fake spring

It’s a spring-like day in February. The world seems upside-down in many ways, but music is still a saving grace. Since our last update, much has happened in Almshouse World. In September 2016 we played a rolicking set at the Jenkintown Festival of the Arts, and the band included Tony Winkler on guitars, Nate Graham […]

Bitter Thing, words

From the CD “BITTER THING” Into the Night ©Belli/Lambrou/Schoenmeier In my darkest hour I’m still making jokes People all around me but I’m still alone I sit and light another smoke And into the night I go I’m like the stars at night when the galaxy glows Hide in the shadows of daylight then put on […]

Sepia, Birds & Music

Last weekend Ken, Troy and I met photographer Bill DiCecca at Pennypack Trust for some album artwork photos. For Ken and me, avid birders that we are, this location doubled as an opportunity to view some good spring specimens, since the trees are still just budding and the Trust property is a well-known birding haven. […]

chasing ghosts

The weekend’s weather was a long-awaited taste of springtime, but we were booked at Kawari all day both days. The good news for Troy, Kenny and me is this studio in the wooded suburbs has a nice big deck, so we could work with the door open and take occasional breaks from the red-velvet-shrouded control room […]

Turning the corner

We’ve turned the corner! Coming back to the studio, right after Christmas, for a two-day stint was odd– not completely thought-out or scripted. We knew Kenny wanted to change a couple/few bass parts, and I potentially needed to drop in some final guitar parts (definitely needed for Bitter Thing) – but it was mostly about vocals. We’ve been […]

Secret Christmas

It’s been a long time since the last post here. We played a full band show in late August at World Cafe Live-Upstairs, with our new friend Matt Muir behind the drum kit and our old friend Tony Winkler on electric guitar. We took some time off from the studio and stage in September, while […]

Opening for Lee Roy Parnell

On June 29th, on the big stage downstairs at World Cafe Live in Philly, Troy and I played a 40minute set to open for blues slide guitarist and songwriter Lee Roy Parnell. We were thrilled, obviously, to get the call for this, and although we haven’t finished the new record or filled out the band yet, […]

Liberty Lands, No Rain

During this summertime lull between recording sessions, we’re planning strategy, and also performing a few shows that call for less than a full band. Last week, Troy and I returned to Northern Liberties, where I spent 11 (mostly) idyllic years with terrific neighbors of the human and canine variety. Mayor Larry Freedman puts together the […]

Hello Retro City Studios

So don’t ya know, I find Retro City Studios on Greene Street (in Germantown), and it’s at the corner of Greene and Pastorius (Jaco!), always adored that road sign, whenever I passed it! This is my first time to this studio – pretty cool layout, a nice big room with the console and brains in the basement! Well after […]

Mixin n Playin

Listening to the drum and bass mixes on Fretz, Ghost and Into the Night as I write this. Ken’s bass parts are masterful. Matt’s excellent drumming makes everything groove just right, especially on I2N. Impressed they played so well together, the first time they ever played together. I’m really looking forward to putting proper vocals […]