1/3/12 While working on my Hot Chocolate album last year, my producer Michael and I ended up writing almost 50 songs, which obviously cannot all fit into this one album. Further, some of the songs did not fit into the spirit of the album, since the lyrics and instrumentation were a lot edgier than the essence of Hot Chocolate. But we both loved the songs and the industrial-dance-futurepop sound it carried, so we decided to create a side project called Red Siren.
Red Siren evokes two images. The first image is obviously a flashing red light accompanied by a loud wail, something you would see on an emergency vehicle like an ambulance or a fire truck. We perceived Red Siren to be a sound akin to a fire truck's wail--you know what it is when you hear it! The second image is more of an allegory. If you know a little bit about Greek mythology, you know that a siren is a mythical mermaid-type creature whose songs lead seamen to their deaths. In the same way, Red Siren's songs and persona evokes a dangerous fascination and epitomizes the idea of seduction.
As with my Hot Chocolate album, Red Siren is a labor of love, especially as I am working on both projects concurrently. This project has also been personally intense as I explore the depths of my own sexuality. As I learn more about myself,I am becoming aware of the power of sexuality and how it plays into our daily lives. My mission with this project is to challenge others to explore their own sexuality and to challenge their perceptions and beliefs.
Check out the songs we have completed so far. We will continue to post songs here on Soundcloud as we finish them. We are also actively preparing for shows in Los Angeles, so stay tuned!
http://soundcloud.com/redsiren
We not only met our goal, we exceeded it!!!!
8/10/11 It all happened yesterday. I sent a brief note to some friends, asking them to pitch in $5 so we could meet our $10,000 goal. Next thing you know, 30 friends either pledged or INCREASED their pledge, and we went from $9,680 to $10,190!!!!
I am feeling so many things--relief, amazement, gratitude (lots of it), and pure joy-- not only because we have reached our goal, but because of YOUR support to my project. To have 175 friends around me who have shown their support through pledging, just makes me feel so grateful and gives me the encouragement I need to pursue my passion (and believe me, artists need a lot of encouragement!!!)
Thank you to these friends: John B, Jeff N, Brett F, Alan C, David W, Tina O, Alex G, Freddie D, jms3music, Rich T, Kim N, Jeanmarc R, Rock E, Janet V, Mary T, Calvin L, Giuseppe N, Roger F, Charleen, Bernice L, Trumpet Grrrl, Elliott, Geoff F, Meg, Reckless Daughter, Rich T, Mayra F, Melinda G, Andreana S, Lois B, and Viviana AD!!!
I also wanted to give a special thanks to my producer and friend, Michael McGregor, who was the one who really pushed me to do this Kickstarter thing. Remember having to pass around those fundraising catalogs as a kid? Yeah, I always brought in the least amount of sales in my class--I just never felt comfortable asking people to donate. So I was super terrified of doing anything fundraiser-like, even though I really needed some help making this album. But Michael encouraged me to at least give it a shot, and actually got video editing software and made the Kickstarter video that you watched. Michael also co-wrote and produced my last EP, Bittersweet Chocolate, and has really been instrumental in creating my electronica sound. Tomorrow we are heading off to Paris to his studio to meet some people in the music industry in Europe and record some new material for the Hot Chocolate album. So wish us luck! I know that it will be a time of creativity and opportunities.
Au revoir!!! Layla
