Completed Kickstarter Project: Birdie Lullaby

I wrote this song to honor Peanut (2985-2015). I wrote this song when Peanut was still with me as a Kickstarter project. I had know idea about the journey this song would take me on. When I lost Peanut, it could not sing this song all the way through without crying. Processing this song, helped me process my grief and eventually my grief transformed into this sort of sweetness and gratefulness. I am so happy for the 29 years I had with Peanut. I really hope this song will encourage others to express themselves and consider ways they honor their relationships with their animal companions.

Birdie Lullaby

by Nissa Newton

Oh Baby Bird, stick around a while.
There’s still so much to learn and you help me smile.
Through the sun and the rain, through the happiness and pain.

I was young when you came into my life,
Sweet baby bird, making every day bright.
You were there for me, anytime I needed you.

Life is simple for a bird.
It’s about getting and giving love in return.
When life gets crazy, your love saves me.
Why don’t you stay a little longer with me?

Oh Baby Bird, stick around a while.
There’s still so much to learn and you help me smile.
Through the sun and the rain, through the happiness and pain.

When the time comes to say goodbye,
There’ll be no little birdie to catch the tears from my eyes
But I will carry you, Forever in my heart!

Oh Baby Bird, stick around a while.
There’s still so much to learn and you help me smile.
Through the sun and the rain, through happiness and pain.

Why don’t you stay a little longer with me?

Preparation

I used to feel like my creation processed stopped once I completed a song.  Over the last couple months I have expanded my thinking as I have been preparing to record my “Birdie Lullaby.”

For all intensive purpose I had felt that my song was complete a couple years ago, but yet I dragged my heals about recording it.  My bird passed away and that made it harder to get in and record the song as well.  If I really look honestly about it, there was something missing.

In December I started Landmark’s Self Expression and Leadership Program and the most obvious project for me to take on was creating a blog to honor the relationships between animals and humans.  Within this project was the opportunity to really take on recording my birdie lullaby as my own personal way to honor Peanut, my beloved cockatiel that was my companion for 29 years.

The last couple months I put more into this song than I ever have with anything I have written.  I really looked at the song objectively and took it a part and put it back together.  All the little pieces of it that I didn’t quite like I changed and didn’t just take it at face value. Not accepting what I didn’t like about my song has made a tremendous difference in how I feel about my work.  Now  as I am ready to record.and I really like my song!

My chords are more substantial, the melody is more clear,  and there is more structure throughout song.  I settled on a tempo and push that tempo through the entirety of the song.  I thoughtfully considered every aspect of the piano accompaniment.  Realizing that I am relying on the piano for the rhythm of the piece and that rhythm can be the most challenging for me, I really worked on this.  I also added in harmony and a flute part.

So now tomorrow is my big day.  The first day back into the studio after 26 years.  No sweat.  I feel prepared and excited.

I am also considering what it would be like to do this in depth work on all of my songs and really work to create music that I am proud of.  I think that my music can bring value to others lives.

 

 

Remember

This is a song dedicated to my Christian and LDS sisters in Christ.  It is so important for women to embrace and encourage each other in this life, acknowledging our true identity as the Daughters of God.

Remember

She sits by her window and cries

Sadness fills her eyes

How did I get here?

Where should I go?

I’m all alone, who cares?

Remember, you are a daughter of God!

Remember, your Heavenly Father loves you!

She handles herself in prayer

Knowing her father is there

Faith in his words,

Hoping her cries, comfort overcomes her fears

Remember, you are a daughter of God!

Remember, your Heavenly Father loves you!

She sees a sister in pain

Softly she calls her name

Listening with love,

Holding her close, she reminds her   who she is….

Remember, you are a daughter of God!

Remember, your heavenly father loves you!

Created with purpose, women of worth, open your hearts bring blessings to earth!

Remember, you are a daughter of God!

Remember, your heavenly father loves you!

I share the story with you

To reminds you of the truth

With divine purpose,

Together with strength, we’ll bring each other home!

Remember, you are a daughter of God!

Remember, your heavenly father loves you!

remember…..

Musical Droughts, Avoid at all Costs!

 

The worst thing I can do to myself is to ignore the musical side of myself.  I just want to encourage anyone who has any excuses as to why they are not expressing themselves through music, art, writing, or any other form of creating,to just make it happen.  I am making a commitment to myself to not let myself go into a musical drought again.

This last weekend I finished playing my oboe in Lynwood Stake Play production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and when it was over I was overwhelmed with emotion.  I realized that this had to do with not having another place to play my oboe.  I am now looking for a community orchestra that I can play my oboe in regularly. I am also going to continue to share my compositions and start looking into places to perform or share my music in public.

 

Every day it is important for me to acknowledge my own commitment to sharing my music instead of keeping it to myself.  Inside my head, I battle the what if’s and why should I’s, but I have to keep moving forward with my commitment.

I also want to acknowledge, that I am committed to encouraging others to share their own art, whatever that may be.  As humans we should have an area of self-expression.  By having something that we can create, we can find more fulfillment and happiness in life.

Today I recorded a home video of my song The Rose.  I have always enjoyed this song in particular the lyrics are interesting.  As a young woman, I was inspired by unobtainable love.  To be honest, I was quite a dramatic teen, who was easily inspired to write love songs.

Join Savvy Music Academy and get moving on your next project!

Time for Action

When I started dedicating myself to being actively engaged in my music again a couple year’s ago, I lost my steam too quickly. It was not a matter of writer’s block, it was more of a list of excuses and endless distractions.

So after getting involved in Landmark training, I am getting going because I now have a commitment to making music that will move and inspire others.  Within this commitment, I will be sharing my music and taking action to get my music out there instead of hoarding it to myself.

To any other musicians out there playing in your basement and thinking that no one really needs to hear what you are doing, think again.  Someone out there will appreciate what you are doing so I encourage you to get active too!

One step of action I took, was joining the Savvy Music Academy and working through the steps of using the resources available in today’s new music industry.  Check it out and take a look for yourself.  If anything, it just will get you moving and start you on a journey of action!

Join Savvy Music Academy and get moving on your next project!

Meant to Be is now on CD Baby!

 

“Nissa started writing music at a very young age. A true romantic at heart always seeking inspiration for her music in many aspects of her life. Her songs in “Meant to Be” reflect dreams of a young woman seeking love and independence, struggling between spirituality and sensuality. In 1991, at the age of 16, Nissa was given the opportunity to record several of her songs at Bert Pectol’s studio in Blue Lake California. Most songs were performed on one take and were recorded all on the same day. Piano and voice were recorded at the same time. In the song “Don’t Let our Love Fade Away,” Nissa adds harmonies and the song finally came together the way she had envisioned it. The music in “Meant to Be” ranges from carefree love to forbidden love and heartache. All songs are ballads written in Nissa’s unique style. She is a songstress that sings her songs from the depths of her soul.”

Find out more at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nissanewton

Birdie Lullaby

Kickstarter Project to record a lullaby for Peanut, my 27 year old cockatiel. She is very special watch the video and find out! Any contributions are greatly appreciated.Visit Kickstarter to find out more about the project. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cosmicnissa/support-a-birdie-lullaby-oh-baby-bird-by-nissa-new

A lullaby for a bird

I wrote a song for Peanut, my 27 year old Cockatiel. After all this time, I am happy to have a lullaby to sing to her before bed. Knowing how many of us have close bonds with animals we love, I thought I would share it with you.

Oh Baby Bird(Peanut’s Lullaby)
by Nissa Newton

Oh Baby Bird, stick around a while.
There’s still so much to learn and you help me smile.
Through the sun and the rain, through happiness and pain.

When I was young, I was busy with my life.
I joined the Army and became a wife.
But you were there for me, anytime I needed you.

Life is simple for a bird it’s ’bout getting and givin’ love in return
When life gets crazy, your love saves me

Oh Baby Bird, stick around a while.
There’s still so much to learn and you help me smile.
Through the sun and the rain, through happiness and pain.

When the time comes to say goodbye,
There’ll be no lil’ birdie to catch the tears from my eyes.
But I will carry you, forever in my heart,

Oh Baby Bird, stick around a while.
There’s still so much to learn and you help me smile.
Through the sun and the rain, through happiness and pain.

Through the sun and the rain, through our happiness and pain
Oh baby bird….

Copyright ©Nissa Newton, 2013

Goin’ Country!

Yesterday I was riding around in my car thinking about my music and it hit me.  I am actually writing music that would probably be better country tunes and honestly I’m pretty good singin Country.   In the Army, I spent almost 4 years in ‘Bama with the 14th Army Showband of the South, singing mostly country tunes.  I had real official country singin trainin too…my first sergeant told me to pretend I’ve been drinkin gin and smokin cigars!