Ah… the blank page…endless possibilities, and yet…lacking a clear subject .. allow me to meander if you will.
Just finished Liz Pelly's book,Mood Machine (The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist). Prior to that I read Sarah Wynn-Williams book, Careless People, about Facebook/Instagram/Meta, subtitled; (A Cautionary Tale Of Power Greed And Lost Idealism). A couple of books about organizations we are told are essential to success as independent musicians.
I must say that these two books have reinforced a feeling I have that I need to move beyond this sort of mind-set to a model based on actual connections with people, independent of those structure. It would seem that these monthly posts are a step in that direction. Trouble is, I've been relying on Facebook and Instagram to disseminate them, and that approach seems to have failed.
To remedy this, I am asking those folks interestd in getting these dispatches, for permission to send them directly to your email address. (or by text message if that is better for you) Contact me at richard@richardstrick.com .
Currently working with my old friend Henry Goias, a bandmate in my first band, Jawbone. We've recorded a couple of covers; Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing, and Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia composition, Stella Blue. Planning on releasing Stella Blue soon. Those joining my email list will receive the MP3 in reply.
Also working on a new song with Kent Hayden. When I started writing lyrics for this, my plan was to have Kent compose the music. This arrangement has had such great results previously, with Reno Girls, Just Like the Hand of God, and Million Miles Away. Prior to those songs, the only lyrics I wrote for someone's music were those for Me and My Jawbone, with Henry Goias.
Barbed Wire Valentine will be the featured act at Ceni's Open Mic (HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol) on August `12; a thirty minute performance from 8 to 8:30. Many thanks to Ceni! Perfect time to plug our show at Banshee Wines in Geyserville on August 29th from 4 to 7.
The search continues for a drummer to replace Herb when he moves out of the area in September.We would also like to add a guitarist, making BWV a four piece band. Any leads would be appreciated.
Just want to add that the two books I mentioned earlier were both, for me , worth reading. I would recommend them to anyone interested in modern media and its effects.
Thanks for reading.
Richard