The Taos Launch

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 14:55 Tuesday, 03 January 2012 07:39

We had a low-key public run through a few weeks ago at Java Joe's downtown just to work out the public kinks before the first official gig at the Adobe Bar in Taos on Dec. 21.

Taos was great as it always was; full of holiday cheer and families (no we did not work up any Christmas tunes), and an enthusiastic reception!

Thanks Taos for the lovely evening, and to Chris' connection for putting the bandmates up for the night (I had to book it back for a conference call, but Chris graciously chatted with me via phone all the way back!)

We were scheduled to play the Sandia Casino on the 29th, but a nefarious double booking - and the casino's unwillingness to work with that - scrapped that date. Onward and upward, however; we're in the process of booking some things for the next few months.

The Story Behind Pray For Brain

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 14:59 Saturday, 19 November 2011 19:01

We've added a bass player to the Duo, with the remarkable find of upright bass player Christine Nelson.

As the Duo material has evolved to include material that's more arranged, accessible -- even song-like -- it seemed like a natural path to explore.

We had a lot of misgivings -- how would a third member fit with this very telepathic and somewhat idiosyncratic way we work with music that we've developed over time?

but good Lord, did we find the right person - and an upright player to boot, which fits perfectly. She brings great heart, great ears and musical instinct, she's picking it up quick, and fits amazingly well into what we do.

We're thinking our past eight years has just been the run-up and prep work for this moment. It's that good.


Musically, it's building on the flavor of the newer Gretsch material and adding a soul/funk/afro pop undercurrent to it (she's done her time with reggae and roots bands).

How is it changing how we play? For my role, it's liberating on all fronts, and a very interesting process. I can both play less and play more simultaneously , if that makes sense.

While these arent polished takes, here's some rehearsal clips:

http://soundcloud.com/norumba/soulfunkjamtrio

http://soundcloud.com/norumba/lktrioversion

http://soundcloud.com/norumba/hauntingtrioversion

And of course, with a new format, comes a new name: Pray For Brain.

Think on that idea for a bit. Not only is it a very appropiate zeitgeist for this day and age, the relationship between prayer and thought is well documented:

NPR: Prayer May Reshape Your Brain ... And Your Reality

Salon.com : Divining The Brain

A by-product has been a resurgence of interest from various quarters in what we do, not only via our own contacts as news of this spread, but also from her own network. Already a new spate of gigs is being ironed out -- will be posting dates shortly.

Sama Duo live in Taos -- and fansourcing the CD lineup

Friday, 26 August 2011 05:19

We will be up in Taos next Wednesday, Aug. 31,  at the fabulous Adobe Bar ! 

Here's the official release on the gig.

We'll be previewing some of the new Gretsch-derived tunes that we wrote over the summer and tracked  earlier this month.

In July, I had sent  the mastering engineer Cass the fretless tracks from 2009 and the Tele ones from last spring to finally get this thing out! But the material that's come out since having the Gretsch has been  -- we think -- very inspiring, very fresh, and probably our most accesible material ever.  I'm thinking about chords and harmony again, which I haven't done in about 15 years --  the Indian and Middle Eatern trajectory being so linear and rhythmic.  It's nice to be bringing a jazzy, harmonic element back into the mix, and it's fun repaving some neural pathways.

So I called Cass,and said,  "Hold on, we're tracking new stuff!" Fortunately, he hadn't  gotten too deep into it yet, so I caught him at the right time.

I've been going through amp pains this summer, but that's been resolved  finally with a pair of SF Fender Bassman heads in stereo.  Great clean tone, super-responsive. We tracked for two or three days  in the beginning of August, and I've done the preliminary selection with some alternate choices -- and thats where you can come in and help.

We're inviting folks to take a listen to the pre-mastered edits  on the music player (or a separate browser version here ) and let us know which versions of the new tunes you like.  In effect, we're opening the process  of CD production and letting you help play producer...  a crowdsourced CD. Later, we'll be asking listeners to help us choose which of the Telecaster tunes to cut, to make room for the new ones.

So, offer your opinion, share your voice! Give us feedback  either on ReverbNation or Facebook. And if youre in Taos next week -- or want to come up  --  give us your thoughts in person.

Hope to see many of you there!