When I was a kid, I loved Solid Gold--the dance show hosted by Dionne Warwick (you know--Whitney Houston's cousin...). My mom used to have this gold lamé blazer in her closet. I used to sneak in, before the show came on, slip the jacket off the dry cleaner's hanger and out from under its plastic cover, and put it on to dance around in it, during the opening credits. Then I'd sneak the jacket back on the hanger before getting caught. (I still have no idea where my mom was during all of this.) Now that I'm all grown up, I have my own gold jacket... I've been wearing it while lifting my gold weights, just to get that nostalgic feel and to "pump myself up" for the America Idol audition line. This morning I noticed that my weights say "Super Star" on them. I think it's yet another sign...
Hot or Not?
Ok, I'll admit it. I'm getting nervous. The thing is, even if I'm first in line at the auditions, I may not get an audition. The producers have to pick me out of the line and I have a hunch that looks play a big role. So... I posted a recent pic of me singing on Hot or Not, to see how other perfect strangers would respond.. I figured "what happens on the net stays on the net," you know... I'm online, you're online, let's network... So I put up my digital photo (ok, ok, so I admit it's a bit dark...) and I'm waiting for the verdict. Feel free to vote. Thanks!
Dancin' With Myself
I'm back in SF, today, but I couldn't leave home without doing some last-minute musicological research. I finally watched the Lizzie McGuire movie in which Hillary Duff plays two characters and sings with herself on stage. Ironically, I'd popped in the DVD just after watching a TV special on the Carpenters and their use of overdubbing. I'm really excited to learn about all these performance-enhancing technologies and I hope I'll get my 15 minutes of overdubbing, some day soon... Speaking of Karen Carpenter, there's a woman who understands audition dieting. I don't want to go to that extreme, though. RIP, Karen. My friend Sanjay recommends that I sing her Superstar or Rainy Days & Mondays, for my audition. Keep the tips coming, people. They are grrrreat!
Boob Tube
Wow. I never knew how much quality music-related programming was on television! I don't have cable at home (remember--"she works hard for the money," which means I'm never home to watch the tube), but being home with my family, I cannot even tell you how many hours I've spent in front of the TV. For someone looking to break into the pop world, I was way behind on my music videos, my reality TV, and even my rock history--thank you, VH1! :) Speaking of TV, I sent a few letters to David Letterman, just to ask him what he thinks I should wear & sing, come October (MY primaries...), but I haven't heard back from him...
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...?
She works hard for the...
Download she_works_hard_4tha.wav
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."
Let the Training Begin!!!
Hi, there. So I started keeping this diary before I registered this blog, which means that the posts below are a little outdated & they are coming to you in one post, but here it is...
FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2004
Today is a GREAT day. My band had a concert, last night, and it seemed to go pretty well. On one of the songs I got a bit nervous (we had debated doing it and there were some pretty complicated cues for my bandmate to follow) and my voice warbled, but I received so much great feedback. I was also nervous because it was the first time that I’d invited many of my friends to hear me sing, but they all said such flattering things and even today some have called & e-mailed saying things like "Wow, it was a great surprise to know that you could sing like that." I’ve tended to keep my musical life private (I’ve been singing in choirs & bands since I was 9) but lately I want to make it a much bigger part of my life.
But this good feedback isn’t the biggest reason that today is such a great day. Today is SUCH a great day because something I’ve been wishing for forever has finally happened... They raised the age limit for auditioning for American Idol!!!
I couldn’t get much done at work, today. All I could think about was auditioning for Idol. I’ve been a closet Idol junkie since before it came to the US. I lived in London when Pop Idol was a huge hit and I’ve been glued to the screen ever since--even for the Junior edition! So it is thrilling to me to think that I might now, at age 27, have a chance to audition for the show. Afterall, I’ve gotten pretty settled into my life as an art critic & curator, which I love, but I’ve always regretted not pursuing music. Of course, this means that I need to begin training immediately because the San Francisco auditions are less than three months away, on October 5.
I really need to work on my voice with a coach and I feel like I need help in other areas, too... To become a true American Idol, I need a bit of a makeover--hair, physique, complexion, wardrobe... all of these are on my checklist, now.
As of today, I am officially in training. I will post regular updates here...
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004
Ok, so I’ve had an evening to sleep on it. I am SO excited about training for the audition, but there is a strong possibility that I won’t even get one... The Idol website says that SF auditioners can get in line as of 6am, on October 4, but being in line on time, even being first in line, does not guarantee that I will get an audition. (Check out the photo of the long audition line that I found on the Idol website!) The producers will walk up and down the line and pick people out based on their appearance, style, and singing ability. I really need to work on all of the above, then. And my goal, now, is to even GET an audition, let alone make it to the final 10... And I’m really dwelling on what my audition song will be, though I’m eager to discuss it with a trainer.
SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2004
I haven’t done much, in the way of training, today, and I’m feeling pretty guilty. Of course, I am singing in every free second, but I still have not found a vocal coach and I put off going to the gym. I'll never get an audition if I don't change my metabolism! :)
I had lunch with a musician I respect and talked about getting together to play music, along with some other musicians whom we like, but I feel a bit conflicted about this. Should I focus on my solo training? Will "jamming" with others take away from that, or is it all good for my voice & understanding of music? I just enjoy singing so much and there is nothing in the world like the high of falling into synch with other musicians.
After lunch I decided to rent a DVD of a 1979 Blondie concert (in Glasgow), to see if I can pick up any tips on performing live or looking like a pop star. Debby Harry is so amazing. Of course she is famous for having a certain sense of style and attitude, but she can truly sing and I so look up to her. I can’t believe that I was only two years old when she gave this performance--which, by the way, is great. Perhaps it’s the rebirth of 80s fashion, but I can’t help but notice that we have almost the same hair & fashion sense. (I’d love to recreate her outfit for a music video!) I wish that, alone, would bring me closer to being pulled out of the lineup and into an audition...
