A Mucky Rut I Like to Call "Habbit"

[Day two- Jan. 27th]

So last Tuesday was day number two in the studio. We focused solely on completing "Hello" in hopes of getting it to Disney in time to use for the N.B.T. contest. (Which YAY! We Did!)

The guys nailed down some awesome guitar parts earlier in the day and I started on vocals at about three. I was super pumped to get started because "Hello" is a song like none other I've written. It embraces a bit of the delighted fool in me. And THAT is a side of myself I could not wait to share with people! But when I began singing, I quickly hit a snag.

You see, the song is a very British-Pop style song. So it seems I naturally- in the 6 month course of time in which I had been singing the song- began to sing it with an accent. Whoops! So, Joel and Aaron- gently coaxing me out of my British-Pop rut- began to try and help me back into the Vibey-Pop sound I'm known for. And boy where they in for a surprise!

I was stuck. And man I mean stuck. Way down in a mucky rut of a bad habit. And it seemed no matter what I tried I couldn't remember what I would sound like if I didn't sound British. I mean, how hard is it to know what you sound like?! I was bumming at this point. Seriously bumming. But not because I couldn't seem to get it. I was frustrated because I knew I could! I was psyching myself out- having a silly mental block. Because the longer I tried to get it right, the more I made myself believe I was only going to get it wrong again.

I knew this was ridiculous. But I couldn't break the cycle- or so it seemed. As Joel and Aaron kept encouraging me and I kept sucking it up and trying over, and over, and over again... I finally heard it. There was this one line that my voice- MY voice- snuck out for just a moment. I had let my guard down and stopped thinking about it just long enough to find my own voice again. Even though only for a moment. I could tell they were both holding their breath as they instantly started the take over again. And then it happened.

It was the sweetest moment after I ended that next take. I was watching Joel and Aaron through the window in front of me as I let go of my last note, and I saw them both throw their fists in the air as to say "Thank you God for helping her find that!"

After that oh-so-very-sweet take, I had caught fire. I was ready to attack that song, and so I did. I stayed at the studio until I was sure it was as perfect as I could make it. And I had a blast seeing what I get my voice to do.

I kept the tears at bay on day two. Although they were close at hand: Already aimed and ready to fire. I kept my chin up and found my vocal niche again. And it sure felt amazing.

I heard the first mix of the completed song today. And it's incredible. I am so in love with the way the song has come alive. Joel and Aaron encouraged me until I succeeded. They nudged a vocal performance out of me that I wasn't sure I had.

And I can't wait for you all to hear it!!! It will be up on myspace.com/daniellethrush TOMORROW! FEB. 3RD!

So much more to share tomorrow!

DT

bad jokes + coffee + a little man stink and maybe some good tunes= one successful day in the studio

11:40am

I am SO excited- and a bit relieved- to be back in the studio today! It's day one for the new stuff we're recording- for now just three songs. We're tracking drums and bass in the studio for the first time with Alexander and Zachary. And it's already been a morning filled with stupid jokes and man stink (the BEST combination for a day in the studio!) which is what you get when you work with a bunch like this. But of course I wouldn't have it any other way.

Being back here almost exactly one year after I was recording "The Way Down" feels incredible. Last year I had no idea where I would be in 3 months, let a lone a year from now. I could only pray that I would be coming back with more good tunes and some fans again next year. And here I am. I've got gigs under my belt, some awesome fans, support from family and friends, and an incredible opportunity with Radio Disney. I am BLESSED!

My song writing has taken on an even more distinct sound in this last year, but it stays true to my pop roots. I can't wait to hear how these new songs sound after they're all laid out. Joel and Aaron know me well after all the time we've spent together. So I don't have to say much for them to know what I'm hearing in my head. And they never fail to rock my socks off.

Eating habits always seem to go south on studio days. So far this morning I've had dunken donuts coffee (pictured with above/left), cottage cheese, cheerios, dr. pepper, chocolate covered raisins, and red sour straws. And it's not even noon yet. But once again, I wouldn't have it any other way.

.........................

4:46pm

So to further on through the day...

We ate Panera for lunch and it was delicious. Aaron had to eat a good chunk of their baked goods to fill up. And by a good chunk I mean approximately half of all they had. We are now on the second song for the day. And I have seriously crashed from the caffeine and sugar high that I had earlier. I'm about ready for a bath, PJ's, and a good episode of CSI in bed. (It's only 4:56pm at this point.) Tomorrow is vocals and it's going to feel amazing to be behind the mic again.

Well, now back to tracking again.... :)

DID YOU HEAR?!

It's official!

I am the newest addition to Radio Disney's "NBT" contest!

What does that mean you wonder? Glad you asked!

It means that I am one of 11 artists (found all over the country) who were selected to compete on Radio Disney's Website in hopes of winning a slot in the lineup of artists performing at a Disney concert! Each artist gets their own two week slot in which they are the sole featured contestant on the website and on the radio.

During my slot in March the website (http://radio.disney.go.com/artists/nbt/index.html) will feature two of my songs, my bio, and my blog. At that same time the radio will run bits of an interview done with me that will include clips from my two songs.

You can vote for me during my two week spot in March (specific dates soon to come) and then again during the 3 week open voting period that goes from April 4th through April 23rd. You vote by ranking each of my two songs 1-5 stars (5 being the best!) I need your support! So vote vote vote! Let's get 5 stars! You can vote every day as many times as you want!

Winning would be incredible! Quite frankly, a dream come true. But I know I'm the underdog in this competition. (And that's ok!) The other artists are all very talented and seasoned in this industry. To even have been chosen to compete with them all is the greatest complement! I am honored to have this opportunity and am grateful to be apart of the NBT feature on Radio Disney. So I am going to make the best of this time working with and amongst the other artists and the Radio Disney team. And hopefully whatever comes of this- whether I win or not- will be a dream come true!

Stay tuned for updates and new info!

I'm so excited to share this experience with you all!

DT

It's not always as easy as taking off the bandage.

I had a 3 millimeter black scar removed from my nose yesterday and had to wear a big white bandage across my nose afterward. I ended up running errands all day yesterday and people went out of their way to make me feel like I looked pretty dumb. It was great! I mean, I knew I looked a little goofy. It wasn't exactly small. But I didn't look that weird. All I had was a white bandage on my face. No crazy deformity that would justify them needing to stare long enough to figure out what was wrong with me.

And I'm not sure why, but I think I just assumed it wasn't that strange. I've sure seen stranger things. But I caught people looking at me with empathy. When funny enough, I really didn't think it was a big deal. Some people would sputter something about liking my hat if their gaze was frozen on me long enough to make even themselves uncomforable. When my brother saw me he asked what happened. And I said, "What happened to what?" After a while I forgot it was there.

But I got to take the bandage off today. Some people don't get to take their scar off once they're tired of having it. They can't just put their arm back on or make their limp go away. It's ok to look. We look at people we think are gorgeous, or who have pink hair and tattoos. We look to learn, to remember. To satisfy our mind's appetite for all things new and interesting. But watch and look respectfully. We can't all remove our weird once we're tired of being looked at.

The grass on the other side... is looking a little more brown these days.

I'm pretty sure that the grass on my side of the "fence" is looking pretty green right about now. It's well fertilized and has not a single dandelion. But have you ever seen grass that is fertilized to the point that there are actually some spots where the grass is greener than every where else? Every few yards there are these lush, dark masses of turf amongst the otherwise appetizing, but brighter blades of green. I think my side of the fence looks like this. The dandelions blow in, and though the seeds brush across the surface of my manicured lawn, they never take root.

Parts of me are well fed and lush with every bit of what I need. But there is more yardage of pretty blades aching for just a bit more- of something. At times my creativity longs to find the most wicked new hook for a song. Or my heart is thirsty for someone to laugh with. But yucky junk that floats in and out of our lives never gets to do more than brush along my surface. Irritating? Absolutely. But not crippling. And to be honest, I'm not sure why that is. I am just very grateful for the people and things in my life that keep my grass greener than whatever is on the other side of this said "fence"- whether my blades are evenly greened or not.

DT

A little green...

I may be a little green to this whole blogging thing. Which is funny considering how much I love to talk AND write.
I'm the type of person who talks things out- even to myself at times. But it's better when there is someone listening who can give you the confirming nods and "mhm's". So hopefully I'll get a response from people.
Regardless, I think I'm going to enjoy the idea that people find me and my life fascinating enough to read about it.

And let's hope it's not for the birds.

- DT