At home, I have shelves that display things that I think are interesting. I put them there so that people that visit can see them and a conversation starts.

That’s what I’m doing here. Every so often, a new thing will be placed on The Shelf; a thing that has had an effect on me that I feel is worth sharing with others. We might not be able to have an immediate conversation about these things, but I hope you at least think about them and seek more information about them. I wouldn’t have put them here if I didn’t feel that task was worth doing.

Currently on The Shelf: Vieo Abiungo

Earlier this year, on a whim, I bought a record by Vieo Abiungo. At the time, I didn’t know much about it at all – what the name meant, who it was, if there were other recordings, etc. All I knew was the few samples I heard at a record seller’s website. When the record arrived (in a box with a few others), I saw it and was reminded of the chance purchase I made. I put it on first, to see if it was as good as I remembered the samples to be. From that moment on, I was transfixed.

After listening to the record repeatedly over the next few weeks, I then began the hunt for more, and stumbled upon the label’s site that released the record. There, I discovered that more recordings (at least one) existed, and immediately purchased it. A shipping cost glitch put me in contact with the label. A friendly conversation ensued, and not long after, I got connected to the person responsible for the music itself: William Ryan Fritch.

It’s difficult for me to describe connections like this. I think a lot about how these things end up happening. And maybe it’s not that big of a deal, but I’ve been in enough situations with people who put up walls instead of tear them down that when you meet someone like William, you just know that something is different.

It’s also difficult for me to describe his music, and why it had such an effect on me. For one, it’s incredible from a technical standpoint. You might assume that there’s an ensemble, perhaps even an orchestra, playing the music. But it’s all just him. His story is fascinating; how he came to music, how he learned it, and what he wants to do with it now.

As far as Vieo Abiungo goes, there’s a new project in the works, which I’ve gladly contributed to. An interesting release involving film, photography, poetry, and William’s stunning music. I hope you’ll check this out, and support it as well. His is a rare talent that deserves any attention it gets.

At home, I have shelves that display things that I think are interesting. I put them there so that people that visit can see them and a conversation starts.

That’s what I’m doing here. Every so often, a new thing will be placed on The Shelf; a thing that has had an effect on me that I feel is worth sharing with others. We might not be able to have an immediate conversation about these things, but I hope you at least think about them and seek more information about them. I wouldn’t have put them here if I didn’t feel that task was worth doing.

Currently on The Shelf: The Forevertron

For years I have heard about Dr. Evermore’s mysterious Forevertron, and the other fascinating sculptures around it. Giant guitar birds, metal insects, strange sitting areas, and other creations straight out of a fantastic children’s storybook, or science fiction novel. Lately, I have bringing it up as a point of reference, and have been discovering that many people don’t know about this. I then realized that I myself have only understood it through the stories I’ve been told. I had never actually been there. So, this weekend I took the drive to finally see it in person.

Here’s a video I took:

Almost more interesting than the sculptures themselves, is the land where these things exist. It’s all behind a large surplus scrap shop in the middle of nowhere, WI. You walk through piles of garbage out behind the building, until you see the Forevertron in the distance, and look for a trail. Once you find the trail, you’re soon in the Forevertron garden. There are no signs, and no admission is charged. It’s so secret, it almost feels like trespassing.

And what is it all for? The lack of public outreach seems to imply that it wasn’t necessarily made for them, but for the artist himself, who built it to take him to heaven when the time comes. You can find more information about the story, the artist, and the sculptures here, and if possible, do visit it in person if you have the chance.

At home, I have shelves that display things that I think are interesting. I put them there so that people that visit can see them and a conversation starts.

That’s what I’m doing here. Every so often, a new thing will be placed on The Shelf; a thing that has had an effect on me that I feel is worth sharing with others. We might not be able to have an immediate conversation about these things, but I hope you at least think about them and seek more information about them. I wouldn’t have put them here if I didn’t feel that task was worth doing.

Currently on The Shelf: Sacred Harp

Sacred Harp is a book of traditional American songs first published in 1844. There is no harp used in the music, which uses four notes – fa, so, la, and mi. Only voices are used, which are encouraged to be used as loudly as possible.

For me, there’s something old feeling about this music, but it’s also very powerful, reminding me at times of Georgian Voices – another tradition based far away from where Sacred Harp, or Shape Note singing, took form. It’s fascinating stuff.

My introduction to the music was sort of an accident. For many years, I’ve collected various old time music compilations, and noticed what I thought was a particular group on many of the discs. Finally, a few weeks ago, I was listening to one of those discs and a Sacred Harp song came on. “Who is this?,” I thought. When I started to read the liner notes, I saw it was by the Alabama Singers. Upon researching that name, I realized this wasn’t a group at all, but a tradition of music, and there were singers all through the South singing these songs. Not only was I surprised to learn about this, but also that there are Shape Note singings happening all over the country still today.

This is a tradition that’s still alive, not just a document on an old time music compilation.

For a comprehensive explanation of what it’s all about, click here.

For a quick peek at what it’s about, here’s the trailer from the film, “Awake, My Soul,” a documentary about the Sacred Harp:

At home, I have shelves that display things that I think are interesting. I put them there so that people that visit can see them and a conversation starts.

That’s what I’m doing here. Every so often, a new thing will be placed on The Shelf; a thing that has had an effect on me that I feel is worth sharing with others. We might not be able to have an immediate conversation about these things, but I hope you at least think about them and seek more information about them. I wouldn’t have put them here if I didn’t feel that task was worth doing.

Currently on The Shelf: Shakers

I started reading about the religious group known as Shakers earlier this year. After years of hearing my mom talk about them, I finally decided to look into it. I then discovered an amazing world of conviction, persecution, utopianism, celibacy, design, simple living, non-ritual, spirited dancing and music – including speaking in tongues, and a strong tradition that ended by decision – not by adversity, mass suicide, or other subversive ways that generally bring such groups to an end. These people were different, and chose to follow the path they took in order to create a better life for themselves, and to live as an example to others. Regardless of religious affiliation, the story is highly fascinating, and in many ways, inspiring.

There are many great books on the subject, and are divided between history, design, architecture, music and dance. Start anywhere as each will give you a glimpse into what the group accomplished during its existence.

At home, I have shelves that display things that I think are interesting. I put them there so that people that visit can see them and a conversation starts.

That’s what I’m doing here. Every so often, a new thing will be placed on The Shelf; a thing that has had an effect on me that I feel is worth sharing with others. We might not be able to have an immediate conversation about these things, but I hope you at least think about them and seek more information about them. I wouldn’t have put them here if I didn’t feel that task was worth doing.

Currently on The Shelf: 50 Miles of Elbow Room

For a couple of years now, I’ve gotten many great bluegrass, blues, and country blues LPs from a place called 50 Miles of Elbow Room.  Run by Adam Lore, it’s really the kind of record store I’d like to visit in person, not just for their selection, but also for the great service Adam offers.  In a time when the music industry is in potential shambles, it’s great to see some great old music being delivered in such a friendly and surprisingly quick way.  However, it’s not a record store.  Adam runs this out of his apartment in Brooklyn, NY, and over the years, published a great magazine about the music he loves, and has even released a few records as well.  It’s a fine little operation, and one I like to share with anyone I think might be interested. I hope you’re one of those people.  If so, you’ll find some interesting things, and have a great experience with 50 Miles of Elbow Room.

At home, I have shelves that display things that I think are interesting. I put them there so that people that visit can see them and a conversation starts.

That’s what I’m doing here. Every so often, a new thing will be placed on The Shelf; a thing that has had an effect on me that I feel is worth sharing with others. We might not be able to have an immediate conversation about these things, but I hope you at least think about them and seek more information about them. I wouldn’t have put them here if I didn’t feel that task was worth doing.

Currently on The Shelf: Eurkea Springs, AR

Eureka Springs, AR is a pretty amazing place.  I’ve been there many times since my childhood and was even married there in 1999.  I’m planning another trip there this summer.  It is a very small, historical, victorian-themed town with many natural springs, hills, and interesting people.  But that’s not all.  There is a very distinct feeling I have when I’m there, and others have said the same thing.  For years, I was obsessed with moving there, but it never worked out.  On one hand, ghost tours and hauntings are a part of the local lore, but there is also a 7 story statue of Christ that overlooks the town.  The main street is buried in the hills with some streets not even existing on the postal map.  It’s a magical place that I would encourage everyone to visit.  Maybe I’ll see you there this summer.

For more info: www.eurekasprings.org

Hometapes makes official the little things in life that define us. We’ve been making things since we were kids, together even then, from every moment we collect. Product architects. Happy just to leave behind something you’ll remember. Hearing and making music, taking pictures, writing something down, designing a page or a package, watching through windows, driving, walking, talking: these are the modest pillars of Hometapes. We engineer products that represent us, our friends/collaborators, and creative everyday life. Sometimes they exceed our expectations and we surely hope they excite yours. Hometapes = music, art, and everything else.

www.home-tapes.com