I finally found a title for this 3rd EP.

 ”Savory Second.” 

Savory second is basically how I wrote the album.

2nd Album

My 2nd album “From My Heart,” was all about the pain I went through losing one of my best friends. The unanswerable questions, the longing to have her back. After about a year and a half, I’ve found peace in myself. I’ve found a space where I could savor the life I have. Look at the world around me with a new more developed palette. A Savory second is something that happens because you’re not trying, its a sensation that occurs on its own. Like a fine dessert, it brings your taste buds to peace. Your senses enveloped. THis album is a savory second, something to enjoy, to engolf your senses. To make you stop and think. Analyze the meanings in the lyrics. “We think we know whats going on inside” “When somethings so right you don’t have to try” “you hold my heart when you stare into my eyes”
Savory second is everything this album is about…. Thats where it comes from. Its a title that you have to think about… Like my songs. What does it mean for grapes to turn to wine. What does it mean to only see black and white…. My songs aren’t for the layman that wants instant gratification. Its for the people that search for meaning. That want to look deeper. So I could have been blunt about the title, like my last two albums, and say what I’m up to…

1st Album

“Hear Me Out” “From My Heart”. or be elloquent and give a teaser, a taste of the meal. Let you guys discover for yourselves what a savory second really means.

I’ll have more updates about the album soon I just had a photo shoot for the album cover this weekend. 

MORE IMPORTANTLY: I’m playing a CD Release Concert May 8th at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood! Getting the whole band together to play the songs off the album, plus a few that are going to be on the next album (I already wrote the next one over spring break. Collaborated with bff Brittany Crawshaw :) 

To buy tickets online you can go to:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/63739

Or contact me if you want to get one from me directly

until next time (which should be soon

Amanda

Today, I spent seven and a half hours with Glen Ballard recording one of my songs entitled, “Will You Wait for Me.”  He’s recorded with greats such as Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Alanis Morrisette, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, to name a few. I met him through a mentorship program at USC. I got the chance to meet up with him, and we were supposed to talk about the music industry and I’d get the chance to pick his brain and try to learn something from all his music knowledge! After we talked for a while, I played him some of my songs. Then he said to me, “I could talk about producing, or we could just do it. Why don’t I just show you and produce one of your songs.” (Pause and think about what he just said! ahhhhhhhhhh).

Of course I’m absolutely flabbergasted! Glen Ballard, willing to take time to work with ME on MY SONG!! A few months down the line, he stayed true to his word and we recorded today!

He spent all day with me recording drums, guitar, piano, violin, bass, all into logic and BAM! The song is practically finished! One day! I must say, I understand why he’s been in the industry for sooo long!! He is constantly flowing with such a rich stream of creativity! Unbelievable!! When we’d be waiting for Scotty (his engineer) to fix a problem, he’d pick up a guitar and start playing another song, beautiful in every way. I’m usually quite a chatty talker, but around him I found myself very quiet. He kept saying these nuggets of knowledge that were so insightful. Everything that comes out of his mouth sounds like some beautiful poem reflecting on life.

I have to say, today was a beautiful day. Glen was more than accommodating. He welcomed me into his hollywood studio, and shared his time and gift of music with me. If anything, I learned that if you’re going to be in this industry you have to LOVE IT with every atom of your body. Every piece that Glen put down, you could tell he put his whole soul into it, he didn’t do anything half way. He took the time, his attention, and his love for music, and showed me his creative process. He didn’t THINK about the music, he FELT the music. I think that was a very valuable lesson for me. People definitely get worn out in this industry. But he is definitely a phenomenon!

He said to me today that music is a blessing and a curse. That we work through the pain because we love the music. There are definitely times when music seems impossible. When negotiations go sour, when you hit a wall and feel like you have no more inspiration left, when you can’t please everyone and you realize there’s no right answer. You just hold on and go with your gut.

Glen made me see that his key to success is his absolute love, dedication, and dependency on music. I don’t know if he could exist without music. Music is the way he communicates, its what makes him complete. Absolutely amazing to watch him. I am so inspired by the example he showed me today. I only hope that thirty years from now I can be as prolific as he is

Unfortunately, now I have to go back to reality…. Homework. ha.

Until next time,

Amanda