OHHHHH!

And....I have three songs in for consideration for the last season of The L Word. Any moments of good thoughts you can send up to the sky for me, would be welcomed. Imagine either Devils Clothes, Take You or Choices on there.....

xxM

The river that flows....

This is the river that I follow on my bike ride almost every day. I was watching it as I rode past this morning and slammed on my brakes to sit and look on it's beauty for a while. I get the concept of life being like a flowing river, if we choose it.

We have so much choice in this life....I feel for sure that everyday we collectively make choices that will determine and dictate where we go and how we be. For me personally, there is no such thing as no accountability, for I hold myself accountable for the choices I make.

Do we tell our truth, do we be ourselves, do we choose to trust and believe...in ourselves, life and others. Do we choose to be trustworthy. Do we be open despite past hurt, do we love again despite a broken heart. Do we expose who we are despite the chance of rejection. Do we laugh hard, cry openly, give of ourselves, react and speak truthfully, honor ourselves while still being able to honor others. Do we choose not to filter ourselves for a variety of fear based reasons. Do we follow our passion or passionately follow what it is we choose. Do we lay it all down and out at each moment, in each encounter with another human, or with just ourselves. Do we choose to stay in the moment rather than running ahead with what may or may not be. Do we look in the mirror at the end of each day, into our own eyes, and be proud of who we were that past day, of how we chose to be.

Do we stop long enough to be conscious of our power and of the choices we can make in every moment which can affect the rest of our lives....and the lives of others. Do we choose to act with conscious, loving intention towards those in our worlds.

Yes, life flows like this river, if we get out of the way of ourselves and let it. I sit on this thursday by the river with a smile on my face, a smile that has been there so long that my jaw is sore. And there's an unexpected, and beautiful, giddy in my heart because I realise, again, that I have choice and that yesterday is gone and here is now....and I choose.

Xxm

Broadie's Aunty Hedder Needs YOUR help TODAY!!

This is Broadie...some of you will have seen him from a blog post a few weeks ago. He sent out a message asking all his friends to help his Aunty Hedder, and I HAD to forward it to you....they need our help people. Read on:

Brody's Aunt, Heather Hughes, is a DIE HARD Cubs fan!
For as long as anyone can remember, she has loved the cubs.

Kelly, her sister, doesn't think she misses a game, whether watching it on TV, listening to it on the radio or attending an actual game.

Heather has been selected as a semi finalist for the Baby Ruth Ultimate 7th Inning Stretch Guest Conductor contest for the Chicago Cubs!!

The 1st step in the process was to write a statement about why she is a Cub fan. Her essay was 1 of 1000 chosen.

-2nd step was a live audition at Wrigley Field. She made the cut from the 1000 to 50.

- 3rd step - a video that was made at the live audition will be on the web at www.cubs.com on July 30th. Each week day starting today through the 8th of August, there will be five videos on the web. Each day a finalist will be chosen by the fans voting.

So her chances of being picked to continue are now 1 in 5!
We are hoping that you all can help Brody's Auntie Heather in two ways.

- First, forward this to everyone you know!
- Second, go to on Wednesday, July 30th and vote for Heather as many times as you can!(Not sure if you can vote more than once)

To be chosen as a semi-finalist is an honor. With everyone's help she hopes that she will be able to continue in the process. She practices every time she is with Brody and Cole (Brody's little Bro) and they would be so proud to see their Auntie Heather sing "their favorite song."

We ask that you help her in achieving this honor.

---

So, my fine friends....wanna help Broadie's Aunty Hedder achieve her dream? Run, fly...follow your heart to www.cubs.com to help...

xxm

Pondering....

So, I am finding myself wonderfully inspired lately. In a smiling randomly, sighing outloud kinda way.

I mean, I have been going through a huge creative outburst the past 6 months anyway.. trauma, betrayal, hurt does that to you I think...but, I have found myself reaching out and connecting with people in ways I probably haven't before....and some of those moments, a lot of those moments, have been wonderfully inspiring.

Sunday night I sat around with a group of people, some of whom I had never met before, and found myself sharing really intimately about my journey, and in turn, some of them shared really intimately about their journey too.

At one point I sat there and realised, that this experience is a huge part of my life.....being able to take the time to have open, honest, intimate, no holds barred exchanges with people as I go. To have moments where we laugh hard, cry, vent, say 'wow' and more often than not, give a big sigh of relief and happiness at the end. Sometimes I might never see that person again, but at that moment we are magical joined by a thread of common experience and the world feels less scarey and far away.....and our heartache and experience is mutually shared, honored, felt and respected and together we can reach out towards one another and bring some kind of healing.

Its fucking beautiful.

This is what I think on this Tuesday.

Xxm

Ps.....in other news, big lovie shout outs to Lyndell Montgomery whose bday was Sunday....Lyndell and I ARE going to play together next year. (putting it out to the universe....dream line up: Lyndell, JJ on drums and Julie on keys....fuck we'd rock)

And to my little brother Anthony, whose bday it is today in Australia and tomorrow here in the US. Happy birthday bro! I love you and get your ass over here already!!

Oh....because of all the amazing feedback I have been getting about my poems....thank you thank you thank you....I am working hard at getting them published into a book. Hopefully will be out by the end of the year!!! Yay!

Ben

I had to post this picture...especially seeing as my inspiration was elsewhere today....this is Ben. Cindy, who is a regular reader and wonderful supporter and mate emailed this photo to me today because we were telling funny ass stories last night after the show (ass being the key word in that sentence...some of you will know my love of poo stories and getting people to share theirs)...and Ben featured in a particularly funny one. The type of story that only someone who really loves him could tell...lol.

Thanks Cindy for sending it on....he's adorable

xxM

After every HC

It should be a rule that after every house concert in the world, there should be a BBQ. It would keep Australian musicians happy the world around. As it does this one.

A beautiful house concert was had here with Sheri and Lisa as the hosts, great audience of fun people ready for the ride and now its time to chow down and throw back a few coolers with da chicks. A great weekend of shows has been had.

Can I say again how much I love that I get to do this for my life and meet and experience the people that I do. I am blessed....hopefully you aren't sick of me saying that, coz I be true.

Xxm

Homewood, IL

Da heather of da heather and Amanda (pretending like she's practising!!)

Somewhere in IL

This is Rosemary, KC's mum. She's had pin curls in since 6pm, so she put a hat on especially for the photo.

San Jose, CA

My mate June in San Jose, CA....and her date for the night (her words....lol). June and I walked the labrynth together and solved all our problems in that one walk.

Right June?

Indianapolis, IN

From BJ & Sandy down in indy. This is what they do on this Saturday....

The view

From where I sit, just finished a sweet house concert here in southern Illinois. Fun people and a beautiful Saturday night. The cicadas are singing loud. I have a cocktail called 'foreplay' in my hand, sending thoughts out towards the west coast. Lol.

Tis a good life, this.

Xxm

Bourbannais, IL

This is Dingo....the resident show dog

Burbank, CA

This is Maddox, the youngest and most amazingly gifted sound engineer. He's working on a new dance mix at Chace Productions in Burbank, with his mum Brooke and mate Dionne looking on.

Around the World on A Saturday...

So...the photos are starting to come in! Don't forget!!! Email me yours (or send to my phone if you have the #!!) info@martinelocke.com

Crystal Lake, IL



The wonderful Annemarie and baby Ella (who has been featured on the blog before) and I am pretty sure that's Becky hiding in the background!!


Fremantle, Western Australia



My great mates Jemma & Jane (who are about to embark on a three month trip across australia...lucky bastards!!). Their photo caption:

"A typical Saturday night for two shift workers!"

The view

From here....

Driving into Chicago for my show tonight, the first of three this weekend. Gotsta say, am feeling a little under the weather right now, hoping that the vegemite on toast I ate before I left home will stay down long enough to be the miracle cure!!

Hey, don't forget, tomorrow is the second round of 'around the world on a saturday'. Send me a photo of what you are doing either from your phone or camera and I will put it up here. Remember to tell me where you are and who is in your shot! Send them to me here info@martinelocke.com - if your photo wasn't up last week, its because I didn't get it! So send again!!

Wish me and my fluey body well! Thank god for the all healing powers of vege.

Xxm

Blue skies

Shining on me. Nothing but blue skies, is what I see.

I love the blue of the sky. It makes me happy and light and inspired. Summer out here is a good thing. Sitting outside, beautiful breeze, hanging with mates, playing music, talking, being. The fruit of life. Everyday I am further away from the past 6 months, the more I feel myself again. People told me that it would just take time and at the time I didn't or, couldn't believe, them. But its true, and now I will pay it forward and tell others the same truth.

In gratefulness for those that passed their truth along to me.

Xxm

For my bro

Its 2.30pm on a Wednesday and I am hanging out with a crew of mates (who r all teachers and on school holidays, hence the reason they can hang out at said time), we are shooting the shit, sharing amazing damn stories of life, sucking back the blue moon and waiting for the ribs to slow cook on the BBQ. I put this here for my little bro, who I KNOW would love to be here right now.....hanging with the chicks, shooting the shit, making us laugh (coz he's a funny fucker), waiting for the ribs to cook.

Tis a good life my friends. Good mates, good food, good chats, good adventures, good music, good love abounds and I am grateful for the beautiful, honest, down to earth, passionate, funny as all fuck, solid humans that are in my world...all the others can fuck the hell off.

But back to my brother. I love him too.

Xxm

A quick trip

Home....my friend Amanda decided that she would surprise me with a quick trip back to perth. Was lookin for all my peeps too....

The National Women's Fest...slide show

This is a photo slide show against the back drop of the finale song 'women rise up'. These photos bring back great memories of great people...damn to do that every weekend.

xxM

The blunnies

At the game. Indy is losing :-( I am looking for entertainment, and free tshirts!

The fever

Sans Tully.....not sure how I feel about that....

Rob Brezny...

is a fun astrologer that I have followed for years. He tells great stories in between some really good astrological insight. Given my recent months, I have been pondering part of his other star sign reading for this week, I usually find him to be pretty spot on and he don't let me down with this little insight into others:

In her book "Zen Miracles", Brenda Shoshanna defines the "shadow" as being the unacceptable aspects of ourselves that we dump into our unconscious minds. As we avoid looking at that hidden stuff, it festers. Meanwhile, we project it onto people we know, imagining that they possess the qualities we're repressing. The antidote to this problem, says Shoshanna, is to "eat our shadow" -- haul it up from out of the pit and develop a conscious connection with it. Doing so not only prevents our unacknowledged darkness from haunting our thoughts and distorting our relationships; it also liberates tremendous psychic energy.

Check him out here: Free Will Astrology for your weeklies.

Getting ready to go watch Indiana Fever play the Chicago Sky tonight....all the Aussie's have left the teams to fly home to get ready for the Olympics..so it will be Tully free tonight, but still....lets see if any songs get written!!!

xxM

Random...

So...someone just typed in the words 'fucked over by narcissist' into the google search engine, and they were directed to my writings page...!!!!

It actually made me strangely happy to know that....in a 'putting it out there, the world really is a small place' kinda way.

xxm

Nashville, TN

I HAD to put this photo up. I got it this morning from my mate TJ - she was a little too inebriated at the time to send it to me properly..hmm. This is her attempt at eating guacamole 'bubba' style, as she puts it. Check her naughtiness out here....jennytalia

Damn funny wench...she be. Anytime you see a post on my blog about flies, karma and people who do shitty things getting both..that be her, she talks straight. lol.

xxm

Shamus loving....

Good morning from Crystal Lake, IL. This is Shamus loving on the little lovely Ella. Seems Shamus was desperate for a cuddle from somewhere and made himself right at home on the lovely sleeping Ella (and btw, my first child would be called Ella, I love that name) (umm, no news to report on that front, just to stop you from asking).

Its a slow morning over here, there's been huge thunderstorms for most of the morning (saying that just for you DW, lol..I know! I know!) and we are all sitting here in our pjs, drinking coffee and watching the View...oh, don't even get me started about these girls..where has Whoopie's hair gone??

Hey, have you seen the new jibjab clip for the next election? Its very funny, those guys have a great story of how they created this wildly successful business out of parody. Go here: jibjab.com

In other really exciting news, the wonderful JJ Jones has been confirmed to come and play the red rock women's music festival in Utah next month with me AND we are trying to work it for the big Tado in Indy in September as well!

JJ is a fabulous drummer/percussionist who jumped in on the finale song with me at the National Womens Music Festival last month. It was an amazing performance and we both looked at each other afterwards and voted for playing together more!!! I wasn't sure how it was going to happen and just threw the idea out to the universe..and low and behold, two days later she was booked to come the fest. Love that stuff...can't wait to play with her.

So..for now it's back to gazing at Ella and Shamus

xxM

And.....

From the phone of Annemarie (now she's worked out how to take and send photos, look out!).

After the show, hot and sweaty....just the way I like it!

It's been a totally fun festival, with a fun group of people...so grateful to have been involved.

Xxm

Ff part 2

So, someone at the festival just emailed this photo to me.....looking around the festival, trying to work out who it is....lol. Don't recognise the email address!!

Love this kind of instantaneous stuff....thank god for technology.

That's me, way up there somewhere, possibly about to stomp on my mandolin.....

Xxm

Woodstock ff

Sitting under a tree, trying to hide from the humidity, as the festivities here at the Woodstock Folk Festival get under way. This is the wonderful Annemarie, one of the organizers of the festival and hiding behind my hair (as is always the case when one chooses to sit next to me in a photo) is am's sister Jo.

Its nice to watch as this little community starts to turn out for the day. I am onstage at 1.15 and am excited by the sound of the PA (always a fun thing for a musician, we get totally excited by big beautiful sounds and pa systems that emit such sounds).

Thanks again to all the crew ago sent photos, fucking love it. Made me so excited to see all your faces and of course, I pined for you all.

Xxm

Me, here now...

Terri, me, Ellis, Annemarie.... Chicago IL. Saturday night, almost Sunday. Beautiful souls that I get to spend a Saturday night with.

Thanks to everyone who sent photos. I know some haven't made it through yet but I will post them as they come through. Love this, the feeling that we are all closer than it seems.

Xxm

Berkeley, CA again

The beautiful Tina, Julie Wolf and Jen Todd. At Lu's party. This photo thing makes me miss everyone like mad and wish that I could somehow have everyone together all in one place, at once....love them all.

Des Moines, Iowa

The wonderful Linda Shepley, owner of the ritual cafe (go there when in des moines) sent this photo of the sculpture called 'The Nomad' that sits across the street from the cafe...this is what she says:

Here's what I see out my window... only it's raining not snowing...

Perth, Western Australia

This is my great mate and the other half of the Velvet Janes, Rose...doing what she loves the most. Shopping!!! Umm...I didn't fully realize when I posted this first that she had a bra in her hand...good one mate!!

Berkeley, CA

This is LuLu, in Berkeley CA. Its her 50th bday tonight. Wish I were there mate, sending love and happy birthdays to you.

Los Angeles. CA

My good good mate, Dionne and her mate Brooke, in a recording studio in LA. Mixing a song (Brooke is a DJ). Damn cute no?

When do I get the hear the song.....?

Chicago, IL

The spectacular Terri & Ellis - Uncommon Ground on Devon St, Chicago, IL. Ellis is about to go on stage with Anne Heaton....

Chicago, IL

This is from the wonderful Julie Loyd, the view from where she sat in Chicago. Funny enough, it turns out she was at the show I was heading to!! And am sitting in!!

Somewhere in Michigan

This is my sweet friend Tory and her un-named dancing partner, somewhere in Michigan!!! I am sure it's all hot and sweaty where they be!!!

Fremantle, Western Australia

Two of my best mates, Jemma and Jane, with their fig tree in Freo!

somewhere in Canada

aurora Jane and the magnificent Lyndell Montgomery on a plane suckin back beers, somewhere in Canada

Tacoma, Washington

My mate and producer of 'undone', Evan Brubaker, in his studio.

from around the world...

I have a new idea. Every weekend, like Saturday, I want to do a 'around the world tonight' picture blog. Email me photos from your phone info@martinelocke.com and I will post them up here.

First, my mates in indy....its a little dark but some of their faces are known on this blog. Joyce, Cathy, Abby, I think Cindy and can't see the other dude...sorry! They just did dinner in Indianapolis.

Xxm

Do you think...

This is me.....? The problem is that I would want to walk around and want to pat my own head......it feels so soft. I am all wooled up and ready for some knitting.

Midwest folk and fibre festival...

This is Nels, from Wisconsin, modeling a beautiful green felt hat that he made himself..isnt he cute?? . I am doing a special guest spot at the Midwest folk and fiber festival today (to help advertise the Woodstock Folk Festival that is on tomorrow!) and I am in wool heaven.

A little known fact is that I love to knit, it's kinda meditative and then you hopefully get to wear it. Although I still have a half finished scarf sitting under my bed that I haven't been able to bring myself to finish yet, but I feel myself getting ready to pick it up again.

Anyway, there are hundreds of crafts people here with a bazillion different balls of hand made, hand spun wool from almost every furry animal ever known to me (New Zealand Possum...who knew you can knit a scarf out of one) and I just realised I am a little excited by the possibilities. Going to knit myself a new scarf, lost the last one....my absolute fav in the whole world.....in a bizarre turn of events last winter, but that probably wasn't a bad thing energetically..sometimes clothing can carry energy too I think.

But...it's time to get ready for this winter, I need a new scarf and there's some amazing alpaca wool here that just makes me want to cuddle up next to it.

Xxm

Random...

Moments of beauty....this came up in the garden. Didn't even know it was planted but its grown up underneath the bird feeder. Reminds me of the wild sunflowers around perth and for a moment I think of the people I love over there and send them my heart.

Xxm

The bounty...

So.....I'm out riding with my riding mate, kc....I take us down a new street, for no reason in particular, just wanted to....half way down the street I slow down to let a car pass and look down and there's $20. I exclaim 'woohoo, bring it on' to the universe (and coffee is my treat) and ride another few metres and bang....another $20....another few.....a couple of $5's...another few....ANOTHER $20. All in all, the bounty for this mornings ride is up to $78 and it aint over yet!!

I use to always find cash in random places. Once I found $6000 in a pencil case..in cash...and another time I was sitting on the loo in universal studios and felt something under my shoe, fearing the worst, I looked down and badda bing, $400 in cash.

Feels good to know that my world is returning to some kind of normal and the universe keeps reminding me that it aint done with me and is indeed looking out for this little Aussie!Oh me of little faith....

Thank you, I receive it gratefully.

Xxm

The Lucky Strike.....

So, I think this is one of my favorite poses right now...oh, this and this one:

It makes me look like a professional bowler..I am pretty sure I got a strike this shot.

Me, KC and Wendy the non tour ho ho tried to get into the Lucky Strike a few weeks back to no avail...we decided we would try again...you know, just because we needed a dose of loud raucous music, flashing lights, screaming girls, beer and bowling. The midwest bowling challenge is now officially on....get ready chicks (and you know who you are) because you will be getting the phone call soon!

And Alex....teachers pet.....better brush up mate, come November, your ass will be here too.

xxm

ps....KC just sent me this photo, verifying that I won the game (although, she won the first game)

Yo Wendy!

Look what we finally got into!!

You....

Got a secret
Don't ya babe?

And I,
I should know
Coz I'm your secret
Aren't I babe?

Great bloody song that I have been rehearsing for shows. I don't usually learn covers because it is time away from writing my own tunes, but damn, this Missy Higgins song spoke to me loud. Given that I have just experienced being a 'secret', its no wonder. Even though I play and write music for a living and my goal is to write tunes that connect deeply with people, I still have moments where I am amazed by how deeply I connect with some tunes that others write. I fucking love it.

Working on bookings for 2009 has started, its so amazing to work so far ahead, esp since I don't even know what I am going to eat for lunch....nevermind what I am going to do next March. But...this is the way it be.

Xxm

Irish times

Sitting in my favorite Irish bar with mates, looking at this lamp trying to work out what the inuendo is between the two lamp ladies.....they seem very happy with each other.

Xxm

who gives a.......

This is my songwriting book, with a recent song...it's all messy and I usually end up writing stuff over a few pages and then bringing it all back together on one complete page. People always ask how I write and do the words or the music come first. I keep saying, and will continue to say, that the only way to develop chops for writing is to honor the creative process. To not filter it, to be true to it when it hits you, regardless of where you are. Many of my friends will speak of the amount of times they watch me as I am busily typing something new into my phone...whether it be a song, a poem, or a blog entry. I am trying to learn how to be completely present but honor my own creative process at the same time. Because I know if I don't grab a line or a phrase or a tune as it comes out, that it will most likely be lost forever.

There are a shit load of new songs coming out and of course, new poems come out daily..whether they make it out is another question. Sometimes songs/poems may never see the light of day...and occasionally, probably some blog entries shouldn't either. But really, I am mostly in a 'who gives a fuck' kinda phase anyway. So done with being polite for now....or for good, who knows.

I was talking to two mates the other day, Alex & Dionne. Alex is in Sydney and Dionne is in LA and we were talking on email and text respectively. Neither of them know each other but we were all pretty much having the same conversation and both of them, almost at the same time said words to the effect of, 'who gives a fuck'. I took that as a sign from the universe that those are the right 4 words to be speaking right now.

So, my friends, back to writing my 'who gives a fuck' song. Actually....I must say that more of my songs have the word 'fuck' in them right now...think it's that angry phase again.

xxM

The Rocket.....

In Australia, we call arugula lettuce, Rocket lettuce...and it tastes different than it does here in the US, it's got more bite than the stuff you buy here. I brought some rocket seeds back with me from Australia at the beginning of the year (oops, sorry immigration)..they were mean't to be a gift for someone elses garden but I decided I wanted to keep them. So bloody glad I kept them, for so many reasons. I planted them and now I have a SHIT load of rocket lettuce to eat everyday. When I am home I literally walk out there every morning and grab a handful and walk around the garden chomping on it. It's all fresh and spicy and yummy and makes me think of home.

I know life goes on and things grow when we don't always notice, but I am constantly amazed how much growing this garden does. I go on the road for 4 days and come home and it looks completely different than it did 4 days earlier. I feel like a little kid in a candy store and I am constantly in awe of the process.

Someone who use to be in my life once gave me a schpeel about seeds being like people and planting them in the right environment and watching them grow up to fulfill their destiny...I realised today it made me angry to think about it like that as it was a metaphor that was being given to me as a way to justify something horrible and behaviour that was shameful. I wanted to say something about how manure can burn seeds in the same way that too much shit can burn a person. But I digress....

I sat in my garden today and thought about it and I realized why what metaphor made me crabby (other than knowing the truth now), it's because, what you see isn't always what you get when it comes to people. I wish it weren't like that, once upon a time, not so long ago, I use to think it wasn't like that at all...I use to take people completely at face value. If you were telling me something, I would absolutely believe you because why would you want to tell me something other than your truth? What would be the purpose of that.

But....when you plant a seed, it can't be anything other than what it actually is. Unless of course there's something fucked up about the soil or it gets genetically engineered to be something different, or if you are watching a simpsons cartoon and it gets planted in nuclear waste and grows up with three eyes.

I planted a rocket seed two months ago...it's in beautiful soil and me and my house mates look at it and tend to it everyday....and it has come up looking EXACTLY like rocket lettuce, and tasting EXACTLY like rocket lettuce, and smelling EXACTLY like rocket lettuce. Low and behold...that's because, IT IS ROCKET LETTUCE. The name on the front of the seed packet was right....it WAS what it said it was.

And that my friends, is really really beautiful....

There's something about that process that is really helping my soul heal and restore it's faith in the way things work and trusting somethings to be what they actually say they are.

And now, after that brain fart, back to chomping on my rocket....

xxm

Katie Reider

1978 -2008

In unbelievably sad news, the wonderful Katie Reider lost her fight with a rare facial tumor this morning. I wept when I heard the news and send thoughts and love out to her family and friends. Read more about her amazing journey and her courage with her battle here:

http://katiereider.blogspot.com/

Take a moment to appreciate all we have....