Merrill Amos: Blog

So...I haven't written in a while. My sincerest apologies, dear adoring fans. I've heard of a few people reading this...so for my devoted readers, this one's for you! :P My little top 40 thing kind of failed; I got so completely busy going back to school and updating the website became less and less of a priority. So it's November now...the heat just kicked on in my house and I'm settled in for the night with my computer and my Stewie Griffin pajama pants. Don't judge...you know you love Family Guy, too. ;) To make up for my top 40 failure, I'll give you updates on songs I'm listening to as I'm writing. Sound fair? (This is when you say yes so I can pretend I'm not talking to myself). Ok so first to set the mood I'm listening to "Woman" by Rachael Yamagata...she has such a beautiful and unique voice, not to mention the song does wonders for relaxing me. :)
So anyway, moving on. Since we spoke last, quite a lot has happened! My windshield was severely cracked by a huge rock (boo) but I was on my way to NYC where I played my first *gasp!* big city open mic night (yay)! I've written a couple new songs (yay again!) and decided that my project for winter break will be to learn the mandolin (comments?). I'm gonna be on a couple smaller radio shows in the near future, so I'll try and post some vids or something up here soon!!

I am LOVING the fact that I now can have a music player constantly at the top of my page for you all to enjoy! The website gods finally heard my requests.

So GUESS WHAT?!?!? (Ocean and a Rock by Lisa Hannigan comes on -- love it!) I have an AWESOME project in the works right now. It's kind of a secret. But I figured I'd tell you to get you wondering and in turn bait you to come back and erm...I don't know if "stalk" is the right word....but stalk my website some more. :P Mainly...I just don't want to jinx it by announcing it to the world, *knocks on wood anyway* but fear not...I'll tell you as soon as everything's set!! :D (you'll like it, I promise)

I posted "Awake Tonight" on the site...let me know what you think of it!! It's my latest baby and I would love to hear some feedback. I recorded it a couple days ago over at Funk'n Waffles with my friend Adam Gold of Sophistafunk (myspace.com/sophistafunkband) -- they're so awesome!! (and no one even asked me to advertise...what a good friend I am!) ;) Anyway, so Adam helped me out and we recorded Awake Tonight on his computer at the Funk after closing time....well that very same night Adam's car was robbed and the robber got his computer!!! Someone somewhere has my song(oh and his stuff too)!! Thank Jeebus I put that baby on my flashdrive! Still though...if you hear some poser parading around with a great song about insomnia...let me know.

I've been using the Law of Attraction/positive thought a lot lately to help me visualize all my goals -- especially about music. I can't even begin to tell you how well it's working! To tell you the truth, September and October were pretty yucky months emotionally. As soon as November hit, it was like BAM! Life is amazing again!! It didn't take much for me to finally get my motivation and positivity back, and now the continuing effects are just awesome. (Undress To The Beat by Jeanette comes on...before you judge by the title, just listen to it...it is a GOOD song. :P) I'm not just being naive, either...I know that life can have its ups and downs but ya know what?? Life is great no matter what!! My sister put it in a great way: "you have to believe it to see it." I had been waiting for the longest time to see something good happen in my life...and then I'd believe that good things could happen. When you cut out that waiting game and being out of control and you announce that "ya know what?? I deserve the best!!" it's amazing how fast things start - and keep - happening for you. So anyway, needless to say the only way to go is up...and I believe it!! :D See you all at the top!

Hey Everybody!!! Welcome to my first installment of my own version of the Top 40....basically songs that I've been listening to on repeat all month so far, and are thus my sources for the latest musical inspiration!! Enjoy! :P

I had NO idea how to order these, so I randomized the playlist on my iTunes and this is what we've got!!


1. Fairytale - Alexander Rybak
2. Girl Overboard - Girls Aloud
3. Breakable - Ingrid Michaelson
4. You're My World - Emilia
5. You Can Never Hold Back Spring - Tom Waits
6. Show Me What I'm Looking For - Carolina Liar
7. Crazy Possessive (I'll Muck You Up) - Kaci Battaglia
8. Smile - Todd Carey ft. Sara Bareilles
9. Mathematics - Little Boots
10. Swim - Jack's Mannequin
11. Cardiff-By-The-Sea - The Ataris
12. Release Me (UK Radio Edit) - Agnes
13. Don't You Wanna Be Mine? (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit) - Denise Lopez
14. Sleep - The Dandy Warhols
15. Her Morning Elegance - Oren Lavie
16. Qualcosa Che Non C'è - Elisa
17. Skin My Knees - Kate Klim
18. The Story - Norah Jones
19. Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) - Freemasons feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor
20. I Can Be A Bitch - EliZe
21. Safer - Gabriella Cilmi
22. I Surrender - Kate Ryan
23. Cry Tonight (Kiss Me Back)(Jeff Martens Radio Edit) - Kim Sozzi
24. Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event
25. Tricks Of The Trade - Paolo Nutini
26. Existentialism On Prom Night - Straylight Run
27. By The Way - Jenna Drey
28. Love On The Rocks (Live At The Fillmore) - Sara Bareilles
29. Pocket - Sam Sparro
30. Make It Mine - Jason Mraz
31. That's How To Love (IC3M4N Radio Edit) - Lara McAllen
32. Apologies - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
33. Chinese - Lily Allen
34. Come Home - OneRepublic feat. Sara Bareilles
35. The Greatest - Cat Power
36. No One Sleeps When I'm Awake - The Sounds
37. L'Amour Toujours - Sagi Rei
38. Dreams Come Alive - Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
39. Mama, You've Been On My Mind - Jeff Buckley
40. If A Song Could Get Me You - Marit Larsen


Stay tuned! :P

Oh, what clever sayings they come up with for horoscopes..."The only thing to fear is fear of rejection." Talk about insight. I suppose it actually does hold some truth, when you think about it.
After many days in a row of feeling absolutely uninspired, there came a period of many days in a row in which I felt exactly the opposite...and damn it I don't have a guitar! (Left in Italy -- by mandate of Air France -- don't ask; too painful.)
Anyway...I kinda get the feeling that something good is ahead :) (Let's hope my luck in the future is a little better than it was today at the slot machines.) I consider myself rejected by the Turning Stone Casino. For now. Just wait until they want me to play a concert there...ha! I do, however, think it's far too late at night to be continuing to write this and expect myself to sound somewhat sane. So on that note...until next time! (Who the hell reads this, anyway?)

-Merrill

So here I am on a Friday night, suddenly compelled to write a journal entry. I don't write journal entries. What's going on today, geez? First I actually GO to the gym (instead of enthusiastically talking about it with my roommate) and now I'm actually taking the time sit and write when I am not being physically made to. (Not really physically, but you get the idea.)
Anyway, I am quite filled with excitement at the fact that Irene's Coffee and Jazz House has a weekly open mic night...who knew? So for now until December, you know where I'll be on Wednesday nights. (Maybe.....maybe not, because Rebecca Otis, although I love you to pieces, I am not a fan of your weekly Thursday papers.)
On another note, I have finally hopped aboard the Pandora bandwagon, and life on board is good. Sara Bareilles radio....I think YES. I've also discovered some great new artists and songs....so what's not to love? (other than the fact that my music is not YET found on the site....but that is just one of many minor details.)
It's been raining all day today. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that I absolutely love rainy days. Not saying that I want it to rain EVERY day, but nonetheless, they're pretty great. My favorite is waking up and hearing the rain and just laying under the covers indefinitely enjoying sounds and smell of the rain. I got half of my wish today.....woke up and it was raining....didn't lay in bed. Went to the gym and sweated my ass off (i did sweat, but the ass is still there.)

May I just take this opportunity to discuss the fact that my roomie Jojo (no, not the pop singer...but i promise i won't laugh at your name) and I have been speaking in British accents with each other for the last 6 days. It's a hard habit to break....especially in public....in the presence of people I know. Regardless, Napoleana (that's me, because what can I say....i do a mean napoleon dynamite impersonation) and Brewster Webster (that's her because that's the name she wants....GOD...napoleon anyone?) continue our British escapades to the gym and elsewhere.
More to come later, as I am currently being prodded to stop being a nerd at my computer and start getting ready for the night's activities. Until next time.

-Napoleana

The website MusackHowse has said they want to feature me as their "Howse Pick" so keep your eyes out for me! I'll let you know when it's posted!

I just ordered a new acoustic-electric guitar! Movin' on up...