life of a songbird

The wheels on the bus go round and round...

2009-11-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Do the show, get on the bus, go to sleep, wake up at hotel, check into room, go to sleep, take a shower, check out of hotel, go to the venue, do the show, get on the bus, go to sleep, wake up at hotel, check into room, have a day off, go to sleep, take a shower, check out of hotel, go to the venue, do the show....

pack, unpack, pack, unpack...

get on the treadmill, run, walk, run, walk, run, run, run...stop.

Not a creature was stirring...except me.

2009-10-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

Woke up on the bus this morning, it's 8 am (I think). Could be 9 am or 7 am...not sure what time zone we're in so it's hard to say.
We're in Milwaukee today and the view outside of my bus window is of 20 other busses. I made some coffee, walked into the venue to use a real restroom and headed back to our bus. So much for being a rockstar and sleeping all day!
On the flip side, my husband and I are opening up a restaurant/cafe in Los Angeles right now. It's not easy making esthetic executive restaurant decisions while shaking my ass on stage in front of thousands every night. I have been leaving most of the decision making process to my mother and husband giving myself final approval. Seems to be working out well.

For anyone interested, It's called "SweetSalt" and we're opening up in Toluca Lake...(Yes, I live there and so does my boss). Purely coincidence. We're planning on have a charcuterie, fresh bread/pastries, gelatos, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee bar, hard to find beverages and a variety of spice rubs, salts, candies, and anything else I can think of to stock on the shelves. It's exciting to be able to own my own store..and pick my own merchandise. I'm looking forward to getting back home to my "other" job as a cafe owner/manager. How lucky am I to have a chef for a husband! I'll have to buy him a nice big present for opening up this whole restaurant in my absence. Or maybe it's easier for him with me not around anyway ??

So, big show tonight in Milwaukee. As soon as Carmel hops out of her bunk i'm dragging her to the mall down the street. I am in much need of NOTHING but like to spend time browsing the endless racks of fall fashion....

xoSara

Des Moines

2009-10-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

More tour pics...

2009-09-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake City

2009-09-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,
I'm in Salt Lake City...it's beautiful here and the weather is lovely. I'm still wearing flip flops (even though I packed 4 pairs of boots for this tour). Speaking of the tour, things have been so crazy and exciting! Our Staples show was amazing and it was so cool playing in my "hometown". I think i'm getting together with a few of the dancers and Carmel to go out to lunch and get mani/pedis in a few minutes. Last night we went to see FAME (Ryan Novak, one of our dancers is in it!). Anyway, i'll leave you with my favorite pic from the Staples show! I have many more pics and will post them as soon as I get back to my room tonight.
xo
Sara

There's always gonna be another mountain...

2009-09-06T23:06:00.001-07:00

Quite a few people have asked me how I became a back-up singer...here's the story...

I'll start with the obvious; I've been a singer since I could speak. I started playing piano when I was 5 years old, writing songs and playing mostly by ear for years. I now know how to read music...albeit very slowly and methodically and poorly I should add. When I was in elementary school I started to perform in choirs and musicals any chance I got. Auditioning for anything that involved singing and usually getting cast. I also had the opportunity to sing on some professional movie soundtracks (helping me get my SAG card at a very young age...) I went to a performing arts summer camp named French Woods in upstate NY which gave me so much performing experience I am still shocked we did 3 musicals in 9 weeks. I am still friends with many of my summer camp friends and some of them are currently working on Broadway right now. While I was at Emerson college (where I majored in Musical Theatre) I was cast as the lead in a few musicals. Yet, there was always something missing. I had been writing my own songs for years and really wanted the chance to sing my OWN material. When I was in college, I started playing guitar and writing more songs, eventually leading to a record deal with MCA records (which got shelved). I played gigs around Boston and NY as much as I could. I immersed myself in music any way I could. Meeting and working with as many musicians as I could. Some of those musicians are in Miley’s band and I am honored to be working with them again. After graduating from college I moved to NY to obviously try and get a job in a Broadway musical (since I majored in it in school). My first audition was for AIDA on Broadway. This was back when head shots were in black and white. Because my hair is really curly and I have olive skin, I suppose that's how I got through the door...I look "ethnic". The casting people must’ve thought I was half black.. They flat out asked me at the audition (after seeing me in person) "Are you black, you don't look fully black". I sang for them anyway, walked back to the piano player to get my book and was ready to walk out with my tail between my legs when the accompanist stopped me. "You have a really great voice. I play piano for Harry Belafonte and they are looking for a back up singer. May I pass along your information to their musical director?” I said, "o....k........." and left thinking to myself, "YEAH RIGHT!".
Sure enough, the very next day I got a phone call from my agent saying Harry wanted me to come in and sing for him. When I got to Carroll Music (where rehearsals and the audition was held) there were 30 other black women there getting ready to sing. Honestly, I almost walked out right there. I had already been asked (point blank) about my ethnicity the previous day...why would I pigeon hole myself AGAIN? But, I stayed. I wanted a job. I needed a job…I got the job.

There were many things however that led up to my getting the job. It’s not all talent. I have an ear, and the musical director dissected it thoroughly during the audition. He would sing a phrase to me and ask me to sing it back to him an octave higher…or up 1/3…or he would ask me to sing in different crazy time signatures to see how my timing was.

Before going to ANY audition I do my research. I buy every record I can on iTunes and before iTunes existed, I would go to Tower Records or scour used record stores. Spending money on music for an audition is a tax write-off (and well worth it). I would go to the library and read about the artist I was auditioning for and spend hours on the internet reading as much as I could. Honestly, as embarrassing as it is, the mirror was my best friend. I still spend hours in front of the mirror singing and dancing in front of a microphone. I even dress the part, putting on the right clothes and makeup and will sing through the songs learning as many vocal parts as I can…memorizing the lyrics and getting completely familiar with the material. When I walk into that audition, I am ready.

So how did I get other jobs? Right place…right time…but more importantly…right perseverance and right preparedness. I email and network and sometimes I feel like I am downright annoying people with my correspondence. I met Brian Setzer’s tour manager on an airplane. He was sitting next to me and I noticed he had a numbered luggage tag on his carry on. If you are on a big tour, the management always gives out a number to every employee of the tour…so I instinctively knew he was working with a musician, or was one himself. We (I) started chatting and he mentioned he might be looking for a backup singer in a “few months” and that he’d call me. He never did, but I made sure to get his card and I emailed him over and over. Sure enough a year later, he called me in to sing for Brian and I didn’t get the job. Another year after that, a few more emails from me just “saying hi” and I was hired. Eventually they needed a new girl and thank god I was on his “radar”.

That’s just one example of how being polite and pounding the pavement can help get you through the door. There have been quite a few times when I was called back (over and over) and STILL didn’t get the job. I still get back up on my feet and continue auditioning. I never forget the in-betweens. It’s not always rock star tours and tv shows. A few months ago I was paying the bills working at a postproduction facility in Hollywood – making 20 pots of coffee a day and feeding actors and singers just like myself. In fact, Miley came in one day in January to do overdubs on the Hannah Montana Movie…and I put a plate of bagels down on her soundstage…with a smile. Not even knowing that a month later I’d be singing back up for her…and honored to do it with an even bigger smile ☺

Uh oh....

2009-09-01T21:17:00.001-07:00

I. Want. These.

First day off in 11 days...

2009-08-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

It's my first day off in 11 days....
and boy does it feel good.
Here's my schedule today:

Laying in bed with laptop and homemade vanilla latte. Puppies asleep at my feet.
Surfing the internet aimlessly while watching crappy reality tv.
Maybe some morning yoga / cardio. Haven't decided which one yet.
Deep tissue massage and facial at Kinara Spa this afternoon...a guilty pleasure of mine.

I also bought two new pars of shoes, both are similar but also very different. The first pair is made by MODERN VINTAGE. Cool open toed bootes that I plan on wearing with skinny jeans / leggings or a great skirt.

The second pair is made by VERA WANG LAVENDER LABEL
They are closed toe booties but have a sweet little leather tie in the back. Both pairs of shoes I bought in black by the way.
The Vera shoes I feel like could cross over into winter well ..again with jeans or leggings. And surprisingly they are very comfortable.

If you DO read this blog, please comment and let me know which one you like better!

xoSara

And the Teen Choice Award goes to.........

2009-08-10T08:41:00.001-07:00

What a weekEND! I've been in rehearsals for the MC tour (which I am super duper excited about) and last night we performed at the Teen Choice Awards (on Fox tonight!) What a zoo... So many celebs and their respective publicists, managers, makeup artists, stylists, hair stylists, security guards, mothers, fathers, children, drivers, friends, band mates, dancers, friends of friends..I have never seen so many people crammed into one hallway backstage before in my life. It was thrilling and so cool to be around that kind of energy. There was never a dull moment...and the performance was awesome...(if I do say so myself!)

My new favorite thing in the world is my Nespresso coffee maker. It came with an Aeroccino milk steamer which I also adore. The husbie and I like to make lattes in the morning...fancy! I've also been playing quite a bit of internet Mahjong thanks to my mother who got us all hooked during our last trip to Martha's VIneyard. Alex and I have been going to Yoga a few times a week. I have to say my back is feeling a lot better since I started stretching it out...my arms are looking pretty toned as well. Yoga can be a little boring for me, but it's fun to watch Alex struggle with the poses. Ha Ha!

I've been spending a small (ok large) amount of time obsessing about what to pack for my 4 month tour around the world. We leave when it's summer and come home in the winter. That's a lot of clothes...and shoes...and hair gel.

That's about all for now, I'm off to learn my music and stretch.

xo

Adventures in Boredom (while i'm not touring around the world)

2009-07-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

I went to Coffee Bean and Tea leaf today and tried all 3 of their NEW ice blended drinks.

Tiramisu

Caramel Nut

Dulce De Leche

I now have a mild case of diarrhea and a new cavity.

...more soon....

4th of July...and 5th and 6th...and....

2009-07-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok. I don't know how many people out there really read this blog. None of you ever comment on my posts so I'll assume (yes, making an ass out of you and me) that i'm only writing for my own archival life purposes.

Regardless, here are a few things I've been up to since my last post:

1. Failed to lose the 15 lbs I swore I needed to drop before shaking my butt all over the world for 80,000 + people a night. Still working on it though. It's difficult when you're married to a chef and your best friend is a chef...and you like food.

2. Started running...(maybe it's ALL muscle ha!) I can now run a few miles sans stopping to gag for air. Pretty cool.

3. Started to record some new music. I think i'm going in a Jazz meets Radiohead kind of direction. Gonna record some new songs and some old standards with the help of Mike Eisenstein and his brain.

4. Made a new friend who confirmed my lack of blog entries. Thus sparking my entry today. She's pretty cool and is moving to L.A. in August. Right before I ditch her for 6 months (ha ha)

5. Also confirmed my addiction to shopping for things that make my ass smaller (i.e. sunglasses, great shoes, lipglosses and designer purses)

6. Went on a trip to Martha's Vineyard with my bestie and my husby (and my sistie and 5 other friends to my mother's possible chagrin). Ate seafood and ran once. Sang "Blue Bayou" in front of a few hundred drunk east coasters looking for a party.

7. Took our English Bulldog to the vet. She has a rash and apparently a yeast infection. That's all i'll say about that. (What a whore!)

8. Tonight for dinner I will have chicken and lettuce. MMMMMM

I'm looking forward to meeting Jen Montzingo (whose blog is way cooler than mine) in person.
http://hopesprouts.wordpress.com

and getting back to work! Ready to TOUR!

xo
Sara

Smiley Miley and Thrillbilly

2009-05-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Y'all...
I've been busy the past couple of months working for Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus. What a wonderful opportunity to sing back-up for two amazing artists and be lucky enough to stand next to Carmel Helene, a righteous singer on her accord. In the past few weeks i've been on Jay Leno (twice), Good Morning America, American Idol, Regis and Kelly, AOL sessions, XM/Sirius Radio, appeared in the London Apple store for Itunes Live, performed with Sheryl Crow, Ed King (wrote Sweet Home Alabama) and Jeffrey Steele. On Saturday you can see me at the Cannery Hotel in Vegas backing-up Billy Ray. He's invited me and Carmel to sing with him at a few shows this summer! Very exciting.

After that, I'm leaving for the Atlantis hotel in the bahamas for an hour long Miley show. Lots of music to learn so I'll try and update more as soon as I have some spare time.

In the meantime, here are some pics over the past few months...

xo
Sara

The grass is greener....

2009-03-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

The grass is greener. I've got big news to share...just a few more days!

Same old, Same old...

2008-12-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

It's cold and rainy outside and I am very grateful for the gorgeous fireplace we have in our house. It makes it very cozy during the L.A. pseudo winter months. Alex and I have been working like crazy and doing some slight remodels on the house. New bathroom, new guesthouse...new things to worry about.
As usual, I've been auditioning like crazy. Mostly, for musical theatre things. But there is always an occasional commercial or singing job thrown in for good measure. I've been thinking about going back into the recording studio to (finally) record "All my Loving" and some other fun cover songs. It's about time I had a version of that song I can sell.

In other news, a song of mine can be heard on the TV show "The Cleaner" and on the CBS Webisode series "Novel Adventures". It's very cool to hear your songs coming through your television.

Same old same old here in rainy, cold L.A.

xo

S

What's been happening is...

2008-10-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

I've had quite a lot of exciting things happen since I last "blogged". The biggest thing was my wedding. I am a wife, a partner and couldn't be more proud of my husband (and lucky). He is a contestant on Top Chef (which I am now "allowed" to reveal). It was a hard 6 weeks without him. I think we spoke one the phone 4 times, for a very short amount of time. It was very difficult to keep the secret AND plan a wedding at the same time - not to mention NOT having your fiance around to help you with seating charts and rub your back.

I've got a show on Saturday night, playing with Chris Seefried...someone whom I admire for his talent and heart...8pm on October 18th. ROOM 5 143 La Brea Blvd. L.A. CA 90038...
(above Amalfi Restaurant)

In regard to my music, i'm going to go back in the studio and finally record that version of "All my lovin" I originally recorded on 'American Dreams'. It'll be up for sale on itunes and I promise to make it sound as similar to the original as possible. Jeff Russo (who produced my last record) has kindly agreed to produce it for me and we're going into the studio soon.

Alex and I are also doing a little home remodeling. New bathrooms, new kitchen, new plumbing, new home for the newlyweds. It's nice to take a shower and not worry about running out of hot water.

I have to say I am blessed to have the life I have. Of course, there are days when I worry about money and bills and closet space...but for the most part I am a very lucky girl.

Thanks to everyone who has continued to support my music for the past few years. It is YOU that keeps me writing.

She sits and waits...

2008-08-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

Alex is out of town...for the next 6 weeks. I can't say where he is, why he's there, who he's with...i've been sworn to non-disclosure agreements and secrecy. I suppose I can say he is shooting a reality tv show - but that's about it!

This all comes on the cusp of our wedding. He returns to Martha's Vineyard on (hopefully) August 23rd! The day BEFORE the wedding. I can't complain however, I am insanely jealous and proud of him for getting this opportunity. I can't wait to see him and spent the rest of my life with him. I know the next few weeks will go by quickly - maybe I should enjoy my solidarity? Do some song writing?

In case any of you were wondering, I'm still planning on singing while on the Vineyard. I'll be there until September and then try to book some shows in L.A. again.

Stand by!

The calm before the storm...

2008-07-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

Alex is going out of town for a long while...I'm not thrilled, but i'm very excited about what the future holds.

I've been planning the wedding and not playing any shows (on the west coast).

The Vineyard

2008-07-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's taken me so so long to "blog". We've had a lot going on in L.A. and M.A.

Speaking of...

I'm here on Martha's Vineyard for a few weeks. I'm honored to be working with Mike Benjamin (and his fabulous band).

Besides singing at various weddings, fundraisers and bars...i've been eating my share of lobster, shrimp, oysters and making margaritas for my family. I don't know what they were thinking just drinking beer and wine all these years!

We had our annual party for the 4th of July...food, fireworks, friends and fatigue. On the menu...hotdogs, hamburgers and my mother's ribs (well, not HER ribs...I think the ribs came from a pig or cow). I helped out by making guacamole and salsa. It seems I'm only good at cooking latin food...which is an honor so I'm not complaining.

I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow night at L'Etoile.

and maybe playing a few hands of Skipbo (thanks to my friend Abbie, my whole family has been addicted to this game since 1997)

I had a show last night and a fundraiser gig tonight so i'm pretty beat. I've also acquired 10 mosquito bites (one of them being on my FOREHEAD!)

Bug spray is important when you are performing out doors on this Island...I had to learn the hard way.

Anyway, time to watch some food network and get some rest. I'm going for a bike ride and a sail tomorrow...(life is rough)

Blessed,

Sara

More of what I want...

2008-03-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

a honeymoon here:

or here...

or...

No luck

2008-03-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Didn't get the job.
Thank you to everyone for all the kind words of inspiration. Yes, I know...something bigger and better is out there for me.
Maybe i'll be touring with my OWN record?

I officially loathe ESPN and ESPN2. I am not a sports fan. I enjoy the sport of eating, shopping and sleeping...and there are plenty of channels dedicated to that. Once in a while a baseball game is fun. Hearing the roar of the crowd with a beer and a hot dog in your lap....

It feels like summer is here already. We got a hammock and it's officially my favorite place to drink coffee in the morning. Why didn't I get one sooner?

That's all for now.

S

Swig...gulp...Aaaah Sundays...

2008-03-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

Would you believe (you being the random few who have read this blog) that I am STILL waiting to hear?

It is Sunday - the day of rest. We woke up at 8. Alex went to watch the L.A. Marathon runners...which was no fun for him. He is hurt right now and watching people whiz by him on able legs kills him inside. It must be like me watching the Grammy's. Except, I am able...just unlucky?

After he got home we spent half an hour discussing where to have breakfast. We settled on Aroma Cafe on Tujunga. Nice place when you don't have to wait an hour just to order your food. So we left there and headed to our old standby Mexicali. Easy enough, noon margaritas and nachos amid hungover gay softball players and yuppies dogs. Perfection at last.
Then we came home and napped for 2 hours...it is the day of rest.

At 4ish my very pregnant friend Simone stopped by for a glass of water and a pee. I found out some very interesting things about pregnancy discharge and poop. I know- right! Gotta love Simone, she is fearless and inspiring. Yet, I'm not quite inspired to have a child after that conversation.

For dinner, we had pizza and red wine. Alex has just started an Indiana Jones marathon and actually muttered the words..."Indiana is a good name for a kid...".
Swig, gulp...aaah Sundays....

Hurry up and wait...in blue underwear

2008-02-28T09:18:00.000-08:00

Ok, so i've been in 3 times now. One audition, two callbacks and three times a charm?
I wish I could "blog" about something more exciting but this seems to be taking of my life. Poor Alex, poor anyone who is my friend right now. I'm not joking when I say that throughout the day I get plenty of IM's and phone calls from friends asking if i've "heard anything?" I probably talk about the job or at least think about the job 200 times a day...more? It's just that it's been since NOVEMBER that I've been prepping and a month ago I sang for them. In the beginning I didn't want to tell anyone, in fear of jinxing myself. Now, I am telling people because maybe the jinxing thing is bullshit and I should try different methods.

I am wearing blue underwear. Any shade of lucky blue underwear...I went to my father's grave and asked him for the job...I asked my rabbi to say a prayer...WHATS WRONG WITH ME?

God, how I wish I do hear something and more importantly...the right some... thing.

To quote my mother, "They're just being rude at this point. What's wrong with them?".

I've been in for Broadway shows 15 times before finding out I didn't get the job...When I auditioned for 'American Dreams' on NBC I was called back once and told I had the job 3 hours later. And that, was national TV!

Good things come to those who wait, and i've been waiting long enough...but i'll wait longer if it's good news.

What I want....

2008-02-20T21:27:00.000-08:00

chocolate skittles...

gucci sabrina large hobo...

more tbd...

The drive-by tongue...

2008-02-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

My dog has a licking problem. Some people think it's cute - others think its annoying.
She likes to do the drive by lick when I am "doing my business", she likes the armpits when I wear a tank top. She likes to lick my neck in the morning to tell me she is hungry (i.e. get up bitch and feed me!)

But... I love her.
And one day... I'll lick her back.

Voice of an Angel

2008-02-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

I was given the biggest compliment yesterday...

The man I auditioned for told me I had the "voice of an Angel" and "the presence of an Angel". I mean, it couldn't get much better than that. Sounds like I might have booked the job. Fingers crossed, toes crossed and anything else I can cross is crossed.

We sang through ten songs, most of them twice. He turned around quite a few times and told me how lovely my voice was, how beautiful my voice was. He seemed very happy with what I sang.
When I feel like I can, I'll post the songlist.

It was truly an experience I will never forget singing with...........

Waiting, obsessing...

2008-02-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting and waiting. That doesn't mean I haven't been doing and working. I've been waiting for an amazing opportunity as a backup singer for someone people only dream about working with. A chance in a lifetime... if you will.
I am waiting for the audition...the official audition. I've had the dinners, the schmoozes, the meet and greets. I'm obsessing over how amazing this would be, and how much I want this opportunity.

I've had many chances, some have come to fruition and many have not.

Regardless, I'm grateful for everything I have.