Echoes & Endings

On May 6th, 2022 I'll be releasing a mixtape via my bandcamp site I'm calling Echoes & Endings. It’s a mix of unreleased material ranging from 1997 through 2007 with one song that was finished this year. The material ranges from my typical electro-acoustic instrumentals to earnest indie pop to ambient noise. I see it as an historical document and also as an examination of the duality of Hifi Envelope as a project with one foot in firmly in the esoteric experimentation and another deeply rooted in the pop tradition. 

Visit my bandcamp for more for more information.  

 

Or least of all, you

 

Of course there are no comments

No reactions good or bad

To the musings of the nearly talented

Shrouded in disdain

Longing for cold days

In the back alleys of sunny places

From decades long ago spent

In confusion and ecstatic joy

Only you didn’t know it yet

It wasn’t clear until

The illusion faded

Like now

Unable to parse out

Happiness from sadness

Need from want

But when the echoes

Become distorted remnants 

Of the strong signal

Surging through you now

You’ll recognize 

All of the beauty that was 

There in your grasp

In every breath

And sigh great fat tears

Of remorse 

Like now

Words and picture by BCFL

Light Lines

 

Ableist notions and excuses

Poetry distracted me from my studies

Guitars distracted me from poetry

Drums distracted me from guitars

Fatherhood distracted me from drums

Women and drugs distracted me from all of it

She distracted me from me

I distracted no one

And when I was finally alone

I was no longer distracted

Words and picture by BCFL

Harold Budd - Rest In Peace

 

As we all know now our patron saint of heavenly music is now departed under heinous circumstances. Harold Budd passed away alone on December 8, 2020 due to complications from Covid-19 as I understand it. It's a truly awful end to what has been an awful year. 

The picture you see here is of Hal and I at the Kitchen in NYC on December 15, 2015. I was fortunate to be in attendance that night then was able to stick around for a reception where I had the good fortune to get a signature in my copy of Colorful Fortune and to chat and laugh briefly with my hero. A wonderful moment I will always cherish. 

The many tributes from Hal's fans and collaborators alike have been poignant and touching, each one shining a light on the brightness and joy Hal has brought into so many lives during his long, fruitful career. 

One such tribute I found particularly touching was that from Bill Nelson, legendary guitarist and frequent collaborator with Hal. Reading it I felt closer to Hal, like I knew him, too. Like I was able to laugh and share in fine food and good drink with him, enjoying the present moment in all it's madness and absurdity. 

Find that here: https://www.billnelson.com/post/for-harold?fbclid=IwAR21nz8kgFxkYjABU6W1VBGe1_6FHddOexqoZ2R7OgFJUrcVZlXQYl9UGjU

Harold Budd helped me from a tender age in my early teens to access a safe space within myself. He helped me to focus my mind's eye, to cultivate calm deep within my own spirit. At many times in my life when the crashing waves of circumstance were threatening to swallow me whole I have called upon this skill, upon this music to see me through. I had discovered through this man's beautiful art a state of being that has helped me to remain centered and provided me with a modicum control in a world of chaos. I am forever grateful to him. May his rest be as beautiful and complete as the music he left us with. 

Experiments In Relaxation

Back in March of this year I ran into Tristan Whitehill(Euglossine), one half of the art collective/label Hatchery based in Gainesville, FL. He had asked if I was interested in releasing something on Hatchery. I had a backlog of songs that were mostly complete that had a similar vibe and made for a cohesive listen so I gladly accepted the offer. It was good motivation to finish these tracks. Then, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and I had ample time to spend at home finishing this set of songs. 

Experiments In Relaxation was released on Thanksgiving, November 26th, 2020. You can listen and buy here at Hatchery's bandcamp: 

https://hatchery.bandcamp.com/album/experiments-in-relaxation

All proceeds will be donated to GRACE Marketplace whose mission is to end homelessness in Gainesville. If you live in this community you have no doubt noticed the homelessness problem our community faces so I felt this was a worthy cause to donate any sales to, especially considering the release on Thanksgiving.

Aaron O'Laughlin made a gorgeous video for the song 'Harmonics for Syzygean Perigees'. See that below:

ESP Summer

 Two of my musical heroes, Ian Masters and Warren DeFever, have a new release out from their legendary  project, ESP Summer. Their one LP, the remix 10", and the ESP Neighborhood 7" made a huge impression on me. Today's release is well in line with the quality of their past output and sees the duo combining the modalities from their respective solo and collaborative releases into a brief, but very satisfying listen. Check it out here:

https://hisnameisalive.bandcamp.com/album/-