Andrea Hamilton's MySpace Blog |

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

no TV for me
Current mood:

blissful
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping

i haven’t been watching much tv since i’ve been in japan, and i think that’s a really good thing. one thing i’ve noticed is that it’s easier to appreciate the multi-faceted beauty in my life when i’m not constantly bombarded with flashing images of two-dimensional “perfection.” especially, to be frank, the beauty of my body. i think it’s amazing the way our bodies were created and operate. how they meet the demands we put on them and how they can be trained to do such precise and difficult things; one person is a professional golfer, another a violinist. and, i like the cycle God set up of energy intake and output. the intrinsic and intuitive communication we have with our bodies - “i need an apple today.” “i don’t need more asparagus.” we just know! haha :) and it’s a colorful miracle the way we can taste and choose and experience and LIVE. but sometimes when i overdose on media it’s harder to remember these things. the human body becomes a commodity; we reduce it to two dimensions and start to think of it only in terms of how we can improve its inadequate appearance and performance. what an unfair comparison: a real live body, made to grow and move and survive like 100 years of earth-dwelling, and a non-body, an image - the lovechild quick camera angles and MAC makeup on a tv screen. weird.

i hope i can stop participating in the cheapening of the human body that our society sometimes perpetuates. i know now that i’m more than a ruler-marking on the yardstick of physical appearance. and i feel myself growing more and more immune to those sneaky assaults on our worth that the advertising world relies on. it’s like they’re out of a job if we stop feeling like wanna-be’s. well, i don’t “wanna be” an airbrushed, unmoving, unreal p.o.w. to the tv’s expectations for me. i want to be a brown-headed, 5’4” singer who never wore braces and whose stomach has a substantial and realistic line across it when she sits at the piano. i want to be MEEEEEE (i know i’ve said that before, but it’s true).

so, maybe i should keep this no-t.v. habit up. or at least make sure i’m paying attention to things that fill my soul, like finding out what the Creator meant for me, thinks of me... says to me! ya. i think i’d rather watch real life.

bye my friends!
love,
Andrea

4:32 PM

(Add Comment) |

2 Kudos

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Short Stories from Japan!
Category: Blogging

Hi everyone! Konnichiwa :)

It's 3:23 on a Saturday afternoon here in Japan, so it's Friday night in California. If I were there I'd be playing at Monrovia Coffee Company tonight - but I hear the lovely mizz Adjoa Skinner is doing a fabulous job. In fact, my midwest country-boy of an older brother (who ROCKS) is in Cali with his wife Erin right now. Good thing I get to see them next month in Kansas City or I'd be sad. Ok enough sentimental blub blub; I have stories to tell!!

Story #1: Best Taxi Driver Ever!

On Wednesday I was all worried because the word for University is hard for me to pronounce and I had to tell a cab driver where to take me. So, I got in a taxi at my hotel and to my surprise the nice old man driving started speaking English! He proceeded to tell me about the city, show me pictures of his kids, and inform me that he was a professional Samuri fighter back in the day! When he asked if I'd been to the tea room and garden by the University I said it was on my sight-seeing list. So, he stopped the meter with like 15 minutes left, gave me the receipt and said let's visit it today! Then we got in for free and he ordered tea for me at an amazing mansion/historic building by the garden. At this point I'd definitely checked to make sure I had pepper spray with me, because that's a little out of the ordinary, and it is a dude even though he's 4'10'' and like 65 years old. But I knew it wasn't like that, because I could tell he was the sweetest old man in the entire nation of Japan. So I got to see the whole room and garden with my new pal! :) The video blog is pretty funny, IMHO - it's on YouTube, Japan Video Blog #4.

Story #2: Fukuoka University

The whole reason I was taking a taxi in the first place was to go visit my friend Larry's class at the college nearby. He's an English professor (grew up in Canada, married a cool lady named Meiko, moved here - I can see why!). He invited my friend Keesh (more on him later) and me to come talk to his class about the music industry and stuff. They were working on skits so we all watched an episode of Seinfeld, at which Keesh and I were cracking up during all the same moments, while everyone else laughed at completely different times, when I didn't quite understand what was funny. Interesting how sitcom humor gets lost in translation. Anyway, the kids in the class were SO cool, and hopefully I helped them a little with English. I also brought my guitar and played a few songs.

Story #3: LOVE FM Appearance

My friend Keesh happens to be a DJ on a big FM station here in Fukuoka, Japan. He lived in LA for a while actually, and ran a Hip Hop label there. He's fluent in Japanese and English, so he does an English-filled afternoon show on the air. I got to go play a song live and interview this week! Thursday afternoon at 6pm. I played "Tonight it's Ours" which has been getting some radio play around here, and I talked about my favorite Japanese foods and musical influences. Pictures on Facebook Fan Page!

Story #4: World Class Orthodontist

Last night at Bar Fizz (the place at the hotel where I have a residency), I met a doctor that asked if I was from the U.S. I asked him if my mispronunciation of Japanese was a big hint, haha. Well, it turns out he was a professor in Louisiana (state of my birth!) and then became a celebrity orthodontist. Then he showed me pictures on his iPod of all these mega-famous Hollywood celebrities and their teeth x-rays! Crazy. I told him I wouldn't tell you who, because he kept saying "Top secret. Top secret." But I guess there were some really famous people with imperfect teeth before he came and helped them out. And also some transvestites that now look more feminine. Anyway, he was a really nice orthodontist and hopes to go back to the U.S. soon.

ok, that's about all of the random stories I have time for right now. More to come!

Love,

Andrea

7:45 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Click here to see photo's from Japan!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Thoughts ...from Japan :)
Current mood:

content
Category: Music

Time with Friends: Quality over Quantity

I'm really glad I knew I'd be traveling a bunch for the rest of 2009. It made me get my priorities straight! I saw almost everyone I'd hoped to before I left, and spent super-meaningful, undistracted time with them because I knew it was the last time I'd see them in a while! And looking back, I think that might be even cooler than if I were to stay in LA and let months go by without seeing them anyway! Knowing I was leaving made me think about what's important, and hang out with the people that mean so much to me in my life :) I miss them but I know I'll coming back after learning many things and having many cool adventures, and it'll be even better when I see them again. Plus, my new friends here are pretty awesome too! More on that soon.

God bless :)

-Andrea

Currently reading:
A Severed Wasp: A Novel
By Madeleine L'Engle

8:33 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Sunday, April 19, 2009

My Last Few Shows Before I Leave!!
Current mood:sentimental
Category: Music

Hey everyone! These are my last 6 shows before I take off! (I know 6 sounds like a lot... but they'll go by fast!)

1) APRIL 19th : Fusion Cafe in Eagle Rock with Rebecca Schubert, Kala, and Jeremy Graham!! Full band, free amazing show :) [if I do say so myself.] 2424 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA

2) APRIL 20th : Room 5 Lounge in LA with Jess Penner, Francesca De Valence, Joel Eckles and more! Francesca is a recording artist from Australia with huge success. and a huge heart. You'll really like this show! 143 N La Brea, Los Angeles CA 90036 (2nd floor above Almalfi Restaurant) at 8pm. There's a cover charge of $10 and it's well worth it :)

3) APRIL 23rd : Azusa Pacific University with One Year Yesterday, Kellen Humphries and Soren Baird. Outdoor show with FREE FOOD (always good) and guess what - the great Lance Beckford is going to be playing drums with me. I play at 8:30 on the dot! 901 E Alosta Ave, Azusa, CA 91702 in the Engstrom Parking Lot (by the baseball field).

4) APRIL 24th : River of Life Cafe in Irwindale with Francesca De Valence and Soren Baird! River of Life is super supportive of indie artists and always puts on really cool shows. They're at Divine Savior Pres. Church: 5116 Irwindale Ave (1 block S of Arrow Hwy) Irwindale, CA 91706 7:30 pm. $6 at the door, refreshments provided. For more info email Zac, he's the guy that puts it on: zacbright@msn.com

5) APRIL 28th : Johnson and Wales University in Denver CO! at the Sage Lounge in the Hospitality College at 9pm on the dot. 7150 Montview Blvd Denver, CO 80220, solo show :) I'm playing for a long time! Here's the campus map:
http://www.jwu.edu/content.aspx?id=19848&linkidentifier=id&itemid=19848

6) MAY 1st : Monrovia Coffee Co! free to get in and i stinkin' love this place :) openers start at 7:30pm, I'll probably play around 9. Free to get in. 425 S Myrtle Ave, Monrovia, CA

Then I take off for Japan!!! Alright you guys, hope you have a great weekend, and hope I can see you soon :)

God bless,
-Andrea

Currently watching:
Cinderella Man (Widescreen Edition)
Release date: 2005-12-06

12:43 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Thursday, April 02, 2009

SoCal Music Live FINALS!! This Tuesday (April 7)
Current mood:

excited
Category: Music

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know I made the finals (top 3) for SoCal music live! If you're free Tuesday night you should come out - there are some INCREDIBLY TALENTED artists and bands on the bill. I'm excited to hear them! (and to play too of course).

Here are all the details:

Tuesday, April 7, 2009, beginning at 7:30 at the M Bar in Hollywood:

competing for...
BEST MALE
Jesse MacLeod
Jonathan Blake
Sharif

BEST FEMALE
Andrea Hamilton
Kris Angelis
Sarah Green

BEST ACOUSTIC BAND
Broken Lane
Sal & Isela con los Salerosas
The Fallen Stars

BEST ELECTRIC
Chronic Remorse
Hershel Abram
The Fallen Stars

Each of the 12 finalists will play one song each, and awards will be handed out to the winner. Best Male receives a new Fender Reasonator guitar; Best Female receives a Daisy Rock guitar; Best Acoustic Band receives a Sam Ash $100 gift certificate and four hours studio time from Mantz Music and Best Electric receives a Minarik Lotus guitar. Each winner also receives a one-year membership in Songsalive! and a certificate good for a photo shoot at a live performance.

Reservations should be made directly with the M Bar in Hollywood - $10 minimum food purchase required.

5:20 AM

2 Comments

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Friday, March 13, 2009

Thomas Merton and JAPAN
Current mood:

excited

i’m reading “learning to love” by thomas merton. selected almost at random from the library by my house, it’s basically a collection of his journal entries from 1966-67. i think it might be hard for me to read in a way, because that was the year he fell in love, and obviously didn’t end up with the girl, seeing as he was a monk. that would be so hard! to be in genuine love with someone but committed to solitude for the rest of your life. it would also be hard to be her – wanting to be with someone, but no doubt also wanting them to keep their commitment to God. knowing those two things would never coincide.
it’s also interesting because i’ve been realizing just how introverted i am – compared to most. i wouldn’t place me in a nunnery, but i know i have a higher tolerance for solitude than most of my friends. i don’t indulge that happy-alone side of me very often, because of my occupation, and because there are so many things i enjoy about spending time with all of the amazing people in my life that doing so often takes precedence. But this may, for a month straight, i’ll be performing in Fukuoka, Japan which I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT!! so i’ll have a chance to indulge the hidden quietude. and write some freakin’ songs! i have had “no time” lately – or more accurately, i haven’t been using enough of the 24 hours God’s been giving me every day to do the one thing i feel most called to do. how does that happen?? i know some if the busy-ness is legit; but i think some of it’s not.

10:48 PM

3 Comments

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

i'm on Twitter!
Current mood:

fabulous

so i have succumbed to the pressure of my peers! i'm now on twitter!
just search for Andrea Hamilton and you'll see my pic. i'm the one who writes songs :)
http://twitter.com/AndreaHamilton

6:45 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

the one with the LIVE album!
Current mood:

excited

Last month my very talented friend Valeri Lopez, along with more than a few of our musician friends, all got together and recorded a LIVE ALBUM, and the recording is now mixed!! It has 5 of my songs and 5 of Valeri's. The band is world-class: Bryan Taylor on drums, Justin DiCenzo on bass, Stephan Hovsepian on violin, Correen Rowles on flute, Corey Witt on guitar, Gayle Skidmore on back up vocals, and of course Valeri and I on various instruments and the singing pipes. Check out the songs in my myspace player! It hasn’t finished printing yet, so you can’t buy a physical copy anywhere at the moment. BUT, if you want a sneak peek, or a FREE MP3!!, go to www.ReverbNation.com/AndreaHamilton and hit play!! You gotta check it out. Also, I believe mizz Valeri Lopez posted a few more mp3s at www.Reverbnation.com/ValeriLopez for streaming… woohooo!!

5:35 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Blog about Sonora
Current mood:Kanye West
Category: Life

Just east of Stockton in the middle of Californ-I-A is an AWESOME little town called Sonora. I LOVE the people there, and the whole feel of the town. My good friend Todd Schroeder grew up there, and for 15 years has been putting on this super-cool benefit concert for young artists. Yesterday was the last one – so we went out with a bang! The band was full of incredible musicians who have played with Boys II Men, written with Sarah Evans, and toured with Angela Lansbury… and they backed up Valeri Lopez and I on our songs! The fans were also great, and we made a lot of new genuine friends. Our sound guy had to fly back to his Broadway show in NY, but the rest of us hung out all night playing songs. Love it.

Currently listening:
808s & Heartbreak
By Kanye West
Release date: 2008-11-24

2:29 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos