tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:/blogs/laura-marie-blogs?p=2
Laura Marie Blogs
2023-09-14T09:57:04-05:00
lauramariemusic, Atma Prema Pub. BMI
Rough demos of Laura Marie's song assignment songs from the Global Songwriters Group.
Song blog
Laura Marie
false
Laura Marie
info@lauramariemusic.com
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/7273335
2023-09-14T09:57:04-05:00
2023-10-16T09:45:02-05:00
We All Know a Danny Masterson
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60300/90936615b7e19f4bacea224f23dac1eaed3073bd/original/70s.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The thing about the 70s, speaking as a child of the 70s, is that we didn't talk about sexual assault. But, since the beloved characters who awakened our nostalgia for those days of blissful unawareness and willful ignorance are in the news because of it, let's discuss. </p><p>The most recent stats report 1 in 6 women in the U.S. have experienced a completed or attempted rape (NSV Resource Center). With so many survivors, we all likely know someone who has suffered. It follows that we all must know someone who has coerced, drugged, or forced themselves on another, even if we aren't aware of such past or present behavior.</p><p>The MeToo movement and open discussion about consent are relatively new things. Holding people accountable for assault, harassment, coercion, or non-consensual touch is essential to a healthy society. Still, until recently, justice served to wealthy, influential men was not a frequent occurrence. Accountability and justice are welcome change, but change is a long and challenging process, and we are in the thick of it.</p><p>I use the term predator because it can cover numerous abuses. I have issues with terms like groomer, especially with people wielding it against the LGBTQ+ community. So, I'm going to take a moment to point out that it was my friends in the LGBTQ+ community who normalized conversations about consent for me and many people. Such discussions have positively impacted sexual assault prevention and accountability for such crimes. So, no, no one is protecting anyone by throwing the term groomer around to justify bigotry. We actually have the LGBTQ+ community to thank for pushing conversations about consent forward. </p><p>Before I knew I had a right to consent, I already had a wealth of experience with predators. In my life, there was a teacher, a manager, a co-worker, a neighbor, a chef, a musician, a stagehand, a former police officer, and more who turned out to be predators. Incidentally, they all fit neatly into a hetero-binary box. They look like anyone because they can be anyone.</p><p>For every person a predator has assaulted, harassed, or coerced, numerous acquaintances, friends, and family members know NOTHING about their criminal behavior. A predator hides it carefully. The more cunning make it a point to groom (*sigh*) character witnesses too. They aren't predators to everyone. They are often people in a position of being role models. The most violently abusive person I've ever known was Johnny-on-the-spot at every church function. They hide in plain sight and very upstanding, respectable places. </p><p>Living with and working through the trauma of sexual harassment, molestation, and assault, I've thought about what I would do if someone accused a friend or acquaintance of such a crime. Survivors can be hyper-attuned to signs of abuse but can also have glaring blind spots. I've spoken with friends and fellow survivors about this because I know I've missed signs. We all have. </p><p>Are you a well-intentioned, trustworthy person? Are you loyal to your friends? You should know predators will befriend people like you and borrow your credibility. Being a well-intentioned, trustworthy, and loyal friend means you don't quickly abandon those you've grown to love, even in the worst circumstances. That's what makes you such a good friend for anyone to have. That's who you want to be. </p><p>I was deeply uncomfortable reading the letters Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote to the court about Danny Masterson. I understood them to be advocates for victims, and their words did not come across that way in that context. But even as a survivor of the same crime, I was not angry at them for writing those letters. I wholeheartedly believe Masterson deserves to go to prison, and from what I read and heard, his friends said nothing to contest the verdict. Still, I wish they would have written something different, something more aligned with survivors. But a huge part of my discomfort came from understanding the position they were in and how the public would receive their words. </p><p>We all think about what we would do if a person raped someone we love. We don't often think about what we would do if someone we loved was the one who did it. What do we do when a lifelong friend and the justice we advocate for are at odds? I've had to think about that a lot in recent years. The more we hold people accountable (and we should), the more likely we'll have to deal with that conflict. </p><p>What if someone accused your dearest friend or spouse? Would you denounce them at the moment of accusation? What if the incident happened before you knew them or before they addressed an addiction? Several famous and beloved artists fall into that category. Hardly anyone discusses their guilt. Few remember their traumatized victims. What if your friend or family member claims complete innocence or their child or spouse approaches you, pleading for help, afraid of losing their husband or father? I have relied on so many friends who've helped me face and overcome the worst of myself. Would I flat-out refuse them in their time of need? So many circumstances could make it challenging to know where I'd stand.</p><p>I write none of this to say I agree with what Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote in those letters. Were I in their position, I may have decided to write about who Masterson was in my experience, but I don't think I could bring myself to plead for leniency. But I say that as a survivor that crime, living with that trauma and how it has impacted every facet of my life. And I say that having no real connection to Masterson's family or anyone involved in this case. But every time I think it through, putting myself in their position, I find it unreasonable to expect his dearest friends, no matter who they are or what they represent to the public, to handle a situation perfectly when I know I would struggle with it. </p><p>I understand the urge to cancel people we put on a pedestal when they fall short of our expectations, to insist that the way we’d handle the situation from our perspective is the only acceptable way to handle it, but it’s not that simple. I won’t be cancelling those who were asked by Danny’s family to speak to who he was in their experience, especially those who have used and will continue to use their resources to help abuse victims. Their efforts are still valid and survivors need more of those efforts. There are too many Danny Mastersons in this world. We have to realize that the impact of holding them accountable will eventually reach our own social circles if it hasn't already. When it does, we'll each have to decide how to respond. We'll have to decide, knowing people will make assumptions about our character based on our decision. The choice may seem simple from a distance, but when we’re talking about real relationships, it rarely is. And our decisions have to sit right… not with the public but with our souls, in light of the people we love and those who love us.</p><p>There are much more important discussions than picking Danny Masterson's friends and family apart. He is in jail, and I can't imagine Kunis and Kutcher intended to hurt anyone, not with their track record. The consequences they suffer do not equate to justice for victims; the backlash isn't healing anything. It may make some feel righteous for a time, but it doesn’t right any wrong. We should be learning from this experience and not how to avoid public backlash or cancellation. The most important thing we can learn is that we need to prepare for our own conflicts ahead. It's time to consider how we're going to handle a long overdue reckoning when it comes to our door. </p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/7177943
2023-03-24T11:01:43-05:00
2023-06-26T15:02:25-05:00
My Ignorance
<p><span>I should be posting about my upcoming EP and book (Save the date: May 26th!), how much the material means to me, the time and effort it took to produce, and how I want it to change the world, but today, I want to tell you about my ignorance. </span><br><br><span>When I was a kid, I heard a lot of Aggie jokes. Not from my parents but from other adults around me. Jokes about how dumb the Aggies were. My parents didn't enforce this idea in any way, but my father was a U.T. fan, so Longhorns = good, Aggies = bad based on my limited understanding of the situation. </span><br><br><span>Harmless, right? </span><br><br><span>I'm not dumb, but I was ignorant about A&M for most of my youth. I had no pressing reason to seek further information until it was time to choose a college. By that time, I understood that A&M was a great university and perfect for what I wanted to study (marine biology). I even attended a Summer program at the campus in Galveston, but I couldn't bring myself to choose it. There were several factors, but mostly, it just didn't "feel" right. I went to U.T. </span><br><br><span>This is how denigration works. Jokes of ridicule and generalizations that presume something negative played repeatedly in the background seep into the subconscious. They inform our "gut feeling," our intuition, and affect how we respond to ideas, people, and the world around us. </span><br><br><span>Without personal experience or qualifying knowledge, we act according to instincts informed by the persistent messaging we receive from society, friend groups, church communities, work environments, etc. We consciously choose some influences, but most we don't, and it takes intentional effort to learn beyond that messaging. </span><br><br><span>Persistent negative messaging is how atrocities and cruelties against " different " people seem justified. That's not an exaggeration. Messaging is where it starts. </span><br><br><span>This is what led to people standing by while indigenous families were murdered for their presumed savagery, why Asian people from numerous countries became victims of hate crimes during the pandemic, and why people of color are often assumed guilty or dangerous and not regarded by some as "American" even when we are, how immigrants and refugees are labeled rapists and drug dealers, why "uncontrollable" women were burned as witches, why Muslims were feared to be terrorists and members of the LGBTQ community labeled groomers... on and on and on. This is our world's "one lesson learned on repeat." </span><br><br><span>Fear of the unknown is understandable, but it's no excuse for persecution of any group when knowledge is available. </span><br><br><span>Right now, the Texas Senate has advanced a bill to block gender-affirming care for minors. </span><br><br><span>What is gender-affirming care? </span><br><span>It is counseling, resources to assist with gender presentation, speech therapy, and, yes, medical interventions. </span><br><br><span>It's not just surgeries. Surgeries are rare for anyone under the age of 18. Some surgeries (usually above the belt) can happen as young as 15. Still, criteria are in place, including multiple evaluations over a required amount of time from qualified medical and mental health providers who follow guidelines supported by qualified leading healthcare organizations and informed by research. If you Google for research, you gotta at least scroll past the "sponsored" posts at the top. C'mon now. </span><br><br><span>If you think that no one under the age of 18 should have any gender-affirming care, consider a few scenarios: </span><br><span>A teenage boy who develops breasts</span><br><span>A teenage girl with a pronounced adam's apple</span><br><span>An infant born with both sex organs or ambiguous genitals </span><br><br><span>Surgeries and therapies will happen in these instances with apparent risks because parents who have resources and fear their child will suffer severe mental distress from bullying or become victims of hate crimes because they are assumed to be trans will seek gender-affirming care. </span><br><br><span>And puberty blockers? </span><br><span>For those experiencing severe emotional distress due to gender dysphoria, pausing puberty can prevent self-harm and give them time to explore options before making permanent decisions. This is a non-permanent and reversible option to help a teen experiencing gender dysphoria. And criteria must be met over time, with clearance from qualified medical providers, informed consent from the parents, and ongoing therapy and medical care. </span><br><br><span>Yes, treatments have risks. I took anxiety medication as a teenager because I could not function due to mental distress. Unfortunately, I had side effects from that medication that resulted in life-threatening self-harm. There are risks for all sorts of interventions that need to be weighed against the risks of providing no care at all. That's why decisions about the well-being of trans kids should be made by their informed families and qualified doctors, not state politicians who regularly vilify those seeking care. </span><br><br><span>And this is not just about trans kids. Other states are moving to block gender-affirming care for ALL ages and "eradicate" trans people from public life (their words). Politicians are also working to block discussion, study, acknowledgment, rights, and protection for all members of the LGBTQ community. The former president has vowed to block all gender-affirming care by executive order should he be re-elected. </span><br><br><span>Trans people exist. They are friends, neighbors, and loved ones just like anyone else. At least consider them a source of qualified information and hear them and their families out before supporting those who will strip them of life-saving and affirming support. </span><br><br><span>Have a great weekend, yall! :)</span><br><br><span>P.S. This post is not an invitation to defend your stance against gender-affirming care by private messaging me. I do not speak for the trans community. I sought information from the community and qualified medical organizations, and you can too. If you call it abuse, you call many of my friends and loved ones abusers with a profound ignorance of their situations. I have no intention of entertaining that. Unkind or disrespectful commentary may be deleted. </span><br> </p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/7085191
2022-10-20T11:19:38-05:00
2022-10-20T17:51:27-05:00
An Update
<p>TW: mental health, Lyme disease, autoimmune disease </p>
<p>This year has not been very productive which has been frustrating for me and confusing for those who were expecting me to release new music this year. I apologize for the confusion and I wasn't really sure how much I should share. I don't blame anyone for losing patience. I've been there as well. And I'm very grateful to those who have reached out to ask why. Your concern means a lot to me. </p>
<p>The diagnosis was up in the air for a while and I didn’t really know how to talk about it publicly and wasn’t in a state of mind to do so, so that’s why, if you follow me on social media, I’ve been so vague about it. Over the years I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroid disorder, PTSD, and OCD. I’ve been pretty open about struggling with anxiety and depression as well and all these things factor in so that’s why I mention them now. </p>
<p>Early in the year I started not feeling well both physically and mentally. I had gut issues, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, oxygen hunger, spasms in my throat, joint pain, vision problems, unexpected weight loss, severe panic attacks, rage, and paranoia. I had a mini black out on stage at the end of a gig and almost fainted a couple of times so I got really freaked out about performing, especially if Pete (my husband) was unable to go with me. </p>
<p>I had a number of tests done and some indicated that I might have Lyme disease so I was referred to infectious disease and put on antibiotics. While I was waiting for my referral, I started a program under the care of a functional medicine doc to reduce inflammation in my body. My antibodies had been high and the program really helped. I also started working with a therapist who specializes in trauma therapy for women and began EMDR treatments with her which worked wonders on my panic attacks and my overall state of mind. </p>
<p>I am very fortunate to work with some amazing practitioners and did all the things: acupuncture, biofeedback therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy specific to OCD, meditation, sauna, autoimmune protocol diet, fitness training, breathing exercises, somatic exercise. Some of these things were little to no cost, some had higher price tags. I wish all of them were accessible to everyone because they all helped. </p>
<p>Progress was one step forward, two steps back for a while. I was on more than one course of antibiotics and that took a toll on my body as well. At this point, after conferring with all the doctors including infectious disease, the consensus is that I may have had Lyme markers from a previous tick bite and may have been suffering from another tick borne illness that mimics Lyme but that Lyme is not currently the issue and my autoimmune disorder is. </p>
<p>I know people with Lyme and I know there is controversy about the existence of chronic Lyme. That’s not something I want to debate because I’m still recovering and, though I’m in a good mental space right now, I don’t want to fuel any anxiety for myself or my friends who have been diagnosed with Lyme and are doing their best to stay positive about their future. </p>
<p>My doctors and I have concluded that there was a perfect storm of autoimmune issues, stress from *gestures at the world*, a particularly triggering event that I can’t discuss at this time (sorry to be vague again but legal things take time), hormonal shifts from peri-menopause, and a possible reaction to my thyroid medication and/or hormone supplementation. I was in a really dark spiral for a while but had and have a great support system around me of friends, family, and some really compassionate practitioners. </p>
<p>The good news is that I'm writing again and finishing the book that is to accompany my EP Too Sweet: Songs for Setting Boundaries. I'm incredibly proud of this project. The EP was finished just as I was getting sick but the book was still being written. It's amazing to me how much the process of physical and mental healing enhanced the book. It's a deep dive into how I learned to set healthy boundaries after a lifetime of having little to none, the result of being sexually abused as a child. Of course, if that's a little too deep for anyone, you can always just listen to the songs. They were wonderfully arranged and produced by my friends Jake Owen and Andy Dollerson at DOSounds. I'm getting all the promotional material together now and look forward to releasing the entire project early next year. I posted a preview of the title track on <a contents="Bandcamp.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.com" target="_blank">Bandcamp.com</a> for my subscribers.</p>
<p>This has been a process. Thank you for your patience. ♥️ ✌🏼</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hear a sweet guitar part on <a contents="Instagram.com/lauramariemusic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cja_oP-MxL5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">Instagram.com/lauramariemusic</a></p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/6686673
2021-07-13T13:27:43-05:00
2021-07-13T17:51:39-05:00
Be Love
<p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3308087088/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=2314605086/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;">Stars Apart by Laura Marie</iframe></p>
<p>The song Be Love from the album Stars Apart based on the following prayer of St. Francis also referred to as the Peace Prayer. </p>
<p>"Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace <br>Where there is hatred let me sow love. <br>Where there is injury, pardon. <br>Where there is doubt, faith. <br>Where there is despair, hope. <br>Where there is darkness, light. <br>Where there is sadness joy. <br>O Divine master grant that I may <br>Not so much seek to be consoled as to console <br>To be understood, as to understand. <br>To be loved. as to love <br>For it's in giving that we receive <br>And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned <br>And it's in dying that we are born... <br>To eternal life. <br>Amen"</p>
<p>I write this song as a reminder to myself to focus on acting in love instead of stewing in resentment. It helps to be reminded. If you'd like to have your own reminder and, at the same time, contribute to the creation of even more music check out some of the "Be Love 💙" items on my <a contents="merch site" data-link-label="Merch Store" data-link-type="page" href="/merch-store">merch site</a>. </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="Merch Store" data-link-type="page" href="/merch-store"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/49b145ea13bd665b70d61f984773fea610b66836/original/belovemerch.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/6613094
2021-04-24T22:46:04-05:00
2021-04-28T10:44:22-05:00
How I Lost 35 Thousand Fans (And I Wasn’t Even Cancelled)
<p>It happened like this. At last count I had over thirty five thousand fans on my Facebook page. Because of this, my page was officially verified. Woohoo! Yeah, no. The reason I had the verification and so many fans is because I advertised. Well, I hired someone to advertise. Wait... more accurately, another musician I knew opened up an advertising side business and asked me to help him build his portfolio. Let’s call him Sam. </p>
<p>It would be a win/win situation Sam said. He wouldn’t charge me near what he was planning to charge once his business got going and I would get the benefit of all his research on placing ads. His strategy was to target other countries who were hungry for American talent first (so he said), then target US markets. I was clueless about the process so, sure, that sounded reasonable. 🤷🏻♀️ </p>
<p>All I know is it seemed to be working and people were liking the page and even the posts. It was all fine and dandy until the bizarre messages started coming in. Men were sending me their pictures, along with detailed descriptions about their lives and earning potential and, strangely, their measurements. I messaged Sam: “What’s going on? What do the ads even say? Am I a mail order bride?” Previously he’d told me they would be “If you like this artist, you’ll love Laura Marie” type ads and he insisted that’s what they were so I asked which artists he was comparing me to and he said, “Taylor Swift”. *sigh* </p>
<p>Ok, well, I explained to him that, in the first place, I wasn’t a “Taylor Swift” (this was when she was country) and didn’t think that was a good comparison. He said it was because we were both female songwriters. And, since I didn’t have a lot of advertising expertise, I ignored the “all female songwriters are the same” perspective and told myself that he knew more. Even though I was cringing on the inside (no offense to Swift. I just didn’t get the comparison), I kept telling myself that I had to stop trying to control every little thing and trust people who knew what they were doing or who convinced me they knew what they were doing and maybe convinced themselves as well. </p>
<p>So, 35 thousand fans and a blue checkmark later I started realizing that these “fans” were not much interested in my music. A few were. A few are still pretty loyal followers to this day actually. But, and not to discount the few thousand fans I had before the ads started, I had a problem. I had thousands of fans and comparatively little engagement. Then the music biz articles started coming out about these things called “click farms” and “fake followers” and I started to realize I’d been sold numbers and very little else. </p>
<p>That was years ago. More recently, I had very little interest in the page because, as many page owners know, you have to spend a fair amount on advertising your content to enable any of your fans to see it. Add to that Facebook’s lack of concern about their responsibility in the spread of misinformation over the past several years and I wasn’t exactly motivated to give them my money. I struggled with what to do with the page so I let it sit. </p>
<p>This year, after the shock of 2020 started wearing off, I started coming up with all kinds of ideas about where to go with my music. As I started moving forward with plans, it seemed as if some energetic floodgate had opened and I started receiving offers left and right for some great opportunities. Some were absolutely legit and some were outright scams. And then there was this one ad company that I now believe had already tried a number of ways to target me and finally found one that worked. They went to the trouble of spoofing a legit and reputable company and, during a time when I had spread myself thin with new projects, I simply walked past a field of red flags, followed an instruction on how to set up FB add on what turned out to be a spoofed page of Facebook’s “business suite”, and inadvertently handed my fan page over to a scammer who had a number of verified pages under his control already. All I did was simply verify my own email address. What the hell? </p>
<p>I know. These people may have been thorough but, I was also ... UGH! You know, I’m not a dumb person. I do dumb things from time to time but I won’t call myself dumb or stupid. I was fooled and I know how I was fooled and I know why I was fooled. I know my part in it and I know why I was targeted. And it sucked. But, because I was already at odds with the page, I wasn’t angry about losing it. Weeks before I’d considered deleting it and starting over but the musicians in my accountability group (yes, I belong to one and they are all brilliant and super supportive) talked me out of it. No, what I was really angry about was having been so distracted that I fell for something I warn people about all the time. And, I was beyond angry that someone was speaking on my behalf and potentially scamming people in my name. I was pretty much inconsolable about that. I raged. </p>
<p>And once I got over my ego and my embarrassment about admitting what happened and looking “stupid”, I took the sage advice of my husband, Pete, and asked my friends who follow my personal social media accounts to help. </p>
<p>Facebook was not helpful. They don’t have a good way for page owner’s to correct such problems and, I suspect, unless you spend a lot of money on page ads or have a big legal team, they will remain unconcerned. I’m fortunate enough to know someone who does have an in with their legal department but that takes weeks or months and the scammers were already posting and maybe even messaging people on my behalf. </p>
<p>I put out a post asking friends to help stop them from using my page to scam people and this was the response. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="OzpKxtXY6yw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/OzpKxtXY6yw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OzpKxtXY6yw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">"Thank you, scam commenters! You did a great thing!"</p>
<p>Squad goals. This is it. I’ve never felt more supported on my Facebook page than when my friends answered the call and commented “SCAM” on it. I’m still smiling about it. </p>
<p>Screw the numbers. All I care about is having the people who want and care about the music to have it whatever that number may be. And, whatever you do, don’t get all high and mighty about how no one could ever scam you because we all have our weak points, we all have our “upper limit problems”*. </p>
<p>Much love, </p>
<p>Laura Marie </p>
<p>*for an in-depth exploration of what an upper limit problem is and how we self-sabotage, read <a contents="The Big Leap" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Big-Leap-Gay-Hendricks/9780061735363?redirected=true&utm_medium=Google&utm_campaign=Base1&utm_source=LK&utm_content=The-Big-Leap&selectCurrency=USD&w=AF70AU99345VD7A8VRJM" target="_blank">The Big Leap</a> by Gay Hendricks.</p>
<p>** visit the new <a contents="merch store" data-link-label="Merch Store" data-link-type="page" href="/merch-store">merch store</a> for some sweet lyric wall art</p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/6570957
2021-03-11T12:04:56-06:00
2021-03-11T12:04:56-06:00
Mental Health/Meghan & Harry
<p>I’m sure we can all picture what it looks like when people with money, power, and influence are mentally unhealthy and how that impacts the world around them. I mean, c’mon. (I seent it! *gestures broadly at all of human history*) </p>
<p>If we think mental health is important then we should encourage it for everyone. At the very least, we shouldn’t dismiss it for anyone. </p>
<p>The Meghan and Harry thing has really stirred this up. And it amazes me that they’ve become inhuman to some. Why? </p>
<p>Being on the far ends of a money, fame, or position spectrum puts you under pressure and can change your behavior for sure, for better or worse, either way on either end. But money, fame, and position or lack thereof doesn’t change your basic humanness. </p>
<p>I think most of us would say we’d rather have more wealth, popularity, and power (think empowerment not “power over”). Do we really believe it’s a trade off between those things and being worthy of love and support in difficult times? If we had more of anything, would we use it to empower ourselves and those around us or to exploit others? Can we handle being poor, unknown, and having no influence? Would we persevere with grace towards ourselves and those around us or let it justify ill treatment towards anyone and everyone? </p>
<p>I’ve struggled with mental health issues. I struggled when I was sleeping on a mattress on the floor of a nearly empty apartment and on a king sized mattress on a real bed frame in a gated neighborhood. Some of these reactions to Meghan and Harry really made me think: At what point up or down the scale of privilege would I no longer be deserving of compassion? </p>
<p>Would it be when I was poor enough that I should expect to be miserable and not have help? Or, when we could afford a big house so I have no right to complain about anything? What if I become famous? Or win the lottery? Or lose everything? </p>
<p>Why should compassion be dependent on any of those things? I imagine I’d receive less compassion if I turned hateful but that would be regardless of my status. And, it would be based on actual first hand witness of my hateful actions... in a different world, of course. </p>
<p>Mental health issues affect everyone and we need mentally healthy people across the board. We need people to seek help. We need to make sure poor people can get it and wealthy people aren’t ashamed to seek it. And if someone who has a position of power and influence can set an example for others (and you know they can) I want them to speak up. I want the masses to hear it. Maybe you personally do not need it but so very many people do. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/6fa672ff4ca2289e307f79900bfb0ececa0309ed/original/115f3457-90b7-4c71-b665-f0dd2a9ff108.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/6561815
2021-03-01T11:59:27-06:00
2021-03-01T11:59:27-06:00
Love Bombing in the Music Industry: How to Avoid a Trust Trap
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/b8087d7543946a9a2991cf06b834643d29ab17a4/original/7b851471-5472-4bc0-a057-1e1c9e38a6f8.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Wouldn’t it be great if everyone had clear intention and we could take them all at their word? </p>
<p>Yes! Absolutely. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, people often have ulterior motives. That’s not to say everyone intends to take advantage of others, just that things can get cut throat when people believe they’re competing for a finite amount of attention and acclaim. Welcome to the music industry. We’ll do well to recognize when someone is intentionally trying to bypass our defenses to gain trust. Why? Because anyone who wants to bypass your defenses is least interested in helping you and most likely to do you harm. </p>
<p>Artists often feel starved for validation and that makes love-bombing a very effective tactic of manipulators in our industry. To love bomb is to shower someone with attention and affection in order to gain influence and control over them. It doesn’t have to be a romantic relationship at all. It’s coercive. It’s about power not romance. It works because we all want to believe we are worthy of attention and affection (we are) and we feel a profound sense of relief when someone tells us they see us as we want to be seen: unique, talented, better than, etc. It’s not unreasonable to expect attention and affection from friends and family though that can wear thin over time depending on how well you tolerate the ups and downs of a music career. It is, however, unreasonable to expect career changing attention and affection from a newly acquired music business connection and mostly because the majority of people in our industry are struggling with the same issues of unworthiness as we are. Yes, even if they are bragging about their successes (actually, especially if they are bragging about their successes).</p>
<p>Things to consider: </p>
<p>* The only person who has the right answers for you and your career is you. <br>* Someone setting themselves up as the answer to all your problems will likely become a problem. <br>* If you are a conscientious person feeling a bit lost and alone in your music career, you’re basically a babe in the woods with a bacon backpack </p>
<p>The trust trap can be set in any number of ways. Maybe it’s someone who presents themselves as a fan, who tells you how amazing you are, gains your trust, and, after getting access, tries to control you or some aspect of your career. Maybe it’s a producer, manager, band mate or other music business professional who focuses intently on earning your loyalty but ends up mining you for ideas, borrowing your credibility, or sabotaging your career to advance their own. Maybe you feel stuck from removing yourself from the relationship or obligated to them regardless of whether or not they’ve actually helped you achieve your goals. Maybe you’ve lost your direction because you’ve substituted your goals for theirs along the way. </p>
<p>It happens. In a months time, I’ve talked to five different artists experiencing their own versions of a trust trap. This is where a lot of people get stuck because they want to be all the good things: grateful, loyal, professional, etc. What they miss is that, while there are some wonderfully generous people in the world who can turn out to be the greatest helpers and supporters in your career, there are those who have zero problem using your dedication to pursuing your hopes and dreams to get what they want for themselves. </p>
<p><strong>How to avoid a trust trap: </strong></p>
<p><strong>1) Ask questions</strong>. Some things in this industry happen fast but getting swept off your feet and carried away means you’ve lost a fair amount of control. You need time to figure out who you are giving control to. The quickest way to slow things down is to take the time to ask questions. </p>
<p>I know it’s difficult to put the breaks on when you are drunk from all the attention and affection. (C’mon. It’s what you want!) But anyone who is legit will expect questions and will have zero problems answering them.</p>
<p>Ask for references, samples of their work, awards and accolades, rates for their services, experience, job history, successes, failures, a list of credits, etc.</p>
<p>Red flags: refusal to answer questions, guilting (“Are you trying to hurt my feelings?” “Do you think I’m a scam artist?”), shaming (“Who do you think you are?” “You should be grateful I even offered?”), or flat out lying.</p>
<p>BE PREPARED to walk away. Remember, this is your career and, ultimately, you’re the one who should care the most and do the most to make it work. There’s no shortage of people who know what you’re going through as an artist and countless paths to your success.</p>
<p>Note: Some people may pressure you to do things quickly. Giving people a time limit on an offer is a sales tactic and I have zero problems with it as long as you know what you’re buying and what you’re paying for it (see 3. Set terms). The people to trust are the people who are willing to answer the questions. Period. <br><br><strong>2) Verify answers</strong>. Do your homework and check to see they’ve given you factual information. Directly contact anyone they listed as a reference and ask for feedback.</p>
<p>BE OBJECTIVE. We often want to believe the best or worst about people. This is the time to approach it neutrally and see where the info takes you. If you have trouble with that, write down what you observe from each perspective (best, worst, neutral). It will help you get honest about the evidence you’re finding, understand what your gut is saying, and recognize whether or not there’s a repeated pattern in your career or decision making process (Am I generally distrustful or do I attract scam artists?)</p>
<p>Write down keywords that come up when talking to other people. Are those words in line with what you want for your career? Do you even know what you want for your career? Be clear on that first.</p>
<p><span style="color:null;">Red flags</span>: no references, no one willing to give clear answers, “anonymous” work (they either have credits attributable to them or they don’t), shaming/blaming/belittling/insulting. That last one may not be obvious so look to yourself. Do you suddenly feel you need this person’s approval, have to impress them and gain their acceptance? It’s a trap!</p>
<p>Ask people you trust or musician support groups (you should look for and join several) for their take. I know we don’t want to bring ourselves down to earth when our hopes have been inflated. We all want the dream. But, if you don’t want the nightmare, do yourself the favor of getting different perspectives. You can still follow your gut. Either way, it’s going to be a learning experience.</p>
<p>Note: Proximity to famous successful people does not equal responsibility for their fame or success. Maybe they have a crap load of pics with famous people but maybe they just went to a lot of meet and greets.</p>
<p>Remember, it is reasonable for any professional to ask for and check references when entrusting someone with any aspect of their career. Don’t let anyone talk you out of doing the professional thing. That will never benefit you, only them. <br><br><strong>3) Set terms.</strong> They must be clear about what they are offering you and what they expect in return. You must do the same.</p>
<p>The terms can be “I’m a fan who believes in what you are doing, want to help, and expect nothing in return but a pat on the back” or they can be “I can help you with this aspect of your career and I’d like references/money/credit in return” but not “oh, it’ll all work out”. If you’re entering into any kind of working arrangement, you need clear terms to refer back to should there be disagreement later.</p>
<p>When people are showering you with attention or affection it’s hard to imagine there will be fallout later. Imagine it. It happens. Be sure that whatever terms you agree to, you’re willing and able to hold up your end. Your integrity is everything and will protect you long term even when others don’t follow through.</p>
<p>If it has to do with money or ownership GET IT IN WRITING. Split sheets and contracts are a thing. Look up samples on the internet. Make use of them. Hire a lawyer if necessary.</p>
<p>I really can’t stress terms enough. For some reason, people think “I don’t need details” translates to “I trust you”. To me, all “I don’t need details” translates to is “I am so afraid that I’m not worthy of a mutually beneficial arrangement that I’m willing to put blinders on and risk everything just so I don’t have to talk about it” (Yikes!). Nothing says “I value this working relationship” like being clear about the terms of that relationship. </p>
<p>Remember, people who are good at what they do generally don’t give their services away. They value their work and want some kind of return for their time and talent. </p>
<p><strong>Why bother with all of this?</strong> I know how it is. In the beginning, we’re all friends, band mates, managers, producers, fans who knew you when, etc. You don’t want to put someone off by asking a lot of questions. You don’t want to spoil a budding relationship with suspicion. You don’t want to make them think twice about what they’re getting themselves into with you. You don’t want to burst the mutual love bubble. Spoiler: the bubble burst is inevitable. Bubbles don’t last. When they burst, it’s better to have a solid agreement to fall back on and reenforce your bond than it is to have a bunch of mismatched assumptions and expectations. Ask the questions. Verify the answers. Set terms. </p>
<p>Remember, regardless of how quickly you feel connected to someone, it takes time to build trust. What you are avoiding here is falling into the trap of those who intentionally want to bypass your defenses, gain your loyalty and trust, and end up with control over you or your career that you never intended to give them. </p>
<p>There are people out there who are going to love and support you for you. I promise. If you come from a place of being desperate and needy for that love and support you’ll be an easy target for every person willing to flatter you and focus on you for a bit. But, the truth is, flattery and short term focus are the easy parts. You’re worth so much more than that. You’re worth long-term, lasting support, attention, and affection through all the inevitable mistakes and missteps. Believe it.</p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4819504
2017-08-19T15:49:46-05:00
2022-05-14T21:38:11-05:00
I Told You So
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lauramarie.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/1c4cbca971520987ca78d283594860b59b19620f/medium/screen-shot-2017-06-15-at-3-10-25-pm.png?1497557737" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>New song out for subscribers at lauramarie.bandcamp.com. Told You So. "I told you , 'I believe you, want and need you, lead my heart around..."</p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4819501
2017-08-19T15:43:58-05:00
2017-08-19T15:47:33-05:00
Good Luck Charm
<p> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lauramarie.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/64c34f5b9dc428a05f5b15288dd9e1b85c81d28d/medium/screen-shot-2017-08-19-at-3-44-59-pm.png?1503175541" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>New song out for subscribers at lauramarie.bandcamp.com. Told You So. "I told you , 'I believe you, want and need you, lead my heart around..." </p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4745989
2017-06-15T15:04:02-05:00
2020-09-06T16:07:55-05:00
I Take It Back
<p> </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.bandcamp.com" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/b40af00c120c06a0a0b9ce95112ce3043f96d013/medium/screen-shot-2017-06-15-at-3-08-00-pm.png?1497557329" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Acoustic demo for my subscribers at <a contents="lauramarie.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">lauramarie.com</a> (<a contents="lauramarie.bandcamp.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">lauramarie.bandcamp.com</a>) of I Take It Back, a song about taking your power back. </p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4666472
2017-04-11T09:22:22-05:00
2020-08-18T15:30:24-05:00
Set Me Right
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.bandcamp.com" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/47e9fb3997b2f34d8c50af9b3efb131650baa8ab/medium/screen-shot-2017-04-11-at-9-32-42-am.png?1491921194" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><br>New subscriber-only song "Set Me Right" at <a contents="lauramarie.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">lauramarie.com</a> . If filters block you go directly to <a contents="lauramarie.bandcamp.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">lauramarie.bandcamp.com</a> . I promise it's not an "adult" site. It's fairly family friendly. Maybe some innuendo here and there but that's it. Promise. </p>
<p>"Everybody's got some kind of problem and, everybody else, something to say. No one has an answer that can solve them but it won't stop them wanting to fix you anyway..." </p>
<p>(You have to be a subscriber to hear the entire song and download it. But, you also get my entire solo back catalog PLUS extras PLUS new songs to come SO not a bad deal!) </p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4551675
2017-01-16T09:47:14-06:00
2017-01-16T09:47:15-06:00
SWRFA 2016
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/410423c27c5c842d45e66bee12f3e017a01dede4/medium/img-6249.png?1472228845" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Laura Marie will be returning to the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance on September 30th, 2016 as an official showcasing artist to perform songs from her latest album Stars Apart. </p>
<p>Showcases are open to the public and tickets are available for $10. <br>Go to www.swfolkalliance.org for more information. </p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4343343
2016-08-26T11:25:54-05:00
2021-09-02T11:54:32-05:00
"By Heart" Available Now
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/393e57d81cc267781cfcd9e9477f247a302ba0d4/medium/a3977984434-16.jpg?1470153903" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br>By Heart, winner of the Music Project Music & Memory Contest, <br>is available <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="track" href="/track/1065914/by-heart">here</a>. </p>
<p>Or, get it as a subscriber on<a contents=" lauramarie.com&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramarie.bandcamp.com" target="_blank"> lauramarie.com </a><br>along with all the music I make</p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4218169
2016-06-07T16:35:48-05:00
2021-09-02T11:55:34-05:00
Creating a direct link to your iTunes tracks 2016
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lauramariemusic.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/image1.jpeg?w=600" class="size_m justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="300" width="300" /></div>
<p><br><span class="font_large">If you're having trouble creating a direct link to your music on iTunes, you're not alone.<br><br>I was about to launch the pre-sale campaign for my new CD when I decided to check the links just one more time. Imagine my face when I realized that the links that worked on my desktop computer did NOT work on my mobile devices. ?<br><br>Not wanting to make some lame post like "Order my new album by going to iTunes and searching for my name", I desperately googled solutions. Luckily, I stumbled across this <a href="http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/08/07/itunes-store-links-apple-music/" target="_blank">blog post</a> that got me more than halfway there.<br><br>The article was great at explaining how and why Apple was now forcing links to open in the music app instead of the store. And, it gave a detailed description of how to find and use the iTunes link maker to create links. But, there was still a problem. It wouldn't work for me! Arrrg!!!<br><br>To create a link, the link maker asks you to search for "popular content" using their search tool. As a pretty much unknown indie artist, I didn't come up. I searched for my name, my album, one of my songs and...nothing! Mwap mwap.<br><br>But, not to worry, the handy-dandy blog post gave me the tools I needed. Thanks to blog poster <a href="http://www.mcelhearn.com/itunes-store-music-links-open-in-apple-music-and-this-is-bad-for-people-selling-music/" target="_blank">Kirk McElhearn</a> for including examples with screenshots of the direct links. All I had to do was substitute my details for Taylor Swift's and I was good to go!<br><br>Here are my links. Simply sub in your album name and ID or your artist name and ID and happy linking!<br><br>Link to my album:<br>https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/stars-apart/id1117414650?app=itunes<br><br>Link to my iTunes catalog:<br>https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/artist/laura-marie/id266036410?app=itunes<br><br>You need to have that question mark after your ID and app=itunes to force open the store app instead of the music app.<br><br>How do you find your ID? Simply search for your content on iTunes via your desktop computer's browser (that's the only way) and your ID will be in the URL address. I just put "iTunes Laura Marie" into google search to find mine.<br><br>Much love, Laura Marie<br><br>P.S. Be sure to share this info with your fellow indie artists. Pay it forward, spread the love!<br><br>P. S. S. Pre-order my new CD on iTunes: <a contents="http://bit.ly/starsapartpre" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bit.ly/starsapartpre" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/starsapartpre</a> or the physical CD from my official pre-order page <a contents="http://bit.ly/starsapartcd" data-link-label="Stars Apart" data-link-type="page" href="/stars-apart">http://bit.ly/starsapartcd</a><br><br>P.S.S.S.Since my album went into pre-sale, my name is searchable in popular content. I'm famous!!!! ?</span></p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4136904
2016-04-14T17:17:25-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:37-06:00
May 22nd Music Project Concert
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/021a2847beb117d6022ffdf91f248e7580b798c9/medium/image.jpeg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br>Sunday, May 22nd, the Laura Marie Trio will be performing at Sam's Burger Joint for the MUSIC Project iPod Drive Concert Fundraiser. As winner of the songwriting contest, Laura Marie will be featured along with finalists Jack Pledge, John Moses and Katrina Curtiss. Headliners will include The Foreign Arm and Nakia (from The Voice). There will also be a silent auction benefitting the Music & Memory Program. Tickets are $10 or you can donate a working iPod to the project for free entry. <a contents="samsburgerjoint.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://samsburgerjoint.com" target="_blank">samsburgerjoint.com</a> <a contents="musicprojecttx.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://musicprojecttx.org" target="_blank">musicprojecttx.org</a><br>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4115329
2016-03-31T18:47:00-05:00
2016-03-31T18:47:46-05:00
Music Project Contest Winner
<p>Laura Marie is the winner of the "Music's Impact on Memory" Songwriting Contest with her song "By Heart". She received a cash prize and will be performing her song at a Music Project Event on May 22nd at Sam's Burger Joint in San Antonio as well as at the Longest Day: Memories in Melodies Alzheimer's event at Sam Ash Music Store on June 20th. [VIDEO] <br> </p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hSuTdEk5rgM" width="560"></iframe>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4013005
2016-01-28T13:48:33-06:00
2021-06-30T16:31:03-05:00
Feb. Tuesday Night Music Series
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/ad4efe17fdf91931528beddceaada622129e31b5/original/12622244-10153205892441394-8503123661666675280-o.jpg?1454010382" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Up next: Liberty Bar Tuesday Night Music Series. I'll be hosting the first two weeks of February and my first guest is sweet songbird Amy Lum-Francis.
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/4012951
2016-01-28T13:43:35-06:00
2022-05-11T10:15:25-05:00
Behind the Scenes | Video Shoot
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="272" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h5meXgu6hjA" width="481"></iframe><br><br>Thanks to Kimberly Scott for grabbing some video of Mack Damon and I recorded an acoustic version of "Still in the Game" for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest 2016. </div>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3858176
2015-09-16T15:47:56-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:37-06:00
Laura Marie at Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/8a7a028fda4da15f0e14aa87029869b207b96ed5/original/tumblr-nsbo2mtyrm1qaqkgso1-500.jpg?1442436247" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>Laura Marie will return as a featured at the 2015 ripping Springs Songwriters Festival in October. Headliners include JD Souther, Eliza Gilkyson, Drew Womack and more!<br><br>Check the <a contents="show page" data-link-label="shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">show page</a> for dates and times of Laura Marie's performances.<br><br>Go to http://drippingspringssongwritersfestival.com/ for details and headliner showcase tickets. <br>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3815177
2015-08-11T12:27:31-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:37-06:00
Laura Marie Texas Public Radio Interview/Performance
Miranda Whitus talks to Laura Marie about her personal history, songwriting inspirations, being a parent and being a part of the San Antonio music scene. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/9ebac498ca16d7cb0d0a15c63289187c3e3b3e78/large/screen-shot-2015-08-11-at-12-23-28-pm.png?1439313871" class="size_l justify_none border_medium" alt="" /><br><br>Listen to the interview here : <a contents="http://tpr.org/post/laura-marie-studio-world-still-needs-unconditional-love" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://tpr.org/post/laura-marie-studio-world-still-needs-unconditional-love" target="_blank">http://tpr.org/post/laura-marie-studio-world-still-needs-unconditional-love</a>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3815173
2015-08-11T12:22:45-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:37-06:00
Laura Marie on the Jeff Wood Podcast
Jeff Wood and Laura Marie talk about songwriting, inspiration and the music scene. It's a mutual love fest!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/aac885e60f643f979f8cc1b915e50b319ef297c7/medium/screen-shot-2015-08-11-at-12-13-56-pm.png?1439313372" class="size_m justify_none border_medium" alt="" /><br><br>Listen on Soundcloud here: <a contents="https://soundcloud.com/jeff-wood-35/25-laura-marie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/jeff-wood-35/25-laura-marie" target="_blank">https://soundcloud.com/jeff-wood-35/25-laura-marie</a><br><br><br><br>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3815158
2015-08-11T12:09:56-05:00
2022-05-11T10:14:49-05:00
Darken the Page Ep. 18 -Laura Marie interview by Dave Booda
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/f141afe4ac105d49885956cf7e2a88aa3c60c842/large/screen-shot-2015-08-11-at-12-05-37-pm.png?1439312852" class="size_l justify_none border_medium" alt="" /><br><br> <iframe frameborder="0" height="30" scrolling="no" src="http://darkenthepage.com/?powerpress_embed=301-podcast&powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio" width="320"></iframe>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3373491
2014-12-08T10:57:23-06:00
2022-03-21T21:01:52-05:00
Podcast #52 - Nobody Say Goodbye
That's it. It's over. 52 weeks of writing with a prompt from the Global Songwriters Group. I've had some really fun moments, I've been inspired by many and I've learned a great deal. I love the discipline of writing weekly. I'm not sure if I'll do it with a word prompt again but I definitely love the group dynamic. I look back at how many of the songs I wrote that I'm not happy with and it's painfully clear what got in my way. I rebelled against the prompts. I think, if I had let myself be led by them, the flow would have been better. But, nope. There's something in me that rejects ideas imposed upon me unless I've made up my mind to invite them in. You'd think that, since I volunteered to be a part of a prompt driven group, it wouldn't be an issue but, it is. Sometimes, it's a gift to be this way. Sometimes, when I let it limit my creative possibilities, it's annoying, as are many of the songs I wrote this year. Ugh! And I would cringe at the fact that I allowed myself to post them publicly but, WHATEVER! I shared the crazy process and I'm glad I did it. I'm already missing all the music from my fellows in my inbox and Ray's catchphrase "Song #_ of the Songer Games...may the chords be ever in your favor". <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/133f5a986ad4be5813ccc4e7b85c3d52bcbf307f/medium/img-1733.jpg?1418058242" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br>So, what next? The new year will find me in pre-production for the next recording project. I'll be collaborating with some of my favorite people and I'm so looking forward to it. In the meantime, I'm happy to announce the release of a collaboration I did with UK composer/singer-songwriter <a contents="Nick Hinton" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nickhinton.com/" target="_blank">Nick Hinton</a>. We've been friends for years and I'm so glad he asked me to sing on his new single. It's just been released on iTunes. Hope you'll take a moment to download it. <br><br>Download on iTunes: <a contents="bit.ly/nickandlala" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bit.ly/nickandlala" target="_blank">bit.ly/nickandlala</a> <br>Download lossless FLAC: <a contents="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nickhinton19" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nickhinton19" target="_blank">http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nickhinton19</a><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/cf9f93b3c3c41e13bfe43744d9f0be693d78c24a/medium/you-and-me-front-art.jpg?1418057033" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br><span class="s1"><b><u>Nobody Say Goodbye</u></b></span><br>52 weeks<br>sang a chorus for each<br>I’ll be finding it hard to refrain<br>It won’t be the same<br>Without the songer games<br><br>I won’t send my voice<br>or the ambient noise<br>or the guitar with all it’s mistakes<br>no tracks to replace<br>the worst that have been erased<br><br>I’ll sit here in silence for days at a time<br>Waiting for new inspiration to strike<br><br>When will the words come<br>where will they go<br>If I write something brilliant<br>how would you know<br>Follow my page<br>Or maybe come see me play<br><br>I’ll be the one<br>With three hours of songs<br>52 memories<br>now that the weeks are all gone<br>A year doesn’t seem too long<br><br>So, I’ll sit here in silence<br>for days at a time<br>You with your memories,<br>me with mine<br><br>It won’t feel right<br>Mondays will be too quiet<br>It won’t feel right<br>Nobody say goodbye<br><br>If a tree in a forest<br>is given a phrase<br>and it can’t find a chorus<br>within seven days is it late<br>How many would it take<br><br>Will I self destruct<br>with no story to tell<br>with no melody ringing<br>no song in me singing<br>oh, please save me from myself<br><br>I can’t sit here in silence<br>for days at a time<br>Waiting for February to arrive<br><br>It won’t feel right<br>Mondays will be too quiet<br>It won’t feel right<br>Nobody say goodbye<br>Nobody say goodbye<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014 </strong>
4:06
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3346732
2014-12-01T14:35:10-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:36-06:00
Podcast #51 - No Secret
<br><span class="s1">Secrets. In my song "Honest" I reference the song "In Code" from my first solo album, Drawn. "In Code" was all about my habit of writing songs when I felt I couldn't speak openly. Lyrics were my outlet. I could hide my true feelings in metaphors and abstractions and have imaginary confrontations. At the time I wrote "in Code", I was particularly angry with someone close to me and frustrated with my inability to gain their approval. I think I even went so far, at least once, to write a song with the first letter of every line spelling out my frustration. I'm finding it difficult to remember which song it was but, anyway, back to "Honest".<br><br>"Honest" was about me finally being able to "speak my truth" having learned that I really can't live with a lie. It literally makes me sick to my stomach. That doesn't mean I go around telling everyone every single thing just because I believe it to be true. Sometimes, the truth hurts and can be used to damage people. I wouldn't want to do that either. No, it has more to do with knowing what is true for me and living in that truth. And, yes, being honest with people is definitely part of that process but not everything I believe is worth imposing on other people, especially if it will cause pain. <br><br>So, here comes this song. I had a suspicion that one or two of my songs might be taken out of context by some who really know my music. Everyone is free to interpret songs as they will but I don't want to misunderstood. I know it's silly. I'll be misunderstood anyway. I have no control over that. "No Secret" is about that. On a week that I was given a song assignment and felt I had nothing significant to draw from, I went through the leftovers. And, to be completely contradictory, there actually is a hidden meaning in it, an argument, a long held frustration. One word hint: authenticity. I still have imaginary confrontations in my head. <br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/c3e67e9e6eed4110246382f2a80c804b5913f7cb/large/photo.jpg?1417465881" class="size_l justify_none border_" /><br><br><b><u>No Secret</u></b></span><br><br>There’s a mess of irregular<br>pieces inside of my head<br>Mind like an open book<br>But not easily read<br>Paint thrown on a canvas<br>Among the hoarded and the stranded<br>And now, these particular parts<br>Strung on a thread<br>This is no secret<br><br>I have a mountain of<br>disparate thoughts<br>And emotions to go through<br>And I’ll scavenge the odds<br>and the ends<br>to find something of value<br>Some may be sticks and stones<br>Some might hit painfully close<br>but not everything in my head<br>Is always about you<br><br>Maybe there’s something you missed<br>But don’t go reading too much into this<br>This is no secret<br>This is no secret<br><br>Oh so many presumptions<br>and interpretations<br>And always the perfect truth<br>Lost in translation<br>The word is the end is near<br>Here’s to making it painfully clear<br>‘Cause nothing from nothing’s<br>still nothing<br>For your information<br>This is no secret<br><br>O, there’s a true inspiration<br>Ah, but then, there is vision<br>And setting the stage<br>for an act of contrition<br>At worst, it’s a genuine fake<br>At best, it’s an honest mistake<br>But play the part and fair thee well<br>All is forgiven<br><br>Oh, now maybe there’s something<br>you missed<br>But don’t go reading too much into this<br>This is no secret<br>This is no secret<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014 </strong>
3:31
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3323726
2014-11-24T13:22:35-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:36-06:00
Podcast #50 - It's Not Easy
I'm having a bad freaking day! Which is funny because I was having a bad day when I wrote this a couple of weeks ago. But, then it was about everything being so cold and dark outside. Part of it was the change of seasons and the other part was just how vicious the world seemed to be. I think it was the midterm elections plus every news story was something horrific. I felt incredibly vulnerable and didn't want to even venture out into the world much. And, that's how I feel again except now everything feels like a personal attack on my senses. I'm not blaming the world here. I know part of it is just me and my hypersensitivity. But, I'm not going to dismiss my own feelings either. It's a bit much, people. I'm in need of some peace and I'm feeling like it's about time to hibernate, take a few weeks and get myself in better frame of mind. Hot chocolate and Flight of the Conchords marathon...<br><br>Here. Two weeks ago I wanted to share this pic of the sky during our cold snap. The harshness got the better of me and I couldn't bring myself to post it. I keep trying.<br><br><b><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/4ce90195cfa4252e9a9dcc2f616f6470ebc1f1f0/large/photo.jpg?1416856539" class="size_l justify_none border_" /><br><br><br><br><u>It’s Not Easy</u></b><br><br>Winter comes again<br>We go into hiding<br>Bundle up and shield against the wind<br>Forget the sun is shining<br>Tell me that it’s only where we are<br>Temporary distance from a star<br>But nothing feels the same<br>The world turning away<br>We’re not meant to be so far<br><br>It’s a cold wind outside<br>for my heart open wide<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br><br>It doesn’t feel safe<br>The way the world keeps changing<br>So many decisions that were made<br>Some that need re-making<br>Tell me that the best is yet to come<br>Tell me every wrong can be undone<br>I need a ray of hope<br>Say I’m not alone<br>I can’t be the only one<br><br>It’s a cold wind outside<br>for my heart open wide<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br><br>If all it takes is one who cares<br>Then, just in case, someone is there<br>I’m praying<br>If all it takes is one who cares<br>Then let me know that you can hear me<br>I’m praying,<br>I’m saying…<br><br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br>It’s not easy<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014 </strong>
3:18
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3294940
2014-11-17T10:25:06-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:36-06:00
Podcast #49 - The Window
I have this concern with escaping convention. I think I've always questioned why we do the things we do, why we limit ourselves to certain ways of being and thinking. Of course, I do see the value in having boundaries and limitations. It serves to keep us stable, defined, solid. I know who I am in context. I'm a daughter, wife, mother, woman, songwriter. I know what my role is. Most of the time, anyway. But, deep inside, I know I exist beyond all these definitions. I start to question our social constructs, rules and behaviors: Why does money equal status? Why do we wear make-up? Why does food cost money? Why is war acceptable? Why do we have to dress up to go to an event? How can anyone treat anyone else as personal property? <br><br>I mean, I know the answers to these questions. But, I also know that we made them up. We just decided that this is how it should be. I wouldn't know how to change any of it and some things I wouldn't change. There are just times when my mind wanders off way beyond the decisions and judgements we make and it's like a bird escaping a cage. I had no idea I was going to even touch on this subject when I started writing this song and, to be truthful, the song didn't come close to capturing what I really want to say about it all but, it's a start. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/33ab547c77bbc3576ecb952cbffc52785ba4ee7d/large/image.jpg?1416240892" class="size_l justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><br><b>The Window</b><br>This is a moment<br>This is a chance we take<br>Promises spoken<br>These are the bonds we break<br>Window is open<br>How could we ever be to blame<br><br>Higher and higher<br>Far and away we go<br>Aren’t you inspired<br>Watching the world below<br>Bird on a wire<br>Singing a song they’ll never know<br><br>Hurry up, the window’s open<br>Calm and clear the way we’re going<br>Wander off before they know<br>We’re flying<br>We’re flying<br><br>Taken for granted<br>Freedom to break the chains<br>Modern advances<br>Oh, but we never change<br>Confined and captive<br>Always a phone call away<br><br>Hurry up, the window’s open<br>Calm and clear the way we’re going<br>Wander off before they know<br>We’re flying<br>We’re flying<br>We’re flying<br>We’re flying<br>Hurry up the window's open<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014 </strong><br><br>
2:37
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3274745
2014-11-10T11:04:28-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:36-06:00
Podcast #48 - Monotone
<span class="s1">Ever have one of those weeks where it seems like some portal to the past has opened up and you run into a bunch of people you haven't seen in ages? A couple of weeks ago it happened to me. It was strange. In most cases it was great. You know, people change but who they are is generally recognizable. Even if you can tell that they've been through something or are going through something that may make them a shade darker, they are still the same person you knew and loved. But, then there was one who made me wonder if I ever knew them at all. Maybe my perception was skewed, maybe my perception IS skewed. My memories of them were warm, colorful and full of fondness. The only way I could explain what I felt seeing them after all this time was "void". I can't even say it was sad because I don't know that it is. I don't know if something happened to them or something happened to me that just sort of negated any connection between us. Maybe it's temporary. I hope so. I like feeling connected to people. <br><br>As to the writing of the song. The prompt was "been around the world". I split it up. I gave myself some additional parameters before I started. I chose the tempo and rhythm before I even wrote a word. I was also determined to throw my favorite color in (blue). Well, let me be totally honest about that. I told myself I had to use the word "cerulean" in the bridge. I tried. I really did. But, I couldn't make it sound anything but silly so, I left it out. I definitely think this is a keeper for me. I find myself singing it in my head. Sorry, about the sound quality. The week I recorded this was the week the plague hit our house. A few hours after I recorded this I was in really bad shape. Much better now though. Stay healthy, people!<br><br>Don't forget Wednesday!<br>I'm performing a live webcast this Wednesday on <a contents="Concert Window 8:30CST/9:30PST " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/10205-midweek-peak-laura-marie" target="_blank">Concert Window 8:30CST/9:30PST </a>and you can watch from anywhere in the world!<br><br>RSVP here:</span><br><a contents="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/10205-midweek-peak-laura-marie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/10205-midweek-peak-laura-marie" target="_blank">https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/10205-midweek-peak-laura-marie</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/596830efca0ef15660e631c51ff16b8f6bd14c03/original/lmconcertwindow.jpg?1415218596" class="size_l justify_none border_" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><span class="s1"><b><u>Monotone</u></b></span><br><br>Hello, familiar face<br>Out of your hiding place<br>It’s about time and space<br>We meet again<br><br>Here comes your memory<br>Not like it used to be<br>Alternate reality<br>Psychedelic beautiful<br>Kaleidoscopic colorful<br>But, that was then<br>Yeah, that was then<br><br>Now you’re monotone<br>And you’re long ago<br>Like I used to know<br>But, you fade<br>You fade<br><br>Just like some photograph<br>Opaque and shadow cast<br>Some specter from the past<br>Tragic hero, overblown<br>Deeper, darker undertones<br>Remember when<br>Remember when<br><br>Now you’re monotone<br>And you’re long ago<br>Like I used to know<br>But, you fade<br>You fade<br><br>The burning sun you’ve been around<br>The world that left you all played out<br>You doused your heart<br>You shed your skin of<br>every shade of blue you’ve been<br><br>Now you’re monotone<br>And you’re long ago<br>Like I used to know<br>But, you fade<br>Yeah, You fade<br>You fade<br>You fade<br>Psychedelic beautiful<br>Kaleidoscopic colorful<br>Psychedelic beautiful<br>Kaleidoscopic colorful<br>You fade, you fade<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
4:02
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3263912
2014-11-03T11:52:44-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:36-06:00
Podcast #47 - You Know What You Know
You're not the boss of me!!! That pretty much sums it up. Seriously, though, there are many people I take advice from so, it's not like I think I have all the answers. I know I don't. And, I don't think a lot of people would describe me as close-minded. Stubborn, yes. Close-minded, no. I also know, extremely well, where I fall short. In fact, I often get hung up on my shortcomings so, I really don't need someone to point them all out to me under the guise of being helpful when they've only just met me or seen some very small portion of my life. But, let me distinguish here between someone who is genuinely wanting to share their knowledge and someone who wants to simply appear knowledgeable. There's a difference. And, the worst of the latter is one who actually gets a charge out of criticizing me thinking it will make me want to work to please them. It goes like this: <br><br>"I really would like to talk to you about your music. (very flattering tone here). There's so much I want to ask you." They work in numerous flattering comments and then BOOM! An open handed insult. Oh, but they are just so HONEST they can't help themselves. Then, back to compliments. Then another insult. Pure manipulation. Perhaps, if I were younger and less experienced (and, believe me, I have been) I would feel like I should work to become better in their eyes. <br><br>This song (demo) is a very sincere "SCREW YOU" to that. <br> <div class="captioned justify_none"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/2a9174110effe9f0f1b27b2fadcce16d42878f91/medium/lmrock.jpg?1415036812" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><p class="caption">photo by Kimberly Scott</p></div><br><br><u><strong>You Know What You Know</strong></u><br><br>Do I look lost<br>A little confused<br>Is it my eyes<br>Or your point of view<br>So wise<br>You’ve taken my case<br>analyze and evaluate<br>If I was just a little more,<br>I was just a little more<br><br>Shiny white knight<br>Stand in the wings<br>Full of advice<br>And a few other things<br>So nice<br>Like what you see<br>Standby<br>you were just thinking<br>If I was just a little more,<br>I was just a little more<br>like you<br><br>But, I think I’m enough<br>I think I’m ok<br>Just as I am<br>A genuine legend<br>in my own time<br>and in my own way<br>follow the voice in my head<br>not the words that you say<br>‘cause you know what you know but <br>you don’t know what you don’t know<br>you know what you know but <br>you don’t know what you don’t know <br>and you don’t know me<br><br>All kidding aside<br>with a straight face<br>Tell me how you’d do it perfectly<br>Put in my place<br>So right. If only I knew<br>I could make up for the things<br>that you’ll never do<br>If I was just a little more,<br>I was just a little more<br><br>But, I think I’m enough<br>I think I’m ok<br>Just as I am<br>A genuine legend<br>in my own time<br>and in my own way<br>follow the voice in my head<br>not the words that you say<br>‘cause you know what you know but <br>you don’t know what you don’t know<br>you know what you know but <br>you don’t know what you don’t know <br><br>and you don’t know me<br>this look in my eyes<br>and what’s on my mind<br>the cause of my grief<br>you don’t know me<br>the song that I hear<br>the worst that I fear<br>or what I believe<br>you don’t know me<br>at my highest<br>or at my lowest<br>If I’ve learned anything<br><br>It’s you know what you know<br>but you don’t know what you don’t know<br>you know what you know<br>but you don’t know what you don’t know – oh-oh<br>yeah, you know what you know<br>but you don’t know what you don’t know<br>and you don't know me<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
3:20
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3252179
2014-10-27T09:54:50-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:36-06:00
Podcast #46 - Look Up
<span class="s1">It is really easy to focus on all the reasons you can't do something. You have the fear of failure on the one hand and the fear of success on the other. I know fear of success sounds kind of silly but, it's there. With success comes change and the raising of expectations and going way, way, way beyond your comfort zone. For someone like me, who is apt to set up my own tiny little fortress of solitude wherever I land, it's threatening to leave the safety zone. I tend to stay a little too long in one place and wait until it becomes unbearable before I break and run for the next plateau. So, count this as one of my 'cheer yourself up, self encouragement' songs. I'm actually in a good place right now. This song was written for week #46 and its week #48 now. :)<br><br>Now that the 52 week podcast (a full year of songs!) is almost up, I'm looking forward to doing an hour long online performance via <a contents="Concert Window" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/10205-midweek-peak-laura-marie" target="_blank">Concert Window</a> on NOVEMBER 12TH for you! <u><strong>The first 5 people who sign up</strong></u> get to choose a song from one of my <a contents="solo albums" data-link-label="music" data-link-type="page" href="/music" target="_blank">solo albums</a> or this podcast for me to sing (except for: Hard Rain or Suedehead). And, you can <strong>pay what you want </strong>for access so, yay! <u><strong>The first 20 people who sign up</strong></u> (including the first 5) will get a signed and personalized postcard from yours truly to anywhere in the world. That's right! I'm paying for postage :)</span><br> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/10205-midweek-peak-laura-marie" target="_blank">[img align="center" caption="</a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.concertwindow.com/shows/10205-midweek-peak-laura-marie" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/cf76364e2b00e41e562e4ea773327b48ed3bcc25/original/lauramarieconcertwindow.jpg?1414423183" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br><br><br><br><br><u><span class="s1"><b>Look Up </b></span></u><br>Under the covers, your favorite place to hide<br>Safer than facing the world that lurks outside<br>Losing the waiting game<br>Nothing ventured and stay the same<br><br>Bright is the light that you’re doubting with the curtains drawn<br>How many tears are you counting while the sun burns on<br>every chance you could take<br>to welcome the light of the day<br><br>Look up, I know it’s hard to face it<br>Look up, I hear what you’re saying<br>But turn your worried head around<br>Look up<br>Down and out but bound to rise above<br><br>You want it so bad you can taste it, well, go on and cry<br>None of your tears will be wasted if you want to try<br>The only ground you can lose<br>Is on a path that you never choose<br><br>Look up, I know it’s hard to face it<br>Look up, I hear what you’re saying<br>But turn your worried head around<br>Look up<br>Down and out but bound to rise above<br><br>The first day of the rest<br>Best days of your life<br>Going after it all<br>after all this time<br>And even if it goes wrong<br>Everything is alright<br>everything that you are<br>goes on and on and on<br><br>Look up, I know it’s hard to face it<br>Look up, I hear what you’re saying<br>But turn your worried head around<br>Look up<br>Down and out but bound to rise above<br><br>Look up, there’s a light up above you<br>Look up, look up look up<br>Look up, there’s a light up above you<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
3:50
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3240825
2014-10-20T10:58:00-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:35-06:00
Podcast #45 - You're Right
<span class="s1">I keep looking at this song sideways. I challenged myself to write with these different rhythms and I'm pretty sure I hate this particle one. Haha! The prompt was "break the shackle" and there was so much I could write about shackles, freedom, and such but, at this point, I'm being obstinate. If the prompt is one thing, all of a sudden, I don't want to write about that. I'm being difficult which makes the whole process more difficult. Writing, re-writing, banging my head against the desk :) So, the song ended up being about always facing new territory while being with someone who is your complete opposite but perfect compliment. Never a dull moment. But, I think the song is a little strange ..who knows? You may get something interesting out of it. If you do, I'd be interested to know what that is. Please, write me. <br><br>Only 7 more weeks of podcasts and only 6 more to write for me. Wow! Then, I sit down and start writing for the new album. Yay! And, as luck would have it, I'm feeling very boosted and inspired after spending a wonderful weekend at the Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival (basically, songwriter heaven in the Texas hill country). It was such an affirming experience. I played a total of 7 times and, each audience was incredible. I also had the pleasure of hearing so many gifted songwriters...my mind is blown. Here I am pictured with Tom Meny, Shannon Lee and Diana Corcoran. </span><br> <div class="captioned justify_none"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/f7e6d2059f705fd8fb7d6384805dc2874c00b8f0/large/10541917-10152461771516961-2377037811400180560-n.jpg?1413819054" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><p class="caption">photo by Christopher Herrera</p></div><br><span class="s1"><b><u>You’re Right </u></b></span><br>On a scale of one to ten<br>Everything I feel<br>On an upward trend<br>Tell me if it’s real<br>Is the sky above my head<br>Cause I know I took a hit<br>It hurts just to admit it<br><br>And all I know<br>Is stars are spinning around my head<br>Touch and everything is go<br>It might have started when you said<br>You’re right, you’re right<br>We’re never gonna be the same<br>You’re right, you’re right<br>But that’s why I love you anyway<br><br>Am I less or greater than<br>The choices that I make<br>Infinite or bound<br>to make the same mistake<br>Can the sum of all my parts<br>Break the shackle and the chain<br>Of events and/or happenstance<br><br>All I know<br>Is stars are spinning around my head<br>Touch and every thing is go<br>It might have started when you said<br>You’re right, you’re right<br>We’re never gonna be the same<br>You’re right, you’re right<br>But that’s why I love you anyway<br><br>Kind and calm and good and patient<br>Love, desire and inspiration<br>More than I could ever hope to find<br><br>All I know<br>Is stars are spinning around my head<br>Touch and every thing is go<br>It might have started when you said<br>You’re right, you’re right<br>We’re never gonna be the same<br>You’re right, you’re right<br>But that’s why I love you anyway<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
3:53
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3229955
2014-10-13T11:17:20-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:35-06:00
Podcast #44 - Love For You Now
<span class="s1">Everything that was supposed to happen happened. Acceptance. I think we often see conflicts as really horrible things but, they are wonderful for directing our course. Getting through them, over them or around them shapes and molds us. More than anything, this song is about looking back in gratitude for the conflicts that put me right where I happen to be. Acknowledging that pain is part of the process doesn't mean we have to like it though. Ran out of time and had to do a quick one take recording for you. You'll get the idea though. :)<br><br>Had a really sweet experience this past weekend. I had no idea what to expect for my first time at J&Os Cantina but it turned into a beautiful listening room vibe for me and I'm grateful for the experience and for the musicians who were also part of the night. Also, I got to wear what my son refers to as my "jazzy pants" (pictured below). Good times.<br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/dd9a4a83d75e9cf0769b7958b85718a3dd040083/medium/lmjno.jpg?1413216848" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br>Photos by Amy Gentel<br><br><br><strong><u>Love For You Now</u></strong></span><br>If we could go back to the beginning<br>Would you change a thing<br>Knowing we’d have a different ending<br>I guess it only matters if and when<br>Someone could rewind us back to then<br><br>The best and worst of us<br>in equal measure<br>It’s what we get for putting<br>all our separate parts together<br>breaking up our hearts<br>to make some space<br>leaving all our pieces out of place<br><br>I got nothing for the pain<br>No, I’m just waiting it out<br>I got nothing but a prayer<br>for perfect timing<br>and love for you now, love for you now<br><br>Time and time again,<br>so much for learning<br>It’s like we’re meant to<br>play this on repeat , the tables turning<br>Funny how we play the way we do<br>Either hurting me or hurting you<br><br>I got nothing for the pain<br>No, I’m just waiting it out<br>I got nothing but a prayer<br>for perfect timing<br>and love for you now, love for you now<br>and love for you now, now, now, now ,now<br><br>I just wish the rest of us<br>would hurry, hurry<br>I just wish the rest of us<br>would hurry, hurry<br>I just wish the rest of us<br>would hurry, hurry<br>Are we still hurting?<br><br>I got nothing for the pain<br>No, I’m just waiting it out<br>I got nothing but a prayer<br>for perfect timing<br>and love for you now,<br>love for you now, now, now, now , now<br>I got nothing but love<br>I got nothing but love<br>I got nothing but love<br>for you, for you now<br>Now, now, now , now, now, now<br><strong> ©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
4:56
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3219383
2014-10-06T11:03:34-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:35-06:00
Podcast #43 - Open Wide
"Beyond Repair" was the prompt. I thought about the things in my life that have been completely destroyed, all the pain and heartache and blessing. :) Really, sometimes things have to be broken apart so better things can take place. We aren't meant to live perfect lives. We have to open up, take chances, risk ourselves. I've had a fair share of heartbreak. No one is exempt. We all get broken and we are all involved in "breaking" other people. The whole process is really a gift. It destroys the world we've built up around us to get to the sweet and glorious center of us all: pure love. We can keep trying to cover it back up again, trying to protect ourselves from feeling any pain but, I think we are meant for a more intense experience. I'm really trying to not hold back because of fear. Believe me, I have that voice that gives me all the reasons I shouldn't try, shouldn't trust, shouldn't care. I'm learning to ignore it, let myself hurt if it comes to that because, there's always something beautiful on the other side. I'm beginning to see that it doesn't have to hurt every time. <br><br><br><u><b><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/e38eecbce67ffd225001a6fb48654d3aa0721afa/medium/openwidelauramarie.jpg?1412611382" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br>Open Wide</b></u><br>All the things you thought you were<br>All the things you thought were right<br>Sell them like the furniture<br>Worse for wear now under hard light<br>Fading with the stars<br>Up against the sky<br><br>All the things you want to say<br>And everything, you say, is just fine<br>Take it like a man, take a stand<br>Take a real hard line<br>Building up the wall<br>No one could ever climb<br><br>But, the best laid plans<br>Aren’t yours to make<br>Put your heart in someone’s hands<br>And let them break it<br>Open wide<br>There’s nothing like that brilliant light<br>Open wide<br>it’s only gonna come from the inside<br>Open wide<br>Everything gets broken<br>To be purified<br><br>All the things you promise to<br>Promise me, you won’t play fair<br>No one wants an easy route<br>They just want to know you care<br>There's nothing you can do<br>It’s all beyond repair<br><br>'Cause the best laid plans<br>Aren’t yours to make<br>Put your heart in someone’s hands<br>And let them break it<br>Open wide<br>There’s nothing like that brilliant light<br>Open wide<br>it’s only gonna come from the inside<br>Open wide<br>Everything gets broken<br>To be purified<br><br>Nothing that you’re holding back<br>Can stand against the tide<br>It all comes tumbling down<br>It’s only time, you know it’s time<br><br>So, open wide<br>There’s nothing like that brilliant light<br>Open wide<br>it’s only gonna come from the inside<br>Open wide<br>Everything gets broken<br>To be purified<br> <strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
4:18
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3208842
2014-09-29T12:47:23-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:35-06:00
Podcast #42 - Still In The Game
<span class="s1">Listening back to this and I here all the places where I need the song to breathe. I think I'll work on that. The prompt was "Still in the Game" and it brought to mind this perpetual game we play thinking there are winners and losers, that we aren't all the same, that we have to be better or worse than someone to know our place in the world. That's a freakin' lie. And I say this while I am currently competing to be on the stage at Lincoln Center. To me, that's an opportunity, a chance to find a larger audience and NOT some indicator that I'm better or worse than any one of the hard working, talented artists who also have that same chance. Competition is best when it encourages you to be the best of who you are without the need to "beat" someone else. That's really the only way I can look at "contests" and participate. I don't like to feel the separation that occurs with jealousy. I don't want to fear my fellow artists. I want to admire and encourage them because they inspire me and because I could really use that same kind of support. We all could. </span>Theodore Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy" and I do believe it can be. Joy comes when you realize the incredible beauty that's in each individual expression of who we are. Something to celebrate. <br><br><span class="s1">So, if you haven't yet, this is the<a contents=" last week to vote" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.newsong-music.com/contest/southwest/" target="_blank"> last week to vote</a>. I could use your support too! My songs, along with those of the other 9 artists are at the following link. You probably have to scroll around to find my songs "Honest" (video) and "Crazy" (audio only) and I hope you do. I'm really proud of these two. They both really moved me when I wrote them and I hope they move you. <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.newsong-music.com/contest/southwest/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/2843286bb1518675d4c2774ebe7d283cea837e50/medium/lmnewsong.jpg?1412011813" class="size_m justify_none border_" /></a><br>Or copy and paste: </span><a contents="https://www.newsong-music.com/contest/southwest/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.newsong-music.com/contest/southwest/%E2%80%8B" target="_blank">https://www.newsong-music.com/contest/southwest/</a><br><br><br><br><u><span class="s1"><b>Still In The Game</b></span> </u><br>There's no use jumping ahead<br>You end up right where you are<br>Give as good as you get<br>Everybody in step<br>All you weapons of war<br>Come to question in time<br>maybe you got it all wrong<br>Do you wake up at night in a sweat<br>Is the lie of not good enough gone<br>Not good enough gone<br><br>Throw it all away<br>It all sounds the same<br>You can make it up again<br>But who do you blame<br>When you leave yourself in play<br>Still in the game<br><br>Loathe to decide<br>You love or you lose<br>Cause every crooked man<br>Walks a crooked mile<br>It’s your burden of proof<br>Take a long and hard look<br>At the toll that it takes<br>Do you wake up at night in a sweat<br>Does the lie not keep you awake<br>Not keep you awake<br><br>Throw it all away<br>It all sounds the same<br>You can make it up again<br>But who do you blame<br>When you leave yourself in play<br>Still in the game<br><br>I am open and I am listening<br>Is that your vision coming through<br>Still unopened, boxed and broken<br>Is that your version of truth<br><br>Throw it all away<br>It all sounds the same<br>You can make it up again<br>But who do you blame<br>If you always find yourself<br>still in the game<br>still in the game….<br><strong> ©lauramariemusic2014<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/1d03115d16b9160c3237ee98880e52a86a678251/medium/lmstill.jpg?1412012430" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></strong>
3:14
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3197821
2014-09-22T11:37:21-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:35-06:00
Podcast #41 - Diggin' On Swine (Rap..ish)
Actual quote from Matt Barker: " That was exactly what a laura marie rap would sound like". To be fair, it's only "rap-ish".<br><br>It's moments like this when I think, "Why did I agree to share all these songs?" Before you even say it, YES, I know how ridiculous this is. First of all, I don't rap and probably shouldn't. I don't have near the attitude for it. But, I have been known to write a funny song or two. My most notable was Paris which made the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance compilation. My prompt then was "Please, get excited for Paris" and I wrote it about Paris Hilton who had just been busted for cocaine possession. Fun little tune though it could still use some work on song structure. <br><br>So, the prompt for this one was "Diggin' On Swine" and, not wanting to write about bacon, I had no idea what to do until an opportunity presented itself. A particular rapper, who shall remain nameless, decided to post comments on my music page about his music. That's annoying. And, rappers aren't the only ones who do it. In the past, I've had other singer-songwriters comment on my show postings with things like, "If you can't make her show, come see me play..." which is really just bad form. It's rude. Yes, we're all trying to get an audience and I am grateful when my fellow artists help spread the word. I also try to help as many fellow artists as I can but, I have to consider my audience. I could be totally off base but, I have no reason to believe that the people following my page are huge rap fans. They may be. I mean, I like a certain amount of rap music. I even own some. There is certainly an art to it that I really appreciate. And, no, I don't think it's my calling but, I felt like calling this person out a bit. I will absolutely NOT reveal who he is because I have no intention of embarrassing anyone....except myself...apparently. <br><br>Seriously, the closer I get to publicly posting this, the more painful it is. Why did I promise to do this? Somebody stop me...<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/2f2a412bd048f44c88857684667fdf628b02161d/medium/lauramarierap.jpg?1411403711" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br><u><b>Diggin On Swine</b></u><br>Living large with the credit cards<br>Going off about the girl that you got<br>On the side, you won’t apologize<br>Cause its all a part of your fledgling art<br>Getting in my face with your off hand song<br>Making it up as you go along<br>There’s nothing wrong with that<br>It’s just not where I’m at<br>So, why don’t you<br><br>Stop trying to step all over my lines<br>Trying to drown me out with your rhymes<br>I’ve got plenty of mine<br>If you want to take the spotlight<br>Do it on your own dime<br>Stop trying to hit me up with that mess<br>Needs some work but that’s none of my business<br>Got to pull your own. If you won’t<br>Please, don’t drag on me, no<br><br>No sir, I’m not genre dependent<br>I set my course to transcendent<br>Music with nothing to prove,<br>No need to defend it<br>I know, you just want some attention<br>But what you need is intervention<br>You can’t force feed<br>If I hear it and I like it maybe then you’ll get a mention<br><br>Stop trying to step all over my lines<br>Trying to drown me out with your rhymes<br>I’ve got plenty of mine<br>If you want to take the spotlight<br>Do it on your own dime<br>Stop trying to hit me up with that mess<br>Needs some work but that’s none of my business<br>Got to pull your own. If you won’t<br>Please, don’t drag on me, no<br><br>Instead of posing with those flashy cars<br>And fabricating like a superstar<br>Work hard<br>Maybe then I’ll know who you are<br>Diggin’ on swine<br>Yeah I thought I’d better drop that line<br>It’s a matter of requirement<br>It’s a discipline<br>If you don’t want to work those words then<br>Stop tryin’ Stop tryin’ Stop tryin’ Stop tryin’ tryin<br>Stop tryin’ Stop tryin’ Stop tryin’ Stop tryin’ tryin<br><br>Stop trying to step all over my lines<br>Trying to drown me out with your rhymes<br>I’ve got plenty of mine<br>If you want to take the spotlight<br>Do it on your own dime<br>Stop trying to hit me up with that mess<br>Needs some work but that’s none of my business<br>Got to pull your own. If you won’t<br>Please, don’t drag on me, no<br><br>Going off on your comment spree<br>Ima sit here and hit delete<br>I think you’re peeing on the wrong tree<br>Yeah<br>Tryin’ to lift your leg on me<br>Aw, hell no<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
3:19
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3187660
2014-09-15T13:50:10-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:35-06:00
Podcast #40 - Stay Where You Are
The end is near. 40 out of a 52 song commitment. Not bad y'all. Wait until you hear next week's rap song ;)<br><br>This week's song prompt was "Excuse Me For Living". Do you ever feel almost afraid to be happy...or successful or healthy? Even a good change can be daunting for some people. It means things are not going to stay the same as they've always been. It means people may be out of your life. You might not even know what to do with yourself. If it's something you've never experienced before, it might just be the fear of the unknown that holds you back. I remember being clinically depressed and afraid to tell the therapist why. I was afraid to get better. I didn't know who I'd be without my depression. How would I even function? I couldn't imagine it. Over the last month I was overcome with fear. Something was changing in me with regard to how I see myself as a singer-songwriter. And, even though I knew I wasn't going to quit, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was leaving some idea of myself behind and would never be the same again. I had to move forward and it felt like jumping off a cliff. So, I guess this song is me singing myself some encouragement. Trying to ignore those negative little voices in my head. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/5b3361c5d64ed381ae92accdc217736da189519b/medium/lauramariestaywhereyouare.jpg?1410806611" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br><br><strong><u>Stay Where You Are</u></strong><br>Let’s begin<br>Where the caution ends<br>And the fools rush in<br>And we’ll forge ahead<br>To the part where angels<br>fear to tread<br>where they grow their wings<br>watch them fly right over me<br>A coward maybe<br>But who can blame me<br>for entertaining<br>a voice that’s saying<br> <br>Stay where you are<br>Don’t make a move<br>I think that’s far<br>Enough for you<br>You’ll fall apart<br>Head and heart<br>With open arms<br> <br>Trust me, I’m<br>Wrapped up tight<br>Like a butterfly<br>Gonna take my time<br>To break through all<br>These walls of mine<br>But when I’m done<br>I’ll open up<br>and be the one<br>to greet the dawn<br>That’s waiting for me<br>not to hear and<br>heed their warning<br> <br>Stay where you are<br>Don’t make a move<br>I think that’s far<br>Enough for you<br>You’ll fall apart<br>Head and heart<br>With open<br> Arms wide<br>Embrace the world you find<br>Be open, willing<br>Born to fly<br>Higher than high<br>Excuse me for living<br>Far above their heads<br>But, all I know is that<br>I won’t hear them, saying<br> <br>Stay where you are<br>Don’t make a move<br>I think that’s far<br>Enough for you<br>You’ll fall apart<br>Head and heart<br>With open arms…<br> <br>Stay where you are<br>Don’t make a move<br>Just stay where you are<br>Don’t make a move<br>Just stay where you are<br>Don’t make a move<br>Just stay where you are<br><strong> ©lauramariemusic2014</strong><br> <br>
3:16
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3177032
2014-09-08T13:29:41-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:34-06:00
Podcast #39 - More Than This
Week #39 was the week I broke down. It started with a panic. I completely lost my sense of direction and started to question why I even write songs. One of my beloved friends, who I used to perform with but who I hadn't seen in a long while, went to one of my shows. My husband asked him, "Did you ever think she'd still be doing this after all these years." He answered, "She needs this." He knows me after all this time. He should. He saved my life once. Carried me out of a deep depression. And it's true. I need this. It keeps me sane. As another friend described it, "You're a little bit crazy and you have something to say." So, I need to say it. The prompt was prompted by what was happening in the world that week. I was so angered at the injustices, the people who spoke out without an ounce of compassion for each other. Actions and reactions. So much pain and anger. I wanted to heal it but felt absolutely powerless to do or say anything helpful. "Don't shoot" was the prompt. <br><br><u><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/6a2fabf2ef6c50cd56ddbe5aeeca8e4d3905def4/medium/lauramariemorethanthis.jpg?1410200868" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><strong>More than This</strong></u><br>Don’t shoot I am unarmed<br>All I have are words<br>Breaking in my heart<br>Jagged edges on the inside<br>Carve and cut me open wide<br>too wounded to fly<br>Tired of the tireless fight<p class="p1">Don’t shoot I am unarmed<br>In remembrance of the fear<br>underneath these scars<br>All the anger’s on the outside<br>Holding back the tears<br>stonewall of pride<br>and I’m in over my head<br>Drowning in the tears unshed</p>
<p class="p2">The moral of the story<br>Is we live and die<br>by what we find within<br>And the lesson to be taken<br>With some small consolation<br>is we’re born for more<br>than this</p>
<p class="p1">Don’t shoot I am unarmed<br>If all we are is waiting<br>On the worst to come<br>Then it’s gonna be a hard cry<br>Longer than a long time<br>tired of being afraid<br>buried in the beds we made</p>
<p class="p1">The moral of the story<br>Is we live and die<br>by what we find within<br>And the lesson to be taken<br>With some small consolation<br>is we’re born for more<br>than this<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong></p>
3:13
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3166405
2014-09-01T14:35:57-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:34-06:00
Podcast #38 - More Than You'll Ever Know (Dark Side)
I think we all have a fair amount of mess inside our heads and hearts. It takes being in relationship (any kind of relationship) with other human beings to bring it out of us. And, even when it feels like a violent destruction of our hearts, it's simply the tearing away of everything that isn't true or real. It's a necessary part of our evolution as spiritual beings. You don't have to agree with me on this. It's simply where the song came from. I think, if we can recognize that the truth is we are meant to love each other and not fear each other and we have to have courage to withstand what seems like a falling away of ourselves at times. Then, we start to understand why we are compelled to enter into relationships and society in the first place. There's something beautiful there. Something glorious beyond measure. I think the deepest part of ourselves is calling out to each other in love. If it weren't for all this protective armor we carry around, it wouldn't be so difficult to get through. We think love is fragile but it's the only thing that endures. <br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/100bc0d7fc25159cc43cd79c28bd17533c63e3a7/medium/10598527-1468463416767348-1295423997-n.jpg?1409600095" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><br><u><b>More Than You'll Ever (Dark Side)</b></u>
<p class="p1">Why would I run, why would I hide<br>There’s nothing here I wasn’t meant to find<br>You get so tired of holding it back<br>Everyone has a dark side</p>
<p class="p1">So break the rules, don’t stand in line<br>Waiting on your turn has taken more than your time<br>Take a good look at yourself<br>different by design<br>but I’m singing<br>I Love You<br>I Love You<br><br>The more you try, the more you lose<br>If that’s all you got, keep going,<br>it gets harder to prove<br>No, You’re not fooling yourself<br>there’s nobody else but you<br><br>All the storms in your mind,<br>the worst flooding in years<br>Ain’t it just like life to leave you<br>face to face with your fears<br>maybe it’s time<br>and maybe it’s hard to hear<br>But I’m singing<br>I Love You<br>I Love You<br><br>More than you’ll ever<br>More than you’ll ever know<br>(it’s ok, it’s alright)<br>More than you’ll ever<br>More than you’ll ever know<br>(it’s ok, it’s alright)<br>More than you’ll ever<br>More<br>(I want you to see it<br>The way that I see it)<br><br>Why would I run, why would I hide<br>There’s nothing here I wasn’t meant to find<br>You get so tired of holding it back<br>Everyone has a dark side<br>I’m singing<br>I Love You<br>And I<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong></p>
3:36
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3154464
2014-08-25T13:21:16-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:34-06:00
Podcast #37 - Let's Spend All Night
<span class="s1">Having some fun with my nephew's ukulele. Those little suckers are tough to keep in tune. But, I learned four chords and came up with this song. The prompt was "slide to the right". I was feeling kind of lighthearted and still thinking quite a bit about my relationship with my husband, all we've been through and how grateful I am to have him as a partner in life. Life gets busy. I get hyper-focused on silly things or have this ridiculous habit of over-committing myself to everything. So, I really appreciate those moments when he and I can run off and reconnect. Writing this song was also a break from all the heavy stuff weighing on my brain. <br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/96cb25ddf2acfe0a4d6df06003af0a85977abca6/medium/letsspendallnight.jpg?1408990784" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br><br><br><b>Let’s Spend All Night </b></span><br><br>Worried. All the world is hurried.<br>Don’t you want to slow down<br>I know that you know how<br>I’d settle for a slow climb<br>Talk to me and hold time<br>Focus on the words here<br>Everything will come clear<br><br>We can find our way right here alone<br>Doesn’t matter where the sun has gone<br>Put the world on pause<br>Love me like the stars go on and on<br><br>Let’s spend all night<br>Making music just the two<br>of us can dance to<br>Let’s spend all night<br>In the rhythm of the moment<br>Let it grab you<br>Let’s spend all night<br>Anything you like<br>Take it from the top<br>Promise not to stop<br><br>Take it<br>Time is what you make it<br>An avenue that we found<br>To be just where we are now<br>Use your imagination<br>Endless recreation<br>If life is but a dream then<br>Why should we awaken<br><br>We can find our way right here alone<br>Doesn’t matter where the sun has gone<br>Put the world on pause<br>Love me like the stars go on and on<br><br>Let’s spend all night<br>Making music just the two<br>of us can dance to<br>Let’s spend all night<br>In the rhythm of the moment<br>Let me have you<br>Let’s spend all night<br>Anything you like<br>Take it from the top<br>Promise not to stop<br><br>Oh just slide to the right<br>Be amazed at what you find<br>You can lose it to the music<br>Let it run across your mind<br>What we have and hold<br>When there’s no control<br>Takes a love we trust<br>To just let it go<br><br>Let’s spend all night<br>Making music just the two<br>of us can dance to<br>Let’s spend all night<br>In the rhythm of the moment<br>Let it grab you<br>Let’s spend all night<br>Anything you like<br>Oh, just let me have you<br>Let’s spend all night<br>Let’s spend all night…<br><strong>©lauramariemusic2014</strong>
3:45
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3140425
2014-08-18T09:00:00-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:34-06:00
Podcast #36 - Way Up High
It's podcast #36 but it's assignment #37. Next week, I'll post last week's assignment. I'm switching it up because I wrote this song in reaction to the news of Robin Williams' death and felt like this was the time to post it. Let me start off by saying I have many concerns about the world today and events around the world. So, for the few that will be upset that I didn't write about any number of injustices in the world, please understand. I am as deeply angered, upset and saddened by a great deal but, for some reason, this is what resonated with my creative side. I've struggled with depression, I've battled suicidal thoughts. He was someone who had, in my mind, overcome them. He was proof of possibility. Not to say that my proof is gone now that he is. It's not. It still exists. I think maybe it became stronger when I wasn't looking. Or, maybe it's survival instinct, necessity, coming to terms with this responsibility to carry a light when those I've looked up to can no longer do so. It's my job. It's our job...as human beings. No one can always be the strong one or the week one. Our heroes can't always be someone else. Maybe the best we can do is take the best of what we learn from each other and run with it. <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Xo_qUdUemn0" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Xo_qUdUemn0/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xo_qUdUemn0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><span class="s1"><b><u>Way Up High</u></b></span><br>Sometimes the bravest souls<br>Are on the darker side<br>Burning with everything<br>Taking the wildest ride<br>Deeper than ocean depths<br>Leaping from dizzy heights<br>Staring the demons down<br>If only in their minds<p class="p2">Wish I could see you now<br>I thought you’d always be<br>Some living proof of hope<br>Is it selfish of me<br>to want you standing here<br>Instead of where you are<br>To stop my losing heart<br>When all has gone too far</p>
<p class="p2">Way up high<br>You’ve found your way home<br>Way up high<br>Where only your sweet,<br>sweet soul could go</p>
<p class="p2">You won’t come crashing down<br>Not here, not anymore<br>You’re far beyond the clouds<br>that gathered 'round, you left this world<br>a little darker for<br>just having gone away<br>If you can’t send a light<br>Then, can you send a little rain</p>
<p class="p2">From way up high<br>You’ve found your way home<br>Way up high<br>Where only your sweet,<br>sweet soul could go</p>
<p class="p2">All my heroes<br>are losing the fight<br>All my hopes keep<br>dropping like flies<br>I’m not ready<br>To grow up<br>and keep them alive</p>
<p class="p2">But, if not, the battle ends<br>without a victory<br>only the bitter loss<br>that set you free</p>
<p class="p2"><strong>©lauramariemusic2014<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/98782e6157401c57dd66f26144b5045a616011dc/small/lauramarievid.jpg?1408209726" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /></strong></p>
2:55
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3130629
2014-08-11T09:44:23-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:34-06:00
Podcast #35 - Stir It Up Again
Short and sweet little demo I wrote and recorded just before we left for our anniversary weekend. We married young and we've grown up together. I still remember the look on my mother's face when I told her I was getting married. Her exact words were something like, "You're too young". And, yeah, I was. Headstrong and foolish. I thought I knew everything and went forward with abandon. Still, the best decision I ever made in my life. I just followed my heart. And, there were times when we both doubted, drove each other insane and wondered what we got ourselves into. That's just part of the ride. My kid makes fun of me about how cautious I can be about decisions I make now, my many phobias. What he doesn't understand are the years I lived impulsively and the trouble it got me into. I know there is a balance in there somewhere and it's taken years and years to inch towards it. While Pete has been there in the center of it all, holding out his hand and saying, "It's ok...you're going to be ok, I've got you." He's my best friend. <br><br>Prompt was "'till the last minute" and I threw it in there at the last minute ;)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/8c15c637e69e3463df9feed535515741a27bb7e6/medium/lala-2.jpg?1407767996" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br><br><u><strong>Stir It Up Again</strong></u><br>I love my love<br>And I’d do it all again<br>For the way it’s all worn in<br>And still gets me all worked up<br><br>I love my love<br>For the highs and for the lows<br>Roller-coaster here it goes<br>Don’t think I could ever get enough<br><br>So, let’s stir it up again<br>Here’s to all the limits we destroyed<br>How we sailed right past the breaking point<br>For the places and disgraces we have been<br>Let’s stir it up again<br>Thunder rolling, keep me going through the night<br>Baby, don’t you love the way the lighting strikes<br>There’s nothing better than the love we’re in<br><br>I love my love<br>For the sweet insane release<br>It’s a brutal honesty<br>But nothing moves me the way it does<br><br>I love my love<br>So, let's take it all too far<br>doesn't matter where we are<br>it’s always better than the way it was<p class="p1">So, let’s stir it up again<br>Here’s to all the limits we destroyed<br>How we sailed right past the breaking point<br>For the places and disgraces we have been<br>Let’s stir it up again<br>Thunder rolling, keep me going through the night<br>Baby, don’t you love the way the lighting strikes<br>There’s nothing better than the love we’re in<br>Gonna tell you while we’re in it<br>No waiting ‘til the last minute<br>There’s nothing better than the love we’re in<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
4:57
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3121950
2014-08-04T14:22:15-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:34-06:00
Podcast #34 - How Do You Ever?
<span class="s1">I have a couple of friends going through relationship problems. It's complicated. Sometimes it works and it's lovely and sometimes it doesn't. It doesn't have to be anyone's fault. My friend Margaret posted a video clip of Tyler Perry's character Mabel "Madea" Simmons that was really quite brilliant. I wish I knew which performance it came from so I could share it with you. A big take away: Some people are only meant to be in your life for a season. It's true. You learn something from them and then there's a moving on. I've been simply devastated by the loss of friends and loves along the way. And, it doesn't have to be that way. You really do have to find your own solid ground and know that you will be fine if certain people are just "seasonal". Even though, in some cases, it took me years and years to let go of the pain and resentment, I've found that profound healing, changes, growth and new and better things come when you finally do release them. Plus, you just never know how and when people might show up later in your life. The more graceful you can be about letting go, the more space you leave for them to return if it's right. In the past couple of years, I've connected with old friends I never thought I'd see again. Even an old boyfriend! And, it was very natural with no wishing for what once was. In fact, remembering how angry I was at letting go seemed almost comical considering where we both ended up. It was just a joy to see how we had changed and the choices we made that truly were right for us no matter how it looked at the time of our parting. That's a beautiful thing and you're not going to know how it's going to turn out. Try to remember that not knowing is part of how amazing it is when something better and more suited to you comes along. <br><br><br>And, on that note, happy 22nd anniversary to my love! <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/0b9d231e7a4e70f7e1ec2ccf3bad10d61592f8f7/medium/paris.jpg?1407179766" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br>UPDATE!!! Here is the link to the video: </span><a contents="http://vimeo.com/18145425" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://vimeo.com/18145425" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/18145425</a><br>It's all pretty hilarious but the segment I'm referring to starts at 4:40. <br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="18145425" data-video-thumb-url="http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/113770453_295x166.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/18145425" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320"></iframe><br><br><br><br><u><span class="s1"><b>How Do You Ever</b></span></u>
<p>This is it<br>It’s over before it started<br>Sinking feeling<br>Not for the faint of heart<br>It’s not what you think<br>That’s only a tiny part<br>It’s everything<br>You are and aren’t</p>
<p class="p1">It’s gone too fast<br>Oh, but it never lasts<br>Just give all you have<br>And if it all comes back<br>It’s yours to hold<br>But, if you never let it go<br><br>Then, how do you ever<br>How do you ever know<br>You don’t<br><br>This is the hard part<br>This is where you’ll want to<br>Stop believing<br>Everything you’re thinking<br>Chances you take<br>History in the making<br>for the one<br>But not the one<br><br>It’s gone too fast<br>Oh, but it never lasts<br>Just give all you have<br>And if it all comes back<br>It’s yours to hold<br>But, if you never let it go<br>Then, how do you ever<br>How do you ever know<br><br>You don’t need<br>to know everything<br>Where we’re going<br>You don’t even<br>have to know the path<br>You can’t take it back<br>But, since you asked<br><br>How do you ever<br>How do you ever know<br>How do you ever know<br>You don’t<br><br>This is the one<br>This is the way it happens<br>Now we’ve begun<br>Someone above is laughing<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
3:51
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3103751
2014-07-28T16:35:19-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:34-06:00
Podcast #33 - Hold Me
<span class="font_regular"><span class="s1">I was so irritated at the world and it was tearing me up. Ugh! I returned home from vacation to what felt like a mountain of negativity that seemed to come from every direction. I'm sure there isn't really more of it. It was probably just that I was tired and more sensitive to it and I really let it get to me. So, count me super grateful to have my husband who is so much calmer than I am. He's steady, strong and not as prone to despair. And, I'm lucky to have someone who balances me out so well. And, great friends for counsel. I ended up doing some positive things to combat the negative. You know what the Dalai Lama says: "</span></span>If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” <br><br><span class="s1">It's true! Also, arguing on social media does so little to solve anything. Thanks to my FB followers for sharing this one :)<br>The prompt was: just a little bit longer<br><br><b><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/e326997de3f44e0c8fe6c7fad4947ac43cf7f80e/medium/10389690-10152523365854757-5461600192526191027-n.jpg?1406583098" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br><br><u>Hold Me</u></b></span><br>Time, ticking on the clock<br>I’m running out of patience<br>I want the world to stop<br>Setting off alarms<br>All over creation<br>When everything we need<br>Is all along<br>In each other’s arms<br>where we belong<br><br>Weighs heavy on my heart<br>All the mess we’re making<br>Sometimes it takes<br>Everything I’ve got<br>Just to stand and face it<br>I don’t need to rest up<br>For a fight<br>I just need some love<br>To make it right<br><br>Hold me, just a little bit longer<br>I don’t want to face the world today<br>You know it’s only<br>love that makes me stronger<br>safe inside your arms,<br>I’m holding on<br>you give me strength<br><br>When will it ever change<br>All of this confusion<br>We have to give our love<br>If no one ever does<br>everybody loses<br>I wish it were an<br>Easy thing to do<br>Just like staying here<br>and loving you<br><br>So, hold me, just a little bit longer<br>I don’t want to face the world today<br>You know it’s only<br>love that makes me stronger<br>safe inside your arms, I’m holding on<br>you give me strength<br><br>The love we need<br>To make it is our own<br>But we’ll never find<br>The world we seek alone<br><br>So, hold me, just a little bit longer<br>I don’t want to face the world today<br>You know it’s only<br>love that makes me stronger<br>safe inside your arms, I’m holding on<br>Oh, won’t you hold me,<br>just a little bit longer<br>I don’t want to face the world today<br>You know it’s only<br>love that makes me stronger<br>safe inside your arms, I’m holding on<br>you give me strength<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
3:44
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3089139
2014-07-21T12:31:46-05:00
2021-06-22T10:40:23-05:00
Podcast #32 - Barely There (From the Mountain)
From the vacation files. Wrote this one camping in Colorado and recorded it in the shadow of Pike's Peak. Had to huddle in the back seat of Pete's truck with my iPad so as not to wake anyone while recording. The trip was wonderful. Got to see my sister and family in New Mexico then on to Grand Junction to hang out with my friend and former writing partner Reza Kaleel, and his wife Shawn. They are great friends and it was good to see them. Then, it was a fun filled day in Moab with one of my lifelong friends, Tricia, who works for Arches National Park. We ended up in Colorado Springs with more lifelong friends, Tricia, Becky and Debbie, and their families for Debbie's wedding. And, all the while camping and learning to live in small quarters for our family. We survived! But, I have to admit, my anxieties chased me throughout this trip for some reason. That's where this song came from. I'm afraid of heights. Not terrified (unless I'm in an actual dangerous situation) but, they make me anxious and there were many heights on this trip. It was quite a mix of fear, awe, beauty and connection to the earth. This song was written for the moments I was lifted far enough that I didn't worry about looking down. There is value in facing your fears and reaching those heights. It puts things into perspective. <br><br>A little video from the trip. No heights. I was too busy breathing (and praying) to record any of those moments. I was going to re-do the performance when I got home but decided to give you the truth of it, scratchy vox and all from the back of the truck ;)<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Vw7CEIWOEjs" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Vw7CEIWOEjs/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vw7CEIWOEjs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><br><strong>Barely There</strong><br><br>I remember you I do<br>Distant memory coming through<br>Of how I used to fall apart<br><br>Now I'm almost in the clear<br>You can't raise your voice up here<br>I can find myself alone<br>Gone as far as you can go<br><br>I'm not listening at all<br>You're barely there<br>Just a memory to recall<br>You're barely there<br>You've never been so small<br>You're barely there at all<br><br>How insatiable your pride<br>Is it never satisfied<br>Glad I traded in my greed<br>For a soft unspoken need<br><br>I'm not listening at all<br>You're barely there<br>Just a memory to recall<br>You're barely there<br>You've never been so small<br>You're barely there at all<br><br>As far as the eye can see<br>As far as the eye can see<br>You can't reach me<br><br>I'm not listening at all<br>You're barely there<br>Just a memory to recall<br>You're barely there<br>You've never been so small<br>You're barely there at all<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/2c4aadfa2f951839d41841b1e7f3bedc37712574/original/barelytherescreen.png?1405964251" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong>
2:57
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3053145
2014-07-13T12:58:57-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:33-06:00
Podcast #31 - Coming Up Empty
"Night Fishing" was the prompt. I want to say that I wanted to write about what I see as a futile attempt to satisfy oneself with something that will never give us what we truly need. That could be money, success, relationships..etc. But, truth is, I didn't really sit and think about it much before I wrote this song. The phrase 'coming up empty' came to me separately from the prompt. The prompt was not something I would generally write about but I liked the fishing references so I went with it . The idea of what it could be about came to me during the process. So, yes, it has to do with the search for something "real". We often expect it to come from outside of us and, while that (whatever "that" is) may satisfy us for a while, we often end up disappointed. I heard comedic actor Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Veep) speak about advice a friend gave him. He said he was unsatisfied even though he got the job of his dreams. His friend reminded him that he should wake himself up a hundred times a day to the present moment. "If you're not practicing contentment where you are now, you're not getting contentment when you get what you want." The link to a part of the discussion this came from is below. Great roundtable discussion, by the way. And, great advice! <br><br>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tony-hale-arrested-development-didnt-713879#sthash.hrCnjb19.dpuf<br><br>P.S. The past ten days our family has been on an adventure. It's been insanely beautiful, terrifying, gratifying and, at times, a little frustrating but I'm grateful for every moment. We have such stories to tell. So glad to have seen so many friends I don't get a chance to see every day. It did my heart a lot of good to be able to just give them a hug. Brings tears to my eyes, really. <br><br><span class="s1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/085df99ad72247653789f6b4779c88c7a8c9921d/original/image.jpg?1405274186" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span><br><br><u><span class="s1"><b>Coming Up Empty</b></span></u><br>It’s darker now<br>down by the dock<br>The stars are lost<br>the sky is heavy<br>Strung your heart out<br>on the night fishing line<br>Gone already<br>all the time you take<br>Just to pull the weight<br><br>There’s nothing like<br>Throwing out the line<br>But aren’t you tired<br>Of coming up empty<br>Coming up empty<br>Coming up empty<br>Coming up empty<br><br>You miss the color<br>Of her skin<br>Sun kissed<br>Warm and waiting<br>Wrap your arms<br>Around the mist<br>Cast again<br>Where the tide<br>is breaking<br>all the time you take<br>Just to pull the weight<br><br>There’s nothing like<br>Throwing out the line<br>But aren’t you tired<br>Of coming up empty<br>Coming up empty<br>Coming up empty<br>Coming up empty<br><br>You hope in time<br>You’ll be alright<br>You hope in time<br>You’ll sleep just fine<br>You hope in time<br>But aren’t<br>you tired<br><br>There’s nothing like<br>Throwing out the line<br>and<br>Of coming up empty<br>Coming up empty....<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
3:20
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3051283
2014-07-08T01:02:57-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:33-06:00
Podcast #30 - Some Songs
"Dancing with Vernaculars" So, that was the prompt. As it often happens, I had no idea what the hell to do with it. Then I started thinking about the process of writing and songs past and present and some songs I'd forgotten and, upon hearing them again, found they just didn't mean as much to me as they once did. Some songs I didn't even have to hear again. I thought about how songwriting starts and how some just seem to spit out nonsense and others dive pretty deep. I like to layer meaning in my songs whether or not the audience notices it. Most of the time there's an "inside joke" in there somewhere that satisfies some deep urge to comment on an issue I'm thinking over. This song is no different. :) <br><br>P.S.<br>Just arrived in Colorado from New Mexico! Here's a pic from White Sands National Monument ;)<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/0c5ed13b547d9a27382fdb671d4dc1a840b268f8/original/image.jpg?1404799322" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><br><u><strong>Some Songs</strong></u><br>Sing anything<br>Play around with syllables<br>It sounds pretty good<br>Kind of makes me think<br>and remember<br>how it used to be<br>I remember<br>When it used to mean<br> <br>Something to me<br>The words fail<br>The melody I<br>Want to feel them deeply<br>But some songs have no meaning<br>Some have no meaning<br> <br>I’ve been keeping time<br>Feel the beat then<br>Stop it on a dime<br>Just like all the songs<br>I left behind<br>I remember<br>how it used to be<br>I remember<br>When they used to mean<br> <br>Something to me<br>The words fail<br>The melody I<br>Want to feel it deeply<br>But some songs have no meaning<br>Some have no meaning<br> <br>Start that song again<br>The one that‘s heavy with<br>the words I used to know<br>play it on repeat<br>I can hear there’s nothing<br>humming through it<br>soft and low<br>I hate it when it comes too easy<br>runs the risk of never meaning<br> <br>Something to me<br>The words fail<br>The melody I<br>Want to feel it deeply<br>But some songs have no meaning<br>Some have no meaning<br> <br>Saying nothing in particular<br>Just dancing with vernaculars<br>Kind of rings familiar<br>But some songs have no meaning<br>No, some songs have no meaning<br>Some songs have no meaning<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
3:58
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3048895
2014-06-30T14:16:10-05:00
2014-06-30T14:16:10-05:00
Podcast #29 - Til The End
I remember having a really bad week. It's all kind of a blur. Things weren't going well and I ended up writing two different songs for this prompt but the other one was depressing and incomplete so, I cut it out. At least this song cheered me up a bit. Sometimes, in the middle of all the crap, you can't help but stop and laugh and be grateful that you have things to complain about. I didn't have time to do fix up the crappy first recording I did so here is a live video from my office. <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="lAL81Iuuz6g" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/lAL81Iuuz6g/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lAL81Iuuz6g?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><u><strong>Til The End</strong></u><br><br>Win or lose <br>tough to tell the two apart<br>Hard to choose which path<br>you wanna take<br>in the dark<br>courage for the soul,<br>strength for the pain<br>endurance for the road,<br>every single day <br> <br><br>Hey, how ya been?<br>Hallelujah, keep it coming<br>Where to begin?<br>Praise the Lord,<br>it’s always something new<br>and I’m wearing thin but<br>here I go again<br>In it ‘til the end<br><br>It all depends<br>on how you’re gonna<br>read those stars<br>In the end<br>you’ll see it never really<br>was so hard<br>courage for the soul, <br>strength for the pain<br>endurance for the road, <br>every single day<br> <br>Hey, how ya been? <br>Hallelujah, keep it coming<br>Where to begin?<br>Praise the Lord, <br>it’s always something new<br>and I’m wearing thin but <br>here I go again<br>In it ‘til the end<br> <br>If I don’t stand a chance<br>How could you stand in my way<br>I’m moving past it faster<br>I will outlast this day<br> <br>Hey, how ya been? <br>Hallelujah, keep it coming<br>Where to begin?<br>Praise the Lord, <br>it’s always something new<br>and I’m wearing thin but <br>here I go again<br>In it ‘til the end <br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
2:59
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3033915
2014-06-23T10:42:46-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:33-06:00
Podcast #28 - I Surrender
I was in a mood. Just really, really had enough of the ridiculous arguments and justifications for treating every other human being as an enemy. Now, most of the people around me aren't violent and I'm from Texas but, it's not like we are all walking around with on Uzi despite what you might hear on the news. Those people make great headlines but I don't see much if any of them on a daily basis. I guess I was having one of those weeks (or a couple of weeks, really) where certain people were standing out to me. You know, you've seen them, the ones with bumper stickers spreading hate towards one person or another or the news people spreading fear with provocative questions, really, just anyone looking for conflict and justifying it. I felt infected with it. It was like a virus and I caught it and I was angry because I was seeing things that just were not fair and lies that are never justified. I'm still kind of angry I think. I made a few public comments to followers about how frustrating it is and most people agreed that certain behaviors were just uncalled for, everyone has had just about enough of that. Only a couple of people jumped in pointing fingers at "the other side" as if we aren't all guilty of buying into the fear that leads to anger and spreading it around when we allow it to get the better of us. I haven't been a great person to be around for the last several days, I'm grateful for those people who hung around anyway. This song came from a deep place of longing to let go of the pride and the fear and the anger at the very same time I wanted to act on all of it. Can I please surrender it? I do not want to walk around with this anger like a disease inside of me. That's not who I am. It's not who I want to be.<br><br>Despite all of that I had some beautiful moments with family and friends and an awesome time performing at Springboard South in Houston, Tx. Got to catch up with some music business friends I hadn't seen in a while and made some wonderful connections with other artists. Can't beat that!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/94d632160e465e69fbcc4bf2c5329b0f8d961682/medium/lauramariespringboard.jpg?1403537753" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><u><strong>I Surrender</strong></u><br><br>I cannot consent <br>To the normalcy of war<br>Allowance and acceptance<br>Allegiance underscored<br> <br>The reasons ringing hollow<br>Dissension by design<br>To convince a few to follow<br>So the rest will fall in line <br> <br>Joined in holy horror<br>In sickness to remain<br>Reticent and helpless<br>Indifferent to the pain<br> <br>of children born to torment<br>their innocence denied<br>If no one here is willing<br>To sacrifice their pride (break)<br> <br>Can I surrender, Can I surrender mine<br>Can I surrender, Can I surrender mine <br> <br>And here we stand for freedom<br>For the liberties we take<br>for money and for power<br>not for another’s sake<br> <br>and we’re free to hear the gunfire<br>Ringing through the halls<br>the sacred sound of freedom<br>Tearing through the walls<br> <br>You can call the court order<br>You can call it justified<br>But how dare you call it justice<br>Just because you have the right<br> <br>Lives ruined and wasted<br>With everybody here<br>broken by the hatred<br>crippled by the fear<br> <br>Can I surrender, Can I surrender mine<br>Can I surrender, Can I surrender mine<br> <br>The life that it takes<br>We stand on the graves<br>The peace that we make<br><strong>late by a day (prompt)</strong><br> <br>Can I surrender, Can I surrender mine<br>Can I surrender, Can I surrender mine<br><br><strong> ©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong><br><br><br>
3:46
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3018321
2014-06-16T09:02:18-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:32-06:00
Podcast #27 - What You Get (looky, looky here)
<span class="s1">This marks the first and, probably, only time I'll use the phrase "looky, looky here" in a song. That was the prompt. Not a phrase I would typically use but CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Also, it's my first ever attempt at playing bass. Thanks to Margaret for lending me her guitar. It was fun. Rudimentary but it was a blast and I look forward to more attempts. <br><br>So, yeah, this song is all about those notorious social network arguments and seeking peace. I don't like to engage too much in debate on social media but sometimes I can't keep my mouth shut. I hate to see people being unfair to each other. I try to avoid getting into heated arguments because, really, what does it change and what do I learn from it? It's always a pleasure to learn from someone with a different perspective if they can present it without tearing other people down but, that's rare. And, that's sad. We have so much to learn from each other. Anyway, I'm really diggin' the outro. I walk around singing it in my head. Peace and love, people. Peace and love. <br><br>ALSO: SPURS WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP! Could not NOT mention that. Gotta say this (and glad to hear more than a few people mention it) every time one of the Spurs was interviewed they talked about the team effort and "we", as in "we did this together". It wasn't about one person, it was about what everyone brought to the table. That's what I love about the Spurs and that's what I hope for all of us. Everyone taking ego down a notch and acknowledging the best in each other. Can I get an 'AMEN'?</span><br> <div class="captioned justify_none"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/c8a0ac8a3c1867add4ac4fb714082e2bf086c9b2/original/spurs-2014.png?1402926283" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><p class="caption"><a contents='Credit: Washington Post. Full Article Here' data-link-label='' data-link-type='url' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/spurs-beat-heat-104-87-in-game-5-to-win-nba-title/2014/06/16/3af38ede-f52f-11e3-8ac4-8c205d7d440f_story.html' target='_blank'>Credit: Washington Post. Full Article Here</a></p></div><br><br><u><span class="s1"><b>What You Get</b></span></u>
<p>So maybe I had it coming<br>the hazard of saying something<br>loud and clear<br>But why is it all or nothing<br>where does the peaceful<br>middle ground appear<br>Not to argue or to blame<br>Not to injure or defame<br>No, just to testify<br>If it’s not fair and it’s not right<br>And I am silent<br>what kind of soul am I ?<br><br>Maybe I’m not the kind<br>you make me out to be<br>Maybe it’s just that what you get<br>is what you choose to see<br><br>Why are we always jumping<br>Before we look we’re rushing<br>Into war<br>And there’s no way of telling<br>if we’re winning, even getting<br>what we’re fighting for<br>And in the chaos created<br>We are shattered and wasted<br>Until we lose our minds<br>and if I’m raising my voice<br>Just to add to the noise<br>What kind of fool am I?<br><br>Maybe I’m not the kind<br>you make me out to be<br>Maybe it’s just that what you get<br>is what you choose to<br><br>See me with love in your eyes<br>(and we’re whole again)<br>I see you in all of your light<br>(and we’re whole again)<br><br>Looky, looky here…<br>do I make myself clear<br>I don’t want a fight<br>Are we not sisters and brothers<br>Dependent on each other<br>to make it right<br><br>Maybe I’m not the kind<br>you make me out to be<br>Maybe it’s just that what you get<br>is what you choose to<br><br>See me with love in your eyes<br>(and we’re whole again)<br>I see you in all of your light<br>(and we’re whole again)<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014<br><br><span class="font_large">Use discount code "laura" at <a contents="www.springboardsouth.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.springboardsouth.com" target="_blank">www.springboardsouth.com</a></span><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/0c37a91c9addc7cffb53aad6ccf045f7bfbd0bd8/original/sbs-singer-songwriter-promo-2014.jpg?1402927147" class="size_orig justify_left border_none" alt="" /></strong><br> </p>
4:27
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/3003033
2014-06-09T12:16:12-05:00
2022-05-11T10:07:11-05:00
Podcast #26 - It Means Nothing
<span class="s1">Sometimes I feel paralyzed with doubt. If I try to put what I do as a songwriter into context, I get lost. What does it mean in the world? What difference does it make? Where does it fit into what the world will tell you is worthy? I don't know and, truthfully, when I'm absorbed in the act of writing, I don't care. It's what I do. It's what I've always done. Occasionally, I'll have someone pop into my life from time to time and decide that I should be doing what I do quite differently according to their preferences. I listen as best I can because maybe they will hit on something that I really would like to change or try. I may even follow their lead for a little while until it doesn't make sense for me anymore. Thankfully, I'm learning to discern which paths lead me to where I want to go a lot quicker these days. The prompt was "live like you want to live". I experimented with a fake bass line. In next week's song I actually PLAYED bass. What?!?!?! Yes. It's rudimentary and my first time ever laying hands on one. (Thanks to Margaret for lending me hers). Still, I'm proud of myself for trying something new :) <br><br><br>Hope you like the new website! It got featured on the<a contents=" Bandzoogle blog" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bandzoogle.com/blog/musician-website-love-laura-marie" target="_blank"> Bandzoogle blog</a>. Kind words. Sweetness! <br><br><br><br><b><u>It Means Nothing</u></b></span><br><br>Talk to me and tell me<br>got another great idea<br>Keep it true to form<br>and everyone will feel<br>Certain and inspired<br>Counting on the truth<br>Sell it for a dollar<br>and never see the proof<br><br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>do what you’d love to<br>If you don’t move<br>and you don’t choose<br><br>Talk to them in tempo<br>Sing to them in rhyme<br>Wonder that it’s only<br>Worthy half the time<br>Scream it into pillows<br>Waiting on a call<br>Is this a summer’s day<br>or a painting on the wall<br><br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>do what you’d love to<br>If you don’t move<br>and you don’t choose<br><br>Is it a sin<br>If, heaven forbid, you speak your mind<br>Why don’t you live like you want to live<br>or die trying<br><br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>It means nothing if you don’t<br>do what you’d love to<br>If you don’t move<br>and you don’t choose<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
4:01
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2986603
2014-06-02T07:44:55-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:32-06:00
Podcast #25 - Function of Love
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>I've been taking the <a contents="Forgiveness Challenge" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://forgivenesschallenge.com/" target="_blank">Forgiveness Challenge</a> started by Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho. I thought this would be a good exercise and one that I needed. We had someone working on our house that really pulled one over on us and I found myself disproportionately angry about what they had done. Yes, they damaged our property. Yes, it was a huge hassle. But, this was an intense anger and, in my experience, that kind of anger points back to unresolved anger from past events. So, I decided to work on that. It has been a pretty revealing 30 days of the forgiveness process. One of the things I finally recognized about someone who broke my heart years and years ago was that I broke his. I was so hurt for so long that I never realized my part in the conflict. I can finally, truly wish him well. <br><br>The prompt was "Heaven Can Wait" and, it's my belief, that forgiveness is the key to heaven on earth. But, forgiveness is a tough one sometimes; even over small things. And, as a society, we don't encourage forgiveness over big things. It seems like that would be giving people permission to do their worst. But it isn't permission. Having to face people you've hurt and acknowledge the pain you've caused and to be forgiven is very healing. It is a better deterrent than being punished continuously for your actions which only breeds self hatred and continued misbehavior. And, acknowledging the pain someone has caused you and facing someone who has deeply hurt you with truth and, eventually, forgiveness, is very difficult. But, it sets you free. It happens. It's possible. It's a process. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/0f588054987ac86163ffd51cb5ac61eab7c7c0a0/medium/choose-to-forgive.jpg?1401712902" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><strong><u>Function of Love</u></strong><br> <br>I know this story<br>It never changes<br>It’s not about him<br>I wrote the pages<br>I’m right and he’s wrong<br>Goes on and on for ages<br> <br>I’m not the martyr<br>He’s not the savior<br>And not the devil<br>It’s not in his nature<br>You fall, you learn<br>We all take our turn at failure<br>Sooner or later<br> <br>Go on forgive it<br>You’ll be alright<br>It’s a function of love<br>Not a question of pride<br>It’s not how you do it<br>It’s when you decide<br>Have you made up your mind<br>Have you made up your mind<br> <br>Are you a victim<br>Of your creation<br>Or just a magnet<br>For complication<br>It doesn’t it matter<br>You have your salvation<br> <br>So it is given<br>In perfect measure<br>And we can take it<br>But only together<br>We give and receive<br>Trust and believe<br>it gets better<br>If you ever<br> <br>Go on forgive it<br>You’ll be alright<br>It’s a function of love<br>Not a question of pride<br>It’s not how you do it<br>It’s when you decide<br>Have you made up your mind<br> <br>You say<br>Heaven can wait<br>But I’m<br>All out of patience<br>filling the space<br>in awe and remembrance of all<br>The mistakes that were made<br> <br>Go on forgive it<br>You’ll be alright<br>It’s a function of love<br>Not a question of pride<br>It’s not how you do it<br>It’s when you decide<br>Have you made up your mind<br>Have you made up your mind<br> <br><strong> ©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
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3:48
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2967137
2014-05-26T09:00:00-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:32-06:00
Podcast #24 - The Great Escape (No More Clichés)
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>A drunk is walking through a grave yard and falls in a freshly dug, empty grave and can't climb out. He keeps calling out, "Help, help, get me out. I'm cold down here." Eventually, another drunk happens along and says, "Well, no wonder you're cold. You kicked all your dirt off."<br><br>As a kid, I found that hilarious. I actually still do. I sort of feel like the drunk in the grave sometimes. Like, I didn't mean to get myself here and I can't figure out how to get out. I'm feeling desperate but, from a different perspective, I'm just ridiculous. My trouble is that I isolate myself and freak out that I feel so isolated. And, I get so dramatic about it. Ridiculous. <br><br>"No More Clichés" was a very difficult prompt for me. Not because of my love for clichés ;) just because the prompt irritated me. I have no idea why. I grumbled for several days thinking I would never come up with a single idea for the song. And, then....I just had fun with it. Kind of glad for having struggled through that process. <br><br>Fun with garageband! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/acdc6cfed4605f910d005b442aaecb97a69462c7/medium/photo-2.jpg?1400858586" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br><span class="s1"><b>The Great Escape</b></span><p class="p1">New shirt, new shoes, new you<br>New habits, values, attitudes and<br>No friends, no recompense<br>get dizzy from the latitude<br>Yeah, they’ll say your crazy but<br>you go your own imaginary way</p>
<p class="p1">It’s you and only you<br>with no one to impersonate and<br>You might disintegrate or worse<br>Or so you postulate<br>But, you can’t go wrong here<br>It’s the roll that you were born to play</p>
<p class="p1">No more clichés<br>No more walking in the rain<br>No more falling way too far<br>You just lie in bed awake<br>Nothing tearing you apart<br>Doesn’t matter who you are<br>Cause you’ll never be the same<br>Is that your great escape</p>
<p class="p2">Throw out the arguments<br>In retrospect claim ignorance<br>And, no disrespect but<br>Why pay reverence to dissonance<br>And don’t break your silence<br>if there’s really nothing new to say</p>
<p class="p1">No more clichés<br>No more walking in the rain<br>No more falling way too far<br>You just lie in bed awake<br>Nothing tearing you apart<br>Doesn’t matter who you are<br>Cause you’ll never be the same<br>Is that your great escape</p>
<p class="p2">Oh, time will tell, it’s just as well<br>Lemons to lemonade<br>Live and learn and crash and burn<br>run tail between your legs<br>Life is rough but close enough for<br>horseshoes and for hand grenades</p>
<p class="p2">No more clichés<br>No more walking in the rain<br>No more falling way too far<br>You just lie in bed awake<br>Nothing tearing you apart<br>Doesn’t matter who you are<br>Cause you’ll never be the same<br>Is that your great escape<br>No More clichés<br>No more walking in the rain<br>No more falling way too far<br>You just lie in bed awake<br>Nothing tearing you apart<br>Doesn’t matter who you are<br>Cause you’ll never be the same<br>Is that your great escape<br>Is that your great escape<br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
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3:31
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2956353
2014-05-19T10:40:05-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:32-06:00
Podcast #23 - Shaking Like A Leaf (Ugh)
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<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/4219ad357b8b8f4e54ab11e75b2137585271de43/medium/lauramarieleaf.jpg?1400513685" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br>I had issues with this prompt from the get go. I complained to myself for about five days before actually writing anything. Just wasn't feeling it. The first version had a lot of cuss words in it. So, the only thing that really inspired me was contemplating the idea of how we respond when things go wrong. Because, things just go wrong. It happens. Do you handle it with grace? Do you panic? A mixture of both? The point is that it all works out one way or the other. Things get better and there isn't one of us who is exempt from falling flat on our faces from time to time. Change is frightening. My husband makes fun of me all the time. If I'm not in control of it (which I NEVER am) I resist it like crazy. You should see me trying to get into cold water. Or, even hot water. FOREVER! But, that goes for all kinds of changes. I'm the worst about hanging on to things way past time to let go. Obsessive. <br><br>As much trouble as I had with this prompt, I kind of enjoyed getting this idea out. I kept picturing two people sitting high up in a tree having a conversation. "How the hell did we get up here anyway?" One falls off and the other one just decides to stay up there until further notice or next Spring; whichever comes first. <br><br>P.S. Check <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/lauramariemusic" target="_blank">Facebook</a>/<a contents="Twitter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.twitter.com/lauramariemusic" target="_blank">Twitter</a>/<a contents="G+" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+LauraMarie/posts" target="_blank">G+</a> for this afternoon's post of a special love song for letting go written for Angela and Chris. <br><br><u><strong><span class="s1">Shaking Like A Leaf</span></strong></u><p class="p1">A show of hands for those who know<br>There’s nothing better about falling slowly<br>You hit the ground and take the blow<br>Takes you longer, leaves you just as lowly<br>Suddenly your safety is out of range</p>
<p class="p1">Sign here on the dotted line<br>If you’d rather take it nice and easy<br>I’ll take yours and you take mine<br>We’ll go together count of one, two, three<br>What happens if we’re too afraid to change</p>
<p class="p2">You were shaking like a leaf<br>Until you stopped and dropped<br>Away from me and it took time<br>But it was alright . It was just like<br>waiting for the Spring</p>
<p class="p2">Sing it if you know the words<br>Take it from the top, get struck by lightning<br>Climbing trees is for the birds<br>No, wait, that’s flying and it’s just as frightening<br>Screw it, you just can’t avoid the pain<br>Might as well start screaming in the rain</p>
<p class="p1">You were shaking like a leaf<br>Until you stopped and dropped<br>Away from me and it took time<br>But it was alright . It was just like<br>waiting for the Spring<br>Summer comes, you fall before you know<br>Sure enough, you’re ass up in the snow</p>
<p class="p1">You were shaking like a leaf<br>Until you stopped and dropped<br>Away from me and it took time<br>But it was alright . It was just like<br>waiting for the Spring<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
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3:38
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2920293
2014-05-12T09:50:36-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:32-06:00
Podcast #22 - Losing You
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>Matt Barker and I have been friends for years. It started out with his band The Dog Men Poets recording at Rhapsody Studios where I was recording with producer Mack Damon. They borrowed my Martin for recording a guitar track and I loved the energy of their music. Years later, Matt was working his solo project and we played shows together, wrote a song together, joined a book club together and played frisbee golf. I wasn't very good but it was easier than actual golf. He makes a wonderful eggs benedict, by the way, and his family is amazing. The story of how he and his wife, Yolanda, met and fell in love is fairytale awesome. His wife is beautiful, inspiring and one of the most intelligent and socially conscious people I know and his daughter is absolutely precious. They are amongst my favorite people in the world. Now he lives far, far away but we're both in the Global Songwriters Group, YAY! We decided to collaborate over Skype for this one. I started with the idea of "NOT losing you". There were so many stories of loss lately. Maybe I was just noticing it but, I wanted to focus on the opposite. We were only able to manage a few back and forth chats but, hells yeah, we made our deadline! :)<br><br>I love that we did this. We each took this as an opportunity to express how we feel about our spouses but, the writing of it was therapeutic for another reason. I miss my friends and any time we have to connect is a good time. I've lost some friends over the years and I'm grateful these people are still in my life no matter how far they are in distance. Friends. Awesome. <br><br><br>Also, here are the songs Matt Barker and I have done in the past. </div>People:<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/83225445&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br><br>Sick Romantic Thing (warning: I drop an F bomb):<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/76129941&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br><br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/2e904c12ca78e50164a89d8f6b85179a4f663227/medium/544463-10151818837231614-986839168-n.jpg?1399293457" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><u><span class="s1"><b>Losing You</b></span></u>
<p class="p1">You gave me a reason<br>I don’t know why I sometimes<br>say the things I do<br>and I can’t stand the<br>feeling of losing you<br>Can we keep holding on</p>
<p class="p2">Darling, there is nothing<br>You need from me<br>That I wouldn’t do<br>Darling, tell you something<br>With everything<br>that we’ve been through</p>
<p class="p1">I promise<br>Whatever it takes<br>There’s no way I’m losing you<br>We’ve got this<br>I know that we can<br>I don’t plan on ever losing you</p>
<p class="p1">My thoughts fall out of control<br>I need your body and soul<br>I think of how we used to be<br>So many loves go wrong<br>Can we carry on, baby,<br>I want you next to me<br>Can we keep holding on</p>
<p class="p2">Darling, there is nothing<br>You need from me<br>That I wouldn’t do<br>Darling, tell you something<br>With everything<br>that we’ve been through</p>
<p class="p1">I promise<br>Whatever it takes<br>There’s no way I’m losing you<br>We’ve got this<br>I know that we can<br>I don’t plan on ever losing you</p>
<p class="p2">With everything<br>that we’ve been through<br>I promise<br>Whatever it takes<br>There’s no way I’m losing you<br>We’ve got this<br>I know that we can<br>I don’t plan on ever losing you<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong><br><strong>© 2014 matt barker</strong></p>
<p> </p>
3:28
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2920303
2014-05-05T07:57:41-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:32-06:00
Podcast #21 - Say It
<style type="text/css">div {
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<p class="p1">So unsure of the words I’m certain you keep hiding</p>
<p class="p1">Tell me I’m what you want and need to find</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p1">Maybe you don’t understand, I don’t have very much patience</p>
<p class="p1">All these thoughts in my head, fearful expectations</p>
<p class="p1">You show me love and ,baby, I am blind</p>
<p class="p1">Only your words could ease my mind</p>
<p class="p2"><br>Say it, say it,</p>
<p class="p1">Tell me just how you feel , take the time</p>
<p class="p1">And say it, say it</p>
<p class="p1">Baby, now, don’t you leave your feelings undefined</p>
<p class="p1">Tell me what’s behind those eyes</p>
<p class="p1"><br>I know we’ve been here before, baby, that counts for something</p>
<p class="p1">We keep reaching for more to keep that passion coming</p>
<p class="p1">If what I like is what you really need to know</p>
<p class="p1">Speak your mind, it’s music to my soul</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p1">Go on and say it, say it,</p>
<p class="p1">Tell me just how you feel , take the time</p>
<p class="p1">And say it, say it</p>
<p class="p1">Baby, now, don’t you leave your feelings undefined</p>
<p class="p1">Tell me what’s behind those eyes</p>
<p class="p1"> </p>
<p class="p1">I know it doesn’t make much sense</p>
<p class="p1">To someone as strong as you</p>
<p class="p1">But you leave me hanging in suspense</p>
<p class="p1">I’m afraid I’m falling through</p>
<p class="p1">Won’t you talk to me and take me down</p>
<p class="p1">I just want to hear you out</p>
<p class="p1">It’s everything to me to hear the sound</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p1">Say it, say it,</p>
<p class="p1">Tell me just how you feel , take the time</p>
<p class="p1">And say it, say it</p>
<p class="p1">Baby, now, don’t you leave your feelings undefined</p>
<p class="p1">Tell me what’s behind those eyes<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
</div>
4:27
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2903605
2014-04-28T09:56:17-05:00
2017-02-03T21:14:32-06:00
Podcast #20 - Easy (Lavender)
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<span class="s1">Calm. I'm not very much. Though, I work on it. My husband is a balancing force in my life and I've learned so much from the way he handles things. He and I have also learned that I'm calmest out in nature so, long walks, bike rides, hikes and camping are a good prescription for me. It's pretty obvious if you follow me on <a contents="instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/lauramariemusic" target="_blank">instagram</a> or <a contents="twitter " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/lauramariemusic" target="_blank">twitter </a>(@lauramariemusic). Plenty of outdoorsy pics there. This song was actually written during a week when I felt sheer panic coming on. I was just beginning to feel completely overwhelmed and out of control. I know it doesn't have to be that way. I try to remind myself before the switch gets flipped in my brain and, all of a sudden, it's nothing but thunderstorms in my head. I'm blessed to have people who love me enough to wait it out. On the other side of it, I remember that I've forgotten to do the things that support my peace. I remind myself to meditate, breathe and be still. Begin again. </span><br> <div style="text-align: justify;">"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better."</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">- Albert Einstein<font color="#545454" face="arial, sans-serif" size="2"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> </span></font>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="//flipagram.com/f/cN7nol0QTp/embed" width="400"></iframe><br><br><br><br><span class="s1"><b><u>Easy </u></b></span>
<p>I’m a hard light out of a dark night<br>Go from clear skies into a long rain<br>And cold hands, can’t even warm them<br>Not without holding long past the pain</p>
<p class="p2">I know I’m not so easy<br>I know I’m not so easy<br>You don’t need to say it</p>
<p class="p1">Softly when I am storming<br>Slowly, cause I’m raging<br>And steady, steady for hours<br>Lavender flowers surrounding me</p>
<p class="p2">I know I’m not so easy<br>I know I’m not so easy<br>You don’t need to say it</p>
<p class="p2">How you are<br>Is how you calm me down<br>How you are<br>Is how you calm me down<br>How you are is how </p>
<p class="p2">I know I’m not so easy<br>I know I’m not so easy<br>I know I’m not so easy<br>You don’t need to say it<br>You don’t need to say it<br>You don’t need to say it<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
</div>
3:45
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2883887
2014-04-21T08:05:00-05:00
2022-03-21T21:00:59-05:00
Podcast #19 - I Won't Be Lonely
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>True Story: We get the prompt "Return to Winter" and we all write a song about returning to Winter and then we get hit by another blast of Winter. So, I think we might have some super-natural powers or something. Sorry 'bout that.<br><br>This song became about my tendency to isolate myself when things aren't quite going the way I want them to AND compulsive morbid thoughts. OCD has many manifestations. I used to be a super neat freak. Everything had to be in the order I needed it to be and anything that didn't fit into that order would be thrown in the trash. I'm mostly cured of that part of it but, the part that creeps back in from time to time is the compulsive morbid thought part. It's a horror film in my head. I used to take medication for this. From time to time I would burst out with "NO!" or "Lalalalala!" just to snap my brain out of it. No, seriously. I know it's weird. And I don't like it. It's worse when I'm under stress so, I try not to be under stress or over think things. Like, not too long ago I was leaving Waxahachie, Texas after a wonderful time performing in The Music Room (<a contents="full recording here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.inthemusicroom.com/artist-lauramarie.htm" target="_blank">full recording here</a>). I had to get home in time for another show but it was crazy foggy and I freaked myself out thinking "How do you know the fog isn't hiding something in the middle of the road? How do you know something isn't just going to pop out in front of you?" The worst part was that there were no cars on the road. Just me for a long time so, I drove super slowly until I could convince myself that it wasn't that bad and I would actually see something if it were there. Can you see why I like to be alone sometimes? Who wants to share the crazy? ;) <br><br><u><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/4ebf71e9827e418e573f83676f810e148564dd2a/medium/lauramariefog.jpg?1397952134" class="size_m justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br>I won’t be lonely</strong></u><br><br>I can’t stand this odd return to winter<br>There’s only so much cold a soul can take<br>Guess no one told the sun, vacation’s over<br>Come closer to us now and everything come out<br>again<br> <br>Or, I might go into hiding<br>Until all of this makes sense<br>Though it’s only temporary<br>I won’t be lonely<br>It won’t end like this<br>I won’t be lonely<br>It won’t end like this<br> <br>Where are you now, my angels, watching over <br>Can I drive through the fog in perfect faith<br>When it’s all that I can do to keep composure<br>Just remind myself that there’s nothing else<br>in the way<br> <br>Or, I might go into hiding<br>Until all of this makes sense<br>Though it’s only temporary<br>I won’t be lonely<br>It won’t end like this<br>I won’t be lonely<br>It won’t end like this <br> <br>Keep my head and heart inside the window<br>Keep my tired eyes upon the road<br>Keep and hold me tight<br>With warm and guiding light<br>Lead me through the night<br>Until I’m home<br> <br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
</div>
4:15
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2869731
2014-04-14T14:02:17-05:00
2014-04-14T14:02:17-05:00
Podcast #18 - All This Time (Video)
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<span class="s1">This is when it gets tough. When my plate is full. Parenting, Spring cleaning, family events, gigs, commissioned work, health concerns, TAXES! It's everything all at the same time. So, I'll be honest. It's kind of painful to share this one. I think it came from a good place though. I like what I had to say. The prompt was "keep it coming". I used to be such a pessimist, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was like nothing good could happen without me thinking that life was going to pull the rug out from under me. And, it's not that I think everything is going to be perfect now. I've just learned that positive expectations yield more positive results in, like, EVERY area of my life. So, yeah, in the context of my marriage, it's about finding the blessing in the rough spots too. It's all part of the growth process and we intend to keep growing together and not apart. I just wish I'd had more time to get a decent recording. :-/</span><br><br><span class="s1">But, here's a quick video. I'm thinking of making a video blog instead of a regular one. If I do that, with your support, it will be on a different platform. But, all videos will include lyrics which helps, I think. And, my computer will be working properly so it won't be like this one I had to record with my iPhone. Ugh! <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="RkECJI3aDn4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/RkECJI3aDn4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RkECJI3aDn4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><u><b>All This Time</b></u></span><p>I think it’s fine the way we argue,<br>fuss and fight from time to time<br>The way we sometimes sit in silence<br>When it’s quiet, let it come right down<br>to you and I, You and I</p>
<p class="p1">I think we’re good<br>Though some might argue<br>we go further than we should<br>But I don’t think about the places<br>that we could be<br>Only matters that you’re with me.<br>I go where you go<br>We go there side by side</p>
<p class="p1">All this time<br>We didn’t waste it,<br>No, love, we made it.<br>All this time<br>Darling, just to find<br>we’re doing it just right<br>Alright, keep it coming, love<br>Keep it coming, love</p>
<p class="p1">It feels great. A little strange<br>but I don’t think it’s a mistake<br>No, we may falter but<br>we fall right into place<br>Learn to bend, not to break<br>and I know that you know that<br>we ‘re worth every chance we take</p>
<p class="p1">All this time<br>We didn’t waste it,<br>No, love, we made it.<br>All this time<br>Darling, just to find<br>we’re doing it just right<br>Alright, keep it coming, love<br>Keep it coming, love</p>
<p class="p1">I just can’t get enough<br>It’s all that we dreamed of<br>Amazing days, they come in waves<br>In between we make the best of</p>
<p class="p1">All this time<br>We didn’t waste it,<br>No, love, we made it.<br>All this time<br>Darling, just to find<br>we’re doing it just right<br>Alright, keep it coming, love<br>Keep it coming, love<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
</div>
3:16
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2850747
2014-04-07T12:18:27-05:00
2014-04-14T13:37:45-05:00
Podcast #17 - Lose Yourself :)
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>We get so caught up in everything we think we have to do without stopping to ask if it really contributes to our happiness. It was one of those days when I had to steal my husband away from all those annoying "have-tos" or else we would both go crazy. Yeah, it means the laundry doesn't get done or the yard goes a weekend without getting mowed. It's still better than being completed drained and depleted at the end of the day and having nothing left over to give. Get lost once in a while. Unless you're more often lost than not. in that case, get to work! <br><br>Different feel to this one. I'm experimenting. ;)<br><br><br><u><strong>Lose Yourself</strong></u><br><br>It’s been going on for days<br>The stormy haze that fills your mind<br>You know you want to<br>change the channel, turn the page<br>Leave what worries you behind<br>I just have to look at you to know<br>Time for us to stop the world and go<br> <br>Tangled up and tied too tight<br>Got yourself in such a state<br>In desperate need of sweet release<br>I know you are. You can’t wait<br>You don’t have to tow that line for me<br>I’m the one who wants to set you free<br> <br><strong>Come on, baby, lose yourself</strong><br><strong>put your hand in my hand,<br>we can disappear</strong><br><strong>Don’t you want to lose yourself</strong><br><strong>Come on, now,<br>let’s take it anywhere but here</strong><br> <br>Why you going ‘round with it<br>Running circles, There’s no end<br>Thinking ‘where did I go wrong this time?<br>How did we end up here again?’<br>Why let all your questions lead you wrong<br>When you can find your way into my arms<br> <br><strong>Come on, baby, lose yourself</strong><br><strong>put your hand in my hand, <br>we can disappear</strong><br><strong>Don’t you want to lose yourself</strong><br><strong>Come on, now, <br>let’s take it anywhere but here</strong><br><br>Hold on too long and you’ve gone astray<br>Oh, now, let’s get lost it’s the only way<br> <br><b>Lose yourself</b><br><strong>baby, we can disappear</strong><br><strong>Don’t you want to lose yourself</strong><br><strong>let’s take it anywhere but here</strong><br><strong>Come on, baby, lose yourself</strong><br><strong>put your hand in my hand,<br>we can disappear</strong><br><strong>Don’t you want to lose yourself</strong><br><strong>Let’s take it anywhere but here</strong><br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong><br> </div>
3:28
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2830703
2014-03-31T08:35:00-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:31-06:00
Podcast #16 - First Kiss
<style type="text/css">div {
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<p class="p1">We only skip so far across the water<br>Then, sinking like stones in perfect order<br>In time, in haste, in constant changing<br>Light fades, love makes</p>
<p class="p1">I haven’t been a fool, have I? It happens all the time<br>I haven’t been a fool like this since you and I<br>I haven’t been a fool, have I? It happens all the time<br>I haven’t been a fool like this since you and I<br>Since you and I, Since you and I first kissed <br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
</div>
3:32
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2799560
2014-03-24T09:32:29-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:31-06:00
Podcast #15 - They're Never Taking Me Down
<style type="text/css">div {
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<p class="p1">Do you remember how I took up arms and then<br>I tore right through the castle walls to your defense<br>While all the battlements were torn asunder<br>You think I’d sit here in the siege I’m under</p>
<p class="p2">I’m not some token in a giant child’s game<br>I have my limits and I’m slowly taking aim<br>Hair trigger reflex with a rocket launcher<br>I have no patience for the plastic monsters<br>Oh, oh, oh, they’re never taking me down<br>Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh</p>
<p class="p1">I, I never wanted to fight<br>I only wanted to be the one<br>Controlling every thing all the time<br>But, I, I’d never leave you behind<br>It’s you and me against the lunacy<br>If only in my childish mind</p>
<p class="p2">Where are the parents when you need them anyway<br>Are we supposed to be the parents, did you say?<br>I’m not a grown up, just a good impostor<br>But never losing to some plastic monsters</p>
<p class="p2">Oh, oh, oh, they’re never taking me down<br>Oh, oh, oh, they’re never taking me down<br>Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
</div>
3:11
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2759923
2014-03-17T11:12:48-05:00
2014-03-17T11:12:48-05:00
Podcast #14 - Devil's Rope
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}</style><div>The prompt: Devil's Rope. This prompt took me back those Tuesday night band gigs at the original <a contents="Taco Land" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.npr.org/2009/10/17/113892215/silenced-by-violence-texas-club-nurtured-misfit-music" target="_blank">Taco Land</a>...that seems ages ago. Not to say that I don't still struggle with the "Devil's Rope", so to speak, but my music was pretty much as angst-y as it could get back then. Anyway, this was fun to write. I kind of want to rock this out with a band but more real band than my computer's garageband. I think the sentiment of the song still holds true though. I don't want to be so attached to the outcome of things that I'm constantly driven by fear. The worst decisions of my life were made in a state of fear. It's a weak position to be in. That's a lesson I wish our world leaders would grasp. Seriously. <br><br>Great news! I've been nominated for an Independent Music Award!!! It's kind of a big deal for me and for Jake who co-wrote the nominated song "Hard Rain". Ultimately, the judges (an impressive list of music industry professionals) have the final say but, votes from the public are a big influence. You can vote here: <br><a contents="http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/13th/Song/Folk-Singer-Songwriter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/13th/Song/Folk-Singer-Songwriter" target="_blank">http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/13th/Song/Folk-Singer-Songwriter</a>. You do have to register to vote but you don't have to stay registered forever and your good deed will last forever which is a really good deal as far as good deals go! YAY!<br><br>Here's a lyric video for Hard Rain that my dear friend Thomas (In Greece) made for us:<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="3x057ugguKw" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/3x057ugguKw/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3x057ugguKw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>This week's song:<br><br><u><strong>Devil’s Rope</strong></u><p>There’s a hollow in my heart<br>Hides a world of wait and want<br>lingering, haunting<br>There’s a hunger can’t be fed<br>Fills the silence in my head<br>sings to me, taunting but</p>
<p class="p2">I don’t want to have to beg or crawl<br>I don’t want to have to fall at all<br>First one down a slippery slope<br>Catch me swinging from the devil’s rope</p>
<p class="p2">I don’t want to feel the suffering<br>Don’t want to be a slave to anything<br>Last to find the light of hope<br>Catch me swinging from the devil’s rope</p>
<p class="p2">Climb the mountain of mistakes<br>Can’t you see the toll it takes<br>At least I keep trying<br>Forge ahead or fall behind<br>In between is where you find<br>The best in me fighting ‘cause</p>
<p class="p2">I don’t want to have to beg or crawl<br>I don’t want to have to fall at all<br>First one down a slippery slope<br>Catch me swinging from the devil’s rope</p>
<p class="p2">I don’t want to feel the suffering<br>Don’t want to be a slave to anything<br>Last to find the light of hope<br>Catch me swinging from the devil’s rope</p>
<p class="p2">It’s a darker shade of doubt<br>Is there no way out ‘cause</p>
<p class="p2">I don’t want to have to beg or crawl<br>I don’t want to have to fall at all<br>First one down a slippery slope<br>Catch me swinging from the devil’s rope</p>
<p class="p2">I don’t want to feel the suffering<br>Don’t want to be a slave to anything<br>Last to find the light of hope<br>Catch me swinging from the devil’s rope<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong></p>
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2:40
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2719375
2014-03-10T11:03:58-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:31-06:00
Podcast #13 - Better Things To Come
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>Last night my husband and I were hanging out with a group of friends and we made a running joke about how I hate change. Then, a friend of mine asked how I can do what I do in a profession where change is constant. Good question. It's probably one of the reasons I continue to have anxiety issues but, I'm also really stubborn and can't stand feeling "limited" by myself or others. More often than not, it's my stubbornness that wins out. No one is going to tell me I can't do something, not even me. Our prompt was "better things to come" and it prompted me to write about this back and forth I have with myself about wanting to experience everything and fearing what "everything" will bring. I'm constantly dealing with fears and phobias but, considering that twelve years ago I had moments of sheer terror at the thought of leaving my house, I think I'm doing pretty well. Conquering my fears has been a running theme in my life. And that can be difficult because I'm pretty comfortable with some of them. Odd that fears can make you feel safe, isn't it? <br> </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tajpGmYczXU?list=PLRH4qMDKG2FHUm_VEtUkK2pXWdtJuzoeN" width="560"></iframe><br> </div>
<div>THANK YOU! So, I was super anxious about releasing last weeks podcast but thanks to the hundreds of people who visited the page and listened! And super thanks to everyone who downloaded the song, donated money that will go to <a contents="Joyful Heart Foundation" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://joyfulheartfoundation.org/programs/our-approach" target="_blank">Joyful Heart Foundation</a> and shared links for the <a contents="No More" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nomore.org/psas/" target="_blank">No More</a> campaign. It is so important that people speak out and let go of the shame associated with being a survivor of sexual assault or domestic violence. The more we all speak up and support survivors, the less we empower perpetrators. They thrive on being able to get away with it because the burden of proof is on the victim. As a friend said last night, it's a shame that people who get busted for transporting weed often get more jail time than sex offenders. It happens all too often. Spread the word. Click here for the free download post including lyrics jpg. : </div>
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<br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://lauramariemusic.com/words/blog/podcast-12-everything-is-haunted" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/6cd0581b7cc37b6f5ed5f06cde613d2f65b67e9d/original/freedownload.jpg?1394467190" class="size_orig justify_center border_" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-align: start;" /></a>
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<div>This week's song:<br><br><u><strong>Better Things To Come</strong></u><br><br>I’m not just sitting hereI’m gathering the nerve to go another mile<br>Keep pacing to and fro but try to understand<br>you know it takes a while, a while<br>It’s not the lights or the attention or<br>the truth that I am hiding from<br>It’s just the panic in the process and<br>the fear of better things to come, to come, to come<br> <br>'Cause I want to scale the walls<br>I want to see it all<br>Just let me get a running start<br>I want to go too far<br>I want to rise above<br>Let go and land in love<br>I want to ride a shooting star<br>Right into your heart<br> <br>I’m not adverse to going first<br>or being where no one has been before<br>the curiosity takes hold of me<br>It’s worse than what’s behind the door, the door<br>But, nothing ventured nothing gained is what they say<br>It’s how the race is won<br>It’s just the panic in the process and<br>the fear of better things to come, to come, to come<br> <br>'Cause I want to scale the wallsI want to see it all<br>Just let me get a running start<br>I want to go too far<br>I want to rise above<br>Let go and land in love<br>I want to ride a shooting star<br>Right into your heart<br><br>Time is wasting<br>The world is waiting<br>My hands are shaking<br>My heart is racing<br>I can take it<br>Jump and make it<br>All the way from here<br>to where you are<br> <br><br>Cause I want to scale the walls<br>I want to see it all<br>Just let me get a running start<br>I want to go too far<br>I want to rise above<br>Let go and land in love<br>I want to ride a shooting star<br>Right into your heart<br><br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong>
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3:29
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2674425
2014-03-02T23:49:11-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:31-06:00
Podcast #12 - Everything is Haunted
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>Why I never spoke up. <br><br>When I was 19 years old I went on a date. I was set up. A friend of mine was interested in someone but she needed a friend to double with her and his friend. So, I cancelled previous plans and agreed to go. It's that decision that has haunted me for years . It was the last decision I really remember making that night. Unless, of course, you count that one drink. I was underage but, I had drinks before and thought nothing of it. After that one drink I felt like something might be wrong. My friend and I discussed it but we were laughing and wondering how we could possibly be so drunk. It just seemed silly. It was silly until I became absolutely helpless to resist and completely unable to say no to our dates, the men who drugged us. I think you can imagine how the rest of the story goes. I don't have to imagine. I remember all of it. <br><br>And the reason I never spoke up? Shame. That's what date rape does. It causes tremendous shame in the victims. I was ashamed because I should have known better, ashamed because I wasn't more careful, ashamed because I couldn't and didn't say no. I was ashamed because I couldn't prove that it happened and ashamed thinking that it was absolutely, truly my fault that it had. <br><br>1 in 5 women are survivors of rape (<a contents="citation" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf" target="_blank">citation</a>). This, sadly, does not surprise me. Many people I know are also survivors. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives. Someone you know is a survivor and still needs your help and support. <br><br>I say NO MORE because it's time to let go of the shame that I've carried for far too long. It's time to let the shame rest where it truly belongs. For that to happen, we have to make it known. It has to be understood that taking away someone's choice to have sex through drugs or violence is wrong. And, if you think that it's not necessary to speak out in this day and age, just read the news. It's everywhere. <br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/ad101648fa27e90cb8c63c9fa7026787e0976103/medium/nomorebecause400.jpg?1393804325" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br>I'm asking you to join me in supporting <a contents="NoMore.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nomore.org/" target="_blank">NoMore.org</a> and their partner organization <a contents="Joyful Heart Foundation" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Joyful Heart Foundation</a>. Please, take a moment to listen to this week's song. You may download it for free along with a lyric pic via the Noise Trade app below or visit <a contents="http://www.noisetrade.com/lauramarie/everything-is-haunted" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.noisetrade.com/lauramarie/everything-is-haunted" target="_blank">http://www.noisetrade.com/lauramarie/everything-is-haunted</a>. Please, consider leaving a tip and sharing it with your friends. 100% of all tips will go to Joyful Heart Foundation. And, please, visit <a contents="NoMore.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://nomore.org/" target="_blank">NoMore.org</a> and join their social media <a contents="thunderclap" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/8951-be-a-part-of-nomoreweek?locale=en" target="_blank">thunderclap</a> scheduled for the week of March 17th. <br><br>Thank you and much, much love - LM<br><br>This week's prompt was: half a mile down<br><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="375" scrolling="no" src="//www.noisetrade.com/service/widgetv2/b58c0f90-0780-4efb-845e-8afa17fe3f55" width="300"></iframe><br><br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=%20http://www.noisetrade.com/lauramarie/everything-is-haunted" target="_blank" title="Share the music on Facebook"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/79cf8096d9cf5e61ab70cdab150869f4c77d3425/original/sharebutt.png?1401810487" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="50" width="100" /></a> <a href="http://ctt.ec/bhSY9" target="_blank" title="Tweet the music to your followers"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/cb86479b643103806310312f5fbf22063f73ab0c/original/tweetbutt.png?1401810490" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="50" width="100" /></a><br><br><u><span class="s1"><b>Everything is Haunted</b></span></u><p class="p1">See that girl with the curled pig tales<br>Watch her world crumble and fail<br>Closer than a candy store<br>No further than the bed next door<br>I don’t want to play here anymore</p>
<p class="p1">See that girl with the pale blue jeans<br>Knows too much of everything<br>Too far to put up a fight<br>Too late so she closed her eyes<br>I don’t want to play here this time</p>
<p class="p1">Everything is haunted, ripped and stained<br>Things I never wanted to feel again<br>I can’t help but wonder are they ever gone<br>Everything is haunted I’m running home</p>
<p class="p1">See that girl, she’s got those legs<br>Better built to runaway<br>Find her half a mile down<br>Hide and seek then lost, then found<br>I don’t want to play around</p>
<p class="p2">Cause she can’t go back and she won’t go home<br>Round and around and around she goes<br>Turns the world into a song<br>Sings it till the feeling’s gone<br>I don’t want to play along</p>
<p class="p1">Everything is haunted, ripped and stained<br>Things I never wanted to feel again<br>I can’t help but wonder are they ever gone<br>Everything is haunted I’m running home</p>
<p class="p2">To rest my head and lay my heart beside<br>The one who made it safe to close my eyes<br>The warmest of the waiting arms I’ve known<br>Hold out for me I’m finally running home</p>
<p class="p2">Everything is haunted, ripped and stained<br>Things I never wanted to feel again<br>I can’t help but wonder are they ever gone<br>Everything is haunted I’m running home</p>
<p class="p1">See that woman with that man<br>Loves her any way he can<br> <br><strong>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</strong><br> </p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2636836
2014-02-24T12:51:58-06:00
2022-05-29T06:01:20-05:00
Podcast #11 - Three Sided Coin
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>Do you know what a three sided coin looks like? I didn't. It's a coin that has equal probability of landing on front, back or side. What? Yeah. Here's what it looks like: <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/6727103c65ead50b67ecd742064e845e7c9e562f/medium/coin.jpg?1393266775" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br>Our prompt was three-sided coin. I looked it up to be sure I would be using it correctly in my song and this is what came up on my phone. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/30cb634fe79d41fb751c3666af937c0cc287e22f/medium/photo.png?1393267660" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br><br>My favorite part of looking that up: "This page has some issues" Haha! I want my nickel back! Sorry, nothing against NickelBack. I don't know why people have such issues with them but, whatever. <br><br>Anyway, this song is inspired by the question "Would you rather me right or would you rather be happy?" I get in these ridiculous conflicts with my husband forgetting that we're supposed to be on the same side; each other's. All I know is, I'd rather be happy. Sometimes I need reminders but, yeah, happy is where it's at. :) I was fighting a bit of a cold when this was recorded but, hey, I did it! Proud of myself for not sleeping entirely through that week. <br><br>FYI: Next week's post is going to be super extra important for me. I hope you'll check back then. I'll be sending out an email about it and posting on social media so, get connected if you need a reminder. You can sign up for the mailing list here or find me on Facebook, G+ and Twitter:<br><br><br><a contents="facebook.com/lauramariemusic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/lauramariemusic">facebook.com/lauramariemusic</a><br><a contents="twitter.com/lauramariemusic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/lauramariemusic">twitter.com/lauramariemusic</a><br><a contents="plus.google.com/+LauraMarie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="https://plus.google.com/+LauraMarie">plus.google.com/+LauraMarie</a><br><br><br><br><u><strong>Three-sided coin</strong></u><br><br>When the moment comes<br>Thunder in the distance, the worst of it is done<br>Arguments all spent<br>Attitudes formed, positions have been set<br>You know where I stand<br> <br>Are you calling sides<br>Everything was easy till someone drew a line<br>And here we are in check<br>Back and forth, believing the other incorrect<br>Where do I land<br> <br>Between you, me and the truth, I used to think<br>I’d always know how to choose but, someone flipped<br>A three-sided coin and I never had a choice<br>It’s you, it’s you<br> <br>I had to take them down,<br>The feelings I piled up to keep your feelings out<br>I think I’m good and done<br>Looking for the reason when you’re the only one<br>And now, here I am<br> <br>Between you, me and the truth, I used to think<br>I’d always know how to choose but, someone flipped<br>A three-sided coin and I never had a choice<br>It’s you, you, you<br> <br>I spent so much time trying to decide <br>When it’s always right<br> <br>Between you, me and the truth, I used to think<br>I’d always know how to choose but, someone flipped<br>A three-sided coin and I never had a choice<br>It’s you, it’s you<br><br> ©LauraMarieMusic 2014</div>
2:43
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2594872
2014-02-17T10:11:12-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:31-06:00
Podcast #10 - What It Means (Addiction)
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>The prompt was "pause to yawn". And we got it just after Philip Seymour Hoffman died so, addiction was on my mind. I was thinking specifically about the fact that I never used to have a great deal of compassion for people who struggled with addiction. I didn't really understand it. Which is hilarious because we all struggle with some sort of addiction. No? Try to remove any one thing from your life. Sugar, coffee, TV, swearing, criticizing, relationships, etc. Trust me, we have our addictions. Right now, I'm having to eliminate sugar (among many other things) from my diet for a while. The mind can be tricky. It can convince us we <em>need</em> something when it's the worst thing for us and the body jumps right on board. Craving. <br><br>It wasn't until I had friends in recovery from alcohol and drug abuse that I started to understand and appreciate what they were going through. They have to be vigilant. We have to be vigilant. We have to be aware of what are minds are saying over and over again. When we aren't paying attention, whatever our default is takes over. And, let's be honest, most of the default messages in our head aren't the most positive and up-lifting. It takes effort to change that. Continuous effort. Because, the dark side will always try to creep back in and always in our most vulnerable moments. Rest in peace, Philip Seymour Hoffman. <br><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/6f8da98e5725fecd089156f45f28fe19e8476192/original/photo.jpg?1392653323" class="size_orig justify_none border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><strong><u>What It Means</u></strong><br><br>In parking lots, streets and shops,<br>apartments, houses, heavy hearts<br>there’s disease, I bring the cure<br>For injuries, the wounded plead<br>for everything I’ve got<br>fill the need, stop the hurt<br> <br>What it means is you don’t have to suffer<br>What it means as the cure is kicking in<br>Is the pain is gone and all you’ve lost is conscience<br>Pause to yawn, don’t feel a thing<br> <br>Is everyone still pulling for you,<br>reaching out and, tell me, are you<br>Certain they’re not feeding you a line<br>You could be fine, but I’m not so sure<br>‘Cause I can make it easy on you,<br>everywhere you turn, I’ve got you<br>The best of any friend money can buy<br>Might be a lie but it is pure<br> <br>What it means is you don’t have to suffer<br>What it means as the cure is kicking in<br>All the world revolving, all a blur and falling<br>all you are dissolving till it ends<br>Till the pain is gone and all you’ve lost is conscience<br>Pause to yawn, don’t feel a thing<br><br> ©LauraMarieMusic 2014</div>
3:08
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2553034
2014-02-10T11:36:18-06:00
2014-03-02T17:54:21-06:00
Podcast #9 - Always, Always (Video)
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>The prompt was "small talk". I had ideas for two songs. One was the "What's the big idea?" idea that you'll hear in the bridge. The other was the repeated message of comfort against a continual refusal to be comforted. Since both ideas were in my head, I just decided to marry them. Yay! Congrats to the happy couple.<br><br>Sometimes I'm stubborn about being comforted when I'm in a dark mood. My mind will pick apart every comforting word and use it to justify all the reasons why I shouldn't be comforted. It must be tough to be the person who is put on this earth to comfort me when I'm down. Thank God I'm surrounded with some very patient people. And, it's hilarious that I look at others and get infuriated when they hang on to stuff so long and can't be reassured when there is so much good in the world. But, I know I only do that because it's just easier to see my own faults in others. I was taught that we only find such faults because they are very much our own and need to be healed. Imagine that! What if everyone you criticize is in your life just so you can see some example of the pain and rejection you carry around and need to heal. As "Radical Forgiveness" author Colin Tipping is fond of saying, "If you spot it, you got it!". I met Colin years ago on a search for peace. His perspective helped me through some pretty tough conflicts. Still does. Anyway, be comforted....always, always....<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="7wytMbVlOHY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/7wytMbVlOHY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7wytMbVlOHY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>I'd like to thank YouTube for the lovely screen capture. Nice :p<br>[edit: oh, good! it's no longer me sticking my tongue out]<br><br><br><u><strong>Always</strong></u><br><br>Hold a promise in your hand<br>Close your palm<br>and all the bonds you’re breaking<br>run like sand<br>Let connections come untied<br>Shut the door before the complications fly inside<br> <br>Hear the whispers through the wall<br>Look behind you find they’re never really there at all<br>Circumstances all but gone<br>Was it the comfort or the pain that you were counting on<br> <br><strong>Always, always remember,<br>I’m on your side, keep it on your mind</strong><br><strong>Always, always, in your solitude,<br>remember I am thinking of you</strong><br><strong>remember I am thinking of you</strong><br> <br>Keep a record of all wrongs<br>You’ll never reach the end<br>the list keeps going on and on<br>Cry your tears like no one does<br>But no one’s here that hasn’t feared<br>the worst you’re dreaming of<br> <br><strong>Always, always remember, <br>I’m on your side, keep it on your mind</strong><br><strong>Always, always, in your solitude, <br>remember I am thinking of you</strong><br><strong>remember, remember</strong><br> <br>What’s the big idea? We got it all. We got it made<br><u>Small talk</u> on long days<br>What’s the big idea? Life is far too good to waste<br>And it’s yours for the taking now<br>What’s the big idea? It’s never hard for me to say<br>I’m gonna love you, always<br> <br><strong>Always, always remember, <br>I’m on your side, keep it on your mind</strong><br><strong>Always, always, in your solitude, <br>remember I am thinking of you</strong><br><strong>remember I am thinking of you</strong><br><strong>remember, remember</strong><br><br> ©LauraMarieMusic 2014<br><br> </div>
3:10
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2510182
2014-02-03T08:00:00-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:31-06:00
Podcast #8 - Can't Look Back - Ghost Notes
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}</style><div>The prompt was "ghost notes". My thoughts for this prompt were about how difficult it can be to move on from any major hurt or heartbreak. I think you can become attached to the pain of it and actually choose to remain stuck because it feels easier than making yourself vulnerable to being hurt again. In the back of your mind, you can't imagine who you would be without that pain. A long time ago, I was severely clinically depressed. I remember not wanting to get help. I was in a place where I couldn't imagine happiness and, because I couldn't imagine it, it became a much too frightening unknown. Would I still write the same kind of music? Would I still love the same people? Would I be happy in my own skin? I had no idea and I fought it for a long while. Fortunately, I was surrounded by some really good people who convinced me that I wouldn't lose who I really was, that happiness wouldn't ruin me. My fears were very real. They sometimes still are. But, I've become much better at recognizing when my fear has taken the reigns. I know what it's like to completely give in to them and I don't want to be there anymore. Can't look back. <br><br>Kind of excited about trying a new approach with the arrangement. Don't quite have the drum loop thing down but it was fun to experiment. Threw together a super simple fake bass line too. Next week's podcast will be a bit simpler but will include a video. Also, thanks to everyone who weighed in on social media about which of these songs to choose for a special project. Whether through the FB survey, comments, DMs or messages, you helped me to decide which song will be part of a compilation that will be released and promoted to support a new indie radio station. "Wake Up" prompted by "When the Clock Stops" will be that song. :)<br><br> <div class="captioned justify_none"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/5ba7c64eed53f426ef9716e22113f49035f3dff0/original/screen-shot-2014-02-02-at-10-28-54-pm.png?1391401880" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><p class="caption">Next Monday: 'Always' on video!</p></div>
<br><br><u><strong>Can’t Look Back</strong></u> <br><br>Start your hearts now, here we go again<br>Separate parts have stopped their distancing<br>And here I am with all that's passed<br>Intending to forget remembering<br><br>With a plan to get my heart back, a companion on the journey<br>A hand to hold in my hand, a harmony worth learning<br>Cause all I ever wanted were the words to be about me<br>And all it ever got me was lonely<br>And I can’t look back<br> <br>Apparitions pale where truth abounds<br>Ghost notes fade to silent, love resounds<br>And here I am/ with all that lasts<br>Fearless, forward, stepping on the cracks<br> <br>With a plan to get my heart back, a companion on the journey<br>A hand to hold in my hand, a harmony worth learning<br>Cause all I ever wanted was the song to be about me<br>And all it ever got me was lonely<br>And I can’t look back<br> <br>Opening my eyes to see where I am/ going going on to<br>cut the binding ties that keep me here and holding , holding back the<br>tears that fill my eyes with all this bright light<br>finally in sight I’m fine to leave here<br>Knowing, knowing now that I can’t I can’t<br>I can’t look back<br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</div>
4:25
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2471464
2014-01-27T01:18:25-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:31-06:00
Podcast #7 - Missing You/In One Breath
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}</style><div>Sappy love song time. I feel like it's all very obvious. Typical. I feel better when my husband is here with me at home. I mean, he IS home and I'm pretty attached to him. Some might call it a co-dependency. Whatever. So I have abandonment issues, I deal with separation anxiety...label me, if the shoe fits, fine. I love him so very much and I just like it better when he is around and he's been traveling a lot more often these days. So have I. The good part is that we have learned to appreciate each other so much more than ever before. Words don't really do the feelings justice. He was gone so I wrote this song. I made a rhyme. Sweet. I experimented with Garageband a bit but still very raw demo. I'm new to the whole drum loop thing and sorry for the screamy parts. :-/ OH! The prompt was "In One Breath".<br><br> <div class="captioned justify_none"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/a52f1fb3a06749e4fe2edb053f9f9ae18e68d69a/medium/pete.jpg?1390806853" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="" /><p class="caption">Daphne loves him too. She's flaunting it.</p></div>
<br><br><br><u><strong>Missing You –In One Breath</strong></u><br> <br><strong>In one breath</strong>, a memory of what you said<br>When it was still dark outside, as you kissed my lips goodbye<br>In only so many words, but all that you meant I heard<br>It got me through the day but night is too much to take <br>Cause I can’t sleep. No, I can’t sleep<br> <br>I lose my mind without you<br>I need you there on your side of the bed<br>You know I do. That’s why I’m fine staying up all night<br>Writing a song to say it doesn’t take long to start missing you<br> <br>With each heartbeat, a measure of certainty<br>The quiet is not so calm, the house not as much a home<br>Pages of unsung words, how many more to turn<br>Songs on a sleepless night, how many more to write<br>Cause I can’t sleep, no, I can’t sleep<br> <br>I lose my mind without you<br>I need you there on your side of the bed<br>You know I do, That’s why I’m fine staying up all night<br>Writing a song to say something wrong with me baby<br>I’m saying I’m just not the same. I go crazy waiting<br> <br>I lose my mind without you<br>I need you there on your side of the bed<br>You know I do, That’s why I’m fine staying up all night<br>Writing a song to say it doesn’t take long<br>Writing a song to say it doesn’t take long<br>To start missing you<br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2014</div>
3:39
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2433292
2014-01-20T11:27:31-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:30-06:00
Podcast #6 - It's Gonna Be Over Soon
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}</style><div>My mind is blown. <br><br>Ok, it's MLK day, it's music monday, there's some repair work being done in our house and I just received an email that released a rock that had been sitting on my heart for the past two years. My mind is blown. (Like in slow motion. It's still exploding as I'm reading this back.) And, I'm looking at this song I wrote a couple of weeks ago and can barely remember what I was thinking. To the best of my knowledge, here it goes.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/a2006ac270fca5c161ec2c876fd95358a32f368c/medium/lauramariemewsics.jpg?1390238716" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 5px;" /><br>I held on to a lot of stuff. Refused to write about it. That doesn't mean I didn't acknowledge what I was struggling with. On the contrary, I had great counsel. I dealt with things but, I refused to write music about a lot of my resentment or my anger or my disappointment....the negative stuff. I didn't want to give it a bigger voice than I already had, I didn't want to "give it the satisfaction". Not sure if that makes sense but it's what I told myself. "NOPE! You're not going there." and because of that, I went from writing a song a week in 2012 to writing only 4 in 2013 until this project started. That's when I decided it was best to just get it out because, apparently, in my world, it's not over until I write a song about it, until I do something creative with it. If I don't, it goes about destroying my sense of inner peace.<br><br>You know, sometimes, I think my songs are ridiculous. But, in the words of the great Martin Luther King, Jr. (see how I worked that in there?) "Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted." So, I've got that going for me :)<br><br>The prompt was "Ugly Pretty Face" and I didn't want to write about attractiveness or lack thereof or both at the same time. (Although, some of my fellow group members did so in a really great way.) So, the song is about getting rid of that mental baggage which being in this group has enabled me to do. Yay! I was nearly done with the song before I figured out how I was going to use the phrase. Phew! Did it. Singing through a tiny bit of cedar stuck in my head and it's a quick recording but here it is.<p> </p>
<u>It’s gonna be over soon</u><br> <br>A standing room of words inside my head<br>The kind that hurt too much to go unsaid<br>Or, I’m just sick of doing this analysis for nothing<br>A song a week to give each word a line<br>are products of an overcrowded mind but<br>I’m not resolved to waste my time, so it’s got to count for something<br> <br><strong>Right or wrong, I’m betting on</strong><br><strong>The recompense of what remains to do</strong><br><strong>Oh, one more song won’t take me long</strong><br><strong>I’m running out of things to say to you</strong><br><strong>It’s gonna be over soon</strong><br> <br>I have a heart so find it hard to be<br>Indifferent to your insincerity<br>While some resolve to play the part, oh, now I know the difference<br>I’m partial to an open heart and mind<br>A few attributes that you seem loath to find<br>So, I’m glad I had a running start and I’m grateful for the distance<br> <br><strong>Right or wrong, I’m betting on</strong><br><strong>The recompense of what remains to do</strong><br><strong>Oh, one more song won’t take me long</strong><br><strong>I’m running out of things to say to you</strong><br><strong>It’s gonna be over soon</strong><br> <br>Baby, love and pain, sunshine and rain, the lies, the truth<br>Ugly, pretty, face it<br>All the words come spilling out, it’s over when I’m through<br><strong>Right or wrong, I’m betting on</strong><br><strong>The recompense of what remains to do</strong><br><strong>Oh, one more song won’t take me long</strong><br><strong>I’m running out of things to say to you</strong><br><strong>It’s gonna be over soon</strong><br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2014<br> </div>
3:17
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2388661
2014-01-13T10:14:22-06:00
2020-08-28T14:10:57-05:00
Podcast #5 - The Loud Silence
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}</style><div>These songs are on a two week delay. I started posting them just as I was working on the 3rd assignment so, it's interesting for me to go back and think about what my brain was going through two weeks prior and what brought on the song...besides the prompt itself, of course. The prompt for week 5 was "The Loud Silence".</div><br>What's interesting to me is how my brain is responding to having prompts given to me instead of being prompted by my own thoughts and emotions. I have to connect to some memory, some strong feeling present or past and direct myself to get lost in it again. That can be therapeutic. I suppose I could just make thoughts, feelings and people up but, I'd still have to to connect to it in some very personal way so, I do what I do. <br><br>"The Loud Silence" to me, is what happens when there is so much left unsaid. And, I'm not one to leave things unsaid. Ask my husband. I talk everything through...to exhaustion. So, I didn't want the song to be about a "cold shoulder" sort of silence at all. I wanted it to be about surrendering and letting things go unsaid, making peace with what is unresolved... saying nothing because you're convinced the meaning would be lost anyway, not wanting to hear anything because you don't want to go backwards...finally, embracing the silence. An idea that I'm sure to contradict with the next song. ;)<br><br>Short and sweet. Looking forward to performing with three of the other songwriters in the group tonight in Austin, Tx!. 7pm! Check it <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br><br><br><u><strong>The Only Sound Now</strong></u><br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/76f1b370d095abdf20e0c407a7028d70199a5659/small/lauramarieguitar.jpg?1389629549" class="size_s justify_left border_" />I don’t have a thing, a single thing to say<br>Nothing that could bring comfort or a change<br>Defend my honor, justify<br>Prove you wrong, prove me right<br>I don’t want to waste the strength to be so proud<br>So, let the loud silence be the only sound now<br> <br>In every song I heard, some weren’t even yours<br>But, who am I to hold you to every single word <br>or take them for a dollar, for my healing<br>or for the truth without true meaning<br>I give them back if that’s the only choice allowed<br>and let the loud silence be the only sound now<br> <br>If time can’t do a thing to wear you down<br>Then let the loud silence be the only sound now<br>let the loud silence be the only sound now<br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2014<br><br><br><br><br> <p> </p>
2:12
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2334824
2014-01-06T10:03:15-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:30-06:00
Podcast #4 - Beginning of the End
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}</style><div>This has been my favorite so far even if the recording is a bit rough (Still working on my process). I wasn't sure what I was going to do until I picked up the guitar and realized that Jake had left it in open tuning after our studio session just before Christmas. NEW SONG COMING SOON!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/c950608b4b9bd078a76ea27c499449e1b8953357/medium/lauramariejakeowen.jpg?1389023492" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br>So, boom, I decided the mood was going to be melancholy. Spent a little while trying to figure out how to make sounds I liked in this tuning. Had no idea what I was doing so wrote everything down in code so I'd remember where to put my fingers. Ha! It's all very scientific. Then, my almost teenage son and I went for a long walk and started to talk about relationships. <br><br>Our conversation is what inspired the song. I remember how much I struggled with past loves. I wanted him to understand that not every relationship was meant to be "THE" relationship and that sometimes endings are what are most important to our personal, spiritual and emotional growth. I can only hope that he took some of it to heart and that it might come to mind when he needs it at some point in his life. <br><br><br><u><strong>The Beginning of the End </strong></u><br><br>It was long ago, but everything looks better in a soft glow<br>Filtering through all the things that we now know<br>Looking at the love that we were in.<br>Both so headstrong, hurrying past all the things that felt wrong<br>Faster than speed of where we belong<br>I don’t know who we thought we were then, back when<br> <br>We held tight<br>staring out the window at the starlight<br>promising each other it was alright<br>Funny how impatient we were then<br>when it was only the beginning of the end<br> <br>They seem strange, all the things we wanted to but can’t change<br>desperate for a world we wouldn’t reclaim for all the things we’ll never feel again<br>But it felt right. Not always but forgiveness comes with hindsight<br>So, I hope you will remember me in soft light<br>And even if you can’t, will you pretend<br>Remember when <br> <br>We held tight<br>staring out the window at the starlight<br>promising each other it was alright<br>Funny how impatient we were then<br>when it was only the beginning of the end<br> <br>We fought it oh, but now we know<br>The end will take us where we want to go<br> <br>But we held tight, staring out the window at the starlight<br>promising each other it was alright<br>Funny how impatient we were then<br>and it was only the beginning of the end<br>only the beginning of the end<br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2013<br> </div>
3:51
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2291383
2013-12-29T15:45:00-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:30-06:00
Podcast #3 - When the Clock Stops
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<span class="font_regular">Oh, I had such trouble with this one. A good portion of it was written in the car between San Antonio and Houston to and from my last show of the year at Anderson Fair. That was awesome! I mean, I'm always a bit intimidated when I'm surrounded by amazing guitarists but, it was such a cool place to play since some of my favorites (Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Willians, Patty Griffin) have played that stage. And it's an awesome listening room. I wish there were more of those. I'm very grateful to Ken Gaines for having me. He and Aaron Kaufman are incredible writers. I enjoyed sharing the stage with them and with Wayne Wilkerson (guitarist, not pictured) who is simply brilliant. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60300/2b6c9ad01d6107e5136795da2d3226cb5c24a486/medium/lauramarieandersonfair.jpg?1388095394" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br>Anyway, back to the song. The prompt was "When the clock stops" and the phrase that kept coming up with the melody in my head was "Wake Up". I wanted the song to say, "Hey, you're missing it. Life is amazing and you are letting all this time pass without being aware of the amazingness!" And I was playing off the idea that I used to be that person who would get up before everyone else and insist that we do a million things like RIGHT NOW! These days, my husband is the morning person and I'm usually up way too late. I blame my thyroid for that but, whatever. Hope to reverse that soon. So...<br><br>Disclaimer: I was messing around with all my settings while recording and had a limited amount of time to get it done and kept getting distracted and rushed so, the recording is kinda sloppy and jacked up. I apologize to all the musicians listening because I know that kinda crap is distracting and drives you crazy. TOO BAD, SO SAD!!! :) Ok, no, really...I'm sorry. I'm trying to get better and learn new skills. I've been inspired by some of the other songwriters in the writing group who are geniuses when it comes recording, mixing, etc. I am not nor have I ever been but, I'm learning new things every day. Yay!!! <br><br>All this to say that if you hate this one, no worries. I just finished my week #4 song and it is AWESOME! Well, I love it. I hope you'll love it too and it will be my first post of the new year. In the meantime. Week #3:<br><br><br><br><br><br><strong>Wake Up</strong></span><p class="p1"><span class="font_regular">When the clock stops somewhere between<br>Losing yourself, remembering<br>over the moon, under the sheets, don’t go back to sleep<br><br>Let the dawn break into your room<br>Over your head, out of the blue<br>It’s the same bird singing the same melody <br>don’t go back to sleep, don’t go back to sleep<<br><br><strong>Wake up, I want to see your face<br>Shine in the light of day , call me impatient but<br>Wake up. I want to see your eyes, oh, when you see the light<br>What are you waiting for</strong><br><br>Let the night fall out of your hands<br>Memory fades, let it begin<br>Up with the sun, get out of your head<br>It’s nothing but a dream, nothing but a dream<br><br><strong>Wake up, I want to see your face<br>Shine in the light of day , call me impatient but</strong></span><br><strong><span class="font_regular">Wake up. I want to see your eyes, oh, when you see the light<br>What are you waiting for</span></strong></p>
<p class="p1"><br><span class="font_regular">There’s a world you were hoping to find<br>And it’s waiting for you to arrive<br>You know the minute you see it you come back to life</span><br><br><strong><span class="font_regular">Wake up, I want to see your face<br>Shine in the light of day , call me impatient but<br>Wake up. I want to see your eyes, oh, when you see the light<br>What are you waiting for</span></strong><br><br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2013</p>
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3:16
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2277602
2013-12-23T10:41:20-06:00
2014-04-04T16:50:16-05:00
Podcast #2 - Zero Star Hotel
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<span class="font_regular">Well, now that I got my third week song turned in, I'm posting assignment #2 as promised. The prompt was "Zero Star Hotel" and I hated it. I had no idea what to do with it. And then it all came rushing out. It came from a long held resentment that I'd, for the most part, buried since I never got a chance to express it. The crappy thing about burrying things is that they don't stay buried. They worm their way back up and effect the way you relate to people in present time. So, I was glad to get this little bit of history off my chest. It doesn't apply to my life at present and it's very one sided. It's a judgemental in the moment perspective which is all one ever gets when open and honest communication doesn't happen. Which kind of sucks but, whatever. I can believe the worst or the best about people. It's always my choice and I know well enough that it's best to eventually choose the one that brings me peace. I'll say this, there isn't a person alive that I don't wish complete peace and happiness. I get angry but I don't like to stay there. Too much weight on my soul. <br><br><br><strong>Zero Star Hotel</strong><br><br>Everybody hurts, everybody cries<br>Everybody gets but most, they just get by<br>How you gonna say no one relates to your distress<br>No one has a life that’s free of any pain<br>But most don’t have the time to sit here and complain<br>So, how you gonna say you have it harder than the rest<br> <br><strong>While you’re sitting at the bar at the zero star hotel<br>Where the writing on the wall is always meant for someone else<br>If you don’t know who you are, you can get a room as well<br>Cause you never get too far // when you’re lying to yourself</strong><br><br>Everybody helped everyone get through<br>And everybody tried to get across to you<br>How you gonna say that no one cares and walk away<br>If you only ever mean what you never really say<br>Then what is it you feel? Is it real anyway?<br>How you gonna find another reason to complain<br> <br><strong>While you’re sitting at the bar at the zero star hotel<br>Where the writing on the wall is always meant for someone else<br>If you don’t know who you are, you can get a room as well<br>Cause you never get too far when you’re lying to yourself<br> </strong><br>When you’re lying to your self<br>When you’re lying to yourself<br> <br><strong>While you’re sitting at the bar at the zero star hotel<br>Where the writing on the wall is always meant for someone else<br>If you don’t know who you are, you can get a room as well<br>Cause you never get too far</strong><br> <br><strong>Sitting at the bar at the zero star hotel<br>Where the writing on the wall is always meant for someone else<br>If you don’t know who you are, you can get a room as well<br>Cause you never get too far when you’re lying to yourself<br> </strong><br>When you’re lying to yourself<br>When you’re lying to yourself</span><br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2013</div>
4:07
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/2211559
2013-12-11T14:34:11-06:00
2022-01-17T04:50:23-06:00
Podcast #1 - Feast of Lights
<style type="text/css">div {
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}</style><div>I was beginning to feel creatively blocked. Maybe a little uninspired. Ok, depressed. But mostly because my energy levels plummeted on my return from NY (which was amazing, by the way) and it felt like hitting a wall. I was down for weeks. So, I was incredibly grateful to be asked to participate in a songwriting group and honored to be included among so many I admire. I'm not gonna name drop because I'm not sure it's allowed but, I will say that there are some pretty brilliant songwriters and some well known on a national level. And, it's freakin' fantastic listening to everyone's perspective on the phrase of the week. Blows my mind. <br><br>I decided I'm going to share what I come up with here on my site because some of these songs may not make it onto albums or sets for my live shows. I'll post the song and give you an idea of the inspiration behind it. You can subscribe to the blog as an iTunes podcast and even download the song (demo). I'd love your thoughts on the theme of the songs and what they inspire. <br><br>My song for week 1: Feast of Lights<br><br>I happened to name my song after the prompt we were given. That isn't a rule but light is a theme I use a lot in my writing and I wanted the song to be centered on it. The prompt made me think of this Carl Sagan quote: "We are star stuff harvesting star light". You know, I once had a dream that I was made of stars and my hands were pure light. One of my favorite dreams ever. So, I wanted to make the star about how we are all light along with everything else, all made of the same stuff...which makes us part of each other and part of everything but some of us don't know it. Seeing it, like in my dream, would be heaven. As a teenager, I used to sneak out of my house to sit on the hood of the family car and stare at the stars. Maybe that idea was always buried inside of me. <br> <p><strong>Feast of Lights</strong><br> <br>I’m someone who knows loneliness comes from<br>Biding our time, hiding behind brick, mortar and steel <br>Till they’re all gone, all the walls that we count on,<br>Walls that divided you and I but never were real<br>Sometimes nothing comes from everything we feel<br> <br>So, come out, ‘cause it’s all gonna come down<br>Traveling 13 billion years waiting to fall right here<br>On a cold night, something that still might save us<br>Is cutting through the calm of our atmosphere<br> <br>Leave the darkness to the heartless, the hopeless to their night<br>They’re walking in a shadow, they’re starlight in disguise<br>‘cause they don’t believe the beauty till they see it with their eyes<br>Feast of lights<br> <br>For so long we were waiting for someone<br>Or something to light up the night all of these years<br>How we held on even when it all felt wrong<br>So, take it all in now before it all disappears<br>And even if nothing comes from everything we fear<br> <br>So, come out, ‘cause it’s all gonna come down<br>Traveling 13 billion years waiting to fall right here<br>On a cold night, something that still might save us<br>Is cutting through the calm of our atmosphere<br> <br>Leave the darkness to the heartless, the hopeless to the night<br>They’re walking in a shadow, they’re starlight in disguise<br>‘cause they don’t believe the beauty till they see it with their eyes<br>Feast of lights <br><br>©LauraMarieMusic 2013</p>
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3:51
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282364
2012-12-15T05:07:23-06:00
2012-12-15T05:07:23-06:00
In response to violence in the world (blog)
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</p><p class="p1"><span style="font-size: medium;">In response to violence in the world, the most meaningful change we can make is in how we treat each other when in conflict.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like so many, I had trouble sleeping last night. I was sorting through thoughts of yesterday's tragedy that hit closer to home than any of the other senseless tragedies taking place all over the world today, searching for meaning as I do, needing to write but not having the words. It was a night of asking questions and waiting for my heart to answer. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everywhere, millions upon millions of dollars are spent with the purpose of convincing people on one side of an issue to fear and despise people on the other. Everything is "war" these days from the smallest personal argument to actual combat across the globe. World leaders speak of peace but vilify enemies to justify the violence and we follow suit here at home. And, whether it's intentional deception or a natural response to true fear, the result is the same: loss, despair and even more fear with which to justify more violence. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here we go in response to this tragedy. One side will want more guns for protection, the other more laws. Both sides forget that no gun and no law will change the heart of a killer. What can possibly? Only love. Only love in all it's forms. Compassion. Forgiveness. Empathy. Honesty. Trust. Courage. Humility. What's beautiful in this world </span><span style="font-size: medium;">is how naturally inclined our children are towards these things. What's senseless is how we teach them to be afraid, angry, unforgiving, cold and callous to face a "grown up" reality. Our children are a rainforest of pure love and answers to the worlds problems and we lose them, in so many ways, to the violence we accept and unwittingly encourage.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: medium;">When someone is hurting or in pain, we respond with loving action. When someone causes hurt or pain, we fight or fly for our own protection. This is natural. But, look around and notice that we've built all our industries, governments and societies under the banner of fight or fly and do both until we're so disoriented that only love could possibly save us. What would happen if we started there instead. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is no memorial fitting but the one in our hearts that calls us to act with love in every situation towards every. single. one. </span></p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">The beloved is everyone -Rumi</span></strong></p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;">-LM</span></p>
<p><iframe scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F71351287" frameborder="no" height="166" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">---------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meditation: where there is darkness, sadness, hopelessness, wickedness and hatred, let me be love. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: medium;">(Note: Meditation has brought me great peace over the past year. I've begun to post a daily meditation intention on my twitter account. If you care to follow me there, I'm at @lauramariemusic. Meditate however you please whether repetition of the intention, silence, breath work, prayer or quiet reflection. 5-10min a day to start makes a difference) </span></p>
<p> </p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282365
2012-08-31T05:44:11-05:00
2017-02-01T19:00:55-06:00
Blog: We don't know how or why
<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We rise. </span></p>
<p><img src="/files/70797/fullmoon.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="300" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">We survive. We continue. We reinvent ourselves. We're reborn. Some unseen force pulls us from the past into the present. We're alive. We have hope for the future. We believe. We rise. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F52403842&show_artwork=true" frameborder="no" height="166" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Lunatic Moon</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s a whole and perfect heart inside your chest </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">And it’s beating with the love that it’s confessed </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Echoes through your hallowed halls right into mine </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">As it’s sounding out the steps of the divine</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I will follow through the night though may never catch the sight </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Of what’s hidden by the light of a lunatic moon </span></p><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s a true and holy thought inside your head </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">It is heard before the words are even said </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Ringing off the temple walls just like a bell </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Sounds a symphony inside this prison cell</span>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Could be the sweetest, most sincere music loud and clear </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">But it’s the silence that I hear on a lunatic moon</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">See how the tide is rising now </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">The undertow can bring us down </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">We are pulled but we don’t know how or why </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">We rise</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s a pure but ancient place inside your soul </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Where it’s safe and far beyond the moon’s control </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Let the music there surround you like a shroud </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Until you find the words to sing your song out loud</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Though the sweetest sound of all will be harmony that calls </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">From the shadows that will fall on a lunatic moon</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">See how the tide is rising now </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">The undertow can bring us down </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">We are pulled but we don’t know how or why</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">We rise, we rise </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Under a lunatic moon, under a lunatic moon </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Under a lunatic moon, under a lunatic moon</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/62093
2012-07-06T13:57:36-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:28-06:00
A whale cloud at Sea World. How'd they do that?
<p>
<a href="http://instagr.am/p/MwjYr6tPZz/"><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<a href="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/lauramarie/oyHlJkfqasAnsjIbbpxdmAvgjplsgJbApzFadnCdvaDzniBeivxbdvHmFjoB/media_httpdistilleryi_BekFo.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img src="//getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/lauramarie/oyHlJkfqasAnsjIbbpxdmAvgjplsgJbApzFadnCdvaDzniBeivxbdvHmFjoB/media_httpdistilleryi_BekFo.jpg.scaled500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Media_httpdistilleryi_bekfo" height="500" width="500" /></a>
</div>
</a><br>Taken at SeaWorld San Antonio
</p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282366
2012-04-03T19:16:00-05:00
2014-03-30T05:01:56-05:00
Why I hated Sheryl Crow (blog)
<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Competition. </span></p>
<p></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The word used to literally make me throw up. I swam competitively in high school. Well, not that competitively. I could never stomach the pressure of having to win. I hated the way it made me feel and the way people seemed to think it normal and good and healthy that my self worth should hinge on wether or not I was "better" than the person next to me (I never was). But, I wanted to belong so, I suffered through the "competition" and not being "better than" made me feel worthless. Eventually, that worthlessness turned to frustration and anger and I began to see competitors as enemies. </span></p>
<p></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> That's where I still kind of was when I became a musician. Anyone who wasn't with me was against me and anyone who was doing what I wish I could do but couldn't deserved my complete contempt. It's why I hated Sheryl Crow. She covered Led Zeppelin's D'yer Mak'er and ruined it for me. That's what I WANTED TO DO!!!!!! :) Nevermind that she was famous and I was nobody. It sickened me. </span></p>
<p></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> There were other perceived "competitors" over the years but, I also started searching for truth, happiness and release from fears that had followed me all my life. Somewhere along the way I realized that music was a gift, songwriting was my refuge. My love for it was pure and the love that came through it was sacred. I didn't want ego to touch it. I began to avoid competition and anyone who sparked even the smallest competitive spirit within me. Anytime I was put into a competitive situation I tried to transform it, release the ego from it, let go of any need to feel "better than" or simply walk away. What songwriting means to me is too important to reduce it to sport...a crapshoot for your soul? No way.</span></p>
<p></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Eventually, I began to seek out and surround myself with musicians who felt like I did, who did it for the pure joy or the absolute need to express something beautiful, wonderful, good and true, who channeled love. I found people I could learn from who would teach me how to do what I wanted to do better. Not better than anyone else. Better than I'd ever done it before. The best that I could according to my own sense of beauty and truth. No one else's. </span></p>
<p></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Don't get me wrong. I love to feel accepted. I have great respect for audiences and love praise and acknowledgment. But, praise and acknowledgement are not sufficient reasons to do what I do in the way that I do it. They don't fuel the passion. And, I simply don't have it in me to try to win favor. Its exhausting. I don't see the point in trying to convince people I'm something that I'm not. I can't and won't manipulate an audience however big or small. What I am is what you get. I'm not any younger, smarter, better or more beautiful than the next person but, hopefully, I'm as authentic and real as I can be. I don't know how other people think but, when someone is real and authentic I find them to be more beautiful than beautiful, more sexy than sexy, more everything than anything. If I'm ever that then, cool. </span></p>
<p></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Let me just make it clear to any other musician I've offended in my honest attempt to be not only a musician but, an artist trying to communicate as much truth and beauty as possible into this lovely but chaotic world: </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">You are never the barometer by which I judge <br>my own ability or worth. </span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You are you. I am me. If you were ever down I'd lift you up but I can't do anything for someone who needs to see me beneath them. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">P.S. I love you Sheryl Crow</span></p>
<p> </p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282367
2012-02-20T07:55:00-06:00
2017-02-01T19:00:56-06:00
On what you do and don't believe
<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I want to share something extremely personal. It's a quote from my mother. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">A little background: My mother has a double masters in pastoral theology and social work. She has a heart for service to the community. She has friends from all walks of life and raised me, by example, to have an open mind and heart. Both my parents raised me to stand up for what I believe in. The circumstances of my life have given me a unique perspective (as unique as anyone else's) and have led me towards advocacy for many causes including but not limited to peace, AIDS awareness, child sex-trafficking awareness and support for victims, minority issues and the issues of the LGBT community. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the quote. It's not a complete quote but it's what I'll share with you:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="text-align: left;">"...</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">it's difficult being part of a community where your beliefs differ - but isn't that what a community is all about? Just like family - we love them no matter what - but we don't always agree. Just be kind and continue to listen..."</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to share it because I think it applies to not just being part of the community she and I were discussing but for participation in all communities. It applies to being part of a family, a neighborhood, a church, a city, a state, a country and the human race. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">There will always be difficulties because there will always be differences. This should not discourage you from taking part. Don't be afraid to be around people who think, act, or live differently than you do. It will challenge you beyond your own experience. And, doing so with an open mind and heart will increase the potential for two wonderful things to happen in your life: finding what is truest to your heart so that you may live by it and removing beliefs that are unhealthy and limit your potential as a human being. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">This is why I chose a church community. Heck, that's why I chose a marriage. Though, I don't think either relationship would last if I wasn't encouraged by both to think for myself and come to my own understanding. Relationships that don't encourage you to think for yourself shouldn't last. You can't live by someone else's belief system if it contradicts what is truest to your own. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">So, do I always agree with everything? No. But, I'm very grateful to be in a marriage and in a church that leaves room for my diferences and doesn't turn me away because of them. I'm also grateful for what I have learned and what has changed in my own life for having allowed someone to challenge me. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We are not islands unto ourselves. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Our country and our world need room for differences.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Like it or not, as humans we are a community. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The potential is everywhere for us to live as one. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Be kind.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Continue to listen.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Love them no matter what. - LM</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">--------------</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here's a rough demo of a song I wrote a while back. I think it kinda of says what I mean. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cIrXWysIQX4" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282368
2012-02-14T03:52:16-06:00
2017-02-01T19:00:56-06:00
Valentine Shmalentine: Be Love
<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He was a martyr. One of many that we don't celebrate on this day. That's all I know about St. Valentine. But, not all I know about love.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">It doesn't really bother me that this has become some sort of crazy superficial holiday that celebrates the idea that we should hold one person as special enough to be worthy of our love. It doesn't bother me but, that's not what I believe. I believe love should be shared universaly in as many expressions as possible. We should live for love. We should be love....in all our actions, words, thoughts, etc.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Am I love? Yes. Am I perfect in my expression? No. But it's my intention. An intention I have to remind myself of when that annoying person comes my way, my children do something that bothers me or that politician or pundit says something I don't agree with. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, if this is going to be a day that celebrates love, let it be a day of intention to love as perfectly as I can. Let me be love in situations that call for love. And, all situations call for love. Let me be patient with people in traffic. Let me be kind in my thoughts to that person who has been driving me crazy. Let me look beyond what annoys me, what disturbs me...let me leave some space for whatever love brings my way. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RIyNCC-dS7s" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I was going to post a new video but the song wasn't appropriate for this day. I'll do that on Monday now that my computer is fixed. <3</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> -LM</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it. - <strong>Rumi</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. - <strong>1 Corinthians 13:1-3</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">We cannot give what we do not have: We cannot bring peace to the world if we ourselves are not peaceful. We cannot bring love to the world if we ourselves are not loving. Our true gift to ourselves and others lies not in what we have but in who we are. - <strong>Marianne Williamson</strong></span></p>
<p> </p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282369
2012-01-10T08:21:00-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:28-06:00
A song a week (the low down)
<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I made a public resolution on a Thursday night <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/GoGirlsMusic" target="_blank">@GoGirlsMusic</a> Twitter chat during the holidays. The intention is to write a song each and every week this year and set aside time each day for writing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I know full well that by publicly making the resolution I run the risk of disappointing someone. I might disappoint myself. I might disappoint others. I might disappoint both myself and others because, let's face it, not all of them are going to be "hits". But, here I go resolving myself to follow in the footsteps of songwriters I love and not let life distract me from the only "job" I've ever been passionate about. </span> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It's the second week of the year and I have just completed song number two. Yay! Ok, so, song number two was really finishing a song I started last year and had forgotten about. Still, it counts! I mean, I'll continue tweeking it and the other as time goes on. But, yeah, done! Now, all I have to do is decide how I'm going to share my progress...</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm open to ideas. I was thinking of blogging a video of my favorite of the month and then having an online review of all the monthly songs via <a href="http://www.stageit.com/laura-marie" target="_blank">Stageit.com</a> or <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/100591286222317606432/100591286222317606432/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> Hangout. Hmmmm...</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">I'll decide by the end of the month for sure. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy new year!!! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<img src="//getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-10/fjGqznjJjcxsIqsvIGJdiffdEsnnBwdupizkpyDbGJhHGIrasnlfjwJGqrun/IMG_3071.JPG.scaled500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Img_3071" height="480" width="480" />
</div>
<br></span></p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282370
2012-01-06T14:27:00-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:28-06:00
Walk don't run (musing)
<p>
</p><p> </p>
<p></p><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<img src="//getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2012-01-06/GilIGqoqixrjkgjwguBsaleyDJcmIxBavIbGDlkfAgtaDjquFfFDvmoEeaur/path.jpg.scaled500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Path" height="500" width="500" />
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Walk don't run</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">You're always trying </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It must be tiring</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Slow down some</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">and let the world go by </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">while you and I </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Walk don't run, don't run, don't run</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Funny that you go where you don't want to go </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Funny you believe what you don't want to know</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Funny what you do when no one's watching you</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Walk don't run</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">You're always trying</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">It must be tiring</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Slow down some</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">and let the world go by </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">while you and I </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Walk don't run, don't run, don't run</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
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</p>
Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282372
2011-12-18T17:36:00-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:28-06:00
Thank you and chocolate brownies (blog)
<p>
</p><p></p><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/lauramarie/iwwIopoeGheEhvFiqiwinjcxIeDjolknFppxsJgGysbhyreppdjcICwtakpf/p36.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img src="//getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/lauramarie/iwwIopoeGheEhvFiqiwinjcxIeDjolknFppxsJgGysbhyreppdjcICwtakpf/p36.jpg.scaled500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="P36" height="667" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<p>Ok, so, $260 and counting to go to Living Water International this season thanks to those of you who tipped and bought CDs from the website to give to friends! THANK YOU!</p>
<p>(The 2 for 1 price will continue until Jan 1st at <a href="http://www.lauramariemusic.com">http://www.lauramariemusic.com</a> and money will still go to the cause even after Christmas.)</p>
<p>Yay!!! Now on to the brownies:</p>
<p>I've been busy baking brownies. Not just any brownies, BLACK BEAN BROWNIES!!! And they are sooooo awesome.</p>
<p>No, they don't taste like beans. They are gluten free and delicious and, without all the flour, they are a bit better for you than "normal" ones. (half the fat, twice the protein and 2g of fiber...yeah!) I flat out dare you to try them. I tried three different recipes and combined a couple until I got just the right cakey-ness according to my taste testers.</p>
<p>So, if Pete and the boys like them, they have to be good.</p>
<p>Do it:</p>
<p>Black Bean Brownies (Gluten free)</p>
<p>Ingredients<br>1 (15 1/2 ounce) cans black beans ( rinsed and drained)<br>3 eggs<br>3 tablespoons oil<br>1/4 - 1/2 cup cocoa powder <br>1 pinch salt<br>1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<br>3/4 cup sugar<br>1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br>1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder</p>
<p>Semi sweet chocolate chips<br>--------------------------------------</p>
<p>Directions</p>
<p>1. First, puree black beens in food processor until smooth (you may need to add a few tablespoons of water)</p>
<p>2. Add other ingredients EXCEPT chocolate chips in processor together until blended.</p>
<p>3. Stir in some chocolate chips</p>
<p>4. Pour into a greased 8x8 cake pan.</p>
<p>5. Bake at 350 F for approximately 30 -35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center</p>
<p>6. Let cool completely before cutting.</p>
<p>Noms!!!</p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282373
2011-12-08T07:50:18-06:00
2017-02-01T19:00:58-06:00
Happy Holidays: Be Love (yeah, you)
<p>
</p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I usually only share things this new with my mailing list but, 'tis the season!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p></p><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-08/byIDEJFvoCIBnIDEwytarucIarkAJFGqqykcCcukbDbJypxractnuspmjIAa/belove.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img src="//getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-08/byIDEJFvoCIBnIDEwytarucIarkAJFGqqykcCcukbDbJypxractnuspmjIAa/belove.jpg.scaled500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Belove" height="327" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 22px;"><strong>Happy Holidays!</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 22px;">It's the time of year again when I start thinking back on what I have and haven't done and what I want to do when the new year rolls in. It's been a great year. I have a lot to be grateful for and look forward to. There's so much I want to do in music and in the world. And, giving is on my mind.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 22px;">I want to share a song with you that I just wrote about the two words that save me from being lost in my own "stuff": Be Love. That's what I want to be. It's a challenge. Sometimes it's a difficult thing to be. :</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIyNCC-dS7s" title="be love" target="_blank"><img src="//img02.fanbridge.com/users_files/88/13088/videos/video_medium_be_love.jpg?1323371131" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="be love" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 22px;">I hope you have a wonderful, hopeful and inspirational holiday season!!!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 22px;">This year, I've decided to give to <a href="http://www.water.cc/" title="http://www.water.cc/" target="_blank">Living Water International</a> again so, if you want to help the cause, keep this in mind. You'll be helping me spread the music and the proceeds will help bring clean water to families in need. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> <img src="//img02.fanbridge.com/users_files/88/13088/lalalivewater.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="566" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><a href="http://lauramariemusic.com/fr_store.cfm" title="http://lauramariemusic.com/fr_store.cfm" target="_blank">GO TO STORE</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 22px;">Please help me spread the word. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 22px;">Much love, Laura Marie</span></p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282374
2011-12-04T04:18:58-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
Mission possible
<p>
</p><p></p><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
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</div>
Your assignment, should you choose to accept it:<p>Go to Churchill High School parking lot on Blanco rd now</p><p>Pick up a box</p><p>Take it to the grocery store and fill it with items listed on the side</p><p>Return the box to the Churchill parking lot before noonish</p><p>That is all</p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282375
2011-11-28T04:37:03-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
Time to begin again (blog)
<p>
</p><p></p><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<a href="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/lauramarie/ByadAEzGpBbAqenGvtaJcicghyvqfsrjiorDExwJxukyJgbhvIGrqJummard/p89.jpg"><img src="//getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/lauramarie/ByadAEzGpBbAqenGvtaJcicghyvqfsrjiorDExwJxukyJgbhvIGrqJummard/p89.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="P89" height="500.0" width="500" /></a>
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I feel a need for a change of pace, a change in perspective. Time to silence all the voices that surround me and listen to that quiet little one inside. Wonder what she has to say. I bet she's wondering what happened to my inner peace days? I need them again:
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282376
2011-11-24T04:18:47-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
Closeups at the zoo
<p>
</p><p></p><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
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<div class="p_see_full_gallery"><a href="http://lauramarie.posterous.com/closeups-at-the-zoo">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div>
</div>
Just a few highlights from our annual trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo. The gorillas always love to scare onlookers, the tiger gets up close and personal but, my fav was the monkey nativity scene :) <p>Seriously though, zoos often get criticized for all sorts of reasons and should be held to strict standards, but, I like to support their conservation efforts. The Henry Doorly, for example, has helped save many species of plants and animals from extinction and has lead education efforts to help indigenous people conserve their lands and curb deforestation in places like Madagascar. </p><p>Anyway, enjoy!</p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282377
2011-11-15T04:44:37-06:00
2011-11-15T04:44:37-06:00
Paterno can be more than a bad example (blog)
<p>
</p><p>I've been reluctant to say anything publicly about the Penn State situation. I don't live my life as a victim because of abuse I experienced as a child. And, my deepest, heartfelt prayer is that those who <em>are</em> victims are eventually able to make peace with what they've experienced so as not to live the rest of their lives as victims either. But, I don't believe anyone who has experienced such a violation does not feel outraged at the knowledge that an adult could witness such a crime and not do everything in their power to stop it <strong>immediately</strong>. So, yes, I am outraged. Most victims are not violated where witnesses are likely to see them and many, such as myself, are so ashamed and confused that they don't come forward for several years after the fact, if at all. Their pain is private and their abandonment becomes, sadly, somewhat self imposed. But, that's not the case here. Someone saw this and others in positions of responsibility had knowledge of it and did little to nothing to stop it.</p>
<p>Thanks to Jon Stewart for expressing the outrage so well. Indeed, the pissed off child in me wants to rage "SORRY it's not CONVENIENT for you to blame it on some group of people you don't care about anyway!!!!" Part of me wants to laugh in the face of those who mock churches, priests and clergy members and say "SEE, it's not just THEM it's YOU TOO!!! and not taking a good, long look at yourself and what YOU would do makes this sickening situation possible. So, thank you VERY much. What did YOU DO to stop this?"</p>
<p>But, what good does that do? Not just in THIS situation but in EVERY situation, blaming some "other" group does nothing but allow us to take <span style="text-decoration: underline;">no personal responsibility</span> and, to stop this, we have to take responsibility. We, as individual adults, have to know what we would do. And, more than that, we have to do it. </p>
<p>From a very young age I came to know that an adult who would molest a child is sick. There is something terribly wrong with that person. So, when Sandusky appears on television today in an interview, I will not watch what is reported to be his denial that anything wrong happened while admitting he showered with young boys. Courts can decide his fate. It makes no difference to me except that I'm thankful such publicity will make it unlikely he could ever harm a child again. His interview is of little interest to me. They are rantings of a lunatic who should have been stopped, who should have been under some sort of care and therapy for his illness. With this understanding of him as a sick person, I can quiet my mind. I just can't when it comes to Joe Paterno. I don't understand. And, I don't understand those who are not outraged at his lack of leadership in a situation that is far more important than football. I want to understand. I really do. Because then I'll know how to deal with it.</p>
<p>Joe Paterno has a huge opportunity here. If he would ony share his thought process, expose the gaps in his logic and in his own understanding, show people how such a thing can happen and ways to not let it ever happen again. He doesn't have to be a bad example for the rest of his life. Take it from someone who doesn't have to be a victim for the rest of hers. </p>
<p> </p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282378
2011-11-12T12:35:24-06:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
Chocolate shake to go please @realchristaylor
<p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282379
2011-11-03T08:00:00-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
I meant to find you (blog)
<p>
</p><p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hello. New-ish poem/song. I'd sing it for you but my voice is a bit raw from a slight illness. It will have to wait until next week or something. Words: </span></p>
<p></p><div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<a href="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-03/fnniniqHhClaevyzyqjgeBwccykrbBCFJGpJjBzxdHFFncesAaikBFDCxbIf/Picture.png.scaled1000.png"><img src="//getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-11-03/fnniniqHhClaevyzyqjgeBwccykrbBCFJGpJjBzxdHFFncesAaikBFDCxbIf/Picture.png.scaled500.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Picture" height="500" width="500" /></a>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: medium;">I meant to find </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You know how morning comes and leaves behind</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">the fear that darkness crowds around you?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">But, still you take your place in space and time</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">ignoring how the light has come through.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You don’t see the things I do,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">the answers you remind me of</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You believe what’s wrong with you,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">but, I believe what’s meant for us</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I see the light illuminate the world</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">with widened eyes and mind wide open. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s nothing left to recreate. We’re good.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">We’re all that we have ever chosen.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You don’t see the things I do,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">the answers you remind me of</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You believe what’s wrong with you,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">but, I believe what’s meant for us</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You. I meant to find. I meant to find you.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You. I meant to find. I meant to find you.</span></p>
<div>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You. I meant to find. I meant to find you.</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You. I meant to find. I meant to find you.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">- Laura Marie</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>P.S. I think I'm going to need a choir for the ending. </p>
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<p> <span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p>
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282380
2011-10-22T09:49:32-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
Nate Davenport being awesome
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282381
2011-10-17T09:48:16-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
Dog, you don't need a booster. You're a Labrador!
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Laura Marie
tag:lauramariemusic.com,2005:Post/282382
2011-10-14T15:56:35-05:00
2017-01-14T09:09:29-06:00
If the stars can make it here
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Laura Marie