Amy Cervini blog thoughts

Education Station

I worked with the fantastic kids at Sonic Smithy last night in Brooklyn and let me tell you how inspired I was. It was so great to work with kids who were open to trying new things. In fact, they are learning to improvise and listen to each other rather than focusing on reading and making structured music. As someone who grew up in a very structured musical environment, I was very prepared for college and continue to benefit from my training. BUT, a healthy dose of freedom and improvisation would have no doubt made me a much more fearless musician today. The kids last night all take “regular” music classes in addition to being in Sonic Smithy and I think you’ll be hearing from them in the future if they catch the music bug. They will be well rounded, creative musicians with a voice. Congratulations to Nicole Federici on all of your work with this program. They are looking for more members so if you know anyone between 6 and 14 who would be into this, check it out!

Be real

After some conversations with some truly lovely people I’m more convinced than ever that at the end of the day, you just need to be real.  As an artist, one of my jobs is to connect with the audience.  As a musician that means bringing “me” to the stage.  The real me.  Not the one you think people want.  Of course, there’s an aspect of performance that makes it an exaggerated version of you or maybe even the ‘you’ that lurks deep down and doesn’t come out often in your everyday life.  But at the core, it should be you.   I think the audience feels it if you’re not being true to yourself.  If you’re don’t care for a certain style of music or trend that is big right now, don’t do it.  The audience will feel your insincerity.   Drown out the voices around you and listen to yourself.  I feel like I’ve been fairly successful at this but it’s a struggle with every new project.  Eventually I sort through other people’s truth and find my own.  Be real.

The real world

A day of O-1 Visa fun and booking gigs. Getting to sing next week will make this all worth it…right?

So far…

Feist, Michael Jackson, Blossom Dearie, Weezer, Dee-Lite, Edgar Meyer. Ahhhhh….

I’d forgotten how badly people on the subway suck in the morning. They should be listening to my playlist shuffle. Wooohoooo!

Final Countdown!

Only 2 days until we hit the road! Hope to see you if you live in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Kamloops or Vernon! Tell your friends!