Matchbox Twenty's New Single 'She's So Mean' Out Now

If you have four minutes today, listen to Matchbox Twenty's new single, 'She's So Mean.' The new single is the first release off of their album, 'North,' out September 4th.

One of the reasons Matchbox Twenty is a personal favorite of mine is Rob Thomas' lyrical ability. He has written some of the most beautiful lyrics that convey nothing short of honesty. He can paint a picture and mood in three minutes that will stick with you for months.

'She's So Mean,' sounds a bit more upbeat than songs from the early Matchbox Twenty days. 'Push,' 'Bent,' and 'Mad Season,' all have dark sides to them with serious messages. While the new single sounds a bit upbeat in the beginning, the subject matter touches on a girl who you love to love but will break your heart and leave you there to pick up the pieces.

In true Matchbox fashion, by the end of the song, they had me singing along with the catchy chorus.


Watch the music video below via YouTube and let me know what you think if you are feeling up to it:

Rebecca Day

Russian Punk Rock Band Imprisoned; Faces up to Seven Years Based on Charges of 'Hooliganism'

Photo by Stephanie Till

In 1917, suffragists Alice Paul, Lucy Burns and several other women were imprisoned in the state of Virginia due to political protest against the White House and President Wilson. Women in America still didn't have the right to vote, and it became clear that day that many were tired of their voice being silenced.

Upon imprisonment, Paul, Burns and the rest of  the women were beaten and chained, put through rigorous mental exams to prove their need to be transferred to an insane asylum, forcefully kept awake by the hour, and were force fed raw eggs and milk while going on a hunger strike.

Ultimately, in 1921, women gained the right to vote, thanks to a Tennessee man, I might add. While women everywhere celebrated this victory, many would never forget the torture women such as Paul and Burns went through in order to bring awareness to this issue.

When I heard about Russian Punk Rock band Pussy Riot's political imprisonment, I immediately thought of the women once imprisoned in America. While suffragists in the early 1900's were protesting women's lack of voting rights, these Russian punk rockers are protesting not only the lack of separation of church and state in Russia, but also the absence of freedom of speech.

In February of this year, upon a protest at an Eastern Orthodox church in Moscow, the three female punk rockers were arrested. As of late, these women, who have families and children, have been in prison for five months so far and face up to seven years in jail for charges such as 'Hooliganism.' Yes, you read that charge correctly.

While some may laugh at the thought of this charge, it's an example of the stranglehold the government has on its people in Russia. While American women were imprisoned in 1917 during protest, Russian women in 2012 are being imprisoned based on political acts that express their distrust of the Russian government.

The women's imprisonment has sparked a strong divide in Russia, and interest of the situation in America. Fellow punk rockers held a protest for Riot in Washington, D.C. this past Friday. It was eventually broken up by police officials.

All people involved in the Friday protest in Washington are walking around freely today. Three female musicians in Russia who simply want citizen's voices to be heard, remain imprisoned. Their fate is yet to be decided.



Sources: 

The Cable  http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/07/30/washington_punk_rockers_rally_for_pussy_riot

Ellen Of The Tenth
http://ellenofthetenth.blogspot.com/2012/03/alice-paul-and-unconstitutional.html

Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/07/30/glance-at-trial-feminist-anti-putin-rockers/


Rebecca Day

Performance Tonight at Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island

Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island always has an amazing Friday night crowd. I'm looking forward to gearing up for the weekend and celebrating another great Friday night at Mellow. If you're in the mood for great food, a full bar with drink specials, and a staff that never fails, come on out while I perform covers and originals from 9 pm to 12 am tonight.

Performing at Aw Shucks in Mandarin

Rebecca Day

Upcoming Performances

My summer schedule is jam packed with performances right now. Instead of bombarding you with a whole month's worth of dates, I'll just post the ones going on this week. If you can make it out, I'd love for you to be a part of the audience. If not, spread the word of you are feeling generous.

Thanks so much to those who continue to support my shows on a weekly basis. I am able to take my music and brand to new heights because of you!

This Week's Performances:

Thursday:

Performance at Aloft Hotel Tapestry Park

5:30- 7 pm for Happy Hour

Friday:

Performance at Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island

9 pm-12 am

On the outside patio

Saturday:

Performance at Nipper's Beach Grille

1-5 pm

On the outside patio overlooking the Intra-Coastal Waterway

Thanks so much for reading! And thanks for being a part of Team Rebecca Day!

Rebecca Day

Sakana Performance Canceled

Due to a booking issue outside of my control, I will not be performing at Sakana today from 1-5 pm. I know Team Rebecca Day was going to have a wonderful crowd out however, because of events I couldn't anticipate, I will not be at Sakana. Thank you so much to everyone who continues to support my brand and music. I could not continue this journey without you. And please know this won't happen again.

If you are able to, come on out tomorrow to Aw Shucks in Mandarin. I will be performing on their patio from 12-3 pm, and would love to see you. Check out the Facebook Event Page for more information. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I do apologize for the short notice and change of events. I hope to see you soon!

Rebecca Day

Weekend Performances

On Tuesday night, I took the stage at Jack Rabbits, a local live music legend. It was a wonderful night of music; surrounded by the people that matter to me most. I will be getting up a piece about that in the next few days. I can't wait to share my experience with you.

For now, I wanted to update you on some performances happening this weekend in good ole' Florida. I will be at Jacksonville Beach on Saturday afternoon from 1-5 pm at Sakana, an oceanfront venue. Come on out and relax by the water with me for awhile. Check out the event page here.

Sunday, I'll be back at Aw Shucks in Mandarin. I'll be performing covers and originals on there outside deck from 12-3 pm. They have great specials so come check them out while I perform. Click here for more event info.

As always, I am constantly reflecting on how much each person involved with supporting my brand has changed my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with me.

Rebecca Day

Performing tonight at Jack Rabbits!

Gearing up for Jack Rabbits

Photo by Andee Shaffer

These past few days have been dedicated to the preparation of a special performance I have been anticipating for quite a few weeks now. Tomorrow night, I am the opening act for two other groups on rare musical night for Jack Rabbits. At 8 o' clock, acoustic instruments and female vocals will amplify through the speakers and fill up the room for a few hours.

Stripped down, acoustic music will be the focus. I am the solo act. Flagship Romance is a duo featuring a guy and a girl who take love to the next level through their music, and Lauren Mann and The Fairly Odd Folk is a trio that is sure to please as the main act.

Come check out a night of music that will pluck at your emotions if you take time to listen to the tunes. We all have a little something different to offer the audience. And we will all bring a little something extra to the stage as well.

For more info about the artists featured in this performance, check out this post I wrote up a few days ago.



Rebecca Day

Rebecca Day Online: Female Performers Take Over The Jack Rabbits Stage...

Check out a post I did a couple of days ago that offers some insight into the female performers that will grace the Jack Rabbits stage on Tuesday, July 17th.

Rebecca Day Online: Female Performers Take Over The Jack Rabbits Stage...: Photo taken by Andee Shaffer Next Tuesday, I am performing at a venue that doesn’t host solo, acoustic performances quite often. Jack...

Rebecca Day Live this Evening at The Good Food Company

Performing at Sawgrass Country Club

Tonight, I'm performing at a great, hip venue in Jacksonville. The Good Food Company is a full restaurant and bar(and catering company), with a great atmosphere. I am performing there for the first time tonight. Thanks to all of my wonderful supporters, we are going to have a great crowd out ready to have some fun.

The performance is from 6-9 pm, so if you'd like a pre-TGIF drink to get your weekend started a bit early, come on out and have one. We'd love to see you.

Check out the Facebook event page for more detailed info.



Rebecca Day

One of Largest Physical Media Distributors in the US Says No to Adding Digital Division

One of the tasks an Indie artist loves doing: Signing purchased
CD's from supporters

In today's music market, one would argue that the online digital media retailers(iTunes, Amazon, etc.) are at the top of their game. While digital sales continue to increase, one company takes a stand by saying they will not be adding a digital division to their physical distribution company any time soon.

Mike Davis, president of Alliance entertainment, one of the largest distributors of physical media in the country, has said that they want to keep the company packing and shipping all types of media such as CD's, DVD's, video games, merchandise and more, directly to retailers and residences. There will be no addition of digital distribution and streaming to Alliance.

This is a bright light in itself to Indie musicians and companies alike. This lets them know that many people and companies still view the physical aspect of media products as incredibly valuable.

The icing on the cake is Alliance's growing vinyl record division within the company. Davis said that there are about 15,000 unique vinyl record titles in their warehouse, all together bringing in over 20 million dollars of revenue(www.billboard.biz).

While the digital aspect of the music business opens some new creative doors to musicians and music companies, a lot of industry people will always feel that physical distribution is the key to a truly successful music industry.

Here's to crossing our fingers that physical distribution companies will continue to make a heavy mark on today's media crazy society. For more interesting information on this subject, check out a Billboard article here.

Rebecca Day

Female Performers Take Over The Jack Rabbits Stage on a Rare Singer/Songwriter Night

Photo taken by Andee Shaffer

Next Tuesday, I am performing at a venue that doesn’t host solo, acoustic performances quite often. Jack Rabbits, located in the San Marco area of Jacksonville, FL, generally houses rock bands that preach big messages and big sounds. Not to say that solo, acoustic artists can’t bring a high-energy performance to the stage, this just generally isn’t the business model for this venue.

As soon as I saw an opportunity to open for Lauren Mann and The Fairly Odd Folk, a trio from Canada, I jumped at the chance. However, after booking the show, I wondered if my sound would suffice for a venue that puts a four piece band up on stage on any given night of the week.

Despite my concerns, next Tuesday’s musical theme for the night will be a bit different for a few reasons, one of those being that each act performing has a woman at the forefront of the group.

After I leave the stage, Flagship Romance, a duo out of Jacksonville whose harmonies play out as natural as the duo’s romance for each other, will take the stage for their set.

Then the main act will perform. You can’t help but watch and listen when you come across a video of Lauren Mann and her band performing. One cannot escape the interest that is sparked when a woman is on a stage surrounded by male musicians. Not only do her song’s messages go deeper than most, but you feel like you get to know her just a little bit more with each song she sings.

When I arrived at Jack Rabbits this past Monday to pick up tickets to distribute to my supporters, I was the only woman in the venue. I am not saying this with negativity. I definitely enjoyed talking to a couple of members of one of the bands performing that evening. But as I waited for my tickets, I couldn’t help but think about how unique next Tuesday will be with three different women taking the stage, all with three different styles that still seem to mesh well for the singer/songwriter- esque theme of the night.

Performing at River City Brewing Company

I feel honored to be a part of a show that brings such diversity to an audience. I am looking forward to hearing each act and learning a bit more about life with each set. If I had to give one reason to support this show, I’d say support it because it is out of the ordinary.

On a Tuesday evening, you will experience rarity. Three different sets of performers, who have never met before, will come together to showcase their talents and ask for a bit of support during their musical journey. And while the show is definitely out of the ordinary, I think the performers taking the stage all have the ingredients for an extraordinary  musical  experience. Come hear the stories we will share with you. If there are two elements a woman can promise in life, it’s the element of surprise and the element of raw emotion. 

Come experience both next Tuesday night.

Video of 'Ladies With Lyrics' Performance at 

European Street Cafe

To purchase tickets to this show happening next Tuesday, July 17th, visit JaxLive.

Rebecca Day

Rebecca Day Music Update

One of my earlier career performances at New Orleans Cafe.
Photo by Rebecca Wilson

There's a lot going on with Rebecca Day Music right now. The business is in full swing now that the heart of Summer is here. It's amazing how busy the summer season gets for live music.

I've got a few gigs coming up I'm really looking forward to. The performances are uncharted territory and I'm very excited for the experience. This Tuesday, I'm performing at Sawgrass Country Club in Florida. I'm going to meet a whole new group of people and I'm excited to share my music with them.

On Thursday, July 12th, I'm performing at a cool, hip restaurant in the heart of Jacksonville: The Good Food Company. Check out the details of this event here. As always, I love to have support at these performances!

Next Tuesday, I'll be performing an opening set for Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk at a Jacksonville live music staple: Jack Rabbits. Tickets are available at jaxlive.com and at the door the night of the show. For $8.00 in advance, or $10.00 at the door, you get a night of quality live music. The support for this show is immensely appreciated. For more details, click here.

EU Jacksonville did an awesome interview about the performance, my brand, and more. Read that interview here.

I will begin shooting a music video for the 'Now Here' CD in August. The release will be in September. I can't wait to get the video out to everyone. And I certainly can't wait to reveal which song we are doing the video to. After multiple social media polls, I have the answer. ;)

Signing CD's at the 'Now Here' release party

I'm continuing to work hard on pre-production for a full length CD, and my book, both to be released next summer at an event Team Rebecca Day will be coordinating. Check back for more on those products soon.

I hope your Monday is getting off to a great start. And I hope to see you at a show soon! Thanks for the support!

Photo from the 'Now Here' shoot
Photo by Andee Shaffer

Rebecca Day

Tonight's Performance at Sakana Canceled

It is with my sincere and deepest apology that tonight's performance at Sakana in Jacksonville Beach, FL has been canceled. Due to a booking issue, I have been rescheduled. Sometimes, these little snafus happen. We were going to have a great crowd out tonight. I appreciate and am in awe of the support people continue to show me every week. Thank you for your love and kindness.

I have a couple of performances next week I will update you on in detail. For now, if you have some time, check out the details of a special performance I am very excited about at Jack Rabbits, a Florida live music staple, here.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend! If you have some time, go support some of your local live musicians.

Rebecca Day

Current tunes on repeat in my car

Photo taken by Rebecca Wilson

Like so many other country music lovers out there, I am constantly looking for the latest music by artist both new and veteran to listen to. Not only do I gain new perspective from other artist's songs, but my creative juices get flowing as well. I learn what's trending on the country music scene, and what hasn't been done yet. It's a great way to find direction for one's own songwriting.

I thought I'd write about a few of the tunes I have on repeat right now. There's nothing like sharing music you love with other people.


1.   'Springsteen' by Eric Church

                           This song is about a young love found at a concert, that you never quite get over or forget. The imagery used in this song paints an intense picture of a love on fire, that ends almost as quickly as it began.

To this day when I hear that song.

I see you standing there on that lawn.

Discount shades and store-bought tan.

Flip flops and cut off jeans.

                            Church has a way of sucking you into his songs from the very first line, penning other tunes such as 'Drink In My Hand,' and a personal favorite that isn't a single, 'Carolina.' Being a South Carolina native myself, he captures the essence of the state perfectly in this tune.

2.   'Over You' by Miranda Lambert

                         Lambert and her husband, Blake Shelton, wrote this tune together. And at first listen, this song seems to be about a break up that has left the narrator hurt and confused; longing for a time when the couple was happy. But after you watch the music video, and hear some background on the song, you gain a whole new perspective of what the song is about.

                         'Over You,' is actually a song Lambert and Shelton wrote about his brother who passed away years ago.  The music video creates a beautiful and haunting story line, and after reading an interview or two about the song, a song that Lambert and Shelton agree is perhaps the most important one she has performed, you realize the tune's meaning goes a lot further than a break up; it's a tune about the physical loss of someone incredibly important.

But you went away.

How dare you?

I miss you.

They say I'll be okay.

But I'm not going to,

Ever get over you.

3.  'Neon' by Chris Young

                       Among quite a bit of pop tunes on country music radio right now, is one that rings true to the traditional country music feel. 'Neon' by Chris Young, makes me think of George Strait and Brooks and Dunn every time I hear it. Maybe it's because Young's baritone voice reminds me of Strait, or Brooks and Dunn's classic 'Neon Moon' pops into my head. I also think it's because 'Neon' is a true country song that many of us are in search for in today's music.

                     While the song is clearly about the ones who like to stay up late and come alive at night, I have a bit of a different take on the song as a musician myself. Every time I'm on the way to a late night performance, I crank this song up on my CD player. To me, this song perfectly matches the feelings of the performers that leave the comfort of their home or hotel room to go entertain a crowd at a new venue. While you love doing it, there's always that little piece of you that takes some convincing because you are so differently wired than most others.

You know I've seen it all.

From the orange of the fall,

To the green of the summer.

But my favorite color is,

Neon.

The light they always leave on.

A weekend on the rocks.

An old school juke box.

With a little Johnny Lee on,

Is the buzz I like to be on.

Put a double on your troubles,

Like this end of the tunnel, is,

Neon.

                      The song takes on a double meaning for me, painting imagery and emotion of a late night crowd, and the late night live music performer. If you are in the mood for a real country tune, listen to this one.

Last but certainly not least, is the top CD out right now that I am listening to everyday:

                       Carrie Underwood's, Blown Away is my personal favorite record of hers out of all of them. Some people questioned her 'darker' side, but I think it fits perfectly. With tunes like, 'Blown Away,' and 'Two Black Cadillacs,' she keeps my attention through the whole CD. 'One Way Ticket,' is a great song with an Island music feel that will make you want to head for the beach immediately.

                      There's plenty of tunes on the album, over 15, and all of them tell a special story. With traditional country ballads, rock induced tunes, and more, there's a little something for everyone on Blown Away.


I'd love to know what tunes everyone else is listening to. If you're feeling chatty, feel free to share some of your current favorites!




Rebecca Day

Spread The Word

I've been focusing on spreading the word as much as possible about performances that I have happening in July. One important aspect of the live music side of my business is getting performance info into the hands of as many supporters and potential supporters as possible. In the middle of pre-production for a full album, writing a book, and honing in my live music sets, is promotion for my brand as a whole and each individual performance I have. And summer is the busiest time for an artist living in Florida.

Facebook seems to be the place that most of my loyal supporters, and new supporters, congregate, so I do most of my promo on there. You can like my Facebook Artist page here, and Friend me, here, for a more personal connection.

I'd love for you to follow me on Twitter as well.

I'm performing at a great oceanfront, Jax Beach venue this Friday. Check out the details for my Sakana performance and stop by for a drink!

Also, I have a special performance coming up on July 17th at Jack Rabbits, ad Jacksonville, FL music staple. I will be opening for popular folk trio Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk. I am trying to spread the word about this performance as much as I can, so I'd love for your to tell your friends. Check out the details for this performance here. New merch and music will be unveiled so I'd love for you to be there.

Thanks for reading and have a great July 4th holiday!

Performing at a rally honoring America's military at the Jacksonville Landing

Rebecca Day