I joined Seize the Day in 2003. We all met because my sound engineer was their sound engineer, and the rest, as they say, is history. I sing, play fiddle and harp and hit and shake various items, including the triangle, tambourine, shaky egg, my booty AND my groove thang. When I'm not gigging with the band, I teach the pedal harp, piano and folk fiddle, live in rural Warwickshire with my husband, Rich (not that Rich - a different one), my two children, Rhiannon and Megan, Mina the mad German Shepherd, a stack of salsa cd's and a huge collection of cookery books which, unfortunately, are now totally obsolete since I discovered the wonders of the raw vegan diet.
I remember when I first heard Ned Ludd - I thought it was great, so I was chuffed when I was asked to be in the band. I got a letter from Rich inviting me down to Somerset to meet him and the rest of the crew... Only he forgot and went to see his Mum instead! Eventually, I got to see them all at The Zodiac in Oxford. Theo sang United States and it made me cry, and when we all met up backstage I thought how lovely everyone was. Little did I realize at the time what a huge effect playing in the band would have, not just on my outlook and the way in which I view the world, but also personally - they've really changed who I am, or, rather, brought out parts of myself that hadn't had a chance to breathe before. I'm not the shrinking violet I once was - that's for sure!
Shannon asked me to write about my passions. What am I passionate about... hmmm...
Well, how about really living for starters - building connections between us human beings and also with the wonderful world in which we live. Open your eyes! There's beauty everywhere! Check out www.druidnetwork.org for inspiration and top tips on living lightly. Also www.greenpeace.org.uk for getting involved where you are.
I'm passionate about what I put in (and on) my body - have a look at www.rawgaia.com for great vegan skincare products. Karen Knowler's website www.therawfoodcoach.com has got lots of information on a raw and living foods diet. Type her name into www.youtube.com for some great raw food demonstrations.
Here are some more websites to have a shufty at... (Not necessarily Seize the Day-some but very me-some!)
And finally... a shameless plug for my cd. If you like the 'Birthday Reel' on the end of No-one's Slave (which I wrote for my friend Avril's birthday present when I'd run out of cash) then you'll probably like this too! If you'd like a copy, please send your address and a cheque for £12 made payable to Elizabeth Gray to:
Elizabeth Gray,
PO Box 161,
Banbury,
Oxfordshire,
OX15 5ST.
That's all from me for now.
Blessings!
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