Performing “Go Go Gadget Heart” on AXS Live

Performing “Go Go Gadget Heart” on AXS Live with my ridiculously gifted band!

what’s in a name?

what is in a name?! i mean they are given to us before we are truly formed in who we are… andree means “womanly” now i’ve always been feminine but wasn’t always “womanly.” and what if i was a tom boy? maybe i’m not a tom boy because of the meaning of my name?… what is in a name? i do have to admit it is important to me that my future husband has a last name that goes nicely with mine … but in LA it seems the value of a name is EVERYTHING… like having a household “name” means that you are important… you are worthy of certain things in life…i disagree… and in regards to the artists struggle… it can sometimes be um.. frustrating to consider that we have to “make a name” for ourselves… i mean i get it… but it just seems unnecessary when it comes to art and what art is truly about… but that’s what happens when u mix the commerce with the art… you become a brand… like Mc Donalds or Jessica Simpson…yesterday i went to Freakbeat Records (a record store in the valley) to try to get the album in their store- do some sort of consignment deal… the man working told me that they don’t do consignment anymore -that they’re not willing to stock albums that they’re not sure will sell… i told him i’ve been selling at shows and cd baby and am getting some radio play… which sparked his interest a bit… then he asked, “what’s your name?” and i told him and he replied “i’ve never heard of you…” in a condescending tone… it was kind of funny for some reason…the ridiculousness of it all.. i ended up leaving the cd with him to give to the manager… my  girlfriend who is a make u feel deep, move you to tears/laughter/inspiration actress was dealing with the same thing – she was told by a director/writter “well if we don’t get a name for the part (in the film) then we’ll let you audition.” another girlfriend attempting to get sponsors for her incredible/one of a kind/conscious/amazingly fun/diverse/sexy events is dealing with the same damn thing… and then i think what is in a name!? i’m tired of names.. i’m tired of people name dropping… what about knowing what someone is truly about beyond their name? what about opening up yourself to someone’s music, immense acting talent, or one of kind unique event despite a person not having the name?… i understand that people have to pay their dues.. but at a certain point someone needs someone to take a chance on them “an unknown.” and maybe if people took chances on people that aren’t house hold names we could have more variety in our lives and get beyond what’s familiar…. open ourselves to new worlds and experiences…what about exploring what someone is truly about and capable of… and exposing that to others…start an open minded creative revolution! or maybe i’ll just create a symbol for myself like prince did and forget about dealing with the whole name issue all together but even he came to succumb to the power of his own name…i guess i just have to keep the faith that “andree belle” will align with those not afraid to take chances and give me the opportunity to inspire the masses as i was meant to do… love to you whatever your name is!

celebrity encounters

Living in LA I’ve seen countless celebrities walking down the street, in coffee shops, restaurants, markets, at LAX, even where i used to dance burlesque… (i’m saving those stories for the autobiography)…working at the agency also opened me up to meeting a good deal of celebs. people (especially back home in NC) always ask me “have you met anyone famous?!” and so i thought i’d share a few positive encounters because i’m sure you see enough of the negative encounters on TMZ….and also because i feel like what good is fame unless 1. you earned your fame because of immense talent or that you are some how making the world a better place and 2. you use your fame as a platform to do great things for others…  one encounter was while i was working at the agency and i saw andre benjamin (aka andre 3000) talking on his cell phone while i was walking back from the bathroom… i walked up to him and was going to wait to introduce myself.. but he put the person he was speaking with on hold (and he was talking serious business!) and introduced himself to me….i complimented him on his uniqueness as an artist and he asked my name… when i told him “andree” he looked a bit surprised and then with his slow sexy southern drawl he said “that’s a cool name for a girl,” and smiled sweetly… a very nice encounter… another encounter that was incredible was meeting one of the most talented men in music that’s ever lived: quincy jones! at the south by southwest music festival, dre and i went to see this virtuosic pianist that quincy was presenting in this little jazz club… as quincy was walking back from the bathroom (why is it always near the bathroom!? lol)… i stopped him saying “mr. jones! …” and proceeded to tell him how much i admired him, how dre and i had read his autobiography (i was a total nerd), and i introduced dre (who was struck silent meeting one of his idols!)… mr. jones then said “where are you from” and i told him i’m of puerto rican descent and he said “oh, i love puerto rico, i wrote a little song with a man name tito puente called ‘oye como va’ for carlos santana… (yeah! i’ve heard of them! and the song…lol!)… he kept my hand in his hand and looked me in the eyes the whole time and spoke with such kindness and humbleness… then i fumbled around in my purse (making him wait!- what a dork!) to find our demo to give him… what an absolute sweetheart then dre and i saw the most incredible pianist i’ve ever seen in my life become one with the piano! check him out: Alfredo Rodriguez http://www.alfredomusic.com/?page_id=36 he is genius!!!!! another positive celebrity encounter was meeting the beautiful, lovely, super gifted, and humble jennifer hudson! i was a the grey goose rolls-royce party with my old boss where she was performing 3 songs… and i was just a few feet away from this powerful goddess of song! i mean she brought it to church with her vocals! y’all know what i’m talking about!!! my boss being the awesome woman that she is made sure i met her cause she knew i really wanted to sing… and jennifer was happy to talk with me. i asked her what advice she would give up and coming singers and she said “don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do.” good advice! what a powerful woman! this was before the travesty with her family and she was so strong even then… and one of the most down to earth and kind super famous people i’ve met to date. the last encounter was a semi-encounter lol! but it was such a magical and random night! a few years ago we were celebrating my pnc’s birthday at the roosevelt hotel and as we were leaving in a drunken haze, i see my friend renato neto (who plays keys for prince) standing on hollywood blvd. smoking a cigarette… renato is welcoming and kind enough to get my pnc, me, and 3 of our other friends into prince’s very exclusive show! (where tickets were going for thousands of dollars!) it was unreal! and then prince was performing 3 feet away from me! he was electric! i was high from the music! and though i didn’t get to meet this god of music, we did make eye contact – so i call it a semi-encounter. also, i want to put it in print officially: if i do achieve a massive level of stardom i promise to use it as a platform to enrich the lives of others- to spread love and inspiration in a HUGE way! 

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 1^st 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!!! 

M.U.S.I.C. album release show! Today’s feature: LEO COSTA

For the album release show, I’m featuring each band member during this upcoming show week! It has been so much fun interviewing the M.U.S.I.C. makers and getting deep into their musical heads and hearts! They are all ridiculously talented, intelligent, true artists and I’m honored to make M.U.S.I.C. with them! 

Today’s feature: Leo Costa – drums

Leo is amazing at mixing modern drumming with old school concepts. He’s a sensitive player- he intuitively feels what energy, essence, and foundation a song needs.  From Rio, Brazil, Leo attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music and graduated with a Professional Music Degree, he studied performance, arranging, and music synthesis which also lead him to production and programming. With dexterity ranging from funky, gritty grooves to the complex feel of samba, jazz, and literally everything in between, Leo Costa plays with an authentic, inspired, and soulful intelligence. Leo added his incredible musical feel on Moments, Abuela, When You’re Away, and Rabo de Galo on M.U.S.I.C. Get to know my favorite batera

-what’s your 1^st musical memory?

Listening to my dad’s Stevie Wonder and Jimmy Cliff records and my mom’s Beatles records.

 

-what’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened while you are on stage?

At a gig one time some dude kept asking if my cajon was electric! Then he starts trying to play it while I’m playing it- in the middle of the set. I had to use one hand to push him away while continuing to play the cajon with the other hand! Another time during a jazz gig, during the middle of a beautiful ballad, the singer fell HARD from the stool and from the floor she tells the band to keep playing (as if nothing had happened)…

 

-what’s your ultimate dream in music?

I don’t have an ultimate dream… I just want to keep evolving in music, keep developing…

 

-if you weren’t doing music what would you be doing?

There is nothing else.

-most influential artists to you and why?

Bob Marley, to me is the spokesperson of the 3^rd world… he changed my perception on music, politics, life… ‘War,’ ‘Get Up Stand Up,’ ‘Could you be Love’ are some of my favorite songs…. Michael Jackson is a genius in complex simplicity (note: this interview was done 2 days before Michael’s death)…and Billy Cobham, a drummer from Panama, made me realize that this is what I wanted to do at 12 or 13…Also, Djavan for his songwriting, the rhythms in his music, his technique playing and singing…He’s the only artist I’ve been star struck by (other than Prince).

 

-what makes an amazing song?

What makes a good song to me is constantly changing… lyrics, the artist portraying feeling and a message to the listener, a song that makes people move, makes people feel… especially with my instrument I want to do that (make them feel)…

 

-what’s your theme song?

My theme song is the same song in different modes.

 

-do you have musical nickname?

Batera, slang for drummer in Brasil.

 

-what song were you most likely conceived to?

Probably some bossa nova song.

 

-first concert you ever went to?

Beastie Boys.

 

-first album u ever bought?

Faith No More’s Epic

 

-how can we revolutionize music? 

Start by bringing LIVE instruments back and also revolutionizing radio- putting real songs on the radio- not catch phrases.

 

-indie or major (what’s the way to go?)

Indie with major distribution.

 

-what inspires you musically?

When people speak through their music passionately and honestly.

 

-what can an artist do (that you’re backing) to make your job easy and fun?

Give love and respect to their musician’s time and craft… you get what you give with your band (and with your audience)…

 

-what’s your favorite song from the album?

“Discombobulator” and “Te Necesito”

 

-advice for up and coming drummers?

Practice hard and run your race.

 

-what do you hope for the show?

For us to kill it, that everyone digs it… I hope it’s a party and that everyone has fun.

Listen to M.U.S.I.C. at http://www.myspace.com/andreebelle or http://www.andreebelle.com

http://www.myspace.com/leocostamusic

Andrée’s favorite things (like Oprah’s but better) part 2

actually, i truly, deeply, madly adore Oprah so this is just me walking in her already glorious footsteps! 

*Kombucha-it’s like crack but good for you… i’m addicted… i mean really addicted… it’s SOOOOO revitalizing, refreshing, invigorating, delicious, flavorful, and has everything your body desires… “Kombucha (pronounced kom-BOO-cha) is a handmade Chinese tea that is delicately cultured for 30 days. During this time, essential nutrients form like, including active enzymes, viable probiotics, amino acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols. All of these combine to create an elixir that immediately works with the body to restore balance and vitality.” and it’s said to help with cancer… get it at whole pay! (i mean whole foods market)

*papayalicious-the most beautiful, artistic cards and journals. they make me happy! i love to give and receive papayalicious! http://www.papayaart.com/ 

*Daily OM-The DailyOM will send you inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day. And you can sign up to receive these inspirational emails for free! Also, they can send you great spiritual horoscopes… http://www.dailyom.com/

*You Can Heal Your Life-by Louise L. Hay… you can look up any ailment/illness in this incredible book and discover what  energetically/emotionally caused this illness. IT IS AMAZING! the book even gives you affirmations to change your perspective to help you overcome the illness. 

*Duchess-A motivational and inspirational blog for women written by my dear friend Jill Brown. Not only is Jill a phenomenal writer but she’s also an incredible life coach. http://www.theduchessguide.com/

*hula hooping- let’s bring it back!!! i remember the days timing myself in elementary school after school trying to beat my previous hooping time. i made it to 45 minutes without stopping!!! there’s an incredible movement already happening in CA… hula hoop classes and hula hoop parties! Bushwalla loves hula hooping… he even does it at shows! and who’s Bushwalla you ask?! well if you aren’t autodidactical about brilliantly unique artists enough to know read on my friend……

*BUSHWALLA’s music- truly one of the most unique and authentic artists in music today. he’s acoustic, he’s hip-hop, he’s funk, he can be so beautifully in your face then suddenly retract into this musically intimate place and you follow him there…of the 1000s of shows i’ve had the pleasure of seeing (and i’ve seen Prince, James Brown, Aretha, Mariah Carey, BB King, Erkyah Badu, Jill Scott, The Roots,Carlos Santana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Sade, Janet…etc. etc. and sooo many up and coming LA artists) i can honestly say i’ve NEVER seen a show like his… he juggles, hula hoops, balances a guitar on his chin, strips (out of a onesy) while wearing a chicken head costume, he pumps the funk… he improvises, he jokes, he has ridiculously lovely dance moves, he raps, he beat boxes, but best of all he sings honestly, he sings truth (a rare thing)… check out this conscious artist at: http://www.myspace.com/bushwallamusic

ps-the most brilliant producer EVER- Andre De Sant’anna (who produced M.U.S.I.C.) also produced Bushwalla’s album and EP! You will LOVE them! commUNITY!

detours to our dreams and lessons learned

our dreams often don’t unfold the way we planned… we can envision our dream becoming a reality, work towards our dream diligently, and trust that the universe (or God) will make everything align and still the dream doesn’t SEEM to come into fruition… but i believe we should dare to adjust our perception and think perhaps this is just a detour, a lesson to be learned before our dream comes true… and perhaps our dream might come true in an even grander way… there are INFINITE POSSIBILITES!!!!…   

now that the album is in the completion phase, i can reflect and see the detours to my dreams and the lessons i’ve learned…. here’s the cliffs notes version on the reflection of how i’ve arrived to where i am today…..i grew up singing, knowing this is what i wanted to do… i loved growing up in North Carolina but was super focused on going to NYC after high school to pursue music. unfortunately, i was discouraged by many to go to a place so big where i would be swallowed up by heathens or something like that…so i ended up staying in NC and going to study opera for 2 years at UNCG… (detour: Greensboro, NC) (lesson learned: don’t let anyone tell you where/how you should live your life)… my music education was valuable and i made some great friendships yet i didn’t really get a sense of the music business in the small town of Greensboro… fortunately, my uncle mario heard me sing at my mom’s wedding and encouraged me to come to LA to sing and live with him there. so july 4, 2001, i left to drive across country to explore this other world (because it IS another world)… the first year here i sang back up gigs, made a pop demo (that was supposed to consist of  music i wrote but ended up being butchered, over processed, and unauthentic) (lesson learned: make music that truly represents who you are and what you’re about)… also, my dad stopped talking to me i think (i’m still not sure) because he was upset that i was dropping out of school-though i never said i was dropping out it was more of a break really- after a year of adjustment to LA, i ended up going to USC’s School of Music and studying jazz (much more fitting for my love of freedom and improvisation in music)… unfortunately, because i had a jealous, insecure boyfriend i didn’t gig that much- he was very threatened by me collaborating with others (lesson learned: don’t let others hold you back from living your dream- it they’re trying to hold you back they don’t really know how to love you)… also, i was working in a burlesque / gentleman’s club to pay for the other half of my tuition that wasn’t covered with grants…(so many lessons learned there – see my blog on empowerment through our sexuality)… not a very healthy environment… after school i took yet another 2 year detour (i didn’t know how to really go for it… and i was scared)… (detour: The William Morris Agency). after learning a ridiculous amount about the music business (my boss was amazing enough to let me sit in on all the meetings with these music biz geniuses), i still found myself unhappy on the business side of things and not doing what i was meant to be doing- SINGING damn it! (lesson learned: sometimes we have to take detours to gain information that will later help us excel in our dreams!!!). so i did some spiritual work (i need many blogs to express the spiritual work i did and am still doing), i read countless books one called “feel the fear and do it anyway” (i know -bad title but good book for me at the time), i reread “the alchemist” (the book that made me believe in signs and influenced my big move to LA in the first place), also took in “the power of the subconscious mind” and absorbed many, many other books… i’m a queen of inspirational reads- i can send you a list just email me … things shifted. i transformed. (well i’m still transforming!) then i just went for it! i even reached out to musicians way beyond my echelon for advice, guidance, and connections. why not? what did i have to lose? (lesson learned: always aim to surround yourself with people that know more than you do in order to grow)… and from reaching out to Prince’s keyboard player, who didn’t have time to produce my record as he was on tour with Prince, i was connected with the super talented Andre De Sant’anna who produced and co-wrote M.U.S.I.C. with me  (a dream come true), which has been the last 2 years of my life (along with way too much for this blog – that’s more bio material 40 years from now)… And out of our musical collaboration a deep love flourished… (lessons learned: our dreams sometimes are intertwined (a dream of love and music), sometimes they don’t come true in the way we expect them to, and sometimes they unfold grander than we imagined)…

now to dream a bigger dream

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