Q&A

Hi fancy friends -

I've had lots of people asking me questions lately (e.g.: what the heck is going on with your CD? weren't you supposed to be on BYUTV? why did you move to Rexburg...????) SO I thought writing on this little blog might be a nice way to get aaaall the info out!

Question 1: What the heck is going on with your CD?
Answer: I knew from the onset of this project that I wanted to land a distribution deal with Deseret Book. My awesome team of helpers and I underestimated how long the process would take, however :(. The album has been done for months, but it looks like it'll be another couple months before it is available for purchase. The latest and greatest news from Deseret is that they'll have an answer for me on October 19th. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether or not they'll carry my album - so any happy thoughts or prayers you can send my way over that would be GREATLY appreciated :). I'd l-0-v-e love to make another album, but I need $$ to do that...aka a distribution deal...so. There ya go.

Question 2: Weren't you supposed to be on BYUTV?
Answer: Yes! I started filming with a fun group of talented singer/songwriters this summer for a program called StarBiz. The show started airing a couple weeks ago BUT the producers have run into some editing issues so...now we're all waiting to see if/when the show continues to air. You can watch Episode 1 at www.byutv.org. I had so much fun filming and I'm REALLY bummed the schedule has been moved all around. Haha guess that's my life lately. I'll let you all know ASAP if anything new happens on this front.

Question 3: ...did you really move to Rexburg?
Answer: Holy moly, people, holy moly. First Utah...now Idaho?! Have I completely lost my senses? What has happened to my innate desire for warmth and sunlight?! My aversion to all things cold and wet?! Woah...I guess I'm supposed to be answering questions, not asking a bunch more. Continuing:
I did move. Because I am insane. I am giving this answer because I can see snow out my window right now (well...I COULD see snow if I didn't have the blinds shut tight to try to block out the harsh reality of where I've chosen to spend this winter). ALSO: 30 degree weather makes my ears hurt when I walk outside. ALSO: It was 70 degrees here two days ago. Seriously. What the heck??
I may or may not be boycotting the snow by planning to not get out of bed for the next several days. Except to make myself hot chocolate. Obviously.

In other news: I am working at Sammy's. It makes me feel weirdly old hearing a 21 year old, fresh of the mission boy talking to his friends about how he's SO over dating and just wants to get married. Haha. Ooh dear...oh, ohhh dear.

In other OTHER news: have you tried a Robi's South of the Border from Sammy's?? I mean...have you?! Please try one. It is my new favorite and I just can't get over how yummy it is. Also cupshakes and seasoned fries. Also chocolate cherry shakes. Also I've gained ten pounds since moving here and I can't figure out why.

Ok. I'm off to brave the elements (really!) and walk a block to the bank. Honestly, a block! How cute is Rexburg sometimes?! Answer: snow is never cute.

I bought mittens yesterday.

Love you all! xoxo

The Waiting Place

Here's a quick update for everyone!

My CD is officially DONE! I'm back home in California for a couple weeks to celebrate! You've all been so patient and supportive - I really can't express how much every word of encouragement has meant to me. I love you all so much :)

Now what?? WELL - the album will be available on iTunes in the next few weeks. I'll make sure to update you all on the exact date as soon as I know. The physical CD will be available for purchase by mid September via my website OR (fingers crossed!) Deseret Book!

For anyone who hasn't already, check out my music Facebook page and "like" it! I'm starting up my Twitter (...am I the only person NOT on Twitter at this point..?) and will be blogging about all my fascinating music adventures <--I can't promise to deliver on the 'fascinating' part. Haha. I'll try though :)

P.S. ...I may or may not be making an appearance on BYUTV this fall! Starting the last Tuesday in September thru November. "Starbiz". Check it out!!

Once upon a time...

I was very sleepy. The end.

Haha the story of my life lately, people!! Why, you ask? Honestly I have no idea. Compared to what my schedule was like for the past two years, hanging out in Utah is c-a-k-e. For some reason I just can't get enough sleep, though. Maybe its because I fall asleep watching The Devil Wears Prada every night? And wake up at half hour intervals reciting the lines from memory? Haha jk I don't do that. Or do I..? ...you'll never know...

In other news: I believe in inspiration. I also believe that Heavenly Father sometimes lets us stumble around in the dark for a while before turning on a light somewhere. Last night my testimony of that was strengthened as I struggled to complete a song for today's studio time.

Back story: I've been having a hard time knocking out the last four tracks for this album - mostly because I only wrote six tracks initially and thought "meh, no big deal...I'll just magically come up with the other six tracks along the way! let's sign a contract! woo!" (not the brightest move, right?). Needless to say, I've been stressed out about finishing the remaining songs. This project means so much to me, I want each track to be special and meaningful and awesome - but Heavenly Father hasn't exactly been pouring angelic songs into my ears as I sleep at night.

After much struggle and prayer and pleading and concern and worry for days I found myself awake last night at 2am still unsure of what I was going to bring to the table for tracking today in the studio. (To help explain: going to the studio without solid ideas, melodies, lyrics, etc...is like going to class when you have a presentation due and having NOTHING to present [cue nightmare fuel]. Plus imagine you had to pay a bunch of money just to sit there and not present anything. Not fun/gives me panic attacks.) I finally just sat back, shut my eyes after my fifty millionth prayer and just...listened.

Guess what? I finished the song. And today when I tracked it? My producer & I both got choked up because of the spirit of it. I felt humbled and grateful and it reminded me that I'm not doing this for myself - I'm trying to be a mouthpiece for Him...which means taking more time to listen to Him. Life lessons.

Eight tracked. Four to go.

Thanks for your love & support :) Love you all.