All around me now
Hi, hello,
Been some time……
My first live album and first Record Store Day release was announced this week.
Listening back to this album which is a concert in its entirety is quite special. Special because I had a 6-month-old baby waiting for me in the hotel. And special because we were slowly emerging out of lock down and it felt so good to be with people again. Notice the masks, if you look closely at the photo. It also felt special to pull off this sort of thing. Having my songs arranged (by Alex Taylor) and touring with NZtrio, a three piece chamber ensemble from NZ, and of course, my steadfast band. And most importantly, it was dearest Wellington, my warmest crowd, the city of great meaning to me. It was winter. The rugby was on. And you all sold out Old St. Paul’s.
Anyway, you probably know how to get one of these records better than I do. I think, on RSD, which is April 18th, you go to your best indie record store, and, hopefully, purchase one. Wellingtonians, you best go to Slow Boat and say hello to my friend Jeremy.
Secondly, I announced shows. Live with strings. Well, two strings to be exact, and piano, and me. My guitar teacher come band member DBH will join me, and a new fella Josh Horsley from Liverpool too. Do come along.
Anns Taylor did both sets of artwork and she is slowly becoming my personal designer. I love her work! The photo is taken by my friend/mentor/musician Ebony Lamb.
So, what’s new in my world?
I’ve been listening to a lot of This Jungian Life and working on my dreams. Attempting to remember them and jot them down when I can. This talk of our unknowable inner friend/our unconscious is so fascinating to me. Some call it the psyche, some call it God, and perhaps its both. I have always had such moving dreams and am grateful to be paying attention to them at the moment.
The return to UK was both comforting and a bit brutal. The weather was a shock but we’re still coasting on the big old dose of Vitamin D we got. My little’s are happy in their rhythms. I am blessed by them. I got talking to a young mum in a cafe last week, by way of staring at her 9 day old baby. I found myself, and I don’t normally like to dish out advice to new mum’s unless prompted, but she was alarmed at how I managed two children under 5, and I seemed to have said, “it changes, it gets… different”. Moved by my own words, LOL, it has become my mantra this week. It does get different. Day by day. I can now converse beautifully with my big girl. We trust each other. And my littlest one, her sass is shining through in true little sister fashion.
I sent off some demos this week to various important people. The wheel keeps turning. I have the same thoughts of doubt. I apply for roles in a cafes as a Barista. I only want to work minimally, and I tour so much, so it’s unappealing to employers. I’m craving that beautiful rhythm hospitality work gives. To take my mind off the music game. I am grateful for the doubt. I am grateful for so much. I’m ready to get back into it April and further on down the year, then, all going well, I will make my fifth album. Abroad. The record, and the songs are revealing themselves to me more and more. They are all around me. Perhaps, this is the motherhood album, or the continuation of living in this strange and beautiful world… A making friends with the past. A taking it back to the start kinda record…we’ll see.
It’s Bandcamp Friday ❤ happy 1st birthday to Enter Now Brightness!
And please join me here, my ego thanks you ❤
Take good care,
NR xo
I was delighted when you announced your live RSD album to your Coventry, UK audience. An interim step is that fans message their local record store INSISTING that they stock Live at Old St Paul’s on the day. That’s what I’ve done! 😃