lady cordelia

"Shine"- a song by me.

                                                                                                                                                              
My heart is this: my family, my kids, my husband, my home.  That's it.  The rest of life is the rest.  But that does not mean it's not meaningful or important.

I've worked towards things in my career, taken time off, things have gone up and things have gone down.   And up and down.  You know.  I've ridden a lot of waves. Right now my motto is: keep flying, keep writing. 

Here is a new demo that I'll share with you called "Shine." 

So you know, a "demo recording" is a recording that is not in a complete or final state for one reason or another. 
Oh, and yes I wrote it.  Yes it is me singing.  This is what I do for a job.  You know.  Basically.  I try to sell these little suckers. Ya.

And so. Well. By the way, if you know any established artist out there that might want to re-record this ditty, or a sitcom that needs a theme.... a commercial that needs some meaningful music...you know....just ring my bell.

I'll be right here.

Enjoy.

Download Shine

Photo Source: bigpicture.in via Heather on Pinterest 

Photo Source: longlivejava.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: longlivejava.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

 

music, night-driving and persimmons & toast

Last Thursday I drove to LA, spent the night with one of my dearest friends who I've known for almost 20 years, then headed out to the studio of another wonderful old friend.  That friend is recording three new songs of mine.  I am very exicted to share the songs with you.  However, it's not time yet. Dang!!!!

In the span of about 8 hours I sang three vocal tracks, with background vocals, and did two acoustic guitar tracks.  Then I had to drive back.  In the dark.  In the rain. All the way home.  Three different freeways and several highways.  Didn't like that part.  I'm a night-time driving wimp.  I called The Brad a few times on the road, almost in tears cause I didn't know to stay on the 118 when it turned into the 23. Or something like that.  Whatever. I'm not too good with directions. When I got home he said: Really, honey? You got lost?  How many times have you done that drive? Really? And then he said Awwwwwww.  And patted my back like I was three.  I punched him a little. 

Sometimes men who are good with directions can really make you feel stupid. 

Sang my butt off though, in the studio.  I can do that.  So: na-na-na-na-na (say that like a three year old.)

So.  Excited.  I am.  About.  The new songs.  

K.

Also:

Toast with butter and fresh persimmons mushed all over it.  
If you think that seems weird, you and The Brad would get along great.
If not, you can sit by me at the breakfast table and we can share.
Wanna?

weekending with Amanda.

 

$40 bed frame and other important items of the day.

On Monday we purchased a "big girl" twin bed frame for our five-year-old.  We got it on Craigslist.  Of course.  This sweet frame (headboard and footboard) is not fully dissimilar to a cute white metal frame from, say, Pottery Barn or Land of Nod.  It is darling and perfect for our girl. And, at the wonderful price of $40.

Sure, we had to drive to a nearby yucky town, in rushhour traffic, and get lost about 5 times.  Sure, we had to almost lose our marraige over putting it together, because even though it just has 8 screws holding it together, it came with no directions. Sure, The Brad lost about 6 hours of work and the lot of his patience putting it together.  And taking it apart.  And putting it together. 

And so, that is the price you pay when you buy things on Craigslist.  You get a $40 bedframe, but you lose  hundreds of dollars in self-employeed work time putting it together.  You also, inadvertently, teach your children new swear words that no adult should ever be caught saying. 

Still.  $40.   Good deal.

(When the mattress and bedding arrives, I'll be sure to take a pic.)

:::::::::   ::::::::::

Other than that?  I'm in songwriting mode as I will be in the studio later this month.  An old musician/engineer/producer friend is recording three songs of mine "on spec." This is a good thing.  And, since I haven't done any "serious" writing for myself in many years (just songs that I sell to the music company that puts my songs in Taiwanese commercials -as per last blog entry, and by the way, I did inquire and I WILL get royalties!  Maybe I'll be rich off this commercial!  YAY!  Doubt it.  But still, oh happy day.  ) Anyway- back to original point: I am not used to the lack of SILENCE while trying to write.  In other words, the last time I wrote songs the house was quiet because I had no family.  This time, I have children coming into my room every 5 minutes saying:  "She hit me", "I'm thirsty", "Can I watch a video?," "I'm hungry" and so forth.
Often though, they just dance around and say.."Mama, I love that song!"  So, I can't complain much.

Other than THAT, I'm just doin' stuff like dressing up our 10 year old lab in a shirt that translates as "Made in Mexico."  It's cool.  It's fun. As you can see, our lab likes Bert. They often go everywhere together.  Bert does not smell good at this point.

Have a great rest of your week.

XO

Weekending

This weekend was another stay at home weekend.  My favorite.  The kind we almost always have.
Friday we had a few friends over.  The house ranged with kids aged from 3-11 and they all got along so sweetly.  I made stuffed tomatoes, and they were good, but did pale in comparison to my friends salad. Her name is EE. This is her salad:

EE's Salad
Organic spinach & arugula
Honey goat cheese
Toasted pecans
Orange soaked cranberries (dried.)
Corn

There.  Simple.  All these fine things you can get at Trader Joes!

Dressing
locally sold fig vinegar and lemon olive oil. (you can do your own favorite vinegar and olive oil)
some minced shallots and garlic
mustard
salt and pepper

Sorry- don't know the exact amounts.  Just do it all to taste.
Wow.  Best. Salad. Ever. I am driving the 30 minutes to Trader's today so I can have it again tonight.

Saturday: An estate sale. Wow. I did something I never do and purchased a furniture piece.  I replaced the two weathered garage-sale shelf units for all my kitchen mixing bowls and such and got a vintage shelving unit.  I know.  Hard to imagine it without a pic.  And if my kitchen had light in it, you would not have to imagine it.  Blame it on my kitchen. And the fact that I won't use a flash. 

Also this: a tiny vintage flour sifter.  This I could drag into the light of the window.

And: had to share a weekend art piece from the 5-year-old.  Complete with shells I got in a $3 bag from the estate sale. (We have lots more, if you want to come and craft with little shiny shells.)  She is really into mermaids.  I always dreamed I would have a little girl who drew mermaids.  I love it when dreams come true.

Last but not least: my mom emailed me this link this morning with the subject: "Are you getting paid for this?"  This is what happens when your songs are licensed by a corporation.  You never know that your music was used in a Taiwanese tissue commercial (unless your mom randomly finds out for you.)

Hmmm...what else do I now know about?  As long as it shows up on my royalty check, frankly dear, I don't give a damn.

linking with Amanda for weekending!

Me, musician.

I don't often talk about my music on this blog.
Not sure why.
Motherhood overtook me and I decided I wanted to learn to cook and knit and all that.
You know.  You get it. 
But I do play music. Don't forget that about me please.
I do write songs.
I do play shows.
I do have a new band formed.
A lot of things get in the way of my music these days.
That said, I'd love to record a new album.

Here's a few treats for you:
Firstly: I heard the other day Lindsey Buckingham put a song of mine (yes, that I wrote!) called Shut Us Down on a new live album that is coming out in August.  AND: here he is performing the song live on Ellen!  I really had no idea this ever existed until I just today found it on youtube.  When famous people sing your songs, you never know what goes on with them afterwards.  Wow. I feel like I "almost" met Ellen (in that 7 degrees kind of way!) 

.  

And: In honor of all my baking of late, I thought I'd share a song I wrote that was on my last album called Sweet Arrangement (get it?  baking...sweet...did I have to point that out to you? I'm trying to tie my two worlds together here, don't think it's working.)  Anyway:

Here is my song

11 Sweet Arrangement

Please enjoy and if you like what you hear, remember you can buy all my albums on itunes, the link to my itunes store is on the upper right of this blog. I really do owe everyone, including myself, a new album.  I only wish I could snap my fingers and make the reality of making one appear.   In reality, I have to finish writing the songs first. And then figure out how to get the darn things recorded.  And those thoughts, sometimes, are more than a woman of two small children can handle.   We can only do our best.

XO

 

it's this that I feel

Weekends for us are the opposite of what they are for most.  My husband works at home during the week in his upstairs office.  He is usually gone (out of town) for work on the weekends. 

I don't mind single-parenting the weekends. When it comes down to it, I would rather be just hanging out at home with the girls than anywhere else in the world. If I could, if it made sense for us, I would love to have another baby or two.  Since that is not an option for us, I treasure every moment with the two beautiful children I have.  I remind myself that they get more private time with me because there is no one else they have to share it with.  I read to them, one under each arm. I watch as they get closer and closer with eachother.  They deeply connect with a bond I will never truly understand.  I am an only child.

People assume it's nice for me to have the girls at "this" stage.  They are a little older now and so I can start doing my "own" things again. 

I don't know what my own thing is anymore.   I write songs with my girls in the same room. I garden with them by my side.  They help me clean up their rooms.  My own identity is wrapped up in being a mother to them. Maybe this will bite me in the ass at some point.  You know, someday I'll have the "kids are grown" crisis.  Fine.  I'll deal with it then. 

To give myself credit: I am doing the music career thing a little more these days.  Once I'm actually up on the stage with my guitar and singing, I do love it and it does feel very homey.  But, let's be honest, it's not a "career" anymore because I just don't have the same energy or time for the business end of it.  I wonder if I should be a little more aggressive about it.  And I know that I can't.  Some part of me still waits for something amazing to "just happen" with the music.  I've had good breaks before.   Why not now?  

Anyway, look, this is me: I'm in the yard.  My girls swing and run and skin their knees. We hold onto eachother in the breeze with the birds and the trees.  Some song that I love (maybe Rufus Wainright's "I Don't Know What It Is") floats from the Ipod.  And I'm all smiles.  In the hammock, perhaps.  Or watering the garden.  Filling up the duck pond.  Clearing spiders from the playhouse.  Oh my, oh my I am brilliant at this. 

 

 

 

Seeing.

When I was younger, I wanted to "make it" as a singer/ songwriter.  I worked very hard.  I got disgustingly close to major label deals. Was flown places.  I was "the next big thing" for years.  I had a publishing deal with a major company, I finally signed a record deal with a smaller label. I could name drop, oh how I would love to impress you, but it's not my style.

In the end, I released my records on my own.  I toured on my own.  For doing everything on my own, I did ok.  I've made a living, off and on.  My husband says I've had more success than 99% of the singer/songwriters out there. But.  Well.  You know.  Sometimes, it hasn't felt like enough.

I posted a song on this blog the other day.  It took a lot of courage for me to do it.  I don't know why.  It's all I've done for years- singing, songwriting, making recordings.  Still...

I played at a friends birthday party yesterday.  A "newer" friend asked me why I hadn't told her I was a singer-songwriter.  How could you not share that information? She asked, incredulous.  I don't know.  I've never seen a TV show that my song was in. Why not? I don't know. (Maybe because I knew the song was most likely background music and I'd have to sit through a silly sitcom to hear it.)

Maybe this is why I've never really made it beyond where I am.  I hoped someone else would do that work...the pushing down of doors. And I could just sing the songs.  But life doesn't usually work that way. 

As an excercise for myself, I am going to keep going where I left off 5 years ago.  Playing live, writing and now sharing songs and musical experiences on my blog. 

I am not doing it for attention.  I am not doing for success.  I am doing it because it's what I do. 

And that is my mantra.

And if that mantra is what I've done wrong all these years in terms of becoming successful in the eyes of the world, then I expect the world will find a way to gently let me know. Some schools of thought say that if you want fame, you have to tattoo it on your forehead for all the world to see.  Give up everything for it.  Mercilessly promote one's self to the bitter (or blissful) end. 

I get it, but I suspect I'm not that.

To look back, now that I'm almost 40, and wonder if I should have done anything differently...to me it's a ridiculous thought.   It's hard to explain.  But, as I'm sitting here writing this, my guitar is about 10 feet away.  I can pick it up.  I can play it.  I can write!  I can sing!  I think what I'm trying to say is...thank you world, for giving that to me.  I have relied on my musical abilities for my own happiness and growth over many years and I have loved doing so.

I may not be totally famous or rich in the typical sense of the words...but then again, I guess I'm just not a totally typical kind of girl. 

 

 

 

Free Music From Cory ~ "Hey Sunshine"

Hello All,

Now and then I'm going to offer a free song for listening.  Yay!

* This one is called "Hey Sunshine."

* It is "unreleased" in the sense that it has never been on an album that I have put out.  I wrote it for a music house which owns the licenses to about a dozen other songs of mine that have been used in various media such as TV, film and internet.

*I write all the material that I sing.  I play acoustic guitar and sometimes piano. 

* This song was written for my husband not long after we first met about 9 years ago.  Now when I listen to it I find it is dedicated to my children as well. 

Please comment if you would like! (And also, let me know if you have any technical problems with listening.)

Download Hey Sunshine

 

a wonderful show

Sunday night I played a show opening up for dear friend Glen Phillips in our hometown.  It was such a wonderful night.  The place was packed and everyone listened attentively.  Though I did play a show a few weeks ago, this truly was my real comeback as lots of old friends and fans showed up.  Many times throughout the night, and even during the show, I was moved to tears. I  had not played at this specific club for over 6 years.  This place was my old stomping ground, where I held all my album releases and also the very place I met my sweet husband.  

The bass player you see in the photos is friend and neighbor Ray Magee.  We didn't rehearse together too many times, but everything fell into place wonderfully and I have to say, I was proud of the job we did. 

Now that six years have past I find I'm more comfortable on the stage than I was before.  I was so nervous to get up in front of what must of been hundreds of people...but it all just clicked into place.  Once I was up there, I wasn't nervous at all. 

I am now writing a new album.  The songs I've written in the last years have all been for music houses who place music for film and TV. But all my previous albums are available for purchase through itunes (see itunes link at top of blog on right hand side) the most recent being album being "Sincerely."  I invite you to not only check my songs out but also Glen.  He was the lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket years back.  Glen is a wonderful songwriter and singer and an unreal performer

 
Hopefully I'll get some video up here soon of songs - in the meantime, here are some photos Glen's brother, Dan Phillips, took.

All love to you this morning and may you follow your heart and your dreams today. 

 

back in the saddle

Yesterday, for the first time in five years, I played live.  I had done the occasional concert for a few friends here and there.  But this was a full set, at a club. 

And next up is an even "fuller" set opening up for old and dear friend Glen Phillips (yes, of Toad the Wet Sprocket fame) later this month.  Practice, practice, practice.  It's so nice to have my guitar out of the case, lying around, at the ready. 

My plan, in the next while here, is to have some footage of me playing.  To somehow incorporate the blog and the music.   It's on the list.

For those of you who don't know: I've been a singer-songwriter since I was 18 years old. It's just I've been waaay behind the scenes for the last years, just writing for music houses (who take my songs and work to sell them to TV, film, etc..) The "live" part has slipped away in the light of being a full-time mother to two small people.  Now though, as I mentioned at the beginning of the year, I am working on claiming the performer aspect again.  

We'll see how this continues to roll.

If you are interested in hearing any of my music, you can click on the itunes icon on the right sidebar....

As for me, because I went to sleep at almost midnight and had to get up at 6 a.m., I didn't get my 9 hours of required sleep.  And so this is about as much as I can offer tonight. 

There is tomorrow, though.  And who knows what we will find there.