New Year Wishes and Music Dreams

Hey Everybody!

Hope you are treating yourself well, because if you don't, who will? 

I'm popping in on this blog to let you know that we aim to be making more music in this year than in recent years past. That shouldn't be too difficult of a goal to reach! 

Anyway, the rain woke me up super early this morning. Here is a screenshot I snapped of what is coming our way in the next couple of days. This satellite photo was taken about 3:30 am on January 6th, 2023. 

I am about to go back to bed after writing this, and will probably be awake by the time this little note gets broadcast to your email inbox, only to be sent to the promotions or spam folder. 

I wish you the best day you can possibly have. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Show Reminder! October 7th in San Anselmo

 Hi! 

Me again, with a reminder of tomorrow's show. 

Have a great day! 

ox,

Mari

San Anselmo Town Hall October 7th

Hey Everybody! 

As you may or may not have heard, we (MMLLK)  are bringing our set to San Anselmo Town Hall on October 7th at 6 pm. 

It promises to be a beautiful, warm day, but bring layers to put on or peel off, a blanket or low chair to sit on, shade for your facd and be sure ti stay hydrated! 

Here is the fb event link if you happen to need more info, or want to help spread the word! 

As always, we are grateful and appreciate the love and support! 

Looking forward to it!

Ox, 

Mari 

October 7th in San Anselmo

Bringing some music to downtown San Anselmo on Friday, October 7th. 

This particular show is right in front of Town Hall. 

The band starts playing at 6pm and we play for a bit. 

I imagine we will get into writing mode soon. There are songs that need to be started and songs that need to be finished, emotions that need to be expressed and spirits that need lifting. 

More details in my next post. 

In the meantime, I hope you have the best day you can possibly have.

Always remember, "Forever is composed of nows."

Ox, 

Mari 

Back Home and Back Home Again

I flew out to my hometown of Lodi, NJ this past weekend to be with my family as we placed my mother's ashes alongside my brother and grandparents. It was a lovely service.

I learned "Ave Maria"  to sing it to my mom while she was still here on this early plane, and did so, several times over face time. So childlike, so pure, was her joy during those moments, it is a a testament to the power of music, and a memory I will treasure as long as I can hold onto it. Memories can be fleeting, as we all so painfully learned as we watched this horrible disease rob my mother of her memories, her ability to live her life the way she wanted to live it, and eventually, life itself. 

And, although I had spent several hours on the plane reviewing the sheet music, I ended up not singing it during the mass. I chose not to because it just didn't feel right. Several reasons led to my decision, one being that I just got over Covid a couple of weeks ago, and that song is challenging when I am in top form. Another reason is, I was expecting to sing it from the balcony. The organist was up front of the church. The mass was about my mom and the next step on her journey. It was not "a gig." As I said, it just didn't feel right in that moment. There are times when it is OK to say to say, "No, I cannot do this right now." 

All I wanted to do was be there with my sisters and our extended family at that moment, and I am very grateful I was able to do so.

My mom would understand. 

I wish you the best day. May we all make some beautiful memories. 

Ox,

Mari 

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/25650749/madeline-tamburo/bayonne/new-jersey/sweeney-funeral-home

photo by Elliot Karlan

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who took the time to join us out on the Mill Valley Plaza yesterday. This particular gig has been a long time coming, as we booked it back in April and I got hit with the dreaded Covid bug about a week after my mom left this earthly plane. I guess the sadness and the stress of the whole ordeal lowered my immune system just enough to let it get me, and it definitely got me. Thankfully I did not require hospitalization -- just rest, Vitamins C and D, and a gallon of soup, lovingly prepared by my son in law. Arne was quadruple vaxxed and he walks a lot, so he managed to evade it altogether. Knock wood on that one. 

Anyway, I wasn't at full capacity, but thought it went well! The band members (Arne, Pat, Richard and Martin) have been working hard to tighten up and the Doug and Mike on horns added the just the right amount of spive to the mix 

Most of all, it felt good to release all that love and music in the air on such a solemn date in our history. Every September 11, the memory of my mother dancing with Angel Pena at my Aunt Patti's wedding  is front of mind, as he perished in the Twin Towers on that tragic day. 

Ok,  I have to go now. I am working my straight job all this week (that's what musicians call our non-musical gigs) and am grateful for the opportunity; the environment is cheerful and the people are kind. 

If all goes well, I will catch up with you on Thursday. 

Until then, I wish you the best. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Next gig: October 7th at San Anselmo Town Hall  (with a special guest guitarist subbing for the traveling Pat Duffey.)

Show Reminder! Sunday 1 pm

If you are near Mill Valley this weekend, we hit at 1 pm on Sunday! 

Letting Go

My mom passed early morning August 9th.