On Social Media

A_Lindsay_Live_Set_List

Once upon a time I was very involved in Social Media. Now, I am a dabbler. Years ago, I met a friend who is smarter than most when it comes to computers and the evolution of Social Media (Thank you Jef Harris of Chaos Academy!). He helped me with this website, even before I had recorded my first full length record, "Sound." He helped me set up my Myspace page (now obsolete) and encouraged me to post regularly on Facebook when it first started. He has been sending me links, setting me up with various platforms (Soundcloud, Instagram, Itunes, Twitter etc) and has helped me, immensely, with all things 'computery,' aiding me in getting these links OUT there. He is the one that said "post a blog WEEKLY, do a PODCAST bi-weekly, the people WILL come!" And I was (and have been) trying (all of my previous podcasts are up at Itunes.) However, more and more I am not inspired to continue as fervently. After days, weeks and months of going hard at it, finding things to write about, to talk about... I have finally realized that, for me, it is about the craft of music itself. I enjoy writing, I do, and I like to keep you up to date, but I have to be honest here.. I wonder, what do I have to say that is really so important, that can't be written poetically into a song? I really LOVE LOVE writing three to four minute songs, shedding light on various life issues and experiences, but this 'writing essays' thing can be tough. I understand that the life I have chosen "in the spotlight" so to speak, a person who is in pursuit of a musical life, should be very involved in Social Media. I understand that, which is why I have any platforms at all, but this 'Vanity Vibe' is getting tired. Don't you think?? Perhaps offering up words of wisdom is better coming from place of music, the real Universal Language. I will continue to share my dreams and ideas, I promise! This is a never-ending fight, 'til the end! However, this 'up in your face' thing is not what I would like to do, even if it is something I am supposed to do, it just doesn't feel right to me somehow. I enjoy a lengthy conversation about life, but to me, it seems MOOT if it is just one sided. I suppose it's a conundrum of sorts... One must keep connected to their fans and friends, but how in the world did they do it before the internet? Music has been around a LONG time.

 I heard recently by a whack of folks (in the industry) whom I highly respect, that websites are soon to be obsolete! People (festival and venue bookers) are turning more and more to social media sites such as 'Soundcloud' for a listen, rather than perusing all that websites have to offer. The saddest thing of all is that people won't be leaving their house, what with all the live streaming and music available at the click of a button. I remember years ago a venue owner (and friend of mine) saying, you just watch Lindsay, folks aren't going to go out anymore to enjoy Live Music, and boy, was he spot on!!! These are uncertain times for an artist and a venue owner. That 'back and forth' energy between myself and the listener, THAT is what keeps me in this circle of sound. I have to have it. The real feeling between souls connecting. Yes, it might sound 'wishy washy' but it is what it is. There is nothing like a real live and intimate concert setting. Nothing beats the real thing. So, get out there and enjoy that. Long Live LIVE Music.

In the meantime, you can find me in 'push button form'  at any of the Social Media sites I have listed earlier on in this essay/blog. Onwards and upwards.... Ho!

p.s Here are the lyrics to my newest song.... Seem kind of fitting to this topic:

ROBOTS

I'd give it all up....

What does any of it really mean? You gotta push, push, push 'til ya push, push, pushed it away!  What then, when you're left with not a thing? It makes me nutz thinking how we break it up to start it over again...... I'd give it all up

Tsk, tsk, tsk! You know, you're doing it wrong, see, I'm a pro, pro, pro watch me go, go get outta town! What now, how can I follow you plan, I gotta figure it out on my own to understand..... I'd give it all up

So used to making it all about the show... Teach me something I do not know! Attracted by all things shiny, twisted and strange... these ROBOTS keep me from being the change......... 

Touch me, swipe me to the left to the right, I watch the feed, feed, feed see you bleed, bleed into the night, hold still! Look what comes in clear! Magnetized glass, metal finger! 

I'd give it all up....

What The Funk?

Good day, wherever you happen to be reading my note, I wish for you, that it is or has been a pleasant one. In such crazy, uncertain times, moods, I am sure are fluctuating. Let us all hold on to a little bit of good faith and to the knowledge that we have come THIS far, surely we can keep moving in the forward direction! When I put my energies into worrying, time and experience tells me that it really doesn't do any good. But still, we worry. When I look back at my life, I see that everything, even the bad stuff, has brought me to where I am right now, and any regret I have is really only something that I haven't done yet. Basically, I am here, I got through, and you, reader, are also here and you, too, got through. We humans can be quite resilient and we forget that sometimes.  It has been a bit of a murky month for me, but with the Spring flowers, my colours, as well, are starting to reveal themselves. 

Stealing_sunshine_in_song

To be honest, I have never really been much of a "sharer" of my problems. I have always been more of a listener, and as early as the age of nine (from what I remember, maybe even earlier) I have been trying to help others in figuring out how to live. My Mum's nickname for me in this case "Dear Abby" rings true, even to this day, there are three women, living in three different countries who are on my radar to check in with. Mostly, I have been lucky in life, and I am very grateful for the great chances I have been given and for the rare opportunities I have allowed myself to take. Life on the whole has been very good to me, and I feel guilty when I don't recognize this, daily. Sometimes though, there is an emptiness that tries it's best to hollow you out. And the big "E" was working on me for the past few weeks. So I reached out.

Street_art_in_Bern_where_E_has_won

It isn't often that I vent on Facebook. It isn't what I like to do. There is SO much crap on there, trying to bring everyone down, that I do not want to add to the pile of suspicion that it sometimes is. Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing articles that add light and knowledge to my life, as well as MANY things that inspire a giggle or two. Also, I think it is a wonderful way to connect with people, even in "little black letter" form, a hello is always nice. Not to mention learning new things about my friends and seeing how their life is unfolding through photos. There are many reasons why I like this Social Media platform, and of course the ability to share my music is number ONE on that list. Reaching out for personal "healing" advice is not my forte. But I did. I let myself be vulnerable out loud. And I am writing today, to thank each and every one of you who responded with some good ideas, giving me a few rays of your light.  The question was "How do you get yourself out of a funk?" The response came in for days, and all that Love, lifted me up. To know that I have people supporting me from around the world, means endless life possibilities. Sometimes you need another person's perspective to fit your "ducks" back in line. 

Sign_of_Love_in_a_tree

What ARE the best ways to get out of a funk? Some say, dive INTO the funk, get to know it, find out all of it's distinct details, get to know the WHY and work on it, bit by bit. Some say PLAY the funk! Find some good music, turn it up loud and get busy moving to it's rhythm, shake it out! The most common piece of advice in my "Funk" thread was to get out into Nature as much as possible (which is pretty easy around these parts, I must say!) As you can see from the above photo, I received a pretty Lovely message, some may say a sign of sorts, that indeed, I am on the right path. So, once again, thanks for beaming some light at me, it has NOT gone unnoticed... 

I received a pretty sweet video during this time, one that we recorded a couple of months back featuring a new song of mine "Electricity." The theme behind the song is one of First Love, those sparks that happen between two souls who have found True Love. My friends join me in the harmony of it all, and I think you might like this little ditty *Live off the Floor* just click on this link for a dose of sound! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrnnnFtEuVA&feature=youtu.be and please, share away!

Screen_shot_Lindsay_Live_in_Tonstudio_Wattwil

Thanks to Christina (Rykka) and Timo (Timothy Jaromir) and to Tonstudio, Kawaii Sessions and Patric Menzi for the sweet little recording of some 'Lindsay Live.' Thanks for listening and reading. Onwards and Upwards HO!!!

Facebook

Last night I woke up with the questions again. What to write about today? I rarely have a good idea about what to say in this blog, and really just go on "faith" that the words/thoughts will come. Two nights ago I came up with a perfect topic (in the wee hours) but didn't write it down, so now I have no idea what that was. It happens a lot, great ideas come to me in between sleeps and I say it over and over in my head, really believing that this last time I WILL remember, but rarely do. When will I ever learn to just write it down -my phone (in airplane mode-does that REALLY make a difference??) is right beside my head on my bedside table, it shouldn't be that difficult to just write it down!  Anyway, last night an idea came to me and stuck... I thought about taking a break from Facebook and really, truly thought that today would be the day to press pause, for a spell. Maybe a week without??? Of course, upon sitting down this morning, sipping my coffee, and scrolling through Facebook, I thought better of it. I must be addicted. Are we all addicted??? Maybe if I made a promise to stop after a certain time in the day, that could be enough, but am I strong enough? When I think about it, it reminds me of how I felt when I would prepare myself or ponder quitting smoking (almost five years in as a non-smoking-smoker!)  Sheesh, is FB really as bad as smoking?? Some would say so. It is difficult to stand-up for FB when someone is really, really against it. Some people (who, obviously are not on FB) will say all sorts of things about how bad it is. Big Brother is watching! Time stealer/waster etc.... Somehow, I know all about this. Just like I always knew that smoking was bad, I still did it!! Yes, I can use the argument that I need FB to promote my music, and/or gigs.... but I also learn SO much from the people on my feed. I don't watch or read the news, so I get it all from FB (just writing that down makes me feel a bit ashamed) but there are some pretty smart people on my feed!! Like, how would I have ever found out that Hitler had a small penis?? Actually, that is one of the big reasons for my idea to cut back. Seeing stuff like that makes me cringe. Also, when I go to sleep at night and I see the SCROLL in my mind and it is actually scrolling, well, I guess that kind of scares me too. But if I didn't have Facebook then I wouldn't have seen all the LOVE I got from this poster (posted yesterday!)

My_name_on_Ottawa_Bluesfest_Roster_Poster

...and I wouldn't have been able to share this beautiful photo of my brother Jeffrey and his kitties, Biskup and Tique. My brother lost his precious girl kitty, Tique (sister to Biskup) on Monday. I will miss that girl, she was always up for a cuddle (unless she wasn't!!) 

Biskup_Jeffrey_Tique

Oh, and I wouldn't have been privy to listening to NEW Music from my friend Andrea Simms-Karp, who is going under the stage name of "NAVIGER." Her new 7 song album is really good, you can have a listen here : Naviger-Barn Raising. And I wouldn't be able to share the new podcast that I prepared for you yesterday, either! You can listen to "Ramblings/Hamburgers" any time, and there are other podcasts at my Soundcloud site as well as three full albums to listen to.... What would I do without the Social Media Platform that is Facebook?? Perhaps I do need a cleanse for a spell. I just don't know how! Any thoughts on that?? I know that it isn't the most important thing EVER, I really do know that, Somehow, though, it makes me feel more connected to the people... and... and... and..... Ahhh... what to do, what to do?? 

Love,

Lindsay xo