Making Progress (MUST READ)!!!

Hello beautiful starchildren. I bring you cosmic love, greetings, and news of what's going on in my little chunk of the universe. But before getting to that news, I have a little surprise for you. Yes...you!

Just before my Nana got her wings, and fresh with inspiration from our many daily lovefests, I wrote a musical interlude that I'm dedicating to you. I tentatively titled it "Amethyst" but didn't want to say anything about it until I was finished recording it. Now that it's done, there are three possible titles for the track which, for now, is tentatively titled "Amethyst". Once the track is posted (either later today or tomorrow) my publicist will be sending out a poll asking each of you to choose the title that you think fits it best. The one that garners the most votes will be the one used to name the interlude - which, as I said before, will be included on the full CD/Album.

Next, I wanted to share some upcoming dates with you that are very important to me. My official promotion campaign is slated to begin on April 8, 2008, with promotional copies of my four-song EP scheduled to go to radio stations, trades, newspapers, mags, blogs, podcasts, etc. Also, note the EP will be released digitally on June 10, 2008.

As the campaign gains momentum, my producer, my manager, and I, will be focusing on completing and selecting the songs for the final album that is scheduled to be released sometime late fall/early winter. The digital EP will be titled "Flow" and the full CD/Album will be titled "Kozmik Sutraa". I will keep you posted on the actual release date of the CD/Album.

Somewhere in between now and then there will be photo shoots, band rehearsals, video shoots, promotional activities such as contests, interviews, etc. and many other events that I hope many of you will get to be a part of. To that end, my team will be contacting my friends who left their email addresses on the mailing list collector with updates, and my management will be contacting my friends who are on the virtual street team. For those who left your numbers on Broadtexter (on my profile), you will be getting voice or text notifications on your cell phones.

Finally, beginning tomorrow, you will begin to see spikes in my friends list (which we've held off doing for the last month or so). But since we all know who the intial "ride-or-die" crew is, we're going to make sure we stay connected all the way - hopefully all 2054 of you! In the meantime, all I've got to say is: "LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!"

Love you much,
Natassja

p.s. did you notice I left the squigglies off my name this time? How's that for some real progress?!

The Superfriends - Blog No. 2

This is the second installment in my Superfriends blog series.  This is where I get to share information about the sweetest friends ever, with the sweetest friends ever. I initially intended to leave each blog up for one week but after wrangling with myself over that limited time frame I’ve arbitrarily upped it to two weeks. 

I would like to introduce you to four of my friends on My Space that mean the world to me.  They are as important to me as the people who live in my physical world and I love them just the same.

CHRIS - MAKEUP ARTIST (AKA THA FACE)


My friend Chris has been in makeup for over 20 years and is passionate about his craft. He has worked for M.A.C. and currently works for Sephora, and last week,he celebrated a milestone birthday (happy belated birthday boo and shame on me for missing it).  Besides looking absolutely fabulous on his natal day, Chris took some very stunning photos which he has shared with us in his pics section.  He is a very gifted and talented soul who I’m very proud to call my friend and he is someone I think you should meet. Stop by and introduce yourself to my friend "THA FACE".
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HUSTLEBUNNY (AKA THE REVOLUTIONARY)



A line from her profile reads: "Im interested in you know the usual Saving the Youths, Ending the Violence & creating Unity..."  If you still don’t get what she’s talking about after reading that line, then here’s the 411:  She’s is Hustlebunny.  She’s passionate, she’s rooted, she’s an activist who is about positive change and she’s a downright concerned citizen.  In other words, she cares about what happens to people - especially children - and she abhors a society that is more committed to building prisons than educating its young.  She has got my undivided attention...just click on the photo to give her yours... my friend Hustlebunny!
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GREGORY ALAN (AKA THE SMOOVE-GROOVEMEISTER)



Gregory Alan is an intelligent, articulate, talented, classy and thoughtful man. Not only has  he become a solid mentor to me (this fact will probably surprise him), but he is also a very talented musician whom I admire immensely.  One has only to listen to his music and to his lyrics to realize that he knows volumes about the affairs of the heart - (something that endears him to me even more; another fact that will surprise him!).  Please take a minute to check out my friend Gregory Alan by clicking on his pic.  You’ll easily see what I mean. 
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ALYSSE (AKA LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE)



My friend Alysse is a precious ray of sunshine whose cheerful disposition keeps dark clouds at bay.  The name really fits her as she really is the sweetest girl (she’s so sweet she even let me borrow that name for my headline...lol).  Alysse is very talented (check out the poetry on her profile and the artwork in her pics) and is one of the smartest 20 year olds I know.  Please stop by and say hello to her  when time permits.
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Nana Got Her Wings

On Wednesday, my dad called to tell me that my grandmother - his mother and my "Nana" - made her transition from this world into the next. I am sad because I will never again see her in the physical. However, I feel glorious because I was able to experience her in my life up until that moment.

The memories have already started flooding in and I expect them to continue. She was a beautiful and accomplished woman and I will miss her dearly!

~Nat~

The Superfriends - Blog No. 1

Hello Family!  I'd like to introduce you to four of my special friends whose My Space profiles you are welcome to visit at any time.  They are the most amazing friends who, like you, are simply irreplaceable to me.  So when time permits, please check out their profiles and be sure to say hello.  Also, you can add them as your friends if you like...remember, good friends are hard to come by! 
 
LADIES FIRST:

SHELIA (aka TINKERBELL)
Chicago, IL

Shelia plays the flute, loves to travel, sing and play music; she also loves meeting new people over the internet.  She has an amazing sense of humor and can be found online cracking her friends up with her witty messages at any given time! 

If you are a Peabo Bryson fan, be sure to link her - you won't be sorry.  One sidenote... Shelia can easily be considered one of my serious internet partners in crime and she and I share a fondness for  "FMPs" (*Nat keeping a straight face*).  If you don't know what that is you better ask somebody!  lol.

Please stop by and say hello to Shelia by clicking on the link below.


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CLAUDIO (aka LATINIUS LOVERUS)
New Jersey

Claudio is a bit on the shy side and does not issue a lot of information  about himself over the internet. However, I am proud to tell you that he is an excellent writer who has had his poetry published and has a wonderful gift for repartee.

Claudio is the quintessential Latin Lover (just ask him) and is a very creative writer.  He maintains a blog at: http://septemberslumber.blogspot.com/
and also writes at: http://www.editred.com/Latin_Lover.

Please be sure and support this artist!


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WoRdPLaY (aka The Fierce & The Furious)
San Pedro

This artist says it best in his own words:
"Beneath all of what we think, lies the truth. It is the greatest feat, yet the harshest realization, to find out that you're not who you thought you were. Some people live their whole lives and never know the truth. Others know and never truly live. What purpose has the voice that is not heard and how is one heard with no voice. Wordplay, the artistic use of word association, also known as, a play on words. It is a fundamental element of rap, hip-hop, and emceeing. It is often displayed with wit or humor, and in my case, intellect. It is the exhibition of one's ability to formulate relations between the unconnected. I am not a rapper. I am a lyricist, a poet, and an artist. I have been blessed with not only a voice, but also words. I am WoRdPLaY: the unknown artist." ...And there's plenty more where that came from.

A true wordsmith, WoRdPLaY is one of the most excellent spoken word artists that I've come across on My Space.  I love his spirit and his talent.  But his writing is just as ferocious...if you read his blogs you will see what I mean.  The man has a way with WoRdS!

Stop by my friend WoRdPLaY'spage and show him your love and support.  Also let him know that you're feeling his work.


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NATE KIZERIAN (aka BOUNTIFUL THUNDER)
Bountiful, Utah

His genre listing says Funk/Jazz/Fusion and that's the truth, 'cause this is one funky bassman (bass player)!  Don't take my word for it, just click on the link to his My Space and take a listen.  Lightning fast licks and funk-laden thunder are the order of the day up in that piece.




Stop by and say hello to Nate and show him crazy love!
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Friends are Forever

The marketing minds that created the slogan: "Diamonds are Forever" were way off the mark and didn't even know it. Although that tagline has undoubtedly helped the Diamond industry to sell millions of diamonds over time, diamonds are not forever...no more so than amethysts or rubies, sapphires or emeralds, topaz or opals, etc. etc. etc. - you get the picture.

But friends..? Ah, that's a whole other story. Good friends are the stuff that solid relationships and wonderful timeless memories are made of - whether our friends are in a physical plane or virtual plane; whether they are related to us or not. Good friends are priceless. And more than any diamond, good friends ARE forever. You can always count on a friend to be there for you - no stone can do that no matter how precious!

In celebration of my own friends (meaning "YOU"), I am starting a weekly blog that will bring focus to your My Space page and allow you to meet each other. You should all cross each others' virtual paths at least once. (It's amazing, because the proverbial "SIX" degrees of separation" appears to have been summarily reduced to "ONE" by My Space...and all in one fell swoop!)

Maintaining this new blog is going to be the best part of my experience here. Mainly because I'll be getting a chance to feature the people who give me so much support and love on a regular basis.

The blog will be called Superfriends! Stay tuned...

~Natassja~

Have Some Fun!

Hello beautiful people. Thought I would post a few fun photos for you to enjoy!

IS THIS NOT A GREAT PAINT JOB?



THIS IS NOT THE EASTER BUNNY



ALL I COULD SAY WAS: WOW!!!

>

Growing Pains

I am putting up this blog to thank all of you for adopting this perfectly imperfect starchild that is Natassja, and for giving me your attention and support in the amazingly selfless way that you have.

As everyone can see, I'm growing. With your encouragement and positive re-inforcement I am learning to take giant steps where yesterday I was taking baby steps. With your continued support I envision myself taking leaps and bounds into the future.

I am a songwriter/singer who may not have the polish or finesse of a more seasoned artist, but in my own inimitable way, I present my art to you the way a painter would his or her canvas: showing a perspective of the world that can only be seen through that artist's eyes, in the way that he or she sees it and paints it, purely.

So if the timbre of my voice does not resemble Mariah's or Whitney's, or if my tone doesn't have the warm sweet embrace like Sade's or Janet's, or if my pipes are not as strong and distinct like Erykah's or Ayo's, I do not want you to be disappointed... for it is important to note that I am only doing Natassja in only the way that Natassja can express herself musically. But as I grow I will become better at what I do on all fronts.

Because I have received nothing but love and encouragement from the most amazing pool of friends that I have been blessed with finding, this is not a complaint. It is the realization that my challenge will only become greater as I stretch my boundaries. So if you see me huddling a little closer to you at times or digging a little deeper, it's because I'm growing and with that growth comes growing pains... But having said that, I'm ready for the long haul, yes I am!

Thank you for the love.
~Natassja~

Music Journal No. 3

Hello beautiful starchildren! This is yet another blog to update my friends on the "goings-on" in the world of cosmic starchild Natassja. As you are already aware, I am in the studio working on new music for the full album to be released sometime around the late spring/early summer this year.

Well, so far, I've shared three songs and an intro with you. And you guys were very helpful by letting me know which songss you liked. You gave me excellent and constructive feedback on:
Kozmik Sutraa
Flow
Gravity
XTC

The next song that I will be posting over the next few days is:
Love Comes to Shore

Well, that's it family! Be sure to let me know if you have any questions and I'll be glad to answer them for you as best as I can. In the meantime, don't forget to look out for Love Comes to Shore to be posted sometime between now and Wednesday of next week. Your input means everything to me.

Love you much,
~Natassja~

p.s. Claudio thanks for your input! ;o)

Dance Mix of Gravity

Hello again beautiful people and cosmic starchildren! I will keep this blog short and sweet. I've put up a new track on the player titled Gravity - Sky Lukewalker Mix - which is a re-mix of one of my existing tracks. And, yes fam, the Luke Skywalker thing has already been done, but he and the pioneers before him like Afrika Bambaataa obviously influenced this track - hence the play on the name Sky Lukewalker. As you've probably already guessed, the track is a dance mix of the song "Gravity" and I've set it for download. So do not hesitate to download it if you like.

Enjoy!

Feeling "Bloggish"

Hello beautiful people, I was sitting here feeling kinda "bloggish" just now (yes, family, I just said bloggish) and decided that I wanted to drop you all a line. I hope you had a great day today - I know I did!

Worked it out in the studio today with my producer Sinclair Davis and folk...I gotta tell ya...that man's on fire. He's like one of the dopest and most prolific musicians/producers I know; but most of all people he plays a mean guitar! If you listen to my tracks you can also hear his brilliant work. He has no assistants working for him in the studio - either on instruments or on the board. Everything you hear comes from him and him alone. He is truly amazing and I could not do this without him.

A lot of times artists forget to give due to the people who help them to create their music or eve their sound, but I can never forget to give Sinclair his due. I can show you what I mean though, better than I can tell you. When we put these new songs up next week on my player you'll get a chance to see and hear what I mean.

Anyway, I worked on the new track "Love Comes to Shore" today and I believe we are pretty much done with it. Sinclair will be working on mixing it over the next couple of days then we're going to put it up on the player so you can again give us your feedback. That is the process my loves...you all are the ones who are going to help me make this happen by giving you music that is real and by keeping it real.

Well, I said I wanted to drop you a line so I'm not trying to bore you with a book. Take care my loves and have a good night!

Much Love from your friend,
~Natassja~

About the music...and you!

Hello beautiful ones...

I just wanted to come by and hang out with you for a few minutes and share a few things with you that's been on my mind.

First, I want to say thank you for being my friend, and for embracing me and this music of mine. I also want to thank you for all the feedback - I've been paying attention to your comments and messages!!!

You have all been so amazing. You have given me words of encouragement while you steadily support my efforts. You've given me constructive critiques when you felt like I could improve upon something; and I have taken note. I'm sure as I put the 'improved' versions of these songs back on the player you will see what I mean!

I make the kind of music I do simply because I do not have a 'formula' for making any other kind of music. These songs are the honest expression of the woman that I am - nothing more. In fact, my music is far for perfect...from the still evolving vocals to sometimes stepping outside of the boundaries of what music theory dictates, my music is as imperfect as I am. I might even be a little reckless with the creative license I'm taking with some of these songs. But I have no apologies; I share it in its most imperfect form, with honesty and without embellishment.

But, I cannot talk about my music without talking about its influences. Many of you have made the Sade, Janet and Erykah Badu connections, and I can say honestly that I do hear them in my voice; but that's what influence is. We like something so much, that we sometimes unconsciously take on characteristics of the elements we most admire from that which we like best. And there is nothing wrong with that. But pushing myself beyond those confines and finding my own voice is - literally -what it's all about for me ultimately. Therefore, I make it a point to "find me" each time I sit down in the studio to write and record a song. With the help and direction of genius producer Sinclair Davis here's how my album is shaping up so far.

Currently on the player:
KozmikSutraa - the proposed intro to the album (thanks DJ Skibo!!)
Gravity - a definite single
XTC - an album track (unless my friends tell me differently)

In the queue to be posted:
THE SONGS:
Everyday (this one I think one is going to be our unofficial anthem)
Last Kiss
It Hurts
Love Comes to Shore
I Lose Control
Grown Woman
Wife Material
Forever Destined

THE REMIXES:
Gravity - Samba Mix; Club mix (I call it the booty shake mix..lol...jk, jk!)
Grown Woman - Insomnia Mix; OriJinal Mix

I look forward to your comments and input as these songs make it to the player. I know for sure that no album is ever a solo effort even when there is only one person in front. I represent your voices and your thoughts, and although I don't speak for you, you speak through me. Thank you for going on this journey with me and for supporting me with so much love...I love my friends!!!!

~N~

Kozmik Sutraa - Short and Sweet

FIRST, ABOUT THE KAMA SUTRA

Kamasutra (Sanskrit: कामसुत्र), also known to the Western world as Kama Sutra, is an ancient Indian text widely considered to be the standard work on love in Sanskrit Literature. It is said to be authored by Mallanaga Vatsyayana. A portion of the work deals with human sexual behavior.
NOW, ABOUT KOZMIKSUTRAA
KozmikSutraa is starchild Natassja's introduction to a universe of cosmic love. It is a universe filled with the most loving energies to be found anywhere...energies generated by her incredible family here on My Space.

Thank you for the awesome notes of support that you've sent and thank you for your feedback on the music. You are the best family in the universe!

~N~

New Music

Hello Family,

Hope all is well. It's so funny how time flies, lol, 2008 is already here. Do you have any goals for the new year? I know I do! One of my main goals this year is to give you more ear candy and make music you really want to hear.

So for starters, here's the two for one - I promised you one song and posted two! "XTC" is finally finished for the time being and I'd love to have your feedback. I also posted a song entitled "Gravity" and would love your feeedback on that one as well. Which song do you think should be my single? I'd really apppreciate your thoughts so feel free to comment. Once you decide which it is, we're gonna go back into the studio and do a full production on the song that's chosen.

In the meantime, I'll be in the studio writing for you.

~N~