With virtually every mainstream social media platform further devolving into neo-nazi petri dishes, I’m feeling solid in my decision to leave. I’m sure this is only going to get worse. Having cut out social media, mostly to avoid the diet Tik-Tok button that has been baked into every app, I’ve felt a drastic change in my attention span. It’s nice having more capacity and desire for things that aren’t providing free labor to the most evil douche bags on the planet!
Speaking of, I’m not even going to touch on the last week. I’m sure you’ve heard too many awful takes, and you don’t need mine.
But that being said, this year’s motto of “stop giving your money to evil shit” is going well, and I’ve managed to settle into a relatively sustainable daily routine. Teaching (after school, 2-8 M-F) has afforded me mornings and weekends to start exercising, collaging every day, writing, composing, and practicing properly in a way that I haven’t in years.
I would like to play more sessions this year. If you would like to play, please don’t hesitate to text me! I’ve also been thinking about hosting a composition workshop. Could be a nice opportunity to write and play for/with people you’ve never met. Stay tuned for that.
Some upcoming dates:
Birthday Ass @ The Broadway
1272 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11221 Date: Feb 2, 2025
Birthday Ass @ Sleepwalk
251 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206 Date: Feb 21, 2025 Doors at 7:30
DM Trio @ Brother’s Wash and Dry
6042 54th Pl, Maspeth, NY 11378 Date: April 6, 2025
What I’m currently listening to:
Bob Drake: (BD’s music is on Bandcamp now, what?!) - What Day is It? - Legendary Lore and the Holy Wells of England - The Skull Mailbox and other Horrors - Little Black Train - Lawn Ornaments
Nick Dunston: -Skultura -COLLA VOCE
Bill Frisell, Kit Downes, Andrew Cyrille - Breaking the Shell
Miles Okazaki - Miniature America
Anna Webber - Simple Trio 2000
Zekkereya El-magharbel - DAYTIMES -NIGHTTIMES
Chris Weisman - Abbiati Moments
Claire Dickson - The Beholder
What I’m currently reading:
Anthony Braxton - Tri-Axium Writings I, II, III
Clark Coolidge -The Crystal Text, Radium Out Cold
György Sándor - On Piano Playing
and going to try, once again, to dig into
James Joyce - Finnigan’s Wake
Project updates:
Collage of the Day I managed to upload a collage to my website every day in January (except for 1, the 26th, which was a recording session for Birthday Ass). Here are some of my favorites.
Some Other Design Projects:
It is always a pleasure when someone trusts me with their musical design. If you’d like something cool for your next project I would be happy to make that happen for you.
Plink Clog / Bone Mill / ??? -Almost done with writing new trio tunes. Come check them out at the Laundromat in April. Floating names for the album right now, if you have any suggestions let me know.
Poems - I’ve also committed to drafting a poem every day, no matter what, usually on the train. Currently looking for a platform to share these properly with you.
Chokedamp - Slow but sure progress, but this one’s a long way (and a lot of money) off.
