Hey everyone! I hope you’re all doing swell. :)

It’s been too long since I last posted. I’ve been having some medical issues, so taking care of myself and getting back to normal is my main priority right now. I’ve been recording when I feel up to, so I may have two albums ready by the time I get off the sidelines! I’ve been demoing some new songs as well, and I’m really hoping to have an EP out by the end of the summer.

My project right now is to get a teaser for the album out there for you guys and dolls. These songs have been a part of my life for such a long time, and they’re so close to my heart. I can’t wait to share them.

In case you haven’t heard, my website got a big overhaul. I’m adding new things to it everyday, so check it out.

I have so many things in the works right now, and I’m excited to see how they all turn out. I hope all of you guys and dolls are out there fearlessly pursuing your dreams, too. The Lord puts dreams in your heart, and He knows exactly what to do with them.

Take it real and keep it easy, y’all. :)

—-M

Hiding under my mom’s bed at our old house…I think it was about to start storming outside.

Good morning, boys and girls! I hope everyone is having a blessed Sunday. I’ve been posting an article once a week for the past few weeks now, and today is no exception. Hope you enjoy! :)

On a side note, this list is less of a “How-To” and more of a “What-I-Learned”. I’ll be posting a how-to next week.

Early last year, I set out to record my first full-length album. I decided to test myself by recording the album at home and doing most of the work myself. Although I knew what all the proper steps were in recording an album, there were some lessons to be learned from the experience of it.

1) Have realistic expectations. (A Caveat)
Most of the artists we hear on the radio spend tens of thousands of dollars on their albums. Even if you’re recording at home in your bedroom, you can still make a great album.

2) Take your time.
I bet if someone really rushed, they could record, mix, and master an entire album in six hours. The only bad part would be that it would sound like you recorded, mixed, and mastered your entire album in six hours. As the old saying goes, “Do you want it done fast, or do you want it done right?”
On the flip side, you could spend years recording and re-recording the same songs, trying to perfect every little breath and string pop. There is no such thing as perfect.

3) Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you have a friend who’s an amazing guitar player, ask them if they’ll play on your tracks. Some folks charge accordingly for their services; a good friend will probably oblige for some dinner and a liner credit.

4) Don’t stress.
Recording an album is hard work. Revisiting difficult memories can be emotionally draining. The actual recording process can leave you physically exhausted. Let the music be your outlet, and pour yourself into it.

5) Don’t give up.
Making music can be rough on a person. Whether your struggle is not having enough funds or just being burned out, don’t give up. Remember what made you start writing those songs in the first place.

Thanks, everyone! Catch you on the flip side. :) Blessings!

—-M

Hey again, boys and girls! I hope you guys enjoyed my last post. I did lots of research before I thought about going on tour, and I made a list of some of the best tips and advice I came across. These two posts sort of go together, as a combination what I learned/how-to. Enjoy! :)

Most bands and artists make the decision to go on tour at some point in their career. It can be a great way to interface with fans. It can also bring a lot of stress. Here are a few things you should know.

1) Make sure you have enough money.

Sure, you can sleep in your van and nuke ramen noodles at a truck stop. A lot of great bands tour for next to nothing. Plenty of musicians, venue owners, and sound guys are cool enough to let touring bands crash on their couches. If roughing it isn’t really your style, make sure and budget for hotels and meals. You should also tuck away some money for incidentals. You never know when you might run out of toothpaste or other essentials. No matter what your money situation is, budget accordingly. Have a plan in place for how to deal with car trouble, stolen equipment, and any other situations that might require help to resolve.

I heard from an acquaintance about a band who ended up panhandling on the side of the highway after their van broke down. Don’t let this be you.

2) Book your shows as far out in advance as you can.

Most venues book three to four months in advance. Really popular or prestigious venues book out even further. Booking folks are continually swamped, so it may take them a while to follow up with you. Keep in mind that getting into venues is kind of like getting into college; you may not get into your first or even your second choice.

3) Get a confirmation.

Once you’ve booked a venue, make sure and confirm the date, time, and how long your set is going to be. Also, a clear agreement on payment (or lack thereof) is a good idea. It’s always good to know if the venue has a PA system. If you intend on selling merch, make sure the venue is okay with it first. That way everyone is happy and no one (namely, you) is getting ripped off!

4) Promote, promote, promote!

Folks won’t know you’re playing in their neck of the woods unless you let them know. Your fans from back home might be keeping up with your tour schedule, but chances are most of them aren’t following you out on the road. It’s not a bad idea to send tour fliers, business cards, and maybe even a demo to all your stops on your tour. That way, regulars at the venues and other potential fans will know you’re coming to town, and can check you out beforehand. Network on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and befriend other musicians and natives in the area. Don’t be shy about letting folks know you’re coming to town. If you don’t tell them, who will?

4) Be Prepared.

There’s nothing worse than showing up to a venue for a late set and realizing you’ve got a busted string and all the music stores are closed. Bring extra cables, strings, drum sticks, and any other supplies you use on a regular basis.

As the Boy Scouts say, “Always Be Prepared”. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

5) Have something to sell.

Some venues simply cannot afford to pay the artists that come through. There might be an off night when only a few people show up to your show. Having merch to sell is a great way to augment the income from the venue, or at least pay for your gas to the next stop. A lot of venues that can’t afford to pay will put out a tip jar for their artists. If they don’t, it’s not a bad idea to put one out yourself (as long as the venue is cool with it).

6) Have something to give away.

Everyone likes free stuff. Some folks may not have the extra cash to buy some of your merch, or they might not be drawn enough to your music to buy anything. Having something you can give away (like stickers) will get people to your merch table and give you a chance to interface with them one on one.  You might just charm some on-the-fencers into buying something. You’ll definitely make an impression.

Thanks again for reading, friends! Catch you on the flip side. :)

—-M

Hey everyone! You know, I promised you guys that I’d post a few of the articles (more like thoughts) that I’ve written. Here’s the first of a few.

Going on tour was a really great experience. It really helped me believe in myself as an artist, and as a person. There were good times, bad times and a lot of fun along the way. It was definitely a learning experience. Here are a few of the things I learned.

*Road Madness - Being cooped up in a vehicle with people for hours on end can turn even the best of friends against each other. Find ways to have some alone time (aka listen to music/watch a movie with headphones, read a book)

*If you’re not very well known, don’t count on a packed house. There may be nights when you play to the sound guy and the other bands. Don’t let it get you down. It happens to every band and artist at some point in their career. Look at it as practice for your next gig and always give it your best. You never know who’s watching.

*Be on time, be courteous, and do your best to make a good impression. Making a good impression on venue owners and staff will almost always mean an invite to play again on your next tour.

*Murphy’s Law - True story. I was on my way to a show (four hours from home) when my transmission went out. Fixing the car would have taken a week and cost nearly twice as much as it would back home (not to mention the missed days of work, hotel costs, etc.) The only rental agency open was completely out of vehicles. I ended up canceling both of my scheduled shows and towing the car home.

*Start small and be realistic – If you’re anything like me, you don’t have the resources (or a good reason) to do a fifty-city arena tour. I went out of town on the weekends to places that were within a day’s drive of home. I stayed in decent hotels, and had enough money to have some Mickey D’s now and again. I played coffeehouses and other small venues. I booked nine shows in all (although I didn’t make it to several of them due to the aforementioned car trouble).  I took on what I thought I could realistically pay for and handle the logistics of. Don’t outdo yourself.

*Enjoy the ride. You’ll be outside of your comfort zone. You’ll meet all kinds of interesting folks, and see places you wouldn’t see in your home town. You’ll get a feel for different crowds. I can’t speak for everyone else, but it’s an experience I’m blessed to have had. I highly recommend it.

Stay tuned for more thoughts….thanks for reading, yall!

—-M

Hey everyone! I’m sure you guys thought I fell off the face of the planet, it’s been so long since I posted last. I’ve been super busy with lots of new blessings, and I’m excited to share them with my favorite boys and girls.

Things have been pretty crazy since the beginning of the year. I’m back in college as a graduate student, because I need a few more hours of credit before I can sit for my CPA exam. I’m moving into my very first house, which I am super excited about! The album is so close to being finished I can almost taste it. I asked my good friend Ali (who is also an amazing singer) if she would do some backing vocals and harmonies for my stuff. My songs really needed another voice, and I’m thrilled that she’s working with me. I’m about to start tracking for the next album, which probably sounds a little crazy. I can’t help myself.

I’ve got some goodies in store, a few of which I’ve mentioned before. I’m going to do some videos of me and Sir Mateus (and maybe even a few friends, we’ll see) playing all the songs on the album. I’ve also got a few shows that I’m cooking up. I’ll throw all the details out there when I have them.

There’s one last thing I want to share. Even though this past year has been filled with tremendous blessings that I never thought could happen, there have been a lot of struggles as well. I was going through a rough patch recently that I really didn’t see a way out of. I left it all up to God, and He came through in the most amazing ways. There’s a verse that I’ve been hanging on to that I hope you can hang on to as well. It’s Jeremiah 29:11.

I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

Thank you guys for all your support, your listens, your likes, your reads. I appreciate every bit of help I get. I’m always praying for you guys and thanking God for all the blessings He has sent to me through music. Stay real, and keep rockin. :)

—-M

Hola, boys and girls!

I’m so excited to report that the album is almost finished. I met with Rhandy Simmons of Siesta Ranch Studios a few days ago to start the mastering process. We’re still doing overdubs and other little fixes on all the songs, but they are really starting to come together. I’m so ready to put this album out there and into your hands. It’s been a really tough process. I decided that I wanted to do most of the work on this album myself. I wrote/co-wrote all the songs with Sir Mateus. I played the drums and bass in addition to doing the vocals. (Thank God I had some help from Sir Mateus on the guitars. He’s a way better guitar player than I am.) I did all the engineering and mixing myself. It has really been a huge undertaking and I’m really glad to see it getting closer to the finish line. I really didn’t expect recording this album to take as long as it has. Professional musicians are so blessed, because their job is going to the studio and performing. Maybe one day I can say the same.

I have a lot of things planned for the new year. I can’t wait! I hope everyone had a great holiday. Here’s to a blessed 2012! Keep rockin, my friends. :)

Peace out!

—-M

Hey everyone! I can’t believe how fast time flies. Has it really been a month since my last post? Wow. I think I know what my New Year’s resolution should be: posting more often! So…the album. I’m excited to say that we’re in the home stretch. My goal is to have all the finishing touches put on and the mixing completed by the end of year. Then it’s off to be mastered, and then into your hands! I’m ready for this album to be done. I can’t wait to finally have these songs off my chest. The oldest song on the album was written in 2005, and the newest is probably over a year old. I’m sure some of you are thinking, “What the heck took you so long to do an album?” The answer is, it didn’t feel like the right time until now. During those years, I was out playing shows and playing in bands. I recorded my demo in 2006, and added a few more songs to make it a full-fledged EP in 2008. For a while there, I was on a full-on hiatus from doing my stuff. After my last band broke up, God put it on my heart to put all these songs together and release them. (Coincidentally, my last band is also my current band: we got back together! Miracles DO happen.) It was like He was telling me, “I gave you this gift and these songs…why are you sitting on them? Don’t hide them from people, put them out there!” So, here we are. I’ve got some really neat things planned for the new year. First of course is the album. I’ll be doing some videos of me and my trusty musical partner Sir Mateus playing all the songs from the album to go along with it. Look out, YouTube (or Vimeo…hmm). Also, I’ll be starting work on the next album! It’ll be a collection of some newer songs that didn’t fit my first album, along with some older B-sides…like I said, God’s really kicking my butt about putting it all out there. I’ve already got some ideas stirring for an EP of all-new material after all that stuff is said and done. I can’t wait. I’m so grateful for all you folks who keep up with my music. The one thing that means more than anything else is your support. God bless you guys and dolls! Over and out. :D —-M

The folks over at Resonate News were kind enough to do an interview with yours truly…you can check out the full deal by clicking on the title of this post. Thanks to Raymond at Resonate News, and to all you folks who give it a read. :)

Hey there, boys and ghouls. I know I’ve been MIA lately, so I thought I’d stop in and post.

I’m still working on those top 10 lists I mentioned in my last post…so stay tuned. I’m also still hard at work on my album. I made the tough decision to re-record all of the vocals, because I just wasn’t happy with the way they turned out. Luckily, I’m doing all the recording and stuff myself, so all I have to do is turn on my computer and go for it. Sir Mateus is going to be working on some orchestration and programming to finish everything off. I still feel bad that the album didn’t get finished when I thought it would, but it being the best it can be is way more important than it meeting a deadline. I’m not at the mercy of a record label, so I can take my time with it.

Even though this album isn’t finished, I already have another one in the works. I have a ton of “back catalogue” (aka songs I wrote a while ago that I never did anything with or that I phased out over time) that I really want to put out there. That’s what the next album is going to be all about. It’s going to be called “Outtakes, B-Sides, and Other Supposed Fairy Tales”. I can’t wait to get started on it. I’m really shooting to get my first album done before I start to work on another one!

I also have a side project that I like to call Emberly. It’s just me, playing music…it’s all the ideas I’ve had that didn’t really fit my solo stuff or any of my bands. I recorded an EP last year, and never released it…so I’m polishing it up and putting it out there. I’ve also got another EP’s worth of stuff that’ll be popping up after that. If you get really bored and want to check it out, I have a page on Facebook and a BandCamp, too.

I’m so grateful for all you guys who keep up with me. You really do mean the world. :)

Catch you guys on the flipside! Love, peace, and chicken grease. :D

—-M

Hey there, boys and ghouls…I have really fallen off the wagon with my posting, so I guess I better fill you in on the last few weeks.

I was really looking forward to visiting Hot Springs and Memphis after my awesome weekend in Louisiana. My mom had told me my whole life how much she wanted to go to Graceland, so I decided to take her. We set out on Friday afternoon with a full car and a gas tank to match. We got about forty miles out of Hot Springs when the car started riding rough and the O/D Off light started flashing. Lo and behold, my transmission was toast. We ended up getting towed into Hot Springs, and stayed the night. I want to say a big thanks to Troy Keeton of Keeton’s Garage and Wrecker Service and the Arkansas Highway Patrol for rescuing two damsels in distress out in the middle of nowhere. After getting the car checked out, we pondered our options. We tried to get a rental car to go on our way, but to no avail. We ended up having my car towed back to Texas (a whopping four-hour drive away). I have to give huge thanks to Ray Cobb at Metro Towing & Recovery for going above and beyond to make sure we made it back home. Seriously, if you are ever anywhere in Arkansas and find yourself in a bind, call these guys. They will do whatever it takes to help you out. I also want to shout out to Josh at Fuse Media Lounge in Hot Springs and The Edge Coffeehouse in Memphis. Thank you guys for booking me…I really hope I’ll see you on the next tour!

Fast forward to the following Friday. I had just rented a car to get me and my dear friend and unofficial little bro David to the next two shows. I was on the way to pick David up when the car died in the middle of an intersection. After all the craziness of the previous weekend, I was really starting to wonder if this tour was meant to happen after all. I suppose it was, as we swapped out the car for another rental and got on our way. We played a great set at Generator Coffee in Garland and had another great one at Full Cup Bakery and Cafe in Edmond (props to Trey at Generator and DJ at Full Cup for booking me!) I say we because I had the great honor of having David on percussion. We’ve been friends since high school, and we’ve been in a couple of bands together. I’m blessed to call this dude a friend. We stopped on the way back to visit our friend Leeanna, and then officially called it a weekend.

My very last show on the tour was in The Colony, Texas at Lone Star Coffee Bar. I was blessed to be a part of their one-year anniversary as well as a benefit for a family in need in the area. If you’re ever in this neck of the woods, stop in and see Shane and Susan…they will go out of their way to make you feel at home. There were a ton of great bands and artists there, including my two new friends Emy Taylor and CC Cross. Both of these ladies are incredibly cool and amazingly talented, so check them out! I’m glad I had my shades handy during Emy’s song “Tie Me to an Angel” or everyone would have seen me all teary-eyed, haha. I want to say a big thanks to Matthew the sound dude, who is also the singer of an awesome group called Pearl Street Riot. There were a ton of great musicians playing all day, all of whom you should check out. Here they are: Siren Sea, Mikaela Kahn, Emmeline, G. William Boyd, Rob Jones, and Thieves of Sunrise. Be sure and show them some love. We all played out in the hot sun all day!

Now that it’s all said and done, I’m really glad I did this tour. I guess it’s still technically a tour, since I only went out for the weekends…I still had to come back and navigate my grown-up life during the week. I’m planning on posting a top 10 list of everything that I learned about doing a tour, and a top 10 list of things I learned about recording an album (as soon as I actually get it finished). I want to say thanks to everyone who booked me and helped me out during this tour…your kindness was a tremendous blessing and it truly means the world to me. You guys rock!

Until we meet again, dear friends. Catch you on the flip side!

—-M

Hey there, boys and ghouls. Time for another tour update.

Friday evening, I set off to Shreveport with my oldest and dearest friend Sara in tow. We had dinner at the always awesome Blind Tiger before heading to the Dalzell house. If you’re ever in Shreveport and want to hang out with some really cool people (like Rayvilla the Killa and the awesome merch dude for Griefhound - sorry dude I couldn’t remember your name!), I definitely recommend stopping by Dalzell. Also, if you want to hear some amazing, soft, soulful tunes, check out Chrissy Wise. She is absolutely amazing. I want to make sure and give a big thanks to Dacoda for letting me come play and hang out. I can’t wait to come back again.

After some serious snoozing and swimming, we packed our bags and headed for The Big Easy. We were in awe as we entered the most resilient city in the world. It’s hard to believe that six years ago, New Orleans was completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I can honestly say that I felt a connection in a big way with this city. I’ve always been fascinated by old houses and architecture, and New Orleans has no shortage of either. I have to give a shout to John & Tanya, who played a great set before me. I’m not sure who the two chicas were that played with them, but their cover of The Decemberists was amazing. After playing a great show at Neutral Ground Coffee, we hit up our hotel and then hoofed it down to the French Quarter. We made our way through the Saturday night crowd packing Bourbon Street. Unfortunately, Sara had a bit of a mishap when someone on a balcony throwing beads hit her in the head with some. No worries everyone, she’s just fine. We stopped and talked and prayed with some of the great folks from Raven Street Church who minister on Bourbon Street. It really hit me that our faith is nothing unless we’re out fearlessly sharing it with others.

The next morning, we hit up more of the French Quarter and Jackson Square before we made the long drive back to East Texas. If you’ve never been to Cafe Du Monde, you have to stop in for some of their famous beignets (French donuts). After stocking up on souvenirs for our friends and families, we packed up the car and pointed it towards home.

This weekend was absolutely amazing. I’m so glad I got to bring a great friend with me, and that we got to see two of the coolest cities in the South. Next weekend, I’ll be heading to Hot Springs and Memphis. My mom is coming with me, and I’m excited to show her the sights.

Catch you guys on the flip side! As always, take it real and keep it easy. :)

—-M

Hey everyone!

Day 2 of the tour went a little differently than I thought it would, but I can’t say it went badly.

I woke up after getting a few hours of sleep, packed up, and headed for downtown San Antonio. I walked around for a while, and saw the Alamo and the Riverwalk. I really felt like I left a piece of myself in San Antonio. I felt a real connection with this city, and I can’t wait to visit it again.

After I left San Antonio, I headed to Austin for my show. There had been some miscommunication about the show, so it ended up being called off. Even though the show didn’t happen, I’m excited to visit Austin again soon and I will definitely book another show here next time I go on tour. Since the show was called off, I jetted back to my hotel, grabbed my things, and pointed my car towards home.

I didn’t have anyone to come with me this weekend, and I really felt homesick even after two days of being gone. This is definitely a learning experience, and I learned that I definitely need to have someone with me. Those long hours in the car start to drive you a little crazy without anyone to talk to! I think after this tour is all said and done, I’ll post a blog about all the things I’ve learned. I think a list of things I’ve learned about recording an album is in order as well.

I’m so thankful for all the experiences I’ve had this weekend, and I’m blessed to call a few people new friends and acquaintances. I’ll be at home for a few days, and then it’s back out on the road to Shreveport and New Orleans. I can’t wait!

See you guys on the road. Take it real and keep it easy, y’all. :)

—-M

Hey there, everyone! I decided I’ve keep a daily blog during the tour, so here it is.

The first part of the trip down here (aka from Tyler to San Antonio) seemed to fly by. The second part of the trip seemed to drag on for what felt like an eternity. I finally made it here and played, and I met some really great folks while I was at it.

First and foremost, I have to thank Rubin at G.I.G. on the Strip for all his help and awesomeness. I had the privilege of playing with some really amazing folks tonight, and I hope you guys will show them some support. First of all, we have Emily Frankie. This fabulous girl plays piano and sings, and her beautiful (and sometimes funny) songs will keep you coming back for more. Next up, I want to mention Who For Us. These guys have an amazing jazzy/soul sound, and their eighteen minute-long jam could have gone on way longer as far as I’m concerned. Last but certainly not least, we have Reverie Control. These guys call themselves San Antonio’s best garage rock band, and they certainly deserve the title!

It’s now almost three in the morning, and I’m sitting here in my hotel room about to fall asleep on my computer. I guess I better sign out for tonight. I hope tomorrow goes as great as today did. I’m planning on checking out the Alamo and the Riverwalk before I bid adieu to this lovely city.

Catch you guys on the flip side! Much love as always.

—-M

Hey there, boys and ghouls.

I just wanted to share with you guys how excited I am about my tour. It kicks off on July 1st and wraps up on July 30th. I’ll be stopping in around Texas, and visiting Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. If you live close enough to any of the shows, I hope you can make it there! I would love to meet some new people and make some new friends. I’ll even have free stickers for everyone! Once they’re gone, they’re gone…so be sure to come out and get one.

There is one bit of news I need to share. As some of you guys know, someone very near and dear to me was very sick recently. By the grace of God, I’m thrilled to report that she is alive and kicking today. While she was sick, I spent every free moment visiting her and helping her out. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. That being said, I’ve decided to delay the release of the album just a bit longer so it can be the best it can possibly be. I had always planned for it to be done before the tour, but God had other plans and His plans are always perfect. Right now, I’m working on a way for the folks who check me out on tour to get a discount on the album once it’s out and for sale. If that doesn’t work, I’ll rustle up some bonus tracks or something to make it all worthwhile for the wait.

I’m excited to hit the road and see you guys out there. Until then, keep rockin! Heart you all.

—-M

Hey out there!

I know I haven’t posted in a while, so I thought I’d pop in for a quick minute and tell everyone how things are going.

First and foremost, I’m so grateful to all of you folks who were praying for and sending good thoughts to my boyfriend’s mom. She’s back at home and doing well.

The countdown to the album being finished has begun. We shot all the album art yesterday, and I’ll be sending off for the posters, stickers, buttons, and cards later this week. The album will be going out on the 22nd for printing and all that good stuff, and it’ll be back just in time for the tour.

I also want to talk to you guys for a second about something really important. I’m not apologetic or shy about telling folks that I believe in God. That being said, I know a lot of folks have a really negative image of Christians. I’ve made it my mission in life to show people and tell them what being a follower of Christ is really all about. I bet a lot of folks would be surprised about what’s true and what’s just a bad stereotype or misconception. If you have questions about having faith in God and what that really means, please ask me! I’m always more than happy to talk about it.

On that note, I want to thank you guys again for catching up with me. See you on the road!

—-M

Hey there, boys and ghouls :) I hope you’re all doing well.

I haven’t stopped in in quite a while, so I thought I would drop in for a bit. The album is coming along quite nicely. I’ve gotten bass and drums all locked in over the past few weeks. Next up on the menu: guitars.

Right now, I feel like life is sort of on hold because my boyfriend’s mom is in the hospital. Until my other mother is feeling better, the album and everything else is on hold.

I always like to post about organizations I support, and this post is no exception. If you haven’t heard about I Am Second, boogie on over to www.iamsecond.com and check it out. Basically, their goal is to show people that God is first and we are second (hence the name). I’m doing some work with them coming up and I’m really excited about spreading the word.

Thank y’all for hanging out with me long enough to read this post. It really does mean the world. Rawk!

—-M

P.S. Tour dates coming soon!!!

Studio Update 4-2-11

Howdy, boys and girls. Hope you’re all doing well. Here’s what I’ve been up to.

First off, since the last time I posted there was a tragedy in Japan. First, they were hit by the fifth-biggest earthquake of the last century. Next, a massive tsunami triggered by the earthquake devastated the northeastern coast. As if that weren’t enough, a large nuclear plant had a partial meltdown that has been declared a bigger disaster than Three Mile Island. There are millions without power, water, or food. They need our help. You can help out the victims in Japan by texting REDCROSS to 90999. This will donate ten dollars to the Red Cross to help bring help to those in need in Japan. I donated, and you should too. For a more diverse list of charities taking donations for Japan, check out this article from The Guardian UK.

In other news, I have officially started tracking drums for the album. I’m so excited to finally be doing an album. I’m recording it all myself (with some help from my best friend and musical partner in crime, Sir Mateus) and it’s really a personal challenge for me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but never really had the time or inclination to go through with it…so here I am, doing it. I can’t wait to get it done and out there for you guys. I hope you like it. :)

I also just put up a BandCamp site where you can purchase CD’s and merch from yours truly. I’m still working on getting it all set up, but you can check it out at mirandaday.bandcamp.com. Stay tuned.

Thanks again for checking in. Remember to keep rockin! Peace, y’all. :)

—-M

What’s up, everyone? Just thought I’d pop in for an update. :)

I’ve been checking out some new bands lately, and I thought I’d share them with you guys. Three of my top faves are Hey Monday, The Pretty Reckless, and VersaEmerge. Whether you like pop-punk, grungy alternative, or experimental rock with a post-hardcore feel, you’re sure to find something that pleases you.

As for my music, we’re pretty much done with the demo phase…now we’re on to the real hard work, which is doing the actual tracking for the stuff that’s actually going to make it into your hands. It’s going to be a ton of work, but most definitely worth it in the end. I’m just ready for it to be done and out there!

I hope my little note finds all you dear readers happy and hopeful. As Journey would say, don’t stop believin’.

Over and out. :D

—-M