New track: “Frontlines”April 24th, 2011

I got a little obsessive over the last two days and wrote and recorded a new track from scratch called “Frontlines”. As described on the page, the song is about how we all fight our own battles, whether large or small, and “find our own truth in the great design”. Check it out on my Bandcamp page!

End of Semester EventsApril 21st, 2011

It’s been a busy few weeks, as we approach the Easter holiday and near the end of my first full school year at Dakota State University.  To begin with, the “Double Header” show with Jane Ryder visiting was very much a success.  Many friends and members of the community showed up to support the event.  I brought out my electric and jammed some tunes to set the mood.  Photo above by Cassie Edwards, below by Chris Francis:

Following Jane’s stay, my parents made a visit for the weekend!  We took a trip into Brookings to do some shopping and eating.  My dad and I hoped that golf would be a possibility, but the weather didn’t want to cooperate.  We still had a good time, and their visit even prompted us to re-do our guest bedroom.  More than anything, I think we all enjoyed a little bit of relaxation and hanging out as a family.

On Monday, DSU instructor Stacey Berry hosted another AFK (Away From Keyboard) event at Mochavino, which featured poetry readings and stories by students and community members.  Cassie even convinced my dad to read a couple of chapters from his book!  We were remarking how much of a nice variety of material was presented.  Photo below by Cassie Edwards:

Lastly, DSU Live is going to finish the semester by collaborating with the campus Diversity Club to bring a variety talent show to the commons area in the Trojan Center.  The event is called “Tips for Talent” and will raise money for disaster relief in Japan.  I’m going to play a song or two along with a variety of student performers.  Good times!  Poster by DSU Student Heather Finstad:

Artist Exhibition coming to Downtown MadisonApril 12th, 2011

The Madison Area Arts Council is excited to be hosting artist and Northern Illinois University graduate Jane Ryder, along with Sioux Falls artist Lacey Lee this Thursday night at the Brickhouse in downtown Madison at 7pm.  My wife Cassie, who is good friends with Jane, invited her out for the show.  We are also happy to be hosting her for several days during her visit! I will also make my presence known as I provide a musical backdrop to the exhibition.  The show is entitled, ‘Instinct’.

"Spatiotemporal Fork Biota (I)" by Jane Ryder

In other news, we are already nearing the end of the semester and there is so much left to do. Students in my Audio for Video class are hard at work on some large-scale video projects, and DSU Live is planning some end of the year events and setting things in motion to be bigger and better next year. Cassie has already started some projects around the house and we are looking forward to making a lot of changes over the Summer.  Cassie’s looking forward to her gardening and I’m actually looking forward to mowing the yard!  I’ll keep you posted as the marathon to the end of the school year continues.