#COLLABWEEK KICK OFF

Hey ya'll! I've been a little hush lately, but busy busy in some great ways! Lots of music and lots of collaborations over these past few months. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a serious hip-hop fan(Stan) and I've had the privilege of jumping on some tracks and writing with some MC's that I admire! Lucky me! 

That being said, I'm kicking off #collabweek today! For the rest of the week I'll be sharing announcements about the artists/projects I'm working with. Some songs I'll share, some you'll have to wait for the goodies! 

Excited to start by giving you all a recent collab I did with the one and only Mega Ran.  I've known Random for many years. We both came out of the Phoenix area and he's had huge success this year with his touring and the September release of his latest album RNDM. This song REVISIONS is about the "miseducation", if you will, that so many of us have experienced in America. As a teacher for many years himself, Random naturally has lot to say about this! Check out the track below! 

Seriously guys, I had so much fun writing this song and recording it. Much love to Random for allow me to share myself here and for putting it on the final album cut! I'm honored. Cheers to many more collabs in the future! 

Cop Mega Ran's full RNDM album HERE.

#COLLABWEEK

#MusicMonday Album Inspiration

Album Inspiration # 10: Singing Like Breathing 

For those of you who breathe, you'll follow me here. Singing is that necessary. It comes that consistently, that immediately, that intrinsically. It's like my most essential way of communicating. There in lies all the vulnerabilities, all the funk, all the persuasion, all my best parts, my ugly parts. My ego, my fear. As I try to keep everything together, try to hold on to what makes me sane, I always come back to my singing. My body. My instrument. My breath.

Some inspiration for the week. Listen for the hits. The breaks. The stretches. The movement. 

#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! 

Sound check'n some Tracy Chapman with @the_misu_band! #fastcar #tracychapman #music #musiclife #ellewinstonlive #ellewinston #ewtour2015 #summerinthecity #mercurylounge #nyc #les #nycmusic #singer #songwriter #song #latergram @ejbhammond @andreforestaljr @granvillemullingsjr @mercuryloungeny

A video posted by Elle Winston (@ellewinston) on Aug 2, 2015 at 1:05pm PDT

#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!