Virginia is for (music) lovers

So I'm a little behind in updating my blog...it's true. Sorry for that. I've been busy with all good things though, it hasn't been out of laziness. In fact, I'm working a little too much most of the time, but I'm loving everything I'm doing.

I've been getting out of New York City a little bit lately which has been wonderful. I was able to play in Philly for the first time (loved it), and also went down to Virginia once again with dear singer-songwriter friends of mine. There is something about road tripping with friends that is so enjoyable. Especially when on tour. And you certainly get to know one another well when you have over 12 hours in a car together. I learned that Todd Kramer and Matt Sucich have the best New York City accents of all time (which I fail miserably at mimicking). I learned that Rachel Epp is a Celine Dion fan to the core and knows every song of hers on pretty much any album. I learned that Matt will sleep on the floor so you can have the couch and will buy you your favorite watermelon sour patch kid snacks because he knows you like them. I learned that Todd is kind enough to drive to each borough in the city to pick you up and and will drive through the night so you can make it to work on time the next morning.

Pretty much I was lucky enough to tour to VA with an amazing bunch of people. Not only that, but the hosts of the house parties were also gracious and so kind. We played at The Camel on Tuesday night (see photo below), a house concert on Friday night in Charlottesville, at Para Coffee and on UVA campus during the day on Saturday, and at two different house concerts on Saturday night in Richmond. It was an amazing couple of days of music.

Here we are on UVA campus in this little YouTube clip. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, and after long winter months in New York City, we couldn't help ourselves but to play music outside.



I feel I also need to give a special thanks to Naomi Steckman for playing cello with us and letting us crash at her apartment, and also to Rachel's sister for letting us sleep in her living room and making us homemade granola bars! Thank you for all for being so kind.

The trip back to New York from Virginia was hilarious. I decided to post this video for you to experience a little of it. Aside from the killer music, I love watching Todd and Matt's hand motions, and how the scenery changes as the time goes on in the video. I will warn you before watching it that it may have you craving more 90's music in your life once you see it. (Just sayin'...don't say I didn't warn you).



Welp, thanks for reading. I'll be sure to post soon about future shows I have coming up that I'm REALLY excited about. So keep posted. Lastly, happy Spring everyone.

Xo,

Bianca

Birds fly over the rainbow, then why can't I?

The Valentine's Day show was a week ago today exactly. It was such a whirlwind of a day, I can't even begin to tell you. Ok, that's a lie...I'll certainly try to tell you. For some moments of the day, it seemed as if nothing more could go wrong! Yes, go wrong. I felt my faith challenged to the core. "Everything is working together for our good," I would tell Naomi as we'd laugh (to keep from crying) about the silly things that seemed to be getting in the way of having a successful night. Here's a quick timeline of the 24 hour craziness.

• Monday, 8pm: Naomi is supposed to be arriving to my house at this time but instead calls me to tell me her car has broken down, she's in Maryland, and took the car to the dealer who just informed her it'll be $2000 to fix. (So Naomi ends up trading in her car that night, and gets a great deal on a newer car, and makes it to NYC at 3am)
• Tuesday, 10am: Because we got a late start, we ended up not getting as much rehearsal time, but Tuesday morning (with groggy eyes and all) we get up, get ready, and rehearse. Meanwhile, some people who we were relying on to help us out with merch items, and so forth...end up bailing last minute, so the merch items were still to be finished, but we HAD to rehearse first and foremost, so that's what we did.
• Tuesday, 2:30pm: Then before we left, I attempted to print some things out before the show, but of course I ran out of printing paper so had to scramble to find scraps...and it was a disaster in my apartment all the while, and we were now running late...
• Tuesday, 3:00pm: We get everything ready and head in to the City to meet up with the band to do one last rehearsal. I get a text message from our drummer, "I'm not going to make the rehearsal and probably not making the show, in the ER, I'll explain later." What? First of all, are you safe, and second of all, I have no drummer. (Side note: medical emergency he and his wife had to attend to was a totally legit excuse though...for real, so no hard feelings). My stomach felt like I had a pit in it...but I continued to tell myself..."Everything is going to work out fabulously..."
• Tuesday 5:26pm: During rehearsal, I got a parking ticket (Gotta love NYC parking police)
• Tuesday 6:45pm: Then Naomi and I get stuck in Valentine's Day traffic (Yes, stuck. Meaning, the light would go from green to yellow to red and you haven't moved more than 5 feet)
• Tuesday, 7:25pm: We decide we're better off just parking and walking the half a mile to the venue because traffic was so bad. So we carry all our crap while walking as fast as possible, and my arms feel like they're going to fall off.
• Tuesday, 7:45pm: We get to the venue and head back stage. Guess who I meet there?? I meet Tony Lucca and Sarah Bareilles before my show back stage (Yes, that's right, I met them and had a quick chat before I went on stage...this is no lie. Tony had a show before and after our Valentine's Day show...I was amazed and frankly a little intimidated.)
• Tuesday 8:05pm: Then while on stage, my acoustic guitar chord wasn't plugged in all the way, so it cuts out during my first song. (But we fixed it...don't worry) Still sucked though.
• ...And then I played my set. I was really trying hard to shake off all the anxiety that had built up from the past 24 hours, and I was trying hard to stay present and really enjoy the moment of the songs. (Sounds kind of cliche, but I really feel that that is when I perform best...when I'm totally present.) So as the show progressed, I felt myself slipping back into that ease and into what I like to call, the "sweet spot" of the performance. Actually, the rest of the night was pretty great. Great music, great friends, and delicious cookies and treats. After all, what more could go wrong at this point, right?

Whenever I experience stress like that, I often find myself asking "Self: why do you do all this again? What's the purpose behind it all?" ...And I find that it's a really good thing for me to ask myself, so that I can focus and get even more clear on what it is I am doing and going after. I have to go back to the source, for me...that means going back to God...and asking Him, "What exactly is it that you want me to do, and why and how?" I don't always get an answer to the "How" question, because for me...that's where faith comes into play...but I do get an answer that comes in various ways as to the "What and Why" questions. Why do I do this?? Because it's in my heart, to share music with the world, to use it as a way to move, inspire and uplift. I can't let fear get in the way of that.

Today, I wrote in my journal about all of this (because I get the day off from work, and am sick at home with strep throat), and I realized that the urge to quit playing, writing and performing can at times be very tempting. Even still...I learn from the set backs, I continue moving forward in directions that pull at me so hard sometimes, in ways I can't deny. The thought of giving up, it's even worse that the thought of failing. And the things I learn from the supposed "failures" are priceless. 

So I get back up, and try to fly over the rainbow, because why not? If birds can do it, then why can't I? Somewhere over the rainbow, there's a land where the dreams that we dare to dream really do come true. 

Here's a clip from the night..."Somewhere Over the Rainbow," one of my favs...hope you enjoy!


Xo,


Bianca

Finally...day 11 of the 12 days of Valentine's Day!!

This is it...the show is tomorrow. After this, I promise to go back to talking about normal things, and not so much about heart candy and love songs. For the time being though, it was fun. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night. I can't wait to either see you there or tell you all about it!

Here's our last reminder video about the show...just in case you forgot.

Much love- Xoxo,

Bianca

90's love songs...why do we not listen to them more often? (Day 10 of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day)

This was supposed to be posted last night, but seeing as to how we finished these cookies at 2 in the morning, it was too late by then, and I decided to post them Monday morning instead.

These cookies happen to be my specialty...and we made a double batch for tomorrow's V-day show. You'll have to come to try them I'm afraid. Also, we were considering singing this song for our show, but unfortunately it's too late to throw it together with the band, so maybe another time...maybe.

Xoxo,

Bianca

Merch item making (Day 9 of the 12 days of Valentine's Day)

This post was supposed to go up on Saturday night, because this is what Amy and I made on Friday night...made cute little buttons, heart candy bags, and little download cards in heart shapes. (Awww) It was a fun time, although a we got a little too happy on the sugar treats. Here's a little sneak peek of our merch items for our Valentine's Day show in this photo. We're putting a lot of love into this show. Seriously, it's true...each bag of goodies was made with love. It's going to be such a great night, and these little babies are just the cherry on top. Only a few days away!

Xoxo,

Bianca

I'm addicted...(Day 8 of the 12 days of Valentine's)

(My nephew...cutest kid ever.)

So I've fallen in love with a few blogs as of late. And since I've been posting every day about things that I love before Valentine's Day, I figured I'd go ahead and post about these blogs that I'm loving so much.

First one you must check out is Weeds to Wishes.

This blog is actually my lovely sister's blog. But I'm not kidding you, her blog is amazing, and especially if your a mommy a kiddies. This blog has amazing photos, amazing insights and, my sister is a counselor as well so she gives great giveaways and tips for parenting, etc. Check it out.

Second blog I love is appropriately titled Love and Photographs. This blogger is so real to me, I feel like we're friends even though I've never actually met her in person. We're both 26. We both have cute husbands. We both live in cool cities. We both are members of the same church. And, we are into creative things. I love catching up on her vintage clothing line, and her adorable life. She also has been kind enough to share my music on her blog which is so awesome! I love her blog- you must read it.

Lastly, a blog I LOVE! Is also appropriately called, A Blog About Love.  This blog has been so fascinating to read because not only do I know the couple personally (we lived in Mara's rental apartment when we lived in Brooklyn), but I relate so much to her posts, it's amazing! I feel like her life discoveries are things I'm just discovering now as well! I love this blog. Seriously, if you've ever been through something hard (who hasn't?) then read it.

And that's all I have for you tonight folks. Happy Friday! See you in a few days at the V-day show. Xoxo!

B

This is what helps my ADD brain function (Day 7 of the 12 days of Valentine's)

"To Do" lists. This is what my "To Do" lists have looked like as of late.

(Side Note: Just a few more days before the big show on Valentine's Day at Rockwood Music Hall! How exciting.)