hi all,

things're a little busy here this week, but i'm happy to post part one of our interview with singer/songwriters anna povzner and patrick kobernus. i've played with patrick and anna in a band called slyway over the past few years, and it's been a lot of fun sharing and getting to know them. as you'll hear in tonight's podcast, the term "slyway" refers to the meditation practice and teaching of early 20th century philosopher gurdjieff. we talk about him, and the tayu practice - plus creativity, songwriting, trying to make sense of life, etc. it's interesting stuff. :)

if you have time, i hope you'll check out part one and join us again next week!

some links:
patrick's day job at - crecology.com
many rivers books - in sebastopol, ca.
the mirror of - co-meditation

wishing the best,
russell

Posted by russell at 05:28 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

tonight's podcast is a live report from central california (learn more about fresno here). it's a simple show - just me playing some new songs by julius caesar, and talking about the sentimental feeling of trying to hold onto things i can't hold on to. or, 'least that's what i think the whole floppy hat story is about. i'm still filtering it, so not 100% sure. but it feels that way.

it's funny how objects and places remind us of people and moments we've lost, isn't it? or maybe it makes perfect sense? as both. underneathe everything going on tonight, that's the root of what i was trying to say. and, really, it's a futile fight. right? cuz things change. choices transform us. life moves. there is no "past" we can go back to. and it's a good thing. i'm thankful for it. but there are also huge moments where i want the wheels to stop - where i want to escape - move backwards - and undo it all somehow. i guess longing for impossible opposites is a very natural and human thing too? i know. and beautiful, painful, broken, wrong, miraculous, etc. i think it's ok. even when it doesn't feel that way.

with all this in mind, i can't help but be thankful as i post this. :) and hopeful too. thankful that i don't know what's ahead. and hopeful for the same reason. part of me wonders if i'm being unduly (recklessly) optimistic for feeling this way? probably. but somehow i also imagine that possibility and hope are connected inextricably, invisibly, unavoidably. it's not a feeling any of us can consciously create, i know. and that's the thing. cuz - whenever it happens - it's spontaneous and natural and very simple. like a song. or a moment we can't stop. i guess that's where the gratitude comes from??? cuz it's not something i deserve. or have. or know. and yet here it is. the sacredness and gift of this isn't lost on me.

i don't understand it, but these feelings are swirling around episode 109. if you have a chance, i hope you'll take a listen. and i hope you'll visit related people and places and things around the web...

ryan (julius caesar) at - myspace.com/thekoedonarmada

amazing songwriter - jonah matranga
jonah's cd - "and".

as linked above - learn more about fresno, ca.

thank you for being here
so much,
russell


me and the hat in fresno.

Posted by russell at 04:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

part two of the interview with brent calderwood is here. hopefully you've had a chance to check out part one, tell your friends, and visit brent around the web... if not, hope you'll visit simplemuzik on feedburner and listen to episode 107. also, as mentioned on the podcast, brent is playing a live set at the red victorian (1665 haight @ cole, san francisco) on friday, september 19, 9pm. if you're in the area, it'd be great to see you there. :)

once again, i wanna send special thanks to brent for being so open with his music and heart. it means a lot. i think you'll agree.

you can visit brent at:
myspace.com/brentcalderwood
and facebook

happy wednesday to all,
russell

Posted by russell at 04:49 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

as i mentioned yesterday, i'm happy to present part one of an interview with brent calderwood tonight. brent was kind enough to visit a few weeks back, and we had a great time chatting and playing some live songs. it was fun, and i think it comes through in tonight's podcast. :)

there will be more (+ brent at the piano!) next week, so i hope you'll stay tuned, tell like-minded friends, and join us again next week for part two... in the meantime, hope you'll click around the web and check out other brent-related goodies!

myspace.com/brentcalderwood
brent on facebook
brent performing on youtube

happy thursday,
russell

Posted by russell at 04:12 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

this week's podcast will be posted tomorrow night. as i mentioned last week - it's part one of an interview with brent calderwood. i just finished editing, and i think it came out really well. stay tuned!

for a sneak preview, you can visit brent here.

russell

Posted by russell at 08:56 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)