The idea of a 'tour cd'...

With a 'rare' performance coming up in LA this weekend,  I was inspired to compile some musical strays from the past year.  Each of these pieces is part of a larger body of work still taking shape, yet the ones I included here are more or less 'finished'.   One is a track I was asked to make for a Daido Moriyama project featuring his zoo animal photos but seeing how I haven't heard anything about this in a few years now, I'm imagining it's mine to do with what I want.  I've also been having fun with a dulcimer my friend Greg Bianchini made for me, run through a generous amount of reverb.  The there are my amateurish pluckings on various weird string instruments I continue to find at flea markets.  I also included a 'rehearsal' recording for this upcoming show.  Even if the live event bombs, I have this record of my attempts which I quite like. 
Kendra Lichtenwalner sweetly donated covers for the CDr from her own drawer of stray prints and paintings.  Inevitably, we will be working together soon on an lp.  Here are a few examples of the covers I'm taking to LA....

visiting LA, August 23rd

Some trials for an upcoming performance in LA

'Fantasy of Heat' photos

I just returned from a drive up California's eastern highway 395....from Yosemite, Mono Lake, then a detour through Lava Beds National Monument and onward to Bend, OR where a spectacular storm filled the sky at our backs with arcs and shaggy vertical bolts of lightning.  Back in Portland, the heatwave persists and tonight I took some photos inspired by the soaring temperatures and blaring sun....

Apparitions from Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Yesterday a great storm hit the neighborhood.  Here's what showed up in the aftermath.....

"Characters at the Water Margin" CD released on Unfathomless

view release news at Unfathomless

Performance with Matt Hannafin at the Improvisation Summit of Portland

Watch

Sound for 'Crane and Tortoise'

I recently did sound design, including original and manipulated traditional music as well as effects, for a video version of a Chinese puppet show.  It was directed by my friend Matty Sidle for Henson Studios.  A sweet and moody piece in keeping with the traditional Chinese fable.
Here's an excerpt:

watch Crane and Tortoise

"Healers" available on Bandcamp

This one has been sitting around for much too long, so here it is.....

purchase "Healers"

sketchbook for shadows