Flowers From Ashes

Rocked out at the Rock N' Soul Cafe

2009-08-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

What a blast we all had at the Rock N' Soul cafe.
This benefit concert for the cafe was a huge success!
Thanks to all who showed up and supported us and the cause.

It was a highly entertaining lineup and plenty of support from
our lovely dancing goddesses.

On a personal observation:
It has been so wonderful to see how each of us, individually, have
blossomed on stage. We're all discovering where we are at with our stage
presence. I feel so honored to be a part of this band family that continues
to give such incredible support, creative tunes, good laughter and deep heart.

Life seems to be supporting us by sending us serendipitous opportunities and we
are finding out, that it's not necessarily just "one" way to make the "right" choice.
Gifts are ways to see what is important to us IN THIS MOMENT, how we can best
honor staying grounded and continue to grow and how we can meet all of our needs with love
and respect.
Just like a new born baby, this band requires alot of constant attention, love, support and guidance. And it is all worth it!!

Our next gig: August 22nd at The Shining Star in Nederland 9:30pm.

2009-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

Busy and Productive: Band rehearsals.

Saturday's gig at the Avery Brew Pub is coming up: 5-7, July 25th.
We've been practicing a lot and adding more songs to the set list.
Jess' singing and songwriting will be featured at our Rock n' Soul cafe gig next Thursday (7:30pm, July 30th) along
with Evan, our Rhthym guitarist showcasing one of his original songs. It's exciting to see
the evolution of this band coming together.
Thomas, the band leader, has been very generous in being available for creative feedback and ideas to develop his songs into life. So often, I've seen and heard about these bands not able to make it, or struggling through the process because there is so much ego involved.
We certainly do our best to continuously approach this incredible experience from the heart, really open to creating community and cohesion within this group dynamics.
Personally, for me, I have better days then others when it comes to singing. I'm realizing the value of confidence when I sing. How notes and vocals can sound flat and thin if there isn't enough assuredness behind my intention. I also realize what works best for me in this incredible learning curve. It's great when I can be shown how to adjust, change or improve my voice, rather than describing it.
Aaaah, Life and all the opportunities to continuously learn more about myself, where I am at, how I relate in group, what are my current strengths and challenges and how willing I am to staying open during the process.

High note: Noticed on one blues song that I am singing with Evan, I really enjoy singing at a lower pitch and in the blues. There is a discovery of a side of me that is very eager to come out, looking forward to developing my singing so it can carry a truer expression of what I feel inside.
Grrrrrr!

2009-07-21T09:23:00.001-07:00

"Rollin' Rollin' Rollin Down the River..."

Ever since our first summer gig, I've noticed that the last
two rehearsals have rocked!!! There's been an easiness and comfort.
As if more space is available to explore vocal ranges and feel relaxed with my peeps.

I've discovered that a lower range suites me really well. I've been working
on one blues song with Evan, our rhythm guitarist, and it's been such a blast playing around, acting out with the lyrics and feeling open in my diaphragm to reach a deeper sound.

Our next gig is July 25th, 5pm, at the Avery tap room on Arapahoe. Really looking forward to who will show up and what the venue will be like. All good practice.

2009-07-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

The 1st of Many this Summer.

Wow, we broke the ice. Our first gig of summer of 09.
Thanks to The Curious Cup for hosting us in such a friendly and beautifully located
spot.
And thanks to our fans for coming out and supporting us. You Rock!!

It was a great opportunity to sing and perform outside under a shady tree,
connect with some new peeps and be open to new growth. Plenty of good material to work on!!!

2009-07-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

Vanessa's thoughts:

What an exciting time of creative flow I am in. This band has been such
a wonderful teacher for me in a multitude of ways:
*a platform for another expressive outlet.
*a chance to co-create with friends.
*sharing fun and soul music with others.
*opportunities to learn a new technique.

And this is my razor's edge: How to fully enjoy the performing experience
while feeling the angst of limited singing ability.
I've been seeing how my ego has voiced itself out loud saying; what are you doing here?
Who do you think you are? Do you really think you can hold your end of the bargain in the band?
And at the end of the day, after singing, practicing or rehearsing, my heart feels massaged and I am smiling, grateful I had a chance to hear my heart sing.
What a fine dance this is; the question is: Who is leading?

Overall I am totally jazzed about this summer's lineup.
There's an anticipation for the first gig: getting over that hump and the rest will fall in place.

Happy ending note: We all have artists that inspire us. Recently I've been listening to Pandora radio (free internet radio), specifically Lizz Wright station: Nina Simone rocks my soul, tickles my bones and makes me wanna burst out with heart and grace!!!! Thank you Life for bringing her into this world.