DanBlakeslee.com

Let me tell you something about Dan Blakeslee. Dan is an amazing artist and an equally amazing person. Forsaking all care of perception, I must say unapologitically, Dan Blakeslee is an inspiration. Listening to, watching, or speaking with Dan is always a joy, and the unspoken depth of his character will leave you quaking, speared with vulnerability.
THIS is his website, but you can appreciate him so much more by witnessing him live and viewing what visual art he has with him in his snazzy briefcase. Once acquainted with his style, one will recognize his touch on projects not directly attributed to him by the man himself.
These are a few shots of Dan and his wonderful band performing at the Hogfarm Studio Annex, expertly run by Los Corrals in Biddeford, ME. And yes, I have full video of the show. Try not to be so jealous...

If I could add...

While driving to a fiend's home an hour+ away from my own, I listened to a demo (4 songs) of DB and band's upcoming release...about 4 times. Though I only have the pleasure of seeing Dan a handful of times a year, he inspires me between visits mostly through his songs. I think I realized something about art. Good art..the best art...is not the artist 'expressing himself.' It's the artist conveying his perceptions of his world, whatever that may be. That's my thought anyway.

Thanks for reading, and do yourself a favor, check out Mr. Blakeslee.

From where I see it

(These photos were taken during and before our Jan 6, 2010 performance at the Middle East Upstairs show in Cambridge, MA)
This is my mic. There are many mics like it, but this one is mine. Without me, my mic is...well, you know how that goes. But true! This is how Tyler Bussy and AK from Old Hannah look from where I would be singing and quipping.
And this is my 'group' as it were. Mark and Rai, picture here, are doing their soundcheck at the Middle East in Boston, MA. This night we played with Old Hannah, Ryan Lee Crosby and his band, and The Points North. We arrived early and soundchecked first, and took a big chunk of time doing so. Really, though... It's not our fault entirely. The mics weren't plugged in and that took some time. Then trying to get us to sound good is not an easy endeavor.
And this is a closer shot of Rai 'cause she's so pretty. She's often regarded as the nicest member of the band, but I don't know. She may have ulterior motives she's just waiting to unveil. Mostly though, she's probably just nice.
Quite a busy and full stage at the Mid East (upstairs)
This is the charming silhouette of our dear dear friend Lynsey Smith in front of our hand crafted luminescent display case.

Montague Book Mill with You and Yourn

A short while back we revisited the place whence we launched our Island Gospel album. We were, this time, graced with You and Yourn (click their image below for website). The Bookmill is a great place in Western Mass for a read, a buy, a killer sandwich, and a fine pint of brew. (Click the picture of the old mill to go to their website)