Hello from the rollercoaster of 2025, off to a crazy and bewildering start in the grand scheme of the World. Despite the feeling of constant overwhelm, I am staying committed to taking care of myself, loving my friends, and doing what I do best - making stuff.
I’m currently in the midst of embarking on a “songwriting retreat” for the first time. I’ve seen others do this but have never been able to participate, until now. A friend’s family has a cabin way out-there in Wisconsin, and I’m part of a medium sized crew of folks with a common goal of Making Stuff for a week straight. I’ve got some ideas but mostly thinking about how I best set myself up to ~let it flow~, rather than going in with any preconcieved concepts. The last time I took a week to write, I made On the Draw, so I’m very curious to see what kind of results this will yield. So far it’s been a great exercise in tapping into the Abundance Mindset, and I’m trying to generate at least a couple of ideas every day, and seeing how recording opens them up to additional layering and arrangement.
Music stuff
Live:
Patter will be playing at the Empty Bottle 4/7, a free Monday. Will have more details to share when the show’s announced.
Releases:
Recording:
It’s been an enjoyably-slow month with recording, and I’ve mostly been focusing on mixing. Also have been working my way thru a backlog of personal projects — this is looking like a fruitful year for the release of music I’ve been creatively involved with.
I’m also starting to get wheels turning for the next Recording Tour — if anyone’s interested in working together in early May, anywhere between the Midwest and East Coast, let me know. I can bring my rig to you!
Recent Listening:
I find that when I’m tracking less and doing more mixing/mastering work, I have more time to enjoy music, and I’ve been listening quite a bit lately. Here are some particular releases that I’d like to share with ya.
Lane’s record Receiver has been stuck in my rotation since last fall and hasn’t left. A friend recommended I hit them up about a show in Boston and while that didn’t work out, I’m so glad I found their music. Freaky weird winding guitars, great songwriting, both loose and tight when it needs to be. I love this record!!
The World Without Parking Lots is Chicago’s Ethan Parcell, a total wiz at everything. I was familiar with him from Lee Ketch’s band, but his own music is excellent too. His record You’ll Have To Take My Word For It has been a joy to find…. Beautiful, meditative, warbly, and full of soul. Rich instrumentation too! It’s got this cool orchestral thing going on.
NÜDE put out a killer EP called St Jude’s Telegram last year that I keep coming back to. It’s tender, it’s pissed, it’s fun as hell and I love this band.
Jaff Graffner just dropped, appropriately for the midwest, the song of the winter — I’m Living (In the Bean). This song has a hilarious concept, but not at the expense of being a total banger. It’s literally about living inside of The Bean, and features vocals from Chicago music legend Fran.
Thank you for reading and, until next time, be well.
- Seth