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I am the artist responsible for Saluki Regicide, Djinnestan, Akashic Crow's Nest, Tree Helicopter, Rowboat Magicians, and Rolling Calf Sinfonette. Under these various names, I've released over 40 albums on Webbed Hand Records, as well as numerous albums and compilations on other labels.
As a recording artist I don't concern myself with styles or genres or conventions. I do whatever it takes to paint with sound the visions I get in my head. My compositions are evocations, and if they resemble music, it's a lucky accident. Although sometimes my work seems dark, I do strive to allow ample light to come through. I try to make sounds you can warm yourself to on a stormy night...
Webbed Hand Records is a prominent part of the growing netlabel scene, which formed as a rejection of the rigid commercial agenda and control of intellectual property exercised by the major labels. Many netlabel releases are licensed under a looser version of copyright called Creative Commons, and are typically available free for download, in their entirety, from the internet. Netlabels are a good alternative for those who wish to boycott labels represented by the RIAA and its ilk. Other good alternatives are small indie labels, artists selling their own work, and bartering music.
I should point out that I'm not against getting some sort of remuneration for my work. I've sold my recordings commercially in the past, and may do so again in the future. But while there's this war on, I don't feel too good about putting my music in stores. No matter how well-intended, money always finds a way into the war machine, and I want my art to be as unbloodied as possible. So for this and other reasons, all of my Webbed Hand music is a gift to you, free to download and share. [BTW, if you donate to Webbed Hand Records it will be used solely to support the website]
"Webbed Hand is a "flavor" label. There is a certain taste, aesthetic, and agenda at the helm of this operation, and recordings released on WHR reflect that. In general, the works here are aimed at the ears of introverted mystics, dreamers, and lateral thinkers. The music here must serve as vehicles for the mind. Empowering, rather than plaintive and devitalizing, this is sound in the service of enchantment. Sorcerors and psychonaut-savants take note." -- From the site
In addition to sound artistry, I'm also guilty of visual art and assorted styles of writing. I presently live right on the shore of Cape Cod Bay with Aria Nadii, my beloved spiritual and artistic collaborator (see also Djinnestan)...
Despite residing in the genre "experimental" I'm not trying to be avant-garde or advance any art forms. It's just old-fashioned foolin' around with sound. As odd as some of these recordings are, there's no attempt to be esoteric. Really, I just want to be simple and accessible, albeit in my own peculiar way.
The music I make is not necessarily a reflection of the music I listen to. What I usually listen to is old-timey acoustic music, traditional jazz, world musics, and assorted what-nots recorded 1920-1975. Thus the preponderance of folk, bluegrass and jazz musicians on my friends list.
Instruments I own and/or play (with varying degrees of ineptitude): acoustic & electric guitars, ukulele, 120-bass piano accordion, 5-string banjo, pennywhistle. I think my computer counts as an instrument, the way I use it. And there are sundry other music and rhythm making devices strewn about the house here which I occasionally add into my recordings.
Other places to find me on the web:
My last.fm page
Webbed Hand on last.fm
My Livejournal page
WH at Internet Archive
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