Inspire Away

Sometimes I hit a wall with songwriting. When this happens, I turn to some greats for inspiration.

Although it's always helpful to listen to artists whom have influenced you and who people say, 'you know you kind of sound like_____' to me, it is equally as important to immerse yourself in any sort of listening, all different sorts. That way, not only are you looking for qualities and characteristics of songs that you can understand musically, but you're forced to think outside the box and listen to what qualities you might have in common with that artist. Maybe its your lyricism, themes, chords, key signatures, tempos, and on and on and on...and it lets your mind wander.

Here's what's currently on repeat on my itunes library... If you have any other suggestions, please leave them here: www.facebook.com/fargosrose

Mucho thanks!!!

My top 20 for Fall 2011

20. Afro Blue-Lizz Wright

19. Both Sides Now-Joni Mitchell

18. Pursuit of Happiness-Kid Cudi

17. Truth - Alexander

16. Notice Me Horton-Seussical the Musical

15. Burn-Ray Lamontagne

14. Playing House-Active Child

13. Moneygrabber-Fitz and the Tantrums

12. Street choir- Van Morrison

11. Celebrate - Dark Dark Dark

10. Quarter Chicken Dark - Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile

9. Minnesota, WI-Bon Iver

8. Machine Gun - Sara Bareilles

7. The Beacon - A Fine Frenzy

6. 1973 - James Blunt

5. La Boheme- O Soave Fanciulla - Pavarotti

4. Stitched Up-Herbie Hancock featuring John Mayer

3. One and Only - Adele

2. Carry- Tori Amos

1. Apologies-Grace Potter

<3 Much Love<3

New Song Update

New Song Update

Sometimes in the songwriting process you find yourself lucky when you find a hook, you know, a theme that resonates with you long after you've initially had the idea.

The trick in this is finding a way to create the pieces surrounding this hook to do it justice. Sometimes it takes an hour to figure out the song in full...but other times it takes a year.

In January 2010 I had one of those 'great hook' moments. And I loved it. It was one of those hooks that you hum in the shower and when you're in the candy isle at the grocery store. That kind of 'hook.'

But every time I took the time to sit down and write the rest of the song, I fell short. Can anything be more frustrating?

A month ago I sat down at the piano to practice a few songs I was playing at a show later that evening. Then, out of no where, I thought I would try to finish the untitled, unfinished, mystery song. And just like that, as if it were effortless, the melody came, then the lyrics and I performed that pieces mere hours later at the show.

And here it is, the finished product. After a year + of cocooning in my music notebook, it turned into a beautiful song :)

http://www.youtube.com/fargosrose#p/a/f/0/dP-YaHmmj1c

MUCH LOVE<3 Catch you in the flip side...

Rosie

Fargo's Rose Fridays

Alright kids-
So I've been slacking in the blog department...

But I promise I will be better.

So, here's an update in 10 points:

10. Don't have a CD but want one? E-mail me fargosrose@gmail.com

9. I am working on a musical and it is going to be dramatic and fabulous.

8. I think I want to do another album....a guitar heavy album.

7. I am a full-time musician.

6. Come watch me at the Radisson in Fargo from 9:30-10pm in the Passages Lounge for a set at the Singer/Songwriter's Night with Mike Holtz

5. I just finished a song last night called "Lazy"

4. The main characters of the musical: Violet and Johnny

3. What is your favorite musical?

2. Maybe I will do a Christmas Ep..hmmm I should have started that yesterday...

1. FOLLOW ME ON FB! www.facebook.com/fargosrose

MUCH LOVE-
See you next Friday with a new song update :)