Ups and Downs in La La Land

It is funny looking at my last post, because within days of writing it, I was informed that I got an honorable mention for the second year in a row in the country category in SongDoor's International Songwriting Contest......I was hoping that I would actually place in a category, but I am indeed honored to have my song, "Driven By Angels" looked at a little more closely and to be appreciated for my writing. Perhaps one day, I will place in a category and get, A FABULOUS PRIZE!! One of the cool things about the contest is that they give you a free trial of a service that has a lot of online classes in songwriting, and also opportunities to pitch music to the industry. For whatever reason last year, I did not take advantage of this. It is a 45 day trial, which is a good amount of time to do some pitching and check it out-because it is fairly expensive, so I did, and actually ended up pitching 3 songs.......

In the last few weeks I have learned a lot and have had some ups and downs. In this field, one day you think you are on to something and am making a break through-and then the next day, you feel defeated. I have been getting so much work done. A new milestone for me, was getting a small album into online retail stores. It is music that I'm very proud of; I took a risk and went outside of my comfort zone to make some music that is a bit more modern sounding for me, all with the help of Chad Johnson in Arcata, Ca. He took my music to a level I had not experienced, and because of that, I felt it was good enough to put out there, so you can now purchase a copy of "To the Bone" direct from itunes, cd baby, and amazon. I do hope you will check it out, and if so inclined, leave a review. They are really helpful. This was an "up".

not the best pic, but one from the evening.

While I was getting the album project together, I got a call to play another spot at the House of Blues. I had a great time when I played there before, in the Voodoo Lounge. This time I would be playing in the Foundation Room, which I had never been. I had a funny dream the night before. I went to the venue and walked in thinking I was in the right room. It was really happening with lots of people. Someone came over and said, "Oh, there has been a mix up and you are playing in another room", so I followed up some stairs and when I went in, there was just an old grisled looking man-and no-it was NOT Tom Waits! Well, when I had my actual gig at the house of blues, the opposite sort of happened. I thought I was in the right room and it was not really happening at all. They said I was upstairs-when I went upstairs there was a BEAUTIFUL room with nag champa and bohemian furniture with lots of people.......it turned out to be a really great show. (Also an "up" day)

The next day I got a call from a radio promoter who was interested in promoting my music. He was really nice and was up front that it was a service that you have to pay for, but they had reasonable rates and successes. I researched them and found out they were a really great company-I found lots of feedback from artists who used their services with great success, so I was all excited. An intern had given him a copy of "To the Bone" and he really liked it. But then I was thinking about all the things I had to do with my music-like the recordings I'm working on and have to pay for, and some other online things that cost money, and I also read that ideally you want to be touring or playing out when you are doing a radio promotion, and I'm really not there yet, so I had to explain my situation......it made me really down, but maybe I can look at it again in the future....

I got my spirits lifted though, when I went to Santa Monica for work and play, and got to hang out at my friend's amazing photography studio and take some new shots of me in this new place in life. I needed some updated photos for my website and some press kits, and everything I had was from humboldt with some nature theme in the background, which is great-but doesn't really represent me presently living in the big city, so we had great success taking some cool photos. Check out JaneVictoriaPhotography for our shoot. With those photos I was able to update my website with something a little different, so I created this banner:

I've always been really into hearts, so I also created this logo for myself from a free online vector, and "bohemianized" it to make it different and unique to my personality. I don't really have photo software, so it was through like 5 different sites that I created this. I also got to wear my heart necklace for the shoot.....I think it looks awesome on my website.

One of the things that gets me down, is I often get unsolicited offers from people who want to help me, but I don't know if they are just flaky, crazy, or busy or something, but it happens where they really like my music and reach out and want to offer some (free) help, and they say they have contacts and I check them out and they are being truthful, and it never happens. They just sort of disappear. I never know what to do in those situations. I think some people would probably get on them, but I don't want to be a pest. It's hard, but I am also busy and don't have time to chase after people. One of the things that I'm excited about though, is that I am learning a lot on my own, and feel more capable everyday. I am really starting to utilize some skills that I have been developing that are coming along, like being able to create this banner, to make myself look and feel more professional, so that when something comes up-I can have the confidence to show people what I have out there.

Tomorrow I start a class that I'm super excited about-it is through the prestigious Berklee School of Music! It is an intro to the music business class, and because I have sort of reached a brain drain on various legal issues that have plagued me, gotten me into messes, and the fact that I find out daily how naive I am about issues that could greatly effect me, I am glad that I am taking this to hopefully make allies and learn in a more formatted way. So wish me luck! Can't believe I am putting more on my plate, but, you only live once.......stay tuned for some projects coming up that I'm working on!

---Cynthia

"Now the Time Has Come to Step Into the Light" of Los Angeles

     I started working on a new song a few days ago. It was inspired by a young woman who, like me (excluding the "young" part), moved from her home in New York to Los Angeles to pursue music. I will put up the song soon in another post, but I wrote the song about leaving home and moving somewhere to "try and live up to my dreams". Note the operable word "try". I'm going to be 37 years old and I left my cozy existence of the place I called home for 7 years (the longest place I ever lived) to move to a place I've never been to in my life to pursue a career that is mostly centered on youth and........uh-luck. I don't think I'm crazy........

     If I look at my life as an overview it definitely makes sense why I started this career so late. I have been doing music all of my adult life, but unfortunately I just wasn't ready and polished enough to pursue it professionally. After being here 6 weeks now, I STILL don't know if I am. The doubt part is my lack of confidence, something that has pervaded me since young adulthood. In a musical career, I have this doubt syndrome a lot, understandably so. It is deep and internal;  based on decisions I made in life, twists and turns, mistakes, and simply just not understanding or loving myself enough.

     I realized though that I need to do this, no matter my age, no matter my lack of self confidence. I am an extremely contradictory person. In the music industry you have to try and make things happen. You do not leave anything to chance. You milk every connection, even a bad one, to the final end and perhaps more. This is a very planned out process. As a true bohemian like Aquarian, I am not a planned and organized person. Los Angeles seems to mock this side of me as I try daily to drive from point A to point B. It is always a miracle to me that I make it home.  I have not an iphone to my name, and yet each day I arrive from my destination from streets so curvy and sometimes senseless to me. I am having to do a lot of things out of my comfort zone to pursue music. As I said, I am very contradictory. Most people who do not know me well, think of me as mysterious and quiet, yet I can be the most charming and witty person at a party. I have a social side that is beneficial to my career choice, yet it only comes out spontaneously. Waking up in the morning and making a "cold call" to a music executive is my nightmare. On the phone I sound naive-green and not very sharp. It is not  natural to me, yet it is one of the things I must do.  I also have to expose myself to all sorts of criticism of my work. I may not have much self confidence, but I have always believed in my song writing abilities. I have done a couple of song screenings. One went very well; the person liked my song and was interested, so I went through with the lengthy submission process, only to find out later that to get accepted, you have to have 10 perfect songs.....  Another screening did not go so well. I presented a country song to a prominent Nashville publisher on skype. He thought my song was not "literal" enough and that someone would actually "turn it off" right away. Having belief in my song, I disagreed, but my timid side showed through, and I did not politely defend myself. I thought it best to write a firm but polite letter asking a few questions. I did not get a response back. Worse, I read the letter and realized it came off totally pompous and condescending.  I actually used phrases like, "I don't write music for 14 year olds", and "don't you think that you are not giving the audience enough credit?". I totally blew it. Now another screening opportunity is coming up with the same person where I could present another (more literal-sort of) song for another chance but I'm too embarrassed about my letter. This is one lesson so far I learned the hard way.

     But there has been much happiness here in Los Angeles, a place where, until I moved here, I had never been to in my life. I really did make the big leap. I have been enjoying things here that were lacking for me up north such as certain concerts, art museums and other cultural activities. I got to play at the House of Blues and am currently recording some music in a studio in Hollywood.  I also have met some people, and thrive on those spontaneous situations that give me hope.

     I was walking around one day, and it happened to be the second Saturday art walk for North East Los Angeles near where I'm residing. I stopped in a shop called Memphis George and saw beautifully artistic wearable art pieces. There was also a small band playing out front. It reminded me so much of home and the once a month art walks there that I loved so much. I started talking to the owner of the shop; telling her I just moved here and that I was a musician. She very persistently had me out front with her guitar, jamming with some other musicians. Soon people were stopping and taking pictures and talking to me. Turns out this has been a very great connection for me. I am becoming more acquainted with this woman as an artist, and she is really amazing, kind and encouraging. This Saturday I am honored to be one of the performers for a holiday art celebration at her shop. Here are some pics of her beautiful art.......

                        There will be another band also performing that night, "Down West".

Down West is an acoustic duo from Atwater Village, Los Angeles.
The music is original and memorable, with an Americana vibe, stripped down to guitar, percussion and voice. Singer/Songwriter Steve Stanard on guitar and Theo Waddell on cajon and percussion.
Check 'em out on the book of faces and give them a Like: Down West


             She was kind enough to make a wonderful post with my info...........

                      Cynthia Brando

"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be." 

-- Abraham Maslow

My style is Americana and I"m open to collaboration and meeting fellow musicians!
Check out Cynthia's music at: Cynthia's website

 There will also be a special dessert maker present!

The Best For Last
Custom dessert catering
For folks who love to cook but hate to bake!
Andrea Balter is an Atwater Villager and proud owner of one of the best little dessert catering businesses you could ever hope to use for your special occasion! Give her a like on Facebook! The Best For Last


So yes, I'm very excited to be a part of this and make these special connections. Check out the shop of Memphis George here: Memphis George . She was also kind enough to purchase one of my cd's.

Moving here was rough. The first week I spent most of my time crying, but after having settled in, and honoring the wonderful opportunity this is for me, things are getting better. It is life like anywhere else; much possibility, zero guarantees...........

An excerpt from my work in progress "Dreams".

"I just left my whole world behind
To begin the next stage of my life
Yes it's true I've spend a long time hiding
From fears that would ravage my mind

But now the time has come to step into the light-
Of my dreams........dreams".......