It's never too late to develop a passion, and playing guitar and singing is now mine.
I used to sing as a kid A LOT~probably to an annoying degree, and then of course through high school, even singing at my high school graduation (yes I was that girl). But something happened after college one night when my dad asked me to sing at a birthday party that changed my perception of singing and performing for several years. For the first time in my life, I felt oddly aware of the audience. As the music accompanying me started playing I realized I was off key and could not keep up with the piano player. I was completely terrified, and absolutely mortified. I looked out at the pained faces of my parent's friends trying desperately to smile and offer me encouragement while I was drowning. It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life and my first bout with stage fright and anxiety.
Needless to say, I was totally traumatized and swore off singing forever, deciding I simply wasn't good enough to continue and needed to focus solely on acting.
Four years later after a horrible and depressing break up, I was inspired by a friend's music and drove to guitar center on Sunset Blvd. to buy my first guitar. I was twenty two years old, and besides the piano lessons I took as a kid, had never played a musical instrument. At the time I remember thinking it was too late for me to learn; surely twenty two was far too old to pick up something like
guitar. I decided to go for it anyway, and started lessons the following week.
I had an on and off love affair with my guitar; the first few years and learning the basics of playing was incredibly challenging and frustrating. I wouldn't touch it for months or even years at a time. Then last year one of my best friends asked me to sing at her wedding, and as I practiced for her big day, I realized how much I LOVED this instrument. It was an amazing feeling, and I haven't been able to put it down since.
My love for guitar had re ignited my love for singing. This year for our five year wedding anniversary, I went into a friend's studio and recorded four cover songs as a gift for Craig. It was one of the most rewarding and incredible days of my life. The album is appropriately titled
Four For Five. (Listen at www.azizahhayesrowen.com)
This Monday, my friend Jonny that helped me record my album asked me sing with him at The Living Room in the Lower East Side. An incredible music venue and a huge honor. Of course, besides the several summer bonfires where I've busted out with a kumbaya, and an occasional open mic or two, I haven't ever performed as a musician live, and I'm slightly terrified.
But also so so excited.
Jonny Lives! Album Preview-Rock 'n Renew Benefit
Monday September 13, 2010
7pm
The Living Room
154 Ludlow St
New York, NY
"I will be performing a solo-acoustic preview of the upcoming Jonny Lives! album "Revolution For Free" (Long Live Crime Records/Sony/MRI) I will be joined by the ever-dynamic Claudio Rochat Felix on Drums, and will do a duet with the incredible songbird Azizah Rowen (http://azizahhayesrowen.com/)as part of my friend Adam Greenberg's monthly showcase for his band Senator and The New Republic.
Special early show-Come after work! I play right at 7pm, with Senator performing at 8pm. I will be joined by the ever-dynamic Claudio Rochat Felix on Drums, and will do a duet with the incredible songbird Azizah Rowen (http://azizahhayesrowen.com/)"
Jonny Dubowsky
