My grandmother, Mary Lee Swinney, once told me that I started singing before I learned to crawl. She said that whenever she would hold and rock me, I'd begin to hum. I've always loved music, I've always sung.
I've been writing poetry, lyrics, and stories for as long as I can remember being able to hold a pencil in my hand. I do a lot of journaling, and often, lyrics just pour out...answers to my requests for guidance in my life; expressions of joy or sorrow; delight in the present moment...
If I couldn't create these songs, I'd have to hold it all inside!
My original music is a fusion of styles. Sometimes jazzy, sometimes bluesy, world/folk, kind of new agey... Many people have tried to describe what I do. Someone once described it as "Vollenweider with lyrics". Someone else said "Imagine Debussy invited Janis over to jam..." OK,... so I don't REALLY sound like THAT! Let's just say it's diverse and different. I play a Lyon & Healy Electric Concert Harp through an Alesis Quadroverb. My current favorite all purpose effect is called "Large Vocal Plate". It gives the harp a really cool ethereal sound, with a powerful bass that sounds like an electric bass guitar. I improvise a lot. I've developed some of my own Harp techniques, to get the kinds of sounds I want. Mostly I just play and sing and go with the flow.
My songs express emotions, ideas, hopes, and fears that we all share. My songs are about choosing to live life, guided by Spirit. I sing about planetary politics. I sing about mindfulness, addictions, & reaching for the highest. I also sing about intimate love.
To find out more about my CDs, listen to some samples, and/or order CDs with a credit card, go Here.
I also have an email list, for letting friends know when and where I'm playing and when my new CD's are coming out. If you'd like to join that list, send me an email, including where you live (city/state), and if you're outside of St. Louis, feel free to send info on venues I might play at in your local area..
To find out where I'm playing this month, visit my calendar...