otherlands

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Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

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Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

While in the Czech Republic a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, a group of musicians from different cultures within the Carpathian Mountains (Valach from the Czech side and Hutsul from the Ukrainian) came together to play a Hutsul warrior song for Ukraine.

Camping Quarantine, Madison Co.

Camping Quarantine, Madison Co.

After over 5 years living outside the US, followed by a 9-month trip through six countries, this first phase of Otherlands came to a close with a pandemic and a 2-week camping quarantine in the mountains…A collaborative travel project finishes in surreal isolation.

Covid Mashup • with Antti, Esko & Maija

Covid Mashup • with Antti, Esko & Maija

Here’s a Finnish/American musical mashup of traditional tunes from my final Otherlands collaboration of this first year. Lockdowns hit hard around the world while I was in Finland and the gigging landscape changed in a big way. Testing the waters with Antti Järvelä (guitar), Esko Järvelä (fiddle), and Maija Pokela (kantele, voice).

Love Song From Kauhava • with Maija Pokela & Antti Järvelä

Love Song From Kauhava • with Maija Pokela & Antti Järvelä

After a couple weeks in Kaustinen, I hit the country roads and headed southwest to Härmä. There I spent the afternoon with a great vocalist and kantele player, Maija Pokela, and guitarist Antti Järvelä on a rare happy love song from the region.

Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

By trains, by bus, and by foot, I arrived to the small village of Miyama in the countryside near Kyoto, Japan. I spent the day wandering through streets of traditional thatch-roofed homes and the evening making music with Yukky (voice) and Taro (mandolin).

Shamisen, Shaukachi, Fiddle • w/ Yutaka Oyama & Akihito Obama

Shamisen, Shaukachi, Fiddle • w/ Yutaka Oyama & Akihito Obama

Three instruments. Three “movements.” Before arriving to Japan, I made plans to join shamisen musician Yutaka Oyama for a gig and recording session. Covid-19 canceled our gig, but thankfully we were still able to record. Akihito Obama joined us on shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and we made some magical moments.

OTHERLANDS: India [Recap]

OTHERLANDS: India [Recap]

Our fourth stop on this year of Otherlands travels brought us to India. Our first time in this amazing country, we would spend eight weeks visiting Kolkata (and surrounding), Bengaluru, Mysuru, Goa, and Chennai. I hope you enjoy the collaborations, music, photos, and reflections.

Baul Jam Session, Home of Rina & Dibakar Das Baul

Baul Jam Session, Home of Rina & Dibakar Das Baul

A couple days before leaving Kolkata, I took a very special trip to the village of Paruldanga, just outside Shantiniketan, to spend a day and a night at the lovely home of revered Baul musicians Rina & Dibakar Das Baul. They invited family and friends to share an evening of music with me.

Schooled in Rhythm • "Garfield's Blackberry" • with Bangalore Amrit

Schooled in Rhythm • "Garfield's Blackberry" • with Bangalore Amrit

Amrit Khanjira, master of the khanjira, an Indian percussion instrument from the Carnatic (South Indian Classical) tradition gave me a lot to think about, and practice. I came away with great new rhythmic concepts, and we put the American old-time tune “Garfield’s Blackberry” through the paces…reinterpreting in 5 different time signatures.

“Baaro Saadhanakerige” • with Raghu Dixit

“Baaro Saadhanakerige” • with Raghu Dixit

I met and immediately locked with the amazingly powerful and soulful singer Raghu Dixit in Bengaluru, India. We played a piece of poetry by Dr. Da. Ra. Bendre that he had set to music — a traveling song of of leaving your home to search for what may be better, only to return to your home and find that it has been the true place for you all along.

Streets of Kolkata • "Manyota dao Jibonke" with Arko Mukhaerjee

Streets of Kolkata • "Manyota dao Jibonke" with Arko Mukhaerjee

Introduced by a friend of a friend, Arko Mukhaerjee and I would hang and make music together multiple times during my days in Kolkata, India. This video is an original song of his, speaking about how respect for life can get you to life’s next levels.

Wooden Doll Village Festival • with Debalina, Arpan & Pritam

Wooden Doll Village Festival • with Debalina, Arpan & Pritam

Less than 12hours after arriving to India, my family and I were heading north out of Kolkata towards Natungram, a small village known for their wooden doll carving tradition. It was our first time in the country and just about everything would be new — including two of the three people I was to be playing with.