New York Bound

I'm headed to NYC for a couple of shows this week and next. Saturday Feb 13 I'll be performing with Odessa Chen at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. The event is called the Valentine's Eve Fest and we're looking forward to it. Monday Feb 15 I'll be playing with Michelle Amador at Cameo Gallery in Williamsburg.

Gojogo plays live soundtrack for Yuri Norstein films.

What an honor it was to perform our original music to accompany Yuri Norstein's beautiful animated films at the Balboa Theater this week. Actually it was a bit nerve-wracking to have the great man sitting right behind me as I lead the group through the score for Tale of Tales. One part of my mind was completely focused on the task at hand while another was searching for his response to our re-contextualization of his masterpiece. (It was the first time he had heard it, and the large Russian audience seems to hold the original score and narration dear.) In the end it was received well and we had the even more harrowing experience of providing music for his work in progress 'The Overcoat' which only exists as a silent piece so far. We got a copy of it in the morning and quickly created a series of cues and improvisations to underline the intricate character study. Despite the language barrier, Mr. Norstein seemed tickled by our dedication to his films and seems to have appreciated the change of perspective it gave him on his own work.

Cyber break is over!

Despite not posting in the last 2 months, I've been keeping busy with all sorts of great stuff. The year got off to a nice start with a few weeks in the Caribbean. Despite hearing some great Afro-Caribbean street music of the voice-meets-beaten-metal variety, the soundtrack to our first few days was mostly provided by a never ending chain of small and medium sized explosions. Willemstadt loves it's fireworks!

Valencia Life

I just realized that I'm playing two shows on the same street this week.

Wednesday Dec 2nd at El Valenciano with Dina Maccabee.

Valencia @ 22nd. 8:30 start (our set is at 9:30 or 10)

Friday Dec 4th at Mina Dresden Gallery with Odessa Chen.

312 Valencia @ 14th. (precisely 7:30-8pm)

The Friday show is a Benefit for MEDIATE an art group that puts on events like Soundwave where Odessa and I played last year on a double decker tour bus that drove around the city on a route of her choice. Strange and beautiful.

Fun Session

I got to spend some time in this nice room over at Different Fur Studios last week. Along with Eli on drums, I played some guitar and bass on jRo's album in progress. It was fun to be able to be loose and creative in the studio instead of the more typical frantic pace of trying to record a dozen songs in 2 days. We knocked stuff out though! This is a great room in the middle of the Mission with some nice gear. I got to play though an Emery Sound Superbaby which is a work of art sonically and visually.

Free/Energy Music

I'll be performing in a trio with Josh Allen and Eddie Pollard this Sunday 11/15 at Flux 53 Theater in Oakland. Mr. Allen is a robust and powerful tenor player and I've played music with drummer Eddie "Word" Pollard on and off for many years. We have only performed together once before, several years ago, and it generated a nice document that I wish had seen the light of day. No expectations, just open mind and ears and commitment to the moment.

Killbossa at the Independent 10/28

I'm very honored and excited to be opening for Sean Hayes on Wednesday evening at The Independent. Killbossa is a new band paying tribute to the Tropicalistas. Great music, great fun.