Better Late Than Never (I Hope)? The Recap...

Scott Jacoby (Eusonia president, and my producer, on the right), friends 

and me at one of our MANY pre-Grammy parties...

Seems like I always find myself in this position with you: apologizing for my long absences and negligence in keeping you up-to-date.  In this case, there were many excuses, but let's just stick with the apology, and get down to business.  When last I wrote, I was still recovering from the holidays.  Sad to say, I am STILL recovering from the Grammys (and the post-partum and subsequent illness that followed), but I wanted to check in, nevertheless.

Let's roll back the tape, shall we?  The Grammy train started rolling early for me, as ASCAP invited me to play the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT.  It was a brief, but amazing trip. Park City, nestled in the mountains of Utah, is absolutely beautiful, and the entire ASCAP crew was incredibly welcoming to us.  I arrived with my trusty guitarist Tyrone, and brilliant tour manager Barbara  in tow, and hit the ground running as soon as we arrived.  First stop, Park City TV to do a few songs and a brief interview with Ari Hoffer (you can see the performances on YouTube).  Next, it was over to the ASCAP Music Café and Lounge for interviews, pictures, and downtime with the other performers.  Our day of performances included Birdmonster, Rosie Golan, Johnny Rzeznik, Wynonna and the always enchanting Damien Rice.  In such great company, it was tough not to be intimidated, but in usual fashion, we got up and did our thing... and we did pretty well, if I do say so myself.

In fact, we did so well that we were invited back as the closing act the next day... and arrived to find that they'd put me on the cover of the Sundance paper!  This was big news for us, but there was bigger news to watch that morning, as it was Inauguration Day (at last)! We'd been invited to an inauguration brunch that morning by the SEIU and Sarah Jones, and other than a slip-and-fall (where I not-so-gracefully busted my bum), had an incredible morning of fellowship and shared history with other Sundance Daily Insider (1/20/09).  

Afterwards, we dropped by the Gibson Guitar Suite for an interview with the Associated Press, and an performance with the house band...and a look at the official Gibson Tour bus (Alicia Keys, The Jonas Bros., and many more have performed and traveled on it).  By this time, I was ready for a nap, but it was time to see emerging artist (and new pal) Angel Taylor do her set, so we headed back to the ASCAP tent.  She definitely delivered, and was a hard act to follow, but we did, and Day 2 ended on a VERY high note.

Jamming at the Gibson Guitar Suite...

Checking out the Gibson Tour Bus...

Bonding with Angel Taylor (look out for her!)...

Wrapping up an amazing run at Sundance...

24 hours later, I was back in NYC, opening for the fantastic duo Guggenheim Grotto at the Living Room.  By this time, I was admittedly exhausted (and beginning to be a bit hoarse), but had a amazing time, and a great turnout. Stay tuned: I'll definitely be back at the Living Room in the coming months.

Finally, a moment of rest (phew!)...but not for long, since I was in full pre-Grammy swing by then. Interviews, meetings and fittings, oh my!  But in the midst of all that, I really wanted to stay true to who I am and the path I'm on, so I decided to allow myself to be interviewed about my battle with compulsive overeating for my hometown paper, the Chicago Tribune (http://tinyurl.com/c56npr).  As always, sharing some of the truth about myself and my journey was very cathartic for me, and one more step in my healing process.  Of course, it didn't hurt that on my way to the Grammys, I made a pit-stop in Chicago to finish the article, and got to spend a little time with my mom and extended family...always therapeutic!  In fact, the night I arrived, they threw me a celebratory dinner that more than made up for a holiday season spent apart...

You really can't beat the comfort of family...or friends.  I've often said that my career runs on "friend-power", and the Grammys were no exception.  Not one, but several of my friends made a challenging week not only manageable, but thoroughly enjoyable for me, and I am eternally grateful for their love and support. From my homegirl Kim (aka "Harris Hilton"), and incredible stylist Helen Barbieri, both of whom flew themselves in to support me, to my college roomie Trisha, who documented my entire Grammy week (soon to be seen on the TV Guide Channel), Shanté Gordon, who took time out from her Def Jam duties to hang with me on Grammy day, and last but never, EVER least, celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff, who got up at the crack of dawn to come to my hotel room and beat my face into something fierce and gorgeous for the day.  There are no words to express how much I appreciate them, my label, management (Barbie especially) and my parents (stepmom included) for coming out to LA and celebrating this incredible (and action-packed) time with me.

The Grammy Nominees' Ceremony and Reception...

Alex Bilowitz (Eusonia VP) and I at the Grammy afterparty 

(Robin Thicke and The Time performed!  Incredible!)

My beloved tour manager, Barbara, who holds everything (including me) together...

For those of you who weren't privy to my Twittering throughout the Grammys, admittedly, it's hard to recap in detail here, but despite the fact that I didn't win (I was the underdog, after all), I can honestly say that it was one of the most phenomenal nights of my life, and certainly of my career.  I had the most amazing time, even more amazing seats,. and can't WAIT to do it again!  As for celebrity sightings, let me sum it up like this: in a 30-second time span, Herbie Hancock, Natalie Cole, Sir Paul McCartney, and Smokey Robinson all brushed past me.  That was AFTER Chris Martin, Jay-Z and BEFORE Neil Diamond and Stevie Wonder.  Believe me, you can't make that s*** up.

So...about that outfit...  First off, you should know that I loved it, felt super-sexy in it, and would wear it again in a second...but don't doubt that I also knew EXACTLY what I was doing. The lovely Helen pulled several gorgeous dresses for me, but since I consider myself "one of those kids who's doing their own thing", I wanted to make a bit more of a statement for my first trip to the big event.  After all, I am still an primarily unknown artist -- at least for the time being.  Let's be honest: if you can't get a little attention at the Grammys, you miss out on a major PR opportunity, not to mention a very good time!  

With that in mind, I enlisted longtime friend and uber-talented designer (and fashion rebel) Carmen Webber (of Project Runway and Sistahs of Harlem fame).  To put together something...special for me.  I told her I wanted the look to be a cross between Cleopatra, Josephine Baker, and Grace Jones.  I got exactly what I wanted, and much more... Who knew I'd cause such a commotion? Star, TMZ, the NY Daily News, even one of my personal favorites, "Go Fug Yourself" featured lil' ol' me in their Grammy coverage, and even if they didn't love it, I did, and got more press than I ever expected! 

So...that's the wrap, for the most part.  To tell the truth, I've been decompressing ever since...hence my belated entry.  I hope you'll forgive that, since in the coming weeks, there'll be more to come (and I'll definitely be working on my frequency).  I'm most excited to announce that my next single (and duet with Martin Luther), "You Don't Know", will be released by March 17th, and that the Josh Harris remix of my song "Chase" has made it onto the Billboard dance charts, which is very exciting for me.  Obviously, there's a lot going on, but in my downtime, here's what I'm listening to as of late: lots and lots of Doobie Brothers and 70's Santana.  Yep, I'm having one of THOSE moments, and I invite you to come along with me.  As for films, I haven;t seen anything new lately (I've got a lot of catching up to do there), but just saw this incredible Danish movie called "After the Wedding".  It's been over two weeks, and I'm still thinking about it....so it was well worth the subtitles.  And as per my usual...

I'm absolutely mad about...

1. The Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien.  C'est "joint" magnifique!

2. Central Park...any time of year.

3. A day spent in the company of good friends.

4. A deep snowfall...as long as I can enjoy it from the comfort of home!

5. The power of reinvention/reinterpretation/renewal.

I'm absolutely mad AT:

1. Chris Brown...enough said.

2. Rihanna, if the reunion rumors are true. I'm all for true love, but at what risk?

3. This RECESSION, which really tamed down Grammy week.

4. The fact that we haven't figured out how to "beam ourselves" to faraway places yet.

5. Myself, for never hitting the sheets before 3a.m....Not good.

Home for the Holidays, Pt. 2

We're barely a week into this brand new year, but I must say, I'm feeling more than a bit brand new myself, thanks to one of my best decisions as of late: to spend a little time right here at home for a change.  After a few months of what felt like non-stop travel, the last thing I felt like doing was jumping back on a plane, even to spend Christmas with my beloved Mom in Chicago (after all, I was there three times in six weeks this fall)...so she gave me a great gift this year, and agreed to come to me!  

I was so inspired by the idea of hosting my mother here in my adopted hometown that I got swept up in the spirit of the season, and extended the invitation to all my friends spending the holidays in the city...with or without family.  After all, in a city like New York, your friends often become your surrogate family, and whether it was due to work, fatigue, or our currently terrifying financial climate, many decided to stay close to home this year.

Fast forward to December 25, when I hosted a non-denominational "City Orphans" feast for about two-dozen of my friends (and their family and friends), which included parents, couples, siblings, children, roommates, former colleagues, college friends, both the VP and Marketing Guru of my label, four Oklahomans, two photographers and our own personal partridge in a pear tree, the always fabulous B. Scott (I couldn't catch him on camera, but if you don't know, you must check him out at www.lovebscott.com, Love Muffins!).

In classic Maiysha-ambitious (some might say control-freakish)-fashion, along with a streak of what can only be called Martha Stewart-like delusions of competency, I cooked, baked, roasted, and sautéed 70% of the meal, requesting that the majority of my guests bring beverages, appetizers, and (some truly delicious) desserts (though the gumbo and mac-n-cheese that arrived were more than welcome).  

I was completely overwhelmed, and cooking throughout the festivities (with the help of my trusty assistant, Justin), but admittedly, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, because I had an absolute blast feeding my masses...and from the hearty response, I think I pulled it off.  Since, if you're reading this, you likely weren't there, here's what you missed (please excuse my messy kitchen...and appearance...and the plastic-ware and paper plates. I don't have a dishwasher!):

It was truly an evening of fun, fellowship and feasting...and I'm still working off the leftovers in preparation for the Grammys, which are now only a month away (BTW, I think it's cruel to have awards season right after the holiday season)!  Thankfully, I got my first chance to burn a few calories when the mighty, mighty ?uestlove invited me to check him out at his annual end-of-the-year gig at S.O.B.'s.  It was all James Brown, all night, and the people were tearing it up!

If you're a fan of The Roots like myself, you clamber at the opportunity to see them in action, and we'll have ample opportunity this year, as they become the house band for the Jimmy Fallon Show, which will air live nightly starting this March, and promises to be a fresh, funny, and undoubtedly funky infusion into the nightly NBC lineup...homebody that I attempt to be, I'm really looking forward to it.

But I won't be hanging at home much anytime soon, since pre-Grammy season is moving into high gear.  If you're not a member of my mailing list (sign up at www.maiysha.com), you probably haven't heard much from me about being nominated for my first Grammy award for Urban/Alternative Performance, but let me just say, for the record, how tremendously shocked, humbled and thrilled I am at the honor, and how continuously grateful I am for your support in getting me here.

This week, I'll be opening for the world-reknowned acapella septet Naturally 7 at the Highline Ballroom on Tues., Jan. 13th, before heading off to Park City, UT to perform in the ASCAP Music Café at the Sundance Film Festival on the 19th.  Then, I'll return to NYC just in time to watch the Inaugural festivities (yippeeeee!!!), and to do a short acoustic set at The Living Room at 7pm on the 21st.  In between the dates, I'll be continuing my usual round of meet-and-greets, interviews, and fittings for the big event February 8th! 

Speaking of which, if you're LA-based, please check here for updates on performances I'll be doing during Grammy week, including a set at the legendary Whisky a Go Go on the Feb. 6th., R&B Live LA, and a sit-down with NPR...details to come.

So...I bet you're wondering what I did on New Year's Eve, eh?  Well, some things should remain private, but let's just say that I was in good company, and had a great time ringing in the new year (get your minds out of the gutter...or leave them there, it's your world).  I was listening to some great music though, as I revisited Roxy Music ("Love is the Drug", "Slave to Love").  Led by Bryan Ferry, they are so subtle, so sexy, and so 80's downtown NYC...love it.  I also managed to sneak in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" over the holiday, which was well-worth it, clichés or not.  Not to be clichéd myself, but it's that time again, so here goes...

I am absolutely mad about:

1. The "City Orphans'" feast...it may become an annual tradition...but next year, potluck.

2. My Super-Mom, who cleaned house, hauled groceries, wrote press releases, and still managed to fit in a mani/pedi with me.

3. Oklahomans...a truly, truly charming bunch of folks.

4. My herb-butter roasted turkey, Brie en Croute, and Moji's Eggnog Pound Cake. Yummm....

5. My stylist, Helen Barbieri, who ALWAYS comes through for me, and makes me look good.

I am absolutely mad AT:

1. Oklahoma losing the BCS Championship (sorry, Gators fans!).

2. The amount of leftovers I had, uhh...left over.  I'm madder at the amount I ate.

3. The fact that I interpreted "holiday break" as a break from the gym, too.  Not so smart.

4. Rod Blagojevich, Bernie Madoff, and most likely, Hiram Monserrat. Embarassing, scandalous and shameful.

5. Myself, when I let my fear overcome my faith.  Happy New Year!