| The process began... |
[Mar. 10th, 2007|08:02 pm] |
 on January 23rd, 2007. Recorded nine vocal/piano demos here at my place into my producer’s iMac (well, I guess the process technically began when he found me on MySpace back in August looking for an artist to work with for one of his projects in the CU Denver Recording Arts masters program)... anyway, we have the nine songs – plus two more I had already mini-disced and many more alternate choices that have yet to be recorded, and now we need to sit down and determine instrumentation/arrangements (several really amazing musicians have agreed to volunteer their talents to the cause so far!), and I need to practice, practice, practice to get back into musical shape, especially vocally. Some days, it is “all right there” and others, well… other days it sounds pretty much like I just haven’t made much time for making music in a long while. Mostly it’s editing this music mag, but it’s sort of made me gear up for yet another close look into what it is I really want to dedicate my life to career-wise. I don’t see life and career being separate, and that’s certainly true in the case of my work with growing this magazine, but… hmm, I don’t really feel like it’s any one thing I’m meant to do exclusively, and I wonder what path this music will take if it’s not “the one thing” I do. Maybe this is just the way it’s meant to be for me… the balancing act. Or maybe it’s just a question of each thing in its right place and time. So, we’ll see. Looking forward to the next steps. =) |
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| soundtrack meme |
[Jan. 20th, 2007|09:20 pm] |
1. Open your music library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool... and a lot of the songs fit with the setting
( what's in myTunes? ) |
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| random music guessing game |
[Jan. 2nd, 2007|12:36 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | guessing games, meme, music, songs | ] |
| [ | Feeling |
| | sleep-deprived | ] |
| [ | Listening to |
| | "Sleep All Day" - Jason Mraz - Waiting For My Rocket To Come | ] |
1. Put your iPod (or in my case, iTunes) on random and hit play (whole collection).
2. Post the first lines of the first fifteen songs, no matter how embarrassing.
3. People will guess.
4. As they get them right, add the title and artist, and strike them out.
( Get to guessing! )
So, yeah... I had to skip ahead several times due to instrumental tracks, but this was a weird mix nonetheless. Over 13,000 tracks to choose from but it wasn't a super diverse batch... |
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| How I met Imogen Heap |
[Jul. 27th, 2006|02:31 pm] |
Back in May, my sweetie and I went to see Imogen perform live in Boulder’s cozy but acoustically great Fox Theater. We stayed afterward to meet her… Though she must have been exhausted from a very energetic and captivating performance (complete with encores) in which she personally recreated almost every note of her sonically-intensive edgy poptronica album Speak For Yourself using a variety of electronic gear and her gorgeous voice, she still made time to greet everyone who’d waited with a genuine smile and a hug. I gave her a DVD of my stage production as a sort of thank you for her inspiration, and she wanted to know what it was all about and said she looked forward to watching it. I doubt she has any time to, but I thought that was very sweet.
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| The last time I saw Regina Spektor |
[May. 27th, 2006|02:53 am] |
was on May 2nd at the Fox Theatre in Boulder. Regina puts on a great show and is not only an exceptionally talented singer/songwriter and pianist but a very witty, sweet, and approachable person as well. Now don’t you all go bombarding her along the tour and stress her out or anything, I’m just saying it was quite nice to meet and talk with her! ;-) If you’re debating about whether to see her perform in your town, DO NOT MISS HER! |
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| Colorado Symphony Orchestra: The Lord of the Rings |
[May. 21st, 2006|03:00 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | becoming whole, cocoon, creation, existence, floating, hands, humanity, in the round, life, music, poetry, shared experience, symphony | ] |
| [ | Listening to |
| | "Into The West" - Annie Lennox - Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King</i | ] |
From over a hundred souls arises the sound,
made on hand-crafted instruments,
through which emanates a song
that mere hands could never craft.
The music floats above them,
coalescing into a near-invisible cocoon
of swirling iridescent light
into which our souls, too,
float,
are enveloped,
merge with its essence
and become whole.
During each long pause,
we create our response with our hands,
and remember what it is
to experience divinity within the body -
what it is
to be
human.
(C) 2006 Melissa Axel |
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| In every moment, we are invited to choose... |
[May. 21st, 2006|02:15 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | abuse, belief, collective unconscious, dorks, dreams, endurance, evolution, facing death, fate, fear, follow your bliss, geeks, horror, humanity, hurt, life, love, music, neglect, society, song lyrics, transformation, trust | ] |
| [ | Feeling |
| | surreal | ] |
| [ | Listening to |
| | "Both Sides Now" - Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now | ] |
( Warning: I really don't know how to warn you about this post or what to warn you of, so just consider yourself warned and read on if you feel you must. )
"Tears and fears and feeling proud,
To say 'I love you' right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus clowns,
I've looked at life that way
Oh, but now, old friends - they're acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed
Well, something's lost and something's gained
In living every day
Oh, I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose and still, somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all."
- Joni Mitchell
Power moves in the direction of hope
www.melissaaxel.com
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"If you were to define love, the only word big enough to engulf it all would be 'life.' Love is life in all its aspects. And if you miss love, you miss life. Please don’t."
-Leo Buscalia |
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| The tops! |
[May. 10th, 2006|10:18 am] |
Hi all,
At the moment my myspace Top 8 (music profile) is featuring a selection of awesome female music artists who I love and have been spinning on my radio show The Authentic Life... here are some quick thoughts on why:
Saw the amazing Regina Spektor in Boulder last week - my first concert here in Colorado - and was very impressed (not surprisingly) with both her performance and authenticity in person! Here's my one-line review of the show: Piano chops flawless voice witty humor genuine joy = AWESOME!
Saw Imogen Heap on Monday in Boulder also (2nd Colorado concert, yay!) - adore her solo album, adore Frou Frou, enjoyed many earlier elements of her creative development (solo stuff released abroad)... the show by all accounts was uniquely beautiful: from the techno-savvy presentation of the songs, to the flora-and-lights keyboard and stage decor, to Imogen's brief on-stage banter and personal warmth upon greeting one-to-one... a special performance by an outstandingly talented artist.
India.Arie's new album (see "currently listening") is due out next month, and if you haven't already, it's time to hop on the bandwagon. Saw her perform in Florida back in December, and she's just a breathtaking soul. Another artist who is so genuine both in who she is and what she creates that it's a joy to be part of the magic - and she really does make you feel like a part of something truly special when she performs. Creating a song based on one phrase from an audience member, then singing it again during an improv with her mother on stage = priceless connection for all.
More than just a token jazz artist for this short list, Lizz Wright brings her unique, rich voice to many different types of music and makes each song her own. There are tracks on both of the albums I have of hers that I simply couldn't live without ("Without You" for one, "A Taste Of Honey" like you've never heard it before, and "Stop" - recognize this Madonna song?) Soothing and stirring at the same time.
You may have heard Norwegian artist Kate Havnevik's compelling voice on the gorgeous "Travel In Time" track she co-wrote with Carmen Rizzo for his acclaimed 2005 release The Lost Art Of The Idle Moment... or you may have heard her on my personal profile if you know me "in real life" (her song "Unlike Me" plays when you load me up)... Either way, Kate's new solo album is already available on iTunes and I highly recommend it.
Speaking of Scandinavian artists, there are two more for you... Norwegian-born but based in Sweden, Ane Brun writes some of the most beautiful acoustic guitar and raspy-voiced folkish almost-country music I've heard (and you know I'm picky). I had the pleasure of meeting her in early 2005 through another great Swedish artist and indie label owner from The Tiny who invited me to Ane's CD release party in Stockholm when I emailed looking for "music things to do." Very glad I did. Now Ane's touring stateside following a U.S. debut in New York and at the infamous SXSW Music Festival in Austin - I look forward to seeing her here in Boulder later this month!
Sweden's Anna Ternheim is a well-known artist in her home country, and as soon as I get my hands back on a radio station mixer with a new show in Colorado, I will do my best to see to it that you get a good dose of her music here as well. I'm mostly known for supporting independent artists, but some of the ones who've gone on to "major status" continue to deserve our support even if we have to send folded up twenty dollar bills inside birthday cards to their managers to get money to them directly instead of their label taking 80 (Bad Melissa! Down, soapbox, down!) Back to the music: a Swedish reporter remarked that Anna's voice and songs were "so beautiful it makes you cry." That about says it for me.
The voice of Australian-born Sia (Furler) should not be unknown to you either... her vocals have graced several tracks on each of Zero 7's last two albums. While I don't follow mainstream music, I can say that I've heard the infamous track "Destiny" on the airwaves while shopping in New York's H&M, so I know it's not just me thinking that was a winner. Sia's album Colour The Small One features some amazing solo work, with her song "Breathe Me" landing a spot on the Six Feet Under Vol. 2 soundtrack and a collaboration with Beck that showcases not only her soft, stunning voice but her thoughtful writing as well.
I hope you've enjoyed these brief introductions to a group of artists who deserve some serious attention... comments are more than welcome, I'd love to hear your thoughts! |
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| The real reason I want to meet Imogen Heap |
[May. 2nd, 2006|07:32 pm] |
We’ll be checking Imogen out in concert for the first time next week in Boulder, and I am pretty sure my sweetie will be determined to have her sign something for his frabjous collection of signed-things-from-artists-of-substance. I have really been moved by much of both Imogen’s latest solo effort and her work co-creating the Frou Frou record. Even her earlier solo stuff from years ago reveals interesting, sort of raw hints at where she’s now ended up musically. Definitely looking forward to seeing her perform live, and it’s always great to meet a fellow singer/songwriter.
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 18th, 2006|08:05 pm] |
Pick a band or musician and answer the rest of the questions with their song titles.
1. Name of band/artist: Björk
2. Are you male or female? "Possibly Maybe"
3. Describe yourself: "Hyper-ballad"
4. How do you feel about yourself?: "I've Seen It All"
5. Describe your ex girlfriend/boyfriend: "Play Dead"
6. Describe current girlfriend/boyfriend: "Venus As A Boy"
7. Describe where you want to be: "Cocoon"
8. Describe how you live: "Violently Happy"
9. Describe how you love: "Like Someone In Love"
10. What would you ask for if you had just one wish?: "Hidden Place"
11. Share a few words of Wisdom: "It's In Our Hands"
12. Now say goodbye: "I Go Humble" |
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| It's the Doo-Wop Doo-Wop in all I do... |
[Feb. 27th, 2006|02:40 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | 43 things, itunes, library, mp3s, music, organization, search, sorting, tagging, tags, tips | ] |
| [ | Feeling |
| | happy and sleepy | ] |
| [ | Listening to |
| | my sweetie's voice on the telephone | ] |
 Here’s a little story I’d like to tell
About the “Grouping” field I’ve come to know so well… Yes, anyway, one day long ago I discovered the neat trick of using the “Grouping” field in iTunes to store tags (separated by commas, of course). This has helped me solve the problem of “how specific should I get about this genre business? I don’t want to have a million genres, just the basic ones.” For example, now lots of things can be in the pop or rock genre, but with Grouping, they can also be labeled by sub-genre: “Singer/Songwriter,” “Classic Rock,” even the infamous “Totally 80s!” Heck, songs can have multiple sub-genres, styles, and other random classifications for easy retrieval. The Grouping field is also a handy place to mark things by decade, song type, and even mood for ease of creating dynamic playlists, i.e., “90s, Punk/Ska, Party Rock, Covers, Holiday, Instrumental, Upbeat, Video Game Themes.” Getting the idea? Well, wait, it doesn’t stop there. The exciting part is, you can add the Grouping field to your view in the library or any playlist, and then you can type any of those tags you labeled your music with in the iTunes search box and easily track down all the Bluegrass/Pop crossover Old School Rap you could possibly want to hear, whether you forgot those song names or not! Speaking of you folks, did you know you can copy and paste lyrics into one of the info pages of a song in iTunes? I recently just stumbled across that feature myself. Now if only there was a super-fast way to get all the album covers into iTunes for my bazillion songs… so far, it’s been a lot of copy and paste from the lovely Amazon’s album cover pop-up windows. So… hopefully this helps all you MP3 taggers make the most of the glory of music librarianship in iTunes. Now, I’m off to share my ‘music knowledge’ with other ‘music geeks’. By the way, if you’re wondering about this entry’s title, look closely at the attached image… you Gen Xers may remember a little a cappella commercial gem from way back before I was adamantly opposed to draining my brain. ;-) |
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| A story about me |
[Jan. 25th, 2006|11:15 pm] |
 So today I finally got around to recording several songs on cassette for my producer friend Randy, not-so-conveniently within less than one week of him moving away to Hotlanta (where, presumably, he will encounter nothing but “hot-ness,” much to the possible dismay of his steady girlfriend, whom I might add, is pretty damned cute herself and certainly merits his full attention). This was not the first time I had recorded these songs on the tape I had bought to give to Randy so he could outline them in one of his snazzy digital recording software programs and begin production on them, but the first recording really sucked. Badly.Hence, on this recording (which was done right over top of the last, much in the way Rome’s latest incarnation was built right over top of the original city – ugh), I felt compelled to “cover up” the old bad recording with, well, almost silence. I had to do this because on the old recording I was overly ambitious and recorded several songs which really needed some more work, but on this recording I was smart enough not to repeat this foolishness. The almost silence consisted of mostly ambient room noise, me typing on the computer kind of not near the piano/recording setup, and occasional shouts from the kitchen area while getting (juice) about how yummy juice is and how I was wondering whether or not my shouts could be heard on the tape. Fun stuff. Note the totally MacGyvered mic setup, courtesy of some of the books I recommended in one of my earliest 43T entries. Yes, MacGyver is, in fact, a verb.
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| Wow... almost! |
[Jan. 11th, 2006|12:38 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | 43 things, authenticity, humanity, music, performance, piano, self-expression, sharing, shows, singing, songs | ] |
Head count of everyone who was at my last performance, during which I played 3 of my original songs: Not to mention the rest of the wonderful audience, the Nova Singers (many of whom sang in the show), and quite a few very enthusiastic supporters from my university. That’s a lot of loved ones in one performing arts center – just missing some key peeps from out of town, but thankfully we will have a DVD of the show soon to share with them. Can’t speak for all in terms of having “them love it,” but between the positive feedback and what the above loved ones have told me in person, I think it’s safe to check this goal off!
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| I'm the DJ girl |
[Dec. 12th, 2005|01:31 am] |
not to be confused with “the DJ’s girl”...
You can listen to my show The Authentic Life live in South Florida on 88.5 FM Radio X, and soon there will be streaming worldwide online. Fun fun! |
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| FREE/CHEAP SoFL stuff to check out! =) |
[Jul. 31st, 2005|04:32 am] |
Hi all. If your social calendar's slumping and you think there's nothing good to do that you can afford, well, then you're dead wrong! Check out this ( awesome, free/cheap artsy shit to do in SoFL... )
As always, send me a message if you're going & let's hang.
This town needs more creative peeps comin' outta their closets.
You can get back to that project in your bedroom soon enough. ;-)
Peace, love, and get up offa that thang! |
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| Archived Free Time EP release announcement |
[May. 20th, 2003|12:00 am] |
Click the CD Baby to check out my debut EP Free Time:
4 songs with vocals
3 instrumental soundtrack pieces
3 instrumental song versions
30 minutes of music for the bargain price of... $? You decide!
A contribution of ANY dollar amount will send Melissa Axel's latest CD right to your door. Please click here to learn about the new way to support music, or email your contact info if you'd like to donate by mail, or click the button below to contribute.
You may be surprised to know that the many wonderful producers, engineers, and musicians who contributed their talent and inspiration to - and in their - Free Time did so entirely for free (the title is making more sense now, isn't it?)
...which means of course that it's the support of listeners and patrons like you that creates the opportunity not only for independent music professionals to have the time and resources to create new music but also to run the daily business of promoting and distributing it globally. Rest assured that everyone who helped to create this CD appreciates every single dollar contributed to compensate their time and hard work! (Donations may be tax-deductible, please consult your accountant.)
You can also order the CD (and listen to samples of every track) at CD Baby & Tower Records, or call 1-800-BUY-MY-CD with any major credit or debit card.*
For more commentary on how the music industry is evolving, please see my interview on SoundClick.com.
* The limited edition Free Time EP is sold out and now available only for download via iTunes and a host of other online music stores. |
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