Choose Your Battles!

I don't really talk politics for obvious reasons. Everyone has an opinion and it usually ends up in an argument because everyone wants to be right and defend their party and beliefs. Just like religion, it gets ugly and stupid.

What slightly ticks me and amuses me at the same time is all these conspiracy theories. I do find them interesting and don't doubt for a minute that some of those are true. Was 911 an inside job? Maybe, but what am I going to do? Spend the rest of my life chasing ghosts? We will never know for sure.

What about gun control? Just like drugs, if you want them, they are available. Money gets you everything you desire. Do I like guns? No! Guns are dangerous but so are knifes, fireworks, tools, prescription drugs and alcohol.

Yes, let's go back in history and find out what happened to all those countries that had gun control...The government controlled the people. BAM! No brainer.

But lets fast forward and look at whats happening today. People eventually rebelled and stood up for their rights and freedom.

Say what you will, America is the best country I know of, it's the land of opportunity. How many self-made millionaires live here? I'm talking about people who came from nothing, had no or little formal education. I know for fact that wouldn't be an easy task in Germany.

We live in the 21st century. We have evolved. People state that the world is going mad and people are stupid and going crazy...I admit that while technology is a fabulous thing it can also cripple us, especially our new generation. We don't have to use our brain as much, our little robots are doing it all for us. (but let's be for real; the general public doesn't use their brain regardless)so let's not blame stupidity and ignorance on technology.

And if you do have kids, yes; the school system sucks, home school your kid! take charge! OR at least spend quality time with your kid. Don't treat it like a toy, something you hardly have time to play with. My parents worked hard and didn't have much time for me. I didn't end up a gangster or drug addict. They taught me basic manners, even when they were a slight mess themselves.

Another solution for you! Don't have kids if you can't afford them! Sounds a little harsh? Maybe.

Well, I'm getting off the subject here....the world is going mad???? C'mon...let's not forget back in the days when woman (and man) got hanged for being accused of being witches..AND people came to watch the hangings. That's supposed to be normal?

How about when people were being humiliated and torchered in public AND the public would watch it with enthusiasm like a football game. THAT'S MAD!

Humans have always been the worst creatures alive on earth, it's nothing new. We are driven by emotions, such as fear, greed, love, hate. Emotions start wars. Emotions can also create peace. Life is light and darkness. There will always be good and evil. It is up to us individuals to pick and choose our battles. We all go through highs and lows. We all mess up. We all experience pain and disappointment. But how much time do you want to spend living in misery and fear breeding hatred?

Why not enjoy life while we've got it. Stand up and fight for your beliefs, make a difference in the world. Just don't sit there complain about the world, waiting for the sky to fall. Don't play the victim. Get in the drivers seat and do something that matters. Be the best YOU can be. Do the things YOU do have control over.

Find purpose in your own life, a creative, fulfilling outlet that makes you thrive , stimulates your mind and takes your mind off all the negativity we are exposed to daily. It's easy to get sucked into it.

What do you want people to remember you by when you're gone?

The person that always thought the sky was falling or the person that always saw the good in people and life? A loving, caring, kind, smart, creative, innovative and inspiring soul that made a difference in someones life?

Spend less time watching the news, worrying about the things that may or may not happen...the things you can't control. Spend more time BEING in the moment with the people that matter to you most. Dream big. Paint beautiful pictures of how you want your life to be and go for it.

Do the things that make you FEEL GOOD and spread that good vibration.

Choose your thoughts, friends and actions wisely. And remember, your mind is your most powerful weapon on earth!

JVB

First Big Accomplishment!

It's taking me some time to get back into "work mode" but I'm not beating myself up for it. Been doing my workouts and that's a good start. I decided to focus on Otto's Daughter till tomorrow's show. Than start working on my other projects including OD.
So excited to be playing my favorite new song "Onto The Next One" tomorrow night and super proud of the guys for pulling it off in two days. Now; all I gotta figure out is an outfit and fun stuff to throw at the crowd. ;)
Today's biggest lesson:
Don't wait, don't delay, don't over-think or over-analyze, follow your gut, dive in and just do it! Take some risks! Do one thing every day that scares you. ;)
xoxo JVBeast

New Years Day...2013

Happy 2013! I spent most of New Years Eve in solitude in a beautiful backyard in Florida, staring at the stars and fireworks through beautiful oaks draped with spanish moss. It was very magical and something I've never done before. It's been a while since I had some time to just be in the moment, by myself. I started thinking about my life, the new year, my goals and dreams, how grateful I am for all I have right now enjoying the peace and occasional silence. (floridians love their fireworks)I did a champagne toast with Jim at midnight, which was nice. ;)

Every New Years I want to do something special, be at a cool party yet almost always fail at it. The best new years yet was with my parents about ten years ago, they came to visit from germany and we went to a friends party, we dressed up, drank, danced and laughed all night long! It was very special to me since both of my parents worked their entire life in the restaurant business, working every holiday, I never got to spend NY with them as a kid.
This may have been my second favorite new years eve as far as I recall.

Had to get up super early (5am, but overslept & got up at 5:45am) to get back to LA with a stop over in Nashville, didn't sleep much. The flight was scary, lot's of turbulences, the pilot seemed a bit crazy....both landings were pretty rough, yet I found all of it extremely amusing. As I started talking to the guy next to me, it turns out, he's the original drummer from Paramore, that was super cool. I saw it as an omen for the new year, great things are coming!

Back home now, LA seems like a ghost town and I love it! Unpacked most of my stuff, cleaned the house, got thai food, my health nut boifriend choose pizza. (yes, I'm being sarcastic);P I cuddled with my kitties, gave them some love, they were happy to see us, the cars battery was dead, had to get a jump start from a dear friend to get the car back up and running; picked up the last member of my little family, my dog "BOLT". He jumped all over me ,gave me hugs, showered me with kisses, and made little whining noises, like tears of joy. it felt awesome! If anyone out there seeks affection and unconditional love, adopt a dog....just saying. He was really excited to be back home, I didn't expect that. I think he actually missed the cats also. Not sure if they missed him though....;)

I'm exhausted and probably will be in bed way before midnight. I'm still on eastern time. Overall, I had such an amazing time spending the holidays with my family, something I should do way more often! I'm very grateful and looking back to 2012, it's been a great year, it actually ended fabulous! Now it's time to step it up to a higher gear, get moving, create momentum! I'm excited to get back to work, crack out some badass music! The beauty of it is, that it never feels like work. It's a drug and I can't get enough of that kinda crack!

As far as New Years Resolutions go: (in general)

-Let Action Speak!
-Risk More!
-Step Outside The Box!
-Re-Invent Myself!
-Express Myself!
-Be A Leader!
-Be Independent!
-Financial Freedom!
-Be Happy
-Act From Place of Love, Always!
-Stay curious
-Have FUN
-Don't Take Life So Serious
-COLLABORATE
-Learn, Grow, Expand!
-Follow My Instinct!
-Live In The Moment
-Be Adventurous
-Be Spontanious

Let's see how consistant I can be with my blogs this year :)The plan is to write a little something every day, my progress with the music and life in general. Hopefully a ton of cool stories, discoveries and adventures will surface but...let action speak! Cheers to a fantastic, kick ass 2013!!!!! xoxox JVB

A little more truth a little less bs

Happy 2010. Better late than never. hahahaha, are you fully back in your old routine? I hope not.

It's a new Decade, let's rock it! My year started off great with a cool NYE party with some of my best friends followed by an 80's Birthday Bash Party and NAMM.


We played the Friday Schecter Party, introduced a new song and I won a plug-in that I've had on my wish list for a while UAD2 Duo; plus a set of headphones from Monster. wohooooooooooo
Not to mention I met and talked to my favorite guitar player Robyn Fink at Saturday's Party. I had so much fun during NAMM. I'm still amazed how I got through the show, I had such a hang-over. Not smart to party the day before the show, but c'mon, sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do and with such amazing company how could I turn down an Asbach Uralt or a glas of Merlow. hahahaha (Well, I paid the price friday morning)


So here I am, I've been meaning to blog, even wanted to blog the entire NAMM show but I tend to be an extreme person with extreme ADD.

So many books too read, songs to finish, band stuff...blah blah blah...don't get me wrong, I love what I do; well....you get the idea. While I'm really striving for consistancy in regards to my online presence I have to admit that I'm either on or off all the way; which means a ton of posts or nothing at all.

I decided not to make any New Years Resolutions for 2010 since I never quite stick with them anyway, so instead I will do my best to commit to a daily blog, even if it's just a line to check in.

In all honestly I'm selfishly making myself feel more accountable if I have to write about my day (says who?...hahahaha...I do) And maybe I'll even promote this and get more followers, hee hee


Since I've been back from NAMM I've been kinda sick and haven't been in the mood to write music or I should say, energy. Instead I've been dealing with some business stuff I have been avoiding for some time. For some reason, it's always a drag to do the business crap, filling out a ton of forms, dealing with legalities. But it has to be done, so I've actually taken some time to get control over the situation and a clear picture of what is in place and what needs to be put in place.


Today I made a show flyer (out of two kinda crappy photo's I took of myself). hahahaha. Spend some time on facebook, myspace and reverbnation. Funny, the minute I sit down and do nothing, I feel like I haven't done a damn thing all day. While when at the end of the day when I write out my main accomplishments; I'm always amazed how much I got done; (talking about being to hard on myself).


Well, enough said, my theraflu is kicking in and I've got to finish reading "Mixerman" so I can move on with my life, hahahaha. True story or all bullshit, I'm digging it. And you know what?; it's all bullshit anyway but that's for another blog;)

Truly Yours,
JVBullshitter

Happiness in Misery?

How many times do you say"yes" when you really mean "no"? You're doing someone a favor while you end up with a knot in your stomach and resentment in your heart, before you know it you're the one being miserable. We than point our fingers; complain and blame; would it not be easier to just say "no" and just be happy? Practice the art of saying "NO". It doesn't make you a bad person.

October Lust

How I love this season. It's beautiful, it's colorful, it's cold, it's dark, it's mysterious.


Halloween around the corner.


So what will you be this year? Who are you the rest of the year?

Questions for today

Certain things in life are a one time opportunity. We either take it, cherish and nourish it or ignore it. Before you make a decisions, think carefully what you are about to win or lose.

Are you settling for less?

Are you living up to your own standards and values?

Am I? Question for the day!

The Big Picture

I've been wanting to write more blogs, be more active on here but there's just so much music flowing out of me lately that I've started to love twitter much more. It's short and to the point and I'm still connected to the world.

It's hard for me to stay focused. My mind is always working. I've got so many things in my head, there are so many roads to explore, so many things I want to do.

For the past two weeks, I've getting up at 7am, doing my power walk with my fabulous man. This is huge for me; I don't get up early, even though I love the morning vibe, the smell in the air, everything is still slightly damp and quite.





Now, I don't mind it at all, half way into my first round in the park, I feel energized, alive, happy, motivated and already accomplished. I've been also going hiking quite a bit lately, more than usual, there are so many beautiful spots here in LA. It's just magical. I am a nature girl. Anything outside makes me smile, the dogs, squirrels, trees, flowers, the ocean, the people.



Life has been pretty magical lately, many changes are happening and they are all good and exciting. I feel closer to a lot of my friends and extremely grateful for them.

PS: I can't wait to share my and our new music with the world, with that said, I better get back to my music. While my focus is on the big picture, I take one step at a time. I'm so excited but have to be a little bit patient right now:)

muah
xXx
JVB

What's big and small anyway?

Yesterday I was ready to just say "hell with it"; I'll cancel the whole tour, don't have enough dates, confirmed guarantee's, don't have my apartment rented out, no one to watch my cats. It's too much work, too uncertain, too hard. I pulled a rune and of course it told me this is a time to reflect. I know better; forcing things never accomplishes anything. So I turned to my true love, I finished a few tracks that had been on my "to do" list for weeks. Focusing on creating and completing MUSIC!

I didn't schedule band rehearsal, but invited the "still in question" bassist over to our home to go over the songs and get to know him a bit better.

My amazing and supportive man held me and said "Whatever you decide I'm on your side baby". We went for a walk, I ran and felt already a hundred times better. Back home, I started to reflect on my past achievements; events, all the obstacles I had overcome so far, way scarier and riskier than this little 5 week tour.

It's not the first time I booked a tour not having a full band, not the first time I started from scratch. I grew up in communism, I risked my life for my freedom and started from zero, I packed my bags again and moved to the US. I lived in NY build my band, my life. I moved to LA with half of my band and started all over. Each time things get's better and better. Each time I'm moving forward.

Two weeks ago I got so inspired while tracking our cover "Ace of Spades"; I decided to make a music video, before we go on tour; made some phone calls; a week later we have a meeting with our video producer and an amazingly and talented producer/director friend who's totally in it. All from Inpspired Action!

When I trust and allow to let things flow, everything happens effortless.

Long story short; the bassplayer is really cool and coming with us, matter of fact, if we still like each other five weeks from now, he'll be the new bassist in PINK STAR; the new child and creation of Otto's Daughter. Woooooooooooooooho

Trust the process!
xXx
JVB

Ramblings of Slacking Blogger

hahahaha, what can I say, music has kept me busy for the past few months. I'm working on getting this back to a somewhat updated state, it just seems a bit much sometimes between Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and all the other SN sites.
Life has been extremely great and I expect to get more of it, each and every day. I've been collaborating with a ton of people and like it.

There's a ton of excitement and news coming up about Otto's Daughter. Jim and I decided to bring some freshness to our musical journey. Now is the perfect time, we will announce all the news in may. Right now our focus is on our single and brand new PinkStar EP.

Our PinkStar summer tour is being booked right now and we will begin the end of May.

More news coming soon ;)
xoxo
JVB

The Truth is..

It's all been done before.

Tell me the things you've recently discovered that are absolutely unique and mind blowing, something you haven't seen or heard before.

Patiently waiting.
xoxoxo
JVB

The Adventures of an Illegal Alien - part 1

The adventures of an illegal alien

NY NY; start spreading the news! I was singing the Frank Sinatra tune with my Burlesque group “Extremities” back in Hanover, Germany. 3000 eyes peeled on me, none of them knew that what I’m singing is more than just a tune. I am about to go to NYC. Can you imagine how great it felt to belt out that song? I add this day to one of the most exciting days in my life. My friend Sarah and I were ready for a big change, in a big way, heading to the big apple. We had planned it for a while and were ready for the big times.

We had plenty of motivation and reason for our major move. We were both bored of Germany, the scene, our jobs. But the biggest of them all was love. We both fell in love. Our guys lived in the USA and to make our dreams come true we had to follow our heart. There was no doubt in our mind.

The minute I stepped foot onto NYC ground, I knew I was home. The traffic, the city lights, the energy, the vastness, I can’t even put it into words. I grew up in a small town in East Germany. I escaped East Germany before the Berlin wall came down and ended up moving to Hannover. Hannover is a beautiful town and seemed big at first but the longer I lived there, the smaller it became. I always dreamed about the big world. I knew it existed. And here I was.

It’s like a little kid going to the biggest toy store in the world.

Of course, being adventurous and fearless we decided to stay in the heart of it all. 42nd street.

Back than in the mid 90’s, it was still a dirty and somewhat dangerous place to be. But where’s the fun if we don’t experience this? I only knew of the Manhattan Streets from movies, the smoke coming out of the sewer. Now I was there, I could stand in the smoke, breathe in the air, get my coffee and donut anywhere on the street from one of those cool stands. I felt like being in a movie.

We checked into a Hotel right on 42nd, the elevator smelled like old carpet, a few very strange looking people were in it. NO not strange, just different. A transvestite and a business man to be correct. Still, we were clueless. We opened our room, a small, dirty room with all kinds of stains on the floor, roaches racing up and down the walls, just not what we expected. But it’s cool. We are in NYC; we didn’t come here to sleep anyway. We changed our clothes, left our luggage on the bed hoping the roaches wouldn’t bother crawling up the bed.

Off we went, exploring the big apple. All I felt was happiness and excitement. I’ve never seen a city like it, so big at the time. I had never seen so many people of so many cultures in one place.
It was like a dream come true. We had a few friends in the city and let them know we had arrived. John was one of them. A big shot Manager for some big shot bands. He invited us over to his house and we were happy to go, anything was better than being in that filthy little shoebox called hotel room plus he’ll probably take us someplace cool. (so we hoped) It turned out that John had a slight crush on Sarah but neither Sarah nor I wanted to spend the first night in the big apple in his apartment. He was way older than us; she had no interest in being his little pet.

Off we went on our own, in our funky outfits, just the two of us and the big city, no idea where to go, we just walked all over the place, still better than sitting in some dirty old mans apartment.

After walking around for hours, exploring, we were exhausted enough to just crash out in that scary room and anxious to move onto the next one early in the morning. It turned out; the hotel we stayed in was a pay by the hour hotel or in plain English a whore house.

How funny is that? Well, to us it was.

JVB BOOK?

I've been playing with the idea for a while now and my fabulous encouraging man keeps telling me that I really should write a book about my story. I'm getting pretty consistent with my writing since I'm getting into blogging on a consistent basis. The more I write, the more stuff comes up, it seems like I opened a can of worms. It's incredible. I'm really excited getting up in the morning and blogging/writing. Have I found a new passion? With all my typos I never considered myself a writer other than a Songwriter. lol Well, the proof is in my hear, the pen just doesn't want to stop, well, the fingers pounding on the keyboard, lol.

Of course typical JVB-style, I can't just do one thing at a time, I'm working on 4 different writing projects. One poetry book, 2 coffee table books and one about my journey so far.

They all have a title but once I'm closer to completion I'd like to ask people for their input, after all it's all in the title isn't it? I'm so excited.

Time to work on music! I'm starting to love my new program MUSE, even though it's been a headache from day 1.