Some of you may have noticed that over on the page for “Midnight Door” I am now allowing you to listen to the whole album. Yay! Enjoy!! Let me know how you feel about this. I always love feedback.

Also, I imported into this site my blog that was used for traveling the states a couple years back. What that means is just that in the archives are all kinds of writings that I had previously kept separate from this site. I don’t really see the point though, of keeping this site “impersonal”. I have tried to to some extent, but, be forewarned: I no longer really care whether it is my persona or not, if it is cool, or not, et cetera. If you like the music, that is all that really matters.

I can always label my posts “personalisms” and then you’ll know. Yeah.

So on that note, March is here and the daffodils are cautiously blooming. My brother Nate came to visit this weekend which was rad. He is so great to hang out with, and he got me out of the house. I really love the rapport we have together, all us brothers.

My life has felt busy but also fulfilling lately. It has been difficult to get much recording done, as our small little one bedroom apartment is currently in painting frenzy mode, as Kate is getting ready for a show which opens this weekend. That is fine by me though. It can be good to lay off, let the ideas sort of settle, and then go again, in terms of writing.

Also, a sort of revelation today… was listening to A Very Serious Conversation today and there was a discussion of the state of the recording industry these days. In short, they talked about how major labels are screwed, no news there, but what strikes me about it is two things, both sort of tunnel vision so forgive that…

1. Major labels are not “Bad” per se, and in some ways it is sad that the industry is so desperately affected right now. It means less rock ‘n roll, no matter which way you look at it. Now, whether that rock and roll is crappy, commercial, fake, overblown, horrid, et cetera, is certainly debatable… but what it means for the sphere of music is that less people strive for a music career, which is sad, and that less money will be put into (this has already happened) promising artists. If any.

2. I personally am going to take this revelation to focus a lot less, if at all, on the ultimate goal of “getting signed”. I’ve always had this resolution in the back of my mind, and have legitimately embraced my independence. For better or for worse. But, honestly, if the goal is to simply play and share music with as many people as possible, to give something to the world, without the faux and ill disguised intention of “getting signed”, I personally will be a lot better off.

Yes, obviously, I want to, and plan on making a living from music. And I would certainly hope that I am continuously as blessed and lucky as I have been to be able to write songs, play with people, record, make my own albums. It is a joy that completes me. But this doesn’t really change anything in that sense… in fact it makes me more likely to get on with it and do it!

Really, am I not better off accepting the obvious, which is that I’m on my own in terms of promotion and marketing? And that, in being in that state, that I have freedom to make it whatever I so choose?

I really love and appreciate everybody that has supported me in this. You know, every so often I get a comment about the music that I make that makes me feel so honored and fulfilled. Last night Kat played some songs on KVMR… and its like… thank you. What more do I want? This is it. I want… I should say I would like for this music to echo about, and maybe give people the (life saving) meaning that music has given me in my life.

OK, this is ranty… but you get the point. Onward. More music. Less phony ideals.