#TBT Being In A Band

I moved to NYC four years ago and upon making that decision, one of the hardest things to face was leaving the band I was playing with - pictured above. This band shaped how I approach performing, how I engage with the music I make and taught me a lot about the dynamics of a band. 

These guys were/are passionate, talented, funny, intense and know a good beer! They made me work hard, made me laugh, made me cry a couple times and respected me very much for what I brought to the group. 

This Sunday I'm continuing my Summer In The City Tour in Central Park and performing a couple of the tunes that we used to perform together. At rehearsal last week, the songs felt familiar, but also different. Nice to feel like I've grown, but also nice to remember what it was like to play with these very special friends. 

Catch me and my current group of great players this Sunday from 2-4 PM at the Harlem Meer Performance Festival.  

#EWTOUR2015 Kick Off!

Brooklyn Kick Off! 

This Sunday, myself and Mr. Julian Litwack kicked off my Summer In The City Tour in style and in my home neighborhood of Bed-Stuy! The show was at the House of Art Gallery as part of the Make Music NY Festival and celebrating the opening of the gallery's AFROS Exhibit. 

The crowd was kind, the weather held out - started pouring about ten minutes after we wrapped - and we moseyed on over to Bed-Vyne Brew afterwards to celebrate with great beer and great company. 

Photos by Missy Robles

live from bedford stuyvesant. @ellewinston #ewtour2015

A video posted by Melissa Robles (@missyrobles) on Jun 21, 2015 at 3:12pm PDT

having a ballast point calico at bed-vyne brew. kicking off @ellewinston's nyc summer tour. #ewtour2015 #bedstuy

A photo posted by Melissa Robles (@missyrobles) on Jun 21, 2015 at 4:31pm PDT

Follow us on the tour! #ewtour2015

Next stop is Harlem Meer Performance Festival this Sunday, June 28th! 

Summer In The City Tour Announcement

My band and I will be all over the city, playing music and having fun! Follow us through New York this summer! More dates to be announced in the coming weeks. 

Photo above by Ashton Alexander. 

Tix & Times HERE. 

#ewtour2015

#MusicMonday Album Inspiration

Album Inspiration #9: What Do You Do When It Leaves You?

I've been in a tough spot lately. Day job has been demanding, relationships are demanding, relaxation is tempting, etc. All of these things are good and fulfilling, but at the end of the days, the weeks - have a way of pushing out creative time. 

When I started this album, I was in what I called a recession. I had no motivation, no will to create and it felt like a wall was in front of me. No tools to break through it. I started a book called the Artist's Way, which helped me quite a lot. Helped me move through that time and reflect. 

As I come up on what feels like the tail end of the album writing process, I feel a bit empty. Not sure if I'm tired or if I'm being lazy, but neither scenario feels good. Have I dug deep enough? Have I said all I'm supposed to say? Am I tuckering out with so much still left to do? Those are frightening questions to answer, because at the end of everyone is the reality that there's a long road ahead. 

It makes me afraid. It makes me stand still with my eyes on the ground. 

Today I'm looking for the inspiration and I'm hoping to find it. If you know of something that's inspiring you right now, please share. I could use it. 

Here's to finding it and looking up! 

Elle