Backup Experience

My Friends,
I kept wondering, if Hudson and Dawn might surprise us at the Jamboree? Your Spirits often make Cameos in Bellingham and Environs.[They live in New Zealand since last Fall.] So several months back, I asked Robert Sarazin Blake if Baby Gramps had ever been to the Stringband Jamboree? He hadn’t. I knew he had worked with the Crow Quill Night Owls, and the Gallus Brothers. Lucus was able to play this year (and Call for the Square Dancing!), he is finished with Chemo and Surgury for the foreseeable future (!).
Robert asked if he thought Baby Gramps would work with him, and I said I thought he would. A Little Time Trip… It was Mother’s Day 2006, Hudson called me on the phone, trying to get me to come hear Baby Gramps at the Wild Buffalo. I was waffling, tempted, though had been camping at Deception Pass with Family and friends, a couple days… Well next thing I know Caryn Simmons was on the line, asking me to come to the show. How did Brautigan put it,” I have a weakness for intelligent (and beautiful) women, and it is too late to do anything about it now.” On a lark, I grabbed my Digital Recorder, which I had mostly used to record voice and birds, and a couple concerts(including Yogoman’s first Earth Day), well I am glad I went. My recording of Baby Gramps had many technical limitations, and yet the Gist came through! Maybe the imperfections made me try harder. I began a renewed passion with Audio, that had never been far since I was a child, listening to stacks of vinyl records going to bed, my Mom’s Hank Williams was my fav in the 3rd grade. My dad had a big record collection, and we liked Spike Jones records, he saw him a couple times, along with many of the Big Band Acts. He has mentioned Paul and Mary Ford (aka Les Paul) more than anyone else. I made informal recording like crazy ever since Baby Gramps. I started working with a Band (Bob Paltrow and the Patriots of Tomorrow) in the Fall of 2006. I knew Bill Sterling since moving to the RiverFarm in 1988 from Santa Cruz. I was a Fan of the Clay People since 1991 too. Recording lead to Mixing, and I found I enjoyed both together best. I often need to focus on one more than the other. I focused on Recording at the Jamboree this year, as Robert asked me to do. I provided most of the Equipment (Mikes, Monitors, EQ and Board) for the Slanted Stage, which is the auxilary to the Flat Stage (Main). I recorded the Board of the Slanted Stage, as well as the SPDIF from the Main Outs. Brent of KMER and the Radio Museum, ran Sound for the Slanted Stage FOH. He is an Accomplished Audio Engineer, as well as Sound Person, a Gentleman too. My Thanks to both Marks, and Mike and Rob (aka StoneCloud)for thier skills with Sound.
Details, well after a few years of going to the Jamboree, I started asking if I could help out. I have helped build the Stages the last couple of years, helped with Sound, and recorded as much as possible. I write a Blog once a month for the last couple years, assundry topics, though the Local Scence is prominant.) I paid for some Cyber Space from WordPress, a few months ago; Backup-Experience.com. It is a Work in Progress. I can hear limits to this recording of Baby Gramps. And yet I hear clear progress from that Mother’s Day, when my friend Hudson called. Caryn and I have become much closer too. I not only have recorded her, I recorded her Students a couple years back, which my daughter was, some years back. This letter like much that I am involved with, has some life of its own. So there is a Tradition in Bluegrass Circles that Gospel or Traditional Music being played on Sunday Mornings. Last year there was a sing along near the covered Kitchen. I heard it was good, and Laura and Reeb sang. I asked Robert if we could expand it somewhat, with a simple PA; The Production Manager (also the Singer, Guitarist for Smoke Wagon, and also my friend) asked if we could bring it closer to the Main Stages so that we could hear while we diassembled the Stages. I got approval as long as it wasn’t too ellaborate. Bingo!
So I set up early Sunday Morning. I slept in the back of my truck wondering if I should get up. Around 7 AM sharp, the Sun was streaming in glorious except I was wondering if I should get up yet. I heard something on top of my truck. Looking through my skylite, less than a foot from my head, a crow walked over. So I got up. I set up my 2 Powered Speakers, 12″ Mackie Thumps, and My MOTU Traveler (does it have to be so complicted? = less than 20minutes; just saying). A Cascade Microphone made in Olympia, and a SM57 by Shure. The later have been used by US President’s since before Watergate. Oh and my SONY MS Stereo Mic to record. My friend Misty Flowers (who I have worked with several times) and her partner Nate (of the Green Frog) showed up bright eyed and bushy tailed. Misty sang Children of the Wilderness from Young Man in America by Anais Mitchell (her Hadestown Album is the Best American Concept Album). I have the recordings, and the Memories! Seems like around 10 Glorious Minutes, Misty playing acustic guitar, singing under a giant Cedar Tree, with many Tall Trees near, the Powerful Sun in All Her Glory and… the Gospel Leader showed up (Misty Annouced it was about to begin) well, she was none to happy clearly to see the Microphones and (gasp) Speakers! I tried to be polite, though I felt like CR Avery at his first Jamboree. I was screaming praise for his Potty Mouth Beat Box, though many were clearly shocked! Anyways, the Sing Along went well. I didn’t even mention I was recording. Maybe 40 people joined. And it was a good Gathering. It wasn’t the first time I ruffled Feathers at the Jamboree this year, I was trying to do my best. We all have our gifts. All the Best to you and yours, Roger

PSS Caryn called on the phone, while I am listening to Baby Gramps, about to press Send on this Letter to Hudson and Dawn, which seems like it might be the Foundation of August’s Blog too. She wants to toast Ted tonight in Edison, (he is moving to Whidbey Island for a teaching job btw) and I asked to ride along with her and Ted’s Cousin. Too late to do anything about it now! Love to my Friends Down Under. Ya are missed! OK SEND!!!!! “Get you a Hitch in your get along.” Baby Gramps sings an amazing song Ghost Train on Freak Mountain, which is West of Portland.
With Thanks to Robert Sarazin Blake, and All the Souls who make the Stringband Jamboree the Oasis in the Soul Desert. After MidNight of the Amplified Portion of the Jamboree (Almost) I had a chance meeting with a friend of Sparrow’s, Heather of Internation Peace Day. An impromptu talk with her friends ensued, and my idea of ParaNet( in my Short Story , When the Web Froze). was mentioned. They said it has begun, under the name Dark Net! We all agreed, Free Association, is coming!
I am working in REAPER with the audio from more than 35 Acts. Jan called me from Davis last week, wondering if I recorded his Trio, Blackbird. I told him it was a lot of work, and a great honor. I am giving Audio to James Bauchman and his assistant Ben Owens to synch with thier Video. I will also be giving Robert another thumb drive or 2, to use as he sees fit, in the near future. He assures me he will listen at some point. Finding the Artists I record,and getting Audio to them, is somewhat non linear. I am commited to Music, and building relationships in Bellingham and Environs with Artists, it is the Gist of what and who, Backup Experience is about. Peace

Listen to a unique moment in America. It was the First Day of July 2011, the scene: a small progressive City, Bellingham WA. Robert Sarazin Blake and the Silver Shirts were playing at Boundary Bay Brewery. A beautiful day except it had been the wettest year since 1900! The North Westerners were good-natured though perhaps a little wrinkled. A Documentary about the Subdued String band Jamboree was also being debuted. Robert created the Jamboree for Local Artists, though it has grown into mixture of near and far; Traditional Folk and Bluegrass share the Stage with Spoken Word, Belly Dancers and the Beat Box of CR Avery. Robert Sarazin Blake came to Bellingham to study at the University (WWU) in 1995, after 2 years his musical interests had him pursuing a Higher Calling. Bellingham has a rich Musical Scene and many overlapping Traditions. Robert jokes that Bellingham is a Big Support Group for Struggling Artists! I know that Bellingham would not have as diverse and authentic Music Scene without Robert. I can not say with any certainty what kind of Music Robert will be playing next! I can say he will be giving it all he’s got! He is likely to have friends with him; While Robert brings many to Bellingham he meets performing on the Road, he continues to fully engage with Local Artists. Robert not only promotes Artists through the Jamboree his Label: Same Room Records is dedicated to Musicians performing together in the Same Room! An all too rare way to make Music these days! Not only is Robert a wordsmith, he embodies Music, and invites us to join in Divine Creativity! His latest incarnation with the Silver Shirts defies simple categories and genres, Jazz, Beat Poetry, Working Blues, Funk and a lot of Cool. I can add Activist and Bard to his accomplishments. What more can I say? Listen to the Silver Shirts! The Silver Shirts are composed of Jordan Rain, the Leader of Yogoman Burning Band and Keeper of the Sacred Flame! Jordan Rain is often at Boundary as DJ Yogoman. His dance Ensemble is known to happy feet up & down the West Coast; they are Bellingham’s Dance Band. Aaron Harmonson walks soft and carries a Big Bass. Like a Helmsman his steady figure guides the Ship through Still Water and Raging Storms!  The Stage is flanked by the twin Horns of Mars Lingren and Thomas Deakin!  We are blessed to have such fine Horn players in Bellingham. Mars is famous for his efforts in the beloved and missed ensemble Yambique which Tanya Kitterman fronted as Lead Singer. Thomas and Mars wail with Yogoman Burning Band, as well! Jan Peters is the leader of the Naked Hearts, another groundbreaking band which Aaron also plays bass in (& in Bar Tabac!). Jan’s mandolin playing is well-loved, as are his Vocals and Harmonica which he played with the Librarians, who did a great set opening the Evening’s Festivities; with the Silver Shirts he plays upright piano. Jan is adept at Folk, Jazz and World Music. The Naked Hearts and DJ Yogoman are weekly regulars at Boundary. [ Jan often lives in Davis, CA ; He will be back at the Jamboree!] Robert Sarazin Blake released the CD he recorded in Philadelphia with his friends the Powder Kegs (Put It All Down in a Letter). You can listen to it through his link on Facebook (All of these Artists have links and pages). He is performing with the Powder Kegs at the Jamboree. Robert also recorded a Record in Belfast, Northern Ireland earlier this year! He makes small pressings of Vinyl Albums for Collectors (they sound great). Last Year he performed with Giant’s Causeway. For this Show he played a (Guild?) Hollow body guitar, he can make it purr or rubble like a Train (speaking of which), listen for the Train which answers (in Key!) during the song Mike and Ruthie. Trains can disrupt, but the Band added the Locomotive to their Jam! My friend Mike Cloud was the Engineer for the show, he works for several clubs in town including Boundary Bay. We love to talk audio, trade tips, and have lent our ears to each other on several projects. Mike has worked Sound at the Jamboree before, and connected me with the right people when I said I wanted to help! I am a General Contractor. I am also recording Artists in Bellingham and Environs, working Sound and learning the many steps of Producing Music. Coming in through the Backdoor, I have experience in Theater, though more from the Stage Crew than the Stage. I have always loved Music. I moved to Bellingham in 1988 earning my living as a carpenter (25 years). Always dabbling with tech, I like building computers. I learned Recording, Sound and then started singing and backing Bands. I love live music! I call my business: Backup Experience. I have been experimenting with Old School ear based models, while combining this with the New School approach (when possible) of Multi Channel Board Digital recording. I try to have a light hand when it comes to Digital Signal Processing; It took me years to figure out some of this, much to learn. I had been talking with Jan about recording again (a long story shortened); Mike asked Robert if I could give it a try! For those interested, I used a SONY stereo microphone (ECM-959) in front of the Sound Board, and mixed this with the Main Outs and signals from the Bass, Guitar and Piano on separate tracks, 7 in total. I integrated all the Audio through my MOTU Traveler. I recorded (and rendered) with REAPER in 24 bit/ 44.1 KHz; with a modicum of post production DSP from Studio One. Why write this? For some of the same reasons I made these recordings. Because I Love this Music! Many of us grew up reading Record Jackets and the CD booklets that some Bands knew to document the Journey, share stories, and the Songs. I think there are some souls who can’t get enough regarding Music (and who actually read the Notes). Written words can only say so much without poetry, and a good band! Thanks again to Robert & the Silver Shirts for these moments in Time! Roger Anderson Hull * Bellingham   August 5Th, 2011.  The week before the Jamboree!

Happy Summer.  Life seems busy of late.  Been working with Artists most weekends for several weeks now.  Going back to Chuppafest this Friday and Saturday.  I have been given assurances that I will not need a wall of strong Helpers to protect my gear from Moshers, as I will be tucked next to the Stage in a safer location, while StoneCloud will need, and has some Back to protect the Sound Gear in Front.  It was the wildest place I have ever recorded, let alone brought my Mixer, and PA!  So much good music too!  Black Beast Revival took the Show last time.  I liked everybody.  I am looking forward to hearing Dead Reckon, Rev. JD and the Blackouts!  I am listening to lots of Music;  Anais Mitchell’s Young Man in America is coming through my Speakers, being reproduced by Mender, my Computer I built in 2007…  I changed CPU ( to a slower 45 watt AMD Dual Core) several years back,  4 Gigs of RAM, Fanless GPU too, still running X64. I use 4 Hard Drives, and they fill up quicker than I think.   .  It was the best OS Microsoft  made prior to 7, of course they never Marketed it worth a darn, think Bill Gates was getting married or something, just before Vista happened.  Mender purrs!

I’ve been thinking what an amazing journey, since one year ago.  I wrote about it in the Put It All Down In a Letter CD Release Party, which I will try to post.  Robert Blake and the Silver Shirts, as well as the Librarians played Boundary Bay, and Mike Cloud (and Jan Peters) invited me to record, this was the fisrt day of Julu 2011.  Not only was it an amazing evening Musically, I was (am) very pleased with the recording too, though it is a long story, the getting there.

My friends know I love to record, be near music, and help with Sound.  I walked to the Green Frog on the 1st of this month, caught some of the Open Mic, checked in with Misty Flowers.  I wanted to catch her hosting the Open Mic, and to thank her for performing at the Solstice gathering at the Lake.  Well the Main Stage was rained out on Saturday, I had got the speakers, Board and Mics up, when the rain started to come down, my friend Evan showed up magically, in time to help shuttle gear into the Main House, where we jammed later.  Bob Platrow and his friends, jammed in the Living Room, which he has done many times, to our delight.  John Neighbor, and Rick Haykin also jammed, drums and keys was a nice mix. Good to hear Tim Holmes on electric guitar and Jeff from Underwater Radar played bass.  The next day John, spoke of Music Sessions, “they are never what you think!”

The Potluck was good, though my gear was a bit scattered, though mostly dry.  I regrouped the next day, and brought my Board in, and set up to record the Cosmic Sneakers, and later Tim McHugh and the Lost Poets.  Chuck Dingee played Sunday Afternoon, which we all enjoyed.  Chuck is famous in Bellingham and Environs for the Walrus, an act which was a fixture at the Wild Buffalo for some years.  I caught him at the Green Frog a couple of months back.  Misty Flowers sang several songs.  I really enjoyed her cover of Anais Mitchell’s Young Man in America.  Sarah Bird sang with her, I have been fortunate to have worked with her in collaboration with Natural Transitions and the Gifted Music Director Tristan Bach, which is how I came to work with Bob MacDonald, an engineer, guitar teacher, and in the band Three on the Tree! Good to see and hear you’all. My thanks to everyone who made it happen, especially Bill Sterling, Betty, Layne and Evan.

Tim McHugh came out with his Family.  I started recording the Lost Poets in 2007 at the famous Equinox Gathering, it was the Patriots of Tomorrow’s World Debut.  They are the Band that got me to cross over, from Fan to Sound Man.  I had made some efforts to promote the Patriots of Tomorrow in the early 90’s ( in their incarnation as the Clay People, before Bob) and also the Sedro Wooley Jug Band aka the Wing Nuts led by Morgan Dicus.  I recorded some good songs with Casey McHugh playing violin with the Lost Poets.  Caryn Simmons who has a long history with the Poets, she sang backup, it is always a welcome time to hear her.  Layne cooked, and sang and played Harmonica, for several songs with the Poets.  I asked Tim if they would play the Narrow Road, which is my favorite.  The Band did a hot take of The Edge of Forever.  Everybody had fun messing with Wish You were here, which was especially blest by Sarah Bird, who transposed the Solo from Dark Side of the Moon seamlessly, into another song and album!  This was the 2nd Gathering at the Lake (this year), last year we only had an Equinox Gathering.  The year before we had 5 Gatherings, each full moon.  The cooler wetter weather has affected Gatherings, not only at Bill’s, Ranger’s 20 year tradition of a Gathering  in early June, hasn’t been practical for a couple of years, or Junurary’s as the tired joke now goes.

I wanted to also mention a couple of Local Heroes, Allegra Ziffle and Matt Novak aka Pretty Little Feet.  This Dynamic Duo released a CD and Soundtrack to the Documentary Film the Mountain Runners, it was engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Paul Turpin of Champion Studios, Bellingham.  Allegra did the woodcuts for the Album’s Artwork and Printing at Bison Bookbinding and Letterpress.   The Pair played the Green Frog Tavern, and I seem to recall actually helping (or attempting too) with Sound during their Set.  Thanks also to Devon Champlin and Company for patience.  James bought a feedback destroyer since, so no excuses next time!   I really like being able to help, and it makes me feel very welcome.

By the way, the Green Frog keeps improving!  The outside deck  is a great treat; Chad can often be caught out back singing:hint.  Thanks always to Nate and Misty for helping me feel welcome.  Been nice getting to know Friend again.  He did a good job on Bass, playing with the Stone Jones Trio (Chrispy on Keys, guitar and vocals) for the Friday the 13Th Show at the Majestic which StoneCloud and Yours Truly put on.  Misty Flowers was the MC, and sang several songs.  Louis Ledford and Kevin Nelson (of the Librarians and also  Bison Bookbinding) played a Set together.  I first heard Louis Ledford at the Stringband Jamboree in 2007.  He is from South, and moved from New Orleans to Bellingham several years ago, much to our enrichment. Louis is a Bluesman, wise beyond his years.  His latest CD the Century Plant on Espalade  Avenue has been on my stack for some months.  I took Kathleen to hear him earlier this year at the Blue Horse Gallery, playing with the American Sweat Band, the Gallus Brothers opened.

I read things got too close for a while for Lucas, though I hear he has been out and about Town; we want the best for Lucas, though for selfish reasons, we need him, and we love the Gallus Brothers!   Lucas is planning on being the Caller for the Square Dancing at the Jamboree on the 9Th and 11Th.  There is Contra Dancing with Marlin Prowell on Saturday the 10Th.   Build the Love!

I need to mention Smoke Wagon played after Louis and Kevin.  I am partial to these Fellows, and always enjoy hearing them.  StoneCloud and I collaborated with SmokeWagon to make their first CD Sampler.  I am very proud to be a part.  Thanks again to all involved!  Do watch for their Act!  They are the Bee’s Knees. They are playing at the Jamboree for the 2nd time, which I got to say; I haven’t missed a Stringband Jamboree, since I started going in 2007.  Never dreaming that I might go from making bootleg (informal) recordings, to actually helping do Sound for the Festival; I am thankful all the same!  We have an amazing team that makes the Jamboree happen, I am thankful to part.  I hope to share good news in next month’s Blog, after the Jamboree.  Kaplah!

While I rarely seem to struggle with finding words for the Local Scene, I do struggle with words, fond of them as I am.  Since last February, through a misunderstanding, I have been confronted with limits of language, for the first time in my adult life, a friend doesn’t want to talk.  I have only given up one friend in my life, and I still care, have feelings for them, though after many events, saw that they were not safe.  I have tried to be near Logos for 3 decades.  Some think I was joking when I posted the word Unshun!  Even with all these tools, phones, mail and the InterNet, it seems difficult for people to keep in touch.  I find it hard to find time to talk about the things that aren’t working, the breakdown of civil discourse, the lack of meaningful work, let alone the Human Condition.  I am trying to do more on my house, be nicer to my Family, find ways to connect with friends.  I am not so sure I am gaining on this goal.  While it helps to know there are perhaps 50 Billion Galaxies, my heart still gets hurt.  There are people I want to connect with in this Life.  I am reminded of the song by Bob Marley, Could You be Loved?  I figure I ain’t getting any other Trial than this, and guess much likely never get said. Sure I hope to launch more TimeShips, maybe give verse to Precious Spleen.

I mentioned the other day, to my friend Rose, who I enjoy corresponding with, that I consider it something akin to Sin, whenever I pray.  Not that I don’t go into the Closet and Pray, I try to not ask very often.  It is not like I have any lack of Want in my Life (I am lucky, though perhaps misactualized), I figure I do best to not Trouble the Powers that be; though I do try to say hello now and then, and give thanks often.   I borrowed this idea from the Bhagavad Gita, though I lost the spot years ago, I kept it close.  Truth is where you find it, been saying that for a while.  My Heart still wants to understand, strives to hope.  I have met so many special people, and learned of many more.  Even though I reckon I am part crazy, I still love my friends, even though I wish we interacted more.  Anyone remember the Play and Pilot of the Twilight Zone?  Seems like the InterNet and Social Media by no means prevents rumors, doubts and prejudice.  I am trying to learn, and love.

I finished Cryptonomicon last night, over 1100 pages!  I have been at it since Spring!  I loved the History, especially the focus on WWII, and the brilliant, and overlooked Lawrence Waterhouse.  The musings on the Spine of the InterNet, and the connections between cryptography and Banking are truly prophetic.  After reading this Novel, I will try to include Karma in the Origins of our current World financial Crisis, there were great Hordes of War Booty, hidden, many which became stuck, mostly by blood, and collective greed.  It will take a Collective effort to heal this, an Actual InterNational Consensus, to redeem this corrupt Capital, as it was stolen from Millions of people, many who died from the hands of the Nazi’s and Japanese Military.  The United States and Britain killed hundreds of thousands of civilians.  And Russia! Most of us know about Blood Diamonds, yet think of bars of gold, (to heavy to hold with one hand),  many made from stolen fillings from the teeth of those who died in WWII.  This Novel goes into detail about some stuck Hordes, and how ($) gold can be transfered via the InterNet.  It is still going on.

The book does a good job shifting focus into the Pacific  (and to China in the late 30’s) during the War, though doesn’t mention the Eastern Front, let alone the Greatest Battle of the War; Stalingrad which nearly surrendered the Middle East and their Oil to the Nazi’s.  The Novel also fails to mention the internment of Japanese Americans (many who were lawful Citizens) during the War.  Well, I would have found some pages for these subjects.  Bletchly Park in England, gets deserved attention, as does Alan Turring, who helped break the Nazi Encryption called Enigma.  I saw one of these machines at the Musuem of Computer History in Mt. View with my Father last May.  I thought to look, did they Dovetail the corners of the Enigma’s wood box?  Yes. I read in this Novel, that the British actually smeared the ink a little on Special Top Secret Documents to prove they were genuine, as they knew the Germans would do too good a job! How’s that for knowing your enemy!  Enough digressions for this Month?

I have been emailing music links to my friends in the last couple months, mostly because I A: Can and B: Have Good Music to share, C: I am allowed too!  I still haven’t figured how to store Music on the Net, yet.  I am finding a place for some words, sans Facebook.  I have puplished a few poems, and this is my 3rd Blog on Backup Experience which is hosted through WordPress.   I have been writing P.L. Wilson, the Author who told me I can consider myself a Member of the Society of Ancient Druids of Newburg NY which has connections back to 1717 and souls such as Thomas Paine and William Blake!  So I have that going too!

I am so looking forward to the Stringband Jamboree, August 9, 10 and 11.  I am recording both Stages, 35 Acts!  So excited, though it is a little daunting too!  I hope to be happy to let you know next month!  Till then, thanks for reading.

And of course, All the Best to you and yours, R. A. Hull    Bellingham WA   Inshallah!