January 2023 Update (Patreon)

Hoo. It's been a ride.

This was a big month, the kind of month that serves as a portal and, depending how you come out the other side, sets the course for several months to come. I suppose the new year always has that feel to it -- fresh beginnings, renewed commitments, clean slate, all that. This was a month of experiments and analysis, trying and (sometimes) succeeding, and some unexpected turns in the road, but all in all, we are off to a good start for 2023:

Studio upgrades! Got a deep discount on an excellent vocal microphone and pre-amp package, so my recording set-up finally feels complete. Also installed a 40-pound Audimute vinyl mat over the noisier of my two studio windows. Power tools were involved ... and I still have all my digits! Ha. Plus, this heavy curtain actually works, effectively blocking traffic noise from these old, rattly windows. Together with the portable baffle I made of a cheap rolling garment rack and some heavy blankets, my space is much improved and ready for tracking, which is good news because this is where I want to make my next album. Plans are underway!

Recording! Not only did I complete two recording projects for clients in January (harmony vocals for one client; violin parts for another), but I also got together with the boys from Blueliner (Jim Henry, Paul Kochanski, Lorne Entress) to lay down basics for two more singles, which we hope to release in the next month or two. If you haven't heard of Blueliner, please do yourself a favor and check out our videos of "Rose Garden" "Heart of Gold," and "Sweet Seasons". The songs, which are available over at Bandcamp, were recorded separately during the pandemic, when musicians were looking for *anything* to do. We are having such fun putting these tunes together, especially now that we can be in the same house doing it -- hopefully sometime later this year, we'll have enough songs for a live show. I'll keep you posted.

Theater! I auditioned for the role of Annette in God of Carnage and after some competitive callbacks, did not get cast. Sad face. But I needed practice auditioning and I made a few new actor friends in the process, so: all good. On to plan B. I enrolled in "Directing" at Greenfield Community College, where I've been studying acting under Tom Geha. In May, I will put up my first-ever production, a 20-40 minute one-act. I am currently considering several plays, noticing that I feel most drawn to absurdist works. I wasn't expecting that! To keep a toe in the acting side of things, I plan to enroll in a weekend intensive with Shakespeare & Company in April. In the bigger picture of my life, theater has been the missing piece: it's feeding my creativity, challenging my mind and body, giving me another outlet for my story, immersing me in a new community, and improving my stage presence in music, too. A blessing all around.

Live shows! Jim Henry and I swapped songs before a full house at Club Passim in Cambridge MA, and then he accompanied me for a very successful show at The Troubadour in NJ. For some reason, we both showed up to that concert in olive green button-down shirts -- I suppose after 20 years of playing together, some twinning is bound to happen? I'm Northwest-bound on Wednesday for three solo shows and will play Circle of Friends later in February. After a long pandemic sleep, it seems I am a performing musician again!

Pickles! No update would be complete without a word about my Pook. I took a house and pet-sitting gig this month and Pickles had to sleep alone for two weeks. This was really hard on both of us but she was an absolute champion. I came home twice a day except during the massive storm we had and I think the separation somehow worked a bit of magic. She is now less swatty, more chatty, and quicker to relax and cuddle. She even curled up on my chest and went to sleep one afternoon as I was reading to her from the Tao Te Ching . A first! 

I feel poised to create, expand, explore, give love, perform, and manage the ongoing adventure that is this life in the arts. I could not do it without your support. Thank you for your stories, ideas, suggestions, questions, requests, and hellos. Thank you for your patronage, which keeps this little flame lit. 

On to February! Let's see what happens next! Stay well, stay in touch. I am grateful for you - xotg