JazzX Festival, Timisoara, Romania
I just got the Master back for my 5th solo album. I listened to it twice, on 2 different headphones and 2 locations - once in my house in pajamas with coffee and the other on my bike as I casually zipped around town. One listen-through is intense, zoned in, eyes closed. The other is taking in the environment. Bridges opening and closing over canals, construction site jackhammers, babies crying.
Am I background music? Do I command attention? I have no clue. But once I sign off on this album, I will never listen to it again. I’ve always done that. I don’t know if that’s weird or common. I think I read that Joni Mitchell does the same thing so I ain’t that crazy…
I call this Music and Bravery because it is scary putting out an album. Terrifying, actually. This now means that people can criticize you! Bash your songs! Compare you to others! The trolls come out! Yay! (I have the best trolls ever, by the way). I know now that it’s just a part of the industry fabric and I’ve sure as hell gotten used to it. But I’m going to try and be courageous and not invite that fear in this time round ‘cause ya look for it, it’s gonna come find ya.
I am planning to go to the Ukraine/Poland border this week (Przemysl to be exact) to volunteer with World Central Kitchen. I don’t know if it’s stupid or brave. But it’s in my heart so as of today, my flight is booked. I will chop vegetables and stir soup for 6 hours if I have to. I sometimes get a bit woozy with slight trepidation about going but I’m keeping an eye on every news pop-up and will decide based on what I feel the morning of my flight.
Putting an album out and going into a war zone are both terrifying. And for the record, I know I don’t NEED to say this because you are intelligent people reading this: I am not comparing an album release to a war. Every image of a Ukrainian refugee slices my heart. A life boiled down to what they can fit in their backpack. What would I carry in my backpack if this was my time to run in search of a new life? So, yeah. I am thinking about my fears today and what I’m willing to put on the line. How will I put one foot in front of the other…
There is a girl next to me in a coffee shop selfie-ing away. I wonder what her bravery is behind that sassy lip gloss. At the next table, 3 girls in hijabs and Converse high tops are giggling contagiously over dessert. I wonder what their bravery is. This new album is full of songs about all of these girls. How I’ve related to them in my life growing up in NYC, on tour in Europe or watching them live a different kind of life on one of my trips to Kenya. I’m singing about all of their/our bravery.
I’m going to get on my bike home now and maaaybe have 1 or 2 more listens to the new Master. This *might* be a good sign that I *think* I love my new album (did I just say that?) and for the first time in years, I am not as critical of my voice and the stories I sing. That’s my little sliver of bravery for today. Tomorrow it will hopefully be something else.
Photo by Caroline Le Duc
Lucy talks about the balancing work and life from childhood to life on the road in ShoutOut LA Magazine.
Delighted to be featured on The Career Podcast! This show is meant for any aspiring musician or artist who is learning about where they “fit in” in the music business aaaand where they don’t and absolutely shouldn’t have to ever ever ever fit in! Nomad (the host) speaks and lives with an incredibly motivational passion and love for what he does. You can hear us blab about holding onto that, building skill and remaining kind (even in tough times when you know you can be easily replaced). Of course a little jump around my career seeps through. Spotify Apple
We had the please of playing on NPR’s Mountain Stage. Check it out if you wanna hear some goodness.
Fun Fact: I was getting over an awful chest cold but if you can hear through the phlegm, I am sure a few notes came out ok!
All tickets on sale here…
Charlie Hunter and I had a beautiful time opening for our Snarky Puppy friends this past week. Nothing has changed since I started making music with those boys back in 2011. It really hasn’t. Community, integrity and being absolutely in love what they do thrives now - more than ever. Throw me and Charlie in the mix and we are a bunch of mushy peas in a big ol’ pod (in the shape of a tour bus). We open for them in Royal Albert Hall tomorrow night and I am a bit emo about it. My dad will be in attendance and he conducted the BBC Singers in the very same hall in the 70’s so there’s that…
Hear Lucy & Charlie interviewed on BBC Oxford Radio after they open for Snarky Puppy in Oxford, UK. (interview available for 30 days)
Honored to be a part of this wild British Invasion Latin Explosion next week in Miami! Will be rehearsing this coming week with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra (80 piece orchestra/big band)! Total heaven. This season of Jazz Roots is kicking off on November 1 at 8 P.M. with the British-inspired stylings of the Beatles, Sting and more, with award-winning performers like José Feliciano, Arturo Sandoval and featuring the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Arsht Center, Miami TICKETS.
