Monday, March 5, 2012

New Season

Its insane how fast the future comes. I have been planning things for my future for years and years, and now, everything is coming so fast. I talked in a previous blog about how I am moving to LA this Spring..guess what?? Its next month! Its crazy to think that it was just a distant plan, an idea, and now its HAPPENING! A couple months ago if you would have asked me how I was feeling, I wouldn't really have an answer. I didn't want to think about it cause it was nerve wracking and something I didn't feel ready for. BUT I committed to the plan and as I've made the plans towards it, I feel at peace and excited for it. I am actually getting impatient, I'm ready to move now!  My heart has been prepared and molded for this new chapter.

I am ready for a new season in my life. Sometimes we get very comfortable and stagnant in our lives, that it is hard to rock the boat and change it up. As an artist and an adventure seeker, I want to always be pushing myself to new bounds. I am seeing more and more my life going forward on the right course. I have done everything that I can do here in Seattle, and I'm ready to take on a new region!

Over these past few months I have been stretching myself in my life and in what I see possible. I went from being a Recording Artist and a singer, to being a songwriter, publisher, business woman, entrepreneur, a visionary, and much more. I no longer look at life in a box. Shoot, I want to own my own record label! Seeing the possibilities that are out there for me, have inspired me. Why just sing songs when you can write, publish, produce, and market them yourself! How much more rewarding is that?

I am ready to take these goals and realities to a whole new level. I am ready to be thrown into a new season of my life,  to learn, grow, and be inspired in new ways. I feel like I've hit a block of what I can soak in where I'm at.  My craft is about being inspired and constantly pushing forward. I am inspired by stepping into this new unknown season, and am so excited to share my journey, inspirations, and successes with you!

Much Love Always!
~Tiffany

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

"The ones that are crazy enough to change the world, do."

There are themes that keep coming up this week that have got me thinking. The themes are... What are you living for? What makes you happy? What is your purpose? Why do you do what you do? Now these might be questions that you feel you have a confident answer to, and I have felt this way to. As this subject of purpose and creating my life has come up over this past week in numerous forms, from conference calls, to books, to conversations with my mentor, to just a feeling inside of me, I start to wonder.

I was out to dinner the other day with some family. The conversation started off basic, "How have you been?" "What sounds good for dinner"? etc. Basically anything that wasn't confrontational and that broke the ice between us all at dinner. From there it became more direct and almost in a form of interrogation. Questions were directed towards the younger people at the table, what are your plans, goals? Basically insinuating that what these kids are doing is not of worth or value, that they needed to think further about the real world, or about getting a stable 9-5 job with solid benefits and a 401K. Now I get it, this is the way that we all have been taught. You go to school, get your degree,  work a 9-5 job 40 hours a week whether you like it or not. Thats the way its always been, and thats the way it will always be. NOT FOR ME.

This way of thinking to me is completely false. For some people thats what they'll do and they may love it! Good for them! But who has the right to tell someone what there life should look like? More often than not the ones saying "You can't do it" or "When are you going to get a better job", etc are unfulfilled in their own lives. Its easy to take the attention off of you and try to dictate how anothers life will go. I have learned over this past year and especially in this past week that NOONE creates your life expect yourself. YOU are in control of you.

Going back to the themes that have been coming up all week its important to ask yourself. What am I living for? What makes me happy? What is my purpose? What do I want to do? Many people think that asking yourself, "What do I want to do?" doesn't work. That the world doesn't work that way. Im telling you now it does work that way! I would be saddened to give up my entire life and every thing that I was designed to do, to give up my purpose on this earth, so that I could live the "normal, solid" life. Which in some definitions can mean the "unfulfilled, pushing a boulder up hill" life.

If you feel like your pushing a boulder up hill every day you wake up to go to your job or to live your usual life..please for the sake of your sanity STOP!

I have to re-focus myself every single day on what my plan and purpose is. Like almost every one I had a work resume, BUT I threw it away and deleted it from my computer. Working a job and being employed by another person is not my calling. There is no person on the face of the planet that is going to tell me what my life should be like, and what I need to be doing. I have felt empowered in this fact: I own and control my own life. I have made a vow to myself, to my family, and to anyone who knows me on a personal level, that I will live every day in my purpose, my calling, and what fulfills my soul. For me, music and a passion for changing peoples lives through music is what I live for, its what my purpose is. I am designed to do what I do, and any other life path would be going against my design, and thats not good for anyone! ;)

I know this has been a rambling entry, but I feel passionate about doing what you feel and what you know in your heart. There will always be judgment, and people looking down their nose at you for stepping out and doing something against the norm, something different. One of my favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs, "The ones that are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do." Doesn't make you so crazy anymore when your changing the world and walking in your purpose does it?

Much love,
Tiffany

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Music is powerful.

Last post I talked about how iv'e been letting go when writing, and writing from my core. This has continued to inspire me musically. I have also been struggling with being stuck where I'm at and not being able to change in the way I want to. I've noticed thats something a lot of people relate to, wanting to change, but not being able to. I was feeling really frustrated about this yesterday so I lit a candle and put all of that frustration and emotion into the mic.. It felt liberating to get those thoughts off of my mind and into a song! I felt like a new woman by the end of the song ;) Music is powerful, and I feel blessed that I get to experience it first hand everyday.

 I am also now working with The Brickhouse Band here in Seattle! They are so awesome, and these past few weeks working with them have been so much fun. I did my first show with them on 1/27 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel. It was a gorgeous venue and was one of the most rewarding shows I've done.. it was so relaxed and exciting. We were all so happy to be there, and it was really good to get out, party on stage, and be with great people. I lock myself in my studio most every day working and to get out and have a good time was refreshing, I am so excited for our upcoming shows! We will be going to Juneau, Alaska in March, which will be amazing! Ive never been to Alaska, and I hear it is beautiful..really pumped!

One thing that I have really been working on is perfecting my craft. I have been disciplining myself to write, work on vocal technique, play piano, etc EVERY single day. It gets really hard to find the time with all the business side of things, fan mail,  submissions for TV/Film, etc. Luckily, I am interviewing this week for my new assistant, this is so exciting for me..I won't have to be doing everything alone any more! Which means, I get more time to make music and do what I love! Ive already started my new daily practices, and its amazing what dedication and commitment do. I have improved so much, and am feeling good about where I'm headed.

I could ramble on for another hour about all the awesome new improvements and changes going on, this year is headed in a great direction.. I can't wait to continue to share my journey with you. Thank you for taking time to read about my experiences and my career, you are always appreciated!

Much Love,
Tiffany
http://www.tiffanyparker.com

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Lights Low, Adeles 21 playing, and a MacBook Pro.

As I sit in my studio, lights low, candle lit, and Adele's 21 playing I can't help but be in a contemplative, inspired mood.  Over these past couple weeks I have been challenging myself to write a song or part of a song every single day. At first this was very difficult for me...what do I write about? When I force myself to sit down and write when I'm uninspired, I hit a writers block, and nothing flows. After a couple days of "nothing" coming out I started to let my guard down. I captured the mindset that no one will hear this if I don't want them to...so what the risk? As soon as I broke those walls down, it was amazing how much flowed out of me.. Emotions of every color: sorrow, sassiness, anger, laughter, tears, soulful..lyrics and melodies that were REAL, that were the true sound inside of me. So many times I write songs as a "job" to make a deadline and sometimes lose the therapeutic beauty of writing..and why I love it! It has been exhilarating to let go and write what is inside of me.

Some of my best songs have just flowed out of me in less than an hour. Thats when I'm really inspired and the song is aligned with who I am. Which is something I am feeling empowered in lately...being honest and up front about who I am. I have faith that as the real me continues to shine through that my fans will connect with me on a deeper level. I don't want to just sell records and not be tangible. Some of my favorite parts of what I do is having people and fans trust me enough to confide and build a relationship with me. I LOVE being connected in that way. Through letting myself be accessible to my fans I have been rocked. There are truly some incredible people out there, they make me laugh, they inspire me, and I hope that through my journey, beliefs, and music that I can give a small sliver of that back to them, back to you reading this.

Not wanting to be all "sappy" but hey, I'm an artist, I feel deep. ;)

God Bless,
Tiffany

Friday, January 13, 2012

Live the Life You Love!

This past year has been such a year of growth. As it came to an end I had time to evaluate where I wanted to go from here. I have always wanted to continue to move forward and do incredible things in my life. Ive never been content living an "average" life. Over this month I have had some time really think about whether I was moving forward and living the life that I love. For the most part my answer was yes, BUT there are still some new experiences to be had!

I was born and raised in the Seattle area and have always loved it here. I am very close with my family, and I am of the small population that actually loves the rain! HA. This place has always been secure and comfortable for me. In the industry that I work in, being comfortable and "safe" is another way of saying your stalled. I have been flying back and forth to LA, and running most everything from my computer (Technology these days makes it a lot easier) BUT there is still so many opportunities that I have had to pass up or missed out on because of my location. Sometimes I feel that I am the only one in my profession here. Its very seldom that I find a person that truly understands what I do, and the intensity of the industry and being an independent artist. I have a lot of brief conversations about what I do, but there is always a disconnect. Since last year I have made contacts and connected with various artists that do what I do, or completely get it! Having a support system is something I haven't had until this point.

The experience of being in a studio with a bunch of people who are professionally and creatively programmed similarly to me is empowering. To have someone understand my "lingo" and my feelings is where I feel at home. Having that collaboration and connection is so important in this industry. I realized the only way for me to have those connections, along with the opportunities and significant growth, is to move to a place where the music industry exists, and not only as something you see on TV and on the radio, but as a LIFE and a REALITY.

I took a trip down to LA a couple weeks ago and made the decision that that is where I'm headed. Im ready to stretch myself and be "uncomfortable" in a new place, with a new mindset, opportunities and everything that comes with that. I looked at over 20 places to live and found the one that I knew right way was home. I met some incredible people in the industry and had a meeting with my producer about what the plans are when I get there. The plan is to pack my bags and move there indefinitely this Spring!  I am pumped and ready to have a powerful 2012 and this is going to be an important part in that story! :)

Much Love,
Tiffany
http://www.tiffanyparker.com

Monday, December 26, 2011

Ho Ho Ho!

I am feeling energized and ready to take on the world after these past couple days off! Sometimes thats all you need is just a couple days to not have to worry about anything. This Christmas was really great. I loved spending time with my family and eating till the only way I could transport myself is a wheelchair or to roll!! HA. (Thats the best.) I got to lay on the floor and fall asleep in front of the fire, while we watched Christmas movies.

One of the things that kept coming up in conversations over the season, was about the meaning of Christmas. I was watching The Grinch on Christmas Day and he said something very insightful to me... He was talking about how all the Who's care about are the presents, and then when the day is done, all the presents come to him in the TRASH. I laughed at that part because inside I saw how true that was. I didn't want to be one of those people that got so caught up in the gifts, that I lost the true meaning and beauty of Christmas. The Grinch got me to look in the mirror at myself! Who knew? ;)  At the end of the season, the memories and time spent with the people you love are what you keep close to you forever. I don't mean to get all sappy, but my most enjoyable moments and memories of this Christmas were the simple ones, like laying in front of the fire and relaxing with my family.

Later this week I'm flying back down to LA. Im really excited, it seems like forever since I've been there! I have just a few days to get caught up on all my work, and then off to the sunshine for a week. New Years Eve there should be really fun.. I'm not sure what ill do yet, but I'm sure theres plenty of parties and events to get in on. With the year coming to an end, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what I accomplished, where I need to go, and how to re direct my course in 2012. Im feeling very confident that big things are coming in 2012.

This year has been a whirlwind, but I would not take back any of it. I have become strengthened, and know now more than I have ever known. I feel empowered and inspired. I have gained more knowledge and success in this past year than I have in my entire life! God is good, and I continue to be blessed everyday. I am really pumped and excited to see what 2012 stores!

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend and wish you all a great rest of 2011!

Love Always,
Tiffany

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Photo shoot and NEW song coming out!

This week has been very busy but so rewarding! There have been so many technical difficulties and bumps in the road, but with the end of the week coming up, I feel that I got through most of the hard stuff. I am actually starting my hiring process tomorrow, to get an incredible assistant to help me out with everything I suck at! ;) Getting an assistant is WAY overdue, and after this week its even more obvious that I can not do everything on my own. I need at least 3 of me, and as far as I know I'm not a triplet, and am in serious need of some help! Im really excited to start looking for the right person(s). Its great to have someone to learn from, and not having to spend 2 hours doing what they would do in 10 min!

I also had my photo shoot yesterday, that went really good! Ive been wanting to get some amazing pictures for a while now, and we got some great shots! We played around with some motion photography of me dancing and moving around, They turned out so cool! Im really excited to see them finished, and be able to share them. We started the shoot on a white backdrop and then went out to the city to take some pictures with some cool architecture, doors, and scenery. Theres a ton of variety from this shoot! I will be posting those soon.

And the most exciting part of this week for me is being able to ANNOUNCE the release of my new song "Need to Be Free" Tuesday, December 20th! Ive had this song done for a while, and have been waiting for the right time to release it and the time has come! I really love this song, it was a lot of fun for me to write and record. I was inspired by a common story among couples and people in general. I started to see this trend and felt like writing a song about it. The song is about feeling suffocated by another person. This person doesn't leave you alone, constantly trying to control, or just simply all up in your grill!! In this song I'm saying "Back off me" and standing up against this person that I've been allowing to treat me this way. Its an empowering, sassy song but also a really fun, dance vibe too. I can't wait to have you guys hear it! Its one of my favorites and I hope it will be one of yours too :)

It will be available to listen to on Facebook, www.tiffanyparker.com, and my Reverbnation page on Tues, December 20th! Although, it will only be available for download through my mailing list.
To get it first and get your free download, sign up for my mailing list here: http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/join_mailing_list/artist_1345888


Much Love and Blessings, 
Tiffany :]