Taking a peek at how many of you are checking in on this site, every day, I just have to say thanks for the support. Every Person In Training (PIT) needs a good Pit Crew, so muchas gracias. I am going to take a brief respite from my intensive training, as I am currently in "upstate" California dealing with a death in the family, but more updates will be forthcoming, in the next few days. Not to worry, I've not stopped humming. For better or for worse, I've got all my family member's favorite Barbra Streisand songs stuck in my head... And I watched her favorite Paul McCartney DVD, last night, so the old brain has not stopped picking up performance-enhancing tips... Thanks, again.
I Need A Miracle
For those who don't remember seeing the signs of the ticketless hoping to see their idols, please forgive the Dead Head reference... I've been thinking how sad it is that American Idol is not being broadcast, right now, just so that I can get my fix and take some notes. There is, however, a Pop-Tart-sponsored Idol Tour crossing the nation as I type. Tonight it's Grand Rapids; tomorrow Detroit. On September 26th, it will be San Jose, the tour stop closest to me. Sadly, tickets are a whopping $45, which is just so much for a gal to pay out, especially when she's on a training budget. (I've got Crest White Strips to buy, outfits to select, and voice lessons to pay for!) I don't suppose anyone's got an extra ticket...?
You Can Do It--Put Your Back Into It...
Last night my friend Ian Treasure (can you see how I'm practicing name-dropping, for when it counts?) took me to see Delays, at Bottom of the Hill. It seems these four young men are at the top of the Indie Charts, back where Ian is from--"across the pond" in the parlance of Idol's creators... They were reported to be quite good and I thought that seeing 4 Brits would soften me up for Simon Cowell. Well, their harmonies were quite brilliant (more Brit parlance), and actually a bit pretty. At one point in the show I was struck with an epiphany. I know exactly how Delays got to the top of the charts... They use the All-Star Shoulder Technique. That's right, the ASST. It's when a musician leads with her shoulders. Surely you've seen it before. Sometimes they rock from side to side, slowly pushing the left, and then the right, shoulder towards the mic. Other times they use a gentle sawing motion, with one shoulder, pushing it in, pulling it out, again and again. I got home around 12:45am and practiced this technique until about 2am. (Thankfully there was an Oprah "encore presentation" on for me to watch while sawing...)
SWF Seeks Trainer
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Well, I've waited long enough. I posted an ad for a trainer and I went to the Haight Ashbury Music Center, around the corner from my house, to get recommendations. I'm looking for someone with that extra touch--someone who can whip me into shape and mould me into a star. Feel free to post referrals. I will make my decision soon.
Share the Love
It may not seem like it, given all my posts about wardrobe & physique, but song selection is weighing heavily on my mind. Everyone has a different idea about what I should sing--something old, something new, something borrowed, something whateva... My good friend Alison Pebworth , who recently heard me tear a Hank Williams song into a Cyndi Lauperish duet says I should do something like that, again, to stand out. Sounds smart. What to do? I'm still accepting tips. Marcia's Janis Joplin tip was a good one, too--thanks!
Meanwhile, my buddy Paul Ahern has me addicted to the band Metric! Emily Haines's voice is stellar! Check out their videos... I kind of want to do something like their "Combat Baby," but I fear it might get lost...
Practice Makes Perfect
Yesterday I was away from the internet, all day, so I tried to use the experience as preparation for the technologically-removed state in which I'll find myself while at audition camp. I tried sending an update from my mobile phone and it didn't work--gasp!
I was at an art fair, all day, but I spotted some black curtains and seized the opportunity to practice making grand entrances, on-stage. Letterman here I come!!!
Eat To Compete
Today is an exciting day, already. This morning I met with a nutritionist (the fabulous Nicole Britvan, for the locals who are looking), and she gave me tons of good advice. I recently switched from a lacto-ovo diet to a vegan one, to get in shape for the audition line but I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything dumb. I'm not one of those gals who believes in updating strangers on her weightloss, but let me tell you, the Training Diet is in full effect and it's working. Yay! And Nicole gave me some great tips, not only on what to eat in general but what to eat while camping out. Despite my fear of the "competition" getting ahold of these edgeworthy tips, I'll let you know that she recommends Lara Bars, snackbars that are only fruit & nuts (no preservatives, corn syrup, etc), and ironically enough they are made by a company called Humm. I think it is a sign.
She works hard for the...
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I've just completed my first week of training and most people seem to think this is a joke. Even my good friends do not believe I am going to audition. The truth is... I don't know if I WILL audition. What I do know is that I am training 24/7 to try to GET an audition. This is the fine line that I am walking. And if those producers don't pull me out of the line, it's all over. That's why I have to "Be the Idol," as they say in the parlance of the Idolitioners.
Take, for instance, my choice of wardrobe, this evening. I knew I'd be getting my hands dirty at an art fair in which my gallery participates, but I strapped on those stilettos, I pulled up those long, black, beaded, satin gloves, and I drilled my heart out. Because I am in training and I mean business. Go Mo! (This is my new mantra--stay tuned for the t-shirt offers...)
Do blisters count?
Ask any guitarist and she'll tell you that all good musicians have callouses... So, for the last 36 hours I have been wearing stilettos to do everything--climb steep sf streets, water my plants, grocery shop, etc. Last night I went over to Oakland to do some laps on the cobblestone around Jack London Square, then I slept in the heels, just so my feet would get used to having them there. Afterall, I'll have to camp out in them, come October. I have no calluses yet, but if the blisters are any indication, I'm well on my way to being a "good musician."
Ouch....
Ok. So in an effort to get the Gwen Stefani abs that one clearly needs to get an audition (if not to get a callback!), I did 600 crunches on my hardwood floor, last night. There was barely any room, anyway, with my head butting against my bedroom wall and my feet tucked under my bed... Now my tailbone is bruised....
I guess beauty comes at a price. Fortunately, I was able to practice "row row row your boat" over 100 times!
ps It's been over 6 months since I've done over 30 crunches.
pps Not counting last night, I have only done 31 crunches in the last year.
