Happy Valentine's Day!

Ive made this a bit of a tradition for me that I post this video of a spoken word poetry by one of my favorite poets out there named.. Le Grand Corps Malade.  He is a French poet/slammer and he is just awesome.  This is one of his first major hit poems that helped usher him in the spotlight.  I think it is appropriate for Valentine's day.

The poem is in French however for the non-French speakers I am writing the English translation....translated by MOI....Me.  :)

Enjoy!  :)

Les Voyages En Train
Train Voyages/Voyages by Train
Written & Performed by Le Grand Corps Malades
Unsolicited English Translation by Aviana

I believe that the stories of love are like train voyages,
And when I see all of the travelers sometimes I wish I was one.
Why do you think so many people wait on the train platform?
Why do you think we get pissed/stressed out when we get there late?

The trains often take off at the moment when you least expect it,
And the story of love carries you away while helpless eyes witness it.
The witnesses are your buddies who tell you goodbye on the train platform
And watch the train move away with a worried/anxious smile

You also wave back and you imagine their comments/thoughts
Some think that you're making a mistake and your feet are not on the ground
Each one has their prediction of the length of your voyage
Most think that the train will derail with the first storm.

The grand/real love inevitably changes your behavior.
From the first day you must wisely choose your compartment/place.
Aisle seat or Window seat you must find the right spot.
What do you choose? A love story in first or second class?

In the first few miles/kilometers you only have eyes for his/her face.
You figure out and miss, from behind the window, the passing scenery.
You feel alive, you feel light and you don't see how time flies.
You feel so good you almost feel like kissing the ticket inspector/controller.

But the magic lasts for a little while and your story flaps its wing/your story's running out of steam.
You say you're in it for nothing and it's all her/his fault
The train shakes and nauseates you.
You must get up to walk, you go to ease your heart

And the train slows down, it's already the end of your story.
All in all you're like an idot, your friends/buddies stayed at the other train station.
You say goodbye to the one who you will from now on call your "EX"
And in their phonebook, they will Tippex(correction fluid/white out) your name.

It's true that the stories of love are like train voyages,
And when I see all of these travelers/voyagers, sometimes I wish I was one again.
Why do you believe that so many people wait on the station platform?
Why do you believe we get mad/stress out when we get there late?

For many, life is about trying to catch a train,
To know and feel what is love and to discover the drive/what it's all about.
For many, the objective is to arrive early,
To succeed on their voyage and to have access/gain happiness.

It's easy to catch a train, you must take the right one.
I've gotten on 2 or 3 trains but not the right wagon/carriage,
Because the trains are temperamental and some are inaccessible.
And I don't always believe with the SNCF (Fast train in France) it's possible

There are those for whom the trains are always on strike.
And their love stories exist only in their dreams.
And there are those who rush in the first train without paying attention,
But they quickly get off at the next stop.

And there are those who stop trying because they are too emotional,
For them it's too risky to hang on the engine/locomotive.
And there are the adventurous ones who link each trip/jump from trip to trip,
Once a story ends, they tackle another page/turn a new leaf.

Me, after my first real voyage, I suffered for many months.
We mutually agreed to break up but she was more agreeable than me.
Since then I drag/walk slowly on the train platform, I watch the trains leave
There are doors that open but in a station I feel left out/hesitant and stay on the platform.

It appears that the train voyages generally end bad.
If that's the case for you,  hang on on and guard your morals/keep your chin up
Because one thing is for certain there will always be a terminus
Now you're forwarned, the next time you'll take the bus....

Unsolicited English Translation by Aviana

©Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved

Good News!!  I know I've been MIA for a few months...life takes us off a side road and you must deal with things.  But I'm seeing a little light.

I just got confirm to perform as a soloist at "Tribal Solstice" June 7-10, 2012 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!...It is an awesome dance festival focusing on Tribal & Fusion Belly Dancing.  I'm soooo EXCITED!

Come if you can!  There will also be LOTS of other awesome dancers to see!

Have a good one!

Besos!
AVIANA

Besos,
AVIANA

Hi!!

Hope all of you are being extra lovely!  

 Well I'm just here to write a quick blog post.  I literally just arrived home from practicing a couple of songs alone.  I practice 5 times a week on my own.  I practiced a new spanish song that is being put into a flamenco buleria...excited!...I practiced another 3 other covers that I'm going to start working with my guitarist Aaron when he gets free again.  

Right before I left for the night I decided to take on a song that I started to practice and I stopped because I thought that even if I did my own take on it, it still wouldn't sound right with my voice.  So I was a bit depressed about that.  But anyhooo, I decided to give it a go tonite....and you know what..i liked where my voice was going!....yes a long a way before performance material but so much happier!  I guess I needed to take a break from working on it and play around with different songs and come back to it.  Yippee!....

So I've been writing this new song...I think it's tentatively called "Daydream."  I've been working on writing a particular style of song for a few weeks now and been very disappointed with what I've come up with but last night a melody came to me right before I left my practice space...and luckily I recorded it and it was beautiful!...at least i think so.. :)  it's been playing in my mind non-stop and also on my iphone since i recorded and listened to it all day at work today...and this morning before i left.  I 've been thinking of ideas for the song....and even music video ideas!...I know!!...lol....I contacted a fellow singer about a music producer and i think i will contact him to see if he can help my song come to life.  it's very simple, bare but i think effective especially when i'll add the extra pieces to it.  i'm excited about it too!....there must be something with me getting ready to leave practice and a new inspiration pops up....maybe i'm just relaxed hmmm.....i actually want to release it as a single by the first or 2nd week of september.  We'll see!  wish me luck on the production side of it!  :)

random...i've realized that my inspiration in writing songs has been in the morning when i wake up...isn't that weird?  i think an old music teacher said sometimes that is the best time because you are less focused on perfection and your spirit just writes..your mind is not fully there so it's almost like a stream of consciousness....your fully there to judge or question w.i wish i could write every morning but i can't..i just  started a new exercise program and i have to do it the morning.... :(

So anyhow, after my happiness of the last song at practice tonite...it got me more excited with preparing for 2/12/12!...  it's coming soon...so i've got lots of work to do!

Oh I did a photoshoot last Saturday for promo pics!...Love them!  Hope to show them soon!  :)

Ok i know i said it was going to be quick.... 

The video below is an amazing band...called Cello Fury...made up of 3 classically trained cellist and a rock drummer.  LOVE THEM!!.. Check them out!  The picture on top is from their website!   I would so so so sooo love to work with them!!  :)

Besos!
AVIANA

HI!

2 weeks later after the show!  I know i should have wrote a little piece awhile ago but i just got caught up...sorry  :(

Well the show was awesome!  Met some great folks, performers, new fans and such!  I can only go up from here.  I have lots to work on and to improve on before my big show 2/12/12.  Yep!  I like me and the band are working from and loving where we will go.  I'm still developing my sound, my look, my everything.  It was nerve wrecking to perform and stressful but I think I did ok.  :)  The band was awesome!.. My guitarist Aaron, percussionist Malarie, and keyboardist Albert. 

I'll be performing again Sunday August 21, 2011.  Not sure what I'll be performing, song selection wise.  Gotta work on new material...hopefully I'll finalize the list this week.  There is so much on my plate and would love some help!  :)

Anyhow, here is a picture of me and the band rehearsing before the performance.  Yep that's me in the corner with the big hair and "eye"...  :)

P.S.  Leaving you with a video with one of my favorite performers out there...Nikka Costa.....just pure awesomeness...need to challenge some of her energy...  :)

Besos,
AVIANA

Must rethink alot of things as a producer, artist, and person.

Here are some DEAR DEAR friends of mine.  Shango Dely and his mother Leonor Dely performing in Colombia.  A little impromptu on specialized drums.  Shango is the one in the white shirt and longer hair and that is her mom singing.  I miss my Madrid Family so much, which is where Shango is currently based with his wife, who is also another beautiful spirit.  Need to go back, hopefully within the year.

Please check them out when you can.

Beautiful Beautiful....

Besos,
AVIANA

HI All!

I'm stressed, exhausted, doubtful, nervous, happy....i'm doing what i love...  performing..or should i say rehearsing to perform next Sunday. 

Here is a picture of rehearsal of myself (standing in the back dressed in black) and 2 of my band members rehearsing this morning.  The full band rehearsal will be next Sunday! right before the show!  Stressful that's when we all have a our 1st full band rehearsal! That's just how it is with working musicians.... 3 of the band members are traveling this week for various gigs ...so hence no time for a full band rehearsal!  Im at the gym EVERYDAY this week!...Eating only lettuce!!  I'm gonna be skinny and my skin is gonna turn the color green after eating lettuce non-stop this week!  AAAH! lol....

Today I leave you with a performance by Beyonce at the recent Glastonbury show....You can say what you want...Even I don't own most of her music....But she's an  AMAZING  performer!  No one can take that away from her!....Even though we do different music/styles, hopefully I can channel some of her energy into my gig next Sunday. :)

Love and Air,
AVIANA

Besos,
AVIANA