music

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

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

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

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

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!!!

FASNACHT~Carnival~LUZERN

Lindsay_in_full_on_Silver_Star_Self

Lindsay_in_full_on_Silver_Star_Self

My first Fasnacht was over ten years ago. It was one for the books, to be sure and I wasn't sure I would ever need to explore such an epic Carnival Festival ever again. They say, you only need to go to Luzern's Fasnacht ONCE in your life. Well, this year I decided I would have to return. Seeing as I am self-employed and Fasnacht falls on a Thursday/Monday/Tuesday. (many people take their holidays this week) The grande opening/start happens in the old town section of one of Switzerlands most beautiful cities, Luzern, at 5am and the formal closing ceremonies end at 8pm the following Tuesday. I headed out by bus and train on Monday and wandered around in AWE for hours. Some of my friends leave the city for the entire LOUD and CRAZY spell of Awesome and some join in for the best time ever. This Feat for the eyes and ears is centuries old and usually takes place before Lent.. pre-Fast! 

A_wonderful_costume

A_wonderful_costume

Guggenmusik is mostly what you hear while wandering around the confetti filled cobblestone streets. Big Bands practice all year, top forty and old school sounds and people also spend the year making their costumes. The masks are unreal and very scary at times!!! There are SO many people on the streets and SO many bands filing through the narrow paths that sometimes they cross with each other and the chaos of sound is unlike any other, the drums outweigh all of the noise and when there are two groups of twenty (or more) people weaving through each other with FULL on costumes and HUGE detailed masks, playing drums, both in different tempos, it is wonderful and strange to say the least.

Fishermen_costumes_with_drums

Fishermen_costumes_with_drums

Elves_music

Elves_music

Mount_Pilatus_players_and_people_in_Luzern

Mount_Pilatus_players_and_people_in_Luzern

You truly have NO idea what images and sounds you are going to see and hear next. I only wish that my Iphone4 (gonna use it til it dies!) didn't fill up so fast or I would have taken so many more photos, as it was I had to go through and delete all the time for better shots. ANYTHING goes at Fasnacht. Really, some might think many sights were unacceptable, especially in today's time of being 'overly' politically correct. I had to keep my mouth shut on a few occasions, which I am sure some of you reading might 'tsk tsk' at, but in the name of PARTY and a wild one like this, I decided to just let it all go and live and let live! Needless to say, I refrained from taking photos of that which didn't suit....

The details that go into the creation of these elaborate costumes, BLOW my mind!! In Switzerland, it is safe to say that it is pretty "safe" here. It certainly isn't a very loud place, in general, but there really are NO rules during this Carnival. That said, it is rare to see or hear a fight and the garbage gets swept up by the hour... I am not sure the confetti is ever swept clean, it get's everywhere! 

Confetti_in_the_cracks

Confetti_in_the_cracks

People also go to great lengths, building floats and moving trains and so much more. SO incredibly elaborate. You really must come to see this, yes, at least ONCE in your life. But plan your costume early, not the day OF like I did. I knew I had some silver make up and a great silver wig, but wasn't I lucky to find a huge roll of tinfoil to help matters?? Tinfoil is a good heat-insulator as well so it turns out. There are DJ's and beats ALL over, so dancing is also encouraged! The restaurants and bars are also open to all, but mostly the party is on the streets.

Yes, scary masks to be sure! Yet, I saw many children in costumes enjoying the festivities, so perhaps after hundreds and hundreds of years, this fabulous weekend is highly appreciated and prepared for. Shocks come at every turn though. I was leaning to the side of one of the covered bridges, erasing photos from my phone (I had to make space!) pretty focused, when I looked up to see an entire band, inches away from me, walking slowly towards me, massive masks, about fifty people who just out of the blue started playing. I couldn't get away, and stood in awe as they filed (slowly and creepily!) past me, creature by creature! What a feeling!! Anyway, I will leave you with this Lovely photo of this Lovely family..... 

"Apologies" The Truth Behind the Tune

Good day all! Thanks for stopping by for today's read! It means a lot to me to be able to write freely, about whatever I want and whenever I want (I pick Wednesday's to write, seems like a good day??) The ability to have my very own platform for sharing thoughts, ideas, photos, links, dreams and song, how wonderful! Today I thought I would talk about the song I have entered into CBC's Searchlight music competition "Apologies." I don't always like explain what a song means to me, as the most important thing (after I have written it and put it out there) is to let YOU, the listener, explore your own feelings and take your own meaning from the music. But since this song is being featured, and hopefully being listened to, I thought I would share it's story.

Lindsay_steps_away_from_the_mic_to_sing_with_the_crowd

Lindsay_steps_away_from_the_mic_to_sing_with_the_crowd

Every song that I write has my own personal truth behind it. I use my life experiences to create the right "feel" or story to the song in question, but it is not always my very own story. "Apologies" was written about two Lovers ending their relationship (neither of whom were me!) Of course we have all been through break-ups and heart break, and this particular theme for a song, might be the most popular thing EVER written about, anywhere! In this version of an unrequited Love song, it is the tale told through the eyes of the 'breaker-upper.' In this case, the girl has broken the boys heart. Some weeks ago, I wrote a post about the meaning behind this song, and I thought I would share it here, today! But first, have a listen to the songs itself... Introducing "Apologies"

"Largely, the problem lies within ourselves, hiding in some deep dark cavern; the will to remain unloveable. What or who makes us think we are unloveable, when it is the one thing we need most and the thing that feels the best to do? Why do we hold onto this darkness as if it can help in any way? And while we are wavering between the search for someone else's Love and the acceptance of our own Love , we continue to date and try to find a willing partner, which, inevitably ends in disaster and heart break. Clichés ring true, in that, when we eventually find Self Love, only then can we find True Love. 
Featuring the lyric "How could you believe in me when I couldn't even swallow the truth, how could you have those stars in your eyes when I couldn't even see them myself." Only when we can see the stars in our own eyes and only when we can face the truth, can we begin to understand and realize Love and know that Love IS possible."

So there it is. The truth behind the tune! I would like to say that this story DOES have a happy ending, in that both people featured in this song, have moved on to find True Love in other places. So there IS a happy ending after all!

In the meantime... SEARCHLIGHT!! Yes, I decided to enter music into a music competition. I believe getting a good song out there is important, and if it has to be done in such a way, where we Canadian Musicians are competing against each other, then so be it. In actual fact, everyone is a winner if their song gets heard, even by ONE MORE person!! So, should you like to take a moment out of your day to vote for my song, please head over and vote for APOLOGIES by clicking HERE!

100_ways_to_say_thanks

100_ways_to_say_thanks

Spring & Something New

Spring is here! 

Being from Canada, and a very seasonal person, it amazes me how ready I am for Spring now, but two weeks ago I was totally in Winter mode. I Love the seasons, and the changes that come with them. Like that smell of melting; raw earth really gives met that first real notion of this fresh new season. Summer, Fall and Winter really do have their very own first scents, and that Spring smell is indeed here! The next reminder has to be ALL the birdsong! How amazing, to walk through the forest and to hear that orchestra of sound! If you stand there, quietly, you too would be amazed at how many various melodies you will hear. Of course the next sign of this fresh and new season has to bee the crocuses! Aren't they the first Spring flowers??? How Lovely a reminder that warmer weather is arriving.

Crocuses_popping_up_from_their_wintery_sleep

Crocuses_popping_up_from_their_wintery_sleep

Lucky for US, we have a few birds to give us fresh eggs. The chickens have only just started laying, but our female duck has been laying for weeks. It's pretty amazing, eating delicious and fresh eggs, knowing they are not riddled with hormones and/or injections of any kind! Hard-boiled duck eggs are even better than chicken eggs! Also when you colour duck eggs (we used markers) over Easter, the ink absorbs into the shell and gives an almost opaque look and feel. Who knew?? Long considered the "dirty egg" I highly disagree! Go ducks go!

A_musical_easter_egg

A_musical_easter_egg

  In Canada, you might find folks walking around in shorts. Some will even Spring-ski in T-shirts.  Winter in Canada can be fierce, and the length of it can zap us all,  so any sign of warmth and we Canucks are all in! This Hour Has 22 Minutes describes the start of Canada's Spring season, PERFECTLY....

Funny_Quote

Funny_Quote

I am not sure that I would call Spring my favourite season, as the only real swimming you can do is in chlorinated pools, so if swimming doesn't exist than perhaps Summer is my fave? Not really sure...being a seasonal person, I really don't wish for Summer when Winter is here nor Fall when Spring is here, though, I Love them all. We'll leave it a tie then (but don't quote me on that! Ha!)

Something completely unrelated to SPRING... I was given a link to some music I recorded YEARS ago (just guitar and vocals) from a friend of mine whom I worked with so many moons ago... I opened it up and found a new song, well, an old song that was once new, but I had completely forgotten about it, so when I listened to it yesterday, for the first time in seven years (or more!) I  thought I should bring in back into my repetoire... What do you think?

  Okay, well I wish you all the best and most Lovely Spring that 2016 can offer you. Mmmm... Wild Garlic Leaves will be here soon enough! Pesto Season is upon us! Haha.

Hugs,

Lindsay xo