A little music update is due I figure, I moved a few months back and as a result I lost my beloved barn, my musical, creative space where I created, played or just plain old hung out and this led to no playing and no focus on the upcoming record which is pretty much done besides a few vocals I need to redo. I made another record which is pretty big sounding with a full band, pedal steel, a string quartet, etc. but the funny thing is I have seen my future and it is not with a full band. I enjoy the many sounds and textures but I do not enjoy the logistical and financial strains that come with so many musicians. When you have 3 or 4 hired guns in your band try to book them all on the same night and be able to cover their wages at the door.. not so easy for me. Last year at the Oregon Country Fair I saw two acts, one with two people and the other with three, they were both captivating and great and easy to move around with, book and most importantly for me, the space between the notes was so vast, the music was roomy and spacious. The ironic thing is too that Jay and I are essentially the band anyway, we rehearse, week in and week out for many years now, this actually is our 25th year of playing together so this is what we do best anyway, or at least thats what we do the most.. We played a little show the other night, downtown at a dead little bar called the Corner, there was maybe 15 people there and thats being generous. Jay and I were joined by Terry Townson on trumpet and it was great, we played one of the best performances we’ve ever played. I personally got lost in the delivery of my songs, fearless and well supported by Jay and Terry. Afterwards I was approached by the members of our vast audience and received some pretty amazing compliments like “I feel like I know you” and “we hung off of every note” When we played there was no talking, silence beyond what come from our instruments and my voice. These are the people I want to play to and this is what you will all see more of coming from the Tree Shepherds in the coming year, our 25th anniversary. As far as the record goes, it will come out soon and it will be big sounding and you’ll probably hear from the big band again too. I rented a old, scrappy garage in east van and have been slowly transforming it to become “the shack”, our new home for the next while. So happy holidays to you and see you next year, our 25th year..
