Lately, I’ve been feeling unsettled and overloaded by what’s been happening in our country and the world — the state of humanity, the way people are treating each other, the constant incoming noise.
It has felt strange to post much at all. With the media saturation, interacting on social media hasn’t felt authentic.
Whether it’s AI making us question what’s real or the seemingly shameless capitalism of everyone selling something, or the nasty bickering, the changes we’re living through can be exhausting.
Mostly, I’m just sad that we humans haven’t yet figured out how to truly love each other and work together as a species.
All that being said…The way I know best to make a difference is through creativity, community, and of course — music.
Here Right Now
Some of you may already know this song. I wrote it years ago during a season of singing in yoga classes, and it’s always been one of my favorites. It’s about presence — the reminder that this moment is actually the only one we ever have, even when our minds are racing somewhere else.
I’ve tried recording it before, but it never quite felt aligned. This version finally does.
Huge gratitude to my love, Lee Coulter, who is incredibly talented — including at producing music and supporting artists. He helped me find the right feel for the song.
You can listen, stream, or download on Bandcamp, and watch the lyric video on YouTube (links in bio).
I hope it gives you a breath and a little peace.
Much love, Rhea
—
Special thanks to the talented musicians on this recording:
Produced by Rhea Makiaris & Lee Coulter
Mixed and Mastered by @leecoulter
Keyboards @organ_freeman
Bass – @senor_nap
Strings – @melissabarrison
Background Vocals – @sheenacoda , @anna_ballew_music , @ryangraymusic
Vocal Arrangements – Rhea Makiaris & @eoberschmidt
Cover Art Photography – @ryncon527
Encinitas house show open to the public 6:30pm this Friday 10/17 with @heyrhea and @sheenacoda . I will be playing some @carsieblanton tunes in my set (like this one in the vid “Be Good”) as she’s become a songwriter/artist/human for our times. Please come for some feel good music, harmony and community. Byo drinks and blankets. Chairs provided. Tix/info in bio. 🫶🏾🌎
#singersongwriter #livemusic #houseconcert #houseshow #music #guitar #encinitas #sandiegomusicians #sandiegomusic #sandiego #ukulele #songwriting #postivity #humanity
Teachable moment (myself included). Reposting these videos because I forgot captions. Forehead slap! It matters very much to me that my content is accessible! A slight inconvenience to me (having to go back and edit videos and repost) is nothing compared to Deaf folks not having regular access to LANGUAGE. Please caption your stuff! ❤️
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Still buzzing from Saturday night!
Big love and thanks to @whitneyshaysings for curating such a magical evening, and to @kennethrexrode and the @sixstringsociety for putting on such an unforgettable show.
What an honor to share the stage with so many talented artists—and to perform my original music in such a warm, listening room. Felt like home. 💕
One of my favorite moments-the whole room singing Here Right Now with us—goosebumps!
Special shoutouts to my bestie @sheenacoda —singing with you is always harmony heaven—and to @organ_freeman for the dreamy piano. Can’t wait to record it with you!
And… Piñata with the full band and horns?! So perfect @bradley.naash 🙏🏽
Lastly, being a backup singer/dancer—truly one of the most fun, freeing things ever.
So much gratitude to everyone who made the night what it was.
Sharing a few snippets here ✨
@jodiehill2761@bulbancha_yaya@gabyamusic thank you for the videos! ❤️
#livemusic #gratefulheart #originalmusic #singersongwriter #hererightnow #pinata #harmony#sixstringsociety #captions #sandiegomusicscene
I’m doing a SW tour opening and playing percussion for @anna_ballew_music ! Celebrating her upcoming debut album “Bloom.”
When I was first mesmerized by Anna at @writersroundsd I thought masses of people could use some calibrating to the wise empathy and empowering perspectives of her songs and the sensitivity with which she delivers. Being one of her backing musicians has only made this more obvious.
So stoked for more people to discover and relate over her work and to champion from my djembe - especially alongside joy-nurturing, over-achieving multi-instrumentalist (and my beloved) @heyrhea who will join on both sets on keys, vocals, percussion and guitar.
(We’re looking for a roadworthy keyboard upgrade if any music friends have leads).
Go to annaballew.com for info on house shows (link in bio)
June 9 - Santa Fe NM - House show
June 10 - El Paso TX - House show
June 12 - Tucson AZ - @laesquinatucson
June 13 - Phoenix AZ - @culinarydropout (Brunch gig)
Would love to get the word out if you’ve got people in the SW who love music/community.
#Livemusic #OnTour #Southwest #singersongwriter #artforhumans @qscaudio
Before I had a microphone, I had a broom.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my influences lately — the singers who made me fall in love with music before I even knew what that meant. Madonna was one of the first. I was a full-on Madonna-wanna-be, performing in my living room with a broom for a microphone, like the stage was mine. (Wait for the photo at the end 😂)
This cover of “Crazy For You” is a hat tip to her and to that little girl with a dream.
#MakiarisMusicMonday #CrazyForYou #Madonna #Influences #Throwback
The most vulnerable songs are the ones we think we’ll never share.
I wrote “Short Term Memory”a couple of years ago about the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Specifically, going back to the same unhealthy relationship. Again. And again.
I almost didn’t share this because the message doesn’t apply to me anymore — I finally learned to love myself — but I think it could be something that someone else needs to hear. Music isn’t just about where we are, it’s about where we’ve been and knowing we’re not alone there. It’s about a shared human experience.
I performed it live recently at a songwriter showcase and it was the favorite of the night, especially with the ladies.
Here’s a snippet and the full version is on my YouTube channel.
Happy Music Monday 🎶
#MakiarisMusicMonday #foreheadslap #creativity
#insanity
“My fellow human beings, I am you and you are me...”
Sometimes as a songwriter I know exactly what I want to write about. Other times I’m dealing with a feeling so strong it has to come out as an artistic expression.
One night after watching the news and hearing about yet another death, and then seeing how everyone was talking to each other about it in the media, I wrestled with a huge upset inside me and blurted out “It’s not okay!” — and it came out in melody. Then the rest of the song came.
This is a song of grief for the lack of love I see in the world. And a reminder that we can choose our humanity.
Full version on YouTube
With love, Rhea 💖
#MakiarisMusicMonday #love
#kindnessmatters
#whattheworldneedsnow
Happy Thursday!
Just a quick Rheminder that we are here floating around on a glorious rock in space. 🌏
Tomorrow you will be able to stream “Here Right Now” in all the places. You can pre-save it today following my link tree in the bio section.
Much love friends
🩷🫶🌎✨🎶
#heyrhea #yoga #hererightnow #originalmusic #meditation
The next installment of PB Sunset Sessions has arrived! This time we’ll have the incredible @heyrhea and @leecoulter featured. Come join us on March 20th. You don’t wanna miss this one! #pacificbeach #sunsetsessions #livemusic #sandiego
We are still standing even with no electric! Moving onto the 3rd leg of our sequel to the notebook called “bathrobe me in the redwoods.” We have by accident hiked 10 miles a day, have no idea what day it is, stayed on a farm with baked goods to fill the soul, and lived our cabin life. We may not have power, but we have blind confidence.
We want to be…where the people aren’t. Redwoods beginning of our trip was breathtaking. 5.5 hours of being in the middle of the forest with pure silence … except for our echoing laughter. Who needs a Christmas tree when you can be surrounded by thousands of trees!
