Week Four. Weak For…

Finally I’m sat at my desk. I can actually see the desk – this is progress. Around me are the preliminary sketches that could form part of my album artwork. I’ve also been letter stamping all of the song titles by hand and enjoying every minute of it – satisfying the designer in me.

I’ve had the privilege of working with two extraordinary artists already on this project. Photographer Laura Stevens and fine artist Jake Spicer. All will be revealed.

As for the tracks themselves – sublime. The mastering process was completed without too much alteration to the final mixes. It’s hard to say stop – to say when a piece of work is finished, but I had to. I want to share it and it’s the best it could be – and who could ask for more?

Other Updates:

1 Alcohol intake – nil
2 Country walks – 1
3 Writing every day – 50/50
4 Extra Curriculum Activities: Philosophy, Sanskrit, Yoga – Check!
5 Started a Tumblr thingy for imagery

Things I’m currently Weak For:

1 Gin and Tonic
2 Decent publishing deal
3 Sunshine
4 Administrative help with planning and releasing an album
5 The energy I had in my twenties

Come on, what are you Weak For?

Week One of 2012: Hurricanes and Drought

A blustery start to the year – flying roof tiles, cracking trees and the recycling had its own party on the street – welcome 2012! Not like a Brit to bang on about the weather? I couldn’t resist. Regardless, somehow it has been a fairly productive start to the year with new gigs booked and cover art progress. Blowing the cobwebs away indeed…

After carrying the beloved tree to the collection point for its ‘second life’ (chippings), the sparkle and merriment boxed for its annual holiday, I did what every writer does and picked a new notebook for the new year. Fresh page. Fresh start, except I can’t stop thinking about getting on a plane in search of some sun. If you look closely, I’m actually translucent.

To pick myself up I headed to join Jake Spicer and the wonderful folk at Brighton Life Drawing class for a spot of – you guessed it – life drawing. I’m rusty, naturally. Here are my efforts (no shame):

I also did this: Listened to the final mixes over and over again, had a Jam with my friend Jenni, made my first curry with paneer cheese, applied for a writing post, went hunting for art books – found two gems.

Back to the album, I’ve been toying with idea of simplicity and sketches for the album cover or photography and realism? I’m exploring both as each have equal merit in presenting the eleven tracks I’m calling Inner World.

Here are the gigs I booked – for your new diaries, ahem:

Weds 1st Feb 8pm // Latest Bar, Brighton // £6
The Latest Bar

Sun 5th Feb 8pm // The Lansdown, Lewes // Tip Jar Yee Har
Union Music Store

Fri 17th Feb 8pm // Tic Tic Café, Brighton // Donations welcome!
Tic Toc Café

It would be great to see some friendly faces at these gigs as I’ll be playing solo – do say HI if you are there! If you can help share the events with friends that would be good too.

So, no big list of Goals this year – let’s just see what pans out eh? The year of No Goals? And for all you weather enthusiasts – the drought relates entirely to the ‘not drinking’ aspect of January – so far so good. Who’s with me? Who caved in?

ONGOING – Drawing:
Brighton Life Drawing / Draw

TUESDAY 10TH JAN – Fulfilling Work Event – Subject: Portfolio Careers (for creative folk who like doing lots of things – that’s me)
Fulfilling Work – Meet up groups in Brighton

New Year Wishes and Thanks.

I’m excited to be writing a new year wish to you all. It may just be the coffee – I’m on my third cup – I’m typing fast. It may also be because after the last 12 months I feel anything is possible and from the fruits of that 12 month labour comes my new album – Inner World. Set for a May release on indie label Lyrically Speaking, watch this space.

As a thank you I’ll be sharing a track with you all soon – but which one?! Some songs you will know from the live shows or the video perhaps – Emerald Eyes – that has subsequently undergone some fine-tuning and ends up all the better for it.

Anyway, I rattle on, HAPPY NEW YEAR – may all your dreams manifest – may you be clear with intention and consistent with action – and may I do the same!

Till next time dear friends, I leave you with heartfelt THANKS for all your support – by way of attending gigs, adding comments, Facebook Likes, Twitter following, and reading THIS blog… and when you Share these things you actually become more beautiful – it’s true!

May 2012 be full of special moments and may we not be rushing so fast that we miss them.

Love + Light

*For latest gigs check out www.reverbnation.com/donnafullman
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Don’t Preach. Practice.

Twenty Eleven – what a year! I set two goals – record my full length album Inner World and tour America. Check! Was it tough, was it challenging, did I learn and grow? For sure! This year has been immense.

Last night I played the final mixes to the band members who have been there since we began recording in April. I wouldn’t change a thing.

There’s no point pretending I had any certainties when I took the risk and leapt in – changing careers and pursuing a dream. I never knew it would lead me to where I am. But over the last five years I have consistently worked on my craft, practiced despite set backs and difficulties and finally, I have a body of work I’m proud of – and can’t wait to share. I have practiced to overcome the fear of playing solo driven by the desire to share my music, my message.

The message of Inner World is an acknowledgment of my pursuit of knowing my highest Self and connecting with the Source of all. I hope it inspires others to connect to their own inner world and by doing that see we are One and not separate at all.

Whatever the new year brings, remember you have the power to create it, you can change it and isn’t that brilliant? Be bold, and simply practice.

Peace, Joy and Gratitude xx

Blog Lapse. It’s Only Natural.

Since my last post, I’ve been busying myself in the studio finalising the last details on the album. That was until I fell sick and so the blog lapse occurred and for that, I apologise. However, I can almost breathe through both nostrils and therefore, I’m back.

December is a month I love and wish it could be twice as long. Despite the fact that every year in November I write NOTES TO SELF I still fail to be organised enough to enjoy the festivities without the Christmas panic and ‘Post Office Queue Trauma’. There’s always next year…

Until then I promise to post a ‘wrap-up’ blog which will feature: Thank You’s, Album progress, tour ideas, a dash of wit, a sprinkle of stars, a look back over 2011… in the meantime, a glug of medicinal Port.

Be good. Santa’s watching.

Numbers. Symbols. Attunement.

So Eleven Eleven came and went. I celebrated with friends sending energy around the world. Did it help? Perhaps we’ll never know. At 11.11am many of us fell still. Silent. Peace always helps I’m sure of it. I love double numbers they feel very special. Particularly Twenty One Twenty One. I’ve also been noticing symbols and paying close attention to them. Specifically one will feature on my album which I will now release next May. Sorry to take so long. These things take time and there’s no real rush is there? That’s not to say the album isn’t ready – it is. Eleven beautifully crafted tracks about to be mastered following the final additions of violin and percussion. Now I’m working on the visuals and planning the launch.

I also had my attunement for Reiki 1, all part of my ongoing development in healing and energy work. It’s all in the music too. Naturally. I guess for me the album is an expression of my deepest self, serving my highest self in the pursuit of knowledge (Truth).

Travel well friends.

Angels in the North.

The clocks went back, I travelled a few hundred miles North, Halloween came and went and now it’s November. Surely time to rest up? Alas, work to complete the album continues as new songs beg to be born. I’ve come to realise my life is not the norm. I’ve been catching up with old friends and making new ones – the kindness of strangers all add to a truly memorable trip.

After the fun and frolics of Morecambe, I’m now tucked-up in the Cumbrian hillside wearing two jumpers and my trusty leg warmers. I’ve been out in my wellies and foraged for inspiration in the form of snapped images and dried leaves. I love it here. It’s wild.

I’ve been listening to the recordings, making notes, daydreaming. Playing some guitar – a full bodied Crafter, sings like an angel. My iTunes library rolls on and finds Hallelujah, the Jeff Buckley version, and I’m lost. For words. For a moment.

Harvesting. Not just for Farmers.

I’m ready to embark on another journey – up North! I’m so excited. Partly as it involves a train ride – which is the perfect opportunity to write, think and work. The other reason for delighting in the trip is to see friends and spend time in good company.

The last time I went to Morecambe Bay I took flip-flops. Huge error on my part! In my mind I thought beach, sun, sand…. it was freezing! I borrowed additional layers and was still cold the entire time – that was in the Summer. So, lessons learnt, this time I’m packing jumpers. For my American friends that means Sweaters. It’s official – I’m a big southern softie.

On Sunday the clocks Fall back and we gain an additional hour. This is a time of year I’m growing to love. As preparation begins for the annual hibernation it’s great to take time to reflect on the work undertaken and witness the outcome of our efforts. In other words The Harvest. For me this comes in the form of songs, writing and personal growth, and it’s been a good year. A fine crop.

I know this, because yesterday I was in the studio recording backing vocals and I could hear the work in the tracks. It’s all in there. The richness. The promise. The quality. The love.

What are you Harvesting this year?

Punishment and Tests.

Sometimes we bring it on ourselves. After posting yesterday’s blog about listening, the Universe thought it very funny to test my resolve. I left home to walk to my yoga class, attentive and puffed up like a proud pigeon after posting my blog (WordPress always congratulate you after you press Publish with a positive adjective – Glorious!, Impressive!). I arrived with three minutes to spare to the Glorious sound of drilling! The whole road had been dug up and they were drilling right under the yoga centre, joy of joys! So, throughout my class I really had the opportunity to practice my listening! Ha!

Now today presents another auditory challenge – playing to Click. For recording purposes it’s paramount. That does not mean it comes naturally or is easy. It’s not. To top it all, I over-stretched at the class and today I am paying for it. We did the Pigeon Pose. Ironic. So, the listening continues – what can you hear right now? Tune in. I’d love to hear about it.

It’s In The Listening.

What a spectacular sunrise this morning. The alarm clock failed but somehow I still woke in time to catch it.

Recording continues. More vocals added and the other musicians are lined up to complete the ‘icing’. This week as far as insight and learning goes, I feel very blessed to have been reminded to listen. What a gift. To lend an ear. To pay attention. To hear what is being said. I’m practicing it now. Most days our senses are over run with sensations and it comes as a great relief to give attention to only one. Try it!

Of course being in the studio is a listening marathon. My ears often ring and buzz after an intense session so I remain a true fan of silence. Tomorrow I’m recording the guitar part for Falling and then the vocal.

More gigs announced soon. Possibly in Morecambe, Lancaster, Amsterdam and Paris and of course I’ll be back at The Bull (Ditchling, Sussex) next Sunday (6th Nov) for the Acoustic Residency with Nelson Day.