Yes I am

And this is my creative mantra….. en-Joy xo

Golden Child

The idea of perfection is so smart
The unattainable projection of who we aren’t
The notion of that bright shining shooting star
That never flickers or fades or strays from its path

So how does one enter this world
A diet of forced values, borrowed and learnt
In the hope we will shine like the stars we are shown 
But forget eventually even the sun will explode

Golden child, made from love
We sit in our seats, tarnish and judge
Golden child why aren’t you silver
On such demands can you deliver

But you decide to continue in your golden ways
We watch and observe, but can just appreciate
When will we learn that gold is worth more than silver
When we start to value individuals idiosyncratic vision

Golden child you must stop hiding
In the silver spoon they made you lie in
You must put aside you fear of flying
And soar beyond that silver lining

The most valuable lessons are self-taught
The power of belief so strong and raw
The words they say make you trip and fall
‘Naïve, a fool, and not perfect at all..’

We all make mistakes, they wont admit from their chairs
Because your golden heart prevails above their silver stares
Cos your alive and they are just there
And its this same life that starts to shuffle their chairs

Golden child, in your beautiful cracked perfection
You begin to unravel a common misperception
By taking strides in a new direction
Everyone can get their slice of perfect

© 2004 Charmaine Bingwa 

This song is pimp, Busta Rhymes & Stevie Wonder - the end is epic, so wait for it…

So tired from everything lately - completely switching off and hanging with my family this weekend.

My lil nephew, cutest lil dude… who also loves kicks..

My mum in town visitin me…

Hey!

How you doing?

So you if you have ended up here you are probably going who the f**k is this person (well thats what I would be thinking).

So I thought it would be nice if we got to know each other,  before we hit first base and one day we could go steady *Charms yawns and reaches her arm around you*

So in a needless attempt for me to push information on you, Im inventing Freaky Faves. So right now in this moment (*Answers only valid 27/5/09*, Im allowed to change my mind later) here are a bunch of my favourite things.

Fav Lyrics? “Stretch the skin around my heart” (I’m Stained - The Superjesus)

Fav song on repeat? “Popular” - Nada Surf… (I know, I’m strangely obsessed with the early 90’s)

Fav album right now? Aaliyah - The Red Album

Fav Musical part in song? Live drums in the intro of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”

Fav Ballad? “Love is you” Chrisette Michele

Fav Heavy Song? “One Step Closer” Linkin Park & “Heroin Girl” Everclear

Fav Classical Work? “Symphonie Fantastique” Hector Berlioz. Movement 5. Love it cos I didnt know back then composers tripped out on Opiates and wrote trippy music about their hallucinations.

Fav Tshirt?

i heart M.I.A too

Fav Tattoo?

Fav Pair of Kicks?

Fav name if I was to give birth to a baby boy? Leaf

Fav suggestion? “You should get into musical theatre!” (the adorable) Simon Westaway

Now its your turn

Some gig pics on one of my favourite, favourite web sites, more at www.lifewithoutandy.com - check em out xo

Last night was amazing - thank you to those who came down. Was the best vibe and had so much fun playing the new tracks, like so much fun!

Here’s just a couple of pics (I stole from other peoples Facebooks!) from last night, the gig was recorded so we’ll putting some footage up soon.

I want to throw out a few special thankyou’s to some peeps.

Carl & Way at Carl Kapp for dressing me - you can see there stuff here http://www.carlkapp.com/  It is Beautiful!

To stylist and just generally the coolest person on earth, Lenya Jones and her assistant Josephine England for making me and the back up singers look fabulous.

Make-Up artist Jamie Muras and her assistant Pixie - beautifying and making us laugh our asses off!

And to Mr. Daniel Posavac & the gorgeous and ridiculously TIGHT band!! Nic Robertson (guitar), JR Villenuva (Bass), Sandro Abate (Drums), Neha Nelson (Backing Vocals) and Ranji (Backing Vocals). And the magical Juliana Bacmaga for all her design work.

Kim Winter from Oasis Africa for flying up to be there with his team - we are donating part proceeds from last nights EP sales to Oasis Africa, one of my favourite causes.

If I’ve missed anyone, Im blaming the Champagne! Bacon & Egg Roll time now.

Xo Peace

Also coming soon

So night before the show - I have been totally overwhelmed by the response.

Stoked to be receiving some absolutely fabulous reviews, my personal faves: 

http://www.worldsbestsounds.com/reviewscharmaine.php

http://guttergirl.com.au/2009/05/19/charmaines-gonna-bring-it/

Just finishing some final email interviews for South Sydney Herald, MX, North Shore Times, Mosman Daily etc… I’m sitting up watching The Family Guy, in between chatting to various band members, including Nic (no0$e) Robertson, who always makes me chuckle ‘heartily’.

Don’t really have a pre-show ritual, just good spirits rule! So laughin my ass off, eating chocolate and talkin to peeps who are equally as excited about the gig tomorrow!!!

P.s. my own media efforts

Integrated Campaigning

Dear Mr Max Martin, 

From one deviant to another, thank you for this song. The lyrics thrill me.

Kind regards, 

Charmaine

Yo Yo Yo

1200 Degrees

Monday night, up late and pumpin.  First stop was 1200 Degrees radio show - and pretty exciting,  first time EVER the tracks are played on commercial radio!! Met the team DJ D, Lewis, DJ Liche and the family, and they made me feel at home.  They spun a few tracks,  ”Joy” and “Trigger Happy” which they said were “pimp”.

A few announcer asked for separate copies to spin on their shows too - we like this So good to hang with the crew, chatted, took a few pics, signed some posters and then off the the next show.

Black Label Radio Show

Was super excited and heading to see the boys (and FlyGirl Tee!) at the Black Label Show.  They had a little panel and were talking about the Matty Johns saga, asked my opinion, which I didn’t really have - rugby and orgies aren’t exactly my fortae  The guys on the show were awesome played some tunes and plugged the launch.

Both shows made for a kick-arse start to the week.  I had sooooo much fun, I forgot I was on radio.  Here is a clip of me singing the single “Joy” live on the show.

So you are probably thinking I’m crazy after a couple of weeks averaging about 3 hours sleep a night, getting home at 3am last being exhausted, but going out again.

If you like Kicks as much as I do, this wont seem unreasonable at all.

Even though I looked like I had 2 black eyes, had an awesome night : D

Got to hang with fellow muso’s Snob Scrilla, DJ Nino Brown, Dome, KillerQueenZ, DJ Mafia and my 2 lovely girlfriends Kate R & Kate D. Now time to get some zzzzz’s……

with Miss KilerQueenz & Emmanuel from Dome