Friday, August 24, 2012

Acoustic Cafe

I played at another place last night. It was the cutest smallest bar/cafe. I also got to hear some other amazing artists and picked up a trick or two from watching them. This old guy had a beautiful vintage Hohner that I was frothing over.

It was the first set that I've ever played all on my own.
I've been having gastro for the last 3 weeks so it does not feel good. I think its nearly over.
One week left in Melbourne.

Here are some photos from last night, and some more from last week's show.











Support acts Christina & Chris





Friday, August 17, 2012

Baraki Show


Last night was my very first Australian show, in Melbourne. Everything went so well, all that stressing, fretting and organising paid off. I am so glad I did it. My nerves subsided as soon as I sang my third song and instead adrenaline kicked in. Sometimes I was completely in the zone with my songs.

I've been learning a lot too. What you hear when you're practising at home, is totally different when PA systems, microphones and amplication etc. is involved. Sometimes I couldn't hear my guitar at all, sometimes my guitar would buzz out like crazy, or I couldn't hear my voice well either but you have to make do because out there, in the audience, they are hearing completely different things.

I had a great turn out! Over 70+ crammed into the puny bar space and I was so happy. I did end up finding another support act and Christina & Chris did great too! I totally enjoyed performing, its a thrill and an indescribable feeling. I wanna do more, I wanna share my music more.
I mean, I barely made any money from it but I don't care. Thanks to King, I found my passion. The night was so beautiful. Thanks to Baraki Bar, Frizz & Nino for being my band on such short notice, Christina & Chris for being my support, Michael for being the greatest driver EVERYWHERE I needed and sacrificing his sleep for me, my little sales team and everyone for coming to support me.
I saw more people I was unfamiliar with than friends so I was very touched. Also a little disheartened that some friends didn't come but ah well. It was a great Thursday night.

I think my songs were much more appreciated live and unplugged. I just can't believe I did all this.
I feel amazing, I feel happy!
 I'll post some more photos when I get them!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Support

Hahaha.. so funny. Its like as soon as I've accepted everything, moved on with everything and then finally dwell that life is great! The big monster throws something else in my face and goes, "HA! TRY THAT!"

My supporting act pulled out because she got sick. And I totally get why, Melbourne winter is a bitch to fight with. I'm trying so hard to not get sick too. BUT WHERE DO I FIND ANOTHER ONE?

I had my first rehearsal with the boys yesterday. I appreciate their help so much, I can really feel that they're trying very hard to learn all this very quickly. I can't imagine what I'd do without them coming on board at such a late notice.

Now I just gotta shop for another Melbourne artist.
Oh this show is derailing in all sorts of ways, definitely a learning curve for an amateur artist like me!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Balloons

Had a beautiful day yesterday.
Sang in front of friends for the first time and although it was scary, I think it went well. When people cry, I guess its a pretty decent indication :) I was very nervous about singing the song I wrote for King.

I was also blessed to have the accompaniment of talented musicians, Cheong, Josh & Ethan.
It was a beautiful day. We released balloons tied with roses. And the wind was perfect that day.
It could've carried them into the buildings beside us, but it went forward, up and away into the skyline.

I feel better about the show this week. No matter what, I'll sing my heart out.
I'm sure there will be more photos but here's some to enjoy,








We all miss you, King!

Friday, August 10, 2012

99 Problems

"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts."
- Richard Bach

I've been super stressed.
I have no band for my very first show in Australia. Hiccups have arose and I can do without the emotional blackmail so I have to solo it up.

But I'm so scared. Solo is so boring for a whole set, isn't it? I have no other choice. The show has to go in, I can't chicken shit out of it. And this night calls on for so many other opportunities later on.

If I don't find - argh, I'll talk about it later. It makes me sad that the very first time I perform in front of real life people, people that are in my life... I'm going to make a fucking fool out of myself. I wanted to be excellent, y'know?

Here's something to bring out a laugh on everyone's lips.
My mum really wanted to do the whole ye ol' Victorian times dress up. Someone stole the CD with all the images but they gave us a canvas print so I can only take a photo of it.. but its so funny. I dressed up as a dude to break up the femininity. Pimping!

I also put all my European stickers on my guitar case. Now, I need to go get stickers from all the other places I've been to where I didn't think of purchasing stickers.. like Asia.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Waitress

I am coping with a lot of stress right now for the show next week. But never mind, problems make us stronger! It's just I want to have a good performance so I would rather sacrifice becoming stronger for a great show.

I'll figure it out, its the only way. Might have to be an unplugged acoustic session.

Last night was interesting! I was out with my friend's family for his birthday and we were the last ones at the restaurant still eating. Then his aunty who I've known for 5 years, asks me, "Deena, are you a singer?!"

I quickly said, "No!"
Then the aunty said, "But the waitress said that you are..."
We all turn around to the waitress where we hear her say, "I've seen you sing, onlineee!"

The blood quickly drained out of my face as I rebutted questions thrown at me! Hahaha it was so funny! My friend was laughing his ass off and feeding the fire by saying, "YEAH SHE'S GOT AN ALBUM! AND A SHOW NEXT WEEK!"

Oh man I copped questions all night. Even my friend's mum reminded me, "Don't expect a career out of this okay!! Keep it as a hobby!" Hahahahahhaha!

The restaurant gave me beautiful lillies. Later, I walked up to the girl and said hello. She blurted out that she's known me for a while, through some photos then onto my blog then onto my music. She said she also wanted to say something when I walked in but she didn't want to embarrass herself. I was very flattered!

When I came home that night, I saw that she had bought my album! :)
The hardcopy can be bought hereeee btw http://deena.bigcartel.com

Anyway, shout out to Louise the waitress - for embarrassing me completely!! Hahahaha



My family friend just came back from Taiwan and gave me some Taiwanese Aboriginal goodies! I took two of the bracelets.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Sex Shop

Okay, sorry for my irrational post yesterday - it happens to the best of people, especially on a vulnerable day such as yesterday.

I, however, will not take it down as I established this blog to detail the events in my life, whether it be in an inconspicuous way or whatever, so that one day when I am old and wrinkly.. I can read through it and fill in the blanks. I suffer from goldfish short term memory loss. Haha!

Anyway, the other day I was so blessed to rekindle my best friendship with Deshna. I missed her very much. Though we are two different people so her idea of fun was dragging me along to a sex shop for my very first time. I was so very hesitant. I was scared shitless of going in there. But she coaxed me into it and I was so overwhelmed. There is so much rank shit in there. Also let me note that it is extremely overpriced, can you imagine how cheap it is out of the China factory? If the dollar shop decided to stock sex equipment in their stores, some of those stuff you could easily get for a few bucks. Rubbish.

Anyway, she forced me to peel my eyes open to all things, and touch everything that's available. The sales assistant was super comfortable and could tell I was extremely intimidated so she was trying to sell me some small objects that were apparently cute for beginners.

We then walked through the DVD section and holy crappola, people are into some screwed up material. Like PREGNANT? TRANNY? GRANNY? Ugh!
These Asian men came in and started staring at me, I almost could envision them licking their lips at me with carnal desire. YUCK. I said to Desh, I've had enough! Let's go!
Her enjoyment was totally from my squeamish anguish.



We then walked around the corner and settled at an Egyptian cafe. We ordered tea and apple flavoured shisha and chatted the night away. Oh I forgot to say we had Japanese for dinner too.

Yesterday, I had rehearsals at King's house for his tribute on Sunday. I really don't want to play anymore... I kept looking at his artworks that are hung around the house and remembering him working on them years back. Sometimes I'd watch him work while sitting in his room. Sigh.

I went to the grave afterwards and eventually people coincidentally came by too.. Until it became a gathering. After a couple of hours, I was done.

A lot of things happened for me yesterday and I can't really express it but that's what caused the volcano eruption yesterday. It doesn't matter, I have a new outlook to live up to and I feel great about it.

Angry

This week has been so important in concreting who my real friends are.
Today is also the anniversary death of King, my close friend. I miss him.

I also have allowed my heart to drag along the road, gravel rash all over for way too long. Its time to mean what I say about changing my way of life, seriously.

So its your turn, fucktard. Get out of my life.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Doggy Day Care

Mum hosts doggy day care in her backyard. She invites the neighbours' dogs to come play with our lonely Simba. Today she left me to run her errands. I practised my gig to my 3 golden audience - they barked at me, now that could either mean two things: applause or boo.

Anyway I wanted to share an excerpt from a book I read. For perspectives.
"THE PERFECT RELATIONSHIP -


Well, the way you relate with people will be exactly the way you relate with a dog. A dog is a dog. It doesn't matter what you do, it's going to be a dog. You are not going to change a dog for a cat or a dog for a horse; it is what it is. 


Just accepting this fact in your relations with other humans is very important. You cannot change other people. You love them the way they are or you don't. You accept them the way they are or you don't. To try to change them to fit what you want them to be is like trying to change a dog for a cat, or a cat for a horse. That is a fact. They are what they are; you are what you are. You dance or you don't dance. You need to be completely honest with yourself - to say what you want, and see if you are willing to dance or not. You must understand this point, because it is very important. When you truly understand, you are likely to see what is true about others, and not just what you want to see.


If you own a dog or a cat, think about how you relate to your pet. Let's consider your relationship with a dog, for example. The animal knows how to have a perfect relationship with you. When your dog does something wrong, what do you do with your dog? A dog doesn't care what you do; it just loves you. It doesn't have any expectations. Isn't that wonderful? But what about your girlfriend, your boyfriend, your husband or your wife? The have so many expectations, and they are changing all the time.


The dog is responsible for its half of the relationship with you. One half of the relationship is completely normal - the dog's half. When you come home, it barks at you, it wags his tail, it pants because it is so happy to see you. It does its part very well, and you know it is the perfect dog. Your part is almost perfect also. You handle your responsibility; you feed your dog; you take care of your dog; you play with your dog. You love your dog unconditionally; you will do almost anything for your dog. You do your part perfectly, and your dog does its part perfectly.


Most people can easily imagine this kind of relationship with their dog, but why not with a woman or with a man? ...The dog doesn't try to make you be a good human, a good master. Then why can't we allow a woman to be a woman or a man to be a man and love that human just the way he or she is without trying to change that person?"

 Thanks to Simba, Monty & Chupa for reminding me of that excerpt's lesson! Aren't they so cute and cheeky?