Round Top....

Heading out on a road trip to Texas today.  I'm meeting my wife and a some friends from both Louisiana and NY.  There's a huge flea market happening there this weekend and we all love junk and meeting up in places like this.  I'm excited to hit the road alone in the mini cooper with some records and a notepad.  One thing I miss about touring is being on the open road.  It's a great place to let your mind wonder and play albums the way they should be played, from beginning to end.  I'm excited to see what kinds of treasures I find along the way.  Maybe a song, a word, an old leather book or some horns.  I don't care after a week of watching documentaries, I need to get out and feel good again about people and these trips away from the computer and research usually turn out for the best.  After going to two funerals in one week, I'm overwhelmed with sense of duty to make something out of my minutes.  The recordings have been going well and will share them soon.

The Historical New Orleans Collection 3D Exhibit...

Here are some samples from the 3D Exhibit on display at The Historic New Orleans Collection.  My song "Nouvelle Orleans" will be archived with these stereo photos from the 1800's.

KingQueen Sessions I.....

The KingQueen Sessions have been going well.  Josh Werner and Dave Burnett came down to New Orleans to track some drums and bass last month and it went well.  Mostly though, it's been me and Danny Blume(pictured above) working through emails and countless phone calls.  When you work with someone you trust, there's a lot of unspoken communication.  Danny and I had a lot of success with film work in the past and I feel we're onto a nice new sound that we'll be able to find placements for in the future.  

In August, Amanda and I went up to Brooklyn and were lucky enough to be sent keys to Megan and Josh's beautiful Williamsburg apartment.  The place is located in my old neighborhood and brought back many memories of recording my first  record.  I remember going into the diner in my slippers and pajamas for a brownie and milk while the rest of the hood was partying.

Danny and I had come to the conclusion that we needed a female singer and through working with Dave I got to hear Margo Valiante(above) and knew instantly we'd sound good together.  We booked a session at the Kennel studio and it turns out it was my old friend Prince Polo's studio.  New York can be a really small world.  Within a few days so many dots were connected and realized how many projects are there waiting for me.  I think a uHaul will be in order at some point after the winter.  

Margo tracked "The River Song" and "KingQueen" during these sessions and simply created magic.  We are planning on writing some stuff together and doing some shows in NY.  Lots of good vibes from she and Dave.

The next day as I was floating on air from the sessions, we met Aaron and Esther at Balthazaar for brunch.  I'm so excited to have a clear vision of a musical path again.  It's been awhile, everything so foggy not knowing what direction to take.  This picture makes me feel good, this woman truly has my back.  

Of course shopping was in order, though we hardly bought anything.  Only in NY can you see something that you didn't know you needed so badly.  Check this out by Our Legacy.

This suit fit me perfectly.  Maybe one day I'll get it for the stage.  I'm excited for the times to come!

The River Nile Sessions....

Last weekend I escaped the storms on the coast of Louisiana and drove to Atlanta to begin my sessions with River Nile.  After and eight hour drive, I arrived at the studio and crashed for a few hours.  When I woke up in the morning, I realized I was the first one up until I saw this little fella lying on the floor staring at me in silence.

His name was J'adore not sure if this is the correct spelling but his name quickly became "Poncake".  He didn't say anything to me for the first hour and followed me around the kitchen while I searched for coffee.  After and hour of silence, he looked at me and said, "me want poncake".  I was in love with this little guy.

Gary and I spent the time getting my computer straight with all the necessary programs and refills needed for our collaboration.  The project will be a mix of 70's Dub, old R&B, and a dash of Velvet Underground.  

Here are some of the elements we're limiting ourselves to in the studio for the River Nile Sessions: