I believe creating a dialogue about the world that surrounds us is the responsibility of artists. I believe Art has the ability to transform communities by inspiring meaningful dialogue about issues like race, class, gender, faith, governance and Love if approached and executed in a thoughtful way. Like me, this album is not perfect, or exactly as I would have liked it to be. This album is, however, honest. It was born in a time of personal struggle. My husband (Omar) and I were forced to fight each other and everyone around us for our marriage, pursuit of happiness, property, bodies, and beliefs. Being American means being blended. North, Central, or South; American Culture is a culture of blended families, histories, herstories, traditions, customs, and religious faiths. This album is an expression of American experience (as citizens of the United States) and my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The process has been painful. It has come at great personal cost. I dedicate the album to all U.S. veterans and their life partners. In particular I dedicate Pelicans on the Water to all those who have lost a loved one to cancer and American Families to all those who come to the United States in pursuit of happiness, with a desire for citizenship, and the right to vote. To Mr. J. A. Uber, you never really knew me. May the Peace of Christ be with you and yours. May the Peace of Christ be with you all. Always, Larissa Additional Album information: Recorded at Studio 132 by BZ Lewis. A portion of song writing credit on tracks 1, 3, 4, & 6 to J.A. Uber. A portion of song writing credit on track 2 to L. Debnar. A portion of sales from select singles to benefit charitable causes: - American Families benefits the Berkeley Free Clinic in Berkeley, CA. - 7 Days benefits Bishop Barber's appeal campaign for the Oakland Diocese (schools, pastoral care, St. Vincent de Paul). - Another Love Song benefits the Angela Center in Santa Rosa, CA. - Selfish Contender benefits The College For Creative Studies Alumni Scholarship Endowment, in Detroit, MI. - Pelicans On The Water benefits Americans For Safe Access in Oakland & Los Angeles, CA and Washington DC. More About Larissa: Larissa is a multi-disciplinary artist working out of The Clock Tower Studio/Gallery at the historic Cotton Mill Studios and the Jingletown Art Studios in Oakland California’s Jingletown neighborhood. Her media includes musical, visual, performance, writing and healing arts. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Larissa has lived all over the United States. She graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan in 2001. Larissa’s creative sensibility is 100% American; eclectic, drawing from her personal life, faith, various mediums, inspirations, philosophies, cultures, artistic and political movements.