bluegrass

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.

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.

Got an Old Upright in the AirBnB • with Michael Biggins

Got an Old Upright in the AirBnB • with Michael Biggins

Michael and I met at my first few jam session down in Glasgow. His rhythm, harmony, and left hand bass saved the day for me, and we planned to get together after the holidays. Luckily, my AirBnB came with an upright piano that was relatively in tune—5 stars for amenities.

I'm Not Fed Up with the Pacific Ocean • with Éamonn Coyne

I'm Not Fed Up with the Pacific Ocean • with Éamonn Coyne

What do an Irishman and an American play for a collaboration in Scotland? The answer is simple, a Swedish tune. Just before the Christmas holiday, on our one overlapping day, I reunited with an old friend in Edinburgh.