Posted January 4, 2012 at 1:58 am

London's weather is as changeable as a teenage girl's mood. It is charming, but I can surely understand that it can be confusing! Just now there was sunshine outside my window and minutes later it looks like a snowstorm has dropped in.

I am getting ready for my little show tonight – it is such a pleasure to play a real baby grand – and drinking nice coffee. And here is a poem that I came across recently that I wrote a while back.. It seems appropriate, and although it is not raining outside, it is cold and gray all of a sudden. It brings back memories. This, London, the gray sky and the wind, questing. Sweaters and hot drinks. Los Angeles in the distance.

December Child

Words escape me.
It's only the night
and the frost in the air.
Morning soon; but for now
We'll paint the air
with our breath and laughter.
This winter chill
tastes like cinnamon candy;
it burns my throat
through a borrowed scarf
but the sweetness lingers.
Lights glitter in the trees
and cigarette smoke twirls
like a reminder
of another night long ago
in a foreign city
and a soft-spoken stranger
by my side
at the witching hour.
I have given all this time
to the land of sunshine
only to find myself craving the cold.
This is an end of a cycle
and a little death
but a new life is in the making.
I am afraid, but fear is for the living
and so is pain of loss;
as long as I am breathing
I will choose to run free,
searching and questing,
wearing my heart on my tattered sleeve,
taking chances.
Because I hope that somewhere
a fireplace has been lit for me
and so I follow the trail of bread crumbs
down a winding, twisty path
towards another's heart
and a new beginning,
half-wishing I was stronger and better;
half-knowing there is no destination.

I am a child of winter
tonight I feel it in my bones
and the crunch of ice under my feet
is an exclamation point to a story
I started writing a long time ago.
I am used to the ache of departures
and I am friends with empty spaces.
And just like then,
I am at the crossroads again.
Except now I am older
and a little kinder.
The page turns
and now it's snowing.

Posted January 2, 2012 at 10:00 am

the countdown to Beatrix Runs begins.

We are shooting some special material for you… yes, yes. I am very excited. I have alternately frozen to death, gotten wet, sweated out of my mind, frozen again… but I think it was worth it.

'Beatrix Runs' will be out in a little more than three weeks! How time flies.

I also have three weeks of relative downtime to really work on some things I want to be in place for live shows to come. I have plenty to record, too.

Furthermore, here is a bit of information, as well: 'Beatrix Runs' – my upcoming record – has a story behind it.

It will be unveiled, chapter by chapter, over the course of this year.

It is a story of adventure – in more ways you could possibly imagine.

I really enjoyed writing it. It will become available in various formats – as a traditional narrative, but also as a variation of a graphic novel, and interactive online content, too.

There are clues to the story and its characters on the packaging of the album, which will include a poster.

And now back to work…

Posted December 28, 2011 at 10:28 am

swoon

I rather think maybe it is a good thing I never met him – well – we were born in slightly different eras. Because if I had, I would have probably followed him around in an embarrassing fashion: showing up at his house at random times, writing him little notes, texting….oh wait. Anyway, I have a huge crush on Robert Frost. Sigh.

“A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness. It finds the thought and the thought finds the words.” (Robert Frost)

TO EARTHWARD

Love at the lips was touch
As sweet as I could bear;
And once that seemed too much;
I lived on air
That crossed me from sweet things,
The flow of- was it musk
From hidden grapevine springs
Down hill at dusk?
I had the swirl and ache
From sprays of honeysuckle
That when they're gathered shake
Dew on the knuckle.
I craved strong sweets, but those
Seemed strong when I was young;
The petal of the rose
It was that stung.
Now no joy but lacks salt
That is not dashed with pain
And weariness and fault;
I crave the stain
Of tears, the aftermark
Of almost too much love,
The sweet of bitter bark
And burning clove.
When stiff and sore and scarred
I take away my hand
From leaning on it hard
In grass and sand,
The hurt is not enough:
I long for weight and strength
To feel the earth as rough
To all my length.

Posted December 27, 2011 at 10:47 am

happy birthday to me!

Yes, it was my birthday.

I went horseback riding! It reminded me how much I miss it. There is something very rejuvenating to me in the act of collaboration with a giant creature. Yes, collaboration, because make no mistake, if the horse REALLY doesn't want you there, it will win, unless you are a top of the line rider. It's about collaboration and acting 'as if' you were a great rider (without being cruel or stupid, of course).

It's about the Power of Persuasion:)

I am feeling a bit more rested. But I am behind on so much work.

And I have four new songs in the pipeline. Ack. They are not being patient. They don't care it's a holiday and I'd rather watch 'Sherlock' (fantastic BBC series. I am a sucker for BBC productions). They want to be written NOW.

Speaking of now… The horoscope for my day of birth tells me to… Lighten up a little – it’ll do wonders for your soul! Once you have learned the Capricorn lesson of achieving all your goals without turning into a wet blanket you will easily be one of the happiest and successful inhabitants of the zodiac.

Alright, I'll buy that:)

I was working on the cover of Marshmallow World, and it was sounding amazing – until this morning I uncovered some icky distortion on the piano track. Perhaps it's a sign and it really needs to have guitar on it – in which case, Ben Cassorla, my guitar player is going to have to step in this afternoon. As soon as we are done, I will post it for you! But now back to the grind..

But not before I present you with a little pre-New Year's gift. Obviously too late for Christmas, but there is still a chance for me to redeem myself.

This is the original acoustic one-take demo of Snow in Venice. This is where it all (or a lot of it) started. Enjoy and download to share. You can download it by clicking on the arrow icon on the right side of the player below.

Snow in Venice – acoustic by elizaveta