MusicBlogging – Chain of Arts

Music Monday: New Piece

August 3, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

So this rap piece was inspired by much of the struggles I’ve experienced as a growing and aspiring artist.
And as always, talk my talk the way I usually do in my ‘rap’ pieces haha
but in this piece, I brush the surface of my early life and how I’ve become who I am today.
Only gonna get better. Hope it resonates with you in some way or the other.

Instrumental:
♪ Tu Pac All Eyes On Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-dr8Sx86fs

♪ haters wanna hate, like they blind can’t see
take em out the dark, can’t they do it like me
ain’t about the games gotta through em with the heat
ridin’ top down 710 North in Cali
mama was a hustla sacrificed for the family
when I was 8, she’d flew us to maui
lucky seen the world, but something’ didn’t allow me
to be happy, had plans no one knew
no matter where I gone, no matter where I flew
pops was a G, high hopes for his daughter
dropped a bag, uh four children’s alma mater
as the days passed things got harder
it’s the hustle in my blood they wanna take away
hear the snakes hissin’ from miles away
checked my clique been done with them fakes
pray for their health, hear the pain in their hate
cheap advice from someone you don’t wanna be
they say I changed but they never knew me
your vision is yours no one’s and it’s unique
won’t stop grinding, doin it for my dreams ♪

Mariah Carey “America the Beautiful” (1990)

August 2, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

After watching Michael Jordan’s Docuseries “The Last Dance” on Netflix, I knew I had to come back to watch Mariah Carey’s performance of “America the Beautiful” at the NBA Detroit Pistons in 1990. Who knew she’d be close to the next Michael Jordan in music history. Amazing to see her progression from her earlier years as one of today’s greatest vocalist of all time. The reaction of the crowd and her look only inspires me to push harder and fight for my dreams as a singer. Hope it brings you joy as much as it did me.

Lisa Fischer: “How Can I Ease The Pain” (1991 R&B)

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

Known about Ms. Fischer for a while, but after watching the documentary 20 ft From Freedom, I knew I had to dig into her music. Her sound and voice is angel that it really takes you into a spiritual realm. I respect that in spite of her tremendous talent, she still chose to live a humble life. Mad respect.

Fischer was an icon in 80’s/ early 90’s. During her peak she was performing alongside greats like Luther Vandross, Tina Turner, and performed with the Rolling Stones. And later parted ways to discover her own sound. Amazing vocalist I must say.

♪ How can I ease the pain
When I know your coming back again
How can I ease the pain in my heart
How can I ease the pain ♪

Click here to purchase How Can I Ease The Pain on Amazon.

Signed Up with BMI & New Lyrics: Quarantine

July 30, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

So glad to announced that I finally got approved with BMI.
For those who aren’t familiar BMI, Broadcast Music Inc., is one of the United States
performing rights organization along with ASCAP, SESAC, and GMR.
And as you may know, as an aspiring artist I am so excited to start my songwriting journey.
If you have been following ChainofArts (original highsnlows) for a while,
you’d know that writing and music is part of my identify.
Combine that and you have the beautiful gift of songwriting.

Anyhow, I wrote a little piece a while back in beginning of quarantine
that I thought to share with ya’ll.
Follow my Voisey account @lorrainebau for short original pieces
and my music instagram @_lo.anne for covers.
Much love x Lo

♪ got emotions pent up in me
how do I feel
don’t know what to believe
I’ve been living a lie
how’d I survive
without knowing that this life was mine

always misunderstood
as if I never could
only time will tell whose done real good
believe me when I say I would ♪

New Photos: Dockweiler Beach, Los Angeles

July 28, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

After being quarantined for 3 weeks straight, I thought I get some air and take a stroll at the beach.

My original plan was to hit up Playa Del Rey, where I could take some photos with my new drone. Given that it was a Sunday, it was difficult to find parking. As I continued to cruise through Vista Del Mar (with the most gorgeous view, even more beautiful during sunset hours), I found myself at the Dockweiler Beach. Parking was $13 right in front of the beach. It was pretty packed at the beach but plenty beach for everyone to enjoy haha. Though I couldn’t take pictures with my drone, I enjoyed the view just as much. Above are few of the pictures I took. It felt so good to take a break, feeling the wind brush across my skin, feet dug in the stand, and the sound of the waves crashing into each other. Needless to say, it was a mini getaway from this new of quarantine and isolation.

Please feel free to check out my photo gallery to join me on both my past and future my adventures.

Daily Ritual: 300 Writing Prompts

July 21, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

I’ve been journaling a lot lately, and every time I do I feel a renewed sense of hope and motivation.

It’s almost like I’ve cleared my head space and am ready to start anew in my day/ venture. I suppose it’s a feeling I can’t really explain unless you’ve experienced it yourself. If you’re feeling uninspired and down, I really recommend that you give journaling a try. It gives you an opportunity to give clarity to your thoughts and thoughtfulness to your ideas and inner voice that can often be dampened by other distractions in your love (i.e. work, people’s opinions of you, societal pressures, etc.) It’s really worth the try.

The journal I have been us the “300 Writing Prompts”. I love this journal because it has questions already written for you in every page to get your thoughts and creative juice flowing. While they are simple questions, they are also thought-provoking. A few of my favorite are: “You are the wind’s interpreter. What is it saying?”, “What did you get into trouble for the most when you were a kid?”. Another is “What color do you feel today?”.

As you can see, there are asked in the simple way but also forces you to go deep into your thoughts, and sometimes without even realizing it, at least it had done so for me.

If you are interested, check out the prompt journal down below to purchase on Amazon. I also kindly ask that if there are any purchases in mind you would like to make on Amazon, please purchase through my affiliate link down below (at no extra cost). It would mean the world to me, and would continue to help keep my blog growing!

thank you again for sticking with me. more soon.

x Lo

Click here to purchase 300 Writing Prompts on Amazon

Life Update: Pinterest & Etsy Shop

July 21, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

As you may be aware, I have been working steadily on my Pinterest account which is pretty much an extension of my blog highsnlows.
For those who have visited from here, I just wanted to thank ya’ll for the growing views! On a personal note, it feels to good to have my work appreciated and seen, even if it’s just a view or click. On my Pinterest, I share my love for music through vintage pictures of all kinds artists including the legend & the greats, of whom might be your favorite as well. Please check out my account here at @lorrainebau. Hope it brings you some level of joy in your day.

Secondly, as I had announced yearly (this will be my second announcement excuse the excitement haha), I have officially launched my new Etsy shop @ChainofArts, where I will be sharing my love for jewelry making and visual arts. I spend a lot of time creating stuff that are special to me and hope to share further in the community in the future. If you have a chance, please head over to my shop and see if there might be anything you would like to gift for yourself or your loved ones. You will also see the link to my Etsy shop on my Pinterest account as well! More pieces and art work will be coming soon.

@ChainofArts was first created in 2017, however, it was recently that I became active on it.
I haven’t made any sales online as of now, but I hope to change that soon as I continue to dedicate more time and add more stuff to the site!

**Click here to purchase Stone Gem Necklace** on Etsy

**Click here to purchase Friendship Chevron Bracelet on Etsy**

As I always like to say, I really do enjoying putting in the time, effort, and love into all the content I make for you guys.
Super glad for the day ones and for all new follows! Wouldn’t know where this blog would be without ya’ll.

much love,
x Lo

“If I Could” by Regina Belle (1993)

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

♪If I could
I’d protect you
From the sadness
In your eyes
Give you courage
In a world
Of compromise
Yes, I would ♪

Definitely reminiscent of the great Whitney Houston. Just discovered the great Regina Belle, from New Jersey. Her song “If I Could” was released in 1993 under Peak- Concord Jazz Label. Such a powerful vocalist and song.

“Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey. It was at Englewood’s Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and then Paterson’s Friendship Baptist Church (presided over by Belle’s uncle, the Reverend Fred Belle), that Belle began attracting attention with her vocal abilities. She sang her first solo in church at the age of eight. She attended Dwight Morrow High School, where she studied trombone, tuba and steel drums.^[8] After graduation, Belle studied opera at the Manhattan School of Music. She attended Rutgers University and became the first female vocalist with the school’s jazz ensemble. Belle’s musical influences include Phyllis Hyman, Billie Holiday, Shirley Caesar, Patti LaBelle, and Nancy Wilson.^[9] She was introduced to the Manhattans by New York radio DJ Vaughn Harper and began working as their opening act. She recorded the duet “Where Did We Go Wrong” with the group on their Back to Basics album, which helped to attract the attention of Columbia Records. She recorded a second duet, “Maybe Tomorrow (Four Tops song)“, which appeared on the B-side of “Where Did We Go Wrong”. They eventually signed her to a record deal.” – Wikipedia

Reached 1.3k Monthly Views on Pinterest

July 13, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

thank you so much for everyone who has visited my Pinterest account! Couldn’t be doing what I do without you guys.

Means so much that my stuff interests you all as I continue to share my passion and love for the music.

For those who are new, my Pinterest consists of pictures of legendaries artists who ruled: Pop, Country, Soul, Gospel, Funk, etc. and within those genres, I have divided them into eras. I chose pictures that would take the viewer back in time where the music brought people together, like a time capsule. I am pretty selective with my pictures as I hope they bring you back a real sense of nostalgia (even if you didn’t grow up in the era like myself lol). You can check out my Pinterest page here.

Again, much love & got new content on its way.

x Lo

New Song Piece

July 10, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

hi guys, been a minute but thought it was time to share with ya’ll some new lyrics I had been cooking up during covid. Lately, I have really been into rap, doing my research listening to hip cats like Wu-Tang, Jay Z, Eminem, Tu Pac, etc. and even with modern day rap because the game has been on fire thanks to emerging female rappers like Saweetie & Meg Thee Stallion. If you have followed me for a while, you’d know how much writing is one of my passions, due to my love for music and poetry. And coincidentally, God sends me his blessing by sending one of my new favorite song atm, newly released “Live At The Villa” by Russ. You’d know that I couldn’t resist. Anyhow, below are the lyrics. hope to sparks some sort of creativity in your art work too. much more to share with ya’ll.

much love x Lo

click here for “Live At The Villa” instrumental

♪ ever a time you felt so all alone
got your friends blastin’ like “bitch pick up that phone”
but I’m in another head space n they don’t even know
Instead I grind and I grind and I keep my head low
like how a singer hides right after a sold out show
but you gotta keep faith. so I keep on keepin’ on
gotta appreciate what you got before it’s all gone
like a game of chess; you left with one pawn

play your cards right & you don’t gotta bluff
or throw em on the deck, when enough is enough
cause quite frankly, lames be tryin’ my last nerve
on a different caliber (ya) kick em to the curb

to the man above gracin’ my every move
who’s been guidin’ me in everything everything that I do
I am me only me and that’s because of you
only known struggle, but still paying my dues

been the black sheep (ya) different from the rest
can’t handle me at my worst, sure don’t deserve me at my best
I’m just sayin’
If you don’t fight for your dream
you’ll live life feeling utterly incomplete
for the week souls// nodding’ at my every verse.
uh, if you know then you know. spoken word. ♪

June Monthly Pick Up

July 6, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

Just purchased a few books at my local book store in Koreatown, Los Angeles not too long ago in June of last month.

Found some great finds related to music, photography, and law (for preparation as I have hopes of venturing into the legal field sometime in the far future, but will save that discussion for another time.)

I am currently catching up in my reading and have started a new insightful book The Gift by Lewis Hyde.
So far, it has helped me recognize the importance creativity & how to nurture it so that we can continue to grow ourselves as an artist and a person of society.
Will definitely touch base as I continue to read on & of course write a book review at the end once I am finished.

Anyhow, plenty has happened in the past few days that made only catapulted me to be making the real (long overdue) moves I should’ve been making years ago for my music career.
I have written a few pieces that I can’t wait to share with ya’ll & will be collaborated with other artists very soon in the near future. Can’t wait to keep ya’ll updated. Here’s to new beginnings.

much love x Lo

New Photos on Gallery

July 5, 2020July 5, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

Just posted new photos on the gallery I’d love for ya’ll to check out, which you can find here.

Always on the grind for new content. Also wanted to give a quick reminder to all the hustlers out there to stay about your business and stay focused. don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. only then will you enjoy and reap the benefits of your hard work so that one day, you can pass the torch along to your fellow comrade.

stay tuned for more on highsnlows.

much love x Lo

Update: Pinterest

July 3, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

So excited to announce that my Pinterest account is growing and was shocked to find close to 5k viewers who have checked out my account since the last month I’ve created it. I also wanted to take the time to thank all of ya’ll who have paid a visit thus far. It means a lot when people follow and take notice of the hard work I put into my content and side business. For those who have been with me since day one (back in 2016 when I first created highsnlows), I am sure you have seen the evolution of what my blog has become which has become a documentation of my passion and love for the arts, social justice issues, and of course, music. And my Pinterest is very much an extension of my passion for music. For those interested, my Pinterest account contains an array of different genres including: jazz, rock n roll, gospel, funk, soul, country, etc. And each genre is divided into decades, to showcase the evolution of music. You’ll find a range of both vintage and contemporary music. In spite of all the doubt & fears, I’ve had about music, I am still so glad I have stuck by it because to me, good music matters more than anything close to me. It brings nostalgia, uplifts you, connects people, conveys messages of important issues otherwise difficult to discuss openly in conversation, and most importantly for me, makes me feel whole; nothing helps me make sense of the world more than music. Anyhow, that is my rant for today thank you again for sticking by or even visiting. Take a peak at my Pinterest here as I hope something in it brings you some level of joy.

much love xLo

Host Amanda Seales quits The Real Talk Show

July 2, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

Host and comedian Amanda Seales quits The Real Talk Show after she decides that she no longer wants to take part of a public broadcast that does not allow to speak on important issues of racial injustice and inequalities. Rumors are that Seales got fired, but in reality, Seales felt that she was denied the right to speak about matters that were important to her as an African American female. She also struggled facing some level of oppression in her own experience as a black women in Hollywood business. In other words, she felt that her integrity and moral conscious outweighed the benefits of her staring in a talk show that did not feel was just and fair. And quite honestly, I commend her for this decision. For me, Seale’s decision to leave the show reinforces the messages that if you are not happy where you are at, chances are you are not meant to be there, and there are bigger and brighter opportunities ahead of you. Do not ever diminish your own self-value and truth. The truth always prevails.

“Great Artist Suffer For the People” – Marvin Gaye

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020by lorraineanneLeave a Comment

don’t think this song can be anymore relevant than it is now.
At times, I have my doubt & insecurities about my decision of pursuing music and becoming some sort of a recognized singer. But it’s times like these that make me feel the pursuit, struggle, and hurt is all worth it. hope ya’ll find as much inspiration in this song as I do. at the end of the day, it is good music that truly moves the soul. much love. x Lo

Tag: MusicBlogging