Boogsey Music

As I was sitting in the studio with my co-producer Rich Mouser working on a song I was preparing to record, I was reminded that creating a new song can be a bittersweet process.  It’s a little like birthing a child.  I have heard several musicians use that comparison quite often.  Like a tiny seed (fetus) it grows and lets you know when it’s ready to be born.  Once it starts you have no control.  Songwriting takes a life of it’s own and dictates to us when it’s complete.  Is it a good seed or bad seed?  That’s for the listener to decide, not me.

It all started back in November 2010 when I attended a planning session for an upcoming runway show fundraiser for Agenda Foundation (February 3, 2011) that would be held at Agenda Loft.  The jewelry designer, Gloria Bass of Vintage Glo, was somebody I had brought on board to pair her amazing jewelry with fashion designer Amy Marie Goetz’s equally amazing designs.  Amy was talking about doing a Coco Chanel salon-style fashion show with French essence and accents.  She even created prints for her fabric based off of paintings from the Parisian painter Michael Stervinou.  It came to Amy’s attention that I was a singer and she asked me to perform at the event.  Being a conscientious performer, I wanted to do something that would enhance her show, not take the attention away from it.  I decided to follow the theme of her premier collection and runway show.  It became very important to me.  I decided to write a French Tango!  All parties were delighted.  What’s a French Tango?  My version of a very sexy song suited for the Paso Doble—sexy, not Argentine . . . but French!

Sunday, January 23, Amy and her camera guy showed up at the Mouse House Studio during my recording session where we were laying down tracks.  While Rich Mouser was working on the Flamenco guitar back in the control room, Amy and I went into the lounge and talked about her journey of becoming a fashion designer.  The lyrics practically wrote themselves right then and there—her story was so moving.  I do speak French but I’m rusty.  So after giving it some thought, I asked Eveline Morel to translate the lyrics for me on very short notice.  Thursday morning, January 27, I emailed her the completed lyrics in English and got them back in French before 6:00pm that same day.  I was scheduled to go into the studio later that evening to record the song!  Working out the French was challenging.  I was having some difficulty trying to get all those translated French words to fit where the English words once did, but finally at 4:00am this morning we were done laying my vocals.  Is it me or do lyrics in another language feel way more intense!

As I am in bed, I am blogging and I am listening to a looped rough mix of the new song “Amy Marie” on my iPod.  I realize I have to go back into the studio to fix a couple of things, but for the most part I am pleased with the results.  Every artist thinks his/her newest song is a masterpiece and I have to admit I am no different.  I struggle with my own ego constantly when creating music.  But the real test is how will this song be received when I perform it live in front of an attentive audience on February 3 at the end of Amy Marie’s runway show.  I mentioned earlier how this tiny seed keeps growing.  The song has transformed and is now living and breathing in my soul.  Hearing myself through ear buds singing about Amy’s journey in French is more than amazing.  I feel like I’m living Amy’s experience.  I’m speaking and singing in French again thanks to Amy (and Eveline’s help).  Now that I got the first song finished, I can’t wait to write more.  But first, I have the daunting task of learning “Amy Marie” in time to sing it with confidence on February 3.  I’ll let you know how it all turns out!

“Amy Marie” is the first recorded track of the French Tango album PEOPLES REPUBLIC – A KISS OF THE ORCHID.  The single “Amy Marie” will be available for purchase soon.  Stay tuned for more details.  If you just can’t wait, check out my performance of the song on February 3, 2011 at Agenda Loft in Downtown LA.  Experience with me the joy of previewing a new fashion collection, Amy Marie Goetz Women’s Wear, and the brand new song “Amy Marie!”

To learn more about the Feb 3, 2011 Event, follow this link:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/01/prweb4994194.htm

Excerpt of Peoples Republic “Amy Marie”

(Que’est Devenue) Amy Marie?
Je vais vous raconter l’histoire d’Amy Marie
Une jeune fille
Venue dans la grande ville
D’un petit village plein d’espoir, elle voulait styliser, réaliser, inspirer
Mon temps est venu, dit-elle, je vais briller!