Collaborating music with Hurricanes and Sponsors

Mother nature and I have had a relationship with my music from the beginning of writing songs with my guitar. As a teen, I loved singing with the birds and to the sky in my front yard of the house I was raised. It was as though the birds knew their part in the music and would solo loud and then back off when I was singing. This was also true in my adulthood with my pet birds. I  now sing a song to the ocean as much as I can in the evening. The song is an English translated song from the Maori Chant. (The Polynesians language from New Zealand).  The songs is about letting the day end in peaceful rest to all living beings.

If you read my blog http://lacatmusic.blogspot.com/2012/11/p.html, 'The first song Collaboration Haiti Reggae/Cali Vibe' about Hurricane Isaac flooding out Johnny's (my Haitian collaborating partner) computer, by ripping the roof off his studio, the next question was how was this project going to continue. Knowing there is no possibility to replace the computer, right away, in Haiti, I offered to try to find sponsors to donate toward this project, replacing Johnny's computer with a working one. With a long journey of windy roads from sending emails to Apple and Dell charity dept., to seeing if the motherboard on Johnny's Dell computer could upgrade, we finally met with success! The Apple corp. will not respond unless you have contact in the company. Teri Copland, one of the final sponsors, Tech computer guy, tried to get a donated computer from Dell, because he had a contact in the company, but was also turned down. He also said that the older computer would not accept the newer motherboard. Brandon West, my 'Rappa mon' collaborating partner/beat producer, suggested to go for the Mac Mini. Teri was willing to pitch in half. One night when I was working on finding the remaining sponsors, the retired pathologist, I am currently watching over at night in exchange for staying in a loft in his unit, offered to sponsor for the balance. EEE HAAA! I got the Sponsors! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Teri Copeland and Don Nevius!!!

So The computer was sent off to New York, to Johnny's Aunt so she can get the computer to him. Well...Guess what came right after she received the shipping. Hurricane Sandy, Frankenstein Storm!!! Without communication, I prayed everything would be fine, being she is located in Coney Island. Five days after the storm I finally got through. In a calm, collective tone, she said all was fine and so was the computer. She had just got her electricity back on, there were no more local stores around but she was good. Haitian people are pretty calm, I must say.  I don't know if I'd be so regal.

So, being Mother nature motivated all these changes to take place, I am going to write a special song for you our great mother earth. You have spoken and been very generous in your involvement with our humble project to bring beautiful music to the world.

One Love.

LA CAt music/dance/art SHAMAN BLOG: woman, their life, in music

LA CAt music/dance/art SHAMAN BLOG: woman, their life, in music: When a woman can say she didn't get raped when forced to have intercourse that is saying that woman was smart, strong and confident. That w...

woman, their life, in music

When a woman can say she didn't get raped when forced to have intercourse that is saying that woman was smart, strong and confident. That was me and set a pace for how I saw life being it happened when I was thirteen. The exploitation of females sexuality is a perpetuating drone that hovers in the entertainment industry. It was figured out a long time ago that flesh and sensuality captivates the audience. What about the power behind that and the gestures rather then words that evoke the power of a female verses exploiting her. I say I am a kitty or a panther. Kitties are soft smooth and move gracefully. Panthers are the same except they are wild. Both can bite and have claws. Size does matter here dudes. I like to be the kitty, La Cat as its my power. If disrespected in a flash I will be that panther devouring exploitation in my path and feed it to my cubs. I have no mercy for anything less then the power of the female I possess. I don't want to use men but rather guide them to the divine connection we all belong too. If my sensuality awakens their senses through how I sing, move or speak I want it to be an uplifting experience of higher order in their consciousness. I am interested in their power, how they can utilize it. Not using them or me being used for decadent self serving gratification.  I believe this to be my truth in my art. I love humanity deeply and hope for much more respect toward one another. Ladies and gentleman be so to one another as it is the salvation to our existence. One Love

Haitian Reggae Song singer Johnny wins 1st in festival contest!!!

A news bulletin. I'm happy to announce Johnny Joseph won 1st in a contest at the  three day music Festival, 'The sound of the drums in our life", October 31- November 3, 2012,  Jeremie, Haiti . He sang his original song, "I'm Black and I'm Proud" and floored everyone. There were 300-400 to up to 1000 fans throughout the days of the festival.  Johnny was well received by the fans, radio stations and national tv. This is a great step forward also for the  Johnny Joseph, LA CAt collaboration project. I hope to go to Haiti this December 20, 2012 for a Reggae Concert and perform with Johnny and his band. GO, GO JOHNNY GO GO GO...JOHNNY BE GOOD!!!

The first song Collaboration Haiti Reggae/Cali Vibe

The first song that is in the process is ‘Believe’. The lyrics I wrote have a spiritual base. Jah told ii to look for the angel and he will show ii the heaven is here. Believing in one another, we can create the heaven on earth. Johnny wrote about the Haitian people and his culture. He sang in English and French about their spiritual connection, their struggles and reaching out from Haiti, to the world... We Haitians are here... don’t forsake us.

            Oddly enough during the time we were creating this song, hurricane Isaac passed through Haiti causing more damage to the already devastated country from there 2010 earthquake. When that earthquake hit the world new of their devastation and millions of dollars were contributed and yet the country had hardly improved there traumatic conditions. Many people continue living in tents and many buildings have not been rebuilt. When Isaac hit Johnny’s music studio and his home no longer had roofs. In my overwhelming concern I was worried about him and his situation, feeling so helpless to be able to do anything to improve the conditions. Johnny said everyday is a new day and he goes on. His belief of a higher force provides and is there for him. I was impressed by his attitude. This inspired me and I want to perform with Johnny to show audiences how beautiful this Haitian man is in his strength to overcome high stacks and obstacles. Listen to song 'BELIEVE'

Collaborating Haitian/Cali Reggae

I have begun an new adventure. Quite unexpected, I begin a musical collaboration with an artist in Haiti. I have been journaling the experience.
The story of my Musical collaboration with Haitian musician, Johnny Jean Joseph
           I put some of my original songs on soundcloud.com. My song, ‘Asking the Night’ had a comment by another soundcloud.com member, Johnny Jean Joseph, He liked the song. The beat I put on for ‘Survive’ he  was feeling. He commented he wanted to be on this beat and if we could do a collaboration.  My other music partner, Brandon West made the beat for  'Survive'. Johnny and I begin to correspond about our music, our goals, style and interests as musicians. I was convinced this collaboration would be good by a statement Johnny  made about his main goal. He said “ I want the world to hear my music”.  It's a tall order but I have always felt the same way. My own musical journey has had many ups and downs and I am still on my goal .  Birds of a feather flock together, right? My hard work will and must  pay off. It has been much easier to move forward with the technology to write music with computers and having access to let the public hear my original music on the internet. I still perform live but unless it’s a gig where cover songs are involved and performing for corporations, hotels and private parties, if is difficult to get the money deserved for my services. Johnny's goal is simple and to the point. I felt it is good goal to work toward. I agreed to collaborate.
Haitian/Cali Reggae collaboration 'Believe'