TINY DESK VIDEO CONTEST 2021

My cousin died earlier this year. She was only 36. Her death was unexpected and quick, leaving us all shaken. I couldn’t even see my family because traveling was still not an option. I’m guessing, many people have probably found themselves in a similar place in recent times. In my dream, I saw my aunt sitting alone in a dark empty room with her head in her hands. I couldn’t get that image out of my head. They were very close, my aunt relied on my cousin for everything. I wanted to scream, “it’s not fair!” But I couldn’t. My 6 year-old says “it’s not fair!” all the time, and I always answered him with “well…life isn’t fair, buddy.” So I wrote a song. I can say “it’s not fair” as many times as I want, as long as it’s a song. It’s funny that way. The gaping hole in me without my cousin will remain, I know that. But at least this song will get me through the days when I miss her the most. As soon as I wrote this song, I knew I wanted to get my friend Yula involved. She's somebody I respect and enjoy collaborating with. She made a beautiful vocal arrangement and added just the right amount of tension and texture. This was the first time 3 of us sung together since the pandemic. It felt really emotional to sing together again. Joyful yet somber for what we have went through individually and collectively. I hope you enjoy this song. Thank you for listening.

Miwa

Throw Your Tantrum Written by Miwa Nishio

Vocal Arrangements by Yula Beeri

Performed by Miwa Gemini Miwa - guitar & vocal Rebekah - vocal Jennie - vocal

Shot at Montauk House in Brooklyn, NY -

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A child falls on the ground, tears in her eyes

She looks for her friends but they’re long gone

Climbing trees, way up in the sky

She jumps but she misses

Her friends just laugh and climb even higher

A middle age man rips a letter in two

In his head swirls thoughts I lost my job

and my house

And my wife took my kids

My cancer is back

He screams to no one

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Life isn’t fair, isn’t it ever, “It’s not Fair”

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Life isn’t fair, I wish I knew how to tell you

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Life isn’t fair, isn’t it ever, “It’s not Fair”

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Throw your tantrum, it’s ok by me

Life threw you many bags of lemons

Lifetime supply for your lemonade stand

But you got up again, over and over

With a little bit of luck, you may land on your feet

An old mother is crying

Her daughter went to sleep and never got back again

How could this be possible?

It should’ve been me

How am I going to face life?

How am I going to do anything?

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Life isn’t fair, isn’t it ever, “It’s not Fair”

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Life isn’t fair, I wish I knew how to help you

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Life isn’t fair, isn’t it ever, “It’s not Fair”

Isn’t it fair, isn’t it ever, isn’t it?

Throw your tantrum, it’s ok by me

Tiny Desk Contest, 2018

We MADE IT!!! Just in the nick of time - we finished and submitted our video to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest.  We had a such a great time making the video and I couldn't be more thrilled to be playing/singing with these amazing ladies.  Hope you enjoy!

Week 49 - Landslide (Fleetwood Mac, 1975)

Week 49 - Fleetwood Mac

I think the most interesting thing about Stevie Nicks to me is that her voice and her appearance do not match.  I’ve always enjoy watching her sing for that reason, she looks so delicate, a little like an angel on top of a Christmas tree then you hear that deep voice.  I love her voice.  Interestingly this song didn’t get released as a single when the album Fleetwood Mac was released.   It wasn’t till 23 years later when Fleetwood Mac released the live album the Dance.   It’s a beautiful song and I’ve always loved it.  Glad to have a go at it.  Hope you enjoy!

Week 46 - I Love Rock 'n' Roll (Joan Jett, 1982)

Week 46 - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

A long time ago, when I went to see Brendan Benson and the Wellfed Boys, they jokingly started play this song on stage just because my friend said that was one of her favorite songs.  I was pretty impressed that they could play the song just like that!  Turns out, the song is pretty easy to play…  not saying Brendan and his co. aren’t talented, of course they are, but anyway it was lots of fun to learn and play this song.  It was originally written by the British band the Arrows but it was Joan Jett that made this song so iconic.  It doesn’t get more Rock ’n’ Roll than Joan Jett!

Week 39 - "Heroes" (David Bowie, 1977)

He would have been 70 tomorrow.  It’s hard to believe that he’s been gone for almost a year.  In the madness that followed through out that year and the strange political climate that continues to this year, I realized I really needed to sing this song.  This song, originally recorded in the 70’s in Berlin depicts lovers separated by the Berlin Wall.  His performance of the song in West Berlina decade later is considered a catalyst to the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall.   

Happy almost birthday, Starman.  We miss you dearly.

Week 36 - Innocent When You Dream (Tom Waits, 1987)

Week 36 - Tom Waits

I was editing this video this morning (which I tend to do because I’m always running WAY behind with this project) all was quiet while snowed outside.  It was beautiful and peaceful.  And I felt this song fits the mood of the day.  I’m not quite tired of the snow yet although ask me in March and I might have a different answer! 

Week 34 of 52 Weeks - Hold On (Tom Waits, 1999)

Week 34 - Tom Waits

Week 1 of Tom Waits December!  Things changed for me drastically as an artist the day I discovered Tom Waits.  I love his originality - in his music, in his lyrics, in his style and in his imagination. And I love and love his sense of humor.  Frustratingly I’ve only seen him performance once and that was for his Mule Variation tour.  Still to this day, it’s one of my favorite shows of all times.  This song has been stuck in my head lately and was thinking about covering it, but there are just too many songs I want to cover.  Since it’s his birthday next week (12/7) I decided to dedicate this whole month exploring his world.  Hope you enjoy!

This one goes out to miss Erika - not only because we went to see Tom Waits together but also she has the best sense of humor and the most infectious laugh.

Week 33 of 52 Weeks - Where You Lead (Carole King with Louise Goffin, 1970 & 2002)

Happy Thanksgiving weekend!  This week, in honor of the revival of Gilmore Girls which happens to be one of Bekah’s favorite shows, we are covering this Carole King’s classic.  This song was originally on her iconic album Tapestry but when the producer of the show Gilmore Girls contacted her about using it as its theme song, she updated the lyrics to go with the mother and daughter theme of the show.  Then she re-recorded the song with her daughter Louis Goffin.  I also have a personal connection to this song - I got to work on the shoot with Carole King for the cover of her album Love Makes the World which the updated version was included.  I remember she was really laid back and easy to talk to.  

Hope you enjoy!  

This one goes out to Cody and Waylon :)

Week 31 of 52 Weeks - Trouble in Mind (Nina Simone, 1961)

Week 31 - Nina Simone

I wish I had some light and wisdom to share with you but I’m afraid my thoughts seem to be just streaming through randomly right now.  So I turn to music like I always do and find courage in the words of people who were there before us.  This song has been going through my mind during those nights when I just tossed and turned.  Thank goodness for Nina Simone.  Her voice makes it easier to get out of the bed in the morning.  

Week 29 of 52 Weeks - Red Right Hand (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, 1994)

Week 29 - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

It’s Halloween, so of course we had to cover Nick Cave.  The thing is, I love Nick Cave.  From the days of Birthday Party to the Grinderman, he’s a prolific artist that always seem to surprise you.  He’s amazing on stage and although he has had some commercial success, he seems to remain himself whether singing murder ballad or love song.  I knew I wanted to cover Nick Cave but picking this song was a bit of surprise.  Maybe Peaky Blinders has something to do with it?  But there are so many songs that I love by him, it’s possible that I will cover him again.  I still have over 20 songs left!  

On the side note, yesterday James got us tickets to go see him next year.  I’m so excited!

Happy Halloween!!!

Week 28 of 52 Weeks - Boys aka Girls (Beastie Boys, 1987)

Week 28 - Beastie Boys (1987)

We had this idea to change the song “Girls” to “Boys” and keep the rest of the lyrics the same.  But what I didn’t realize was how much of it describes my life to a tee right now!!!  It’s all about boys in the morning, and it’s all about boys in the evening. I love the way they walk and I sure love the way my 2-year-old and his friends talk!  And every night I hope he will say “hey me and you should hit the hay” as in “is it bed time yet?!” and certainly I can’t wait for him to do the dishes and his own laundry :)  Later in their career The Beastie Boys weren’t too fond of this song for its lyrical content but I figure Bekah and I can make it equal, right?  I sincerely hope though that when my boy grows up, he will know the difference between looking for a soul mate and a house keeper!

Brilliant styling by my home slice Bekah S.  She ain’t just a pretty face, you know?

Week 27 of 52 Weeks - All I Have To Do Is Dream (The Everly Brothers, 1958)

Week 27 - the Everly Brothers (1958).

This song is a classic and we wanted to do it right. We are so used to coming up our own harmony so it was a fun challenge to learn somebody else's arrangement!

Week 26 of 52 Weeks - Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder, 1977)

Week 26 - Stevie Wonder  

It’s week 26 - we made it half way!!!  To celebrate this momentous occasion, we are covering Stevie Wonder.  This was definitely the most challenging song we covered so far.  I never felt so uncoordinated in my life!  Seriously doubted if I had any sense of rhythm at all. Then I remembered one of my old boyfriends who was undoubtedly the worst dancer I have ever seen.  It was so bad that the dance floor used to clear as people just stared at him.  He himself had no idea though - he loved music and dancing, and if he noticed people staring at him, he probably just thought people were admiring his dancing skill…  And this song is about that the music is a universal language and we all have an equal opportunity to sing and dance.  It’s an amazing song all around dedicated to Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and other jazz greats. 

I’m just so grateful that musicians like Stevie Wonder exists!

Week 21 of 52 Weeks - Dress (PJ Harvey, 1991)

Week 21 - PJ Harvey.  I still remember the first time I listened to Dry, PJ Harvey’s first album.  It just blew my mind.  She was, with a lack of better word, so COOL.  I haven’t heard anything like it before, she was intense, poetic, angry and damn sexy, just all around badass.  She was the first artist I saw using a bottle neck with her guitar and I bought one the very next day and tried to use it and miserably failed it.  It took me another 10 years before I tried it again…  When I decided to go solo, I spent hours learning every single songs from Dry.  There are other albums by her that I love, but Dry is the one that I always go back to.  She is one of a few artists that truly changed me.  And I’m very please to be able to pay homage to her by singing one of my favorite songs of hers which happened to be her first single.  

Week 20 of 52 Weeks - Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (Marilyn Monroe, 1953)

Week 20 - Marilyn Monroe.  I love dresses.  I especially love vintage dresses and consequently I have accumulated lots of them over the years.  Half of me thinks that wanting to wear those dresses is motivation to get on the stage…  There’s something really fun about swaying around in a full length gown, even in 90 degree heat!  With that spirit we channeled our inner Marilyn Monroe this week - we had to dig pretty deep to find her!  It’s a mini-series continuing from last week’s Material Girl.  Enjoy!

Week 19 of 52 Weeks - Material Girl (Madonna, 1984)

Week 19 - Madonna.  In honor of her birthday (August 16) we are covering her this week.  When I was little, I used watch Madonna live in Madison Square Garden on repeat.  I loved the whole concert but one of my favorite bits was at the end when she talks about how she came to New York with nothing and worked hard to make her dream come true.  It was cited in a sort of poetry style and I can still recite some of it.  I’m sure she influenced my decision to come to NY years later.  One of the first thing I did when I got to NYC was to visit the store “Love Saves The Day” from Desperately Seeking Susan.  Luckily it was still there then.  Cheers to Rebekah for doing an amazing job styling us.  Hope you enjoy!