Still 2012, Y’all

 Hello!

 I hope all are well! A common theme I am seeing in the people I know are breakthroughs- both professionally and personally. As I talk to many friends, we all seem to agree that right now, people are having major transitions into their lives, and are being re-aligned with their true missions in life. I have also be noticing how life recently has been loaded with immense symbolism. It seems as if the people, things, events, words, and conversations that I have been encountering have had undeniable meaning on many levels- and that they all seem to have a hidden clues and lessons about where to head next. But this warrants its own discussion…..

       As I write this particular post, I am finding myself totally excited about music, life, and the general unfolding of events in general. Though it is hard to say what this summer will bring, I anticipate times of transformation and fervor to continue. Though it may seem right now as if events are looming in the ether, I can let you know about some more concrete developments!!!
Aside from making a video for “Coming ‘Round My Door” at Boston University, I have been writing new songs, making videos, and even recording a rendition of Radiohead’s “Reckoner.”  I am also very pleased to announce that this Wednesday, May 30th at 8:20 PM, I will be appearing on Evan Ginzberg’s “Legends Radio.” I will be doing an interview- discussing the nature of my work and my involvement in music, and snippets of my tracks from “Night Escape” will be played as well. I look forward to discussing and sharing my work through this internet radio program.  To listen to the show, go to http://legendsradio.net/ and click on “Listen Live” this Wednesday at 8:20 PM. 

        This July, my interview and performance from the lovely Jay Grayce’s “Cyber Serenade” will also air (more on this later). I will also be playing a show at Gizzi’s on Friday June 8th at 9 PM.I am grateful to be active in my music, and I am now prepping an expansive course of action for the summer. These developments will come to light as the summer wears on- and I cannot wait to share this natural unfolding of things as they come. I am positively certain of change. Right now, I am taking pleasure as the days and night run together, and time works in mysterious ebbs, flows, and inversions. And, if there was ever a time for change, now is it. This is to riding the wave!

Best,

Eric

PS- A little Radiohead for you!http://soundcloud.com/ericcontractor/e-contractor-m-westenberger

Summoning Duende/Show/Music Video

    

Duende: El duende is the spirit of evocation. It comes from inside as a physical/emotional response to music. It is what gives you chills, makes you smile or cry as a bodily reaction to an artistic performance that is particularly expressive. Folk music in general, especially flamenco, tends to embody an authenticity that comes from a people whose culture is enriched by diaspora and hardship; vox populi, the human condition of joys and sorrows. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

Hi to All!  I am excited to back and writing yet a new post, and to share with you some events that and happenings that are developing. And, like usual, I have a couple of announcements: First, I will be shooting a music video to “Coming ‘Round My Door” on April 25th at the Boston University Studios, compliments of my friend Carina Chavda. I am excited and grateful to have this opportunity and to share the final product with everyone. I chose this particular song because the lyrics and feel of the music naturally conveys a storyline with specific imagery. I am thinking of invoking a character for this video, with some Civil War era dress- canteen and hair wax included. When I write my songs, (and my music career in general) I am often inspired by seeing things through a cinematic scope, so this will be great. As much as I would love to sport some wild 19th century facial hair, I can’t grow any!

Secondly, I will be playing a show at Caffe Vivaldi on Saturday, April 21st at 6:00 PM. For this particular show, I am trying to add some more dynamics to the set, including some new songs, the resurrection of some older ones, and some storytelling and even spoken word to help enliven the set with just a bit more context. I have been spending a bit more time staying in to write, practice, and perfect some aspects of my music and act in general. As much as I love to be out and share my music, recently I have been on an introspective streak. I have felt the need to really further ground my work, and recapture some of the “duende” (see above) for my work. I have been trying to get my purpose clear for my music, and to really establish an essential template and spirit for all of what I do. Creative individuals are often the directors of their own odysessy, so finding the raw spirit of enthusiasm can help propel us through the trials we must face on daily basis. Whether it’s sitting down to write a song, or just playing for people, running with this feeling of creative exuberance brings us all forward. But, in the coming time I am sure there will be more developments to share. Until then, I leave you a video of my cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” a song filled with “duende.”

Forever,

Eric Contractor

Rockwood Show! Dreams! Still 2012 Y’all!

      

(Me)                                               (Geminid Meteor Shower)          (Resemblance?)

As I predicated earlier, 2012 is already shaping up to be a most interesting and magical year so far (though not without a need for some tenacity, intention and effort). First, I have some announcements concerning shows: First, I am playing at set at Culturefix this Sunday at 9:30. I am also extremely excited to tell you all that I will be playing at Rockwood Music Hall on February 18th at 3 PM! Rockwood Music Hall is wonderful place to play, complete with a stage, piano, cool environment, and great lighting. I’ve wanted to play over there for a while and I’m glad I finally have a chance. It’s right in the heart of the downtown corridor in the LES (off Houston Street) and they even have a little rope and carpet in front of the entrance.

(New Song- Check post below to listen)

And I have other developments, but more on an artistic level. Recently, I have been thinking about integrating some spoken word into my sets. At this point, I am trying to just flesh out the details of a larger vision for my music- something bolder, grander, more theatrical. A show that can properly suspend reality to enlarge the possibilities for storytelling and expression. For a newer song of mine, called “In the Floodlights,” I added this spoken intro to set the scene that transpires in the song:

“There was a time we used to meet out back in the floodlights, and we’d wait for each other when there was nowhere else for us to go. Past the clothes lines, the ghostly light of unwatched TV’s,, and the din of cars from the road, we’d find each other there. Our breaths fall upon each other in silence, and pointed towards those parts of ourselves that we wanted to share but couldn’t say. Before we found words, there was an unborn understanding. And we’d faithfully dip into the wilderness of our dreaming, away from the noise and glare of those scenes where appearance and preconceived notions were everything. But here, everything was silently understood. When we stood in the floodlights we had a place to ourselves, a world rendered by our wishes, dreams, and preoccupations. In the surrounding darkness were misunderstandings, the wind was our journey, and the light was our truth.

                               And so tonight, our constellations are falling
                               And tonight no one but me is calling.
                               So meet me there away from the scene,
                               Hold me close and have mercy on me.”

For me, songwriting is a vessel and vehicle of an an earlier interest of mine, which was poetry. At this point, I want to bring to life a more comprehensive show complete with songs, storytelling, spoken interludes, some stage design, more musicians, video, and maybe some dance? I feel like now, we are in a time of which the suspension of reality is more palpable than ever, and we are learning the ability for all of us to sort of create our own reality and energy, for better or for worse. I think the time is ripe for music, theater, and dreams and in general. This all may sounds like a lot to bring together, but little by little I shall. For now, the songs and the music itself is more than enough.

Speaking of dreams, I have had some powerful dreams recently. I had one dream in particular last night which was so strong, it recalled other dreams, and the locations of these former dreams in my own dreamworld (yes, I have these strange fantasy locations that I return to over and over again). I’d rather not try to describe the whole dream, but, in short, I started writing lyrics to one of my new songs, and I felt like these words were being dictated to me from a purer plane in this dream. All these people (from all parts of my life) were saying words to me for this particular song, line by line, or in little pieces, sometimes suggesting a line with mere looks. Somehow the dream seemed to signify to me something triumphant, and reaffirmed my purpose as a musician and songwriter. This was a dream so intense I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. And I think the barrier between these dreams and reality is thinner now than ever. They are bleeding into one another, and we all have a greater understanding of how work between these different planes of consciousness. After so much disembodiment, I think we want these deeper layers of awareness. And so we shall.

Forever, (friends suggested I use this tag- we really won’t last forever……or shall we?)

Eric Contractor

Nobody’s Darling

Click here the picture to listen to this new song! We recorded this one over at Powerville Studios over the winter break!

2012 Y’all!

                 

So here we are, in the midst (and mists) of what promises to be a most spontaneous, fulfilling, and magical new year. With a side dish of doom of course. Nah- I think we’ll be here next year, but I can sense that we are all facing some challenges that range from global to personal levels. With all of the floods, revolutions, and televised frivolity, it’s almost as if now I can sense and feel impeding events very deeply before they even happen. My B.S. meter is sharper than ever, and I feel as if I can sense the depth relevance of things more quickly. My gut tells me that things will intensify in the spring….after a somewhat mellower and more plodding winter.

What I also sense is the immediacy of great expansion for my music and my life at this point, despite the growing pains. Recently, NYC Rock named  ”Night Escape” #27 (after Rihanna of all people) for 100 Best Albums of 2011! Pretty amazing! More bragging- he also called my album “the surprise of the year.” This mention, among some others, was to me a great confirmation of many things. First, that hard work and dedication to one’s art and craft will be rewarded. Secondly, I feel that my desire to break to new ground with a distinctive new sound and vision is slowly beginning to manifest and become ever more clear. To a large extent my album, and my songwriting in general aims to explore, reveal, and thrill. However, despite a bit of recognition, the greatest confirmation of my work always comes with the urgency and excitement of a live audience.

And from here, it’s about some enrichment, enhancement, and blasting through some roadblocks. All majestic highways and paths can be blazed, however, sometimes a bit of crude TNT is needed to blast some rock out of the way (OK, I’m generally more environmentally friendly than that). Recently, I have a hawk’s eye out for laziness, fear of reaching out, and good ideas that go forgotten. I also want to look into making some videos and work with other artists of all kinds. These details are slowly being fleshed out, but there are times when I can feel the reality of future performances and I am shocked by their closeness. It’s almost as if I am reaching into a deep pond that displays these hopes, and once I touch the surface to find the world, it all disappears with ripples. For now.

Of course, there are more shows brewing. I just played a cool show at Sidewalk Cafe with Danny Leonard and Pete O’Neill. 2012 seems to be a reckoning to many- that we discover our true callings and move towards them. With general instability and destruction of paradigms, it feels more welcoming than ever to walk into whatever world we wish to create for ourselves.  And as I sit watching this rosy Brooklyn sunset, an airborne plastic bag/trash drifts merrily on by. 2012 Y’all!!!

Show at Pete’s Candy Store!

Hello Everyone!

        

(Drawing – A. Curnock)             (Picasso)                      Rubber Plant

I am writing to you from within the depths of a full-blown Halloween s(n)ow(ck) -it-to-me. As I awoke, I was stunned to see 2 inches of snow all over my deck. But, since it’s been just two months since I found myself in the midst of raging flood due to Hurricane Irene, my shock threshold is quite high and healthy. Biped transportation today proved futile- in an earlier voyage my feet skidded everywhere in a full slushy shuffle all over  the sidewalk. No matter though- today I have been staying indoors, having whimsical visions of sled dog transportation this winter, and re-energizing for my show at Pete’s Candy Store , this Tuesday November 1st at 10:30 PM!

(October Snow)

For those who are less familiar, Pete’s Candy Store is a famous staple of the Williamsberg music scene, and I am pretty honored to be playing there. (For futher notice all mentions of Williamsburg relate to the neighborhood in Brooklyn, not the colonial town in VA (god those tours were boring!)). The venue and performance space is neatly modeled after the inside of a train car, and this is just a cool place to hang out in the neighborhood in a very relaxing, low key way. So if anyone is out in the area in the evening, you should definitely come out! I can’t wait to deliver a a cool show in this intimate and unique venue in NYC.

And I have some further musings- it’s funny- because in other years, an October snowstorm would have felt even more shocking- but truth be told, after seeing my mom’s house being ripped apart by a flood, and the months of subsequent repair, a mere snowstorm looks like good, trivial fun. Recently, I’ve almost come to expect the most extreme possible outcome when it comes to the weather, social upheaval, technological advancements. Doesn’t anyone else sense the escalation of dramatic events? While so many of these things seem to be overwhelming, unprecedented, and wild, all of these things, I feel, are happening to allow us to move on from older paradigms and elevate us into a more graceful existence on this planet. I can’t say exactly where we are headed, but all I can say is that if people want change, wild occurrences should be expected as the agent of change. Grand statements, I know.

But, here I sit at least making some attempt to contextualize the world I live in. It’s so much easier to dissociate from the world and resign from one’s heartbeat in this seeming madness, but I feel like I want to make an effort to constantly view myself and those around me in a tangible, historical context. I want to emotionally feel a sense of urgency- a sense that we matter and that the reality of our lives, choices, and inclination make palpable, long term effects for the better. For me, in in throes of a cultural bewilderment and conflict, music can be an excellent grounding to gain this fresh and vital perspective. But this perspective can require a voluntary effort- and a drive to create focus and order- and to allow the storms to play out through my music. So for now, I can’t help but feel I am in for some excitement- for my music and from all kinds of whacky events. The possibilities right now feel larger than ever….and we are on the brink of something….

And you ain’t seen nothing yet…..

-Forever

Art of the Etc.

   

(Abstracted moon scene)          (My room)                 (Cyclops, R. Brosh album)

Hello All! Things have been quite interesting, wild, exciting, and turbulent recently- mostly due to Hurricane Irene’s punishing rain that flooded my mother’s house and the entire town of Denville. I went out to New Jersey for the weekend, and I got an eyeful of some wild scenes: dull fire alarms sounding off everywhere, army trucks plowing through water-ridden highways, and backstreets that became rogue rivers of fury.  For those who were nonplussed about the effects of the Irene- it really WAS bad, just not so much in NYC. But everything is slowly returning back to normal, and her house will be fine. With the cool autumn air and dimming light will come some necessary repairs.

In brighter news, I should now inform you that I have a gig at The Waltz-Astoria on October 8th at 8PM. I have some things in the works for this- newer songs, newer (old) songs, and even a collaboration with a certain Libr(o) friend whose birthday will fall the date of the gig. I also played my show at Caffe Vivaldi last week, which was a relatively quiet affair. (Thanks to those who made it out!) Like The Waltz-Astoria, Caffe Vivaldi is a really great place to play because it feels so artist-oriented and not like a bar that incidentally has music going on. I also played an older-newer song of mine called “On the Vine,” one my favorites that I’ve written. I remember it coming in a flash one Saturday afternoon. I have also been writing some new ones:

My notebook/songwriting journal has been rather active recently- and it also doubles as sketch pad- maybe I’ll get the urge to do some drawing?!! (Hint: See Cyclops Man at top of post (the drawing to the right is a print by Seurat)). At this point, I want to get visual in terms of my music- in the future I want to have specific kinds of lighting, clothing, dressing, and visual effects to go along with my music. I can have rather theatrical imaginings sometimes, and I want to incorporate that into shows in the future. I’ve been reading, songwriting, and taking account of  everything I’ve done so that I can progress from here.

In terms of the past decade (starting particularly with 9-11) it seems as though our threshold for shock and the surreal has been raised dramatically. I’ve become accustomed to the mysterious and disbelief. On the other side of that, I feel like this is also a time for new conceptions, new ideas, innovation, and new kinds of music/creativity. In short, it feels like anything is possible. What was before a far-fetched idea now seems possible. Words I think of now for current times: extreme, difficult, unpredictable, unprecedented, unique, transitional, revelatory, but ultimately extraordinary. So for now, I continue to write in my room, seeking to amass loose ends towards a purposeful vision. I’ll contine to write songs and sing in the night and day, to an audience or to the lonely echo of my stair hall. Increasingly, as I think about the possibilities for music and communication under a spotlight, it feels so real, vivid, and close. And- don’t count any idea or outcome out – it seems relevant to the times to say that anything is possible.

-Forever