Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Higher Ground Release US Release Set For November
We are real excited about the upcoming US Release of Higher Ground at Bridge Street Live in Collinsville, CT. on Saturday November 6th at 8 pm.
Bridge Street Live is a beautiful new 300 seat theater in the heart of one of Connecticut's wonderful small towns where the arts are alive and well. We were honored when asked to perform our CD Release show at this new art-deco styled venue.
The show will feature two sets highlighting the new material from Higher Ground as well as some of our favorites from New Moon Rising, Coming Home and Move On.
The band has never sounded better. With each performance and rehearsal we find ourselves enjoying the music and each other's contributions more and more...
Tom Hagymasi will be flashing his musical brilliance on all of his toys (fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, accordian) while Dan Hocott keeps the (heart) beat of the band with his tasty bass playing and solid harmonies. Percussionist Bob Gaspar has added a new wrinkle to the sound with his electronic hand drums capable of and endless array of world sounds to compliment his djembe, tambourine and percussion.
The best part is all who attend receive a copy of Higher Ground which I sincerely believe may be my best work to date thanks to the contributions of my co-producers and bandmates. We believe this show will be one for the ages...
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Higher Ground Coming Soon...
Winter is firmly in place here in Northwest CT. The snow is deep enough to guarantee we will not see the ground again until Spring. Ironically we are in the final stages (mixing) of completing our new release entitled "Higher Ground". I say "ironically" because either by pure coincidence or something greater my last three albums have been mixed in the winter and released in the early Spring. This will be no exception.
This album will be different than anything I've ever recorded. It represents the first CD recorded soley with the members of my touring band featuring Bob Gaspar on percussion, Dan Hocott on bass and backing vocals and Tom Hagymasi on just about everything else in the world (violin, bouzouki, mandolin, dulcimer, accordian and vocals.)
In the past I've always written and pre-produced new songs in my studio (while playing several instruments and singing harmonies etc.) to give the band a "vision" of what I heard when I wrote the song. This time Tom Hagymasi suggested the opposite approach. He insisted I send only "naked" versions (me singing the song with just guitar or piano) of the tunes to the band so they could formulate their own arrangements for their instruments. Then, the four of us would come together and play the new song and exchange arrangement ideas etc.. It worked like a charm and was a completely effortless exercise.
And the end-result is this new album that will be coming out in the very-near future. And we can't wait to share it with our friends and fans...
We'll be keeping perfomances to a minimum as we finish up the new album. We look forward to seeing you down the line.
This album will be different than anything I've ever recorded. It represents the first CD recorded soley with the members of my touring band featuring Bob Gaspar on percussion, Dan Hocott on bass and backing vocals and Tom Hagymasi on just about everything else in the world (violin, bouzouki, mandolin, dulcimer, accordian and vocals.)
In the past I've always written and pre-produced new songs in my studio (while playing several instruments and singing harmonies etc.) to give the band a "vision" of what I heard when I wrote the song. This time Tom Hagymasi suggested the opposite approach. He insisted I send only "naked" versions (me singing the song with just guitar or piano) of the tunes to the band so they could formulate their own arrangements for their instruments. Then, the four of us would come together and play the new song and exchange arrangement ideas etc.. It worked like a charm and was a completely effortless exercise.
And the end-result is this new album that will be coming out in the very-near future. And we can't wait to share it with our friends and fans...
We'll be keeping perfomances to a minimum as we finish up the new album. We look forward to seeing you down the line.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Winter
Our area here in New England is completely covered with snow. At least a foot fell yesterday and 6 more inches to come tonight. And so will be the story for a while now. Won't see the earth again until March or April. Perfect writing/recording atmosphere.
After the shows this summer it felt time to start writing the new CD. It's coming along nicely. Once the writing "spurt" is completed I'll choose the songs to present to the band for the arrangements and then we'll record the album. Looks like there will be a new CD in '09.
Percussionist Bob Gaspar and I just played a wonderful show at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT with Aztec Two Step. Infinity is an old (now re-furbished) 300 seat theater. The place was packed. Aztec Two Step are as strong as ever. Watching them made me realize what a true "gift" they have been for 30-plus years. And the fact they continue to perform at such a high level is totally inspirational.
Shows in '09 so far are few. We are playing NYC in January with a few other dates sprinkled in. We plan on using the down-time to record the new CD and will get busy performing again in the spring.
Here's to Obama's historic victory and the time ahead. KM
After the shows this summer it felt time to start writing the new CD. It's coming along nicely. Once the writing "spurt" is completed I'll choose the songs to present to the band for the arrangements and then we'll record the album. Looks like there will be a new CD in '09.
Percussionist Bob Gaspar and I just played a wonderful show at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT with Aztec Two Step. Infinity is an old (now re-furbished) 300 seat theater. The place was packed. Aztec Two Step are as strong as ever. Watching them made me realize what a true "gift" they have been for 30-plus years. And the fact they continue to perform at such a high level is totally inspirational.
Shows in '09 so far are few. We are playing NYC in January with a few other dates sprinkled in. We plan on using the down-time to record the new CD and will get busy performing again in the spring.
Here's to Obama's historic victory and the time ahead. KM
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Late Summer Skies
What a wonderful summer it's been for the band. The addition of Tom Hagymasi (of Last Fair Deal) made our summer shows real special and fun for both the band and the audiences.
With only one outdoor concert remaining (Saturday September 20th at 3 pm) on the green in New Hartford/Pine Meadows we will wrap up the summer shows and look to the fall.
It's also time to go to the drawing board for new songs. We've been busy rehearsing and performing the new material off of Move On but history dictates new songs tend to show themselves to me in the fall. It just works that way. Not sure why.
The studio is presently being set-up for the arrival of the new material. In other words tape recorders and instruments all in position for when the moments strike. Typically I don't "try" and write songs because when I do...the songs suck. Simple as that. Instead, I leave myself open to the "visitations" and once either the melody or words come .... off I go.
Writing is an extremely personal thing for me. Close to a meditation of sorts. So when the urge hits I chase them down. Otherwise...I wait. They show up eventually.
We were honored to perform at Music Mountain this summer. Percussionist Bob Gaspar and I had a blast playing the famous stage of Gordon Hall at Music Mountain and there is already talk of the whole band returning next summer.
Kenny's Castaways in New York City was magical as well. What a wonderful room filled with history and that night in particular - filled with a wonderul audience. Bassist Dan Hocott (also of the Wild Notes) and Bob Gaspar played their asses off that night. Like every other night. What a time.
Too many great experiences/shows this summer to list but our thanks goes out to each and every venue for having us.
We are also receiving airplay from our friends in Amsterdam and Belgium and our publicist/promoter Peter Holmstedt continues to work that area of the world in the hope we can plan a European tour before too long. Stay tuned for that as well as other great things....
With only one outdoor concert remaining (Saturday September 20th at 3 pm) on the green in New Hartford/Pine Meadows we will wrap up the summer shows and look to the fall.
It's also time to go to the drawing board for new songs. We've been busy rehearsing and performing the new material off of Move On but history dictates new songs tend to show themselves to me in the fall. It just works that way. Not sure why.
The studio is presently being set-up for the arrival of the new material. In other words tape recorders and instruments all in position for when the moments strike. Typically I don't "try" and write songs because when I do...the songs suck. Simple as that. Instead, I leave myself open to the "visitations" and once either the melody or words come .... off I go.
Writing is an extremely personal thing for me. Close to a meditation of sorts. So when the urge hits I chase them down. Otherwise...I wait. They show up eventually.
We were honored to perform at Music Mountain this summer. Percussionist Bob Gaspar and I had a blast playing the famous stage of Gordon Hall at Music Mountain and there is already talk of the whole band returning next summer.
Kenny's Castaways in New York City was magical as well. What a wonderful room filled with history and that night in particular - filled with a wonderul audience. Bassist Dan Hocott (also of the Wild Notes) and Bob Gaspar played their asses off that night. Like every other night. What a time.
Too many great experiences/shows this summer to list but our thanks goes out to each and every venue for having us.
We are also receiving airplay from our friends in Amsterdam and Belgium and our publicist/promoter Peter Holmstedt continues to work that area of the world in the hope we can plan a European tour before too long. Stay tuned for that as well as other great things....
Friday, June 27, 2008
Summer Greetings
We kicked off the summer shows with a wonderful set on the green in New Haven, CT for the International Festival of Arts and Ideas. It was fun appearance given by a first-class organization.
The show was energized by Multi-Instrumentalist Tom Hagymasi of Last Fair Deal who has signed on to play all of our outdoor concerts this summer. His violin/fiddle, bosuki and accordian were a welcome flavor to the tight rhythm section featuring Dan Hocott on bass (and double bass) and Bob Gaspar on djembe and percussion.
Fourth of July weekend I'll have the opporunity to play a rare solo show in Westhampton at the intimate Sunset Cafe'. Gonna miss the boys but it's also real fun to get back to the roots of where the music comes from. It ultimately starts with one instrument (guitar or piano) and grows from there. So it's a chance to present the songs the way they sound in their most primative state. Kinda naked (if you will). I guess that's what makes it fun.
It's also great to have an appearance scheduled at the legendary "Kenny's Castaways" on Bleeker St. in August. NYC is ALWAYS a fun time.
The music is feeling good. Just enjoying playing the new tunes from "Move On" and select tunes from "New Moon Rising" and "Coming Home". We plan to reach back this summer and play a couple of tunes off "Today" as well. The solo performance in Westhampton may find me reaching even further back to the days of "Lost Tales"...
Looking forward to seeing friendly faces over the summer....have a safe, healthy and happy one. KM
The show was energized by Multi-Instrumentalist Tom Hagymasi of Last Fair Deal who has signed on to play all of our outdoor concerts this summer. His violin/fiddle, bosuki and accordian were a welcome flavor to the tight rhythm section featuring Dan Hocott on bass (and double bass) and Bob Gaspar on djembe and percussion.
Fourth of July weekend I'll have the opporunity to play a rare solo show in Westhampton at the intimate Sunset Cafe'. Gonna miss the boys but it's also real fun to get back to the roots of where the music comes from. It ultimately starts with one instrument (guitar or piano) and grows from there. So it's a chance to present the songs the way they sound in their most primative state. Kinda naked (if you will). I guess that's what makes it fun.
It's also great to have an appearance scheduled at the legendary "Kenny's Castaways" on Bleeker St. in August. NYC is ALWAYS a fun time.
The music is feeling good. Just enjoying playing the new tunes from "Move On" and select tunes from "New Moon Rising" and "Coming Home". We plan to reach back this summer and play a couple of tunes off "Today" as well. The solo performance in Westhampton may find me reaching even further back to the days of "Lost Tales"...
Looking forward to seeing friendly faces over the summer....have a safe, healthy and happy one. KM
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
