Rock design

Design by Gareth Lloyd. @ 2023

Years ago, a really fantastic designer came up with this poster design when our bands played together in San Francisco. It’s one of my favorites and he never got the credit so deserved. So if you’ve wondered, then note that Gareth Lloyd is the designer and he’s done lots of creations for musicians near and far, in fact. You can check out his work linked here >.

Hoping that we can collobarte again in the future. Stay tuned!

Now on Bandcamp

Finally… on Bandcamp!

Hello there. We’re pleased to announce that Ms. Parasol’s music is now offered on Bandcamp. You’ll find downloads, CDs, vinyl, and our lyrics book, “Passages” is there too.

Other books, t-shirts, and CDs can also be found on our Etsy Shop – And of course, we are on every major download site like iTunes and Spotify. To find more shops that sell our wears: visit our shop page here >

Someone else's blog

This week my IG posts are related to my previous solo albums and “Passages” (available from your country’s Amazon and Etsy), which were a connected body work. “Passages” has been a way to formalize the experience and set it aside. It’s been a way in which I’ve released myself to pursue a newer body of work, in collaboration, which I’m looking forward to. A new album, therefore, in 2022.

Coincidently coinciding with my posts, a blogger recently posted in an in-depth exploration regarding these collective works. A writer, novelist, and music aficionado himself C. Erdmann, took the time to add my work to his blog. Beyond the subject matter, his writing is a wonderful to read as well. If you fancy a to peruse, visit his blog here >

Visit my Shop page to find where to purchase Passages or other fun things by moi!

If you’re purchasing directly from my Etsy shop, use shop code: HOLIDAYZ for 15% off 3 or more items.

Several of my albums including “Our Hearts First Meet…” is reviewed in-depth on Erdmann’s blog. Read here >

Mix, then tape together.

Long ago we used to swap cassette tapes with a potpourri of our favorites tunes. My favorite was a mix of early REM from school chum. Of course today it’s much easier to swap and share.

Perhaps you’re interested in my work or the vast array of things I listen to. Primarily, I do, yes, listen to a lot of ballet music! But I have to say I’ve always ALWAYS been keenly interested in mid-60s sounds seeped in elegance, grit, or Psychedelia (one, some, or all of those) – and enjoy French, Italian, and Japanese artists mostly.

Follow me on Spotify >

Instagram restyled

Today’s post is the beginning of a new look to my IG gallery. It’s a great way for me to demonstrate how all my work ties into each other by use my collage talents.

The post exhibits the tune “The Arte of Liberty” (2013) – a celebration of being on on'e’s own. The video was made by friend, Nero, along with so many of our friends. For those interested in the song: It is available on iTunes and Spotify among other platforms.

Turning the page …

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I love the musicality of language and crafting stories with imagery. For those interested, you can find several of my self-illustrated books online including “Passages, An Anthology of Lyrics”, “An Object of Pleasure” (for 18+), and my children’s series “Aunt Black”.

Available via Amazon worldwide including:

PULSE by Rubberlips & Rykarda single release available

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PULSE feat.Rykarda Parasol is finally available for digital download! Written by Rubberlips and Rykarda, Produced by Rubberlips. Available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, and Tidal. Available at:

“Pulse” is an homage to the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre and to all our friends and family in the LGBTQ community. We support you.

Rubberlips is Robert Burbidge, United Kingdom. Rykarda, vocals. Randolph Martin, bass. Dan Hudson, drums. All other instrumentation by Robert Burbidge. Recording assistance on Rykarda's vocals, Mark Pistel/Room5. Produced by Rubberlips. For more info about Rubberlips, visit here.

Passages: (An Anthology of Lyrics)

Book available in your country’s Amazon & our Etsy shop.

Book available in your country’s Amazon & our Etsy shop. @2023 All rights reserved.

Poster art available for download & print via Etsy.

Poster art available for download & print via Etsy.

“Passages” is now available at last in paperback on Amazon USA as well as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Australia, UK, Canada, and Brazil (or search your country’s Amazon worldwide for reduced shipping costs - or - Sklep w języku polskim)

… also available on my Etsy shop for other purchase options and items like posters. >

Featuring words composed for “Our Hearts First Meet”, “For Blood and Wine”, “Against the Sun”, and “The Color of Destruction”. Ms. Parasol’s four solo albums was intended to be a body of work much like a series of books. Each album, along with emblematic cover art, depicts a drifter’s voyage. First unfolding in the dark, yet gently advancing towards light. Ms. Parasol’s lyrics have often been described as cinematic with comparisons to Christina Rossetti, William Faulkner, and Gustave Flaubert. Whereas the music tinged on Americana folk, murder ballad, and 60s pop. The musical recordings featured Ms. Parasol’s smoky gender-bending voice, but here you will find only the skeletal foundation. For those interested, this anthology is a companion reader to her albums, but may also be enjoyed unto itself.

Poster art of the “Passages” book jacket is also available (Downloadable & printed) find out more on our Etsy shop.

“Why should this flower delay so long
To show its tremulous plumes?
Now is the time of plaintive robin-song,
When flowers are in their tombs.”
- The Last Chrysanthemum,
Thomas Hardy

More books to come: Ms. Parasol is currently creating several more illustrated books of rhyme, which will be available in July./August. Stay tuned!

Finding San Jose

Last night I had the pleasure of taking part in a panel for online presentation of Cellista’s “Finding San Jose”. Below is the poem I read and played piano for her album and project of the same title. On the panel last night too was the poem’s author, Cellista’s father, Dr. Frank Seeburger, who’d written it for his daughter, Cellista. To me, the poem represents “finding home”, which may not necessarily be a location, but a spot in one’s heart or mind. It can be a “purpose” like art or philosophy. Also, to me, is that sense of a parent seeing the same discovery in their child and reflecting back on when they too “found home”. The panel was teary-eyed to say the least mostly in part to the starring words, music and imagery, but also as result as for the past year many of us on the panel who are artists have been away from their shared homes… the stage.

"Karaoke Moments", an Instagram Series

As ever, my “Cloak of Comedy” seems to appear most when faced with emotional challenges. In reading so many posts from others about their fears and stress, I feel most concerned for the well-being of others both emotionally and physically. I’ve started making little “karaoke moments” to continuing connects and sharing a smile. For the duration of our collective shelter-in-place, I will make one a week. They distract me for sure, so I hope they do the same for you.

Above: A little duet with fellow funny friend, JJ, who was a good sport about working remotely.

Author and podcast radio host, Tony DuShane, sits down for a chat with Rykarda to discuss being… funny.

Back in December I had the pleasure to be interviewed by fellow creative, Tony DuShane (author of Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk) on his very own podcast, Drinks With Tony. The episode aired this past January. Anyhoozie, we had a lot of coffee and a lot of laughs. Enjoy!