The beauty of being a singer/songwriter is wearing your heart on your sleeve. Ask away!
Recent Responses
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It feels invigorating. The end is in sight and I can say with confidence that I have learned more about music and the music business these past two and a half months than in my five years living in NYC. Sometimes you just have to get out there and DO.
And I'm so glad I did.
I've seen some pretty amazing things, met some awesome people, and shared a lot of beautiful moments with a lot of good friends. I have also faced a lot of challenges while on the road; a broken down van in both Mississippi and Colorado, cancelled shows and unbooked cities, and plenty of homesickness. However, I wouldn't trade a single moment. Not one. Both the good and the bad made this summer what it was and will always be: my first ever international tour and my first great adventure.
Also, doing my project while on the road has added so much color to my repertoire. There are songs that I absolutely love that I would have never written if it hadn't been for this tour.
So, how does it feel to be on my first tour? It feels like the start of something big... -
Uh, hmm. Well, since this question was asked anonymously I'm going to assume that the person asking it probably feels as if they have been "left behind". Well, I'm deeply sorry for that but here's the thing: I haven't gone "professional" and I haven't gone anywhere to leave anyone "behind". I may be driven and determined but I'm still a giant dork. I want to play music for the rest of my life and I want my music to be heard by everyone. Just because I'm out there expanding my horizons does not mean those that knew me before I was "Heather Mae" mean nothing to me. So, I'm sorry if you, whoever you are, feel left behind. Let's fix this - just talk to me. :)
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I don't really watch TV. It's too big of a distraction and I feel like a zombie after watching it. However, Big Bang Theory is pretty funny. I have a nerd crush on the character Sheldon.
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Italian. Its a beautiful language. I have dreams of learning Italian and moving to Italy and just dropping off the radar completely. How romantic that would be. (sigh)
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I'm not a fan of waitressing. I just recently tried it again but was quickly reminded of why I stopped in the first place. Too much stress, exhausted after every shift, handling food. Not for me. I admire those that are able to do it. It's just not for me!
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I'm not sure if it was given to me as a birthday or a Christmas gift but one year I was given a CD of songs written entirely for/about me. Being a songwriter, I do most of the writing. So that particular gift hit home. My heart was incredibly touched. So, yeah...:)
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Travel to Nashville. Come July 8th I'll finally be able to check this off my bucket list.
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Maxi dress and sandals! Gettin ready for a hot weekend in NYC!!!
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I'm currently doing this project where I write/record one song a day for a year ( http://365songs365days.tumblr.com ). Even though I was home and on vacation, I woke up and would have to start a new song...no matter what festivities my family had going on. This includes Thanksgiving day itself. There were times, late at night, when my family was enjoying each other's company that I had to seclude myself to edit, record, and/or write. No fun. However (and this is where I answer your question), I loved waking up every morning to watch as my family listened to the song I posted the night before. You see, my parents are super supportive of this project. So much so that they've actually started a ritual of waking up and listening to my song together before they have to both head off to work. Every. Single. Morning. So, while I was home I was able to see this event every day. It was such a blessing.
My most favorite moment was watching my entire family listen to my Thanksgiving song I made where each of them actually made a vocal appearance stating what they were thankful for. My grandfather completed the "song" by stating he was thankful for "the health of all [his] children and grandchildren and, now, one great-grandchild". Not a dry eye in my house that morning. Which, as a songwriter, is a sure sign of a well written song.
Thanks for askin girly! Wish I could've seen ya this past week. By the way, I'm hoping to collaborate with you on one of the 305 days I have left. Lets make this happen!! -
"Breaking up is hard to do."
Enough said I think. -
Well there are a few things that my jellybean would have to entail:
1. It would have to be red. My hair is red and that color has been a common thread in my life. Anyways, so red would be the color.
2. I would have to be a weird flavor because I'm very complex. I'm not trying to sound like an ass but I am. So no basic flavors like banana or cinnamon. Something weird that when they first taste it their like "Oh gross!" and then "Oh wait...not bad." Yeah, like that.
3. I would probably be something earthy. Like grass or dirt.
Hmm, okay. So, I have red, weird, and earthy. GOT IT! If I could be any jellybean flavor - I would be fall leaves. Hows that for creative?!
Alright, alright - too weird. Fine, I'll just go with pepper. Cuz that one always gets a weird reaction everytime. :] -
Usually Snickers.
I mean, I'm judging my favorite candy based upon the idea that if I'm standing at the check out counter and there is a huge line behind me and I am running 15 minutes late but I need a quick sugar fix - which candy is my standard go-to...Snickers.
So, yeah. :] -
Well, since you said my ROOM, I am going to make a loophole for myself and say that Sallie, my cat, is not in my room and is safely sitting on the curb outside my apartment waiting for me and my 3 things that I have so eloquently collected. Teehee.
So, per loophole, I'd say:
1. Hummingbird Guitar - Irreplaceable. Even though, technically, it is replaceable...I could just get another one...no. Jessica Rabbit is Irreplaceable.
2. Macbook - Has my newest, in the works, album on it. Plus this baby is the most expensive thing I own.
3. My lyric book. AKA - My life.
I was actually asked this before. See answers below. -
Well the answer is 3-fold really:
1. You are my favorite female from Nebraska.
2. Your brother Grant is my favorite male from Nebraska.
And 3. The love of my life could possible be from Nebraska - in which case - they are my number hypothetical 3 favorite person from Nebraska.
I mean...nevermind. You, Clare, you are my favorite person from Nebraska. :] -
There are many. As an artist I have held on to a lot of memories thinking how won day I would write a song or book or memoir about them. I collect memorabilia from some of my most favorite days. A piece of paper that he wrote on, a cup she gave me, posters, pens, buttons...all with a memory attached to them. If you know me - you know that I'm a memory collector. So my defining moments probably won't be what you expect.
1st grade, maybe. Janet Jackson came out with the song "Again". My sister, 8 years older than me, idolized Janet and had her CD on cassette tape. I idolized my sister and listened to her favorite song, "Again", over and over until I had the words memorized and the melody was like my own. I remember sitting on the living room floor with Autumn, my sister, singing that song...being moved at how music brings people together. That week I was asked by a friend at school what I want to be when I grow up and I said: "The person who writes love songs." Yep, defining moment.
Others would be playing Fanny Bryce in high school, moving to NYC to pursue acting, landing my first professional paid acting gig, and falling in love.
More specifically falling IN love. Realizing as it was happening "Oh wow. So this is what the whole world has been talking about." And then falling OUT of love...which is still a process. Nonetheless, both change you. Make you stronger, make you weaker, make you who you are. So yeah, I'd say that's a pretty defining moment for me. -
There was an episode of Sex In The City where Carrie asked the question: Are some women just drawn to drama? The answer is yes and yes, at times I am one of those women.
To answer your question - if there was no Plan B, then my Plan A better be friggen outrageous and awesome. I mean, I like having options and plans to fall back on. However, I love the risk and thrill of failing and having to get back up, brush off my hands and knees, wipe my tears, and start again. If there was no Plan B then that would mean I would be forced to jump without a parachute. It might seem masochistic to some but that concept sounds wonderfully normal to me. Good anonymous question. How very mysterious. -
Hmm...I'd probably smack/punch them in the neck as they were coming in for a bite. Then tell said biter to try a brunette - gingers probably don't taste very good. What a question!
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Hmm. Role model. Never really thought about the meaning behind those two words when coupled together. Role. Meaning a part that you play or in this case a part that someone else plays. Model. Meaning an example. A display for all to see.
So when asked "Who are your role models", I'm really being asked "Who displays the part you wish to play". How funny, considering I'm a performer.
Well, I don't think I can narrow this down to just one person. If you know me at all, which HVereb, you do, then you know that I change my mind rapidly (the curse of a creative artist, I'd say). So I think I'll have to break this question down.
My mother was and has always been someone that I admire for the love that she is able to embody. How one woman can hold so much love in her short, 5'3" body I'll never understand. Throughout my life I have watched my mother face some pretty tough situations...whether it be with her kids, work, money, church, death, illness, taxes, stomach flus, or fender bender...you name it, and yet. And yet. Even when we were horrible, God awful, to her. Just the most wicked children, who honestly should have been thrown into some kind of penitentiary for our behavior, that she loved more than she loved herself. I have seen that woman stand for what she believes with tears in her eyes and not back down till she changed someones mind or she proved her point. She is definitely my role model in the family/love category.
I'm sure anyone who is reading this knows who my next answer will be (considering the massive contest I just went through)...Ingrid. Here is why: She has no label other than her own, Cabin 24. She made herself. She writes it all and pays for everything off of the income she makes from the music she makes. Managers, bookings, merch, tour buses, flights, everything is bought and paid for by her name. Her brand. Her work. And she got there without a freakin label. On top of all of that, she is amazingly talented and is an incredible lyricist/composer. So, yeah, she would be my role model in the songwriting/music business/career category.
I'm sitting here trying to think of others that I have looked to for inspiration and for characteristics of "parts" I wish to "play". The longer I sit, the longer the list becomes. Even as I am writing this now I am realizing that this is because I am a chameleon. I admire many because I try and embody many. HVereb - I have always admired your drive and dedication. Its a bit unnerving at times how like a machine you are. Going and going for what you want until you get it. And there are many others like that who have characteristics that I admire and try to embody and take on myself.
My role models are the strong. The dedicated. The imaginative and the loving. These women carry and "display" the roles I wish to play. That I hope other woman admire me for.
Huh, how interesting. My role models have characteristics that I hope to one day display as a role model. Funny how that works. I guess thats why they call them "role models". -
I've actually had to think about this a lot. Its a common thing in the entertainment business to be asked "What's your backup plan?" - to which I have always answered - "I don't have a backup plan." However, in my head, I have formed a couple ideas of things.
Chef. I love food. I love to cook. I love the feeling of watching someone eat my creation and then form an opinion, whether good or bad, about said creation. I'd love to own a restaurant one day.
Photographer. I love taking pictures and I think I'm pretty good at it. If I had studied it in high school and college - I'm pretty sure I would have become obsessed. It might even have dueled with my love of music. Honestly.
The big one: Not sure xactly what the title of this person would be but I have dreamed of being someone who travels the world - just to travel, see the world, and come back to tell stories. Maybe write books recommending some amazing finds outside of the tourist traps and such. I will, one day, be that person. my music, I'm sure, will take me around the world. I can guarantee that but for now - I am a musician.
Wow. good question HV. -
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