We Are KALEIDOSCOPE

In transition--the music and business angle

2009-05-01T23:37:00.005-05:00

Let's end the speculation and share the latest in the "kaleidoscopic" saga...

MUSIC--are you beautiful?

If you are, then your beautiful soul and its bootylicious body-temple will be diggin' on bella soul!
http://www.bellasoulmusic.com/
www.myspace.com/bellasoulmusic
www.twitter.com/bellasoulmusic

We're back in the saddle in a big way, with an unprecedented rollout that demands we show up and show off with all cylinders blazing. A few months ago, I had a cold and lonely moment in my basement where I totally disassembled the Lady Blue music repetoire binder, not really too certain when or if another scenario would happen anytime soon. Fast forward to today, where we are now looking at new originals, new cover tunes, new re-workings of a few Lady Blue nuggets, and new playmates to share all the fun with! When Joe Lawler from Juice called yesterday (his blog is here) about featuring us on the "Meet The Band" page, I told him that this was a fusion of rock and soul, as I myself am, given my chocolate and vanilla genetic status, and that the vibe was very Aretha meets Ann Wilson. I also said rather incredulously that we intend to explore a wide range stylistically, and that given the current soup state of the music industry, I believe the future belongs to those rulebreaking niche-defiant renegades who dare to step out and pull what I'll call a Schwarzenegger; in other words, everything supposedly wrong about you according to the status quo, yet you manage to spin it all into your own uniquely compelling artistic expression. Need proof of this prophecy? Two words: Susan Boyle (relive the amazing 7-minute moment here).

In the interim, I've learned a few things about myself as a musician and as a person, the main one being how lacking in joy I can be. I used to hang out with a friend named Joy, and we would joke that she was Joy and I was Sorrow. The saying goes, there's no such thing as a happy genius. I would like to prove that theory wrong, in music and in life. I am simply fed up with wasting time, spinning wheels, being beholden to illusionary faux-rules that have absolutely no basis in reality, once you back up far enough to see them clearly. I've reached an exciting, if a little inconvenient, point on my journey where I'm just in the mood to perform what I want, when I want, where I want, how I want. Not in some selfish, controlling way, but setting a new unselfish standard of boundry-less musical freedom. So watch out world, bella soul is coming to rain down a storm of musical power and joy on your beautiful soul.

BUSINESS--the kaleidoscope is changing...

I like to think of it as graduating actually. After banging our heads too many times against too many walls, plans for a studio re-launch have been put on the backburner for now, as we continue to tie up loose ends from the Urbandale 104th Street days. It's been weird, but good, showing up for projects at other studio settings, such as Andy's basement for my SNAFU guest spot (www.myspace.com/thebandsnafu), Logan's house for my Dustin Smith guest spot (http://www.loganchristianaudio.com/ and www.myspace.com/dustinsmithmusic), and several times at http://www.livingsoundstudio.com/, where we've been fortunate enough to rehearse with the band the last two weeks. Bittersweet though it may be, I once again have learned a lot about the business of recording, and the business of business itself.

We are "hearing new visions and seeing new songs". Our kaleidoscopic dreams are by no means dead, they will be resurrected in what we are calling The Kaleidoscope Musical Initiative, a project that will not be limited by the scope of only one little business effort in Des Moines, but will literally reach out far beyond what we've ever dared to imagine before. Keep scoping out the scope...it's coming soon, really it is. In the last 3 years, we've put many of our own musical dreams on the backburner, in order that we might help others, and learn more of what we need to move forward when the time came to revisit them.

That time is now. These transitional months have not been without disappointment, disillusionment, probably a little of every negative "dis" word you could think of. Along with some vocal coaching, junior high mentoring, consulting on and contributing to others' artistic endeavors, the focus is finally swinging back to performing. During the Lady Blue days, we basically performed in between times we could get away from the business. Now we're going to practice our entrepreneurship in and around performing.

This blog is shifting and clarifying its focus. The appearance and content will be changing to reflect the new Kaleidoscope Musical Initiative, and all of its aspirations. I'll be weighing in more often at, you guessed it, the blog at www.bellasoulmusic.com. Please consider hooking up with us throughout our various social media outlets, and let us know how we can support and promote all of your good kaleidoscopic creatiVEntures!

Some tunes to end a blog with:
www.twiturm.com/38rc
www.twiturm.com/phbi

A fusion of project review and love letter...

2009-04-01T10:08:00.002-05:00

If you know me even a little bit, you know that Stevie Nicks has been my all-time top musical she-ro ever since my childhood. Fast forward to this week, which sees the release of Stevie's newest product, the Live in Chicago Soundstage CD and DVD. It's a lovely tribute to someone more than just an artist, but an enduring, multi-platinum selling, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icon, who has above all remained true to herself and to her own personal "brand" for 40 years.

Let's just get this out of the way first and foremost: Stevie is 60, and she is hot...slammin' hot! Still workin' those fringy shawlish ensembles and the platform boots, every twirl, bounce, and high kick clearly shows that she's still got the goods. The wispy haziness has been replaced by a fiery wide-awake maturity with passion gloriously undiminished.

You know Stevie can do absolutely no wrong in my book, but I'll still do my best to be objective here. The setting itself strikes a strange vibe, as it isn't quite full-blown rock concert-size but isn't quite intimate either, being shot in a very controlled set, with a very controlled, politely enthusiastic audience. As for the song selection, Stevie has always been at her best in the extremes, succeeding with extraordinary resonance in the lowest lows (How Still My Love) to the highest highs (Fall From Grace, Enchanted). She also scores in her non-original cover interpretations (Crash Into Me by Dave Matthews, Circle Dance by Bonnie Raitt, and of course the big finale of Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin). Unfortunately she has always spent more time than necessary in a "mid-tempo" mode, where the songs aren't quite as danceable or singable, and admittedly comes pretty close to self-indulgence. Heck, she goes way over the line here and there, but guess what? It's Stevie, rock's most beautiful gypsy survivor emeritus; and by weaving her mystical poetic spell the way that only she can, all is well, and she gets away with what for other artists would be called murder.

There is no such thing as too many versions of Gold Dust Woman, Rhiannon, and the "white winged dove" song--Edge of Seventeen, all delivered in stunning new renditions here. And when Stevie sings Landslide for the umpteenth time, it feels even more potent now that, at last, she and all of us are really "getting older, too." These moments of songwriting brilliance, sophistication, and perception, show us once again why Stevie is a legend. In a way, she's always been about the beauty of moments even more than whole songs, the staggering impact of certain lines delivered with certain "hauntingly familiar" emphasis.

As an artist myself, I am so different than Stevie on the surface. I don't look or sound a bit like her. And yet more than anyone else, she has without a doubt been my greatest inspiration. She was the first rock and roll woman who refused to sacrifice the femininity of her identity. Other women throughout rock history have come across too much as either one of the ragged jagged guys, or overtly sexual to the point of excruciating excess. Stevie has always been, is now, and will always be not just a woman, but a Lady. While watching this new gift of her artistry at 3:00 a.m., I celebrated along with her all the things we both have made it through; still singing, dancing, twirling, and weaving musical spells for all those who care to embrace us. You may or may not embrace me; however, you MUST embrace the original Lady of Rock, Stevie Nicks. It's true that not all her studio projects have showcased her the best over the years (combination of substandard production values, performances, and well-documented personal sagas). But over time, the body of work ultimately tells the story. Both solo and with Fleetwood Mac (with whom she is on tour right now), the story of Stevie is a story of a conqueror, whose failures in life have always been overcome and ultimately overshadowed by her greatest success, a splendid 40-year marriage to her music and to her fans, of which I will forever be one of her most devoted.

If only we could sing away all the pain...

2009-03-27T12:20:00.003-05:00

Throughout our time in the Urbandale studio, and now ensconced in "the studio of life", it has been our aspiration to make music "kaleidoscopically" and help others do the same. Someone said "the best way to predict the future is to create it." So in this transitional season, we've bravely allowed ourselves to dream, wish, spend valuable time in what Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way) calls "the i-magic-nation."

The personal reflections born during this time have had a lot more to do with "how NOT to do music kaleidoscopically" than "how TO do music kaleidoscopically." It's been a time of backing up from the musical universe in which we've been so enmeshed. When you're too close to something, you can't see it clearly. Only when you back up does the fuzzy picture come into focus. And as wacky, weird, wild, way-out-on-a-limb as this might sound, here's a little of what's been percolating:

If only we could...

sing away all the dysfunctional, out-of-balance, self-destructive, world-destructive crap

sing away all the disease, the disasters, the disgrace

sing away all the depression and anxiety

sing away all the harm, the hopelessness, the hate

sing away all the headaches and heartaches

sing away all the greed, illusion, and disillusionment

sing away all the small and shallow thinking and feeling

sing away all the milquetoast mediocrity passed off as the standard

sing away all the pain, SING AWAY ALL THE PAIN...

So much of what transpires in musicmaking, both onstage and off, doesn't really amount to a hill of beans. Sorry, but it's true; and not just true, but very overwhelmingly obviously true. And yet we go on, both as artists and audience, making our choices based on an insane, out-of-control web of untruth. I'm not elaborating any farther, it's something each of us has to arrive at our own conclusions about (but I'd be happy to dive in further with you over "brandy and cigars" sometime!).

The nature of a root can be known by its fruit. So I humbly ask you to look, listen, back up, question, and thoughtfully analyze the fruit of our musicmaking system. At that point, you may realize that we've been put on a planet in desperate need of the healing power that music possesses. You may wake up and say to yourself, "Sucker!" You may even start creating some plans of your own to do music differently, truthfully, kaleidoscopically!

Please don't think that we think we could dare say what the truth really is, on this or any other matter. It's very simple. We just want what is best, for both artists and audience, for both ourselves and you. I hope you are reminded from the statements above that we as world-citizens have a ton of "singing away" to do. And we need new paradigms and procedures about the power of music and all art, that will enable us to do the maximum musical healing we were put on the planet to do.

If only we really could sing (and play) away the world's pain. Guess what? We can...and we must.

The Glory And The Magic of PERFORMING Music

2009-03-17T13:28:00.003-05:00

Performing/Creating/Listening/Watching

Performing music has been one of the great joys of my life - it is literally one of the things I'm very certain that I was put on the planet to do. Now that I am becoming "a woman of a certain age", it gives me additional pleasure to help and encourage others in their performance lives, as well as to keep fanning the flames of my own. I've done it in countless settings publicly since I was 3, and as an adult here in Des Moines since I was 18, over 25 years ago. That said, I'm still such a student in the subject, with my most powerful learning tool being the art of "unlearning". What a thrill it is to wave the flag for musical performance excellence, especially in the face of all the mediocrity that's out there. No matter what your genre, there are performance principles that apply across the board, including those from the article below. Enjoy, and I wish you the glory and the magic that can only be found onstage!

A piece about musical performance HERE

A singing tribute to the great joy of singing and all performing by Wynonna

Another singing tribute to singing--as well as a call for compassion & justice from Annie Lennox

Music and the Farmers' Market

2009-03-09T14:10:00.002-05:00

What does music have in common with the Farmers' Market?

This past year, I've had a little epiphany regarding the state of music in general, and the state of my own music. As an artist, I've enjoyed plenty of diverse success, making my mark in many different genres and settings across our city and state. As a businessperson, I've also enjoyed success, albeit disguised as failure in some ways, but success nonetheless as lessons learned and self-awareness/life awareness gained. Spiritually and creatively, it's with sanity not vanity, gratitude not greed, that I count myself as one of the wealthiest artists that I know, even though this hasn't equalled mega-millions of dollars or earthly star-studded accolades.

So with the music world spinning out of (and I believe ultimately back into) control, I have needed to touch base with myself once again, and re-examine what I aspire to be about as a musician, and as a human, and how it is meant for me to live out those values, visions, and dreams.

Long story short, this brings me to the Farmers' Market. What do we always see as the "catch-phrase" for supporting these grassroots gatherings? It is this: think globally, act locally.

How much sense would it make for me, a Des Moines/Highland Park dweller, to buy my groceries on an ongoing basis from some impersonal faraway grocery stores in Nashville, New York, and Hollywood? My grocery haunt is Linn's on 6th Avenue, where it sounds like somebody's boom box is the overhead music source, and they cut fresh meat on site every day--adorable, unpretentious, and right down the street from where I live.

As absurd as that question might seem, this is precisely what we have been conditioned to do regarding our artistic expression of, and audience support of, music; specifically our purchase and consumption of our "musical groceries." Maybe it's my experience as a small business leader that has tattooed me with this new perspective, but I'm proud to say that my support of local businesses and local musicians, while always high, is on a vigorously exponential increase.

Des Moines is a city with world-class musical talent of its own that is deserving of enthusiastic, committed support. Am I a fan of Sheryl Crow? Sure, but I'm an even bigger fan of our own jazz legend Susie Miget. Am I a fan of Justin Timberlake? Of course (to my husband's constant chagrin), but I'm an even bigger fan of our own internationally renowned organ genius Sam Salamone. Do I get into the occasional Beyonce groove? Yes indeed, but I will follow Gwen Page Schlepphorst's keyboard (Mooseknuckle/Floodplane) anytime, anywhere I can sit under the spell of her exuberant jammy brilliance.

Brandon and I are humble enough to know that as humans, we seem to screw up far more than often than not, and seem to be wrong far more often than right. On this particular sentiment, however, I think we're getting it; and are eager to do our best, as artists, as businesspeople, as ordinary/extraordinary citizens of our city and the world, to be role models of this concept in the best of ways.

Remember the Farmers' Market (whether it be melons or especially music):

think globally, act locally.

MMD--Mental Musical Database

2009-03-03T14:01:00.002-06:00

In our "offseason" time of transition, we've been doing what we can to grow both personally and professionally as preparation for ascending into the next phase of Kaleidoscope. Here are some sources we've recently been blessed by, and wholeheartedly recommend for your own body of creative knowledge:

Moving To Higher Ground--a book by Wynton Marsalis
This man's artistry is simply inspirational. From a jazz frame of reference, he makes a compelling case for musical expression as flowing through interconnected veins of character, creativity, and citizenship. When he was in town for a Bucksbaum lecture at Drake a few years ago, it was one of those evenings that I wished every artist I knew could have been present, both for his speaking as well as his band playing. I'm still impacted at the mere remembrance of it.

1000 Songs To Change Your Life/Lost In The Grooves
Another interesting collection of musical perspectives to examine and see what clicks...

Victor Wooten's Groove Workshop DVD
How lovely it is to sit side by side with the spouse in our living room taking notes together on this power-packed video session. Inspirational plus informational--this guy is a really gifted communicator both on and off the bass guitar.

Derek Trucks everything 1
Derek Trucks everything 2
Just saw him at Hoyt-Sherman the other night, and was fed a splendid feast of musical soul food. Derek is still so young, yet has already achieved so much. (And of course, my spouse and I are drawn to him and his wife Susan Tedeschi because of the unique life status we have in common!)

C.A.D.S.

2009-02-20T09:59:00.003-06:00

Cultural Advocacy Day Singers! C.A.D.S.! That's what I told Robert John Ford, writer/director of CAUCUS! The Musical, Sleeping Dogs, and the upcoming Six-On-Six musical, that he could entitle a song in a new production he could create based on the experience of a group of singers I was fortunate to be a part of on Wednesday, February 18, which was indeed Cultural Advocacy Day here in Iowa.

Lyric excerpt from the song our group performed:
FUND THE ARTS (to the tune of "Be Our Guest" from Beauty And The Beast)
by the witty, intelligent, low-brow in a high-brow way, Robert John Ford!

Fund the arts, fund the arts, at least match our counterparts
In Missouri! Please do hurry before everyone departs
If you fill up our till, I can guarantee it will
Keep our minds from atrophying, keep our college kids from fleeing
In return, you will earn new tax revenue to burn
And an atmosphere that fosters new Mozarts
Ah, what a thing of beauty if you do your duty
Fund the arts, fund the arts, fund the arts

Fund the arts, fund the arts, prove to us that you've got hearts
Be true leaders, not impeders, like a bunch of mean old farts
There's no hitch to our pitch
Unlike Rod Blogojovich
Honest values we ascribe to cuz we can't afford to bribe you
Join our fight, do what's right, help us overcome our plight
If you don't we're homeless, pushing shopping carts
C'mon now, be our heroes, add some extra zeroes
Fund the arts, fund the arts, fund the arts
PLEASE FUND THE ARTS!

Now wouldn't that have been a perfect way to begin the morning session at the State Capitol, an entertaining tongue-in-cheek reminder of the fact that Iowa is ranked 45th in state arts funding? Alas, it wasn't meant to be, for when we arrived for our pre-approved, pre-planned performance, literally at the doorway to "the room where it all happens", the grand and glorious chamber which itself is a stirring display of the power of art, we were swiftly halted and cited for "inappropriateness." An alternate plan to use the time with me singing the National Anthem alone, which I've done in that setting previously, was also silenced. Without going into detail, let's just say that it was indeed a disappointment, and dreadfully symbolic of the cultural advocacy predicament. However, we did perform the song several times at the "Cabaret Iowa" legislative reception event later at the Historical Building, to greatly appreciative and enthusiastic response.

Since I wasn't able to rave and rant in their faces that day, I'll just unleash my imaginary response right now.

Dear Legislators, I'd like to remind you that you have ART to thank for:
The chairs you are sitting in
The chamber and the entire beautiful building you are meeting in
The clothes on your back
The car you drove to come to this session
The roads you drove on to come to this session
The music/programming you listened to while you drove to come to this session
The house you left and most of the possessions in it, to come to this session

But a tiny little reminder of that, on a once-a-year occasion that is supposedly dedicated to the greatness of arts and culture, the answer is...closed doors, closed minds, closed hearts.

C.A.D.S.! I'm seeing it, I'm hearing it, it'll practically write itself!

Iowa Cultural Coalition
The work of Robert John Ford

MMD--For your Mental Musical Database

2009-02-13T10:25:00.003-06:00

Inspirational, informational, knock yourself out! Glean from our recent research vaults, and respond as you see fit. Or we should say, respond as WE see fit for you, by making fabulous new music!

Wired "Kaleidoscopic" Interview

Annual February Recording Challenge

Body of work--a sweet girl indeed

2009-02-05T10:03:00.002-06:00

She sang and played with a bunch of friends in one of the biggest parks in the world one night. Some guy named Eric played guitar and sang a little ditty called "White Room" with her. Three chicks from Dixie harmonized with her. Another guy named Keith played some obscure tune he wrote called "Happy" with her. Best of all, a beautiful gypsy named Stevie shared the stage doing one of the great rock music mood paintings, "Gold Dust Woman". Stevie even went on to write a song about this friend of hers called "Sweet Girl".

Of course, we are talking about the lady who "likes a beer buzz early in the morning", former school teacher as well as background singer for Michael Jackson, Miss Sheryl Crow. The evening described above is captured on a project called "Sheryl Crow and Friends--An Evening in Central Park" and includes not only star power cameos, but a great retrospective of her hits.

It's interesting to consider how the songs for such a project, or any concert or recording, are chosen. Luckily for Miss Crow, she has amassed an incredible body of work from which to choose, since the days of the "beer buzz" song--her first hit, "All I Wanna Do (is have some fun)". And luckily for us, her considerable singing, writing, and arranging talents have been preserved for us through the magic of recording.

That's a powerfully potent achievement worth aspiring to by us all, a body of musical work that contributes some kind of positive vibration to the world. Miss Crow is one example; through the magic of recording, you could be next...

Another January, Another Genesis

2009-01-27T10:07:00.003-06:00

The book of the Bible that me and the general public have read the absolute most is...GENESIS. Because you know how it is, you hit the big month number one again and it's time to start over (like Charlotte's Sex In The City book -- Starting Over Yet Again--don't you love how I just linked the Bible and Sex In The City in the same sentence?). Anyway, it is that kind of time for Kaleidoscope and all of its CreatiVEntures, so here my dears is the scoop, the skinny, the straight from the horse's mouth update:

BUSINESS:
In the last few months, we have been investigating a number of properties and still haven't settled on the one that is, in the words of the 3 bears, "just right." We have also been working on an overhaul and reinvention of the budget structure and management system that was at the foundation of our days at 2771 104th. Happily, along with our good-intentioned mistakes, we have been discovering the things we did well, that are now providing a kick-ass foundation upon which to build Kaleidoscope Phase 2. A reminder that we are still serving many musical needs including vocal coaching (coming soon--a vocal coaching jam!), songwriting and arranging, event consulting, etc. In short, even though we are temporarily out of the studio, the studio is definitely not out of us.

BAND:
Drum roll please...the name has been chosen! That's all you get here, but suffice it to say, it has been met with great response to the few who do know it, and we're excited to officially unveil it at the appointed time. The new repetoire will include the best of both the Groove Merchants and Lady Blue eras, plus some new and familiar covers--surprises galore are coming, and of course our babies--the original compositions. Meanwhile, Brandon has stepped up on a short-term basis to play with one heaven of a rhythm section, Ernie Terrell on bass and Reggie Upshur on drums, in the area's most soulful power trio, VooDoo3. So between that and our own gigs, here's where we hope to see your friendly faces soon--check links for gig details:

Deacon and The Lady:
Fri 1-30 Cory's Irish Pub/Bondurant
Mon 2-9 3rd Annual Deacon's Day Bash at Blues On Grand--the birthday blowout for Brandon!
Sun 2-22 Botanical Blues Series

Brandon with VooDoo3:
At The Main Gate--info link
Sun 2-1, Sat 2-7, Sun 2-8
(and every Sunday night they host the jam)
also w/VooDoo3:
Fri 2-6 Hessen Haus

another jam we want to promote:
Thu 2-5 at Corys in Bondurant led by our friend Kyle Dean Patten (last time we went was absolute magic--good vibrations galore, and we'll be there with bells on!)

There's more to be shared but this is enough for now, and we wish you all blessings as you "make your own kind of music, sing your own special song, make your own kind of music, even if nobody else sings along..."

Bye for now, friends--peace and prosperity in all your kaleidoscopic creatiVEntures!

Soundtrack to the metamorphosis...

2008-10-15T11:22:00.002-05:00

Everything old is new again...what goes around comes around...there is nothing new under the sun.

The NEW current soundtrack to our in-progress business and personal metamorphosis is...OLD. Specifically, VINYL, baby, VINYL! For instance this morning, the soundtrack to our morning ritual was Jeff Beck's version of "Goin' Down" by Freddie King and others--on vinyl. Recently my husband, AKA lovable frankensteinian vinyl monster, has purchased for me some estrogen vinyl: Rita Coolidge, vintage Amy Grant--that I bopped along with in my childhood bedroom-- she and I have basically grown up together, and of course--Bella Donna by my she-ro Stevie Nicks. It's fun to see more and more limited edition vinyl as part of the marketing for musical products. What can we forecast from this? Maybe what I've been saying all along, that the music industry is poised for a major backlash against the shallow destructive status quo. Maybe the "wild dog on a leash" called the music industry is ready to be "yanked back into submission" by--you?--me?--passionate musicians fed-up with mediocrity force-fed into our psychic cultural veins without alternative or escape? If you resonate with this sentiment, connect with us. You will find kindred spirits on the move toward higher levels of musical truth and prosperity, fueled much more in some ways by the days of musical old than the "daze" of musical new.

BUSINESS UPDATE: 3 words: location, location, location! Still finalizing our search for the perfect spot to set up shop, and tying up loose ends for old business from the Urbandale office days. All the stuff with both the business and the band are integrated in this same new endeavor, as well as other key ingredients in the new multi-faceted project we're working on. Items have been steadily falling into place, as a "fuzzy picture coming into focus" slower and more difficult than we expected, but with a clearer vision of what is coming, and increased potential for even bigger and better results. Though it's been more than a little frustrating to keep the details under wraps all this time, this continues to be critical to the successful launch that is forthcoming. But be assured, Kaleidoscope is alive and well, and will be back in your face at the appropriate near-future time. Until then, we're still here creating, consulting, networking, and growing. Your info for connecting with us for all things Kaleidoscope is here:

Kaleidoscope CreatiVEntures
4110 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50313
(use the comments section of this blog to reach out and touch us!--THANKS and take care!)

I hereby pass the baton of this discourse to you, cyber-friend...

Rope 'em into the SCOPE while they're young...

2008-08-14T13:28:00.003-05:00

Today I went to Monroe Elementary School to do a little people workshop about the Giants of Jazz subjects of my Jazz In July show, Billie H, Ella F, Fats W, and Irene M. How did I grab their attention immediately? Easily, by referencing the jazziness of one of their favorites, Hannah Montana!

We made stylistic and lyrical adjustments to the Hannah song, "Life's what you make it, so let's make it rock!" We also did little dances, had volunteer leader participants, had simple playacting moments, and kept it really high energy and high zany-ness factor (and by the way, that just summed up all my secrets of success while hanging with the young-uns, in addition to snackies and tangible stimulus).

Anyway, the frame of reference for these precious babes is frightfully small when it comes to music and the arts. In other words, it's nothing at all resembling the kaleidoscopic panoramic vista they deserve and need. So when I get the great chance to be with them, I strive to be an advocate for as many colors of the musical rainbow that I can fit into our time. And I strive to make it meaningful beyond all the cotton candy crap they are being fed every minute of the day by greedy corporate executives (which includes not just the record industry, but TV, magazines, all areas of culture--sorry, top dogs, that means you).

I am always a bit grieved after time spent with these tiny pure-hearted future societal gatekeepers, because the kaleidoscope of truthful creative diversity from which they could and should be nurtured, is held at bay in favor of dollar signs and lies.

The kids I shared some life with today were so open, fearless, ready for exploration and experimentation in what I called "the beautiful and exciting land of the jazz giants." If only we all could be that way, and bring childlike hearts of wonder, play, embracing, and adventure, into our musical life soundtracks, and in so doing, expand our comfort zones into the kaleidoscopic panoramic vistas they were meant to be.

peace, tina

Under The Dashboard

2008-08-07T10:53:00.002-05:00

Once again, here are some sonic musings on three projects lurking in our recent consciousness:

1. Madonna--"Ray of Light": The word to describe this vibe is "twinkly". Electronica whiz William Orbit did a great job establishing a kind of warmth within the sometimes icy setting of the techno world. Madonna's vocals are among her very best, the song selection is solid, and the whole concept has been realized beautifully and fluidly from start to finish.

2. Over The Rhine--"Ohio": The 2-disc tour-de-force of this husband and wife team is filled with the melancholy wisdom for which this group is becoming known. Their projects before and since are fine, but this to me will stand as a charmed musical moment. Always one of my first choices for the moody-broody times, this sounds like dim lights, sad reflection, and a twilight of grace from their living room to ours (they actually did record big parts of this in their very own living room).

3. Bettye Lavette (with the Drive-By Truckers)--"Scene of the Crime": Bettye is our girl, so we are admittedly a bit biased about her--run, don't walk, to get this and her previous project--"I've Got My Own Hell To Raise". She's rootsy, she's bluesy, she's soulful, she's been around the block but still radiates the energy of someone two whole generations younger than her. This project was truly a labor of love, and the seemingly unlikely choice of the DBT as her supporting band (who I just very pleasantly rocked with in the very first row hanging onto the fence at 80/35) turned out to be an inspired choice, aided by an earthy Americana production approach.

Who's been under your dashboard lately?

MMD--Mental Musical Database

2008-07-18T11:10:00.003-05:00

Hi FOK (Friends of Kaleidoscope) - not so sure about that acronym...
A reminder to you all that, amidst the backstage transitioning to Phase 2--The Upgrade, our services are still continuing in all other kinds of musical consulting and support. So we want to keep in touch with you, and make sure you are in on the ground floor of all the great things to come. We remain committed to being an equipping and networking source more than ever, right down to these little nuggets for your perusal with all that free time you've got. Seriously, take some time for Research and Development. It always seems to get ruthlessly swept under the rug, but as we can attest over the past year, it has been such a key for our growth in both musical and business savvy. So ward off the "tyranny of the urgent" and give yourself snippets of time here and there to just LEARN. For instance, how about these:

The Phoenix mag--50 states article
Believer mag--annual music issue
Marketing lessons from Guns and Roses

Let us info junkies know what you are learning...

MMD--Mental Musical Database

2008-07-09T10:17:00.002-05:00

1. Another Bob Dylan item - an article from Vanity Fair called "Inside Dylan's Brain"

www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/04/dylan.html

2. A great new book by bassist extraordinaire Victor Wooten from the Flecktones called "The Music Lesson"

www.vixboox.com

3. A newsflash about the supposed upcoming obsolescence of recording studios (and for the record, I believe in the upcoming obsolescence of the word "obsolescence", but not of recording studios, for many many reasons--see if you react with the same healthy skepticism as I did)

www.mashable.com/2008/06/17/wemix-voodoovox/

Happy reading, thinking, feeling, and learning - let's keep our musical minds in a state of "growing knowing". Comments welcomed...

For Your Mental Musical Database--MMD

2008-06-26T11:40:00.003-05:00

1. Bob Dylan's Day Job, and Terry Teachout's NYC arts blog
www.artsjournal.com/aboutlastnight/2008/06/tt_bob_dylans_day_job.html

2. The Business of Music
www.huffingtonpost.com/mike_ragogna/the-business-of-music_b_108449.html

Interesting, thought-provoking, eyebrow raising stuff...your turn to comment please:

Who Fights For The Music?

2008-06-20T09:50:00.007-05:00

Here's a coupla things about music hopefully you'll find interesting: main article really makes you think, Natalie is just a little bonus for you...comments welcomed, and hope to see you at Shooter's tonight!

www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/who-fights-for-the-music_b_108113.html

www.independent.com/news/2008/Mar/13/natalie-cole-speaks-out-music-grammys-and-life/

The end of the beginning...

2008-06-17T11:00:00.005-05:00

On one of our favorite TV shows, LOST, the third season ending episode featured an exchange, threatening "the beginning of the end" if one particular choice was made rather than its alternative. Then the fourth season opener was appropriately titled "The Beginning of the End" referencing this, as well as the fact that the whole series had passed its halfway point toward its recently published end date.

Our condition today is the exact opposite. Kaleidoscope CreatiVEntures has recently closed its Urbandale location, signaling the end of Phase I, and is now officially in transition to Phase II, a new and improved upgrade in a new and improved location. Instead of a downward slide to a predetermined end, we are full steam ahead, upward to new levels toward our dreams of musical revolution. Although our recording services are on temporary hiatus, we are still doing business in all other ways, including consulting and artist management, and are in the process of restructuring all things Kaleidoscope for the goal of providing even more and better services in the very near future.

Our heartfelt THANKS goes out from the bottom of our hearts to all of you who contributed in ways big and small to the success of Kaleidoscope CreatiVEntures Phase I. We believe that for both the music and business industries, revolution is in the air! We want to be in the mainstream of this, and not be left behind on the shore. Please keep in touch with us during this transition, as we will continue communicating regularly and frequently through this blog, Twitter updates, and the e-mail address, kaleidoscopegroup@yahoo.com.

So stay tuned to this adventure series not called Kaleidoscope Lost, but Kaleidoscope FOUND! And get involved now on the ground floor of Phase II, by responding with your comments here, (or even subscribing to this and our other blogs that might interest you--see links section) and letting us know your thoughts about both the music and business revolutions in progress, and all your dreams for how the incredible gift of music and the arts could be expressed in new, transforming ways. And above all, please keep letting us know how we can help you on your journey of making beautiful "kaleidoscopic" music! Thanks, friends, for all your encouragement and support--we crave it and cherish it deeply.

PS--Congratulations to our own Brandon Findlay who has just been appointed by the Des Moines City Council to a subcommittee called the Des Moines Live Music Commission (not to be confused with the Des Moines Music Coalition--DMMC). This is quite an honor and we are extremely proud of our resident "musicologist" as he moves forward to lead the way in making an impact on our city's music scene and overall creative economy.

KALEIDOSCOPE the song--Chorus

2008-06-09T10:28:00.004-05:00

Chorus:
And the world needs the passion of our sound
And the world waits for this treasure to be found
When we pour out our souls, we bring the world alive
With all the colors of hope
And together we find inspiration
In the heart of this KALEIDOSCOPE

Wow, that just about sums it up! I am once again humbled by this sentiment. It's a high calling and seems a tad pretentious to attach such a power to your enterprise by saying, "the WORLD needs what I have to offer!" But as the famous Margaret Mead quote says, a small group of people can literally change the world; indeed, that is the only thing that ever really has changed the world.

If you had the cure for cancer, you wouldn't hesitate to share it. If you had the remedy for our overbloated out-of-control national budget deficit, you wouldn't hesitate to share it. If you believe so strongly in the benefits of anything you have to offer, to the point that you view it as one of the main reasons you were put on the planet, and it's one of the things that brings you alive at the very core of your being, you wouldn't hesitate to shout loud and sacrifice long for the sake of this deeply-resonating destiny.

These lyrics, and the rest of the whole song, aren't just about our own business and dreams. They are for you. Whatever it is in your life that you naturally think of when you read words like those above, we hope you are reaching out and taking the steps toward it; so that you can, in the words of Mama Cass, "make your own kind of music, and sing your own special song!" And if you are, then know that you have kindred spirits at a place called KALEIDOSCOPE.

Some good, some bad, some ugly?

2008-05-30T17:30:00.003-05:00

From album covers to guitar solo feature songs, enjoy these lists and see if your opinions match up. I predict there will be extremely strong reactions and additions to both of these collections! Have fun, and feedback a little or a lot if the mood strikes you...

jordoncooper.com: Worst Album Covers of All Time#links

rollingstone.com: 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time

KALEIDOSCOPE the song--Bridge

2008-05-19T21:18:00.004-05:00

Bridge:
Can you hear the vision, can you see the song,
Can you walk in faith to the place where we belong
It's a road of sacrifice on an uphill climb
But it'll be so worth it when we get it right this time

Here's where it starts to get hard, and good! No pain, no gain (or as I prefer to say: pain, GAIN!). The turbulence after the takeoff, the home morning after the honeymoon, the reality after the fantasy. In business, pleasure, art, relationships, you name it, the principle applies across the board of gut-wrenching sacrifice preceding the golden pot at the rainbow's end.

In a recent vocal coaching session, one of my students sang the first part of "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston from "The Bodyguard" movie (which by the way, was written by Dolly Parton, whose own version, complete with her famous talking part in the middle, will always be the I Will Always Love You that I will always love the most!). Anyway, we talked about how some non-perceptive people mistake that song as a lovey-dovey gooey love song, when in reality, it is about the angst of making sacrificial choices for the sake of the greater long-term good.

At KALEIDOSCOPE, we regularly face plenty of situations; artistically, managerially, and otherwise, that call upon us to make those extra-tough kinds of decisions. But reminding ourselves of what this lyric represents makes it a little easier, and helps us keep the faith perspective ever-present as we work, play, struggle, and succeed!

If you can relate, tell us all about it now...

Innovation and Inspiration

2008-05-12T11:30:00.005-05:00

Enjoy these 2 blurbs for innovation and inspiration, one each for the hats of business building and art creating (and when it's all said and done, we all need both anyway--inspiration for our innovations, and innovation for our inspirations):

INNOVATION:
gigaom.com/2008/04/17/pixars-brad-bird-on-fostering-innovation/

INSPIRATION:
www.bookofjoe.com/2008/05/kristian-zimerm.html

Whatdja think--two cents worth pleez...

Goodbye, Michelle, my little one...

2008-05-06T14:11:00.001-05:00

Our friend, KCCI Channel 8 reporter Michelle Parker, died this past Sunday, and here is my full tribute entry from my personal blog:

spaghettifb.blogspot.com/2008/05/goodbye-michelle-my-little-one.html

peace, tina

What's black and white and BEN all over?

2008-04-24T10:29:00.004-05:00

What's black and white and BEN all over? Today's newspaper! Specifically, the Des Moines Register Datebook features a glimpse of our very own Ben Williams, available here , and shows the heart of the one we think of as a "gentleman of jam" and "lovable hippie guru". Seriously, we're super-proud of our friend's talents and accomplishments, and hereby proclaim this as the official kickoff weekend for "The Year of Ben", not only with Kaleidoscope & Lady Blue, but especially Truth Be Told, his jam band that is rapidly rising to the top of the hippie heap.

I can't begin to tell you how much the friendship of Ben, his wife Lori, and their sons JB and Jeremy, means to us personally. (Trivia--Ben actually officiated the wedding ceremony of Brandon and me 1-1-05, and our first concert event together was with Ben and Lori to see Gov't Mule in Omaha 9-16-04--we've come a long way since that infamous car ride, haven't we!) Suffice it to say, their support in ways big and small has continually revolutionized our music and our lives. What a miracle to experience more of our dreams bobbing and weaving their way into "kaleidoscopic" reality every day. So as our tribute song, "The Gospel of Ben" says:

On this golden road of devotion
I want men of passion in my band
And in this world of lukewarm locomotion
I have faith in the faith of our faithful friend
I believe, I believe, I believe in The Gospel of Ben...

Paving the Way

2008-04-17T12:50:00.003-05:00

My name is Taylor Kinney, I'm 18 years of age, and I've been touched by the people at Kaleidoscope Sonic Lab and their boundless quest for music and friendship. I am an emerging musician, and as such, I have neither the knowledge nor experience to guide myself along the practical path of music, that is to say I will be noticed.

Upon first meeting with Tina and Brandon, I immediately sensed that all too familiar altruism when dealing with true musicians. What followed was an in depth conversation about me and my musical aspirations, both professionally and otherwise. They explained everything I would ever need to know about advancement on both the local level and, hopefully, a career in the industry. I couldn't have been more comfortable or conducive to their introductory process. Even in their seemingly endless "to do" list and schedule, they found time to come and watch one of my performances at the Iowa State Fair.

I also recorded my first demo CD at the lab, and couldn't have had a more fruitful experience. Every song was professional, clear, and exactly what I heard in my head (a difficult thing to accomplish with many musicians). Mr. Joe Koelling was a true technician, working like the master he is around the board and making every accommodation so that the finished product was more than satisfying.

I have been truly moved by not only the kindness from these wonderful musicians, but the professional and organized manner with which they conduct this new light on the music scene, and a business that Iowa, and the rest of the country for that matter, will be seeing much more of in the years to come.

Under The Dashboard--an ongoing series

2008-04-15T15:44:00.004-05:00

Since the car is such a frequent listening location for tunes, here are some "soundful thoughts about thoughtful sounds" (don't know if that really worked, but even the best wordsmiths have off days). Anyway, since the studio came into our lives, we sometimes listen to music much differently, with our "record producer mojo" working overtime in analytical frenzy. Consider these recent bits of under-the-dashboard ear candy:

David Gilmour, "On An Island"
Recorded in the plushest of studio settings, on Gilmour's luxury boat studio, this project's sonic mood is crystalline in its clarity, yet lush in its atmospheric textures. Simply put, it's just beautiful.

Blue Floyd, "Begins"
This just-released all-star project features 3 of our favorites, Marc Ford/guitar, Matt Abts/drums, and the late great Allen Woody/bass, among other luminaries. The tunes are mostly from several-years-old live performances, and its sonic mood is jammy live experimentation. You can just ease on down the road with this one, bobbing your head and swaying (but keep your eyes on the wheel).

Rolling Stones, "Beggars' Banquet"
From the first strains of track 1, the classic "Sympathy For The Devil", this project has a down-home feel to it, like Mick and the guys were on your back porch doin' it just for you.

Learning from more deeply examining "sonic moods" of numerous and diverse recordings brings an even better perspective on the importance of engineering, mixing, and mastering choices made in studio; in other words, the soundness of sound choices (hey, that was a little bit better, wasn't it?) . In future posts, we'll examine even more recordings with more sonic insights.

Feel free to share your own insights on the "sonic moods" of these and other projects...

KALEIDOSCOPE the song--verse 2

2008-04-07T10:49:00.004-05:00

Verse 2:
Change is always a wondrous thing
As the faith of old becomes a brand new sight
And life overflows with the music of love
As the color overtakes the black and white

This is of utmost encouragement today. Facing small business challenges, especially financial, as well as just trying to be the juggler you have to be in order to make it all work, and cover all the bases of an entrepreneurial venture, as excruciating as it seems, CHANGE = LIFE. In fact, that's really the medical definition of physical life and death. Death, in doctor's terms, equals "a body that does not change." So no matter what the change, it symbolizes aliveness, growth, a force at work taking the venture (sometimes kicking and screaming) from where you are to where you need to be. In the book "The Dance of Change", author Peter Senge says wisely, "there is no movement without constraint." That's the dance, and as hard as it seems to be thankful for constraints, they inevitably provoke the very best kinds of change. And that's when "the color overtakes the black and white."

Paul, Ringo, Yoko, Olivia...and You?

2008-04-01T15:38:00.004-05:00

The other night I caught a repeat of "Larry King Live" backstage on the set of the Cirque Du Soleil show called "LOVE", a presentation based on Beatles' classics, and best described as...you know I'm going there...kaleidoscopic! The teaser throughout the show was "coming up--Paul, Ringo, Yoko, and Olivia...together again." So of course at the very very end of the hour, for less than 5 minutes, yes the world gets a glimpse of this foursome, and all the warm fuzzies of memory that automatically come with this look at the 2 remaining Beatles and the spouses of the 2 who've passed.

Paul made a fascinating comment about how "Winston Churchill's old papers are crinkled up and yellow, yet our music, through the wonders of technology, just keeps getting brighter and lighter." I couldn't help but think of the amazing gift "the wonder of recording technology" has given us, to be able to preserve all our special musical inspirations, both famous and not-so-famous, for posterity. That's what I believe people sense when they walk into our "LIVE" room, the vibes of all the artists past who've lived through their moments of what I'll refer to as "inspiration preservation". When you get to do it too, you literally join the honor roll of all those who've ever shared in such a magic moment; just like Paul, Ringo, John, and George, doing their thing in settings remarkably similar to our very own here at KALEIDOSCOPE.

transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/29/lkl.02.html

Care to comment...?

Stars In Our Own Backyard--GRINWIRE

2008-03-28T12:34:00.006-05:00

I am so-o-o-o not a metal music person. Yes, I gave my husband Brandon the Metallica "Some Kind of Monster" DVD for our 1st Valentine's Day together, but that's about as far as I've gone. Enter an irresistibly lovable, powerful, passionate band of soul bro's called "Grinwire" -- www.myspace.com/grinwire. It's been a pleasure getting to know the men and their music, through their project process here at KALEIDOSCOPE.

One day, Aaron Pelky, the energetically-driven lead singer, came in early for a session to warm-up and work on vocals, with our resident vocal coach (that would be me!). The studio is such a different animal than live onstage singing, so attitude adjustments and paradigm shifts are key to session success. Among the nuggets discussed: ditch the fear--the setting is here to serve you, not vice versa; make friends with that microphone--be in command of it; use your performance physicality, be in control of the room space (in other words, the whole area in the live room, not just your little space standing at the mike). Vocally, it was about the 3 B's: Body Language, Breathing, and Big Notes! When session time came, the hunger Aaron displayed for delivering the goods was akin to a lion aiming to pounce, or a slugger poised for a grand slam.

Combine Aaron's ferocious vocal intensity with the sheer power and vitality of his playing partners-in-crime, Nick, Scott, and Stew, and you've got a heavy-metal magic force to be reckoned with, that knocks over even a non-metal person like me! When asked what he'd like to share with others about their studio experience, he said, "relax, go with the flow, enjoy your time!" Good advice for Aaron's very own upcoming wedding day on 06-07-08! Thanks, Grinwire guys, for encouraging me to expand my musical comfort zone, and for giving us the pleasure of your talented company. We believe in you!

Response welcomed!

KALEIDOSCOPE the song - Verse 1

2008-03-18T19:05:00.006-05:00

Let's do a mini-series that takes a closer look at our business through the lyrics of our company song (words and music by THF):

Verse 1:
Change is never an easy thing
As it carries us into a grand design
Farewell to the mysteries that break our hearts
As the morning dawn awakens the divine

Wow, what does this have to do with wheeling and dealing in our local music/audio world? Aside from being the composer of these words, while I read them now as an entrepreneurial businessperson, I see transition, creativity, personal growth. So many times when people come to us with their music and audio needs, their specific situation is somehow related to a life crossroads, a significant special occasion, some catalytic event or phase that has given birth to new music, etc. As we at KALEIDOSCOPE relate to our customers, we are mindful of these personal details, and followthrough with executing the customer's needs accordingly, making strategic use of our technical and artistic expertise in ways that are sensitive to both the person and the product.

Back when I worked in customer service at The Principal Financial Group when my daughter was a toddler, I was trained with a little motto that still serves me well today in this work: person first, problem second; feelings first, facts second. A purely technical approach might work for a plumber coming to fix your sink. But "fixing a song" is different, whether in the studio or on the stage. Those charged with this task must meet the customer where they're at. On some rare occasions I've seen customers come in, usually for some high-speed emergency need, and pass through with a fairly non-relational process. But way more often than not, it's in conjunction with a milestone, an achievement, some personal angle that is pertinent to the product, that we would be foolish not to be aware of and provide support for. Just another example of the many things we're learning as we seek to improve our services and ourselves.

What are YOU learning these days...?

The M of our EMT group

2008-03-14T14:18:00.006-05:00

At Kaleidoscope, we're fortunate to be on track with an acclaimed small business source called "The E-Myth." This school of thought outlines an "EMT magic combination" for a managerial team, Entrepreneur-Manager-Technician. Joe Koelling's our Technician, I'm the Entrepreneur, and the Manager is none other than the incomparable Ben Williams. Ben is "quite a human resource," as his abilities take shape in an awesome combination of skills all perfectly designed to fit together for building our business, almost as if he were born for it! This past year, after achieving top-level accolades in his insurance career, Ben (and his family--Lori, JB, and Jeremy) took an extraordinary dive off the safe status quo board into the challenging liberation of the faith ocean, in order to pursue the awakening of some long-sleeping dreams, not only for his own sake but to impact countless songs and lives.

Per "The E-Myth ", the Entrepreneur works a little IN and a lot ON the business, the Technician works a little ON and a lot IN the business, and the Manager works both IN and ON the business. Ben shows natural wisdom in both these directions, transforming our daily grind into daily gratitude. Yes, that sounds a little precious, but it's true nonetheless. Connect with Ben at Kaleidoscope, or at his bands' shows (Lady Blue--www.myspace.com/ladyblueband as well as the new jam band he leads called Truth Be Told--www.myspace.com/truthbtoldband, and the acoustic trio Embryo). And don't be surprised when you find yourself believing as we do, in "the gospel of Ben".

Shout-outs welcomed...!

The very first post - Technology and Touch-ology

2008-03-05T23:08:00.005-06:00

Yin and yang, right-brain and left brain, inspiration plus perspiration, we've all heard the examples touting the need for seemingly opposing forces to work together in an integrated fashion. I'm convinced that this particular need is vital for success in all aspects of the music industry, and especially when it comes to recording. I like to think of it as "technology and touch-ology." Here at KALEIDOSCOPE, I regularly witness the integrated application of these two forces, and I'm thankful for a setting that is teaching us all to master this delicate balance.

After nearly a year in this business endeavor, all the knobs and bells and whistles and levers and wires and speakers still make my head spin every time I walk through the control room. And I empathize with the mystified, quizzical looks of our customers, eager to "get in on" the magic they see and feel in our studio setting, even while being just a teeny bit intimidated by their non-grasp of the technological aspects of the tracking, the mixing, the mastering, etc. . But along the way, we are growing daily in our understanding of the "technology and touch-ology" principle, and it's gratifying to see so many songs (and lives) be influenced by it.

Comments invited and encouraged...