clapping and cheering for the country was amazing and gave my goose-bumps all over. I was completely in the moment then, realizing that most people in the world will never have this experience made me feel blessed.
I have the privilege of singing at Lake Forest Church on a regular basis and have a similar experience almost every time I sing. Although this time it's not the applause it's the voices. When Kyle and I move away from the mic's and let the church sing it gives me that same feeling and of course the goose-bumps. It's so beautiful and powerful to be "sung at". I always quickly remove my in-ear monitors and listen and am led by YOUR voices. It's an amazing feeling and I thank you for letting me experience it.
The other day I was given one of the best compliments I've ever received. Last week I went with Tosco and some of the other TMP folks to sing at local children's hospital. One of the nurses there who also attends LFC said that a few weeks back her boyfriend (who is hearing impaired) said he could hear my voice for the first time. We had done an acoustic version of "Doubt Comes In" by Anais Mitchell which I guess was quiet enough for him to hear the voices. She told me that he had turned to her and said "she really has a beautiful voice". That touched me more than he will probably ever know. To be at church and always have to stare at the sign language interpreter just to know what we are singing and then one week be able to hear enough of us to know he liked it. Beautiful...and here come those goose-bumps again.
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Video from 4/24
Here is a video from the trio performance on 4/24. There's a 2 minute intro so skip ahead if you want.
~R
~R
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thank You But No Thank You...
This week my friend Josh from The New Familiars asked me to join him at his weekly "PStone" gig. I used to go every week and just sit in, then I didn't go for a long time, and now I've been showing up pretty regularly again. It's so strange how the crowd changes from week to week. Oh, the strange stories I could tell. My favorite from this past Wednesday was this woman who came up after a song and asked where I was from. I told her charlotte, and she said "no, I thought you'd be from Nashville". I took this as a compliment and said thank you. She continued to come up after every song and clap really loudly (and right in our faces) and every once in awhile throw in a comment or question that I couldn't understand. Now - here's the funny part. At our break she came up to me, my roommate, and roomie's friend and asked "hey, where are you guys from?"...I had no idea that she was that drunk. So, I answered again and she said "Oh yea, someone already told me that. (um yea, me!) I would have thought you guys were from Nashville. Gotta love drunk people:)
p.s. she also thought roomie and roomie's friend were also in the band:)
Last night Jason and I played at Dean and Deluca Wine Room. This is my first time playing there on my crazy diet. I used to ALWAYS have a few glasses of this amazing Muscato Wine. Uh, I hated not getting to enjoy that. They also have really nice and fresh foods...but, I can't have anything. The staff is always so nice to us there but this time they went way beyond. A few times throughout the night I had turned down wine and food and always said thank you but I can't. At our break Jason and I were sitting at a table talking and the cook brought out 2 sets of silverware. I assumed he thought we were sharing. Then he proceeded to bring out TWO plates of the pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad. Jason quickly said, "we only ordered one!" and the cook said "don't worry about it, it's on the house.". TORTURE!! Free (yummy) food just sitting right in front of me! I felt guilty about not eating it and I didn't have the nerve to send it back so I had them pack it up for my roomie. Oh well, it's the thought that counts and I soooo appreciated the thought.
~R
p.s. she also thought roomie and roomie's friend were also in the band:)
Last night Jason and I played at Dean and Deluca Wine Room. This is my first time playing there on my crazy diet. I used to ALWAYS have a few glasses of this amazing Muscato Wine. Uh, I hated not getting to enjoy that. They also have really nice and fresh foods...but, I can't have anything. The staff is always so nice to us there but this time they went way beyond. A few times throughout the night I had turned down wine and food and always said thank you but I can't. At our break Jason and I were sitting at a table talking and the cook brought out 2 sets of silverware. I assumed he thought we were sharing. Then he proceeded to bring out TWO plates of the pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad. Jason quickly said, "we only ordered one!" and the cook said "don't worry about it, it's on the house.". TORTURE!! Free (yummy) food just sitting right in front of me! I felt guilty about not eating it and I didn't have the nerve to send it back so I had them pack it up for my roomie. Oh well, it's the thought that counts and I soooo appreciated the thought.
~R
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
4/24/10 at The Evening Muse
What a fun night! It was lovely seeing Bess Rogers again. I really love her Travel Back EP...you should buy it:)
Anyway, This was my first show as a trio. Jeff, Flav, and I practiced a few times and they seemed fine. I was very worried about how to play without a drummer. But I think we actually sorta pulled it off. I listened back to the show the other day and there was only one song that I thought maybe we shouldn't have done sans drummer. I also was kind of disgusted with my banter. It sounded like I was quite the b*%#h...so if you were there...so sorry! I'm really not, I just get that way (I guess) when I'm nervous.
About those darn nerves...The show SOLD OUT!! Which is amazing! That was my first headlining show that sold out The Evening Muse...YEA. But, you see, I'm very nervous before and after a show more than I am actually on stage. There is nowhere to hide at The Muse, unless you hide in bar down the street. I used to do that which led to my semi-alcoholic phase which is partly why I don't drink at all anymore. I don't know how to relax anymore without alcohol. So I spent part of the opening set listening from outside in the rain. Good thing I'm not one of those girls who spends a lot of time on her hair ;)
Even with the nerves I had a really fabulous time and got to finish the night singing with my favorite band gogoPilot. All in all - one heck of a great night!! Thanks to all of you that made the night so special by selling out the Muse! Also a big thanks to the street team for making it happen. AND one last thank you goes out to my new friend and "Head of Promotions", KRISTY!!
~R
Anyway, This was my first show as a trio. Jeff, Flav, and I practiced a few times and they seemed fine. I was very worried about how to play without a drummer. But I think we actually sorta pulled it off. I listened back to the show the other day and there was only one song that I thought maybe we shouldn't have done sans drummer. I also was kind of disgusted with my banter. It sounded like I was quite the b*%#h...so if you were there...so sorry! I'm really not, I just get that way (I guess) when I'm nervous.
About those darn nerves...The show SOLD OUT!! Which is amazing! That was my first headlining show that sold out The Evening Muse...YEA. But, you see, I'm very nervous before and after a show more than I am actually on stage. There is nowhere to hide at The Muse, unless you hide in bar down the street. I used to do that which led to my semi-alcoholic phase which is partly why I don't drink at all anymore. I don't know how to relax anymore without alcohol. So I spent part of the opening set listening from outside in the rain. Good thing I'm not one of those girls who spends a lot of time on her hair ;)
Even with the nerves I had a really fabulous time and got to finish the night singing with my favorite band gogoPilot. All in all - one heck of a great night!! Thanks to all of you that made the night so special by selling out the Muse! Also a big thanks to the street team for making it happen. AND one last thank you goes out to my new friend and "Head of Promotions", KRISTY!!
~R
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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