"Be passionate
about what you do.
I believe passion is the key ingredient to life."
- gilli moon
As an artist, I am constantly exploring freedom in my creativity. I have
spent quite a few years studying the path of the spiritual warrior.
Here, I will share with you my thoughts on that, and how I bring
warriorship into my life and what I do.
"I realize that I am always free to let
go
and observe my life"
- Wayne Dyer
 Freedom in the music business means the ability to be in control
of your own career and at the same time not be in control of anything,
and let the winds of heaven guide us in our destiny. Let's take a look
at the first part of that phrase: being in control.... It's an amazing
opportunity to have a sense of freedom with our artistry, without having
to be dictated by companies that are guided by budgets, competition and
the commercial machine. Independence from that means you can drive your
own career, and be free to create whatever you want - from writing your
songs, to producing unique music albums - different, alternative, out of
the box - to performing with uniqueness and diversity.
Who says we need to be like the formula on
radio? Embrace the fact that you can be different from all that. There are
enough people in this country who will love your music without you having to
be number 1 on radio which is part manipulated anyway. Many bands fall under
the radar of so-called "commercial success" (radio play, mtv video rotation,
street press, Grammy awards, etc) yet can have a lifelong, financially
abundant career with a huge fan base. This can be done through being totally
unique, different and out of the mainstream, by touring extensively, and
knowing how to brand themselves on an independent level.
Being an independent artist means you can
create what you want, and then allow the right people who love what you do,
come to you. Rather than create packaged songs to an already saturated
market which is commonly referred to as the "lowest common denominator". You
have the opportunity to be different... to not just spew out the same ol'
music that most of us are tired of hearing. We want something fresh, new,
unique. The once loved mp3.com, napster.com and now XM Satellite radio and
itunes are true representations that people are ready to hear something new,
even if that means going on that arduous search through the internet waves
to find a little piece of unique "gold".
So who has the gold? You do. Artists have
that divine gift called "imagination" that allows us to be totally different
with what we create. So be different. There's an amazing sense of freedom in
that. Freedom to discover new sounds, new packaging, new marketing ideas.
From the beginning to the end, you have that freedom to do what you want,
how you want, no strings attached.
Freedom is also about coming from a certain
place of non attachment with our art. Having "no" control in the process can
also be a very liberating thing, and avoids any deflated expectations.
Sometimes we have to just "let go" and allow the process of our creations,
and our destiny/careers/dreams, to unfold on it's own accord.
Let's take a look at the writing process
for a moment. Writing songs, or creating anything, even a painting, is like
tapping into a creative source that speaks to us. We can't force it, or we
get blocked. We just have to be open to it. Once open, we can be very
prolific. I'm always surprised that my best writing is when I just
brainstorm and let the words flow. Sometimes I even "let go" of trying so
hard (maybe even turn the TV on or something to take my mind off the
pressure), and all of a sudden the song comes to life. How many songs have
you written in the car, doing something completely different? The words
can't stop coming at you can they?
In the studio, the art of production is
about the freedom of allowing the song to tell us what it needs. We can't
force it. We become the observer... allowing the pieces to come to life, as
we merely conduct.
Being the observer doesn't mean we no
longer care about the process. No, what it means is that we don't let our
mind, our thoughts, our emotions or our worries get in the way. Let's take a
look at career projections. I always talk about defining success on one's
own terms, rather than the commercial model. I also remind myself and others
that even though we can have all these big dreams, and create plans,.... it
will never turn out the way we planned... and that's a great thing. We may
project a certain future for ourselves, but ultimately, the universe,
destiny, fate, whatever you want to call it, has other plans. These plans
are part of the divine mystery of "why we are here" and as artists we can
respect that because it's all about creativity in the end, and all about
freedom. By not being so attached to certain outcomes, we will never be let
down. Instead, we will be offered wonderful gifts, which is part of the
magic of mystery. It is very freeing once we let go of future goals, and
start living IN THE MOMENT. Tapping in to the journey, the day to day
process, provides us with way more rewards and joy, than unrealized future
dreams. Being an artist is a lifelong journey of discovery. It's about
living in the NOW and enjoying the process of creating. It's about living
with passion.
Have no expectations, define your life,
your successes and your goals by your own terms, on a daily basis, be
different, unique and take risks with your creativity. Have no fears. There
is nothing to be afraid of, unless we trap ourselves with unrealistic
expectations and unrequited objectives. Se yourself FREE to be the artist
you want to be. Be open, be real, be you.
- by gilli moon
the concept
behind
the new album 'extraOrdinary life'
After nearly 3
years on the road promoting the 2002 release "Woman"
across the United States, Canada and Australia - gilli moon,
submerged
herself in Los Angeles for the latter half of 2004 and early 2005, and
recorded her fourth
album, entitled extraOrdinary Life.
gilli's new album
is an adventurous
journey of autobiographical songs and stories embracing her life
past and present plus her spiritual insights on our current global issues.
"Coming off from such a long time on the road, it’s
a welcome relief to be still in one place and surrender to the flow of
creating new music. It’s a very Toltec process for me, connecting with my
silent, mysterious and creative side,"
gilli reveals.
"I started gathering
songs in May from back when I first started writing in my teens plus I’ve
written some on tour and early this year, then worked them up on my 16 track
digital recorder. Now, for the past month I’ve been holed up over at Matt
Thorne’s Burbank backyard Protools laying down the beds. When he’s not
looking I creep on to the ol’ honky-tonk piano for moments of madness in
break time
(she smiles).
"This album certainly has more emphasis on social
perspectives and world harmony. If we can heal ourselves, and be more
connected with our inner self and our community, then the world pretty much
takes care of itself. We live in an extraOrdinary world, but if we’re not
careful we’ll destroy it. The environment is in severe crisis, with natural
resources including water drying up, rainforests are being eliminated,
beautiful animals are becoming extinct and treated inhumanly, racial and
political issues are of course paramount and yet… I see this as a spiritual
crisis more than an economical or political one. I avoid getting too
political and I prefer to approach these issues with a more spiritual
perspective, almost Toltec, using metaphors about relationships with the
Self and those around us to heal the wider issues. That’s why I believe that
even a song about romantic love can deliver powerful social and global
messages. This album touches on a common theme: we all live extraOrdinary
lives, and have the potential to be connected with an unspeakable and
extraOrdinary force within us for ultimate, perfect harmony, balance and
joy.
“…Music
production is a whole language in itself, beyond just being a musician. i've
always been a communicator, what with being an artist, teacher and writer,
but producing is like being a conductor, a messenger, a voyeur, and
conducting the chatter from the Gods,” gilli moon says.
“…Producing is not
about ego, or personal subjectivity. I can only be the "translator" of what
the song is calling out for… a conduit. Plus it’s almost like remembering…
whenever I get the right feel or vibe for a particular part, I get this
weird “ah ha” or “deja-vu” moment as if the song had once found that
perfection, but forgot it. It's really, really exciting delving into the
psychology of producing. We become slaves to the song and what it requires,
and living on the edge like a spiritual thrill-seeker. It’s also about being
rebellious. Being a rebel to the current times, to the past, to whatever
anyone else is doing out there or what radio dishes out. It’s about being
rebellious even to our own taste, and finding the freedom in creating
something new and cutting edge, even if it means taking risks. I crave it!
It’s better than an extreme sport (even though I love fast down-hill snow
skiing at the best of times!)”
More about the album
gilli moon's silent warrior
The silent warrior is in all of us. it's
not about war, nor fighting and definitely not about struggle. it's about
an inner peace and a whole lot of courage to face all fears in
un-chartered waters, finding the path least travelled and at the same
time, finding the path of least resistance. I take
responsibility to my self. I follow a preserved set of personal freedoms. I am
not without flaw, and in tolerating that i see and use my strengths. The
warrior, the artist, the professional, can only be effective when free to make
decisions on their own. The biggest secret is to do
what you love most. Take on the Zen spirit!
I am a warrior girl and I encourage
everyone to tap into their warrior within.
finally, in reference to the music industry...
"The only way I can
figure to beat... the corporate overthrow of culture is not participate.
That means, you know, no record deals. All I know is that the priorities of
these big record companies are different from mine, and they seem to co-opt
and regurgitate and consume and suck the life out of culture and then sell
it back to us. And that is a system of cultural destruction that I've found
it only comfortable to be outside of."
- Ani Di Franco
B ecome
a Warrior
1. Be a Warrior e-promoter - target
sites and discussion boards with news about gilli moon and her website gillimoon.com
2. Be a Warrior street teamer and rally
the troops in your hood. Receive a bunch of promo CDs, postcards and posters
to spread in your local community (watch her tour page to see when she's
hitting your town.)
Contact us to get on the
official street team.
3. Be a Warrior live promoter - raise
your hand if you want to book gilli in a local venue near you, host a house
concert (she prefers "Living Room Session".
Click for more details), or make the call for a
festival headline spot or national tour. You might know someone she doesn't!
4. Be a Warrior sponsor -
Donate to gilli moon and help her create more download sites for her music.
Contact
us if you want to sponsor a specific part
of her revolution, whether it be production, marketing, promotion,
advertising, distribution, touring or other.
 5. Wear
gilli moon t-shirts & swag. Go get 'em.
6.
Help us build the gilli moon fan club by inviting your friends to the
MySpace.com group we created
go
7.
Link yourself on gilli's site with your website, PLUS please add www.gillimoon.com
to your website links page too.
|
 Founded
by gilli moon, Warrior Girl Music
(WGM) is a creative arts company that
is
is dedicated to
unique artistic creations with a diverse
blend of music, art and language - focusing on music and artistic
development, production, a record label, publishing and promotion.
Warrior Girl Music's mission is to create, promote and manage
unique artistic creations that are guided by the artist's vision and
under the artist's direction; creations that transcend race, age or
gender and that embrace passion, love for music and life, personal
excellence and global consciousness.
Check it out.
"Revolution never
happens suddenly on a global scale. Revolution happens on the streets.
It's time to unleash the warrior within"
become
a gilli moon
Warrior
gilli's warriorship
-
clearing clutter, the superfluous - all that is unnecessary
-
removing obstacles, external and internal
-
finding clarity
-
feeling inspired
-
using discipline as a tool for personal freedom
-
creating simplicity
-
being one with the universe and its timing
-
trusting that all will be taken care of.
-
seeking no one else's approval but your own.
-
doing whatever it takes to make it happen.
-
having personal freedom as the goal.
-
creating change, within and without, through an inner commitment of passion, creativity, freedom and love.
-
taking the path least traveled - no struggle - with the least resistance.
Thoughts I appreciate
from other warriors:
The Way of the Warrior: Bushido
From "The Last Samurai" p.
60-61
The way of the samurai is often found in
death. When it comes to the alternatives of life or death, there is only
the quick choice of death. Be resolved and charge forward. - Yamamoto
Tsunetono. Bushido, or the "way of the
warrior" is a code of conduct, ethics and honor that developed
among the samurai over many centuries. Death and loyalty to one's master:
"One who determines to live only for today and take no thought of
tomorrow, must stand before his lord thinking of it as his last
appearance... only then will his duty, his love of life, and his regard
for his lord be sincere." Bushido directed the warrior to set aside
such distractions as self-pride or the desire to waste time or energy
with the mundane. "Eliminate the unnecessary". The Zen
perfection of "free-mindedness" came into play. With freedom
from distraction a fact of his existence, the samurai was emancipated to
pursue perfection in all things. And by reaching perfection in all he
endeavoured.... he became an unbeatable warrior.
The Four Agreements
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only
what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about
others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of
their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and
actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want.
Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings,
sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform
your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to
moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any
circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse
and regret.
Conversations with God
Instead
of competing with others to get what you want, you begin to give what you want
away. Instead of fighting for more love, you begin giving more love away.
Instead of struggling for success, you begin making sure that everyone else is
successful. Instead of grasping for power, you begin empowering others. Instead
of seeking affection, attention, sexual satisfaction and emotional security, you
find yourself being the source of it. Indeed, everything that you have ever
wanted, you are now supplying to others. And the wonder of it all is that, as
you give, so do you receive. You suddenly have more of whatever you are giving
away."
There is enough time, there is enough Life, and there is
enough of the stuff of life to allow you to live in happiness
forever.
This
is an extraordinary world we live in, but if we are not careful, we
are going to destroy it. At the very least we will terribly disrupt,
if not completely end, life as we know it. There is no need for us
to do that. There is no reason to. Yet the direction in which we are
going is taking us right there.
The
crisis humanity is facing is not a political crisis, it is not an
economic crisis, and it is not a military crisis—yet we continue
to try to solve it with political, economic, and military means. The
crisis humanity faces today is a spiritual crisis, and it can only
be resolved by spiritual means. That is where we come in."
- by
Neale
Donald Walsche
Creative Victory, by
Tomas
"...in
order to become empowered warriors, we learn the art of
letting go...
gentle
warriors are joyful warriors who have no need for harshness
in their lives. gentle warriors are balanced warriors,
warriors who find harmony and beauty in the contradiction of
awareness. gentle warriors are fluid warriors, warriors
released to the magic of their own finesse..."
"we are what we
believe we are
and we become that
which we believe to be true
we are held back
from our fears, and fear does not create comfort
our thoughts become
a battle ground, which nothing will be won upon
there are glimpses
of sunlight through these days and
each will find those
glimpses only when they are ready
when we know who we
are, not what we are
we become
courageous, warriors of truth
having no fear is
the strength within us all, waiting to be uncovered
being clear about
our intention is clarity
knowing your heart
is the true power
not being afraid is
how we find the spiritual warriors within
there are no
mistakes in life only reoccurrences
we are where we
should be
there are reasons
for everything
as we are meant to
learn from all our lives
and become as
bright, and unmistakingly clear as a diamond
freedom of
spirit can be found at anytime
it can be found
while one is wearing shackles and alone
but when not bound,
freedom of spirit can be spread, taught, and nurtured"
-written by Susan Souza
Interesting Toltec reading:
Free articles:
The Four Agreements.
go.
About the Toltec ethos.
go
The Toltec Warrior Remembers: The
Spiritual Warrior's goal is Personal Freedom.
go
ABSTRACT FLIGHT TO THE OTHER SELF. A
workshop based on Toltec Traditions
go
Books to Buy:
Creative
Victory, by Tomas
The
Toltec Way: A Guide to Personal Transformation,
by Susan Gregg
The
Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom,
by Don Miguel Ruiz
Interesting Warriorship reading:
Books to Buy:
Communion
with God, by Neale Donald
Walshe
Bushido,
by Tsunetomo Yamamoto
gilli moon's eMoPoWeR Workshop
- Path to Artist Empowerment
gilli is often invited to talk at music
conferences across continents about her DIY story (Doing it the Indie Way),
encompassing topics such as production, promotion, marketing, touring, image
development and surviving the industry. She also taps into professional artist
development, staying motivated, defining success on one's own terms, how to
develop the right relationships and overcoming obstacles.
Define
success on your own terms... professional artist development,
staying motivated, how to develop the right relationships, marketing and
promotional tools, and overcoming obstacles. Gilli Moon hosts an MPWR (empower)
Workshop to motivate you beyond creativity, into the business world of the
Professional Artist. This workshop will help you take the next step with your
artistry - guiding, motivating, encouraging and providing tools, tips and
solutions to take your artistry into the business world of the entertainment
industry. Plus tips on indie promotional and marketing strategies to put
philosophy into practice. More info about Gilli Moon and her
MPWR workshops here
About Warrior Girl
Music
"we live in a time where
entrepreneurial excellence is paramount. it's time for artists to take
control of their own destiny..."
- gilli moon
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