Lewis Childs - Lessons

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Notes on the Process: July 25th, 2008

When you are deep into it and find yourself losing hope, know you are close. When your heart starts beating fast as you sit down to write, know that it is important that you keep going. When you meet strangers that say the things you have been unable to articulate, take note. The moment can be the blink of an eye, or an eternity. Right now the insects are humming the soundtrack, the worksong, of the machine and all its labors. The mind rests somewhere between the two. During the brief silence there is momentum. Feel it building. Let it be the wave that carries you towards your goal.

Waterfront Blues Festival: July 5th, 2008

Mel Brown and Devon Phillips with the big band and a piano player who never was introduced. Renato Caranto just knows how to build and develop an idea, not to mention the high notes. Bone player wasn't the way to end it, but an icebath couldn't cool the fever. As darkness feel, I found a new tradition. This is how fireworks should be! Friends from Philly agree. If you are in Portland during July 4th, head for the Waterfront.

Kerrville Folk Festival: May 2008

When you are simultaneously humbled and inspired, you know that you are in the right place. This is how I felt going to Kerrville for the first time. A few new names, terms and ideas. Devon Sproule, yes mam, Texas Hill Country, Texas Prisons, 5min weather reports on commercial radio stations, Awesome John Elliot giving "awesome" its old meaning back, Coho, Freebo, Cypress Trees, empty waterfronts, Betty Soo, Green Mountain Grass, Southern Hospitality, 17 days, Kerr-virgins, Kerr-verts, I'll be back!

Cost Rica: March 2008

Samara is super chill. Bones dried out a bit, and swimming is a daily ritual that I could bring back. Ma lost her glasses, but there had to be at least one hiccup. From then on smooth sailing except for the scorpions. One got lis but a healer came to her aid. Now we call her Scorpion Girl. Thanks Tuallamie!

On to Monteverde. The most amazing thing happened. 7a.m. Cloudforest observing the Quetzals, who have been hanging out putting on an areial mating dance. I am running and I see out of the corner of my eye a feather that is floating towards me, and then before I know it, I am standing there feeling lucky to have been given this gift. The feather has probably never touched the ground.

World of Songs at Beall Hall: February 2007

It is truly an honor to return to my alma mater the U of O to play in the amazing Beall Hall. I have never sung in a room with better acoustics. The performance featured Tango dancers, the wonderful Mitzuki Dazai playing Koto, and we even managed to bring some of the Capoeira music with us accompanied by the Berimbau. Thanks to Rob Kyr for putting on the event, and to Milagro Vargas for her guidance and support.

Impressions of Japan: Dcember 2006

Mysterious landscape shrouded in fog yet gleaming in the sun. Temples rising effortlessly from gnarled pine trees, or at least trees that are made to look gnarled, shaped by an artistic vision that has been passed down through the centuries. Manhole covers with floral designs, each given to a different prefecture. Sculpted by the tsunami, the divine wind expecting chaos striving for tranquility amidst the ring of fire. You are a land of paradox where men in business suits sleep on the trains, drunk and exhausted. Where women are looking to the future of a new dawn where they can take their place. This complicated landscape, enchanting in its beauty, where skyscrapers and mountains seem to be involvived in a delicate dance that will decide its ultimate fate.

New Song idea: September 2006

In the midst of your blue green swirling waves I found ways to surrender myself losing everything enveloped in darkness there was no time to think only struggle. Now that you're far away the tumult goes on though the rhythms are new. Layers once resting like a calm sea horizon come parading through streets rising up towards the sky. You are soft melody that can flash like a razor, or shimmer in the moonlight never ending surprise. Still you are constant and the salt in my tears reminds me of how I long for you. I am grateful to know that soon I will see you again.

-Oceano-