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  September Monthly Interviews and Features

LORI DIAMOND: Songstress and Writer

WHAT'S YOUR LATEST AND GREATEST PROJECT:  My latest & greatest project is my second and newest solo album – Mystery.  My duo partner, Fred Abatelli and I have been gigging like crazy since it’s release in February 2009.  This is a collection of songs about love, loss, synchronicity, gratitude – just being human.

WHAT MAKES YOU A 'MOM ROCKER': Well, although I do consider myself quite able to ‘rock out’, our genre is more of the Adult Contemporary style – a little on the peaceful side.  Having 3 young children is obviously what makes me the ‘mom’, and I’m well aware of the fact that this is by far the most important thing I do.  Luckily, I do get to create and perform music on a very regular basis, and this makes being a mom that much better.

GIVE US A BRIEF HERSTORY OF YOUR CAREER:  I started playing around the age of 4.  Being from a musical family, I felt a natural inclination to play the piano – it was very joyful and natural for me, so I never had to be forced to do it.  At 14, I joined my first band –and even though we were downright awful, we played in some of Boston’s hottest venues for that time.  In college, I joined the group – Bee Charmers as keyboardist and harmony arranger, backup vocalist and co-writer.  This was acoustic/folk/rock – very Indigo Girls meets Crowded House.  A great learning experience, wonderful people- I stayed with them for 10 years and married the drummer, Linc Merrihew.  During that time, I played with other bands on the side doing Motown, Blues, Classic Rock and a little Jazz as well.  After my first child, I went solo and started doing studio work – great fun.  I released my first solo album – BOUND. For the next few years, I would play with various projects and people and learned so, so much. Along the way, I was blessed to meet up with Fred Abatelli from the band Too Many Drivers.  When we realized our styles just seemed to melt together seamlessly, we officially became a performing duo and never looked back. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE:  The best part of being a working musician living in the suburbs as opposed to right in the city, is the camaraderie with fellow musicians.  There isn’t the same kind of pressure or competition – the feeling is more synergistic and uplifting.  Your fellow musicians want you to succeed, and you want the same for them.  As a result, you help each other out on musical projects, and you get exposed to new ideas and ways of approaching things.  One other little perk about performing in the burbs, is that you can actually park your car within a 3 mile radius of the venue!  This is crucial for those late January nights!

WHAT IS YOUR PASSION:  I’m passionate about helping my children reach their soul’s potential, and helping them live joyful lives.  While I realize that ultimately, everyone has their own journey, I am committed to building a solid foundation for them.  No, I’m not perfect and would never claim to be – but my priorities are in the right place, and being a mother is beyond the most meaningful thing I do.  Before I was a mom, however, I was my most authentic self while creating music.  I continue to work hard to find the time to play on a regular basis because it fulfills me in a way that makes me a much better mother.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM:  I might be so bold as to say I am currently living my dream – just on a very small scale.  I have a great, happy & healthy family and my musical life is as busy and as stimulating as it could be.  Ultimately, I feel compelled to connect with other people through musical expression.  Whether it be through live performances, or having my work help to express other kinds of art (film, TV, etc) – I’d be happy either way.  I just want to convey feelings, ideas and emotions that end up touching others in some way.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE: Trying to get all my ducks in a row before I  leave the house.  Luckily, I’m home during the day, and most of my work is at night.  Therefore, my children don’t really experience my absence in a profound way.  Still, when I leave the house at 6:00, and there is so much to be done before bedtime – it can be very challenging. Meals need preparing (for husband and kids), homework, baths given and just general loving attention is crucial before I step out that door.  PLUS, I have to transform myself from ‘sporty mom’ to a more glamorous kind of creature.  Nevermind the gear all needs loading up and I have to make sure I have practiced and have my tunes ready.  All the while, I have to make sure to offer attention to my marriage since my husband and I are often passing ships.  So it’s the BALANCE that is the challenge, but the rewards are so worth it.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE HEAR MORE OF YOUR MUSIC: Myspace.com/LoriDiamond has tracks up and running.  LoriDiamond.net, Facebook.com/loridiamond.  CDBaby, itunes.  Both discs can be purchased EASILY and SECURELY on my website and myspace sites through NIMBIT.  LIVE performances are most regularly updated on Myspace.com/loridiamond.

•    FAVORITE QUOTE: "a belief is nothing more than a thought that you have thought before, that you continue to think." – Abraham~Hicks
 


WEBSITE:LoriDiamond.net, Myspace.com/loridiamond

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