Music is my Solace...

I posted this status a few days ago on my FaceBook page.  Music truly is my solace.  When I need to feel peace, or express my emotions, I go to my piano.  I need it.. it keeps me somewhat sane.

The trials I have been going through have made me a stronger person.  I also have lost myself in these trials. I forgot who I am.  Music has been the constant companion of these trials... and I know that God has been the founding source to inspire me.

Now, I feel like a different person.  I am not the same as I was 5 years ago.  At this point, I don't know if I will ever be the same, which is not a bad thing. I am more reserved, observant as well as very cautious.

I feel as I am getting older, that I can say anything I want, and not be intimidated by anyone.  I won't tolerate people treating me bad.  I won't tolerate other people treating my friends poorly as well. I will tell you how I am feeling if I feel like I want to. I won't tolerate people making fun of my children's choices regarding their career(s).  I have learned to open my mouth and express what I want.  The past is the past, and while I may be forgiving, I won't put an un-trustworthy person back into my inner circle.

My heart has been broken, rebuilt and changed.  I have come out of the latest of trials on my knees, realizing I need to humble myself, yet stand up for myself and become an independent being filled with love for my friends.....forgiving, less judgmental... BUT aware.

I am very grateful for those of you that have stood by me and helped while I fell to my knees.  I know I am not the most perfect person in the world, but I want you all to know that I am glad you hung in there with me.

My album "Fire in the Rainstorm" is written.. its ready to go... now I need the patience to save everything I can to record it.  I hope you are patient with me in this journey to release this album.  I may post previews of the songs!

Peace in Music!!
Paz en Musica!!
Pace nella Musica!
音楽の平和
Frieden in Musik!
La paix dans la Musique!
A paz em Música!

More to come...

Whats your favorite Holiday Tradition?

Its been a hectic month, and already we are in the middle of November.  Thanksgiving is a few days away.  When I was a child I loved snow.  I loved playing in it.. and then going inside for a nice cup of Hot Chocolate to warm my frozen body.

Come post your favorite holiday ideas, gifts or even pictures on my music page on Facebook!

KORI'S MUSIC PAGE

I would really like to see some of your favorite things you like to do around the holidays!

See you there!

Peace in Music,

Kori 

Some things are better... untouched...

Strange title for my blog today. I am in a reflective, strange mood.  November is sure to be a full month of activity within my family.  Each weekend we will be busy working and supporting our daughter, and Claire will be home. This weekend has been a bit on the crazy side.  We were supposed to go to Los Alamitos today, but I was asked to compose an improvisation of my favorite hymns at my church meeting today and so I will be sharing the improvisation during our main meeting today.

I am feeling the strains of our hectic week, and weekend so we opted to stay around the house to rest today.  I do apologize to those of you that were expecting to see us at the Wings, Wheels and Rotors shindig. Nothing personal, (I also realized we have company coming over for dinner..) so I need to be around to make dinner.

As I contemplate the comings and goings, the planning, the moments where I can sneak some time to myself I have come to the "aha" moment in my life today.  This realization is the main basis for my blog subject:  Some things are better...untouched....

As a musician I am tempted to push myself over the edge marketing wise.  Sure there is "never bad publicity, or bad marketing" or "too much marketing"... but sometimes I forget that  I don't need to keep up with the "Kardashians" haha. I really do NOT need to keep up with any body.  My expectations have been causing me some real stress.  Like, not having "Fire in the Rainstorm" recorded yet, or not touring, or not doing what my friends are doing.. that sort of thing will send me to my grave because if I let it, it will run with me, with my hair standing on end, and I won't be able to keep up eventually I will become so depressed that I am not getting "there" fast enough.

The last 4 years I had been SO busy with recording, "Trillium", traveling, touring, performing, marketing, working at a music store, quitting the music store after a year, being a wife, Mom, teaching, interviews, meeting people, dejunking my life of people bringing me down.. etc, etc, etc.

I am exhausted!!!!

The past year, I have devoted my time to being in California and being with my family.  I have enjoyed every minute of it, and just forcing myself to slow down has been the best gift I have given to myself.

So, I am not pushing myself right now to get everything done in one shot. I want everything I do to have a relaxed, un-hurried feel to it.  That includes my music. Trying to make things happen when things are not cooperating to "happen", is like trying to make a horse drink water, when its obviously not going to happen right then and there. Hence leave things to progress in their natural order.

I will continue to work at a pace that will bring me to my goals in a better frame of mind.

Thank you for your support of all of what I am doing. I know you will be patient for the next album, and I hope you continue to interact with me here on the web! Who knows what we can accomplish!!

MORE to come...

kori

Annoyed...

Ok so.. sometimes I write about things that really bug me, and tonight is one of those nights that I am seriously bugged.

I worked on getting my Bio and information on Ping which was a musician info site within iTunes.  I was on them to get it done. I am happy to say, it showed up!  I was quite happy when that happened.. until now.  The last day in September of this year ( I think that is when), iTunes got rid of Ping.  *sigh*  Technology comes and goes, different websites come and go... and so I did a search on iTunes to see if I could find any kind of biography on myself.  ( yeah.. I know sounds a bit stalkerish!! lol )  Nothing, NADA, zip... zilch, zero.  My pet peeves with these guys.. is they rely on Rovi ( they are the aggregator for AllMusic.com)  All Music has all the information regarding my music etc... but here is the killer... NO bio.  I've submitted my information SO many times, they have not updated it.  I've researched as to how to get them to update the information.... and its like running into a wall. I must confess tho, I did write an email, thinking I would never hear from them, and I got a shocker!! They wrote me back telling me they have everything that I sent them including the short bio.  For some KOOKY reason, they have not put any of the info I sent them onto my All Music Page.

So, why should I get so worked up about something like this? Well, as an Independent Musician, not having the support of a major label, it causes frustration because you want the information to be correct,  especially when the info is aggregated into iTunes, MOG and other websites that uses the All Music Guide that is powered by Rovi.  Major labels know how to get that info online and active.  Me? I have to continue to be the squeaky wheel. HOPEFUL it gets sorted out...

Jumping down from my soapbox..

I am happy to say, there are some REALLY good things coming up in December.  I will keep you posted about it all!

Peace in Music,

Kori

Fire....

I am a spiritual person, I love my religion and am grateful for my parents for raising me and teaching me about God.  I do enjoy tho, the occasional reading of other religions and traditions.  I also enjoy reading about the earthy elements that can inspire me.

When you look at my website, you can see that Water has been a major influence in calming me down. I also take many pictures of the ocean whenever I get there.  I love the water, the feelings when I sit on the beach and watch people, or birds.. or just the waves and its sounds.  When I was a child I really loved going on vacation to Madeline Island, WI.  We would take the ferry to the island, and go to the cabin and stay 2 weeks.  The island is situated in Lake Superior, which is a very magical place for me. I would love getting up in the morning, walking down to the beach and listen to the waves come to the shore. Water, will always inspire me....

Lately tho, its as if I am feeling the inspirational effects of Fire. Fire fuels my desire to become better than I am, to "burn" if you will, at my brightest.  Many people fear fire.. with good reasons.  It can burn our homes, forests... etc.. and can cause horrible damage.  I like the fact that after Fire.. then comes the healing of the land.  Trees grow, animals return.. and the landscape tends be greener than before the damaging effects of the fire.

When I was a little girl, I would sit by the campfire or the beach fire and watch it burn to embers...I liked to watch the embers glow when a slight breeze blew around the fire. I enjoy the warmth from it and the flames as it danced in the wood

So now as I write "Fire in the Rainstorm"... I write from the "Fire" that is in my heart. The fire that returned to my soul after a few years of struggling within and struggling with a few from without.  I refuse to let my "fire" die and lose my way.  I have learned so much from the experiences this summer, the trials of "fire", but as always, I have picked myself up and let the cleansing effects of seeing how life can be so good in spite of that.  AND to burn at my brightest.  I am learning to trust that "fire" within and live the way I was taught, with a few additions of my own.

So... my advice is to let your fire burn at it its brightest and be the best you can.

More to come...

What I have been doing...

It was a hectic summer for me in my personal life.  My husband's Mom passed away in June, and then our eldest daughter left for Army Boot Camp for Basic Training in South Carolina.  It made us all very sad, and it was not an easy thing to go through.  I am certain its not the last of some of the wrenches life throws into our lives, but one thing I am grateful for are friends and family.  We were not alone in our journey.

I performed in July, opening for Fiona Joy Hawkins and Trysette.  They are friends from Australia that brought their "Two Grand I'm Yours" tour to the USA.  David Biber, from Two Guys Grilling booked the concert and filmed it at Mahe in Dana Point.  Was really a nice show!

Then I have been performing at the Farmers Market in Mission Viejo, and was able to get a concert set up for Fiona and Trysette at the Mission Viejo Civic Center in September.  Was a GREAT venue and a wonderful piano too.

I have the music for the new album all written, am saving money for recording.  I am also revamping my music space in my music room and will have that up and running again in October.

Wishing you all a wonderful Fall!  I am looking forward to this season!  I love Autumn and the colors!!

Have a GREAT weekend...

more to come...

KLC

The Gathering is Staff and Editor Picks!

What exciting news! CD Baby Staff and Editor's have chosen to spotlight "The Gathering" on their website.  I am so honored to be a part of the 22 artists on this album.  A new generation of "Windham Hill" artists produced by Will Ackerman, who founded Windham Hill Records and is a Grammy guitarist.  I listen to this album all the time, and I love LOVE the music from it.

CD Baby Editor's Pick

CD Baby Staff Picks

Congrats to all of my friends on this album!!!  :)