#MusicMonday Notes on Showing Up

MERCURY LOUNGE SURPRISE SHOW RECAP

 

Saturday afternoon I'm sitting on my couch. Get an email from Mercury Lounge...

ML:  We have a slot open at 10:30pm and 11:30pm tonight. Can you play?

EW: Sure! 

After a series of text messages and emails, I was able to round up the incomparable Misunderstand Band, comprised of Granville Mullings Jr., Emmanual Blanchard Jr. and Andre Forestal Jr. I arrived at the venue early and as I sat and watched the crowd slowly fade out, I started to feel like maybe it was going to be a rough evening. But as we got on stage and we started to play, a handful of people came through the doors and we played and played. What was supposed to be an 11:30pm - 12:15am set, ended up going until 1:00am! We danced, the staff partied with us and I ended my surprise Saturday night with the best show I've had all summer. It was a testament to the importance of saying yes, taking a chance and simply showing up. The music is the point. It always comes back to that. When I let the rest fall away and remember to do what I love, I realize that everything is in order. 

Thank you to Mercury Lounge for having us, The MisU band for coming through in the clutch. Thank you to Missy Robles for always being there and for the folks who came to the show and gave so much love. Cheers to summers in this beloved city! 

#EWTOUR2015

#MusicMonday Notes on Asking For Help

Anyone who's ever put together a sizable project knows that cost and planning is always the hardest part. I sat down with a friend of mine Shareef Clayton recently to pick his brain on putting together an album and his advice: Step 1. PLAN, Step 2. PLAN, Step 3. BUDGET, Step 4. PLAN. Ha! Good advice though. 

For someone like myself who is notoriously terrible at planning for in advance (due to my propensity for procrastination and inconsistency) and one who is even worse at asking for help - there comes a point in every project where you feel stuck. Maybe I've maxed out my output, maybe I've run out of ideas. I think the truth is that at some point in your work, you realize that you need to ask for more help! Not a fun realization. Pretty sure I've reached that point in the process of making this album. I like to believe that I have the answers, the time, the skills - and some of which I do. Frankly though, some of which I just don't. 

When I think about the people in my circle who I could turn to for help - so much talent, so much warmth and generosity - but also so busy. Who am I to take their time and energy for my work? Who am I to inconvenience them with my inequities? Yes, this is the reel playing in my head. Ultimately, I think it comes down to the fear of having to do alone versus the fear of having to be a student. Being a student requires humility and vulnerability. That requires the laying down of one's guard. 

It is in the spirit of tackling that fear that I begin this week inspired. Don't be too enthused folks - watch out, you might be getting an email from me for some help! LOL 

Have a great week, 

Elle 

p.s. Listen to some good music this Monday. Started mine out with "...Goingtohell" by Miguel! 

Notes on How To Make It In America

"This city is eating me alive." - Rachel

This weekend I spent Sunday watching the whole first and second season of How To Make It In America. Forgot how easy it was to breeze right through that show. The characters feel familiar. The setting is home. It rides the unlikely line of being totally aspirational and totally real. There's something about it that makes you feel like even in the wild, crowded city, you can write your own story and make a way for yourself on your own terms.  

I needed a reminder of that this weekend. After a tough show, a string of long nights at my 9 to 5, the hottest week of the summer and a terrible hangover - I was feeling like this city was truly "eating me alive."  I sat on the couch with a cold glass of water, my fan blowing and my lady and we watched the pilot. After it was done, we looked at each other with the "we can do it grin" and felt a surge of revitalization. I relished in a moment of love for my city and the memory of why we came here. 

It's Monday. I'm back on the grind and ever motivated to keep writing this story. 

-Elle 

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Show Announcement: 5050 Music & Arts Festival

Hey all - amped to be singing at this year's 5050 Music Festival. Lots of emerging talent and local favorites hitting the stage. Join us at 3PM - it's a short set, so get there early! Tickets only $5! 

Peep a little preview from our rehearsal last night! 

i love when rehearsal is in my living room.

A video posted by Melissa Robles (@missyrobles) on

Brooklyn, NY 11216, USAinfo@ellewinston.com
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