Greetings! It has been quite a while since I've uploaded here...not for any lack of ideas, I say in gratitude, but rather for what it all comes down to...priorities. It is never about "I don't have time." :) 

Lately, I've been asked by a few of my musician friends "Hey what do you sound like these days?!" Rather than comb through the past few years, which are predominantly nylon-string-alt-tuning-formations -- equally loved but for another time -- I figured I would just share a couple handfuls of samplings from the most recent 32 tracks.

You'll hear I've spent a little more time on some more than others, as most are just in-the-moment-improv/capturing the flow of inspiration, kids, and typical home randomness. Hence, some of the auto-drummer tempo issues. Nonetheless, outside of a proper arrangement and recording, they are indicative of my internal navigation within this unique 2020. A special "Thank You!" to my daughter for her lovely, and thematically fitting, cover photo. :)

Germinations ('unvollendete') March-Dec 2020

Sounds of Home and No Home

Some random moments of me just sitting down at the kit and recording whatever ('improv') happens. No click track (which is quite apparent haha), no tune in the headphones...just grooving to my own 'wanna be' inner drummer. 
All were recorded with my iPhone via VoiceMemos...though I have recently bought some proper mics so that will be fun. A sUper maJor THANK YOU(!!) to bro-Michael for the drum kit...who has first right-of-refusal for when that day never comes! hahaha! :)

Drum improvs

A few and many inbetween moments to develop and expand.
All were recorded with my iPhone in VoiceMemos...though I have recently bought some proper mics so that will be fun to soundscape. :)

RAV drum moments

Mostly single-serve samples of some sounds and themes for a project in the works. :)

Where Two Are Gathered...

(239) Drum Improv5 ("More!"...demands Miles)

467-On Drums (fun accents improv)

475-drum improv.2

This is a happy accident of the meeting of a drum track ("475-drum improv.2") and a separate bass line (nts: 491) from almost 7 months later. I had re-discovered the drum part, so I played the bass part over the drum to see if they're a match and was delighted to hear them dance well together. I enjoyed it so much I left as is, for now. :)

It's How I Recognize You

500-drum improv

(first) RAV drum improv

Jumping Heart (RAV drum)

New Moon Near (RAV drum)

Made With A Mother's Love (RAV drum)

Feeling Into Spontaneous Clarity (RAV drum)

Visit from an old friend (while working a new mando idea)

Wayberry Steeping (banjo)

Essencene (in Bass)

An accidental bass diddy that had me dancing 'round silly upon playback as I messed about with 'drummer' options for tempo setting. :) 

bass&drummer improv for 111 measures at 144bpm

Until

Just a gentle piece reflecting ... (have since updated the arrangement and added another voicing, to properly record)

Golden Hour - [version1]

A little improv as I was messing around with my rediscovered FenderMicro (delay+reverb), plugged into my Yamaha amp in experimentation. 

This is a tune inspired by and in between my sister's wedding and, simultaneous, cancer journey with my mom and family. There were several common threads to what seemed like disparate events.
It's meant as an ode to the courage to move forward with confidence, especially in the face of fear and uncertainty, to arrive at solace with expanded wonder and beauty on the infinite paths of any procession towards...
It still needs a 'proper' recording as this is primarily a live take of it with one doubled bit for effect, but that will come.
(photo credit to Mike Monday via ProjectGodard)

Procession To...

This is, let's say for now, an 'abandoned' piece as I needed to get this uploaded for my class project. The exercise was to steal an element from a different genre furthest from 'your sound'. I chose a basic reggae beat. I think I succeeded there; however, I forgot to stop with the element stealing :) ...so I will return to clean it up at a later date, maybe.
As for the title, it's just another angle on present moment awareness in realizing that there is 'place' in everything as well as every-thing in each place -- if open to it. Curiously, though unintentional, there is even a musical theme that rhythmically runs throughout. It is the same rhythm, but in different places. In a sense, it, like place, is everywhere. :)
(oh yeah...as for the rooster version reference...we have a rooster named "Happy". While recording the mandolin and banjo parts, he was right outside my window, incessantly, singing away. No matter what, I could not get a clean, rooster-free, take. I initially tried to edit him out, but it only made things more tricky so I just left him in... hence, the Happy rooster reggae version. :)

Everywhere Place (Happy Rooster Reggae Version)

...As for the title, it came soon-after the piece was recorded as a one-off outside on the porch of our ‘Angel Cottage’ which turned out to be the last full piece of music I recorded there, so was quite fitting for the mood of saying ‘farewell’ to such a pivotal gift/place brought to our little family in great time of need from, literally, ‘out of nowhere’. 
There are many reverberating levels to that experience, but like the inviting and comforting ‘sound’ I’m going for, that place and many other synchronous blessings that accompanied that window of time, was also, to put it mildly, ‘inviting and comforting’ to our family.

Farewell Angel Cottage

...As for the title, it came from a walk on “the mall” in Boulder, Colorado. While with our daughter, this incredibly disheveled man came from out of nowhere and proclaimed, “YOU ARE A GREAT DAD!”... He was certainly a walking story-book, but all I could say was “Thank you” and asked, “What’s your name?” With a raised smile, he simply replied, “Brian.”

....Still not crazy about the title but nothing else quite recalls the feeling of that moment still resonating, as being “a great dad” is unequivocally the most complex experience I continue to have.  

Brian On The Mall

Encouraging Grace [working version]

Greetings! It has been quite a while since I've uploaded here...not for any lack of ideas, I say in gratitude, but rather for what it all comes down to...priorities. It is never about "I don't have time." :) 

Lately, I've been asked by a few of my musician friends "Hey what do you sound like these days?!" Rather than than comb through the past few years, which are predominantly nylon-string-alt-tuning-formations, equally loved but for another time, I figured I would just share the most recent.

You'll hear I've spent a little more time on some more than others, as most are just in-the-moment-improv/capturing the flow of inspiration. Nonetheless, outside of a proper arrangement and recording, they are indicative of my internal navigation within this unique 2020. :)

Steven Voller

Pinned to spotlight

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