What do you get when you combine Sassy Outwater’s signature production style with the edgy, cool sounds of master songwriter and musician Jason Hemmens? Go find out.
Jason has released his debut single “The Sun Don’t Shine Anymore,” from his album “Welcome to reality,” due out on December 8, 2009. I’ve been producing the album with him, and I promise, this thing will blow your mind. It’s pop, jazz, rock and funk, a trip into the unexpected. Ever heard sax with edgy electric guitars and the vocal stylings of a modern-day Prince? Another song will be coming soon. Jason recorded with members of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus to benefit Retinoblastoma International, a children’s eye cancer charity.
We will need your help to make that song go as far as it can to help cancer kids and their families around the world.
Sign up for Jason’s newsletter on his site to receive the latest news of events, music and all kinds of fun stuff. Please help by spreading the word. This is an independent release on Jason’s own label, Fan2C Records, and to keep the music coming the way you like it, we need your help. Word of mouth is our best advertising tool, and you are our best marketing resource. If you like what you hear, share the link to his website or mine on facebook, myspace, twitter, your blogs, everywhere you can think of. Get the word out, and help us make music to change the world!
Enjoy the single, and count down with us to the release of this album. It’s going to be incredible, I promise that much.
Thanks for all your love and support! Now, go listen, enjoy, and spread the Hemmens Fever to all you know!
Remember, please, that an artist is made by his or her fans. Jason and I are living our dreams, because of you, the fans. Please live your dreams—that is our wish to you.
With love,
-Sass
Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrations. Show all posts
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Learning = Inspiration: Mental Fireworks make good art
Hello, world,
Sorry for the long silence. I spent one week dealing with work issues, and last week not feeling well. To say the least, it’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and I’m glad to be back.
Sumer has officially arrived in Los Angleles, with the heat beating off the pavement, blazing hot car interiors, and afternoons spent in the pool. With the summer heat comes wonderful things like fresh fruit salads, sun dresses, beach buming, and friends coming to visit. And of course, let’s not forget, the all-important vacation! (mine starts in two weeks and I can’t wait!)
I got asked a very interesting question the other day that I thought would make a great topic for a blog post.
“Sassy, so why do you keep going to school and studying? Wouldn’t you get more done just working in the industry, sweetheart?”
Actually, I think the opposite is true, for me, at least. As a musician, I’ll never know it all. As a healer and yogini, to stop learning would effectively blocade my progress in my practice for myself and my patients. And as a person, I love change, and get bored with the status quo really quickly. I’m a gypsy at heart, and need to always be moving on, seeing what’s new, exploring and pushing my limits. It’s part of having butterfly as your spirit animal. :-d
Yep, it’s summer, and I am a student again. I’m taking a crystal therapy corse right now. I’ve already done my certification work, but felt like I could use training from a new perspective. Plus, things in my life have evolved, and additional education will greatly enhance how I function as a healer. It’s also nice to meet classmates--see who else is out there doing what I do, and how their techniques vary from my own.
I may be a yoga teacher, but I still have teachers of my own, and attend yoga classes on a regular basis. I teach, but I must also learn.
A degree doesn’t mean much in my field of commercial music, but I still want to go for my masters and doctorate soon, just to learn as much as I can about the subject I love. Learning, for me, equals knowledge. Knowledge equals growth, understanding, and an open doorway to advancement and new concepts.
We as artists never stop learning. Taking a color class, receiving updated training on technology, studying martial arts, reading, watching a documentary; in whatever way you can, fill your life with learning.
Time to re-visit that mental neighborhood I keep referring to. Bring a construction crew with you this time--neurons make great builders when given good building materials.
Have you ever noticed how downtown in your city may look kind of run down and crime-infested? Then city counsel approves an initiative to spend money on revitalizing the area. Suddenly, new buildings pop up; colorful streetlights replace the darkened broken ones. New trendy cafes push out the sleezy bars; apartments for high rent explode around the district; art galleries appear; and a few high-end shops open their doors. Slowly, a new crowd begins to trickle in. The bums, hookers and whinos who used to haunt these streets find other places to go. A few loyal troublemakers still hang around, but overall, the seediness of the area becomes artistic, rather than overtly dangerous. Somehow, the shabby shic appeals, rather than repulses.
Our brains work in exactly the same way. Without attention to detail, and a little time and yes, money, invested In our brilliance, we fizzle out. Before we know it, we’re a a few years out of school, and life got boring and monotonous. When you stagnate mentally, you kill off your artistic impulse. It feels easier to just do your daily routine, and not break it to allow inspiration in, or artwork out.
How in the world can you expect to create new, fresh, marketable art if you don’t feed your starving brain new ideas?
As artists, we can never know it all. There’s always a new fingering exercise I can practice, or a new color being released by your paint supplier. There’s a new computer program that makes graphic design a breeze, or maybe learning a foreign language allows you to incorporate new concepts and words into your lyrics. Even taking a yoga class and seeing the tall blonde in the mirror behind you can give you an idea for that character in that novel that’s been sitting dormant in your desk drawer. Go shopping and see what’s new this season. What’s in, and what’s out? Is it time to finally break out that leopard-print jacket and shoe design you’ve been hiding and start sending it to boutiques?
As you embark on your summer adventures, let yourself learn. You’ll be surprised at how easily learning opportunities just insert themselves into your path when you make room for them. It feels almost like they’re hunting you down, waiting just on the edges for you to give them the go ahead to manifest. Find opportunities to fill your mind with new things, and consider new ideas. The family that moved in across the street doesn’t speak English or decorate the house for the 4th of July, but maybe you can trade a backyard bbq with them in exchange for a lesson in foreign art or culture or language. Have patience for new concepts and people; they’re the artist’s best inspiration sometimes.
We tend to write, play, paint, and dance what we kno, what we’re familiar with. In your art this sumer, step outside the normal comfort zones you’ve drawn for yourself. I challenge you to break the boundaries, and learn to broaden your horizons and your expectations for your artwork.
And happy 4th of July! I remember seeing the fireworks as a kid, and this holiday is always a wash of memories and dreams for me. I love it!
When you see the fireworks explode across the sky in honor of our freedom tonight, close your eyes for a moment, and envision your artwork, your dreams, exploding up there for the world to see. Fireworks aren’t just pretty lights; they symbolize the pinnacle of our achievements. Put yourself up there across that sky in color, and feel what it will be like when you light up the world. Give yourself a match, and light the fuse.
Be safe, and have a wonderful weekend!
-Sarah
Sorry for the long silence. I spent one week dealing with work issues, and last week not feeling well. To say the least, it’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and I’m glad to be back.
Sumer has officially arrived in Los Angleles, with the heat beating off the pavement, blazing hot car interiors, and afternoons spent in the pool. With the summer heat comes wonderful things like fresh fruit salads, sun dresses, beach buming, and friends coming to visit. And of course, let’s not forget, the all-important vacation! (mine starts in two weeks and I can’t wait!)
I got asked a very interesting question the other day that I thought would make a great topic for a blog post.
“Sassy, so why do you keep going to school and studying? Wouldn’t you get more done just working in the industry, sweetheart?”
Actually, I think the opposite is true, for me, at least. As a musician, I’ll never know it all. As a healer and yogini, to stop learning would effectively blocade my progress in my practice for myself and my patients. And as a person, I love change, and get bored with the status quo really quickly. I’m a gypsy at heart, and need to always be moving on, seeing what’s new, exploring and pushing my limits. It’s part of having butterfly as your spirit animal. :-d
Yep, it’s summer, and I am a student again. I’m taking a crystal therapy corse right now. I’ve already done my certification work, but felt like I could use training from a new perspective. Plus, things in my life have evolved, and additional education will greatly enhance how I function as a healer. It’s also nice to meet classmates--see who else is out there doing what I do, and how their techniques vary from my own.
I may be a yoga teacher, but I still have teachers of my own, and attend yoga classes on a regular basis. I teach, but I must also learn.
A degree doesn’t mean much in my field of commercial music, but I still want to go for my masters and doctorate soon, just to learn as much as I can about the subject I love. Learning, for me, equals knowledge. Knowledge equals growth, understanding, and an open doorway to advancement and new concepts.
We as artists never stop learning. Taking a color class, receiving updated training on technology, studying martial arts, reading, watching a documentary; in whatever way you can, fill your life with learning.
Time to re-visit that mental neighborhood I keep referring to. Bring a construction crew with you this time--neurons make great builders when given good building materials.
Have you ever noticed how downtown in your city may look kind of run down and crime-infested? Then city counsel approves an initiative to spend money on revitalizing the area. Suddenly, new buildings pop up; colorful streetlights replace the darkened broken ones. New trendy cafes push out the sleezy bars; apartments for high rent explode around the district; art galleries appear; and a few high-end shops open their doors. Slowly, a new crowd begins to trickle in. The bums, hookers and whinos who used to haunt these streets find other places to go. A few loyal troublemakers still hang around, but overall, the seediness of the area becomes artistic, rather than overtly dangerous. Somehow, the shabby shic appeals, rather than repulses.
Our brains work in exactly the same way. Without attention to detail, and a little time and yes, money, invested In our brilliance, we fizzle out. Before we know it, we’re a a few years out of school, and life got boring and monotonous. When you stagnate mentally, you kill off your artistic impulse. It feels easier to just do your daily routine, and not break it to allow inspiration in, or artwork out.
How in the world can you expect to create new, fresh, marketable art if you don’t feed your starving brain new ideas?
As artists, we can never know it all. There’s always a new fingering exercise I can practice, or a new color being released by your paint supplier. There’s a new computer program that makes graphic design a breeze, or maybe learning a foreign language allows you to incorporate new concepts and words into your lyrics. Even taking a yoga class and seeing the tall blonde in the mirror behind you can give you an idea for that character in that novel that’s been sitting dormant in your desk drawer. Go shopping and see what’s new this season. What’s in, and what’s out? Is it time to finally break out that leopard-print jacket and shoe design you’ve been hiding and start sending it to boutiques?
As you embark on your summer adventures, let yourself learn. You’ll be surprised at how easily learning opportunities just insert themselves into your path when you make room for them. It feels almost like they’re hunting you down, waiting just on the edges for you to give them the go ahead to manifest. Find opportunities to fill your mind with new things, and consider new ideas. The family that moved in across the street doesn’t speak English or decorate the house for the 4th of July, but maybe you can trade a backyard bbq with them in exchange for a lesson in foreign art or culture or language. Have patience for new concepts and people; they’re the artist’s best inspiration sometimes.
We tend to write, play, paint, and dance what we kno, what we’re familiar with. In your art this sumer, step outside the normal comfort zones you’ve drawn for yourself. I challenge you to break the boundaries, and learn to broaden your horizons and your expectations for your artwork.
And happy 4th of July! I remember seeing the fireworks as a kid, and this holiday is always a wash of memories and dreams for me. I love it!
When you see the fireworks explode across the sky in honor of our freedom tonight, close your eyes for a moment, and envision your artwork, your dreams, exploding up there for the world to see. Fireworks aren’t just pretty lights; they symbolize the pinnacle of our achievements. Put yourself up there across that sky in color, and feel what it will be like when you light up the world. Give yourself a match, and light the fuse.
Be safe, and have a wonderful weekend!
-Sarah
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Happy Anniversary, Kodak!!!
Good morning! It's a beautiful, chilly Spring morning in Los Angeles. The birds are just waking up outside the window. Kodak, my yellow Labradorable Guide Dog, is snuggled up in a nest of blankets on my side of the bed, with his head buried in my pilows, occasionally opening one sleepy eye to babysit me. every now and then, he twitches an ear at me when I ruffle his fur, but heaven forbid you wake up Kodak on a Sunday morning for anything less than breakfast or a walk! He'll just steal your covers and grumble something naughty in dog until you let him go back to sleep. I've never figured out how he knows which day is Sunday, but Sundays are the one day when Kodak sleeps in (much to my dismay, since I have to be up early to practice for Church.)
Today Kodak and I are celebrating our three-year anniversary. Sounds weird, I know, but I really do celebrate anniversaries with my Guide Dogs.
Kodak is my second Guide Dog. Arlin, my first Guide, was a giant black Labrador we fondly call the "king of the Guide Dogs." He is a noble monster, with a huge blocky head, big golden eyes, jowls big enough to shelter the state of Texas, and the demeanor of a king. He is an old soul. He has these yellow-amber eyes that look right into the middle of your heart. Most people say they feel like he knows everything about them. When Arlin gives you the look, you feel about three inches tall, and as if you're communing with some ancient being instead of a big stinky drooly black Lab.
Arlin was born knowing how to guide. He's a great thinker, but age caught up with him, and his mind started to wander late in his career. Twenty feet in front of an obstacle, he'd already have his chosen path around it plotted out in his head. He never hesitated, never had to think, and rarely asked for my imput, other than to take general directions. And he was hardly ever wrong. He was an honest, hard worker who really taught me the meaning of dedication and unflagging loyalty. I look up to Arlin's example every day. He was not only a great partner, but a wonderful teacher, and a very good friend.
Arlin is ten now, and lives in Phoenix with my dear friend, Wendy, since I'm not home enough to attend to him as he deserves. I do still see him, and I know he has a wonderful home with Wendy. I miss him desperately, though.
Kodak and I partnered up on March 22, 2006. Arlin had fully entered retirement the month before. If Arlin is the commander in Chief of the Guide Dogs, Kodak is the eager Private First Class--the guy who is the first to yell "Yessir, Drill Sergeant!" He's so excited about life in general, and every time I pick up his harness, you see him quiver all over, as though he's still soooo proud and excited to put on that uniform and go to work!
My dogs are night and day from one another, and yet they are both amazing guides and friends. Kodak lives to work and play, always ready to bounce up and go wherever you say. He's a dilligent worker, quick to try to figure out any problem in front of him, but he is cautious, careful and a team player when we work together, whereas Arlin guided by the seat of his canine pants, figuring everything out by himself on the fly. Kodak is an unstoppable flirt and charmer. Kids adore him, women would do anything for the chance to gaze into those sweet brown eyes and kiss that cute nose, and guys can't help but grin when they see Kodak taking down a tree to get to a squirrel!
Some of my favorite Kodak moments:
1. Kodak has flown the US Airways Airbus a320 simulator for a perfect landing at Seatac Airport
2. Kodak has visited the flight-deck of two southwest planes, and while working for US Airways, had his picture taken wearing the cap of a Southwest Captain
3. Kodak's favorite treat is a bite of your apple, and he'll do any trick to get it, including playing peekaboo, shaking hands, barking on command, and giving hugs.
4. Kodak still is trying to figure out how to get up that tree to eat the squirrel that always sits there on the corner of our street and laughs at us when we walk by every morning.
5. I have a picture of Kodak with an Easter basket stuck on his nose, looking for all the world like Pooh with the honey jar. Kodak always has to investigate everything, whether or not he's supposed to. He's insatiably curious.
6. Kodak holds the record for high-jumping somersaulting, spinning-while-airborne, falling-over-backwards-because-he's-so-excited Labrador.
7. Every dog who meets Kodak tries to be the boss of him, except for Buster. buster, my Aunt and Uncle's cocapoo, is just the perfect size for kodak to boss around. Buster is Kodak's favorite giant squeaky toy.
8. Kodak hates hospitals, but he's been in more of them than any Guide Dog I know, and he loves the chance to curl up on the foot of the hospital bed and snuggle with you, should you be sick and lonely. Nothing cures you better than a big dose of Kodybear cuteness. It's not just me he's helped, either.
9. Kodak's favorite spot in the recording studio is at the window of the control room with his wet nose pressed against the glass to the studio proper so he can see everything going on in there. He's fascinated by recording musicians for some strange reason... like dog, like owner?
10. One of the best Kodak moments: When I first met Gavin DeGraw, Kodak walked right up to him and stuck his nose right in Gavin's crotch. Gavin laughed it off, but wow, was i ever embarrassed!!!
Kodak's nicknames include but are not limited to (mine and everyone else's):
Kody, Kodybear, Bear-bear, Kodman, Kodificus, Kodydog, Guide-worm, Tigger, Little yellow man, Mr. Ko D. Bear, the Magnificent Mr. Spinny, Captain Kody, Koderama, Shmodo... others...
Kodak is the best partner, but he's also an amazing friend. He's the first to leap off the ground with all four feet and do spinnys around the room when he sees me come home from the hospital. He hates hospitals, but time and again, he goes, and sits, and loves. He even gets the doctors and nurses to play with him and it's a running joke that he's the staff therapy dog when I'm in the hospital. He's high energy and loves to play, but there's no one more ready and willing to curl up with me and read a good book or listen to some music when I need to unwind. The Kids in Sunday School climb all over him, and the babies think he's another toy to play with, and Kodak loves every minute of it.
Kodak and I have had so much fun together. even when life gets scary, Kodak can make me laugh, and remind me why life is so wonderful. I'm very lucky to have such an amazing teammate to guide me through life. The amount of love, patience and courage Kodak must have in order to put up with life with me... wow, you go, Kodybear!
So here's to the best yellow teammate ever! Kodak, you rock! I love you, little yellow man! Here's to years and years of more Kodak Moments with you, Kodybear!
Today Kodak and I are celebrating our three-year anniversary. Sounds weird, I know, but I really do celebrate anniversaries with my Guide Dogs.
Kodak is my second Guide Dog. Arlin, my first Guide, was a giant black Labrador we fondly call the "king of the Guide Dogs." He is a noble monster, with a huge blocky head, big golden eyes, jowls big enough to shelter the state of Texas, and the demeanor of a king. He is an old soul. He has these yellow-amber eyes that look right into the middle of your heart. Most people say they feel like he knows everything about them. When Arlin gives you the look, you feel about three inches tall, and as if you're communing with some ancient being instead of a big stinky drooly black Lab.
Arlin was born knowing how to guide. He's a great thinker, but age caught up with him, and his mind started to wander late in his career. Twenty feet in front of an obstacle, he'd already have his chosen path around it plotted out in his head. He never hesitated, never had to think, and rarely asked for my imput, other than to take general directions. And he was hardly ever wrong. He was an honest, hard worker who really taught me the meaning of dedication and unflagging loyalty. I look up to Arlin's example every day. He was not only a great partner, but a wonderful teacher, and a very good friend.
Arlin is ten now, and lives in Phoenix with my dear friend, Wendy, since I'm not home enough to attend to him as he deserves. I do still see him, and I know he has a wonderful home with Wendy. I miss him desperately, though.
Kodak and I partnered up on March 22, 2006. Arlin had fully entered retirement the month before. If Arlin is the commander in Chief of the Guide Dogs, Kodak is the eager Private First Class--the guy who is the first to yell "Yessir, Drill Sergeant!" He's so excited about life in general, and every time I pick up his harness, you see him quiver all over, as though he's still soooo proud and excited to put on that uniform and go to work!
My dogs are night and day from one another, and yet they are both amazing guides and friends. Kodak lives to work and play, always ready to bounce up and go wherever you say. He's a dilligent worker, quick to try to figure out any problem in front of him, but he is cautious, careful and a team player when we work together, whereas Arlin guided by the seat of his canine pants, figuring everything out by himself on the fly. Kodak is an unstoppable flirt and charmer. Kids adore him, women would do anything for the chance to gaze into those sweet brown eyes and kiss that cute nose, and guys can't help but grin when they see Kodak taking down a tree to get to a squirrel!
Some of my favorite Kodak moments:
1. Kodak has flown the US Airways Airbus a320 simulator for a perfect landing at Seatac Airport
2. Kodak has visited the flight-deck of two southwest planes, and while working for US Airways, had his picture taken wearing the cap of a Southwest Captain
3. Kodak's favorite treat is a bite of your apple, and he'll do any trick to get it, including playing peekaboo, shaking hands, barking on command, and giving hugs.
4. Kodak still is trying to figure out how to get up that tree to eat the squirrel that always sits there on the corner of our street and laughs at us when we walk by every morning.
5. I have a picture of Kodak with an Easter basket stuck on his nose, looking for all the world like Pooh with the honey jar. Kodak always has to investigate everything, whether or not he's supposed to. He's insatiably curious.
6. Kodak holds the record for high-jumping somersaulting, spinning-while-airborne, falling-over-backwards-because-he's-so-excited Labrador.
7. Every dog who meets Kodak tries to be the boss of him, except for Buster. buster, my Aunt and Uncle's cocapoo, is just the perfect size for kodak to boss around. Buster is Kodak's favorite giant squeaky toy.
8. Kodak hates hospitals, but he's been in more of them than any Guide Dog I know, and he loves the chance to curl up on the foot of the hospital bed and snuggle with you, should you be sick and lonely. Nothing cures you better than a big dose of Kodybear cuteness. It's not just me he's helped, either.
9. Kodak's favorite spot in the recording studio is at the window of the control room with his wet nose pressed against the glass to the studio proper so he can see everything going on in there. He's fascinated by recording musicians for some strange reason... like dog, like owner?
10. One of the best Kodak moments: When I first met Gavin DeGraw, Kodak walked right up to him and stuck his nose right in Gavin's crotch. Gavin laughed it off, but wow, was i ever embarrassed!!!
Kodak's nicknames include but are not limited to (mine and everyone else's):
Kody, Kodybear, Bear-bear, Kodman, Kodificus, Kodydog, Guide-worm, Tigger, Little yellow man, Mr. Ko D. Bear, the Magnificent Mr. Spinny, Captain Kody, Koderama, Shmodo... others...
Kodak is the best partner, but he's also an amazing friend. He's the first to leap off the ground with all four feet and do spinnys around the room when he sees me come home from the hospital. He hates hospitals, but time and again, he goes, and sits, and loves. He even gets the doctors and nurses to play with him and it's a running joke that he's the staff therapy dog when I'm in the hospital. He's high energy and loves to play, but there's no one more ready and willing to curl up with me and read a good book or listen to some music when I need to unwind. The Kids in Sunday School climb all over him, and the babies think he's another toy to play with, and Kodak loves every minute of it.
Kodak and I have had so much fun together. even when life gets scary, Kodak can make me laugh, and remind me why life is so wonderful. I'm very lucky to have such an amazing teammate to guide me through life. The amount of love, patience and courage Kodak must have in order to put up with life with me... wow, you go, Kodybear!
So here's to the best yellow teammate ever! Kodak, you rock! I love you, little yellow man! Here's to years and years of more Kodak Moments with you, Kodybear!
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