The Birthday Project
One of my grad school professors once told me that creative people rarely finish their projects. In 2021, I set out to write and perform 12 original birthday songs and deliver them to friends on or before their DOB.
This track (for Justin) features my talented friend and neighbor, Yohei Shikano, playing bass and significantly supporting my guitar stylings with his own. It was recorded at his place in Mount Washington on July 3rd, just as the birds were singing their evening songs and early fireworks started to pop through the canyon.
On December 4, 2021, I finished The Birthday Project and performed all 12 songs at an intimate gathering for birthday honorees and other close friends.
This project brought me outside of my typical diary style of writing and allowed me to think about another person, who they are, what our relationship is, what it means to have your birthday in April or October or December, how it feels to share a birthday, and the marking of time as the pandemic marches on.
The birthday deadlines also pushed me to learn and improve my skills on different instruments. I had never written anything on guitar or ukulele before I felt the dates looming and needed fresh ideas.
It was a great experiment overall. Happy Birthday, everyone! - Liz
Here’s the video I made for Jake in June:
January: “Abracadabra” - for Joe Napolitano (1/1)
February: “Birthday Buddies” - for Brian and Bridget, who share a birthday (2/7)
March: “Something Out of Nothing” - for Chris (3/30)
April: “Someday” for Pete (4/2)
May: “See You In Palm Springs” for Jon (5/20)
June: “Jacob’s Lullabye” - for Jake (6/21)
July: “Magic Curtain” - for Justin (7/5)
August: “Who Knew There Was A Lioness?” - for Jane (8/6)
September: “Back Seat” for Aaron (9/2)
October: “Roses” for Piper and Maya (born 10/4/21 and 10/6/21)
November: “The Old Routines” for Danielle (10/22 -- belated)
December: “Holding the Lights” - for Lindsay (12/27)
I released a surprise single in July 2020, recorded and engineered by, and featuring my friend and neighbor, Yohei.
Here’s the video I made for Aaron in September:
Hoping to record ‘em all and release in 2023. Currently crowd-sourcing images of people blowing out birthday candles. Reach out if you’re reading this and have some to share.