How things change, and how quickly those changes take effect. I now work full-time on the Lower East Side, and I live for the time being in Astoria, Queens, just a few blocks from the studio where I recorded the last two records, and where this winter, if all goes well, I will leave with the heart of a third. So far it’s a little strange, going through the grown up motions, getting up at 8 and getting home at 7, writing invoices and filling out forms, staring sullenly at the other blank-eyed faces on the subway on the fluorescent ride home. I feel grateful for how busy I am, because when my mind has nothing concrete to focus on for most of the day I have just a few dregs of inspiration left at night. My friends in Red Hook and I are starting a band, which I am very excited for. We don’t have a name just yet, but there are a few contenders floating around. My favorite right now is “The Late Romantics,” but it’s a bit fey for the kind of music we anticipate playing (loud, slurred, twangy). We haven’t really practiced yet, but we will.
I saw a very good show on Friday at Messiah Lutheran in Greenpoint. If you haven’t heard of Mountain Man yet, get ready. We went to school together, played a couple shows this past summer, and their ascent has been steep (and will only get steeper). Beautiful songs.