no. 251 | Whatayear

PSO is a project sensitive to the cycles of the seasons. Recording outside, and often from the same perch in front of our house, offers new ways to note the passage of time. After so many years, the patches of grass that were worn to dirt by countless games of volleyball have nearly filled in or at least are covered by the leaves freshly fallen from the pecans. This week’s piece was recorded a couple days ago on a still and unseasonably warm evening. It’s always strange to hear the rustle of leaves on the ground in short sleeves.

Yesterday, on a break from practicing, Paul and I stopped to look at a group of goldfinches gathered around a special feeder he installed. Groups of birds always have interesting names; in this case a gathering of goldfinches is called a “charm” or sometimes a “troubling.” Let’s go with charm, as it was a delightful scene and I prefer to think of their visit as a good omen for the the new year.

This is often a time for reflection and projection, best ofs and bum steer awards. Mom loved Texas Monthly’s yearly call out of the worst things Texan. She would cackle at each entry. I miss that. Dad loved Christmas. I wish I could’ve spent more of them with him. All and all it was pretty hard year around here.

There were so many moments of support and care from family and many friends that made this tough slog bearable, and I am truly thankful for that. I am also thankful for yall who listen to these missives from the porch, read these words, and hopefully get a little lift or feel a sense of connection from PSO. Thank you!

There is lots to look forward to in the New Year, and I hope to hear from you or see you at one of our upcoming live events.

New pod strings together some of my favorite pieces from last year including the newest piece which will also be the last entry for 2025

PSO seeks folks who want make something together. It’s easy and fun. It can be live together or done remotely.

Reach out with an email to info@porchswingorchestra.org and let’s do something together!

Exhibit Closing Performance and Book + Cassette Release
Saturday, January 31, Galveston Artist Residency. at 5pm. PSO will play an intimate show in the atrium of this storied artist residency located just around the corner from the Galveston Art Center, where my show Slow Bell is currently on view.

The day of the performance will be the last day of my exhibit, which features visual works and a sound piece all made in Galveston. We will be celebrating with the release of a new 4-color Riso-printed catalog of the show printed by the inestimable Dan Schmahl from Rising Tide Projects. This (naturally) will be accompanied by a new cassette of the sound pieces created for the show.

Book Event + Performance
Saturday, February 28, 6-8 pm, with a live performance at 7pm, Do Right Hall. Brought to you by the fine folks that run WRONG GALLERY in Marfa, Texas. Book your trip. Jason Reed and I will driving out west to stretch out our 58-foot accordion-fold book, BOOM AND DUST, in the gorg space built in 1886 that was the first church of Marfa. It is an all adobe structure. It’s super cool and the ideal place to reprise the soundtrack that PSO recorded for the book live.