I Needed Some New Experiences

6 Dec

I’ve always heard experience is the foundation for learning and creativity.  It’s been almost two years now since I quit working.  During the interim I’ve spent time finding myself, beginning my creative journey, and building a family.  Last week I decided I needed some new song material.  Cruising through Craigslist, I happened upon a job at a popcorn store in my town.  It sounded like it fit the description of what I was looking for in employment.  I called the morning I found the posting, had an interview in the afternoon and was hired the same day.  This will be my fourth day back in the working world.

I feel like if I’m quiet at work I can gain some new song material.  It’s important to be still and watch the world around me.  That’s when I find the most inspiration.  I can feel the creative juices starting to flow again.  Yesterday, while driving to work I heard a new song on the radio.  It reminded me of the journey I’ve been on and planted the seed for a new song.  I plan on working on that song this weekend.  I also have another song I started that I need to finish.  It’s more complicated in nature than my other material.  I have to record multiple parts and layer them all together.  Challenges excite me so I say “Bring it on!”

I apologize for my absence.  Please check out my Reverbnation page.  It’s been updated with new recordings of some of my earlier songs.  I need your help rising in rank please become a fan if you aren’t already and pass the word along to your friends.  Thank you for your support!

Have you seen the rain?

31 Oct

The title to my post is a little cliche, stealing an abbreviated line from a Creedence Clearwater Revival song.  However, I felt it was appropriate.  While taking my dogs on their last walk of the morning, I noticed how incredibly beautiful the trees were with droplets of water adorning them.  Once the pups were tucked safely into their beds I packed up camera, lens cloth, and headphones then headed out to see what I could capture.  I used some photo editing software I found on my computer to slightly enhance the detail in these photos.  I wanted the glory of Mother Nature’s decorating to shine through brighter than it did in the original photos.  My nature walks have been peaceful and inspirational.  Nature was always my safe place as a child.  I spent hours along the creek, sitting very still in order to assimilate into the lives of the creatures who lived there.  It’s been therapeutic to return to nature and see all of her glory through a whole new lens.

 

This is effort one of two in the photo editing software to highlight the rain drops.

 

Photo editing number 2 of 2. The previous photo is this in black and white. I like the results of color and black and white to highlight the raindrops.

 

I was pleasantly surprised when I zoomed in to find small details I’d missed such as a slight trace of a spider web on the branch in the lower left hand corner.

Photography Walk About

30 Oct

I decided to get out of the apartment for a moment today.  On my walk I saw several beautiful sights.

 

I am fascinated by mushrooms. Never before have I seen a mushroom that looked like these two. Their brethren up the hill had longer stems and umbrellas stretched toward the four corners of the earth.

These mushrooms remind me of huts in a small village. I expected a Smurf to pop out from behind them at any moment.

 

Up the hill I saw a small clearing. Mother Nature had opened her bosom to shelter all her creatures great and small.

Update

22 Oct

I joined Facebook today.  It’s been awhile since I was on Facebook with a personal page.  This time I did a band page.  I’m still trying to figure out how to set the whole page up.  If you visit the home page of Sehrahmusic you will find a link to my Facebook Page under the Blogroll section.  Please take a minute to stop by and check out my new Facebook page.

 

I’ve joined the meetup group Songwriters in Seattle.  This past Monday, October 16, 2012 I attended their monthly induction meeting at the Cafe Allegro in the University District.  They host showcases around town for their members.  I’ll let you know when I will be a part of one of the showcases.

 

Also, my show went really well.  A couple of really good friends showed up for the show.  I thoroughly enjoyed playing at The Seattle Creative Arts Center in Ballard at 26th and Market.  It’s a great venue.  They host a different artist each month for an art show, do a monthly songwriters circle, and host different musicians each month.  The owners are super friendly and great to work with for your show!  I’d recommend this venue to anyone looking for a cozy intimate space for their show!

All Settled Into The New Place

9 Oct

My partner and I’ve been in the process of moving for the past week.  We finally have almost everything put away.  The studio has been set up.  I ran through my show yesterday.  It felt really good to get back to work on my music.  I’ll be looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday, October 19, 2012, at the Seattle Creative Arts Center, 8p.m.

Sarah E. Hays Live in Concert Friday, October 19, 2012 at the Seattle Creative Arts Center

26 Sep

Announcing an upcoming show:

Sarah E. Hays will make her debut performance at the Seattle Creative Arts Center, nestled in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 8p.m.  She will be performing works from her collection of songs titled “Journeys.”  Doors open at 7:30p.m.  Tickets will be sold at the door for $10.00.  For more information about the venue or for directions please visit:
http://www.seattlecreativearts.com/
  If you would like more information about Sarah’s music please visit: www.youtube.com/sarahehays for live videos, 
http://www.reverbnation.com/sarahehays
for directions to the show and live audio of past performances, or further explore this site to find out what Sarah’s music is all about.

 

Open Mic at the Ole Pub

24 Sep

I went to open mic at The Ole Pub in Plainfield, Indiana last Tuesday the 18th of September.  Before moving to Washington I attended faithfully, almost every Tuesday.  Ralph Ed, the host asked me to come say goodbye before I moved.  Since I didn’t have a chance to I wanted to keep my word and make a visit while back in Indy last week.  It was like I’d never left.  Everyone was so welcoming.  Coming home to a musical family is nice!

Ralph and several others asked me to play a couple of extra songs.  They said “When you travel from Seattle you can play an extra song too” to the disgruntled attendees who weren’t in favor of someone getting extra time.  I played  seven songs total for the evening.  I really enjoyed seeing everyone again.

Thank you Ralph and all the other people at The Ole Pub, Tuesday Acoustic Open Stage for believing in me.  It was in your gentle embrace I found myself as a musician.  Thank you for all of the encouragement and for providing a safe environment for me to find my stage presence.  I will always hold a special place in my heart for everyone at The Ole Pub. If any of you ever get out to Washington I’ll be looking forward to a visit!

When I was getting ready to leave, Gary, one of the attendees said I should write a song about “all the cool old straight guys” there.  Well Gary, I’m giving you a shout out on here until the point and time a song may materialize about all of you.  I truly appreciate you accepting me without any judgement!

Ralph Introducing me

Singing on Stage at The Ole Pub

 

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