꩜ Door At The Top Of Your Head ꩜
Beginner’s Mind ☟
Hello. I’m glad you found your way here. Tomorrow (the first day of my 7th year as an educator) I will ask my students to name the one prevailing emotion they are carrying with them as the school year starts. For some, beginnings are associated with excitement and opportunity. For others, fear and apprehension.
As this newsletter comes to fruition, my dominant emotion could be described as ‘Shoshin,’ a Zen Buddhist word for beginner’s mind - an eagerness and openness. I have zero preconception of what a monthly email from a musician/writer/teacher should be. Perhaps it’s best if we find out together.
Allow myself to introduce…☟
myself. I’m Jeffrey Silverstein, a living breathing human being who attempts to understand himself and others via music, writing, education, long distance running and meditation. I live in Portland, Oregon ( a city where absolutely nothing has been happening recently) with my partner and our cats (Vada and Willoughby).
In April I released my debut solo LP, You Become The Mountain on Arrowhawk Records. Like so many other artists, I had intended to tour and promote the record heavily this year (especially during my break from teaching this summer). It has been nothing short of remarkable to hear that despite this, listeners from all over the world (if you’re reading this I’m talking to you) have found comfort and joy in the album. I am nothing but grateful to everyone/anyone who has listened, purchased, or shared my music over the past six months.
Below, I’ll attempt to outline where I’ve focused some of my time/energy since the pandemic began.
Felt Time ☟
In May I was asked to join the ranks of Dune Buggy Radio, a phenomenal independent radio station broadcast from the Indiana Dunes National Park. Felt Time is a new bi-weekly radio show (Tuesdays from 7-9pm PST) hosted by yours truly. Inspired by Marc Wittman’s book of the same title, most episodes have also served as fundraisers for PDX-based non-profits focused on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities including Wild Diversity, Youth Power PDX, and Equitable Giving Circle. You can tune in live at dunebuggyradio.com or catch up via the archive on my Mixcloud page. My friend Brandon McMahon has been creating some beautiful visuals for me for each episode.
Guest Mixes ☟
Recently I’ve had the privilege to be invited to put together a number of guest mixes + playlists of my own for some of my favorite up and coming publications and mix series.
Torn & Frayed - amazing guest mix series from York, United Kingdom. Some slightly-stoned folk, country and psych.
Radio L’Envie - This mix starts with 'I Pity the Country' by Willie Dunn, a sentiment I'd argue many folks currently share. 'I pity the country / I pity the state /and the mind of a man / who thrives on hate.' From there, things get a bit more hopeful with tunes from some of my favorite pickers and guitar slingers. Ended on a high note - Donny Hathaway's 'You've Got a Friend,' which might be taking the lead on my most spun tune of quarantine.
Blue Mind (for Dynaco Mag) - The term "blue mind" describes the mildly meditative state we fall into when near, in, or or under water. It's often considered the antidote to "red mind" which is the anxious, over-connected and over-stimulated state that defines the new normal of modern life. All of these songs are centered around water. Had to include a handful of PDX favorites including Michael Hurley and Rose City Band.
Petal Steel (for Petal Motel) - Over the past few years I've become enamored with the pedal steel guitar, an extremely emotive and versatile instrument. Somehow I wound up with Barry Walker Jr- one the best PDX-based pedal steel players playing alongside me. He's turned me on to a lot of great players and I continue to be drawn to ambient/psych-leaning musicians who are using pedal steel in a new context. For this mix I've highlighted some of my favorite music featuring the instrument both new + old.
Running, Returning☟
In August I ran a total of 80 miles. This was the most miles I’ve ever completed in one month. As part of Run With Zha’s Unity Challenge, I was also able to donate $1 per mile for Justice for Black Girls. Having the support of my Stump Runners crew ( if you’re in PDX - come join us every Saturday!) went a long way. I’m not sure what my life would look like without running right now. One of my favorite quarantine reads has been Running with the Mind of Meditation - highly recommended if you are just getting started with running! Be sure to give me an add on Nike Run Club if you are on there.
Writing☟
I learn so much about my own creative process through speaking with other musicians. Over the past few months I interviewed Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner and White Denim’s Steve Terebecki for October (a Pitchfork sister site focused on beer, travel, and music). For the Grammy’s I spoke with a handful of my favorite independent record shops about the many struggles COVID-19 has put upon them and put a spotlight on NoonChorus, the best livestream concert platform (in my humble opinion). Live music cannot return soon enough.
Recording + Other New Projects☟
Very happy to report that I have finished writing, recording, and mixing a new EP. Had the honor of working with Ryan Oxford at Color Therapy Recording once again. In September I’ll release a b-side from the session as part of Folkadephia’s Co-Mission series on Bandcamp.
I’ve also teamed up with Perpetual Doom to curate (and contribute to) a covers compilation of one of my favorite albums of all time. If you’ve read any interview with me over the past couple of years, you might be able to guess which record! Hope to be able to share more on that later this year. There might even be a special remix track coming down the line featuring selects parts of songs from You Become The Mountain.
Oh yeah - I joined the official Marmoset roster for sync/licensing opportunities!
What I’m Reading + Watching☟
A handful of recent books and movies/shows I’ve loved -
Books
Movies + Docs
John Was Trying to Contact Alines
Recorder- The Marion Stokes Project
TV Shows
Signing Off
That’s it for me. Trying to not flood the ole’ inbox so am going to keep these to one per month. I’m most active on Instagram and Twitter so give me a follow on there for more consistent updates.
Take care of yourselves so you may take care of one another.
J