Kathy #EDM, 2021, Disco, DJ Kat, Electronic Music, IndieArtist, Music Producer

Why Dance Music Is Important

I was reading one of those end of year posts somewhere online and it was stating how dance music is important and how difficult it has been during this time with the clubs closed. And perhaps there were other ways we could dance.

That got me to thinking about why I love to create dance music when so many articles and documentaries talk about the importance of storytelling in song and that’s what stirs people’s emotions and that’s the number one goal in creating music.

Ouch! I started wondering why I love dance music. Am I that vapid? I had never thought of myself that way and I don’t think anyone else would either. Am I avoiding emotion? Hmmm… and then I thought about my history with dance music taking me back to my pre-teen/teen years. Like whenever I got to be in the house alone, I would crank up the family stereo and dance to my favorite music. As I got older, that meant staying home when the family went off on camping trips.

I couldn’t always have the stereo and the house to myself, so when I reached driving age, my car became my dance floor.

And by the time I was in my twenties, Disco was big and I pretty much lived at Earthquake Ethel’s. So why was that?

My dance partners thought I wanted something other than dancing. “I can tell you want me by the way you dance.” That was the furthest thing from my mind and became the inspiration for the “Don’t Touch Me” song I wrote for 50/90 this past year.

So why did I love to dance back then? No doubt music and drums run through my veins, having discovered I come from a big musical family. But it’s more than that natural love for moving to music.  Off the dance floor I was the bookworm, shy, quiet, introverted, awkward in conversation, don’t look at me kind of person. On the dance floor I felt powerful, larger than life, in my element, somebody to pay attention to, comfortable in the spotlight, confident. Sexy.

So is dance music important? You bet it is. So no matter your plans for tonight, you can always find a dance floor, whether in a crowd (stay safe), home alone, or in your car.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Kathy 2021, 50/90, Ableton Live, FAWM, Fiction, IndieArtist, IndieAuthor, LogicProX, Music, Music Production, Writing

2021 Accomplishments, 2022 Goals

I couldn’t let this year pass by without acknowledging what I’ve accomplished artistically in 2021.

The top 3 accomplishments of 2021 are:

  1. FAWM (February Album Writing Month) in February – write 14 songs during the month of February. I believe this is the first year I met that goal
  2. 50/90 (write 50 songs in 90 days – I wrote 60) – meeting that goal was also a first for me – my top 12 (plus a bonus track) were uploaded as an album on Bandcamp.
  3. NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) – I managed to use all 12 of my membership feedback credits, which is another first for me

The top 3 goals for 2022:

Upgrading my Reverbnation account to Pro for 2022. As for the rest, I haven’t really locked this down yet. Under consideration:

  1. FAWM
  2. 50/90
  3. NSAI
  4. Ableton Push
  5. Fiction

As vague as usual when it comes to writing vs music. Some things I will just have to let unfold.

Wishing you all the best in 2022!

Kathy 2021, Writing

Turning Pro

I’ve been reading Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield (again), and I had this epiphany. He writes a lot about that moment when you turn pro and I was thinking of when that happened for me. It was that moment on that day on a New Year’s cruise in the middle of the Caribbean when I realized I had to find my father. That was the day I claimed my identity, that was the day I turned pro and not  the day I submitted my first novel or song. That all followed in due time.

And part of me heard this speech in my head for those voices that say I’ll never be as good of a musician as my half-siblings and their offspring, those who grew up knowing my father, while I did not.

And then in true Steven Pressfield fashion, this voice in my head said, “I don’t give a sh*t” what any of those people think. After all, I came before them. The only person I respect is my older half-brother Ricky because he came before me.”

It also occurred to me how little respect we give to those older than us. But it’s an ancient practice, one that we should all pay attention to.

The point is, though, that I’m now questioning (again) if music should be the muse I follow first and foremost at this time in my life, or if it’s time to get back to writing fiction. As much as I love music, and I do, I miss writing speeches and making pronouncements in character (instead of here on my blog).

So what does 2022 look like for me? Is it time to return to writing novels? I guess the answer depends on which scares me the most moving forward, and which scares me the most if I don’t move forward at all.

Or maybe being Pro means I do both.

Kathy #Blogmas, 2021, LogicProX, Modern Musician, Music Producer, Music Production, Remix

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” #EDM #Remix (#LogicPro #Music #Production)

Well, remixes are just too much fun and I found myself doing a little something to Elvis’ “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Kathy #amproducing, #EDM, #House, 2021, 50/90, Electronic Music, IndieArtist, IndieRock, LogicProX, Modern Musician, Music Producer, Music Production

DJ Track Highlighting My Favorites from the 50/90 Challenge #2021 (#50/90 #Songwriting #MusicProducer)

As we count down to 2022, I figured it was time to create a DJ track of my favorite songs from the 50/90 challenge (writing 50 songs in 90 days). It is now available on MixCloud (mixed for headphones):