Welcome to the 2024 edition of my newsletter!
I started my newsletter back in 2020, spurred by interest in engaging with folks beyond the confines of Social Media - a more streamlined way to communicate with those who are interested in what I’m making, thinking, enjoying, etc.
My plan is to share, in addition to the regular “here’s what I’m up to!” sorts of stuff - what I’m listening to, what I’m getting up to in my non-musical life, and observations on the intersection of the musical and nonmusical parts of my world.
I’ll be doing my best to send out one of these every month, plus any of-the-moment communications regarding new releases or live performance announcements.
As of writing this, I don’t intend on having any sort of paid tier - I’d just like for anyone interested, to be able to engage. Keeping music fun has become more and more important, as the years go by, and this is a way to do that.
So, ok - what have I been up to?
Music stuff:
Updated the Live Audio page of my website, which includes a live session on NPR/WXPN with Squirrel Flower, and live video sessions via the Puddle Splashers youtube channel, including videos from Sun Organ, Thick Paint, Stress Positions, theadoore, and others.
It's taken a long time to work through mixing and mastering the backlog of Puddle Splashers video sessions, but we've got more coming up.I was asked to be a part of Ben Arguelles' (of DZ Records) podcast Bending Brains - this was my first time discussing my audio practice at-length, and I had a great time talking and hanging out... two and a half hours passed very quickly for me. You can listen to the episode anywhere Podcasts are found, or watch it on YouTube.
As I was cleaning up my practice space this week, I was surprised to find a box full of Options merch including Swimming Feeling t-shirts, Wind's Gonna Blow crewnecks, and a couple other things. You can purchase what's left on Bandcamp.
Speaking of my practice space, I’m in the process of putting together a “mobile recording rig”, which will live at my practice space, but will also be dismantle-able in the event of a location recording. Wanna make a record in a barn or a church or somewhere cool and weird? Please hit me up! Hoping to travel and make some freaky stuff this spring/summer.
Non-music stuff:
I made Sauerkraut with the help of my friend Mary, and it turned out pretty good! We used both red and white cabbage, and Mary had the idea to toast some caraway seeds, which was a welcome addition to the Kraut. Lesson learned for next time, is to add more brine, so that all of the cabbage is covered.
I’d been wanting to do this for a while, as I love fermented foods, and it was a relief to know that it’s not really that hard - the only thing that was stopping me in a substantial way, was the intimidation of trying something totally outside my regular wheelhouse. Needless to say, I have been enjoying a lot of Kraut Dogs.
As I was thinking of what other non-music I’ve been up to, I decided that I’m only interested in mentioning things that are of the present or near-past… no “I’m going to do this.” What I realized in thinking this thru, is that I’ve gotten pretty into making physical to-do lists, Post It Note style! Way less distracting than my phone, and the bonus of choosing my own colors, is a nice touch.
Over the last 6 months or so, I’ve come to really appreciate Essential Oils. Yeah ok guys, big dork alert… Got some reed diffusers too. Been really enjoying cedarwood, geranium, and orange, but let me know if you have any faves and why you like them! Eventually these will run out and I’ll be curious to try some new ones.
Alright… I think that’s plenty for now. Thanks for reading along and I’ll have more to share again soon!
- Seth