꩜ Door At The Top Of Your Head ꩜

Correspondence 51

A Little Lost☟

This past weekend I ran a trail half-marathon in Oxbow Regional Park, just a 30 minute drive outside of Portland. It was my first race back in some time. I felt relatively prepared, excited but also a bit nervous to see how my body would hold up having done less training than in previous years. There were maybe 10-15 other folks running the half, so we spread out quickly. I wound up making a wrong turn somewhere along the way and quickly found myself alone, frustrated, and a little lost. I decided to double back and began running a lot faster in hopes to make up lost time. I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings, my mind only concerned with getting ‘back on course.’ After a few moments I came dangerously close to colliding with a very large deer blocking the path. The deer did not flinch, just calmly turned it’s head, and gave me a look that said, “you idiot, slow down, look where you are right now, and enjoy it.” I was forced to stop in my tracks. I tend to be a full steam-ahead type of person and thinker, downshifting doesn’t always come natural. The deer marched on, I went back to my standard pace, and absolutely loved the quiet, alone time I had amongst the towering old-growth forest as I completed the course. Sometimes it’s good to get a little lost.

Olympia This Saturday ~ May 3rd☟

Our next show is this Saturday in Olympia at Ilk Lodge, one of my favorite breweries in the PNW. We’ll be celebrating their one year anniversary alongside local legend Lee Baggett. Looking forward to stopping into Rainy Day Records pre-show + then ripping w/ the band and trying out some new tunes. Free show, all ages, cold beer and incredible food. You know what to do.

Just Announced ~ dylanfest (Orcas Island)☟

Couldn’t be more hyped to be performing (full band) at dylanfest this August on beautiful Orcas Island. Lineup is STACKED and the food is going to be unreal. Camping spots go real quick so be sure to reserve yours ASAP. See you on the island. Tickets + more info here.

You Become The Mountain Turns 5☟

My debut LP, You Become The Mountain turned five in April. I had my good bud Eddie animate the original artwork by Bailey Elder to mark the occasion. In my wife’s newsletter this month she wrote beautifully about the joy of not knowing, of being open to mystery. When I listen and reflect back on this album, I love that you can hear our beginner’s mind approach. How new Barry, Alex, Ryan, and I were to each other, and even how new I was to my own voice and being a bandleader. Barry, Alex, and I made this record in one weekend, mostly live, with Ryan feeding us the drum machine from the control room. I remember falling apart listening back to some of the mixes, absolutely overjoyed at what we had made together. It’s been remarkable how far this record has traveled and the path it put me on. I’ll never be able to recreate the magic of my first record, and I’m grateful for that. Thanks to everyone who’s listened and shared it with someone they care about. Might be high time to consider a second vinyl pressing.

A Conversation with Will Oldham☟

For the past decade or so, I’ve read and watched every interview with Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy), that I’ve come across. Hell I’ve even read a whole book of them. Despite being a household name for many, Will has remained a fiercely independent artist throughout his career. I’ve long admired his curiosity, work ethic, and to ability explore to the deeply human elements of making music. Ahead of his latest album (one of my favorites of the year), I spoke with Will for the Creative Independent from his home in Louisville, Kentucky. To say this was a bucket list conversation would be an understatement. Thanks Will!

Headcleaner April ‘24☟

Your subscriber-only playlist for April has landed. Enjoy.

Reading, Watching, Listening To☟

Reading:
Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir - Dan Ozzi and Mark Hoppus
After Forty Years, Phish Isn’t Seeking Resolution - Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker

Watching:
The Studio (Show, Apple TV)
One to One ~ John & Yoko (Theaters)
Perfect Blue (Movie)


Listening:
Albinos - Bamboo Night
JJ Whitefield & Forced Meditation - The Infinity of Nothingness
Sorcerer - Kids World