SUNDAY Check-In: August 28, 2011

So I am aware that I usually do my check-ins on Saturday. But I didn't get around to it. I have been under the weather this week so I'm a little off on my days. But I wanted to address some updates.

First update is that this blog will be updated in the next few days. I will be changing the design, posting a new poll, and changing the title. It will still be "The Music Tourist," but its tagline will change. This blog will focus more on music in general. Yes I will still have many views a songwriter's perspective because I am indeed a songwriter. But I want to gear my focus more towards a business perspective. I will still keep up on the randomness and my infamous throwbacks on Thursdays. But I want to talk more about the industry, from what others experience and what I experience.

Secondly, I am starting graduate school in September. With that being said, I know my time will be very limited on here. But I have a lot of things I want to post about. So my goal is to post everyday in September. That's right. Everyday. I will sincerely try to. I have the month planned out with 30 great posts to write (with some already finished). I am hoping to get through all 30 days with a post a day. I want to keep up on consistency and persistence and start to develop a loyal audience. But I am aware if I don't post often, my audience will stray and I wouldn't blame them. I would like to continue this blog long after certain goals are accomplished to see how I have developed and progressed in my career. I would like to do some personal posts as well as even start vlogging. But we will see. For now I am trying to manage my time the best that I can and make time to do what it is I have to do.

I wanted to give you a sneak preview of some of the posts I have planned for September and I hope you stay tuned for them:

• "I Wanna Be A Thousandaire": Financial Woes of the Up-and-Coming
• 10 Reasons Why I Love Music
• 10 Reasons Why I Almost Quit Music
• The Ins and Outs of Originality
• "Only Girl in the Room"
• Taking Yourself Seriously (But Not Too Seriously)
• Dream Killers
• "Writing With All The Colors of the Pen"

...and so many more.

I will keep you updated and keep The Music Tourist informative, explorative, fun, and random as I vowed on my first post. I hope you continue on this journey with me as I tour throughout the music world.

~L~

A Fun Lil Music Quiz

So my cousin introduced me to this addicting website called Sporcle.com. In which you can quiz yourself on everything from geography to history to TV trivia. So one of the quizzes I came across was this random one called "Can you name the most common words in the titles of #1 Billboard Hot 100 songs?"

And literally they mean specific words like pronouns, verbs, and such. They take into account songs that hit #1 from 1958 till then end of 2010. It was really interesting. I named 80 of 99 in the time limit and beat the challenger. Anyway, here is the link to the quiz: http://www.sporcle.com/games/rockgolf/99_but_no_luftballons  How many can you get?  ~L~

Aaliyah: Gone But Never Forgotten

Ten years ago today, singer/dancer/actress Aaliyah Dana Haughton passed on from this world at the young age of 22 years in a devastating plane crash in the Bahamas, that took 8 other lives with her. A shocking and devastating blow to the music world, Aaliyah's passing occurred during her promotion and release of her third studio album as well as impending hit movies like the "Matrix" sequels and "Honey" in line. With this post, I dedicate to the memory of my favorite childhood singer/actress as well as to the fans that have boldly yet humbly kept her memory, music, and grace very much alive.

Growing up, I had many favorite female singers. I loved me some Janet and Lauryn Hill and Mary J., Britney and Christina, Brandy and Monica and Mya, Destiny's Child, En Vogue, and of course the Spice Girls. But there was something about Aaliyah that made her stand out. She had a very sweet yet soulful voice that fit perfectly with her r&b/hip-hop music. She danced effortlessly in her music videos on top of the flyest Timbaland/Missy Elliot-produced beats. She had the best style and head of hair I had seen from anyone at the time. She was naturally beautiful and while wearing sexy clothing, carried herself with grace and class. She was humble and personable even at such a young age which made you feel like you knew her.

A picture of Aaliyah I drew for my sketchbook
for my art class in the 8th grade.

Her death in late August 2001 came to me as a huge shock. I remember I was 13 and my mom was doing my hair for church the following morning when most people found out. She mentioned it to me in a casual yet saddening manner. I could not believe what I heard and thought it was all a hoax. My worst fears were confirmed when I switched on the TV later that day with it being the top story on many entertainment and music stations. I was still in utter disbelief. I remember them creating her "Behind the Music" a few weeks later and me crying hysterically when they were interviewing her family and close friends. That was the first time I had ever cried over a celebrity's passing. With the coming of the September 11th events, those next few months were very hard for me for many reasons.

Not too long after her homegoing, many long-haired r&b/pop singer/dancers came out within the next few years: Ashanti, Ciara, Amerie, Tweet, Cassie, and probably more than that. This can also include the emerging popularity of Beyonce in which some some die-hard fanatics even say that if Aaliyah was still alive, Beyonce would not even compare. I would not go so far as to say that for I believe that we can live in a world with two black r&b/pop crossover hit singer-actresses. However I do believe that Aaliyah would definitely be one of the biggest entertainers today as she would have turned 32 years-old back in January.

People look at her music videos, live gigs, and acting performances and wonder what would have become of Aaliyah if she were still with us. It has been 10 years and her music is still among my favorites. Even though I see myself thinking about what would have been I, as well as many other fans, have peace about such (at times) torturing thoughts. It was such a loss to us down here but such a gain in Heaven. Succeeding in so much within 22 years is an amazing feat, and I believe Aaliyah would be proud of the artists that followed her and were inspired by her. I think she would have been happy that her family, friends, and fans kept and continue to keep her legacy living and breathing. Aaliyah was a part of my childhood and is a part of my music and personal inspirations. Truly one in a million. ♥

Throwback Thursday: Boy Band Edition

Since last week's "Throwback Thursday" was dedicated to the power of the girl band, I had to make this week's about boy bands. In prior decades, it seems like boy bands were everywhere. Nowadays, like I said last week solo artists are shining more. But why is that? If one Bieber is an international success, why not four or five in a group? They would be four or five times as successful, right? Well, unfortunately music industry math does not work like that. While 2011 may not have as many boy bands, at least here in the states, let's reminisce some of the most unforgettable performances by boy bands. Now, it would be easy to post videos by pop powerhouses NSync and Backstreet Boys. But I decided to post some throwback videos of some lesserknown boybands, at least as far as Jackson 5 and BSB's level of craze.

Hey. Does that shrimpy blonde kid look familiar? No, the other one. Yes? No? Well one of them is Jesse McCartney. Yes, he was a part of this boy band. I almost forgot too. And sorry if I offend anyone, but I used to think this band was a giant cheesefest. Looking back ten years later...it still is. But it's nostalgic so I'll give it a pass...at least for this post. Enjoy.

Dream Street - It Happens Everytime (2001)

I'm going to be honest. I only posted the following video because of the ridiculous shot of pouring candle wax on his chest. Haha, but for real I love Dru Hill. I could make a TT post on all r&b boy bands from the 90s and have plenty to choose from. I miss that time. Where are all the r&b groups at, music industry? Seriously though. I need some down-on-your-knees, baby-don't-go, harmonizing, clothing-coordinated, candle-wax-drippin, one-big-guy-to-sing-bass, r&b groups. I miss that.

Dru Hill - In My Bed (1997)

Here's a throwback for ya. This group isn't as well known as some of the others, but they had their share of success in the late 90s. If you were hot for Disney Channel during the turn of the millennium, you may recognize this group lending their vocals to the theme for the Disney Channel show "The Famous Jett Jackson." If you don't know what that is, you missed out on a cool show growing up. And this particular tune was probably one of their more popular hits from the movie version of "Inspector Gadget." And if you don't know what Inspector Gadget is, well...I question the validity of your childhood.

Youngstown - I'll Be Your Everything (1999)

With these somewhat modern choices for male pop acts, I bet y'all didn't expect me to throw it all the way back to the 60s. Heh, I love doing that. But with the Beatles and the Jacksons setting standards for boy bands, this decade is responsible for your overindulgence of boybandom back in the day...perhaps. Anyways, I had to post this lil diddy from British pop sensations The Monkees. And you think Bieber's hair is epic. Check out their's. And that lil Davy Jones is cute as a button jammin' on that tambourine lol. Monkee feverrrr!


The Monkees - I'm A Believer (1966)

~L~

Throwback Thursday: Girl Power Edition

I dedicate today's "Throwback Thursday" to the power of the girl band. Nowadays, girl groups are practically nonexistent here in the US. It seems like nowadays the solo artist overpowers the pop world. But I yearn for the day that a whole new batch of girl (and guy) bands come out and take over the airwaves like they did years ago. So let's journey back to some girl bands you may or may not know. And yes I am aware that three out of four of these girl bands featured are from England. But what can I say? Brits make some good girl pop bands.


Bananarama (1983-UK)

If you are making a playlist of the best summer songs, if you ever wanted to do that for some reason, it would be foolish not to include this song. Sure the lyrics sound like a bad summer experience but the sound makes you feel like your having the best summer ever, no?

Sugababes - Hole in the Head (2003-UK)

The Sugababes are not well known over here in the U.S. But they are one of the best selling girl bands of all time. Here is one of their biggest hits. And if you recall (probably not), this song was featured in my Top 25 Favorite Songs According to iTunes article a while back. Click to check that out, and check out the video above. 

En Vogue - Don't Let Go (1996)

Ah, this is my favorite song from one of my favorite girl bands of all-time. So much soul, so much passion, and they can harmonize like it's nobody's business! Check it out to get one of those "Oooh girl that's my song!" kinda moments.

Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life (1997-UK)

How can I talk about girl power without mentioning these divas? Like it or not, they are the best selling girl-group of all time selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. This video shows basically how the world would look if the Spice Girls took over. Which judging from all the merchandising the pop phenomenon had in the late 90s, I imagine it looked pretty close to it.

~L~

WORD UP! Wednesday: August 10, 2011

This was a spoken word piece composed at a poetry workshop back in February 2011. The prompt was to create an inspirational poem for women with a recipe list in it. (opening line from India Arie's "A Beautiful Day")

Life is a journey. Not a destination. A long road taking wit

And dedication. Me a woman

In a world where the only thing that I am worth involves my curves and charisma

To get me ahead, hasten my steps a few paces

On this road to life where I see eager faces whispering lies in my ears

Trying to offer me fears

Lord give me a deaf ear but an open eye

To see the difference between a truth and a lie.

Give me the wisdom, the strength, the courage, the nerve

To do what is, but yet, is not expected of me.

I know who I am 

But in a way I do not

Make it so that my works do not spoil 

Or rot into a deep abysmal pot that’s becoming of this world

Where it’s like the only place for us ladies, us females and girls

Is to lay at the edge of a man

Or hang a the edge of controversy.

I want to use my cookbook, the goodbook

I’ll improvise like the chefs do, the women and men that create and design

A masterpiece, a sweetness, a meal of proportions

A work of contortion of the mind 

Because you have never seen a spread as rare as I.

1 cup diligence, prepared fresh, 1 cup serenity

Made at best, 1 cup optimism, prepared with haste

2 cups love mixed with 1 half cup grace

Pinch of laughter to get by, tablespoon sanity and let it fry

Teaspoon each of focus and ration, mixed with a cup or so of passion.

With the fruits of the spirit and the proteins of experience, the sweetness

of success and the grains of time

All the people come from afar to see what’s cookin

What to add to my own, how I prepare it and let it 

Marinate and saturate. Just concentrate on this

I don’t live to turn heads or drill sense into

Into this senseless wooden fence with my incense

But as I commence on this dish I’m nor hungry, nor full

But filled to capacity with potential

I know of my ingredients and more importantly I know where to get them

And even more so I know of my contaminants, those that displease my senses

I taste the sweet pleasure of life and mix it all up and serve

Life is an open recipe, not an award-winning dish.

~L~

50 Songwriting Ideas #1

Popular songs, stories, and poems pretty much center around three things: love, loss and nature. These topics then get broken down into many different subtopics and subgenres. Good writers utilize these in a way that distinguish their work from all the others, but still is familiar enough with the audience to generate popularity and success. Nowadays it can be argued that popular music is centered around the elements of sex, dance, and partying with a few outliers. Many artists struggle to stay with the times while trying to hold on to their creative flare. As writers, we are the keys to success; for without the song itself, there is no music. Sometimes we just need to get out of our own heads and just write and see what happens. There is nothing wrong with writing about sex and dance. But some of us may want a little more of a challenge.

Below are 50 Songwriting Ideas that we artists could possibly use as inspiration to write. Whether they are just to get the creative juices flowing or may actually turn into a hit, these ideas are intended to assist the everyday writer with potential writer's block or boredom. Give some of these prompts a try and you never know what could come out of it.

Write a song about... 

1. A childhood crush 

2. An imaginary sport

3. Your heritage

4. A date gone wrong

5. A dream deferred

6. An event on a family vacation

7. Transitioning into adulthood

8. A piece of advice to someone that doesn't want it

9. Something that you weren’t allowed to do when you were young 

10. You as a character in your favorite book

Write a song with the title as...

11. An acronym

12. A hypothetical question

13. A misspelled word

14. A dysfunctional relative

15. The same title as your favorite book

16. The city where you were born

17. An uncommon pet name for an ex or current boyfriend/girlfriend

18. An article of clothing

19. A local restaurant

20. A foreign dish

Write a song with music that...

21. Combines two unlikely musical genres

22. Is a poem set to music

23. Has bagpipes in it

24. Uses full orchestration

25. Sounds dissonant (unpleasant sounding)

26. Goes back and forth major to minor

27. Goes back and forth from English to a foreign language

28. That you could work out to

29. With a hook that would get stuck in your head instantaneously

30. That could be a theme song to a kid's show

Write a song that is...

31. A mash-up of two different songs

32. A parody of a serious song

33. For an artist you can't stand

34. A popular song in the style of a different genre

35. A response song to whatever is #1 on the charts

36. A song for a viral YouTube video

37. A replacement song for a music video

38. The opposite gender version of a song 

39. Changed lyrics to your favorite song

40. Based off of a politician's speech

Write a song inspired by or dedicated to...

41. High school principal 

42. Bus driver 

43. A musician you dislike strongly 

44. The richest person in the world 

45. A bully 

46. Waiter/waitress 

47. A poster of a famous person 

48. A movie star from the 1950s 

49. Someone who holds a world record

50. Someone who does a good deed that no one notices

I hope some of these ideas work to your advantage and sparks something inside you to keep doing what you do. Keep the music alive. Keep writing. Stay focused. Be inspired. Be you.

~L~

The Music Tourist Music Haul!!!

You know how some of those YouTube makeup and fashion gurus talk about their shopping trips to makeup shops and retail stores and talk about what they got. Well, I kind of did that. But instead of a Sephora Haul or a Forever 21 Haul, I did a big music haul. How did I do this? Well, my bank had recently teamed up with a music downloading service and offered its customers free music download cards. Now, I was slightly skeptical when I acquired the card thinking that the music would be a bunch of unreleased stuff that I never heard before, even though some of that stuff may very well be good. It was a pretty legitimate downloading service. It didn't have as big of a collection as iTunes, but it still was a good haul. So hear is a short list of some of my haul. By the way, each card was worth 10 free downloads and I had about 7 cards in the past 6 weeks of the promotion. So that is 70 free songs for me. Btw, it's a legit service so the artist is still credited :)

Here are the albums that I acquired from this haul:

•  Black Keys - Brothers (2010)

On the front page of the website, I had to own the album once hearing "Tighten Up."

• Cee-Lo Green - The Lady Killer (2010)

Cee-Lo is an infectious music-making machine and I love it so!

• Florence and the Machine - Lungs (2009)

One of the most critically-acclaimed albums of that year, I definitely wanted to check out this Machine.

• Jessie J - Who You Are (2011)

I heard a lot of positive remarks about Jessie so I definitely wanted to check out the album.

• Duffy - Rockferry (2008)

My store plays a lot of Duffy so I became a fan and wanted her debut record in my collection.

Here are some of the singles I got from the haul:

•  Dirty Projectors - Stillness is the Move

I knew of this song for a while and just finally got it.

• Regulate - Warren G (1994) 

Old school rap hit that I heard in my store and didn't realize I didn't own yet.

• Deliverance - Bubba Sparxxx

Definitely an underrated song from rapper Bubba Sparxxx.

• Naturally - Selena Gomez and the Scene (2010) 

It's catchy as heck. What can I say!

• Slow Ya Roll - Young Buck feat. Chester Bennington

Very deep rap song with ex G-Unit member and Linkin Park frontman.

• Lately - Samantha Mumba

Lovely cover of the #1 hit by 90s R&B group Divine.

• Sugar - Trick Daddy feat. Cee-Lo and Lil Kim

Gotta admit. Cee-Lo's hook was mostly the reason why I used one of my downloads on this song.

• Aint Nobody - Rufus and Chaka Khan

How did I not already have this song? 

• Hot Wuk - Mr. Vegas

I had to throw in this highly infectious dancehall hit in the bunch.

• Win - Brian McKnight

An inspirational song from one of the most recognizable voices in R&B.

• Belleruche - Clockwatching, Northern Girls, 56% Proof, Fuzz Face, Alice

I guess I stocked up on the Belleruche aisle of the music store, huh?

• Derezzed - Daft Punk (2010)

It's only 1 minute and 44 seconds, but this featured song from "Tron: Legacy" was worth it.

• Bang - Rye-Rye and M.I.A. (2009)

The beat is infectious and lasting this song at full volume and bass is too much fun.

• You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban (2002)

Simple yet stunning performance from the young operatic wonder.

~L~


Here is the website: http://www.usamusiccards-store.com/

Throwback Thursday: The-Year-I-Was-Born Edition

So for this Thursday's batch of throwbacks, I decided to celebrate some old school hits of the same year that I entered this world. If you didn't know that, the eighties were definitely one of the most epic decades of all history in fashion, movies, historical events, and of course music. Here we celebrate 1988 with four throwbacks. P.S., My half-birthday is this week so Happy Half-Birthday to meeee!

Eighties babies unite!

"Blue Monday '88" - New Order
The original version of this song was released way back in 1983 (when my parents were married!). However it was re-released and remixed by legendary producer Quincy Jones in 1988. Being one of the most popular new wave/electronic songs of the decade with one of the most peculiar music video of the 80s (which is saying something), this song has been heavily covered and sampled in the pop music scene ever since. In fact, such samples triggered a likeness for the catchy bass line, no matter how its used lol.

Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car - Billy Ocean

Now this song title is a pick up line if I ever heard one. A slightly creepy way of saying that you are the woman for dreams and I want to have you in my life, this song counteracts such a message with sweet soulful lyrics and slick synths. And nowadays, if you told that to a woman I don't think it would fly so well. You might get yourself slapped or arrested. But in the time I was born, you could get away with it 

and make a catchy pop hit!

Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
It's no secret that Michael Jackson took over the 80s and reinvented pop music. Adding to his ever diverse resume of hits, "Dirty Diana" showed a more hard-rock performance from the King of Pop. His album Bad was the only album to have all five of its singles hit numero uno, including this killer ode to the dangers of groupie love.

Giving You The Best That I've Got - Anita Baker
Ask most any r&b fanatic and they will mention this song as an all-time classic. One of the most popular r&b songstresses of the 80s, Ms. Baker stuns with her vocals in this old school love song. I was so happy to find out it was released in the year '88 so I can feature it on this post lol.

~L~

Testimony Tuesday: August 2, 2011

I just want to make this one short and sweet.

I am about a month away from starting graduate school. And while almost everyone is excited for me, I have to admit that I am a little nervous. My current job is unstable with wavering hours. I already have about $30,000 worth of undergraduate loans and will almost double them by the time graduate school is done. Plus, I am not sure whether or not I will actually use this degree to get to where I want or need to go. Additionally, my passion for music urges me that there is nothing else I can possibly do with my life unless music is involved. My fear is wasting my time. When people ask me what I want to do with my graduate degree, all I can do is shrug and somehow get a little upset and anxious because I feel like I cannot provide a good enough response.

So why is this a testimony? I am writing this now to remind me of where I am now and encouraging myself that I will have peace in my future. I will have financial stability. I will have security for my future generations. I will have sustainable income. I will be a professional songwriter. I will live up to my potential. These are all far from the case of my future status as a broke college grad with a part-time job that will not allow for me to live anywhere near comfortably. I may not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I know there is one. There is faith. I pray all my paths are led straight and I do not take anymore detours to defer me from reaching my goals and dreams.

"Speak over yourself. Encourage yourself." At times, that is all you have and that is all you need.

I just want to remind everyone that once I get to where I need to go, there is no stopping me. Just like there is no stopping you from your way. There can't be a testimony without a test.

Peace.

~L~