An Afternoon with Al Conti

The Grammy-Nominated New Age Artist Discusses His Life 

Q: What does Al Conti want to be known for?

A: Crafting good music and having contributed to the New Age genre in a positive and influential way.

I also want to be known as a serious artist. Recognition and success are measured in many ways – for me it is choosing to be an artist and all that this means. It isn’t an easy journey much of the time, but it is the path I have chosen. Artists have something inside that must be expressed; it has to be let out. I like to think I had a choice in my life to do what I wanted – but in many ways I feel that the choice was made for me.

Q: Agreed and well said. What do you want people to take away from your music?

A: Each listener needs something different from the experience, so it is hard to say. But overall, I would want the listener to feel they have been on a journey when they finish listening to an album of mine, a journey they wish to take again and again.

I want my music to evoke images and memories – to bring people to a higher level of consciousness – to escape the everyday may it be a job, the groceries, doing their bills – like a cup of tea on a rainy day can be so soothing – yes, that is it.

Q: Nice! What is your guilty pleasure music wise?

A: Lately I’ve been enjoying a step back in time and listening to a lot of disco music.

As I have often said, my tastes in music are about as broad as is possible – I also enjoy 1920s music for its lively optimistic beat. A little like disco I guess! My music taste can vary greatly throughout the day. I can go from listening to Juice Newton to R.E.O. Speedwagon to Chopin to Nina Hagen within a 24 hour period.

Q: Wow- being so diverse is such a great way for artists to broaden what influences and affects them. I should probably be broadening my music list even more. What is your guilty pleasure TV wise?

A: I do not watch much television, in fact I only have cable connected in the set in the kitchen – to watch the news while I cook and that is about it. I generally watch DVD’s or stream movies. My guilty pleasure is watching something that can transport me to another place and time. I love historical fiction a lot – especially period pieces. As far as TV itself, I may watch some TV on DVD. Recently, I have been watching DALLAS (the 2012). Can you believe Linda Gray has not aged a day?!

Q: Ha! True and I'm sure she appreciates the compliment! Describe your perfect day?

A: Waking up slowly and quietly, as opposed to being jarred awake by street construction, which happened a few times in the last few weeks!

The minute I stir, I hear my dog Digby’s tail start to wag and thump against the floor – she knows breakfast is coming.

This may sound odd, but I love a day when it rains and I don’t have to go anywhere. I can watch the rain fall, drink some tea and read or work on my music. It is pretty simple really – I love to do what I do and my perfect day would be just that. Ok, I could be doing it in Paris too or another beautiful place in the world!

Q: Not odd at all, I love the rain. For me it has these inherent romantic qualities that are great for creating. Best thing a fan ever did or said to you?

A: I’ve mentioned this a few times in interviews, but it was a true life moment for me when I received an email from a therapist who was working with veterans of the Iraq war. She told me that she was using my music in her therapy to help soldiers with post-traumatic stress. That email was a gift I will never forget.

Q: Best thing you ever did or said to a fan?

A: Find that which makes you different and let that define you.

Q: What is the most empowering thing anyone has ever told you?

A: Having a learning disability does not mean you are stupid. It just means most people function like a PC and you function like a MAC. All end up with the same results, you just process differently.

Q: Great analogy! Favorite song (not yours) that you play to put yourself in a great mood?

A: I have many. My iPOD currently has over 21,000 songs! My mood changes through the day and, depending on mood, a song may pop up in my head and I have to listen to it so it will leave me alone.

Q: Favorite song of yours and why?

A: ‘Daughter of the City’ from the album Scheherazade. I love how the song came together and, artistically, it is some of my best work. I was able to convey everything I intended to for the album’s opening in that song.

Q: Thank you so much for your time, and for the last bit, your favorite quote?

A: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – The Little Prince

www.alconti.net

Review: The Passionate Artists Behind TWO GRAND, I'M YOURS!

 Fiona Joy Hawkins and Trysette kick off Fall 2013 tour with a full-house fundraiser in Raymond, WA.  Catch their next date in Oregon, Trinity Alps, Sutter Creek, Mill Valley, New York, Boston, Denver, Grand Junction, Aspen, Phoenix, Julian or L.A.! 

The two Aussie singer/pianists, Fiona Joy Hawkins and Trysette, are a striking, talented and funny duo that warm up a room with their vast hearts. Trysette had instinctively reached out to Fiona about touring together, after hearing her music online, and a journey was born.  They created Two Grand, I'm Yours! and toured the U.S. in 2012; this year, they're back with a new show and new material, for a series of intimate venues, small theaters and private concerts.  

Both artists have lived full lives, as evidenced in the fluidity and depth of their arrangements and vocals. To make something sound simplistically honest, yet eternally poetic, is a feat only emotion-drenched souls can contribute. To create real art, touching art, one must live, and both artists offer their depths to their audience in spades.

Fiona's ethereal soothing vocals, in harmony with richly melodic beats, cradles the listener into a timeless moment in life, rich with sensual beauty, astounding imagery, and love. Her new album - 600 Years in a Moment - debuted at #2 on ZMR's international radio chart.

Trysette's powerful feminine vocals play with one's heart strings 'til they come undone and one is happily surrendered to the depths of their heart and soul, in a beautiful mess of love.

Fiona was born in Cessnock NSW Australia and raised in both Newcastle and Tamworth, her family home was filled with music. Fiona, "My father played Jesus in the Tamworth Musical Society production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber's music was part of our lives." Classically trained as a pianist, her artistry ventures into the visual domain as well, with as much expertise and sentiment.

Fiona's paintings are Chagall-esque and stir up one's imagination with the splendor that Fiona seems to have effortlessly claimed in her tool box. Her love of imagery is apparent also in her song, as one cannot help but feel transported to eloquent, stunning landscapes that are new, comforting and soulful. The two worlds seem to work in harmony for her:

"The idea of synchronicity has always intrigued me, colours, ideas and emotions all have corresponding sounds," said Fiona. "I believe in the power of music as a source of inspiration and a way of reaching people, and I can transfer a musical quality through my art to the canvas."- Fiona

Trysette grew up on the northern rivers of NSW, Australia. Her lyrics are beyond eloquent yet she says, “I'm not sure why I'm able to write lyrics because I don't remember doing so well at English in school. I was just so brokenhearted at the age of 19 over a silly boy that all I could do was pour out my feelings on paper and that's where the song writing began. I'd been classically trained on the piano for many years but without my teacher knowing, I'd play ragtime and pop songs instead of practicing my scales, but this ultimately helped me in the process of learning to write my own songs."

Trysette spent her pre-tour weeks in L.A. recording her next album.  Her previous album, Le Cafe Ancien takes you through the break up of a deep, almost lifelong relationship and into the birth of a new life and the joys and nerves that must come when exploring new love.

“I wrote these songs during a very emotional and life changing period of time and though there are obvious moments of heartbreak and turmoil, the overall feel of the album is light and hopeful with a theme based around moving on and finding a new path” says Trysette.


Two beautifully artistic, intelligent, strong yet sensitive souls. But the wonderful reality revealed at their show is that they are hilarious, and they love making others laugh, too! If you are lucky enough to grab tickets for one of their shows, you will be sure to feel, love, laugh and never forget the night you opened yourself to this spirited, eloquent duo of love, passion, grand pianos,and guarantors of a fiercely good time.

So what are you waiting for? Go to: www.twograndimyours.com for info on dates, tour videos, and more about special Guest Artists Peter Janson, Paul Jensen and Lorrie Sarafin. 

Men and Women Working Together to Highlight a Forgotten Female Icon of Cinema

Alice Guy-Blaché  One of Cinema's first directors, and the first female director...yet few of heard of her.

Now a team has gathered, including Robert Redford, to tell this story of this icon, and help to inspire man and woman in cinema and the world. 

Some quick points to catch you up to speed (from Wikipedia):

• Alice Guy-Blaché is the first female film maker and is responsible for creating one of the first narrative films in 1896.^[8] 
• Guy’s career of 24 years of directing, writing and producing films is the longest career of any of the cinema pioneers.^[9] 
• From 1896 to 1920, Guy directed over 400 films, 22 of which are feature-length films.
• Guy was and still is the only woman to ever manage and own her own studio, The Solax Company.

Despite these accomplishments, she is rarely, if ever, mentioned among her peers in the history of cinema, and most professionals in the industry are completely unaware of her work. Few of her films survive in an easily viewable format (primarily those involving Charlie Chaplin), although preservation and recovery efforts are ongoing by the PIC Agency.^{[10]"   (As taken from her wikipedia page).}

That is going to change! Since the start of this project over 100 of her films have been recovered!Check out the video HERE.

<sup>Upworthy as seen on Facebook,did a great job helping to promote the project and get it funded. 

Upworthy subscribers ended up contributing over 80,000 dollars of the $200,000 Kickstarter goal that was surpassed. 

As the funding film states: "Alice was written out of film history but we now realize, to tell her story is to tell the history of Film."</sup>

<sup>Click HERE to watch the video and for more information on how to contribute.

Thanks for reading and helping to share Alice's story and legacy with the world.</sup> 

^{by Andrea Dolbec}

Back to School! Children and Spirituality

It's back to school time, and while you need to get a handle of all the tangible items like notebooks and pencils, what about the intangible framework, like self esteem and spirituality that will enable your child to thrive?

Here is a list of 3 sites, with a sample of what they have to offer, that can serve as resources for you while you help your child to grow into his or her own best self. 


Number 1. http://www.childrenspirituality.org/

This website is super professional, child friendly and chocked full with amazing lessons for everyone. 

Number 2. http://www.parenting.com/article/teach-spirituality-kids

This site contains an article from the popular magazine Parenting, that has many useful rituals and ideas for the family to follow together, see below:

Create a family mission statement

Many  spiritual traditions provide a framework of values or principles to  follow. Try creating something similar for your family. "Even kids as  young as three or four understand something like 'Our family believes in  kindness, helping other people, caring for pets, and reaching out to  people who are alone,'?" says Doe. You can get formal and post your  mission statement in your kitchen, or simply use it when you're making  choices about how to spend your time or resolve conflicts.

Number 3. http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/features.php?id=16936

Spirituality and Practice,  has some very imaginative ways to instill values rather than command orders. 

See below:

When doing chores, such as picking up toys or putting away the dishes, imagine that you are returning these things to their homes where they will be more comfortable. Reframing chores in this way teaches reverence for your surroundings, kindness, and nurturing.

We hope you enjoy these resources and if you know any other wonderful sites in this area please let us know! Be sure to share these resources with your friends. 



Andrea Dolbec

Party for a Purpose

LoveStock

September 15, 2013
Los Angeles

Guest Writer

Andrea Dolbec

Last year, on a literal "Yes, Man," whim I attended LoveStock. That night forever rocked my world and opened me to new possibilities and new eyes. First off, the high was unlike anything I ever experienced, and yet there were no obvious drugs or alcohol. There was enticing, exhilarating activities, a sense of openness and freedom, draped in a larger sensibility of love, passion and actually SEEING the person next to you.

You weren't on your cell phones, you were experiencing the magic that is available when others are also open to SEEING you, just the way you are. Everyone was an invitation to the excitement around them. And it was FREE. Not only that- it was a "party for a purpose." Continuing the tradition this year, the proceeds (from donations) will go the Just Like My Child foundation, that empowers girls and women in Africa, by way of micro-enterprise, healthcare, education, and more.

Kute explains it best, below is taken from his site:

"LoveStock is a party with a purpose. An invitation to co-create the most amazing experience of your entire life as living art in collaboration with others. It's not just another event, festival, party or place. It's an experience, a state of being. An opportunity to be free. To express yourself. To try something new. To mix it up a bit. To love BIG.

It is a participatory experience where you get to create the magic. You will be loved, nourished, blessed, healed, surprised, delighted and made a new. In ancient times people would gather to celebrate with each other and let go. LoveStock is a Purification of your being whilst having the most ecstatic experience of your life. You will not leave the same person you came.

Love is the very essence of who and what we are. It is the most powerful force on the planet. The message of all major religions, agreed on one central theme. It isn’t God, heaven, karma, or the afterlife, but LOVE. No matter how big or complex the philosophies they all came down to this one essential. It is time to move beyond the books, to stop simply worshiping the great ones that came before us and to start living and being what we are, LOVE itself. Not tomorrow, or next year, but right NOW.

LoveStock is an invitation to live the love that you are.

We invite you to LoveStock where you ARE the experience.

Are you ready? "

Sign Up for your free tix! Must make a reservation!

http://www.lovestockfestival.com/

~Your experience awaits you~

Foodie Fridays

THUG KITCHEN

Warning- not for the easily offended- thug kitchen offers extraordinary healthy and yummy recipes, and doles them out with inspiration dripping with explicative. Pure marketing genius with over 344,000 likes on their Facebook page.

Sample shots of Thug Kitchen's food ideas:

So many yummy vegetarian dishes are displayed on their blog and FB page, a snapshot from their website explains:

"are you vegan?"

NAW BUT MY DIET IS ALMOST COMPLETELY PLANT-BASED. MY GIRL IS VEGAN AS HELL AND I SUPPORT THAT SHIT. 

Well there you go- anymore questions?

Thug Kitchen is getting ready to launch their cook book, we are so excited to try out some of their cookbook exclusive recipes and once the book is launched we will be sure to share that with you.

Want to know more?

Here is a snapshot of their info on their Facebook page:

About

EAT LIKE YOU GIVE A FUCK

Mission

To inspire the shit out of some mother fuckers to eat better and have a healthier lifestyle.

Description

Verbally abusing everyone into a healthier diet.

Follow Thug Kitchen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thugkitchen

Be healthy and share with us your favorite healthy recipe to be featured on Foodie Fridays!

Subscribe to be updated on the latest in BEING- wellness, and fun good for you stuff!

-by Andrea Dolbec