I came up with this piece as I was riding my bike along the riverbed near my house on a Monday afternoon. The California fires were at their peak and the sky was glowing red and orange. I stopped to take a picture that would become the album cover. As the tires of my bike rolled through the fallen ash I began to hum a melody. A melody that I believed to fit the vibe and atmosphere perfectly. When I got home I immediately got to work and recorded my song, Monday Skies.

“Hey guys, when did mom say we have to be at the dinner table?” I asked as I entered my younger brothers’ bedroom. No response. “Hello? Can you guys hear me?” Nothing. Their silence hurt more than any words they could have spoken. My heart sank as I walked back to the living room where the rest of my family celebrated Thanksgiving. I sat alone in the corner wondering what I possibly could have done to wrong the people I love most. Little did I know November twenty-third of 2017 would be the day the sibling relationship I knew and loved would come to a sudden end. From that moment on, I asked my brothers the same questions almost every day. “Why do you guys hate me?” “What did I do wrong?” I never got an answer. Avoided at all costs as if I were contaminated, I was ostracized in my own home. I felt more alone than ever before. Family get-togethers turned into me sitting in isolation rather than playing outside with my brothers and cousins. Car rides ended up being an argument of who had to sit in the middle seat next to me. I would often eat dinner in my room just to avoid the inevitable conflict of who had to sit on my side of the table. I was simply, and utterly alone. About six months into this period of loneliness, it came to my attention that rumors were being spread about me through social media about who I identified myself as. I was called numerous derogatory slurs and was told I was a freak. I was completely aware at the time that I was not your typical high school girl. I wore boys clothing and spent most of my time at the skatepark. I never wore makeup and strayed away from dresses and high heels as often as I could. My brothers despised the fact that I wasn’t a “normal” girl or sister. They wouldn’t let it go for another two and a half years. In these times of desperation, I turned to music. Music allowed me to express my frustrations and loneliness in the form of melody. I began to write songs every day and record them using the little equipment that I owned. It was my outlet and peace in the chaos. Music became my life and ignited a passion that I never had before. I wrote songs not only about the tough times but about hope. I wrote about never giving up on yourself because you matter just the way you are. Being an eccentric individual has helped me to understand that you don't have to fit in to be accepted. I finally learned to accept myself and found my group within those two years of being invisible. I intend to use my perspective and story as an outsider to hopefully one day inspire someone who is going through a similar journey that I was. It is my ultimate dream in life to share my music globally and truly make a difference in this world.

This playlist is a compilation of songs that contain powerful and moving harmonies. The intricate melodies and beautiful blending of the vocals in each of these songs hit hard every single time. The choruses are so incredibly profound and stunning. It gives you that sense of freedom while running through an open field with no more worries or stress. That sense of sitting on the beach watching the sunset over the glistening water. These songs inspire me to not only keep writing my own music but to inspire others as well.

I consider myself a 24/7 dreamer. My mind is constantly disconnected from reality floating between the realms of music and the future. Lyrics, melodies, and, harmonies dominate my thoughts throughout the day eventually becoming a fully formed song. Money can play a big factor in a musician's life with the expenses of equipment, instruments, and all of the technology that goes into the production. You could be the greatest songwriter and musician ever but not get a record deal because the production quality doesn't meet the standards of the modern industry. If money wasn't an issue I would spend my time turning my ideas and melodies into songs with the equipment used by the professionals I look up to. I'd then travel the world taking my music with me and sharing it with everyone whether that be playing live on the streets or on a big stage. I write my songs with the intention to bring people joy and happiness. I turn my life experiences into words and melodies that reflect those moments. As cliche as it may seem, I truly write my songs from the heart to express my emotions through the powerful and moving art that music. I have always used Garageband and cheap USB microphones and as much as I would like too I can't afford to spend the money to upgrade my setup. Although when I think about it, I'm so beyond grateful to even be able to play and record music. Money will never affect the way I write and play. Money will never dominate the way I live my life. Time however is precious and I want to use it to bring my music and creativity into this world.