So where was I for the last seven years or so? Funny you should ask…… You may or may not know that I was diagnosed with a brain tumor back in 2001, I’ve had 3 brain surgeries (so far), did chemotherapy, radiation and went through a few different clinical trials. I am blessed to be under the care of some of the finest doctors in the world at UCSF and there has been no growth to my tumor for the last 3 years, for which I am incredibly grateful. The flip side of being the recipient of all this incredible western medicine is that I started to notice some side effects from the various treatments I had…..cognitive and memory issues.
After finishing Alchemy and then Wintermuse in 2011, I would try unsuccessfully to start new musical projects, but it became increasingly difficult for me to remember how all the software worked/how to update all my plug-ins etc, much less find my creative process again. Most of my attempts to make music ended in frustration, so after a while I just stopped.
Then last Fall, things very slowly and gradually started to improve for me. With the help of some cognitive behavioral therapy, good old western medicine, mindfulness, meditation and some of that fine Northern California Cannabis, I was able to calmly work my way through technical issues, clear away some of the cobwebs of confusion and rediscover my creative process. Once I was able to complete a track, I knew things would be ok. I’m in a really good head space right now, my creative juices are flowing, I have a new album due to come out soon and I am ecstatic to be back making music!
I have no idea what the future holds for me, but then again, none of us do. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to take this ride and anyone that wants to come along with me is welcome 🙂
I’ve been listening to Base Camp, discovered it thanks to HoS and just purchased it from the iTunes store. I’m so glad you were able to go back to composing this amazing music. I haven’t listened yet to the rest of your catalog, but I’m looking forward to it
Thank you so much. If you purchase any of my music in the future, I suggest you do so from my Bandcamp site, which is the only place you can get the gapless versions of my albums:
http://atomicskunk.bandcamp.com/
Rich…been a fan for years, but only just read your post and learned about your setback and comeback. So happy to hear this! That you can again create soundscapes expressing the wonderful waves of your magnificent brain. Your music resonates me like a harmonic, and the vibe and view of your fb posts is so much like my own, we live in very closely parallel universes, with wormholes connecting them/us. Thank you for providing a musical/energetic environment for my best work. Here, I’ll introduce you: http://www.sgedesignsinc.com, http://www.eastboard.com
Seeing that your last post was in Feb, I’m hoping/wishing all is well through this Covid event. Everyone in your life good? I’ve been quarantining with my wife since Mid-March; she’s an interfaith minister, Dr of Divinity. We both work from home, so our creative lives have continued mostly unabated. Although we intentionally set life up this way, we’re fortunate and grateful that it works out.
I might have something for you. Do you know about Healy? http://www.healyworld.net
This is a frequency medicine device my wife has been using, and I’m about to try (I have a couple areas to work on). She’s addressing painful knee trouble, and general low-level discomfort, and so far, about 3 weeks, we’re seeing results – less knee pain, and she’s laughing again. Def not mainstream western medicine, but I’d imagine you’re open to other modalities as well. We work with a remote healer, and use the herbs and tinctures she prescribes to maintain our health. BTW we’re in our 70s. We’re proponents of alternative medicine. If your interest in Healy is piqued, let me know, we became distributors.
And of course you love Eurostile Extended – it’s one of our wormhole connection points! Cannabis is another one. See ya.
SG
Thank you for the music..
You were an are meant to continue to share those wonderful gifts.. I am glad that you have found a way to share what is within you…
Love your FB posts also💞