March 27th, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
So, where to begin? Much has happened since my last entry and while I think it improper, inappropriate and entirely unnecessary to go into detail, I think it’s fair to say that 2008 didn’t turn out to be one of my happiest years. One of many results of this was my brief but total disaffection, and indeed disconnection with my music. In the latter months of the year I played several shows with great people and bands and even attempted an abortive studio venture. But despite my excitement about them and my high hopes I came away from each feeling deeply unhappy. Please don’t misunderstand me though, I’m in no way implying that there was anything bad about the shows or the studio sessions; far from it, I was working with the same bunch of highly talented folks I’ve been working with for a long time and it was great in that sense, yet for other reasons it was joyless for me.
And it was for that reason that what was to be a UK tour was truncated to a single London performance. If I’m honest, I was reluctant to play even that one show, but I also hate to let people down so in January I set off, London bound, with the old classical guitar on which I learned to play in tow. And I’m so glad I did. I enjoyed it so much. Removed from whatever unpleasant factors back home, playing to a room full of strangers, it was a joyous experience. A simple pleasure. It’s the most I’d enjoyed playing live since my Portland OR show in November ’07.
And with that experience came the understanding that given the right circumstances, on my own terms, I could once again be happy making music. And right now I’m in the process of determining what those terms are to be…
As I write this I’m sitting on train, travelling through swampy Louisiana on my way from New Orleans to Memphis. It’s a tour of sorts, a little bit of a pilgrimage too. My route will take me through some cities of magnificent musical heritage; New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Chicago and New York. I say tour of sorts because I have booked no shows. I’m exploring with my guitar, playing singer/songwriter and open mic nights when I can find them, attending gigs to listen to other people’s music but most importantly, meeting other musicians, broadening my horizons and having fun.
I don’t mean to sound self-obsessed or overly serious. The bottom line is this: I wasn’t enjoying it but I’m taking steps to fix that. I love making music. I wish to continue to do so in a way I can enjoy. If I can’t accomplish that it won’t be the end of the world but I’m going to try my best to find the path that works for me.
