Posted January 22, 2011 at 9:34 am

Parlez-vous Chinese??..

As I am getting nearer the magical day of my record being finished, I am working on other language versions of a few of the songs. Among the more obvious ones, I have wanted for a while to be able to have a couple of songs translated into Chinese. And I think I may have found the perfect partner in crime!

Her name is Sen and she is an artist in her own right, who currently lives in Bejing. It is quite interesting, actually, that her name is Sen: one of my favorite films of all time is 'Spirited Away' by Miyazaki. And Chihiro's name in the spirit world is Sen.

This is her blog – in Chinese, however – but you can hear a couple of songs. I met her through a friend, Guy Sigsworth, who is London-based and is an incredible producer. Actually I think the song you hear on her blog was produced by him. He is also Imogen Heap's partner in Frou Frou.

And this is a live performance. She really makes me think of a Chinese Bjork in this one! I haven't met her in person yet, but I have a feeling we will get along like fire… I absolutely adore her voice.

Incidentally, I just signed up for a course in Chinese because doing it on my own is nigh impossible – I have not progressed in months now. She is learning English, but hers is actually quite good! Now I have motivation to catch up…

Posted January 19, 2011 at 11:57 am

wolf moon

If my heart were tethered to the moon

It would hover right above your head

for tonight I feel honest and sad

and I know not why.

If we were free to live as we choose

Would we not erase this servitude

to the unseeing multitude of things?

we build them and they shape us in return.

All I want is shelter and some time

to spend with you, uninterrupted;

listen to the moon hum: she knows

about the eternal loneliness of the circle.

As we wander further apart

I am wishing for a supernova

to blaze across the sky. Heavy with desire

to set fire to everything and start again.

(eik 2011)

Posted January 6, 2011 at 4:30 am

happy birthday to me.

One year ago to this day I wrote and posted the poem below. As I write these lines, tonight, the Los Angeles winter rain is beating upon the pavement. 2010 is almost over, and it is over for this year that started 12/25/2009 with the poem I am going to re-post – just because.

And you know what? The poem came true.

12/25/2009

message in a bottle

I write this message

to the future me.

Right now I am standing still

if only for a moment

but the dawn is breaking

and the ship shall sail soon.

Hills and valleys behind me

memories, choices and

accidental encounters;

all that has faded.

I write this poem

for you, dear strange girl.

For you are more special

and loved

than you have allowed yourself to be.

But if you are, indeed

the future me

then you already know this.

You have opened your heart

to the shimmering wall of water;

the endless sky of possibility

and forgiveness

for such as myself

who belongs to yesterday.

Armed with imagination,

faith, music

and a treasure map

I light a candle for you,

then put down the guilt,

fear, shame and uncertainty.

Let them stay here;

you deserve to be new

I have fought for you

and now I can rest.

Be free and weightless

be kind, joyful and true.

Believe in magic

trust yourself

love completely.

The ship has sailed

I am standing on the dock, waving.

Happy birthday.

Hello 2011, world, my debut full record, new friends, songs, hills to climb and dreams to be made flesh. Can I do it?

Yes.

Posted December 27, 2010 at 11:06 am

happy holidays..

Posted December 22, 2010 at 11:38 am

good morning, Venice.

There are many clouds in the sky today, and sun has come out above Venice to show his face – finally.

I am being lazy. I think my adrenaline crashed a bit, considering the bulk of the record-making is now over. A new phase is about to begin.

I feel happy and sad at the same time. It's a most sublime feeling, actually.

Kind of like the sun and clouds doing a dance together this morning: aching to be free, and yet inseparable.

I am listening to various Annie Lennox takes. She has the most amazing way of singing: comforting, but full of pain at the same time. I think, vocally, she has always been my biggest influence.