I love January simply because it’s a fresh start. The sun is beginning to stretch its light out a bit longer and I’m out from under the cover of winter’s darkest nights. Action plans for my music and studio are forming and taking their first sips of air. I feel alive in a 2012 kind of way.

It’s quiet space that brings me clarity– Getting away from external chaos and going inward. This sentiment is where the lyrics of Repair + Beauty stem from. The band and I stripped down the album version and added a new ending for our live, acoustic performance at The Dolby Theatre.

“I’ll leave a light on/I’ll leave a light on for you, babe”.

Happy New Year.

It’s no secret that Joni Mitchell is a genius. She also wrote my favorite Christmas song. River is somber, aching and beautiful. It is a dose of reality amidst the hustle and bustle– A stock-taking moment as the year comes to a close. It gets me every time. In it’s reflective mood, I find memories, warmth and spirit.

My band, Karmacoda and I couldn’t help but cover this tune. Wishing you and yours a river to skate away on… Happy Holidays!

Download a free mp3 of River HERE

Just over a month ago my band, Karmacoda and I released our fourth studio album, Eternal. Blood, sweat, tears– the whole nine yards has been put into the creation and delivery of our newest sonic collection. This summer saw us playing great shows in LA, Portland, and of course, SF. It’s been completely exciting and happily exhausting!

Since then, our time has been filled with the preparation of special “extras”: A proper music video for our single Epic, along with live, acoustic video versions of the tracks, Feel The Weight, Repair + Beauty, and I Am Just Not Listening Any Longer.  All of the videos will be appearing on our YouTube channel over the next couple of months.

We also took a quick trip down to Southern California to hang out in the studio with podcaster extraordinaire, Anji Bee, and record an Eternal-focused edition of The Chillcast!  This live, in-depth interview will be up for your listening pleasure on September 30th.

Check out a cool and thoughtful review of the album on AllMusic.com.

You can preview and purchase Eternal on iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon and at the Karmacoda Store (where vinyl and hi-def versions are also available).

I’m so grateful to my amazing bandmates, wonderful clients, family, friends, and fans who continue to support Karmacoda.  Thank you a million times over!

Yep– That’s my Raven on the cover.

Take a photo tour of Heather Pierce Vox + Music’s new studio here!

I am absolutely thrilled to announce the shiny new location of Heather Pierce Vox + Music at 2002 3rd Street!

It’s been a long-time dream of mine to combine my teaching and writing spaces into one complete hub of music and creativity. Just as spring arrives, so does the time for this exciting change!

I’m still in my favorite SF locale (Potrero Hill), now just a bit closer to the hip and ever blossoming Dogpatch neighborhood.

In-town clients– Here are a couple local spots you might want to visit before or after your session:

The Dogpatch Cafe: This lovely little organic coffee house at 3rd + 20th has great ambiance, light eats, wi-fi and an acoustic piano– you have to love that.

Moshi Moshi: A divine sushi spot serving lunch, dinner and cocktails. The rolls and apps are fresh and creative, plus they’ve got a fantastic vegetarian menu. On the corner of 3rd + 18th.

Directions to my new space live HERE. Studio doors burst open on April 4th. I can’t wait to welcome you in!

xo + music,

The common cold and flu… SO not good for singers. A run-down body equals a run-down voice. Can’t have that! Tours, gigs and recording sessions require healthy vocalists. Though it has been unseasonably warm here in San Francisco, many of my clients are struggling to keep their immune systems on the up and up. Thus, I’ve put together a list of my favorite cold and flu season fixes.

If you think you’re on the verge of illness, start taking Wellness Herbal Resistance Liquid every couple of hours. This is a formula that Franco Garritano (my savior of an acupuncturist) swears by. Wellness contains goldenseal and echinacea along with Yin Chiao, a powerful Chinese herbal blend that fights oncoming colds fast. It’ll cost you about $12.00 and save you a lot more. I buy it at my local Whole Foods Market and keep it in my bag at all times. Whenever I come into contact with anyone who isn’t “feeling so good”, I take a dropper-full.

Prefer a fizzy tablet-style immunity booster? I love Zenergize Natural Health & Wellness Boost. It’s completely chemical-free and does not contain any sugar whatsoever (Remember, white sugar is evil when you’re getting sick as it exacerbates the situation). I pop a tablet into my water bottle and refresh throughout the day. The citrus flavor is my favorite. It tastes exactly like Tang (fond memories of summertime at my Grandma’s). Available at Whole Foods for around $8.00 and online for $5.00 at Organic Pharmacy.

Last but not least, I always make a steamy, comforting cup of Fresh Ginger Elixir. Nothing soothes a scratchy throat more! Lately I’ve been adding a sachet of Two Leaves & A Bud Organic Chamomile tea to my mug for an extra dose of calm.

Along with doing my best to get plenty of sleep and drinking mass amounts of water, these three fixes work like a charm for me. As a side-note, be sure to check-in with your own healthcare provider before trying anything new. Hope these ideas help. Stay healthy this winter!

Organic Chamomile Tea + Fresh Ginger Elixir.

I’m taking a magical e-course right now called “Dreaming in the Dark”. The course focuses on telling the story of your business this past year and dreaming up the tale you’ll write for yourself in the new year.

It’s always been clear to me that I am my business, being a “creative type” and all. I’ve kept my nose to the grindstone, working hard to stay afloat in reality (keep a roof over my head) while simultaneously pursuing my true passions (singing/songwriting/teaching). My life often feels like a whirlwind, both frenzied and wonderful with many hats to wear. I haven’t stopped to look out over the expanse and just observe in a while.

Two things that Hiro Boga, the inspiring creator of “Dreaming…” asked us to pay attention to are our allies, those people in our lives who help and support us in our businesses (family, friends, colleagues, mentors, clients, bandmates) and our resources. It really hit me when she reminded us that our resources are not only external (money, connections, ideas) but also internal (the stuff we’re made of– our own creative skill sets, determination and inner strength). It’s easy to focus on the external since it’s always right there in plain sight. That internal fire is just so important, though. It’s fuel for dreaming and when paired with people who truly care about what you want for your life, big things happen!

I am so grateful for the powerful combination of my own allies and resources and their role in shaping my story thus far. Why not try making a little space this season to reflect upon yours?

My fabulous client, Heather Larimer and I love that we share the same name. Ms. L is a singer and songwriter in the garage pop-band Eux Autres. Their third record, Broken Bow, comes out in November. Hear her at euxautres.com.

What did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a vet, an actress, and most of all a singer–but I was too scared to admit it. My public stance was a vet. I’m glad I kept my little dream so close to my heart–that way, no one ever told me I wasn’t being realistic.

What singers and songwriters have inspired you?

The Go-Go’s, Ray Davies, John Lennon, Bob Pollard, Doug Martsch, Lou Barlow, Chan Marshall, Sleater Kinney, The Carpenters, Colin Blunstone, Agnetha from ABBA.

When do you feel musically free?

In practice, when it’s dark and only the halls are listening. Or when I’ve just written something that gives me goosebumps.

Any moments of mortification and/or awe along your path as a singer?

Oh so many.

Mortification: I first took the stage very unprepared. It took me a very long time to figure out how to hear myself in a live situation–the results were pretty brutal. So was the feedback.

Awe: Anytime I see people singing along, it still shocks me and thrills me. It’s like being Punk’d in the best sort of way. Also, I remember the Dead Moon drummer telling us he liked our band at one of our first shows. That one endorsement kept us going for ages.

What are your creature comforts?

I love nice candles–Diptyque especially. I wish they would sponsor my band. Hot tea–English breakfast and Genmaicha. One inch of Maker’s Mark, neat. Hand sanitizer. Matte red lipstick. Great jeans. Bravo TV. And dogs. Most of all, dogs. They instantly lower my blood pressure.

What is one of the best moves you’ve made as an independent artist?

Putting things out ourselves, starting from the beginning. We’ve worked with several record labels, which have all been great. But I think putting a lot of things out ourselves–has forced us to look at our music more comprehensively. We have a well-developed ethos and aesthetic.

What helps you stay on track?

My relationship. Exercise. Always trying to get better at things–like singing with a vocal coach. Facing things head on instead of avoiding them. Taking the long view when all else fails. But most of all, my brother/bandmate. He kicks my ass daily.

Heather Larimer + Eux Autres by Ray Gordon

For singers, any sort of respiratory sickness is an utter nightmare. Oh how I despise the stuffy nose, strange distortion of sound ringing through my head, and the worst part, phlegm! Welcome to the fall cold season.

A nasty head cold sent me into a kleenex frenzy on Wednesday. Naturally, I was due to record a new song for my band’s upcoming album in the studio Friday (um, today). Eeek! I had to act fast.

I got in to see my acupuncturist stat, canceled lessons for Thursday (no sense in sneezing through sessions or getting clients sick) and went home to rest. Before hibernating under the covers, I made a magical little concoction that has soothed my voice many a time. I call it “Liv’s Fresh Ginger Elixir”, as my dear friend and client, Olivia Clayton taught me how to make the simple and very effective hot tea a few years back. Ginger naturally warms the body, promoting perspiration which helps to attack the cold and speed recovery. Lemon aids in cutting down phlegm. Honey coats the throat and sweetens this healing, delicious tonic.

A couple good nights of sleep, clean eating (especially steering clear of white sugar, which exacerbates infection) lots of ginger elixir and plenty of water led me to wake up feeling much better this morning. I took a travel mug with me to the studio and rotated sipping the tea and room-temperature water while recording. I was able to tap into the vibe of the song and deliver a quality vocal performance despite my cold. Crisis averted!

liv’s fresh ginger elixir

1.5 inches fresh ginger (grated)

Half a lemon (squeeze juice into mug, then slice for garnish)

2-4 teaspoons local honey to taste (you can also use agave nectar)

Boiling water

Mix ingredients into a large tea mug, add boiling water, stir, inhale, sip, and be soothed.

Vox Q Interviews are short question and answer pieces revealing a glimpse into the minds of singers I know. I’m a fan of back-stories—especially about people who make music. For the inaugural interview, who better to be my guinea pig than me? Hope you enjoy it!

What did you say you wanted to be when you grew up?
Well, as a small kid, I’d often say that I wanted to be a singer or a teacher. I was really into creating variety shows for my friends in the neighborhood and for me to perform in. I also played a lot of “school” (I, of course, ran the classroom). I think it’s amazing that I turned out to be both!

What singers and songwriters have inspired you?
Ah—so many! Here is a handful. Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Ann Wilson of Heart, Natalie Cole, Juliana Hatfield, Sarah Vaughan, Blossom Dearie, Julie London, Astrud Gilberto, Chet Baker, Erykah Badu, Jeff Buckley, Alison Goldfrapp of Goldfrapp, and Natasha Kahn of Bat for Lashes.

When do you feel musically free?
On an artistic level, when a new song spills out without having to think about it. When I’m tapped into the flow of creativity and the muse chooses to find me. That, I love.

Onstage, when the sound mix is “perfect” during a gig with my band—yes, it’s actually happened once or twice!

Also, when I help a singer discover something new in his or her voice. When they make a sound they’ve never made. If they’ve been “stuck” in their voice or a section of a song for months or even years and they finally break through, it’s a total rush!

Any moments of mortification along your path as a singer?
In college, my worst nightmare came true—I forgot all the lyrics to a song during a live performance. All I could do was stand there and attempt to look as if that’s exactly what I meant to do as my accompanist played the piece from start to finish. Avant-garde performance art? Right. Even more awful was that it was for “juries,” the end-of-semester final, adjudicated by the entire voice department faculty. After a few days of feeling like I’d never be able to show my face in public again, I realized that I was actually lucky to have had the experience. The simple fact was that I had survived the thing I was most scared of and lived. I knew I’d be able to handle anything that happened to me onstage in the future. Last week, Eric (Karmacoda’s bass player) broke a glass during our set and I didn’t even flinch!

How about “first-time” moments of awe?
Hearing “Motion Picture,” a song from Karmacoda’s debut album, on Live105’s “Local Artist Spotlight” was truly amazing! I’d been waiting for that my whole life and it really did feel wonderfully surreal. Also, playing my first show at Café Du Nord was great. It’s one of my favorite live music venues in San Francisco and I’ve seen so many artists I love play there. Knowing my feet were planted on the same stage that theirs had been was magical. Shooting the music video for “Turn” was also a major thrill (especially since I had to risk my life scaling a cliff to get those beautiful beach scenes!). Again, something I’d always dreamed of doing coming to fruition.

What are your creature comforts?
Lemon and cucumber slices in my reusable water bottle, quality green tea, agave nectar, avocado, cedar and white sage incense, pure beeswax candles, stargazer lilies, gardenias and dahlias, my two cats, and lots of organic beauty products.

What helps you stay on-track?
Having a plan for my career. Working on my vocal technique regularly. Surrounding myself with a collective of positive, like-minded people. My bandmates, mentors, and acupuncturist. My wonderful clients who remind me what a gift it is to sing everyday. Also, friends and family who continually have my back and encourage me to seek out my dreams. Pausing to breathe, take in the space around me, and acknowledge how grateful I am.