How to Communicate with the Universe
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein
Lionheart,
Wow, it's been quite a week of YES! moments filing in.
In today's newsletter, I want to share with you:
- a personal note on tiny victories and expansion
- upcoming show at Glitch
- From The Shower To The Stage: The Masterclass
- an opportunity to set your life to music
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How are you going to set your life to music this week, Lionheart? (Cue epic soundtrack.)
This past week was an EPIC week full of committing to play at a higher level. Now, the question is - is it possible to carry that expansion and keep it going this week? We all know life has its up and down moments, but why not just set the new standard to this expansive state from last week?
Here are some personal victories:
- I played a show at the Warper Party and premiered 2 new songs that will be released this year. Having a deadline to work towards makes a big difference in getting things done. Last night, I sat down and watched a recording of the performance and took notes on what went well and what can be improved upon. As a coach, I give constructive feedback to my clients. It takes a little detachment to watch and take an objective view on your own music and performance. However, if I want to take it to the next level, I've got to continuously improve my set. Part of the blessing of analyzing your own performance is that you know what was happening on your end - your connection with the audience, your instruments and tech, your confidence levels and what factored into them... it's comprehensive.
- I bought a ticket to Vancouver and registered to attend a conference for women entrepreneurs this summer. I never imagined I'd participate in an event like this because 99% of the time I see musicians attend music industry panels only. However, the music industry is evolving, I strongly believe in women's empowerment and am on my own journey, and in an effort to keep life full of curious possibilities, I'm always down to try new things and question what's true. I'd been afraid - I asked myself earlier this year and last year, "if I go to this event, does that make me less of the musician I am and want to become?" Nope! It doesn't. Taking certain actions has gotten me to where I am now. In order to expand to new opportunities, it requires exploring new ways of being in the world. In fact, all musicians could benefit from studying business so that they can make their passion and craft not just sustainable, but thriving. There was a deadline and I couldn't sit on it any longer. It came down to a decision, and that decision was yes. What do I have to lose?
- I hired a second team member. As my music and my singing and songwriting coaching business are expanding, I've got to narrow my focus to things only I can do. This is much easier said than done, but it's the goal. Behind every great individual is a team. I'd been thinking about it for some time, but had kept putting it off. This now came down to deciding it was time to expand and pulling the trigger. WE'RE TALKING ACTION!
- I manifested a ticket to Burning Man. Going to Burning Man has always been something I've been interested in, but I never committed to it (mainly out of fear of time/money/priorities). Not anymore! I decided to go this year - and I want to perform a set. I tried to get a ticket a few months ago, but wasn't able to snag one. I know it's really hard to get a ticket, but it IS possible. Sometimes people just book flights, make plans, and find a ticket at the gates. Well, I went to a cacao ceremony and dance party with the BAE Collective this weekend, met some fascinating people, and someone I gelled with happened to have an extra ticket and was looking for a little spark for him to go, as well. There we have it! It's in the cards and plans are underway.
- I asked for a sign from the Universe to keep expanding, and I got it. On Thursday morning, I was thinking how I wanted to get some fresh flowers for my bathroom. Now, I've been investing a lot in music, business development, and travel, yet I was playing small when it came to something like buying myself flowers. I hadn't done it because I was channeling everything into big investments.
On my way to some appointments, a bum approached me on the street asking for money. I gave him my lunch. This isn't a big deal to me; I give often but don't really talk about it. However, someone watching nearby warned me afterwards to stay away from people like him since he could steal my bags. This is true; he was right. As I traveled on the NYC subway, I thought back. I felt a little guilty. It's impossible to give to everyone and there are certain organizations that I'd like to contribute to that greatly need my help. Hell, I need all the help I can get!! Here I was, not even buying myself a $5 bouquet of flowers, and yet giving away my lunch.
As I walked down the street to my appointment, I walked right next to a brand new bouquet of chamomile flowers that were on the ground. Normally, I wouldn't pick something up off the street, but these were in great condition and looked like they had fallen out of someone's bag.
I took it as the sign that I asked for. I checked them out, washed them really well, and put them in my bathroom to remind me that the Universe is listening to me and that everything works out.
Now, Lionheart, what are you going to do to keep your vibe high and expansive this week? What will take things to the next level?
UPCOMING SHOWS
GLITCH
Glitch is an exciting new spontaneous live music experience unlike anything you've ever witnessed. Be a part of the music!
MONDAY, MAY 27th
7:30-11:30pm
$5
21+
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street, NY, NY, 10002
This month we continue our mission of non-stop grooves and dance moves with our two fantastic featured artists, L'Marco and Alarke, and of course, the house band Floppy Disq holding it down all night.
As always, Floppy Disq will be hosting an open jam starting at 10 PM, so come be a part of the party.
~~~~Now, to introduce our featured acts~~~~
Fresh off of nearly a year of international touring, our host and headliner L'Marco will be celebrating the release of his new album "31", along with his band @thehoolclubnyc. He will also pay tribute to American producer "A-GO".
>>> See more of L'Marco here.
I'm opening the night and premiering two new songs. Come vibe with me!
FROM THE SHOWER TO THE STAGE:
THE MASTERCLASS
I'm hosting a free masterclass on Tuesday, May 28 at 8pm. Join and learn how to:
write lyrics that move your audience
compose bumper sticker hooks and catchy melodies that you can't get out of your head
use reference tracks for inspiration so that you don't feel like you have to pull a song out of thin air
find your true voice and break through any confidence blocks
create amazing songs even if you don't know how to play an instrument very well
develop your debut performance of your new music
Lionheart, you can write 3 songs in 3 months, find your true voice, and perform the debut of your new music onstage. You can do it from anywhere in the world. In fact, there's no better way to live than to explore, take on new adventures, and create music and art around it, in my opinion!
Here's a photo from when I lived in Cuba and wrote a new EP. I had a guitar that I rented from the AirBnb, the piano at a music school, my computer, my midi keyboards, and a mic. All of this gear wasn't even necessary. I could've written with less, but I had fun exploring different instruments.
I wrote a lot in this room overlooking the Malecón (the famous sea wall - that's it just a few blocks in the distance!). Often I'd sit near the balcony and sing and play the guitar out into the August night. The Cuban family living across the street (directly behind me in this photo) would come out to listen. I saw their silhouettes against the kitchen lights and took it in with the breeze blowing through their laundry hanging out to dry. You don't need anything fancy to write. You just need to commit!
Even if you don't play an instrument, you can write with loop pedals and perform onstage to backing tracks.
From The Shower To The Stage <<< check it out here
Write 3 songs in 3 months on piano, guitar and/or loop pedals
Even if you don’t play an instrument, you can write songs with loop pedals
Find your true voice and your unique style
Learn how to sing your best with advanced vocal training
Develop your songwriting skills with confidence
Walk away with a songwriter’s toolbox to create and finish your songs
Lionheart, if you've been interested in this signature program, hurry before the price goes up! There are only 2 spaces left at $1500 this May. Come June 1, the price is raising to $2000.
This photo above was taken in Havana, Cuba on the front steps of famed Cuban singer Pablo Milanés' home and recording studio. Inside, a 6-piece Cuban band and 2 studio engineers were setting up their microphones to record and test levels. Photographer Mavel Valdes and I came out for a breath of fresh air and found this cute little cat.
Follow me on my Instagram stories and on Facebook to catch what's happening behind-the-scenes.
I couldn't and wouldn't do it withoutcha, Lionheart. Love u.
Mad love. Wishing you inspiration and expansion.
XO ALARKE AKA MARY ALOUETTE
P.S. Hurry and book your space in From The Shower To The Stage before the price goes up on June 1!
Alarke (AKA Mary Alouette) stands out with her compelling twist of experiences as an international opera singer turned Gypsy jazz singer turned award-winning electronic pop singer and songwriter.
Throughout her 25-year professional career, Alarke has mesmerized audiences from the Kennedy Center, the Rainbow Room, and Carnegie Hall to Fabrica Del Arte in Havana, Cuba, Romani caravans in Samois sur Seine, France, and castles in the Italian Alps. She's written songs that have gone to NBC's World Of Dance and won the Grand Prize in the Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Competition, performed at the Apollo's National Tour, won artist residencies at Strathmore and the Brooklyn Arts Council, and written songs with residents at the Ritsona Refugee Camp in Greece.
Her music is an exciting, vibey, future-forward melt of pop, electronic, dance, and world music.
Photos by Ryan Broomberg and Kwesi Peters.