28 January, 2010

brian QTN's wintry whirly wheee heee news


cover image ©2010 kimm still


A wintry whirly wheeeheee hee – oops howdy, uh-oh and a double take what th-? to you all from way over here on the Upper Left Edge to way over there wherever you may find yourself. It's time once again for a brief seasonal toast (with homemade blackberry jam) streaming through the dreaming mind and pen of Cuteanonyms.

The sections are:

A. Continuumusings
B. Guitarred and Feathered News
C. Magazines feature QTN's way out writings
D. Website updates



A. Continuumusings –– I'm still looking for that "long winter's nap". It must be here somewheres cause it looked just like me yesterday. Now the Caribbean's rumbling, the collective gasp has endured another mass extinction and another massive diaspora and then those crazy Mer'cans got so mad that the annual State of the Union was going to be on the same night as the season premiere of whatever the flavour of the week is, they petitioned the White House to move to another night. And then the White House did...We interrupt this program for an important bulletin..... er...sorry...we'll come back later I guess...Topsy turvy, yep, it all completely is. What is the State of the Onion anyway?

Mighty good time to take a couple of big deep breaths...

A big solar eclipse was the way we ended 2009 and in a few weeks (on February 14) we go from placid steady Ox year to wild ferocious Lucky Tiger (and a heavy metal tiger at that). Yes centrifugal force is amazing indeed: here we are glued to the sides of this ride where the bottom falls out again and again and the whole contraption tips and tilts and whirls and rolls like the one at Throwupland USA you swore you would never get on again...

Good thing there is a community, lifemusic and a little fire to warm our many hands. Interesting times indeed... Where would we be without us? Even still, what will we bring forth in creativity next to contribute to the whirldsphere?

B. Guitarred and Feathered News –– Yes, it's true, a new QTN CD has hatched and already is on the wing. Guitarred and Feathered is ten wordless guitar tunes recorded at GungHo Studios with Billy Barnett recording at the board. The package is a glorious combination of Kimmm Still's magical photography, gorgeous paintings by Theresa Gray and a soundtrack of wound wires and wood. It all looks and sounds great to me and I couldn't be happier with it. Thanks to all who have sent enthusiastic appreciations and words of delight.

Guitarred and Feathered can finally be ordered securely online at my website. Click the album cover on the home page. Ordering by mail with a check is fine too. Just send me your order through email at the website. A CDbaby page is coming and soon it will iTuneable everywhere else in the known multiverse too. A big radio mailout is imminent too so send me the name of the program on yr local radio station that plays acoustic or instrumental music, and I will make sure they get a CD too.

There is a fun new interview/article about the album here and a downloadable radio interview from December live on KLCC's Fresh Tracks. Go here and click on "Audio Archives", then put my name in the search.

A new online radio station, RadioGuitar here plays nothing but instrumental guitar music 24/7, so along with Fahey, Renbourn, Jansch, Kottke, Peter Lang, Michael Hedges and many others, guess what else is playing right there regularly in the mix? Yep...the new one... Click "station" on the homepage and listen in. There's nothing to join and music keeps coming out. I've wished for a station like this many times over the years.

C. Magazines feature QTN's way out writings –– A newspaper from England and a couple of online absurdist magazines have printed QTN written musings lately. The physical paper is called Eccentric City and you can read all about it and even order a copy here. This issue also features a poem by margareta waterman whom I have performed with for many years and an extensive article by Darlene the Raven.

Two online journals feature QTN in their newest issues too. One is called Corporeal Flux and the other is Full of Crow along with such other esteeemed company too. Make sure to check out the great cover home page and the smattering of crow quotes sprinkled throughout...

D. Website updates –– Besides the new GnF page, my website also has a winter CD sale going on: 3 CDs (not including the new one) for $38 postage paid. Order online or through mail.


I'd say it's all hands on deck in this tilty wobbly dinghy we're riding in and we all have more than enough to do to stabilize it. I have an optimystical feeling that 2010's Tiger may shake change from the deepest pockets of dysfunction. Perhaps it's time to read Arthur C. Clarke's book again... Breathing clear and discerning what is significant, questioning intention and leaning into the sharpnesses... There's nothing new under the sun, but the old ways still have great value.

Many peaceful wishes I send for the emerging year. Welcome to all the new babies and thanks to Howard Zinn. It is a positive thought to note that his "People's History of the United States" is now considered an academic textbook in many schools and that is huge.

May you always be able to laugh inappropriately and listen to the space between the wordthoughts.

You corn forest spondent
bq

14 January, 2010

Alberto says...

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: that we are here for the sake of others; above all, for those whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends; and also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of others, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received and am still receiving." - Albert Einstein