Apr 28, 2013
I think blogging more regularly is finally starting to become a habit. I often come across blogs of artists and personalities I am interested in – only to find out that their blog entries are often one a month or even less. I wonder why that is? Why start a blog if you are disinclined to write? I can posit a reason or two: sometimes, life just takes over. It is so fast, furious, or even simply nice, that writing about it seems to be a moot point. Why write when life is so full you don't feel the need to fictionalize it in any way? Or when everything is a nice routine? Writing when you are content seems to be less of an urgent activity than when you are striving, unhappy, nostalgic and desire to express yourself. If an artist's life is normal, happy and full of normal, happy regular things – what is there to write about? Maybe there is, but there is less of an urge to try and do so. Sometimes, however, it's the opposite. An artist won't write because he/she feels too fragile to write, because everything has gone wrong. Some of us are less inclined to share our faults and failures with the world at large. "No news is good news" sort of thing. What this means is: we hide when we are weak and feel lost. Reaching out to the world and letting it know we are in trouble seems like a cop-out and a signal that we are, indeed, failing and unworthy. An artist who has been public for a while...
Apr 10, 2013
As I jokingly said to a friend the other day: "Maybe I should stop with the archetypal – and one word – song titles!" Consider: in my Beatrix Runs album I had: Meant Dreamer Nightflyers Orion Victory And now, some of my new songs: Hero Spaceman Messenger Sorry …..Do we detect a pattern here? What could this mean?? On another note, tonight I am performing Hero for the first time live. Butterflies. I am also playing with the musicians who were with me at the iTunes Live Capitol Sessions last summer. They are so amazing. Here they are – well, minus string quartet this time, but the drummer and the bassist are the same – Jimmy Paxson and Michael Valerio. I love them. Elizaveta – Armies of Your Heart – iTunes Live from Elizaveta on Vimeo. The crowd sourcing idea I had for Hero really appealed to many people, apparently! I have over 100 emails from fans who want to be in the Virtual Choir. That is very, very cool. This is going to be an amazing choir, and can you imagine all those different energies pouring into it? I am excited. If you signed up, wait another few days to get all the information about and hows and the whens. Also, in about 10 days I will get a chance to record a children's choir for the same thing. And we will film it, too. Wow! More on that later. If you are reading this today – April 10, Wednesday, and you are not in L.A., we'll stream some of the show – badly,...
Jan 20, 2013
Out in the street the winter's shedding her disguise and people smile and look into each other's eyes You walk with me the air's fragrant like a ball I can't say why but I am feeling ten feet tall And everyone can hear my melody unfold the time has come to open up and let go of the old because it's Spring there must be something better on the way awakening, I raise my voice to this Life. You're by my side Your every word is fresh and new it must be spring that made me fall in love with you the green makes way through overwhelming gray concrete and I can see the flowers blooming down the street And everyone can hear my melody unfold the time has come to open up and let go of the old because it's Spring there must be something magic on the way awakening, I realize that I want you to stay I want you to stay I want you to stay You say to me: 'I know exactly what you mean; If you say "Go!" – I'll throw my caution to the winds You may be right and we're a temporary thing but here's our chance to taste a little bit of spring'.. So everyone can hear our melody unfold the time has come to open up and let go of the old because it's Spring there must be something better on the way and when we sing, we raise our voices to Life. (EIK@ 2012) ...
Dec 13, 2012
No need for flutes or violins Cause they won't mean a thing When everything's been said. No need for fancy cards or flowery prose Though I suppose they make us feel less bad. No need for long, drawn-out explaining how and when – and why – this love came to an end No need to to tell me so sincerely you still want to be my friend. It's a goodbye song A little bitter, but it's sweet You always wanted one It comes a little late – but it's complete It's from the heart Please remember: I love you dearly although we have to part. No need to gather up the evidence to justify the emptiness inside No need to pray and turn for guidance to the Providence: it simply won't provide. No need to ask your friends for well-intentioned Good Advice – they're happy to oblige. (and though I know you want to) -no need to promise we will work it out and start again Let's simply turn the page. It's a goodbye song A little bitter, but it's sweet And you always wanted one It comes a little late – but it's complete It's from the heart Please remember: I love you dearly although we have to part. So I won't cling to you because it's driving you away No need for subterfuge I've all run out of insights and inspiring things to say. No need to worry so about me cause you know I'm landing on my feet… … a little late – but I'm complete. I speak from the heart:...
Oct 15, 2012
Here is the complete demo of the French cover I have done recently, Ma Préférence by Julien Clerc. I wouldn't say that his style of music is very close to mine, but this is a brilliant song and I intend to make it part of my performing repertoire – I love the harmonic changes and the message. I am also translating it into English and Russian. I added an intro from a classic French film (can you guess which one?) Hint: Gerard Depardieu is in it. Although, fair to say he is in almost EVERY French film of the recent 40 years. That man gets around. Here is the translation, as promised. This is a very literal one because I didn't try to write something here that would be more poetic.. yet.. as in real lyrics, so it doesn't flow well at all, but it is good enough to get an idea. The actual translated lyrics, as I hear them in my head, would carry the message across, but would not be the same words… I love this song and its basic concept that sometimes, contrary to popular thought, others do not necessarily see better or are able to judge more accurately when it comes to our own lives and who we want in them. Sometimes it's best to withhold judgment, because there may be something there we do not see or would not value for ourselves, and yet it is everything to another person. The original of the song is about her. When I did the cover, I switched it to him, and I think it makes it...
Sep 19, 2012
So here it is: Full interview version for when it premiered on Glamour.com can be read HERE. Looked me in the eye Made me feel so small But you're the only one who can see me at all Is it who we are? what am I to you? Have we gone too far – am I passing through? I'm a rolling, rolling, rolling, rolling stone Always moving, traveling, running all alone I'm a rolling, rolling, rolling, rolling stone Maybe I was born with a gypsy's soul but I am not your girl, oh no I don't play that role I'm no mother, I'm no sister, I'm no lover I am not your friend I have built a home but it's made of sand I'm a rolling, rolling, rolling, rolling stone Always moving, traveling, running all alone I'm a rolling, rolling, rolling, rolling stone Looked me in the eye Made me feel so small But you're the only one who can see me at...
