Jason Mraz's Blog, page 51
August 3, 2013
#album5: live from the studio (update #2)
Click here to watch on YouTube.
August 2, 2013
#album5: live from the studio (update #1)
Click here to watch on YouTube.
July 28, 2013
Reigning Janes
Songwriting is about risk-taking. One simply needs a safe, open space to say or do anything in order to see/hear what wants to stick to the page. In a collaborative effort, all must be open to trial and experimentation. Without complete freedom of expression, a song will lack the necessary truth required to give it life. Without truth, a song is just a song. It may be clever, or sound pretty, but it may not fly as high. In order to create a great song, one must be willing to trade in clever for truth, especially when the truth doesn’t feel safe to share. It’s playing by these standards that songwriting becomes an adventure for the courageous.
Meet Raining Jane: a female-foursome of risk-taking road veterans who have toured extensively on their original music for more than a decade. They are also the co-founders of The Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls, Los Angeles, an intensive program that empowers young women to rock in all aspects of their lives.
I first met Raining Jane, in September of 2006 at the University of Redlands. We were on the same schoolyard festival bill. With thoughtful lyrics, brilliant harmonies, diverse instrumentation, a high energy percussionista, and good looks, they were a tough act to follow. I played alone, nervously hammering through my set while begging forgiveness. After the gig I bowed to them, suggesting we collaborate. A few months later, we gathered at my home studio for the first of what has now become a long tradition of annual writing retreats known as ladies’ weekend.
Within the first few writing sessions, Raining Jane and I unearthed a few songs that would transform all of our lives. Songs like Silent Love Song, which we donated to San Diego’s Fire Relief Project in 2007; Collapsible Plans which won best original song in the Hollywood Film Festival for the amazing documentary The Big Fix; And Beautiful Mess, which has gone on to become a concert classic.
It didn’t take long for The Janes and I to realize we shared the same core values and shared a passion for truthful, healing songwriting. Our shared vision is to use our creative gifts to improve the world, not belittle it. Whenever we make time to write together, it’s always magical, and as you can imagine, the songs have started piling up.
For the next two weeks, The Janes and I are exploring what it would sound like if we were to record an album together. With the help of producer Mike Mogis, the girls and I will be on lock-down in Omaha, Nebraska putting everything we’ve got into #album5. Stay tuned for updates, leaks and previews as this surprising new story unfolds. In the meantime, enjoy this clip of The Janes and I performing together for Feeding The Soul back in 2010.
July 22, 2013
A Pep Talk
From the good souls at Soul Pancake. I love this.
July 18, 2013
The Solution Is In The Soil
Airports have become so familiar to me that I’m beginning to build friendships with airline staff and TSA employees. Even the customs officials welcome me home or see me off with congratulations on my gigs. Homeland Security officials grew to know me over the years, mispronouncing my name at first, to questioning the validity of my jobs overseas, to eventually asking for autographs and pictures. Their gradual awareness has become the meter on which I have measured my success. Thanks TSA. You’re my TMZ.
The Heathrow lounge teems with quiet excitement like a study hall. It’s here, on my way to Istanbul, that I get time to brush my teeth, lengthen my spine, and thanks to free wi-fi, share an awesome video with you.
As you may or may not know, I keep track of flights and offset the carbon emissions by planting trees and supporting organic farms and gardens. Below is the TED talk from Graeme Sait, who’s research linking soil health to human health will open your eyes and blow your mind as he connects the health of our food to the health of our whole system. As both an organic farmer and a man of the world, this TED talk speaks directly to me, proving that there IS hope for humankind. All we have to do is humbly bow to the Earth.
In the age of information, ignorance is a choice. Thanks for spreading the message and doing your part. xo
T.J. Martell Family Day in New York City
Jason will perform at the T.J. Martell Foundation Family Day event in New York City on September 15, along with Ed Sheeran, Austin Mahone, and guest host Bridgit Mendler!
General Admission and VIP Meet & Greet tickets are available now. Click here to purchase your tickets today!
July 15, 2013
You Got Life. You Gotta Live It.
When I lose someone, the hardest part is that I am no longer able to tell them I love them.
The music community celebrates Felipe Canete, who sang, danced and played guitar as an integral member of Luc & The Lovingtons. His Chilean heritage brought an authentic latin flavor to the heart-centered band, fusing music of many rhythms and styles to help create their unique sound.
On May 17th, Filipe (pictured left,) passed away as a result of a heart condition he’d managed all throughout his young life. He is survived by his wife Katy and their two year old son, Rio. Donations to help alleviate immediate financial stress can be made at http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/felipe-s-family-fund/60864.
This weekend I had the pleasure of performing again with the new generation of The Lovingtons’ musical family, who are currently on the road fulfilling the tour that Filipe booked. (You may remember The Lovingtons from previous years’ tours, or by their hit THE FREEDOM SONG, which I recorded for my album last year.)
In a small private setting yesterday, musicians and friends who knew Filipe gathered to sing and share stories, shake his percussion instruments, and honor the mystical, magical spirit of a friend who will now live on inside all of our hearts. His passing reminds me to celebrate life.
In addition to being a father and a good friend, Felipe was also a teacher, blending language lessons with music to help his students connect more intimately and joyfully with the classroom curriculum. Joy was his modus operandi. Joy and Filipe were never not seen apart.
Despite having a diagnosed condition, Filipe only always lead with this heart; suggesting to me that having compassion for your weaknesses only makes you stronger. I will miss his smile, his accent, his dance moves, and immeasurable excitement to improve the attitude of the world, but he will live forever in the music and through the many hearts of those his touched.
The Los Angeles community will honor Filipe & The Lovingtons this Tuesday, July 16th at the Roxy’s intimate upstairs room in West Hollywood. Send your love!
July 10, 2013
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