I played guitar and sang in old time trio, Triple Chicken Foot for over ten years. We recorded 3 albums all available on CDBaby or Bandcamp (or here as part of a perk!), hosted jams and dances and produced the Los Angeles Old Time Social. The band ended in 2015 when my marriage fell apart and banjo player Mike Heinle moved to Guernville. Born out of this double heartbreak, The Last Kind Word is my first solo record. Originally, I thought it would be a mix of originals and traditionals on the guitar and banjo. But I’m proud to say it’s 100% original! There’s acoustic guitar and banjo and electric guitar all recorded with Ben Townsend of Questionable Records who engineered and mixed the album. And, something exciting for me is I reconnected with my sound art past and crafted these short Interludes using field recordings of my surroundings, spoken word, electric guitar, synth, a banjo and even my Swedish journalist Uncle Jan’s voice, discovered on a film he made in 1975!
I collect records. I love vinyl and since picking up the guitar I’ve wanted to make a 12″ long-playing, 33 RPM album. When I began thinking about making a solo project, that desire burned bright. I decided to go for it as a way to help pull me out of my blues when my pal Lisa Marr told me about this amazing residency though the Turkey Land Cove Foundation (TLCF) on Martha’s Vineyard. “TLCF provides a quiet space for a woman to progress toward a defined goal, complete a project, and develop tools to propel her life in a new direction.” That was me! My proposal to finalize songs for a solo album was selected. Thinking it would be a mix of originals and traditionals, I went in October for two weeks with some songs and sound works in progress and ideas for covers and came away with 10 original songs on guitar and banjo and 6 sound interludes.
My dear pal Ben Townsend offered to record it and as he is one of my musical heroes, I jumped at the chance to combine the trip east to go to Louisville, Kentucky where he was living at the time and lay down tracks for the songs. He played and sang on it too and on one of my favorite songs I love we dueted on banjo and that put me over the moon. Cheyenne Mize, an amazing musician in Louisville (she has her own solo stuff and plays with Will Oldham), played and sang on it and my travel buddy and Swiper the Dog’s mom Ida Mae Specker (fantastic fiddler and singer from Vermont) was around long enough to add harmonies. Back in LA radical accordion and artist pal Erin Schneider laid down accordion on a track. Finally, I took a fun stringband tune down to 1642 Bar and had a buncha buddies come and lay down a ruckusy chorus. All in all, it’s a unique reflection of some unique times and travels and the ups and downs of life and love. You gotta hear it!
By pre-ordering your digital or vinyl copy today, you are enabling me to place the order to press the vinyl and cover my recording costs. I would be so honored to have your support!
My goal is to raise $5,895.00 This covers:
One of my favorite things about the LP perk is the insert. There’s nothing I like more than listening to a record while looking at the artwork and reading lyrics, so I made this mini poster collage on one side and lyrics on the other. You might wanna hang it on your wall!
Another great perk is you can pick up an extra CD like one of Triple Chicken Foot’s records or Ben Townsend and Friends album recorded at Deep End (and that I happen to play on.)
Or, if ya like zines and reading and graphics, get one of the remaining copies of my handbound book In the Service of the Song, a rumination on my love affair with old time guitar.
The most unique perks for you high rollers out West who want me nearby is a house concert in your town! Or your very own personalized sound interlude!
And lastly, there’s just one of a kind for The Last Kind Word, the original watercolor painting that graces the cover of the album.
If I do not reach my entire goal, I will use whatever funds I raise towards vinyl production and the photographer and musician’s fees.
I think The Last Kind Word is worth supporting because I think music is worth supporting. If you believe, as I have learned, that the only way through this life is to surround yourself with Love and Truth (most especially your own) and song and laughter and dancing and furry friends, then you must get yourself a copy of this album for your online or vinyl collection.
The risk and challenge now is getting the vinyl produced and then taking the time to get the songs out there through distribution, live gigs and your support. Putting your own songs into the world is one scary risk, but I feel like with everything I’ve been through in the last couple of years even just having the record on my own shelf is mighty fine.
Times are tight. If you cannot order a copy now, you could help me get the word out about this campaign for The Last Kind Word. I would be most grateful. (And can reward YOU if you let me know!) Use the Indiegogo sharing tools and social media-it up!
Thank you for your support!