A New Frontier

It can be a struggle to let go.
But once you start to undress, it gets easier to shed the layers.
Soon you're naked...vulnerable yet free.
The inner restraints have loosened,
Your physical perception has changed ,
And the narrow roads become an open freeway.

...I run with the wild horses and dance with the young of heart.


-Alisa Apps

Happy Retro Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day brings to mind the blessings in our lives that usually go unnoticed:a home that surrounds us with comfort and protection;delicious food, for pleasure in both eating and sharing;clothes to snuggle up in,books and good entertainment to expand our minds;and freedom to worship our God. We are thankful for our family and friends, those treasured people who make our lives extra special.You are part of that cherished group. On Thanksgiving, (and every day) we appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Magical Arabian Night !!

ALISA APPS in the Recording Studio

I Speak To You With Song (poem) by Alisa Apps

I Speak To You With Song

Some people love to chat by text; others on the phone.
Some talk all day long cause they cant stand to be alone.
I’m not too much of a conversationalist - face-to-face or any of the above for long. I’d rather sit and write in melody and speak to you with a song.

-Alisa Apps

The White Rose (poem) by Alisa Apps

The White Rose by Alisa Apps

The white rose with dew drops smiles upon the morning moon
Awaiting a new day to send innocence in bloom
Her petals of pearly white are as soft as inexperienced love
And encourage a safe passage to a truce or peace, a flying dove
The message of the white rose speaks in tender tone
“You are loved by me; and even after I fade away, you shall never be alone”

the VMA Lip Syncing Turn Off

I was that the MTV music video awards (VMA’s) the other week and I noticed all he singers were lip syncing and that got me thinking- here is Kanye West who calls himself a genius and yet he was using auto tune and a vocoder – which makes any voice sound good.

Am I dreaming or is this all fake?

I think back to the great voices– Billie Holiday, Elvis, Freddie Mercury and try to imagine them using a vocoder.

I hear the echoes of the cheers and chanting Kanye got and my heart cries.

I cry out for authenticity and human imperfection. I cry out for the beauty of a voice reaching for perfection.

Rap, Body Builders and the Meaning of Life

Yesterday at the gym I was listening in on a casual conversation that two of the body builders were having. Now these were full-out "tough guys" - mid 20's, extremely ripped African Americans and super serious about power and strength.


One was asking the other about a song they were listening to on the way there. (The other must have had his music player in the car.) The inquisitive one was thirsting for new music and said he's sick of rap and can't listen to it anymore...wants to hear different, new things.


After hearing this I was a bit struck back as I foolishly assumed he would primarily like rap. So I broke into their conversation asked him, "Why is it that you don't like rap or don't want to listen to it anymore?"

He laughed and said "Rap is horrible now there is no meaning in it. Its all meaningless and the rappers are heartless. When rap started it was good. It was real. But now its all crap. All they talk about is money, girls, sex, partying- even the videos are a joke. I want to listen to music that moves me, that comes from a real place. Rap's a joke."


Interesting tidbit- he was wearing a vintage Marvin Gaye t-shirt

AA final thoughts: The age of the computers and technology has definitely changed our artistic world into being dehumanized and dumbed down (movies, music, painings,etc.)...but because of this, we are craving meaning and purpose more than ever. A change is a coming!!

the Native Blood Within

Ever since I was a little girl, I felt as though I had a spiritual connection with Native Americans. It was if I had their blood coursing through my veins - that I was misbirthed into my family and that an untold secret had been wrapped around my life.

When seeing photographs, I'm transfixed and my soul cries out to join their spirit - I have visions of pow wows and ceremonial chanting, fire burning crackling and animal hides being fitted to my soft virgin body -feathers in my hair. Shaman speaking wise forecasts and smoking calumet pipes in his tepee.

FREEDOM

Sometimes Freedom can be bought
Sometimes sold

Freedom is often taken for granted

And held more dear to the old

I stop to think about my Freedom today

It's the Fourth of July - I hear the children play

When I was a little girl I was free

Now this means so much more to me

In some countries I wouldn't be able to sing my music

In others I'd have to cover my face

Sometimes I curse our leaders and dream of moving to another place

But when I sit with myself and think of what true Freedom we have

There's no other place that I'd rather stand

Land of the Free, home of the brave

For Today and everyday the American Flag I wave

ALISA APPS in the Recording Studio

REAP WHAT YOU SOW – Power of Lyrics

Have you ever thought about what you say on a daily basis and how it effects your whole life??  What about your favorite songs or singers who you listen to over and over again?  Well I’m going to warn you, this blog will shock you!!  Your going to hear what happened to famous singers because of what they were singing and the emotion they put into it. Some of the artists will include: John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Melissa Etheridge and Kurt Cobain (note: all of these singers wrote their own songs)

MELISSA ETHERIDGE

Come to My Window is a Grammy Award-winning song by Melissa Etheridge released in 1994. This was the first song released after Etheridge publicly announced her sexual orientation of being a lesbian. But more profound are the lyrics written by her that read:

“Nothing fills the blackness
That has seeped into my chest”

Ten years later, in October of 04’, Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43.

KURT COBAIN 

In the early 90’s the media referred to Kurt Cobain as being the “spokesman of a generation” with Nirvana being considered the “flagship band of Generation X. They had managed to completely change the musical and fashion landscape of that time to what we call grunge.

Come As You Are by Kurt Cobain was released as the second single from the band’s second studio album ‘Nevermind’ in 1992. It was the band’s second American Top 40 hit.

Kurt’s lyrics

And I swear that I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun

Original intention of lyrics (shared by Mark Deming of All Music) : When Cobain declares that he's unarmed, it's an attempt to reassure listeners that no matter how much of a misanthrope he may be, his target is the world at large rather than the individuals in it, and that there was still room in this damaged world for everyone. 

But these lyrics would end up meaning something rather different ….Tragically, on April 5th 1994, Kurt Cobain committed suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Like many other rock and blues musicians, his life ended way too early at the young age of 27. (Some of the many others that died at 27 include Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. - 27 Club  )

Furthermore, Cobain had a growing fascination with guns. In fact, Kurt spent his first Nirvana paycheck on BB guns… later he would buy many more including three handguns, a semiautomatic rifle, and 25 boxes of ammunition that were confiscated by police during one of the times they were called to his and Courtney Love’s house in Seattle, Washington. During the last years of his life, Cobain struggled with heroin addiction, illness and depression.

JOHN LENNON 

Happiness Is A Warm Gun written by John Lennon

The man in the crowd with the Multicolored mirrors on his hobnail boots

Happiness is a warm gun (Bang bang, shoot shoot)
Happiness is a warm gun mama (Bang bang, shoot shoot)

 I think that one explains itself.  

My next artist is Jim Morrison (one of my favorites).

But to be honest I am a bit heavy in the dark side of things - writing and researching - that I have had enough for today!! Next I will include my boy Jim and others... The others will bring light into your life and mine and I am excited for the next revelation in terms of the power of lyrics, emotion, music and intent.

If there are artists that you would like to see in the next Alisa Apps - 'Reap What You Sow' blog be sure to speak up!!!  

xx Alisa Apps

AlisaApps.com

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Im a Sockaholic

Confession: I wear socks to bed ...yep even in the summertime. who am i kidding ...I never take my socks off :/- im a sockaholic

Letters of Seduction and Enlightenment

Today is a writing day! Will be starting on a new song later tonight but before that, my words will be in letter form not musical notation.

Within six different letters my vision and talent will pour out. For now is the time to bring music to the world.

Yesterday I was told by one of music's all-time greats that "its your time now- your stories help people- your music must be heard!!"

So my next journey begins today. A new path to persue with new inhabitants joining me. I wonder what bounties will be bestowed upon me around the next corner.

The World Is Lost!

I look around me and it’s painful to see so many lost souls, people overdosing, dying so young and hating themselves. Just this morning ex-child star (is how they acknowledged him) Corey Haim died at age 38 of a drug overdose here in LA. It’s become an epidemic!

The fact is the world is lost. Our culture has become desensitized and cruel – we treat people as substandard if they are no longer what’s “hot” or if they are not rich and famous. The media and pop culture including music and television play a huge role in this transition. Just look at what the top television shows and songs are. What is the message? How do they make you feel??

I just spoke to Quincy Jones this weekend about just this and his words were, “today’s music is dumbed down.” Music is so important in our daily life but it has been stripped away from us by empty lyrics, redundant beats and backed by a message of sex. The world needs beautiful music again; music that fills our soul with love and happiness. If all that you are being fed is garbage than you will feel and act like garbage.

As an artist I have a responsibility to humankind to create beauty and better in the world and I strive for that every day. I look forward to the day that I can reach millions of souls.

Xx Alisa

Love Love to Sing - Recording

So I have been away from the blogging due to my all day all night recording and songwriting. Having so much fun that the blogs took a hit! But not to fret you can visit my facebook for the one liners. http://www.facebook.com/AlisaAppsMusic

Here's a sneak peak video of me recording "Billy"!!

100% The Real Deal

It is the one that stands out from the rest that gets the reward.
It is easy to say no but to say yes is what brings you to a new place.

Living in Los Angeles has been a weird ride...
As the award ceremonies play out year after year I see a sea of delusion

If only people were real; or at least drew from a real place
I guess to put on a mask is easier

....But what people really want is someone authentic