» Songwriting

Write Girl – LA Today

Libby Lavella — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:19:20 +0000

I had a great day today volunteering downtown at The Grammy Museum with WriteGirl. WriteGirl is an activity of Community Partners, a nonprofit charity organization that is dedicated to empowering at-risk teen girls through mentor-ship and self-expression. Founded by the amazing Keren Taylor, WriteGirl held their 11th Annual Songwriting Workshop today from about 10:30 to 5pm. I teach on Saturdays so I was unable to get there until about 2pm and was immediately thrust into some group work with some of the girls. They had different groups set up talking about things like; rhyming schemes, song structure, rhythm and other song writing particulars. The group I joined was talking about “metaphors” (a word which can’t hear without hearing my friend and writing guru, Claudette Sutherland saying “Metaphors be with you!”) and ways they can enhance writing. To hear some of the girls, (13 – 18) talk about current songs and their thoughts on what certain songs were trying to say through metaphor was truly inspiring; one 13year old girl commented on Adele’s, “Set Fire To The Rain” saying, “Well, rain symbolizes all that is sad and you wanna burn everything that is making you sad, but you can’t burn rain!”. Brilliant! I was mentoring with two fellow songwriters Danielle Brisebois and Kyler England who were both lovely and extremely knowledgeable. Then, we all worked one-on-one with girls in the auditorium and helped them get their writing to a point where they could be used in a song. The finale, (which nobody prepared me for, and it’s a good thing too as I’d have run screaming) the mentors (us!) had to take random sheets of paper with pieces of songs on them, and on the fly, sing them on stage for the girls to hear, showing them how it all comes together. The final result! OMG! I didn’t have enough time to process it, but let me just say, I was terrified. Well, I’m so glad, like I said, that I didn’t know, because it was one of the most inspiring, radical and rewarding thing I’ve ever done. These girls were so enthralled to hear their journal musings come to life. Their defensive and/or shy dispositions turned into unabashed joy and inspiration. At the same time, we, the mentors were blown away by some of the writings these young girls created and the thrill of watching each other create on the fly. It was a truly brilliant, raw and encouraging experience. At the end of the day, we songwriters are moved to write songs because we want to express something. It really is, all it’s about. Thank you Keren, Michelle and Naomi for the invite. I will be looking forward to the next one! I’m sure there will be some footage and photos to come, which I will add.

Here’s Keren Taylor, the executive director, with Sarah Silverman, Keren is tireless in her efforts and pulls such a vast array of writing talent to mentor the girls! For more information on writegirl, to purchase writegirl collections or just to donate, you can read more here; WriteGirl

Take your canvas Bags to the Supermarket

Libby Lavella — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:32:48 +0000

Watch this video!!!!

Tim Minchin. Man after my own heart. Yes…take your canvas bags to the supermarket. Goddamnit.

Women in music or little girls? Regina Spektor at The Greek.

Libby Lavella — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:11:11 +0000

I went to Regina Spektor’s concert at The Greek Theater last Wednesday night.

How was the show? Well….is Regina Spektor a good singer? Yes, without question. Her voice soars and dips, sings almost perfectly on pitch the entire time, is flawless in it’s transition and holds a spectrum of sounds that rival Tori Amos. Is Regina Spektor a good musician? No doubt about it, she plays the piano with expression and feeling, she adds surprising little hooks to the middle of sections that take you by surprise and does this without any hint of rehearsal. Is RS a good songwriter? Yes. I wouldn’t say she’s one of the greats, but she is good and has a style that is unique to her that doesn’t necessarily play by the rules, but exhibits knowledge of the rules and structure that makes songs memorable and sing-able. I particularly like her ‘Laughing With’ song, along with several songs off of her 1st record, ‘Begin To Hope’. Did she have good musicians playing with her? Yes, Matt Chamberlain, who in my opinion is one of the finest drummers in the business, along with a lovely very competent string quartet. So then…why did my friend and I leave after 5 songs?

First, I will admit it was bitterly, b-i-t-t-e-r-l-y cold. Probably the coldest night we’ve had so far this season. That said, I would sit through an ice storm for great music or a great artist. I should also admit that I am not a die-hard fan, I like her well enough; I own her first record and listen to it every now and again. I agreed to go out of curiosity. You understand, you like an artist at a tier 1 level. To decide whether or not you want to move to tier 2, you go to a live show. I am a HUGE fan of live music and find this the best way to really hear an artist. So I went. She delivered but she did not blow me away. She did not reach me, or move me or make me think. She did not reach into my rib cage and rip out my heart. There was no blood on the microphone or the ivory’s. But whatever…that doesn’t bother me so much because very few artists can do that. I also knew that what I saw was an accurate barometer for the rest of the show.

The crucial thing that made me choose a car with a working heater over her remaining set…she played the little girl card. Now I will ask the question I have been asking myself for about 2-3 years…..and I beg for your answers. I’m serious…school me. Why oh why do women feel compelled to behave and/or sing like little girls????? This silly, giggly awe struck thing that goes on? It’s been a fad now for about the last three years and I don’t get it. Regina is 29 or 30 years old. She wore a dress akin to an Alice in Wonderland costume with a cardboard cut out cartoon bow on her neck. She giggled as she shrugged and covered her mouth and I guess it was alluring to those who dig it….but who are they and why? Is it as simple as pedophilia? Please explain.

I look at artists such as Madonna, Chrissy Hynde, Pat Benatar, M.I.A, Bjork, Tori Amos, Patty Griffin, Nikka Costa, Suze DeMarchi and NINA FUCKING SIMONE and I don’t see one of those artists pretending to be a little girl. Fiona Apple is probably an exception, as she has a tendency to behave cute and shy in between songs…but when she opens her mouth she has the voice of a 65-year-old jazz singer who is being channeled from the gates of hell and the gates of heaven simultaneously, so therefore, she gets a pass.

Personally I can’t take it anymore. I can see that she has it all right there…and yet she’s playing it safe and all perfect and it’s sooooo boring and contrived. I want to either be on the edge of my seat, or comfortably sitting back in my seat enjoying what the artist does brilliantly without any facade.

I know, I know. I sound jaded. I’m just merely asking the question. Why is popular? I really wanted to love Regina’s show…truly. I still believe she is remarkably talented, but the image…needs an overhaul in my humble (not that anyone gives a fuck) opinion. Where is the next great female role model? Because this little girl thing is tired.