Once upon a time there was a little girl, she always wanted to be like everyone else, she had the brownest eyes hair so soft as wool, no one ever told her she was beautiful..
Those are the first few lines of my song BEAUTIFUL and those where the first words that came to me before the song eventually developed into two verses chorus and a bridge.
People have told me that my songs come across like lullabies.
I tend to deal with serious issues using the simplest words possible and I think when people listen to my new project, they will get that sense in most of the songs.
With BEAUTIFUL, I now see it as a lullaby I would sing to my younger self.
We live in a world and a society where beauty or what is seen as beautiful fits into certain molds and anything outside that is considered NOT BEAUTIFUL.
So this is a story of a girl who grew up wanting to be like everyone else. Wanting someone else's hair, eyes, skin.... simply because though she was never called ugly she was never called BEAUTIFUL.
So she goes on living life looking for love in all the wrong places, looking for affirmation with other people... silently SCREAMING LOOK AT ME!! ME!!
Then one day she looks in the mirror...
Isn't it amazing how you hear or see something you've always read or looked at and something jumps out at you it all becomes crystal clear, it's like you are seeing it for the very first time.
yeah! she looked in the mirror and she said "hold on a minute, I AM BEAUTIFUL I Love my hair, I love my nose, I LOVE MY SKIN"
I have tried to put the idea of being comfortable in my skin in this one song "BEAUTIFUL" and when I feel down and feel less than beautiful, I will go back and listen to remind myself that I AM BEAUTIFUL and SO ARE YOU
A few months ago before I even started recording the vocals for my project 'Pen Voyage Chapter 1; Singing for Change, I knew I wanted to plan a mini tour and I also knew I wanted to take the tour to Toronto. Not sure why but I just liked the idea of carrying my guitar on back and going to a different country and sharing my songs.
As soon as the idea started to take shape in my mind, I got on the internet (thank God for Google right?) and began searching for live music venues and got down to the business of introducing myself.
"... I am a British singer songwriter and would like to play at your AMAZING venue, please check out my music here...."
The emails and responses came rushing in, I couldn't keep up with the calls and emails asking me to come play....right? HELL to the NO!!
But, not one to give up, I started looking for Canadian Singers & Songwriters on twitter (twitter has been amazing to me, I tell ya) it was on twitter that I met Kim Jarrett and Brent Smith (see my last blog 'HELP comes')
Taking one step of faith after another isn't the easiest thing but my thoughts were... if I don't do it now, when?
I booked my ticket and with one confirmed 30 minute slot on Kim's Sunday evening show at Spirits Bar and Grill in downtown Toronto, I got on the 8 hour flight and made up my mind to have a blast no matter what.
One gig became two and then five! yep FIVE! As I played from one venue to the next I did just that... had a blast. It's amazing how music unites people. People who I would have otherwise never met or spoken to, I got to meet and share stages and spaces with.
To say it was all filled with exciting emotions would be a lie. Some nights I questioned my reasons for coming out to a place and scene where no one knew me or my music. I doubted and second guessed myself on some nights BUT in all, I learnt a bit more about myself and others. More importantly, I got to appreciate my growth as an artist.
After ten days and nights and it was time to head back home, I was so proud of myself and I should be!
PEN VOYAGE CHAPTER 1; SINGING FOR CHANGE is out on Friday the 30th of September
Yesterday I was privileged to support a friend on his journey.
Breis is a Nigerian Hip Hop Rap artist, writer, education creative consultant and entrepreneur based in the UK and yesterday was the official launch of his first book, Brilliant Rappers Educate Intelligent Students.
Apart from the great vibe of the whole night, what stood out was that everyone present were not only there to witness and share the moment with Breis but were or have been in one way or another an inspiration, help, encouragement along his journey. Breis also made a note of how he's been blessed with people to help him along the way.
No man is an island.
I got back from my tour in Toronto yesterday morning and I can't but be grateful to the guys that helped me make the trip possible. It's amazing how God connects you with people and the help you need at the appropriate time.
Canadian Singer Songwriter Kim Jarrett
Brent from STAGETRAILERS
I had one gig confirmed before I got on the plane I ended up playing five!! I COULD NOT have done that without help.
Help showing up in unexpected places is one of the things I'm learning on this journey...
So... as you go about your day(s) I pray all the help you need comes your way. All of the universe is working together to help you as you go about inspiring and helping others. SOMEONE is always rooting for ya! :)
You can buy Breis' new book here http://www.studentoflife.co.uk/?product=brilliant-rappers-educate-intelligent-students
My first experience of Greenbelt Festival was a couple of years ago as tour manager for Muyiwa & Riversongz and I remember really liking the whole vibe of the festival. The music, the talks, the really lovely people.... I kept going on and on to whoever cared to listen.
Few years on, Creativity is out camping again at the Cheltenham Racecourse from Thursday to Monday and I am featured as an artist on one of those days!
I was excited when my slot was confirmed at the performance cafe. It's an intimate venue that sits 400 people.
I love playing in intimate spaces.
Apart from the fact that I believe my music and performance style is most suited to intimate spots, I love the idea of people sitting down to listen to me play or tell my stories and that's why I love playing in cafes and pubs.
I was however nervous because this was the first largest crowd I would be playing to as a solo artist. I sat though Musical Bridge Projects' set and realised that though the performance cafe is a large space it does have that intimate feel and I felt right at home.
Blessed to be sharing the stage with some of the best creative people out there (in my opinion) and I am not sure I will ever get used to people coming up to me to tell me how they love my music or how one of my songs has touched them. I can never get used to THAT!
My Singing for Change tour is coming to an end here in Toronto and I'll be heading back home to the UK in a couple of days.
My album Pen Voyage Chapter 1; Sing for Change is OUT on Friday 30th September
