As I sit here working on updating my website and dealing with the manufacturing details of my new record, I can’t help but keep the following people in my head and heart, for without them this project would never see the light of day. They are my Angels here on Earth and I am forever grateful:
Don & Joelle Adkins
Timothy Devine
Kyle Dippery
Bill & Chris Erickson
Kerry Gogan
Jeff Grous
Georges Herzet
James & Beckie Landry
Jim & Cheryl Moore
Stephanie & Michael Morris
Ravi & Crystal Nanavati
Jonathan Reid & Cindy Hooper
Andy Piper
Nancy & Gary Plotkin
Duane Stillings
Patricia Stewart
Ken Sujishi
Soo Yuen Tan
Terry Watson
James Winterroth
Karen White
John “Balloon Man” Woller
Special shout out to my Angel Joan in Heaven ~ It’s been 5 years…today. I wrote you a song and it’s on Every Rise and Fall. It’s called “Dear Joan.”
It’s been five years since I put out a new record. I can really only tell that it’s been that long when I realize that I go to the salon to color my hair twice as often. I blame the gray on Star Tomorrow, that David Foster/ NBC show…Fall 2006. Some people say that what you eat ages you, having children (I think it’s the opposite- having kids brings back a youthful perspective, a renewed sense of wonderment), smoking (don’t do it), drinking (ok, I need my Mommy Juice sometimes)…NO, it’s reality TV. Which brings me to another point that I want to discuss. I don’t make music to be famous. I don’t make music to become a millionaire (although pre-school is freakin’ expensive as are kids’ shoes, so I wouldn’t mind the extra cash). I don’t make music because I want to be on a reality show (I only know who KK is because I read trashy mags when I go to the aforementioned salon). I make music because I have to. Because if I didn’t, my family couldn’t afford the therapy. Music moves, motivates, transcends, and heals me.
Although I haven’t been singing for you a lot in the past five years, I’ve been singing daily to my twin daughters Perry and Jette for the last 2 years, 8 months and counting. They truly are my biggest fans and admittedly, picked out the first song on my new CD. So if you hate the opening choice, blame it on them.
The years since Wobble with the World (2007) were filled with life changing events: My tour across continents to visit our troops, my marriage to Chip, the loss of his mother, my battle with fertility and the ultimate blessing of my twin daughters, letting go of my career, and at times myself, to raise my children, and a dive into the depths of myself to figure out why I’m here, what I have to offer, and how I can continue to better myself as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, singer, songwriter…human. Writing Every Rise and Fall was at times painful, but in the end, I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I started it during a bout of depression but find myself now, happier and more fulfilled than I have ever been. So if ultimately, that’s all that it manifests, the record is already a success. However, if you can find a piece of yourself within my new music, I will be most honored. Thank you for listening.
For those of you who became Angels and pre-ordered, your patience is saint-like. I am ALMOST done. I had a photo shoot yesterday and last night, finished my vocals. Except for a missing cello part on one tune, my songs are being mixed as I type. I know that Dave Darling (my amazing produce/mentor) wants to get all of the final mixes submitted by the end of the year. Next steps are mastering, packaging and manufacturing. Should be a busy January trying to tie together all of the loose ends. I am so proud of what we’ve done so far and as soon as we launch more new website, I can have a secret back door to a listening room where Angels and those who have pre-ordered can preview the new tunes. (YES, there is still time to grab your wings and/or pre-order – See “Calling All Angels” Pnut’s Ponderings entry for details!)
And now a few announcements 🙂 1. The TITLE (drumroll) is… Every Rise and Fall. This comes from a line in the song “One Part Love” which I wrote for my daughters. It refers to the rise of fall of their bodies as they breathe. Ever since they were born, I look for the rise and fall as they sleep to make sure they are alive! 2. The songs not in any order are: Turning into You, Human, Grow Up, One Part Love, Disease, Soul Quake, Quiet Things, For Granted, Wonderful, 405, Dear Joan. 3. You rock.
I’m staring out my window down Hollywood Blvd, and I see the tree lit up on top of Capitol Records. The sunset tonight was gorgeous ~ this is my favorite time of year. I’m much more of a sweater/scarf/jeans/boots girl than a bikini/puka shell/sarong/flip flop gal. We celebrate everything in our household. Our tree was up and decorated the night before Thanksgiving and we have a giant sized Frosty the Snow Man and Santa on our deck. We lit our first Hanukkah candles tonight and are on our best behavior since Bartle, Santa’s “Elf on a Shelf” has been mysteriously moving throughout our home watching our every move. He’s in cahoots with Mrs. Latke the Hanukkah Fairy (my invention). In this economy, Mrs. Latke and Santa are going in together on the gift giving, and Bartle tells all the nice and naughty reports to Baby Noodle Kugel (another one of my inventions) who works for Mrs. Latke. This will never win me Mother of the Year but so far, this tactic is working with my daughters Jette and Perry, now 2.5 years old.
I wish you the happiest, merriest, loveliest of whatever you choose to celebrate. I embrace the hope that comes with any fresh start and look forward to 2012, especially since I feel like I’m starting all over again musically after such a long hiatus. With tons of love and appreciation for having you in my corner, all my best for the New Year.
xo
pnut
PS: Paul and I recorded “River” in one night on a whim- it’s our holiday gift to you. So many of you have been asking for a holiday CD and maybe we’ll get around to it next year.
As I sit here working on updating my website and dealing with the manufacturing details of my new record, I can’t help but keep the following people in my head and heart, for without them this project would never see the light of day. They are my Angels here on Earth and I am forever grateful:
