There's bikes in them there racks...

We were in Des Moines, Iowa last weekend and as we drove in there at 9pm at night one of the first things I noticed were the new bike racks that the city had put up. Complete with BIKES!!!! Such a crazy good idea and so amazing to witness Des Moines as it changes so dramatically. It's inspiring to see a city be so committed to art and fitness and to put their money where their mouth is. The downtown area has come alive with art and green space and of course, to me, it makes it a happier place to be.

And no, I am not getting to paid to promote Des Moines...lol.

I just love to see how art can change a place and it's a great reminder too.


xxM

Wide open...

Driving out here on highway 74, barreling towards Iowa City to set up for a festival today. I sometime wonder how many hours of my life have been spent sitting in a car. Definitely sleep better as a passenger in a car than I do in a bed most times.

It's a strange grey day out here...the color of the sky compliments the yellow of the corn though and everywhere I look, it looks like a painting. The trees are slowly changing their colors and I actually find myself excited by the thought of fall and then...gasp....winter.  The fun aspect of winter. Talks of skiing, or learning how to ski, sledding and snow living sounds so exciting to me right this minute....give me a few months in snow and check in with me again....but right now, as giddy as a 5 year old!

Who knew.

Xxm

My drum gonna make ya...

Damien Rice has a song about playing a drum. It's a hypnotic tune that draws me in everytime I listen to it. The music is intense and the lyrics seems to match the tune...even though I had no clue what it was actually about. I would sing along making images up in my head...or not at all. Just happily.singing along feeling the energy of the tune and the way it felt in my body.

Recently I found out what the lyrics were about and in some strange way I think my body knew it.

Instinctively.

(Go look it up, I'm not gonna tell you!!!)

I am sitting here amidst 9 drummers. All absorbed in what they are doing with their hands. Their bodies. Making music as though they have no other choice. It has to come out of them. It's the only way.

It reminds me of the power of music...the power of letting your brain connect to your hands, connect to your drum, connect to the world.

Bloody awesome.....

Back to smacking the skin....(ha ha...oh damien would laugh!!)

Xxm

Music by Fire....

(photo by Jamie Price)


Went camping this past labor day weekend with a bunch of great mates. The weekend was spent sitting by the fire playing music or sitting under the stars chatting it up. It was an awesome and awe-inspiring weekend in so many ways. I felt blessed to get to do it, with such an amazing community that I am slowly being more confident to call 'my own'. I usually work most weekends so it was nice to have a free long weekend to just go and 'play' and to be inspired to pick up my guitar and PLAY whilst there was a nice surprise.

This weekend we are in Ohio for the Ohio LBA festival - check it out here: http://ohiolesbianfestival.wordpress.com/ We play Saturday night and will have a MuseKraft booth there all weekend, so come find us if you are around!
peace mates

xM

Magic...

We are in rehearsal mode for the live cd recording in November. I am writing a few new songs and trying to lock down the old ones that will get put onto it. Here's your chance to not only pre-purchase a copy of the new cd (and therefore help get it recorded), to attend the concert BUT...you can also help choose the songs that will go onto the cd.

Leave me a note here to let me know which songs you would like to hear.....would love to know why too, if there is a 'why'.

Our good mate Jamie Price, djembe drummer extraordinaire and fine personage, is joining us for a few songs at the live recording. It's sounding bloody amazing laying her into the tunes and the energy is always high and exciting. Magical even.   This is from a rehearsal a few weeks ago....just wanted to share.

Will surely get some new footage up soon and give you a sneak preview of what we are working on over here.

xM