nobody likes mondays

current project: the make-you-smile song

Hope you guys enjoy the song! Have a great weekend!

It's not yet finished, but here are the lyrics so far.

I thought that I would write you a song
In case your day's gone a little bit long
And the rain is pouring, making your heart feel blue

I wish that I could be there beside you
Jump up from behind and surprise you
But for now, I guess a song is gonna have to do

Oh and if your hand should feel
The chill of the winter morning
Baby, breathe
Close your eyes and think of me, saying

I love you, now and forever
I love you, always remember
I wrote it into a song so you can sing it along, sing it along
I love you, no pretending
I love you, never ending
If everything should go wrong, my love just
Sing it along
Sing it along

For more videos, go to www.youtube.com/reneegeronimo

too much room

Here's a new song I'm working on. I'll release a tidbit of the mp3 later on. Hope you enjoy. :)

Too Much Room

Copyright 2009 Music and Lyrics by Renee Geronimo

I lay across my bed sideways to fill up the space you left

I breathe in deeply; I'm drowning, drowning in empty air

There is too much room without you

There is too much room without you

There is too much room without you

Silence deafening, wailing like sirens in the night

Heartbeat crashing in, falling down like waterfalls on a pond

There is too much room without you

There is too much room without you

There is too much room without you

better than a weekend

Yesterday and today, I was in the studio recording an album for Brian Doerksen as part of an 8-piece choir for his new musical play, Prodigal God. I haven't done a lot of session work to date, so I felt very privileged to have been selected into the group.

And these people I worked with - the writers and producers all included - are such lovely people. I've been to a number of studios and worked with all kinds of personalities, and it's such a breath of fresh air to work with individuals who are not only talented but are also quite wonderful. There was not an air of defensiveness or showing off, no negativity or sarcasm. It was just good music with genuinely great people. 

There's something about being immersed in such good music and great company for two days. I'm completely drained from singing in A5's for hours, but I feel so full on the inside. It's almost as reviving as a weekend. But it's better, because I was doing what I love to do.

If you want to hear what the project sounds like, click here to download a free 5-song promo. The choral parts that we recorded are in "Life is Sweet" and "Provision". Any time you hear a really high female part in the choir (like at the end of "Provision"), you're hearing me! Woohoo :)

back by popular demand!

Actually, I'm back because of the promptings of a dear friend who now lives far away and (for some reason) likes to read my blog. I miss him, and I figure if nothing else, this is a good way for us to keep in touch. In a unilateral and very public way, but still. In touch. :)

My blog is mainly about songwriting, and the reason I haven't been blogging so much these last few weeks is that I....haven't been...writing very much.

**GASP**

I know, I know! It's hard even for me to admit! BUT there is a good reason: I've been recording!

For the last few weeks, I've been working on my demo at Greenhouse studios with the usual suspects, Pio and our friend Bobby (sound engineer). And sometimes a stray individual ends up in the studio with us, forced to witness our antics and my impromptu dance performances in the booth. 

Studios are a magical world. I just LOVE the studio. Even when it's not me recording. There's something about being able to take music, perfect it, work it and make it grow. Nothing beats being in the studio, with the exception of being on stage.

On a side note: I suck at singing in the booth. I don't know why. Okay I shouldn't say I suck, or else you guys might never buy my records. I just mean that I'm much better live. The booth is such a lonely place, just me and my voice and this insufferable mic that remembers all my minor pitch discrepancies. Maybe I should start making people sit in the booth with me. Any volunteers???

Anyways. So that's what I've been up to. That, and teaching (singing), working, and rehearsing for upcoming gigs. I'll keep you guys posted. Exciting times ahead! And thanks for reading!!
Here I am in the little booth at Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver. That's Bobby, our sound engineer friend. Wooooooooohooooooooooooooo

15 for the 15th: the Renee Geronimo Birthday Project!

Today's the day!! Another milestone in life (blog to come later)!!

MANY THANKS to those who have already given to the Renee Geronimo Demo Fund! To those who are just reading this post, thanks for stopping by! Your support (whether monetary or not) means much!!

If you're thinking of giving, please remember that any amount is good...and I say that with all my heart. It means so much to me that people even read this blog, so already just by reading this post, you know that you're already doing something I appreciate. But if you like the music I make, or if you just want to show some love for my birthday, go ahead and click the "Donate" button below. And in keeping with the number 15, all donations worth $15 and up will receive a signed copy of the finished 3-song demo, which should be completed before Christmas.

Thanks again for reading (and giving)!! :)

crazy august

Firstly - I know I promised videos from the performance and they are coming!!! I just uploaded them on to my computer and will be editing them for posting tonight. :)

Now...as August comes to a close, I think back on the month that it was and MAN, was it busy! Here's a general run-down of what went on...

- Seven weddings and two wedding receptions in four weeks (and one more next weekend)

- Tuesday Night Open Mic @ Maxine's Hideaway

- Project Hydrate! Fundraiser @ the Roundhouse

- The Peep Show @ the Media Club

- One baptism ceremony

- Three masses

It's the busiest I've been (music-wise) in a while. I realize that it could've been busier, but with a full-time job your schedule starts to feel really full when you add activities at nights or on the weekends for weeks on end. Now, I feel a sense of relief that I've got a bit of a break, but it's also a great feeling to look back and know that the past month was productive. Huge thanks go to the band for being so game, to Andrea Mesana who has been my wedding music partner, and to everyone who came out to show their support!

Up next: hopefully, more gigs in October onwards, and...recording a demo (finally)!! Looking at producers to work with and I'm really excited about the prospects that I've got at the moment. I'll keep you guys posted as developments come. For now, thanks to everyone who reads my blog and listens to the music!

coming performance dates :)

If you're in the Vancouver area in the next couple of weeks, here are some performance dates worth checking. 

Project Hydrate! (fundraiser)

August 20, 2009

7 p.m. - The Roundhouse Community Center

Tickets $15 sold at the door

The Peep Show @ The Media Club

August 27, 2009

7 p.m. - The Media Club

Tickets $5 sold at the door

To keep updated on future dates, add me on MySpace or Facebook!

total genius/semi-current project: this long road

I used to get offended (mostly in secret) when people criticized my songs. It always happened to the most well-intentioned people. I wrote this song a few years ago that I was totally proud of. I thought it was a lyrical masterpiece. The final product finally came out of the studio, produced and glossy, and I played it for my dad along with the other tracks in the album that I liked. I asked him what he thought and he says after a long pause, "It's nice but...I don't really get it. I like that other guy's song better." Ouch. But duly noted. In retrospect, my song was a little cryptic. It was good at putting babies to sleep, though. Or so I heard.

Bless my dad. It takes real love to be honest with a songwriter. You never know how they're going to take it. My husband never fails to share his real opinions on my songs, solicited or not, and has witnessed/suffered a buffet of reactions. Sometimes I agree (rare). Sometimes I argue explain myself and defend the arrangement. Sometimes I give him the silent treatment, wherein I quietly resent him for picking up on my imperfections and knocking me off the awesome train, but also for being kind of right.  

What I'm trying to learn right now is this: Gold is refined by fire. Iron is sharpened by iron. Anyone who wants to be a master at anything needs to be prepared for opposition, criticism (friendly or not), and even backlash. I'm learning that if I want to succeed at being a songwriter, with success being measured by the number of people wanting to listen to my music, I need to be open to criticism. Thick skinned, but open. Too many times in the past, I took criticism as other people's proof that I am mediocre. That doesn't have to be the case. I can take criticism as an opportunity to prove to people that I am good at what I do, because I can rise to the challenge. 

So if you come in contact with a songwriter who asks for your opinion on a song they just wrote, please be honest. Their hopeful faces will want you to be nice and say things like "Oooh, I really like that part!" and "It's so unique!" because you think it's what they want to hear. Please. If you really love them, be honest. No songwriter ever got better by listening to people kiss their butt.

Speaking of which. Here's a semi-current song I'm working on. I wrote it last year and recorded a rough draft (which is what you will hear), and am considering resurrecting it. Any thoughts?

Click here to listen!

(for some reason I can't get it to be louder so turn it up...sorry...my mixing skills are zero.)

This Long Road

Copyright 2009 Music and Lyrics by Renee Geronimo

[Renee Geronimo - vocals, guitar; Mike Potusek - magical guitar]

Seven months still to go
I am counting down the moments and they’re passing so slow
Now the sun’s come and gone
And the small hours of morning, they linger on

And I need to sleep now
Bid today goodbye
Make tomorrow come

Refrain:
So that I can see you at the end of the road
This long road
This long road
Tell me I can see you at the end of the road
This long road
This long road
Ooooh...


Let the world pass me by
All the stop signs and borders and the clouds in the sky
Let it all fade to gray
For my eyes are trained forward, and they won’t look away

From you now
Bid today goodbye
Make tomorrow come

(refrain)

Bridge:
I know I am waiting not in vain, not in vain (x4)

(refrain)

performing tonight!

Went on a mini-hiatus this weekend to take apart my huge bed and re-organize my room...thanks to my husband for helping doing most of it. He had to go back to Seattle and now I'm sleeping in a queen-sized air mattress by myself. Life is not fair. 

Anyone in the Vancouver area, come check out the Spencer Welch Open Mic Night at Maxine's Hideaway (1215 Bidwell Street). I'll be singing a couple of my own songs, accompanied by the band and our cactus.

On that note: is there a cure for stage fright? There have been a few times when I've seriously considered quitting with the performing altogether, just because I get so scared before a show. I'm fine as soon as I'm up there, but the anticipation just makes me go batty.

Anyways. I'll try to remember to tape the show and post it for your viewing/listening pleasure, whichever form of media I end up capturing. Send some blessings my way tonight, or better yet, show up at Maxine's Hideaway and buy me some fries (which I won't eat because I'll be nervous, but the thought makes me feel better).

New Song: On Repeat

Considering this is a songwriting blog, I figure I should put up some stuff I'm working on currently. Here's one of the latest songs I'm working on. It's going to be in my demo which I'm aiming to complete by my birthday in the fall. This is a home recording from my band's first rehearsal after a two-month hiatus, recorded at home with a portable recorder, none of us are amplified, I'm pitchy in some parts...in other words, it's nowhere near studio quality, so turn it up!!! Enjoy! Leave comments! Get caught listening to it at work! :)

Kudos to the band:

Lead guitar - Potatosak; Rhythm guitar/vocals - me (yikes); Magic harmonic guitar - K-Anne (she's not in this recording); Acoustic Bass - Jom; Djembe - Pinto; Inspiration - Julius the Cactus and my husband

Click here to hear it!

On Repeat (copyright 2009 words and music by Renee Geronimo)

Two p.m. on a Friday afternoon and my heart is unable to sit still
I am not here
The boss walks by and she sees me at my desk and she smiles, so I nod my head and wave
But I am not here

My feet are on the ground
But my heart is where you are
Why do you have to feel so far?

Chorus:
I wanna be the song playing on repeat in your head
Be the face in the picture frame beside your bed
I wanna be everything
I wanna be the hand you’re holding when you walk in the rain
Be the name you call to hold you when your heart’s in pain
I wanna be everything
I wanna be everything

I’ve been told one too many fairy tales that don’t end up the way the writers write
With castles in the sun
Everyone is eager to talk about, think about love when their own heart isn’t on the line
But I am undone

All my friends keep saying
I should admit I’m in love with you
I try to deny it, but it might be true

(chorus)

Bridge:
I wanna know that I am not alone
Feeling the way I do
Because I might never get over falling in love with you
I think I’m in love with you

(chorus)

Thanks for listening... <3