Miss Isabel's Diary "This is your first stop..."

Download the performance of “The Mightiest Of Guns” for free

Miss Isabel's Diary 

"This is your first stop... but be ready for something amazing: CHAOS AND COMMUNION"

Hi dear ones!

I always feel very lucky to know you just decided to read my humble words... I've been blogging for 4 years already and I have the assurance that I wouldn't be the woman I am if I hadn't poured my heart, mind and soul out this way... and if you guys hadn't been on the other side of these lines with your own inspiring comments sending back my way love, encouragement and invitations to think further. Over the years, I was also amazed by the expressive writing talent of Jeff and Alex who shared so much through their blogs as well. They have such a special loving way to write... both very different and reading them is like discovering a treasure and the more we sip in their words, the more we not only understand their meaning but also what place they can take in our life.

Now... I ask of you to do two things:)

First, go discover the new "Chaos & Communion" blog section on the Your Favorite Enemies website. Bookmark this page and anytime you feel like having a very unique insight on how a rock band is living through the musical and spiritual journey drop by "Chaos & Communion"!

Second, read Alex's post on the new section, sip in his words and leave for him, for the whole band and for everyone who might pass by, your own words... I believe your simple words sent back our way will have a huge impact on us and on so many people... Can you do that? I believe you can:)

I'll go read you on the amazing "Chaos & Communion":) I'm proud of you guys.

Miss Isabel

Redemption... by crowd surfing???

Hi !!!!!!!!!!

The set of the Bla Bla Bla "The Live Show" was the theatre of such an amazing event last Sunday. How was it so different than all the previous Bla Bla Bla?... In theory it wasn't so different... I mean I was sitting at the same place on the white couch as usual, we didn't really sleep as usual, there were many exciting things to talk about as usual and you were faithfully with us...as usual:) But I can definitely say that it was a unique moment that felt like nothing experienced ever before. How is that possible? Is it that I am consciously looking to live something new every day that I see it all this way? Is it that I'm growing and seeing things from another perspective? Is it that we are talking over and over again about living the moment and slowly but surely I understand what it can mean for me!?! I believe it's a combination of it all!

Right after we performed the song "The Mightiest Of Guns" (AA Bondy), Alex talked about something so interesting... He talked about redemption. The definition of redemption is to be forgiven and set free of the past sins, a deliverance from our present and past chains... The way Alex talked about it was so simple saying how redemption has nothing to do with religion. Redemption is available to everyone as it is a condition of the heart... it's to have the deep desire to turn away from what keeps us turning in a circle to actively and aggressively search for real life... the life that hasn't been pre-written for you by your parents, your culture, or even written by yourself many years ago... the life that we rarely see but can always recognize when we witness it in someone else... the life that isn't bought with silver and gold but the life that is seeded with hope and love. For some of us, we just don't believe in such a life. For some of us, the chains seem simply too heavy to even think about being free. For some of us the lies in our heads are so familiar that they sound just like truth...

Redemption... by crowd surfing???lol 

watch this video... 

I think you will understand even more what Alex is talking about just like it did for me!

What strikes me the most in this video is the thought that it's a personal decision to let go and jump even when we feel broken and fragile. I can see crowd surfing as an example of when you are supported and carried by people, you can feel such a connection, a deep sense of trust growing and, from that trust and surrender, a lot of things can be healed from the past. When was the last time we pushed away legitimate excuses to take risks, to let other people that are filled with life carry us? When was the last time we desired a real connection with one another? When was the last time we realized and believed our past wounds could be healed?

Yes we will repeat it over and over, and for as long as you need us to, just how important and marvelous it is to "live the moment". Yes we will use every tool possible, live chats, concerts, blogs, the fan club "SFCC", meet & greets, the new YFE website, messages on FB or Twitter, little personal notes on your orders from the YFE store, every and any occasion to connect with you. Why? Because the redemption we can taste is so delicious... why not invite you for a bite and share your delightful life as well?;) We need to surf on your freedom just as much as you can be elevated by ours... That makes my own freedom and redemption even more important as it doesn't only involve me but it does have an impact on you...and you are important to me.

I have never crowd surfed before. Hearing Alex makes me want to try!!!lol But there's one thing I know, you and I can experience redemption from our past, being healed by jumping to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, we can forget about our aches and pains to live the moment, each moment as a new beginning, each occasion as another proof that we were made to be free...

-Miss Isabel

Miss Isabel's diary "So... EXCITING!!! So... ALIVE!!! So... US!!!"

My dear family,

What a great week!!! The First DVD of Your Favorite Enemies is born!!! The past few weeks I saw the whole team lacking sleep as we were preparing the launch with all the care and detail you know we put into each treasure we want to share with you. There was so much to do...because there is so much we WANT to do for you! I mean... did you see the Welcoming page of the YFE Store? I mean... we don't have one store... we have 4!!lol And it wouldn't surprise me if one day we have as many stores as the numbers of languages you guys speak... because our heart is to include as many people as possible and we know how the language can be a barrier. Can you see how much impact each person who does the translation has, all for the love of you? Long hours of work so we can touch so many people who otherwise would not have understood the uplifting and encouraging messages.

The night of the launch we still had a lot to do, but the main thing we did and enjoyed was to touch with our own hands what was already being folded and placed in mailing envelopes, and the first packages to be sent. We were all around the kitchen table writing notes to each and every person who supports us by getting the DVD, laughing and being just happy. I felt I was so lucky and so proud each time I was either folding a tote bag, writing an address on an envelope, admiring the shirt or the design of the DVD itself...not only because I could remember the tour in China and its great impact on me personally and on the band, but mainly because this whole “The Uplifting Sound Of An epiphanic awakening… The Enlightenment Of Letting Go” project is a HUGE family accomplishment, a "Do It Yourself" proof that we can achieve anything we want, any seed of dream can turn into a real living tree!

I was telling my band mates "I'm so excited to do any little thing in that process of sending our friends all over the world these bags and shirts and DVD... I feel like I prepare Christmas gifts for my family that I love... picturing already in my mind the smiles and the happiness everyone will have when they will receive it..."

Did you see the incredible special page about the project? The videos on there are parts of the DVD content, videos that can allow you and I to think more about our own personal dreams, our own life and how we can learn more and live something different by taking chances. What we share with you is our heart and we are just soooo blessed when you also share with us your heart, your dreams, your love and friendship. Make sure you drop by that page and add a part of your heart there ok?:)

“The Uplifting Sound Of An Epiphanic Awakening… The Enlightenment Of Letting Go” is the empowering representation of the nature of the “unexpected”, a moment by which we can personally incarnate the defining essence of a dream and collectively become the transformations envisioned by our faith in true everlasting love."

Come celebrate with us this sunday for the Bla Bla Bla the Live show!!!

I'll be waiting for you:)

-Miss Isabel

  

Miss Isabel's Diary "Treasures & Seeds" - We thought of you -

Ok... I was about to write something poetic about how excited we all are about the new release of "The Uprising Sound Of An epiphanic awakening..." DVD project and special package. Then I changed my mind as I just want to share with you simply why I am so proud of it and why you guys are at the center of it all.

We thought of you when we were planning the tour in China. We wanted you to see everything, from every angle possible, all the beauty and miracles that happened during this exciting journey... So we worked really hard ensuring our visual crew could do this and make it all happen for you!

We thought of you when the visual crew: Kim, YB, Kosho and Stephanie were spending sleepless nights working on the images of the day, to upload them for you so you could follow the action and feel a part of the adventure.

We thought of you when, back home, we made the "Hear It From The Band Members" Special Interview Series, because we had the feeling that if we could explain deeply what we felt, lived, learned, saw and gained from what we went through over there, you guys might gain something from that.

We thought of you when Kanu was sitting days and nights in front of his 27 inch imac...(maybe that's why he has a year round tan!lol) to find the design that could translate the best emotions in a picture with ambiance of the video, just as the frame of a beautiful painting allows it to take its place in a room.

We thought of you when Big Byrd ran all over Montreal to see the quality of different t-shirts, totebags, and other cool stuff and even choosing carefully the type of shipping envelopes to make sure you guys would already feel the excitement just from receiving your package.

We thought of you, our dearest friends, when we discussed extensively about the prices, wanting to make it as affordable as possible.

We thought of you, our family, as we chose the inspirational words and the empowering images that you guys could wear and carry around as a reminder of who YOU ARE... yes! these words and images are not those of Your Favorite Enemies 6 musicians... they are Your Favorite Enemies Family which is you, your impact on us and what you decide to create with what you see, hear and feel.

We thought of you, because we do love you, when we had in our hands the very first DVD entirely made by the family, the first t-shirt printed with ink that is still staining Big Byrd's hands, the first totebag, the first buttons... everything that we are so proud of because it reflects who we are all together and what we can accomplish because we are as one.

Yes... you truly are at the center of everything we do. So be proud too and live completely the joy we are living right now accomplishing by ourselves all these amazing projects, as they are yours too!!!

Your sister's still thinking of you while writing... for you.
Miss Isabel

GET YOUR COPY OF THE DVD NOW: CLICK HERE!

Miss Isabel's Diary "Treasures & Seeds" - Flying again or for the first time -

My dear ones,
You who I am blessed to be able to carefully whisper in your ear...

You make me realize that those whispers coming out of my heart result in much more than a personal release echoing randomly. No, in fact, they are powerful for me and their aftershock in your own life comes back to me with another round of energy and a positive driving force. You guys are really courageous. You might think you're not but you are... the moment you start thinking differently, the moment you allow yourself to think of pushing the limits set in your mind, the moment you believe in the fact that you can change, you can build something of your own, you can be yourself and use whatever you have inside of you to make a difference in your world... at THAT moment you are already a living courageous warrior!

Last weekend, I had the privilege to spend two whole days wondering around the most beautiful parts of Montreal and Quebec City with Sef and friends from abroad. We drove, crossing the stunning multicolored trees celebrating the glorious fall with all tones of reds, oranges, greens and yellows... We walked for hours, sure to discover some hidden parts of places we visited so many times...lol... We saw the sunset falling over Mont-Royal mountain and on the St-Lawrence river... We laughed so much and had great discussions!

One of these discussions came up as we were admiring birds flying over the water as if they were really just fooling around...playing with the wind...like friends surfing on the air just because they had wings and this was the coolest thing to do at that moment!lol I said "These flying birds really represent freedom...but what in them exactly portrays it?" Is it the fact that they have wings? Is it the fact that they use what they have to escape the ground? Is it that they know what they are and fully embrace everything that identity means?... My friend Jonathan gave me this picture he took and said "these birds were so hard to catch on camera!" yeah... exactly... that's the point of flying! Much easier to capture a walking bird (or step on it...yeah... ask Sef how in the world you can "step" on a bird...as he did it!lol) than catching a flying bird!

During our tour in China, Alex constantly declared to the crowd that they could fly, inviting them to try again or for the first time. Again or for the first time... I felt that our Chinese young friends were trying their wings for the first time encouraged by the music and realizing through Alex's words that they actually had wings they weren't aware of... It was maybe intimidating at first but as more and more people in the audience were extending their wings, starting to live what they felt inside freely, dancing, screaming, body surfing.. more people tried their wings as well for that moment. I truly believe that first "flight" made in such an encouraging and memorable environment is going to be a starting point for many, if not all, of them! I watched again their images and I felt emotional to see the powerful sparks of life that were born during these concerts... especially as I believe they are already growing into lifetime changes and even into a society shift. (click HERE to look at them... have you experienced something like this?)

Flying again... For some of us, watching these images is like a distant or fragile memory, as we actually did feel so free only a few times or a long time ago. We may find thousands of reasons why we decided to forget who we are and abandon the pleasure of just "being". Maybe we are "walking birds" and bitterness, fear, stress, doubts, insecurities are catching us way too easily. "I can't fly because my burden is too heavy" and what if it was the other way around: "Burdens get at me because I spend too much time on the ground instead of flying"...

"Letting go from the illusionary security of gravity is allowing our heart and soul to turn our common dreamful desire of flying into the uplifting embodiment of what flying is truly about, 

which is the everlasting incarnation of freedom" -Alex Foster

Whatever our starting point, young or old, bruised or freshly trying to fly, once we jump it's up to us to know how far we go! Have you noticed the air has no starting point and no end? Infinite! limitless! We are not behind or further than anyone, we are just elsewhere. And if we are playing with the wind... surfing on the air just because we decide to, it won't matter where we were walking before except to admire even more how simple and fun it is now to fly. To whisper my heart to you is flying... enjoying friendship while walking in the old Quebec city is flying... playing with passion on my piano is flying...

How do you fly today?:)

Miss Isabel
p.s. I'll be waiting for you Sunday for the Bla Bla Bla!!! Our chance to fly all together;)

Miss Isabel's Diary "Treasures & Seeds": What time is it?

You guys touched me. Seeing all your comments flowing our way like true rivers gushing out of your hearts... I knew it wasn't any easier for you than for me and each of your words had to pass by rocks and dams before they could freely float and irrigate each and everyone who read them, filling us with hope, a sense of community and opening our eyes to more than ourselves.

I read all your comments and your words are now a part of what I meditate. When Danielle said " You were born to do that and to be where you are now!! " I remember that in everything I do I can cultivate a deep sense that my life has a purpose and I do have everything in me to accomplish all I wish to in my life. I said to Ben this past weekend that when I was in school I never really had to work hard to have good marks, and in most parts of my life I had just enough talent or I was just quick enough to make my way without really pushing my limits... well now that I see more clearly what I want I definitely need to work harder than ever to develop my talents, learn team work and just grow as a person.

"I know what I have to do today to stay in the fight, and accomplish what I know I need to accomplish today to stay in the race that is set before me, to strive after the hoped prize" -Sally

To hear Franca and Mily declare "I start to live again" and "I'm on my way to make (my dream) it real" is such a breath of life! It's also an invitation for Yukiko who wants to open herself to the world instead of making "an obstinate, beautiful shield of a fragile fantasy." Franca said: "Even gold locked up in my world I found the pain, loneliness, and then what to do?" Well sisters, I can say you've already overcame many shields and golden walls as you shared with us!! This time is a real :WOW... FANTASTIC!;)

Sebastien would love to have more hours in a day to do all that he wants and Mune believes that all good things come with time... time is so precious you are both right!!! But we have so little control over time... how can we make the best out of it? Do we need a "Time out!"?

"I have no regrets with the things I accomplish on a daily basis. Like you, I live in the NOW. Would I trade every conversation or task I accomplish on a daily basis for another? Sometimes. But, this is the life I choose. It's the life I live. It is all that I can accomplish in the moment." - Howard

In our last band meeting we were discussing about the upcoming DVD of the Shanghai Show that you'll be able to get after the next "BlaBlaBla: The Live Show" (look into the Facebook event for all the details!! ). Such an AMAZING project, I can't wait for you guys to get your hands on it!!! For some reason when I think of that Shanghai show, time seemed in fact suspended, as if it really didn't matter anymore, as if nothing would be too fast or too slow but just perfectly timed to allow many thousands of people to simultaneously declare "we're alive, we're important and we're determine to grasp everything that is for us in this life". It's a little bit like my sister Sandra emailed me earlier this week: "I want to take a step, not waiting for circumstances to change to be perfect... I want to charge forward knowing that I can have success with what I have in my hands whatever the winds against me... whatever I was in the past or what I should have been, what I should have done... NOW I really desire to be in motion you see?!" Yes I see!... the time is NOW!!!

We're all moving as one, united by a passionate fire for life... Our lives are all different and it's beautiful... Our lives are all unique and it's our treasure... Our lives are all meaningful and that's why we won't lose one minute and we're in motion in what we know... and we are hopeful in what we don't know:)

Miss Isabel

p.s. note on your calendar October 16th for the Bla Bla Bla... I want to see you there with us!!!

Miss Isabel's Diary: Treasures & Seeds "Abracadabra... Not!"

First I want to thank Hachi, Masha, Danielle, Samantha, Elizabeth, Irene, Dennis for leaving comments on this blog on myspace and blogger page...it means a lot to me and I surely hope many more will follow you and share with our beautiful family their own impressions/feelings/thoughts and experiences.  

I truly want to share with you what I learn, what I see, what I feel and learn from you as well, that's why I invite you to leave comments and share... this is not a monologue... my deepest desire is for this diary to be a mutual sharing.  

Talking of sharing... let me lead the way by being honest about what happened in the past week.  

I was so excited about what happened during the "BLA BLA BLA the Live Show" (did you see it? if not, i'm telling you YOU'VE GOT to see this more than any other TV show out there!!! ok... wait after you read this blog, write a little comment and THEN come back up here to CLICK HERE to watch this pure bliss of true life and fun entertainment!).  The truth is I've been in the band for what, 10 years?, and it's ALWAYS been a challenge to just be "Well" and feel everything between us was not only "ok" but was wonderfully positive.  Lately we are finally LIVING IT!!! it's positive, we are enjoying each other's company without the personal confusion that tinted each of our relationships... We always were a family and what we went through allows us today to explore a brand new level of what friendship can be... a friendship based on the fact that we are equal, valuable, entitled to personal happiness and dreams, different and miraculously assembled strongly for a higher purpose.

Strong from that empowering spirit, I had my own idea of how I could explore even more all my dreams, how I could develop myself even more as an artist, I had plans in mind and many new projects and mainly  ways I wanted to see things happening for me.  I have to admit...I love having zillion projects, do many different things, to touch and learn as many subjects as possible and all of that is cool but what about being faithful in the things I know I have to do... what about focusing on what is needed and finishing things I already started... ouch.  We had amazing talks all the band together.  We talked about how much we accomplished already this years and what other surprises we were going to reveal for you guys before December... we talked about the pleasure we now have relying on each other and how we felt united like never before as we all push in the same direction... we talked about how we were planning things but in the end the most important thing was that we were united, assured of what we wanted and not how it would come to life...  

The more we were talking the more I realized I wasn't going to have that "new setting" to explore what I wanted and get to develop myself the way I thought.  Are you like me, wanting circumstances to be completely different so you can change habits or give you the kick in the butt to accomplish what you desire to see happen in your life?  I wish exterior things could magically make things happen in my life.  I would love my schedule to be different so I can have plenty of time to develop my voice, my piano abilities, so I could explore the fashion world and develop my jewelry collection with all the freedom and no limits or pressure... AH! is this a girl thing to believe in magic?  I don't think so... maybe some guys can testify that they also have their own illusions.  Well, the beauty of my family is that they don't let me sink in and go round and round losing precious time waiting for something that doesn't exist!  

No, my daily life and schedule won't change.  I cried as my illusions faded away.  But as soon as the blurry fog of illusions were out of sight I could clearly see in the eyes of my friends and as clearly in my own heart this truth: "even if my circumstances don't change, my desire to see things happen in my life are still very valuable and they can still come to life... they are true and they are more than dreams, they are destiny."  Does it take more courage? I think so.  Does is take more effort? Yes.  Am I worth it? I believe it.  Does it feel easy? No.  Does it feel real? Yes! 

Believing the truth is a bigger job than I thought!lol  But I have more chances to win than if I don't play at the real life game by feeding myself with paralyzing illusions!  So here my friends you are my witnesses, I will develop my voice, my musician's skills and artistic design projects in the context I have NOW!  And of course your support helps so much... you see in me things I can't figure myself... and when you speak out and seed life in me I grow and I gain courage.

Now... my question to you: " What would you like to see happen in your life but are waiting for something to change?  What is between you and what you truly want?".  For me, what I want is real and important but what I was waiting for was a mirage and excuses for the distance between what I am now and what I know I can be.  What's the distance between who you are and what you want to be?  What about taking one real step with me toward what we want today?:) 

your sister...

Miss Isabel

Miss Isabel's Diary... Treasures and Seeds

Hey hi!

Did you miss me as much as I missed you?  I have to admit the summer went by at such a fast pace!!!! I look back and I say "what? Already 2 months that I didn't post a blog!?!"  Time is a weird element.  I feel like 2 years of events happened in the last two months and, at the same time, I feel like July 14th was yesterday... oh well;)  I realized how much I missed writing this blog to connect with you as I am writing it right now!

During the summer I wanted to re-evaluate many things... I thought about my life and also about what I wanted to do next just as I was living so many things!!! Studio work, we went again to China, we spent the whole summer doing live chats about the reissue of the album "Love Is A Promise... Whispering Goodbye", 10 weeks, 30 chats, so many questions to answer and to think about!  It was such an amazing exercise for me and I truly believe I will see in the near future how these 10 weeks played an important part in my life journey!

Another important part of my life I thought about is this blog.  Sounds weird to say as really it is some weekly text launched in the virtual atmosphere, but I had so much proof that not only does it brings me further, it helps me to think and forces me to focus on what is important, but it also touches many of you (would I dare to say ALL of you?;)...).  In that process I asked you guys what I could do to improve this blog, what you desired, what you'd liked etc, and I was very happy to have your input!  Many of you said you loved when I responded directly to your comments and when I was talking about music and everything else that could surround me and touch me.

I heard you!!!:) I see this week's blog as the start of a brand new season of blogging for me... for US!  It's been 4 years that I have blogged on a weekly basis and now I just feel like enjoying life more than ever and sharing whatever I discover, touch, realize and feel.  Maybe in the past I needed to find a meaning behind what I was going through, I needed to share about my feelings and my understanding of this crazy life... now I would love to share with you simple things I discover, things I create, things I learn... all of these are treasures I want to share with you, my friends, my family...

Also, somewhere inside are things still unveiled, maybe frozen, some unseen gifts and realms that I haven't yet dared to explore or I am unaware of their existence...  I want to allow myself to get inspired by what I see and by you... I want to share with you my long time forgotten dreams and build with your help my new ones!  These dreams are seeds that will change my life and tint my tomorrows with your colors.

So here we are... the new Miss Isabel's diary... Treasures and Seeds...
I'm just so lucky and blessed to have you with me... hand in hand to walk this journey... this incredible journey that will bring all of us further...
all of us...
you and me,
my friend, my family.

-Miss Isabel  

p.s. Talking of treasures... did you get your new YFE gift??? 

GET IT NOW by clicking on "Download the free MP3 + HD Video"

www.yourfavoriteenemies.com/callup

A little break, a little question, a BIG chance to redefine what we want!

It's your time to help this blog go further!

Alright my friends!

This is the last blog of the summer as I'll take a little step back to think and evaluate the reasons and ways surrounding this diary.  I have the chance to share with you every week.  In fact, Your Favorite Enemies has already started to put everything we do under the microscope, allowing ourselves to find new ways to do what we're good at and find new paths to improve in things where we feel we can reach even higher levels,... and who do you think is the center of our attention?  If you said "ME?" you are.... RIGHT!  You will have a greater understanding of what we mean by opening up everything by watching the videos surrounding the re-issue of the album "Love Is A Promise Whispering Goodbye"... Videos that you just CAN'T MISS by the way!!!

We are involved with you in a multitude of ways, music, live concerts, blogs, Q&As, chats, live shows, newsletters, social media, SFCC, human rights actions, and at this point we are excited to explore everything and redefine what we want and how we want to achieve it.  Music for us is a bridge to help all of us live a new life, new experiences, a new freedom... Music is for us a safe oasis where human hearts can connect, where the silence of loneliness can be broken and where hopelessness is quieter than the power of freedom flowing through melodies, sounds and words.

I realized a long time ago that I'm lucky to evolve in this oasis and even more I get to add my own little touch to it with this blog... a touch that helped me belong... a touch that helped all of us gather and discover more about each other.  But even if what we are reaching together each week is already amazing,I do believe there's something even more refreshing for all of us, a touch through this blog that could lift us even higher!

So just before I do my road trip towards inspiration, renewal, and redefinition I want to have your input as this blog without you would really only be a bottled message into an infinite empty sea.  So if you were waiting for the best time to leave a comment...the time is now!!!;) Tell me what you like about this diary... tell me any ideas as to how it could be improved... tell me anything that comes to your mind if I say "Miss Isabel's diary"...

I'm waiting to read you... and I have the whole summer to do so...So... Don't be shy to write!!!

-Miss Isabel
p.s. did you know the deluxe and remastered re-issue of the album "Love Is A Promise Whispering Goodbye" is now available?  Get your COPY now!!

Running through the rain of estrangement, catching pure drops of diamond bliss.

More than a bootleg... a revealing story...a touching music flow.

Right after the Bla BLa Bla of last weekend, I jumped on my computer to download my own version of the Bootleg filmed in Kyoto as I, just like you, was about to see the images for the first time! I know it sounds special that even if I'm in the band I didn't even see the bootleg before it's release!lol

Thinking back, I remember what happened that day, what I felt and the sharing I had with our Japanese family who joined us in the temple as the rain was persistently veiling the sky and surrounding the music with it's chant, but as I started to watch the bootleg, I had the precious chance to have another perspective, to live it in a fresh way, to give to it a new place in my heart and allow myself to grasp it's numerous gifts.

Silently watching the beautiful images, I was touched to see the simplicity of the moment, I was amazed by the soft peacefulness flowing through the room, I was noticing all the smiles and the eyes closed which were surely very sensitive to all that can't be caught on camera, I was also impressed by the face of Alex expressing such honesty. He was telling a story of his own, sharing such intimate memories. This time, music wasn't loud enough to cover any feelings or to shade any truth, this time music was uplifting every single detail of every word, every emotion, every offering of life passing away the borders of Alex's lips as we, musicians, were trying simply to craft a cradle that could rock gently, respectfully, carefully the moment that was birthing in front of our eyes. That moment was made of courage and of love as we all heard a song about suffering and doubts, about betrayal and isolation, about a quest and revelation, about the reality that a journey is made of so many colors that can take time to understand, to grasp, to accept and to let shine freely... Can't you see these mysterious colors in the mirror? I sometimes prefer not to look at all in any mirror... Alex was strangely singing a story that could be mine, that could be yours... and if we had also that courage to expose our story... and if we could find the strength to love ourselves enough to take one more step in this journey toward freedom and dreams... and if we were to trust, stepping out of the loud music and rumbles, stepping out in the light, letting ourselves be known, letting ourselves be touched... letting ourselves be known...

For me the title "Running through the rain of estrangement, catching pure drops of diamond bliss." means that the same thing that can make me want to run away, to hide,protect and isolate myself, that very same thing or situation can in fact be a source of refreshing blessings, new visions and enlightening revelations. I might be completely wrong... but to me, the whole concert gathering people of different cultures, ages and religions in a centenary temple, the whole context of the violent rain protecting more than threatening our peaceful communion, all these paradox were a demonstration that opposition doesn't mean impossible, that HOPE, FAITH and LIFE are reachable from anywhere we're at.

Catching pure drops of bliss... I want that:)
Miss Isabel

Visit www.yourfavoriteenemies.com for more free downloads!

Family, Studio time, Music creation, Dreams...

Gifts we take care with open hands

My dear family, the one I chose, the one I've been chosen, the one I believe in, the one that believes in me...

It's easy to think that we are separated because our reality is different, because our daily lives don't look alike, because we can't talk or spend time together as much as we would love to. Of course our brothers and sisters living in other countries can feel this way, but I can tell you that it's also how we can feel sometimes even here at the YFE HQ within our house, the close crew, the ones sharing the same roof, the same table. As we are back in studio recording right now mostly keyboards, lead guitars and vocals (oh... and we also have a section called "Chaos"!lol...), we are again quite isolated in the cocoon of the Studio. The five guys and I, Big Byrd and Sean are spending all day in that one room, letting the music we carry inside of us flow freely, trying every idea, encouraging each other to take part in what we believe is our destiny. We get out of the studio only to grab a coffee, a tea (for our English producer Sean), to go pee and we take a short break for lunch and dinner giving us the chance to see if it's raining or sunny as we walk the 30 meters between the studio/church and our house. This little time away from the mics and instruments is also our occasion to talk and share with the rest of the YFE crew who are working so hard in their office based in the YFE house... Do we feel separated sometimes?... I do. But I know how to break that feeling and first it's by believing we are united by the love we decided to build, by the trust we have, and that we care for each other, by every little note, hug, short conversation, the inside jokes, and also by knowing we are all walking for a common dream to touch the world with our common vision, our common heart.

It's so refreshing to evolve in an environment that is filled every day by laughter... We always find a way to laugh, to joke around, create some kind of crazy story that has no other purpose than gather everyone and have fun, whether it's by eating something weird (have you ever eaten squid beak???... I did... YEUK!) or impersonating a fake, over the top character (yes.. our imagination allows us to think about even more weird things than what we already are!Lol).

It's such a blessing to grow alongside people who are able to see in each other more than what's on the surface and, desire the best for one another, are willing to speak out and help to find ways to improve, to change, to be transformed, to bloom.

It's so rare to have such an environment made of more than 25 young people living together with such a commitment...

It's my strong belief that we couldn't do anything of what we are able to do right now if it wasn't for that committment... The dream we have is too big to be carried by only 6 band members... it feels too big for the 25 of us all together... I strongly believe that's why we are blessed with our family all around the world... blessed to have you that also carry this dream of seeing freedom, love, faith, cultural revolution, personal emancipation and so much more than what our imagination can envision blooming from the sharing of music.

One thing I've noticed since we got back from the tour in China and Japan, I appreciate more the time I spend in studio, I feel lucky, I feel blessed, I feel good, I feel I'm at the right place at the right time, I feel nothing is worth taking the place of the joy I have of taking part in the making of this album... such a historical moment for us. Just as every day while on tour I was thanking God for waking up in such and such city and living such intense human communion with new brothers and sisters, the same way I am thankful for every time I can participate in the recording whether I play or give an idea or am just a quiet witness of the birth of the songs. I can assure you that the spirit in studio is more than positive, it's the combination of all the life we experienced, the life we witnessed, the life you guys are sharing with us and the life we all believe is yet to be discovered.

As I write these lines, we just finished dinner... we can feel our body being tired... but everything we see and everything we hear is deeply inhabited by a spirit of joy... A joy not based on a problem or a challenge free situation, but a joy rooted in knowing what you have is a gift, recognizing its infinite value and realizing that somehow you've been chosen to take care of it with open hands. If you're reading these lines you are a part of that incredible gift... each person who joined us for concerts, lifted us by their scream and their will to live the music is an important part of that gift... each note that flows through our instruments and voices aren't taken for granted... each word that simply appears on this computer screen and miraculously takes life as you decide to breathe into them are undeserved but very welcomed presents...
Tonight, I'm just happy, happy to be here, today, doing what I do, sharing with you, conscious (although, only partially as there is so much more than what I can see for now) of the beauty of the life I live... and all those dreams... all those dreams I now know are possible... all those dreams that are telling me that we are not separated... those real dreams that invite us to believe we are united by the love we decided to build, by the trust we have and that we care for each other and by knowing we are all walking for that common dream to touch the world with our common vision, our common heart.


-Miss Isabel
Your proud and happy sister...

Bla Bla Bla: The Live Show (Back From Tour!)
from Your Favorite Enemies on Vimeo.

Coming back from more than a dream...

The YFE China-Japan tour

My dear family,

Even though I got to write a bit every day while on tour about what we were living and witnessing in my little notebook, I feel like writing to you is different and I missed it... sharing with you every week encourages me to take a look within myself and you give me the grace to be a witness and a supporter of what could bloom from that personal journey. I don't always understand how that connection we have empowers me and how your life can also be inspired by these simple typed words of mine, but I am thankful it is all possible and happening. When I meet you and you tell me that this blog is a part of your life, I'm always so moved and I think to myself "This is so much more powerful than me or anything I write... this is how you, my friends, are alive and are changing your own life with determination and using everything you can find...not because what I write is so good but because your will is strong and you decide to give your all to live more and more free".

During the tour, I've witnessed a lot of power. The music was releasing such a freedom and a boldness that carried crowds all over China and Japan, including all the guys in the band and crew. I saw the real demonstration of what it is to let go and trust... Alex letting himself fall backwards from the second floor balcony into an ocean of vivid hands... People who some nights were laying on stage eyes closed, hearts pumping, singing melodies... their own melodies born of their blooming spirits and exhilarating souls... We could feel the power, we could try to identify it, we were amazed how it could take different forms every single night, we were thankful we could experience it...letting it flow through us, teaching us, transforming us...

I wish I could say that while on tour everything in me was beautiful and worth being shown in the light of the stage, but just like all of us, even if we are 100000 miles away from home, we still carry our ugliness and beauty. So, just like for all of us, the power of music and its movement among us was an open invitation to believe we have the power to live our dream. I've embraced my dream during that tour... and now that the tour is over, I still believe there is more for me and that the invitation is only going to bring me and all of us into another chapter of this wonderful dream we decided to nurture. When we live our dream as a family an incredible thing can happen: it becomes bigger and more extraordinary than anything you could have imagined... it also becomes an incredible way to grow and learn from each other.

In China, I learned a lot about living the moment. I used to think that the best way to live the moment is if you just don't care about tomorrow; so might as well live to the fullest now... tomorrow might never come... But the experiences we had and the way everyone was living it helped me to see things differently. Tomorrow will come and it's out of trust that we can live the moment without fear or restrictions, on the contrary; to live to the maximum BECAUSE it will have an impact on the tomorrow we desire! Everything has a consequence; each action has an impact, on us, on others... We can choose to take that fact with the fear of messing up or with the honor and gladness to have the power to change our own life and lives around us as well, in a beautiful and positive way.

In Japan, we visited the volunteers of the shelter in the devastated city of Minami for the HOPE project. It was very intense emotionally as we talked with them and heard their stories but mainly when we heard and saw their courage and their determination to protect life, dignity and hope. Ordinary people, young and old, women and men, they were all joining whatever energy, knowledge, resources and heart they possessed to honor the lost ones but mainly to take care of the living. They had all the reasons to be depressed and weary, but they were making the decision to feed something other than these reasons, to live something else beyond this sadness, to protect life, dignity and hope. I learned from these people... and I thought I was one who would give them something... witnessing their courage gave me so much! They asked us to thank you for the HOPE project, for your words, for your prayers, for believing like they do that Japan will rise up from the rubble.

As I am still processing all that happened, I'm sure I will keep on discovering treasures of truth and how what we lived all together is opening doors and breathing life... a life that will carry us so much further... carry us in wonderful lands we never imagined existed... Our family is on a journey... all the Your Favorite Enemies family is involved... In China...in Japan...in your bedroom... and like Alex would say, that journey starts with a simple dream... a little idea...

Have another look at the stunning images of the amazing journey in China and Japan... and don't miss reading the words of Alex, Jeff, Stephanie and myself describing what we witnessed and lived there! You will not only feel what happened but I truly believe you can also get a lot from them!

I love you sweet dreamers... I love you ideas crafters...

-Miss Isabel

http://www.yourfavoriteenemies.com/china
http://www.yourfavoriteenemies.com/japan

Mirror Mirror tell me...

Bla Bla Bla the "LIFE" show

I'm trying to look back at what happened last weekend...trying to grasp what I can learn from what I see, what I have experienced.
It's one challenge to live for real the moment and another to keep going without forgetting what we could have gained or learned from that moment.  So many times we are running endlessly from one experience to another pursuing a bigger thrill, a more intense feeling, a diversion in a linear journey... forgetting each time what this experience revealed about ourselves, about where we are heading and about what we need to change in order to live more freely and more happy too.  I've been told that it's foolish to act that way and that a wiser way to live is to always look at experiences like we would look in a mirror, wanting to see our true reflection and remember what we saw as we move on. 

Let me tell you what MY mirror told me...
Last Friday night we had a rehearsal for the Bla Bla Bla the Live show.  There are so many technical aspects to be tested...lighting, plateau set up, sound, internet connection, camera coordination, video projections, and for the band to review the different subjects we will talk about, for Marie and Stephanie to coordinate their different roles, one being the channel between the band and you on the chat, the other in charge of letting the "cat out of the bag" (to reveal all the secrets).  It may look easy and smooth when it's on the air but now you know there's A LOT of preparation involved as we want everything to be more than good for you, we want it to be AMAZING for you because... you deserve the best! 

During the rehearsal I didn't feel right... I was stressed... I was feeling negative and even though I wanted to do my part to make the preparation easy I just couldn't get rid of my negativity.  There was no way I was going to look like a fool or vulnerable (thanks to my pride...damn pride!) so the only way I found to "survive" was to be fake and hide my real feelings, playing a role, saying what I thought would sound nice and being who I thought people around expected me to be...  I left the set after the rehearsal with a disgusting feeling and a growing fear of how it would go for the Bla Bla Bla.  Then I remembered... a certain mirror...  the reflection of myself I saw with the first "The Confessional" where I was confronted and invited to be real and not to give the “good” answers in order to look good... that mirror had been quite choking for me at that time but I definitely remember it and now I wasn't going to let myself fall into the same trap.  Why? Yes, because I remembered the pain of the first time, but MAINLY because what I wanted to happen during our Bla Bla BLa was too important to ruin it by being a proud fool... I wanted to express myself about the tours, I wanted to share my excitement, I wanted to tell you LIVE how everything we share is one of the most precious things in my life, I wanted you to see and feel that together we are powerful and limitless...

I'm so blessed because I had my bro Max and my sisters Chris, Miriam and Golain who stepped in to help me change my perspective and encourage me to take action motivated not by my feelings (in this case negative) but instead according to my desires and my beliefs.  They reminded me to simply be me and that "me" was exactly what was needed...good enough...perfect without the pressure of perfection.  So I spent my Saturday focusing on what I wanted and not on what I felt, I was like an athlete visualizing myself in action, meditating on what I had to say in its most simple form, training my heart to be open and not to hide...

After a little nap between Saturday and Sunday...lol... I was ready!  I knew what I wanted to accomplish for the Bla Bla Bla, I knew I was supported by my family, I knew I might face more negative feelings but I KNEW I was able to focus and live something incredible.  Nothing would steal from me the joy of sharing a live moment with you.  And I MADE IT!  I was so happy during and after the chat because I definitely won the gold medal and as I look in the mirror of this experience I see myself as a winner that had to face an obstacle, had to get partners, accept training and persevere.  What can I learn for next time?  Mirror tell me...
First: I'm in a constant evolution and can expect to deal things better and differently. 
Second: I have to figure where that negativity is coming from and how can I be in assurance enough to avoid it.
Third: I'm an even bigger winner when I allow others to jump in and let them help me focus on the goal and on my ability to get to it!  Sharing the challenge and sharing the victory too!

So if you saw me all smiles during that chat, being comfortable and in assurance, it's not without a proper fight with my own barriers... but it was real... it was a victory... it was a reflection in the mirror that I will remember as an encouragement for many more experiences to come!

-Miss Isabel

Learning to live? Sounds funny isn't it...

The one subject we should all be excited

to review over and over again!

My dear friends,

Do you feel sometimes the world swirls around at such a high speed or in such an unpredictable movement that it's hard to grasp what is really going on?
Do you at times look around you and take the time to realize that all these nameless faces have a life of their own, millions of stories, miracles and faithless dreams out of a multitude of motivations but born of our common human heart...
Do you ask yourself the question: "Why is it that we know immediately how to breathe but we have to fight to learn how to LIVE?"

Lately the pace has been even more crazy than usual... The recording of the album is an everyday marathon, the rehearsals and preparations for the tour in China and Japan is like getting ready for a wedding; we want everything to be perfect! Setting up for the Bla Bla Bla this weekend, giving the finishing touches to the amazing bootleg package that will be presented that day. Plus many more videos, pictures, texts, interviews, designs, anything related to this amazing journey we are creating with Your Favorite Enemies, it is like boiling oil on the oven ready to explode and set fire to the whole place! It's hard to contain ourselves and at the same time we have to stay focused not to miss anything as we want nothing less than the best for our family, for you.

In that tornado of projects and good news, challenges and pressures, the occasions to learn and grow are numerous! We encourage each other to live every moment...but what happens when the "moment" is a failure of a project? What happens when that "moment" is an invitation to do something really amazing but really stressful too? You heard me say or write many times that I'm getting prepared for the upcoming tour on a musical level but also on a personal level and I have to admit that my desire to be prepared didn't expect so many occasions to overcome my own limits, insecurities and shortcomings... My desire to LIVE for real is pushing me to FACE reality and see what I'm made of and then decide if I want to change or not. The good thing is that I believe I can change things; I can overcome things that kept me in failure so many times.

I am learning how to live really... sounds funny... sounds weird even but when I look back at how I was, how I wouldn't let anyone influence me or challenge me, how I just hoped to stay out of trouble and put up a fine face, how I really couldn't feel anything... I couldn't live much... no big joys, no big pain, no big deal, no big anything... But the day I tasted LIFE that was outside my box, outside these borders I thought were ME, the day I believed I was meant for more than this golden cage of safety made of my illusions about the world, about my friends, about how life is supposed to be lived and about myself, On THAT DAY I knew I would not want to go back... I would want to not only taste a full life but embrace it and share it.

One of my sisters was encouraging me the past weekend. She was telling me how I didn't need to try to be someone, that the more I "tried" the less I was myself with all that is good in me that others can enjoy. She told me that I was probably the only one not believing truly that I had what it takes to fulfill my destiny and be "good enough". She was right. Her words gave me strength and helped me see my life differently, it gave me perspective... It was nothing new to my ears but it was a definite sign for me that I'm worth giving the effort, in order to go beyond my usual thinking and usual way to find security and purpose.

Our life can be a tornado; our life can be more like a silent dew... We can be happy to breathe, we can also be excited to learn to live and create life around us! At this point, I'm still in a state of unbalance, holding on to my family, trusting their love, relying on their faithfulness, growing from our sharing. Every day there's an invitation to live the fullness and intensity of life...it's up to us to accept it, pursue it, expect it and learn through it!

-Miss Isabel

To a place we’ve never been...

To touch people like we’ve always desired

As we were starting to build a web community 5 years ago, we could only dream about visiting our growing family from China. But as we received the invitation to play in the biggest Asian festivals, it was clear for us that the dream wasn't about big crowds,
it was all about reaching out to our Chinese friends on a personal level, getting to touch their hearts, letting them teach us and impact us, sharing with them an experience that will be an anchor point in each of our lives... So we made sure to tell the promoter that we wanted to play in venues where that personal sharing would be possible, contact that might be challenging to create when we'll be in front of 80 000 people...lol.

So we got what we wanted! We'll be in fact the first North American band to perform in some "smaller" cities... ( a million people is the average for a small city!Lol) What an honor! Many people told us it was risky to do so... telling us about the differences
in culture and lifestyle and how it might be hard to travel so much every day and perform at night in such a context... but as you know us: We don't care about that... we don't care about big hotels, we don't care about easy traveling and 5 stars restaurants, what we DO CARE about is getting as close as possible to people, to be as close as possible to the heart of what they are living, to be fully present as one and growing together through music and pouring out the best of what we are and have. We'll have the opportunity to play with local bands and feel the beat of the country.  It will be so fabulous to discover what gives them drive, what they need to scream, how they feel alive, what place music takes in their life and dreams.

It's hard to imagine exactly what we will live, but we are for sure preparing ourselves for something incredible, intense and precious...

As I write these lines, Alex tells me we'll have surprises to announce soon about our time in Japan as well!!! Of course we'll bring your words through the HOPE project to heal and comfort Japan. So, really, you are coming with us on this crazy journey! You know how we are, we can't go anywhere without you... because it's not about where we are but about
how we can be together, about relationships that go above any differences in culture, distance, generation or religion...
Ready for this journey?


-Miss Isabel

   

The quietest whisper of hope can be enough

The HOPE Project 

Someone asked me on Facebook a very interesting question: " How we can create a family for our band?".

Many thoughts came through my mind... from "that's great that people see and can feel how we do live everything as a family not only among the musicians but with all the music lovers that follow Your Favorite Enemies" to "How in the world am I supposed to explain that?  There's no obvious instruction manual for building a family from a music group!" to "Wow... it is humbling and an honor to be inspiring someone to want to build his own family."

I have to admit that sometimes I like to start this diary by saying "my brothers and sisters", but I hesitate... I think about what someone reading my words for the first time might think... WE all know how it's not common to have such relationships that we allow ourselves to be linked closely to each other, to share deeply, to be open, to desire to expand our world and touch as many people as possible, staying true to ourselves and accepting others as they are with their freaky personalities and so different ways to see life... But hey! that's what we do and that's why we can say proudly we ARE a family and if someone reads our words for the first time, when they see us hugging and being close even, when they try to understand what Your Favorite Enemies is all about, well... they soon realize how amazing it is to call someone a brother and a sister, being connected through the heart and soul, through a decision to take part in each other’s lives.

This past week we launched a very important and precious to heart project called HOPE.  It wasn't enough for us to see some people draw attention to "products" to send "profits" to Japan... for sure any initiative can make a difference but we wanted to make sure our initiative to support our people in Japan will be for THEM first and them ONLY.  So we came up with an amazing project to print and sign postcards and distribute them in schools for the kids to write or draw a message of hope...   We extended it for anyone to participate, any age, anywhere around the world, to give our best, the best of what we have on our hearts, to pour it out in words on these postcards.  The Red Cross is a great way to send money that will help people to rebuild their house, their cities... but what can help them rebuild their life, their dreams, their confidence, their smile?  Our words can! 

Our family in Japan, my brothers and sisters, your brothers and sisters, they need us, they need to know they're not alone... they need to know that everything in our hands can disappear but the true love and hope that we grow in our hearts cannot be taken away from us... they need to hear our voice rising higher than the sound of waves and earthquakes... 

"The quietest whisper of hope can be enough of a sound to make life bloom out of despair" -Alex Foster

We are a family and we stand together. That is not only will there be thousands of postcards written by thousands of people but we will go in Japan to deliver them in person.  Nothing less... Most people would flee Japan right now... We booked our flights last week to make sure we would be with our Japanese family and to bring with us in May the powerful words you will write with an ink that flows directly out of your heart.  We will be your hands and now is the time for you to raise your voice:

http://j.mp/HOPEYFE

-Miss Isabel

p.s. if you desire to have an even bigger impact, share that link with as many people as possible, encouraging them to join their voices to ours... Facebook, Myspace, Mixi, VKontaK, Blogger, Radio Stations, TV Hosts, your school teacher... it's the best time to take that one step further.  I'm already waiting with a smile to know how you'll bring HOPE around you for Japan.

Expect the Unexpected

CMW 2011


Every year in March, it became a tradition to gather the YFE family in Toronto during the Canadian Music Week. As much as we prepare for the concerts, rehearsing the songs and preparing what we desire to breathe through the shows, we know for sure what we will live on stage can't be rehearsed or set up... In fact we absolutely don't want to plan the emotions and experiences as we want them to be real, spontaneous and a true sharing with those coming and so determined to let the music open their eyes and heart. It's special, because even if the chords and the lyrics are the same from one concert to another, each show takes a fresh direction, moving alongside the emotions each person in the room carries and also how Alex leads all of us with his invitations to let go, his screams to feel alive, his call out to take a stand for freedom and hope.

I'm always quite impressed by how Alex lets himself be inspired every single night for a specific message to deliver, an emotion to leave everyone or a direction of something that can be lived all together... I wonder how many artists think of their shows that way... with the very first priority being to deliver to anyone in the crowd something fresh and special, an experience that could bring them further... but also something we, on stage, will live and share... Every single show has to be special, different, inspired, true, breaking barriers, an occasion to give our all... "Guys, if we don't die on stage tonight, it's not worth it" Alex reminded us before each show. Dying on stage... what’s that suppose to mean? lol I asked myself that question a lot and the answer I came up with is that I should set my desire on giving everything I am, everything I have with no limits or restraints... that would be to give my life and "die"... die to my limits, die to my selfish desires and needs, die to my control... completely letting go and living the moment opened to everyone and anything coming my way.

It was really beautiful to see so many people coming from as far as Ireland, Japan, Germany, South USA, Vancouver gathering with one thing in mind: to live something they never experienced before. And it happened! Not only they lived it, we did too and we extended these incredible life changing experiences to more people as we broadcasted live 2 of the shows on internet! It was very touching to know that as we were broadcasted live, people in Japan were telling us they felt more courage and hope... especially that at this exact same moment another earthquake was hitting them... But we were one... One standing against fear and hopelessness... One screaming "We're alive!"... One supporting one another with a wave of sound that traveled from concert rooms in Toronto across the planet... across hearts and souls.

This year's rendez-vous has been special in many ways... So exciting for all the friends we could meet... So devastating for the tragedy striking our family in Japan... So liberating for the experiences we lived during the concerts... So encouraging for the time and discussions we had after the shows, building the relationships and this amazing family we call Your Favorite Enemies. I have faith that what I've lived during the YFE CMW 2011 is already bringing me further and is allowing me to hope and desire for more passion, more freedom, more compassion, more openness, more determination and more confidence.

For those who were with us I want to tell you that what we lived together was fabulous, it was real and it's now up to us to feed that part of our heart that was revived and to keep it sensitive and open. It's up to you and me to also apply what we have lived together in our daily life, refusing to live as zombies and constantly looking for more and to share what we live with others.

For those who witnessed the live broadcast through internet, please know that you had such an impact on us. To know you were with us, some of you waking up in the middle of the night to be connected with us, sharing your heart, singing while typing on your keyboard... it gave us a lot of strength and power and inspiration.

For those who are reading these lines but didn't get to live the shows, I truly believe there are plenty of occasions to break the cycle of numbness surrounding us and within us. Music is a great tool to feel alive just as all the sharing we do through messages on every media available. Life creates life and it's up to us to be that first spark!

Just as I have to discover more of what it means to die on stage every night in order to seed life, we all can discover what real passion means, what giving our all means and how jumping with no safety net can open amazing new horizons. Thank you for being there for me, giving me that extra push, that so needed motivation to jump and be myself, that inspiration to want more and that faith that I will get more!

I love you and, again, I feel so honored to jump by your side... expecting the unexpected!

-Miss Isabel

With the colors of passion

You painted a new horizon


Hi my loving bros and sis!

This past week has been really full in action and emotion! We've been working on the live performance in the Studio B, crafting not only the sound of the show but also its spirit. We asked ourselves the question: "What do we want to give to all our friends who will travel across oceans and lands to share a special moment with us... what will we offer... dying on stage every night to seed life and pull down heaven". We're also in the midst of recording the core of the album, every day allowing us to touch something completely crazy. The final touches are being made to the new website and SFCC... Are you excited about it? I AM!!! And then, as we were all passionately busy in Studio A, Studio B and other YFE HQ offices, we were invited to stop and discover another creation that had been crafted here in the Studio/Church, in a "little" corner where no one really goes, no one but the sound of the music that echoes day and night... Our brother Kosho had been working on a painting and he invited us to unveil his creation. It was obvious that Kosho was more than proud and it was more than obvious that we were all speechless, in awe and just moved by this image...

We filmed this magical moment... and I think you can feel how Life creates Life through the love and sharing that goes on in it:

I pushed that sharing a little further by asking Kosho a couple questions. I could see it was hard for him, not to answer the questions, but to trust he could expose himself in words just as powerfully as he does with his brushes and colors...
Here are his words:


Can you tell us how you met YFE?

I went to their concert at first. It was in 2008 in Osaka which was the very first show for YFE in Japan.

I went there just to follow my brother and at that time I didn’t know anything about YFE. But right after the show I became a huge fan of the band. Because the show was incredible and so powerful of course... but also I didn’t really expect that we could actually meet and talk with the band members right after the show. There were so many people around them but fortunately at last I was able to have a chance to talk with Alex.

At the time I didn’t really know much about Myspace or Facebook, so I couldn’t really find them on internet after the show. But anyway I created the account that same night and left that for months. After around 1 year, I got a message from Alex on Myspace. Of course he didn’t know that we did actually meet before. So it was very surprising for us and we’re both so excited to talk to each other!

When we both met last October for the filming in Japan of ‘Voyage A La Mer’, we spent wonderful moments, talking about music, art and life.

And now you're here with us, creating every day visual art that gets its roots from the music you hear ringing in the studio.
The last painting you did strikes anyone who's looking at it... I'm still wondering how simple colors can capture our eyes, reminding us of the spirit of the song and bring the whole experience even further... it's so nice to SEE the way you express your experience with the song...

What was your spirit before you started the painting?

My feeling is always unstable before I start to paint or create any art work. Every time I feel like so angry or very sad or frustrated for something... anxious but being excited at same time. You don’t really know what the feelings are all about. I guess it would be easier if I could describe it by words. But one thing I’m sure about is that it’s not just something to be ‘explained’, It has to be ‘expressed’ somehow by using any kinds of material you have. I do make sculpture, take photos or just do sketches on paper. This time, it was painting for me. The band express feelings through music, but the spirit to create something would be the same I guess.

What did you want to express?

I was so related to the lyrics of “I Just Want You To Know” at the time. And again, I didn’t really know what were the feelings I had inside, whether it was sadness or anger or anything else but I think it’s all about the passion I felt through the song.

It’s funny because every time I look at the painting, the face in the painting looks different. Sometimes he looks like he's crying, sometimes looks very angry..

Can you describe the emergency you had to create this piece of art?

In that song Alex is singing “you can't stand these feelings anymore. it's killing you inside.”.

In this part I found my emergency and a hope at same time, because the feeling which is trying to ‘destroy’ you could turn out to be the feeling of the passion to ‘create’ something. I think this is the beauty of the emergency of this song and this was the first point to start the painting. I needed to expose myself and pour everything inside out.

When you were watching the Sounds and Noises about the song "I Just Want You To Know" it seeded something in you...
how would you describe it?

I’ve been listening to the song even before the video was released, so I already had my own perspective of the song. But after watching the video and listening to the interviews, the song became very three dimensional by their perspective as well. The song became more alive and real.

It was very inspiring for me to know the whole making process of the song because I believe that music or art or any types of creation can give the same kind of impact even though the way to express it, is different. Sounds and Noises gave me the way to express ‘the sound’ of the painting.

what did you want to do with that spark?

I’m really interested in how music and art bring us further and what really makes us so excited and what makes you just stop and listen and look at. The materials we use are different but everything is all about ‘how to capture the moment’. So I just wanted to capture the moment and feelings I had about the song into the painting.

Is there a part of the lyrics of the song that inspired you? What did you feel about it?

The part that says ‘So much more than noise’ became a message of realization for me and for the process of my creation.

Especially in this song, there is a massive noise guitar part. So I wanted to find a way that I could possibly make this painting ‘so much more than the noise’. I thought it would be great if my painting could be quiet but not silent. That was a big challenge for me to do.

Our heart since the beginning is for each and everyone to share, bridging people through music and hoping that each person will step out and shine. You're definitely shining beautifully lately Kosho...

What inspires you to shine more and create something incredible?

The people around me are the most important thing for me. It’s been my dream to work with very creative people and inspire each other. Everything here is so inspiring. I just realized we have to live like the band, even if you don’t play any instruments. Always you need to ‘input’ everything around you, and, when your turn comes, you need to ‘output’ and play loud as much as you can with your own tone and unique sound.

The music inspired you to create this piece of art. Now that the painting is born... what's next?

Now I’m planning to make a big sculpture of Sef’s head. lol

Well, I don’t really know what’s coming next, so I can be excited as well! It’s always so exciting to see the first blank canvas before painting because there is nothing but possibility. I just want to keep my hunger for the excitement.