Life in April

Hey Guys!

What can I say?  April was an awesome month for me.

I got a scholarship for my achievement in writing lyrics, I wrote and produced my first original song, I attended an amazing music expo, I went to New York, came back, and  I organized my bedroom inside and out and donated bags overflowing with clothes to goodwill.  Phew!  And now it's May...

I cannot wait for what lies ahead.  But before I dive into tomorrow's beginnings, here are some things I took away from April 2013:

Be yourself.
"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell

Embrace every moment.
"There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

Make use of your God-given talents.
"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.  If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you." - The Gospel of Thomas

I'll leave you with this food for thought.  Here's to April, here's to you, and here's for everything tomorrow brings!  Cheers ;)

- K

ASCAP EXPO

Hey guys! It's day two of the ASCAP expo here in Hollywood, and I'm trying to keep up with the flow around here. There's so many fascinating panelists and seminars that it's hard for a girl with big dreams and a little notebook to keep up! I've decided that at the end of the weekend I will go back and try to re-live all the highlights from the expo on this blog, but it's going to take me a couple days to sort through all of my thoughts. My mind is spinning with inspiration! Everyone I've met and all the panelists I've had the honor to listen to have definitely made a huge impact on my musical mindset and perspective for the better, and I can't wait to share their wisdom with you. Stay tuned!

Love you guys!

- K

Long time No chat! Exciting things to come!

Hey guys! It's been awhile! I've been super busy trying to get the ball rolling with all my music endeavors, but I'm excited to announce that I have some wonderful news to share!

I'm currently attending the ASCAP music expo in Hollywood, and the energy is definitely buzzing around here! It's a huge music networking weekend with panels and seminars all geared towards creating and sharing music in the industry. I'm so excited to be here and to share everything I learn over the weekend with you guys right here on this blog. Don't forget to check out my website for more pics and messages via twitter and Instagram. I'll keep you posted on what's happening and what's to come...including Katy Perry's lecture today!

Love you guys!

K

Quote of the Day 3/16/13

I choose LOVE over fear!

Have an amazing weekend!

- K

Quote of the Day 3/14/13

Quote of the Day 3/13/13

"I'll SEE it when I BELIEVE it." - Wayne Dyer

The Musical First Impression

"I don't like that man.  I must get to know him better." - Abraham Lincoln

If only we all gave each other second chances like Lincoln.  Unfortunately in most cases, we have one chance to make a good first impression, and if it goes poorly, there's rarely an opportunity to change the other's perspective.

When it comes to music, this scenario could not be more applicable.  You know within seconds if you enjoy a song or if you're going to press the 'skip' button.  For a musician, it is a tough challenge to keep an audience.  Do you write a catchy hook and repeat it immediately?  Do you have an exciting/dramatic musical intro?  Or do you go for the heavy, heartfelt ballad that doesn't build in excitement until a minute into the track and risk the chance of not having any listeners?  Sell-out?  Or stay true to what you really want to say?  These days, the attention span of most  people has dwindled to almost nothing, so what is an artist to do?

I think it's important to have a body of work that has a mix of different tracks that at the end of the day are all a reflection of the artist.  Some of a lighter tone and some that deal with heavier issues.  Find the Paul McCartney and the John Lennon in your own work, and find a way to have both.  Impress them with the hook, and make them stay with the message.  Don't compromise your work, just compromise your approach.

And on a more universal level, practice the act of giving second chances.  Give people the benefit of the doubt, and the chance to undo what was done in a moment that could have been misunderstood or misconstrued.  Forgive and learn, because we all have the power to change our own pattern of judgement.

Have an amazing weekend!

- K

Quote of the Day 3/7/13

"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls." - Joseph Campbell

The 35th annual HBA dinner 3/2/13

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association's 35th annual Scholarship Fundraiser and Installation Dinner. It was such a beautiful event, and I was honored to start off the night by singing the National Anthem! It was an amazing opportunity and a truly unforgettable experience. Below is a snapshot of me during the sound check. Have a great week, everyone!

Hitting the 'Refresh' Button

I'm so happy it's March.  For me, it can be a month of great clarity, almost more by default because February is such a crazy month in my family.  There are so many birthdays, events, and deadlines that come up in February, that when March finally rounds the corner into my life, I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief!  

Having said that, I feel that I can enter into my consistent blogger-mode again, which is a great because I feel like I have so many new things to share with you!

First off, my songwriting and singing is in full swing, and I have definitely felt a shift with my creativity within my work.  It's really an exciting thing to take notice of, because when it is actually happening, it's hard to take a step back and realize what is really going on.  I struggle sometimes between that fine line of feeling completely defeated and overwhelmed, and trying to stay positive and grateful for all that is asked and required of me.  I've realized that when I keep a positive mindset, things instantly feel much more achievable, and I feel more fulfilled with what I am doing.  I think staying positive is a good look for me, and for everyone!  Sometimes we just need a reminder...

It is so important to stay positive, but we must also be grateful!  I've adopted a new ritual into my daily routine that I have found to be not only positively rejuvenating, but powerful as well.  I've started to keep a gratitude journal, and it has been such a great asset to my life.  Every night before I go to bed, I write down ten things I am grateful for, and ten things I intend to be grateful for in the future, but I write them down as if they have already happened in the present.  It keeps everything in perspective, and it keeps everything immensely positive and focused.  I always feel so happy afterwards, and I know that everyone can benefit from good energy, so I had to share what I personally do to keep my head up high!  If you try it even for just a couple days, you'll know what I mean ;)

xoxo

- K

Quote of the Day 2/11/13

Quote of the Day 2/8/13

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

― Mother Teresa

Some Work and Some Play

How are you guys?!

I had such an amazing weekend!  It was my birthday this past Sunday, and it was everything I could've hoped for and more.  Great friends, big laughs, and lifelong memories for sure.

But it wasn't all fun and games, some of it was good, hard work for the website.  I'm so motivated to keep up this forward momentum, and keep striving for more in my work, and more from myself.  This is definitely going to be my motto for this year, and I can't wait for everything to begin to spiral upwards.

Thanks for all the positive energy and support!  Love you guys.

- K

The Art of Being Open-minded

Just some thoughts...

Whenever you're putting yourself out there, it can be a very nerve-racking experience.  You're opening the doors to the potential influx of criticisms and opinions, some of which may not be too kind.  It can be terrifying.  I understand when people have the tendency to break down afterwards, because that's what I'm most inclined to do, but I've also seen people go on the extreme defensive.  It's a pretty amazing thing to watch in action.  It exemplifies a real-life scenario when someone feels the need to incorporate fight vs. flight...over an opinion.  When someone chooses to fight to crush the other opinion, it stops the conversation completely, and leaves everyone feeling a little out of place.

When someone critiques your work, most of the time it's because they want to help, they want to make it better, and they ultimately want you to succeed.  Keeping an open mind is the key to collaboration and your universal success.  You have to be open to others' opinions, and welcome them, otherwise the only person who's going to think that you're "great" is your lonely little self...

So learn to be confident in your work, and confident enough to take constructive criticism.  You'll be better for it in the end.

Have a great weekend!

- K

Roomie Podcast!

Just in time for the end of January 2013, my roomies and I decided to band together for a riveting, life-changing Roomie Podcast!

Ok, ok, it's really the three of us ranting and trailing off into tangents about who-knows-what, but it's us in all of our hilarity and amazingness (or at least we think so.)

So, stay tuned to hear more about that fun project, and I'll keep you updated for when we release it to the world, which should be very soon!  You've been warned...

It's so great to go into this with them, because at the end of the day, they're my closest and dearest friends, and this journey would be impossible without them.

Dedicated to Anais and Jessica.  You make my world go 'round.

- K

Official Website Launch

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was spent anxiously tying up the loose ends of the website...and then finally releasing it! So crazy.

Thank you to everyone who's checked it out, and I truly appreciate all the feedback and support. I've had to fight against my urges of wanting to immediately crawl into a small, dark corner after I tell anyone about it, so thank you for making me feel more at ease with your kind and thoughtful insights. It's only going to get more refined from here on out, so stay tuned for what's to come!

- K

I Choose Quality

Last night in class, we discussed the importance of quality work.  When something is expressed in its truest form, and isn't associated with a calculated agenda, it will speak for itself.  This is what you want to strive for, this is want you want to fight for, and you should never settle for less.  Quality should be the standard, not only in moments that are few and far between.  It's not always easy to produce, but once you've achieved work that is undoubtedly of your highest potential, you will have reached a level of accomplishment that no one can take away from you.  Always be your best self and put your best work forward.  You owe it to yourself and to others.

Have a great weekend ;)

 - K

Quote of the Day 1/23/13

Quote of the Day 1/22/13

It's the little things

Hey, guys!  How was your weekend?  Mine was filled with good fitness, good friends, and good times.  On Sunday, I found myself in Venice walking down Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and I saw these two little birds fluttering around in a teal shabby-chic cage...

They were adorable!  They had my heart from the second they chirped my way!  Then I realized that I haven't seen a tiny songbird in quite awhile, and it reminded me of a quote I had discovered months earlier that read, "The smallest birds sing the prettiest songs."  It was the perfect moment to the end of my weekend.

So, give your dreams the wings to fly, and don't be afraid to sing your heart out ;)

- K



"Three little birds sat on my window, and they told me I don't need to worry."  - Corinne Bailey Rae

Words to live by

I recently started taking a lyric-writing class, and the teacher has provided me with some inspiring thoughts that I would like to share...

In whatever passionate endeavor, remind yourself WHY you're doing what you're doing.  Be honest, and be brave enough to give yourself the chance to go for it.

I know that when I'm singing, I am truly living, and simultaneously giving back to the universe my purest appreciation for this gift and this life.  I believe this is the way I am meant to contribute to the beauty of expression and exemplify the importance of the human connection, therefore fulfilling my destiny and my purpose here on earth.

Always be true to yourself.  The more authentic you are, the more you eliminate any competition to be anyone else but yourself, and your originality will shine through.  Find your own unique voice, and speak often of your beliefs.  People will start to take notice of your style and content, and soon you will develop a distinctness in your body of work that is all your own.

Follow your dreams and have an amazing weekend :)

- K

For the Love of Music...

Watching and documenting the recent progress on my website has been thrilling, and it's certainly motivating me to keep improving it everyday.  

The newest batch of photos taken at the Santa Monica pier have been a great addition, and I'm so happy...but in the moment, standing on the pier at 7am, IN JANUARY, trying to form my freezing face into something that remotely resembles a smile was no easy task.  My laughter about how cold it was quickly turned into frozen tears as they formed icicles on my eyelashes while I yelped, "I think I've started to cry, but I can't tell because my body is starting to shut down!"  I know, I'm a little dramatic, but it was fuhhhhreeeezingg!

Luckily, the shoot wasn't all for not, and we came away with some really great pictures that I love.  I would like to go out and do it again, but maybe in the summer when my body still has the ability to pump blood through my veins for warmth.  

So when you look at that face below, just know that it's an Oscar-worthy smile because I turned into stone by that point.  Stay warm, LA!

 - K

Quote of the Day 1/15/13

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Big Dreams, Ghetto Space

Hey, Guys!  Today was great in terms of getting another video up on the site and experiencing a voice-over type of recording, which was new and exciting.  Disney songs always hold a special place in my heart, and "Colors of the Wind" is no exception.  It's such a beautiful song, and it captures the magical and dream-like quality that is so fun to explore while I'm singing.  And for that, I am grateful...

On the other hand, my recording accommodations are not as "exciting and magical."  I live in a humble apartment in Hollywood, and for a 24 yr old on a budget, I'd say it's pretty decent, except for when I start to record a song.

For some reason, whenever I decide to sit down and sing, my apartment building suddenly becomes alive with sounds!  Granted, the walls are thin, but when people decide to jump in the shower above me, blast hip-hop through the bass-pumping speakers below me, and grind the morning coffee-beans on either side of me, all at the same time, it all just seems a little much, no?

Maybe I'm everyone's alarm clock for the day.  And maybe my neighbor has a blog that reads, "when the girl above me decides to belt her way to the top, I have to get busy!"  Who knows, but until I'm living large, and can afford to record in my own studio, I guess I'll have to accept what seems like living inside of a YMCA.

But all in all, I'm thankful to be pursuing my dreams, and these little interferences just make the journey that much more of an adventure.  So turn up the Jay-Z, and I'll pump out the jams!  ;)

 - K

Lyric of the Day 1/11/13: Extended Version

"I'm a survivor.  I'm gonna make it.  I will survive.  Keep on survivin'." - Destiny's Child

Breaking News, Everyone!  Destiny's Child will be REUNITING at the 2013 Superbowl Halftime Show!!  Oh how I've missed them so.  Destiny's Child was such a unique group, and their sound was so empowering and original, especially when they were at the top of their game.  They weren't afraid to be strong, beautiful, confident women, and with their reunion, a celebration is in order!  It just so happens that their performance falls on my birthday this year.  Coincidence?  I think not.  So happy Beyonce finally got her act together and took my advice on this one.  Relevance is key, people, and that "Sasha Fierce" schtick was only gonna last for so long...oh, and happy birthday to me ;)

 - K

Lyric of the Day 1/9/13

"Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."

To all the little girls who've dreamt about skipping down a yellow-brick road, arm in arm with a man made out of hay, and reaching the emerald city, this one's for you.  #keepingthedreamalive

It's my first oneeeeee!

Hey guys!  This is my first blog post on my website, and I couldn't be more excited to start sharing all my music/videos/thoughts with family, friends, and beyond.  #woah.  The website is still under construction, but by clicking over to the left, you'll find links to my recordings, twitter, instagram (who doesn't want to see what I ate for breakfast last friday?), and my most recent video upload of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."  Not to mention this nifty little blog where I'll be posting updates of what's to come, lyrics of inspiration, and quotes to live by.  I'm just like Oprah...minus the tv network and Gayle.  So, click away, enjoy, and I'll keep it coming with the posts. :)

- K