Were gonna zoom, zoom,,zooma, zoom!

Well that was new and different, and actually a lot of fun.

I was asked to take part in a video conference thru ZOOM the online meeting app.  Bill Batson was up to his usual antics and hosting a Sketch Flash Mob.  30 plus participants signed in to the session and after getting their prompt for what to draw, set to sketching for about an hour.  During that time Ian Moore and I each played a short set to give em something to listen to while they draw.

I was really worried about the sound quality, but it turned out pretty good I think.  It was a lot of fun, very comfortable and laid back, even though that is probably the largest single audience I've played for.  I could actually see most of their faces, though most were head down in their drawings.
In truth it was a step out to something I never had imagined I do or even like to do.

It has been a while, months, about half a year, since I last performed.  I felt the time away from it, the being out of practice.  It is like anything physical that one has to stay in practice for.  All things considered, it went well enough.  Before I had stopped playing out, about half a year ago, I was just getting to the place where I could over come the nerves that clench up my muscles and elevate my heart beat.  Today I had to just play thru it because my heart wanted me to play everything double time, and it was as if I had no power of breath.

I was very glad to play my songs for some new people.  I guess this is as social as we can get right now, and it will have to do.  It didn't feel like settling really, it was good.  Thanks to Bill, and to ROCA.

Nyack Flash Sketch Mob

Studio, cold, but open

It is the age of isolation, kind of.  With the virus, and the fear of spreading it keeping us all away from each other this seems a great time for artists to focus.  Be inspired and create.  I think that in actuality many people are suffering from the stress and confusion of the situation.  This is were the therapy of creative effort can really help.
I have opened the studio back up for the season.  It's still chilly in the morning, so not much in the way of recording.  I'd rather just sit out on the deck, in the warm sun and sing and play for the birds and chipmunks in the morning, and come into the studio after it has warmed up.  I can't seemed to be bothered to light the wood stove and heat the place up that way.
Letting go of the weekly performing that I did for over 2 years has been an adjustment, but not such a bad thing.  In this sense, the virus and isolation has actually removed a bit of stress for me.  I was always concerned about trying to be in my best form for the people who would hear me play.  Now, I don't worry what the birds think, they are pretty kind and forgiving.
So, it's just me and the music.  I have not got any closer to recording the new albums. Maybe this summer.
In the mean time crude videos of me doing some of the songs are going up on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp3ikM13RTRJs0-KJRINriw?view_as=subscriber
and I am putting the Summer Sessions 2018 album up on Soundcloud.com , one track at a time.
https://soundcloud.com/ramaldonadobsms-4986569/tracks