When we have a “successful” outing with our band, (like we did yesterday late afternoon, on the street in our hometown); with a good-sized, deeply-enthusiastic crowd, a fabulous lineup of acts, supremely well-played sets, $ for all the musicians, happy, beaming faces, and an all around feeling of happiness & good-cheer, the word that always bubbles up and wafts over us: VIBES.

Yes. That’s right. As in “good vibes.” We are lucky beings who have on-going relationship with the vibes. It’s a strange thing. You can’t see vibes, but can feel them and absorb and embody them. The band, the players, the music, the songs, the lyrics, the location, the sound system, the gathering tribes, they are all just the set and setting for conjuring and luxuriating in the vibes. 

And it all just happens organically. You can’t will the vibes to appear, they just show up and descend upon us all in the doing.

LIVING WITH THE VIBE! 

It’s bigger than all of us, and includes all of us. We chalk it up to the power of music, creativity, and being alive in the moment; honoring life, love, doing the the thing you love to do with heart, head and soul all completely aligned, in communion with a gathering of fellow beings open to experiencing and mirroring-back those same positive, healing vibes. It sounds heady, and trippy and maybe a bit “hippy-dippy.”  Ha! SO BE IT! 

Yes. We must accept it. Our mission is to be true to the vibe, one note, one lyric, one song, one rehearsal, one show at at time. Be present. In the moment. There is a glimpse of eternity in that little moment where everything is true & possible. Yes. And, as always, damn the torpedos. – Jammer

Hello All – Bob Dylan’s great line: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”

Right on, Bob. But when you perform outdoors, it makes sense to check in with the latest weather forecast.

This Sunday Sept 24: – 70 degrees. Breezy in the morning; otherwise, intervals of clouds and sunshine! 

It looks like the Weather Gods are smiling down upon us!

Expect “Old English Balladry” from The Flying Chaucers,  “Space-Age Lounge Jazz,”  from the Leisure Committee and “21st Century Druid Music” from whitewolfsonicprincess.

Food & Drink available from La Principal. It will be a total blast… – James & Carla

Making a record is not easy, it can be intense, fun, challenging and rewarding; everything you want from a good creative journey.

For Jammer and I, first comes the private song writing, with sessions, sometimes in the park with all the tree fairies and shadows and light, sometimes in the hallway of one of our dog walking/house sitting clients where the acoustics are stunning and inspiring and it conjures up visions of the magic evening when “Moonlight Mile” bubbled up out of the ether at Stargroves, or even in or cramped little kitchen that we sometimes convert into a little make-shift studio.

Then the collective work with the band as they embellish and paint the sonic flesh onto the bones of each song. There’s recording challenges too, the hope and aspiration of catching the butterfly. And the train is still not in the station, there’s working on the mixing and listening, listening, listening and if you get all that, the mastering is the cherry on top.

Each part is a link in the chain and you hope that it ultimately becomes a complete circle, you’ve corralled the beast, set the jewel, it’s a golden thread with the ends tied together to form a continuous revolution.

Jammer and I have different listening processes and we each have our strengths (for better and for worse), they do compliment one another, and we are ultimately above all else aligned creatively.

My thing is these ears!!!! They hear sooooo much!!! Everything! I mean Everything!!!!! Like for instance, when a breath or string noise is a feature or a flaw in a song!!! Sometimes I am like pleeeeeeease for the love of Mary! Make! It! Stop!!!!!!! Talk me down!!!!!!

I can let go though. I do know when we’ve gotten the project as good as we can. And I’ve gotten little insights along the way. Messages from the universe that say: “It’s going good girl, keep on truckin’…” Like the first day of recording, it was really intense and when I got home it felt like one of my debilitating migraines was coming on, they take me out for days, but thankfully I fell asleep, and Jeff Tweedy appeared in a dream and said “It’s all about the process,” and when we were getting close to finishing the mixes, I woke up one morning, reached for my phone on the bedside table, and a video of Rick Rubin was the first thing that came up, he was saying something like “Do your best, it’s not about what anyone else says, make the work as good as it can be, then you give the work to god.”

Good to get some outside guidance to help us with our la folie à deux. Which is what Jammer and I say to one another once in a while.

Anyway, we’ve been using Nina Nastisia’s “The Blackened Air,” (2002) as our guide and inspiration for this new project. We sent the first tracks to the Mastering Engineer Maria Triana in the far off land of The Netherlands and it was so wonderful to get this note back from Maria:

“Attached is the master of the (WWSP) track ‘Love Without Fear.’ From Nina’s track I loved the openness and intimacy, the air in the room. Even-though your track is more dynamic and has a different intensity, I wanted to look for the same elements. An intimate vocal, warm, open and also a tight clean low end. I wanted also for it to sound big. It kind of reminded me a bit of “Raising Sand” (2007) by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.” – Maria Triana

Very sweet reference, “Raising Sand” is one OF OUR ALL-TIME FAVORITES! – Carla

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Haruki Murakami: “It’s my belief that if you listen to good music, your writing will improve.”

This comes from one our greatest writers. I am thinking especially of The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. Both the Lovely Carla and I have read it. Both of us totally loved it. Magnificent & Magical.

Carla and I listen to good music all day long. We are close-listeners. We really pay attention to the music. We still spin those magical little silver discs, it truly is the “golden age” of CDs, on our big, classic, multi-component, living room stereo system and our compact bookshelf stereo system on the counter in the kitchen. We are not play-list people. We don’t listen to singles. We listen to albums, we consider an album, a cohesive collection of songs presented as one artistic statement, as the one of the great art-forms.

Pretty sure everything improves when you are listening to good music: writing, cooking, philosophizing, talking, meditating, relaxing. I mean, it’s truly better living with good music.

What’s good? 

That of course is up to each listener. We all have very particular tastes, proclivities, and tendencies. Carla and I have every kind of music imaginable in our record collection. We both love (this off the top of my head): Dylan, Beatles, Stones, Modest Mouse, Wilco, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin, Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson, Dead Can Dance, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Grateful Dead, Brian Eno, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Anders Parker, Drive By Truckers, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Nick Drake, Aretha Franklin, Neutral Milk Hotel, Neil Young, Brian Eno, Lucinda Williams, Son Volt, Otis Redding, Pharoah Sanders, Floating Points, Sly and the Family Stone, Steely Dan, The National, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Nina Nastasia.  

Carla has her very particular favorites: Chet Baker, Nina Simone, Bon Iver, Natalie Merchant, Mavis Staples, Van Morrison, Art Blakey, Yoko Ono, Explosions in the Sky, Karen O. 

I have mine: The Who, Sigur Ros, Mogwai, The Kinks, Miles Davis, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Peter Gabriel, Big Star, Jason Isbell. 

We are always: spinning, singing, dancing. That’s the way to do it. Improving everything! – Jammer

The Lovely Carla and I were totally exhausted yesterday. Maybe still reeling from the heat? Last week’s Heat Dome really did a number on us, and we are still feeling the effects. We powered thru anyway and had a rehearsal with our band late afternoon.

We schlepped our gear over to our studio space, set up the P.A. plugged in, and played. We resurrected a couple of old songs, mixed in with some new songs, and ran thru a few songs that we always play. It was quite exhilarating. Nothing like a roomful of musicians all listening, and playing off each other.

Our exhaustion seemingly evaporated for a couple of hours. The kick of inspiration propelled us forward. It all sounded so good to our ears. Afterwards, we kind of collapsed in a heap. We trudged back home, crashed on the couch, sipped some cold Kombucha and watched an episode of Neil Gaiman’s  “Good Omens.”   A fairly ridiculous & silly show, but quite entertaining.

We settled into a fuzzy state of giddy weariness. The rosy glow of good vibes and musical inspiration wrapped us up in an envelope of good cheer. That’s the power of music, and the ability to play it. To play is the thing, damn the torpedoes.- Jammer

We usually only write about music here. But the Lovely Carla and I are in the middle of watching The Bear, and it just totally rocks our world. The soundtrack is amazing too. So why not?!

There are many reasons we love “The Bear,” a series streaming on Hulu now. Don’t worry, if you haven’t seen it yet, I am not giving anything away, no plot details. You should see it all for yourself. We are in the middle of season two.

The show blows my mind, blows open my heart. It’s a love-letter to Chicago. I was born and raised in and around Chicago, and the series totally gets the quirky, gnarly, beautiful, raging beast; one of the great American Cities. I mean, it is so Chicago-smart, down to the tiniest, grimiest, of details. It totally rings true. Paints a total landscape and mind-scape.

What really resonates with me is the cast of characters, the “common folks;” deeply flawed Human Beings, scrambling about, risking everything, staring down failure, grasping at finding some meaning & purpose in their lives. There is this deep-seated, need, a fuzzy-headed quest, to find something great, something excellent, some way to expend and apply themselves, giving it all up to something bigger than themselves, a state of being, a place, where “every second counts.”

Just people, very human beings with all their foibles, doubts, worries, insecurities, addictions, madnesses, depressions, side-shows, tentatively shooting for something greater than themselves.

Oh man. It’s the narrative of a”striving,” or the falling into certain circumstances that opens the door to something amazing & great. Applying yourself, working on yourself, finding something where you can be the best, even if it’s in the service of something seemingly inconsequential, simple, mundane, tedious, odd or weird. It’s a dropping the ego thing, subsuming yourself into a greater process and flow. Yes, it’s everything. Life. So good. Inspiring. Beautiful. Hilarious. Touching. Powerful. – Jammer

I play guitar and co-write songs with two different collaborators in two quite different bands. Both bands emerged, evolved and morphed from a theatrical production that we wrote and performed in, in the mid-2000’s. Kind of extraordinary. It is just something I am lucky to do, and I’m incredibly happy to do; rehearsing and being onstage within these friendly confines. Even when a gig goes bad, which, thankfully, happens less & less often, being in these bands is a vehicle to elevate, to open the door to peak experiences.

The fuck-ups and bumpy gigs are always instructive, and part of a never-ending, always happening, learning process. You learn how many ways you can fuck up. Turns out there are a million. Maybe more. Every fuckup is an opportunity to re-think, to adjust & readjust, to refine your shit. You experiment with guitars, guitar pedals, amps, cables, picks. You end up with a set-up, a stage approach that can withstand the elements. There is a on-going process of refinement propelled by the desire to avoid fuckups.

There have been various line-ups in both bands over the years. The constant in both bands: me and my two very distinct, and distinguished, always-inspiring, songwriting partners: The Lovely Carla Hayden & the mighty Pat McDonald.

Both bands (whitewolfsonicprincess & The Telepaths), pretty much have their shit together, although, really, nothing can ever be taken for granted. These little collectives are some of the best, most giving and creative musicians and human beings I know. We are gathered together to focus on a mission to god. Two quite unique and often gnarly creative crucibles. Maybe this two-headed, creative beast is the finest and best way I truly, madly & deeply get to spend my time.

I love being in a band, I love writing songs, I love performing, I love collaborating with other musicians. I get to creatively express myself, but really, the secret key, the hidden knowledge is the reality of an invisible connection with the other players. The best of the creative work? The unspoken, almost mystical, musical communication between the players. Yes, as Pete Townshend once pointed out, it’s all about the vibes; hearing, seeing, living the vibes. When you do the good work with a solid group of musicians, all connected, listening to each other, playing together, with confidence, and a concentrated focus and ease, it can be truly transcendent.

If you are in a band of committed, creative souls, you are creating a bigger energy and a bigger vibe that rises above the simple human domain. I mean, it’s completely human state, that somehow elevates to a divine-like state. This happens even if you are just playing a simple two-chord r&r song. A god-head emerges out of the mud. Out of that simplicity can emerge a mysterious, enveloping wonder. One of my collaborators always tells me “music is my religion.” I get it. The commandments? Play with heart and soul. Give your all. Listen. Listen. Listen. Know your shit. Let go of your ego, and sink into the band of connections. Honor the vibe. Ride that vibe upward for all it’s worth. No telling where it will take you.

It’s an outward, and maybe more significantly, an inward journey. By doing, you are working on your self, your own spirit and being. Where are we going? Wrong question. Where are we doing? We are doing everywhere. R&R. It will save your soul if you are willing to give it up. You give it up willingly. I think of that Santana instrumental: “Soul Sacrifice.” Yes. Indeed. And I mean, damn the torpedoes.– Jammer

Who you meet…

We saw Son Volt on Thursday night at SPACE in Evanston a week ago. Mind-blowing. Bone-rattling. They opened with some Sir Douglas Quintet songs and then they played all of “Trace,” their masterpiece album. It was so unexpected and so damn inspiring. R&R really can save your soul.

There was an opening act. We didn’t know there was an an opener when we arrived for the show & when he walked out on stage, no introduction, with a long beard, wearing a cowboy hat, carrying a Martin acoustic guitar. Our first thought, maybe Jay Farrar, Son Volt’s front-man, had a radical make-over & transformation.

As soon as he started singing we knew, nope, it wasn’t Jay. 

It was Anders Parker. He was amazing. One lone singer & guitar player. He was singing songs from his latest album “The Black Flight.” (2023). A loose collection of story songs about his great-uncle Leslie Hunter Parker, a fighter-pilot killed in a dog-fight in Belgium in World War I. The so-called Great War. 

He captivated, enthralled. He really did hold the audience in a spell with his words, his guitar playing, his entrancing voice. Not an easy thing to do. A lone performer like that is totally exposed. Nowhere to hide. Every picked note, every syllable launched into the air naked. 

After his incredibly satisfying set I told my companion, the Lovely Carla, that I had to meet the man. 

I needed to know how he was getting that fabulous, rich, powerful acoustic guitar sound. That is one of my own personal obsessions. Always looking for a mythic, perfect, soul-full, resonant tone. You know they say the sound that a player gets is “in the fingers,” it also helps to have well-made, long-traveled guitars. The wood ages, the sound gets better over time. When it comes to acoustic guitars, older, more worn and beat, the better. Maybe it’s the same with players too?!

I wandered over to the sound-booth and asked the sound tech how she got such a good acoustic guitar sound in the room. She told me it was just a direct-connect from the DI box to the soundboard. Ha. Pretty cool. And rare. Usually a direct-connect like that leads to thin, tinny, jangling sound. At least that has been my sorry experience.

I saw that Anders had appeared behind the merchandise table. I told my companion we had to go meet the man. And, if we went to talk to him, we just had to buy some merchandise. We did, and we did.

We introduced ourselves and talked music & guitars. I asked Anders what kind of pickup he had on his guitar, he told me it was a K&K pickup. Happy to say that is what I use too. Plus he uses an old LR. Baggs pre-amp. Hmmm. Might have to check that out although I use a K&K pre-amp, pretty happy with it.

I asked about his picking technique. On his picking hand he uses a thumb-pick, and he has his other finger-nails professionally manicured; he displayed his fingers, the nails were naturally-polished, and sharpened. Every finger on his picking hand is basically a pick. That is the bluegrass way. I wonder if I should try it? I use a hybrid-technique favored by the great Richard Thompson, pick held between thumb and forefinger, the other fingers free to pick. I don’t use my fingernails, instead, I use the soft pads of my fingers.

I wondered to myself, do I need a total re-think, and a new technique? Not sure, but that’s an interesting question, subject to further review.

Anyway, it was nice, friendly, easy conversation at the merch table. Anders is quite the soft-spoken, gentle, intelligent soul. We bought a CD version of “The Black Flight,” and a cool gold and faded-red Anders Parker T-shirt. Two new fans. You know, in the music biz it’s all about the merch, we were happy to shell out some cash directly to the man. 

The Lovely Carla and I have been spinning Anders Parker’s album all week. Just fantastic.One of our new favorites, both artist and album. 

Who you meet… yes…indeed… who you meet can change your life… open your heart and head, lead you to new directions. – Jammer

We played a storefront r&r show Friday, July 28 at Jarvis Square Pottery. Another hot day in the city, We were a bit worried that the temps inside the music room would be stifling. But we lucked out. A storm blew in and cooled things down a bit by the time we took the stage at around 9 p.m. or so. 7 of us were crowded on a small stage. Playing to a totally packed house. Fabulously welcoming vibes.

There is something about playing a small room, it concentrates the energy, and heightens the connection between performers and those for whom we perform. The audience too becomes an essential ingredient to the mix. Sure, we have the songs, we play the music, but the energy we create is filtered thru those who give us their undivided attention and it all becomes so much more. 

Lightening and thunder and strong winds outside, and inside too. We truly did conjure up our own storm.

It’s surprising how our band is now perceived. We have our own quirky, original, homemade music, and it seems to really connect and speak to folks. There was joy and dancing in the aisles. A truly inspiring thing. I burst into flames on stage. It’s a typical thing for me. Almost lost my pick during one song, the sweat flowing down my fingers. We had a few minor kerfuffles, a glitch or two, some feedback from who knows where, we are definitely a challenge to any sound-person. We also had a mis-cue or two. But what we lacked in absolute precision we made up with energy, passion, panache. 

Really.

Someone who has seen us many times over the years said to me afterwards that it was the best show he’s ever seen from us. Not an idle comment, this enthusiastic validation comes from a magnificent singer-songwriter, and talented performer in his own right. His kind words really hit home. It truly was a magnificent evening. A good rare thing. We are so damn lucky to have a creative vehicle. We get to ride the good vibes and shoot towards some kind of grand transcendence. Sometimes everything clicks, despite all the odds. I mean, it seems to happen often now. Lightening in a bottle. A good kind of storm for sure. – Jammer

So happy you asked. Remember that recording session we had earlier this year at Electrical Audio in Chicago? Yes, a total peak experience. We are still mixing. Almost done. Then onto mastering. Then, well, album cover design, CD packaging, and then, hopefully, finally, album release. No hard dates yet. Still in the works. It’s an interesting process, no doubt. We are so excited about sharing our new music with the world, we do think it’s the best work we’ve ever done, with an absolutely amazing cast of characters; the finest musicians, collaborators, and human beings imaginable. You should have been there! There is magic in the groove… – Jammer