I am EXCITED to announce that the Award Winning Women of Substance Music Podcast (internet radio show in USA) will be featuring my song Marta/Martyr (just say the name once!) on Episode #1140 - Monday 31st August 2020!! The podcast host and creator, Bree Noble, has been instrumental in helping my music career. I am a member of the Female Musician Academy and following Bree's expertise and advice has been priceless. She has got my back and the awesome network of women musicians in the group is so supportive and encouraging - I highly recommend joining. 

I did my first FACEBOOK LIVE on Monday night and loved performing to lots of you! Listening back got me annoyed though because the quality of the sound on my battered old MacBook Pro (10 years old!) didn't do it justice. I don't know why I thought my Mac would be suitable...my phone is so much better! A lesson learned...(in fact another lesson learned!)...I am learning LOTS! 

Luckily I did record it on my phone and created some great content to upload onto other platforms. You can hear highlights on my YouTube channel. Please subscribe (it's free - something a lot of us don't realise). By subscribing to my channel, you help boost my ratings and visibility which means more traction and success! I could actually start earning some money for the art I love making! Bree taught me that you don't have to be a starving musician - you can actually be a successful female entrepreneur musician! 

To quote the incredible music muse Tori Amos, "we could be bouncing off the top of this cloud, I'll put on my silver..." Hear Tori perform the song live...

Silver tops. Silver shoes. Silver leggings. Silver linings. All the silvers. My new favourite colour represents how I am feelings about my new journey. I can see the silver in everything. A great article on this point: 7 Tips to Find the Silver Lining Within Yourself

My new single release 'Marta/Martyr' might resonate with a lot of listeners. The way I understand 'martyrdom' is to sacrifice something for someone or something else. I wrote this song a long time ago. It still feels relevant now. If we choose to share our time with others, we set ourselves up for martyrdom; if we choose to expose ourselves, we set ourselves up for martyrdom; if we create memories with others, we set ourselves up for martyrdom; if we feel strongly about things, we set ourselves up for martyrdom; if we are vulnerable and choose to be led, we set ourselves up for martyrdom.

We all have this victim/rescuer/persecutor drama triangle to deal with. When we become aware of which part we play, we can change the script. Set the stage. Change the lighting.

Victim becomes Creator, Rescuer becomes Coach, Persecutor becomes Challenger. Silver linings.

A fascinating watch: TED Talk on the Dreaded Drama Triangle

A small group of my wonderful community choir members are meeting in our local park for a Brunch-sing. We will be mainly eating and it's quite hard to eat and sing at the same time even though I have tried.

Eating, chatting and singing in a beautiful open space. What could be more glorious?

Bring on the changes on July 11th: "...outdoor theatres will be able to reopen..." and on July 25th: "Singing will be allowed in professional environments and specific scientific studies on the risks have been commissioned..." BBC NEWS

I have joined a Songwriting Group for the Female Entrepreneur Musician. The FEM Academy is run by Bree Noble, based in California and her incredible experience and advice on the music industry is driving me forward every day. I have learnt so much about how to become a female entrepreneur musician since joining the academy back in May. I have just submitted my first new song for the group. The prompt was to choose 6 words from this list: 

memory 
still 
relation 
separate 
restless 
look 
attitude 
sensitive 
case 
sharp 
flash 
copy

I am in a group of 5 female songwriters and we will all be giving each other feedback in the most supportive fashion. I am excited to hear what they have to say. 

I need your help! We all need your help! I’ll be performing live streams every Tuesday at 7pm and Thursday at 5pm to raise money for the excellent charity WarChild. Prizes to be won and a fun interactive experience guaranteed! See you Tuesday at 7pm on TILTIFY: https://tiltify.com/@sarahdearlovemusic/profile "What's that?" you ask - Tiltify is a streaming website where you can watch my performance and donate to charity all on the same page. If you can't watch it live, you can watch the recording on my TWITCH TV page. If we manage to raise more than £800 I will be in with a chance of performing my music to industry influencers! This will be interactive and there will be ways of getting your favourite songs performed as I will be taking requests LIVE! There will also be chances to win a SECRET SONG download and merchandise.

DEARLOVE COMMUNITY CHOIR UPDATE

"In England, groups of up to six people can gather from Monday 1 June. They can be from different households, but they have to meet outside - such as in parks or private gardens." BBC NEWS

Well this is a game changer for Dearlove Community Choir. We will be arranging to meet up for singing in a park soon. I am so excited to hear harmonies again!!!!!!!!

THE HUMAN BEE 

I met a very interesting man online recently. He hums. He is a human bee. He understands the power of resonance in the body. It was so relaxing doing a humming meditation with him. He is also a wonderful musician and human being (beeing!). If you want to find out more you can find him on Instagram@thehummingman.

COSTUME DRAMA 

I ordered a Kimono today. My most fashionable and creative friend suggested it. I wanted a cape to create floaty visually interesting performances but a kimono is just as beautiful. My arms and hands are very important for my performances. I have always enjoyed a visual feast for the eyes as well as an aural one. 

I am raising money for WARCHILD and HotVox will be promoting my LIVESTREAM performances using TILTIFY. This platform is great as you can watch my concerts and donate to the charity all in the same place.

I look forward to seeing some of you on Tuesday 2nd June 2020 @ 7pm. The curiosities this week date back to 18,000 BC and explore the power and beauty of the feminine. 

If you can't make it then, you can catch the recording on Instagram @sarahdearlovemusic or on my YouTube channel. Please remember to follow me and subscribe. 

Birds are wonderful. I got woken up by them at 4am today as I forgot to shut the windows. I never get annoyed by this (well, not normally!) as it reminds me of nature's power over us all. Birds have always inspired me. My little niece is called Wren. How gorgeous is that! 

I can use bird imagery to describe every aspect of my creative story. Song Stories got its wings last week. You helped to feather those wings and provided the wind to help me take flight. Thank you from the centre of my heart. 

Song Stories are a collection of my thoughts in music. The highs, lows, love, loss, anxiety, panic and fear. I also share some of the interesting artefacts from our curiosity cabinet. I say 'our' but it's really my husband's and I am rarely permitted access! The stories behind these artefacts are an incredible insight into the minds of others. Want to be a historical voyeur? 

Birds, piano music, historical artefacts, people, minds: if this ruffles your feathers in a good way, I am yours. Connect with me and we could have fun.