Asheville | thesofiamagazine

Land of the Living

by Peggy Ratusz | Jun 30, 2020 | Asheville, Music, Musician, Women

By Peggy Ratusz

From the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, I spoke to multi-faceted, multi-instrumentalist; multi-talented Eleanor Underhill, where she was visiting her family (social distancing guidelines in place) on Emerald Isle in late May. They all quarantined for weeks before heading to the beach for their annual reunion.

Born and raised in Williamsburg, VA, she moved to WNC to attend Warren Wilson College. A fearless musical explorer, she thrives on going places she’s never been before. Luckily she shares with us her discoveries and treasures via sound, lyric, rhythm and melody.

My first encounter with Eleanor was maybe 12 years ago, where I experienced first-hand her undeniable warmth, talent and easy going demeanor while co-billing with her at a local female artist showcase.

Since then she’s completed countless tours, nationally and internationally, with critically acclaimed Americana band, Underhill Rose; a band she co-created with guitarist, singer songwriting partner, Molly Rose Reed. Eleanor Underhill & Friends is a non-touring project she formed in 2014 with Zack Page on bass and Chris Pyle on drums. While simultaneously and successfully juggling these two endeavors, a solo project has now emerged for this visionary.

‘Navigate the Madness,’ was her first solo release in 2018, garnering praise for its rich tapestry and electronic sounds. Her latest release, ‘Land of the Living’ takes notes from ‘Navigate’ but resumes the journey down a tangent path of more sonic surprises and stylistic souvenirs.

From writing, playing multiple instruments, singing, producing, engineering and editing, ‘Land of the Living’ is in every sense of the word, a solo undertaking. “It was all recorded at home except for the drums, which were tracked locally at Echo Mountain Studio. I really wanted to push this one to a higher fidelity, and getting the drums dialed in professionally was a big part of accomplishing that. I recognize that not a lot of women are on the production side, and this solo project allows me to learn and explore; not only to follow my muse down unknown alleys, but also to push myself in more technical ways.”

“What makes this solo work so different is because I have that technology layer available to me. The real fun part for me is making decisions from a gut-impulse which comes from the multitude of influences that I’ve heard throughout my life. From Doo-Whop to rap to New Age and everything in between, I trust myself as I duck down into that rabbit-hole of sound.” The hardest part of the process she says comes during the editing phase.

While she consulted with knowledgeable friends concerning the mix, and she didn’t fail to mention that she relied on the expertise of Julian Dryer to engineer the drums at the studio, it’s important to note that she drove the bus.

The 13 tracks on ‘Land’ are a compilation and combination of “orphan songs” written over a decade ago, and ones written just this past fall. The production-based and exploratory nature on many of the pieces is fascinatingly evident while others possess a more singer-songwriter vibe.

There are unique and unexpected intros on several tracks. This is true for the first single being released as a video called ‘Strange Chemistry.’ “The intro is me singing acapella. I didn’t notice until the instruments kicked in that I was in the wrong key. But it was a beautiful accident I never planned for but decided to keep. It seemed natural to not squash it, given the sad overtones the song invokes.” Jesse Gentry from The Get Right Band plays a loose, free-flowing bass solo that is a stand-out.

“Run with the Wolves” has “a bit of female rebellion and defiance in it. It reflects how forward-pushing this project was for me. When I listen to it in my car, it makes me drive fast!” With layers of luscious harmonies in the chorus and a solo by Michel Buble’s baritone sax player, Jacob Rodriguez, the song reaches new heights for Underhill, vocally.

“Didn’t We Have Fun” is a statement and a question, sarcastic with “mixed emotions.” Another track, “Gambling” she says is one of the older tunes that got a big “facelift in terms of approach. It’s a metaphor that being a musician and artist is like being a gambler. I was experiencing an unsteady time when I wrote it, and working on it for this record, pushed me to put a modern feel to it.”

“On the Way to Engelhard” is my personal favorite melody and theme, though the rest of the tunes are certainly neck and neck for 2nd place. For me, it conjured a place I used to visit as a child, that like Engelhard, is different to me now that I’m older, not only because the ravages of time have stripped it of its charm, but because I’m different now too.

The title track is sparse with a reggae vibe. Eleanor referred to it as a “revelation” song. “I have absorbed the beliefs of my foremothers and fathers. I have to cast off what is not serving me. By casting off those ghosts I am fully embracing my life with freshness; rather than living in any hand-me-down shadow or burden.” It’s a song she finds particularly relevant now. “We are all experiencing a reckoning. We are all waking-up to a new awareness.”

There is an online album release premiere happening Friday August 7th at 7pm from Eleanor’s facebook timeline page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.underhill I invite you to tune in so that we can all watch together in real time!

Connect and stay up to date with all things Eleanor Underhill, by visiting her website: eleanorunderhillmusic.com

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter.
For vocal coaching email her at [email protected]

I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill

by Natasha Kubis | Jun 30, 2020 | Acupuncture, Asheville, Nutrition, yoga

By Natasha Kubis

Nothing proclaims summer better than fresh, sweet, nutritious, and beautiful blueberries. July marks National Blueberry Month, and the celebration of one of our most beloved fruits. They are native to North America, and have been used by Native Americans for centuries for food and medicinal purposes. It is surprising that blueberries were not actually domesticated until 1916, when a couple of agricultural pioneers from New Jersey decided to tame the wild nature of blueberries by creating a hybrid that could be commercially grown. This was the turning point that brought them from farm to table, thus creating the flourishing industry for cultivated blueberries we have today.

A growing body of positive scientific research supports the many health benefits of this delicious fruit. Here are just a few of their many benefits:

They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps protect cells against damage, and aids in the absorption of iron.

They also contain a decent amount of soluble fiber, which slows down the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream, and helps to keep the digestive system functioning well.

Blueberries are rich in phytochemicals, which are the naturally occurring plant compounds responsible for the blue, indigo, and red coloring. Phytochemicals have been researched extensively for their antioxidant action that helps protect the body against a long list of diseases. Epidemiological studies associate regular intake of blueberries with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Blueberries have a reputation for being jam-packed with antioxidants compared to other common fruits. Antioxidants are compounds that protect against the oxidative cell damage that naturally occurs with age, chronic sun exposure, environmental toxins, and stress.

The Journals of Gerontology published a systematic review of the effects of flavonoid-rich blueberries (flavonoids are a group of plant metabolites thought to provide health benefits through cell signalling pathways and antioxidant effects) on cognitive performance as we age. The 11 studies included children, older adults, and adults with mild cognitive impairments. For children who were given a blueberry supplement, there were consistent improvements in memory and executive function, which relates to the ability to control behavior. Older adults and adults with mild cognitive impairments receiving blueberry supplements experienced these, as well as improved psychomotor function, including coordination and dexterity.

Have fun celebrating National Blueberry Month by picking fresh blueberries, and making some delicious and nutritious recipes featured!

Blueberry
Smoothie Bowl

Smoothie

1 cup of frozen blueberries

1 container (5.3 ounces) of vanilla dairy or nondairy yogurt

1/2 of a frozen banana

3 tablespoons of dairy or nondairy milk

Toppings

1/2 cup of fresh blueberries

1/2 cup of sliced peaches

1/4 cup of granola

2 tablespoons of flax seeds

2 tablespoons of sliced walnuts

2 tablespoons of flaked coconut

Purée blueberries, yogurt, banana, and milk in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.

Top with berries, sliced peaches, granola, flax seeds, walnuts, and coconut.

Gluten Free Blueberry Crumble

Blueberry base:

4 cups of fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of cornstarch

Crumble:

1 cup of your favorite granola,
or rolled oats

1 cup of chopped walnuts

1 cup of almond flour

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup of maple syrup

1/3 cup of butter, vegan margarine, or coconut oil (melted).

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, mix the blueberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla. Add the cornstarch and toss the blueberries.

Spoon the berries into an 8×8 inch pan.

In another bowl, mix the granola, walnuts, almond flour, and salt. Stir in the maple syrup, butter, and vanilla until well combined.

Next, spread the crumble on top of the blueberries.

Bake in the oven for 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

Let cool completely, and top with whipped cream, ice cream, yogurt, or cinnamon.

“Pick Your Own”
Blueberry Farms:

The Berry Farm
2260 Revere Rd.
Marshall, NC 28753
(828) 656-2056

Cloud 9 Farms
137 Bob Barnwell Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732
(828) 628-1758

Dogwood Hills Farm
369 Ox Creek Rd.
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828)645-6286

Hickory Nut Gap Farm
57 Sugar Hollow Road
Fairview, NC 28730
(828) 628-1027

Natasha Kubis is a licensed acupuncturist and certified yoga teacher. For more information, visit acuwellhealth.com

For the Birds

by admin | Jun 5, 2020 | Asheville, Birds, Lifestyle

By Gigi Steel

It’s hard to imagine anything more peaceful than sitting in a rocking chair with a beverage and listening to songbirds as they flit around your backyard. Whether you live in the city or the country and whether you have a backyard or balcony, you can attract birds with just a few simple steps.

Birds need a regular supply of food and water, so the first step in attracting them is to provide fresh water and quality food. A clean water supply not only provides birds with water to drink, but also gives them a place to bathe and preen. Bird baths work great but must be cleaned regularly to discourage the growth of bacteria and algae. A water feature with a pump will keep water moving to help avoid this problem. Many birds enjoy misters. On a sweltering afternoon, they will playfully dart in and out of the water mist.

Purchasing high quality bird food will keep your feathered friends healthy. It will also encourage them to come back for more and raise their families in your backyard.

Remember that different varieties of birds have different preferences of what and how they eat. Putting out their favorite food will encourage them to come for a visit. Cardinals prefer to stand on a flat surface while eating dried fruit and sunflower seeds. Bluebirds seek out open spaces and find mealworms irresistible. Chickadees eat a variety of seeds, nuts, and insects. They prefer to dine near trees where they can quickly fly away to safety. Hummingbirds require a specific type of feeder, and will search for blooming petunias and bee balm. Offer food and install feeders to attract the kinds of birds you enjoy watching. For safety concerns, birds will typically go to a feeder placed high enough where other animals can’t interrupt their meal. Keep your feeders clean. Damp and moldy seed and feeders can spread disease. If the food isn’t eaten, don’t allow it to accumulate and harden. Clean it out and start over.

Pretty bird houses can provide decor to your outdoor space and a safe spot for birds to raise their young. If building a birdhouse on your own, learn how big the entrance hole should be to accommodate the bird species you want to attract. The hole may look small to you, but to a bird, it looks like a safe place where larger birds can’t intrude.

A habitat of trees, shrubs, and flowers will encourage birds to come to your backyard and make it their home. Fruit trees, berry-bearing shrubs, and long grasses offer natural sources of food and nesting material. Birds also seek out tasty bugs to eat. A scrap pile of logs at the corner of your yard will soon host enough bugs to feed several bird families. After you begin feeding birds, it’s important to continue feeding on a regular basis or they will move on to a more reliable source.

By taking care to keep your space a safe and welcoming sanctuary for birds, they will see this as an invitation to visit and make your outdoor space their home.

Time is on my side

by Lavinia Plonka | Jun 5, 2020 | Asheville, Body Language, Feldenkrais Method, Women

What’s today? It’s been six weeks since I shut my studio doors due to the pandemic. At least I think it’s been six weeks. Without an appointment book full of clients and classes, the days have blended into a temporal soup of drifting. I search my mind for familiar touchstones to guide me. Hmmm. Nothing comes up. What did I wear yesterday? Right. Sweat and a t-shirt. Is it Sunday? No. Wait. What was yesterday? My mind desperately sorts. Was yesterday the day I binge polished the chrome fixtures in the bathroom? No, that was two days ago . . . I think. Yesterday I rearranged all the cords from my computer, printer, modem, phone, lights that were a tangle under my desk for the last ten years. Now, where was I? Right. What day is it? I have entered the zone an unemployed friend once dubbed the no-day week. No more anticipation of a Sunday hike. I can hike every day, and Sunday feels
like . . . wait? Is today Sunday?

You’re reading this in June, but I wrote it in May to meet the publication deadline. For all I know, there will be no magazine in June. Or by some miracle, I’ll be back to work. Or the entire world will have entered some Matrix like virtual reality and all of us will be sitting in our rooms lost in simulated environments and eating Soylent. There may be Mad Max type bandits roaring up and down NC 20 trying to break into people’s homes to get their toilet paper. Or we may find ourselves standing at the ends of our driveways, at least 6 feet apart, singing “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony” together as we raise our faces to the startlingly blue sky and breathe in gratitude for having been passed over by the angel of death.

Or . . . while I can’t predict the future, I can marvel on a revelation that occurred since our confinement began. For at least 20 years, I have used the fact that I work every day as a reason to say I don’t have time. I don’t have time to write the novel I think about. I don’t have time to study Chinese. I don’t have time to sew that button on my pants (thank god for tunic tops). And of course, my favorite answer to my long suffering husband, “I don’t have time to talk to you about that now!”

So now I’m not going to the studio. I wake up in the morning, and the next thing I know, it’s lunchtime. Besides re-arranging the linen closet, what did I do? (Gosh, everything looks so nice, now.) Lunch, which used to be a ten minute shoveling of leftovers at my desk, has become a subject of conversation and debate. Should I make some tempeh reubens? Maybe today is the day I’ll go out and harvest the dandelions to make that dandelion fritter recipe my sister sent to me. While picking dandelions, I am knocked speechless by the exquisite palette carpeting my unmowed lawn of the yellow dandelions, pinkish blooming horsemint and delicate purple violets. Hey, wait, violets are edible too. Maybe I should really start the foraging process now in preparation for Armageddon. Or at least before Ron mows them all down. I grab a bunch of violets and start to snack. Wait. Why did I come out here? Right! Dandelions! What day is
it anyway?

By the time I’ve cleaned the kitchen from lunch (who knew one could spend an hour clearing after lunch) it’s time to think about dinner. One of the cats comes in begging for love. I usually never have time to indulge them, but now . . . we pet. We bond. And suddenly, it’s dinner time. And I still haven’t learned Chinese. But I have created another cool recipe for leftover beans.

Perhaps the gift of this pandemic is that I will learn more what I really want to do, instead of what I think I “should” be doing. Maybe my husband, who has been saying he doesn’t have to go back to oil painting will finally admit that it’s not that he doesn’t have time to go back to painting, he just doesn’t want to. I may finally admit that it’s not that I don’t have the time to create live Facebook videos to promote my practice. I just don’t want to. And in that moment of being liberated from the shoulds, I can take a big breath, grab some plastic bags and go out by the river and harvest the abundantly growing nettles, as I dream about a better world, and I won’t worry about how long it takes to pick, sort and hang them. Because I have all the time in the world.

What day is it anyway?

Body language expert, Lavinia Plonka has taught The Feldenkrais Method for over 25 years.

For more information, visit her at laviniaplonka.com

The Practitioners of Feel Good!

by Peggy Ratusz | Jun 5, 2020 | Asheville, Musician, Women, Women Empowerment

When the going gets tough, the creatives get more creative! It’s profoundly evident that artists, musicians and writers are juiced up and acting out the inspirations this pandemic has evoked, by sharing their various talents over social media just to make us feel better during our lockdown. I feel blessed that we dwell among these practitioners of feel-good. It’s as if all of them simultaneously began to brainstorm ways they could bring comfort to our community, as a way to ease fear and boredom that seemed to quickly and firmly take hold. Watching live stream concerts and the like, has now become ‘regular TV viewing.’

Cellist and songwriter sublime, Melissa Hyman and her husband, Ryan the “lion-hearted” Furstenberg, were the first artists I saw performing on “Facebook Live” from their dining room. With playful penguin props and jovial jive, their viewership reached into the hundreds. Others like troubadour extraordinaire Blake Elledge and local music giant Josh Blake collaborated with The Orange Peel to raise money for local musicians by introducing nightly “Quarantine Concerts,” before the “stay home/stay safe” ordinance took effect and the series had to be suspended. Since then, a plethora of musicians including yours truly, have put ourselves out there, offering virtual live stream concerts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, as a way to do our best to counterbalance the need to entertain with our need to make money to live on during a time when all of us have lost all our gig dates.

Since bands are no longer able to get together and rehearse much less do shows together, music makers are getting mighty innovative and energized in order to keep up their connections and co-ops. Video sharing platforms are being utilized which allow musicians to video record themselves playing or singing parts of a composition from their home studios and/or computers, and then send those files electronically onto the next person, so they can add their parts. This has become as popular as live stream concerts! Jason DeCristafaro, “Asheville’s Patron Saint of Musicians,” has successfully kept weekly jazz music nights alive by collaborating in this way. Once he marries each track together, he uploads the completed video on social media and YouTube for all who choose to watch. Each musician and vocalist donates their time and talent to benefit the venues that sponsored these showcases and that Jason hopes to resume hosting, very soon!

CaroMia Tiller chooses original songs of other area singer/songwriters, puts her own magic on them, asks others to do the same, and uses the same kind of video recording and sharing app that Jason does, to submit the finished video for the public and the songwriter to view and enjoy. With hundreds of views for each one so far, this concept is well “liked” not only because she’s brilliant, but for the way this lovingly honors her peer songsmiths!

There are couples and soloists who stage live stream concerts from home, as a way to establish their own ‘residencies’ as it were, taking over time slots for weekly or nightly concerts. Caitlin Krisko and her live-in guitarist boyfriend, Aaron Austin from The Broadcast, play each Thursday evening, a 30 minute set starting at 6:30pm called “Jamdemic.” Newcomer, bassist and guitarist Kim Butler plays a weekly happy hour called “Facemask Fridays” where she reminds everyone to BYOB! With my Corona Premier beer and lime within reach, I do my bi-weekly Saturday evening happy hour, called Silver Linings Live Streams, and Nikki Talley does “Porch Sessions” every morning complete with coffee, guitar, banjo, and song!

“Keep Music Live Project” is an online streaming of music featuring Asheville acts and was spearheaded by bassist and Girls Rock Asheville faculty member, and creator of Streamside House Concerts, Sally Sparks. Singer Songwriter, Hannah Kaminer organized a service called “Music for Quarantine.” She designed it so the public can order a personal virtual concert and conversation from a list of participating local music artists, to celebrate a special occasion for a loved one they are unable to be with during this outbreak.

Now, much to our surprise and delight, there are those in our sphere whose hidden talents have suddenly surfaced due to this unforeseen pandemic. Singer Songwriter Leigh Glass, along with Echo Mountain Recording Studio Manager, Jessica Tomasin and vocalist, Kendra Penland, merged to bring us their original character-friends, “Memaw, Granny and Abuela.” They hilariously improv their way through posted video conference calls, and we are laughing all the while. The women-of-a-certain-age they portray, are decked out in full southern regalia, with support hose, wigs, warts, and all. They scuttlebutt through hot topics like religion, pornography and liquor brands, all while giving each other delirious and mad cap, unsolicited advice about love and life.

Ashley Heath, known as the ‘hardest working musician in Asheville,’ compiles videos texted by area musicians telling ‘stupid jokes’ and posts them on her social media profile pages. Heath is now offering singing telegrams too, where she’ll call a recipient of your choice, and sing them a special song for any occasion! Lee Barker, a farmer and charcoal portraitist from Polk County started a group called “Plague Artists 2020” where artists and crafts people can post and share photos of their works as a way to get to know one another. In just a week, Lee had garnered hundreds of members from all over the globe!

As a way to assist and ease the mental strain that this pandemic creates on many levels, singer songwriter, Asher Leigh and others started a group called “Pandemic Expressions.” It’s a place to share art, conversation and opportunity. The intention of this group is creating, celebrating and supporting. It meets an extremely important need in our community.

Finally and notably, I’d like to give a huge shout out to local musician and singer, Pam Jones (The Business, Dirty Logic) as well as accordionist and Gypsy Jazz trobairitz, Sparrow Pants. The two of them have been making protective masks for the community at large as well as health care professionals in our area and in other parts of the country too. Thank you!

In closing I share with you an encouraging quote I meditate on daily that comes from my favorite spiritual guru, Abraham- Hicks: Normal will never be what it was; it’s going to be so much better.

Peggy Ratusz is a vocal coach, song interpreter, and songwriter. For vocal coaching email her at [email protected]

Welcoming Summer with The Solstice

by Natasha Kubis | Jun 5, 2020 | Acupuncture, Asheville, Health, yoga

By Natasha Kubis

Summer is that dreamy time of year when the grandeur of nature’s beauty is in its most robust and verdant phase. The summer solstice, occurring around June 20th, is when the northern hemisphere gets to celebrate the longest day of the year, when earth’s axis is at its maximum tilt, and the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. For most of us this marks the beginning of long, sun kissed days, fragrant, fresh cut grass, dew-steeped flowers, fireflies, and warm, breezy nights.

Many cultures around the world have held solstice rituals for thousands of years to celebrate the renewal of light, the potential for a good harvest, and the abundance of life itself. I would say those are important reasons to celebrate! Here is some inspiration from summer solstice celebrations from around the world.

The Swedish celebrate the connection between the solstice and fertility by collecting summer flowers and herbs on the eve of the solstice, especially those believed to have potent medicinal properties to enhance fertility. These bunches are hung in doorways or left in water overnight, to wash with the following morning. In Norway and Sweden, it is believed that placing flowers under the pillow of a maiden will make her dream of her future love.

Show yourself some love this solstice by sipping on some tea blends with soothing aromas, and properties that support women’s health. I love red raspberry, chamomile, lavender, chasteberry, and rose. You can buy the herbs and flowers in bulk, and create your own tea bags to steep in hot water. You can also create larger herbal bags with cheesecloth and add it to your
bathtub for some extra luxury.

The ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Vestalia, in honor of the goddess of the hearth. Married women brought offerings to the temple of Vesta, hoping the goddess would bestow blessings upon their homes and families.

The solstice is the perfect opportunity to show gratitude for your home and honor it in a special way. A fun family project might be to make a summer wreath for the front door using dried, fresh, or artificial flowers.

In Northern Europe, pagans celebrated the occasion with bonfires, believing they banished evil spirits and demons, as well as cultivated magic. Bonfires are a recurrent theme across various cultures’ summer solstice celebrations, which almost always involved feasting and dancing.

Hopefully this coming solstice will be a perfect evening to sit around a campfire and enjoy its splendor and warmth . . . minus the evil spirits. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

The Sioux Indian Tribe celebrates the summer solstice with their famous Sundance taking place during the day. The Bighorn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming was designed to align with the sunrise and sunset during the solstice, where tribes would converge for sun gazing dances around a sacred cottonwood tree.

The solstice is the perfect excuse to let loose, dance, and celebrate life! There is nothing more liberating for your body and mind than moving in a way that feels natural and good. Jump around in your living room, take a belly dance class, or grab a date for some salsa dancing.

We can’t talk about the summer solstice without mentioning Stonehenge. It is perhaps the most famous ode to the equinox. Druids, a group of Celtic pagans, were long believed to have built Stonehenge around 3000 B.C. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, and rays of sunlight are channeled into the centre of the monument.

Since most of us probably won’t be able to make it to Stonehenge this solstice, try to find your own outdoor temple to celebrate the dawn. Our beloved Blue Ridge Mountains are a perfect place to capture the magnificent rays of the morning sun. Bring a picnic and enjoy the splendor!

“The world begins with the coming of light,” wrote Jungian analyst, Erich Neumann, in The Origins and History of Consciousness. This is true for Yogis and Hindus who consider light as a symbol of consciousness and self-illumination. For thousands of years, the Hindus have revered the sun, which they call Surya, as both the physical and spiritual heart of our world. One way of honoring the sun is through the dynamic asana sequence, Surya Namaskar (better known as Sun Salutation). A good way to greet the morning sun and welcome the day ahead is to practice Sun Salutations. The basic postures of a Sun Salutation, in order of performance, are pictured below..

Natasha Kubis is a licensed acupuncturist and certified yoga teacher.
For more information, visit acuwellhealth.com

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