Today, I’m kicking off a month of travel, leaving Melody Ranch behind to reconnect with the big-city energy that fuels my music. My journey starts with a flight to Europe, but even as I trade wide open space for bustling streets and packed venues, music will remain my constant.
This trip is different from any I’ve taken before. For the first time, in as long as I can remember, I’ll be traveling without my computer—something that feels both freeing and unsettling. Instead, I’ll be tethered to my musical projects through my iPad, a stripped-down version of my usual workflow. And with long flights ahead, I’ve been thinking a lot about composing and practicing on the road, finding ways to keep the creative process alive even at 30,000 feet.
But make no mistake—the work never stops. I’ll be working with clients and players, including decades-old collaborators and several Musiversal musicians, throughout the trip. I’ll be taking notes, offering mix feedback to friends, and finally catching up on a stack of songs waiting for my ears. These long flights and quiet moments between destinations will give me the space to listen deeply and provide meaningful feedback.
Practicing Rock Goddess Harmonies and Piano Parts on the Go
Even while traveling, I’ll be practicing the piano parts and harmonies for Roni Lee’s Rock Goddess event, using GarageBand’s piano feature directly on my iPad. It’s surprisingly intuitive, allowing me to refine my arrangements and work through vocal parts without needing a full keyboard. The touch-sensitive keys and on-screen controls make it easy to map out harmonies and lock in transitions between sections, all while on a plane or in a hotel room.
For guitar-heavy arrangements, I’ll be using GeoShred, an app by Jordan Rudess, which is one of the most expressive virtual instruments I’ve ever worked with. Since I won’t have a guitar in hand for most of this trip, GeoShred allows me to create incredibly realistic guitar tones, bends, and slides, making it a powerful stand-in when working on big rock productions.
I’ve also been working on an orchestrated arrangement for a client’s song, “Dear Sinéad,” a tribute to Sinéad O’Connor. While I’m on the road, I’ll be using Logic Pro and GarageBand for iOS to lay down MIDI string parts, which will later be expanded into a full orchestration. The ability to sketch out arrangements in GarageBand and open them in Logic later as fully printable and editable scores is a game-changer for musicians and composers working remotely.
I’ve always been an early adopter when it comes to music technology, though I come from a traditional background. I studied opera in college—not pop music—despite knowing I would be a commercial musician. Even then, I was fascinated by the idea of bridging the old ways with the new, blending time-tested technique with modern tools—that mindset has shaped everything I do.
For fellow guitarists, stepping into the world of virtual instrumentation might feel foreign, but it’s worth it. It’s not about replacing the organic experience, it’s about expanding what’s possible.
Homework: If you’ve never played with virtual instruments, try it. iOS DAWs and instruments offer a tactile familiarity that you don’t always find on a computer. Open GarageBand or another DAW, lay down a simple chord progression with MIDI, and see what it inspires. You don’t have to be a producer to explore.
The Power of a Musical Network
One of the things I’m most grateful for is how musicians take care of each other. Live music doesn’t come with financial security for most of us—it’s something we do because we love it, because we have to, because it’s part of us. Most touring musicians aren’t making big money from playing live. But the reality is that many of us are able to keep touring, rehearsing, and performing because of the generosity of our musical network.
Every time I come into town for shows, I not only have places to stay but also places to practice, places to rehearse, places where music can live and breathe before it hits the stage.
For my Rock Goddess gig at the Viper Room, I’ll be staying in one of my favorite musician’s old studios in the Hollywood Hills—a space filled with history, creativity, and the energy of all the music that’s come before. It’s a reminder of how our community supports one another, making sure we have what we need to keep going.
The magic absolutely happens on stage, but it starts in these spaces. It happens in living rooms, garages, makeshift home studios, and even Airbnbs, where players gather, hammer out arrangements, and make last-minute adjustments. Without these spaces—and the people who open them to us—many of us wouldn’t be able to pull off the shows we do.
Homework: If you’ve never collaborated virtually, start now. Virtual collaboration isn’t the future—it’s the present. Whether you’re sending files to a friend across town or working with musicians around the world, technology allows us to create together in ways that weren’t possible even a decade ago.
And if you really want an excuse to travel, reach out to musicians in other cities. Plan a trip around a session, a rehearsal, or even just a jam. And hey, it’s probably a write-off. But if you aren’t sure, Roni Lee also owns a tax/accounting company that helps musicians figure out those very things. As Janis said, tell mama all about it—during paid office hours, of course.
Keeping Connected Across Distances
As I step onto this plane, I’m reminded of how music keeps me tethered to different places and people, no matter where I am. Even as I travel thousands of miles away, I’ll be mentally preparing for the Rock Goddess show, staying connected through texts, song selections, and rehearsal planning.
For anyone out there who works remotely or has moved away from their original music scene, I can tell you that staying connected is possible. It takes intention, but it’s worth it. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Stay in touch with your people. It doesn’t have to be constant, but check in, share projects, and keep supporting each other.
- Make the effort to show up. Whether it’s hopping on a call, collaborating from afar, or flying across the country for a show, staying involved matters.
- Trust your team. Work with people who inspire you, who pull their weight, and who make the process easy. It makes all the difference.
See You at the Shows!
Rock Goddess has evolved over the years. What started as a celebration of powerhouse female rock singers has grown into a space where we’re also bringing our original music to the stage. Roni Lee, a longtime fixture in the San Diego rock scene, was just nominated for a San Diego Music Award for Best Rock Artist. Shamani just released her new album, Kaliyuga Blues. And me? I’m gearing up to release Prophecies and Promises later this year.
It’s amazing to see how this event has stayed strong while also growing to showcase new music from the artists who have been part of it since the beginning. If you’re in the area, come out and see why Rock Goddess has stood the test of time.
March 13 at the Full Circle Saloon, Santee, CA
March 15 at the Viper Room, Los Angeles, CA
Let’s rock!
