What to do, what to do. Lately I’ve been in a creative purgatory. After 15 years in the band, and an impending nervous breakdown, I put music in park and shut off the engine. As per usual, I’m driven to inaction by the thought of doing something wholeheartedly or not at all. I feel I am at yet another imaginary crossroads. Here is what has been on my mind lately…..
#1. Road Kill Coffee Table Book. I got a nice camera for my birthday(thanks Rachael!), and have been trying to take some wildlife photos. Birds, animals, scenery, and the like. But what I really am fascinated with is the carnage I meet on the country roads on my daily drive to work. It’s a Dante-esque scene of massacred raccoons, deer, skunks, cats, pheasants, birds, possums and every mammal and reptile you can imagine. To me it is a flagrant display of our de-sensitized dominion over the beasts of this world. Plus, they look really cool, all squished and I could even do a time-lapse deal. You know, taking a picture every day for a week, while the ashes become ashes and the dust becomes dust.
#2. Internet Radio Station. I started a station on Live 365 (www.live365.com/salamagundi). It is really more like listening to my Ipod playlist, except, I tried to do some intros and information to some of the songs. I have been getting some good comments, and a few listeners, but I have lost time and interest lately. It was fun going through some of my old vinyl and digging up some nuggets, though. I’d like to add a live segment, but alas, time, time, time.
#3. Organize my Records. There are about 2000 or so record albums that I own. I have finally got them all in one place. For some reason, I have about half of them in order – the other half are in ugly piles. I keep getting distracted, and after all these years, I still like to read the liner notes. Reminds me of John Cusack in one of my favorite movies “High Fidelity”
#4. Run for the House of Representatives. Steve King really is an asshole, and an embarrassment to the state of Iowa. With a few years of City Council experience, I’m almost as qualified as Sarah Palin, and I would love to debate him just to pause, and say, “well, you’re a fascist asshole, so shut up!”. Just kidding (about the running for office part.), besides, probably have to pass a blood test.
#6. Get back in shape. Too much sitting, too much drinking, too little sweating. Well, at least the weather is turning nice. Musicians are easily distracted. (Shit, now this post is starting to sound like a New Year’s resolution list!)
#7. Finally master midi and sampling software and begin collecting sounds to be sampled.
#8. Play Guitar. After a 7 month break – the longest I’ve ever taken – I finally picked up a guitar in April, and began working on some new acoustic tunes. I forgot how good of an addiction guitar is. I forgot what a ball and chain it is. It seems I can’t do anything halfway, especially something that a care so deeply for. I think I’ll put together an acoustic set and book a few gigs and see what happens after that.
#9. Start a project to earn money for Val Stoeklien’s family. And maybe to raise money for an organization like Nucci’s Space. As a mildly depressive (who isn’t!) and slightly bipolar creative genius, I can certainly relate to the self-inflicted tragedies that befall tortured artists. The first time I listened to Val Stoeklien’s, Grey Life, I was confused, the mix of 60′s era, orchestral arrangements and sad folky singer songwriter ballads (think Percy Faith meets Neil Young). The music had enough mystery to hook me for a few listens, which gradually became borderline obsessive. Legend has it, and it is easily apparent, that Val allowed the record to be over-produced, despite his own misgivings. I am probably not alone in thinking that had Stoeklien released a stark, all acoustic album, his would now be a household name. If I can muster the energy, or collaborators, that is what I would like to do. In my indulgent fantasy, I am working with Colin Meloy, Bon Iver, Joe Pug, Justin Lamoureaux, Patterson Hood, Margo Timmins, Jack White, Ray Lamontagne, Neko Case, Iris Dement and the like. Of course, I will sing a song as well.
