Amy Loftus

Examiner Post here!

I dusted off my Examiner column if you’re interested!

I learned some lessons about art and commerce over the past couple of weeks! I was reminded that no matter what anyone else assumes or imagines, at the end of the day all I am is a singer and a writer looking to reach people. It’s all I’ve ever been and all I’ll ever be.

So this morning I had this song pop into my head-about how I got started in music, which was kind of a big surprise to me. It was simple- I had never sang in front of anyone before, unless it was to be silly/funny in college, and at Second City. But I met a band, and I fell in love with the existing lead singer/songwriter, and he encouraged me to get up and sing the poems I’d been writing, and all of a sudden I was 21 and I wasn’t going to be an art teacher anymore. I started traveling around singing to people and my life changed completely- nothing was ever the same. Sometimes it’s been a lonely life but I wouldn’t change a thing. Not a single moment! Ten years later he was gone, and that part of my life was over and I wrote this song in Nashville and recorded it with John Deaderick, just a demo, one take. I never released it, only played it at shows. It’s a love song to the only thing that matters: the listeners, the audience.

In other words, you.

Hug,

Amy

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Untouchable Eyes

A. Loftus 2004

i had a little red sunbird magic misty sky misty as all the tears i couldn’t cry

we went the woods nobody asked why he had a untouchable look in his eye

my mother got nervous my father got pissed but we kept on twirling in that magic mist

i showed him my words and he told me to bring em to a stage in chicago and he told me to sing em

and out of the blue i’m singing to you

so i sang and i sang wherever i could and the audience taught me that i might be good

i lived for the songs like they knew that i would and i learned the difference between must and should

see people with nothin can’t afford kids who sit still they fear they’ll always be in a hard hat at the mill

but people with money can’t afford kids who dream they fear their agenda will run out of steam

untouchable eyes loved me if there was a reason by now we were perched  by the sea in the city with one season

i read for the movies but that’s just more people pleasin besides untouchable eyes had a habit needin easin

my brother took the sunbird and we got a van toured from city to city but mostly i ran

runnin from where i came from runnin toward my clan hopin for safety a stage and a fan

and out of the blue here singin to you

i left untouchable eyes in denver and headed on to tennessee and i learned two halves do not make a we

and i went to the woods and i went to the sea and i went by myself and i learned the word me

and so all of my life is because of those words bring em to a stage in chicago and i stood to sing em

and songs they still come take the clouds and just clear em but i owe everything to the ones who come hear em

out of the blue i’m singin to you you’re keepin me true singin to you

Hi y’all,

May you have a very Happy Thanksgiving and a lovely holiday season. Biggest hug to you!

Amy

The other day I read an incredible article in the NY Times by Sara Eckel, went on a boring date, and came home and wrote this song.

It’s unbelieveable how many amazing, gorgeous, talented, smart women with good credit and nice homes are out there wondering where the hell their true love is. It’s nuts!

The saddest thing is there’s nothing wrong with any of us, it’s just a new day and we’re more awake and adventurous, and men don’t seem to be in the mood to get married. The point is I think we all wonder if something is wrong with us from time to time, at least I do. That’s sad.

So this is for any girl who does.

Love,

Amy

i feel like a store that don’t have any customers a house on the market too long

a car with an AM stereo y’can never find any good songs

i’m a waterfront people appreciate still refreshing and open and young

but that’s 4o up there in the headlights what’s wrong

it’s not like i don’t know love

or what it’s made of

it’s a sound that you feel that you almost can hear

you remember from when you did not hold things dear

something i forgot

missing from the plot

where the one who comes after you home in his eyes

knows it’s you without needing time to realize

is this happening

cuz i keep asking

asking the ceiling

asking my friends

asking my mother

to point out loose ends

ask my reflection

check my intentions

98 degrees

all my faculties

and it’s what’s wrong with me

they will tell you to just love yourself more jump a cliff learn to surf hire a jet

charlatans saviors and secrets and he just hasn’t showed up yet

and the married ones tell you enjoy it cuz their fireworks are fallin down

but they don’t understand all you want is your man in the other room fumblin around

Yesterday I burst into tears when I learned Frank Dileo had passed last month, and worse, I did not know, and was unable to pay my respects.

Frank was truly an original and I feel privileged to have known him. In the fall of 2007 my agent at that time called me to tell me I had a meeting with Frank. I was just grateful for the meeting. Frank ended up pitching songs for me, and was like an uncle to me. He told me the truth. If I was going on a date he’d tell me to call him the next day after making sure the guy had a job. I called him when I almost made a bad decision with my mortgage, and he got me back on track. He listened to songs I was working on and sent me back to the drawing board. He sat in the front row when I played the Bluebird. We ate three course lunches at Savarino’s in Nashville and the table would fill up with more and more folks. I have so many good memories of Frank. He had the best stories. His uncle saying to his cousin “how’s the steak?” and his cousin turning his nose up to say “it’s a little tough.” and his uncle saying “yeah? well it’d be a little tougher if it wasn’t there.” When Frank found out I was raised Catholic, that’s when we really bonded and he’d tell me all of his Catholic school stories.

I’d bring songs to his office on Music Row and freak out that I was sitting under Michael’s glove, in a glass case. It never got old. Frank would roll his eyes and say “I’m gonna make you pay me a dollar for listening to this song, kid. It’s got too many words. When are we getting to the hook?” Back to the drawing board. Frank liked Artificial Glare and Peas and Carrots. We did a little dance in the office one day when someone asked for a second listen of Fireworks. Frank encouraged me to keep writing when I was losing faith. I loved him. The world was better because he was in it. He cared so deeply about Michael Jackson and because he knew I loved Michael too, he told me stories of their years together. I feel sure that if Michael had kept Frank as his manager, his life would’ve been very different- he would’ve been protected. Frank took care of others, that’s what he did. He did not want anyone to have to help him. The last time I saw him was at the Beverly Hilton, we had breakfast near the pool and he told me about five times to make sure they put my parking charge on his room tab. He gave me more great advice that day. After Michael died we exchanged voicemails, and then sadly, we were not in touch.

But I’m grateful for the time we did have. When I would press him for answers and predictions about my music, he’d say, “if I answer that, and I end up being wrong, you’re gonna hate me in ten years.” But we only had three.

You never know when the last time you’re ever going to see someone is. So make sure they know how much you love em.

I’m listening to the mixes from the acoustic covers project I did for Lakeshore Entertainment, which is a movie company and soundtrack label I am fortunate enough to be working with these days. I got an email from the powers that be over there indicating there’ll be more to share with you once these are available so I’ll keep you posted. It was definitely fun breaking down top 40 hits into acoustic versions and glimpsing what those writers did. Of course the Gaga song was most fun. As I listen I’m realizing I’d already forgotten all that we did in June..I’m teaching a lot this summer so I was running over there in the afternoon in yoga clothes, singing, and bolting to go teach more classes. A little midday core immersion- flexing my diaphragm to sing- and then back to class! It’s cool to review them and hear how they turned out. I’m kinda shy- some of ‘em have lines that made me blush.

The Pure Teacher Training has been going really well and I am amazed at my teachers-in-training. I can’t wait to take their classes, and I only hope I am shedding as much light for them as they do for me. If you wish, learn more about the amazing teachers in my midst that are a part of this training, and ones to come: Allison English (National Manager of Pure) Claudia Fucigna, (my co-teacher) Clio Manuelian, and  Kate Duyn.

Here’s a glimpse of our Anatomy section with the very talented Maura Barclay:

Last, I’m looking forward to shooting my first fitness video next week with the very brilliant Jill Miller, creator of the format Yoga Tune Up.

Then when all that’s over I’m going to swim in Lake Michigan, drink beer out of a can and eat ice cream.

I wish you all well and hope you’re eating fresh tomatoes from the garden and having a really fun summer!!

Hug-Amy