Album: Trying Times

I’ve been working on this project for the past year and I’m sharing it with all of you now on my Bandcamp. It’s called Trying Times, and for obvious reasons. Without getting into detail, many of these songs are responses to personal challenges. Some are inexplicit reactions to the political and social issues that we have witnessed since I began producing it in August of 2016.

I find it difficult to adequately express what this collection of songs means to me because for so long it has felt like a parasite that I have been unable to remove from my body, and it doesn’t feel the same as it did when I began. I release it now as a manifestation of the hope I have for people to heal, and to find creative ways of coping with fear. I feel very fortunate to have collaborated with so many friends on this album, and grateful for everything that I have learned along the way. I hope you enjoy.

TryingTimes Cover

Series: Heptagon

As much as I love working with fellow musicians, collaborating with super talented graphic designers like Victor Madrid is a ton of fun. This is something we did last month together. We’re currently working on another series to follow this one.

HP Horizontal Final

“Heptagon (landscape)”

HP Vertical Final

“Heptagon (portrait)”

Series: Options + Nature’s Neighbor Spring Tour 2015

On April 16 I had the pleasure of embarking on journey from Chicago to the east coast to play eight shows as part of Nature’s Neighbor with Mike Walker. We played alongside Seth Engel (Options) who performed his solo-acoustic set with us every night. In all, it was an incredible and unforgettable experience. Prior to the tour’s commencement I had created a series of eight 5×7 paintings (mixed media on wood) to be sold or left behind at each of the venues that we played at. The paintings were all titled, signed, and dated following every performance. Our tour ended on April 23 and I was pleased to have left each piece with the proprietor of the establishment. I have listed them below with their titles and venues.

Scatman's Scatted Ashes

“Scatman’s Scatted Ashes” (Kiki’s – Cincinnati, OH)

Belt Buckle Bottle Opener

“Brass Knuckle Bottle Opener” (Spider House – Pittsburgh, PA)

Return to Astro Lounge

“Return to Astro Lounge” (Girard Hall – Philadelphia, PA)

Coco Lovin

“Coco Lovin'” (Bohemian Grove – Brooklyn, NY)

And Then The Lady Talk To Me

“And Then The Lady Talk To Me!” (Skinny Boy Mansion – Athens, OH)

The Beau Caravan

“The Beau Caravan” (Stone Tavern – Kent, OH)

Alligator to the Moon

“Alligator to the Moon” (The Emporium – South Bend, IN)

Peace is Chill...

“Peace is Chill…” (Gnarnia – Chicago, IL)

Exhibit: Soundings

Here’s a peek of the latest installation of Sara Mast’s ‘Soundings’ exhibit at the Rusteberg Art Gallery in Brownsville, TX. In the center of the photo you can see my contribution to what is an extensive collaboration among family: three tripods with iPods each containing three original compositions relating to my grandfather’s legacy.

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Photo by Alex Macias