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A long time has passed since my first plans to record the new CD….I would say…the Crazy Ride I’ve been on is finally Over, but I know better than to ever believe life just settles down, when we want it to.  The Swings of HIGH and low are a pendulum in my life, that will always swing, back and forth, up and down.  However, for now I feel as if the last song has been written and the CD is on it’s way to the emotional aspect of studio time. Of course STUDIO TIME for me, means a lot of track recording, listening, recording, listening and then arranging it all, as if it were a story, each song, a new chapter in the book of experience.

I’m calling the CD ‘ DiRTY CRiMES’, something of a theme that has had it’s way with me over the past year or so.  Some of the lyrics are pretty bold and aggressive just dancing on the edges of some rather disturbing images (that is….a matter of thinking and perception of course)…. The easy part is writing the songs, the hard part…is living through…what I write about, and getting through…..it always comes with a price.  My mother said to me the other day ‘ Sorry you had to go thru ‘this or that’..and I found myself responding with… “Noooo, it’s all good, ya gotta go through the sad low low’s in order to write a song!”   It’s like a t-shirt a friend of mine gave me in the Virtual world that said “Break my heart so I can write a song”….I wore that with a big crazy grin, knowing how true, yet how absolutely funny it is, how many of us songwriters……write our songs.

I finished ELEPHANT GIRL and it’s up on nimbit.com as well as a couple others…great site for selling either Albums or Single Songs…they take a small percentage,  but what site that’s good, doesn’t   as far as ‘selling songs’……..I’m quite sure I’ll be putting the new CD out on CD BABY this time…..I have the other 2 cd’s on itunes/amazon … however songcast.com charges a $6 fee a month…and for what???? I ‘ll decide later on whether or not I’ll keep the ‘songcast’ account…or move my cd’s from there, to CD baby..who also sends them to itunes etc……….

Always looking for new ideas, music sites and opportunities to produce, perform, collaborate……….and thanks for those of you who have made some fantastic suggestions to thoughts I’ve posted on my Suzen Juel and Suzen JueL facebook  (the second one is the fan page….do hit LIKE if you haven’t….all my fans ROCK MY WORLD!!! https://www.facebook.com/suzen.juel (regular facebook)    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzen-JueL/45430674299 (FAN PAGE)……

Enjoy your week and I”ll keep you updated through the lovely pages of Facebook…and of course here…..I need to find some original art work for the cover of ‘DiRTY CRiMES’ and perhaps a few other fun things I may throw in………..

Landslide Covered by Suzen JueL Original by Suzen JueL – Don’t Let it Die

The world has certainly throw some crazy punches! Between music, the sleeping and now wide awake muse and the constant and new changes in the Kittens….funny to call them kittens when they are practically the size of a regular house cat. They are 8 months old and btween 7 and 10 pounds each……both polydactyls with a unique walk, especi

ally 7, with his 7 claws on each front paw….he walks like a Lion Cat would….Luci, she has 6 on each paw…very easy going and gentle cat…Until recently…now she’s gone into heat….yeah at 8 months old, she finally hit that crazy cycle and she’s VERY VOCAL about this..of course 7 is almost worse,being he is the whiner cat, Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy is what he sound like, but suddenly this past day or two, a new sound, from both 7 and Luci….very new sounds, howls on a low surreal layer of sound….rather confusing for them both I think.  7 hardly knows what to do with himself and finds himself seriously attracted to Everything Luci does, then they’re both back in Kitten mode, playing and sleeping…..It completely fascinates me, every single new sound is just fascinating, they all mean something different…not to mention they’re never ending curiosity at every single thing they approach, usually good, sometimes…well sometimes curtains get shredded….

On another page…..Music has taken a mind of it’s own as of late. Springtime hit and my creative muse woke up  and went pretty wild for a period of time. She must be napping again…heavy, because now it’s more of a numbness that took over….as far as songwriting goes. She’ll awaken again…Spring keeps easing back and forth here and winter just REFUSES to let go….it’s almost 60 F one day and then 30 the next, snowing one day, thunderstorms and warm air again…then a snowstorm dumps out of nowhere….very Bipolar like this time of year is … I’ve taken a new interest in Alternative Tuning of my guitar. I really couldn’t tell you a thing about it,, as often goes, it just works and I like it and I”m not quite sure How it works, or even why, I just like it.  Working on a new song IndigO Road! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksDs6kO0pQs just something different. I find it unusually odd to video tape a song, with nothing happening….and well, I’m certainly not great at that sort of thing….But I thought I’d use my own art and photographs to match the lyrics of the song……and to fit, best i could to what the song translates….the lyrics are even in the video!!! Was fun to do for me, absolutely a nice little pool of creative fun to splash around in! Go check it out.

On another page…..how many pages is this so far?  The  Living Room #13 was moved, quite suddenly and is now located at House of Flames Performing Arts COmplex.  http://slurl.com/secondlife/House%20of%20Flames/186/151/1576 …that will take you rght there in Second life…and as you know…..this web page has the URL and Play button for my live stream, an y time I do a ‘virtual’ performance….real Life shows are rarely broadcast live..Too busy performing

After having put ‘drop d’ on a long hold over fall and winter, I decided to embrace it again….couldn’t remember a THING of what I used to do, but came up with ths….and well, I Suck at taking my Own video’s…so here is what I’ve done, a little MagiX, lots of photos that seem to fit the lyrics (all originaL) suzenjuel.com

In all my years as a Musician, from pulling in a great income, to falling apart at the seams of my guitar strings…I’m beginning to see, at the point I am in my life…that the Virtual Gigs are a BONUS as far as earning at least half of what you’re worth, if that. However, at the point I’m at in my physical world, the one that surrounds my back yard, alleys and local flavors, I am again…..working on my new Emerging from the ashes of taking over a decade off…..to raise a family…so to say.

So in the past few weeks, I’ve done several local, live shows…in St. Paul and Minneapolis, for virtually nothing.  I’ve cancelled Virtual Online shows, in order to take the exposure to the local scene. I’ve been paid a total of $17.00. Yeah…for over 3 hours of performing!!! Maybe because I’m ‘again…new’….perhaps because I am solo, and no longer use a band (too much of a pain in the ass, to worry about anyone, other than myself)….So in my Studio, I sit in my Pajamas, guitar in hand, a cold drink on my desk…perhaps a burning cigarette (if it’s autumn)…and a Muse that tends to never sleep for days, or sleep for too many days, leaving me feeling useless, when I can’t produce new images, be it Paint or Lyrical Grooves…… Read more

A few weeks ago, I decided I would check out some live music, in Second Life. I don’t get to do that often enough and thought I’d go listen to a performer that I hadn’t heard in quite some time. As I entered the place (name of venue, performer and others have been removed for obvious reasons)…a particular avatar said ‘Hi JueL’..as did quite a few others, as I’m far from a noob, in Second Life…

I listend to the performer on stage, someone I’ve known for quite some time, and who has come such a long way in their performance, especially when it comes to acoustic guitar.

I was completely into the groove, as usual. Then the ‘particular avatar’ that said Hi, said ‘JUEL YOU AIN”T NO ANGEL” and I almost laughed out loud. I decided not to acknowledge the comment, because I simply had no idea where it came from. There was no ‘build up’ to the comment, they just continued to say it and I continued to ignore it. Obviously they needed some attention, but it wasn’t going to be from me. Eventually I left, after the performer on stage said (again completely out of the blue) ‘SOME PEOPLE, don’t know my friend ____… he writes my music for me on my backing tracks.

BINGO.

Why would anyone take time, at their friends performance, to harass another performer, because of their originality, or because they openly raise awareness for benefits, fundraisers and such.

So to you unamed souls out there….I pity you. I have always loved a certain handful of musician and performers, artists etc…but when you harass your audience for no reason, other than you are upset because they do something you don’t…it just shows the shallowness. Changing your avatar because you…well, don’t make friends so easy..due to the fact you find it  more fun to harass…is sad…and people that support those that do these things…it’s ok, I feel really good without that in my life.

There are a small handful of people that find it more fun to draw the negative attention, public attention to themselves, rather than enjoy their experience in SL.

It’s best not to let people like that, ruin your SL experience.

I’m not into drama, which is why I don’t respond to negative comments. I don’t have the energy to get into a WHY DID YOU SAY THAT TO ME conversation…I outgrew that a long time ago. I came to hear music and that’s what I did. Most times I don’t even see the chat. I had left the computer to grab a bite to eat…and happened to see this particular boy, flapping his words around instead of listening to his ‘friend’.

I heard someone once say  ”We tend to let that one negative experience, get to us…and forget all those who love us’

TRUE!!! It’s a bit of our human nature. So instead I thought of all the things I love, all the friends who make me smile, all the moments that are unforgettable in life and before you know it, I have a big grin on my face.

I remind myself, that ONE persons perspective of me, is certainly just that. One. I remind myself that for everyone one person that is feeling challenged, simply because of their own insecurities…is certainly no way for me to judge my path, and there are 10 others who support what I do, because it resonates for them.

One lesson I’ve learned…never try to be like someone else. I learned that when I was very very young. I’ve let it guide my whole life. I’m not jelous of any musician, song writer, artist…I am in awe of them, they move my spirit, they inspire, but they do not dictate who I am, they do not define what I do. They are not ‘competitors’ to me, I do not find myself challenged to be better than someone. I find myself challenged to exceed what I expect of myself, and that is peace to me. I find it my mission to find the best words to describe the pictures in my head….and well, if one little avatar (or the coward behind it) doesn’t like it, and finds it their life mission to copy and paste conversations, or to draw negative attention to themselves….I guess I look at them as the Monkey in the cage….slinging poo because they just simply have nothing else to focus on, but the actions of others.

And now that I’ve put it on paper, and into words…it’s been eliminated from me….like any toxin…it simply turns to waste, and if you’re wise, you know exactly what to do with waste. When life gives you lemonade, you make lemons. When life gives you ‘chit’, you plant a garden.

Good day everyone! Some of you might be aware, that this page is going to change soon, as Graeme is working his azzz off on making this more geared towards the ideas I have, and he has…which are collaborating quite nicely, I must say!!!

I took a little break from songwriting for awhile and suddenly seemed to get spit on  by my personal inner muse, who decided it was time to break the dry spell and pop out a few new ones…and after writing these new pieces, I realized a new theme was unfolding…and has been for quite some time…it’s just I don’t always notice these things, as they take their time, weaving themselves into my soul.

Rides. Rides, and more rides! Hangin’ On For The Ride, Did You Enjoy the Ride, Nothing Like I had with You, and He Wore Me Out….those are the new additions to my songs, and I must say, it’s probably the first time I’ve been pleased with all of them. Bluesy type feel, heavy lyrics, vocal stretches that are a bit new to me, and well….more guts than I’ve put into my music in awhile. I guess age has a few benefits eh? We really start finding our voice as we get older…perhaps wiser as well.

Bruce Springsteen once said “An artist/musician must always be troubled by something, that’s how the writing continues’… I agree 100%, sadly…but it is true. I once put on my profile “Always at a crossroads’ because I always am. I’m always contemplating the next step, always wondering what direction life will take me next. Sure I believe I make my own path, and my path is in the hands of my muse..she never lets me down, never never never…although when she disappears for awhile, I do get a bit worried, I mean, she is the essence of my soul, she is me, she is a vessel for me, inside me…and inhales those wonderful words and textures that surround me, or that I may sometimes miss. It’s more like absorbing a bunch of colors hoping that they’ll come out as a new color, and when they do, it’s truly the gift of the day for me! And when they don’t, well, nothing wrong with a little mud in my music eh?

And getting back to the TROUBLED BY SOMETHING statement, HELL YEAH! I’m always troubled. I’m used to this. It is as much of my life as breathing and I don’t have a clue what it’s like to live a life of never worrying or never contemplating. I must say though, it is nice to have those days where nothing bothers me. I think we hide things under our surface sometimes…so they can age, ripen, and eventually fall into our bowl of mental soup. If the ingredients are just right….or maybe I should say ‘just write’…well then it’s done…whatever creative thing my soul is cooking up, must come out somehow…be it a song, or a drawing, a painting, or just a random thought that I get to write down, to chew on at a later point. All little gifts my muse delivers…sometimes they make no sense, then another gift comes, and another, and eventually I see it as I am meant to see it and it all makes sense.

Troubles can come in the mOst unusual ways!!! An old friend from the past, raises their head, someone you may have forgotten….and they bring into your life, a little swarm of memories, some good, some not so good…and there comes more lyrical emotionally packed sentences…phrases, pictures and eventually a finished product…of sorts. Troubles can also come by allowing your mind (GOD HELP YOU IF YOU DO) letting your mind wander in the wrong direction, creating scenarios that will never happen…it’s a fun little mental game for a few minutes, but dwell too long and well, you just gave your mind some CRAP you don’t think you need….but the mind or our muse has a beautiful way of taking all the CRAP OUT of our minds and creating something fertile, something useful, something beautiful!!!

The New songs will be on the cd I am currently working on. This will be my 4th ‘professional CD’….and of course, who knows what ‘random’ number it is…I’ve made quite a few CD’s and recordings over the past 25 years or more…I mean, well, I shouldn’t say a few….I can’t recall, there have been many and I am thankful for my lil muse for being so complex and amazing.  Just realize that when I refer to my inner muse….it’s me, I mean, don’t be thinking I’m all crazy that way…..then again, I guess that’s already been established…nothing plain or ordinary about me, but that doesn’t mean I’m a freak show either!! Just a little off the beaten path, I suppose.

There is a lot going on this summer….and I encourage you to keep checking out the links I’ve put up on the side, for new music, updates etc….

My fan page on facebook is the primary one that I use and I would be honored if you would like to Join it !

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129165623776368#!/pages/Suzen-JueL/45430674299?ref=ts

Adding to the rest of all this…my passion for bird watching has kicked up full notch!!! I have quite a few pics in my Bird Folder on Flickr.com/suzenjuel if you care to look…I have several nests on my house and the barn swallows of summer have begun their brooding and nesting…it’s quite amazing, watching them. I also put a bird feeder out in my garden….a few birds came the first few days..a.nd after a full week, they emptied it out. NOW…..I have to refill it every other day!!! I guess WORD OF MOUTH works even in the Birds Lives….. Feel free to Spread the seed of my music around…that is if it inspires you in any way, or makes you feel good, or anything… send it off to a friend.   CD’s are on itunes and this website as well…please, don’t take my music for free, it doesn’t help me one bit. This is my career and it’s what I do. This is my livelihood , whether it brings in copious amounts of cash (can’t hurt to dream) of $10, it’s all put to good use, trust me!!!

Have a fantastic week all of you and thank YOU for reading me again!

-Suzen JueL

WOW a lot is happening! I haven’t updated in a bit, in between 3 mice who passed on (2 because of JuJu my lovely murderer ferret) lol!!! And another just passed on his own…..THEN I celebrated an amazing 12 years of marriage with the Love of my Life. My grandaughter Alexis was born….on our 12 year anniversary…how COOL IS THAT!

There she is…..I keep hearing that Stevie Wonder song in my head EVERY TIME I see this little amazing bundle of love…’ Isn’t she lovely….’ that song has been stuck in my head since she was born. JUNE 6…4.pm…same time my husband and I celebrated the RECEPTION when we got married.  Pretty amazing eh?

ON the other hand….

HOUSE PARTIES!!!!

I do them! Want to have me at your place? Send the invites and get a group of people who Love live music….and I’ll be there. You can email me direct at suzenjuel@gmail.com      In the VIRTUAL world, I have not been performing nearly as much as I once did, and for obvious reasons…Summer is here, life is CRAZY!!!!  But I don’t forget my friends, my family, my fans…FFF!

I have written a few new songs in the past month or so, … It’s been a LONG TIME since I’ve written THREE in a month…so I feel great about that. They will be available on the new cd…..(not date set yet, but absolutely this year)  As far as my last CD “Untitled #13″ you all rock, that bought it!!! And if you didn’t…well just go to the Tab at the top of the page #13…and get it FOR GODS SAKE!!!!! LOL

I will update in a Proper way, soon, right now life has me by the hair and as long as it doesn’t YANK it out, I’m cool! I’m looking forward to a summer filled with Music, Jams, Friends and love!

Peace and i hope to have you around, when I do the next show…..IF you listen online, well HELL..you can just hit that PLAY button on this main page!!! Or, join Second Life ™ –free- and search JueL Resistance…that’s me, in the virtual world……I perform from time to time online…and of course, the RL gigs….

BIG LOVE n Peace and Happiness and Stars to all of you!!!

Sure, I’ll admit, I had slight anxiety over this broadcast…but once the camera’s started rolling and the curtains opened up…and all the amazing patience and positive energy coming from my fans, it was as easy as breathing!  I stood on my wooden stage, with a view of bright stars, animated giant guitars, flowers and a colorful display of virtual dress, flexi colors waving around, stars moving from beneath me and a full 30 minutes to dive into nothing buy my own Original Songs. Treet.tv was wonderful…patient as always. We ended up starting a bit later than scheduled due to the Treet Tv live stream which was also up, for people that couldn’t make it to the live show, so they could view it on the Tv.

Now, upon watching it, a couple days afterwards, there are a few things I would have done differently. MOUTH HUDS…get used to them, they are incredible. I didn’t have time to play with this great little piece of technology enough to make it work for me, so I have been completely distracted if I Watch the Video…when the camera is on my avatar’s face…the lips just aren’t quite moving the way I would have liked them to. My avatar looks like she is going through a series of constant surprises, opening her mouth and sucking in some air with this Startled look on her face. It makes me laugh…so this is always a good thing eh? And I would also like to get more familiar with the animated stage moves that come along with Live Tv Broadcasts in Second Life.       Considering SL is a virtual atmosphere, people work very hard to create content and scripts that allow us to be as much like our Physical real life selves as possible (if we so choose to look like we really do..) So, a microphone is set up that has built in scripted animations…to make the performer move in a way that they feel most comfortable.  Someone else controls your animations (if you so choose to have that..or if it is TreetTV) So my friend and Live n Kickin Host “DELINDA” was in charge of the animations. We went through them all before showtime, and it worked out quite well.  It’s best not to watch yourself when performing HAA!!!

All in all, the crowd and staff of Treet.Tv were amazing, the filming went great, and the compliments on my Living Room #13 Art Shack were never ending. Considering I built that one myself, I was quite pleased that people enjoyed the Flow of color, textures and the interactive things I have placed everywhere … as I do in all my creations!  I’ve had the Original Living Room #13 for about 5 years now…and LOVE LOVE it…it was built by Attim Hokkagai….after some time, I decided to add onto it…The Art Shack!!! It’s located above Gwampa Lomu’s fantastic sims and it’s because of him, that my Living Room #13 continues to thrive with fantastic events and musicians.  This is NOT to be confused with the Look Alike LIving Room #13 where Lauren Weyland does her show!!! She’s a great friend as well, and of course asked permission to Build her place similar to mine…you’ll have to check her out  on the grid!!

Again Thank you Everyone for all your support and for being part of my journey both in the virtual world, and in my physical life!

Still Looking for some Music? Check out #13…my newest release and my least expensive.  I am currently NOT using iTunes and choose to sell my Cd’s the old fashioned way…by having them delivered direct to your mailbox…so you can hold it in your hand and do as you wish with it. Untitled #13′s Tab is located at the top of this page.

MUCH PEACE!!!!