The Hoot was a Hoot Hit.

Lovely people! Isn't the weather outside inspiring (even if you aren't one for the cold)? I have been finding myself comfortably sinking into my hand-me-down retro chair, ukulele in hand, my miniature Christmas tree lighting my way to songs written about the gray sky, over sized snow flakes, all the dead out there and all the living it's telling me to be doing...and that I'm lucky to be doing.

Last Friday, I attended "The Hoot" located at The Big Red House on Presque Isle Avenue, a gathering of folks who are interested in the sharing of creativity. There was sharing of music and short stories. There was sharing of phone numbers as well--which I appreciated so much. It was so nice to connect with people who are interested in having a good time--who enjoyed just being around others. everyone seemed to be enjoying the little things in life. I felt real good all night--an overwhelming feeling of happiness, laughter, confidence and really...love. It was real easy to sit in that room and feel everyone's love for what they were doing and what they were creating, or what they were listening to and observing. I simply had an amazing time. It was real simple: I was confident. I felt incredibly comfortable. I was eager to share. I was eager to create. We spent a long time jamming to each other's songs--adding whatever it was we were inspired to add. I felt myself vibing off of everyone and it made me really eager to continue making music. I spent all weekend thinking about it and my options: I'd really like to continue playing with others. I'd really like to begin concentrating more on a band. I suppose those sort of things happen on their own--and we'll see what happens.

I have two shows coming up in February! One is a basement show and one is located in Kingsford, MI. I will be playing both shows with Local Marquette Musicians: Kerry Yost, Zach Lancaster, Troy Graham and there's word about Houghton's Gratiot Lake Road playing as well. I will fill you in on the details as I am filled in. So stay tuned!

I suggest you listen to Kerry and Zach's myspace page. They'll blow your brains apart (in all good ways).

http://www.myspace.com/kerryyost
http://www.myspace.com/zacharyelancaster

Please check them out! Sometimes they surprise us and sing together. As if your hearts don't melt otherwise, they combine their forces and your feet get all fuzzy...right up to the top of your head.

I'm a fan.

Yours truly,
Mary Mugford

More Music, More Smiles!

Sunny Day, everyone!

I am currently looking for opportunities to play music! Your suggestions are incredibly helpful, for without you, I'm only singin' tunes to my plants. :)

If any of you have any ideas, information, hints, clues, or boxes with question marks on them that contain any of the above...please contact me via facebook or email (mmugford@gmail.com)!

Hope you're all dancing in your brains.

Love,
Mary Mugford

ukes 'n things!

HelloHello!

The time change has my universe confused. Soon, I will be on the right track again.

No new shows scheduled. I am hoping to begin writing some new tunes once my schedule and body work together. I've been getting out of wok and finding blankets most comfortable. I am then quickly taken over by z's.

Hoping my ukulele will be making an appearance at my next show (whenever that may be)! I have been trying to work out a song for a few weeks. The lyrics and chords will fall together at the appropriate time. I am excited to see what happens.

I have to fix her! The strings are too far away from the fret board and i'm finding it hard to keep her in tune. If anyone has suggestions on who i can take her to that does two-thumbs-up work for a good price, please let me know! She's a real cheap-O and I bought her for funzies. It wasn't shortly after that I couldn't keep my mind off of what fun things I could create with her. Perhaps I should have invested in a better quality uke--but she must do for now!

I will keep you updated on the progress.

Smiles and Laughter,

Mary Mugford

Love

"When love beckons to you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant...."

"But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears."

The Prophet

exploding with alien sickness

My face is aching. my body is jell-O. my nose is rosy and raw. my throat is hoarse, rusty and out of tune.

these ukulele's tug at the corners of my mouth in an upward motion.
http://www.koolauukulele.com/

No shows scheduled.

i'd blow you goodbye kisses, but i don't want to spread my alien disease.

adieu!
Mary Mugford

the result of The Big Red House Basement Show ...

The Big Red House Basement show was incredibly successful! It left me feeling filled up with all great and lovely things.

I got the opportunity to meet and greet new faces along with familiar ones. Everyone there was incredibly helpful and supportive--and created an atmosphere that was giving and fun. I had an absolute blast. What a positive experience!

Since I felt so comfortable there, I could really use my voice as an instrument. The environment helped me to "go with the flow" and use my voice as i saw fit in the moment. It really was a fun experience. Speaking to the audience in between songs was something else. I had so much fun trying to make everyone laugh.

Leah Anton and The Rusty Borealis were inspiring.

Leah is strong but humble. I really enjoyed watching her become lost in her own songs with pride and strength. She is something else on that guitar. I intently watched her fingers move from fret to fret. I would imagine how she wrote those songs. Her voice reminded me a lot of a musician from California named Misty O'Dell. There were parts of Leah's songs that had a bit of the blues hidden in there....man, I wish I could see her perform again! What a bad ass. That's something I look up to in her--she is real tough--but incredibly kind, accepting and comforting at the same time.

Rusty Borealis rocked my socks off. I asked them if they had any recordings--and they are in the process. I am insanely excited to have their cd in my hands in the future. I would suggest you check them out, but it seems they do not have a myspace music page or anything similar. If you're in Marquette and hear of them playing, do yourself a favor and attend their next show.

Mark VandenBosch and I danced our feet off in the low ceiling basement--and didn't give a care how contorted our bodies had to be to do it. You just had to dance to it, no matter what you had to do to make it happen. I laughed often and when I wasn't, a smile substituted. What a great time.

I'm really enjoying performing these days. I am becoming more comfortable and confident. My favorite part of it all is meeting people before, during and afterwards. I am grateful for these opportunities and am looking forward to what the future has in store, no matter what it is!

I contracted an alien virus in my nasal cavities. it's taking over my brains.

love,
mary mugford

Big Red Basement Show of smiles.

Good morning!

I woke up this morning and drank coffee and watched a rocket crash on the moon.

The air was cold and crisp outside and a purple hue dyed the clouds blanketing the sky. the lake looked like home. the leaves on the ground reminded me of the time of year.

I received an opportunity to play a basement show last Saturday in Marquette. It went incredibly well and i felt so incredibly grateful. I received a lot of positive feedback and was asked if i had cds/recordings. I'm now going to work on making that happen. I hope it isn't my ego that is swelling, and it's simply my heart. I really love music. I really love helping people smile. If the two go hand in hand, it's like a dream.

I had a performance tonight at The Big Red House on 2128 Presque Isle Ave at 9:30pm. I will be sharing the night with Leah Anton and Rusty Borealis. I am incredibly excited to hear and see both of them. Of course, my bones are shaking a bit as they always do.

I don't know how these opportunities to keep playing music arise and i don't quite know if I am looking for the absolute answer(s). But I do know that I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful. I do know that I keep saying 'yes!!' with enthusiasm and the rest of my time is spent floating. thank you!

Looking forward to seeing familiar and new faces tonight!
Love,
Mary Mugford

the sun is in my head.

This is where I can update you and update my thoughts, although I will keep many for myself.

Will you read the ones I share?

I hope it is sunny in your brains!

Love,
Mary Mugford