Live with me!

It has been a while since I have last updated! I hope you've all been working through the winter. The weather this past weekend was amazing-and a very good chunk of it was spent walking around the city I love (Marquette!) and enjoying that sunshine on my cheeks, the glisten of lower harbor, the slush of the streets and wear of the buildings. The snow we have been getting the past couple days is also exciting: It keeps melting on my nose and making me sneeze. Does that happen to anyone else? Now that the snow is falling again, my sinuses are getting the best of me...and I had a mishap with my neti pot and it took a dive into my sink, breaking off the spout. I'm having neti pot withdrawals.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to play two shows: One in Meg's basement and one in Kingsford, MI. I shared the night with Kerry Yost, Troy Graham and Zada Doyle, The Paper Hearts (Troy and Sam), Zach Lancaster, Luke, Gratiot Lake Road AND I Love Cats! Friday night could not have gone better for me. I felt incredibly comfortable. The atmosphere was very intimate--and speaking to everyone in between songs put a big smile on my face and more energy into my soul for the sharing of the next song. I enjoy making people laugh so much--Thank you for looking past my inner (and outer) dorkiness and sharing laughs with me, everyone! And thank you so much for being so attentive and enjoying yourselves. It's a different experience when I can see the audiences facial expressions and eyeballs! It makes sharing with you incredibly enjoyable. I find myself putting new energy into old songs that are empty of the truths they once held. There's a transition happening: I used to connect with the songs by feeling what they meant to me at one time. Since we are changing every day, it's become difficult to find truth in them for myself. Seeing your reaction every time I play a show gives me new and fresh reasons to keep playing! It's a trip to hear what you take out of the experience and songs. Your interpretation is more important than what I ever meant to project. Thank you, everyone!

I would love to play more music at that basement, anytime. I can easily say that was my best show so far. I hope I keep meeting and re-meeting you in the near future :)

Saturday night in Kingsford was also a learning experience. I very much enjoyed listening to all of the bands and musicians share. My set did not go as planned and I found my patience being tested. I could barely hear myself through the monitor and getting the attention of the audience was a difficult task. My set was shortened because of this, and I was looking forward to listening to the other performances. I have a mind set that I can always do better--and so for the next performance (I believe in March!), hold on to your trousers. I'm learning!

On a sidenote: I was gifted a (working!) ukulele by my friend Robert L. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such great people, here, who not only look out for one another but share and care for one another. Sometimes I feel undeserving of all of the kindness that's passed around!

I am looking forward to writing some material, using the ukulele. It's difficult to feel the weight of every day stressors when I am surrounded by such supportive people. Thank you, from the bottom of my mugs heart.


In other news, the recording session that I stocked hope in fell through. However, new opportunities have opened up for me that I am feeling real good about! A couple people have contacted me, giving me amazing options. Thank you so much, everyone. I apologize for my delay in "jumping" on the opportunity (which I really should be doing)! I am trying to come up with a couple songs/new material before I record! I will be contacting you soon. Thank you for your patience with me--i'm so green :)

Until next time, smile away!
Mary Mugford

To keep the music flowin' and goin', we need your help!

Sunny Wednesday to you.
I hope you are all finding yourselves in good spirits, enjoying your surroundings--enjoying the simple things in life!

I am looking to continue the tradition of "The Hoot" and keep it alive and running! With busy schedules, The Hoot will no longer be held at it's original location. But to keep it alive, I really need YOU and your help!

I, unfortunately and regretfully, lack a place to hold the gathering--I do not have a large enough living space for company or instruments. If anyone is interested and willing to hold The Hoot at their humble abode or know of a place we can all gather at, it would be incredibly helpful and appreciated in more ways than you know!

It is really important for me to continue The Hoot. It is really important for us all to remember that support from one another with our creations is a necessity for growing. We live in a very small community--and each and every one of us are working hard to survive in general, but also as creative individuals. It takes a collective, supportive effort for this to grow into something great. I, personally, need to surround myself with others in order to grow and learn from what you are doing. As a "musician" (i don't quite feel comfortable calling myself that), I need to surround myself with other musicians. It is incredibly inspiring and helpful. Also, I met so many great people through these events...which opens so many more doors to anything and everything! It's something really great...can we keep it going?

What I need from you are your ideas! It's simply a relaxed get together where we laugh, talk, hang out, play music (or don't!).

Looking forward to your ideas and support and to see who is interested in continuing The Hoot!
love love love,
Mary Mugford

Music MySpace page is happenin': http://www.myspace.com/marymugford

What have you all been thinking of the sunshine lately (for those of you who live in Marquette)? Is it inspiring you in different ways? I know I've been finding all good things in it. It's also causing me to see new and different inspiration when it hides away and leaves the gray tones and snow behind. Cool, dudes.

I sucked it up and created a myspace music page. I was lucky enough to borrow Kerry Yost's laptop (Thanks again, K.Yost!) and create some (sham) recordings to upload to it this time. I wanted to be able to have something that people could refer to if curiousity got the best of them. It's nice to finally have something up there. The recordings are not of the best sound, but they do the trick and I am pretty happy with how they turned out. I could sit all day and dissect what I need/needed to improve, and re record all night....but instead I decided to go with my first takes and find comfort or acceptance in the flaws of my voice and key and my fingers fummbling and hitting a wrong string. Ah yes, and the infamous ukulele is quite sharp--but I trudged on through. I'm practicing acceptance--that feels great! Learning Learning Learning.

http://www.myspace.com/marymugford

Please feel free to add me or contact me! I hope you're all smiley!
love,
mugs

Rusty Borealis & Mary Mugford!

Good day, every body! I hope everyone is doing well--and finding the shiny things in the weather we've been having.

I am opening for Rusty Borealis At Harley's Lounge (Ramada) Saturday, Jan. 16th @ 9:00PM!
I'm oober excited for this opportunity--They are one of my favorite bands here in Marquette and they will quickly become one of yours. Come and share laughter, smiles and meet new people! Rusty Borealis is sure to get you movin' and groovin'! Check out their tunes:

http://www.myspace.com/rustyborealis

Hope to see you there with bells on! (if you actually wear bells, I will buy you a beer. or soda pop.)
With Love,
Mary Mugford

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