Don't Give Up...

It's been an interesting week.

Doing my best to stay hopeful, stay healthy and get ready for March 8th, our next gig at The Saloon.  4 - 8 pm.

I received an unexpected phone call from my nephew yesterday, who called to tell me that he listened to our latest album and thought it sounded really good! He seemed surprised. 

I had to chuckle at that one. 

Humans can be so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss a lot of what is happening all around us, and sometimes we can be so distracted by everything that is going on all around us, we fail to be truly present in our own lives.

The challenge is to be aware what is happening around us enough so that we are not blindsided when change comes knocking at our front door. Of course, the unexpected happens on occasion- so we have to learn to adapt and prioritize.

We need to help each other. 

Remember - a heart filled with love has no room for hate, and the opposite is also true. 

That's all I have to share at this moment. 

I wish you peace, love in your heart, and safe travels. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Next Show: Studio Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA | August 24th, 7:30 pm

Hey Everybody! 
How are you doing? I hope you are doing well. 
Friendly reminder: 
Our final gig for this month: 
Saturday, August 24th at Studio Fourth Street, 1569 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 
Downbeat is at 7:30 pm. 
https://www.studiofourthstreet.com
This will be a low volume set, as the it is what we call  "a very live room." Luckily, we have the ability to be flexible and improvise. Flexibility is strength!  
Btw, if you are curious enough to take the time to click through to the event info page, that's a pic I took after a Saloon gig, with my previous 13 year old cell phone, which I happened to lose at the Oakland Airport. I'm still working on restoring contacts and finding snippets of tunes in progress... 
Speaking of pics, here is a link to some pics from the Lucca gig: I posted them in our Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings Facebook group.  If you are on Facebook, join us and invite a friend! 
A couple of other things: 
I may soon be in search of a space for my Landfill Diversion Arts project - I have decided that it is time to vacate the studio I've been occupying at Marin Society of Arts Galley and Studios/Art Centre since July 2021. It's a long story, and I am doing my best to keep a positive outlook as I try to negotiate a new space in the same building. Do you know someone looking for space to create? Maybe we can start a co-op. I need freedom and space to create the type of art I want to create, and would like to be able to make some noise sometimes. 
Be who you are - everyone else is taken! 
Ox, 
Mari 

p.s., Thank you to everyone who has donated so far to my friend Elena's Go Fund Me. I am saddened to share that her most recent lymph node biopsy came back positive. As you can imagine, this is devastating news. If at all possible, please donate and/or share the link to her Go Fund Me campaign. Thank you. 

Monday, Monday, May 13th

Hey Everybody! 

Music first: We will be at The Saloon this Saturday from 4 - 8 pmish. If you are in the 'hood, stop by! It's always a fun time and a much needed cathartic release. We have some magical moments! 

Speaking of fun and magical music moments, have you caught Eric Levy's "Same Old Blues" series? If you want to catch a glimpse of some marathon musicianship, check out his socials. he's crossposting on all his socials.

I hope you had a fun day yesterday, whether you chose to celebrate Mother's Day or not. I know the day can be a tricky one for some. As for me, I kept my mother's memory close, and spent the days with the "kids," While I did not personally birth any babies in this life, I somehow get to enjoy two really cute and smart grandkids on the weekend. So fun. 

I would share the cute drawing that our grandson made here, but my phone is charging, which seems to be a perpetual thing these days. I tend to hang on to tech things as long as I possible can before replacing them. It's as much a money thing as it is a resistance to that whole "planned obsolescence" set up that corporations engage in order to make us all keep buying more "stuff." They have to keep the machine going somehow. Sharing a video about that here, at this link (in case you missed it when a bunch of us first shared it on various social media outlets back in 2007.)  I'm still trying to hang onto my old car, to keep it out of the landfill.

Anyway, I hope you have a great week! Enjoy your moments, no matter what you are doing. Be kind to yourself and let it flow around you. 

Ox,

Mari 

Singing the Blues in San Francisco January 13th, 2024

Hey There, Everybody! 

Wishing you all the best year you can possibly have. 

I have to admit, world events are making it more challenging to find joy these days - at least for me, but I keep giving it my best effort. Hope you are, too. 

You'd think that humans would have figured out by now that love and kindness are better than cruelty and violence. I think most of us have, it's just that a small percentage of people are so miserable that they feel the need to make problems for everyone else in their vicinity. 

This is not a complaint, but an observation. 

That said, I'll be belting out the blues to the best of my ability on Saturday, January 13th, accompanied by Livin' Like Kings at my friend Myron's place, The Saloon, from 4-8 pm. I feel fortunate to be able to do this whenever I can.

Until then, I wish everyone love and peace in your heart. 

Ox, 

Mari 

War On Christmas; Practicing Forgiveness

After Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, the constant drone of news was streaming in our household. 

I shared my thoughts on the old Facebook, wondering if humans will ever learn to live in peace. This is something I used to think was possible, then impossible, and now, in the interests of my own sanity, try not to think about it much.  Instead, I just practice peace and do the best I can do with what I've got, as I still work on getting rid of things that I never wanted and do not need, while diverting as much of it out of the landfill as I can. 

Every once in a while, an inherited household item takes me on trip back in time and reminds me to practice forgiveness on a daily basis. 

Some things, however, seem unforgivable, such as the horrors of war. 

Some folks are living and dying due to a war on Christmas. Literally. 

Sending love out into the world. Heaven knows we all need it. 

Ox, 

Mari 

p.s. I found this on facebook. One of my old high school friends shared it.

 

It's a Personal Journey

 Hello Again, 

Today marks a year since my mother's passing from this earth. I choose to hold the decades of memories in their complete spectrum of light and dark, good and bad, sorrow and joy. Today, I will light a candle to her remembrance and do my best to live the rest of my life as fully and completely as is possible. I will follow my bliss and honor my soul's desire to give my natural born gifts and acquired skills to their highest purpose! I will watch the flowers bloom, taste the food and thank our pollinators in the process. 

I wish the same for you. 

Ox,

Mari 

That said, Saturday, my friends Livin' Like Kings and I will be playing music for you from 4 - 8 at The Saloon in North Beach. It's low key, so come as you are, and please be kind to yourself and those around you. 

Saturday April 22nd at The Saloon, Mill Valley Music Anniversary on April 29th

 Hey Everybody! 

It's a Monday music reminder, 

April 22nd The Saloon w/ Livin' Like Kings early show - 4 - 8 pm! Come on over and say "hello" in the old 'hood.  No cover, tips for the band gratefully accepted. 

April 29th Mill Valley Music 15th Anniversary show - we are reprising the "Let It Bleed" album in its entirety. We did this a few years back, and it was so well received, Gary decided we are doing it again, only this time with a smaller cast of characters. It's always a pleasure to be back in Mill Valley. and I am very much looking forward to this show.

Did you know that Lucinda Williams has a memoir coming out on April 25th  ? 

That's all for now. Hope to see you soon! 

Remember to be kind to each other. 

Ox, 

Mari

p.s. photo credits: 

above : Isabella MacFarlane. 

below: yours truly

Any errors unintentional. 

Awareness and Awakening

I feel as if we are awakening from a long nightmare and, if we are open to it, an awakening. 

As the votes get counted, and the United States of America moves on from this election, there will be questions that need answers and work that needs doing. For many of us, those questions are the same as they have been for years. 

Basic human needs must be satisfied before we can even consider secondary needs. That is, we want to get from surviving to thriving, but we must be patient or we will not survive. When I feel impatient, I remember, "Water on a rock."

As I have said before, the solutions are already here. They are all around for the sharing. Look inside for the answers. 

I'll spare you any long winded diatribes, and wish you peace of mind and love in your heart. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Leap of Faith : Thoughts on Failure and Courage to Try Again

Happy Monday to You!

I wish you peace and love and to be unafraid.
We are all connected -- to each other and the earth, and we all have the power to make a positive change, we all have our gifts to bring to this world, to make it better in some way.

Speaking of being unafraid, I am happy to report that a song I wrote with my friend Troy WON a songwriting contest in the gospel/spiritual category. That would not have happened if I did not gather up the courage to enter the contest.

In case you are curious, here's a very rough video demo of the song. Please excuse me if you have already seen this (doubtful, since it has only had about 6 views so far.) That is Arne on piano. I am in the dark, because, well, I might be going through some sort of camera shy phase and besides, imho, it should be about the music first.
If you read my post about the Tiny Desk Contest several months ago, you may remember we had been going for hours trying to record/enter "My Brother's Smile" - but we kept messing it up.




Very few things are the best they can be the first time around, like this particular performance, or that creek polluting concrete slab sidewalk that could someday be an impervious community built path.
But I digress. The point I am trying to make is that when we care enough about something, we can often create our own "luck" or another opportunity to make a change for the better.

I hope you have the best day.

ox,
Mari

p.s.
Dan Rather shared this on facebook. I found it very useful, so I am sharing it with you.
I hope you give yourself the time to watch it and allow yourself to become inspired.
It's just over twenty minutes long, so watch it in sections if you must.

Btw, if you get stuck on the word, "vicissitude" (I did) - here is the definition:






Related:

https://marimack.bandcamp.com/track/my-brothers-smile-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9mE9oN8Bkk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHGqp8lz36c

Random Musings

You can love someone even if they are nutty sometimes.
You are more lovable when you allow yourself to be nutty once in a while.
When you realize that the one true gift you have to give this world is completely worthless as far as being practical goes, it practically makes you completely nutty.

Some of us tend to use humor as a coping mechanism when we are feeling stressed or down. Sending heartfelt condolences to everyone and anyone who is feeling the loss of Chris Cornell. That is whether you knew him personally, were a fan of his music or are just being flooded with memories of the loss of someone you loved.
Go see some live music. It will make you feel better.

That is it for now.
Have a great weekend!

Ox,
Mari

Return of the KINGS : w/ Tomas D and Company : Fenix, San Rafael 6/16/2016 : 8:00 pm

Return of Livin' Like Kings on Thursday June 16th - mostly original set at 9ish

Tomas D and Company open the show at 8ish - also a mostly original set.

I am very much looking forward to this opportunity to sing for you again.

For more information and to make your reservations, please go HERE : http://fenixlive.com/show/tomas-d/

If you can't make it and want to watch us on the live stream, go here : http://fenixlive.com/music/archived-videos/

Love conquers hate. Music is love.

ox,
Mari

p.s. Thanks to everyone who took the time and a leap of faith to cast a vote in my direction. It looks as if Dennis Rodoni and Dominic Grossi are going to be in the runoff in November. (Who knew so many Italians live in Marin? ) Honestly, we did better than expected, considering all the stiff competition. 

Time to get back to Plan A! Arts!

Source : http://www.maritamburo.com/

That Medical Insurance Thing

Hey Everybody!

Forgive me in advance if posting about anything but my music bothers you in any way, but I'm not here to give you a moment of escape from real life.

Maybe I have that privilege when I am singing, but right now, I'm here to share whatever it is I feel like sharing at the moment.

At this moment I'm thinking about health insurance. Why? Because, everyday, I have friends who need help just to stay alive. Most of those friends are musicians.

I'll spare you one of my long rants about how RIDICULOUS it is that we do not yet have a single payer system - and just share related info. This Sunday is the deadline for open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act, AKA Obamacare.

My search for a day gig has been unfruitful so far. I got a couple bites, but nothing yet.
Happy to share that I'm writing more songs and have a demo recording session tonight.

I wish you good health and happiness.

-- Mari



Last Minute Op Ed from Pitchfork. It has a good overview, facts and figures from Future of Music Coalition regarding how many musicians don't have health insurance:

http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/667-op-ed-last-minute-obamacare-advice-for-musicians/


Now, here are a few of my fellow music artists (in alphabetical order) who could use a little more help paying for their medical bills - whether or not they have health insurance :

Sam Andrew: Is best known as one of the cofounders of Big Brother and the Holding Company.
Sorry to report that he passed away at 5:15 yesterday evening. You may donate in his memory to assist his beloved wife, Elise, with medical expenses incurred over these past 10 weeks:
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/sam-andrew-medical-expense-fund/305292

Lynn Asher : Lynn discovered she had breast cancer in January of 2014. You may know Lynn because she has done a bunch of gigs with BBHC and is a vocal coach in the Bay Area.
http://www.gofundme.com/aqs9lk

Jesse Brewster : You may have seen him on ABC News last night. Has been battling Polycystic Kidney Disease for practically his entire life and his absolutely adorable wife happens to be a match for his kidney transplant, so she is giving him a kidney for Valentine's day.
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/zgx6/jesse-and-sarah-brewster-kidney-transplant-fundraiser

Harvey Mandel : A living legend of electric blues guitar, has undergone so many surgeries for nasal cancer, that he is the epitome of a real life warrior.
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/j6f3

Last but certainly not least. Shannon Cinnamon McCloud: Is battling Lyme disease. She doesn't have a crowdfunding page, but we were able to set up a Paypal account.

There will be an Artista party at Zodiacs this Sunday - more to follow.