Give Your Gifts Like Santa Clause

What's your calling in life? I don't care!!! Blah blah blah. I've been dwelling on this calling, life purpose, gift for the world, make-my-life-meaningful thing all year and on Thanksgiving weekend I finally had a breakthrough; a big FUCK THIS, I'm focusing on something else. Although examining my inner world to understand what my soul longs to create was a magical and wonderful adventure, it quickly became naval gazing. I was waking up every morning obsessed with journaling through my thoughts, desperate for clarity. I was screaming with my pen to the universe, "WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MY LIFE!?" I wasn't getting any work done ($$$ was suffering), I was depressing company, and I missed out on the playful joys of summer while I spiraled downwards in self-reflection. As the autumn leaves fell, so did my ego and I finally hit the jackpot - Stop asking 'What's my purpose?' and start asking 'How would I like to help people?' Notice, it's not how can I or how should I. 

I live by this quote by Howard Thurman:

“DON’T ASK WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS. 
ASK WHAT MAKES YOU COME ALIVE, AND GO DO IT. 
BECAUSE WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS IS PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME ALIVE.”
 

I took time to understand what I love, what makes me feel alive, what gifts I have to offer the world. I nailed down my calling: to bring music to the world. I was playing music for hours everyday and yet feeling so lonely and unsatisfied. I was overlooking the most important part of the calling..."to the world." I love playing music but what makes me come alive playing music for other people and seeing how they are touched by music's healing qualities. I experience this when I sing to yoga students in Savasana, play guitar for my dad while he's resting on the couch, or play on a park bench for passersby. What makes me feel most alive is giving music to the world - being the vessel through which music enters other peoples' lives - usually as a pleasant surprise. My calling is two part - do what I love (play music) and then share it with the world (heal people). I've tried doing those two things separately and it doesn't work. They have to be combined in order for me to feel the spark of "aliveness."

What is your combo? We are all healers. We all have a gift to give to our 'village.' It's part of being human; we are a tribe. We each have something to offer the community that will improve others' lives, and help them feel happier. You must find your calling, i.e. your role in this human village. Find out what "job" awakes your passion and then figure out how to wield it and add value to the community. If you keep them separate; i.e. practice an un-shared passion or help people without passion, the spark within you may struggle to flicker to life and the world will be missing your life. 

To wrap it up for Christmas...
Your calling is multi-faceted. You must first look inside and figure out what gifts you've inherited in your medicine bag. Then, you must learn how to give those gifts to others. Remember, gifts are for giving and to be "gifted" simply means you have been entrusted with a great great to give (not to keep for yourself). Santa Clause is a very 'gifted' man - follow his example and spread your gifts freely around the world. // Cha

Photos from 107.7 DECK THE HALL BALL at Key Arena in Seattle
Glass Animals is Playing in the First Photo :D Gooey Goodness!!

**word to the wise - always turn around when you're at concerts and check out the beautiful view of the crowd and the lights/lazers hitting the ceiling. it's like traveling in europe - always look UP (the ceilings are incredible). if you follow the crowd and only face forward, you'll only see what everyone else is seeing (the stage), but if you have the guts to turn around and let a billion eyes stare at you, you might feel awkward for a second but mainly you'll just get to enjoy an incredible view that everyone else is missing out on (see bottom photo). and if you're like me...you can pretend you're performing on stage looking out at the crowd. 

When Your Heart Leaves Your Body

He just got into the car and I sat here at the dining room table in the dark, rain pouring out the window, and watched them drive away. They should be back in a couple hours. They're just going to pick up the boat. 'I love you', I whisper as I hold my hand to my chest. The only catch is that the boat was being repaired by a sketchy guy who has an addiction to feed and the work wasn't done and money wasn't paid or something and I know there's a gun in the backseat just in case. Everything should be fine. They went in a pair, they're calm and responsible. He knows how to defend himself if it comes to that but he told me it wouldn't. My heart just drove down the driveway. I hope it comes back. 

Crashing, Hit a Wall - I Need a Miracle

Please work!! I screamed at my phone. After a painfully long day of no progress at work, wishing I was playing music instead, beating my head against a wall, all I wanted to do was sprint through my neighborhood with music blasting in my headphones and my phone was stalling. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I just needed a break...I just needed music. I was waiting for it to sing out... "Crash and hit a wall, I need a miracle..." by the Chainsmokers. It's been on repeat for weeks for me - helping me through the past few months of business and relationship stress. At least I got to play piano this morning for 20 minutes during my snack break. I've just hit my 13 hours work mark today and I have nothing left to give to my business. It's time for music. Thank god for music....my salvation. The soundwaves hit my ears and all the tensions starts to melt away like snow does when the spring sunshine arrives.
-Chamonix

CRASHING, HIT A WALL // ugh i had such a rough day today with business being slow and bills piling up. Had to cry it out, run it out, hug it out and play it out...using lots of self control to not eat it out (that sounds dirty lol) This song hit the spot and helped me remember that everything is good & I'm gonna be just fine...correction, better than fine. Thank you #thechainsmokers :) xx cha

A video posted by Chamonix Music (@chamonixmusic) on Sep 12, 2016 at 10:08pm PDT

How to Follow the Compass of Your Soul

How many conversations do I have to have before I believe the words I hear coming out of everyone's mouths - including my own? I talk round and round in circles about my dreams of doing music as a career, about my passion for sharing music with other people, about my agony of trying to decide how to spend my energy between music and photography (and any of my other interests). 

My entire life I have known my love for music and felt a deep calling to devote myself to it fully. Until I was 25 I completely avoided musical opportunities because of fear. I've spend the past couple years crawling slowly out of my fear-trench. Everytime someone asks those questions like "If you could only do one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?" and "What is the one thing that fills your heart with joy?", my answer is always "MUSIC!!!" Without hesitation. At first I was afraid to say that outloud because I worried about what other people would think. Now I declare it freely but fear to take action in that direction because it requires sacrifice, big life changes, and taking a big step into the unknown. 

This afternoon I was lying in the bath, cherry blossom soap bubbles in the air, asking myself,
-How badly do I really want it?
-How hard am I willing to work for it? (Because that's the only thing that matters. Dreams don't do shit. Only hard work gets you to where you want to be.)
-What is the next thing I want to experience in life?
-What makes my eyes sparkle?
-What doesn't feel like work?
-What am I willing to sacrifice for?
-What lights me up and feels meaningful?
-What makes me feel at peace? 

I was splashing my legs in the bath water and my soul was yelling at me....

"Holy crap, Chamonix - how many times do we have to go over this? How many more signs do you need? How many more times do you need to tell yourself that music is what you want to focus on before you finally listen to yourself? Jesus! Just do it already. I know you are unsure and scared but guess what, if people waited until they had 100% confidence in their dreams nothing would be accomplished.

The very nature of going after your dream is that it's a step into the unknown. You're never going to be free of doubts. It's like having kids, you're never going to feel 100% prepared or confident. It's like being lost at sea with a DIY compass - you have no idea if the compass is accurate but it's the only chance of survival you've got. Make your best guess and take action. If it fails, you did the best you could with what you had. You are navigating the desire of your soul and the course of your life.

The compass of your heart is fuzzy to read but you're approaching the point of no return - for months you've been at a stand-still, afraid to move, slowly getting sucked down a whirlpool of destruction, and now you MUST make a decision to go left or right. Stare into the compass and make your best guess and take action. You cannot wait any longer. Staying here in stillness is sure death. We must move. Be the captain of your soul. Whichever direction you choose, we will follow wholeheartedly. Which way will it be?"

-Chamonix

Videos from My Performance at Columbia City Theater

Thank you to Vinny who was up at the edge of the stage recording these video clips of my first solo performance on stage. Columbia City Theater was a cool place for my first performance - very atmospheric with the red curtains, black space (couldn't see any faces lol) and awesome brick walls.
 

I opened up the show so I was playing to a grand audience of 10 people or something LOL Thank you to Vinny, Davey and Joel who came out to support me. I did have some butterflies in my tummy that were flappin' their wings so crazy they made my knees shake a little. I'm so excited to see these videos though - I've never really seen myself in this situation before and it's surreal and exciting at the same time. I'm so used to seeing myself with a camera in my hand in behind-the-scenes photos at photo shoots. I'm used to seeing myself up in front of a yoga class teaching. I'm totally not used to seeing myself as the performing talent on stage with a guitar. It's foreign and yet I am insanely in love with everything about it. It's totally new and exactly what I want for the next chapter of my life.
-Chamonix

"What do you want to experience next in life?" - The Sacred Six by JB Glossinger

Asking People to Input on Songwriting

So I have an idea...

This morning I used Periscope to record myself writing a song LIVE. This way I could practice AND share what I'm working on with people (rather than just playing alone in my bedroom - isn't technology AMAZING!). I had a handful of viewers who were giving me feedback on which chords to play and sending little hearts when they liked what I was singing. I used to be too nervous to LIVE broadcast on Periscope or Facebook. But now I just feel ready - like magic...all the little baby steps DO lead you somewhere. hehe

I know some entrepreneurs who teach online courses and they have a daily morning broadcast. Every morning they hop online and teach something useful for everyone. It started slow but now they have a regular BIG following. They've created their very own morning show. This is similar to Morning Coach the daily podcast by JB Glossinger. 

Why not do something similar with my music? I could do a daily songwriting session and ask listeners to give their input on chords, lyrics, melodies etc... I could be like... "Do you like A or B better...?" Wouldn't that be fun as a follower, to be part of the creation process with an artist you love? I would be all over that shit. How exciting to hear a song on the radio knowing that you voted on melody of the chorus or even better - it was YOUR suggestion to use a certain chord that changed the song. So cool. I think it's a genius way to involve fans, build a relationship with them and give them something exciting to follow. 
 

Be a Leader and Create Something Worth Following

"As a leader, you have to give people something to follow." Whether you're leading a business or an army, setting fashion trends or creating music. If you want to LEAD, then you need people to FOLLOW you. Think about it literally... As a leader you're not just setting an example, you're actually giving people something (an idea, a belief, a mission, a project) to follow. A good leader can get lots of people to follow along because whatever they're 'selling' is enticing enough to follow along to. People sign up and follow along voluntarily. This is how we all function....

A person wakes up in the morning.  / They roll over and grab their phone. / They read their favorite blog and check up on their favorite Instagram account. / They'll be even more eager to check-in if they know there's something new and exciting waiting for them...a development they've been anticipating. 

We LOVE checkin' in on people. We love watching our friend's baby bellies grow larger. We love watching that chubby girl from high school post her 'getting in shape' pictures on Facebook. We love watching a mural painting on a building come to life day by day. We LOVE watching progress. 
 

As a musician, wouldn't it be more fun if your "followers" actually become FOLLOWERS. They don't just 'follow' you on Facebook, they literally wake up and FOLLOW you along the way every day; as you write a new song, as you compile your album, as you go on tour, as you go from someone who is unknown to someone who is crazy famous etc... 

The key here is that as the artists WE have to create something worth following. Don't just expect people to love you because you think you're good at playing an instrument. You actually have to provide them with an outline of WHAT they are following. Tell them about this project that you're working on; label all of your social media posts and give updates constantly referring to this project. This way they aren't just bombarded with random photos and soundbites - they'll understand how it all fits together and they'll see the work coming together and they'll get interested and emotionally invested and following YOUR project will become a part of THEIR life...a daily ritual of checkin-in and FOLLOWING along as you LEAD them somewhere super cool. 

The idea is that your followers are excited about your project more than they are excited about you (unless YOU are the project or something lol). They don't just listen to your music because they like you. They listen because they actually care about the music itself. Create something that people are hungry to follow. That's how I want to lead....by creating something fascinating and fantastic. This requires going off the beaten track. ;) Still searching for my take off point. hehe

Be a Leader and Create Something Worth Following
-Cha

Do It Trembling if You Must, But Do It

My knees were literally shaking in the stage lights and I couldn't stop the quivering in my voice into the microphone. I was performing for the first time last night on stage at the Columbia City Theater and I was loving every minute of it - totally LOVING it and yet the butterflies were still fluttering like crazy in my stomach. I tried to breath deeply and press my feet into the floor to stay grounded. I closed my eyes and pretended I was singing in my room. I told myself this is exactly where I belong, where I'm meant to be. Relax. Breath. Keep singing. Phew.

And then suddenly it was over and my boyfriend was spinning me in circles and making out with me in the corner of the empty theater. My three closest guy friends were there to support me - nobody else was able to make it and I was the opening act...so nobody else was there anyway. And still, I was nervous. And still it was exciting. The first one is always the hardest right?

It's so important to feel scared, nervous and shaky. I used to always avoid these uncomfortable situations because they were uncomfortable and nobody likes feeling uncomfortable. But the magic happens OUTSIDE the comfort zone. Feeling nervous and afraid is not a sign you should stop, it's a sign you should keep going. It means you care. It means you're being pushed to a new level. It means things inside you are being stirred up and something magical is happening in your life. Thinking about stuff doesn't get you anywhere. It's only when you take action, even if you're feeling butterflies and shaky knees, that you see results and new opportunities arise. "If your knees are shaking, you're on the right track."

BE THE EXCEPTION
Afterwards I went out to sushi to celebrate with my boyfriend. He had to cover the bill because on the way to the restaurant I used the last of my money to buy dinner for a homeless man. He wanted ice cream but I insisted he got a protein bar. ha! Nutrients people! Before that night, I never helped homeless people. But the final song I performed in my set at the Columbia City Theater was "Be the Exception" - a song about acting differently than everybody else and setting an inspiring example for the world. Everybody walks past homeless people, including me. But after performing that song on stage, I had no choice but to practice what I preached. My own performance changed my behavior and I've been helping homeless people ever since. Music can change the world. // Cha

"DO IT TREMBLING IF YOU MUST, BUT DO IT." - EMMET FOX
 

Don't Be Embarassed to Say Your Dreams Outloud

"Tell me about your goals with singing?" I'd just contacted a singing teacher in Seattle and she asked me this question. I thought it was obvious. I want singing lessons because I want to get better at singing. Why does she need to know WHY I want to sing better? 

My first instinct was to tell her that I write my own songs and I just want to be a better singer so my performances are stronger. I mean, that's all true BUT that's not THE GOAL or THE DREAM. I deleted the paragraph and built up a little courage to write this instead:

"I've been passionate about singing my entire life and in the past year I finally worked up the courage to start sharing my music with others. I currently write songs that have a folk/pop vibe and I'm learning to play guitar & piano. I've just started performing opens mics and shows and I'm starting to record my music. I love playing music in public spaces (I got to parks a lot) because I love sharing my music with other people and seeing how hearing music brightens their day. Sometimes I'm feeling outgoing and I sing in the supermarket line or on buses and get my friends to help get the whole crowd involved. I dream of performing on a big stage - I day dream about performing at the Gorge during the Sasquatch Festival. I want more classical training with my voice so I can reach my full potential as a singer. In addition to my own music, I also sing to my yoga students at the end of classes (Indian Sanskrit Chanting - this is the training I was doing with Claudette Evans). Just for fun, I would like to start leading Kirtans at local yoga studios. Claudette also said that she thinks my voice would be well suited to classical music so I'm curious to explore that new avenue. I haven't found the right opportunity yet but I also think it would be fun to sing in a choir / a cappella group. Basically, I want my life to be filled up with music and my focus right now is on getting more technical training so the music I create will be more powerful."

Looking at it now, I don't know why I was so scared to just say it...I want to play on the big stage at the Gorge during Sasquatch....I want to play on big stages all around the world - Wembly, Madison Square Garden....some crazy awesome outdoor amphitheater in the mountains of Peru....on the steps of the Taj Mahal...why not?

I keep these dreams in my head all the time like they're a secret. I put pressure on myself - if you declare a dream outloud then you HAVE to go after it and succeed! The idea of telling people what you're dreaming of and then not going for it or not achieving it seems humiliating. Speaking a dream outloud feels like signing a contract with the universe. Thoughts come and go - they're fleeting. But words, once spoken are solidified in the minds others and therefore clearly, they become LAW. Jealous, why does my brain take everything so damn seriously. ha?!

I also feel like if I speak a dream outloud then it better darn well be realistic. Telling people you have an unrealistically BIG dream is embarrassing. It makes you look foolish! What a fool, to think she can actually accomplish that! is what I fear they'll think. Nobody else says that to me though - these are all the voices in my own head though so maybe I'm the judgemental one. (My song IMPOSSIBLE THINGS is about this fear). I'm the one that thinks I'm foolish for dreaming BIG. Why don't I believe in myself that much? Why does my subconscious seem to think that singing on the Sasquatch stage is so impossible? So far out of reach that I'm embarrassed to even think it. 

Tonight's the night at perform at Columbia City Theater in the Bridging the Music WA Solo Artist Awards. I woke up feeling nervous, put on a super sparkly sequined dressed, practiced my songs out in the garden, made breakfast crepes for Davey, decided that I'm not nervous...I'm excited. I'm a little hotwheels car that's been pulling back to wind up and FINALLY, today I get to let go and zoom forward! About bloody time! Yay :) // Cha

Vinny & Chamonix - Back at It Again Playing in the Water

The boiling August sun burning my skin, refreshing water splashing up my legs, slippery rocks beneath my feet, and sweet guitar floating with my voice in the air. It's all we want to do... share music with people. Beautiful. Then we went on got gelato (I couldn't decide on a flavor so I chose the most colorful options - Strawberry & Thai Coconut with Rainbow Sprinkles). 

For weeks Vinny and I didn't touch each other. We stopped hanging out, stopped kissing, stopped making music. We 'needed space' because we didn't know how to function with our crazy relationship status (since I'm also with Davey and this makes everything complicado of course). We met for coffee and bubbletea a couple times and it was draining to not touch each other. Dangling carrots. Finally, we decided to stop denying ourselves. Complication was much better than deprivation. We enjoy each other's company and we want to play music together and inspire each other. The desire for inspiration, a magical music buddy and someone who speaks our exact same language outweighs the desire for simplicity. 

So we're back at it -- today we waded out into the water at the Kirkland Waterfront and practiced the songs I'm singing this weekend at Bridging the Music. We were in our own happy little world but I sensed all the people sitting on the harbor steps watching us, smiling, grabbing Snapchats, little girls smiling at me, older women swaying their hips a little, ducks bobbing their heads under the water. It felt amazing.

Tasty Summer Music JOY! Yay!
-Chamonix

My Song Selection for WA Solo Music Artist Awards

I finally decided on the songs I'll be singing this Sunday at Bridging the Music WA Solo Music Artist Awards. Hallelujah! I procrastinated choosing songs because I was struggling to imagine how I would feel on stage and what emotions or sound I wanted to share. I've never done this before so I wanted to set myself up for success - I don't want to overwhelm myself with a song that's super challenging but I also wanted to choose songs that are fun to sing so I'd have a good time. #dilemma because my repertoire is still just a baby. 

I'm going with my three 'top hits' ha! These songs are the ones that have made people cry or hum while they're cooking. These are the ones I catch myself singing, forgetting that I wrote them. With these ones, I stand the best chance of actually remembering the words when I'm performing. 

I've also been stressing about remember the guitar chords so I've visually 'connected the dots' of the chords on the guitar to make a shape that's associated with each song to help me remember the chord progressions. Fingers-crossed this memory trick will help my brain. 

The other day, Davey asked me which songs I was singing this Sunday and I told him:
"How Do You Do You" (Loopty-Loop, Like a Metal Pretzel Puzzle)
"Impossible Things"  (Triangle)
"Be the Exception" (Sideways V)

He said: "But those are covers."
A big smile spread across my face..."no they're not."
"Oh," he said with an even bigger smile, "that's right. They're just so good I forgot they weren't covers."

Yay! :D
Happy Friday!
x
Cha

Making Friends at Guitar Center

Oouu I wonder what this one sounds like? I pick up a Martin guitar with a $3,000 price tag. I'm sitting in that small wooden room, surrounded by instruments, singing my songs. A person walks in and I keep singing (a little nervous but I keep going). He sits down and asks to play with me. We play for an hour - me singing and strumming and him going crazytown with fast guitar fingerpicking. His name is Gavin and we talk about how wonderful music is and how important it is (for the sake a musician's happiness) to surround themselves with other musicians.

It's so easy to lock yourself in your bedroom and sing or hang out with good people who are 'just into other stuff'. But once you challenge yourself to go out there and connect with other MUSIC PEOPLE - the people who live and breath the music - your happiness levels will start increasing. You'll be able to spend ALL the minutes of your life in the musical vibe -- a wave you want to constantly be surfing. All of your energy can pour into it and everyone around you helps keep your creative musical energy lifted and enthusiastic. I've hit 'the rock bottom' of musical loneliness and this week I said NO MORE! So instead of practicing in my bedroom, I took my lunch break at Guitar Center and played with Gavin. I practically skipped back to my car - I don't remember the last time I was so happy. :)
-Cha