new album...

A quick little update on the new album, for those of you that check out the blog… so far we are super happy with it, and we think you are going to love it as well. We are trying out some new things, and it is definitely turning out to be a nice big full record… and as a little added bonus we are getting other people involved. Jono is on it (of course… lots of didge), and as well as Steve Koning. One of the coolest things is that we are getting someone to mix the album for us! Derri Daugherty will be that man and we couldn’t be more exited! He’s a bit of a hero of mine (should I admit that?) Anyway… we’ve added another little surprise as well.

I’m slowly getting to know a really great guy from California and he has a very wide taste in world music, he also plays some pretty crazy instruments! His name is Loren, you can check out what he does

here

. Have you ever heard of a “Toyo”? Think a HUGE pan flute… here is a pic. The sound is amazing! So Loren is adding some Andean sounds to or Record, like I said, I really think you are going to like it.

Oh, here is a pic of Loren!







All for now… more rants later :)

deni

Possessions

Possessions… We have a lot of stuff don’t we. Do you watch TV? If you do, you are being constantly bombarded by ads telling you to buy stuff. The accumulation of stuff over the years that we get tends to add up. I was thinking about how some people accumulate nothing but a bowl or two and a set of pants and a shirt because they are born in a country that is war torn or just in complete poverty.

I’m not into guilt trips! We are very fortunate to be able to live in a country that allows us to live the way we do. We really have so much. I don’t think that the answer is to get rid of everything and live like a monk… although… you might look really funny if you shave the top of your head, try it; I’ll take the photos.

I just think that a little awareness is a good idea… and if you can support companies that are trying to make a difference all the better. For example maybe buying things made in sweatshops in China (or any other country) is not a good idea… the Gap… Old Navy… I'm just as guilty as everyone else...

It’s the small things that we can do that start to make a difference isn’t it? Not everyone can be a social radical :) More on sweatshops later I think... this was a bit of a ramble

deni

Art!

Well I finally did it… I put up my paintings for everyone to see. I’ve been meaning to do it for a while now just never got around to it. Look to the right on this page you’ll see a link to “Denis’ Art”… that my art. In case you don’t really know that you can leave comments on the blogs, you can… and I would love it if you would leave comments on my paintings, let me know if you hate them, or love them.

I think that Christians have dropped the ball regarding art in our communities. I can’t even remember once as a young artist being encouraged about my art by the church. Art is super important. I believe artists are as important as doctors and lawyers in our communities. Think about this… how do we gain information about ancient societies? Their art. Their writings. Support art, encourage art, and create art, even if you are not an “artist”. It’s good for you to be creative, it’s good for you to share, and it’s good for you to be active in your community artistically.

Denis