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Jun 22.2008
Hi folks,
This has been an extremely busy month for me. I know I’m due a cluster performance video, and actually I have done two this month, but it may have to wait. Here’s what I’ve been up to…
I’m working with Liuh-Wen Ting. She’s a fantastic violist, and considering her background and skills I feel really honored to be working with her. We’re collaborating on a cluster of The Turn, and, as I mentioned, I’ve done two relatively successful tests already. But I don’t want to share until it’s perfect!
The first time I met with her we talked a lot about music. As some of you may know, I’m a fan of a whole bunch of different styles, classical and modern classical being two of my favorites. So we spoke a lot about Stravinsky and Bach. And then Liuh-Wen surprised me with an impromptu performance of Stravinsky’s Elegy. I was really moved by her performance, and rather in awe of her ability to do this from memory!
Anyway, sorry again for the delay. Hopefully it will be done soon!
Test of Friendship
May 18.2008
My fourth cluster performance is now online. It’s a song called “Friendship Is…” This video is different as one of the voices is actually going through some filters and distortion that cause it to sound like an instrument when I sing through the mic. Watch for it, it’s voice five all the way on the right. Hope you enjoy!
CLICK ME to watch Test of Friendship!
Old friends and new clusters
May 18.2008
About a month or so ago, after The Sad Song video got featured on Youtube, I got contacted by a guy who used to be one of my best friends back when I was in 6th grade. I think I saw him once in the early 90s, but it really had been a very very long time! So anyway, he happens to be a director and was coming to NYC to do a video for a band called tastiskank. It was really fun, and quite refreshing not having total responsibility for once!
Théo has barely changed at all. He looks just the way I thought he would. Here’s a shot of me and Mistah Théo:
Anyway, helping with the video caused a slight delay for the release of my May cluster performance, but it’s coming tomorrow. I shot it the day before yesterday and have been doing final touches on it the last couple days. Hope you will come and take a look. It’s for a fun song called Friendship Is…
third cluster performanceApr 14.2008
Hi there, folks
I’ve just released my third cluster video into the media section. It’s a second performance of Moon After Berceuse I performed in my hallway (poor neighbors!)
Moon After Berceuse - Hall Cluster
It’s a second performance of Moon After Berceuse that I shot with my little hand-held Digital Elph camera. I think it’s more intimate then the one I did with Ike. I’m holding the camera myself, and each move of my body causes a camera move as well, and I think it works to have that for a spare song like this one.
Hope you enjoy it!
Martha’s VineyardMar 21.2008
What a great trip I just had to the Martha’s Vineyard Independent Festival. I’m so appreciative to Jeremy Mayhew for selecting my two videos and arranging for me to perform. Also I’m grateful to founder Thomas Pena and to Brad Wescott, who I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time.
Martha’s Vineyard is a place that takes me back to some part of my childhood I guess. The first time I set foot on the island I felt like I’d been there many times before. Anyway, I was a bit worried that the magical effect this island and it’s great community had on me might during my first trip the festival two years ago may have been due to the fact that Sad Song was shown three times and I had received such an outpouring of love from the folks there. But I’m happy to say it wasn’t any of these things. It’s just a great place. I consider it to be one of my favorite places on the planet.
Here’s a few images from some footage I took walking with Jeremy and his friend photographer friend Josh Marowitz:
Look at how rich in color the cliffs are.
This is my good friend Jeremy Mayhew.
We showed Puss and The Turn at the festival. I think Puss went over better than the Turn, but I was really nervous during the Turn because an hour later I was set to give a performance. Still, folks were laughing a lot during Puss and many people came and told me they really enjoyed it. Never under-estimate the power of laughter!
The performance went well too, although I have to admit, it was a little odd… I was singing in front of a food line! haha. I guess any experience is a good experience, and really I was just grateful to have the opportunity to give my heart to these good folks. Here’s an image:
I left the island with plans to make a video with Jeremy within the next two months. I’ve got all kinds of ideas. As was the case last time I left Martha’s Vineyard, the place has set my imagination on fire.