A Cool Change: Reboot & Restore

Been watching a lot of Doctor Who lately. Tonight, I once again arrived at The End Of Time - in so many ways it seems - but specifically, the special. David Tennant’s Doctor was so strong and vulnerable, adorable and accessible. The last 15 minutes of his tenure are heart wrenching. “I don’t want to go.” UGH… As if the sniffles weren’t enough, here comes the waterworks. Watching that transition between Tennant and Smith again, right now - tonight - at this point in my life - really got me in the ticker. It’s so poignant - transition, change, rebirth. Currently, I’m eyeballing some big changes in my life. Some choices are being made - some that I’m making for myself and some that are beyond my control, but choices that are in motion. My brain is full. I need to delete a lot of files and reboot - well… First I need to shut it down. I’ve already begun dropping hints here and there, but the truth of the matter is that it’s time for me to focus on myself for a while - focus on my music, my songwriting, my instruments, and try to heal my soul. I know in order to truly do this, a part (or parts) of myself is going to have to die and I’m coming to terms with that - or trying to. I don’t expect it to be easy, I don’t expect for everyone to understand, but I hope it makes me a better songwriter, musician, and a better person.

I have 3 shows left this year. 1 in San Antonio on Friday and 2 shows with KGSR next week in Austin on Thursday 8/23 and Sunday 8/26. I’ll be promoting these shows on my various social media feeds, then I’m unplugging for a while. My Facebook Fan Page will remain live, but I’ll be completely deleting my personal Facebook account. My Twitter account will also remain live, but doubtful I’ll be very active there. Same with Instagram (although as much as I love taking and sharing photos- I’ll admit that this one will be very hard to even slow down on, let alone quit completely). I will of course be updating the amazing people who have shown their support for me and my music by pledging to be a part of my new album, but aside from that, the only place I plan on reaching out for the foreseeable future is here on my blog.

That’s the social media side of things. As for real life, I imagine that for the month of September I’ll be spending a lot of time on my own, with Robert and Tyson too, but mostly on my own. I certainly don’t expect that I’m gonna be chomping at the bit to hang out with anyone that isn’t family or that I don’t truly trust and consider to be a real friend for a long time to come. That said, if you have my contact info and want to hang, the best way to reach me will be an actual telephone/FaceTime call or even better - A REAL FACE TO FACE CONVERSATION. Those who want to see me, know where I live. To be honest, certainly this crossroads that I find myself at right now, has a lot to do with the amount of people that I have allowed to come into my life who have turned out to be flakes and fiends. I’ve allowed myself to take in far more of those types than ever before and I cannot continue to share myself with just anyone. Another facet to this whole thing is that since appearing on The Voice, I’ve never really given myself a proper break. Don’t get me wrong - it’s been a lot of work that needed to be done when it was done and there is a lot more work to be done still - but I still deserve a break to truly let myself breathe and reset. 

Then, when September is over and (hopefully) my brain and my soul are reformatted and restored, I’ll dive head first into making this new album. I’ve been writing a ton lately and there are songs-o-plenty that need to be fleshed out and be given a chance to be heard. Once the songs are in place, the album will be out and then I’m going on the road to share it with as many of you as I can. I’m very excited about what the next year holds for me and I hope you’ll be there to be a part of it with me. Until then, bear with me while I get back to me and back to what hopefully brought you here in the first place - my voice and my songs.

Much love,

Nakia

Southern (California) Hospitality and Friendship

There’s a real distinct difference in the way people in California think about hospitality and friendship vs the way I was raised in Alabama and even the Texas take on both subjects.

I definitely feel blessed to have friends like Dave and Jason. They seem to be a different breed of Californian. Maybe part of that is that Jason is Canadian. I’m not sure, but I’m so grateful to them. They have been super hosts.

I grew up surrounded by they type of people, that once you became friends, you were thick as thieves and nothing was more important than that bond. If I called one of them at 3am and said “I need help” or “Can you ?” they would drop what they were doing to help. I miss those friendships. I miss those friends. Many are dead and gone, some are long lost and out of touch, but there are a few that I remain in contact with that I would like to see tonight. Right now. I love them all so much.

I love spending time out here in LA. It’s beautiful and I get a lot of work done while I’m here, but I miss Austin and I miss Alabama. I miss those real friendships. The kind of people that when you’re nearby they go out of their way to see you and spend time with you. The kind of people who understand that every moment counts.

Goodnight.
Kia

Sore and Available

After a serious workout yesterday I had a seriously deep tissue massage. The two combined have left me damn near immobile. My body aches in places I didn’t know existed! lol
I’m sure I’ll be fine once I get some cardio and stretching in today, but good lord I am feeling it right now!
In other news, two of my favorite writers that I love working with canceled our sessions for today and tomorrow saying they never confirmed the dates. I was pretty bummed but lucky for me, I don’t need another person to write a song, although I do love cowriting, so I can write some jams on my own for the next few days.
It also frees me up to hang with friends in the Los Angeles area. (Hint Hint) I thought I was gonna get to hang with one of my favorite friends out here today but it didn’t happen, so for now I will lay here in bed trying to convince my body that I need to move, while my body keeps saying, “That shit cray.”

Disney DOH!!

That moment when you get 1 mile from your friend’s house and you realize that you left something in your car.

ORRRRR….

That moment when the tram arrives at the main entrance plaza and you realize you left your park hopper pass in your friend’s car.

Just not enough…

That’s the name of the song I’ve been working on in the studio the last two days. Today’s session JUST ended and I’m sleepy but ready to get back at it soon. I have the chance to go to Coachella this weekend but the studio is my first priority during this trip so I have made the decision to stay in LA and work instead.

Tonight during my break from the studio I drove over to Largo to see Joseph Arthur. He was fantastic! He had Rami Jaffe, C.C. White, and Greg Dulli sit in. I got to meet them all as well as Daryl Hannah and Juliette Lewis. Everyone was super nice. I really enjoyed my break. ;-)

When I got in, I had a text from Dia. She’s in the desert for Coachella - to hang, not play, and I found out that Vicci played Key Club tonight. I wish I had known. I also just read that Vicci’s album is now due out on June 19th. I hope it does really well.

Ok, off to do some dreaming… Xoxo

Sleepless in Los Angeles and random thoughts on The Voice

Lying here in bed in Los Angeles and I am wide awake. I flew out here this morning from Austin, slept on the plane, then napped after lunch, and I’m just not ready to sleep. Which always sucks, but more so tonight because I have to be in the studio writing tomorrow morning.

I’m really excited to be back out here to write and I have some great sessions lined up. I can’t wait to start working on a new album. I would love to be in the studio by the fall. Everyone keeps asking me about what I’m doing or if I’m signed yet or what Christina is like in real life… I’m still me. Still Nakia. I’m writing new songs and playing them live with my band around Texas. Oh and as for Christina… She’s Christina! What do you think she’s like? Sweet, sexy, amazingly talented singer, driven, and of course… A true diva. I had very little interaction with her when the cameras were off but I think that was true for everyone on her team even.

Watching The Voice this season is tough. First there’s the timing thing. I rehearse on Monday nights. Or I’m performing. Or I’m living my life, etc… So I catch little bits here and there and most of that is on NBC.com. Then there’s the frustrating thing. I miss television. It was fun and it came very natural to me, so watching the show reminds me of how much I miss it. “It” being mainly the performances and rehearsals and interaction with the amazing crew we had and of course my fellow season 1 singers. There are other things I miss about it too, like the live audience and the yes, the cameras (I’m just a little vain… lol), but it was a very special moment in time for me. I’m glad it happened when it did and it will always be a part of my story.

Hmmm… I’m actually making myself sleepy, so this must really be boring you. Haha I’m gonna try to sleep while I can.

Night night!
~Kia

Is there anybody out there?

So there are over 400 people following me and hardly any of you are liking my posts here. What’s up?

Don’t like what I’m posting? Don’t care? Echo… Echo…

Nakia “Slow It Down and Stay Awhile” (by MusicFog)

So excited that “Slow It Down And Stay A While” is on the front page of MusicFog.com today! The Music Fog crew did a fantastic job on the video/audio, right? So seriously y’all - I can’t stress enough the importance of YOUR HELP. Sharing is caring - So if you care about my music and me, please help me spread the word by clicking “Reblog” and posting this video EVERYWHERE we can!

Source: youtube.com

Top