I completed my first solo backpacking trip a month ago. I’m still flying high on the experience and the boost in confidence it gave me. I spent 3 days and 2 nights in the Grand Canyon, hiking from Hermit’s Rest to Hermit Creek to Hermit’s Rapids, then back up. It’s a 19.4 mile hike that…
“I just have one question,” she said, her face glowing over the song lyrics she had just written. “Is it always this much fun?” “Yes,” I smiled back. “It pretty much always is…” My young friend is inspiring in many ways. She has a beautiful zest for life. Her authenticity is encouraging to witness, especially…
There’s something magical and slightly intoxicating about music festivals. There’s literally music in the air, often accompanied by delicious smells of barbecue, roasted corn, kettle corn, turkey legs… Sometimes there are beautiful women gently swaying with hula hoops, kids blowing bubbles, and couples holding hands. There are impromptu jams under trees, under awnings, behind tents—where…
Backbacking and Gigging I recently went on my first backpacking trip. I’ve done plenty of car camping and festival going, so I was already comfortable enough being relatively uncomfortable—no running water, no temperature control, thin walls, and packing in what you need. But, I was not used to packing everything I need for a weekend,…
Staying connected in a world of social distancing First, I hope this finds everyone safe and healthy. May you be finding ways to feed your soul in this time when we might have to dig deeper for inspiration, try harder to stay connected, and be creative in the new challenges of life during a pandemic….
I have a decal on my living room wall that proclaims in big, looping script, “Life is about creating yourself.” Taking my own wall seriously, I made the commitment to music last year—that I would give being a full-time musician a chance. And, here I am a little over a year later, still financially afloat,…
Anne’s Take on Collaboration I admit, when it comes to writing and developing new tunes, I have been slow to welcome collaboration. My personality is such that I generally prefer being left alone to my creative process, and, truthfully, my ego often feels too fragile to accept much criticism. But, I have found myself in…
In our latest Blog/Vlog, Zak Sloan and I discuss how stretching, physical therapy, and yoga have helped our playing. Catch the video here Anne – What does stretching have to do with music? For me, a lot. Any instrument is physically demanding. Most require asymmetrical, repeated movements that do not facilitate a balanced body. This…
Check the conversation with Zak and Anne here Anne – “No is my second favorite answer.” I first heard this from a fellow musician at a conference discussing the in’s and out’s of booking. I cocked my head a moment before straightening it back, smiling, and thinking, “Damn straight!” From asking if an item is…
Anne Luna – For 2018, here are my top goals: 1. To hone my craft as an instrumentalist and vocalist. I currently tend to “play” more than “practice.” Or, I’ll practice when I’m going into the studio for someone, learning a new tune, or dusting off technique. I want to get back to a more…