Friday, June 24, 2011

Get the Funk Out...really!



This recession has kicked our butts. I really don't know anyone who hasn't been affected by the economy over the past few years. One thing is very clear to me though. You can let hard times drag you down or you can fight back and be your strongest self, your biggest cheerleader, and get your funk out.

I have been a fighter all of my life. I have never been afraid to be alone, live alone and face a challenge head on. In fact, when someone turns me down, rejects me, and tells me I'm just not good enough (or implies it), I have learned to come back stronger. When someone insults me or is rude, I refuse to take it. And as a child, I faced all kinds of personal issues with two parents who were never meant to marry in the first place, and I was left with a very controlling mother who had me riding an emotional rollercoaster. I learned so much about juggling my emotions and staying strong and believing in myself. I have no idea how, but it was just some kind of inner strength, while living alone with my mother in NYC at age 8, finger painting and listening to music.

At age 10, I received one of the greatest gifts my mother ever gave me (beside the gift of life, of course)...my first guitar. I can picture her walking down the corridor of our apartment building holding that little Yamaha guitar she had bought that night with her boyfriend. And that gift would be my companion for years to come, keeping me amused and filled with creative energy in a childhood that was less than happy and peaceful. That gift helped me on numerous occasions to get my funk out and I continue my creative journey in so many other aspects of my life. Because finding your own creative outlet is so important on this rollercoaster ride.
Find something that inspires you, intrigues you, keeps finding its way into your dreams and nags you, because it is never too late to get your own funk out and find out more about who you and what you are capable of. You just might be surprised.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

San Francisco Singer/Songwriter Joyo Velarde on the Momz ROCK the House Show!


JOYO VELARDE

Biography

If you lived in California in the 90s, chances are you've sung Joyo's refrain in the shower. After the Manila-born NorCal transplant finished studying opera in Rome, she returned to the Bay Area, where she and future husband Lyrics Born recorded what would go on to be Solesides' greatest hit, a little number called "Balcony Beach." The song appeared on 1997's Latyrx, a record that went on to sell over 100,000 copies worldwide.

As part of the seminal indie hip-hop label Quannum Projects - a group whose founders included Lyrics Born & Lateef the Truthspeaker, Blackalicious, DJ Shadow, Jeff Chang (Can't Stop Won't Stop/VIBE Magazine,) and Joseph Patel (MTV) - Joyo quickly found her place as "The Quannum Songstress." In 2000 her first official solo offering - the jazzy and soulful "People Like Me" - was released on the label compilation Quannum Spectrum.

In support of the album, Joyo and the crew toured relentlessly, which gave her the opportunity not only to hone her vocal and performance skills, but also to expand her steady base of loyal listeners from the US across the globe, from Australia to Europe to Japan. The following year, she further displayed her versatility with the cult hit "Sweet Angels," a lilting reggae-inspired tune that quickly became a fan favorite.

Music is her first love, of course, and her versatility as a singer/songwriter, belter, storyteller and explosive live performer knows no bounds.

But Joyo has been recognized as a fashion icon, as well. She's been featured in San Francisco's 7x7 magazine (Sept 1, 2006) as one of the Bay Area's trendsetters and style-makers to watch, and has received endorsements and performed at exclusive fashion shows and events for Puma, Evisu, Diesel, Upper Playground, Adidas, among others.

Having already appeared twice on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and featured on over 20 albums, including Lyrics Born's blockbuster indie classics Later That Day (on which she performed and co-wrote 10 songs, including the ubiquitous "Callin' Out" - featured on commercials for Diet Coke and Motorola), 2005's Same @#$ Different Day, and 2008's Everywhere at Once, 2010 finally sees Joyo step into the spotlight, with the release of her solo debut.

Love and Understanding - preceded by a digital-only EP released in 2009 - is a refreshing perspective on traditional soul music handcrafted by Joyo and Lyrics Born with the help of fellow producers Jake One (Aftermath Records), Emmy Award winner Asa Taccone, RJD2, Tommy Guerrero, Headnodic (Crown City Rockers), and the Lifesavas' Jumbo the Garbageman.

A glimpse into Joyo's positive, self-affirming outlook, not to mention her impressive talent, it's already caught the attention of award-winning writer/actor/director Danny Hoch, founder of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, who used her new song "Feels Right" in his latest play, ‘Taking Over’. Love and Understanding is currently available in stores and online and dropped on February 16th, 2010.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Drummer Laura Spern on the Momz Rock the House Show...and does she ever ROCK her house!





Drummer Laura Spern is this week's special guest on Momz ROCK the House! What an inspiration! She got hooked on Rock band at 47, started drum lessons shortly thereafter, and within 2 years...opened for the B52s with the Mydols and then appeared on Gene Simmons' show Family Jewels...zero to 60 BABY!! And she has....6 six kids, home schools them all and practices at least 2 hours a day...LOVE it!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Go Green Expo with MAMAPALOOZA This Weekend in Los Angeles!



This week I had two very special guests on my show Momz Rock the House: Joy Rose, Founder and President of Mamapalooza, Inc. and Stacy Robin, singer/songwriter/percussionist and Los Angeles Regional Coordinator of Mamapalooza. Stacy is getting ready to head to the Go Green Expo in LA where she has been coordinating an amazing weekend of Mamapalooza bands and talent to showcase on the Mamapalooza stage April 16-17th.

I will be there hosting the Mamapalooza Stage and helping out at the Mamapalooza booth @229, so come on out and say hello and enjoy an amazing Go Green Expo!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Mina Rush of Jewish World Watch on the Momz Rock the House Show!





You are tuned to the Momz Rock the House Show on OC Talk Radio and it is my pleasure to welcome Mina Rush of Jewish World Watch to this week's show.

Mina will talk about her role at Jewish World Watch, the 3rd Annual Walk to End Genocide coming up Sunday April 3rd at the Fountain Valley Sports Park from 8am-12noon. The Walk educates and mobilizes the community to act on behalf of ending genocide worldwide. Jewish World Watch is a hands-on leader in the fight against genocide, engaging individuals and communities to take action locally to produce powerful results globally.

For more information, visit www.WalktoEndGenocide.org.

On today's show, music from Stacy Robin. We'll listen to two tracks off her CD, "Some Kind of Bird" - ""Will you be there" and "Heartless Love." For more information about Stacy, visit www.stacyrobin.com.

LISTEN TO MINA BELOW:






www.momzrockthehouse.com

Peace, Love, & Music!

Janeane

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Daisy and Dorothy Duck audition for the NEW voice of AFLAC!


Look out all you folks auditioning to be the NEW voice of AFLAC! Here comes two ducklings ready to rumble!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Janeane Bernstein

Janeane Bernstein
Photo by Ralph Palumbo

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