Obstacles of Summer

Hi friends,

I am realizing there are many things I have to share with you on this first week of September (I won't say fall, or autumn, as it is still summer hot here in the 206). But I won't detail all of it. I have spent the summer regrouping a bit, finding my way in several areas of life and work, and continuing my search for balance. 

One of the highlights of the summer was a trip to NYC (for a weeklong project at Harvestworks) and a trip to the Rubin museum for an exhibit called "The World is Sound" with works by many great sound artists and composers, including two of my favorite artists, Eliane Radigue and Pauline Oliveros. 

I also ran across the ferocious and beautiful new friend above, Mahakala, a "powerful, wrathful Buddhist protector deity who removes obstacles, both internal and external." I realized that Mahakala was indeed just what I was looking for this summer, a way to sweep out some obstacles that have been hanging around for while. I figured having him in my head might help me sweep them out myself. Hope he can do the same for you, if you need him.

As for the impending upcoming change of season, I wanted to let you know of 4 really cool shows I have coming up soon. Radiosonde on September 30th, Tom Baker Quartet on October 2, Matrio on October 5, and a solo, ambient show on November 16th. Check out the calendar page for details on all of them. But I wanted to particularly invite you to a show I have been hoping for since 2011. That was the year that my friend and musical partner Jesse Canterbury moved to CA. Our group the Tom Baker Quartet (TBQ) has been on permanent hiatus ever since. But in October Jesse will be back for a one-night-only TBQ reunion show at the Royal Room. I really hope you can come out to hear some old tunes, some new improvisations, and some fun surprises. 

Cheers!!

Tom