indie-view: an interview with undiscovered artist, Summer Dawn Justice

I dug up my old blog and found this post which was probably my all time fave. I did this interview on December 22nd of 2014. I decided it wasn't fair for me to delete this after she wasted her time on me but anyways, I still find this post ah-mazing.

So while looking through PureVolume for some new music after hearing nothing but Shake It Off everywhere I go, I stumbled upon an artist who goes by the name of Summer Justice. She's older now but her music is still great. I got into contact with her and through e-mail, I interviewed her.

                                               
                                                         Summer Justice performing

1. What made you start writing music? Was there a specific time in your life that made you completely set on writing music?

When I was two, my aunt Monica used to sing to me. She had the most smooth voice I had ever heard. I started singing with her, but didn't write until I was 8. I used to write cute break-up songs, and as I got older, evolved. I started playing guitar after high school and started writing songs about my boyfriend at the time (who used to beat me.) He "discouraged" me from playing music because some of the songs weren't so flattering (in his image). I put my guitar and pencil down for about 4 years. 

2. Who are your biggest supporters when it comes to writing music? Anyone in your family that really helped push you?

My mother and my family through and through. I joined the Navy (which is why I quit for a while) and my parents were disappointed. They felt that I should have pursued my music career. I sang a lot in the Navy as well; those are my other family and they got me some "big gigs" with prizes, and celebrity meetings. :D

3. Who are your biggest musical inspirations? Anyone who influenced the indie style of music you decided to write?

My largest inspiration is my aunt Monica Fuentes. She has the voice of an angel. The only voice I can compare her to is Lisa Loeb who I also adore. Secondly would be Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays. She mesmerized me as a child...and it continues into my adulthood. And finally Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley. These women sum up my inspiration to write and sing. I think I sound like an eclectic mix of these lovely ladies, but that's just me tootin' my own horn :)

4. I realize that there were people trying to steal your music, on PureVolume. How did you handle this?

I wrote PureVolume a few times requesting they take the other pages down. I got no response, and gave up. I guess I just had to tell myself that I was flattered that someone thought I was worth something.

5. What's your biggest fear when it comes to performing?

I fear failure; I fear no one showing up. I once played a show where I was so nervous I took a couple of shots of Jack. I felt fine until I got on stage and I nearly ralphed. I ended up talking myself out of puking, but I forgot I was playing music and realized I had stopped. It was embarrassing, and not my brightest moment. I feared no one would come back....and I kicked myself for it for weeks; I was wrong, but it's the hugest fear!

6. What is your favorite thing to do outside of music?

I like to spend time with my family. We go to flea markets and antique shops, and I sell kitsch stuff/vintage on Etsy.com. On occasion, I'll go to a show, but I'm usually home crafting or writing.

7. Are there any books that you've read recently that help you in the process of creating music?

There is a book by Charles Bukowski called 'Love Is A Dog From Hell," of which I have drawn a lot of inspiration for writing. I try to have a cynical message to a catchy tune.

Well that is the end of this indie-view. I hope you that you check out Summer Justice on MySpace and PureVolume. We can only hope that she continues to write. Until next time.

DIY: Flower Bookmarks

I'm so excited about this post because I love DIY's and I love flowers. Me and my friends went flower picking and I saw some of the most amazing flowers ever. I didn't know what to do with them afterwards so I got creative. I made one of my friends a bouquet of tiny flowers tied with ribbon which was totally adorable. But I remembered when I got this little bible from my grandmother and one of the pages was held with a flower. It was old and still had its color. I didn't want my flowers to go to waste so I decided to preserve them the exact same way my grandmother preserved hers. Here is a quick and easy DIY for flower bookmarks.

You'll need:

• Flowers
• Scissors
• Plain white paper-I used a page from my sketchbook
• A book you're not afraid to get messy
• Tape
• A pen or pencil
• Your favorite quote(s)

1. Flatten your flowers in a book. This may take a good 30 minutes unless you can find something very heavy to put on top. In the meantime, start picking out the quote or phrase that you want on your bookmark.

  

2. Once the flowers are flattened, find the placement of your flower and then create lines as to where you want to cut your bookmark. Make sure to leave space for your quote.

3. Once you cut out your flower, tape it down. You could also glue it down but that is very time consuming because you would need it to dry. The tape also gives a playful look instead of a serious look in my own opinion.

4. Write your quote next to the flower. I also chose a messy, all caps font because I think it ties the whole nature look together.

Now you have your own Flower Bookmark. I put plastic on a couple of mine so nobody could mess it up and taped the plastic down in the back. You can do whatever you want to you bookmark. Like put a ribbon through the top or use it as a wall decoration instead of a bookmark. Whatever floats your boat.

 

Enjoy! xx