Okay, so here is what an ordinary life looks like. The bills have to be paid. I need to press CD’s in the coming month, and it takes cash. Another Midem delegate that I met at one of the lectures dropped me a note (rather diligently, I thought) via MySpace, and we’ve learned from one another of that struggle to make music while needing to keep, as she calls it in L.A., the B-job. (That connotes a few things!) Right. So, I have hauled myself to the Catholic school where I teach small groups of students in need of remedial assistance, and I have happily done so, because tax season is coming, as evidenced by some of my mail this afternoon. And running a business incurs expenses.
I have been praised by a contact at Midem for my music and essentially told that if there’s a good time for both of us in the future, I could choose to discuss an album deal for my music. My friend Rob in Vancouver regularly reminds me to ask myself: am I doing this ‘indie’ or not? I know the waters got a bit muddy in Cannes. Yes, I am committed to staying independent, but that doesn’t mean I would turn away a good opportunity for action. Something in me is softening to the idea of collaboration, and that is on every front. So long as I don’t sell my artistic soul, it’s all good.
I miss songwriting. I have songs festering inside, incubating, and I miss the live stage. But there are many facets to my life, personal and public. A few things need doing, and then I’ll be focusing on the local scene again. I have a meeting with Robert and Rosie, two songwriting friends, on Sunday to do a round-robin re. our album songs and perhaps to jam. We’ve discussed prospects for a live concert in the coming six weeks. Also I’ve inquired about a local festival coming up in May.
My online songwriting community voted on who was ‘Most Likely to Succeed’, and I have tied for second place. I understand the votes were very close. It is this community that knows my late friend Liz Ward, and these days Liz is in my mind, and I feel some sadness, but am grateful for this enclave of artistic support.
Meanwhile, I wait for the consummation of a deal to arrive via contract from India. It is a major company offering very good support. My contact in Argentina is on holiday for a bit, and then we’re going to begin the research for an album project. Finally, there is a licensing discussion to come for an important emerging market relevant to my music. I also have two or three others to definitely thank from Midem, in the short-term, for their kind feedback and assistance. It’ll all get done. Sooner than later.
The French Riviera…as a teaching colleague said to me today…must feel a bit like a dream, a bit crazy to return to ordinary life afterwards. Yes. It does. The Riviera was a crazy, wonderful time. I’ll go again next year, I think, and meanwhile have my sights set for Womex in the fall. in Spain—the World Music Expo. A Brazilian woman at Midem told me about it and said it was particularly friendly to world music artists. Bravo!
Time to JFDI. Over and out. LL.
