Soooo I was half joking in my last post, half… not. I started working 5 hours a day during the week. So now I have two part-time jobs and that sort of equals one full time job. Though I’m grateful to have employment and to be making money, (all of which is going to bills and to finishing the album) I’m a bit sad at not having leisure time to practice songs and write on a whim like I used to. I’m convinced I can learn to do it (work and play music). It’s tough though. I never realized how long it takes to eat, and exercise (3 hours of the day there). Then pray and do a workbook exercise from an artist’s workbook I’m doing (1 hour). Answer emails and tend to my weekend job (2 hours). Run errands and catch up on all web stuff (FB, MySpace, News) (2 hours). Do that and basically it’s 11pm and it’s time to go to bed. We’ll see how long ‘reality’ and I last together. I have a feeling it’ll be like one of those celebrity marriages.

But I did take 2 days off last week to go into the studio to work with Mr. Producer. We did THREE songs in two days and I’m really excited with what we did. I think fans of my first album may be surprised at the new sound. But if you keep in mind my some of my favorite bands and musical influences (like Death Cab, Mute Math, and Eisley) then it sort of makes sense. Not to mention I’m a big fan of Mr. Producer who is amazing at making excellent pop-indie-rock. So the tally stands at 4 songs 90% done and 8 songs to go. I’m going to leave you with a snippet of “Safe” that we did last week. It’s an unmastered rough mix but, yeah that’s me singing, asking if you’re “Safe”! What do you think? I can’t wait till this is DONE!

“Safe” snippet

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“Mia, welcome to the real world. You are now an official member of the common work corps that makes up a majority of the population. Where you don’t get to sleep in till.. ‘11am’. Where you don’t get to plan your day leisurely and decide to go to the beach for a contemplative walk. Welcome to self-drugging yourself with unlawful amounts of caffeine to stay awake past 2pm. Welcome to ‘it’s time to start paying off your credit card debt’. Welcome to a life where you don’t have the time nor the energy to play the guitar beyond strumming the one on the wall as you walk out the door. Oh YES. The real world. WELCOME.”- BEEP BEEP BEEP-

What’s that sound? Oh it’s the alarm clock. What time is it? Oh, it’s 9am! I have to get up to go to the studio. I’m recording this week! Oh thank the Lord. It was just a dream.

or was it?

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A lot of people assume that my dream as a musician is to perform everywhere and sell tons of records. Especially the performing part. But that’s actually not true. It’s not that I don’t like performing, I do and I’ve come to realize it’s a very natural part of who I am. But I definitely have other specific goals that I am pursuing after I complete this record. So I thought it would be nice for me to share some here in the blog!

1) The number one goal right now for me is to be a professional, paid songwriter. And I’ll be using this new album as a ‘portfolio’ to show people when I knock on doors. Being a professional songwriter means that I would sign a publishing contract with a publishing company to be a contracted writer. This company would do their best to get the songs I write for them recorded by artists and songs that I’ve recorded placed in media. A contracted writer is usually paid a set weekly or monthly stipend and is required to hand in a set amount of ‘recordable’ songs per year. Every company varies. Bottom line. Being a professional songwriter means someone pays you for your songs and those songs, hopefully, are recorded by artists who are signed to labels. There’s also income from royalties but that’s a whole ‘nother blog entry.

2) The next goal I have for this album is to place songs off this album on network TV. You know, all those songs that play in the background during scenes on most shows? This is called ’song placement’. I’m determined to work hard and do my best to make this happen. This means building relationships with Music Supervisors and those in the industry who are looking for quality music. They have a need, and I want to help them by sharing the specific songs on this album that I know would fit their needs. “Marionette” during a particularly emotional scene on “Gray’s Anatomy” anyone? Maybe “One Tree Hill”. Hmmm… I can see the scene now and someone is definitely crying and breaking down. Right now, the door to song placement is OPEN to unsigned indie artists. Payment for placement can be from a pittance, “hey it’s amazing publicity for you!” to $500-$1000 on average for unknown artists. I haven’t literally read this but I suspect some labels also pay to have their artists prominently featured. “Promotional consideration provided by…. ARTIST NAME HERE, LABEL NAME HERE”. Haven you all seen that?

3) The sales goal I have for this album is to sell 5000 copies total, including digital and hard copies. Now that’s actually not an unrealistic number and if I get TV or Movie placement, it might be easier to surpass. But for me, it’s within reach but a bit higher than would happen normally, so it’s just a number to reach for. If I don’t reach it it’s ok, if I surpass it, that’s great too. Did I mention I’m not good with numbers?

4) Finally… a ‘performance’ goal! Besides visiting all the places in the good ole’ USA where people already are familiar with me and my music, I want to play all the usual ’singer/songwriter’ venues that everyone plays in LA. The Genghis Cohen, Hotel Cafe, etc and wherever else will have me. I’ll do this with the help of my booking reps. We’ll send a CD to these venues then call and call and call. Professionally and completely politely, with confidence of course! Then I’ll invite everyone I know in the LA area and I’ll pack out the joint! Gar, I need to start practicing more!

So, I’m hoping for a lot from this album, ya know?

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