After a really disappointing Mystery Road rehearsal the previous week, I was really hoping that we could redeem ourselves and have a great rehearsal. We all just decided that instead of trying to pressure ourselves working on new material that it was in our best interest to work on what we already have and make it as tight as we can. We ran through the entire set and only hit a few minor snags and boy did it feel good. The songs sounded full of energy and everyone was in great spirits making for a really enjoyable night of music making. I am really looking forward to the Mansion 462 show on March 5th. We have just over an hour of music and we’re really looking forward to getting in there and putting on the best show we can put on.
So I decided to start working on a new solo CD in order to capture recordings of some of the songs that I’ve been writing over the past year or two. I ended compiling a nice list of songs (15 total) of which I will probably pick 8 or 9 to release as the next CD. I’ve been documenting the progress of this still untitled CD of mine. You can check it out by going to http://hickorystillrecords.wordpress.com/. I mean, only if you’re really bored and have nothing else better to do! So far the process had been frustrating but productive at the same time in ways I didn’t think it could be.
So what am I listening to these days? Well, David Gray has found his way back into my ears which has been so nice for my soul. “As I’m Leaving” from his Lost Songs album is a new/old favorite and when it popped up on the iPod while on shuffle, it made me go back to re-discover one of my favorite songwriters. I’m glad I found him again. I’ve also found myself digging Natalie Merchant’s “Live” album and her covers of “After The Gold Rush” and “Space Oddity” really hit me. Crosby & Nash’s catalog has also been giving me some great vibes and as always the Drive-By Truckers have been inspiring me with “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark”. From Good Homes‘ “Open Up The Sky” album has been a great reminiscing album from the days of jam bands old and I am HIGHLY anticipating the release of the new Neko Case album “Middle Cyclone”.
I hope you all are well and that you are all finding inspiration wherever you can for whatever you need!
