Music Monday

I can't tell you how many times I pricked my fingers while sewing today. I don't know if it was because I was just being careless, or if it was from sheer exhaustion, but as I sit here typing I can tell you that it isn't easy to do with band-aids on your fingers! I have been working such crazy hours these last few weeks preparing for the launch of my new apron and kitchen textiles line, that I guess I should be happy that in my weariness I haven't done more damage to myself.

It is so gratifying to take a dream and make it come to fruition, but I will admit the process has been grueling. From the designing of the patterns and choosing fabrics, to tweaking prototypes, branding, package design, and sewing the final product; I have found each step to be as frustrating as it has been thrilling. I am a perfectionist to a fault sometimes, and have had to let go and rely on my instincts to keep this project moving forward. As I am sure you can imagine, an undertaking like this can be a bit stressful. I often find it difficult to turn off my thoughts at night and turn to music to help me settle. Though my taste in music ranges from The Mamas and The Papas to Lady Gaga, my ipod is always filled with multiple songs by Damien Rice. I first discovered his music after his song "Blower's Daughter" was featured on the movie Closer. I found the song hauntingly good and once I found who sang it, I was hooked! How he combines his acoustic guitar with the chello is nothing but brilliant. I just can't get enough! From his album O, I thought I would share with you the song that started it all for me.

Music Monday

It's no secret that Damien Rice is rice pudding to my soul. Many of you know him intimately and the rest of you have probably never heard of him. He's sort of hit or miss, depending on the social circle you run in. I am utterly taken with his first album, O. Damien is an Irish folk singer who's lyrical skills are brilliant and who's songs are charged with emotion that sometimes causes me honest physical & emotional pain.

I have this love/hate relationship with that i-tunes Genius Bar because it always introduces me to music I end up loving, but (and let's give mad props to the Apple marketing team for this) I always end up having spontaneous shopping sprees on there. Last night I was listening to a recent Damien Rice purchase, Lonelily (which I'm in love with) and noticed a song of his called Unplayed Piano on the side bar. Intrigued, I clicked on it and found that it was written for a Burmese Nobel Peace Prize winner named Aung san Suu Kyi, who has been on home arrest for most of the last 20 years for protesting her government. Damien wrote this song for her. It was performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo and has a special treat at the end...Cold Water. (And if this is your first Damien Rice experience, be aware that this is a little different than most of his stuff, in that he plays piano in it, but it's wonderful none-the-less.)



If you are so inclined, follow these links for more information about Suu Kyi. The quick version. The long version.

by dove