Well, if you haven’t heard, SHACK was amazing on Friday night at the One Series in Santa Monica, California. It rained just enough to be a magical journey on the way there and back, and Melinda and I had a fabulous time with Colin Green. Please listen to Shack’s mix on Soundcloud, if you haven’t heard it already. You will not be disappointed!!! You can listen to it HERE and, in fact, I’m listening to it right now as I write this blog post. Did I mention that Simon played hard techno? I was texting people on facebook at 4am to let them know. ha. Solid.
Yesterday I woke up at 4am, and realized this is the 6 year anniversary of my mom’s passing away. It snuck up on me! But I see that as a good sign. I’m remembering her with love and fondness, and trying not to get too over amped about anything else right now, because I know that underneath the surface I’m processing some deep feelings. I lost her to suicide, which is so odd because I had an idea in my mind that suicide only happened to young people. I was proven wrong. She had a history of very serious depression. You know all those MOA inhibitors they tell you about on every medication not to mix with with them? Well, that’s the kind of medication my mom took. I used to DREAD the beginning of March, because I’d go through another wave of grief every time. However I think she would be happy to know that my feelings for her are back to what they were before she passed away; lots of love.
In synchronous fashion, I recorded violin on a hip hop track for some new friends last night. I can’t wait to hear the end result. The song is written for a victim of sexual abuse. The words are powerful and the song is so well written; it was really easy for me to come in and just improvise and really get into the feeling of the song. As I was recording I was feeling the emotion of every person’s point of view within the song, and most especially anyone listening to the song from the outside. The producers told me they had the idea for the violin to be the voice of the woman the song is about, and by the end of the song she wants to fly. And she does!!! I played from my guts and my core, and I didn’t care if it sounded pretty or perfect. I let the raw sound and emotion cry out, and also the bird sounds. When the song is released, I’ll post it, and you should LISTEN AND MAKE NEW HIP HOP FRIENDS WITH THESE GUYS. But for now, we must practice patience. I sincerely hope the song helps anyone who has gone through a situation of sexual abuse, so they know they’re not alone, and they are heard.
I also recorded my final song on the Danyavaad Album, “9 Levels of Bliss.” It’s my favorite song of them all, called “Valley of the Lizard.” Greg Vaughan is a genius in the studio. My favorite part is when he turns around and says, “I have an idea.” HAHAHA!!! Then I know it’s going to be good. I brought and recorded on my viola as well as my violin. The song was written in the Canyon De Guadelupe in 2008 or 2009, I believe. Greg was stung by a scorpion in the canyon, and while he was waiting to feel better, this song came to him. I have a very VERY strong feeling I will work on this song further for my set in the Canyon De Guadelupe this May, for Electric Poncho. I’ll either take the song as it is (because it’s SO BEAUTIFUL) or I will try my hand at remixing, and make my first remix of a song…Perhaps…with VIOLIN IMPROVISATION ON TOP????
Oh, By the way, Please, if you haven’t already, buy your tickets for ELECTRIC PONCHO. This year we’re getting dirty with Christian Martin from DirtyBird. I missed every one of his sets last year at the Burn, no matter how HARD I TRIED to get there, so I’m very pleased he will come to us.
And what else…So there’s another S.H.A.F.T. Night coming up here soon; SHIFTING S.H.A.F.T. Night on Friday, March 14th. We needed to push it back one week because there’s a family reunion in the desert this weekend, and it just needed to be done.
This show is going to be so awesome, and is some of my most favorite rockin’ djs. We’re also going to do a FUNDRAISER for Circus Mafia during the same night!!! We’re raising money for awareness of mistreatment of circus animals, and also trying to raise money for a circus tent. If you’d like to check out our Facebook Page and get involved in the madness…just click HERE!!! And we have the lovely celebrity chef, Lindsay Katherine, and I love her. (I LOVE YOU!!!)
And what else is cooking in the Future… well, since you’re still reading, I’ll let you in on a SURPRISE!!! On Wednesday, March 26th I’ll be dj-ing at Future Wednesdays at the Kava Lounge alongside Ashley Devore. I’m not sure who else is on the lineup yet, but I’m EXCITED ALREADY. Another wish comes true, hooray!!! Please, just pencil that in now.
If you’re interested in what’s coming up in the next few S.H.A.F.T. nights after this March, well ok, I will tell you 2 Hints for each show.
#1) The April show is on April 4th. Pajamas are not required, but they are encouraged.
#2.) The May show is the week AFTER PONCHO on May 9th. You’ll want to bring at least 41 booty shakes, but maybe, you’ll want to bring just 1 extra, just in case.
#3) The June show is back to our regularly scheduled first Friday, on June 6th. It will be summer, and by then, there will be lots of little fluffy _________.
No more hints until after next week!!!! HOPE TO SEE YOU THEN IF NOT SOONER.
Love,
Sarah Cranberry
Ps, I’ve been practicing so much on my new controllers, the X1 and Z1 Traktor controllers. I’m starting to get seriously silly using the effects. Consider yourself warned.