Gone Platinum!
"OLD IS GOLD, BUT NEW IS PLATINUM" – AMIT
Hi, Lionheart, it's God here acting through Mary / Alarke. Here's what she's got to say, in her own words:
New year, new me. I've done gone platinum. ✨
I have been stretching myself in so many ways recently, from investing in my education, to developing my music and business skills, to exploring new relationships, to diving deeper within myself and spirituality, and I feel this is the *frosting* on the cake.
I'm producing a pop album for my clients, AVA and Lee. I've been working with this mother-daughter duo (and brother/son Rowan will feature on a song) for years in guitar, piano, and voice, and more recently with songwriting.
Recording this EP signifies a new beginning for Lee. It's a commitment to joy, passion, and a bright and meaningful future. We have Justin Mathews engineering and it's a blast in the studio. I can't wait to share it with you!
Lionheart, I'd really like to share and release the new electronic music I've been working on for 2 years with you, as well as my Cuban Diaries EP that I wrote and recorded in Cuba with a Cuban jazz band.
Can I ask you for your feedback? Would you be interested in supporting the releases of this music through a crowdfunding campaign? If so, could I ask you for your feedback on what you'd like as perks as a thank you for your support?
1) Would you be interested in supporting the release of BOTH the electronic and Cuba Diaries EPs, or just the electronic or just the Cuban jazz EP?
2) What would you want as perks at various tiers?
I'm thinking t-shirts, silk pyjamas/kimonos, jewelry - necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets - with crystals and sacred geometry to align with connection to the universe, CDs, vinyls, private concerts in-person or online, private concerts with dinner cooked by yours truly, postcards, going for coffee or a glass of wine/cocktail together, personal happy birthday/special occasion songs, gas me up - supporting gas/travel costs when on the road, interior design collaborations, one-of-a-kind paintings and stencils, personal styling and a shopping trip, personal tour guide around NYC, a studio session producing your song, and singing/songwriting/piano/guitar/music production lessons.
Do you like any of these perks? Which perks would you want? Do you have anything you'd want that's not on this list?
Please reply to this email with simple, quick answers. It would help this project a LOT!
I am so grateful to give myself to projects like teaching music to refugees in Greece and doing live scoring for their Shakespeare production and supporting all-star Cuban musicians by hiring them to bring to life the songs I wrote in Cuba.
The music I've written on the EPs is about saying yes to yourself, acting with courage, going after your dreams and persevering, and giving all you've got.
Your generosity would be supporting and investing in a dream.
Thank you so much for any feedback you have. Again, a simple and quick reply to this email with any feedback goes a long way!
I have ONE space left in my studio this February for singing and songwriting lessons, Lionheart.
I'm excited to work with one student who recently signed up for the Breakthrough Intensive. She's a filmmaker based in Paris and is going after her dreams of being a singer. We're working on a poem she's published, turning it into a rap, and she's working with a producer in London to build the track. She and I are working on the rap delivery and breaking down her work into actionable steps.
Otherwise, I'm getting in the studio for 9 days next week producing an EP for another singing and songwriting student.
Do you feel this pull towards singing on your own songs? Do you have a negative thought that says you're not a singer?
Many people have this fear, and I'm here to guide you. I've been there. Approach it with the simplicity and wonder of a kid. Let go of your self-judgment. The most important thing is to show up and everything will unfold from there.
Lessons are available in-person in New York City and online. A package of 12 private lessons is $2,000, and if you sign up before 9pm February 28, you'll get $500 off!
If you're interested, respond to this email and let's get in touch!
SINGING & SONGWRITING COACHING TOPICS
This experience is designed for the intermediate / advanced musician who can play piano, guitar, electronic instruments, or other instruments.
Your one-on-one experience will be unique and personalized, but these are some of the topics we may cover:
SONGWRITING
Work through structured exercises around creating rhythmic melodic hooks to further develop song ideas - without sacrificing your lyrics
Determine the top things to avoid and consider when writing a melody
Create interesting melodic and harmonic contours
Write a slow song without losing momentum. Keep your listeners at the edge of their seats at slower tempi
Link sections together smoothly
Analyze your favorite songs and identify patterns of rhythmic and melodic hooks
Write memorable melodies and hooks
Patch your knowledge gaps and weak spots in your songwriting ability that prevent you from finishing and developing songs
Write phrases, hooks, and choruses that creatively combine lyrics with melody, rhythm, and harmony simultaneously without sacrificing any elements to another
Create interesting rhythmic motifs in your melodies and complete lyrics to fit them
Draw upon a tool box of concrete actionable microtasks and exercises that support your ability to develop and integrate all the layers of new song creation without getting frustrated and giving up
Create effective song arrangements that connect, contrast, and flow together in a unified whole
Singability: learn how to modify your vowels for your writing and singing so that you AND your listeners can effortlessly pour your heart out on high notes
Learn how to use numbers to visualize your melodies and create consistently
Arrange lyrical ideas
Learn the structures behind the hits
Use song structures to enhance the emotional intent of your lyrics
Generate emotionally expressive rhythmic ideas for your lyrics
Learn common chord voicings and inversions on piano and guitar to expand your musical palate
Develop your voice with breathing fundamentals, posture, tone production, articulation, and delivery
Increase your range, stamina, and overall vocal facility
Find your unique style, express yourself, connect with and emotionally move your audience
Discover your unique sound and writing style
Write even when you're not inspired
VOICE
Develop your voice with breathing fundamentals, posture, tone production, articulation, and delivery
Increase your range, stamina, and overall vocal facility
Find your unique style, express yourself, connect with and emotionally move your audience
Anchor in a solid speech singing and/or bel canto vocal technique that you can rely upon
Sing pop, R&B, soul, jazz, musical theater, and classical repertoire
Learn to sing in French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, and other languages
Build your confidence for public speaking
PERFORMANCE
Get clear on how to blend your passions, skills, and experiences in your music so that you feel on fire and resonate with your audience
Break through your limiting beliefs
Implement powerful routines into your practice and performances
Bridge the gap between where you are now and the musician you are becoming
Define your songwriting desires and goals
Identify clear action steps
Learn through challenging questions
Support in your recordings and/or performances
I'm going live on Mondays at 8pm now and switching up my newsletters to land in your inbox every Tuesday. Just a heads up. ✨
Stay true to yourself, Lionheart.
I could never and would never do it withoutcha.
Mad love. Wishing you inspiration and expansion.
XO MARY ALOUETTE AKA ALARKE
P.S. I have ONE space left in my studio this February. My teaching rates for a package of 12 private lessons has gone up to $2K, though if you want to claim your spot before February 28 before 9pm EST, you'll receive $500 off!
Go here to learn more about lessons and the incredible successes of my students.
maryalouette.com
setyourlifetomusic.com
Mary Alouette (AKA Alarke) 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, Alouette 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.
Her music is an exciting, vibey, future-forward melt of pop, electronic, dance, and world music.
Photos by Matthew Cabret, Mavel Valdes, and The Selection Is Natural.