YERBA MENSA BLOG 26: HOPE for HAITI

A friend of mine returned recently from a trip to Haiti. As I listened to her describe the conditions there at the orphanages she visited, I found it hard to hold back tears.  One particular situation bothered me the most. There was a smaller orphanage in the mountains with only 20 children that was really in bad shape. They had received clothing donations, but had no building, hut, or shelter of any kind. She went on to describe how the women who were running this “orphanage” if you can even call it that, had sewn together all the clothing to make a large tent for the kids so they had shelter.  But the problem is, this left them without ANY clothes. All these children were naked.   Imagine a little child with no clothes, curled up in the corner, naked, ashamed, cold.   Can you see it?

They had very little food, which is true at most of the orphanages I am told. One meal of rice mixed with a little meat each day.  Most days the adults feeding the children are forced to add dirt to the food they are feeding the kids to make it go farther. I think of the food I throw away cuz it fell on the floor or it had a slight bad spot on it. I have a pit in my stomach.

In the days that followed I found myself thinking about this constantly. It bothers me in the deepest way that this could go on. We all know about the tragedy in Haiti.  The earthquake there took so many adult lives that most of the population of Haiti are children under the age of 18. They are in a hopeless position with very little chance of survival. It will take a miracle.

Yesterday I went into my “whole foods market” to get some groceries and I saw it with fresh eyes as I took note of the large shelves bulging with healthy food, numerous choices, fresh vegetables, fruit… the endless array.  I felt so spoiled. I complain so much. I have more than I need or even use.

I know there will always be the poor among us.  In the New Testament, even Christ says this. But on this day, it is not enough solace for me.  Not even close.

As I think about my life, my music, and so many of you that read my blogs and listen to my songs, I am energized to move forward in a new way.  I want to be successful as much as any artist.  But even more than that, I want to use my music to change things and make an impact.  I want to leave this planet a better place  . . . leave a fingerprint that matters.  It is my prayer that I could inspire all of you to join me in making a difference in this difficult world.   It has been a hard year for many of us.  Isn’t it time for a change in perspective?  It is easy to feel like one person can’t really make much of a difference.  And to some degree, that is true. But if we ALL worked together to reach out and help those around us, imagine what might happen.  Part of this new vision, as my team prepares to refocus our efforts this summer, is to provide YOU, my friends and fans, the opportunity to join us in our effort to help the world around us.   Because if you guys join me, we can help these kids and so many others who just need a chance.   There is a freedom in giving your life away instead of holding on to it so tightly.  Each of us has so much to offer and share. 

Our culture has us focusing on all the wrong things.  We are told to make as much money as we can, hold on to it, and than spend our lives accumulating lots of great stuff. Really? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a moving truck behind a hearse.   Don't buy into it my friends.  Open your eyes . . . see those around you with fresh eyes . . . reach out. .  And listen to the music.   Who knows what might happen.

In  honor of Pay It Forward Day , PLEASE  join me in CHANGING the lives of some children with no hope.  133 children from  No Child organization still need sponsors for basic survival in India and Africa.  This organization is sponsored by Kensington church in my hometown of Detroit, so I can assure you your support will absolutely be appreciated and channeled to the right place. My goal for 2012 is that together we can EMPTY that list. We can do this if we work together. Share this link with your friends, family, whoever you can. Think about it: Empty the list.Wouldn't that be amazing ?

If you sponser one of these kids,  I will send you a free Susan CD.  Just let me know on facebook. It's that easy.

XO suz

Countdown to London 2011: Working with the great Nobuo

Countdown to London 2011:  Working with the Great Nobuo                 

Many of you have emailed me or even asked me in person what it has been like to work with Nobuo Uematsu.  So in celebration of this amazing concert coming up, where I will once again get the chance to work with Nobuo, I thought I would fill you guys in on what this experience has been like for me.

First of all, Nobuo is just plain nice.  He is incredibly polite, kind, appreciative . . . just a very genuinely nice person. Now this might seem like no big deal, but it is. Here is why. Many artists and composers, once they have some success, turn into pretty selfish, egotistical monsters. This is not true of Nobuo.  Ever single performance I have done whether on stage or in the studio, Nobuo always tells me I did a nice job.  He does this with all the performers, too.  He is so kind with everyone he works with. He is so patient and kind with all of the fans too. He appreciates each one of you. I'm sure you can feel that from him. And I can tell you that what you are feeling is not a show. It is genuine. The fact that he is such a great person makes working on the music he has written an even bigger honor for me. 

Second, Nobuo is a true artist.  Being a recording artist myself, I can recognize this in other people very quickly.   He wants so much for the music to be felt, not just heard. This is at the heart of a true artist.  Not to mentions that the music he writes is timeless and beautiful.  We will all be listening and performing Nobuo's music forever. It does not follow trends or try to be something it is not. It is pure and honest, with amazing melodies that cut straight to the heart.  One thing I love about Nobuo is that he has always wanted me to bring my own artist interpretation to his songs. That has meant so much to me. He has never wanted me to sound like other singers that have performed the songs in the past. He wants me to be me and to be the artist that I am. Again, making this project so much fun to work on as I can bring my "Susan style" to the songs.

Third, Nobuo has that rare combination of being hard working & focused, but also a ton of fun. I can't believe the crazy travel schedule he has and yet I have never heard him complain.  Jet lag is no joke -  let me tell you.  Some of these trips we have done really push you to your limits.   As much as I love being a part of the tour, it has been physically challenging at times. But Nobuo is always happy to be there. He comes to every single rehearsal.  He brings fun to every show.  I so enjoy his lighthearted personality.  He loves to laugh and have fun. I can tell he truly loves what he does.  I especially notice this great attitude at the meet and greet events we do with you guys. These are not easy events for us because after a performance you are very tired.  It is hard to keep your energy up for such a long period of time.  But Nobuo takes time for every single fan, answering their questions, appreciating them, thanking them for coming. It is quite something to see. 

Working with Nobuo has been nothing short of inspiring. He has reminded me what a great privilege it is to share your music with others . . . and at the end of the day, it is ALL about the fans. Without each of you listening and being inspired by this music, none of this would be possible.  I thank each one of you for the privilege to sing for you .. And for the warm reception I have received from so many of you.  I'm excited to see what other music and art this project will inspire, both for Nobuo, and for me as I work on a new CD this fall. The Friendships I have built with you mean so much to me. It is my prayer that it would be a relationship that would last a lifetime. 

Much Love to you all,

xoxo Suz

Countdown to London 2011: How it all Started

It has been quite a journey to be involved with Distant Worlds Final fantasy.  And now here I am going to London!!  Who would have thought that one recording session a few years ago would take me here? Certainly not me.  I am so blessed to work with this project. It has been so incredibly fun. I love working with Arnie, Nobuo and of course all the great people at Square Enix.  But the best part for me has been the amazing response I have received from YOU guys, the fans. It has meant so much to me that you appreciate my voice and what I bring to the music.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  Most of you sort of know how I started working with Nobuo & Arnie, but for those who don't, here's the deal:

It all started when my friend Chris started working for Arnie Roth. I knew Chris from another music studio that I had done quite a lot of work at.  It wasn't long until he recommended me to Arnie.  Arnie had been working with Nobuo and they were in the process of recording the first audio CD for Distant Worlds.  Arnie asked me to sing Memora de la Stono for this project.  That was my "audition", so to speak !  Nobuo approved.  I was in !

I was than asked to sing two more songs for the Second Distant Worlds CD, " Melodies of Life" and Suteki da ne"  . . and than the idea came up that I should sing these songs live at one of the concerts!  We got such a great response from the fans ( because of YOU yet again, see why I love you guys? ) that I am now joining them on the live concert tour whenever possible!  And this last year, the icing on the cake was when Nobuo asked me to sing the theme song, "Answers", for his latest work on FInal Fantasy XIV.   My voice was now a part of the game. I was thrilled!!!

So there is a lesson here I want to share with you all. It is very hard to be in the music business as you might imagine.  What I have learned is this: ALWAYS do your best; every show, every recording session, every rehearsal.  Because you never know who might hear your work and recommend you, opening that door that leads you to success. Give 100 % every time.  If you do, no matter what your talent is, at some point, someone will notice and all the right doors will open. You just ever know. Success can be right around the corner.  So keep your focus straight ahead, close your eyes, and sing :)  This, my friends, is how to "put the dream in your reality".

Countdown to London 2011: DWFF concert at Royal Albert Hall

Countdown to London 5 weeks to go!

Well, the super long plane tickets have been bought and  the hotel booked -  It's official!  I am going to London in just 5 short weeks to perform with the London Phil Harmonic at the amazing Royal Albert Hall.  I am so excited to go to Europe. This is my first time so this will be AMAZING I just know it.  And being such a huge Beatles fan, I can't BELIEVE I get to stand on the stage of Royal Albert Hall . .  right where the boys stood!   This is so crazy cool.   I am very blessed to get this chance.

I still need to buy a dress for this show. It is always a tricky ordeal to find clothes for these concerts. In reality, I am more of a jeans and t -shirt type girl.  Playing with the Orchestra, however, is fancy, so traditionally, they like you to look fancy.   In one of the contracts I signed this year, they actually put that in the contract!  Isn't that crazy?  It said, " SInger must agree to wear a formal gown for the performance ".   As you guys know, I have been cooperating like a good little singer with this request.

But in a recent conversation with "the management", I am thinking that now that I am a regular performer on the out, there is perhaps a bit more flexibility as to what I can do with my wardrobe.

SO - I have a question for you guys:  Let me here what you think about clothes. What should Susan wear for her concert appearances for Distant worlds Final Fantasy?

Help me figure this out!!  These concerts are about the fans and for the fans . .  and that is YOU. Tell me what you think !!  http://www.facebook.com/susancalloway

Here are some possibilities to get you started;

A) Susan should dress like one of the characters from the game

B) Susan should keep wearing what she's been wearing: formal black gowns

C) Susan should wear more funky attire / like she dresses for her own shows

E) Susan should wear something funky but still dressy - maybe not so stuffy !