GRAMMYs

Erika Ender

Photo by Dimitry Loiseau ​

News

Quarantine Diaries: "Despacito" Co-Writer Erika Ender Is Getting "Back To The Basics"

Facebook Twitter Email
As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Apr 15, 2020 - 10:56 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, "Despacito" co-writer Erika Ender, who just released a Quarantine-themed single "Back To The Basics," shares her Quarantine Diary.

Sunday, April 12

[8 a.m.–10 a.m.] I usually wake up around 8:00 am, do a 30-minute meditation, if not in bed, out in the balcony to get a little of vitamin D. Then, do some training online, with my personal trainer, who's been creating ways of keeping me working out using water bottles and whatever we have handy. :-) 

[10 a.m.–12 p.m.] After taking a shower, I have a smoothie (I mix some fresh fruits like banana, strawberry, papaya or pineapple and, sometimes, add some chia seeds or kale). Then I usually have a conference call with my team, since we are all working remotely, from home. Depending on the day, I start either working on ongoing matters of Erika the singer, the songwriter, the philanthropist or the producer/entrepreneur. Sometimes it feels like I need as much arms as an octopus, but I enjoy so much, each facet, that I don´t see myself only working on one of them. So I need lots of organization to make sure each project has the right amount of time and attention to get the best result, and my team helps me to achieve that. Today will be promo day.

GRAMMYs

[12 p.m.–6 p.m.] Since I just released my new single "Back To The Basics" ("Cosas Que Echo De Menos"), today we had some interviews online for different media platforms . I'm sharing the need of spreading a message of love and trying to use this song as a tool for us to reconnect with the essentials in life, in such a vulnerable moment. I think we all need to do so, and make things better inside and out, when this quarantine moment ends. Between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., I stopped for lunch (today I had vegan chili beans) and went back  online for the next interview. 

[6 p.m.–8 p.m.] After finishing all interviews I stopped to have some dinner and then got prepared to go online  at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on my instalive #EriKonversa (EriKonverses), a space I created to connect with collegues of the music and entertainment world, where, three times a week, we share their inspirational journey with our followers, and all they´ve learned through their life path and career experiences. Today my special guest was the amazing songwriter Desmond Child.

GRAMMYs

[8 p.m.–12 a.m.] After finishing EriKonversa, I get to check some e-mails, organize the next day, talk to my family and friends, before going to bed and, then, around 10:30 p.m, I take a shower and lay down to either watch an uplifting movie or an interesting documentary, or read something until I fall asleep around 12 a.m.

This is what's going on during these quarantine days… I'm by myself, so, trying to be as positive and productive as possible. I do miss traveling and being close to my loved ones, but I do understand this is something we need to do in order to take care of ourselves and the whole world. I hope this moment becomes a wonderful lesson and we all become better human beings after understanding that this is just one big home called planet earth and we have to be the best version of ourselves to get the best out of it and each one of its living beings. Stay safe people. This shall pass… Love and peace.

GRAMMYs

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website. 

Grammys Newsletter

GRAMMYs

REYNA

Photo: Ariel Kassulke

News

Quarantine Diaries: REYNA Is Making A Dia De Los Muertos Ofrenda, Picking Up Exercising & Promoting "7'11"

Facebook Twitter Email
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Oct 30, 2020 - 4:29 pm

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, REYNA share their Quarantine Diary. Their single "7'11" is out now. 

[9:15 a.m.] Wake up. I'm not an early riser, I'm a night owl and didn’t get to bed last night until 3 a.m which is normal for me. I scroll through my phone and cringe at the news like I do every day but at least my poodle, Lola, is snuggled up against me under the covers and it makes it better. I check my emails and messages then I roll out of bed and take Lola for a walk. 

[10 a.m.-ish] Thanks to this pandemic, I have officially become someone who works out every day. I still can’t believe it, but I guess not having an excuse does that. It is now something I need in order to stay sane and in good spirits. 

GRAMMYs

[11:15 a.m.] I'm not a normal person. I've only had water until now and I'm not hungry yet so I make some tea. I gave up caffeine a couple years ago because anxiety and caffeine don’t mix so now, I'm a weird human that can start their day without a hot cup of fun. 

GRAMMYs

[11:45 a.m.] Breakfast. Greek yogurt with berries, chia seeds, almonds, and honey. My sweet tooth loves this. It's like dessert for breakfast but the chia seeds make it grown up and healthy right?

GRAMMYs

[12:45 p.m.] Waiting for Vic to come over for the day and she sends me this picture of her new newfoundland puppy, Benito Juarez, who is so cute I'm going to die. Yes, Vic and I have work to get done today but I really want her to come over so I can have Benito snuggles time. 

GRAMMYs

[2 p.m.] Vic finally makes it down to my house with Benito. After a long snuggle sesh we grab our acoustic guitars which is the instrument we’ve been using the most lately and start rehearsing a new song and a set we have to film for a pre-recorded show. We have been doing so many virtual, stripped down shows and pre-recorded acoustic videos that it feels like our band is now acoustic. When quarantine started I was an okay guitar player (bass is my one and only love) but I can say that I am now a guitar player. 

GRAMMYs

[4 p.m.] Time to do some promo for our new single so we record ourselves talking about the new single "7’11" for press and a video we are putting together. It’s always fun to sit and talk to Vic about the songs we write—they somehow always take on even more meaning after the song is done. This one is about a relationship that could have been perfect but it just wasn’t. I think we could talk about love songs and heart break forever. 

[8 p.m.] After dinner we decide to finally put our ofrenda up for Dia De Los Muertos which we’ve been putting off for too long,  I love love this holiday and tradition even though it can sometimes come with a lot of emotions. There is something magical and so comforting about seeing all of their beautiful faces together and taking a moment to remember them and honor them. 

GRAMMYs

[11 p.m.] Time for some vino and to celebrate our new song "7’11" and it feels so so good to get this baby out. We wrote it in L.A. in January before this year got going with all the crazy. It feels like a life time ago. We collaborated with one of our favorite bands Coast Modern and it's probably our favorite song we’ve put out so far. Some days during quarantine are very hard but today is a good day. We don’t take for granted how lucky we are that we get to live our dream.

GRAMMYs

War On Women Lobby For Real Change On New Album, 'Wonderful Hell'

Grammys Newsletter

GRAMMYs

Peppermint 

Photo: Magnus Hastings

News

Quarantine Diaries: Peppermint Is Releasing "Best Sex," Filming 'A Girl Like Me' & Staying In Touch With Fans

Facebook Twitter Email
As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Oct 2, 2020 - 1:11 pm

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, actress, singer, reality star and activist Peppermint shares her Quarantine Diary. Her latest single "Best Sex" is out now. 

GRAMMYs

[10 a.m.] It’s Day 2 of shooting my short film A Girl Like Me and I’m feeling so many emotions. Yesterday was a whirlwind of cast and crew arriving, filming the first few scenes in Jackie Robinson Park, moving into the Airbnb we rented for the remainder of the shoot, reviewing makeup/hair/wardrobe options and spending as much time as possible with my co-star Levi Smith to build chemistry. This album is a year and a half in the making and now that we’re creating a visual component, everything feels all the more intense.

GRAMMYs

[10:45 a.m.] Cast and crew are meeting to discuss the scenes for today and, very importantly, to review safety protocols. It means the world to me to have a small team willing to come together and work on this project, so I have made it clear that we will be serious about everyone's health and well-being while on set.

[11:18 a.m.] Now it’s time to get into makeup, wardrobe and of course drink plenty of tea. Even though there isn’t dialogue in this film (the music from my album serves as the narration) I do need to keep my voice healthy because, at the end of the week, we are also filming a live performance of the album. Details on that to be announced very soon!

GRAMMYs

[1 p.m.] We’ve started filming some intimate bedroom scenes and it takes major concentration...so I’m going to take a break from this and catch up with you all a little later in the day.

[5:01 p.m.] A light meal and more hot tea are all I have time for. We’re rolling right into new scene setups since this video project encompasses all of the songs on the album. Also snuck in a few interviews on Zoom to go over our release plans for the first single "Best Sex."

[5:45 p.m.] Time to film Cameos, social media and promo content. I actually really enjoy doing this kind of stuff because it breaks up the day and really connects me back to my fans. It’s a reminder of why I’m making this art.

[6:00 p.m.] We have a quick break so I'm going to go up to spend more quality time with my make-believe husband.

GRAMMYs

[6:37 p.m.] Back to hair and makeup for another costume change. I'm really nervous about the next scene. It's one of my favorite and most anticipated moments. It's also a Carole King song so I don't want to get this wrong. I'm going to close my eyes for a few minutes while getting my makeup refreshed by Casey. She's a M.A.C. makeup artist just as I was years ago so we literally speak the same makeup language.

[8:26 p.m.] We are filming out on the veranda for "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" This scene is one of my favorites. The song, lighting, and overall mood just make me feel so beautiful and really captures a lot of the meaning of this album. Although we have to be careful because the neighbors next to the house we are filming in don't want loud music to play after dark. Also somehow slugs are falling out of the trees and dropping down onto us.

[12:13 a.m.] That’s a wrap! The day flew by but having this team together to help bring this to life is such a joy and honor. Back at it tomorrow! I promise I'll eventually get to my emails!

Unearthing A Lost Ella Fitzgerald Recording, 60 Years Later

GRAMMYs

Black Pumas

Photo by Jackie Lee Young

News

Quarantine Diaries: Black Pumas' Eric Burton Is Working On A New Album & Spending Time In The Garden

Facebook Twitter Email
As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Sep 29, 2020 - 10:50 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, Eric Burton from the GRAMMY-nominated duo Black Pumas shares his Quarantine Diary.

[10:05 AM] Good morning! It’s 10:05 AM in my world and trying to ride a vibe. My mornings usually start off with a cup of coffee, and one of my favorite tunes or a new tune that I had yet to have heard.

GRAMMYs

[11:20 AM] I love visiting the garden! The squash at my friend’s place is beginning to produce. It’s nice to reflect on the process of growth and it’s very grounding to see it and touch it physically on a daily basis.

GRAMMYs

[12:15 PM] One of my favorite things to do is check in with friends overseas. I feel so connected to be able to hear how things are going from their perspective as it pertains to our world and our lives. 

GRAMMYs

[1:25 PM] Now I’m sitting down at a piano trying to keep that inspiration going to some degree. I make sure that there’s a lot of equipment or instruments around especially analog. The Black Pumas are working on our new album right now. We’ve got a few handfuls of ideas for material that my bandmate Adrian and I have been trading back and forth.

I think we spend most days really stoked about the opportunity we have to create time and space for ourselves to continue to do what we know and love. I usually am very motivated and competitive with myself to do something better than I did the last time. I tend to stay committed and focused playing music, just jamming out and seeing what I can come up with.

GRAMMYs

[3:33 PM] I've moved from the piano to an analog keyboard now. I usually like to listen to music that is very much natural and acoustic and/or listen to music that has a lot of different weird kooky sounds that are more on the digital side, just for the idea. 

GRAMMYs

[4:22 PM] The weather in Texas can be ever changing and in a short period of time. In that, it’s nice to observe it and reciprocate some art from it. I’m an autumn baby anyway, so maybe that plays a hand in how I feel at home in the rain today.

GRAMMYs

Quarantine Diaries: Lisa Loeb Is Celebrating 25 Years Of "Stay (I Missed You)" & Watching "RuPaul's Drag Race"

GRAMMYs

Lisa Loeb

Photo courtesy of Lisa Loeb

News

Quarantine Diaries: Lisa Loeb Is Celebrating 25 Years Of "Stay (I Missed You)" & Watching "RuPaul's Drag Race"

Facebook Twitter Email
The GRAMMY-winning '90s mainstay is also releasing a new music video featuring Michelle Branch, "Doesn't It Feel Good"
GRAMMYs
Sep 23, 2020 - 8:22 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, GRAMMY-winning indie-pop/rock favorite Lisa Loeb shares her Quarantine Diary. Lisa Loeb's latest studio album A Simple Trick To Happiness is out now. Watch Lisa's new video, "Doesn't It Feel Good" featuring Michelle Branch and directed by Jessa Zapor-Gray, exclusively on GRAMMY.com below. 

[7:00 a.m.] I start off the day early before the kids get up, to feed my 19-year-old diabetic Tortie cat and give her insulin, drink a strong coffee (Lisa Loeb Wake Up! blend, of course, perfect flavor and strong with milk and sugar), Ezekiel Bread toast with almond butter and super fruit jelly, and a walk outside before the day begins. The sun shines pink through the window at the top of the stairs at my house in Los Angeles. You can see the sunscreen on my nose, because it’s early and I always wear my sunscreen, but was probably too tired to notice I didn’t finish blending.

[7:45 a.m.] I make the kids breakfast, something like bagels or pancakes, fruit, bacon, yogurt, and hope that they eat it before they get into their virtual classes.

[9:30 a.m.] while my 8-year-old, Emet, has a break, I take a tap class—distanced, in the back yard, with masks. I love walking, dance classes and strength training, most of which is happening online, but I finally moved the tap class into the back patio with a couple of like-minded moms. Connecting with humans, safely, set to music, really lightens things up. 

GRAMMYs

GRAMMYs

[1:00 p.m.] After I make lunch, the kids go back to their virtual school. I stay in earshot of my son while trying to scoot into my office to answer a million emails and stay on top of the myriad projects I have going on: a new family friendly children's album, new songs for a new grown-up album, voice-over auditions, fan club vinyl signing of my 25th anniversary no. 1 song, "Stay (I Missed You)," which was also GRAMMY-nominated!

[4:00 p.m.] Later, after the kids are done with their school, I change clothes, turn on the bright lights, set up the gear, and start pre-recording events and concerts. There are so many virtual events happening all over the country: from voting events to women’s cancer and lupus, I’m honored to play all of them, and people have been reaching out to musicians a lot. Sometimes the events are live, but often they’re prerecorded, so I’ve become a pro with lighting, makeup, hair and audio, and really trying to get our wi-fi up to speed—literally. 

Sometimes I have fan club events online, watch-alongs, or live concerts, including two concerts in which I’ll be playing my entire Tails album acoustically on Sept. 26 on the LoopedLive app, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release. Here I am pre-recording a TV appearance for a Ziggy Marley duet that will air on the Kelly Clarkson show, then I’ll finish up with an appearance for a Hallmark special to honor Hero Dogs. 

GRAMMYs

There’s usually a number of Cameo shout-out requests that have come in at this point for birthdays, anniversaries, or just uplifting message, and I try to squeeze them in before I make dinner for the kids. Or if I’m smart, order in Thai food!

[7:30 p.m.] After dinner, Emet watches part of an Avengers movie with my husband, Roey. I cuddle with my daughter, Lyla and our aforementioned cat, Sweetie McGee, while we eat ice cream with chocolate chips and watch "RuPaul’s Drag Race." 

GRAMMYs

GRAMMYs

[8:30 p.m.] Then it’s up to bed to brush teeth, get in the PJs and read with each kid, if it’s not too late, and then time to finish up some work, clean the kitchen and get in bed to read. I’m an avid reader, and during the distancing orders, I’ve been able to read more than ever. Then, time for sleep, and to set the alarm for the next day to see what it will bring.

Making Heads Or 'Tails' Of Success: Lisa Loeb Celebrates 25 Years Of Her Major-Label Debut Album

Grammys Newsletter