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Here’s what I’ll be listening to this week.
Sing Joy Spring - The Manhattan Transfer
Run Every Time - Gavin DeGraw
Knocks Me Off My Feet - Stevie Wonder
Queen Of The New Year - Deacon Blues
Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic
Comin’ Home Baby - Mel Tormé
Purple Rain - Prince
All The Things You Are - Ella Fitzgerald
You can listen to the 2022 playlist here.
Today is Day 7 of Yoga with Adriene’s Move - A 30 Day Yoga Journey. I’ve been doing yoga - and Yoga with Adriene - for a few years now in a very on-and-off kind of fashion, but this is the first time I am incorporating this daily practice with my music practice.
Breathing, posture, consistency - three things that I’m already taking away from my daily yoga session and putting into my singing and saxophone rehearsing. I’m not going to lie, it had been a long time since I picked up my saxophone, and man alive my breath control was lacking. By integrating yoga on a more consistent basis, I can already hear the difference it’s making.
I’ve also started to become stronger in other areas - not just physically, but mentally. I’m feeling calmer before I step onto the stage, and staying level-headed when things don’t always go to plan. I’m also celebrating the fact that I’m taking 30 minutes out of my day for me and my wellbeing. To be honest, that’s reason enough to keep going.
Are you taking part in Move? Or are you incorporating other kinds of movement into your daily routine? Comment below and let me know!
And just like that, it’s 2022! I’ve written 2021 about a hundred times already in the last few days…but it’s definitely 2022. For me, a new year brings a wave of organising and planning. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be getting organised too, so I wanted to let you know about my vocal lesson schedule for this term.
My availability for teaching has changed. I’ve been lucky enough to be back gigging and on tour over the last six months, and so I’m no longer scheduling weekly lessons with students. I now upload my availability at the start of every month on my booking page - so if you are preparing for an exam or an audition, or you are new to singing and fancy giving it a go, get in touch! There are a few spaces left for January, or come back on February 1st to book a lesson next month!
You can book via the Vocal Lessons page, and if you have any questions you can contact me here. I look forward to working with you soon.
Music Monday is back! It might be a one off, it might be more regular than that - but for now, here is the first Music Monday of 2022.
Here’s what I’ll be listening to this week.
You're All I Need To Get By - Aretha Franklin
Me and Julio Down By The School Yard - Simon & Garfunkel
Honeysuckle Rose (Live) - Ella Fitzgerald
Les Fleurs - Minnie Riperton
Evergreen - Yebba
Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
The Song of Purple Summer - Spring Awakening
It Must Have Been Love - Roxette
(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me - Dionne Warwick
You can listen to the 2022 playlist here.
1. Try
If you don't try, you don't know. Rule number one for my students is that we never say 'I can't do something'. As with anything in life, if you don't try something you will never know if you can do it or not. Saying 'I can't do something' means you're just postponing the attempt. If a student says that to me, I immediately add 'yet' to the end of their sentence. 'I can't do something yet' means they aware of an area they need to work on, and reminds them that anyone can do anything with enough practice and determination, if they just give it a go in the first place! Which leads me nicely on to point #2.
2. Practice
Practice is the only way you're going to get better at something. The more you exercise your voice, the more control you're going to have over it. Practice with your exercises and warm ups and then apply to a specific song you’re working on. Can it feel frustrating and tedious? Yes, of course. Is it worth it? 100%. You’ll see!
3. Confidence
This is what I always bring lessons back round to - CONFIDENCE. I have a few students who say to me that when they practice on their own they are able to hit the high notes, sing loudly, and perform the song, but as soon as they try and sing it to someone (teachers, family, friends) they find they can't do it any more. There is a real fear of feeling judged when we sing. It’s a very vulnerable position to put ourselves in - there is no instrument to hide behind. But remember, you should never apologise for what you are putting out there, whether it’s on stage or in a rehearsal room. This is something I have to remind myself every time I sing. Perfection isn’t always what we want. Concentrate on feeling and emotion, and remember that you don’t have to win anybody over. Stand tall and be confident in what you are delivering. You’ll be great.
It seems so strange to me that in 2020, I haven’t sung at a single wedding. I love weddings. I love singing a carefully selected first dance song that obviously means so much to the couple. I love watching guests get more and more tipsy and dance moves get wilder as the night goes on. I love everyone singing along to Stevie Wonder or shouting ‘VALERIEEEEEE’ at the top of their lungs.
I also love the food at weddings, but that’s another blog post waiting to be written.
But - as we’re all aware - we live in strange times, so alas I won’t be singing at any weddings this year (or any festivals, jazz clubs, or parties…). To those of you who are able to get married or have scaled down your plans in order to have your wedding - congratulations! That’s really exciting and I’m so happy you can have your special day. To those who have postponed their celebrations, I feel for you but know that it will be worth it when the day does finally come around.
The empty gig diary ahead of me means that I have a lot more time for teaching, which is a huge positive. I teach students two days a week during term time, and it’s a real honour to work with people wanting to gain confidence, performance skills and take exams. This summer I’m opening up my schedule to take on a few more students; I don’t normally teach at all in the summer so I’m quite excited that I can continue teaching my current students, and that I can work with some new faces too!
Photo Credit: Jack Etheridge for ENCORE Youth Theatre
I really enjoy teaching; I’m lucky to work with passionate and hardworking students. Some of my students choose to take exams, some are preparing for auditions or performances, and some taking singing lessons to build confidence and learn a new skill. Obviously all of my lessons in the last few months have been happening over Zoom, which is a great platform. Things may change but for now my lessons will continue online, which means that I can work with people all over the country (and maybe the world! That would be cool!).
Whatever your reasons are for singing lessons, we can work together to make sure lessons are completely suited to you. I teach all ages and abilities, and I can be flexible with lesson times and lengths, as I know everyone’s summer has been disrupted by the current situation. You can find out a little more on my Vocal Coaching page here, or you can get in touch with me to ask any questions, and to discuss prices and availability here.
I can’t wait to hear from you soon - and I can’t wait to hear you sing!
WELL. What a few months it’s been. Firstly, I hope everyone is keeping well.
It’s been a tricky fourteen or so weeks for me - as I self-employed musician, I have had very little work. I miss gigging! I miss my sisters and my friends and our musical escapades. I miss weddings and theatre shows and being on tour. I miss bandwiches and long car drives and late night service station stops.
But of course there have been some positive things as well - I can’t remember the last time I spent more than three nights in the same place in the past 18 months, and so lockdown has meant becoming extremely well acquainted with my flat, which has been wonderful. I’ve been taking part in Yoga With Adriene’s yoga videos, going for long (and safe) walks, and I’ve been learning to cook. Despite not being able to work and earn a living, I am extremely aware of how lucky I am.
There has still been plenty of music though! I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in several music videos, and I’ve been setting myself some jazz transcribing homework. You can see most of my transcribing videos over on my Instagram, but here are a couple for now. The first one is Dexter Gordon’s solo on Darn That Dream, and the second one is James Copus’ solo on James Beckwith’s latest release.
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I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in several lockdown videos as well.
The Spitfire Sisters have been singing remotely (but together) for a few weeks now - we have a few videos released and a couple more to come over the next month or so. It’s been so strange doing this all separately. We’re so used to performing together that singing these songs alone is a very weird feeling! Here’s our video of Coffee In The Morning, one of my favourite songs from The Boswell Sisters. Also, please note how involved my coffee making process is - once a Monmouth employee, always a Monmouth employee! (Also - I LOVE OATLY.)
You can find our other videos as well as the full credits on The Spitfire Sisters IGTV.
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Down For The Count have also been busy, filming and recording for our new Lockdown EP, Lockdown for the Count. The EP is awesome, features 35 amazing musicians and 50% of all profits will go to MIND, a fantastic charity who campaign for better mental health.
I’m singing Don’t Get Around Much Anymore on the EP (how apt!), one of my absolute favourite tunes. The video for that song is coming soon. In the meantime, here is the video that Michael Bublé described as ‘awesome!’.
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I worked with Greg Pringle, a fantastic drummer, on a song to commemorate VE Day this year. He chose ‘When The Lights Go On Again’, a beautiful song by Vera Lynn. I had never heard it before, but I fell in love with it and it was an honour to perform it with Greg and his band. I have another project that’s coming up with Greg - it’s very different to this one and I can’t wait to share it soon.
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And finally (for now!), the biggest musical project I think I’ve ever been a part of - an epic collective of 121 musicians singing Stevie Wonder’s Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing! Colin Willsher organised this fantastic recording to raise money for the Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity. The video alone is a huge feat, so congratulations to Colin for organising, arranging and editing it all together!
Thanks so much for reading - and listening! Let me know how you’ve been getting on in Lockdown, and if there are any songs you would like to hear. There are more videos and projects to come, which is exciting - but above all, I would love to get back to gigging live for you soon.
Stay safe! x
Whether it is because you’re on your own and need some musical company, or because you are with your family and need a little musical decompression, we’re going to need some listening content over the next few weeks. Personally, I cannot be home alone without something playing in the background, so I’ve put together a playlist of music and podcasts for indoor joy.
When building this playlist I didn’t aim to choose deliberately positive selections (although there are some in the list of course). Instead I’ve focused on excellent tunes that I hope will give you a few minutes of distraction, make you dance around your kitchen, or just take your mind off things for a while.
I’ll keep adding some tunes over the next few weeks. You can find the playlist by clicking here.
Music
Oh What A Beautiful Morning - Trijntje Oosterhuis
What an inspirational and positive jazzy version of this classic song from the musical Oklahoma. Even if you don’t think you know it, you definitely do know it so it’s an instant sing-a-long classic.
Vision of Love - Mariah Carey
My favourite Mariah song. My poor neighbours when I try and hit her high notes.
Knocks Me Off My Feet - Stevie Wonder
I first heard this song in August of last year, and by the end of 2019 it was my most played song of the year. I think that tells you how much I love it.
Rosanna - Toto
There is no way you won’t drum along to this.
Precious Lord, Take My Hand/You’ve Got A Friend - Aretha Franklin (Live)
This might be my favourite track of all time. It’s taken from Aretha Franklin’s live album Amazing Grace, which was recorded at her church in 1972. There was a lot of documentary footage taken at the time and it has recently been released as a film; there’s no dialogue or interviews with anyone, just an hour and a half of pure music. I can’t recommend it enough.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
WITH SOMEBODY WHO LOVEEEES MEEEEEE.
Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
This is my family’s favourite song collectively - and what better time to learn all the different harmony parts and the dance routine?
Polaris - Zero 7
This song - and this whole album actually, it’s called Simple Things and I can’t recommend it enough - is perfect for sitting and reflecting, meditating or just taking a few deep breaths. It really does wash over you.
Sussudio - Phil Collins Big Band
Huge sounds. I like to listen to this and mime a different instrument each time. Because I am cool.
Overture - Mack & Mabel
This will take you on a journey. Like all good overtures, it’s a real excellent summary of the entire show. Bonus content: watch Torvill & Dean’s 1982 ice skating routine to this on youtube.
Never Ever - All Saints
If you have two or more people in your household currently, get the harmonies going. It could totally count as a school music lesson right?
I’ve Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra (Live at the Sands)
This whole album is incredible, so it was hard to pick one song. Half way through this show Sinatra does what is basically a ten minute stand up set, because he’s Frank Sinatra so could do anything. I can’t recommend the album enough.
The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Michael Nyman
This is a gorgeous piece of music. It’s not the most joyful piece of music, but I find it extremely soothing.
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole
You’ll need to do a vocal warm up before you hit those high notes.
Good Luck - Basement Jaxx
Another dance around your kitchen song. This is a good ‘get the anger out’ track; we all need one of those every so often.
Podcasts - (WARNING: none of these are suitable for children...)
Mission To Zyxx
This is an improvised sci-fi comedy that is hilarious and extremely strange. An excellent distraction and a very different portrayal of ‘the future’...
Off Menu with Ed Gamble & James Acaster
This podcast makes me hungry and laugh at the same time.
Work in Progress with Sophia Bush
Sophia always has really interesting guests on and approaches them with thoughtful and inspired questions.
The Hippy Dippy Podcast
I love Mike & Beth - they are hilarious together, but their approach to the topics they have chosen is always thought provoking.
Serial Season One
This has been out for ages but if you haven’t listened to this yet, you must. It’s about a muder case in Baltimore in 1999 - obviously not a cheerful topic, but this is excellent journalism and hugely engaging.
My Dad Wrote A Porno
Pure filth. I love it.
The Spitfire Sisters Podcast
I am very aware this is a shameless plug but we would LOVE it if you listened to our podcast. We’ll be recording a remote podcast next week so do have a listen - you can find it on all podcast platforms, and we always let people know when a new episode is up on our instagram @thespitfiresisters.
I disappeared on holiday for a few days last week; as much as I love my job it was a it was a much needed escape from work. I couldn’t completely turn my phone off though - I was on a sustainable fashion mission!
I was away for four days and could only bring hand luggage so I decided to pack as sustainably as possible. With the exception of my trainers (a necessity for all of the walking we did - 32 miles and over 80,000 steps in four days) and a t-shirt for the plane every item of clothing I took was vintage, second-hand or sustainable in some way.
Dress: Monsoon via fellow Spitfire Sister Louisa Revolta (on long term loan)
Jeans: recycled denim from ASOS.
Shirt: Cheap Monday via eBay.
We had two days of ridiculously warm weather, a day of torrential rain and a day of cloudy skies, so I was pleased to have packed transitional pieces to wear.
Jeans: Recycled denim from ASOS
Sweater: L.L. Bean via ASOS Marketplace
Shoes: Nike via ASOS (not second hand)
Classic HC brings her own water even when it’s completely tipping it down. We got drenched! L.L. Bean is something I always search for on eBay or ASOS Marketplace, as they are quality pieces and really last a long time.
Dress: Made by my mum
Cardigan: Second hand Uniqlo
Cardigan: Second hand Uniqlo
Headscarf: Birthday present
Now that I’m home I have been inspired to do a huge wardrobe clear out. I have nothing against buying new from shops instead of vintage and second-hand but thinking about sustainable fashion has really made me think twice about the pieces I do buy that are brand new.
One of my favourite shops in Winchester is Stardust Years, a vintage shop specialising in clothes from the 1890s to the 1990s. I’ve got some amazing pieces from Stardust Years over the last couple of years, so Anna and I went to visit the owner Karen and to shoot some of her amazing vintage finds.
All photos were taken by the amazing Anna Harding from Hello Ding.
This 1970s dress was a massive impulse buy while we were shooting at Stardust Years. My boyfriend described the dress as ‘confusing’, but I love it - it’s comfortable, velvet, a great length, and it has buttons AND pockets. My hair wasn’t behaving for the photographs hence the braid.
I also almost bought this skirt. The material was almost like upholstery fabric, but it was the high waist that grabbed me. The shirt is mine - it’s actually a dress from Cheap Monday that I got from eBay.
My hair is too big for hats and quite frankly it’s devastating.
Working from home can mean many things - freedom, flexibility, distraction, low motivation, pyjamas… I’m trying to take a structured approach to my morning routine to make sure I get up and get things done, without rushing around or panicking about the work I have to do that day.
All photos were taken by the amazing Anna Harding from Hello Ding.
Since I’ve been on the Gut Dysbiosis diet due to ongoing health issues, my breakfasts have been more of a focused part of my day. I’m terrible at waking up and up until recently very lazy when it comes to making breakfast (all meals actually), but now I make sure I eat properly. Normally it’s porridge, eggs or pancakes. These banana and blueberry pancakes are delicious and sweet, and only have five ingredients: blueberries, bananas, wholewheat flour, eggs and pumpkin pie spice mix from Trader Joe’s. No added sugar but super delicious.
I used to work for a coffee roaster in London and can’t begin a day without coffee. Although I drink decaff, for me it’s much more about the taste - as well as the habit and routine of making it - than the caffeine buzz. We use a metal filter as it’s reusable and I swear by Oatly, it’s unbelievably good. The spoon pot was made by Pip Hartle and it’s perfect.
I like to start my day by reading. I try and read before I look at my phone, but let’s be honest - this hardly ever happens. Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite authors and I’ve just preordered her new novel The Testaments which is due out in September. I’m counting down the days. The jumper is from Monki (thank you ASOS) and the playsuit is from Topshop via One Scoop Store, my favourite second hand shop that has amazing pieces at ridiculously good prices.
A happy unintentional matching of vinyl to furniture - this Band of Skulls record is consistently playing in my house.
After breakfast, I like to get ready as if I was going to work, I find it puts me more in the ‘office mood’. I wash my face with warm water and a Coco Shine pad (Louisa Revolta’s recommendation), before applying Rodial’s Dragon’s Blood moisturiser and eye cream. Then I use Boy Brow, Balm Dotcom and Lash Slick from Glossier, and when I’m feeling super fancy I use Fenty Beauty’s liquid liner, which stays on forever.
I’m fortunate to gig with a few different bands, which means lots of different outfits. Wherever possible i try to get my gig outfits from eBay, charity shops, and second hand stores online.
All photos were taken by the amazing Anna Harding from Hello Ding.
I scored this dress from One Scoop Store, my absolute favourite online shop - ‘a beautifully curated range of pre loved pieces’. This dress is a double whammy of fire truck red and velvet, and the straps alone are such an intense detail that I saw it and fell in love. Pure coincidence that it matches my Bridget Christie portrait taken by Idil Sukan. It was a present from an ex-boyfriend - it balances on top of a speaker in my office.
Those straps!
Trying to decide what to wear next for the shoot, which Anna caught on camera. I’m surrounded by charity shop sequins and velvet, One Scoop Store lace, hand me downs from my mum, plus a dress my mum made me for my cousin’s wedding. The pink dress I’m wearing was an absolute bargain from Stardust Years in Winchester.
The gold sequin dress was purchased off eBay; it was brand new with tags, originally from French Connection, and I literally snagged it for a 10th of the price. The pink dress is a ‘50s number from Cheap Jacks in New York. I bought it several years ago for my 21st birthday. When I went back to New York this January with my brother I was crushed to find the shop no longer exists. The black velvet dress is from Laura Ashley from a Wessex Cancer Trust charity shop.
I’m turning 30 this year. I used to dream about what my life would be like when I was 30. I knew I wouldn’t be married or have children, I hoped that I would live in New York (still hoping) or London (had a wonderful time living there in my mid-20s but happy to be out of it) and I wanted to have a steady career that I worked damn hard at and loved.
I used to think about my work space a lot. I feel like I’ve finally created an environment that’s conducive to getting things done but doesn’t feel oppressive or pressurised in anyway. It’s organised, but not sparse and super tidy. I like to keep meaningful items and things collected from my travels around the office, and if I see something in a magazine I’ll tear it out and put it on my wall. I like structure, but I also like the freedom of not having a specific colour scheme or decorative theme.
Having said all of that, I’m typing this on my sofa so I’m still not used to having dedicated writing place, but I’ll get there.
All photos were taken by the amazing Anna Harding from Hello Ding.
Wearing a second hand grey sweater from Beyond Retro, navy corduroy skirt from Uniqlo and tortoiseshell glasses by Ray-Ban. The chair was bought by my dad from Habitat in 1980; it looks like it wouldn’t be comfortable but it works perfectly as a desk chair.
My locker is by Mustard. I purchased it from Trouva, an amazing online store that sells pieces from beautiful independent boutiques. it’s my favourite item I have bought for myself - it really ties my entire office together. I like to swap the pictures and postcards on the locker around. I love keeping photos of my family and boyfriend on there to remind me why I do what I do - to make them proud.
Old magazines, crystals and a delicious candle from The Box Of.
The figure of Leslie Knope was a present from my brother last Christmas. She now oversees all of my work, which just feels right. The Ben & Jerry’s print is actually a napkin from a Ben & Jerry’s shop in the US that my parents had framed over 25 years ago - the frame is completely broken but the napkin is still very much a piece of art.
Much to the joy of my neighbours, I also practice saxophone in my office.
written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for This American Life episode #528
What The Heck I Gotta Do - Original Cast
One School - Original Cast
Cousin - Original Cast
The Money - Original Cast
Epilogue - Original Cast