Roia Rafieyan: Journal

The latest excellent CD from the talented and creative (and sick) minds of Tom and Doug. Here's a video of one of the songs from Tom and Doug Volume 2: Love Songs (Guaranteed Fresh).



And if that isn't enough to convince you...

Now, I don't usually get all political and nuts here in the middle of my music website, but I went to see the film "No End In Sight" this evening (sponsored by the Hunterdon Peace Coalition), and it truly saddened me. I've embedded a preview of it here, because I think it's that important.

I had the day off today (which is rare in and of itself), so I decided THIS is the day I'm going to figure out how to use iMovie. So I did, and I made a video of myself (I know, I know, but it was the only thing I could think of after too many weeks of going at top speed), and I uploaded it to You Tube. Here's what it looks like:



What makes it all the more exciting is that you can see my refrigerator (one of my favorite spots in my home) in the background. All those sudden looks toward the camera are actually me watching the screen to make sure that this time I was recording (as opposed to last time, when I wasn't).

Let me know what you think. You can email me at roia@roiamusic.com to share your opinions.

Well, first of all, happy birthday to my good friend Jill (aka Fluffy). She and I have known each other since fourth grade, believe it or not.

Second...my GOSH this month has been busy. You can certainly see from my calendar that I usually have a gig here and there, but suddenly this month i've been running around all over the place.

I must say I met some other wonderful musicians in my travels who you may like to check out. Thanks to my friend, Frank Glaz, for organizing the Citigroup Summer Series By the Lake AND for getting together a bunch of us to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis at Espresso Joe's in Keyport, NJ.

While I was there I ran into the lovely and talented Jo Wymer, along with her very delightful family. I was also very happy to meet YoliAlto, Michael Zuko, and Don Lee.

At Cafe Improv this past weekend I also had the pleasure of meeting SiriOm Singh and his lovely wife Ayala. I have been enjoying his CD (thank goodness for peaceful people).

And here's the coolest part: they are all game to come and play at the Common Grounds Coffeehouse. Hooray! So stay tuned until I have a free weekend, so I can plan another coffeehouse. We're kind of low on help these days since everyone who has always helped has pretty much moved too far away. We'll get there though, and we will rise again (damn it)!

Well I guess this is the month for learning, because I not only have to figure out how to make my way around my iMac (after 10 years with a PC), but I just learned how to put a You Tube video on my website.

But the best (best) learning was my guitar lesson (yes, there is always tons more to learn in this life) today with the brilliant and very gracious Vicki Genfan. What a joy to have such a tremendous guitarist share some of her musical ideas with me. I must go practice. Be well, all!

Yes, yes, I know...enough with the exclamation points already, but, honestly, for the past 9 years I've been using dial-up, and I had no idea. I mean...I've used speedy computers before, but I can not believe all the stuff I've been missing on the internet, because my connection was so blasted slow.

So, of course, this now means that I'm a bit more obsessed with net surfing than before, and I'll likely need glasses more seriously.

On top of that I just bought a new iMac. What a nifty machine. I still remember being in college (at Temple University) way back in the mid-80s and being told I had to learn how to use the Apple computer for our music therapy research class. I hated it back then, and I avoided computers until at least 1995. Thank goodness I got over that, because, frankly, I don't think I would have survived doing a thesis in grad school without my computer.

So, one of the very cool things I can now do (with my souped up computer and high-speed internet) is watch things on You Tube. I added one to the Links page, so you can also be impressed by the amazing and talented Vicki Genfan. Just fabulous.

In the meantime, I'm learning how to use this Garage Band program on my computer. I must say it's awfully cool. If I never get this second CD done (oy), at least I'll have a way to make a cheesy one of myself sometime.

Onward!

I just had a very pleasant experience playing for the Union County Peace Festival sponsored by the Union County Peace Council. We really don't think a lot about peace these days, what with wars going on and the constant threat of terrorism and such. It was helpful to have a reminder that there are still a lot of people who care about peace and who are working toward ending the insanity that could lead to nuclear war.

Some eloquent people spoke about the state of our planet and the state of our country. It is worth going to their websites and learning as much as you can about these very serious issues. Okay, I am now stepping off the Rafieyan soapbox (my mom and I share space on said soapbox on a regular basis).

Sheesh! I guess it has been a while since I added some news to the journal here. Well, let's see...my dear friend David has a new blogspot which you should check out. And I've been looking at an interesting website called Breaking the Barriers which is an organization dedicated to ensuring that all people's right to communicate using the method of their choice is honored.

In other news, my friend and colleague, Rose Ries, and I completed an article which was published in a psychiatry journal in January 2007. The article is about the use of music therapy in the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry service in general hospitals.

Michael and I are back to working on the CD, and we're hoping (yet again) to get it done this year. A gal can hope, can't she? Anyway, it's sounding pretty darn decent (if I do say so myself). Many thanks to Kjell Benner and the many drummers who have contributed to this musical adventure so far!

Well, my most exciting moment of late was getting an email from the Beta Hi Fi Music Festival folks telling me I'd been chosen to play at the World Cafe Live Upstairs! I didn't win, but there were some great musicians, and it turns out that I do have a few fans in Philadelphia. Thanks, guys!

Meanwhile, July marks the 11th anniversary of the Common Grounds Coffeehouse at Hunterdon Developmental Center. We are extremely excited that Dave Kleiner and Liz Pagan will be coming to play for us, along with their trusty bass player, Bill Meyer. Eleven years of "Building inclusive communities through music, art and poetry by and for all people." Yay!

The hopeful news is that Michael (the CD producer) is almost finished with his longest project ever, and we may see an end to the recording of my second CD yet.

In between all these gigs and music things, I'm getting notes together for a presentation on the many experiences of feeling powerless as a music therapist for the November conference of the American Music Therapy Association. I'm also trying to find time to work on a couple of music therapy articles.

I should be about ready for a serious vacation soon.

Well, we did it again! We had an entire night of singing schmaltz and lounge songs at the Common Grounds Coffeehouse, and nobody got hurt (or arrested). Hurrah!

The latest news on the CD to be is that Michael and I are planning a marathon session at the end of March or the beginning of April in the hopes that it'll be done then. In the meantime, I've managed to eek out one or two new songs.

In other news, here's some more great stuff to listen to: Paper Sun! I met Sally and Joel (the two founders of this excellent band) in Atlanta last year at the Eddie's Attic Open Mic, and they were phenomenal. Their CD is also excellent! Go check 'em out!

As soon as I come up for air I'm hoping to make an effort to get some actual gigs. I've been working on a lot of music therapy stuff of late, so it's been a bit hectic. In the meantime, go hear some live music somewhere. Better still, go find an excuse to play some live music somewhere. We really need more of it!

I guess I'm a bit behind on pretty much everything- including adding more to my blah-blah collection here. Well, in spite of my tardiness, I have at least managed to get a couple of pictures up in the Photo Gallery, so you can see my little adorable nieces.

The CD recording process drags on (and on). It will be done eventually, I swear. While you're waiting, there are always new and exciting women singer-songwriters to be hearing, so avail yourselves. I just bought Dana Parish's CD which is quite lovely. I heard her song "Not My Problem" while I was driving to work one morning, and I decided I needed to hear it repeatedly for a while. Right this second I'm listening to a CD called "La Guitara" which features 14 phenomenal women guitarists (a gift from my thoughtful friend, Amy).

It's not as if I'm not busy every week, but this past week seemed particularly so. I was invited to participate in a women songwriter showcase in Asbury Park, NJ (yes, yes, the home of Bruce Springsteen, and, no, it wasn't at the Stone Pony- sheesh!). Cook (of Cook 'n' Steve) kindly invited me to play at the Berkley Carteret Hotel on Friday, November 18th after he heard me play at the Cornerstone the week before. Thanks, Cook! Not only is there a really welcoming music community out there by the Jersey shore, but I had the pleasure of meeting and playing with Allie Moss, Gina Lee, and Sheli Aarden. Allie and Sheli have kindly agreed to play at the Common Grounds Coffeehouse in January of 2006, so keep an eye on the calendar.

On the 19th of November I headed out to Rahway, NJ to play at Cafe Z, hosted by Tom Picard. It was a wonderful open stage, and the audience was full of terrific musicians. The hilarious featured performance was offered by Dave Kleiner and Liz Pagan, along with their bassist, Bill (I think it was Bill). Cafe Z happens every third Saturday of the month. Go check them out and support local musicians.

Meanwhile, I do hope the lot of you have an excellent Thanksgiving. Safe travels.

Bronwyn Rose Rafieyan finally arrived in the world last night (on the 9th of November)! Welcome, little one! Now I have two darling little nieces. Hurrah!

Well, on my week off from work, I've decided to do the open mic tour. I started at John and Peter's on Monday night (with the lovely Karen Anne), where I met and heard a few other very talented musicians from Monmouth County, NJ. Last night I had the pleasure of playing at Arlon Bennett's showcase at the Cornerstone Caffe. I really enjoyed listening to the young musicians who played there (and I'm not kidding- they really were young!)- they are well on their way to becoming fine singer-songwriters. Meanwhile, the Peanutbutter Fancy they served me (this amazing dessert with piles of chocolate and peanutbutter and whipped cream- woohoo!) rocked! I didn't get an official slot for the Minstrel Coffeehouse Open Mic tomorrow night, but I plan to go on up and give a listen and maybe get a shot at playing. Come on up if you can- there's always some great music going on up there!

As if my first niece weren't sweet enough, my brother, Kamran, and sister-in-law, Jennifer, are on the verge of yet another birth- a baby sister for Adelaide! She is currently being referred to as "Baby B"...we shall be updated as to the official name of this upcoming wonderchild sooner or later, I imagine. Hooray!

Meanwhile, Karen Anne and I, through a miracle from God, found New Tripoli, PA- that's New TriPOli, PA (accent on the second syllable), and I can tell you with all sincerity that I STILL have no idea where exactly we were. I will, however, say that the Madison Ridge Tavern was a downright friendly establishment, and Karen and I were pleased to see some familiar faces among those who signed up to play a song for the Phil Stahl cable show. Karen Anne will be the featured performer out there on December 7th, so I believe we'll be making our industrious trek out to New TriPOli, PA again on that date.

In other (good) news, you may have noticed that I have finally managed to upload some music from my first CD. I believe Kamran's (you remember Kamran- that's my brother) souped-up modem did the trick. Thank you, Brother Kamran! Now you can listen right here on my website while you read my blah-blah.

I had the pleasure of going to the Kardon Institute for the Arts today for a workshop on music therapy and autism. My friend, Bill Stillman was the keynote speaker, and he talked about his upcoming book, "Autism and the God Connection". It promises to be an excellent and thought-provoking book!

It is probably time to stop my blather and get the phone line open in case my mom is trying to call to tell me Jennifer is in labor with Baby B! Onward!

I'm still trying (unsuccessfully) to get my music uploaded, so you don't have to head over to DTC Records in order to hear clips of my CD. The problem seems to be my slow modem (yes, I'm a cheapskate, and I won't switch from dial-up). I'm waiting now for Michael to upload it from his computer. I suppose, since I'm becoming the link queen (meaning I have now learned how to create links using HTML code- very exciting for those of us who are essentially computer illiterate), I could be a heathen and create a link to Michael's email address, so you can all send him "reminders" to get on with the task of uploading...mwaahaahaaa!

OK, enough of the madness...My good friend, Karen Anne and I (also a music therapist/singer- songwriter) went to the Candlewyck Lounge in Buckingham, PA last night to play at Phil Stahl's Open Mic. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly (although I'm paying dearly for the lack of sleep today), and Phil invited us to play a song each for a cable TV show he is putting together on October 26th. Yay! That will be at the Madison Ridge Tavern (formerly the The Blue Ridge Inn) in New Tripoli, PA. Should be fun!

I really need to go and catch up on my sleep now, or there'll be further hell to pay tomorrow. Hopefully the next time you hear/read from me, I'll be telling you about my new niece (who is due at the end of October). More dolly babies! Hurrah!

Well, I'm back from a brief vacation/conference at Virginia Beach (just in time- since Hurricane Ophelia threatens even as we speak). It was lovely to be by the ocean and to watch dolphins at play in the early morning (see? There *is* an actual reason to wake up at the crack of dawn!).

In the meantime, this brief vacation seems to have affected my brain, because I keep forgetting important things (like appointments and gigs). Sheesh!

While I haven't had much time to do any recording in the past month, I have been working on music therapy presentation proposals, newsletters (for the New Jersey Association for Music Therapy), and generally a lot of music therapy stuff.
I'm still trying to figure out a way to add a page or two to this website where I can put up some writings about music therapy (since I spend an awful lot of time doing that).

Onward and upward then! Be well, all!

My beloved little niece celebrated her first birthday yesterday. That means that my whole family is visiting, which, as you can imagine, means that recording will be on hold for a week or so. Gosh, that little niece of mine is a dolly!

Meanwhile, Michael has a production deadline for another group with whom he's been working, so he's busy too. See? It all works out. Yay!

Michael, the intrepid producer, and I are working on a new CD. I haven't decided on a name yet (even though my original plan was to call it "Therapy 'Til I'm Dead"). I guess that wouldn't really fit with the general direction this CD is taking.