Search - Magdalen Hsu-Li :: Smashing The Ceiling

?when i was writing the songs on this album, i felt i was experiencing a kind of quantum leap or personal gestalt. there were so many internal breakthroughs that happened to me personally, emotionally, musically, & spiritually. and i am a person that is about breaking barriers. that?s why i chose to call it ?smashing the ceiling? - magdalen hsu-li, "smashing the ceiling? the new album by magdalen hsu-li showcases outstanding performances by magdalen on vocals, guitar, and piano; drummer matt chamberlain (tori amos, fiona apple, john mayer, faith hill, garbage, kanye west, shakira), bassist jon evans (tori amos, paula cole), keyboardist julie wolf (ani difranco, catie curtis), violinist/violist eyvind kang (john zorn), and guitarist tim young (wayne horvitz) ?smashing the ceiling" was an incredible album to make. magdalen says, "the songs felt completely inspired as i wrote them, as if i were a channel and they were coming from some higher source. I was lucky to be able to work with phenomenally talented musicians like matt, jon, julie, tim, and eyvind, as well as co-producers within the close-knit seattle community. in the studio there was synergy because of the shared musical histories and friendships between many of the players. this music was in many ways a community effort.? ?smashing the ceiling? highlights magdalen?s ethereal and arousing voice on songs such as ?mary magdalene? and ?change the world.? ?several people have asked why i chose to write a song about one of the most controversial figures in biblical history. ?mary magdalene? is both an autobiographical song about my life as well as a blend of various biblical mythologies about mary magdalene. she is one of the most iconic, provocative, loved, hated, and mysterious women in history and her story has been misinterpreted through the centuries, so i felt it was time to help redefine her story in a more positive light. ?change the world? is a tour de force call for consciousness in the ways we see ourselves collectively, individually, politically, and culturally. ?throughout my life i have encountered many situations where in order to achieve my goals, i had to challenge and break through my own preconceived ideas, doubts, and fears to overcome obstacles. the song reminds us that anytime we are able to have such a breakthrough, we create a ripple effect that can inspire. other noteworthy moments on the album are songs about love, loss, identity, and reckoning such as; the shimmering ?sweet hereafter,? the iridescent breakup song ?everything,? the deliciously troubled ?all those words,? the pop-driven ?i am? of ?no ordinary girl,? and soulful art-country-tinged love songs like ?where would i be? and ?straight on til morning.? two "smashing" moments on the album are ?northern light? and ?take me there.? ?northern light? is the moment on the album where the "ceiling" is musically-metaphorically broken? says magdalen, ?while recording ?take me there? there was a moment of effortless musical convergence during the take. ?take me there? is about going back the place inside yourself where you are whole and creativity exists in it's purest state. I am able to access that place through songwriting, thus i am never happier or more fulfilled than when i am writing songs. ?i love trying to figure out how songs are written,? magdalen says, ?songwriting fascinates me intellectually and emotionally. whether i am writing a pop hit or an arty composition just for myself, my ultimate goal is to write and perform universal songs that mirror people?s feelings, touch their hearts, & mean the world to them. when the words and music combine in that special way and the listener feels as if they are hearing the soundtrack to their own life, those are the moments i live for. i feel it?s my destiny and my way of giving and receiving love.?