Ponderings

by on
Seth and Tony Door Art

Over the summer, I performed for Seth & Tony’s House Concert series.   Not only did I enjoy L.A.’s finest taco cart and eat cake with my picture on it,  I made some new friends in a community that enjoys and supports independent live music.  When I heard that Kevin Fisher was going to be entertaining at the next concert, I quickly bought a ticket.

Let’s backtrack….  Before I played my first show back in the 90’s, I used to hang out at Genghis Cohen on Fairfax Avenue and learn by watching L.A.’s finest singer-songwriters.  Some of my favorites were Vonda Shepard (whom I’ve opened for several times over the last 20 years), Dan Bern, Danny Peck, Kevin Montgomery (who became a dear friend) and Naked to the World.  Kevin Fisher was the lead singer and songwriter of Naked to the World, and to this day, some of his songs are indelibly stuck in my brain.  We orbited in the same circles but never really connected until the night I went to his show at Seth & Tony’s.  As I remembered, his songs were poignant, funny and super smart.  We chatted after the show and made a date to try to co-write a holiday tune.  I had it in my head that I wanted to have something to release before the end of the year for my fans.

My first co-write with Kevin yielded the tune “Christmas in the Ordinary.”  It came fast and easily, and we decided to keep going!  In a p-nutshell, Kevin and I share similar backgrounds and values, and swim in the same head space.  On a whim, we created a side duo project and we’ve dubbed ourselves…. The Humming Bards.  Our first collaboration is a completely fan funded holiday EP called “Holy Common Ground.”   It’s a collection of songs for Everyone- “whatever you believe, whatever road you’re on.”    I hope you get a chance to listen to it!  The EP releases November 16th on my own JamCat Records.  There are only a few limited edition, autographed physical copies available in my store, but you can also download it from iTunes on 11/16.

Art by Lynanne Petroff (Please visit her page, Lynanne’s Creations on Facebook)

We’d like The Humming Bards facebook page to be a community that fosters and inspires creativity.  We were so touched when the gifted Lynanne Petroff  (@LynannePetroff) posted her artwork inspired by one of our online concerts.   (If you’ve never checked out my live Concert Window broadcasts, please do!  Be sure to register so you can participate in the live chats.  Most shows are free or “pay what you can. www.concertwindow.com/cindyalexander.  Next show is December 2, 2018.)

Kevin and I are scheduling house concerts for 2019.  We will be performing our own material plus the new songs we’ve written (and continue to write) for The Humming Bards.   Please email me (cindy@cindyalexander.com) if you are interested in hosting!

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season ahead. With much love and gratitude,

Cindy aka pnut

Our new EP! Available November 16, 2018

by on

BUTTERFLIES

You don’t really realize how stressed you’ve been until you have a moment to relax. Relax and take it all in – notice the beauty and teachable moments in the ordinary activities of daily life. I just watched the roundabout, but beautifully choreographed, flight of a Monarch through my backyard and the moment when it stopped on the leaf of my Meyer Lemon tree. I follow it around, talk to it, but I can’t touch it – it’s off to visit my next door neighbor now. Perry asks me if I always talk to butterflies and I say “of course! They are kind enough to visit – you should at least say ‘hello’!” Butterflies appear in quite a few of my songs, because they are always appearing in my life. They follow ME as much as I follow them – and I often think of their appearances as spiritual visits.

WAFFLES

While I’m in the yard, Jette calls to me from the upstairs balcony – she’d like a waffle, the “fluffy kind” with chocolate chips. It’s summer. Anything goes. A fluffy waffle with chocolate chips even though she already had eggs, chicken apple sausage, milk, toast, strawberries….no problem. I put a couple of spinach leaves on top for a color pop (and because that’s how she pays for the chocolate chips…by ingesting spinach leaves. Green veggies are currency in my house).

MY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT NEEDS A MASSAGE (that would be me).

As I forego the name “Cindy Alexander” and become predominantly “Mommy” for a while, I can let go of all of the administrative tasks and planning that goes into touring.   I am my own tour manager, production manager, stage hand, merchandise salesperson, groupie…..  and it all takes hours and hours and hours of preparation and execution.

VACAY

As I said, I didn’t realize how stressed I was. When I finished up my dates with the Bacon Brothers in Minneapolis (I love those guys), I met the family in Seattle for some quality time and a much needed vacation. My parents treated us to an Alaskan cruise and I know that together, we’ve made memories that will last a lifetime. I went zip lining for the first time over the Ketchikan rainforest, hiked in Skagway and floated on a river fed from a glacier. We played with Husky puppies training for the Iditarod and watched fireworks in Butchard Gardens in Victoria B.C..   Yes, I lead a beautiful life and I am so very blessed.

Alaska Cruise
Glaciers are a reminder of the passage of time, and how young we are in comparison to Mother Earth. Isn’t she beautiful!?

Another nice thing about being off the road is that I get to be in the audience for a change. I love listening to live music and getting inspired by other artists. I saw Kevin Fisher last night at Seth & Tony’s house concert (he’s brilliant!) and next week I’m going to see Lucinda Williams, Steve Earl and Dwight Yoakum at the Greek Theater.

I’m definitely in writing mode these days… lots of songs floating around my head and through my Steinway piano and Taylor guitar.   I look forward to sharing them with you soon.

 

 

THANK YOU to all of you who take the time to read my Pnut’s Ponderings, who listen to my music and make my songs, your songs. You are an essential and truly appreciated companion on my journey.  Until I see you next on the road, how about registering at Concert Window, where you can join me for a live, online serenade and chat?  It’s FREE! Click here:

CINDY ALEXANDER LIVING ROOM SERENADES and CHATS on CONCERT WINDOW

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

XO Cindy

by on
What a painter….

I have something very special to share with you. NEW MUSIC! I’ve always written music for YOU – with the thought that when the songs resonate and become yours, my mission is accomplished. However, I realize that my mission is never over. I recently wrote a song that I believe was meant for ME. Words I needed to hear, a melody that spoke to me from within…

Sometimes it takes a while to craft a song, and find just the right word and musical riff. Sometimes, songs are written through me, like this one. “My Favorite Artist” poured out in less than 5 minutes. I didn’t change a thing. In that spirit, it was recorded in one take. To keep it personal, it was recorded in my home by my husband, Chip, with some musical help by one of my best friends, Paul Trudeau. Produced by the three of us, I am beyond grateful for this song and experience. Huge thanks to my label mate, the amazing Rusty Young (POCO) for playing pedal steel that elevates the song and makes it even more special.

I hope you enjoy it and take it to heart. Please share it if you do!

 

G-d’s my favorite artist
‘Cause She’s got so much damn soul
Can’t try to imitate Her
I would never, ever be that bold

But I know She gave something
From the well within me it pours
I’d give all away for nothing
So come get what you came for

Come get what you came for

I talk a real good story
But I don’t know what the hell I talk about
I’m just shooting from hip of glory
Making art is making love that knows no bounds
Yeah making art – is making love

Come get what you came for
Come get what you came for
Just take it – take it all – I can make more
Come get what you came for

Don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow
Chances are, I’ll be gone
But I’m here now – with you – for a reason
And you’re leaning in for something like a song

So come get what you came for
Come get what you came for
Just take it – baby I can make more
Come get what you came for

G-d’s my favorite artist
G-d’s my favorite

Come get what you came for
Come get what you came for
Come on …..

Copyright 2018 Cindy Alexander/ JamCat Publishing

Inspiration