Saturday, November 14, 2009

Melanie Fiona - The Bridge

If you havent already go out and pick up this album. I had the harrrdest time finding it in stores (i like having cd artwork...sue me) but in the end itunes was probably my best bet.


Melanie's voice is beautiful, her delivery is completely on point, and each song has a well thought out concept and melody that compliments her as an artist. Im no album critic so thats where I will stop with the "educated opinions.


All I can say, is I liked it and I love supporting women in the industry who work hard at their craft and follow their dreams.


Favorite songs on the album:
It Kills Me
AYo
You Stop my Heart

Monday, November 9, 2009

GUCCI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



*ahem... looks around nervously*




Sorry about that folks.... that just happens sometimes.......

Monday, November 2, 2009

Artist or Hater???

Having Music Industry friends and associates can be enlightening or annoying... depends on who you're talking to. One thing Ive learned over the past few years is the more successful you become the more people question whether your pure talent is what is keeping you above water or your relationships. This is common in many industries I'm sure but in a world where everything about your entire being is criticized with every step I'm sure it is disheartening.

But.... I digress this isn't what this post is about
... this is actually a vent post... Ive ran across quite a few artists that have nothing but negative things to say about their peers. Its actually laughable because the artists that they criticize and target the most are the ones that are wildly more successful than themselves. Yes.. ...I know that not every song in the top 100 is "great" and it can even irritate me to know that when there is so much good music out there why is this being pushed so hard down the throat of consumers....... but I cant knock them when I don't have a song in the top 100 (yet) and this is their time to shine..... I got next.

I decided to do my research and figure out why a lot of artists feel the need to focus on other artists weaknesses and take the time to bring them down. In the book "The Artists Way" written by Julia Cameron she notes that a lot of artists search out weaknesses in other artists because it is the same flaw that they have identified in themselves (takes one to know one).


Hmmm... interesting and I'm inclined to believe that this is the case with most artists who hate. Instead of focusing on correcting your own flaws you highlight the fact that another artists may struggle with the same battle. This reminds me of a ol' bitter woman who feels insecurities about her own weight so she makes sure to point out every cute girl with a gut... go get on a treadmill and shut. up.


I listened in on a conversation with a music veteran recently and he pointed out that everyone has something to offer but everyone is so busy trying to compete that they don't realize if we all team up we can not only make great music, we can change lives and all win. He compared it to poker... no one wants to show their cards.. everyone is wearing their poker face. I just feel like we should allow everyone to explore their creative side freely as long as no one is getting hurt why should I care that someone else makes music that I would never make or that some singers voices aren't as trained as others... that's the beauty of art theres no right or wrong way to go about creating it.


Competition is great... and welcomed over here... but I've had about enough of the amateurs criticizing those that are at least trying to show and prove... in the words of Kanye... why wont ya'll just let them be great???

"My name is Melody... and I'm sick of the mediocre crowd attacking the ordinary crowd."

RIP Reservations

Lately I've been attempting to find my lane as an artist... I write everyday but as with most writers not every song is a "Melody Song" and Im grateful seeing as how it is incredibly important in this industry to be able to write for a variety of artists. 

But ... the thing about the thing is..... every artist has a lane that they should ride in that they can own and perfect before attempting to cross over.  I sometimes have so many reservations about how I want to be perceived or what box I want people to put me in.... I need to learn to let go and release those thoughts... because at the end of the day people are going to think what they want of my music.... I cant predict or change that. So before another day goes by Im going to let go of all reservations and just be myself.... if they like it they like it... if they dont... thats fine too.

Whew.... so much easier said than done! Right? "Im an artist and Im sensitive about my shiiiz" (who said that 1st anyway? Erykah? I wanted to quote them... but I cant even find the original author of that quote on Google.......) Let's be real I want people to like me, I want people to respect me, like Drake and Trey I just wanna to be Successful. 

So far be it for me to try and change the rules and ride outside of my artistic lane? I honestly really don't know... what I do know is I need to lay my reservations to rest and do my best at being the best "Me" i can be. So... R.I.P. Reservations, Regret, and Guilt.


"My name is Melody and Im learning to find security in letting myself shine."

Intro

So I started a blog.... after reading thru a few peoples blogs I realized that the 1st post should talk about me and why I started.... so here we go...



About Me:

Im a single mom, I work pretty hard to maintain a normal life for my 2 year old son and at the same time juggle my work life as a songwriter/ singer. If it wasn't for my mom, none of this would even be possible she goes out of her way to help me succeed. 

I love music, I know evvvvveryone in the entertainment business says "every since I was a child I just knew I was in love with music!" .... but its true... music moves me in a way that nothing else can. I've learned what 2 listen to when Im happy, sad, angry, depressed, excited, in need of energy, or in need of inspiration.... different types of music can alter the average persons mood... almost like therapy. 


I write whatever is in demand at the moment... whether its pop, r'n'b, rock, soul, or country....it's almost robotic because lyrics come so naturally and easily.... my heart lives in soul music though and that is what stays in heavy rotation on my ipod. 

My son loves music too, not only does he play his "kid drumset" on beat, he dances like a machine to any Michael Jackson song u play for him.

I started this blog for 1 purpose..... and only 1...... I felt like it... no one asked me to, I don't think I have many interesting things to say, nor do I feel like my opinion is gold... its simply an outlet for me to write my thoughts and I don't mind sharing them with anyone who would like to read them. 


Ok I believe thats enough of an introduction for me... now onto my random thoughts.