This Year: The indie artists year

It should be noted that I have an extreme softspot for the independent artist. I am always in awe of the kind of spirit it takes to not only write and produce your own songs, but to promote, brand, and manage yourself all while touring the country and somehow making a living. I am always fascinated to hear how the independent musician makes their way in the world.

It's no secret that one of those artists, JJ Heller, is a favorite of mine. Maybe it's because she learned to play the guitar at my alma mater, or she is a DIY queen, or can pull of short hair like nobody's business. Whatever it is, there is something that is quite magical about her. Even more magical, is the month that she is having.

After coming off of a long, and I am guessing probably exhausting, Christmas tour, she spent a little time celebrating Christmas with her family. On New Year's Eve, she and her husband Dave sat down and penned the most amazing song about starting the new year off right. On a whim, they decided to record a live video of them (in their entryway) singing it. I love an artist who is so excited about a piece of work they create that they simply cannot wait to share it. In 3 days, it went viral and over a million people watched it. What??? Yeah, it was that good.

Here's what I love about the rules of being an indie artist: there are none. So, she and Dave took to the studio JUST DAYS after the viral video and recorded it. Of course they added a cello piece that can make you melt into a pile on the floor and within a week of them writing a song in their livingroom, it was recorded and available. Not only that, but radio stations were calling and requesting it. For an indie artist that is HUGE. Usually they have to go door to door like traveling bible salesman to get radio stations to play their singles.

I think the thing that is so fascinating about her story is that in a matter of 3 weeks, an artist who works incredibly hard and is incredibly genuine  not only created an incredible song, but took a chance and shared it with the world. The results have been astounding. There was nothing commercial about her approach. It's certainly not the way a label would do things. It's the kind of art that we should be supporting more. Because what we support matters. It makes radio stations and executives take notice that we're fed up with over-produced and underwritten songs. That we want fresh perspectives and positivity out there. We want choices. JJ Heller is a voice for that; it's one of the many reasons why I love her. That and the fact that she can also be doing a giant entryway project in her home at the same time.

Here's the original video she posted (and her cute entryway). If you like the song, go purchase it on itunes and let's support the indie artists who are brave enough to challenge the system and make this year the best one yet for JJ.

NOAH: an honest review from a hopeful spectator

I had the chance to screen the movie Noah this weekend, and I must say it was not at all what I was expecting. Being able to travel to visit the ark on set during production last year was incredible. The sheer magnitude in size and great attention to detail made me feel like I truly was there. Since that experience, I have been nothing but excited about the movie and how it would benefit mainstream media by bringing a message from the bible.

Perhaps my expectations were a bit high, and also more influenced by previous bible film experiences. And I know, after interviewing Darren Aranofsky, that he was trying to break the mold of traditional bible films. Let me tell you, he did and then some. Right from the beginning of the movie he introduces a mythology I am entirely unfamiliar with. Perhaps it is my sheltered, flannel-board sunday school mentality, but it begins much darker than I thought. The bible really puts an emphasis on how the world was wicked and God was displeased. But it doesn't say in what way it was wicked. And I must say, this writing changes the way I perceive wicked to be. But it's true, the world had to have been so incredibly, unbelievably wicked for God to want to wipe it clean like that. I'm sure I don't want to even imagine what it was like.

But in this world of dark and different, Aranofsky brings an almost Tolkien feel to it with mythical creatures I've only ever heard whispers of. He brings them to the forefront of the story in such an interesting way that while I am pretty confident that this is not how it happened, it still intrigued me. And I'm pretty sure that the whole point of writing this story the way that it was had more to do with making the world turn their idea of what really happened to Noah on it's head.

By the third act, things take such a dramatic turn that the story is almost unrecognizable. I found myself wanting to audibly ask "Why did you do that?" Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to ask that the very next night as I sat down at a roundtable with both writers of the film: Ari Handel and Darren Aranofsky.

They spent half an hour taking apart each section of the film and explaining why they made the choices they made. Each time they explained, I found their case to be compelling and oddly....believable. At the end of the interview I found myself almost rooting for the film, having unearthed it's secrets and understood the direction it went in. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of hearing directly from the writers why they made the story decisions that they did, and consequently, I fear that the movie will suffer with religious viewers especially because it is so very different from what we have made up bible movies to be in our collective heads.

My hope is that viewers will enter the theater with open minds and check their expectations at the door.

Disneybouding: Why it's okay to be a nerd

So a while back I stumbled on this tumblr site called Disneybound. Basically, it's a website that puts together outfits of Disney characters that you can wear to Disneyland. I know what you're thinking "Dressing up like a character at Disneyland? That sounds incredibly dorky."
Ok so maybe it IS a bit dorky. I can understand the response. In fact, I had a similar reaction.... at first. But then I thought about the concept behind it. Taking things from your closet you would normally wear ... okay that sounds simple enough and easy. Adding a few accessories to go with your character... that's cheap. But the question still remains WHY?

I guess it all boils down to remembering who you were when you were six years old. Can you remember that far back? When I was six I was a very girly girl, missing my top teeth, full of energy. I was no stranger to a microphone; singing any chance I got. I loved to dress up, and twirl around and I didn't care one iota what anyone thought of me.



I heard a saying once that we are all our true selves when we are 6. I'dlike to think that's true. Sometimes we forget what it's like to wear a tiara and to giggle uncontrollably. To point at fireworks and ooh and ahh. We cover up that part of ourselves and label it as "childish" "immature" or "silly". I guess my question to those people is: "What's wrong with being silly?"  As Walt Disney so poignantly put it "Adults are only kids grown up." That guy really knew how to be a kid.
And with that, I decided that this trip to Disneyland, I wouldn't be afraid or care what people thought. I  would just be the 6-year-old that had been dying to get out... and twirl.

 

So on the first day, I dressed like Ariel. I had my turquoise and purple on and my fishnet scarf. The finishing touch was a tiara I had saved from my wedding 9 years ago. And as I walked through the gates I was greeted with a "welcome back princess Erin". Wow, isn't that every little girl's fantasy? I had so much fun and I didn't look weird and I didn't stick out but I did get to put my mark on my trip and it was special because I got to match my baby girl, which was even more fun.

The next day I was a modern twist on Snow White. I loved it! I felt so colorful; like a real Disney character. I was even more apt to take pictures with characters! Including the mysterious Peter Pan who is a rare sight indeed.

                                                                                                                                                                 But the highlight by far was spending some time with my look-a-like princess for the day. We had some good gab time- us princesses have to stick together. It was a blast to have people recognize the outfit too!

So yeah, I guess maybe I've crossed some sort of nerd threshold, it's true. But if dressing up and being happy in the happiest place on earth is nerdy than I say, bring it! I highly suggest becoming a "nerd" yourself and enhancing your experience by Disneybounding. I promise, you will not regret it.

  

Things I'm into: Spring 2012

I've discovered and enjoyed some great things over the past little while, I thought I'd share a few of them:

* Resolve Pet Carpet Cleaner with Oxi. I came accrossed this amazing product blog hopping and have seen it work absolute miracles on even the most gruesome of stains. A $4 purchase from Walmart that I can't do life without.

* Mary Kay mineral powder makeup. Revolutionized how much I actually wear makeup now. I've never been a fan of foundation and have avoided it most days. Until my cousin, who happens to be a consultant, told me about this product being like bare minerals only half the price. I tried it and was HOOKED.

*Downton Abby. A masterpiece theatre classic about a noble family and their servants in 1912. The first season is on streaming Netflix and is entirely addicting.

*QRReader app for my iphone. It allows me to go scan any QR and get instant information on the product. It's an ingenius and incredibly futuristic invention that's worth a download.

*Hunger Games. I realize this is entirely late in writing this, since it's been out forever and I've read many books since then, but it's worth a mention since the movie is coming out in a few weeks. If you haven't jumped on board, read these books!

*The drive through at Heavenly Donuts. I found it a few months ago and have since made it a weekly thing that just mommy and kiddos do. $4 buys us all donuts and gives us something to do one morning out of the week.

* The folding child toilet seat. Not only do I not have to lift and clean a gross toilet ring while potty training my boy, but it's also great for child guests and is easy to put back and regulate your guest bathroom.