Dear Number 45: A Letter from a Passionate Jew

First off, thank you, Google Chrome for creating and implementing the  “Make America Kittens Again” extension.  Seriously saving up on my therapist bills!

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But to the person I am writing to, a businessman built off his father’s money, a frequent flier in the court room as the defense on multiple lawsuits, a multi-bankrupt businessman who blames these problems on the workers at his establishments, a hater of Rosie O’Donnell (no source needed), a bigot with the handicapped, a misogynist, anti-female rights, anti-public education, anti-gay, and a person who would rather throw condemn over Amazon than groups like the KKK, Alt-Right movers, and Nazis rioting in the streets of our country, creating fear, hate, and counter-protests that are resulting in fatalities.

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As an American Jew, I learned what hate was in Hebrew school at age 8. I learned about all the horrors and what happened with hate running the country. The amount of deaths is still haunting to me, the songs and hymns written after the Holocaust resonate in me. To see the Nazi Flag is a trigger, and it causes me fear. I do not want to live in a country where we repeat the same unspeakable measures. There are only two sides: Hate and Acceptance.

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I am sorry for your children. I am sorry for Melania, who is an immigrant, and for some miracle, is somehow still by your side (somewhat).  They have their male-figure protecting those who cause hate and danger.

And no, This isn’t because I am a “snowflake”, or a “libtard”, or a Jew that grew up on Long Island, used to her NYC bubble.  This is a female who happens to be a Jew from Nassau County who is fearful to go to her job in the city, or to go to a new location where she knows hate-groups exists, who is lucky her last name is Irish. There are people in much worse situations than I, but I am one to be next to those people as much as I can, because I truly care for others.  I wish you did too.

And hey, 45, maybe you should watch this clip. He is dressed like someone you know, but it is in fact, Charlie Chaplin in his most iconic role before he was exiled from America due to Communist claims.  Watch it, maybe you will learn something.

Sincerely,

A True American

 

What can Artist Managers do to Help Artist Overcome Mental Health Challenges?

This is something I have been wanting to write for a long time. With Chester’s untimely death last week, it made me think of what we, as a society need to do to end the stigma, and as far as musicians, what can artist managers do to create a safe space. Rest in peace my loves, Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington. I hope your pain is gone ❤

6/8 Music Blog

By Allison Duggan

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Let’s face it; we have lost phenomenal stars over the past two years.  From Amy Winehouse to Prince and Natalie Cole. From Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland and Chester Bennington.  These artists struggled with depression, drug/alcohol addiction, a litany of baggage from their lives. They go on tour for months, back to the studio, do a crazy amount of interviews, all within a span of time that is chaotic.

drug-addiction-1024x682.jpgWe lost a lot of artists the past two years not just because of addiction. It is because the brain and body cannot handle so much stress at once.  Add a mental disorder on top of that, and the pressure heightens.  They result to necessitate their pain through other methods to gain control, which leads to a death sentence for many.

This is in a viewpoint of someone who works in the music industry, and not a psychologist.  The…

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Brass Bands: The Up and Cometh

I love my brass bands ❤ Take a look at what I wrote for 6/8 Records!

6/8 Music Blog

By Allison Duggan, Label Manager

Featured image: Rebirth Brass Band

At age 13, I switched from orchestra to percussion. My reasonings were that I was sick of violin, and knew my orchestra teacher in high school was not going to be able to train me in cello (I still look back, daydreaming the “what if’s” of such a majestic instrument). Also, I still needed to be just like my sister, and be a badass percussionist.

At age 14, I was told that I was not at the level to continue through high school (womp womp), and that was when I switched to bassoon and saxophone.  It was an exciting time, new instruments, new exposure to learning, but I still missed playing the drums (even though, let’s face it, I was not the best of players).  Years later though, I was able to get back into a grooving spot, and joined…

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WHM Playlists!

This playlist collection rocks my socks!

6/8 Music Blog

As March comes to a close so does Women’s History Month, so let’s take a moment to praise some pretty kick ass female musicians.

Here are some other pretty awesome Women’s History Month playlists:

Hillary Clinton – Women’s History Month Playlist 

Spotify – #WHM2017 The Hits

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Why I Escape With Music

Thank you @68records for letting me share my blog on your platform!

6/8 Music Blog

By Allison Duggan, Label Manager

Working in the music industry is tough.  Long hours, pitching to different vendors, clients, and artists, making sure everything is organized before a big event and/or project.  Plus the commute back home, where sometimes you need to finish up where you started once you woke up.

Working at a start-up record label is a lot of work on its own, but having a business on the side adds up. I am a freelance composer, meaning whenever I have a project at hand to write for a short film, a commercial, or for a pitch to a prospective web series, I need to make time to create content for a project, practice, and continuously write ideas.

At one point, this turned into a stressPhoto on 1-10-15 at 7.55 PM for me, since I made it not only a priority, but also a disciplined plan-of-action after everyday of work. I made my life…

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Music of Stars: My Rankings of Oscar-Nominated Songs

A blog I wrote for the wonderful 6/8 Records!

6/8 Music Blog

It’s that time of year again! The magic of movies shines bright over Los Angeles as creatives prepare for the biggest awards night of the year.  This past year has brought along many extraordinary films such as La La Land, Moonlight, Trolls, Jim: The James Foley Story, and Fences. 

For me, I have always been blown away by a movie’s score.  How a film and music dance together in a visual and audio experience makes the movie speak louder than a movie that is barely scored with random bands put into the film.  However, a song written for a film can make the film speak just as loud, or louder than the score, adding more feeling to a particular scene. My favorite has always been somewhere_over_the_rainbow.gif
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, performed by Judy Garland for The Wizard of Oz.  Her singing about a better tomorrow and beauty in a world…

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What This Election Cannot Change

Check out this really amazing blog I wrote for @6/8 Records. So much feeling with this post!

6/8 Music Blog

Allison Duggan, Label Manager

To be apolitical, the past year has been a dividing one for our country. We have faced backlash from each other, violence, harassment, shootings and plenty of events that were linked to the election and to the state of our country.  We are raw from the past election, and no matter what side one has voted for, the fight continues.

Music is a strong force, and a strong force that we should use to not only heal but to use to express ourselves and create a movement. As Leonard Bernstein so eloquently put it…leonard-bernstein-quotes-4-1372770545-view-0.jpg

You need to create art and make it even more powerful during the most difficult times. This quote was stated afterKennedy’s Assassination, when the country was in utter despair and shock of President John F. Kennedy’s demise. Bernstein curated a concert to commemorate the emotions he felt as well as how the country…

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Women in Music: The Playlist

I wrote about the amazing women from Women in Music! Check it out!

6/8 Music Blog

6/8 Records Team

What a great world we lead! So many organizations out there that cater to all in the music industry, especially to women. Many of us at 6/8 Records  are members of Women in Music (WIM), which caters to both men and women who want to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment, and recognition (women in music, about).  Not only by joining are you invited to online forums, but also invited to seminars, networking events, parties, and other interactive events that help musicians and music industry folks grow.

Last week, WIM professionals created a playlist of many of the artists involved in this organization. Please take a listen, follow, and get to know the Women in Music who are making music amazing!

Like what you see? Join Women in Music here!

Want…

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“Women of the World-We Have a Voice”-How Lissie Made Me Feel Empowered as a Woman

Take at a blog I wrote for @6/8 Records!

6/8 Music Blog

Allison Duggan, Label Manager

It boggles my mind that in this day and age women still have to fight for their rights to a healthy and prosperous life.

In the United States, we are currently facing a war with our government over the fate of Planned Parenthood, which provides millions of women the healthcare they need in order to live healthy lives. This past month, the organization ran a series of ads against GOP leaders who have voiced their opinions and votes to defund this non-profit orgCarol McDonaldanization “Each one of these Republican Senate candidates has voted to defend Planned Parenthood and staked out positions that threaten millions of women across this country,” Deirdre Schifeling, the executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes said in a press release. “Not only is this agenda dangerous, but it is incredibly unpopular.” -Planned Parenthood Representative (Marina Fang, Huffington Post, Oct. 2016)

The United States has…

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