I am  a quite modest person, often to a fault.  But I’ve got to say that I am feeling pretty darn good that my music, and my album, "A Fine Time" is being embraced the way that it is.  I feel proud that my unwillingness to give up on my music is finally beginning to pay off..because there were times....oh, there were times.  I’m sure all of the indie artists out there can relate...the crappy jobs, the bill juggling, parents saying "get a real job...face the facts", the promoting the hell out of a show to have an audience that includes only your best friend and the bar staff, to getting a band to rehearse for free because you only have enough to pay them for the show.  And on and on it goes...

There have been some people in my corner who have never wavered in their support and belief in me even when my belief in myself did waver and I thank them dearly.

I guess there is something to be said for patience and perseverance.  Thank goodness!  I think that there is also a peace that comes when you are able to be happy with where you are and with the journey.  I am happy with the shape things are taking with my music but I am finally also happy with teaching and growing with my students.  It doesn’t have to be either/or.  It’s all good!

I was thrilled to read this review of my CD in Now Magazine this morning.  I’ve been reading Now for half of my life and this feels like things have come full circle.

Much love,

Joni

. http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/discs.cfm?content=162547

So, those who know me well know that I’m a city girl at heart.  I love the hustle and bustle, getting a good americano in little italy or shopping at Kensington market...meeting up with a girlfriend for tea after a yoga workout.

BUT.....I have discovered that I quite enjoy bird-watching...well, not really- bird feeding, to be exact.  Laugh if you wanna, but Adam and I have taken to going into the woods to feed the birds every morning.   It took a few tries to realize that maybe chickadees don’t like the sunflower seeds that you can get at the gas station.  So off we went to "Wild Birds Unlimited" in search of chickadee delicacies.  Turns out, they like a special kind of sunflower seed- very dark in colour and much smaller than the kind we usually eat.

So today it happned! We went armed with our new seeds and after about 10 minutes of wondering if the lady at the bird store got it wrong- the chickadees showed up in droves!  And they ate right out of our hands- yup, they did!

How cool was it?  Well, you’ll have to come visit us in Guelph to find out.  We also have lots of blue jays, cardinals, crows, morning doves, wood-peckers, and the mysterious "meeeewhoooo" bird (haven’t figured out which bird makes that call yet).

So there you have it- our new pastime.  Let me just say, that chickadees are really cute!

So we had our first show of the year and since the release of my CD this past Thursday in Montreal.  It was a fun show and gave me the opportunity of meeting so many warm-hearted people.  God, I love Montreal!

Neways, CBC Radio 3 happened by toward the end of the night and gave me a great review- Thanks Raji!

You can check it out here: 

 http://radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2008/01/Last-Nights-Gig---Joni-NehRita

Thank you to all my friends, family and the new fans who are supporting my music!  Indie artists such as myself couldn't do it without you!

So, I've finally finished my debut album "A Fine Time" which feels great.

It's been on sale on CDbaby for a mere day and half and the first person to buy it is from Japan!  I think that's coolest thing I've heard all week. It's got me totally geeked out that thanks to the net, some person on the other side of the world has listened to and enjoyed my music enough to order my CD!  Yipee!

I know, I know...this is not new. But it's new for me and heck, I'm excited and not too much of a "grown up" to admit it.  Shit, you should've seen the "Happy Dance" I did in my living room when I got the email from CDbaby informing me that a guy from Japan had orded it.

So hurray for the internet, CDbaby, and for the technology that's making it possible for us indie artists to share our music with people everywhere on our own terms.  Here's to 2008!!!

Little rant aka brain drain:

So lately I've been craving for more meaningful conversations.  I'm a musician and mostly live and breathe music.  But I strive to be balanced in my life. Meaning, I try to make time to take care of my physical, spiritual and intellectual selves as well as the part of me that is creative.

I have been wanting to talk about the environment, about how to live more sustainably and why that's becoming less of a choice.  I've been wanting to talk about religion and what it means to people versus spirituality...wanting to rap about God concepts, what it is that really matters.

Heck, I even miss tossing conspiracy theories back and forth.  Miss talking about current affairs, social issues and political ones.

Certain parts of me have not been feeling stimulated.  I still read a lot and research topics that I find interesting, but I find that lately I haven't had anyone to share with.

  How else can we learn and possibly grow but by talking with one another and heck - if we put the ego aside, we may find we are able to look at a situation and see it in a whole new light. 

People call me a hippie just 'cause I use the words "spirituality" or "energy".  They say I'm a new ager.  Meanwhile, I'm learning about most of these concepts from ancient teachings:  Native Americans, the Hindu faith, Buddhism, etc.

I'm also a hippie because I happen to like fruits and vegetables and find that I function best when I am careful about what I put into my body and excercise regularly....yeah, yeah...I mostly do yoga and Pilates.  Why?  'Cause they work, dammit! 

I'd like to be not judged but respected for knowing that I have a brain and a spirit that like to be fed.  But sometimes I feel people get a little uncomfortable, which can lead to them being downright rude and dismissive if you are to touch on amything "too deep".  Deep can be anything from why it's a good idea to support local farmers, (esp organic ones) to why the use of the word "nigga" (aka nigger) feels completely unacceptable to me. ( don't get me started on THAT one!)

Ok, so my rant is losing focus and is veering all over the place.  Guess I'm putting the energy out there that I am welcoming in more like minds and spirits into my life.  I know they're out there!  I have some wonderful people in my life who understand me and love me for who I am.

But sometimes, because most of my good friends are busy musician such as myself, I don't get to see/talk to them regularly.  So I miss debating, philosophizing, sharing ideas, learning and challenging myself.

Well congrats if you've made it this far.  Don't worry if you didn't.  I'll probably remove this tomorrow.  Just a moment of freeing my thoughts...

J

I WAS BLESSED WITH A NEW SONG TODAY.  I COULDN'T SLEEP LAST NITE/THIS MORNING...THINKIN' ABOUT MY NEWFOUND  LOVE.

ANYWAY, IN A RUSH THIS SONG CAME TUMBLING OUT; IRONICALLY NOT ABOUT MY NEW LOVE...I'M POSTING THE LYRICS AND WILL PERFORM IT SOON AT ONE OF MY UPCOMING SHOWS...LEMME KNOW WHAT U THINK.  MUCH LOVE, JO

WEATHERED HANDS

ITS THE STORY OF A MAN WHO USED HIS TWO HANDS

TO BUILD WHAT HES GOT

ITS THE STORY OF THE SON WHO LIVES A CAREFREE LIFE

THAT HIS MOM DID NOT

ITS THE STORY OF THE GIRL WHO LEFT HER HOMELAND

TO FIND EQUALITY

ITS THE STORY OF THE CHILD WHO CHOSE HIS PATH

OVER CONFORMITY

CHORUS:

THEY DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO

SOMETIMES THEY IGNORED THE RULES

THEY MAY HAVE WEATHERED HANDS

BUT EVER PROUDLY THEY STAND

ITS THE STORY OF THE NUN WHO GAVE HER LIFE

TO SERVE ALL THOSE IN NEED

ITS THE STORY OF THE MAN WHOS GENTLE WORDS

WE STILL HAVE YET TO HEED

ITS THE STORY OF THE SLAVES WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

IN BRUTAL SACRIFICE

SO WE IN TURN TODAY

CAN ENJOY A BETTER LIFE.

CHORUS:

THEY DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO

SOMETIMES THEY IGNORED THE RULES

THEY MAY HAVE HAD WEATHERED HANDS

BUT EVER PROUDLY THEYLL STAND

IT CAN BE FOUND IN EVERY RACE AND CREED

THOSE WHO MOVE WITH LOVE NOT IN THE NAME OF GREED

AND ONCE YOU SEE IT, ALLOW YOUR HEART TO FEEL IT

AND YOULL KNOWYOU WILL KNOW...

REPEAT CHORUS 2X

OUTRO:

DONT BE AFRAID TO JUST DO SUMTHIN!

FIND YOUR VOICE, SHINE YOUR LIGHT,

LEND YOUR HAND, TAKE A STAND.

JUST DO SUMTHIN!

FIND YOUR VOICE, SHINE YOUR LIGHT,

LEND YOUR HAND, TAKE A STAND

(REPEAT OUTRO SEVERAL TIMES)

Copyright 2006 Joni NehRita Rodney

So,I'm settling into the city called London England...sort of.

I'm making it my business to get out to as many open mics and showcases as I possibly can and I'm enjoying that.  Last nite, I went to Fridge Bar, a very cool spot...soulful music, good vibes.  I taught the band a reggae song of mine "I Don't Wanna" on the spot and had loads of fun singing with them and the backing vocalists who made up harmonies on the fly.  Very good vibes indeed.  A lot of people said they remembered me from last week when I sang at the showcase, so that was cool.  They love their live music at Fridge Bar!  Very enthusiastic indeed!

The musicians, singers, DJ's, and bookers that I have met have been amazingly welcoming and helpful.  I am learning the true meaning of hospitality and selflessly helping someone you don't know...they are an example, for real!

It's the people that are saving this experience for me.  I am finding that most of London is way more crowded than I like.  I mean, people just swarming around like ants everywhere!  It's incredible.

Another incredible thing is how expensive it is!!!!   I have come to appreciate Canada in a whole new way.  Unlike in Toronto, here you are charged by the minute on your landline.  Then with cellphones, it is more expensive to call a landline or a friend that is with a different mobile company than you're on....and so it goes.  Read the fine print takes on new meaning!  lol  And don't get me started on the crazy bus system....especially at nite.....just don't get me started ;)

So, I am incredibly glad to have this experience and to be making friends with such truly lovely people.  But, man when I get home, if you catch me complaining about T.O -kick me! Toronto's great too!

So that's it for now....bit of a rant, I know.  Guess I'm still kind of half asleep.  Went to bed real late listening to Bill Withers live.  That man is truly dope!

Peace, Jo

So, I'm finally here in London and it's fabulous.

I've been really blessed to meet some great people who are hospitable and helpful and I only just got here yesterday!

Last nite, I had my song "This Way" played on a U.K. internet radio show and they interviewed me as well.  I had fun, though I was very jet lagged.  I'll be on again next week on Monday.  The show airs from midnite to 2am.  www.solarradio.com

Tomorrow I've been invited to a club called The Sugar Reef to check out some live music.  They showcase 5-6 different acts every Wednesday and will probably have me on in two weeks.

On Thurday, I'll be singing with The Platform at The Fridge.  They've learned two of my orignal songs and I'll sing a few cover tunes too.  Apparentely, it gets really packed in this place and the people are ready to party!  It should be a lot of fun!

Tomorrow during the day I'll be looking for a room to rent for the month and  meeting with a few of my myspace friends.

So, that's it for now.  I'll keep you all posted regularly.

I hope you are feeling blessed and happy.  Take good care of yourselves and keep in touch.

Much love and light, Jo