Homeland Security

When I got to the terminal at the Burbank Airport on Monday, I sat down with a cup of tea I had bought and called my mom. While I was on the phone, there was an announcement on the PA telling all passengers in the terminal that everyone had to leave the airport and be re-screened. So everyone filed out in a long line. I was glad I had checked my bag so I could carry my tea and drink it.

Once you leave the airport you can’t bring your drink back in with you even if you did buy it there. And with a few hundred people going through the security gate I was glad to have my tea while I was waiting in line. I had never been evacuated to be re-screened before so it was kind of cool to experience that. I like doing new things. It makes things interesting when something unexpected shows up.

Someone said that someone had walked through the wrong door. Someone else said that one of the scanners wasn’t working right when some people had gone through and that’s why everyone was brought out to be re-screened. I still find it amusing to put my lip glosses in a clear plastic bag in order to go through the gate. I always wear slip on shoes when I travel now because it takes less time. Thank you homeland security.

Blessings!Laura

You can hear “Wakanatanka” on my artist page at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

CAP Theater

I played at CAP Theater last night and had a wonderful time. There were a number of rap artists on the bill as well as Doc Jones. He’s a comedian who also performs around town. He’s got a song he wrote called “The Monkey Song” which is kind of a comedy sex thing. People like the song so much he performed it twice.

One of the things I like about performing at CAP is that in a lot of the shows I get to play in the hip hop/rap/ R&B scene in LA. It’s also fun to share the stage with poets of rhyme and see the response my music gets to different types of audiences. I’ve also shared the bill with singer/songwriters, but the rap nights are the most intriguing to me.

I’m usually the only artist who plays an instrument on stage during a rap night. Last night I did have backing tracks for “Wakantanka” and sang the song to those for the first time. When I hit the stage with a hip hop/rap audience in the house it gives me a chance to crossover into new territory and relate to new people from the heart. I like that a lot.

Blessings!Laura

You can hear “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

The Studio

Being in the studio is one of my favorite things to do. My producer, Robert Eibach, and I recorded a harmony vocal track for “Don’t Ask Me Why” last night. Then Robert did some percussion editing and a rough mix. I think that when this CD comes out I’ll be known for harmonies. They make my songs so much more interesting to me.

One of the best things about working with Robert is how much we laugh when we’re in the studio. It’s great to find the humor in what we’re doing and since we’ve been working together for awhile now we have some inside jokes between us that crack us up. It makes the creative process more entertaining and I love the energy that’s going into the songs.

We have rough mixes of 2 more songs done now and Robert said he was going to get them up on my artist page soon. It will be nice to see what kind of response the songs get. We’ll be working on “If I Tell You That I Love You” when I get back into town. I’m going to Tucson for a week on Monday. It’s good to be recording an album.

Blessings!Laura

You can find Robert Eibach in my top friends at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

Learning

I’ve noticed that people learn differently. Some people are quick studies and other people are slower to catch on. Sometimes what I find the determining factor with someone’s ability to learn is whether or not they feel good about what they’re doing, the role that they’re in, and what they think they’re going to get out of the situation.

Those determining factors give a person their self-esteem in a situation. I find that when I don’t really have set expectations with a specific agenda I’m usually happier with what I’m doing. I can focus on how nice people are, what I’m learning, how things work and fit together and why I’m there.

There’s always a bigger picture going on then what got me in a room to begin with. It’s always in hind sight that I can see the connections that were made because I showed up somewhere. I met one of my best friends at a conference where I went by myself and didn’t know anyone. Jobs that I’ve had have led me to things I never would have done.

Blessings!Laura

You can hear my song, “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

Selling

I appreciate when people who are selling something are honest about what they’re selling. I’ve heard sales people say that they can sell more when they tell people what they want to hear. I want to hear the truth, but I guess that isn’t what some sales people think I want to hear. They’re short term approach doesn’t create long lasting stuff.

I find that when I’m honest about what I’m talking about there is more credibility to what I have to say. If I find that someone hasn’t been honest with me and comes back with a bunch of back end things that weren’t part of the picture, I get turned off. I also won’t include them in future stuff because of what transpired. I’m stubborn like that.

The emotional hot button techniques that people use can be effective, but they usually create “buyer’s remorse” and lose me. When I hear people say, “If it sounds too good to be true” with the usual yada yada yada afterwards I also get turned off. I believe in miracles. I believe in great things happening and great opportunities. I work for them.

Blessings!Laura

Check out my song “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

The Secret Again

I watched The Secret with a group of inspiring women tonight and participated in a lively conversation afterwards. It was great to share insights about the film, the ideas presented and different life experiences with people I don’t really know. It’s fun to be in a room of new people and find that I have so much in common with them.

I really like the DVD and I’m glad it was made. This was the first version of the film with Ester Hicks. I saw the second version the first time I saw it and she isn’t in that one. It was different and I really liked what she had to say and the way she said it. I got a lot out of watching both versions of the film. It’s good information for me.

Each time I watch the film I get new ideas and new insights about my life. That makes me happy. I think deep down I’ve known the secret but never had a clear vision of how to live within the law of attraction the way it is presented in the film. I enjoy the feeling I have after seeing it and how things are happening now.

I remember when “What the Bleep Do We Know” came out and it was a big relief for me to see the information released in theaters. I’m a big fan of quantum physics and quantum mechanics. I’m no expert but I am always energized when the topic is discussed by people who are. It feels good to hear the truth and I’m all for living it.

Blessings!Laura

You can hear my song “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

The Dart Room

I just got back from playing The Dart Room at Michael’s Pub in North Hollywood. What I love about the Dart Room is how easy it is to be in. It’s important for me to have a place to “work out” as an artist and Michael’s Pub is a great room for that. The locals at the bar are also very sweet to me and supportive when I play there. I appreciate that a lot.

While I’m recording my new CD, I need to keep my performance chops fresh. I’m lucky to have Michael’s Pub as a regular venue for my craft. I get to try out new things, practice what I’ve been doing in the studio on vocals, and focus on what being an artist is really about for me while I’m on stage. I need to remember what I’m here for.

When my CD is finished and I have a product to sell, I’ll be venturing out more. For now, my North Hollywood and Studio City gigs are perfect for what I’m doing. We finished the rough mix on “Bright Blue Skies” this week and that feels good. I like the vibe of the song. We should have another 2 songs done next month. That will be nice.

Blessings!Laura

You can hear my song “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

Happy Valentine's Day!

Considering the amount of consumer goods that are produced for Valentine’s Day, it surprises me how many people I know who don’t celebrate the holiday. I eat chocolate everyday, so the heart shaped chocolate candy isn’t a big thrill. I’m into my organic “as dark as I can get it” chocolate bars. I’m so glad dark chocolate is healthy. I love that!

The darkest chocolate bars I’ve found have 83% cocoa, but the bars aren’t organic. I like the flavor of organic better. Or maybe it’s just a psychological thing for me. Organic sounds even healthier. I like the serotonin effect eating chocolate has. I remember when I was young and my dad took me out to have a chocolate phosphate. I didn’t get it then.

Now most anything chocolate is on my list of “good things in my life”. I’m into gratitude. The happiest people I know are people who love what they have and what they get. They also seem to be the wealthiest to me because they exude abundance. I enjoy having a reason to celebrate what I love in my life and Valentine’s Day reminds me to do that.

Blessings!Laura

You can hear my song “Wakantanka” produced by Robert Eibach at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

Harmonies

I was in the studio recording a harmony vocal for my love song, “If I Tell You That I Love You” with my producer, Robert Eibach. Robert was so awesome. With the traveling I’ve been doing and other stuff going on, I really hadn’t had a chance to work out the harmony very well, so I just came in with a harmony part for the whole song.

Robert helped fine tune where the harmony was good and where to drop it. Usually when I have time, I’m able to get to that point, but things have been busy for me. When we finished recording the part, I was really happy with how it sounded. I like it when a harmony is pretty for a love song. I may do another part, but for now this one is good.

After we finished the harmony work, Robert crafted the editing on “Bright Blue Skies”. We added in some finger snaps and a shaker loop. The rough mix sounds cool. At least to me it does. Robert thinks it has a beatnik sound to it. It reminds me of bluegrass with a twist of old blues and retro harmonies. This album will be eclectic for sure.

Blessings!
Laura

You can listen to the rough mix of “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry

El Paso

I’m flying to El Paso, TX to check out the area. Apparently it’s a good place to buy real estate these days. For the price of a townhouse in Studio City, you can buy 4 single family homes in El Paso. It reminds me of the first time I walked around Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills and saw a skirt for $1700. I usually buy skirts for $6.

It’s kind of amazing how different markets are priced. El Paso is supposed to be a cool area. The military base is a pretty huge deal down there. My friend told me that I should get fajitas when I told her I was going to get some BBQ while I was in Texas. She said that around that part of the state, fajitas are the way to go. I’ll be fajita shopping.

It’s going to be a short trip. I’ll be staying over one night and spending the day checking out the new development in and around town before I fly back. The weather should be nice. It will be a little warmer than LA. It’s supposed to be cloudy. Clouds are beautiful. I’ve always loved clouds. I used to play with them when my dad took my flying as a kid.

Blessings!
Laura

Check out my song “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohn
Where Music Meets Artistry

The Soul of Country

I love when my week is filled with music. I was in the studio with my producer, Robert Eibach, recording harmonies for “Bright Blue Skies” on Tuesday and had a blast. It is really fabulous working with him. And tonight I was at The Grammy Foundation’s Music Preservation Project presentation of The Soul of Country.

It was fabulous to watch the footage they put together of great performers, songwriter interviews and former President Richard Nixon playing the piano on the opening night of the Grand Ole Opry when they moved to Opryland in the 70’s. It inspired me a lot to hear so many great songs and stories about country music.

It was also amazing to hear LeAnn Rimes, Deana Carter, Shooter Jennings, Joe Nichols, Charley Pride, Marty Stuart, and Porter Wagner sing and do what they do best. I saw a friend of mine at the reception afterwards who is also a member of the Recording Academy. He was at a Television Academy event I was at once, too. I love being in LA.

Blessings!
Laura

Check out my new recording of “Wakantanka” at:
www.myspace.com/lauracohnmusic
Where Music Meets Artistry