A Long December☟
“I drank coffee and read old books and waited for the year to the end”
- Richard Brautigan (Trout Fishing in America).
Halfway through a two-week holiday from teaching, I’ve spent many hours doing as Brautigan did. I cannot recall the last time I’ve been this still or quiet. Without routine, my anxiety can surface quickly. Historically I’ve been eager to fill every moment and therefore have been surprised by a strong desire to do the opposite.
I’ve run without tracking miles, played guitar just to hear music, and moved from one task to another slowly, with intention. It’s my attempt to practice Wu Wei - a Chinese concept central to Taoism and defined by Alan Watts as the ‘principle of not forcing,’ or as Charlie Rich would put it, ‘rolling with the flow.’
A break also provided space to reflect on my year: first trail half marathon, east and west coast tours (w/ zero cancelled shows), inspiring conversations with other musicians, and a vinyl reissue of my first album. I feel proud of the work I’ve done. My new years resolution was to listen, make and share righteous jams. I’d like to believe I’ve done just that.
The most important and fulfilling work I’ve engaged in has been in collaboration with others - students, teachers, bandmates, runners, editors, radio hosts, videographers, illustrators, DJs, friends, etc. I have connected and reconnected with many beautiful people and hope for more of the same in 2023. Big thanks to anyone/everyone who has helped keep my head above water.
Wishing everyone a safe and healthy new year. This year’s gonna be ours.
January Shows w/ Credit Electric☟
First shows of ‘23 w/ Credit Electric are coming up quick. All bills are stacked. If you are in PDX or Seattle, please grab tickets in advance for these shows.
1.19 (Portland) at Doug Fir Lounge w/ Dana Buoy - tickets
1.20 (Longview) at Stash Records w/ Erik Nordin
1.21 (Olympia) at Mahayana Studio w/ Null Sate
1.22 (Seattle) at Sunset Tavern w/ somesurprises and Simile - tickets
Ryan Oxford x Reverb Interview☟
Recently sat down with my close friend Ryan Oxford for Reverb. I’ve been working with Ryan on my own music for a few years and was excited to spotlight the work he’s doing at his studio, The Center. We covered a lot of ground re: process, influences, gear, etc. Read our full conversation here. Shortly after this interview took place Ryan’s studio was broken into and lots of valuable mics and other gear were stolen. There is a Gofundme to help get Ryan back up and running 100%.
A Conversation w/ Bibio☟
My wife put a Bibio track (almost positive it was ‘Lover’s Carvings’) on one of the first mixes she ever made for me. I remember being so curious about how music like that was made and recorded. It was great to connect with Stephen around the release of his 10th album, BIB10 (Warp) for the Creative Independent. He spoke to being self-taught, having a signature sound, and why he doesn't tour. Read our full conversation here.
Final DJ Set of ‘22☟
There is one last chance to boogie with me in 2022. I’ll be spinning records at ye olde Donnie Vegas from 9pm-1am tonight (12/29)! Newsletter subscribers that show up get a beer on me. Artwork by Spencer Stanley.
Headcleaner (Fav Albums of the Year)☟
Here goes. This month’s Headcleaner (subscriber only) playlist is comprised of tracks from my favorite albums and reissues of 2022. Links to (almost) every album on Bandcamp below. Would love to know if you find something you dig.
Favorite albums (new):
fling ii - self-titled
mikayla mcvey - time turns everything
credit electric - out of love in the face of a shadow
small sur - attic room
dana buoy - experiments in plant based music vol. 1
the afterglows - the sound of the afterglows
misha panfilov - the sea will outlive us all
sam cohen - slow fawn
daniel villarreal - panama 77
moon bros - le jaz mystique
bee pieces - volume 1
stephen bailey - g.g. ryder
delicate steve - after hours
widowspeak - the jacket
color green - self-titled
sean thompson’s weird ears - self-titled
ryan baine - morning flight
kurt vile - watch my moves
steve gunn - nakama
etran de l’air - agadez
lake mary - slow grass
christopher willits - gravity
new balance - more love hours than can ever be repaid
skyminds - terra preta
surprise chef - education and recreation
lauren helene greene - outer highway realms
taj mahal + ry cooder - get on board
corntuth - letters to my robot son
jon iverson - many worlds interpretation
marisa anderson - still, here
les halles - eight fantasies
leland whitty - anyhow
daniel bachman - almanac behind
bill callahan - reality
Favorite albums (reissue):
robert lester folsom - sunshine only sometimes
ernest hood - back to the woodlands
v/a - earl’s closet, the lost archive of earl mcgrath 1970-1980
norma tanega - i’m the sky (studio and demo recordings)
charles stepney - step on step
branko mataja - over fields and mountains
That entire solid bronze album 🤯