Laura Harley

Now that I’m back in Minneapolis, I’m extremely busy with work. LOTS of things to do and catch up on, its sort of overwhelming. It felt like some of my work and related responsibilities receded for a while during my latest time in LA, and then it all came rushing back over me like a giant wave the minute I got back to Minneapolis.

BUT…I am very happy to say that somehow, despite the busy-ness, I’ve managed to be disciplined about my writing and in the past week I finished one song (the latest one I dreamed) and have most of another one written (just a few more vocal melodies to finalize and then I need to write the lyrics). Playing so many shows has made me want to write more material. The latest song I’m writing is on the piano and the process has been so…..what’s the word…..intricate. I feel like I’m in a tunnel with lots of blues and greens and lights when I am writing this one (and no, I don’t do drugs). I know it sounds weird, but I get images when I write that are sort of like emotion-scapes (and yes, I did just make up a word)—colors, places, little memories, feelings. This one keeps reeling me in. It has been challenging, but it also just keeps calling to me, inviting me to go deeper. And so I’ve not been getting much sleep. I guess that’s how I’ve managed to do all my work AND write.

In other news, I got my photos back today from my Varsity show in Minneapolis. They are really cool-looking because the lights at the Varsity are SO great and because the photographer, Clark Patrick, is excellent. I’ll share more soon, but for now, here is one of them:

Well, I’m back in the Mini-Apple. The trees are changing colors here and it is quite beautiful. It feels weird to have left before the change started and to have returned in the midst of it—kind of like I was zapped in and out of my life with lost time.

But of course, there was no lost time, just a very busy time with all my shows….

I played my first Borders show last week and it was SO great! I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first. I got there and it was as quiet as a library with people reading all around me. And I knew I had to start playing loud music and wasn’t sure how that would go over. But it was grrrreat! Some people came specifically to see the show and some came and sat down as they wandered into the store and heard me singing. There were SO many people that came in and out, it was perfect to sing for so many new people. And afterwards, I got to connect with a lot of them (I connect with people in clubs, too, but its much easier to talk in a bookstore than a loud club!). And it was so nice to have people of all ages there–including some adorable little kids. One little girl was peeking in and out at me from behind some rows of books the whole time. So cute! I’m really looking forward to more Borders shows. Here are some photos of it:

And last night I played at The Zabee Theater opening for the very funny comedian (and very nice person) C. Willi Wyles. It was so much fun for me to get to open for a comedian because when I was done with my set, I got to watch his set and laugh for an hour. Excellent. And, check this out….I got my own dressing room! And there was bottled water and fresh fruit in there! At clubs, you usually get a drink ticket (and I don’t even drink) and sometimes a soundcheck. Here, I got an extra long and luxurious soundcheck, people to help me with carrying my stuff, and a dressing room. I felt like a queen. The theater was beautiful and the audience was great. Plus, it was a treat to be part of the Elk River Arts Alliance series—it is a wonderful organization. Here are some photos (taken by my lovely friend, Mara—thanks, Mara!)

Well guys, I had a great time at my show at The Derby last night! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to see me play. I again got to play for a big new audience and got to meet some truly lovely people. Here are some photos from the show:

The biggest success for me, though, was that I applied a lot of my learning from this tour to the show last night. This tour has reminded me of some of the things a musical road warrior needs to know. For example, it is crucial to be assertive and get what you need on stage so that you can perform well. It is also very important (and can be very challenging) to stay in your “zone” no matter what happens. This means that when people are rude or late, when the sound is bad (and you can’t hear yourself singing), when plans fall apart, or when you find yourself playing to a crowd whose fave music style is not what you play, you need to still BRING IT.

I am someone who is tremendously sensitive to my surroundings and the needs of people around me. So, it is very challenging for me to ignore all that, go inside and just pull out the best performance possible. But I was able to do that last night! And, do you know what? It gets easier the more I do it. In fact, I got a thrill from just doing my own thing and being confident in it. (And I LOVE it when I win people over—you know the kind that start off cold, maybe ignoring you or writing you off, and by the end they are absorbed in your show—ooooh that is a thrill.) Touring actually requires calling on one’s courage and detachment. And a little bit of sassy-ness as well—in my head I’m like, “Just do your thing, girl!” It is very good for me—it’s making me grow in new ways. So, success all around! I’m playing tonight (Friday) at the Borders in Glendale and Saturday night at The Zabee Theater in Elk River. More info here.

I’m looking forward to playing the next 3 nights in a row. Thursday night at The Derby in L.A., Friday night at Borders in Glendale, and Saturday night at The Zabee Theater (900 School Street) as part of The Elk River Arts Alliance in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area. Lots of singing and traveling!

While on this tour, I’ve been working on the latest song I dreamed. This time, the music and a theme were present in my mind when I woke up. The song is about home. I mean home in the broadest and deepest sense. Sometimes when something hard or upsetting happens I catch myself thinking “I just want to go home!”—kind of like what children say when they want comfort. It’s a thought I have a lot. The funny thing is, sometimes I actually AM at home when I think this thought. So, really, this thought is less about home literally and more about home in the emotional sense. It is more of a feeling of comfort and safety. It is something we (hopefully) have all experienced at some points in our lives, but it can be fleeting. And I think we all long for that feeling and to stay in that feeling. So that is what I’ve been writing about….the pull and elusiveness of home.

Man, that sounds so sad. But I find I am so drawn to explore sadness when I write. The truth is that longing for home can be sad, but it can also be beautiful. It makes us appreciate it more when we have it and it makes us try to move towards positive things like community, love, unity, and safety. So in a sense, I feel we were designed to long for home, and to experience the sadness and beauty that can come from experiencing it.

Speaking of home, when I travel and tour so much, my sense of home becomes sort of fuzzy in my mind. I find myself feeling at home in small moments—-putting on my PJs, saying my prayers, eating certain meals, hearing my mom’s voice, getting an email from a good friend. All of these things become like home…and yet I still long for more of it…

Below is a discounted ticket to get into my show at The Derby in L.A. this Thursday night at 10:30pm. Just print it out and bring it with you to receive $4 off the price at the door (full price is $12).

Yesterday I had the opportunity to play for a group of wonderful children and it was my favorite performance so far! Some good friends of mine here in L.A. hold a weekly neighborhood children’s class. It is a place for children of all backgrounds to come and learn about virtues, hear stories about how to put them in action in their own lives, and learn songs and prayers. They asked me to come and be the “special musical guest” for the day. I jumped at the chance because I hold these sorts of classes in Minneapolis and they are the highlight of every week! I played a song of mine for the children and they were so attentive and sweet. I taught them some motions to go along with the song and it was such a joy to see these beautiful little faces looking up at me and singing along. Here are a couple photos from the day.

Carrying in a guitar got the kids’ attention and they had lots of questions:

Here they are coloring drawings about the virtue for the day, “Courtesy”:

Also, thanks to everyone who came out to the show at Welcome Cafe in Redondo Beach! Here are some photos from the performance: