Busy, Busy, Busy or the Better Sins

I felt a need to delay the publishing of my Blog, for several days. Wow, the Jamboree is this week! This year is the most ambitious with over 40 Acts! Next month, we will have stories to share; reunions with friends, technical challenges (not difficulties) and lots of surprises! I have learned from Artists especially, that Music, Travel and Love, are always different than one thinks. And thank goodness!
Hot Damn Scandal is having a Listening Party today, to celebrate the release of their new Album! This band has continued to grow, and improve, which is a tough act, considering they have been blowing audiences away for sometime, with their talents, wit and audacity! The Band did some recording sessions in Big City of Seattle, though most of the album was recorded in North Shore Studio, built by Steve Knapp, on the North Shore of Lake Whatcom. Sam Chue was the Engineer who worked closely with the band. Sam is a gifted singer, and guitarist as well, famous for fronting Olio, which reformed for legal reasons, as the Vonvettas!
Hot Damn Scandal is releasing their CD at the Jamboree; and I have heard that Misty Flowers is too, with another Local Effort from StoneCloud. Mike Cloud recorded Misty and friends, in his Studio, which he built, maintains, and runs the helm. He is an experienced Engineer, in the studio, and has worked the clubs in town, more than anyone in the still in the game. I have been impressed with his nimbleness with editing audio. Part of his skill, may relate to being a drummer. I have heard some early takes from Misty’s Album, I am looking forward to hearing the release! Robert Sarazin Blake has a new CD as well, which I want to hear, though it was not recorded with his latest Band, the Put It All Down In Letters! Last Thursday, I recorded at Boundary Bay Brewery, which I have on special occasions over the last 2 years. Hot Damn Scandal asked me to record them, in August and September, in hopes of releasing a Live Album!
It had been 2 years since I recorded Robert and Band in Multi Track, with the Direct Outs from the Board. Sam Top was Engineer for the Show, he is one of the most experienced in town. Aaron Harmison, plays bass with several Bands, Bar Tabac, Tea Seas Trio, and High Wide and Handsome. He was also with Roberts last band, the Silver Shirts. Another Silver Shirt, Thomas Dekon, whom many consider, the best saxophone player in Western WA, played with Robert and the Letters, he also joined Hot Damn Scandal on several songs. David Pender, is all around nice guy, and roaming rhythm master, has been playing drums for years, though was known more for Congo’s and Boran, than Drum Kit; though we like it! We worked together with Tristen Bach, with the collabrative musical performance, Sound Essence: A Spring Equinox Concert, in which of 22 Artists were on Stage together, a truely life altering experience. as it was not only the most complex performance I have witness, I also worked the Board! Bob MacDonald was the Engineer, and is due credit for much of the arrangements, choice and placement of microphones. Keith Fredrickson got me the Gig. Sarah Byrd was lead vocalist, and Anna Schaad, and Phil Heaven Played Strings. Dudely on Harp, Dean on flute, accompanied by Kinsey. What a moment! I am Time Traveling again…
Hay I need to mention, Nakos Marker is smoking hot. I think Pete lured him into the band; he was such a nice quiet man too, though a little too quiet for his talents (he blames Harper!). It has warmed everyones heart, to witness this eruption of soul, come out! If you haven’t seen them yet, Hot Damn Scandal is happening! “Playing Old Time Instruments, yet Punks at Heart” is the phrase I find myself using. Harper Stone plays Washboard, bells, and has been known to relay legends, weave spells, and croon Sea Chanties. Andy plays stand up bass, and sings. He has been known to play classical music at WWU, word. Chandra the Fiddle player, has been in Peru, though I think she is coming back for the Jamboree! Pete Irving, the band’s reluctant Front, is a wonder to know. He plays a steel guitar, with an authenticity, that makes one hear the legends of the Delta. He writes songs, that are so good, they are Scary! How much Blues can a soul let through? Although no stranger to suffering, Pete has wit, and charm, and the best laugh in town, and so far, that has made him nearly bullet proof. And he has a lot of friends, who have his Back.
Speaking of, my friend, Stone Jones, has been promoting music at the Cabin Tavern, along with Rob Cleary of Human Infest Fame. The Cabin has been working at making themselves known for music. I have enjoyed doing Sound there in years past. I am glad more music is in the works. Had the pleasure of working with the Tear Jerkers, fresh from the Cabin, they asked Rob about helping with Sound  at the Farmer’s Market in Fairhaven, aka the Village Green. I have enjoyed music there several times, though never got to help before. I brought my Board, and 4 Monitors. It doesn’t get much simpiler than that!I brought the pair of MOTU’s to catch the performance, and they can serve as Mixers,(made in the USA). I am into Backup.
I didn’t say near enough about the Sunnyland Stomp, though I touched on it last month. I have been listening to the recordings, and am looking forward the next year’s Stomp. It is getting a Reputation about the City, almost with the hush of Speak Easys. Well, Bellingham is the City Outside the Box, and Sunnyland has emerged as a Family Friendly part of town. There are integrated neighborhoods, that are frequented by walkers, folks on bicycles, and many pushing strollers, and even more often, baby joggers.   I said to a stranger this AM, I don’t know how much more of this good weather I can take, though I am willing to find out!  We have been purring in the NorthWest for some weeks, in the 70’s and 80’s, and I can’t remember the last time it rained!  The HullRoy’s went over to the East side, met up with the Roy Clan.  Mary and Carl were honored for their 50Th Wedding Anniversity.  We stayed in a lodge near Lake Wenatche for a couple nights, then camped at the Lake for 3 more Nights.  Oh yah, I kind of blocked out the night on the Tolt River camping; A King County Camp Ground, I can’t recommend the walk in sites, as they are a little too far, and to minimilist.  I counted 9 vehicles on the roadless path, during our overnight.  It was almost funny to see and hear kids crying, walking on the gravel road, though it is only a mile, that is long for most children.  Lake Wenatche was fun, met a couple of families from Bellingham.  Our kids swam a ton, and I went underwater a couple of time myself.  I am trying to get ready for the Jamboree.

   I tend to work on upgrading virus protection, moving data, and defraging hard drives before gigs.  I find large recording sessions, are actually somewhat involving for computers; so there are some routines I try to follow, to minimize problems, such as crashes.  I think I made my Page File too small, and was using smaller than ideal buffers, during my last good crash recording.  So, back to 256 MB to 512 MB for a buffer while recording.  Using 128 is good until recording over 8 tracks is my guess, though the latency times are very low.  Mostly using REAPER for Live recording.  Next week is the Stringband Jamboree, my 3rd year as Archivist. I tend to be a little out-of-body during the peak shows.  Once the music starts, I start feeling better. 

    I have been fortunate to do Sound for Hot Damn Scandal several times of late, and more plans in the works.  Misty Flowers has been able to provide Sound for the band, a couple of times when I had other commitments, she not only does a good job with Sound, she joins in with the Band now and then!

     Last year I recorded 30+ Acts at the Jamboree.  This year over 40 are scheduled!!!

Tomorrow, Rob Jones and I are at the Village Green, providing Sound for the Tear Jerkers.  We will also be recording, as we try too, whenever possible.  It is a really nice bonus, when the recordings come out well. 

   My friends at StoneCloud have been producing excellent CD’s; Corwin Bolt left town though he will be at the Jamboree!  Check out his new discs.  Word is Misty Flowers new release from StoneCloud is her best sounding Album yet!  Mike is letting the Elves into the Studio while he is on vacation; Rob and I don’t think we will be idle, Inshallah! Rob and I had a blast doing Sound at Grovestock on the 4Th of July, Brent Storms helped out too.  We were able to connect to an old school high power PA, and it rocked!  I liked the Slacks, Pawnbroaker, and the Vonvettas, all good.  The Scott Greene Band although a little subdued with banter, was really tearing up the ho hums with serious rock and roll. ” Quit trying to figure out what is best, try to figure out, what hurts less” I like that quip of Scott’s.
Show Pony Kick did a good set; they do lot of good covers, I especially like Chris Isaac’s Wicked Game. I hear some personel changes are afoot. Best wishes for all involved. As Pete says, He’s”been on a creative writing streak” which means he has went through a breakup! Working with bands, I know why it is called that.
Old Mutt continue to please crowds, this power trio, is showing the Old School, that they too, know a thing about Cool!  The crowd wouldn’t let them leave the stage without an encore so that we could all sing Rats! [ I caught Old Mutt outside the Cabin, yesterday, and they rocked! Also caught Pacific High, fresh from their Road Trip to California. It was good to hear their soulful rhythms. They call it Country Reggae!]
Back to Grovestock! Trip Madam closed the Festival with some hard rocking.  Thanks again to Rob, Brent and Dave Grove. And thanks to the Sheriff, who came out on a Noise Complant a little befre 5PM; when he found out it was a Benefit against Cancer, said they would leave word with the next shift, not too disturb us later!!!
I am starting a project with Hot Damn Scandal to record a Live Album!  We plan to record several shows in August; and I do have some gems already!   Need to say that Scandal are releasing a CD, in time for the Jamboree.  The recorded most of it out at Lake Whatcom in Steve Knapp’s Studio, with Sam Chu as Engineer.  Pete and Andy are very pleased, and I hope to hear the pre-release next Sunday; the day after I do Sound for them at a Redneck Party; We got the Gig while doing another![ The Party was delayed due to a Family emergency our best wishes]
Okay so I have circled round. Feeling Busy!!! I so look forward to the Jamboree. It is my favorite Festival. I cherish the music! It is an incredible opportunity, the one I think about all year. I let you know. Thanks for checking in. All the best to you and yours. Inshallah!

PS I have been reading the Bible with my son. This is hard work. I don’t know why people think this would be easy, it is a difficult book. Sometimes it seems to be at odds with self promotion, which seems somewhat helpful in business, love and various endeavors. I keep thinking about something I did, which was unexpected some years back. I went to a show, to support a friends band, and hear some local music, etc. I knew the person providing Sound, I think I even schlep gear in, helped with set up, and bought a ticket. The bands were good, though not many people came. It happens. There are reasons. One of the bands, I hadn’t heard, they were really good. Folks were dancing. One of the musicians, their partner was working the door. They were really paying attention to the Door, and it seamed to me, that I could sense, a fierce dedication, towards supporting the Band, and of course, their partner. Here is the Odd thing. I could tell that they were very cold, though to focused to get up, put on a Layer (the secret to the NW, and walk around, and maybe get somebody else to watch the door. Not knowing me, nor I them, I oddly, even for me, took their hands in mine, warmed them, and told her she was cold. Freezing. She didn’t bolt, and she really was cold. Somehow she didn’t slap me either, or make a stink, though she could have, even though I wasn’t intending to flirt. I still talked about it with my partner, and I don’t blame her for thinking I was flirting. Intentions are over rated I often find myself thinking. The thing is, I think they do matter, as does the Heart, and Music. Maybe we can find forgiveness, and maybe at least the courage to keep trying to learn, and do better. That is what I mean by better sins, things that we can learn from, and make better choices. A friend asked on FB, what is a single unit of Karma? That is a Koan, perhaps too, as can a single sin really be isolated? Maybe it is like Electrons, either velocity or location, though it is natural to want both? I know I do. She forgave me, though we have never spoke of it, nor I with her partner, who I like. So I mention this as an example of better sins. Attention is sacred, and so is beauty, and so too are these gentle sins, accidents, while attempting to help. Adventures, well that’s another subject, not focused on here. I’m reading, asking questions, and introspecting.
Simple things can be hard to explain, do you read the Bible with kids? I want to focus on humans, though my son and I have questions about Gods and Goddesses, and we want to hear their stories, or at least stories about them, and folks of long ago.
      I do strive to read, entire books, I did make it through one I enjoyed, called Minoan Crete, From Myth to History by Andonias Vasilakis; Adam Editions, November 1999.  I enjoyed seeing a microcasm of time, in the history of Crete.  Islands can be interesting locations to focus on their history, the very word is related to Iso-lation!  Change generally happens slowly, yet change does come!  News is related to Spirit, and Wind… I also like that the book tried to talk about everyday life, and had many pictures, of things people used, the art they made, and the remains of the buildings where people lived, worshiped, and stored goods.  Life was good on Crete, for a Long Time, and people enjoyed great equality, including women and men.  Eventually, the Wars of the Contentant, continued to pressure the island,  leading to more efforts toward defense, and hiarchy of status, and a declineof freedoms and well being.  Fortunately, we have many centuries before, and after this, to learn from! And so many good stories!  

   My sister brought the book back from Greece several years ago. I find I am catching up on some things that were somewhat elsewhere, after getting hit by a truck, August 22, 2008, 5 years ago. I came aways since then, and my body is mostly healed. My neck still is tender, and my hands almost always shake. Though I can make and retrieve memories, and it is an under rated ability! My good friends help me with names, as I seem to have acquired extra skill at not getting names!
My mom never cared for the word, dyslexia, “It is always, really something else”. There are flavors of apraxia, perhaps I share, I couldn’t afford to see very many neurologists! There is some blessings in this. It was difficult to read for some months, though I do read for pleasure now too. I find mythology interesting, often for the details of everyday life, which are revealed in the telling of the Tale, perhaps inseparable, as chaff and cull, though so worth the effort! I find Life, and sin, what we aren’t aware of, which harms? Yah I am crazy enough to mention these things, cause it is worse, when I don’t. And I not only want to be trusted, I need to be.  I work at it, and it means more to me than I can easily mention.  I will say, it has taken years, to earn the trust to do Sound and record with various Artists, in Bellingham and Environs; Though it is the most rewarding work! I am very thankful,honored, and humbled by this trust. Peace. 

Oh and BTW, September 1, 2013 is my 50Th Birthday!