Tucson Arizona - behind the scenes (Patreon)

Hi folks! 

It's been a week since I landed here in Arizona and MAN the desert is hot... Takes a bit of getting used to but I am so grateful to my friend Karen for hosting myself and ManMan at her home so that we can finally connect again and play music.

If you've been with me on this journey since before the pandemic, you'll know that ManMan and I play together as "Project Ikigai", collaborating with other musicians on our path. We met four years ago in the UK when ManMan was teaching a taiko workshop that I attended. They reached out to me afterwards and we have been working together ever since.  (If you're unfamiliar with taiko, that's the big drums you see in this video, typically played as an ensemble of drummers, I used to play and teach before handpan changed my path).

Project Ikigai is very special to both of our hearts. Ikigai meaning "purpose" or "the reason you wake up in the morning". Together, ManMan and I have been on a journey of growth, healing and discovery, and while it has been a challenge to be apart for so long, I am incredibly proud of what we have both been able to accomplish both together and individually since we began sharing this journey.

This weekend, we performed in a chapel in the Tucson mountains just as the sun had risen. It was a magical experience. We played pieces that we haven't played for 2 years, as well as pieces that we had written together online but never yet had chance to play in person. 

It has also been great to play taiko together at Odaiko Sonora with so many lovely people. Again, it's been 2.5 years since I gave up teaching taiko - which I was once doing full time - so to finally pick up the bachi, dance behind a drum and connect with that energy again felt amazing.

More adventures to be had... Thank you so much for supporting me while I travel. It is a HUGE help and comfort while I'm not working, and it means a lot to know that you're here with me.

Much love