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THE EPILOGUE: SHOW UP
The impulse to watch stand up comedy on the couch with Ryker while sipping on Scotch is pretty strong. The desire to cancel plans and move quietly through the world without being seen or heard is even stronger. The world has enough extroverts shouting their opinions to anyone and everyone, is my voice needed as well. But i am not talking about weighing in on current events or giving hot takes on forty-year-old movies. I am talking about being present in your own life. The reason that I bring this up so often is because it feels like the amount of daily ghost walking that i both do and witness is alarmingly high. I ask people about their last purchase, and they inform me that they not opened it yet. They have been meaning to check out this place or travel to that place but not yet. There is not enough money and time to all of the things but lets do some of the things because our time is definitely finite. If your day is just a constant barrage of doing activities you don't enjoy at all in anticipation of a magical time where you will only do things you love, you need to think about when that started. Weren't you just eighteen and about to drive across the country to see California and you thought "well let me just get a few paychecks under me, and then the weather will be better, and I can get those new tires" and....now you are 38 and still have not been.
This modern world we live in has given us a billion ways to not move or participate at all. The folks behind the passive technology are really doing impressive things. When I was a kid we had four channels, no remote, and one chance to watch whatever. I love technology, I am using it right now to reach 45,000 people at the time and place of their convenience. I talk to Sara from New Zealand every week, stay in touch with the California crew, and Melissa and I text almost daily and send each other funny videos. And I don't mean that you need to be in some kind of constant motion to push the fear of death out of your brain while you race across town to try the new Tapas place. I literally mean are you engaged or just going left foot right foot left foot right foot. Doing that is a great tool to survive trauma and get through a rough patch but it is not the way to live. When you see that person walk into the room and they are two degrees more alert than most folks, when you talk they are actually listening, and when they taste something yummy their face changes, those folks are much better role models that the person who is above it all. The social vampires that swoop in and try to suck the joy and life out of anything and anyone. There really isn't a way to avoid all of them, but victory is quite simple, just do the things you enjoy and give yourself a chance to enjoy them. I love working here, I love writing The Boozeletter, and I never show up and just mail one in. When that Woodford landed I still got so excited. When we finally got those Holmes and Cay rums I could not wait to try them. When I see your familiar faces walk in I am thrilled. When my phone lights up from a friend I am happy they are thinking about me. Yes, the broken toilet needs to be fixed, the oil change has to be done, the Bears have to have another losing season and people will be rude and disappoint you, and you will say and do dumb things almost daily. Those are all just unavoidable facts, and you can dwell on them for as long as you want and set the new ones on top of the old ones, or you can choose to celebrate any win you can find. Like when you get the winter coat out and it has a random ten dollar bill in a pocket. It is not going to pay your mortgage, but it is still a fun little treat. And if you have lived your life right and you tell a friend they will be happy for you as well and share their recent small victory too. Boom! Now we are showing up and being alive.
The holidays are intense, and they can bring as many frowns as smiles and this year you might have to put your head down a bit and just fake it till you make it and conserve your energy, there is nothing wrong with that until it becomes just how you live. Hiding out and diminishing yourself. So while you are out there selecting gifts for friends and families don't forget about you. A happier and active you is a gift to everyone you know and care about. They are rooting for your success just as much as you are rooting for them. When you show up, they notice, and it gives off a powerful energy. So please, reach out to the folks you love, let them know how you feel about them. Walk into the room excited about life and happy to be there. You're not a faceless automaton your the person who knows a lot about chinese checkers and can do a Tom Brokaw impression. People love you for many reasons and that is why they are part of your life. Isn't that awesome? Show up and enjoy it, because it is important and it feels great.
Cheers
Keith
INTERVIEW WITH SUPER TALENTED AND DELIGHTFUL SINGER/SONGWRITER MELISSA ENGLEMAN! IF YOU ARE STILL HERE THANK YOU, PLEASE ENJOY! I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME.
Hello Melissa and welcome to The Boozeletter, you are only the second person I've interviewed here. The first was Elizabeth McCall the Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve. Like Elizabeth you've been referenced many times and I'm a tremendous fan of you both. You have your first studio album coming out TODAY, and I wanted a chance to promote it and also let my awesome readers learn more about it and you, straight from the source.
What is the name of the Album and how did it come about?
This is the first part of a trilogy of albums called Love, Death and Mexico. This one is called Love. The trilogy is just inspired by a period of time in my life where I had my heart broken but also learned to love myself, I lost people and was working close to the Mexican border.
Where are you from and where do you reside now?
I'm originally from Kansas, but am just outside of Austin now in Lockhart.
You have done some brilliant covers which can be found on Youtube, (just type in Melissa Engleman and enjoy!) but how do you personally go about writing original music?
Ideas can come from anywhere. I almost always have words and melody first. I wrote a song when I was younger from a piece of dialog from "Married with Children". Sometimes songs come from strong emotions. You can take negative feelings and experiences and turn them into something lovely and poetic that brings other people healing. One of the songs on the album I wrote in sort of a meditative state just zoning out on two chords. Songs can happen in so many ways.
When did you first realize that you had the ability to sing?
I was in choir from a pretty young age. It was a constant in my life all the way into high school. I don't really remember not singing!
You gave a great little speech at the end of your release party talking about your musical influences and how you carry some of them with you into your own music. Who are some of the people you love and how do they affect your writing and performing?
So many wonderful artists have made up my inspiration and musical education and influence it overwhelms me. Off the top of my head: Willie Nelson, The Beatles, Tori Amos, Patsy Cline, Rickie Lee Jones, Eva Cassidy, The Doors, Ray Charles, Robert Cray, Neutral Milk Hotel, Modest Mouse, Wanda Jackson, Aimee Mann, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin. Willie Nelson and Tori Amos in particular taught me the importance of vulnerability and humor in music. I love that they both can break your heart and crack a joke in a song. I think other artists that I'm influenced by taught me that you don't have to subscribe to a certain structure in songwriting. Rickie Lee Jones and Nina Simone both have sort of oddly structured songs which I love.
In the past you could get discovered by an existing artist or music producer at a performance, and I think that could still happen today, now I could put a song out on youtube tomorrow and it might get watched by two people or go viral. What are your thoughts on the music business in its current state?
I think it's kind of exciting! With the internet you can sort of carve out exactly the kind of career that you want. You can be really successful without being a household name. What if 10,000 people want to know every little thing that happens with your music and want to support you? That's awesome and I think really in reach for a lot of artists. There's so much room for everyone to make their own way! However, the way that some of the streaming services pay is quite depressing. I know it's a matter of convenience for music lovers, but you can stream and also support artists you love directly. Buy a shirt or a vinyl or join their Patreon!
How many instruments do you play and how did you learn to play them?
I play guitar and ukulele. I took some guitar lessons and learned from friends. Ukulele I picked up after a visit to Hawaii about 20 years ago. I was so amazed by the players. I had no idea you could shred on a ukulele. Once you know your way around guitar it's easy to pick up other stringed instruments. Ukulele is also nice when you have small hands and there's a lot you can do just by putting one finger on one string!
How did you learn to read and write music?
I don't really know how to read music. I did some in choir and orchestra as a kid, but I'm not formally trained. I just always have songs and melodies going on in my brain haha
You're very supportive of fellow musicians and singers, how important is it to have a musical community?
It's important to be around people that are doing what you are doing and facing the same obstacles and also people that you find inspiring and talented. I want all my friends to win. I know so many lovely, amazingly talented artists and I wish everyone could hear all of them!
This album was greatly delayed by the pandemic and by the fact that you're literally a one Woman band, but the plan is for this to be part one of a trilogy?
Yes, this is part one! I've kind of envisioned now that I want the albums to be each be full-length. So there might be a Part 1 and Part 2 of Love and then Death and then Mexico.
A question people ask me about you most often is what Genre is she, so I will let you answer that question.
Dreamy or haunting alt-country. I made that up!
Another common question I get asked about you, is how did we meet?
We met in high school! I don't remember where though! Do you? We are elderly.
Yes, I remember it very well. At Macarthur High School in Irving, Texas they had A lunch, B Lunch, and C lunch. All of my friends were either in A lunch or C lunch so when I walked into the cafeteria with my tray i looked around to find a friendly face and I saw your kind face, and I knew you a little so I asked if i could sit with your gang and you graciously said yes and then I spent the entire year eating lunch with you guys and you pretty much saved my life.
People are always very curious as to how to actually hear your music, and now how to own a copy of the album.
The best way to get it right now is at https://melissaengleman.bandcamp.com/album/love-death-and-mexico-indiegogo-version. The album is out on Bandcamp 12/12 but won't be on any streaming platforms until Feb 1st!
Even though you're definitely not a booze nerd, you do read The Boozeletter, thank you very much for your support! When you do drink what do you enjoy?
I know that people who read the Boozeletter probably enjoy fancier drinks than I do, but one of my favorite drinks is an avocado margarita from a place called Curra's in Austin. I also like coming up with recipes for boozy cupcakes. One of my favorites that I've made is a chocolate whiskey cupcake with milk punch frosting.
What do my readers need to know about you and your music?
Music is the most honest part of me. I think if something feels important to me to express that it is also something other people need to hear. We are all living very different lives and experiences of course, but music distills those experiences into something universal and I don't think we are alone so much as we think!
If like Jewel, a big shot producer heard your music, they would fall in love with it, and after that when they gave you a big contract what would you do with the money?
Well,I have ideas for about 5 more albums, so I guess I would start there! Also, with a dream budget you can incorporate more ideas. I have a song I would like to add a choir to, music videos I'd like to make! Also, someone else would be in charge of social media. I would never post on social media again haha
Thank you very much for giving us your time, thank you for reading, thank you for being both a friend and an inspiration for both me and The Boozeletter, I hope that even more of my readers will go and listen to your beautiful music, download and buy your album, and learn why I'm such a huge fan of both you and your music. Thanks Melissa!
Thanks so much for inviting me to the Boozeletter, Keith!
Wait!! We forgot a very important story!!!! How long have you been working on the album and what does it mean to you?
Woof! SO LONG. In 2018, I had a health scare. That was kind of the impetus for finally making an album. I had definitely dreamed of making an album for a long, long time. At the end of 2018 I had two cancer surgeries. I was very lucky in that it was the type of cancer that could be solved with surgery. It was very scary and also a kick in the pants! So in 2019 I started working with Plaid Dog Recording. They choose artists as part of a talent search and help them run crowdfunding campaigns. We recorded a single in Boston and used that to help run the campaign. I think I ended up raising 113% of the goal, so I was able to record 5 songs total instead of 4! I was supposed to return to Boston in May of 2020 to finish the rest of the record, but the pandemic happened. We waited and waited and I went back and forth on what to do and how to finish. I did remote sessions with the band and we also tried to do the vocals remotely but I wasn't happy with how that turned out. Eventually, I went back to Boston to finish up vocals. I also decided during this time that I would like for each album in the trilogy to be full-length instead of 5 song EPs. I took another long time to figure out how I'm going to do that, especially with the Love album. Anyhow, now everything is mixed and mastered and printed! For me, this album is me taking a chance on my dreams and everyone that participated in the crowdfunding campaign taking a chance too. It's me taking myself seriously as an artist and doing my level best to deliver something that resonates deeply. Doing my dreams is one of my favorite places to be.
Okay that's better, it has been amazing to witness this journey from its start till today! I am happy to tell the world, that I was an early contributor to making this album because from the very first time I heard you sing I was blown away and have only watched you grow and improve as an artist. When I drove down to Austin earlier this year to watch you perform it was a bucket list item for me. Thanks for never giving up on your dreams or on me even though I was super annoying for all six years of this and probably all the way back to high school. I can't wait for my cd to arrive and to drive around listening to this wonderful album. Ryker is already a big fan of your singing from your many online performances but he does NOT like me singing along to it. Anyway I hope a lot of you will give her a try because she has the voice of an angel and is also an outstanding human being who had to do all of this by herself.
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