Instrumental Guitar Performance and Talk

Don’t fret yourself if a genre of music named ‘American Primitive Guitar’ doesn’t ring a bell. The truth is that almost nobody’s heard of it. American Primitive Guitar may be nothing more than a flimsy conceptual umbrella for academics and critics to get wet under after drinking too much Pabst, but that’s what makes it fun. What few people would argue is that it is a full and embracing sound that creates an atmosphere of welcome and openness.

Audiobook Project

The Year of the Locust is a multitiered project that starts with a new audiobook of Nathaneal West’s 1939 dystopian classic, The Day of the Locust with layers of music, field recordings, and a song cycle inspired by Martin Ballard’s experience of eviction and homelessness after a long, Covid-related illness.

If you’re still trying to revive social bonds and create a different kind of party or dinner party experience, consider hosting a House Concert! It’s easy, fun, and affordable! Drop a note for more information or available dates.

A couple of years ago, I took a cold stab in the dark at improvising music to the Wallace Stevens’ poem, The Idea of Order at Key West. I’m hoping to get back to this soon.