Friday, December 22, 2017

Complete Usufruct live set from the Outsound Summit



Here we are opening the festival. All of these pieces can be heard on our newly released debut album, Windfall.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Usufruct debut album has been released!

On Vaux Flores Industrial!  Windfall is its name. "Holiday music for artificial intelligence," remarks Greg Hurley. Check it out!

Monday, October 02, 2017

Second Phainopepla rehearsal this past weekend

Yes, it occurred, and this time Myles Boisen dropped by to hear how the tunes were going preparatory to recording us this month. We are in good shape. The consensus seems to be that we are in the tradition of the Velvet Underground, as far as the sound of the band, which is inspiring to think about. Myles complimented me on my guitar sounds, too. Between now and the sessions I will be practicing hard as usual.

No photos were taken this time but I will post some after the recording sessions.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Announcing Phainopepla, my new solo project

It has been many years since I made any solo music. Reconnaissance Fly came into being in 2009 as my abdication from the role of bandleader. But now, I'm making music that doesn't suit Reconnaissance Fly, so it's time to return to a solo project context to make sure those songs are heard.

This past Saturday night was the first rehearsal of Phainopepla. I call the project Phainopepla in honor of the black birds with racing stripes, members of the cardinal family, who live in the desert.

I have four amazing musicians to play with: John Hanes on the drums, Jason Hoopes on bass, Mark Clifford on vibes, and John Ettinger on violin.






Tim Walters took these photos while we were rehearsing in Temple Studio.

Next month we will record two songs, an original by me plus a Joy Division cover, for release as a download and a purple vinyl single - my first ever vinyl release.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Friday, July 07, 2017

In the Field with Usufruct


Here we are rambling on in front of Rent Romus' camera telling you all about our duo set coming up this July 25th at the Outsound New Music Summit!


Monday, March 27, 2017

Tallva Laatetta

It is a wonderful feeling to be part of the original cast of The Road to Aacheron. I cherish the role of Tallva Laatetta and look forward to the next performance of the oratorio - which we think will be this autumn, at a venue in San Francisco. Stay tuned!