Elizaveta Ephemeris

It has been a melancholy few days, with the Boston tragedy and then Texas plant explosion taking place shortly thereafter. This morning I made a choice to stay away from the news, Facebook and Twitter for a little while because I was assaulted by second to second coverage of the manhunt.

In my humble opinion, no manhunt should be made into a spectacle. It brought back to me memories of reading 'The Running Man'.

My dear hope is that this incident does not give rise to more hate. The world can't hold any more division, than it already does. We are all different, some of us are very flawed, some are angry, some are lucky and others are starving - but the important thing is not to give in to hate. Violence always begets more violence. Hate always makes for more hate. Righteous retaliation and judgment are a slippery slope.

Today I am focusing on recording lead vocals for my potential Russian single. I call it my Russian single because the original idea for it was to be the single from my upcoming Russian EP, however I am very proud of this song, although it is a little more dance-oriented than some of my previous tunes... and so it will be part of my US release, as well.

I have been feeling, increasingly, how important it is to meditate these days. Even if is just a few minutes of silence and reconnecting to the 'Inner Map'.

Speaking of maps and things - I have just scheduled a show in London for end of May, as I'll be on my way to Edinburgh (via Paris) to perform at TED Global 2013. It is at The Elgin in Notting Hill, May 30th, which I believe to be a Thursday. Check all the details in the little window to your right. I may be doing a Paris show, too, but not sure about all the details yet...

 

A Very Special Art Exhibit - This Saturday!

 

As you may know, I have been working for a while with a wonderful artist i102fly, or Melissa Washington, who is a great photographer, graphic designer, painter, Renaissance woman and much more. She also happens to be a dear friend of mine.

This Saturday, November 17, she is holding her first Los Angeles exhibit, featuring outtakes from her graphic travel journals and other works. It will be a remarkable event. It’s at the art space of another friend and renowned artist Paulin Paris, who will also present some of his newer works.

I will sing a song or two to celebrate the occasion! It is an open launch, so please join us if you are reading this and are in the area.

It is also open to public the following day – Sunday – from 11 to 2 pm.

Yes... and an important tidbit: there will be WINE...:)

Here are a couple of graphics of i102fly's art pieces I love - but there are so many!

Attends! Attends..

Here is the complete demo of the French cover I have done recently, Ma Préférence by Julien Clerc. I wouldn't say that his style of music is very close to mine, but this is a brilliant song and I intend to make it part of my performing repertoire - I love the harmonic changes and the message. I am also translating it into English and Russian.

I added an intro from a classic French film (can you guess which one?) Hint: Gerard Depardieu is in it. Although, fair to say he is in almost EVERY French film of the recent 40 years. That man gets around.  

 

 

Here is the translation, as promised. This is a very literal one because I didn't try to write something here that would be more poetic.. yet.. as in real lyrics, so it doesn't flow well at all, but it is good enough to get an idea. The actual translated lyrics, as I hear them in my head, would carry the message across, but would not be the same words...

I love this song and its basic concept that sometimes, contrary to popular thought, others do not necessarily see better or are able to judge more accurately when it comes to our own lives and who we want in them. Sometimes it's best to withhold judgment, because there may be something there we do not see or would not value for ourselves, and yet it is everything to another person.

The original of the song is about her. When I did the cover, I switched it to him, and I think it makes it almost even more poignant.

 

 

I know that you don't approve of him

and his way of showing that he belongs to me

you fall silent around us

and yet, I choose him

 

Yes, I know - this air of indifference that's his defence

It often offends you

But when we are surrounded by my friends made of porcelain

I know where his failure lies.

Yes I know - you don't believe that I can be faithful to him

and you are already speaking of him in past tense

But he really is what I want.

 

You should believe me when I say

that I am the only one who can tell when he is cold

he only has eyes for me

and incidentally, he loves my uncertainty

while I love his solitude.

 

I know that you don't approve of him

and his way of showing that he belongs to me

you fall silent around us

and yet - he is my lucky charm

I choose him.

He is what I want.