when i think of how this year developed i am amazed! it was a year of spiritual rebirth, of bringing creation into the world. a year of such growth…. i started the year living with my boyfriend in his mother’s garage in van nuys. i remember waking up to the mechanics next door working on cars loudly, the fumes permeating the room, we would huddle together freezing (even with the floor heater and blankets)…the engines and drills would begin around 7 am and we had just gone to bed 3 hours prior from working on the album- which at the time felt would NEVER get finished. i remember the borracho neighbor (who started drinking in the morning) and would put this horrible song on repeat as loud as his stereo could go… one day i got out of bed and walked into his garage (he wasn’t there yet he had left the song on) and turned it down myself. i just didn’t give a fuck anymore! i felt stuck, stagnant in my environment. eeeiiii dios! i could go on… but how the year transitioned!!!!! how i transcended! the affirmations, the prayer, my manifestation group, the love energy i gave brought about so many beautiful manifestations! my debut album was released in july – M. U. S. I. C. (Magnificent Unique Sexy Intelligent Creativity) dre and i put together a phenomenal band, seriously ridiculously gifted musicians who are family. i am beyond grateful for them! we’ve had incredible shows that keep growing in connection, musicianship, inventiveness, passion and energy! we moved to an absolutely beautiful home of our own that i can’t help but feel continuous intense gratitude for. i love love love it! i feel like i’ve developed and spiritually deeped my friendships and relationships with my family. i’m understanding them and myself in new ways. i feel so blessed to be connecting to such amazing souls through my blog. this year was filled with so many challenges and blessings! it was my coming out year musically. and i cannot undo what i’ve done. i cannot go back to life without creation, artistic growth, and self-expression. i had been waiting for this my whole life!!! and it’s happening! and it’s happening for a reason as i know i’m meant to give love and inspiration through music. it always amazes me how everything can change so quickly. how we can be in such a dark place and then soon find the light.
Andrée Belle
music love inspiration
Tag Archives: connection
www.meganfinley.comyour rhythm
your rhythm makes me dance in the language of the world – body beat connection penetrating to my core-earthquakes of energetic pulsations, an electric demonstration-finding elation within your skin. again and again and again and again- i gain… new understanding, new concepts…mathematical equations are solved in the geometric positions our bodies create. when you gave me that look, i knew it was too late and that this was our fate. exploration of thought in a parallel universe..past lives reunited, this feeling requited, and yes i tried to fight it but your rhythm is strong and i feel it when i walk. and it’s hitting hard, my innermost thoughts… i love the way your eyes drink me in. the fucking would be spiritual so it couldn’t be a sin. sexual healing like the marvin gaye song, so wake up/wake up/wake up/wake up, let’s go all night long, ride your rhythm into the blissful dawn. the frequency i vibrate on captivates. your swagger unparalleled. we resonate. my eyes change colors from golden blue to grey, depending on the reflections of the words you say. sometimes i wonder if your eyes say what you feel.. how deep are the lines between fantasy and what’s real? i put u under a microscope to better comprehend.. but despite the lenses and the light, there’s just no making sense. there’s something warm and familiar about you like my favorite shirt and i just wanna put you on… hold u close. know u deep. without remorse. sometimes with u it’s as if i don’t exist. like i’m way down our your list. and the rain check may never come cause we’re in southern california where there’s always lots of sun. so i’m just gonna keep singing my song… and dancing to your rhythm. body beat connection penetrating to my core-earthquakes of energetic pulsations, an electric demonstration-finding elation within your skin. again and again and again and again…
why we do what we do…
in those times of uncertainty in our lives concerning our dreams i think the best way to stay focused and motivated is to remember why we do what we do… why do i want to sing? yes i love the way a note resonates within me- it feels beautiful. and the communion with the band makes me high…but why i sing is because i love to connect deeply with others through my singing… i love to inspire and elevate people through music. MAKE THEM FEEL… or think…or motivate them to live their own dream… it’s an honor to give that way, to commune and share that intimacy with others… and when i can tear down my own walls and truly get to the root of that connection with others something profoundly spiritual occurs… we all have something that is a gift to connect divinely with ourselves and others… something that is beyond passion. where you have to do it or you feel like you can’t breathe… that is our mission… what holds us back from completing our mission on this plane we call earth? f.e.a.r. (false evidence appearing real) of what? failure? success? can we dare to switch our way of thinking? our failures can be transmuted into lessons learned. because the lessons are also part of this mission. our purpose… sometimes there’s the fear of not being good enough (i know this is a confidence thing that a lot of people struggle with, but the desire is there for a reason, you have to explore that desire or you will live your life feeling unfulfilled)… sometimes people think it’s too late (there’s always a way to express yourself, let’s say you wanted to be a dancer and you are getting a late start, you could still study/learn/grow in your dancing and choreograph or teach or perform and create and connect with the divine through dance in a way that would fulfill your spirit)… sometimes people are too focused on the competition.. a wise woman once told me “there’s no competition for your TRUE life’s purpose, so there’s no need to worry, hurry, or feel that you have to force things to happen.” sometimes people get so caught up in the logistics…and yes you must take action and yes you must think outside of the box and yes you must feel and know your own uniqueness in your mission… but behind the logistics is the passion, the motivation and behind the passion and motivation is the LOVE… know that love! live within that love and do what you’re meant to do! 
affirmation of the day: “i have ultimate confidence in myself and my deeper purpose.”
Be fearless, be humble, give LOVE in all you do!!! My interview! :)
After doing the interviews with the band for the album release show week, Dre had the brilliant idea of me answering my own interview questions…
-what’s your 1st musical memory?
Singing and dancing to Miami Sound Machine’s “Conga.” I thought I was Gloria in my living room!
-what’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened while you are on stage?
I haven’t really done that many shows… I guess the craziest thing was our album release show! The energy was crazy! There was so much love in the room. It was a good crazy!
-what’s your ultimate dream in music?
My musical intention on my site sums it up beautifully: to inspire adventure, creativity, and the inner artist- to give praise, to heal, to manifest love, to allow you to feel your own truth and power through my voice, to make music that evokes emotion, thought, mood, and passion, to connect with others on levels they didn’t even know existed within themselves, or simply to create something that you can shake your ass to…
-if you weren’t doing music what would you be doing?
I would be the next Oprah! Lol! Seriously I’d do the things I already do but in a grander way- dance, write poetry, inspire others to live their dreams….
-songs that changed your life…
Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” it’s soulful AND conscious… Donny Hathaway’s version of “A Song for You…” Ella Fitzgerald singing live “Mack the Knife”-I’ve never heard another singer use her voice as an instrument the way she does… Oh there’s too many…
-most influential artists to you and why?
Prince (his music is beyond sexy), Erykah Badu and Jill Scott-soulful/poetic/conscious writers and singers- I adore them!, Nina Simone/Billie Holiday/Ella- their unique interpretation of the lyric, their tone, their phrasing…. Bjork-she’s innovative, takes risks, she’s her own entity…Chaka Khan is fierce… Stevie Wonder-such an incredible song writer… I love Yerba Buena- how they fuse so many genres with Latin music. James Brown- I saw him live-puts on such incredibly electric performances, so funky. I could go on and on and on….
-what makes an amazing song?
A song that makes you feel deeply…
-what’s your theme song?
I wish it was Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady” lol! But at the moment I’m more Gnarls Barkley “Crazy!” lol! I don’t know. It changes. You tell me!
-do you have musical nickname?
Not a musical one, but my nickname is Bella.
-what song were you most likely conceived to?
My parents were into jazz… hmm… but then again I was conceived in the Caribbean… so…
-first concert you ever went to?
New Kids on the Block… but I’ve redeemed myself by going to incredible shows ever since I promise!!!
-first album u ever bought?
I would just borrow from my parents they had a great collection.. the first single I bought was TLC’s “Ain’t too Proud to Beg!”
-how can we revolutionize music?
By creating music that is true to who we are. By exposing ourselves to music that is not just mainstream.
-indie or major (what’s the way to go?)
After interning at 2 major labels in college, I really don’t think that most labels do very much. They have the connections that CAN catapult an artist to stardom but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will. An artist can get their album shelved even if they are signed…or if the album is released they might not get the funding/attention/marketing to get it to the masses… I’d love to be free of all that… autonomous like Prince. He’s revolutionary as a music business man as well… But if I was offered an amazing deal I would be open to the possibilities…
-what inspires you musically?
Reading something inspiring, exposing myself to new things, having adventures, my community of amazing musicians, artists with something unique to express, love, passion, dancing, altered states (occasionally), spirit, growth…
-what can an artist do (that you’re backing) to make your job easy and fun?
Well I’ve done backing vocals… and usually back ground singers are the least respected in the band it seems. So just showing respect. As a singer- don’t be afraid to let your back ground singers shine and be who they are – there’s enough room for everyone. I’ve been lucky with the performers I’ve worked with.
-what’s your favorite song from the album?
“Moments” or “Te Necesito” are probably my favorites. They are poetic and intimate and sensual. I love what “Variety Pack” is about- it’s a sexy female empowerment song! “Discombobulator” is so out and funky…. and I love the vibe of “Overflow.” But for some reason my bond is strongest with “Moments” and “Te Necesito.”
-advice for up and coming players?
Be fearless! Be humble! Give love in all you do!
-what do you hope for the show?
I wanted to elevate the room with LOVE and inspiration! And we succeeded! It was a beautiful first show!!!
commUNITY!!!!
today I noticed that the word UNITY is in the word community which brought me to deeper contemplation of community… community is truly us coming together as one…and though human beings are very individualistic we cannot deny how interdependent we are…. and we have to honor the power of commUNITY! i’ve been experiencing the benefits of commUNITY more and more as my awareness has grown in commUNITY… a few weeks ago I shared my first Shabbat dinner with some friends and saw how beautifully tight the Jewish community is- and how coming together for tradition and spirituality really strengthens them as a people. also, without my artistic community, I would not have been able to have such an incredible album- the brilliant musicians that played on M.U.S.I.C. play for world famous artists and shared their talents because they are part of my community! what a blessing to have a community! the super genius creative web designer for M.U.S.I.C., Josh Kohlmeier- part of the community… the phenomenal photo shoot by Piper Ferguson (who has done shoots for superstars) took the time to do a shoot with little ol’ me- cause she’s part of the community… the psychedelic goddess album art was created by Jon Marro all because he’s part of the community… I didn’t always have a community…I knew that I wanted to connect with like minded artists- artists about uplifting and inspiring others through their medium… artists that were positive, supportive, creative, loving… and thus I put that intention out into the universe. Oooh UNIverse (another word that speaks that we are one (one=uni))… I created a manifestation group with my girls (more on that later) to have a positive female force where we share our dreams/hopes/challenges/ideas and help each other in so many ways… commUNITY is a beautiful thing! if you don’t feel you have a community find one or better yet create one! as amazing as we are as individuals- together as a collective we are POWERFUL! ONE LOVE!
one of my favorite quotes “BY ELEVATING THE LIVES OF OTHERS YOUR LIFE REACHEST ITS HIGHEST DIMENSIONS.” elevate yourself and others through commUNITY! thank you for being a part of my commUNITY!
boys UNIted in prayer…
Andrée’s favorite things (like Oprah’s but better)
actually, i truly, deeply, madly adore Oprah so this is just me walking in her already glorious footsteps!
7 of my favorite things:
*TED.com - riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world… is AMAZING! Whenever you need stimulation check out: http://www.ted.com/ Gurus give talks (that are usually less time than your favorite sitcom and better for your brain) that are persuasive, courageous, ingenious, fascinating, inspiring, beautiful, funny, and informative on DIVERSE subjects!
*Check out this documentary I just had the great pleasure to experience called War Dance : Three children living in a displacement camp in northern Uganda compete in their country’s national music and dance festival. The film really shows how music/dance can change the lives of those who have been through more than anyone can imagine… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2saj4gJ4Lvw
*Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth (ok this is probably one of Oprah’s too)…”in illuminating the nature of this shift in consciousness, Tolle describes in detail how our current ego-based state of consciousness operates. Then gently, and in very practical terms, he leads us into this new consciousness. We will come to experience who we truly are—which is something infinitely greater than anything we currently think we are—and learn to live and breathe freely.” http://www.eckharttolle.com/eckharttolle-newearth Also, Oprah’s class that goes along with the book is phenomenal- you get an even deeper experience with the book. I loved it! www.oprah.com/anewearth
*Liberation Yoga – my ultimate favorite yoga studio in LA. “Liberation Yoga is about living authentically. It’s about finding one’s true nature through the practice of yoga and sharing this limitless life force with the world. At Liberation we celebrate all styles of Hatha Yoga and all levels of practitioners, recognizing that every individual has a unique path to follow and every teacher has a unique gift to offer. Yoga seeks to create union, relieve suffering and thereby liberate the soul during this lifetime. ” http://www.liberationyoga.com/
*KCRW for those who desire NEW innovative unique music rather than what is spoon fed to the masses… I especially love Garth Trinidad’s DJing skills. Chocolate City is delicious! Morning Becomes Eclectic is pretty nice too, hosted by Jason Bentley. Listen online: http://www.kcrw.com/
*Bucheron cheese at Whole Foods with wine… mmmmmm…
*JANELLE MONAE – she is brilliant- her songwriting, her voice, her energy, her performances (she even crowd surfs), her style (she has a fro-hawk and wears tuxedo-like attire in a sexy smart way), she is intelligent and she is super genuine and NICE (I had the pleasure to meet her)… She’s been called a female Prince or Andre 3000 but to me she’s just herself- a unique voice in music that we so desperately need… http://www.myspace.com/janellemonae
empowerment through our sexuality
yes our sexuality is POWERFUL!!!! …powerful in our connection with others- as a performer on stage as well as in our daily (and nightly) interactions with others… i think it’s amazing when women and men are authentic in their sexuality and how they express it…but there’s a thin line between what’s for show (don’t try so hard/don’t give it all away!) and what is genuine/natural/effortless (you just being you). and it’s sad to me when a woman feels that it is her ONLY option in gaining love, admiration, affection, and empowerment is through her sex. in fact sometimes our sexuality can distract from our other talents and true intellect. i’m making it one of my missions (one of many) to help women (especially young girls) to appreciate/honor/cherish/embrace their femininity and sexuality but not use it as a primary source of empowerment…
“i’ve been empowered by my sexuality and found it fleeting and false… i want to be known for my word…my intellect…my thoughts…and ideas—dancing in my mind, like fireflies, pure electricity… because that is eternal…” – from my journal on June 9, 2006…
