May 2011

Let’s see. This was a good month for spending money around here and a lot of time on non musical, household events that taxed me. The redwood trees had to be felled before the neighbors sued and before the trees caused more damage, my tooth needed a crown ( and I don’t need to tell you what that costs now), the property taxes ( never cheap), the car needed work, etc…it kind of bummed me for awhile and then I got over it. It’s just zeros.

Musically, I’ve been dormant for months but with the sun finally appearing it is inspiring me to do more music. I produced an electroacoustic music album with Tom Furgas on violin and me on sound processing, I am halfway through a double album of outtakes and unreleased music for unfinished projects over the past few years, my wife Robin’s first album in almost 8 years just came out ( fantastic too), a few excellent releases by Eric Wallack on my Lonely Whistle label and I think there are a couple of things I am forgetting. I also did some songs with Zan Hoffman. He asked me to be “the band” for some songs he had already recorded and it came out pretty good. I guess he will be releasing that soon.

I am also redesigning my music catalog and that should be ready soon here: http://web.me.com/doncampau/doncampau.com/lonely_whistle_2011.html

So, enough about me. This month’s issue of The Living Archive has some real nice content I think. As usual, some new cassettes are listed in the “cassettes USA and INTL” section. There is another archival “No Pigeonholes” show from 6 June 1992.

The Artist Spotlight shines this time on the very special world of Dan Fioretti, one of the most original, bizarre and creative personalities ever in the underground scene. Dan stood for a few questions and there are examples of his colorful tapes.

The Tape Of The Month comes from Baltimore singer Linda Smith. In fact, there are two tapes this time, her first two home recorded cassettes.

For a long time I have wanted to interview Belgian EE tape Label owner , Eriek Van Havere and this month that finally happens. One of the most important label owners during the entire 80s/90/00s period in my opinion. Get that in the Tape Label section.

In the “early experiences” section you will find Canada’s Ron McFarlan who created some really fine experimental music under the “Dust That Collects” moniker. Also, John Orsi from Rhode Island who has been home taping since the 1980s and is involved in several musical projects. He was not someone I knew back then so it is always interesting for me to see the commonalities and different experiences from new found friends.

As always, I’d like to get your letters, comments and suggestions about This Archive and any help or articles you’d like to contribute would be great. Just click on doncampau.com above right to email me.