New Demo Posted

Go have a listen to "Should Have Been Gone"....

LISTEN HERE

Best song from the best movie

Well, one of the best. My digital cable box crashed over the weekend, so I've been watching a lot of DVD movies. City of Angels is a modern classic, and one I can watch over and over. And this song, by my favorite band in the world, The Goo Goo Dolls, is in my "top ten of all time". Enjoy.

Iris, by The Goo Goo Dolls (From the City of Angels soundtrack).

Lenny

OK, I'll admit it. I've always had a "thing" for Lenny Kravitz. I don't know if it's his his multi-cultural sensibility, his raw talent, the way he puts chord changes together, or his awesome musicianship....doesn't matter.

He's got a new CD coming out in early February, and I highly recommend the first single "I'll be waiting". You can check it out on his Myspace, or view the video here:

I'll Be Waiting Video


This song just rocked my whole day. Lenny Love. Catch him on TRL next week

New Song

Over You
Copyright 2008 Lisa Torch
(ASCAP)



September rain it tingles my skin
Feels just like this mood I've been in
Don't know lately if I'm coming or going...

Sometimes thinkin' I've lost my head
Might be better if I bailed instead
But for the moment, I guess I'll be staying...

Would you tell me if I asked you
What you think about at night..

I'm watchin' you sleep, keepin' your secrets safe and locked up tight
While I pretend it's not true, that I'm not spinnin' in circles,
Crazy...over you.
over you.

I've never been the girl who fell
Head over heels, nah...I'll never tell
This is something far too strange to imagine

I'm not the chick who's gonna be your fool
Always the one who had to play it cool
So you can probably see why I'm a little bit shaken..

Would it scare you if I told you
That I've never felt this way

I'm watchin' you sleep, keepin' your secrets safe and locked up tight
While I pretend it's not true, that I'm not spinnin' in circles,
Crazy...over you.
over you.


I'm watchin' you sleep, keepin' your secrets safe and locked up tight
While I pretend it's not true, that I'm not spinnin' in circles, silly and dizzy, world upside down I'm
Crazy...over you.
over you.

I'm on a Times Square Billboard

Fun stuff.

Well, it's about time, I say.

The new song has finally gone to production. "Should Have Been Gone" will likely be up on MySpace, Broadjam and Digital Rodeo by the end of next week.

I always go through this week of anticipation when waiting for the new demos to be complete. Will it capture the emotion of the song? Will the vocalist help to sell the song? Will I want to listen to it over and over (because, believe me, if I don't want to listen to it, you won't either!).

So overall, I'm happy and excited about it, and can't wait to hear what everyone thinks.

I'm also in the process of a personal reinvention of sorts. Big lifestyle changes - working out, eating right, new attitude, positivity, etc...so I can be in my best fighting shape for the year to come. Between PR, politics and the music biz...I have a funny feeling this year is going to be a DOOZY!

I also plan to win the HGTV dream home in the Florida Keys...just in case anyone thought otherwise. Heeeee.

Til next time,
xo
~lis~

Emotional Week

Well, this has been a week. Lots of emotional ups and downs...I had to put one of my beloved birds, Sammy, to sleep on Tuesday. He had been having terrible seizures and it was probably one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make. I still have very weak moments where the tears just fall - like today when I got a sympathy card from the veterinarian's office.

But the good news is that my diet and fitness program is really working for me. I joined Weight Watchers, and I can't say enough good things about it. I'm down 4.5 lbs in a week, and I feel pretty damn good. I've picked up the pace on my workouts, too...I plan to be close to goal by my birthday in May.

I haven't been able to write much this week, because work has been extremely busy (which is GREAT!) and the attendant previously mentioned factors, but maybe this weekend the snow will get me inspired.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I'll catch up with ya'll soon!

xo
~L~

December Rain, January Rain, Whatever.

OK, today I am in a lyrical funk. Maybe a full-fledged block, not sure. Here's the deal.

Late December, I was down for the count with a stomach virus, but one day I felt well enough to pick up the guitar. I stumbled on a C add 9 chord into a G major that had a beautiful ring to it. It was pouring rain, and I came up with the line.

"December rain, cold on my skin
Feels just like this pain I've been in".

OK, then the insecurities start coming in. First of all, Guns-n-Roses did November Rain. Is it too close?

Then, Trisha Yearwood did "Georgia Rain". Again...with the rain.

Is rain just cliche and overused? Should I not use a month at ALL because that will affect the marketability of the song?

And...now it is January. "January Rain" doesn't sound as good as "December Rain".

Aaaargh.

It is painful to live inside my head sometimes. Thoughts on the whole "rain" thing in songs?

ciao babies,
~lis~

Brilliant Insights

Author Seth Godin recently blogged about "Lessons to be learned from the Music Business".

A must read...to anyone trying to decipher the rapidly declining maze that is the music industry today.

Demos, demos, demos

It is no secret that I use Nashville demo services to produce and record my demo CDs. It's a really efficient way to showcase my songs and the price is right...albeit something I still need to save my pennies for!

The next song I will be recording is called "Should Have Been Gone", (working title, "Shoulda Woulda Coulda". I captured my first playing of the song on video, and it didn't come out too badly (although I hate the way my voice squeaks in the higher register...I'll never get used to that!).


So far, the feedback on the song and the lyrics has been pretty good. Now I can't wait to get it produced!

SHOULD HAVE BEEN GONE
Words and Music by Lisa Torch
(c) 2008 (ASCAP)

LYRICS:
Well, your caller ID
Says Nashville, Tennessee,
And you just can't hide the smile on your face
Does she make you you happy
In ways that I can't see
And it hurts to know someone could take my place

Oh, baby, is it real this time
Or will you change your mind
Your confusion's just abusin' me
And I think that I....

Should have been gone - when you looked at her that way
I should have been 500 miles from here by now
Thought you would have been gone
When she made you lose your way
But you're here and I can't help thinkin that I
Should have been gone...
Shoulda woulda been gone..

A party for the "industry"
Bright lights in the city....
Where she slithered by in a skin tight little dress
And your blue eyes met her green
Filled the silence in between
And I'm sure i couldn't hide my bitterness

Oh baby, is it real this time
Or will you change your mind
Your confusion's just abusin' me
And I think that I....

Should have been gone - when you looked at her that way
I should have been 500 miles from here by now
Thought you would have been gone
When she made you lose your way
But you're here and I can't help thinkin; that I
Should have been gone...
Shoulda woulda been gone..

There's nothing I can do or say
Because you're gonna do what you're gonna do
And I'll just have to find my way...

(Musical Break)

But is it real this time
Or will you change your mind
Your confusion's just abusin' me
And I think that I....

Should have been gone - when you looked at her that way
I should have been 500 miles from here by now
Thought you would have been gone
When she made you lose your way
But you're here and I can't help thinkin; that I
Should have been gone...

My Favorite YouTube Video

To Contest or Not to Contest

One of the dilemmas I face as a songwriter is whether or not to enter the vast selection of songwriting contests that present themselves each month. Except for rare instances, the fees are exorbitant, the prizes are usually not worthwhile, and the winners are generally never heard from again. So, why is it that I feel compelled to enter these things? Is it for the potential PR power of being able to say "such and such a song was the winner of the American Songwriter competition"? Is that going to get Carrie Underwood, Sara Evans, or Faith Hill to record my song? Probably not. I think I'd rather spend my time and energy pitching songs and perfecting my craft, rather than entering contests. But I'm still not sure.

Quite an Interesting Story

Maybe it's because I love the products, but I found this story about Burt's Bees fascinating!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/business/06bees.html?ex=1357275600&en=846dcb98ac9af9ad&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Writing, learning, working

This is the year it is going to happen. One of my songs WILL be chosen by a major label artist to record. I feel it...it is so close I can taste it. The key will be to stay focused, positive and success-oriented.

I am enjoying a growing reputation as a writer here in Georgia, for several teen singers who have won numerous awards. Right now, it looks like one of my songs may be performed at the NACMAI finals in Tennessee, in March. I've also co-written a few tunes with these young singers. It's an honor and a great learning experience writing age-appropriate tunes for teens in the country market!

Tomorrow is the North Fulton Democrats meeting in Roswell - I'm looking forward to learning more about all of the candidates. The primary is right around the corner!

RIght now I am listening to U2's "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb". Powerful stuff!

Later,
Lis